Chapter Summaries

Sato’s Umbreon and Sharpedo battled Caitlin’s Gothitelle and Sigilyph, using poison, confusion, and coordinated attacks to defeat Gothitelle. Sigilyph then surged toward Elite Four-level strength as Caitlin’s psychic power began to run wild.

• At the match’s start, Sato had Umbreon poison Gothitelle and Sigilyph while Sharpedo boosted its attack with Swords Dance.
• Umbreon confused Gothitelle with Swagger, and Umbreon and Sharpedo countered their opponents’ attacks despite being targeted by Psychic moves and Hypnosis.
• Sharpedo used Sleep Talk to attack while asleep, and Umbreon protected it from a double Dream Eater before Sharpedo woke stronger.
• Sato had Umbreon copy Sharpedo’s boosted stats, then sent both Pokémon after Gothitelle and defeated her with Crunch and Pursuit.
• After Gothitelle fell, Sigilyph’s aura surged toward Elite Four level while Caitlin floated with glowing eyes, showing signs of a mental power rampage.

Sato defeated Caitlin in a Points Knockout Match, then won all ten of his group-stage battles to advance to the Pseudo-Elite Four Tournament finals in first place. The preliminary round ended with several other top trainers advancing, while Sato and the others gathered at the Pokémon Center to discuss the results.

• Sato had Umbreon seize Sigilyph with Bite, disrupting Caitlin’s Psychic enhancement, and Sharpedo prepared to follow up with Pursuit.
• Caitlin surrendered before Sharpedo struck, giving Sato the win; Sato celebrated with Umbreon and Sharpedo.
• Five days later, Sato and Cacturne defeated his final opponent, leaving Sato undefeated with ten wins and advancing in first place.
• Wallace, Flint, Phoebe, Itsuki, and Lian Wu also advanced in first place, while Norman, Ryoko, Volkner, and Caitlin qualified in second place.
• Fantina, Matsuba, A-Ryu, and Hua She were eliminated, and the competitors gathered at the Pokémon Center after the preliminary round.
• Norman complained about losing to Mr. Higashino, while Wallace boasted about his Milotic and was recognized as the competition’s strongest opponent.

After the preliminary round, Sato reunited with fellow finalists and enjoyed a day of rest before the tournament finals began. He drew Mr. Higashino, the Fighting-type specialist who had beaten Norman, as his first opponent.

• Sato met Norman, Phoebe, Flint, Wallace, Ryoko, Hua She, and the others at the Pokémon Center and discussed their teams.
• The group was mobbed by fans, so Sato teleported ahead while the others flew to the Cat-and-Dog Café; Lian Wu was left behind and struggled to take off on his Pokémon.
• News of the finalists' outing spread through Indigo Plateau, while the group relaxed at the café.
• The next morning, Damalanchi announced the start of the finals, and the matchup chart revealed that Sato would face Mr. Higashino first.
• Sato and Mr. Higashino exchanged looks and felt their fighting spirit rise.

Sato faced Mr. Higashino in a four-Pokemon finals match and used Zoroark’s illusion to help knock out Heracross. Mr. Higashino’s Machamp then revealed its hidden strength and landed a full-power Dynamic Punch on Honchkrow, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Wallace won his opening match, and two Veteran Trainers fought a close second match before one prevailed through an Attribute Advantage.
• Sato and Dongye entered the arena and began their four-Pokemon match with Gardevoir and Honchkrow against Machamp and Heracross.
• Gardevoir’s Extrasensory held Machamp in place while Honchkrow’s Heat Wave drove Heracross back.
• Sato revealed that the apparent Gardevoir was Zoroark in disguise and that the Honchkrow struck by Machamp had been an illusion; Honchkrow and Zoroark then knocked out Heracross.
• Dongye ordered Machamp to attack at full power, and Machamp broke free of Zoroark’s Extrasensory, endured Honchkrow’s Air Slash, and landed Dynamic Punch on Honchkrow.

Sato’s Zoroark defeated Dongye’s Machamp by trapping it in a powerful Illusion, then faced Dongye’s Azumarill, which found Zoroark’s true position with Supersonic and matched its Dark Burst with Aqua Tail. As Azumarill attacked with Superpower, Sato ordered Zoroark to use U-turn.

• Machamp used Mind's Eye and No Guard to strike through Zoroark’s Illusions, but Zoroark overwhelmed it with repeated Aerial Ace attacks from a fake flock of Flying-type Pokemon until it fainted.
• Dongye asked why Mind's Eye could not see through Zoroark’s Illusion, and Sato gave him a cryptic answer before Dongye sent out Azumarill.
• Azumarill closed its eyes and used Supersonic to locate Zoroark’s true body, then attacked with Aqua Tail as Zoroark abandoned its Illusion space.
• Zoroark’s attack-mode Dark Burst collided with Azumarill’s Aqua Tail, and the clash ended in a massive explosion.
• Dongye ordered Azumarill to use Superpower against the approaching Zoroark, and Sato countered with U-turn.

Sato used Ariados to poison and wear down Dongye’s Azumarill, then recalled Ariados and sent out Gengar against Dongye’s final Pokémon, Blaziken. Gengar’s Hypnosis took effect, and Dongye failed to wake Blaziken.

• Sato sent Ariados against Azumarill, and Ariados’s Poison Jab matched Azumarill’s Aqua Tail before its poison spread across the field.
• Ariados poisoned Azumarill with Toxic and repeatedly attacked it with Venoshock, while Azumarill’s Water Sport could not prevent it from being worn down.
• Toxic incapacitated Azumarill, so Dongye sent out his final Pokémon, Blaziken.
• Sato recalled Ariados and sent out Gengar, while Blaziken used Fire Pledge to burn the poisoned field and clear the conditions.
• Gengar used Hypnosis on Blaziken, and Dongye failed to wake it with Heal Bell.

Sato defeated Dongye in the finals with Gengar, earning a place in the tournament spotlight. After the match, he rejoined the other contestants in the Waiting Room, where they praised his performance as the next battle began.

• Gengar used Nightmare and repeated Dream Eater attacks to drain Dongye's sleeping Blaziken before it woke in poor condition.
• Sato's Gengar and Dongye's Blaziken clashed with Super Shadow Ball and Blast Burn, and Gengar won after Blaziken was incapacitated.
• Dongye congratulated Sato and told him to carry his share through the tournament, then left the field.
• Sato returned to the Waiting Room, where Flint, Phoebe, Itsuki, and the other contestants applauded and discussed his newly revealed Pokemon.

Sato advanced to the Top 16 as the Newly Promoted Pseudo-Elite Four delivered an impressive first round, though Norman was eliminated. Unable to sleep, Sato found Norman training with his Pokemon and bluntly criticized Norman’s team before challenging him to another battle.

• Norman lost to veteran trainer Kuriki River after Slaking defeated three opposing Pokemon, and Sato promised to win for him.
• Sato, Phoebe, Itsuki, Ryoko, Flint, Volkner, Caitlin, Lian Wu, and Wallace won their matches, with Wallace earning a 4–0 victory and Norman the only newly promoted trainer eliminated.
• Sato reflected on his Pokemon’s growth and the role of insight in advancing beyond the Pseudo-Elite Four level, then left his room to train because he could not sleep.
• Sato found Norman training with his Slaking, Linoone, Snorlax, and Kangaskhan in a forest behind the hotel.
• Sato told Norman that his other Pokemon had contributed little compared with Slaking, then sent out Zoroark to challenge him.

Sato challenged Norman to find a goal beyond being a Gym Leader, prompting Norman to leave for Kalos to represent League headquarters in Trainer exchanges. Sato and Phoebe then arrived at the tournament, where the new matchups paired eight newly promoted Pseudo-Elite Four Trainers against one another.

• Sato reminded Norman that his strength had stopped growing and asked whether he had found his own path; Norman could only stand stunned as Sato left with Zoroark.
• Sato reflected on his own ambition, while Phoebe told him the next morning that Norman had gone to Kalos to challenge its Gyms as a League representative.
• Sato and Phoebe used Ralts's Teleport to reach the tournament entrance just before their matches began.
• President Damalanchi announced the pairings, matching Phoebe with Lian Wu, Flint with Caitlin, Itsuki with Ryoko, and Sato with Volkner.
• The veterans suspected the League had arranged the matchups to favor the newly promoted Trainers, while Wallace celebrated being the only one of them not paired against another newcomer.

Flint defeated Caitlin to become the first contestant to reach the tournament’s top eight, while Mr. Kuriki River also won his match. Sato and Volkner began their battle, and the chapter ended as Octillery used Soak to douse Krookodile and Tyranitar before Magnezone prepared a full-power Discharge.

• Caitlin and Flint knocked out all four Pokémon in their doubles match, then Flint’s Mega Steelix defeated Caitlin’s Gothitelle and advanced him to the top eight.
• Mr. Kuriki River defeated his opponent 2:0 with Pokémon he had not previously revealed.
• Sato and Volkner entered the field, recalling their earlier battle before choosing their opening Pokémon.
• Sato sent out Krookodile and Tyranitar, while Volkner chose Octillery and Magnezone; Tyranitar’s Sand Stream filled the arena with a Sandstorm.
• Sato and Volkner’s Pokémon exchanged boosted attacks and defensive moves, with Krookodile blocking Magnezone’s Iron Head as Tyranitar moved in to strike.
• Octillery used Soak to drench Krookodile and Tyranitar, and Volkner ordered Magnezone to unleash a full-power Discharge.

Sato and Volkner traded Pokemon in a brutal battle that left both sides’ teams evenly matched, before Sato’s Zoroark trapped Volkner’s Luxray in a convincing Illusion. The chapter ended with Zoroark unleashing a barrage of Dark Burst Balls while Luxray’s attempts to fight back proved futile.

• Volkner used Octillery’s Soak to make Tyranitar and Krookodile vulnerable to Magnezone’s Discharge, knocking out Octillery and Krookodile while Tyranitar survived.
• Volkner ordered Magnezone to use Explosion, and the blast knocked out both Magnezone and Tyranitar, leaving the battle a 2V2 Singles Match.
• Sato sent out Houndoom, and Volkner matched it with Luxray as both Pokemon attacked through the smoke.
• Sato’s apparent Houndoom burst apart to reveal Zoroark’s Illusion, and Zoroark surrounded Luxray with convincing Dark Pulses and fake Houndooms.
• Volkner ordered Luxray to use Discharge and then Wild Charge, but Luxray could not expose Zoroark’s Illusion or destroy the false targets.
• Sato commanded Zoroark to fire its Dark Burst Balls, and explosions engulfed Luxray as its efforts to break through the Illusion failed.

Volkner sent out Electivire against Sato’s Zoroark and tried to counter its Illusion Strategy by having Electivire fight with its eyes closed. Zoroark’s illusions fooled Volkner and the audience, leaving him to order Electivire to fight autonomously.

• After Luxray was incapacitated, Volkner sent it to the medical staff and brought out Electivire as his final Pokémon.
• Volkner ordered Electivire to close its eyes and spread Thunder Wave across the field to detect Zoroark.
• Sato commanded Zoroark to use Dark Night Burst, and Electivire answered with Thunderbolt, but Zoroark’s illusion made Volkner believe the attack had failed and that the two Pokémon were fighting in close combat.
• Zoroark struck the real Electivire with Dark Pulse while Volkner watched the false battle, and the audience realized that the scene was an illusion.
• Volkner understood that he himself had been fooled and, realizing Sato had issued no commands after the opening attack, ordered Electivire to fight autonomously.

Sato’s Zoroark defeated Volkner’s Electivire in an illusion-filled Autonomous Battle, advancing Sato to the Pseudo-Elite Four Tournament quarterfinals. He then watched Itsuki overwhelm Ryoko in their doubles match.

• Sato’s Zoroark used an illusion to separate Electivire from Volkner’s commands and defeated it with a sequence of attacks.
• The referee confirmed Electivire was incapacitated and declared Sato the winner over Volkner.
• Volkner apologized for using Explosion on Tyranitar and urged Sato to win the tournament, and Sato promised he would.
• Sato considered cheering for both Ryoko and Itsuki as their doubles match began.
• Itsuki’s Mr. Mime and Starmie disrupted Ryoko’s Swampert and Sceptile with Psychic-type moves, and Ryoko suffered a crushing defeat.

Ryoko defeated Itsuki in the singles rounds after their doubles match, advancing to the quarterfinals with Haxorus and Mega Mawile. She returned to the waiting room and challenged Sato, who praised her improvement but insisted she still could not beat him.

• After Itsuki recalled Starmie, Ryoko sent out Haxorus, which defeated Mr. Mime and Alakazam and repeatedly forced Starmie back with Roar.
• Itsuki Mega Evolved Gallade, which defeated Haxorus after a prolonged fight.
• Ryoko sent out Mawile and Mega Evolved it; Mawile defeated Mega Gallade in close combat.
• Starmie tried to keep its distance, but Mawile used Stone Edge and Sucker Punch to defeat it, sending Ryoko into the quarterfinals.
• Sato and Phoebe praised Ryoko's improvement, and Ryoko asked Sato if she had made him see her in a new light.
• Sato agreed but said Ryoko still could not beat him, prompting her to call him Big Pig Trotter.

After the Pseudo-Elite Four Tournament’s top eight were decided, Sato reviewed the battles and persuaded Ralts to compete in the next round in exchange for Takoyaki. The next morning, the contestants gathered at the venue, where Sato’s rivals teased and challenged him before Damalanchi appeared on the screen.

• Phoebe, Flint, Wallace, Ryoko, and Sato celebrated becoming five of the eight tournament finalists, while Sato slipped away from their meal and left early.
• Sato recalled Phoebe’s easy victory over Lian Wu and considered the strong veteran trainers and the tactics he still had to reveal for the Eight-to-Four matches.
• Ralts agreed to battle the next day if Sato bought her more Takoyaki, and Sato ended up buying three servings, including one for Pikachu.
• Sato arrived at the venue the next morning with Ralts on his shoulder and Pikachu in his backpack, and Wallace, Phoebe, and Flint traded remarks with him.
• Ryoko joined the group, and Damalanchi appeared on the screen just as Sato was about to speak.

The Eight-to-Four matches began, and Phoebe defeated a Veteran Pseudo-Elite Four to advance. Damalanchi exposed interference in the tournament draw and ordered those responsible fired, while Flint prepared to face Wallace.

• Damalanchi opened the Eight-to-Four matches, and the draw paired Wallace against Flint while Sato, Phoebe, and Ryoko faced Veteran Pseudo-Elite Four contestants.
• The regional representatives argued over Flint's matchup, and Damalanchi praised several contestants before demanding to know who had interfered with the draw.
• Damalanchi ordered every person responsible for the draw process fired and had copies of Phoebe's match recording sent to the representatives for review.
• Phoebe defeated her Flying-type opponent's Braviary with Chandelure and became the first contestant to advance to the top four.
• Sato encouraged Flint before his match against Wallace, and Flint joked that Sato had cruelly watched him lose after years of affection.

Sato began his afternoon double battle against Mr. Kuriki River, whose stronger Ninetales and Marowak initially put him at a disadvantage. Sato’s Houndoom and Weavile crippled Marowak and pinned down Ninetales, leaving the match unresolved.

• Wallace celebrated his victory over Flint and told Sato he hoped to meet him in the finals.
• Sato left the lunch gathering to rest before his afternoon match.
• Sato and Mr. Kuriki River began their double battle, sending out Houndoom and Weavile against Ninetales and Marowak.
• Weavile boosted its attack while Houndoom used Dark Pulse, and Houndoom’s Substitute blocked Marowak’s Boneerang from hitting Weavile.
• Houndoom used Bite to stop Ninetales from retrieving Marowak’s bone club, then Embargo sealed the club away.
• Weavile’s attacks badly injured Marowak while Houndoom held Ninetales back with Sucker Punch and Crunch.

Sato’s Houndoom and Weavile defeated Ninetales, but Lapras knocked Houndoom out with Sheer Cold. Ralts entered the battle against Lapras to avenge Houndoom.

• Weavile deflected Ninetales’s Iron Tails, while Houndoom struck it with Thunder Fang; Ninetales then hit Weavile with Overheat before fainting.
• Sato sent Weavile to Nurse Joy Lixiang for treatment, and Houndoom returned to battle after learning its partner was safe.
• Mr. Kuriki River sent out Lapras, which froze its side of the field while Houndoom’s Heat Wave was eventually overwhelmed by Blizzard.
• Houndoom jumped onto Lapras to avoid Hydro Pump, but Lapras used Sheer Cold to freeze it and win the battle.
• Ralts teleported onto the field to battle Lapras and avenge Houndoom.

Sato’s Kirlia revealed its greatly increased strength by defeating Mr. Kuriki River’s Lapras with ease. Mr. Kuriki River sent out his final Pokémon, Charizard, and Kirlia pinned it in place as Future Sight approached.

• Sato’s Ralts evolved into Kirlia, whose strength surprised the audience and Sato.
• Kirlia turned Lapras’s Surf back on it, struck it with Thunderbolt, and overwhelmed its Blizzard with Magical Leaf.
• Kirlia hit Lapras with Psychic and won, leaving Mr. Kuriki River with only one Pokémon.
• Mr. Kuriki River sent out his Pseudo-Elite Four Peak Charizard and ordered it to attack Kirlia with Flare Blitz.
• Kirlia dodged Flare Blitz, then used its Mental Power to pin Charizard in front of it as Future Sight began to take effect.

Sato defeated Mr. Kuriki River to become the third semifinalist, and Ryoko began her semifinal battle against Haitong. Ryoko defeated Haitong’s first three Pokémon through her Wood to Fire Tactic and Haxorus’s offense, leaving the battle unresolved as it continued.

• Kirlia evaded Charizard’s Seismic Toss and struck it with Future Sight, winning Sato the semifinal match.
• Itsuki recognized Kirlia’s power as being at Elite Four level and left the venue.
• Sato, Phoebe, and Wallace encouraged Ryoko before she entered the arena to face Haitong.
• Ryoko used Sceptile and Blaziken’s Fire Pledge and Grass Pledge combination and coordinated attacks to defeat Haitong’s Vanilluxe and Eelektross.
• Ryoko let Blaziken be defeated after burning Haitong’s Golurk, then sent out Haxorus, which quickly defeated the burned Golurk.