Recaps

Ye Tian and Zhang Cheng’s battle continued as Butterfree and Poliwrath knocked each other out, forcing both Trainers to choose new Pokémon. Ye Tian sent out Vanilluxe against Zhang Cheng’s Swampert, and their opening attacks collided as the chapter ended.

• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Mind Reader and Hypnosis, but Ye Tian had Butterfree block the attack with Safeguard and then boost its stats with Quiver Dance.
• Zhang Cheng sent Poliwrath charging with Waterfall, and Butterfree countered with Air Slash and Bug Bite before both Pokémon fell unable to battle.
• Zhang Cheng chose Swampert for his next Pokémon, while Ye Tian sent out his level 58 Vanilluxe.
• Ye Tian ordered Vanilluxe to use Blizzard as Zhang Cheng commanded Swampert to attack with Muddy Water.

Ye Tian’s Vanilluxe defeated Zhang Cheng’s Swampert after freezing it with Ice Beam and finishing it with Blizzard. Zhang Cheng sent out Seadra to face the already injured Vanilluxe, and Seadra’s Scald overpowered Flash Cannon and struck it with scalding water.

• Swampert’s Muddy Water broke through Vanilluxe’s Blizzard, but Vanilluxe blocked Swampert’s Toxic with Protect.
• Vanilluxe’s Ice Beam froze Swampert, and its Blizzard then battered Swampert until it fainted.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Swampert and sent out Seadra, hoping to defeat Vanilluxe and make Ye Tian reveal his next Pokémon.
• Vanilluxe attacked Seadra with Flash Cannon, but Seadra’s Scald overwhelmed the move and hit Vanilluxe, making it cry out in pain.

Ye Tian sent out his Sceptile after Vanilluxe fainted, and Sceptile defended against Seadra’s Outrage until Seadra became confused. Seadra’s confusion turned its Surf back on itself, leaving Sceptile’s Solar Beam ready to hit.

• Zhang Cheng’s Seadra struck Vanilluxe with Outrage, and Vanilluxe fainted despite using Protect.
• Ye Tian recalled Vanilluxe and sent out his powerful Sceptile.
• Seadra continued its Outrage, but Sceptile blocked the attacks with Protect and Detect until Seadra became confused.
• Ye Tian ordered Sceptile to charge Solar Beam while Zhang Cheng ordered Seadra to use Surf.
• Seadra’s confusion made its Surf surge toward itself, and Sceptile launched Solar Beam at Seadra.

Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot defeated Ye Tian’s Sceptile after Seadra fell in battle. Ye Tian sent out Spiritomb to face Pidgeot.

• Seadra rose after Sceptile’s Solar Beam and hit it with Ice Beam, but Sceptile retaliated with Energy Ball and knocked Seadra out.
• Zhang Cheng sent out his level 59 Pidgeot and ordered Hurricane against Sceptile.
• Sceptile used Protect, but Pidgeot’s Hurricane broke through and left it badly injured.
• Pidgeot struck Sceptile with Brave Bird, knocking it out despite taking minor recoil damage.
• Ye Tian recalled Sceptile and sent out Spiritomb.

Ye Tian's Spiritomb battled Zhang Cheng's Pidgeot, but Pidgeot's strength and speed put Spiritomb on the defensive. The chapter left Pidgeot's Wing Attack blocked by Spiritomb's Protect, as Zhang Cheng ordered it to use Twister.

• Ye Tian sent Spiritomb against Pidgeot and ordered Dark Pulse, but Pidgeot's Hurricane overpowered the attack and struck Spiritomb.
• Spiritomb tried Hypnosis, but Pidgeot dodged the sound waves and began recovering with Roost.
• Spiritomb interrupted Roost with Shadow Ball, though Pidgeot had already recovered much of its strength.
• Pidgeot broke through Spiritomb's Dark Pulse with Brave Bird and followed up with Wing Attack.
• Ye Tian had Spiritomb use Protect to block Wing Attack, and Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to use Twister.

Ye Tian’s Spiritomb weakened Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot before being knocked out, and Ye Tian sent out Heracross to face it. Heracross boosted his attack with Swords Dance, but Pidgeot struck him with Hurricane.

• Spiritomb used Shadow Sneak to damage Pidgeot, then tried again while Pidgeot evaded the attack with Quick Attack.
• Pidgeot used Aerial Ace to knock out Spiritomb, and Ye Tian recalled it.
• Ye Tian sent out Heracross, whose past training battles had left him familiar with Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot.
• Heracross used Swords Dance to raise his attack, while Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to use Hurricane.
• Pidgeot’s Hurricane caught Heracross in the air and battered him with Flying-type energy.

Ye Tian’s Heracross and Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot fought until both were unable to continue, leaving Ye Tian with one Pokémon against Zhang Cheng’s two. Ye Tian sent out Hydreigon as the battle reached its decisive stage.

• Ye Tian boosted Heracross with Swords Dance and ordered it to clash with Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot using Close Combat, while Zhang Cheng answered with Brave Bird.
• Heracross broke through Brave Bird, and both Pokémon exchanged attacks before Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to use Hurricane and Ye Tian countered with Megahorn.
• Pidgeot struck the badly injured Heracross with Wing Attack, and Heracross unleashed Reversal; the resulting shock wave knocked both Pokémon out of the battle.
• Ye Tian and Zhang Cheng recalled Heracross and Pidgeot, leaving Ye Tian with one Pokémon and Zhang Cheng with two unused Pokémon.
• Ye Tian took out Hydreigon’s Poké Ball and said he did not think Zhang Cheng could defeat it.

Ye Tian's Hydreigon faced Zhang Cheng's Ampharos, and Zhang Cheng focused on paralyzing the stronger Pokémon. Ampharos endured Hydreigon's attacks and finally landed Thunder Wave, leaving Hydreigon paralyzed as Ye Tian ordered a Dragon Pulse.

• Ye Tian sent out his Level 58 Hydreigon while Zhang Cheng chose Ampharos, and Zhang Cheng inspected Hydreigon's stats.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Ampharos to use Thunder Wave, but Hydreigon blocked it with Protect and charged with Dragon Rush.
• Hydreigon's Dragon Rush struck Ampharos and made him flinch, allowing Hydreigon to follow up with Dragon Tail.
• Ampharos recovered enough to unleash Thunder Wave at close range, paralyzing Hydreigon.
• Ye Tian angrily ordered Hydreigon to finish Ampharos with Dragon Pulse.

Zhang Cheng sent out his last Pokémon, the Legendary Diancie, to face Ye Tian’s Hydreigon. After Diancie’s Moonblast badly hurt Hydreigon and Steel Wing did little in return, Diancie held a decisive advantage.

• Hydreigon knocked out Ampharos with Dragon Pulse, and Zhang Cheng recalled it.
• Zhang Cheng sent out his Level 58 Diancie, shocking Ye Tian and the watching Trainers.
• Ye Tian ordered Hydreigon to attack Diancie with Steel Wing, targeting its Steel-type weakness.
• Zhang Cheng had Diancie use Moonblast, which hit Hydreigon first because paralysis had slowed it down.
• Hydreigon’s Steel Wing caused only minor injuries, while Diancie’s Moonblast dealt heavy damage and left Hydreigon at a severe disadvantage.

Zhang Cheng’s Diancie defeated Ye Tian’s Hydreigon, securing the battle for Modu University. Ye Tian accepted the loss and vowed to challenge Zhang Cheng again at next year’s Intercollegiate League.

• Ye Tian ordered Hydreigon to attack with Head Smash, but Diancie countered with Diamond Storm and endured the collision while Hydreigon suffered heavy damage.
• Zhang Cheng sent Diancie after Hydreigon with Dazzling Gleam, and Diancie later struck its Fly attack with Moonblast, bringing it crashing down.
• Zhang Cheng continued to exploit Diancie’s Fairy-type advantage until Hydreigon was defeated.
• Ye Tian congratulated Zhang Cheng’s strength and promised to face him again at next year’s Intercollegiate League.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Diancie as Modu University’s Trainers celebrated their victory.

Zhang Cheng began his Junior Champion Challenge against examiner Han Tian, whose Nidoking tested Poliwrath with powerful attacks. Poliwrath gained the advantage and set up rain, and the battle continued with Han Tian ordering Megahorn.

• Zhang Cheng registered at the Challenge Tower and entered the battle room to face examiner Han Tian.
• Han Tian sent out a level 61 Nidoking, while Zhang Cheng chose Poliwrath as his opening Pokémon.
• Nidoking hit Poliwrath with Thunderbolt, but Poliwrath pushed through it with Waterfall and seriously injured Nidoking.
• Nidoking used Toxic, but Poliwrath blocked it with Protect.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath summon rain with Rain Dance, activating Swift Swim, while Han Tian ordered Nidoking to use Megahorn.

Zhang Cheng's Poliwrath defeated Han Tian's Nidoking before it could lay a second layer of Toxic Spikes. Han Tian sent out Victreebel, whose Gastro Acid threatened Poliwrath after it dodged her Razor Leaf.

• Poliwrath dodged Nidoking's Megahorn and struck it with a rain-boosted Hydro Pump before it could use Protect.
• Nidoking scattered one layer of Toxic Spikes, but Poliwrath interrupted its attempt to lay another with Waterfall and Water Pulse.
• Poliwrath's Water Pulse overwhelmed Nidoking, leaving it unable to battle, and Han Tian recalled it.
• Han Tian sent out his level 61 Victreebel, while Zhang Cheng checked her moves, held Sitrus Berry, and Gluttony Ability.
• Victreebel attacked with Razor Leaf, but Poliwrath leaped clear, so Han Tian ordered her to use Gastro Acid.

Zhang Cheng's Poliwrath and Han Tian's Victreebel traded attacks until both were nearly defeated, and Poliwrath fell after its Endeavor weakened Victreebel. Zhang Cheng sent out Pidgeot to avoid the Toxic Spikes, while Victreebel launched Toxic and Pidgeot prepared to defend and counterattack.

• Han Tian's Victreebel bypassed Poliwrath's Protect with Gastro Acid and suppressed its Swift Swim Ability.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to attack with Dynamic Punch, but Han Tian's Victreebel stopped it with Leaf Storm and followed with Leaf Blade.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Endeavor, badly damaging Victreebel before both Pokémon were left barely able to battle.
• Han Tian's Victreebel struck Poliwrath with Vine Whip, and Poliwrath's Water Pulse hit Victreebel before Poliwrath lost the ability to battle.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Poliwrath and sent out Pidgeot to avoid Nidoking's Toxic Spikes, while Han Tian's Victreebel fired Toxic and Zhang Cheng ordered Protect followed by Quick Attack.

Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot defeated Han Tian’s Victreebel but was poisoned, then defended against Rhyperior’s Rock Slide before Zhang Cheng recalled it. Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert and started Rain Dance, but Rhyperior struck Swampert with Drill Run, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Pidgeot hit Victreebel with Quick Attack, but Victreebel retaliated with Toxic at close range.
• Pidgeot defeated Victreebel with Hurricane, then began suffering from poison.
• Han Tian sent out Rhyperior, which attacked Pidgeot with Rock Slide; Pidgeot blocked the attack with Protect.
• Zhang Cheng recalled the poisoned Pidgeot and sent out Swampert, which established rain with Rain Dance.
• Han Tian ordered Rhyperior to use Drill Run, and Swampert took the charging attack head-on.

Zhang Cheng’s Swampert knocked out Han Tian’s Rhyperior with a rain-boosted Hydro Pump, but Han Tian sent out his powerful Gyarados. The Pokémon battled with Waterfall and then Hydro Pump, leaving their clash unresolved.

• Han Tian ordered Rhyperior to use Earthquake, and Zhang Cheng countered with Swampert’s full-powered Hydro Pump.
• Swampert’s rain-boosted attack knocked Rhyperior out in one hit, forcing Han Tian to recall him.
• Han Tian sent out his level 63 Gyarados, and Zhang Cheng assessed the Pokémon with his Detection System.
• Gyarados and Swampert charged at each other with Waterfall, and their collision became a stalemate.
• Swampert’s burst of strength briefly pushed Gyarados back, but Gyarados gradually gained ground against the injured Swampert.
• Han Tian and Zhang Cheng ordered their Pokémon to fire Hydro Pump at the same time, and the battle continued.

Zhang Cheng's Swampert defeated Han Tian's Gyarados but collapsed from its injuries, leaving Pidgeot to face Han Tian's powerful Snorlax. Han Tian opened the next battle by ordering Snorlax to use Belly Drum.

• Swampert used Torrent-boosted Hydro Pump and Toxic to weaken Han Tian's Gyarados.
• Swampert overpowered Gyarados's Surf and defeated it with Waterfall, but collapsed from its own injuries.
• Han Tian sent out Snorlax, and Zhang Cheng chose his previously rested Pidgeot to face it.
• Zhang Cheng examined Snorlax's stats and noted its Life Orb and coverage moves, including Thunderbolt.
• Han Tian ordered Snorlax to use Belly Drum.

Han Tian’s Snorlax used Belly Drum and Rest to withstand Pidgeot’s attacks, then knocked Pidgeot out with Snore. Zhang Cheng sent out Kingdra and ordered it to use Clear Smog against Snorlax’s Belly Drum boosts.

• Han Tian had Snorlax use Belly Drum, and Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot hit it with Hurricane while it was vulnerable.
• Snorlax used Rest to recover, then Sleep Talk called forth Thunderbolt, badly injuring Pidgeot as it attacked with Brave Bird.
• Pidgeot tried another Brave Bird, but Snorlax’s Snore stopped its attack and knocked it out.
• Zhang Cheng sent Kingdra into battle after recalling Pidgeot, and Han Tian had Snorlax use Body Slam.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to use Clear Smog on Snorlax to remove its Belly Drum boosts.

Zhang Cheng used Kingdra’s Clear Smog to erase Snorlax’s Belly Drum boost, then defeated it with Dragon Dance and a series of Outrage attacks. Han Tian had one Pokémon left, while Zhang Cheng stood one victory away from the Junior Champion-level title.

• Zhang Cheng had Kingdra use Clear Smog to remove Snorlax’s Belly Drum attack boost, weakening its Body Slam.
• Zhang Cheng had Kingdra use Dragon Dance as Han Tian ordered Snorlax to attack with Giga Impact.
• Kingdra and Snorlax exchanged Outrage and Giga Impact, leaving Kingdra injured and Snorlax immobilized by Giga Impact’s recoil.
• Kingdra struck the immobilized Snorlax with successive Outrage attacks while Han Tian waited for it to recover and use Rest.
• Kingdra’s final Outrage hit Snorlax before it could use Rest, knocking it out and leaving Han Tian with one Pokémon.

Han Tian ignored the Junior Champion Trainer assessment rules and sent out his Salamence after Zhang Cheng defeated his League-issued Pokémon. Zhang Cheng answered with Diancie, leaving the battle poised between Salamence and a Mythical Pokémon.

• After Snorlax was defeated, Han Tian brought out Salamence, a Dragon-type pseudo-Legendary Pokémon forbidden by the assessment restrictions.
• The Referee considered stopping the match but stayed silent because he feared Han Tian's powerful family connections.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Seadra and sent out Diancie, challenging Han Tian to face the consequences of his rule-breaking.
• Han Tian insisted that Salamence could still win, while the Referee admitted he could do nothing against either Trainer.
• Zhang Cheng checked Salamence's details and saw that its Intimidate ability could not lower Diancie's stats because of Diancie's Clear Body.

Zhang Cheng and Diancie battled Han Tian’s Salamence, overcoming its defenses and counters with a series of powerful attacks. With Salamence badly injured and barely able to stay aloft, Zhang Cheng ordered Diancie to finish the battle with Dazzling Gleam.

• Zhang Cheng ordered Diancie to attack, and its Moonblast broke through Salamence’s Protect barrier and struck it.
• Zhang Cheng had Diancie fire Power Gem, but Han Tian sent Salamence skyward with Fly, causing the gems to dissipate.
• Zhang Cheng told Diancie to wait for Salamence’s return, then used Rock Tomb to bury it beneath falling rocks.
• Han Tian’s Salamence broke free and launched Hydro Pump, while Diancie met it with Diamond Storm; both Pokémon took damage, but Salamence was badly wounded.
• Zhang Cheng followed with Stone Edge, which struck Salamence before it could use Fly and left it barely able to fight.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Diancie to finish Salamence with Dazzling Gleam.

Zhang Cheng defeated Han Tian to become an officially recognized Junior Champion Trainer, then spent more than half a year training before joining Modu University’s team for the National Tournament in Kyoto. He easily won his early matches and advanced to the Top Forty.

• Zhang Cheng’s Diancie broke through Salamence’s Barrier with Dazzling Gleam, defeating Han Tian and ending their assessment battle.
• Zhang Cheng registered as a Junior Champion Trainer, had his injured Pokémon treated, and returned to studying and training at Modu University.
• More than half a year later, Zhang Cheng learned about the National Tournament, qualified automatically for his university’s team, and traveled to Kyoto with the other competitors.
• The tournament began with 160 Trainers in an elimination round, and Zhang Cheng won his early matches to reach the Top Forty.

Zhang Cheng faced Chu Qing in the Top Forty match, recognizing him as the Trainer he had fought over an Evolution Crystal in the Yellow Sand Mountains. Their battle began with Pidgeot striking Chu Qing’s support-focused Furret, leaving the match underway.

• Zhang Cheng drew Chu Qing of Jinling University as his opponent and waited until their scheduled match at three in the afternoon.
• Zhang Cheng and Chu Qing recognized each other and exchanged angry taunts about their previous encounter before the Referee started the match.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Pidgeot, while Chu Qing chose Furret instead of his main Pokémon, Meganium.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to discover Furret’s stat-boosting and Baton Pass strategy, along with her Relaxed Incense.
• Chu Qing ordered Furret to use Coil, and Zhang Cheng commanded Pidgeot to attack with Air Slash, which hit Furret before she could use Protect.

Chu Qing used Furret to stack four Coil boosts before passing them to Haxorus, while Zhang Cheng let the strategy succeed so he could identify Chu Qing’s main Pokémon. Zhang Cheng then had Pidgeot use Whirlwind, forcing Haxorus off the field and erasing its boosts.

• Chu Qing ordered Furret to use Coil repeatedly as Pidgeot attacked, while Zhang Cheng guarded against Toxic with Protect.
• Furret completed four Coils despite Pidgeot’s attacks, then used Baton Pass to transfer its boosts to Haxorus.
• Chu Qing celebrated as Haxorus gained tremendous Attack, Defense, and Accuracy boosts.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to use Whirlwind, which blew Haxorus away and forced it back into its Poké Ball, wiping out its boosts.
• Chu Qing stared in disbelief as Zhang Cheng’s move neutralized his strategy and revealed Haxorus as his main Pokémon.

Chu Qing sent out his evolved Steelix against Zhang Cheng's Pidgeot, then Zhang Cheng switched to Poliwrath to exploit Steelix's weaknesses. The chapter ended with Poliwrath pushing through Steelix's Dragon Tail during its Waterfall attack.

• Chu Qing sent out his Level 68 Steelix, and Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to assess its abilities and moves.
• Chu Qing ordered Stone Edge, but Pidgeot blocked the attack with Protect before Zhang Cheng recalled it.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Poliwrath and ordered Hydro Pump, which broke through Steelix's Wide Guard and damaged it.
• Zhang Cheng sent Poliwrath forward with Waterfall, while Chu Qing ordered Steelix to counter with Dragon Tail.
• Poliwrath withstood Dragon Tail and continued charging toward Steelix.

Zhang Chao’s Poliwrath defeated Chu Qing’s Steelix, then battled his Meganium. After Meganium’s Leaf Storm badly weakened Poliwrath, Zhang Cheng ordered Endeavor, and Poliwrath struck her with unusual power.

• Zhang Chao’s Poliwrath battered Steelix with Dynamic Punch, leaving it confused and unable to follow Chu Qing’s order to use Explosion.
• Poliwrath defeated Steelix with Submission, and Chu Qing sent out his Meganium instead of Haxorus.
• Meganium struck Poliwrath with Energy Ball, but Poliwrath threw her to the edge of the battlefield with Circle Throw.
• Meganium unleashed Leaf Storm, which broke through Poliwrath’s Protect and reduced its HP to a very low level.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Endeavor, and Poliwrath surged forward to strike Meganium.