Ep 29. Evolution by Fire!

Ash, Iris, and Cilan have reached a new town in the Unova region, where they meet a boy named Porter, who works with the firefighter's team. He tells them about a rare Pokémon, a Darmanitan, that lives in the town's volcano. This Darmanitan is said to have the special ability to voluntarily change its form between its standard and Zen mode, in which it is incredibly powerful.

While on a tour of the volcano, the group discovers an injured Darmanitan in Zen mode. Porter uses his medicine kit to heal the Pokémon, but they know that it is still in danger because it has lost control of its powers. They decide to help Darmanitan regain its strength, but the road ahead of them is full of new challenges.

In the volcanic chamber, they face many obstacles, including lava eruptions, complicated puzzles, and battles with dangerous wild Pokémon. During their journey, the group discovers a new species of Pokémon - Tepig's evolved form, Pignite, which they try to catch.

Finally, they reach the end of the chamber, and Darmanitan is forced to confront its past. In a flashback, they learn that Darmanitan was once the Zeus Gatekeeper of the volcano, where it guarded the ancient ruins and fought against intruders. But then, the volcano erupted, and Darmanitan lost its abilities, causing it to turn against its own kind. Overcome with guilt, Darmanitan took refuge in the depths of the mountain, where it has lived ever since.

Ash and his friends encourage Darmanitan to overcome its fears and embrace its powers. Through a process called "Evolution by Fire," Darmanitan not only regains its abilities but also transforms into its standard mode. With its power restored, the Pokémon comes to terms with its role in the volcano, and together with the other fire-type Pokémon, it defends their home against a massive eruption.

The episode ends with a touching moment in which Darmanitan, now free and happy, thanks the group for their help. Ash and his friends say goodbye to Porter and the firefighters, looking forward to their next adventure in the Unova region.

Overall, "Evolution by Fire!" is an action-packed and heartwarming episode that showcases the bonds between Pokémon and their trainers. The story highlights the importance of facing one's fears and embracing one's strengths, with beautiful animation and thrilling battles that will captivate audiences of all ages.