Recaps

Zhang Cheng’s Ampharos and Togekiss defeated Lu Luan’s Bisharp and Flygon, forcing Lu Luan to reveal his trump card, Tyranitar. Zhang Cheng answered with Swampert, whose Water-type moves threatened Tyranitar, and checked its stats before the battle continued.

• Zhang Cheng’s Ampharos broke through Bisharp’s Protect with Thunderbolt, then knocked Bisharp out with a critical Thunder Punch.
• Lu Luan sent out Flygon, and Zhang Cheng switched Ampharos for Togekiss.
• Togekiss’s Moonblast overwhelmed Flygon and knocked it out with a critical hit.
• Lu Luan sent out his trump card, Tyranitar, and Zhang Cheng responded with Swampert.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect Tyranitar’s stats and moves.

Lu Luan and Zhang Cheng Mega Evolved Tyranitar and Swampert, then sent them into a fierce battle. Both Pokémon suffered severe injuries, leaving Lu Luan under pressure as he had fewer Pokémon remaining.

• Lu Luan Mega Evolved Tyranitar, and Zhang Cheng Mega Evolved Swampert as a sandstorm swept the battlefield.
• Mega Tyranitar's Crunch and Mega Swampert's Waterfall collided, canceling each other out.
• Mega Tyranitar used Giga Impact as Mega Swampert fired Hydro Cannon, and both Pokémon took heavy damage before becoming immobilized.
• After recovering, Mega Swampert struck Mega Tyranitar with Hydro Pump, and Tyranitar retaliated with a powerful Payback.
• Both Pokémon were severely injured, while Lu Luan worried that he had too few Pokémon left to overcome Zhang Cheng's remaining team.

Zhang Cheng defeated Lu Luan’s Mega Tyranitar with Diancie’s Light of Ruin after Mega Swampert weakened it with Brine. Lu Luan sent out Slowking as his final Pokémon, and Zhang Cheng inspected its abilities before the battle continued.

• Lu Luan ordered Mega Tyranitar to use Outrage while Zhang Cheng had Mega Swampert trade attacks with it using Brine.
• Mega Tyranitar’s second Outrage defeated Mega Swampert, but Swampert’s final Brine left Tyranitar severely injured.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Diancie, which ignored Mega Tyranitar’s final Outrage and unleashed Light of Ruin.
• Light of Ruin shattered Mega Tyranitar’s Protect barrier and knocked Tyranitar unconscious.
• Lu Luan recalled Tyranitar and sent out Slowking as his final Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect Slowking before their battle began.

Lu Luan used Slowking’s Trick Room to pressure Zhang Cheng’s Diancie and Ampharos, but Zhang Cheng switched Pokémon and overwhelmed Slowking with Electric-type attacks. Slowking fell before its delayed Future Sight could strike.

• Lu Luan sent out Slowking and had it set up Trick Room while Zhang Cheng’s Diancie battered it with Diamond Storm.
• Slowking used Yawn to make Diancie drowsy, but Zhang Cheng recalled Diancie and sent out Ampharos.
• Slowking struck Ampharos with Psychic, then blocked its Thunder with Protect, though the barrier broke and Slowking took heavy damage.
• Lu Luan had Slowking use Future Sight, while Zhang Cheng ordered Ampharos to attack with Thunderbolt.
• Trick Room faded, and Ampharos hit Slowking with Thunder before Future Sight could take effect, knocking Slowking out.

After defeating Lu Luan, Zhang Cheng rested while the first round and repechage determined the remaining quarterfinalists. The quarterfinal draw paired Zhang Cheng against Jiang Chi of Yuenan University, while Ye Tian was set to face Lu Luan.

• Zhang Cheng defeated Lu Luan, and the five first-round winners advanced directly to the quarterfinals.
• Zhang Cheng recovered with his Pokémon as the remaining first-round matches ended, and three other Trainers from Kyoto University, Qingbei University, and Yuenan University advanced.
• Lu Luan defeated Liao Wu in the repechage, while Zhang Cheng read online arguments about whether his Diancie could win the championship.
• The referees drew the quarterfinal matchups, pairing Zhang Cheng with Jiang Chi and Ye Tian with Lu Luan.
• Zhang Cheng arrived at his battlefield and met Jiang Chi, a Yuenan University Trainer who specialized in Ghost-type Pokémon and unusual tactics.

Zhang Cheng battled Jiang Chi’s Dusknoir with Pidgeot, using its immunity to Ghost-type moves while Jiang Chi established Trick Room and burned it. Pidgeot gained the upper hand, but Dusknoir trapped it with Mean Look as Pidgeot healed with Roost.

• Zhang Cheng sent out Pidgeot against Jiang Chi’s Dusknoir, which used Trick Room after Pidgeot struck it with Hurricane.
• Dusknoir burned Pidgeot with Will-O-Wisp, and Pidgeot copied the move with Mirror Move to burn Dusknoir in return.
• Jiang Chi had Dusknoir use Future Sight, while Zhang Cheng answered with Air Slash and damaged it further.
• Dusknoir used Mean Look to prevent Pidgeot from switching, and Pidgeot used Roost to recover its injuries.

Zhang Cheng and Jiang Chi traded Pokémon after Pidgeot and Dusknoir knocked each other out, then sent out Togekiss and Decidueye. Togekiss gained the advantage in their opening exchange, leaving Jiang Chi’s Decidueye facing a type disadvantage.

• Jiang Chi used Destiny Bond with Dusknoir to trap Pidgeot, and Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to attack with Brave Bird.
• Jiang Chi had Dusknoir use Memento, causing both Dusknoir and Pidgeot to lose the ability to battle.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Togekiss while Jiang Chi chose Decidueye, anticipating that Zhang Cheng would send out a Water-type Pokémon.
• Jiang Chi ordered Decidueye to use Spirit Shackle, pinning Togekiss’s shadow and preventing it from approaching.
• Zhang Cheng had Togekiss answer with Air Slash, and both Pokémon hit each other, but Togekiss dealt super-effective damage and gained the advantage.

Jiang Chi’s Decidueye and Zhang Cheng’s Togekiss traded attacks and recovery moves as each Trainer adapted to the other’s strategy. Togekiss landed a critical Sky Attack that left Decidueye badly injured, and Jiang Chi ordered it to use Curse.

• Zhang Cheng ordered Togekiss to attack, but Decidueye used Phantom Force to evade and then struck from a distance with Long Reach.
• Togekiss used Roost while Zhang Cheng waited for Decidueye to attack, prompting Jiang Chi to disrupt its recovery with Shadow Claw.
• Togekiss countered Shadow Claw with Air Slash, and Decidueye used Synthesis to heal its injuries.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Sky Attack as Decidueye finished healing, and Togekiss landed a critical hit that dealt devastating damage.
• Jiang Chi ordered the badly injured Decidueye to use Curse.

Jiang Chi sent out Chandelure after Decidueye fainted, while Togekiss continued to suffer from Curse. Chandelure and Togekiss exchanged powerful attacks, leaving both badly injured as Togekiss launched one last strike.

• Jiang Chi recalled Decidueye and sent out his level 68 Chandelure.
• Chandelure used Taunt, preventing Zhang Cheng's cursed Togekiss from using defensive moves.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Togekiss to use Sky Attack, while Jiang Chi countered with Inferno, burning and severely injuring Togekiss.
• Togekiss broke through Inferno and struck Chandelure with Sky Attack, sending him crashing to the ground.
• Zhang Cheng ordered a weakened Togekiss to use Air Slash, and Jiang Chi had Chandelure use Protect; the attack broke through the barrier but left Chandelure able to continue fighting.

Zhang Cheng sent Kingdra against Jiang Chi’s Chandelure, then faced Jiang Chi’s Jellicent after Chandelure used Memento to weaken Kingdra. Kingdra cleared the stat drop and broke free of Jellicent’s Constrict, then prepared to attack with Outrage.

• Zhang Cheng recalled Togekiss and sent out Kingdra, which blocked Chandelure’s Pain Split with Protect.
• Kingdra attacked with Hydro Pump, but Jiang Chi ordered Chandelure to use Memento, lowering Kingdra’s attacking stats before Chandelure fainted.
• Jiang Chi sent out Jellicent, whose Water Absorb ability Zhang Cheng identified as a counter to his Water-type Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to use Haze, restoring its lowered stats while Jellicent remained unaffected.
• Jellicent trapped Kingdra with Constrict, but Kingdra struck her with Dragon Claw and broke free.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to use Outrage, and Kingdra’s eyes turned crimson as it gathered Dragon-type energy.

Jiang Chi’s Jellicent weathered Kingdra’s Outrage, but Zhang Cheng revealed that Kingdra could unleash a fourth assault. Jellicent survived with Recover, then poisoned Kingdra and struck it with Hex, leaving Kingdra with about a third of its HP.

• Jiang Chi used Jellicent’s Water Spout and Protect to counter Kingdra’s first two Outrage assaults.
• Jiang Chi had Jellicent use Acid Armor to endure Kingdra’s third Outrage, which left Jellicent badly injured.
• Jiang Chi ordered Jellicent to use Recover, but Zhang Cheng commanded Kingdra to unleash a fourth, even stronger Outrage.
• Kingdra’s fourth Outrage struck Jellicent during Recover, leaving it with less than a quarter of its HP.
• Jiang Chi had Jellicent poison Kingdra with Toxic, then attack with Hex while Kingdra was confused and damaging itself.
• Jellicent’s Hex reduced Kingdra’s HP to about a third.

Jiang Chi and Zhang Cheng traded knockouts between Jellicent and Kingdra, then sent out Mimikyu and Ampharos. Mimikyu broke Ampharos’s Disguise and badly poisoned him, while Ampharos continued attacking with Zap Cannon.

• Jellicent and Kingdra knocked each other out with Hex and Dragon Pulse, leaving Zhang Cheng with one more Pokémon than Jiang Chi.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Ampharos, while Jiang Chi chose Mimikyu, whose Disguise ability could block a hit once.
• Mimikyu used Taunt on Ampharos, and Ampharos’s Thunderbolt broke Mimikyu’s Disguise without dealing damage.
• Ampharos struck Mimikyu with Thunder as Mimikyu poisoned Ampharos, causing both Pokémon to take heavy damage.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Ampharos to use Zap Cannon, and Ampharos launched the attack at Mimikyu.

Jiang Chi and Zhang Cheng’s battle ended with Mimikyu and Ampharos knocking each other out, leaving Gengar and Diancie as their final Pokémon. Jiang Chi Mega Evolved Gengar, and Zhang Cheng ordered Diancie to use Amnesia as the new fight began.

• Jiang Chi used Mimikyu’s Pain Split to bring Ampharos down to half health, but Ampharos’s poison continued to worsen.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Ampharos to fire its strongest Zap Cannon, and Jiang Chi had Mimikyu counter with Hex; both Pokémon fell after their attacks landed.
• Jiang Chi and Zhang Cheng recalled Mimikyu and Ampharos, then sent out Gengar and Diancie as their final Pokémon.
• Jiang Chi Mega Evolved Gengar, changing its ability to Shadow Tag, while Zhang Cheng ordered Diancie to use Amnesia.

Jiang Chi and Zhang Cheng battled as Mega Gengar tried to overcome Diancie’s repeatedly boosted Special Defense. Zhang Cheng turned Mega Gengar’s speed against it with Trick Room and ended the chapter by ordering Diancie to strengthen its defenses again.

• Jiang Chi had Mega Gengar attack with Shadow Ball, but Diancie used Amnesia twice and took only minor damage before striking back with Diamond Storm.
• Zhang Cheng’s Diamond Storm hit Mega Gengar despite its attempt to dodge, and Jiang Chi responded by putting Diancie to sleep with Hypnosis and attacking it with Dream Eater.
• Diancie woke from Dream Eater’s pain and used Rock Wrecker, which Mega Gengar evaded before attempting to remove Diancie’s boosts with Clear Smog.
• Zhang Cheng had Diancie use Trick Room and Protect, causing Clear Smog to dissipate against the barrier without erasing its boosts.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Diancie to use Amnesia once more, further increasing its Special Defense.

Zhang Cheng defeated Jiang Chi in the quarterfinals, using Diancie to overcome Mega Gengar and advance. He then watched Ye Tian win his match and returned for the next quarterfinal to scout potential semifinal opponents.

• Jiang Chi's Mega Gengar failed to poison Diancie, and Diancie's Diamond Storm broke through Protect and left Mega Gengar badly injured.
• Mega Gengar's Hyper Beam shattered Diancie's Power Gem and reduced Diancie to a quarter of its HP, but the attack left Mega Gengar immobilized.
• Diancie defeated Mega Gengar with Rock Wrecker, and the referee declared Zhang Cheng the winner over Jiang Chi.
• Ye Tian defeated Lu Luan with Hydreigon and Mega Lucario, advancing to the semifinals.
• Zhang Cheng left the venue for lunch, then returned to watch a tense quarterfinal between Kyoto University and Qingbei University.

Zhang Cheng drew Qin Yi, Qingbei University's campus beauty, as his semifinal opponent, and the two became friendly while waiting for their match. After Ye Tian easily won his own semifinal, Zhang Cheng and Qin Yi took the field and sent out their starter Pokémon.

• Qin Yi defeated a Kyoto University Trainer with Primarina, completing the quarterfinals and securing Qingbei University's second semifinal spot.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian agreed they hoped to avoid facing each other before the final, then prepared for the next day's matches.
• Zhang Cheng drew Qin Yi for the afternoon semifinal, while Ye Tian was matched against Qingbei University's other Trainer in the morning.
• Qin Yi introduced herself to Zhang Cheng, and they chatted and ate lunch together while waiting for their match.
• Ye Tian won his semifinal using only three Pokémon, and Zhang Cheng and Qin Yi later began their battle with Poliwrath and Primarina.

Qin Yi and Zhang Cheng battled with Primarina and Poliwrath, trading powerful attacks until both Pokémon were badly hurt. Qin Yi then shifted to a super-effective Fairy-type move, leaving the fight poised for Primarina's Dazzling Gleam.

• Qin Yi opened the battle by having Primarina use Sparkling Aria, but Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to smash through the water balloons with Waterfall and strike Primarina.
• Qin Yi had Primarina use Scald, but Zhang Cheng defended with Protect and countered with Dynamic Punch, confusing Primarina.
• Qin Yi encouraged Primarina to use Hyper Voice, which Liquid Voice turned into a boosted Water-type attack that damaged Poliwrath.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to answer with Hydro Pump, and both Pokémon suffered serious injuries in the exchange.
• Qin Yi told Primarina to use Dazzling Gleam, and Primarina began gathering Fairy-type energy.

Zhang Cheng and Qin Yi’s Poliwrath and Primarina knocked each other out, so both Trainers sent out their next Pokémon: Togekiss and Gardevoir. Gardevoir’s Thunderbolt threatened Togekiss, but Togekiss’s Metronome produced a super-effective Sludge Bomb, leaving the attack’s outcome unresolved.

• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath endure Primarina’s attack and use Endeavor, leaving both Pokémon at critical HP.
• Zhang Cheng and Qin Yi ordered Poliwrath and Primarina to use Bubble Beam and Water Gun, and both Pokémon collapsed after the attacks hit.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Togekiss, while Qin Yi brought out Gardevoir, whose Trace copied Togekiss’s Super Luck.
• Qin Yi had Gardevoir use Hypnosis, but Zhang Cheng’s Togekiss blocked it with Safeguard.
• Qin Yi ordered Gardevoir to use Thunderbolt, and Zhang Cheng had Togekiss answer with Metronome, which selected Sludge Bomb.

Zhang Cheng’s Togekiss and Qin Yi’s Gardevoir exchanged attacks and healing moves until Gardevoir’s critical Thunderbolt knocked Togekiss out. Swampert then exploited Gardevoir’s poison to defeat it, and Qin Yi sent out Tsareena as her fourth Pokémon.

• Gardevoir and Togekiss healed themselves, then exchanged Thunderbolt and Air Slash; Gardevoir’s critical hit knocked Togekiss out.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert, and Qin Yi had Gardevoir attack it with Psychic.
• Swampert used Venoshock on the poisoned Gardevoir, dropping its HP below one-fifth.
• Gardevoir began healing with Heal Pulse, but Swampert interrupted it with another Venoshock and knocked it out.
• Qin Yi sent out Tsareena, and Zhang Cheng used his Detection System to check its information.

Qin Yi’s Tsareena defeated Zhang Cheng’s Swampert but was badly hurt in the exchange. Zhang Cheng sent out Pidgeot, whose Brave Bird shattered Tsareena’s Protect and left it with less than one-fifth of its HP.

• Tsareena broke through Swampert’s Protect with Power Whip, while Zhang Cheng poisoned Tsareena with Toxic.
• Swampert blocked Tsareena’s Razor Leaf with Wide Guard and struck it with Venoshock, but Tsareena’s Trop Kick knocked Swampert out.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Swampert and sent out Pidgeot as Qin Yi used Aromatherapy to cure Tsareena’s poison.
• Pidgeot’s Brave Bird shattered Tsareena’s Protect and left Tsareena with less than one-fifth of its HP.

Qin Yi sent Jynx out after Tsareena fell to Pidgeot's Hurricane, and Jynx used Fake Out and Blizzard to badly damage Pidgeot. Pidgeot evaded Jynx's Lovely Kiss with Fly and began a counterattack as Jynx landed.

• Tsareena's Protect failed to stop Pidgeot's Hurricane, and she was knocked out.
• Qin Yi sent out Jynx, whose Fake Out made Pidgeot flinch before she hit him with a powerful Blizzard.
• Pidgeot recovered and struck Jynx with Air Slash, taking away a quarter of her HP.
• Jynx tried to put Pidgeot to sleep with Lovely Kiss, but Zhang Cheng had Pidgeot fly out of range.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to attack Jynx with Fly as she landed.

Qin Yi and Zhang Cheng continued their Pokémon battle, with Jynx defeating Pidgeot before falling to Kingdra. Qin Yi sent out Altaria and Mega Evolved her, leaving Zhang Cheng facing a Dragon- and Fairy-type Mega Altaria.

• Pidgeot struck Jynx with Fly, but Jynx put Pidgeot to sleep with Lovely Kiss and defeated it with Blizzard.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Kingdra, which knocked out Jynx after taking damage from Ice Beam and Psyshock.
• Qin Yi sent out Altaria, and Zhang Cheng noticed her Flame Orb and Facade combination.
• Qin Yi Mega Evolved Altaria, changing her ability to Pixilate and her typing to Dragon and Fairy.

Zhang Cheng sent out Diancie after Kingdra fell to Qin Yi’s Mega Altaria, then revealed that Diancie could Mega Evolve. Mega Diancie defeated Mega Altaria with Light of Ruin, but suffered substantial damage from the clash and recoil.

• Qin Yi’s Mega Altaria knocked out Zhang Cheng’s already injured Kingdra with Facade, leaving Zhang Cheng with only Diancie.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Diancie and used a multicolored Evolution Crystal to Mega Evolve it into Mega Diancie.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Mega Diancie to attack with Light of Ruin while Qin Yi’s Mega Altaria countered with Facade.
• The two Fairy-type attacks collided and exploded, knocking out Mega Altaria and leaving Mega Diancie down nearly a third of its HP.

Qin Yi sent out Goodra against Zhang Cheng’s Mega Diancie, using Water-type moves to exploit Diancie’s vulnerability. Zhang Cheng healed Diancie back to full, then struck Goodra with Moonblast and prepared another Light of Ruin.

• Qin Yi recalled the fainted Altaria and sent out Goodra, her Dragon-type trump card.
• Zhang Cheng’s Detection System revealed that Goodra held Mystic Water and knew several Water-type moves to counter Diancie.
• Qin Yi ordered Goodra to use Muddy Water, which reduced Mega Diancie’s HP to two-fifths.
• Zhang Cheng had Mega Diancie use Heal Pulse, restoring her HP to full.
• Mega Diancie’s Moonblast broke through Goodra’s Hydro Pump and took a quarter of Goodra’s HP.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Mega Diancie to use Light of Ruin again, and she began forming an even larger Eternal Flower.

Zhang Cheng and Mega Diancie defeated Qin Yi and Goodra in the semifinal, securing a place in the National Tournament final against Ye Tian. After his Pokémon recovered, Zhang Cheng returned to his lodgings and prepared for the next day's match.

• Qin Yi ordered Goodra to use Hydro Pump, but Mega Diancie blocked it with Protect and then healed herself with Heal Pulse.
• Goodra's Brine hit Mega Diancie after Heal Pulse had raised her HP, leaving Diancie with nearly two-thirds of her health.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Mega Diancie to use Dazzling Gleam, while Qin Yi sent Goodra's final Hydro Pump at her.
• Mega Diancie survived with about one-quarter HP, while Goodra was knocked out, and Zhang Cheng advanced to the final against Ye Tian.
• Zhang Cheng took his Pokémon to recover, returned to his lodgings, and praised Diancie before she fell asleep in his arms.