Escape from Arceus's Mouth

Written by
 Directed by

**Pokemon All-Starters Episode 8: Escape from Arceus's Mouth** is the 8th episode of Pokemon All-Starters. It aired on July 30, 2021.

## Synopsis

The Pokémon team find themselves at a cave outside the beach. The only catch? The cave is more than meets the eye. What could be the cause of this cave's calamity? And will the team be able to overcome this obstacle?

## Plot

Totodile leads his friends to the cave, though Charmander questions whether it is safe, while Mudkip admires the mud. Chespin & Litten ask where the cave is, the latter upset due to having no wild Pokémon to battle, so Totodile leads them onward. He decides to dive in the water to take a shortcut, followed by Mudkip, while the others take "this conveniently placed bridge" (which Charmander is grateful for, otherwise it would be "death, death, and more death" for him). They finally arrive at the cave, and Chikorita suggests they wait for Totodile & Mudkip to arrive, but Chespin is too eager, so they head off.

Outside, they see Doctor Hypno, whom Litten dismisses as a weirdo. He attempts to warn them about the cave, explaining it is called "Arceus's Mouth" and filled with illusions and traps, causing problems to many Pokémon. Cosmog doesn't detect any Z crystals and wants to move on, but Litten is unafraid and urges them to go forward. Hypno tries to warn them, then decides to follow them to make sure they're okay. With no one left outside to accompany him, Cosmog teleports away.

In the cave, Charmander admires it, and the "barricades for some reason" only to find the others have somehow split up. Left alone, Charmander begins to get scared, and feels the cave is moving in on him. Elsewhere, Chespin, Chikorita & Litten each search for their missing friends. Back with Charmander, he is becoming more frightened, believing he will now die in the cave. As he sobs, he hears a mysterious voice, who tells him the walls are not closing in, and he is simply experiencing an illusion; the mystery voice refuses to reveal who they are, and points him out a crack in the ceiling, telling him to go through it. Though Charmander is unsure, the voice assures him it's the only way he can get out. After some reluctance, he does so after much pain crawling through the crack, and finds himself in a darker cave. There he overhears Sableye discussing a plan to turn the others into Smog Grunts. Charmander confronts the Pokémon about his family, and he explains they are visiting with his master, Houndoom. Charmander then angrily demands to be taken to Houndoom, but Sableye refuses, so he hits a Headbutt on him. Charmander is pleased to have taken him down with one hit, but Dr. Hypno appears to reveal that is not the case. Hypno explains he didn't want to see them lose their lives in the cave, then notes Team Smog is behind everything, with Charmander surprised he knows of the villainous Pokémon team. Hypno explains that Team Smog has "admins" before noting there were four of them in the cave. This reminds Charmander of his family and he rushes off, with Hypno failing to warn him yet again, and heads off after him. Meanwhile, a recovered Sableye leaves to report to his boss, certain he won't like what's happened.

Back outside the cave, Mudkip & Totodile emerge from the water and Totodile reveals the cave Silvally's Jaw. However, Mudkip notes the cave is flooded, and wonders where their friends are. Totodile suggests they could be in the other cave, and hearing how dangerous Arceus's Mouth is, Mudkip runs off to rescue the others, with Totodile in pursuit.

Back in the cave, Hypno leads Charmander and they stumble upon a part of the cave where Houndoom is confronting the other three, who are shaking in fear. The Smog admin agrees to let them out if they join Smog. Sableye then appears to apologize for failing, but Houndoom tells him that is becoming "a regular occurrence." He then notices Charmander nearby and confronts him; though the starter claims he is not afraid, Houndoom says he should be, as Arceus' Mouth is a realm for Dark type Pokémon like him. He tells Charmander to join Smog, and when he refuses he decides to deal with him personally, sending Sableye to take care of Hypno.

Houndoom proves to be more than a match for the starter, while the others look on. They resolve to do something, but Houndoom sends a fireball that scares Chikorita & Chespin, leaving Litten the only one to save the day. Houndoom takes the time to insult his foe and his hunt for the crystals when he is attacked by Litten. Though they dodge his fire attacks, he uses the darkness to take out Litten, and avoids Charmander's Dragon Rage move. Charmander calls on Hypno to get some help, and he does, taking out Sableye when the evil Pokémon tries to stop him. Meanwhile, Litten & Charmander continue their fight, to little effect, figuring Mudkip or Totodile would be more effective. Litten reminds him of his Rockslide attack, and he uses it, to some effect. However it is short lived and Houndoom prepares to finish both of them; before he can, Hypno arrives with Mudkip & Totodile, and their attacks manage to damage him, allowing Chespin to finish him with Low Kick, and leave the once proud admin a nervous wreck.

The Pokémon congratulate each other on their success, and Totodile wonders if he did well. Chespin claims he deserves nothing for getting them into this mess, but Chikorita reminds her they went into the cave anyway, so she apologizes to him. Hypno then addresses them, saying he was impressed by them, and has a gift to give them when they get out, adding they should not judge all Dark types as evil, Once they are there, Hypno explains they are close to Mt. Pele and gifts Charmander with a Pokeball he found in the cave, which contains a starter Pokémon. With that, he wishes them well on their journey and leaves.

Charmander opens the Pokeball and finds Rowlet, with all but Litten happy to see him. The owl offers to show them the ocean and Charmander suggests that might be where Cosmog is, offering to explain everything to Rowlet. Litten points out it was odd Cosmog was not waiting for them outside, but Chespin urges her not to think too much about it. Seeing Mr. Pele in the distance, they decide to head there and find Cosmog.

## Characters

* Cosmo the Cosmog
* Dr. Hypno

### All-Starters

* Litten
* Chespin
* Chikorita
* Charmander
* Mudkip
* Totodile
* Rowlet

### Team Smog

* Sableye
* Houndoom

## Trivia

* Dr. Hypno makes his returning appearance since A Formula for Heartache.
	+ Sableye also had his returning appearance since the old TSFI S2 as he also currently now voiced by Jem Reviews.