Recaps

Lance defeated Bruno in a grueling quarterfinal, and Steven beat Diantha with Mega Metagross to advance. The chapter ended with the Master League semifinals approaching, including the highly anticipated Lance versus Leon match.

• Lance and Bruno traded their Dynamax and Gigantamax aces, leaving Lance's Dragonite as his last Pokémon and deciding the match 6-5 in Lance's favor.
• Lance and Bruno congratulated each other after their battle, while Zeraora grew eager to challenge their aces.
• After a fifteen-minute break, Steven and Diantha began their quarterfinal, using tactics and Mega Evolution to battle for an advantage.
• Steven exposed Mega Gardevoir with Flash Cannon, then knocked it out with Meteor Mash, winning the match.
• The commentator announced that Lance would face Leon and Cynthia would face Steven after a day's rest, with the winners advancing to the finals.
• Li Wei considered Lance, Steven, and Cynthia capable of challenging Leon, and the chapter ended as Lance versus Leon was about to begin.

Cynthia and Steven began their six-on-six semifinal at Wyndon Stadium, with Steven's Corviknight facing Cynthia's Togekiss. Corviknight dodged Togekiss's Sweet Kiss as their opening exchange continued.

• Cynthia and Steven entered Wyndon Stadium to cheers before the commentator announced their full six-on-six Single Battle and its battle-system rules.
• Li Wei watched with his Pokémon as the Chat Group discussed the match and debated who would win.
• Steven sent out Corviknight, and Cynthia opened with Togekiss.
• Steven used Tailwind while Cynthia's Togekiss landed three Air Slashes, briefly flinching Corviknight before it raised its defenses with Iron Defense.
• Cynthia's Aura Sphere struck Corviknight as it countered with a Tailwind-boosted Brave Bird, and Corviknight then dodged Togekiss's Sweet Kiss.

Steven and Cynthia traded Pokémon in their full battle at Wyndon Stadium, as Steven used entry hazards and careful switches to wear down Cynthia’s team. The battle continued with Steven having four Pokémon remaining and Cynthia five, though her Pokémon faced Spikes and Stealth Rock whenever they entered.

• Steven switched between Metagross and Corviknight against Cynthia’s Lucario, which dodged Brave Bird and knocked Corviknight out with Power-Up Punch and Aura Sphere.
• Steven sent out Armaldo and set Stealth Rock before Cynthia’s Milotic froze it with Ice Beam.
• Steven’s Skarmory laid two layers of Spikes but was knocked out alongside Milotic after their final exchange.
• Steven’s Cradily endured Spiritomb’s attacks, recovered its stamina, and defeated Spiritomb after Ancient Power raised its stats.
• Steven sent out Aggron after Cradily and Spiritomb were both unable to battle.

Cynthia and Steven’s battle reached its final stage as their last standing Pokémon, Garchomp and Metagross, Mega Evolved and fought in a brutal showdown. Their final attacks collided, leaving the result undecided.

• Lucario and Aggron knocked each other out, leaving Cynthia with Kommo-o and Garchomp against Steven’s Metagross and frozen Armaldo.
• Steven’s Metagross defeated Kommo-o with Psychic Fangs after enduring its attacks.
• Cynthia sent out Garchomp, and both Trainers Mega Evolved their Pokémon.
• Mega Garchomp and Mega Metagross traded powerful blows, with Metagross proving faster and Garchomp fighting through Outrage’s confusion.
• Cynthia ordered Dragon Rush while Steven commanded Meteor Mash, and the attacks collided.

Cynthia defeated Steven in a hard-fought semifinal, and the stadium prepared for Leon and Lance to battle for a place in the final. Leon opened with Mr. Rime against Lance’s Gyarados, leaving Li Wei to suspect that Leon had misjudged Lance’s choice of lead Pokémon.

• Garchomp outlasted Metagross, giving Cynthia the victory over Steven.
• Steven congratulated Cynthia and wished her luck in the final, and the two Champions shook hands before the cheering crowd.
• After a fifteen-minute break, Leon and Lance entered Wyndon Stadium and declared their intentions to battle without regrets.
• Leon sent out Mr. Rime while Lance chose Gyarados, and Li Wei guessed Leon had expected Lance to lead with Salamence.

Leon and Lance battled in the Wyndon Stadium semifinals, trading knockouts as both Champions adapted their strategies. The score reached 4-4, and Lance’s Salamence boosted itself with Dragon Dance while Leon’s Dragapult vanished with Phantom Force.

• Lance’s Red Gyarados defeated Leon’s Mr. Rime after resisting its attacks and landing a boosted Crunch.
• Leon and Lance traded attacks with Cinderace and Hydreigon, then Rillaboom and Kingdra, before both Champions recalled their weakened Pokémon.
• Leon’s Dragapult battled Lance’s Flygon, and Leon later used Rhyperior to defeat the weakened Flygon.
• Lance’s Red Gyarados and Leon’s Rhyperior knocked each other out, bringing the score to 4-4.
• Leon sent out Dragapult against Lance’s Salamence, and Dragapult used Phantom Force as Salamence raised its attack and speed with Dragon Dance.

Lance’s Salamence defeated Leon’s Dragapult but fell to Charizard, leaving both champions with their final Pokémon. Lance sent out and Dynamaxed Dragonite to face Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard, setting up their decisive showdown.

• Lance’s Salamence used Dragon Dance and defeated Dragapult with a close-range Outrage, though the move left Salamence confused.
• Leon sent out Charizard, which struck the confused Salamence with Air Slash and knocked it out.
• Lance praised Salamence, then sent out Dragonite as his final Pokémon while Leon recalled Charizard.
• Leon Gigantamaxed Charizard, and Lance Dynamaxed Dragonite for their final clash.

Leon and Lance’s final Pokémon, Gigantamax Charizard and Dynamax Dragonite, clashed in the decisive stage of their Wyndon Stadium battle. Both endured their Dynamax attacks, and the chapter left them fighting on as Dragonite struck Charizard with Dragon Claw.

• Cynthia, Steven, Raihan, Mustard, and Honey discussed the battle and Leon’s prospects, while Raihan said he hoped someone would defeat Leon so he could rest.
• Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard used G-Max Wildfire, and Lance’s Dynamax Dragonite answered with Max Airstream.
• Leon and Lance traded Max Airstream and Max Wyrmwind attacks before using their final Dynamax moves against each other.
• Charizard and Dragonite returned to normal forms but remained standing, their fighting spirits undiminished.
• Leon and Lance agreed to settle the battle head-on, and Dragonite used its boosted speed to dodge Charizard’s Ancient Power and land Dragon Claw.

Lance defeated Leon in the Wyndon Stadium semifinal after Dragonite outlasted Charizard in a final exchange. Lance advanced to the finals, ending Leon’s undefeated record, and celebrated with Dragonite.

• Dragonite and Charizard traded powerful attacks as both Pokémon neared exhaustion.
• Lance used Roost to restore Dragonite, but Leon exploited Dragonite’s grounded state with Earthquake and then attacked with Flare Blitz.
• Dragonite survived Charizard’s Flare Blitz and Fire Blast, then struck the temporarily immobilized Charizard with Extreme Speed.
• Leon’s Charizard fell unable to battle, and the referee declared Lance the winner and finalist.
• Cynthia, Steven, and Lorelei reacted to Leon’s loss, and Lance embraced Dragonite on the battlefield.

Lance defeated Leon in the Master League semifinals, ending Leon’s undefeated record and advancing to the final. As Leon accepted the loss and looked ahead to next year, Lance entrusted his Pokémon to Li Wei.

• Lance’s Dragonite defeated Leon’s Charizard, and the stadium erupted as Lance advanced to the final.
• Leon congratulated Lance, accepted his first official defeat, and said he would win the title back next year.
• Red watched the match and headed to Mt. Silver with Green to train for next year’s Master League.
• Raihan and Mustard met Leon backstage, where Raihan vowed to beat him next year.
• Lance transferred his Poké Balls to Li Wei, who joked that he might drug the Pokémon.

Lance and Cynthia faced off in the Master League final after Lance’s semifinal victory over Leon drew widespread attention. Their battle left Salamence burned by Spiritomb, but Lance immediately countered with a point-blank Flamethrower.

• Lance’s victory over Leon boosted interest in the Master League and set up a final against Cynthia.
• Lance and Cynthia entered Wyndon Stadium and began their six-on-six final with Gyarados and Spiritomb as their leads.
• Cynthia used Spiritomb’s Pain Split and switched in Glaceon, while Lance rotated Gyarados and Flygon as the battle intensified.
• Lance’s Charizard damaged Cynthia’s Milotic and Lucario, while Glaceon slowed Lance’s dragons and knocked one out.
• Cynthia switched Spiritomb in against Salamence, blocked Dragon Claw with Protect, then burned Salamence with Will-O-Wisp.
• Lance ordered Salamence to fire Flamethrower at point-blank range after Spiritomb’s burn reduced its physical Attack.

Cynthia defeated Lance in the Master League final after Garchomp overcame Dragonite in a clash of Dragonium Z-powered Devastating Drakes. Cynthia was crowned champion as spectators celebrated, while Red and Blue returned to training.

• Spiritomb fainted after taking Lance's point-blank Flamethrower, and Lance later sent Salamence back into battle against Cynthia's Togekiss.
• Togekiss repeatedly flinched Salamence with Air Slash and knocked it out, while Lance's Charizard and Cynthia's Milotic then fainted in a mutual knockout.
• Lance's Hydreigon and Cynthia's Lucario traded knockouts, leaving Dragonite and Garchomp as the final Pokémon.
• Cynthia's Garchomp blocked Dragonite's Extreme Speed with Protect and damaged it with Earthquake before their Dragon Rush and Outrage collision.
• Lance and Cynthia both used Dragonium Z to unleash Devastating Drake, and Garchomp remained standing after Dragonite fainted.
• The referee declared Cynthia the winner, and Red and Blue watched the celebration before returning to training.

Cynthia won the Master League championship and returned to Sinnoh, where Li Wei and their family celebrated her victory. After discussing Arceus, Cynthia proposed traveling with Li Wei for about seven days after his Lily of the Valley Conference, and he agreed.

• Cynthia defeated Lance in the Master League final and accepted the championship trophy from Leon.
• Cynthia flew back to Sinnoh, where Li Wei met her and congratulated her in person.
• Li Wei and Cynthia discussed next year's Master League and his upcoming Lily of the Valley Conference.
• Li Wei's family and friends surprised Cynthia with a celebration and banquet.
• Cynthia watched Li Wei's footage of the battle with Arceus and agreed to visit Michina with him when Arceus returned.
• Cynthia proposed that she and Li Wei travel for about seven days after the Lily of the Valley Conference, and Li Wei agreed.

On the eve of the Lily of the Valley Conference, Li Wei became the overwhelming favorite while Ash and the other contestants prepared for the competition. Ash planned to challenge Shinji with his Sinnoh Pokémon and had a secret weapon in mind, while Li Wei gathered his team and declared their goal was the championship.

• The Sinnoh League released the contestants’ information, and fans and competitors reacted to Li Wei entering despite having no tournament record.
• Ash, Dawn, Brock, Barry, Nando, and Kōhei met on Lily of the Valley Island, where Ash declared he would win the Conference.
• Ash planned to use his Sinnoh Pokémon against Shinji and bring back older heavy hitters for other important matches, including his reunited Pidgeot.
• Ash realized he lacked contact information for his secret weapon and asked Steven for help through the group chat, while Shinji told Reggie he would give the competition everything he had.
• Cynthia, Flint, Lucian, and Aaron prepared for the Conference, with Cynthia set to commentate and deter troublemakers.
• Li Wei assembled Zeraora, Lucario, Diancie, Metagross, Sirfetch’d, Haxorus, Dragonair, and his other competitors, declaring that their goal was the championship.

Li Wei arrived on Lily of the Valley Island for the Sinnoh League, where he planned to save his strongest team for the later rounds and had invited Darkrai to face Tobias's Darkrai. He reached Cynthia's villa near the stadium and began arranging dinner with her.

• Tobias reflected on entering the Lily of the Valley Conference to earn money for cards and looked forward to a possible battle between his Darkrai and Li Wei's Darkrai.
• Li Wei flew to Lily of the Valley Island on Corviknight and considered how his family and uncle had declined to attend the conference.
• Li Wei reviewed the tournament format, noting that he would start in the round of sixty-four and that full-team battles began in the quarterfinals.
• Li Wei had invited Darkrai to join him after the quarterfinals so it could face Tobias's Darkrai without disturbing the competitors' sleep.
• Li Wei rode Arcanine to Cynthia's villa, where Roserade was tending the garden, and messaged Cynthia that he had arrived and asked what she wanted for dinner.

Li Wei arrived at Cynthia’s villa on Lily of the Valley Island and went into town with Lucario, Sirfetch’d, Diancie, and Meloetta to buy ingredients. Along the way, he met Bertha and saw the town bustling with excitement for the Lily of the Valley Conference.

• Li Wei let his Pokémon out at Cynthia’s villa, and several chose to stay and play while Lucario, Sirfetch’d, Diancie, and Meloetta joined him.
• Li Wei met Bertha, who praised his bond with Pokémon and offered him her Elite Four position, but he declined because of his Theme Park plans and the upcoming Master League.
• Bertha directed Li Wei to Lily of the Valley Tower for groceries, then decided she would visit his Theme Park and try his cooking with her family.
• Li Wei walked into town and saw decorations, Trainers, plaza battles, and footage of Cynthia winning the Master League.
• People in town called out to Li Wei as he arrived.

Li Wei spent the day with Ash and his friends before the Lily of the Valley Conference began, sharing dinner with them and Cynthia. Ash and the other Trainers attended the opening ceremony, where the Sinnoh League declared the conference open.

• Li Wei met Ash, Dawn, and Brock in town, invited them to dinner, and shopped for ingredients with them.
• Dawn decided to stay in the Athletes' Village to support Ash and Li Wei, while Ash planned to use Pokémon he had left with Professor Oak.
• Li Wei, Cynthia, Ash, Dawn, and Brock shared dinner as they discussed the conference and Ash's preparations.
• Brock reminded Ash about the opening ceremony, and Li Wei sent Ash and his friends to the venue with Corviknight and Arcanine.
• The sacred flame was lit at the Lily of the Valley Conference opening ceremony, and Ash vowed he would not lose this time.

The Lily of the Valley Conference preliminaries ended with Ash, Li Wei, and the other expected contestants advancing, and the round-of-64 matchups were announced. Ash prepared to face Nando while Li Wei drew Yuna, and the chapter left Ash deciding which Pokémon to use as the Knockout Round began.

• Ash swept his preliminary opponents with Pikachu, while Tobias defeated his opponent in two moves with Darkrai.
• President Samaranch and Cynthia watched Tobias, as the chapter noted Mayor Luca's election and the upcoming presidential handover.
• Ash, Shinji, Nando, and the other expected contestants advanced, and Ash drew Nando while Li Wei drew Yuna for the round of 64.
• Brock and Dawn explained that Yuna had qualified using a Beacon Badge he picked up while Volkner was neglecting the Sunyshore Gym.
• Cynthia, Brock, and Dawn discussed the contrast between Ash and Shinji, while Li Wei received no encouragement from the Chat Group.
• Ash reviewed his rotated team at the Athletes' Village and agonized over his lineup as the Knockout Round began.

Li Wei faced Yuna in the Lily of the Valley Conference Knockout Round and overwhelmed his opponent’s Luxray with Zweilous. He sent out Dragonair against Yuna’s Marowak, whose Bonemerang was blocked by Dragonair’s unusual Dragon Dance, leaving the battle ongoing.

• Barry advanced to the top thirty-two after his Empoleon defeated Nosepass.
• Li Wei sent out Zweilous against Yuna’s Luxray, and Zweilous’s paired Zen Headbutts and Crunch knocked Luxray out despite being paralyzed.
• Li Wei recalled Zweilous and sent out Dragonair to face Yuna’s Marowak.
• Dragonair spun with its tail in its mouth to perform Dragon Dance, creating a twister that blocked Marowak’s Bonemerang and boosted Dragonair’s Attack and Speed.
• Li Wei ordered Dragonair to use Extreme Speed.

Li Wei defeated Yuna to advance to the Lily of the Valley Conference’s top 32, while Ash beat Nando after a hard-fought battle. The first day of matches ended with the known competitors advancing, and Li Wei learned that his next opponent was another unfamiliar contestant.

• Li Wei used Dragonair to defeat Yuna’s final Pokémon, Torterra, and advanced with two Pokémon still able to battle.
• Tobias swept his opponent’s team using only Darkrai.
• Ash’s Staraptor knocked out Nando’s Roserade but was then defeated by Armaldo, which Ash later beat with Quilava’s Eruption.
• Ash chose Heracross for the final match, and it defeated Kricketune after using Sleep Talk to counter Sing.
• The first day of matches ended, and Li Wei’s next opponent was a competitor he had never heard of.

Li Wei advanced to the final sixteen at the Lily of the Valley Conference while Cynthia visited Team Rocket’s ice cream stall. Ash struggled against Kōhei’s Trick Room strategy, but Gabite evolved into Garchomp and helped Ash break the field and turn the battle around.

• Li Wei defeated his second-round opponent with Dragonair, Zweilous, and Shiny Haxorus, while Ash, Shinji, Barry, and Tobias also advanced.
• Cynthia found Team Rocket’s stall and bought Moomoo Milk and strawberry ice cream after James recommended it.
• Blue and Yellow traveled to Sinnoh, while Lorelei returned to the Sevii Islands and remembered their planned December gathering at the Theme Park.
• Li Wei won his third-round match with Sirfetch'd, Haxorus, and Dragonair, each defeating an opponent without taking damage.
• Kōhei used Trick Room and a carefully chosen team to put Ash at a disadvantage, but Gabite evolved into Garchomp during the battle.
• Ash had Garchomp smash through Trick Room with Dragon Rush, then ordered another Dragon Rush to stop Kōhei from setting it up again.

Li Wei and Tobias advanced to the semifinals, and Ash prepared to face Shinji in a battle that could send him to the final four. As Ash and Shinji entered the field, Li Wei learned that President Samaranch had secretly visited his Theme Park in disguise.

• Ash told Li Wei he would make it to the finals for a match, and Li Wei agreed.
• Li Wei defeated his opponent with Shaymin, Diancie, and Meloetta, while Tobias won his match using only Darkrai.
• Ash and Shinji's quarterfinal match was scheduled for the afternoon, setting up a rematch after Shinji's earlier victory over Ash.
• President Samaranch revealed that he had disguised himself to visit Li Wei's Theme Park when it opened.
• Ash and Shinji entered the field, and Cynthia said their meeting in the quarterfinals had been fate.

Ash and Shinji began their six-on-six quarterfinal match at the Lily of the Valley Conference, testing their opposing beliefs about Pokémon bonds and training. Ash’s Infernape gained an advantage over Shinji’s Aggron when Flare Blitz burned it.

• Before the match, Dawn told Shinji that Li Wei also valued emotions, and Shinji said he would beat Ash and face Li Wei in the final.
• Ash opened with Pikachu against Shinji’s Aggron, whose Metal Sound weakened Pikachu and whose Flash Cannon stopped Volt Tackle.
• Ash recalled Pikachu and sent out Infernape, drawing cheers from Meowth, James, and Jessie.
• Aggron’s Double-Edge and Infernape’s Flare Blitz collided, forcing both Pokémon back and hurting Infernape with recoil.
• Flare Blitz burned Aggron, which dropped to one knee in pain.

Ash and Shinji’s Lily of the Valley Conference match began with Ash countering Shinji’s tactics and taking the lead. Torterra battled Gastrodon with a new strategy, but the chapter ended as Torterra swallowed its own Energy Ball.

• Ash’s Infernape defeated Shinji’s burned Aggron with Mach Punch, giving Ash the first win of the match.
• Shinji sent out East Sea Gastrodon, and Ash recalled Infernape before choosing Torterra for its type advantage.
• Gastrodon used rotating Muddy Water as a Counterattack Shield, but Ash ordered Torterra to break it with Earthquake.
• Torterra and Gastrodon traded Energy Ball and Ice Beam attacks while Ash kept Torterra at range instead of sending it in close.
• Ash ordered another Energy Ball, and Torterra swallowed the move as the commentator reacted in surprise.

Ash won his first two battles against Shinji, with Torterra defeating Gastrodon before Ash sent out Buizel against Drapion. Drapion trapped Buizel in its pincers, leaving Ash struggling to rescue it.

• Torterra swallowed its own Energy Ball and defeated Gastrodon with a full-power Frenzy Plant.
• Li Wei and Cynthia discussed Ash and Torterra's improvement while Dawn, Brock, and Blue watched Ash's momentum build.
• Ash recalled Torterra and sent out Buizel to face Shinji's Drapion.
• Buizel blocked Drapion's Pin Missile with a Water Gun Counterattack Shield, but Drapion broke through it with Earthquake.
• Buizel dodged Drapion's X-Scissor with Sonic Boom and attacked with Aqua Jet, but Drapion caught Buizel's neck in its tail pincers.
• Shinji ordered Drapion to grab Buizel's tail, leaving Buizel pinned and Ash unable to recall it.