Recaps

Dawn visited Professor Rowan to discuss her planned journey to Hoenn and whether to bring her other Pokémon, but he told her to decide with them. Meanwhile, Li Wei and Cynthia returned to Jubilife City, moved into their renovated home, and Cynthia suggested holding their future wedding there.

• Dawn trained with Cyndaquil, then chose Hoenn as her next destination while remaining unsure which Pokémon to bring.
• Dawn visited Professor Rowan, who encouraged her to consider her Pokémon’s wishes before deciding whom to take.
• Li Wei and Cynthia returned to Jubilife City after spending half a month in Celestic Town and moved into their newly renovated home.
• Cynthia approved the spacious new suite and suggested that they hold their wedding at the house.

Li Wei registered for the Master League with Darkrai joining his team, while Dawn decided which Pokémon to take on her Hoenn journey. Li Wei then traveled to the Gracidea Flower Field with Meloetta to use the Eon Flute and seek Latias and Latios.

• Li Wei advised Dawn to travel with Cyndaquil, Dragonite, and Galarian Rapidash, and she booked a flight to Petalburg City for March 1.
• Darkrai asked to compete in the Master League as one of Li Wei's Pokémon, and Li Wei agreed.
• Li Wei registered for the Master League using an invitation from Cynthia, with the points stage scheduled to begin February 15.
• Li Wei invited Darkrai to help him catch Latias and Latios and chose the Gracidea Flower Field in Floaroma Town as their destination.
• Li Wei arrived at the flower field with Meloetta and his Pokémon, then told Meloetta they could begin.

Li Wei summoned Latias and Latios with the Eon Flute and asked them to battle him so he could prove himself as a Trainer. They accepted, and the chapter left off with Darkrai putting Latios to sleep with Dark Void while Latias’s Psychic attack failed against Darkrai.

• Meloetta played the Eon Flute over Floaroma Town’s Gracidea Flower Field, drawing Latias and Latios to Li Wei.
• Li Wei asked Latias and Latios to battle him so he could prove he was worthy of traveling alongside them, and they accepted.
• Li Wei chose Darkrai to face Latias and Latios together, and Pokédex Rotom refereed the match.
• Li Wei had Darkrai target Latios with Dark Void, which engulfed him and sent him to sleep in a nightmare.
• Latias attacked Darkrai with psychic waves, but the Psychic-type move had no effect.

Li Wei battled Latios and Latias with Darkrai to earn their approval and prove he could catch them. After Darkrai defeated Latios and overcame their combined attack, the siblings accepted Li Wei and allowed him to capture them in Luxury Balls.

• Li Wei summoned Latios and Latias with Meloetta’s Eon Flute, and they agreed to battle him.
• Darkrai put Latios and Latias to sleep with Dark Void and drained their stamina while defeating their attacks.
• Latios and Latias combined Draco Meteor and Luster Purge, but Darkrai contained the attack with Dark Void and knocked Latios out with Shadow Claw.
• Latias and Latios agreed to join Li Wei after Latios regained consciousness and the siblings acknowledged their defeat.
• Li Wei captured Latios and Latias in two Luxury Balls and welcomed them to his team.

After catching Latias and Latios, Li Wei introduced them to his Pokémon and explained his powers and life as a Trainer. The twins accepted him and set off with the others for his home in Jubilife City, where he promised they could fly freely outside their Poké Balls.

• Li Wei introduced Latias and Latios to his Pokémon, who welcomed the new arrivals.
• Li Wei clarified that Darkrai was not his Pokémon, and Latios said the bond between Li Wei and Darkrai mattered more than ownership.
• Latios asked about Li Wei's power, and Li Wei revealed Arceus's Power of Overcoming and his aura; the twins explained that those qualities had helped them trust him.
• Li Wei told Latias and Latios about his home and promised not to use their Poké Balls unless necessary, which delighted Latias.
• Li Wei rode Metagross toward home while Latios and Latias carried the other Pokémon, and he suggested Lucario and Zeraora could ride them in battle.

Li Wei brought Latios and Latias to the Jubilife City Pokémon Theme Park, where their arrival drew a crowd. After explaining that they had joined him through a chance encounter and battle, he began showing them around the park.

• Latios and Latias flew into the park with Zeraora, Lucario, and Diancie, while Li Wei and Metagross arrived behind them.
• Li Wei introduced the Dragapult mother and child as his partners and reassured Latias and Latios before they landed.
• Dayou asked if Li Wei had caught Latios and Latias, and Li Wei confirmed it, saying Professor Rowan's Eon Flute had brought them to him.
• Visitors surrounded Li Wei for details, so he said Latios and Latias needed time to adjust and that they would compete in the Master League.
• The news spread across Sinnoh as Latias and Latios admired the park, and Li Wei led them away to show them around.

Li Wei welcomed Latios and Latias to his home and planned a nighttime tour of the Pokémon Theme Park. After the news of his new Pokémon spread, he offered to lend the Eon Flute to anyone hoping to find one of the Eon Pokémon, then set off with the siblings to show them around.

• Li Wei introduced Latios and Latias to his Pokémon and family, and Mizuki and the others took turns petting them.
• Li Wei explained that the crowded place they had visited was the Pokémon Theme Park and told Latios and Latias they could rest in the courtyard with Metagross and Arcanine.
• News of Li Wei catching Latios and Latias spread online, prompting Akin, Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Steven, Lorelei, and Lance to discuss it in the Chat Group.
• Li Wei told the group that he had used the Eon Flute Professor Rowan gave him and offered to lend it to anyone who wanted to find Latias or Latios.
• Li Wei began a lakeside tour of the Theme Park with Latios, Latias, Diancie, Shaymin, and Meloetta.

Dawn visited Li Wei at the Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park and got to ride Latias, discovering how smooth and quiet her flight was. After Latias brought her back safely, Li Wei asked Dawn to help prepare food for Latias and Latios based on their Berry preferences.

• Dawn arrived at the park and met Li Wei, Latias, and Latios, while Latios used psychic power to stop her and Piplup from falling.
• Dawn introduced herself and Piplup to the two Pokémon, then asked Li Wei if she could ride Latias.
• Latias agreed to carry Dawn and Piplup, and the pair took them on a smooth flight above Jubilife City and the park.
• Latios joined Latias in the sky while Dawn enjoyed the flight and compared it with riding Dragonite or Corviknight.
• Latias returned Dawn and Piplup safely after half an hour, and Li Wei asked Dawn to help make food for Latias and Latios.

Li Wei tested Dawn’s Poffin-making skills in his Workshop, where she made Rich Poffins that Latias, Latios, and Piplup enjoyed. Li Wei’s Super Rich Poffins soon stole their attention, and he left Dawn with another Berry-identification challenge.

• Li Wei asked Dawn to choose Berries suited to Latias’s and Latios’s flavor preferences, then let her lead the Poffin-making session.
• Dawn made Rich Poffins with Li Wei’s guidance, while Li Wei prepared a batch of Super Rich Poffins.
• Latias and Latios tried Dawn’s Poffins and enjoyed them, and Li Wei praised her skills after Piplup joined them.
• Li Wei brought out his Super Rich Poffins, and Latias, Latios, and Piplup immediately abandoned Dawn’s Poffins to beg for his.
• Li Wei told Dawn she had passed his test, then asked her to identify the Berries in one of his Poffins; she named Salac, Tamato, Spelon, and Micle Berries.
• Li Wei accepted that Dawn had peeked while he was cooking and began to give her another question.

Li Wei helped Latias and Latios settle into the Theme Park and planned to study their Mega Evolution with Professor Sycamore before using it in the Master League. On the final day of registration, he checked the Chat Group and saw that other competitors had already signed up.

• Li Wei explained to Dawn that good Poffins could balance flavors, and Latias and Latios enjoyed the treats she made.
• Cynthia asked Li Wei about catching Latias and Latios, and he explained that the Eon Flute summoned them but could not control them.
• Lucario led a Pokémon meeting in Falling Star Valley, where the group battled Latias and Latios to help them settle in.
• Li Wei planned to visit Professor Sycamore to document Latias and Latios's Mega Evolutions and hoped to obtain a Lucarionite for Cynthia.
• On February 7, the Master League's final registration day, Li Wei saw Red, Blue, and Akin report that they had registered.

Red and Blue’s late registration for the Master League sparked worldwide excitement, overshadowing even Li Wei’s already-announced entry. Trainers and fans anticipated a showdown among the legends and new contenders, while Lance and Leon welcomed the challenge.

• Red, Blue, and Akin had registered for the Master League before the deadline, while Li Wei’s participation had already been publicized.
• Li Wei’s record and lineup drew attention as commentators described him as a powerful representative of Sinnoh’s rising generation.
• The Master League published Red and Blue’s names, prompting intense discussion and making Red’s return a worldwide sensation.
• Fans speculated that Red could face Leon, Cynthia, or Li Wei, while Blue’s entry was viewed as an attempt to reclaim his former glory.
• Lance said Red and Blue had decided to enter after competing at the Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park and looked forward to facing them.
• Leon said he was excited and eager to battle Red and Blue.

Li Wei and his friends anticipated the upcoming Master League, while the organizers prepared for the unprecedented attention brought by Li Wei, Red, and Blue. Li Wei learned that Jubilife Stadium would be his home venue, and his team trained for his opening match as he reviewed the three-Pokémon selection rules.

• Over lunch, Li Wei said he was excited by the prospect of facing Red and hoped they would meet in the finals, and Dayou proposed that everyone go watch the knockout matches together.
• Leon decided that the group would close the Theme Park during the tournament so they could visit Galar and cheer Li Wei on.
• The organizers worked with Champions and Elite Four members to schedule the points stage around competitors' commitments as Red and Blue sought quiet at Mt. Silver.
• Li Wei learned that Jubilife Stadium would be his home stadium, with the points stage set to begin on February 15 and his opening match expected on the first day.
• Lucario, Zeraora, Metagross, and the others trained while Li Wei studied the rule requiring each Trainer to choose three Pokémon from their registered six within two minutes of seeing the opponent's lineup.

Li Wei began his first Master League match at Jubilife Sky Arena against Flint, the Fire-type Elite Four member. After the trainers greeted each other, the referee gave them two minutes to choose three Pokémon, and the chapter ended before their selections were revealed.

• Akin complained in the chat group that everyone was paying attention to Li Wei and the others, so Blue muted him.
• The Master League announced Li Wei's schedule of seven matches, and he chose his opening opponent's single-type specialty as the basis for his team selection.
• On February 15, Cynthia won her opening match three to zero while Li Wei prepared for his match in Jubilife City.
• Li Wei arrived at Jubilife Sky Arena, where he and Flint were introduced to the cheering crowd and shook hands.
• The referee ordered Li Wei and Flint to select three Pokémon from their registered teams within two minutes.

Li Wei and Flint began their Master League match, with Li Wei choosing Milotic, Diancie, and Latios against Flint’s all-Fire roster. Diancie defeated Flint’s Ninetales, but Flint sent out Houndoom and both trainers Mega Evolved their Pokémon as Houndoom prepared to attack.

• Li Wei selected Milotic, Diancie, and Latios, while Flint chose an all-Fire roster and appeared confident in his strategy.
• Li Wei led with Diancie, and Flint opened with Ninetales, whose Drought intensified the sunlight.
• Diancie set Stealth Rock, protected itself from Ninetales’s attacks, and defeated Ninetales with Diamond Storm.
• Flint sent out Houndoom, which took damage from Stealth Rock, then Mega Evolved under the harsh sunlight.
• Li Wei Mega Evolved Diancie as Flint ordered Mega Houndoom to use Flamethrower.

Li Wei defeated Flint 3-0 in the opening Master League match, with Latios beating Flint’s final Pokémon, Infernape. After the victory established Li Wei as a serious championship contender, he took his Pokémon to the Jubilife City Pokémon Center for treatment.

• Li Wei used Mega Diancie and Milotic to defeat Flint’s Mega Houndoom, then sent out Latios against Infernape.
• Latios and Infernape traded attacks before Latios’s Zen Headbutt defeated Infernape, giving Li Wei a 3-0 shutout.
• Flint congratulated Li Wei and accepted the loss, while spectators and other competitors recognized Li Wei’s strength.
• Li Wei met his family and friends, then went backstage to collect his Pokémon and take them to the Pokémon Center.
• Li Wei watched other Master League matches while his Pokémon received care, and the opening day ended at 9:30 p.m.

After sweeping Flint, Li Wei discussed the victory with fellow Trainers and returned to training his Pokémon for the Master League. He promised his Pokémon they would all have opportunities to battle and began working on team coordination, especially between Latias and Latios.

• Red, Blue, and Li Wei won their opening matches without losing a Pokémon, while Red told reporters that his goal was to become Champion.
• Viewers debated Li Wei's clean sweep of Flint, attributing it partly to type advantage and Li Wei's ability to predict Flint's team.
• Li Wei chatted with Akin, Lt. Surge, Lorelei, and Red about the tournament and the excitement of battling before a cheering crowd.
• Li Wei took Lucario and his other Pokémon to train, reflecting on the Master League side quest and the Battle Tower planned for the Theme Park.
• Li Wei assured his Pokémon that they would all get chances to compete, then began targeted training focused on coordination between Latias and Latios.

Li Wei asked Giratina to teach Dragapult Shadow Force after the move’s difficulty left Dragapult discouraged. In the Distortion World, Dragapult endured weeks of training and finally learned to use Shadow Force.

• During training at Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park, Li Wei practiced Double Battles with Latios and Latias while Dragapult trained at high speed and successfully learned Shadow Force.
• After returning to Celestic Town for the League holiday, Li Wei noticed Dragapult was eating little because it felt discouraged by its lack of progress with Shadow Force.
• Li Wei contacted Giratina through his mirror and asked it to teach Dragapult, and Giratina agreed to take Dragapult into the Distortion World.
• Dragapult struggled to adapt to the Distortion World before Giratina taught it to sense spatial gaps and attack through the shadows.
• As their training neared the half-month mark, Dragapult vanished from Giratina’s perception and struck from behind using Shadow Force, earning Giratina’s approval.

Dragapult returned from training with Giratina as an Early Champion Tier Pokémon, having learned Shadow Force and Spacial Rend. By February 16, Li Wei was keeping his Pokémon’s new signature moves secret for the Master League, while Akin won one match and then suffered a crushing defeat.

• Dragapult returned from the Distortion World after a month of training with Giratina and reached Early Champion Tier.
• Li Wei thanked Giratina, who said she was happy to have trained Dragapult and agreed to more visits.
• By February 16, Lucario had learned Roar of Time, and Li Wei planned to save it and Dragapult’s signature moves as surprises for the Master League Knockout Round.
• The Master League had grown to more than three hundred entrants, and its packed schedule featured matches nearly every day.
• Akin won a match with Togekiss, Typhlosion, and Ambipom, then bragged about it in the group chat.
• After Blue challenged him to reach the Knockout Round, Akin lost his next match by a crushing margin.

Li Wei’s dominance in the Master League continued as he prepared to expand Jubilife’s Theme Park with a hot spring Wellness Center and a Pokémon League Battle Tower. Construction began, while Lorelei settled back into the park and contemplated retirement in an increasingly safe Kanto Region.

• Li Wei won his four home matches 3-0, including a battle in which Lucario defeated Sasuke’s Cobalion without Mega Evolution, while Akin’s record fell to two wins and two losses.
• Tobias joined the Master League after Lucian proposed inviting him, giving the semifinalist another chance to face Li Wei and other top competitors.
• Team Rainbow Rocket’s Pokémon arrived to build the Wellness Center and underground infrastructure according to NBJ Architect’s plans, while the Pokémon League took responsibility for the Battle Tower.
• President Luca arranged for the Battle Tower to become Li Wei’s facility, giving him a potential title despite his lack of interest in becoming Sinnoh Champion.
• Team Rainbow Rocket’s Pokémon began construction as visitors welcomed the planned Wellness Center and Aerial Cable Car, and Lorelei returned to the Theme Park hotel while considering retirement.

Ash, Brock, and Pikachu arrived in Unova and were caught in a storm caused by the legendary Pokémon Zekrom. Pikachu survived by absorbing and releasing the lightning, while Zekrom disappeared and left Ash wondering what Pokémon he had seen.

• Ash and Brock began their Unova journey with Professor Oak and Delia, while Iris and Axew also traveled toward the region.
• Pikachu sensed a Legendary Pokémon as a dark vortex and blue lightning formed over Castelia Airport.
• Pikachu absorbed the lightning to protect Ash, then unleashed Thunderbolt into the clouds, revealing Zekrom above the airport.
• Zekrom focused on Ash and Pikachu, then vanished in a burst of blue lightning as the storm cleared and left a crater on the runway.
• Pikachu briefly passed out from absorbing too much electricity but recovered, and Ash told Professor Oak that he had seen a black winged Pokémon in the clouds.

After Ash and Brock encountered a powerful Pokémon in a thundercloud over Castelia Airport, Li Wei identified it as Zekrom and warned Ash that Pikachu was suffering from an electrical overload. Professor Juniper took the group to her laboratory in Nuvema Town to examine Pikachu, while she wondered whether Zekrom had appeared because of Ash.

• Ash told Delia and Professor Oak about the black Pokémon in the thundercloud, and they met Professor Juniper at the airport.
• Pikachu continued to leak electricity, so Professor Juniper planned to examine him at her laboratory.
• After hearing Ash's account, Li Wei identified the Pokémon as Zekrom and advised Ash to let Pikachu rest and get checked.
• Ash relayed Li Wei's warning to Professor Oak and Professor Juniper, who recognized Li Wei's expertise and discussed why Zekrom might have appeared.
• Professor Juniper wondered whether Zekrom's appearance was connected to Ash, then brought the group to Nuvema Town.

At Professor Juniper’s laboratory, Pikachu’s tests showed that an electrical overload had left it unable to use Electric-type moves, so Professor Oak proposed using Zeraora to help release the stored energy. Before they could contact Li Wei, Zekrom’s thunderclouds gathered over the laboratory and a blue Fusion Bolt struck its lightning rod, leaving everyone wondering why Zekrom had appeared again.

• Professor Juniper examined Pikachu while the Chat Group discussed why Zekrom had appeared, and Li Wei said the intersecting blue lightning meant Zekrom was angry.
• Trip arrived to receive his first Pokémon, recognized Ash from the Lily of the Valley Conference, chose Snivy, and postponed a battle because Pikachu could not fight.
• Professor Juniper found Pikachu’s readings normal despite its inability to use Electric-type moves, and Professor Oak explained that an electrical overload had caused the problem.
• Professor Oak suggested that Zeraora could guide Pikachu into releasing its excess electricity, but dark clouds gathered over the laboratory before they could act.
• Zekrom’s blue Fusion Bolt struck the laboratory’s lightning rod and cut the power, prompting Professor Juniper to wonder why Zekrom had appeared in Laverre Town after Castelia City.

Zekrom returned to Professor Juniper’s lab and used Fusion Bolt to calm the overloaded electricity inside Pikachu, restoring it to full strength. Ash and Pikachu celebrated, while Li Wei and the others believed Zekrom had come to help; Ash resolved to make more friends in Unova.

• Zekrom appeared over Professor Juniper’s lab as Pikachu’s electricity surged out of control.
• Ash held Pikachu as Zekrom’s lightning struck the lab’s lightning rod and calmed Pikachu’s electrical energy.
• Pikachu recovered, and Ash tested its strength by having it use Thunderbolt and Wild Charge on him.
• Professor Oak suggested that Li Wei investigate Zekrom’s appearance, and Li Wei proposed that it had come to help Pikachu.
• Ash told Pikachu that Zekrom had helped it and said he would find more friends in Unova.

Ash and Brock began their journey through Unova while Cynthia received Alder’s invitation for an exhibition match at the Pokémon World Championships Junior Cup. Li Wei agreed to go and wondered whether Dawn and Korrina should enter the competition.

• The Chat Group speculated that Zekrom had appeared to help Pikachu and had acknowledged Ash as the Dragon of Ideals.
• Ash and Brock left Laverre Town after Professor Juniper updated Ash’s Pokédex and gave him five starter Poké Balls.
• Alder invited Cynthia and Li Wei to Lacunosa Town for the Junior Cup, and Cynthia agreed to pass the invitation along.
• Li Wei cleaned the villa on Misty Mountain and planned to preserve and renovate it with Dragapult’s agreement.
• Cynthia told Li Wei about Alder’s invitation, and Li Wei said he wanted to go but wondered whether Dawn and Korrina should enter.

Li Wei accepted Alder’s invitation to attend the World Championships Junior Cup in Lacunosa Town and invited Dawn and Korrina to compete. The group also learned that Ash’s new companion Iris was a promising young Dragon Trainer destined to become Unova’s Champion.

• Cynthia told Li Wei that Alder had invited them to the World Championships Junior Cup, and Li Wei accepted.
• Li Wei invited Dawn and Korrina to enter the Junior Cup, and both agreed despite Korrina’s ongoing Master League competition.
• Ash told the Chat Group that he and Brock had met Iris, and Lance explained that Drayden had chosen her as his successor.
• Li Wei said Iris would become Unova’s Champion, and the Chat Group believed his claim that he could see the future.