Warning: Spoilers for Pokémon Horizons, Episode #75Pokémon Horizonshas long teased the idea of a Pokémon paradise known as Laqua, and searching for it has become the driving force for the plot of the series. Now, the legendary paradise has finally been revealed to fans–albeit via flashback.
Laqua was first mentioned in episode #23 of the series, where Lucius, an Ancient Adventurer of mythical proportions, was seen discussing it with his Galarian Moltres in a vision of the past, which Liko witnessed. These visions were triggered by the Terapagos which used to be Liko’s pendant, and it soon became clear that Terapagos longed to return to Laqua, a place it had visited with Lucius over a century ago. Liko made it her goal togather up the Six Heroes (Lucius' Pokémon), and together make their way back to Laqua for Terapagos' sake.
Laqua is the Pokémon Paradise Of Every Trainer’s Dreams
Rare Pokémon Are Plentiful in Laqua’s Untouched Lands
After tracking down one of the Six Heroes and seeing another vision, Liko decided to try tomake use of the Crystal Pond in Kitakami, which is said to allow one to speak with the dead. Shockingly, it worked, and Lucius' partner, Rystal, was whisked through time to talk to Liko and her friends. Rystal recognized Lucius' Pokémon with Liko, as well as Terapagos, and opted to share the story of how she, Lucius, and their friend Gibeon made their way to Laqua, a land widely believed to be a myth, for the first time.
When the trio arrived in Laqua, they were shocked to see Legendary Pokémon like Terrakion relaxing and roaming free, as well as a Latias and Latios pair soaring overhead. The land appears to be abundant and green, ensuring that wild Pokémon have everything they could need to be happy. However, this beautiful paradise held within it a dark secret. As the group delved deeper into Laqua, they discovered some of the land to be desolate and worn down, with a proliferation of strange pink crystals. The crystals are both responsible for its verdant growth, as well as the land’s ultimate destruction.
Aiming to control the crystals, Lucius fought back against them, but was unable to contain their spread. Gibeon decried Lucius' decision, claiming the crystals were far too valuable to destroy. As the ground itself began to crack open,Gibeon fell into one of the cracksand disappeared. Terapagos transformed into its Stellar form to help out, and set up a barrier, isolating the crystals and Lucius along with them. Lucius urged Rystal to escape with their unborn child, while he remained behind in Laqua, promising to meet again one day.
Will Laqua Still Be Thriving When Roy and Liko Find It?
The Pokémon Paradise May Have Fallen
Of course, Lucius' time in Laqua was a hundred years ago, and a lot could happen in that time. There’s no guarantee that Lucius was able tocontain all the pink crystals, known as Laquium–and even if he did, that could itself have negative effects on Laqua’s unnatural abundance. It’s possible that, by the time Liko and Roy arrive at Laqua, the place will be unrecognizable from the story they were told of its appearance a hundred years prior. Rystal was also unable to provide Laqua’s exact location to Liko, so they’ll be on their own trying to find the place again.
Liko and Roy may be in for a shock when they finally arrive in the legendary location. If the Laquium has run wild over the decades, the landscape could look quite different, as desolate and destroyed as the deeper sections that Lucius and his colleagues found. The place may no longer be a safe haven for Pokémon of all sorts, and instead be left as a decaying remnant of what was once a beautiful and prosperous land. It would be a tragic loss, to be sure, but even in such a situation, there’s hope–Terapagos has been shown to be able to destroy Laquium.
Could Lucius Still Be Alive in Laqua?
Lucius May Not Have Perished in His Brave Sacrifice
It’s known to fans that, despite Gibeon’s apparent death in Laqua, that he is actually alive in the present day of the series, despite the amount of time that has passed.Gibeon has always been shown in a room full of pink mist, which seems to be a derivative of the Laquium, and also seems to be key to keeping him alive, as he refers to it as the “Eternal Blessing.“Knowing that, it’s possible that Lucius has also been exposed to the Laquium mist, keeping him alive in Laqua for the past hundred years.
Lucius still being alive would be exciting for a number of reasons. It was established during Rystal’s story that she is the grandmother of Diana, who is Liko’s grandmother,making Liko a direct descendant of Lucius. In a way, this adventure to Laqua is her birthright, and it’s only fitting that she finishes what her ancestor wasn’t able to do. Lucius is also an incredibly skilled trainer, and would presumably be a valuable ally to have, especially since they will have brought his Pokémon back to him. There’s also no one who could know Laqua better than Lucius, after having spent a century there.
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Teaming up with such a legendary figure as Lucius would be a dream come true for Liko and Roy, both of whom have looked up to the ancient adventurer for much of their lives. Lucius could certainly teach them a lot, and after so long being alone in Laqua, would likely be very pleased to meet them, and see Terapagos and his Pokémon again.
The series' Pokémon paradise is an incredible place, to be sure, and it’s understandable why Lucius was so cautious about protecting it. Liko, Roy, and even Friede will be overjoyed to see it in person someday, provided it hasn’t decayed too much. In the meantime, however,Pokémon Horizons' long journey for Laqua continues.
Pokémon Horizons
Cast
Pokémon Horizons: The Series follows Liko and Roy as they explore and uncover secrets alongside characters like Friede and Captain Pikachu. Released in 2023, this addition to the Pokémon franchise invites viewers into exciting new adventures with familiar and new faces.
