Recaps

Xinhai cared for his Pokémon, helped Combusken recover, and brought his partners to watch the Martial Arts Tournament finals between Long Yi and Ishida Shin. The battle remained fierce as Blaziken and Mienshao exchanged rapid attacks.

• Xinhai fed his Pokémon, gave them bedtime massages, and read them a story before they went to sleep.
• The next morning, Xinhai led the Pokémon through gentle training while Combusken continued resting and rehabilitating its injured leg.
• Xinhai took Eevee and Kirlia to the tournament venue to watch the finals and collect the quarterfinal prize, a Fighting Crystal.
• Long Yi's Blaziken and Ishida Shin's Mienshao battled fiercely, with Mienshao disrupting Blaziken's attack and Long Yi using Substitute to escape a barrage of Vacuum Waves.
• Xinhai watched the fast exchanges from the competitors' viewing area, impressed by the finalists' offense and defense.

Long Yi and Blaziken won the 46th Youth Martial Arts Tournament, while Xinhai received a Fighting Crystal for Combusken. After the tournament, Xinhai proposed using Fire, Fighting, and Flying energy during Combusken’s evolution, and Brawly agreed to support the risky plan, provided they first passed his father’s special-training test.

• Long Yi’s Blaziken defeated Ishida Shin’s Mienshao with a powerful combination attack and Brick Break, winning the tournament.
• Long Yi received the championship trophy and a Fighting Crystal, while Xinhai collected a low-quality Fighting Crystal as one of the top eight contestants.
• Xinhai told Brawly he wanted Combusken to absorb a Premium Fire Stone, a Mid-grade Fighting Crystal, and a Flying Crystal during evolution.
• Brawly agreed that Dewford Gym would support Xinhai’s plan after Combusken showed its determination despite its injuries.
• Brawly warned Xinhai and Combusken that they first had to endure his father’s special training.

Xinhai received a Flying Crystal and Aptitude Potions from Brawly, then gave the potions to his Pokémon and saw their energy control and vitality improve. After two days of recovery and lighter training, Combusken healed enough to begin Brawly's special training.

• Brawly gave Xinhai a mid-grade Flying Crystal and Aptitude Potions for Combusken, Zigzagoon, Mightyena, and Feebas.
• Xinhai fed the Aptitude Potions to his Pokémon, and each showed signs of improved energy affinity or vitality.
• Xinhai stored the Flying Crystal with his other evolution resources and prepared for Combusken's upcoming training.
• Xinhai kept Combusken's exercise light for two days while it recovered, and his other Pokémon focused on technique and coordination.
• Combusken's right leg recovered enough for training, so Xinhai messaged Brawly and agreed to meet him at the Gym.

Xinhai brought his Pokémon to Dewford Gym to begin a month of special training under Gym Leader Takeda Gangxian. After assessing the team, Takeda started their training with a mountain run in weighted suits and ordered Feebas to stay behind.

• Xinhai rallied his Pokémon, then set out for Dewford Gym with Eevee and Kirlia.
• Brawly met Xinhai and led him to a cabin in the back mountain, where his father, Takeda Gangxian, was waiting.
• Over tea, Takeda asked Xinhai what he hoped to achieve, and Xinhai said he wanted to develop his partners' potential and strengthen Combusken before its evolution.
• Xinhai released all his Pokémon for Takeda to assess, and Takeda noticed something unusual about Sandile.
• Takeda ordered Xinhai and his Pokémon to wear synchronized weighted suits and run up and down the mountain ten times, while Feebas stayed in the cabin.

Xinhai and his Pokémon began a month of special training at Dewford Gym, climbing the mountain in Gravity weighted vests. After completing nine of ten round trips through exhaustion and pain, they continued toward the final stretch without stopping.

• Gym Leader Takeda adjusted weighted vests for Xinhai and his Pokémon, then carried Feebas away to train at Torrent Waterfall.
• Xinhai, Brawly, and their Pokémon began the mountain-climbing exercise: ten round trips in full-body Gravity weighted vests.
• Brawly taught Xinhai to coordinate his breathing with his steps, and Xinhai shared the technique with his Pokémon to help them endure the climb.
• After five round trips, Gym Leader Takeda allowed the group ten minutes to drink and eat before ordering them to continue.
• Xinhai and his companions pushed through the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth round trips despite severe fatigue, nearing the end without stopping.

Xinhai and his Pokémon completed ten coordinated weighted laps, then rested by feeding and massaging one another while Brawly’s Pokémon demanded the same attention. Takeda led the group to a waterfall training ground, where they watched Feebas repeatedly struggle against the current and swim upstream.

• Xinhai and his Pokémon crossed the finish line after completing ten laps and collapsed from exhaustion.
• Xinhai gave his companions food and massages, and they returned his care by massaging him.
• Takeda and Brawly watched as Xinhai and his Pokémon supported one another, and Brawly massaged his own Pokémon at their insistence.
• After the half-hour rest, Takeda led Xinhai, Brawly, and their Pokémon through a bamboo grove to a waterfall training ground.
• Feebas repeatedly fought the waterfall’s current, was swept back into the pool, and returned to attempt the climb again.

Xinhai and his Pokémon began Takeda’s waterfall training while Scrafty and Hitmontop subjected the two Combusken to the oppressive Presence of Elite-level Pokémon. As the pressure overwhelmed the group, Kirlia connected Xinhai and his companions through Telepathy so they could share their fear and encouragement.

• Takeda praised Feebas’s persistence and ordered everyone except the two Combusken and Sandile to endure the waterfall’s current for an hour.
• Xinhai and Brawly led their Pokémon into the pool, where the current battered them as they struggled to stay upright.
• Takeda summoned his Elite-level Scrafty and Hitmontop, whose Presence weighed heavily on everyone and especially the two Combusken.
• Scrafty and Hitmontop intensified their pressure, forcing the Combusken to bend and leaving Xinhai and the other Pokémon struggling beneath the combined strain.
• Xinhai looked to Kirlia, which used Telepathy to connect him and his companions so they could share their thoughts, fear, and encouragement.

Xinhai’s Combusken drew strength from its companions’ support and awakened the Fire of Belief, standing against Elite-level pressure. Brawly’s Combusken was inspired to unleash its own Flame of Fighting Spirit, and the pressure eased after both Pokémon revealed their potential.

• Kirlia linked Xinhai’s partners through Telepathy, letting them share their support with Combusken as it struggled under Scrafty and Hitmontop’s pressure.
• Xinhai urged his companions and Combusken to trust in their bonds and burn their wills together.
• Combusken erupted in scarlet flames, awakened the Fire of Belief, and forced itself to stand against the Elite-level pressure.
• Brawly’s Combusken drew on the nearby breakthrough, unleashed its darker Flame of Fighting Spirit, and stood beside Xinhai’s Combusken.
• Gym Leader Takeda recognized the rare Fire of Belief, and Scrafty and Hitmontop withdrew their pressure after both Combusken displayed their potential.

After an intense morning of training, Xinhai and the exhausted Pokémon recovered with Gallade’s Life Dew and shared special meals with Brawly. Brawly explained that Dewford Gym’s Fire of Fighting Spirit could be inherited only as a spark, which descendants had to awaken through their own will.

• Gym Leader Takeda ended the morning training and told Xinhai and Brawly to rest until training resumed at two.
• Xinhai praised Combusken and Feebas for enduring the training, while Brawly summoned Gallade to restore everyone with Life Dew.
• Xinhai asked Gallade to guide Eevee and Kirlia, and Gallade agreed to help them.
• Brawly gave Xinhai Dewford Gym’s unlimited special Nutritious Meals for the month of training, and they ate together.
• Xinhai said he and Combusken had hoped to awaken the Fire of Fighting Spirit, and Brawly explained that his family’s Blaziken lineage passed down only a spark that each descendant had to awaken themselves.

Xinhai accepted that his Combusken’s Fire of Belief could grow through their shared effort, then began learning a Body Tempering Art from Brawly. The chapter left him sensing Qi within his body as he practiced, while Kirlia, Eevee, and the Pokémon trained with Brawly’s team.

• Xinhai resolved to make the Fire of Belief burn brighter with Combusken, and Brawly encouraged him ahead of their afternoon training.
• Kirlia and Eevee asked Gallade to teach them Life Dew, while Xinhai’s Combusken and Brawly’s Combusken sought move guidance from Machamp, Hariyama, and the other seniors.
• Brawly demonstrated a Body Tempering Art and explained how it could control Qi, strengthen the body, and improve resonance with Fighting-type Pokémon.
• Xinhai followed Brawly’s movements and breathing, quickly sensed Qi flowing through his body, and compared the sensation to practicing Tai Chi.
• Brawly praised Xinhai’s talent but noted that his balanced Trainer path could slow his progress toward the Three Gates, and Xinhai chose to keep building a solid foundation.

Xinhai learned Dewford Gym’s Body Tempering Art from Brawly but chose Tai Chi as his long-term foundation. He and his Pokémon completed a punishing mountain pursuit and breakout training day, then rested at the Pokémon Center for the next day’s training.

• Xinhai compared the Body Tempering Art’s Qi with Tai Chi, chose Tai Chi as his foundation, and promised Brawly not to share the Gym’s secret art or its breathing instructions.
• After memorizing the art, Xinhai massaged his partners before afternoon training began.
• Gym Leader Takeda assigned Xinhai and Brawly to lead their teams through pursuers’ blockades from the mountain’s foot to a summit cabin.
• Xinhai directed his Pokémon through repeated pursuit rounds, and their combat skills and teamwork improved under pressure.
• At seven in the evening, Gym Leader Takeda ended training, and Gallade used Life Dew to restore the exhausted teams.
• Xinhai ate the Gym’s meal, returned to the Pokémon Center, massaged his partners, told them more of “Super Beast Force,” and fell asleep with them.

After a month of intense training, Xinhai and Brawly watched their Combusken spar and discussed their Pokémon’s upcoming evolutions. Brawly invited Xinhai to Dewford Gym in two days so Gym Leader Takeda could oversee Combusken’s evolution.

• Xinhai’s Combusken and Brawly’s Combusken fought an evenly matched sparring battle after a month of training.
• Brawly told Xinhai that his Elite-level Combusken was ready to evolve within the next few days and described the rare resources he had prepared.
• Brawly pointed out that Xinhai’s Combusken, Eevee, Sandile, and Zigzagoon had enough energy and strong foundations to evolve, while Feebas had also improved.
• Xinhai said he had prepared an evolution method for Combusken, would let Zigzagoon and Sandile evolve naturally, and would wait for Feebas to be ready; he would not push Eevee to evolve.
• Brawly invited Xinhai to bring Combusken to Dewford Gym in two days so Gym Leader Takeda could oversee the evolution, and Xinhai agreed to let his team rest the next day.

Brawly learned from Gym Leader Takeda why Xinhai was not suited to become a Dewford Gym disciple, and why the Gym should instead support and befriend him. Xinhai reunited with his Pokémon after a month of special training and planned a celebratory feast.

• Brawly asked Gym Leader Takeda why he had not taken Xinhai as a disciple despite valuing him.
• Gym Leader Takeda explained that Xinhai and his Pokémon practiced a distinct, complete martial arts system that could conflict with the Dewford Gym’s Fighting-focused teachings.
• Brawly understood that the Gym should offer Xinhai suitable help and build a good connection rather than ask him to change affiliations.
• Xinhai returned to the Pokémon Center and released his partners, noticing how much most had grown during their month of training.
• Xinhai praised his partners and announced he would buy ingredients and Berries to cook them a celebratory feast.

Xinhai gave his Pokémon a day of rest before bringing Combusken to Dewford Gym for his evolution. With preparations complete, Combusken began absorbing energy from the Evolution Stones and crystals.

• Xinhai prepared a feast, massaged his Pokémon, and told them a bedtime story before they rested for Combusken's evolution day.
• Xinhai took his partners to Dewford Town's beach and nearby forest, where they relaxed and met wild Pokémon.
• The next morning, Xinhai and his partners went to Dewford Gym, where Brawly led him to a specialized training room with Gym Leader Takeda.
• Gym Leader Takeda gave Combusken a medicine to improve his tolerance for Type energy, and Xinhai prepared a Premium Fire Stone, a Dawn Stone, two Fighting Crystals, and a Flying Crystal.
• Combusken gripped the Premium Fire Stone and Dawn Stone, then unleashed his crimson Fire of Belief and focused on his desire to evolve.

Xinhai’s Combusken evolved into Blaziken with help from Gym Leader Takeda and several Type Crystals, gaining a harmonious blend of Fire, Fighting, and Flying energies. After celebrating the successful evolution, Gym Leader Takeda asked Brawly to send out his Combusken.

• Gym Leader Takeda’s senior Blaziken restrained Combusken’s out-of-control fire energy, and Xinhai threw in the Fighting and Flying Crystals at Takeda’s instruction.
• Xinhai threw in the final Fighting Crystal, and its energy merged into Combusken as its evolution reached completion.
• Combusken evolved into Blaziken and tested its new speed with a sudden dash across the training room.
• Xinhai congratulated Blaziken, and Brawly and Gym Leader Takeda praised its successful evolution and complementary type energies.
• Gym Leader Takeda told Xinhai to focus on mastering Blaziken’s new power, then asked Brawly to send out his Combusken.

Brawly used special potions, a Premium Fire Stone, a Champion Head Feather, and a Fighting Crystal to evolve his Combusken into a powerful Blaziken. Gym Leader Takeda advised Brawly and Xinhai to spend the next week helping their newly evolved Blaziken adapt and consolidate their strength.

• Brawly's Combusken drank two potions, including a special dark-red potion that unleashed fierce energy within it.
• Brawly gave Combusken a Premium Fire Stone and a Champion Head Feather, while Gym Leader Takeda directed him to throw in a Fighting Crystal during the evolution.
• Combusken evolved into a large, powerful Blaziken as the Champion Head Feather reinforced its body and foundation.
• Gym Leader Takeda assessed Brawly's Blaziken and said it needed time to absorb the feather's energy and turn its solid foundation into strength.
• Brawly challenged Xinhai to continue their rivalry, but Xinhai and Gym Leader Takeda urged him to focus on helping the Blaziken adapt over the next week.

Xinhai and Brawly checked their newly evolved Blaziken’s data and tested their physical abilities, finding that each had developed a distinct battle style. They parted to begin separate training programs.

• Xinhai scanned Blaziken’s data and saw its Elite-level status, new moves, and exceptionally high energy concentrations.
• Xinhai released his other Pokémon, and they congratulated Blaziken on evolving.
• Xinhai and Brawly tested their Blaziken’s speed and strength, finding Xinhai’s Blaziken faster and more fluid while Brawly’s struck with greater force.
• The two Blaziken trained under increasing gravity until the pressure made their movements sluggish.
• Xinhai and Brawly assessed their Blaziken’s strengths, then Brawly took his Blaziken to specialized training while Xinhai stayed to train with his partners.

Xinhai taught Blaziken the Wind Membrane Technique, using Flying-type energy to contain and strengthen the flames of Blaze Kick. After Blaziken demonstrated its power, Xinhai outlined how it could enable stored bursts, conceal attacks, and improve speed.

• Xinhai instructed Blaziken to weave Flying-type energy into a wind membrane around its Blaze Kick.
• Blaziken repeatedly practiced until the wind membrane stabilized the flames and concealed their energy.
• Blaziken struck the training target with a Blaze Kick that scored 1863, increasing its power by more than thirty percent.
• Xinhai suggested that Blaziken could hold the membrane to compress flame energy for a stronger delayed attack, and Blaziken successfully tested the idea.
• Xinhai explained that the technique could also hide attacks, reduce air resistance, and eventually draw on natural wind.

Xinhai guided Blaziken in mastering the Wind Membrane, which helped it move faster and strengthen its attacks. After Blaziken successfully combined the technique with Flame Rock Smash Kick, Xinhai turned to examine the spear made for him by Dewford Gym.

• Xinhai advised Blaziken to use Tai Chi principles to guide Flying-type energy and reduce resistance from the Qi in the air.
• Blaziken practiced Blaze Kick until it gained an initial grasp of the Wind Membrane and its movements became smoother and faster.
• Xinhai challenged Blaziken to apply the Wind Membrane to Flame Rock Smash Kick, requiring it to coordinate Fire-, Fighting-, and Flying-type energy.
• Blaziken combined the three energies in an Enhanced Flame Rock Smash Kick, damaged the skill target, and recorded a power reading of 3257.
• Xinhai fed his partners, then took out the 3.3-meter spear made for him by Dewford Gym and admired its design and balance.

Xinhai trained with his spear while Blaziken developed the Wind Membrane Technique, adapting it to moves with different energy types and to ranged attacks. Over the next two days, Blaziken applied the technique to most of its combination moves and several long-range moves, forming the basis of a new combat style.

• Xinhai practiced spear fundamentals, sensed his Tai Chi Qi growing stronger, and checked Blaziken’s progress with the Wind Membrane Technique.
• Blaziken successfully added a Wind Membrane to Sonic Flame Punch and several other moves, but struggled to preserve concealment when using Thunder Punch.
• Xinhai proposed mixing Fighting-type energy with Flying-type energy to stabilize the membrane around lightning, and Blaziken succeeded after dozens of attempts.
• Xinhai and Blaziken developed a directional wind channel to guide and accelerate Flamethrower, making the attack faster, more concentrated, and more powerful.
• Over the next two days, Blaziken applied the Wind Membrane Technique and its improved forms to most of its close-range combination moves and several long-range moves.

Xinhai and his Pokémon entered Granite Cave to explore its dark, branching passages, with Kirlia placing Psychic Marks on the group for protection. Zigzagoon discovered and dug up an Iron Ore, which Kirlia cleaned with Psychic energy.

• Xinhai and Blaziken found that Blaziken could maintain a full-body Wind Membrane for less than three minutes before mental strain dispersed it.
• Xinhai set out for Granite Cave with Eevee and Kirlia, then released Zigzagoon and Sandile at the cave entrance.
• Xinhai used night-vision goggles to navigate the dark cave while Kirlia placed Psychic Marks on him and the Pokémon as a safeguard.
• Xinhai noticed old excavation marks, and Zigzagoon followed a faint scent to a dirt-covered spot in the wall.
• Zigzagoon used Dig to uncover an Iron Ore and brought it to Xinhai, who praised it.
• Kirlia used Psychic energy to clean the Iron Ore.

Xinhai and his Pokémon explored the cave, avoided a Diglett, and reached the abandoned Number Eleven small mining pit to search for treasure. Zigzagoon made another discovery and proudly brought Xinhai a metallic-looking stone.

• Kirlia helped Xinhai inspect Iron Ore and Hard Iron Ore that Zigzagoon found, and Xinhai praised Zigzagoon.
• Xinhai's group encountered a Diglett in a narrow passage, and it retreated underground without a fight.
• With Kirlia scouting and the map guiding them, Xinhai led the group to the abandoned Number Eleven small mining pit.
• Xinhai assigned his Pokémon to search the mine, released Blaziken and Mightyena to help, and began digging with Kirlia.
• Zigzagoon found a faintly metallic stone beneath a rubble slope and carried it to Xinhai.

Xinhai and his Pokémon encountered a Rhydon in the mine, and Blaziken defeated it with a single powerful kick. After tending to the unconscious Rhydon and finding valuable Tungsten Ore, Xinhai led his team into its nest to search for more treasure.

• A furious Rhydon charged at Xinhai and his Pokémon with Drill Run.
• Blaziken countered with Flame Rock Smash Kick, sending Rhydon crashing into the mine wall and knocking it out.
• Xinhai scanned Rhydon, judged its potential average, and treated its injuries rather than catching it.
• Xinhai recognized the ore Zigzagoon had found as exceptionally pure Tungsten Ore and praised Zigzagoon.
• Xinhai had Mightyena lead the group into Rhydon's nest while the team stayed alert.

Xinhai and his Pokémon searched Rhydon’s nest, where they found valuable ores, a Ground Gem, and an ancient Pokémon fossil. After restoring the nest and leaving food for Rhydon, they rested and set off for the Small Evolution Stone Mining Area.

• Xinhai sent his Pokémon to search Rhydon’s nest, and Sandile and Eevee found metal ores and Rock Ore.
• Zigzagoon dug up three pieces of high-quality Rock Ore, a Ground Gem, and an unidentified ancient Pokémon fossil, which delighted Xinhai.
• Blaziken found more metal ores, and Xinhai’s team restored the nest and left Rhydon two bags of Pokémon food.
• Xinhai left the unconscious Rhydon undisturbed and led his team out of Mine No. 11.
• Xinhai rested with his Pokémon, checked the map, and then continued toward the Small Evolution Stone Mining Area.

Xinhai and his companions fought through increasingly dangerous tunnels toward the Small Evolution Stone Mining Area, preparing for the unusual energy ahead. They reached a small underground cavern filled with intense Electric type energy.

• Xinhai's team defeated wild Pokémon along the tunnels, and Blaziken quickly knocked out a Graveler blocking their path.
• As Electric type energy grew stronger, Eevee's fur puffed up with static, and Blaziken's Thunder Punch restored it to normal.
• Xinhai put an Everstone around Eevee's neck to prevent it from evolving upon contact with a Thunder Stone.
• Xinhai changed into his custom battle suit while his companions prepared and concealed their enhanced Presences.
• Xinhai and his companions entered a small cavern with unusually active Electric type energy.