Recaps

Zhang Cheng’s Politoed was knocked out by Yuwen Tian’s Kingler, so Zhang Cheng sent out Kingdra to fight it. Kingdra overwhelmed Kingler with Surf and then erased its two Swords Dance boosts with Clear Smog, leaving Kingler’s only major advantage gone.

• Yuwen Tian ordered Kingler to leap after Politoed and strike it with Crabhammer, knocking Politoed out.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Kingdra, which used Surf to engulf Kingler and sweep it away.
• Yuwen Tian had Kingler use Swords Dance twice to raise its Physical Attack.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to spread Clear Smog across the battlefield, removing Kingler’s Swords Dance boosts before it could block the smoke with Protect.

Zhang Cheng's Kingdra defeated Yuwen Tian's Kingler after Kingler's Guillotine failed, leaving Yuwen Tian to send out Electivire. The battle continued as Zhang Cheng looked forward to seeing how strong his old teammate had become.

• Kingdra cleared Kingler's stat boosts with Clear Smog, then struck it with Dragon Pulse after the rain ended.
• Kingdra unleashed Outrage, breaking through Kingler's Wide Guard and reducing its HP to about a third.
• Yuwen Tian ordered Kingler to gamble on Guillotine, but its attack failed and Outrage knocked it out.
• Yuwen Tian recalled Kingler and sent out Electivire as Zhang Cheng prepared to continue the battle.

Zhang Cheng’s Kingdra and Yuwen Tian’s Electivire exchanged powerful attacks as Electric Terrain and Ion Deluge shaped the battle. Kingdra recovered from confusion and launched another Outrage just as Electivire prepared a boosted Giga Impact, leaving their collision unresolved.

• Yuwen Tian had Electivire establish Electric Terrain while Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to attack with Hydro Cannon, badly wounding Electivire.
• Electivire retaliated with a Terrain-boosted Thunder Punch, striking Kingdra after confusion caused it to miss Protect.
• Yuwen Tian had Electivire use Ion Deluge to turn its next Normal-type move into an Electric-type attack.
• Kingdra recovered from confusion and attacked with Outrage as Electivire prepared to answer with Giga Impact.

Yuwen Tian's Electivire defeated Zhang Cheng's Kingdra, but then faced a Swampert that nullified its Electric-type attacks. After Electivire's Giga Impact failed, Swampert struck it with Mud Bomb and took nearly half its HP.

• Electivire broke through Kingdra's Outrage with Giga Impact, then finished it with Thunder Punch.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert, whose Ground typing made it immune to Electivire's Electric-type attacks.
• Electivire charged Swampert with Giga Impact, but Ion Deluge had made the move Electric-type, so it did no damage.
• Swampert hit Electivire with Mud Bomb, costing it nearly half its HP.
• Yuwen Tian realized Electivire would need to try Fighting-type moves against Swampert.

Electivire’s attacks failed to overcome Swampert’s Mud Shot, and it was defeated despite trying Protect and Ice Punch. Yuwen Tian sent out Ferrothorn to exploit Swampert’s fourfold Grass weakness, while Zhang Cheng inspected her abilities and moves.

• Yuwen Tian ordered Electivire to attack Swampert with Hammer Arm, but Swampert’s Mud Shot weakened the blow and knocked Electivire back.
• Electivire tried to build up Dynamic Punch, but Swampert’s continued Mud Shot disrupted it, so Yuwen Tian ordered Protect.
• Electivire used Ice Punch through the protection barrier, but it failed to freeze Swampert, whose Mud Shot depleted Electivire’s remaining HP and defeated it.
• Yuwen Tian recalled Electivire and sent out Ferrothorn to counter Swampert with her Grass typing.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect Ferrothorn, learning that she was a Level 72 Grass- and Steel-type with Iron Barbs, high defenses, and low Speed.

Zhang Cheng's Swampert battled Yuwen Tian's Ferrothorn but was defeated after weakening it with Hammer Arm and Hyper Beam. Zhang Cheng then sent out Moltres, and Yuwen Tian ordered Ferrothorn to attack it with Acid Spray.

• Yuwen Tian had Ferrothorn try Leech Seed, but Zhang Cheng blocked it with Swampert's Wide Guard.
• Swampert struck Ferrothorn with Hammer Arm, then hit it with Hyper Beam, bringing Ferrothorn's HP below half.
• Ferrothorn finished the immobilized Swampert with Energy Ball, and Zhang Cheng recalled it.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Moltres, surprising Yuwen Tian, who then commanded Ferrothorn to use Acid Spray.

Zhang Cheng’s Moltres knocked out Yuwen Tian’s Ferrothorn with Heat Wave, but Yuwen Tian sent out his Flash Fire Typhlosion to challenge it. After their first exchange left Typhlosion badly hurt, Yuwen Tian ordered Wild Charge, and Zhang Cheng had Moltres evade with Fly.

• Zhang Cheng’s Moltres vaporized Ferrothorn’s Acid Spray and knocked Ferrothorn out with Heat Wave.
• Yuwen Tian recalled Ferrothorn and sent out his starter, Typhlosion, whose Flash Fire ability Zhang Cheng confirmed with the Detection System.
• Zhang Cheng had Moltres use Air Slash while Yuwen Tian ordered Typhlosion to attack with Flamethrower; Air Slash badly wounded Typhlosion, while Flamethrower did little damage to Moltres.
• Yuwen Tian rallied Typhlosion and ordered him to use Wild Charge against Moltres.
• Zhang Cheng told Moltres to evade Wild Charge with Fly.

Moltres defeated Yuwen Tian’s Typhlosion after overcoming its powerful Burn Up, leaving Yuwen Tian to send out his final Pokémon. Zhang Cheng discovered that the Metagross was a fast, Mega-capable Steel-type threat, a type that endangered his Diancie.

• Typhlosion missed with Wild Charge, and Moltres struck it with a powerful aerial attack.
• Yuwen Tian ordered Typhlosion to use Burn Up, but Moltres broke through the fire with Sky Attack and knocked it out.
• Yuwen Tian recalled Typhlosion and sent out his final Pokémon, Metagross.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect Metagross and recognized the danger its Steel-type attacks posed to Diancie.

Yuwen Tian’s Mega Metagross defeated Zhang Cheng’s worn-down Moltres, but Zhang sent out Mega Ampharos and began strengthening its defenses. The chapter ended with Mega Metagross charging at Ampharos to interrupt its second Cotton Spore.

• Yuwen Tian Mega Evolved Metagross and used Zen Headbutt to knock out Zhang Cheng’s injured Moltres after it landed a super-effective Flamethrower.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Moltres and sent out Ampharos, then used an Evolution Crystal to Mega Evolve it.
• Yuwen Tian had Mega Metagross set up Light Screen to reduce Mega Ampharos’s special-attack damage.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Mega Ampharos to use Cotton Spore twice to raise its Physical Defense.
• Yuwen Tian ordered Mega Metagross to attack with Zen Headbutt before Ampharos could further bolster its defenses.

Zhang Cheng used Mega Ampharos’s boosted defenses and paralysis to set up a powerful counterattack against Yuwen Tian’s Mega Metagross. Mega Ampharos’s Dragon Pulse overcame Meteor Mash, leaving the battle’s outcome poised on the damage from the final strike.

• Mega Ampharos endured Mega Metagross’s Zen Headbutt after boosting its Physical Defense with Cotton Spore.
• Zhang Cheng had Mega Ampharos paralyze Mega Metagross with Thunder Wave, then use Charge to strengthen its Special Defense and its next Electric-type move.
• Mega Ampharos’s Zap Cannon struck after paralysis prevented Mega Metagross from completing Protect, leaving Mega Metagross with only a third of its HP.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Dragon Pulse while Yuwen Tian countered with Meteor Mash, but Dragon Pulse overpowered the Steel-type energy and slammed into Mega Metagross.

Zhang Cheng defeated Yuwen Tian, but Wang Kun changed the assessment rules and demanded a second match in five days. To help Zhang Cheng prepare, Fang Lin shared information about a Zeraora at an abandoned power plant on the Huaxia–Northern Europe border.

• Mega Metagross ran out of energy and reverted to Metagross after Yuwen Tian lost to Zhang Cheng.
• Wang Kun claimed the assessment required two consecutive victories and scheduled another match for five days later, prompting Zhang Cheng to challenge him over the changed rules.
• Yuwen Tian explained that he had only been hired for the match, then said goodbye after dining with Zhang Cheng and Fang Lin.
• Fang Lin worried Wang Kun would find a stronger Champion-level Trainer, and Zhang Cheng acknowledged the risk.
• Fang Lin offered Zhang Cheng a lead on a Mythical Pokémon, revealing that a Zeraora was said to be deep inside an abandoned power plant on the Huaxia–Northern Europe border.

Zhang Cheng learned from Fang Lin that a Zeraora lived in the Abandoned Power Plant and hurried there to catch it. He found the level 73 Mythical Pokémon, but it refused to join him, so Zhang Cheng sent out Diancie for a one-on-one battle.

• Fang Lin told Zhang Cheng about a Zeraora at the Abandoned Power Plant and warned him that it was strong.
• Zhang Cheng collected his recovered Pokémon, bought supplies and high-grade Poké Balls, and flew to the plant on Moltres.
• Zhang Cheng avoided the colony of Electrode and traveled deeper into the plant, where he found increasingly powerful Electric-type Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng reached the main power supply room and scanned the level 73 Zeraora, which had S-rank potential and the Volt Absorb ability.
• Zeraora warned Zhang Cheng to leave, then refused his invitation to become partners and prepared to attack.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Diancie to face Zeraora in a fair one-on-one battle.

Zhang Cheng and Mega Diancie battled Zeraora, defeating it with Light of Ruin. After Mega Diancie recovered, Zhang Cheng caught Zeraora with his thirty-third Poké Ball.

• Zhang Cheng had Diancie Mega Evolve and defend against Zeraora’s Wild Charge with Wide Guard.
• Mega Diancie struck Zeraora with Diamond Storm, but Zeraora recovered and charged again with Thunder Punch.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Mega Diancie to use Light of Ruin, which knocked Zeraora unconscious.
• Mega Diancie used Recover while Zhang Cheng threw Poké Balls until he caught Zeraora with the thirty-third one.

After catching Zeraora, Zhang Cheng encountered Mark, a Trainer from Northern Europe, who challenged him to a battle for the Mythical Pokémon. They agreed to a four-on-four match in the Abandoned Power Plant, and the chapter ended as Mark ordered Zebstrika to attack Zhang Cheng’s Ampharos with Thunderbolt.

• Zhang Cheng recalled his healed Diancie and headed to the exit of the Abandoned Power Plant.
• Mark confronted Zhang Cheng and proposed a battle, with Zeraora going to the winner; Zhang Cheng accepted to avoid a larger fight that could endanger them both.
• Zhang Cheng and Mark introduced themselves and agreed to a four-on-four match, keeping two Pokémon each in reserve.
• Zhang Cheng chose Ampharos while Mark sent out Zebstrika, and Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect his opponent’s Pokémon.
• Mark ordered Zebstrika to use Thunderbolt against Zhang Cheng’s Ampharos.

Zhang Cheng’s Ampharos decisively defeated Mark’s Zebstrika, but Mark sent out Hippowdon to counter it. Ampharos paralyzed Hippowdon and launched Dragon Pulse, leaving their battle underway.

• Ampharos overwhelmed Zebstrika with Thunderbolt, Thunder, and Zap Cannon, knocking it out despite its resistance and Protect.
• Mark recalled Zebstrika and sent out his level 72 Hippowdon, whose Sand Stream ability created a sandstorm across the battlefield.
• Zhang Cheng had Ampharos use Thunder Wave, paralyzing Hippowdon and further slowing the Ground-type Pokémon.
• Mark ordered Hippowdon to use Bulldoze as she advanced slowly toward Ampharos.
• Zhang Cheng countered with Dragon Pulse, which Ampharos fired at Hippowdon.

Zhang Cheng's Ampharos dealt damage to Mark's Hippowdon before fainting, and Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert. Swampert poisoned Hippowdon and defeated it with Water-type attacks, leaving Mark impressed by the strength of Huaxia's Champion-level Trainers.

• Hippowdon struck Ampharos with Bulldoze and Earthquake, but Ampharos landed a second Dragon Pulse before fainting.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert, and Mark had Hippowdon use Slack Off to recover.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to poison Hippowdon with Toxic, then Mark sent Hippowdon underground with Dig.
• Swampert flooded Hippowdon's tunnel with Hydro Pump and followed with Waterfall, while Toxic drained Hippowdon's remaining HP.
• Mark recalled Hippowdon and praised the strength of Huaxia's Champion-level Trainers.

Mark sent out his trusted Starmie to face Zhang Cheng’s Swampert, and the two Pokémon traded attacks as Starmie tried to strengthen and heal itself. The chapter left Starmie badly poisoned after Swampert’s Toxic struck while it was using Recover.

• Mark sent out his third Pokémon, Starmie, to battle Zhang Cheng’s Swampert.
• Zhang Cheng checked Starmie’s details and found that it carried Mystic Water and could use a wide range of moves.
• Starmie’s Scald and Swampert’s Mud Bomb collided in an explosion that sent both Pokémon flying without badly injuring them.
• Mark had Starmie use Cosmic Power to raise its defenses, but Swampert struck it with Earth Power before it could dodge.
• Mark ordered Starmie to use Recover, and Zhang Cheng exploited the opening by having Swampert use Toxic, poisoning Starmie.

Mark’s Starmie lost to Zhang Cheng’s Swampert after Toxic wore it down, leaving Mark’s final Pokémon to face Zhang Cheng’s remaining team. Mark sent out Kangaskhan and Mega Evolved her, and the chapter ended as Swampert and Mega Kangaskhan launched their first attacks.

• Mark ordered Starmie to attack, but Swampert used Protect and Wide Guard to block its moves while Toxic steadily weakened it.
• Starmie eventually collapsed from poison, and Mark recalled it.
• Mark sent out his strongest Pokémon, Kangaskhan, whose data Zhang Cheng examined with the Detection System.
• Mark used an Evolution Crystal to Mega Evolve Kangaskhan, bringing her joey out of her pouch and giving her the Parental Bond ability.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to attack with Waterfall, and Mark commanded Mega Kangaskhan and her joey to counter with Mega Punch.

Zhang Cheng sent Swampert against Mark’s Mega Kangaskhan, and Swampert weakened her before being knocked out. Zhang Cheng then Mega Evolved Diancie, whose Diamond Storm and durability left Mega Kangaskhan struggling to break through.

• Mega Kangaskhan overwhelmed Swampert in a close-range clash, but Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to attack from a distance with Hydro Cannon.
• Mega Kangaskhan endured Hydro Cannon and knocked Swampert out with Giga Impact, then became unable to move from the move’s side effect.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Diancie and Mega Evolved her while Mega Kangaskhan was immobilized.
• Mega Diancie struck Mega Kangaskhan with Diamond Storm, forcing her to lose much of her HP as she charged through it.
• Mega Kangaskhan hit Mega Diancie with Giga Impact, but Mega Diancie only stepped back twice and lost barely a quarter of her HP, leaving Mark stunned.

Zhang Cheng defeated Mark’s Mega Kangaskhan with Mega Diancie and claimed Zeraora, then trained his new Pokémon before preparing to represent the Modu Pokémon Center in the second assessment. The chapter ended as he arrived at Director Fang Lin’s office, confident in his preparations.

• Mega Diancie struck the immobilized Mega Kangaskhan with Light of Ruin, knocking it out and winning Zhang Cheng the battle.
• Mark honored their agreement and gave Zeraora to Zhang Cheng, who left the Abandoned Power Plant on Moltres and returned to Modu.
• Zhang Cheng took his injured Pokémon to the Pokémon Center, rested, and began training Zeraora the next morning.
• Zhang Cheng replaced Ampharos with Zeraora and trained the new member of his six-Pokémon team for five days before the second assessment.
• Zhang Cheng checked Zeraora’s stats and went to Director Fang Lin’s office, where Director Fang Lin asked whether he had caught Zeraora.

Zhang Cheng began his assessment battle against Zhao Kuang, a veteran Champion-level Trainer hired by Wang Kun. Poliwrath and Clawitzer traded attacks, and Zhang Cheng planned to use Poliwrath’s boosted Fighting-type moves as the battle continued.

• Dean Fang Lin told Zhang Cheng that Wang Kun had kept information about the opposing Trainer secret.
• Wang Kun arrived with Zhao Kuang, and the assessment battle began with Zhang Cheng sending out Poliwrath and Zhao Kuang choosing Clawitzer.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to learn that Clawitzer had the Mega Launcher ability and a powerful arsenal of pulse moves.
• Clawitzer’s Water Pulse and Poliwrath’s Hydro Pump clashed and dissipated without either Pokémon taking damage.
• Poliwrath used Swords Dance, but Clawitzer’s Dragon Pulse hit it and reduced its remaining health to three-fifths.
• Zhang Cheng decided to rely on Poliwrath’s boosted Fighting-type attacks and recognized the pressure posed by Zhao Kuang’s experience.

Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath defeated Zhao Kuang’s Clawitzer by exploiting its confusion and pressing the attack. Zhao Kuang sent out Toxapex next, setting up a more difficult battle.

• Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath interrupted Clawitzer’s Protect with Dynamic Punch, damaging it and leaving it confused.
• Zhao Kuang ordered Clawitzer to fire a barrage of Aura Spheres, which broke through Poliwrath’s Protect and reduced its HP below half.
• Clawitzer’s confusion made it attack itself instead of using Dragon Pulse, allowing Poliwrath to land Submission and Double Kick.
• Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath knocked Clawitzer out, and Zhao Kuang recalled it.
• Zhao Kuang sent out Toxapex, a defensive Water- and Poison-type Pokémon suited to prolonged battles.

Zhang Cheng faced Zhao Kuang’s defensive Toxapex, whose Toxic Spikes and Merciless ability threatened any Pokémon that became poisoned. Poliwrath used Rain Dance to gain speed and attacked while dodging Toxapex’s Toxic, then Zhang Cheng ordered it to use Hypnosis.

• Zhao Kuang ordered Toxapex to scatter Toxic Spikes across the battlefield, and Zhang Cheng recognized the danger of her Merciless ability and Baneful Bunker.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Rain Dance, activating its Swift Swim ability as Zhao Kuang laid a second layer of Toxic Spikes.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Hydro Pump, which removed a quarter of Toxapex’s HP.
• Zhao Kuang had Toxapex use Toxic, but Poliwrath dodged the venom glob.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Hypnosis.

Zhang Cheng used Poliwrath’s Dynamic Punch to confuse Zhao Kuang’s Toxapex, then defeated it with Brine, leaving Zhao Kuang two Pokémon down. Zhao Kuang sent out his starter Swampert to try to recover from the disadvantage as the battle continued.

• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Dynamic Punch on Toxapex, confusing it and causing it to hurt itself with Sludge Bomb.
• Poliwrath followed with Hydro Pump, reducing Toxapex’s HP to a quarter while Zhao Kuang struggled to snap it out of its confusion.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Brine, and Poliwrath knocked Toxapex unconscious before Zhao Kuang could protect it with Baneful Bunker.
• Wang Kun cursed Zhao Kuang for losing two Pokémon, while Director Fang Lin celebrated Zhang Cheng’s advantage and considered future perks.
• Zhao Kuang sent out his starter Pokémon, Swampert, hoping to use the continuing rain to turn the match around.

Zhao Kuang's Swampert defeated Zhang Cheng's exhausted Poliwrath, while Toxic Spikes badly poisoned Zhang Cheng's own Swampert. Zhang Cheng ordered his Swampert to overwhelm its opponent, and its Hydro Cannon broke through Muddy Water and struck Zhao Kuang's Swampert.

• Zhao Kuang's Swampert beat Poliwrath in a Waterfall clash and then knocked it out with Hydro Pump after breaking its Protect barrier.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Poliwrath and sent out his Swampert, which became badly poisoned by Toxapex's Toxic Spikes.
• Zhao Kuang ordered his Swampert to attack with Muddy Water while Zhang Cheng urged his poisoned Swampert to end the fight quickly.
• Zhang Cheng's Swampert fired Hydro Cannon, which dispersed Muddy Water and hit Zhao Kuang's Swampert.