SM106: Evolving Research!

is the 14th episode of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon - Ultra Legends.
==Synopsis==
As our heroes continue their research projects, Sophocles wants to help Charjabug evolve. The pair set off to Vast Poni Canyon and encounter Horacio, who wants his own Charjabug to evolve first. But when Horacio ends up in danger, Sophocles’s Charjabug springs into rescue mode and evolves into Vikavolt!
Meanwhile, Lana has her heart set on training, but she’s disappointed because her mentor, Ida, is about to depart Poni Island. Still, Popplio and Sandy have fun playing with Ida’s Primarina, and when Lana decides to show Ida what she’s capable of, Popplio evolves into Brionne! As congratulations, Ida gives Lana her own Primarium Z and encourages her to continue training.
==Episode plot==
A new day of the heroes to complete their projects has arrived. Mallow plans on making dishes from the vegetables she bought, while Kiawe wants to train with Turtonator and Marowak. Lillie wants to observe more Pokémon on Poni Island, and gets applauded by Lana. Ash wants to battle Hapu, who refuses to fight him. Out of nowhere, Hapu appears, stating she has been called, and startles everyone. Hapu tells she harvested some Poni radishes, and wanted their Pokémon to get a taste of it. She asks what is the group doing, and is told they are planning to finish their projects. Sophocles shows a picture of Vast Poni Canyon, where he is headed to, located near the Altar of the Sunne. Sophocles believes Charjabug will be more likely to evolve into a Vikavolt over there. However, he is not certain if that'll work, but Hapu confirms that place does have mysterious energy that allows that transformation. Sophocles is enthusiastic, and Ash and Kiawe decide to tag along with him.
Popplio looks out the window, and Lana becomes happy. They, along with Sandy, arrive to the port to greet Ida, Lana's mistress. The two greet each other, and Lana shows Sandy, whom she caught recently. Kanoa comes out, too, and greets Lana. The latter wonders where Brionne is; out of the sea, a Primarina jumps out. Lana is amazed, seeing that Brionne has evolved into Primarina already, for Ida wanted to surprise Lana with these news. The rest of the group join Lana, and are amazed to see Primarina, who emits balloons that spin around and spread glitter. The heroes are dazzled, and Lana wishes of Ida to train her. Ida hesitates, while Kanoa greets Hapu, glad to see she made some friends. Hapu jumps away, stating these are her acquaintances, and states that he and Ida have revisited the island a number of times. Kanoa claims they are treasure hunters, and must go through Alola to find some, which disappoints Ash that they have not found anything yet. It is why Ida wants to go with Kanoa, and to perform shows. Lana is disappointed, since Ida has to go tomorrow morning already.
Instead, Ida offers Lana some training, since they have some spare time. Lana swears she'll give her best to train. Later, the girls decide to visit Ida, while the boys, accompanied by Hapu, go to Vast Poni Canyon. Hapu admits she is also curious about Charjabug's evolution. Lana is ready to train with Ida, as their Primarina and Popplio dive into the sea, with Sandy joining them. The two emit balloons, which Sandy pierces, and start singing. Mallow wonders if this could truly be called training, but Lillie believes so. On route to the canyon, Charjabug evades an attack from Murkrow. Pikachu uses Quick Attack against a Hakamo-o, while Turtonator slams a Boldore away with Dragon Tail. Hapu sees Kiawe is strong, too, while Sophocles reminds they came here to evolve Charjabug. As a Golduck appears, Charjabug uses Discharge. However, Togedemaru absorbs the attack and rams into Golduck, electrocuting it. Sophocles reminds Togedemaru this was supposed to be Charjabug's battle, but the former happily jumps away.
The group continues to their way to the valley. Sophocles looks at his map, and notices it is acting weird. Hapu points out they have arrived to a cave, which should be the place he is seeking. Suddenly, a guy laughs, as he didn't expect Sophocles to be here. The guy is Horacio, who is accompanied by his guys and his shiny Charjabug. Ash wonders who are these boys, and is reminded they are from Team Red Comet, whom he, Kiawe and Sophocles competed against in the Charjabug race. Horacio admits he came here to have his Charjabug evolve, and brags that despite "letting" Sophocles take the victory in the race, he'll make Charjabug evolve more quickly than Sophocles would his own. He claims he'll obtain the Bug Stone first, which can evolve any Bug-type Pokémon. Others, including Rotom, don't know anything about this Bug Stone. Horacio's allies see he just blabbed out the secret information, but others are not convinced such a stone exists. Horacio claims his father obtained this information, and demands of them not to get in his way.
However, Sophocles challenges Horacio, who smiles. He states the first one, without the help of their allies, to evolve Charjabug wins. Thus, Sophocles leaves Togedemaru, who is accompanied by Pikachu. Ash swears to watch over Togedemaru, and Kiawe cheers for Sophocles to win. The two sides go into the cave, but Kiawe wonders how will Sophocles go, since caves can get dark. Sophocles becomes scared of the dark, seeing he relied on Togedemaru to be the light source. Instead, Charjabug emits electricity to illuminate the cave, though Sophocles turns the light on his phone. He notices the magnetic presence is still interfering with his map. Soon, he finds a fork in the path, and a moment later, encounters a bunch of Golbat. Charjabug steps forward to defend. At the beach, Popplio and Primarina are splashing water on each other. Lana wonders if this is training, but Ida admits they are playing around, which disappoints the rest. Ida reminds the ocean is vast, and can quickly get terrifying. Lana nods, and is told as long as she remembers that, she'll learn a lot from the ocean. Lana closes her eyes, and hears the sound of the waves. Suddenly, Primarina sings its song, and underneath the sea, there are few unidentified Pokémon who are covered in silhouette and walking, and the scene changes to an opened black crate.
To stop the Golbat, Charjabug emits String Shot, followed with Discharge. With the Golbat distracted, Sophocles and Charjabug continue on. Horacio came out of the cave, and sees the stone beyond a rope bridge. As Sophocles and Charjabug come out, the former warns Horacio, who goes past the bridge. The rope snaps, causing Horacio and Charjabug to be dangling, and Sophocles is uncertain what to do. Determined, Sophocles' Charjabug evolves into a Vikavolt, who takes Horacio and Charjabug back to safety. It also takes the Bug Stone to Sophocles, who passes it to Horacio, since his Vikavolt has evolved already. Horacio places it on his Charjabug, but nothing happens, much to his displeasure. Sophocles believes there's nothing special about the stone, for it is the magnetic powers of the land that allow this evolution. Ash is concerned about Sophocles, so he and Kiawe go to find more out. However, they get knocked away, as a bunch of Golbat come out, followed by Sophocles' Vikavolt. Sophocles apologizes he took so long, while Ash and Kiawe congratulate him and Vikavolt for the latter's evolution.
thumb|Ida and her Primarina performing Primarina's Z-Move, Oceanic Operetta.
Horacio and Charjabug come out, disappointed, but are determined to train over. He swears he'll face Sophocles one day in a Vikavolt race. Horacio takes a step, but falls down, for the stairs are located elsewhere. The guys are enthusiastic about this race, while Hapu notes Sophocles is formidable as well. The group returns to the Pokémon Center, where the girls are setting up tables. They are pleased to see Vikavolt has evolved, and Mallow has prepared dishes for this event. Ash is impressed by the meals, and the feast starts. To thank everyone, Ida calls Primarina, and touches the Z-Crystal on her ring, who emits a giant balloon to use Oceanic Operetta. The Z-Move explodes, leaving behind lots of glitter. Everyone is amazed by this scene, while Ida informs Lana this Z-Move cannot be used until Popplio evolves into a Primarina. Lana is encouraged to train, who wants to show Ida the best she has to offer.
The next morning, as Ida and Kanoa are about to leave, the group notices Lana is absent. Ash goes to find her, but she passes by him, and shows Ida how much she and Popplio have trained. The former emits a big balloon and sings, evolving into a Brionne in the process. Lana is glad, as their training has paid off. Brionne claps her flippers as the balloon bursts into glitter. Ida is pleased that Lana has showed her these efforts, as Lana promises to continue training, aiming to use Oceania Operetta one day. To help her out, Ida gives her a Primarium-Z, which Kanoa found in the ocean. Lana looks at the Z-Crystal, and bids farewell with the group to Ida and Kanoa.
As Hapu is harvesting the Poni radishes, she believes Ida and Kanoa have set off, and wishes the two luck.
==Debuts==
===Pokémon===
*Vikavolt (Sophocles')
*Lana's Brionne
*Meltan (silhouettes)
===Move===
*Oceanic Operetta
===Item===
*Primarium Z
==Trivia==
*"Who's That Pokémon?:" Primarina (JA and EN)
*The Poké Problem segment hosted by Sophocles asks which Pokémon evolves from Charjabug in today's episode. The correct answer is the blue answer, Vikavolt. The other answers are Heracross (red), Pinsir (green), and Stakataka (yellow).
*This is the third episode where two of the main protagonists' Pokémon evolve on screen in the same episode, with "Dig Those Diglett!" being the first and "Seeing is Believing" being the second. 
*During Primarina's song, a small unsealed crate that resembles Meltan's mystery box can be seen underwater. The crate turned out to be part of Meltan's cameo debut as silhouettes before the scene focuses to the opened crate, predating its species' full appearance in a future episode.
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes focusing on Lana
Category:Episodes focusing on Sophocles
Category:Episodes featuring a main character's Pokémon evolving
Category:Episodes in which a main character obtains a Z-Crystal
Category:Episodes featuring Island Kahunas
Category:Episodes featuring Mythical Pokémon
Category:Episodes featuring alternate colored Pokémon