Recaps

At Olivine Town’s Strength Competition, Bruno and Machamp set a daunting score before Li Wei and Lucario took second place. Ash then stunned the crowd by breaking 16 tiles with one bare-handed punch, leaving Dayou still to compete.

• Bruno and Machamp broke 47 tiles, putting Bruno in first place as the other early contestants fell behind.
• Li Wei used Close-Quarters Combat to break 12 tiles, and Lucario added 30 for a combined score of 42.
• Ash stepped up with Infernape and shattered the tile stack with a seemingly ordinary punch.
• Yuka’s staff counted 16 tiles for Ash, two more than Bruno’s score, and Bruno praised Ash as interesting.

Ash and Infernape’s extraordinary brick-breaking results brought them to the final round, where Dayou and Incineroar won the competition against Bruno and Machamp. Afterward, reporters asked Ash how he had developed such remarkable strength, and he said it had happened naturally through his daily activities.

• Ash broke more bricks than Bruno, and Infernape added 23 with Brick Break, bringing their combined total to 39 and placing them third.
• Dayou broke 19 bricks, and Incineroar broke 35, giving them a total of 54 and making Dayou the clear favorite.
• Li Wei withdrew from the final round, while Bruno removed his training belt and challenged Dayou to a rematch.
• Bruno and Machamp matched Incineroar’s result, but Dayou broke 21 bricks and won the competition with Incineroar.
• Reporters asked Ash how he trained his strength, and Ash credited it to helping Pokémon train, carrying things, climbing cliffs, and being chased by Pokémon.

After Ash impressed Bruno at the Brick-Breaking Competition, Bruno offered to teach him the Hardness Secret, and Ash eagerly accepted. The Pokémon Sumo Tournament began, leaving Dayou's Incineroar and Bruno's Machamp locked in a fierce semifinal clash.

• Bruno praised Ash's physique and offered to teach him the Hardness Secret, which Ash eagerly accepted.
• The Pokémon Sumo Tournament began, and Lorelei confirmed that contact moves such as Lucario's Bone Rush were allowed.
• Akin and Silver lamented their tournament losses, while Crystal noted that they had faced two favorites, Bruno and Li Wei.
• Dayou's Incineroar faced Bruno's Machamp in the first semifinal, and Steven favored Machamp because of his greater strength and experience.
• Machamp charged to grab Incineroar, but Dayou ordered Darkest Lariat, and Incineroar struck Machamp and staggered him.
• Bruno ordered Machamp to unleash Dynamic Punches, and Dayou countered with Fire Punch as the two traded blows; Shiyin cheered for Incineroar while Mizuki told Xiao Meng to look.

The Olivine Town sumo tournament continued as Bruno's Machamp defeated Dayou's Incineroar, then Li Wei's Lucario fought Ash's Infernape. Li Wei held back to provoke Infernape's Blaze, hoping to help him control it.

• Bruno's Machamp used Vital Throw to send Dayou's Incineroar out of the ring and win their match.
• Yuka asked Lance who he favored in the upcoming Lucario-versus-Infernape match, and Lance picked Li Wei and Lucario.
• Li Wei's Lucario evaded Infernape's Mach Punch with aura and struck him with Force Palm.
• Lucario blocked Infernape's Flame Wheel with Bone Rush, then hit him with Bullet Punch when he tried Mach Punch again.
• Li Wei and Lucario waited instead of pressing their advantage, hoping Infernape's Blaze would emerge so Li Wei could help him control it.

Li Wei’s plan to help Infernape control its Blaze triggered an uncontrolled eruption during the match, forcing Lucario to evade while the others protected the battlefield. Li Wei told Ash that he had to bring Infernape back to its senses.

• Lucario repeatedly struck Infernape with Bullet Punch as Ash encouraged Infernape to keep fighting.
• Infernape grew extremely angry, and its Blaze erupted beyond its control.
• Infernape attacked wildly, prompting Youjia to order everyone back while Diancie and Metagross sealed the battlefield with barriers.
• Lance trusted Li Wei to handle the crisis, and Li Wei ordered Lucario to dodge Infernape’s attacks without fighting back.
• Li Wei called on Ash to calm Infernape, and Ash realized he had to reach his Pokémon.

Ash helped Infernape overcome its uncontrolled Blaze by reminding it of their bond, and Infernape faced Lucario again with Blaze under control. The battle continued with both Pokémon still able to fight.

• Li Wei told Ash to reach Infernape while Diancie and Metagross contained its attacks, and Lucario stood ready to rescue Ash if necessary.
• Infernape remembered its time with Ash and calmed its Blaze after Ash said he believed in it.
• Meloetta sang as the spectators cheered for Infernape, and Ash ordered it to attack Lucario with Flare Blitz.
• Lucario met Infernape's Flare Blitz with Aura Sphere, and the collision shook Diancie and Metagross's protective screens.
• Infernape matched Lucario's Meteor Mash with Mach Punch, and Ash and Li Wei simultaneously ordered Close Combat.

Ash's Infernape lost to Li Wei's Lucario after exhausting itself in their hard-fought match, and Li Wei then faced Bruno in the final. Mega Lucario and Machamp traded powerful blows, and the chapter ended with both Pokémon kneeling amid a crater, their battle unresolved.

• Ash's Infernape and Li Wei's Lucario clashed with Close Combat until Lucario knocked Infernape out, and the referee declared Lucario the winner.
• Ash thanked and helped Infernape, while Li Wei treated Lucario's burns and looked forward to facing Ash at the Lily of the Valley Conference.
• Yuka announced the final between Li Wei and Bruno, and Cynthia's Lucario watched as Li Wei Mega Evolved his own Lucario.
• Mega Lucario dodged Machamp's Dynamic Punches and fought it with Bone Rush and Power-Up Punch before slipping past its Seismic Toss grab.
• Machamp charged with Giga Impact as Mega Lucario countered with Meteor Mash, and the collision left both Pokémon kneeling and badly wounded in a crater.

Li Wei’s Mega Lucario and Bruno’s Machamp battled through the final stages of the Sumo Tournament, with Lucario using its growing strength and clever Bone Rush tactics to bring Machamp down. Bruno then removed Machamp’s belt and unleashed its full power, leaving both Pokémon trading Close Combat blows in a fierce, evenly matched showdown.

• Li Wei waited for Machamp’s Giga Impact immobilization to end, then ordered Lucario to use Bone Rush as Meteor Mash’s Attack boost strengthened it.
• Lucario used its bone staff as a pivot to dodge Machamp’s charge and strike its back, making the exhausted Machamp fall to the ground.
• Li Wei and Bruno ordered Lucario and Machamp to clash with Bone Rush and Dynamic Punch, and the two Pokémon fought to a standstill.
• Bruno removed Machamp’s belt, unleashing its stored strength and the full force of the Hardness Secret.
• Li Wei and Bruno both ordered Close Combat, and Lucario used speed, Aura predictions, and precise technique to counter Machamp’s powerful four-armed attacks.

Li Wei’s Lucario narrowly defeated Bruno’s Machamp in a brutal Close Combat showdown, while Dayou won the Strength Competition overall. Bruno planned to teach Dayou and others the Hardness Secret, and Li Wei invited everyone to dinner at the villa.

• Mega Lucario outlasted Machamp in their final collision, and the referee declared Lucario the winner.
• Li Wei treated the exhausted Lucario, and Bruno congratulated him and arranged to meet again in the Master League.
• Bruno’s Machoke won the powerlifting event, while Dayou, Bruno, and Li Wei placed first, second, and third overall.
• Dayou rediscovered his enjoyment of competition, and Bruno offered to teach him and others the Hardness Secret.
• Li Wei invited Bruno and the others to dinner at the villa, and Bruno asked whether they would have Rage Candy Bars.

Li Wei and the others celebrated at the seaside villas after the tournament, where a trending battle video revealed that Li Wei planned to enter next year's Master League. After dinner, Bruno began explaining the Hardness Secret to Li Wei, Ash, and Dayou.

• Li Wei, Brock, Yellow, and the others prepared a hot pot and barbecue for the group at the seaside villas while Bruno discussed the Hardness Secret with Dayou and Ash.
• Akin shared a trending video of Li Wei's battle with Bruno, and viewers used lip-reading to discover that Li Wei planned to compete in next year's Master League.
• Li Wei accepted the news as a boost to his fame, while Green and Red privately noted that they too planned to enter next year's Master League.
• After dinner, Cynthia and Lorelei discussed a research summit, Blue recounted his victories to Silver, and Bruno began explaining the Hardness Secret to Li Wei, Ash, and Dayou.

At a seaside barbecue, Bruno explained the Hardness Secret to Ash, Li Wei, and the others, describing it as a personal expression of will rather than a Fighting-type move. He outlined its three core points, leaving Ash eager to apply the lessons to his training.

• Dayou cooked barbecue while the group relaxed, and Ash’s Gabite continued biting Ash’s head after evolving from Gible.
• Bruno recalled how Mr. Chuck taught him about hardness and how three years of training beneath a waterfall helped him understand it.
• Bruno explained that each person’s Hardness Secret could take a different form, and Li Wei summarized Ash and Infernape’s as persistent effort and love for Pokémon battles.
• Bruno listed the Hardness Secret’s three core points: ultimate concentration, a state of selflessness, and an unwavering heart.

Bruno shared his Hardness Secret with Li Wei and the others, and the All-Around Competition moved into its final day's snowball fight. Li Wei secretly used Meloetta to help Dragapult ambush Brock, while the battle continued across the snowy arena.

• Bruno explained the three principles of his Hardness Secret to Li Wei and the others, and Li Wei planned to make a booklet for Sirfetch'd.
• Lorelei won the speed event by having Lapras freeze the sea and glide across it.
• Yuka opened the snowball fight, and Lorelei and Jynx hit Ash almost immediately.
• Lance and Dragonite tried an aerial attack, but Li Wei rallied the ground teams, who forced Dragonite to land.
• Li Wei used Dragapult and Meloetta to ambush Brock and Sudowoodo, hitting Brock behind his fortifications.

Trainers and Pokémon competed in a chaotic snowball fight at the Olivine Town Pokémon All-Around Competition, where alliances and betrayals led to Steven's victory. Afterward, everyone warmed up together, and Li Wei and Cynthia shared a quiet moment as the plaza settled into peace.

• Yuka commentated as Cynthia, Steven, Blue, Yellow, Ash, and others fought with Pokémon, while temporary alliances formed and collapsed.
• Li Wei used Dragapult and Meloetta to cheat during the match, but he was caught and disqualified.
• Steelix and Jasmine were eliminated, and Akin was betrayed by Lt. Surge and knocked out after suffering three betrayals.
• Steven won the snowball competition, and Nurse Joy handed out ginger tea, Moomoo Milk, and commemorative badges.
• Li Wei and Brock helped prepare ginger tea for everyone, and Li Wei held Cynthia's hand as Meloetta sang over the snowy plaza.

After Stark Mountain’s unrest and reports of Arceus nearing awakening, Cynthia and Lance learned that Giratina was hunting Dialga. Li Wei explained how the Alamos Town battle may have damaged the Distortion World, while he privately questioned conflicting accounts about Arceus and waited for further news.

• Cynthia and Lance told Li Wei that the Volcano Keystone had come loose at Stark Mountain, but Wu Songdaye and Looker had resolved the unrest and Heatran had returned to the volcano.
• Cynthia and Lance reported that Arceus seemed close to awakening and that Giratina was hunting Dialga in Sinnoh.
• Li Wei explained that the battle between Dialga and Palkia in Alamos Town may have damaged the Distortion World and provoked Giratina.
• Cynthia, Lance, and the others left to investigate Arceus’s awakening and try to stop Giratina from pursuing Dialga.
• Li Wei recalled Rayquaza’s claim that it had fought an avatar of Arceus and wondered whether that avatar differed from the one in Cynthia and Lance’s intelligence.

Li Wei planned a Pokémon girl group for the Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park and began selecting members, while Giratina watched the real world from the Distortion World. The chapter left Li Wei heading to the Eevee House for auditions as Giratina observed from a lake’s mirrored surface.

• Li Wei waited for news about Giratina pursuing Dialga and noted that Lorelei planned to stay through the Master League Knockout Round.
• Li Wei explained his girl group plan to Diancie and Meloetta, and Meloetta chose to be the singer while Diancie accepted the visual role.
• Li Wei proposed Gardevoir, Lilligant, Tsareena, Lopunny, and Sylveon as possible members, pending auditions and training.
• Li Wei took Meloetta and Diancie to the Eevee House to audition Pokémon for the group.
• Giratina watched the real world from the Distortion World through a mirrored lake surface.

Giratina searched the real world through reflective surfaces for Dialga after their battle devastated the Distortion World, while Doctor Mu Xuan sensed Giratina’s fury. Giratina’s presence caused panic among the Pokémon at the ranch, and Li Wei felt a sudden sense of dread.

• Giratina watched Palkia restore Alamos Town and grew furious that Dialga had fled after their battle damaged the Distortion World.
• Giratina used reflective surfaces across the real world to search for Dialga while waiting for a chance to break through Arceus’s restriction.
• Doctor Mu Xuan looked up at the darkened sky in the Distortion World and sensed that Giratina was angry.
• Giratina’s gaze caused Pokémon around Swan Lake and the ranch to panic, though Milotic reassured the Pokémon at Swan Lake.
• Li Wei felt a pang of dread and asked Meloetta and Diancie whether they had sensed anything strange; they had not.

Giratina’s presence caused disturbances across several regions, and Li Wei used Oración to calm the Pokémon at Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park. As Cynthia and the others organized an emergency response, Li Wei concluded that Giratina was searching the world for Dialga and told the group to stay ready.

• Li Wei sensed a strange presence affecting Pokémon at the park, and Meloetta joined Oración as Xiao Rou reassured visitors over the speakers.
• Cynthia learned that Giratina’s energy had appeared at multiple sites in Sinnoh and left to investigate while calling an emergency meeting.
• Yellow, Blue, and Lance reported strange sightings and pressure, while Cynthia and Steven shared abnormal energy readings from Sinnoh and Mossdeep.
• Li Wei told the group that Giratina was likely searching for Dialga and urged everyone to prepare to act.
• Lance arranged patrols in Sinnoh and asked Falkner to send Pidgeot, while Red and Green offered their help.

Li Wei brought Diancie and Meloetta to the Eevee House to choose another member for the Pokémon girl group. Meloetta selected the Sylveon with the bluest eyes, and Li Wei asked her to join.

• Li Wei took Diancie and the invisible Meloetta to the Eevee House to consider Sylveon for the group.
• The Eevee House staff gathered the Pokémon evolutions, including four Sylveon, for them to inspect.
• Diancie chose the Sylveon with the bluest eyes, who had affectionately wrapped her ribbons around Li Wei's wrist.
• Meloetta tested the Sylveons' musical ability and confirmed that the blue-eyed Sylveon had a natural sense of rhythm.
• Li Wei invited the selected Sylveon to join the Pokémon girl group.

Sylveon joined Li Wei’s Pokémon Girl Group as authorities and Champions investigated Giratina’s activity in Sinnoh. Near Mt. Coronet, Ash, Dawn, and Brock found a different Shaymin, while Ghetsis monitored the situation from afar.

• Sylveon accepted Li Wei’s invitation to join the Pokémon Girl Group, completing its lineup.
• President Samaranch put Cynthia in charge of the Giratina response, while Lance, the Johto Region, and the International Police joined the investigation.
• Li Wei told Cynthia about Michina’s ancient method of communicating with Giratina, and Cynthia reported a space-time anomaly near Mt. Coronet.
• Dialga escaped Giratina with help from a Shaymin’s Seed Flare, then trapped Giratina in a repeating instant inside the Distortion World.
• Ghetsis learned that Shaymin had interfered with Giratina and Dialga, and suspected Li Wei might be involved.
• Ash, Dawn, and Brock found a dirt-covered Shaymin at their campsite, and Dawn began bathing it.

Ash and Dawn met a prickly Shaymin on Mt. Coronet, cared for it after it developed a fever, and learned about its Seed Flare. Meanwhile, Giratina pursued Shaymin from the Distortion World, and Ash sent Li Wei a photo of their new acquaintance.

• Giratina tried to break out of the Distortion World through the passage to Sendoff Spring and pursued Shaymin after Dialga escaped and sealed it inside.
• Dawn bathed Shaymin, who complained about the cold water and said it needed to go somewhere before developing a fever.
• Brock and Dawn took Shaymin to a Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy diagnosed it as overexerted and treated its fever.
• Shaymin ate Dawn’s Poffin, introduced itself to Ash and Dawn, then blasted Ash and Pikachu with Seed Flare.
• Nurse Joy explained that Shaymin used Seed Flare to release pollutants it had absorbed, and Ash photographed Shaymin to tell Li Wei they had met one.

After Shaymin led Ash and his friends toward the Gracidea Flower Field, Li Wei realized it was in danger and set out to help. Giratina appeared and dragged Shaymin, Ash, Dawn, and Brock through a mirror into the Distortion World.

• Nurse Joy and Dawn identified the Gracidea Flower Field in Floaroma Town as Shaymin’s destination, and Ash sent Li Wei a photo of Shaymin.
• After learning Shaymin had drifted down a river near Mt. Coronet, Li Wei gathered Regigigas, Darkrai, Lucario, Zeraora, Diancie, and Meloetta to intervene.
• Li Wei contacted Cynthia, who said Professor Carolina believed Mt. Coronet might be Giratina’s target, and he told Ash to follow Shaymin’s directions to the flower field.
• As Ash, Dawn, and Brock left the Pokémon Center, Giratina emerged through a mirror and pulled Shaymin inside with a powerful gust.
• Ash, Dawn, and Brock jumped into the mirror to rescue Shaymin, while a mirror in Li Wei’s room began to ripple.

Cynthia and the others searched for Li Wei after he vanished amid strange disturbances around Mt. Coronet, then learned that his Pokémon had disappeared with him. Li Wei had entered a space rift with his Pokémon to rescue Shaymin and Meloetta, and he, Ash, and Dawn ended up in the Distortion World.

• Cynthia learned that Li Wei was missing, and Wen Hui found his room empty while Corviknight remained at home.
• As reports of bizarre phenomena and rampaging Pokémon spread, Cynthia, Lance, Falkner, and Steven headed toward Mt. Coronet.
• Blue discovered that he could not reach Li Wei, Ash, or Brock, and Wen Hui confirmed that Li Wei’s Pokémon had vanished with him.
• A rift opened in Li Wei’s mirror and pulled in Shaymin and Meloetta, so Li Wei and his Pokémon jumped in after them.
• Li Wei arrived in the Distortion World, where Ash had also been swept in and Dawn held Shaymin while asking where they were.

Ash, Dawn, and Brock fled Giratina through the Distortion World with help from Professor Mu Xuan Graceland, who explained the strange dimension. Li Wei and his Pokémon arrived separately to rescue Shaymin and Meloetta, only for Giratina to fly straight toward them.

• Giratina evaded Pikachu and Piplup’s attacks and pursued Ash, Dawn, Brock, and Shaymin.
• Professor Mu Xuan Graceland led the group through a green-lit passage and explained how gravity worked in the Distortion World.
• Professor Mu Xuan recognized Shaymin from its earlier role in the battle between Dialga and Giratina, then introduced himself as a researcher of the Distortion World.
• Li Wei, Lucario, and their Pokémon jumped into the spatial rift to rescue Shaymin and Meloetta and arrived together in the Distortion World.
• Li Wei identified the strange place as the Distortion World, then saw Giratina streaking toward him.

Doctor Mu Xuan explained how battles in the real world created poisonous distortions in the Distortion World and why Giratina was enraged by Dialga and Palkia. Meanwhile, Li Wei confronted Giratina, which had brought him and Shaymin there because it was interested in them and their Pokémon.

• Doctor Mu Xuan warned Ash and the others about a poisonous purple cloud, then explained that battles in the real world caused such distortions in the Distortion World.
• Dawn told Doctor Mu Xuan that Dialga and Palkia had fought in Alamos Town and that Darkrai, her teacher, and Mr. Steven had helped stop them.
• Doctor Mu Xuan recognized Li Wei as the Trainer who had ridden a Silver Metagross with Steven and explained that Giratina was angry because Dialga and Palkia had damaged its world.
• Ash told Doctor Mu Xuan that Giratina seemed to want to eat Shaymin, while Doctor Mu Xuan wondered why Giratina had been pursuing them.
• Li Wei tried to communicate with Giratina using his aura, then stepped in front of his Pokémon and used his Affinity to show that he meant no harm.
• Giratina approached Li Wei and examined him and his Pokémon, drawn by their unusual presences and especially interested in Shaymin.

Ash and his friends escaped the Distortion World, only to be pursued by Ghetsis and his Magnemite. After Shaymin changed into sky forme on a train, they learned how to reach the Gracidea Flower Field, but their pursuers caught up with them.

• Ash and his friends escaped the Distortion World with Doctor Mu Xuan's help, then fought off Ghetsis and his Magnemite long enough to flee aboard a train.
• Ash told Blue that they had escaped and seen Giratina, while Cynthia asked whether they had encountered Li Wei in the Distortion World.
• Dawn befriended the passengers, and Layla explained that Shaymin changed into sky forme after inhaling Gracidea Flower pollen.
• A passenger directed Ash and his friends to get off at the next stop and travel north by boat to the Gracidea Flower Field.
• Shaymin decided to let Ash and his friends watch the gathering at the flower field, but Ghetsis's Magnemite and Magneton caught up with them aboard the train.