SM081

A Young Royal Flame Ignites! (Japanese: アローラの若き炎！ロイヤルサトシ誕生！！ Alola's Young Fire! Royal 's Birth!!) is the 81st episode of the, and the 1,020th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on July 5, 2018, in New Zealand on October 26, 2018, in Canada on November 17, 2018, and in the United States on December 1, 2018.

Blurb
Another exciting Battle Royal is under way! It’s the Masked Royal versus the Revengers, a battle team known for their blatant rule-breaking. When they’re about to unleash a sneak attack on Incineroar, Ash’s Torracat charges into the ring with a sneak attack of its own—and “Ash Royal” joins the Masked Royal for a tag-team match against the Revengers’ Electivire and Magmortar!

The Revengers’ boss is Viren, the ruthless developer who once threatened Kiawe’s family farm—which means the Battle Royal Dome itself is on the line! But Torracat and Incineroar prove to be a great team, and despite their opponents’ unsavory tactics, the Double Royals win the day!

Plot
At the Battle Royal Dome, and his  are participating in a Battle Royal, their opponent is Mr. Electric and his, and the hosts are. Meanwhile, at Professor Kukui's house,, his , and Professor Burnet watch the match on the TV. Incineroar easily fends off Electivire, but then, Mr. Electric grabs Incineroar's leg, restraining it. Ash, not liking Mr. Electric's cheating, asks who he is and replies that Mr. Electric is part of a group known as the Revengers. Meanwhile, at Sophocles's house, explains to his father who the Revengers are, and at 's house, Kiawe and Mimo are also watching as the former states that Mr. Electric's cheating just gives him more reason to cheer for Masked Royal. At 's mansion, Lillie is watching the match with Hobbes and cheers for Incineroar, when she suddenly notices and  in the audience.

Back with the match, Incineroar manages to free its leg in time to knock Electivire away. As Incineroar is ready to attack, it is suddenly hit by a ball of fire from a, who is owned by Mad Magma, another member of the Revengers. Due to Magmortar's interference, Mr. Electric and Electivire are disqualified, but Ash isn't satisfied, knowing that the Masked Royal won't accept that kind of win. Mad Magma then challenges Masked Royal to a Single Battle the next day for the title of strongest fighter and Masked Royal accepts. Team Rocket are amazed at Mad Magma's audacity of interfering with a match in order to declare a challenge. Later, Masked Royal returns to the changing rooms and removes his mask as he comments about tomorrow. That night, when Kukui returns home, he is greeted by Ash and Burnet performing the Masked Royal's pose. Burnet informs Kukui that she plans on going to the Battle Royal Dome to watch tomorrow's match, much to his surprise. She becomes suspicious and asks him if he has plans tomorrow, which Kukui nervously replies that he doesn't have any.

The next day, Ash and the Professors arrive at the Battle Royal Dome, where they meet Mallow, Lana, Lillie, Kiawe, and Sophocles. In the dome, the kids talk about the main event as Kukui tries to sneak away. The Masked Royal and Mad Magma's match is due to take place after another Battle Royal. Kukui hurriedly gets into the changing room, sends out Incineroar, and changes into his Masked Royal costume. Then, the duo quickly runs for the ring and reaches it just in time. As the crowd cheers for him and Incineroar, Masked Royal silently catches his breath.

As the starting bell rings, the lights suddenly go out and when they are back, Masked Royal is surrounded by three members of the Revengers, while their, , and Alolan surround Incineroar alongside Mad Magma's Magmortar. The Revengers' Pokémon attack Incineroar and pin it to the ground, but then, suddenly jumps into the ring and attacks Magmortar, much to the audience's enjoyment. As recognizes Torracat, Jessie and James notice Ash. Incineroar manages to use the moment to free itself from the Revengers' Pokémon as their Trainers run away. As Mad Magma gets angry at Ash, the Masked Royal reminds Mad Magma that he and the Revengers intruded first as the audience agrees. As James comments that they can't do the main event in this state, Magmortar, as translated by Meowth, is angry at Torracat for embarassing it. Then, Mr. Electric and Electivire join the fray, which Jessie comments that it's like a tag battle now. A voice says that sounds interesting as a golden car drives into the dome, much to Ash, his classmates, Masked Royal, and Burnet's surprise. Viren exits from the car, and the kids instantly recognize him.

Mr. Electric helps Viren into the ring, and Viren reveals that he's the boss of the Revengers, backing them from behind the scenes. As the audience boos him and the Revengers, Viren nonchalantly shrugs it off, saying that their booing is more like cheering to him, and reveals that he and the Revengers intend to claim the title of strongest, and after that they'll buy the Dome and make it part of Rainbow Happy Resorts. Ash and Masked Royal object to Viren's plans, but then, Viren challenges Masked Royal to a revenge match, for the title of the Battle Royal Dome's strongest. Ash and Torracat agree to help out Masked Royal, and so, the challenge is accepted.

As Team Rocket announces the beginning of the tag battle, Masked Royal hands Ash a mask that resembles his own, declaring him to be Ash Royal. Jessie introduces the Revengers, who get booed by the audience, then she introduces the Double Royals, consisting of Masked Royal and Ash Royal. In the audience, Ash's friends and Burnet are excited and jealous of Ash's new position. After Jessie's countdown, the match begins with Incineroar going up against Magmortar. Magmortar uses, but Incineroar counters with. Then, Magmortar and Incineroar exchange a and  respectively. Afterwards, Incineroar switches out with Torracat. Mad Magma states that Torracat has nerve for attacking Magmortar earlier, to which Ash Royal retorts it was because the Revengers cheated.

Mad Magma tells Magmortar to use, during which Magmortar walks around on its toes and looks around for something while blushing. The distraction catches Torracat off guard as Magmortar s Torracat across the ring. Torracat lands safely and attempts to use, but it gets grabbed by the Revengers' Poliwrath. Ash Royal objects to the dirty tactics, but Mad Magma states that as long as he wins, he doesn't care and tells Magmortar to switch out with Electivire. Electivire hits Torracat with and attempts a, but Torracat manages to dodge it. Masked Royal tells Torracat to switch with Incineroar. Electivire uses, but Incineroar uses to defend against it, much to Lana's excitement. Electivire attempts another Thunder Punch, but Incineroar uses to knock Electivire back.

But then, Muk and Poliwrath grab onto Incineroar's legs, preventing it from moving. Kiawe and Lana cannot stand the injustice and has and  attack the Revengers' Pokémon, freeing Incineroar. Viren hypocritically calls out the two for their actions, as Burnet tells the two to leave it to the Double Royals. Lana tries to protest, but Masked Royal states that their passion has reached him, and that they should counter the enemy's dirty tactics with a clean fight, impressing Burnet and Kiawe, as Lana agrees to step back and allow the Double Royals to take care of things. Electivire recovers from Incineroar's attack and tries to use another Thunder Punch, only to be knocked back by Darkest Lariat again. Kiawe and Lana cheers for the Double Royals as Electivire switches out with Magmortar, and Incineroar and Torracat do the same. Magmortar charges at Torracat for a, but Torracat leaps from the corner post and comes down with a that knocks Magmortar back. Cleverly, Magmortar uses the recoil from the rope to launch itself towards Torracat and hit it with Karate Chop. Magmortar then unleashes a flurry of Karate Chops, forcing Torracat into the defensive. As Ash Royal encourages Torracat to not give up, Torracat jumps into the air and hits Magmortar with its paw enveloped by orange fire.

Masked Royal recognizes the move as, much to Ash Royal's excitement. Magmortar faints, and Electivire jumps in to use Thunder Punch on Torracat, only to be hit by Torracat's Revenge, fainting as well. Viren is enraged and has all the Revengers, including Mad Magma and Mr. Electric, and their Poliwrath, Muk, and Golem, gang up on Torracat. Masked Royal has Torracat switch out with Incineroar and decides a Z-Move is in order. Incineroar leaps from the corner post, enveloped by Z-Power and unleashes a on the Revengers and their Pokémon, KO'ing all of them. Viren still isn't ready to give up and sends out his. Masked Royal refuses to let the likes of Viren and the Revengers have their way in the ring any further and calls out to Ash Royal. The pair have Torracat and Incineroar use and Darkest Lariat respectively on Pangoro, sending it flying into its Trainer, knocking them both out in the process. And with that, James and Jessie declare the Double Royals victorious.

The audience cheers for the Double Royals, as Ash's friends and Burnet come down to congratulate them. Lillie gets fired up and declares that she will take part in the next Battle Royal, much to Mallow's surprise. Ash takes off his mask and states his desire to settle the score between Torracat and Incineroar. Masked Royal accepts this challenge, stating that it will be a match to remember as he shakes hands with Ash while Incineroar and Torracat high five each other. Then, Masked Royal and Incineroar run off in a hurry, much to Ash's confusion. Some time later, Kukui returns with bags of groceries, trying to catch his breath, and apologizes for the wait. Burnet asks what he was doing, to which Kukui claims that he got lost.

The next day, back at Kukui's house, Kukui comments that Torracat's Revenge was a sight to behold, as Ash agrees. However, Burnet is surprised that Kukui knows that despite being "absent" during the match. He claims that he saw the match from a television in the store, which Burnet believes. Kukui breathes a sigh of relief with his secret identity still intact.

Major events

 * Ash's Torracat learns.

Humans

 * Mad Magma

Pokémon debuts

 * (Alola Form)

Humans

 * Jessie
 * James
 * Professor Burnet
 * Hobbes
 * Mimo
 * Sophocles's father
 * Viren
 * Revengers
 * Mr. Electric
 * Mad Magma
 * Viren's henchman (flashback)
 * Trainers
 * Audience
 * Viren
 * Revengers
 * Mr. Electric
 * Mad Magma
 * Viren's henchman (flashback)
 * Trainers
 * Audience
 * Trainers
 * Audience
 * Audience

Pokémon
Who's That Pokémon?:
 * (Alola Form)
 * ('s; Alola Form; Snowy)
 * (Professor Burnet's)
 * (Viren's)
 * (Mr. Electric's)
 * (Mad Magma's)
 * (Revengers'; Alola Form)
 * (Revengers')
 * (Revengers'; Alola Form; debut)
 * ('s)
 * ('s)
 * ('s)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's; Melemele Greens)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's; Alola Form)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's; Alola Form)
 * (Trainers'; ×2)
 * (Trainers'; ×3)
 * (Trainers'; ×2)
 * (Trainers'; ×2)
 * (Trainers'; ×2)
 * (Trainers'; ×2)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainers'; ×6)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainers'; ×5)
 * (Trainers'; ×2)
 * (Trainers'; ×2)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's; Alola Form)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's; Alola Form)
 * (×2)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainers'; ×5)
 * (Trainers'; ×2)
 * (Trainers'; ×2)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's; Alola Form)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (Trainer's; Alola Form)
 * (×2)

Trivia

 * Poké Problem: Who tag teams with the in today's episode?
 * Host: Professor Burnet
 * Choices:, , ,
 * Answer: Ash
 * Jessie, James,, and narrate the preview for the next episode.
 * James breaks the fourth wall when he mentions that Ash and the 's battle against the Revengers will be back after the upcoming messages, right before the commercial break in the show proper.
 * This episode marks the dub debut of, since the episode it originally debuted in never aired outside of Asia.
 * This was the last episode to air before The Power of Us debuted in Japanese theaters.

Errors

 * When Mad Magma talks to the Masked Royal near the start of the episode, a section underneath 's belt is miscolored black.

Dub edits

 * The Japanese text depicting is edited out in the dub.

In other languages
Alola no Wakaki Honō! Royal Satoshi Tanjō!! EP1024 SL081 SM081 SM編第81話 精灵宝可梦 太阳＆月亮 第81集