#hz064

Spinel's whole thing underneath his outwardly nasty actions is thinking primarily in terms of facts and logic, meticulously arranging things to go a certain way based on assessments of all variables, and being 100 steps ahead, but he doesn't account for emotion and connection and how it can flip the script against him in surprising ways.

His first plan to steal Liko's pendant was to try to bait her into an alleyway using her kindhearted nature against her, then temporarily wipe her memory, incapacitate her, and swipe the pendant and escape without leaving a trace, while using the time she spends wandering around and misdirecting Dot through fake online posts to stall the RVT while he escapes without any trace of his existence of proof that he was around. He knew the memory wipe was temporary, but in his eyes, it would buy him enough time that once she did regain her memory, it would be too late to catch up to him and he'd be back at the base with the pendant in hand. What he didn't account for was Dot, not just in her ability to use her clout as Nidothing to her advantage, but the fact that Liko for the past several episodes before that went out of her way to befriend her and try to reach out to her was something Dot was grateful for. She decided to repay that kindness by going out of her way to find her using her clout and connections to her advantage and also fighting for her out of sheer loyalty. Dot was the unknown variable because of Liko specifically, where things Liko did for her led to her getting involved out of emotional investment and successfully backing him into a corner.

His other plan to get Amethio suspended from the Explorers involved trapping him specifically with Liko together in a cave, and he deliberately chose a cave that had a small opening to above ground, and had Beheeyem spy on that spot to record footage of Amethio escaping together with Liko. He used Amethio's more honorable nature against him and knew both that Amethio was smart enough to figure out how to escape and that he would not hesitate to help someone when necessary, even if said person is an adversary. What he didn't account for was the fact that Liko would actively take the time they were in that cave together to try to connect with Amethio and understand him. So even though he successfully managed to frame Amethio, he didn't account for the fact that it led to him and Liko forming a genuine connection and bond, and even though Amethio never formally joined her, he's been willing to ally with her when necessary ever since. And it's obvious from the way he talks about them, even in the recent episodes, that the fact that Amethio and Liko have an alliance is something he feels genuinely threatened by.

She was also the big factor once again post-timeskip when Spinel doubled down to mentally crush Amethio and force him to give up, knowing that he was tough enough to stay alive but by relentlessly pursuing him and forcing him into isolation he'd resign himself and give up trying to fight. Liko was the biggest factor in not only finding him but him coming back and being ready to fight again, much more than any of Zirc, Onia, or Hamber were. Sure, the former two are unwaveringly loyal to him, and Hamber is also his surrogate parent figure, and they went out of their way for him, but they alone could only do so much. It was when Liko got involved, thanks to Zirc and Onia running into her and knowing how much Amethio respected her, and in turn asking her to help them find him, that made the big difference. Liko is very attuned to emotion and feelings, and she figured out where he was through the family photos in his mansion, which was something Zirc and Onia couldn't figure out by themselves (no disrespect to them).

Basically most that happened in HZ064 was according to Spinel's plan, thou I'm not sure if he anticipated Liko to follow Amethio... because I'm not sure trapping Terapagos in the cave was such a good move lol. Or trapping Amethio in a cave where he is supposed to disappear in with someone else. That means more chances of getting out. Well well well.

Liko is going through similar steps as Amethio right now (Amethio also went through losses that made him stronger after facing Friede, Rayquaza and Hamber). So maybe the events that will unfold with Amethio are going to motivate Liko even further, which would fit since Amethio is connected to her growth as a trainer. Explicitly shown through the writing this time too since they brought up the battle on Roy's island back in HZ006 and had Amethio highlight and directly comment on Liko's progress (which also means he was paying close attention and remembered the events from back then). And he is the one showing up after Liko's confrontation with Grusha, to challenge everything she's been through up until that moment. Maybe Amethio's involvement will be key in Liko eventually passing her course somehow and making her stronger. Which is interesting, because by directly opposing Liko, Amethio is contributing to her growth, which will eventually serve as fuel for her to stand against the Explorers.

Also wondering if we'll get another "thank you" this time, just like towards the end of HZ045.. Maybe Liko thanking Amethio at the end after they manage to get out from the cave, and his reply would be different from the previous time and he would be more honest in his words. Or Liko thanking Soublades. Since they are shown sitting next to a fire to keep warm, maybe Soublades is the one who lit it, so I could see Liko saying thanks. I think they could use this opportunity to interact with each other's Pokemon.

Agate's words about blood ties that could lead to hardship now and then made me curious too. I feel like this could be a hint to Agate's circumstances and that she is not just describing Amethio and Gibeon's situation, but also her own. She's only said elusive things so far (back in HZ056, she talked to Dot about how some things are better left unknown and didn't elaborate further).

I wonder if Agate has some ties to the original Explorers? It also felt quite personal to Spinel too since he talked about the future of the Explorers. I thought this was only a job to him, but maybe this is going a bit deeper than that if he wants to ensure their future? He seemingly wasn't only in it for himself either, since he mentioned Amethio getting in "their" way (plural form, so it seems like he includes Agate and potentially the others too). The Explorers were Lucius's friends, but we still don't exactly know what that implies. Were they human friends, and were there several of them that could be connected to Spinel and Agate?

Also now that we've seen what the Rakurium can do to Pokemon, Gibeon's current situation is worrying. Man is constantly stuck in a room filled with Rakurium alongside Zygarde. Last time Amethio visited him, they were separated by glass and Amethio couldn't step in that room. I wonder if constant exposure to Rakurium messed up Gibeon on some level or had negative effects on him? His Zygarde seemed to be adjusted to it, so maybe they're both past the point of reacting negatively to it and are used to it. Or maybe it doesn't have negative effects on humans.