Chapter Summaries

Leon’s Dragapult tried to kite Jing He’s Dragonite with its speed and Dragon Darts, but Dragonite turned the chase around with a strange Extreme Speed that struck through Dragapult’s Ghost-type immunity. The battle ended with Dragonite pressing its advantage and spectators recognizing a move reminiscent of Rayquaza’s Dragon Ascent.

• Gengar trapped Leon’s Inteleon with Mean Look, then knocked it out with a Pikachu-shaped Thunderbolt before U-Turn could hit.
• Leon sent out Dragapult, and Jing He recalled Gengar as Dragonite eagerly entered the battle.
• Dragonite and Dragapult boosted themselves with Dragon Dance, then Dragapult launched two Dreepy with Dragon Darts.
• Dragonite used Extreme Speed to evade Dragapult’s Dragon Tail and pursued it as Dragapult tried to keep its distance and attack with Dragon Darts.
• Jing He ordered Extreme Speed again, and Dragonite’s move formed an arrow-like aura and struck Dragapult despite its Ghost typing, prompting spectators to compare it to Rayquaza’s Dragon Ascent.

Jing He’s Ice Ninetales defeated Leon’s Rillaboom with a powerful Double Blizzard, leaving Leon at a major disadvantage. Leon sent Cinderace back in, but Jing He’s Gengar used Skill Swap to take Libero before Cinderace returned to its Poké Ball.

• Leon recalled Dragapult after it lost to Dragonite, then sent out Rillaboom as Jing He replaced Dragonite with Ice Ninetales.
• Rillaboom used Fake Out and Taunt to stop Ice Ninetales from using status moves, then attacked while Ice Ninetales dodged and unleashed Blizzard.
• Ice Ninetales used snowmen as decoys, while Rillaboom shattered them with Boomburst and weakened Ice Ninetales with Noble Roar.
• Ice Ninetales intensified its Blizzard with psychic power, froze Rillaboom’s Noble Roar, and defeated Rillaboom with Ice Shard.
• Leon sent out Cinderace against Gengar, but Jing He ordered Gengar to use Skill Swap, giving Gengar Libero before Cinderace returned to its Poké Ball.

Jing He’s Gengar defeated Leon’s Mr. Rime after copying Libero and overwhelming its defenses with a corrosive Sludge Wave and Dark Void. Leon sent out Charizard as his final Pokémon, setting up an ace-versus-ace battle with Gengar.

• Leon sent out Mr. Rime, which copied Gengar’s Libero and used Misty Terrain to hinder its status moves.
• Gengar unleashed a powerful Sludge Wave that destroyed the terrain, poisoned Mr. Rime, and damaged the battlefield.
• Gengar put Mr. Rime to sleep with Dark Void, and the referee declared it unable to battle.
• Leon sent out Charizard, and Jing He agreed to let Gengar face it in an ace-versus-ace showdown.

Jing He’s Gengar defeated Leon’s Mega Charizard Y in a hard-fought battle, sending Jing He into the semifinals of the Youth Master World Championship Tournament. Leon accepted the loss and resolved to train harder, while Red and Green left the match inspired to reach the same level.

• Leon sent out Charizard, but Jing He’s Gengar used Skill Swap to give Charizard the Libero Ability and make it a Fighting type, causing Brick Break to miss the Ghost-type Gengar.
• Leon Mega Evolved Charizard into Mega Charizard Y, whose Drought Ability brought out Sunny Day, but Gengar stole Drought and shut the sunlight off.
• Gengar and Mega Charizard Y traded attacks, and Gengar used a Shadow Ball technique that struck Charizard’s weaker physical defenses.
• Gengar’s final Shadow Ball hit Mega Charizard Y, which lost its Mega Evolution and its ability to battle, giving Jing He the victory.
• Leon accepted defeat and decided to train harder, while the host announced Jing He as the first semifinalist and Red and Green vowed to reach that level themselves.

Jing He discussed his victory over Leon, then commentated as Steven Stone defeated Diantha to reach the semifinals. That night, Professor Oak arrived at Jing He's room with Green and Red, who greeted him as their teacher.

• At the press conference, Jing He praised Leon's Charizard and said he had good relationships with Galar's trainers, while Leon praised Jing He's Pokémon.
• Leon told Jing He that he planned to pursue the Galar Champion title after Champion Peony stepped down, and Jing He encouraged him.
• Jing He commentated on Steven Stone's battle against Diantha, explaining why Aggron's trade with Hawlucha favored Steven's team.
• Steven Stone defeated Diantha after Mega Metagross overcame Mega Gardevoir, advancing to the semifinals.
• Professor Oak visited Jing He's room with Green and Red, and both boys apologized for the interruption and addressed Jing He as their teacher.

Jing He met Red and Green, who challenged him to battle after the tournament, and reflected on how his life as a Trainer had grown alongside his Pokémon. Wataru and Cynthia advanced through their matches, and the semifinals were set: Jing He versus Steven Stone, and Wataru versus Cynthia.

• Professor Oak introduced Red and Green to Jing He, and both young Trainers challenged him; Jing He agreed to battle after the tournament.
• Jing He reflected on his bonds with his Pokémon, then asked Urshifu to coach him in Aura.
• Wataru defeated Caitlin, while Volkner lost to Cynthia after Infernape’s Blaze helped him defeat Lucario and Milotic.
• The tournament semifinals were announced: Jing He would face Steven Stone, and Wataru would face Cynthia.

Jing He and Steven Stone began their semifinal Master-Disciple Battle in Nimbasa Arena, with Steven opening using his evolved Cradily and a Sandstorm. Jing He kept Urshifu on the field and ordered it to boost its power, leaving the battle poised for their first exchange.

• Volkner, Cynthia, Watari, and Drake discussed the upcoming battle and speculated about whether Jing He or Steven Stone was stronger.
• Jing He and Steven Stone entered the stadium, greeted the crowd, and took their places on the standard battlefield.
• Steven Stone sent out Cradily, the evolved Lileep that Jing He had once helped, while Jing He chose Urshifu.
• Steven Stone opened with Cradily's Sandstorm, using Water Absorb to dry the field and strengthen the weather.
• Jing He chose not to switch Pokémon and ordered Urshifu to use Swords Dance as it endured the Sandstorm.

Jing He’s Urshifu defeated Steven Stone’s Cradily but was worn down by the sandstorm and recalled after clashing with Skarmory. Tinkaton volunteered to face Skarmory, removed its Stealth Rock, and battered it with a series of control moves, forcing Steven Stone to recall it.

• Steven Stone used Cradily’s Leech Seed and the sandstorm to wear down Urshifu, but Urshifu broke through Cradily’s defenses and knocked it out with Close Combat.
• Steven Stone sent out Skarmory, which clashed with Urshifu using Brave Bird; Jing He recalled Urshifu after the exchange.
• Steven Stone set Stealth Rock, but Tinkaton came out on her own and swept the invisible hazards off the field with her hammer.
• Tinkaton used Fake Out and a hammer strike to knock Skarmory from the sky, then blocked Steel Wing while building power with Swords Dance.
• Tinkaton’s Rock Slide interrupted Skarmory’s Iron Defense, and her Angel Kiss prompted Steven Stone to recall Skarmory before she could hit it again.

Jing He defeated Steven Stone’s Claydol and Aggron with Urshifu and Dragonite, using Urshifu’s freely switching styles and Dragonite’s luck-fueled attacks. With Steven Stone down three Pokémon, Jing He invited him to dinner after the match and silently decided he would have to bring the ingredients.

• Jing He switched Tinkaton for Urshifu, which changed between Rapid Strike Style and Single Strike Style to evade Claydol’s attacks and knock it out with Wicked Blow.
• Steven Stone sent out Aggron, and Jing He recalled the battered Urshifu and chose Dragonite instead.
• Dragonite countered Aggron’s attacks with Hydro Pump and Thunder, then won their Dragon Rush clash and stopped Aggron from using Rest with Air Cutter.
• Dragonite finished Aggron with Hydro Pump, then accidentally crashed into Jing He while flying over to celebrate.
• Jing He invited Steven Stone to eat at his home after the match, and Steven Stone accepted.

Steven Stone recovered his confidence and battled Jing He with Mawile, using it to boost and Baton Pass to his Shiny Metagross. Armarouge and Ceruledge clashed with Metagross, and the chapter ended as Steven Mega Evolved it.

• Jing He encouraged Steven Stone to enjoy their battle, and Steven sent out Mawile against Jing He's Armarouge.
• Mawile fought Armarouge, raising its Attack with Power-Up Punch before Baton Passing its boosts to Steven Stone's Shiny Metagross.
• Armarouge unleashed Wave Armor Cannon, but Metagross endured the blast and charged at it with Zen Headbutt.
• Jing He switched Armarouge into Ceruledge, which used its sword-and-cannon form to evade Metagross and attack with Fire Blast and Bitter Blade.
• Steven Stone activated Mega Evolution, transforming his Shiny Metagross into Shiny Mega Metagross.

Jing He and Gengar defeated Steven Stone in their semifinal battle, with Mega Gengar narrowly overcoming Mega Metagross before Gengar swiftly subdued Excadrill. Jing He advanced to the finals, leaving Steven determined to train harder.

• Jing He recalled the exhausted Ceruledge and Mega Evolved Gengar to face Steven Stone’s Mega Metagross.
• Mega Gengar used Spectral Thief to steal Metagross’s Attack boosts, then endured its attacks and countered with Shadow Balls and a final clash of power.
• Steven Stone and Metagross unleashed their strongest Zen Headbutt, but Metagross fainted while Gengar remained standing.
• Steven sent out Excadrill, and Gengar put it to sleep, burned and paralyzed it, then used Dream Eater to recover before Steven recalled it.
• The referee declared Jing He the winner and the first finalist, and Jing He reminded Steven to bring ingredients that night.

After Jing He’s victory over Steven Stone, Gengar revealed that it had used Giratina’s help to make the DNA Splicers react to a black orb that might be Zekrom’s Dragon Stone. Later, Steven arrived for dinner, and Jing He discussed Cynthia’s upcoming battle with Wataru and suggested she consider catching a Togekiss.

• Jing He’s win over Steven Stone and Ceruledge’s sword-and-cannon form drew widespread attention, while Mega Evolution’s strengths and limitations were discussed.
• Jing He stopped Gengar from sneaking away, and Gengar surrendered Shauntal’s DNA Splicers and the black orb Alder had given it.
• Gengar showed Jing He that Giratina had helped it learn to make the DNA Splicers react to the orb, which Jing suspected might be Zekrom’s Dragon Stone.
• Steven arrived at Jing He’s home with ingredients, and he noticed that Gengar and Cynthia were forbidden from entering the kitchen.
• Jing He advised Cynthia to use Ice-type Pokémon against Wataru and suggested Togekiss as a possible Fairy-type addition to her team.

N set out to visit Jing He, while Jing He watched Cynthia face Lance in the tournament semifinals. Cynthia opened with Spiritomb against Lance’s Red Gyarados, and Jing He recognized that she was using tactics he had taught her.

• N spoke with Zekrom about wanting to see Jing He, and Zekrom carried him away from the mountains.
• Jing He explained Gengar’s new Shadow Ball technique to Watari and the others while they watched the tournament.
• Lance and Cynthia entered the stadium, and Jing He estimated Cynthia had a slight advantage because her Garchomp could Mega Evolve.
• Lance sent out Red Gyarados, and Cynthia answered with Spiritomb, which resisted its Intimidate and began disrupting it.
• Cynthia ordered Spiritomb to use Will-O-Wisp and then Pain Split, while Lance realized she was using Jing He’s tactics.

Cynthia defeated Wataru and advanced to the finals against Jing He, who then met N in Nimbasa City and encouraged him to take control of Team Plasma and build a refuge for Pokémon. After N introduced Jing He to Zekrom, the Ideal Dragon acknowledged Jing He as a hero, and Jing He told Alder that N could help bring down Team Plasma.

• Cynthia's Mega Garchomp defeated Wataru's Dragonite, sending her to the finals against Jing He.
• Jing He met N at a Nimbasa City coffee shop and helped him reconcile the cruel Pokémon abuse he had witnessed with the bonds he saw between people and Pokémon.
• Jing He urged N to lead Team Plasma, use its resources to build a Pokémon sanctuary, and make amends for the organization's crimes; N agreed to try.
• N brought Jing He to Zekrom, which acknowledged Jing He's ideal of making money and granted him recognition as the Black Hero.
• Alder and the International Police arrived after Looker mistakenly reported that N had captured Jing He, but Jing He explained that N was not evil and could serve as an insider against Team Plasma.

Jing He and Cynthia prepared for the Youth Masters Tournament final after their friends discussed Jing He’s powerful Pokémon and fans fueled rumors about the pair. The final began with Cynthia’s Gastrodon facing Jing He’s Urshifu.

• Jing He’s friends debated which of his Pokémon Cynthia should watch out for, while Jing He discovered they had been discussing how to beat him in his own home.
• Cynthia returned to her residence and summoned her Pokémon, reflecting on how many of them shared connections with Jing He.
• The Team Rocket trio sold authorized tournament merchandise and signed posters to a huge crowd outside Nimbasa Arena.
• Jing He and Cynthia entered the packed arena as rumors that they were a couple stirred the crowd, and Cynthia offered to reveal a secret if Jing He beat her.
• Cynthia sent out her West Sea Gastrodon, and Jing He chose Urshifu; the referee started the final.

Jing He’s Urshifu defeated Cynthia’s Gastrodon by disguising an Aura-infused attack as Wicked Blow, despite the rain, Acid Armor, and a burn. Cynthia recalled Gastrodon with a faint smile, while Jing He wondered if he had somehow upset her.

• Cynthia sent out Gastrodon and used Rain Dance to weaken Jing He’s Fire-type options while taking advantage of Gastrodon’s Water Absorb.
• Urshifu switched to Single Strike Style and attacked with Wicked Blow, but Gastrodon used Acid Armor to soften the blow and then countered with Muddy Water.
• Urshifu split the Muddy Water and struck Gastrodon again, while Cynthia repeatedly raised its Physical Defense with Acid Armor.
• Cynthia used Scald at close range, burning Urshifu, but Urshifu infused its Wicked Blow with Aura and defeated Gastrodon with a powerful strike.
• Alder and Cynthia realized Urshifu had used Aura to bypass Gastrodon’s boosted Physical Defense and the burn’s attack penalty; Cynthia recalled Gastrodon and smiled at Jing He.

Jing He’s Dragonite defeated Cynthia’s Milotic after a fierce exchange, but Cynthia sent out Ice Eevee and then recalled it to force Jing He to choose his next Pokémon. Despite losing two Pokémon, Cynthia remained confident that the battle had only just begun.

• Cynthia sent out Milotic, and Jing He switched Urshifu for Dragonite.
• Dragonite used Dragon Dance to evade Milotic’s Icy Wind, but Captivating Voice confused it and Milotic bound it with Coil.
• Dragonite broke free with Outrage, then struck Milotic with Thunder Punch and Extreme Speed to knock it out.
• Cynthia sent out Ice Eevee, which avoided Dragonite’s Stone Edge with Detect.
• Jing He recalled Dragonite, and Cynthia recalled Ice Eevee as well, smiling as she waited for Jing He to choose his next Pokémon.

Jing He’s Armarouge battled Cynthia’s Spiritomb in a long-range exchange, and Armarouge endured Destiny Bond with the Rainbow Wing’s Life Fire. Armarouge remained on the field, eager to face Cynthia’s next Pokémon.

• Jing He sent out Ceruledge, which transformed into Armarouge, while Cynthia answered with Spiritomb.
• Jing He unexpectedly commanded Spiritomb to use Protect, astonishing Cynthia and the stadium before the battle resumed.
• Armarouge redirected Fire Blast with psychic power, then struck Spiritomb with flames as Spiritomb countered with Payback and Dark Pulse.
• Jing He ordered Armor Cannon, and Armarouge defeated Spiritomb, but Spiritomb’s Destiny Bond engulfed it in black mist.
• Armarouge used the Rainbow Wing’s Life Fire to break free of Destiny Bond, then refused to leave the field and called for Cynthia’s next Pokémon.

Cynthia’s Lucario battled Jing He’s Ceruledge in a fierce clash that ended with Ceruledge unable to continue and Lucario still standing. Lucario refused to leave the field, while another of Jing He’s Pokémon stirred in its Poké Ball, ready to face it next.

• Cynthia sent out Lucario, and it clashed with Jing He’s exhausted Ceruledge using Bone Club, Swords Dance, and Bitter Blade.
• Jing He had Ceruledge use Phantom Force and Will-O-Wisp, but Lucario tracked it with Aura and countered its attacks.
• Ceruledge recalled its memories of Jing He’s support and launched Flare Blitz, while Lucario answered with Aura Sphere.
• The two Pokémon collided in a blast, after which Ceruledge fell and Lucario remained standing; Jing He recalled Ceruledge and reassured it.
• Lucario refused to leave the field, and a Poké Ball at Jing He’s waist began to stir for the next battle.

Jing He sent Tinkaton against Cynthia’s Lucario, and the two Pokémon fought a brutal battle that left Lucario unable to continue. Cynthia then sent out Garchomp, leaving the match poised for its next fight.

• Jing He recalled Ceruledge and sent out Tinkaton to face Lucario.
• Tinkaton used Feint to break through Lucario’s defenses and baited it into close combat, then trapped it with Encore and landed repeated hammer strikes.
• Cynthia had Lucario use Endeavor, but Tinkaton answered with Gigaton Hammer and won the clash, leaving Lucario unable to battle.
• Jing He noticed Lucario had punched a deep dent into Tinkaton’s hammer, while Cynthia praised Lucario and recalled it.
• Cynthia sent out Garchomp for her next battle.