Warning: SPOILERS for episode #20 of Pokémon HorizonsThe new protagonists of Pokémon Horizons are still learning what it is to be a Pokémon trainer, but their latest challenge has forced them to start thinking in a way Ash was known for. Outside-of-the-box thinking and creative application of Pokémon moves were Ash's specialty, and now Liko is demonstrating the same talent in a gym test.

For Ash, thinking outside the box was something essential. Ash was often faced with unconventional opponents in the form of Team Rocket and their robots, which were built in such a way as to directly counter whatever Pokémon they wanted to steal. That led to common Pokémon attacks being used in unexpected ways, like Razor Leaf to cut open a rubber bag, or having a bird Pokémon dive-bomb their balloon. The gym test Kabu put forward for Liko and Roy in episode #20 of Pokémon Horizons has forced them to think ing moves differently, too, by challenging them to light the flames of Litwick or put them out.

Liko & Roy Are Learning To Use Pokémon Attacks in Unconventional Ways Like Ash Did

For Roy, lighting Litwick's flames with Fuecoco was pretty straightforward, but Liko's task to put the flames out was a bit more of a challenge. Sprigatito only knows a few moves, and none are well-suited to battling the Ghost- and Fire-type Pokémon. Liko soon discovered that Sprigatito's Leafage attack could be used in several different ways and that by giving more specific commands, Sprigatito could channel the attack towards a particular end. Large, whooshing clouds of leaves could by a large area, hitting multiple Litwick at once, while she could also have Sprigatito target very specifically by firing small, controlled bursts, just large enough to hit one flame.

In a way, the use of a single attack in several different ways mirrors the Agile/Strong style attack mechanic from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which similarly allowed players to tailor their attacks to fit different scenarios. What makes these more similar to Ash, however, is the fact that these attacks aren't being launched with the intention of doing damage, but rather to achieve a different goal (in this case, blowing out the flame). Ash has been known to use attacks to deflect or block other attacks, such as with his well-known Counter Shield strategy. Liko put what she learned in the trial to work and obscured her opponent's vision with Leafage when she went up against Kabu's Centiskorch.

Ash May Be Gone, But He Has Left His Mark On Pokémon

While it's a small first step towards what was basically Ash's specialty, Liko is proving that she has the ability to think in the same way, something that could make her quite the trainer someday. Roy had similarly proven his ability to think outside the box a few episodes ago, when he put together a combo attack between his Fuecoco and Wattrel. Although Ash may be gone, he's certainly left his mark on the new protagonists of Pokémon Horizons, and as they continue to grow as trainers, that may well prove critical to their success.