XY069

Defending the Homeland! (Japanese: 湿地帯の戦い！ヌメルゴン対フラージェス！！ Battle in the Wetlands! VS Florges!!) is the 69th episode of the, and the 868th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on April 23, 2015 and in the United States on June 27, 2015.

Blurb
Our heroes are on their way to Laverre City when a passerby recognizes Ash’s Goodra. He introduces himself as Keanan and explains that he’s the caretaker of the nearby wetlands where Goodra used to live when it was a Goomy. Ash and the others are excited to visit Goodra’s old home, but the Pokémon seems reluctant.

When they reach the wetlands, Keanan explains that some time ago, a feud broke out over a healing spring in the area. In the battle, Goomy was launched into the air, where it was carried along by a flock of Swanna until it eventually fell on Ash’s head! The Florges who started the whole thing now controls the wetlands along with its underlings, and Goodra’s old friends have gone into hiding.

With some encouragement from Ash, Goodra confronts Florges in an impressive battle. But just when it looks like Florges has been defeated, an attack from an unknown source knocks Goodra out! Later, the Team Rocket villains (who launched the attack) approach Florges with an offer to join forces. And as Ash keeps watch over a recovering Goodra, the villains grab Pikachu and Dedenne! Will he be able to get them back?

Plot
On their way to Laverre City, and his friends stop for lunch. , as usual, is trying to steal 's food, and the resulting scuffle results in 's food being spilled. However, steps in and shares its food with both Chespin and Dedenne, ending the conflict.

As the group prepares to leave, a man named Keanan and his come up and greet Goodra. Keanan explains that Goodra, when it was a, lived in the wetlands where he works as a warden. Although Goodra is apprehensive about visiting its homeland, it agrees to go along with everybody else to visit. While looking out over the wetlands, Keanan tells them how there is a special spring in the area that Goodra used to live near with its friends, but a group of other Pokémon came and began to try and take the spring by force. During the battle, a sent Goomy flying, whereupon it landed on a 's back and was subsequently dropped onto Ash's head. As the group sadly contemplates the story of what had happened, Goodra looks at the quiet wetlands and cries out, recalling the happy memories of its other friends.

Elsewhere in the wetlands, Goodra's friend hears its cry and tries to find Goodra. Wooper quickly follows the sound, and the two Pokémon are delighted to see each other again. Goodra's other friends, who followed Wooper, also come out to greet it. However, several Pokémon also heard Goodra's cries and bring it to the attention of Florges, who is in the spring. As Goodra is showing its to its friends, a Swanna comes along and says something to the group, and all of the Pokémon follow Swanna. Although Ash wants to follow Goodra and the others, Keanan stops him, saying that matters between wild Pokémon need to stay between wild Pokémon, but eventually lets him and his friends follow Goodra as long as they stay out of any fights that get started. Goodra's other friends are being attacked by Florges and the other Bug-type Pokémon, but Goodra holds them at bay with its attack. Rallying behind Goodra, the other Pokémon begin to put up a better fight against Florges's army.

Eventually, Florges comes down to have a battle with Goodra. Although Goodra is nervous at first, Ash reminds it that it is no longer the weak, frightened Goomy that it once was, and that it will be fine in the battle. After and Dragon Pulse cancel each other out, Florges uses, thus powering up its  moves. The powered up from Florges inflicts damage on all of Goodra's friends, putting Goodra on the defensive in order to take a super effective  for them. Very weak, Goodra almost gives in to Florges, but choice words of encouragement from Ash convince it to keep going. Goodra's newly learned attack then breaks through a second  and hits Florges, leaving Goodra as the winner of the battle. As everyone is celebrating Florges's defeat, however, a and  attack come out of nowhere and hit Goodra. Simultaneously, a smoke-releasing device shrouds the entire area in a thick black fog that lifts to reveal the disappearance of Florges and the other Pokémon.

That evening, Keanan finishes treating Goodra as, Dedenne, and Wooper look after it. Florges, meanwhile, is resting in the spring as explain their plan to defeat Goodra. It is also revealed that Florges has done all of this to protect her. Listening to Team Rocket's advice, Florges orders an to kidnap Pikachu, Dedenne, and Wooper. Now that our villains have joined forces with Florges, what new evil scheme are they plotting, and what will become of our heroes' Pokemon? The answer to come as the journey continues!

Major events

 * and arrive at 's.
 * Ash and his friends learn the full story behind of Goodra's homeland.
 * Ash's Goodra learns.

Humans

 * Keanan

Humans

 * Jessie
 * James
 * Keanan
 * Jessie
 * James
 * Keanan
 * Keanan

Pokémon
Who's That Pokémon?: (US and international)  Pokémon Quiz:   (Japan)
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)
 * (Keanan's)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (debut)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (debut)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)
 * (multiple)

Trivia

 * In the Japanese version, the title card segment focuses on.
 * Professor Oak's Pokémon Holo Caster:
 * This time, accompanies  and his.
 * and narrate the preview for the next episode.

Errors

 * uses, a move that it cannot legally learn.
 * When peeks its head out of the truck when it sees, its right eye develops a sclera.
 * In the dub, during the flashback of Goomy being attacked by Florges, its Japanese voice can be heard while it is landing on a Swanna.
 * On several occasions in the dub, Ash's English voice can be heard.

In other languages
Verteidigt die Heimat! EP873 XY069 XY069 XY編第69話 精灵宝可梦 XY 第69集