SM079 : Showering the World with Love!
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
SM081 : A Young Royal Flame Ignites!
Not Caving Under Pressure!
SM080.png
SM080   EP1019
サンドの嵐!氷穴のダブルバトル!!
Sand's Storm! Ice Cave Double Battle!!
First broadcast
Japan June 28, 2018
United States November 24, 2018
English themes
Opening Under The Alolan Moon
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening 未来コネクション
Ending ジャリボーイ・ジャリガール
Credits
Animation Team Kato
Screenplay 宮田由佳 Yuka Miyata
Storyboard 尼野浩正 Hiromasa Amano
Assistant director 渡辺正彦 Masahiko Watanabe
Animation director 直井由紀 Yuki Naoi
No additional credits are available at this time.

Not Caving Under Pressure! (Japanese: サンドの嵐!氷穴のダブルバトル!! Sand's Storm! Ice Cave Double Battle!!) is the 80th episode of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, and the 1,019th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on June 28, 2018, in New Zealand on October 17, 2018, in Australia and the United Kingdom on November 2, 2018, in Canada on November 10, 2018, and in the United States on November 24, 2018.

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Blurb

A surprising show of determination leads to a happy outcome for many—in many different ways!

On their way to the ferry back to Melemele Island, our heroes take a shortcut through a cave. They find an area filled with luminescent moss, and Kiawe’s overexcited Marowak starts a commotion that separates everyone into groups. While the others try to find their way out, Lillie, Sophocles, and Mallow discover a group of Alolan Sandshrew in training. The Sandshrew are threatened by a Tyranitar, but Lillie intervenes. She challenges Tyranitar to a Double Battle—and wins with the help of Snowy and the Sandshrew Boss! To show their gratitude, the Sandshrew present Lillie with her very own Icium Z!

Plot

Ash and his classmates make their way towards the ferry bound for Melemele Island after finishing their stay-over tour of the Hokulani Observatory. Poipole flies ahead and notices a shortcut sign leading to a cave route. Sophocles explains that the cave will lead the group directly to the ferry terminal. Convinced, everyone ventures into the cave system, which is illuminated by glowing moss. Sophocles notes that the cave also leads to Mount Lanakila. Kiawe becomes concerned that they could get lost, but Sophocles is confident that he knows his directions. Suddenly, Marowak begins chasing the other Pokémon with its moss-covered bone. Turtonator tries to intervene, but it is knocked onto its shell, causing an explosion that sends the group and their Pokémon flying in multiple directions.

All of Ash's Pokémon, except Rowlet, end up together, and then, they end up getting flattened by Turtonator. Lycanroc sniffs the ground and takes the lead. Sophocles, Lillie, and Mallow have all of their Pokémon with them, while Lana and her Popplio find Rotom and Marowak nearby. Meanwhile, Ash and Kiawe are all alone and attempt to find everyone else. Kiawe tells Ash to watch where he steps, but the latter ends up stepping on a sleeping Boldore, angering it. Ash tries to send Rowlet out to fight, but it won't wake up, forcing Ash and Kiawe to flee, defenseless.

Elsewhere, Lillie puts her finger in the air in an attempt to find a wind current that could lead to an exit, and Sophocles and Mallow do the same. The three feel a breeze coming their way, but it turns out to be a rabid Alolan Raticate, that is rampaging towards them, forcing the trio to run. The trio escape but are exhausted. Fortunately Mallow has some supplies on hand, and Sophocles, Lillie, and the Pokémon enjoy the homemade cookies. Lillie notices Mallow isn't eating, though Mallow explains that the look on a satisfied person's face is irreplaceable and that she hopes that she can make more people happy through her cooking in the future. Mallow asks Sophocles about his dream. He admits his fascination with the stars has led him to want to become an astronaut. While Lillie explains that she hopes to become closer with Pokémon and doesn't have a particular dream in mind. Snowy's ears switch, and the group soon notice a group of Alolan Sandshrew in the midst of training. Sophocles jumps to stop his Togedemaru from disrupting the group, but his landing alerts the wild Pokémon to the trio's presence. He tries to apologise, but the Sandshrew soon surround them. Mallow notices one of the Sandshrew sniffing the air around her, so she gives it one of her remaining cookies. It quickly grabs the treat and eats it.

Lana has arrived at a fork in the cave. Rotom's 50/50 calculations prove useless so Lana just decides to go right. Meanwhile, Kiawe and Ash are exhausted as the former mentions that Ash ended up stepping on a Diglett and a Gumshoos. Ash suddenly spots an exit and the pair run out directly into the blizzard conditions. They quickly realize they have gone the wrong direction and ended up at Mount Lanakila. Elsewhere, the Sandshrew have begun to calm down after a small snack, much to Sophocles, Lillie and Mallow's relief. An unusually large Sandshrew approaches Lillie for a pat. Its ears twitch, and the Sandshrew begin fleeing and the trio follow suit at Snowy's insistence.

As they are running, Lillie notices that the ground is becoming colder and they soon reach their destination, a large ice structure that resembles a castle. They watch on as the Sandshrew confront an intimidating Tyranitar. Lillie notices the claw marks across the cavern's ceiling and walls, and suggests the territory must belong to the Sandshrew. Snowy is blown away by Tyranitar's Sandstorm and another attack causes the cavern to become unstable. Lillie and Snowy becomes separated by the debris. She is fine, though is more concerned about the Sandshrew's conditions. Meanwhile, the large Sandshrew continues to battle on and evades another Stone Edge from Tyranitar, but the attack does more damage to the cave. Lillie rushes into the conflict, while Sophocles enlists his Togedemaru and Charjabug, Mallow and her Steenee to help dig a path to reach her. Lillie reaches the battle as Sandshrew is winded by another Stone Edge. Snowy launches a Hail, and as predicted the change of conditions give the Sandshrew favourable hope as Lillie attempts to speak to Tyranitar. Lillie thinks back to Ash's match against Olivia and decides a Double Battle is in order. Snowy uses Aurora Veil which protect it and Sandshrew from Tyranitar's attack. Lillie follows up with a Powder Snow, and at her command, Sandshrew unleashes several Rapid Spins. Mallow and Sophocles are glad she has Tyranitar cornered and cheer Lillie on. Sandshrew uses Metal Claw which topples Tyranitar to the ground. Tyranitar tries to get up, but flees the cavern after Sandshrew roars. Sophocles and Mallow are amazed by Lillie's command of the wild Pokémon and her victory. However Lillie brushes off the praise by stating that it was a spur of the moment thing, and it was the Pokémon that made the effort. The trio watch on as the Sandshrew get back to constructing their nest.

Meanwhile, Ash and Kiawe emerge from the cave system and encounter Lana there. Kiawe is overjoyed to be reunited with his Marowak, while his Pokémon is overwhelmed and begins to tear up. Rotom floats into Ash's arms, and Ash's other Pokémon soon make an appearance.

Lillie has Snowy freeze over a cavern entrance to prevent any more intruders from entering the Sandshrews' nest. Charjabug suddenly excavates an Ice Stone which Sophocles explains can be used to evolve either an Alolan Vulpix or Alolan Sandshrew. The large Sandshrew nudges the Ice Stone in Sophocles's hand and goes on to evolve into an Alolan Sandslash. Lillie is glad it evolved and can now defend the Sandshrew with its newfound strength. Sandslash walks off somewhere and returns with an Icium Z, which it presents to Lillie as gratitude for her and Snowy's assistance. Lillie is unsure because she doesn't have a Z-Ring yet, but Sophocles and Mallow encourage her to take it anyway, stating that she might get a Z-Ring in the future, and with that, Lillie accepts the generous gift.

Sophocles, Lillie and Mallow emerge from the cave where they announce to their fellow classmates that they had a fantastic adventure. The claim instantly piques the others' interests. Sophocles goes on to boast that they found a large ice castle, while Lillie reveals that she succeeded in a Double Battle and earned herself an Icium Z. As they admire Lillie's reward, Charjabug reveals that it has found another Ice Stone. Sophocles hands it to Lillie so she can evolve Snowy. Lillie formally offers the Ice Stone to Snowy, but it cowers away from it. Seeing her Pokémon's reaction, Lillie deduces that Snowy is not ready to evolve yet and respects its decision. While the others imagine Lillie's future Z-Move and Alolan Ninetales, she smiles at the possibility.

Major events

 
Lillie holding the Icium Z
For a list of all major events in the anime, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

 
Dare da?

Pokémon

 
Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Sandshrew (Alola Form)

Trivia

Errors

Dub edits

In other languages



SM079 : Showering the World with Love!
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
SM081 : A Young Royal Flame Ignites!
  This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.