Recaps

Bai Lu sent out Primarina to battle Zhang Cheng's Poliwrath, and both Pokémon fell asleep after their opposing sleep-inducing moves collided. Poliwrath woke first, restored the rain and boosted its stats, then attacked Primarina as she used Perish Song.

• Bai Lu sent out her level 43 Primarina, and Primarina's Dazzling Gleam forced Zhang Cheng's Poliwrath to use Protect.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Hypnosis, while Bai Lu had Primarina counter with Sing; both Pokémon fell asleep.
• Poliwrath woke first, and Zhang Cheng had it use Rain Dance and Bulk Up while Primarina remained asleep.
• Primarina woke and used Perish Song to pressure Zhang Cheng into switching Poliwrath, but Zhang Cheng ordered a Waterfall attack before the song could take effect.

Zhang Cheng used Poliwrath and then Swampert to wear down Bai Lu’s Primarina, eventually catching it with Toxic and forcing Bai Lu to attack before the poison worsened. The battle continued with Primarina badly poisoned as it prepared another Surf against Swampert.

• Zhang Cheng recalled Poliwrath after its Waterfall damaged Primarina, then sent out Swampert.
• Bai Lu ordered Primarina to use Surf, but Swampert’s Wide Guard only partly blocked the attack and it countered with Muddy Water, injuring Primarina and lowering its accuracy.
• Zhang Cheng sent Swampert charging with Waterfall; Primarina used Protect to block most of the attack.
• Zhang Cheng had Swampert use Toxic as soon as Protect ended, badly poisoning Primarina.
• Bai Lu ordered Dazzling Gleam, but Swampert blocked it with Protect, and the poison continued draining Primarina’s HP.
• Bai Lu ordered Primarina to use Surf again as it rallied for another attack.

Zhang Cheng’s Swampert and Bai Lu’s Wigglytuff traded attacks and recovery moves as each Trainer tried to wear down the other’s Pokémon. Swampert blocked Wigglytuff’s Toxic, and Bai Lu ordered it to use Sing as the battle continued.

• Zhang Cheng’s Swampert blocked Primarina’s Surf with Wide Guard, and Bai Lu recalled Primarina after Toxic reduced its HP to about half.
• Bai Lu sent Wigglytuff back into battle and ordered Body Slam, while Zhang Cheng’s Swampert met it with Waterfall; the collision damaged both Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng’s Swampert hit Wigglytuff with Scald, burning it, but Bai Lu used Heal Pulse to restore Wigglytuff’s HP.
• Swampert’s Water Pulse cut Wigglytuff’s HP, and Wigglytuff launched Toxic; Swampert blocked the venom with Protect.
• After Toxic failed, Bai Lu ordered Wigglytuff to use Sing on Swampert.

Zhang Cheng's Swampert defeated Bai Lu's Wigglytuff but was badly poisoned in the process. Bai Lu sent out Whimsicott, whose Prankster-powered Toxic poisoned Pidgeot as Zhang Cheng switched Pokémon.

• Zhang Cheng used Swampert's Wide Guard to block Wigglytuff's Sing, then ordered Mud Bomb and Waterfall attacks that left Wigglytuff near defeat.
• Bai Lu had Wigglytuff use Protect to weaken Waterfall, then land Toxic on Swampert at close range.
• Zhang Cheng finished Wigglytuff with Bubble Beam, and Bai Lu recalled it and sent out Whimsicott.
• Zhang Cheng recalled his weakened Swampert and sent out Pidgeot to counter Whimsicott's Grass and Fairy typing.
• Bai Lu used Whimsicott's Prankster ability to poison Pidgeot with Toxic, and Zhang Cheng ordered Brave Bird.

Zhang Cheng’s badly poisoned Pidgeot battled Bai Lu’s Whimsicott as Bai Lu tried to stall with Protect and Poison damage. Pidgeot’s attacks left Whimsicott barely standing, but the chapter ended with both Pokémon still in the battle.

• Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to use Brave Bird, which shattered Whimsicott’s Protect and cost it a quarter of its HP.
• Bai Lu had Whimsicott use Grass Whistle to put Pidgeot to sleep, then Cotton Guard to raise Whimsicott’s Physical Defense.
• Pidgeot woke when its Poison flared up and hit Whimsicott with Hurricane, reducing it to a third of its HP.
• Whimsicott blocked Pidgeot’s Air Slash with Protect while the Poison reduced Pidgeot’s HP to three-fifths.
• Zhang Cheng sent Pidgeot into another Brave Bird, but Whimsicott used Charm to weaken it and survived with less than a sixth of its HP.

Bai Lu and Zhang Cheng’s battle continued as Toxic poison weakened both sides’ Pokémon. Zhang Cheng defeated Primarina with Swampert and won the match.

• Pidgeot and Whimsicott knocked each other out after Hurricane and Dazzling Gleam landed, while Toxic poison drained Pidgeot’s remaining HP.
• Bai Lu sent out half-HP Primarina, and Zhang Cheng sent out half-HP Swampert, which used Protect to withstand Surf.
• Primarina tried Sing, but Swampert blocked it with Wide Guard as Toxic poison reduced Primarina to a third of its HP.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to attack with Mud Bomb, and Bai Lu countered with Hyper Voice, lowering Swampert to a quarter of its HP.
• Mud Bomb and another surge of Toxic poison knocked Primarina out, giving Zhang Cheng the victory.

After defeating Bai Lu, Zhang Cheng advanced to the top three and prepared for the next day’s matches. He faced Li Ao’s Drizzle Pelipper in a clash of Rain Teams, and Poliwrath put Pelipper to sleep, leaving Zhang Cheng poised to set up Bulk Up.

• Zhang Cheng treated his injured Pokémon, ate dinner, and rested before the next day’s matches.
• The Referee announced Zhang Cheng’s first match against Li Ao, and both Trainers sent out Poliwrath and Pelipper.
• Pelipper’s Drizzle brought heavy rain, and Li Ao sent Pelipper soaring with Fly.
• Poliwrath blocked Pelipper’s diving attack with Protect, then hit Pelipper with Hypnosis before it could defend.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Bulk Up while Pelipper slept.

Zhang Cheng's Poliwrath battled Li Ao's Floatzel in the rain, with both Pokémon using powerful attacks and taking heavy damage. Floatzel was knocked out first, but Whirlpool then drained Poliwrath's remaining HP, leaving both Pokémon defeated.

• Li Ao recalled his sleeping Pelipper and sent out his level 43 Floatzel, whose Swift Swim ability made him faster than Poliwrath in the rain.
• Floatzel and Poliwrath clashed with Waterfall, and both lost two-fifths of their HP.
• Li Ao ordered Floatzel to use Whirlpool, while Zhang Cheng countered with Dynamic Punch, which damaged and confused Floatzel as Whirlpool wore down Poliwrath.
• Li Ao urged Floatzel to overcome his confusion and use Surf, dropping Poliwrath's HP below one-fifth.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to answer with Waterfall, knocking Floatzel out before Whirlpool drained Poliwrath's last HP and knocked him out too.

Zhang Cheng and Li Ao continued their battle as Ampharos overwhelmed Pelipper with Thunder, forcing Li Ao to send out Seismitoad. Seismitoad struck Ampharos with Earth Power, leaving both Pokémon badly hurt as the battle continued.

• Zhang Cheng and Li Ao recalled their fainted Poliwrath and Floatzel, then sent out Ampharos and Pelipper.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Ampharos to use Thunder, and the attack struck Pelipper despite its attempt to evade with Fly.
• Li Ao recalled Pelipper and sent out Seismitoad to counter Ampharos’s Electric-type attacks with its Ground typing.
• Zhang Cheng examined Seismitoad’s stats, and Li Ao ordered it to attack Ampharos with Earth Power.
• Ampharos used Thunder Wave, but Seismitoad’s Earth Power hit first and took half of Ampharos’s HP.

Zhang Cheng used Ampharos to paralyze Li Ao’s Seismitoad, then sent out Swampert to exploit its weakened speed and win their clash. Seismitoad was knocked out after landing a powerful final Surf, leaving Swampert with only a quarter of its HP.

• Zhang Cheng recalled Ampharos after it paralyzed Seismitoad and sent out Swampert.
• Zhang Cheng’s Swampert charged through Seismitoad’s Scald with Waterfall, making Seismitoad flinch before striking it with Muddy Water.
• Li Ao ordered Seismitoad to use Supersonic, but Zhang Cheng had Swampert block it with Protect.
• Swampert broke through Seismitoad’s Protect with Waterfall and knocked it back, leaving it with less than a fifth of its HP.
• Zhang Cheng’s Mud Bomb hit before Seismitoad’s Surf and knocked Seismitoad out, though its final attack reduced Swampert to a quarter of its HP.
• Li Ao recalled the defeated Seismitoad.

After defeating Li Ao, Zhang Cheng healed his Pokémon and prepared for the championship match against Liao Wu. Their battle began with Poliwrath facing Liao Wu’s Chesnaught, whose stats Zhang Cheng inspected with the Detection System.

• Zhang Cheng defeated Li Ao’s final Pokémon, Pelipper, with Ampharos’s Thunder and advanced to the final match.
• Zhang Cheng registered the win, took his injured Pokémon to recover, and returned to the battlefield that afternoon with his team restored.
• Spectators discussed Zhang Cheng’s chances against Liao Wu, whose powerful Pokémon and influential father had drawn attention.
• Zhang Cheng and Liao Wu exchanged taunts before the Referee began their championship match.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Poliwrath while Liao Wu chose Chesnaught, and Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect his opponent’s Pokémon.

Zhang Cheng used Poliwrath to weaken and burn Liao Wu’s Chesnaught, then forced Liao Wu to switch it out after sending in Pidgeot. Liao Wu brought out Noivern, and Zhang Cheng checked its details as the battle continued.

• Liao Wu opened the battle by having Chesnaught use Belly Drum, while Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to attack with Dynamic Punch.
• Poliwrath’s Dynamic Punch left Chesnaught with a quarter of its HP and confused, but Chesnaught recovered with Synthesis.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Scald, which burned Chesnaught, then recalled Poliwrath before Chesnaught could attack.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Pidgeot, forcing Liao Wu to recall Chesnaught and lose its Belly Drum boost.
• Liao Wu sent out Noivern, and Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect it.

Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot and Liao Wu’s Noivern knocked each other out after a series of powerful attacks. The battle continued with Poliwrath and Chesnaught, and Chesnaught raised Spiky Shield against Poliwrath’s Dynamic Punch.

• Liao Wu sent Noivern to attack Pidgeot with Dragon Claw, while Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to counter with Twister.
• Zhang Cheng had Pidgeot use Brave Bird, and Liao Wu countered with Noivern’s Outrage; the attacks left both Pokémon badly weakened.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to use Hurricane as Noivern launched another Outrage, and both Pokémon were knocked out simultaneously.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Poliwrath and Liao Wu sent out Chesnaught again.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Dynamic Punch, and Liao Wu had Chesnaught form Spiky Shield to block it.

Liao Wu’s burned Chesnaught and Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath exchanged attacks as both Trainers tried to outmaneuver the other. The chapter ended with Chesnaught’s Seed Bomb striking Poliwrath as Poliwrath’s Dynamic Punch hit Chesnaught, leaving the outcome unknown.

• Chesnaught attacked with Energy Ball, but Poliwrath blocked it with Protect and countered with Submission, reducing Chesnaught to two-fifths HP.
• Liao Wu ordered Chesnaught to charge Solar Beam while Poliwrath used Submission, then Chesnaught fired the fully charged move and cut Poliwrath’s HP by two-thirds.
• Zhang Cheng tried to put Chesnaught to sleep with Hypnosis, but Liao Wu had Chesnaught block it with Protect.
• Zhang Cheng revealed that Hypnosis had been a feint and ordered Poliwrath to attack with Dynamic Punch.
• Liao Wu countered with Seed Bomb, and the move struck Poliwrath just as Dynamic Punch hit Chesnaught.

After Chesnaught and Poliwrath fainted in a draw, Zhang Cheng and Liao Wu sent out Swampert and Dragonair for the decisive battle. Liao Wu’s Dragonair pressed the attack, while Zhang Cheng relied on Swampert’s defenses and waited for an opening; the chapter ended with Dragon Tail shaking Swampert’s Wide Guard.

• Chesnaught and Poliwrath both fainted, leaving each Trainer with one Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert, while Liao Wu chose Dragonair as his final Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng scanned Dragonair and learned that it had the Marvel Scale ability and held a Dragon Fang.
• Dragonair’s Dragon Pulse overpowered Swampert’s Mud Bomb, and Zhang Cheng had Swampert block Dragon Rage with Protect.
• Dragonair attacked with Dragon Tail, and Swampert used Wide Guard to form a barrier that shook under the impact.

Zhang Cheng defeated Liao Wu in the Freshman Competition final by poisoning Dragonair with Swampert’s Toxic and defending until the poison knocked it out. The Referee declared Zhang Cheng the champion, and the crowd argued over his tactics.

• Liao Wu had Dragonair use Dragon Dance, giving Zhang Cheng the opening to poison it with Swampert’s Toxic.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to use Protect and Wide Guard as Liao Wu’s Dragonair broke through defenses and continued attacking.
• Dragonair’s poison worsened as Zhang Cheng’s defensive tactics blunted its attacks, and it collapsed unconscious.
• The Referee announced Zhang Cheng as the Freshman Competition champion.
• Zhang Cheng’s supporters celebrated his victory while Liao Wu’s supporters argued that Swampert had won through cheap tactics.

After winning the Freshman Competition, Zhang Cheng collected his prize money, rested while his Pokémon recovered, and spent the next year training them. With four of his main battlers reaching level 50, he registered for a Challenge Tower assessment and was directed to Battle Area 6.

• Zhang Cheng collected his ten-million-Pokémon-Coin prize, bought high-grade Pokéblocks, and waited for his injured Pokémon to recover.
• Zhang Cheng returned to his dorm, fed his Pokémon, and rested after the competition.
• Over the following year, Zhang Cheng trained his Pokémon until Swampert and Poliwrath reached level 51 and Ampharos and Pidgeot reached level 50.
• Zhang Cheng decided to challenge the Challenge Tower for the Gym-level Trainer title and kept his Pokémon rested before the matches.
• Zhang Cheng traveled to the Challenge Tower, completed registration, and was sent to Battle Area 6.

Zhang Cheng began his Gym-level Trainer title assessment against examiner Chen Hao, matching his Poliwrath against Chen Hao’s Machamp. Poliwrath gained the upper hand and knocked Machamp off balance, leaving the battle ongoing.

• Chen Hao explained the assessment rules, and Zhang Cheng agreed to begin the battle.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Poliwrath against Chen Hao’s Machamp and checked Machamp’s stats with the Detection System.
• Poliwrath and Machamp clashed with Dynamic Punch and Karate Chop, and the collision sent both Pokémon flying.
• Poliwrath attempted to put Machamp to sleep with Mind Reader and Hypnosis, but Machamp blocked the attack with Protect.
• Machamp used Submission, and Poliwrath responded with Submission of his own before the Pokémon traded Cross Chop and Dynamic Punch.
• Poliwrath gained the advantage in their exchange and used Low Sweep to knock Machamp to the ground.

Chen Hao's Machamp lost to Zhang Cheng's Poliwrath after a fierce exchange, but Jolteon knocked Poliwrath out in their opening clash. Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert to face Jolteon, leaving the battle poised for their next attack.

• Machamp struck Poliwrath with Rolling Kick and Seismic Toss, but Poliwrath used Endeavor to injure Machamp before defeating him with Dynamic Punch and Waterfall.
• Chen Hao recalled Machamp and sent out Jolteon, whose Electric-type attacks threatened Zhang Cheng's weakened Poliwrath.
• Poliwrath hit Jolteon with Dynamic Punch as Thunderbolt struck him, knocking Poliwrath out while leaving Jolteon injured and confused.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Poliwrath, sent out Swampert, and ordered him to use Mud Bomb against Jolteon.

Chen Hao sent out Slowking after Jolteon was badly injured by Swampert, and Slowking boosted his Special Attack before Swampert poisoned him. The two Pokémon traded attacks, and the chapter ended with Swampert preparing to use Protect against Slowking’s Confusion.

• Chen Hao used Jolteon’s Protect to block Swampert’s Mud Bomb, then ordered Pin Missile at Swampert.
• Swampert endured the Pin Missile and struck Jolteon with Bulldoze, prompting Chen Hao to recall Jolteon and send out Slowking.
• Slowking used Nasty Plot, but Swampert hit him with Toxic and badly poisoned him.
• Swampert attacked with Mud Shot as Slowking countered with Psychic, and both Pokémon were hurt by the exchange.
• Chen Hao ordered Slowking to use Confusion, and Zhang Cheng told Swampert to block it with Protect.

Zhang Cheng defeated Chen Hao’s team by using Swampert’s defenses and Toxic to wear down Slowking, then overwhelmed Jolteon. After registering as a League-certified Gym-level Trainer, he returned to campus to treat his Pokémon and rest.

• Swampert blocked Slowking’s attacks with Protect and Wide Guard, then interrupted its recovery with Mud Bomb and Bulldoze as Toxic weakened it.
• Zhang Cheng’s Swampert defeated Slowking, then easily beat Chen Hao’s Jolteon without Zhang Cheng needing to send out his third Pokémon.
• Chen Hao praised Zhang Cheng’s skill, and Zhang Cheng modestly credited luck and type matchups for his victory.
• Zhang Cheng registered as a League-certified Gym-level Trainer, added the registration staff member’s contact information, and rode Pidgeot back to campus.
• Zhang Cheng took his injured Pokémon to the Treatment Room and returned to his dorm to rest.

Zhang Cheng accepted a mission to eliminate eight invasive Sharpedo at the Dragon-Severing River and discovered a promising A-potential Horsea among the Pokémon they threatened. He launched a surprise attack with Poliwrath, Swampert, and Ampharos, beginning the battle with Swampert’s Wide Guard and Poliwrath’s Water Pulse.

• Zhang Cheng accepted a mission to clear invasive Sharpedo from the Dragon-Severing River and flew there on Pidgeot.
• Zhang Cheng found eight Sharpedo surrounding two Seadra and a Horsea, then used his Detection System to inspect them.
• Zhang Cheng discovered that the Horsea had A-grade potential and decided it would make a valuable addition to his team.
• Zhang Cheng released Poliwrath, Swampert, and Ampharos to rescue the Horsea and defeat the Sharpedo.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to use Wide Guard and Poliwrath to use Water Pulse against the Sharpedo.

Zhang Cheng and his Pokémon defeated and captured all eight Sharpedo after a fierce battle. He then flew toward the Seadra, hoping to catch its A-grade-potential Horsea for his team.

• Poliwrath and Swampert fought off the Sharpedo pack, but the Sharpedo broke through Wide Guard and injured them.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Ampharos to attack with Thunder, while Seadra joined the fight and helped knock out two Sharpedo.
• Ampharos used Thunderbolt as Swampert and Poliwrath defended themselves, knocking out three more Sharpedo.
• The Sharpedo leader bit Poliwrath, but Poliwrath countered with Dynamic Punch and Swampert followed with Mud Bomb.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Ampharos to finish the remaining Sharpedo with Thunder, then captured all eight in Poké Balls.
• Zhang Cheng directed Pidgeot toward Seadra because he wanted to catch its Horsea, which had A-grade potential.

Zhang Cheng caught Horsea, completed his mission, and spent the following semester strengthening his team until he was close to becoming a quasi-Elite Four Trainer. When Kyoto University challenged Modu University, Zhang Cheng faced Ye Tian in a six-on-six battle that had just begun.

• Zhang Cheng persuaded Horsea’s two Seadra guardians to let Horsea join his team, then caught Horsea and gave them his Pokémon Food.
• Zhang Cheng returned to Modu, recovered his Pokémon, and turned in the mission, receiving one million Pokémon Coins.
• Zhang Cheng trained through the following weeks and semester; Horsea evolved into Seadra, and his team’s levels rose until he was nearing the requirements for quasi-Elite Four Trainer status.
• Zhang Cheng learned Kyoto University’s Trainers had defeated Modu University’s competitors and recognized Ye Tian as their strongest Trainer.
• Zhang Cheng stepped forward to challenge Ye Tian, and the two began their first six-on-six battle.

Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian began their 6v6 showdown with Poliwrath facing Ye Tian’s newly powerful Butterfree. Their opening exchange left both Pokémon badly hit, with Poliwrath suffering Psychic damage and Butterfree engulfed by Hydro Pump.

• Zhang Cheng checked Butterfree’s stats and discovered that her potential had risen from C-grade to A-grade, while Poliwrath had A+ potential.
• Ye Tian ordered Butterfree to attack with Air Slash, and Poliwrath blocked it with Protect.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath summon rain with Rain Dance, activating Swift Swim and boosting his team in the wet weather.
• Butterfree used Sleep Powder, but Poliwrath dodged it, then she attacked with Psychic.
• Poliwrath unleashed a rain-boosted Hydro Pump as Butterfree’s psychic attack struck him; the attacks hit both Pokémon, leaving Poliwrath mentally injured and Butterfree engulfed by the water dragon.