Recaps

Hoopa brought Reshiram and Zekrom to the battlefield, where Ash and Cynthia rode them into battle, while Lugia arrived to aid Blue. Li Wei and the allied Legendary Pokémon continued fighting the otherworldly forces, and the chapter ended with Lugia charging Shiny Regigigas.

• Hoopa summoned Reshiram and Zekrom, and Ash and Cynthia mounted the dragons to join the battle.
• Lugia emerged from Hoopa’s third ring, calmed the chaotic currents, and agreed to fight alongside Blue.
• Ash, Cynthia, Blue, Li Wei, and their Pokémon coordinated attacks against the otherworldly Legendary Pokémon as the tide of battle began to turn.
• Li Wei told Cynthia to join Ash while he stayed with Darkrai, Garchomp, and Giratina.
• Steven joined Black Rayquaza in the sky, while Giratina fought Shiny Regigigas at close range.
• Blue ordered Lugia to use Dragon Rush, and Lugia charged into Shiny Regigigas.

Li Wei coordinated the defenders through Lucario’s Aura as their Pokémon fought the Otherworld Legendary Pokémon. Giratina defeated Shiny Regigigas and joined the aerial battle, while Latios and Latias were enveloped by Meloetta’s Eon Flute as Black Kyurem prepared Glaciate.

• Li Wei and Mega Lucario used Aura to coordinate the defenders’ attacks and warn them of incoming moves.
• Giratina struck Shiny Regigigas with Shadow Force while it was immobilized, causing the first Legendary Pokémon to lose the ability to battle.
• Giratina joined Black Mega Rayquaza and Steven’s Metagross against Origin Forme Dialga and Palkia, helping break Palkia’s barrier and knock Dialga from the sky.
• Zekrom and Reshiram battered Black Kyurem, but Cynthia recognized that it was gathering energy for Glaciate.
• Li Wei ordered Latios and Latias to join Meloetta, which played the Eon Flute and enveloped them in its music.

Li Wei, Cynthia, and Ash worked together to defeat Kyurem, while Red and Pikachu battled Shadow Hoopa. Red’s Gigavolt Havoc shattered Hoopa’s ring defense and sent it falling from the sky.

• Li Wei used the Eon Flute to Mega Evolve Latios and Latias, whose attacks weakened Kyurem and restricted its movement.
• Cynthia, Reshiram, Latios, Latias, Garchomp, and Ash’s Pikachu combined their attacks to render Kyurem unable to battle.
• Red and Pikachu attacked Shadow Hoopa, but Hoopa used its rings to redirect Thunderbolt toward Mega Charizard X.
• Yellow boosted Charizard and Pikachu with the Viridian Force, and Pikachu disrupted Hoopa’s ring so Charizard’s Flare Blitz could hit it.
• Red and Pikachu unleashed Gigavolt Havoc, breaking through Hoopa’s stacked rings and sending the charred Shadow Hoopa plummeting from the sky.

Red and Pikachu defeated Shadow Hoopa, restoring Hoopa Unbound and allowing it to send the visiting Legendary Pokémon back to their worlds. When Hoopa could not pass through its own rings, Li Wei explained that it still needed to understand Arceus’s punishment, and Hoopa began to grasp its place in the family around it.

• Red and Pikachu defeated Shadow Hoopa with Gigavolt Havoc and World-Cleansing Thunder, restoring Hoopa’s full power and true form.
• Hoopa sent the visiting Legendary Pokémon back to their respective worlds, while Giratina returned to the Distortion World and Rayquaza flew through a golden ring.
• Hoopa tried repeatedly to travel through its own rings but was bounced back, leaving it confused and hurt.
• Li Wei told Hoopa that regaining its power was not enough and asked whether it understood what punishment meant.
• Hoopa remembered Ghris telling it that it had become part of his family, and it began to understand as it looked at its friends.

Hoopa understood that its restriction was meant to teach it responsibility and protect it from its own power, allowing Arceus to lift the restraint. The real Arceus then departed, and Li Wei explained that the Arceus they had encountered in Michina was only an avatar.

• Cynthia said punishment restrained the heart that wielded power, and Ash encouraged Hoopa by pointing out how it had used its power to help others.
• Hoopa realized its heart had to be stronger than its power and resolved to use that power to protect everyone.
• The real Arceus descended and explained that it had restricted Hoopa to protect Hoopa and the world, teaching that power was a responsibility rather than a plaything.
• Hoopa accepted the lesson, and the invisible lock on its power dissolved as Arceus lifted the restriction.
• Arceus departed after nodding to Li Wei, who confirmed it had been the real Arceus.
• Li Wei explained that Arceus observed multiple parallel worlds and that the Arceus they had met in Michina was an avatar.

Li Wei explained the immense power of Arceus's true body after helping resolve the Hoopa crisis. He and the others returned to Dahara City, then traveled to the Valley of Creation to help seal the Prison Bottle.

• Li Wei said Arceus had reached the multiverse level and described how Black Rayquaza had repeatedly challenged its true body without injuring it.
• Hoopa brought everyone back to the Pokémon Center in Dahara City, where the arrival of six renowned Trainers alarmed the residents.
• Nurse Joy treated everyone's Pokémon, and Sheena and Robin left while Barza and Meray invited the group to the Valley of Creation.
• Red, Blue, Yellow, and Lance chose to return to the Kanto Region, while Li Wei, Cynthia, Ash, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and Steven accepted the invitation.
• Hoopa transported the group to the peaceful Valley of Creation, where they prepared to help Barza and Meray seal the Prison Bottle.

Li Wei, Cynthia, and their group arrived in the Valley of Creation and explored the village, where the residents welcomed them because Hoopa had accepted them. Li Wei offered to cook for Hoopa, hoping to build a bond while letting Hoopa stay with its family in the valley.

• The group arrived in the Valley of Creation and admired the Golden Wheel of Creation statue as Meray explained its origins.
• The residents recognized Li Wei, Cynthia, and their Pokémon, and Barza held back from announcing that Hoopa had regained all its abilities at Li Wei's request.
• Meray showed the group the village's buildings and murals, and Bonnie asked to paint a picture of herself with Hoopa.
• Li Wei offered to make dinner for Hoopa, who eagerly celebrated the promise of food.
• Li Wei planned to let Hoopa visit the Theme Park while remaining with its family in the Valley of Creation, and Serena and Bonnie volunteered to help cook.

After returning home with Hoopa, Li Wei invited it, Barza, and Meray to visit and welcomed them at breakfast the next morning. Hoopa explored the Theme Park under Li Wei’s warning to use its powers carefully, and Li Wei promised to introduce it to a new friend later.

• Hoopa opened a ring to Li Wei’s home, and Li Wei invited Hoopa, Barza, and Meray to visit again.
• Hoopa poked through a ring the next night, and Li Wei promised to give it doughnuts the next day.
• Hoopa startled Leon at breakfast by appearing through a golden ring, and Li Wei explained its ability to travel through space.
• Hoopa ate noodles with Li Wei’s friends, who learned it was a Mythical Pokémon like Victini and Diancie.
• Li Wei told Hoopa to be careful with its powers at the Theme Park and promised to introduce it to a new friend.

After receiving the Mind Plate, Li Wei welcomed Hoopa to stay at the Theme Park and planned to introduce Hoopa and his Pokémon friends to Mew at Cameran Palace. The next day, he found Hoopa playing happily at the Little Ranch and invited it to meet new friends.

• Li Wei realized that he received no duplicate Plates and counted eleven of Arceus's Type Plates in his possession.
• Hoopa chose to stay at the Theme Park, and Li Wei told Hoopa it could treat the park as a second home.
• Hoopa, Victini, Shaymin, Larvitar, and Alolan Vulpix went to play hide-and-seek while Li Wei planned a visit to Mew at Cameran Palace.
• Cynthia stayed behind to prepare for the Master League, while Li Wei aimed to take his first-year competition as far as he could.
• The next day, Li Wei found Hoopa playing with children and Pokémon at the Little Ranch and asked if it wanted to meet some new friends.

Li Wei brought Hoopa, Barza, and Meray to Cameran Palace, where they met Mew and began making friends. He then took Barza and Meray to meet Queen Arianna, who greeted Li Wei and asked about his companions.

• Li Wei used Hoopa's ring to bring Hoopa, Barza, and Meray from the Valley of Creation to Cameran Palace.
• Li Wei introduced Barza and Meray to Mew, who welcomed them and showed affection after sensing their Power of Overcoming.
• Mew, Hoopa, Victini, and Shaymin began playing hide-and-seek in Mew's playground while Li Wei took Barza and Meray to Queen Arianna.
• Queen Arianna greeted Li Wei in her reception room, and Li Wei explained that he had been too busy to visit before she asked who Barza and Meray were.

Li Wei introduced Barza and Meray to Queen Arianna, then showed her how Hoopa could transport them across vast distances. After Hoopa brought them to Kala'e Bay, Li Wei planned to demonstrate another trip to Professor Oak's Laboratory.

• Li Wei introduced Barza and Meray as descendants of Arceus's envoys from the Valley of Creation, and Queen Arianna welcomed them to Cameran Palace.
• Queen Arianna asked why Lucario and Li Wei's other Pokémon were absent, and Li Wei explained that Hoopa had brought them from Jubilife City.
• Li Wei took Queen Arianna and Lucario to meet Mew and Hoopa, whose sudden appearance startled them.
• Hoopa opened a golden ring, and Li Wei, Queen Arianna, and Lucario stepped through to Kala'e Bay in the Alola Region.
• Li Wei asked Hoopa to take them next to Professor Oak's Laboratory in Pallet Town.

Li Wei brought Queen Arianna, Lucario, Barza, Meray, and Hoopa to Professor Oak’s Laboratory, where Hoopa showed off its Unbound form. Professor Oak arranged to study Hoopa after it had a couple of days to play.

• Li Wei introduced Queen Arianna, Lucario, Barza, Meray, and Hoopa to Professor Oak and Crystal at the laboratory.
• Li Wei explained how Hoopa’s rings enabled travel through space and between worlds, and told them about the Valley of Creation.
• At Li Wei’s request, Hoopa transformed into Hoopa Unbound outside the laboratory, then returned to its smaller form and cheered up with a doughnut.
• Li Wei asked Hoopa to help Professor Oak collect research data, and Hoopa agreed.
• Li Wei suggested waiting a couple of days before the research began, and Professor Oak accepted.

Li Wei visited Professor Oak with Queen Arianna and Hoopa, where they encountered a second Mew before returning to Cameran Palace. He spent time with Mew and the other Pokémon, made desserts with Philip, and left for home with Hoopa after dinner.

• Li Wei brought Hoopa, Queen Arianna, and their companions to Professor Oak's Laboratory, where they met the Mew that lived there and watched it travel through Hoopa's ring to Cameran Palace.
• Li Wei and Queen Arianna returned to Cameran Palace, where Li Wei joined Mew, Hoopa, and the other Pokémon at the playground.
• Li Wei told Barza and Meray that he would visit his teacher, Philip, and went to the workshop to make donuts and other desserts for the Pokémon.
• Li Wei served the desserts to Hoopa and the two Mew, spent another hour at Cameran Palace, and then left for home with Hoopa.

Ash arrived in Lumiose City for the opening of the Lumiose Conference, where he and Alain drew attention as the tournament’s most anticipated contestants. Malva interviewed Ash about his goal to win, while Li Wei and the others watched from home.

• Ash arrived at the Lumiose Battle Arena for the conference, which attracted attention because he and Alain were competing.
• Malva reported on the tournament as a Kalos Elite Four member and former Team Flare undercover agent.
• Li Wei watched Malva’s broadcast with Dawn and Brock, and explained that the reporter was Malva.
• Malva interviewed Ash, while the disguised Team Rocket Trio brought their camera crew over to film him.
• Ash told viewers that he intended to win the Lumiose Conference, and Dawn laughed at his confidence.

At the Lumiose Conference banquet, Ash met Alain and promised to face him in the finals, while hinting that he had a secret weapon for the tournament. Back at the Theme Park, Hoopa visited for donuts, and Meray revealed that Barza had set out to compete in a Pokémon League tournament.

• Ash reunited with Sawyer, Tierno, and Trevor at the banquet, then told Alain he had come specifically to battle him and agreed they would meet in the finals.
• The Lumiose Conference announced Ash's first-round match against A-Peng, and Professor Sycamore warned Ash that Alain would be difficult to beat.
• Li Wei asked Ash about his secret weapon, and Ash promised he would use it at the Pokémon League tournament.
• Hoopa arrived at the Theme Park after registering in Professor Oak's Laboratory's Pokédex and asked Li Wei where Shaymin and donuts were.
• Meray told Li Wei that Barza had started a journey to become stronger and protect Hoopa, while Li Wei went to find his Pokémon training at the Battle Tower.

Ash revealed that Greninja could Mega Evolve and used Mega Greninja to sweep A-Peng’s team at the Lumiose Conference. After advancing to the top thirty-two, Ash looked toward Alain, anticipating a showdown in the finals.

• Diantha opened the Lumiose Conference, and Alain defeated Trevor with Mega Charizard X in the tournament’s first match.
• Ash surprised the audience by Mega Evolving Greninja, revealing a form distinct from its Bond Phenomenon.
• Professor Sycamore’s news announcement shared the discovery of Mega Greninja and plans to distribute its Pokédex data through the regional Leagues.
• Mega Greninja defeated A-Peng’s Altaria and Blaziken, sweeping all three of his Pokémon.
• Ash advanced to the top thirty-two and looked toward Alain, thinking of meeting him in the finals.

The Lumiose Conference quarterfinals concluded, setting up Alain against Louis and Ash against Sawyer in the semifinals. Li Wei arranged for friends and family to travel to Kalos for the final and then continue to Galar for the Master League Knockout Round.

• Alain and Ash secured semifinal spots in opposite halves, while the group planned to watch their eventual final and travel to Galar using Hoopa's rings.
• Sawyer Mega Evolved Sceptile in his quarterfinal against Ayaka and defeated her Mega Absol to claim the last semifinal spot.
• The organizers announced full six-on-six semifinal matches between Alain and Louis and between Ash and Sawyer for the following afternoon.
• Steven praised Sawyer's tactical skill but noted the strength gap between him and Ash.
• Li Wei invited friends and relatives to the Kalos final and the Master League Knockout Round, then arranged to bring Korrina along from Kalos.

Li Wei arranged for his family and friends to watch the tournaments, while Steven offered to cover the Chat Group's travel and hotel costs. The next afternoon, the Lumiose Conference semifinals began with Alain facing Louis.

• Li Wei invited Vera to watch his matches, and Roland declined the Kalos finals so she could prepare for the tournament.
• Akin, Lt. Surge, Brock, Jasmine, Silver, and others agreed to attend the matches, while Steven offered to pay for their travel and hotels for his birthday.
• Steven sent twenty red envelopes worth one million Pokéyen each, and Blue claimed them all before Akin realized he had missed out.
• Steven uploaded a questionnaire to collect travel and lodging details, and the group praised his generosity as he logged off to go stone hunting.
• The following afternoon, the Lumiose Conference semifinals began, and Alain's Charizard dominated the opening match against Louis.

Alain defeated Louis in the Lumiose Conference semifinals, securing a place in the finals. As Ash prepared to face Sawyer, Li Wei remembered something and decided to go after watching Ash's match.

• Alain's Charizard defeated Louis's Rhyperior, leaving Louis with only one Pokémon while Alain had used just Charizard and Metagross.
• Louis Mega Evolved his Garchomp and struck Charizard with Draco Meteor, but Alain Mega Evolved Charizard into Mega Charizard X and overwhelmed Garchomp.
• The referee declared all six of Louis's Pokémon unable to battle, and Alain advanced to the finals.
• Ash watched Alain's victory and prepared with his six Pokémon for his match against Sawyer.
• Li Wei told Brock that Ash's match was about to start, and Brock joined Li Wei and the others in the screening room.

Ash and Sawyer began their semifinal match as viewers wondered what Ash’s secret weapon was and discussed the tournament’s battle-system rules. Ash opened with Hawlucha against Sawyer’s Slaking, and Hawlucha began attacking before Ash finally ordered it to use Swords Dance.

• At the Pokémon Theme Park, Li Wei, Cynthia, Dawn, Brock, and their Pokémon settled in to watch Ash’s semifinal against Sawyer.
• Brock and Clemont described Sawyer as an analytical Trainer who had studied Ash, while the referee announced that the battlefield would change after three Pokémon on either side were unable to battle.
• Ash sent out masked Hawlucha, whose costume Serena had made, and Sawyer answered with Slaking.
• Li Wei asked Cynthia whether Ash-Greninja counted as one of the battle systems, and Cynthia explained that the Bond Phenomenon did not use an item and generally did not count.
• Hawlucha’s Karate Chop barely affected Slaking, and Ash ordered a High Jump Kick before finally telling Hawlucha to use Swords Dance.

Ash battled Sawyer in the Lumiose Conference, where Sawyer’s carefully planned strategies knocked out Hawlucha and Talonflame before Pikachu faced Aegislash. The chapter ended with Sawyer’s Aegislash using King’s Shield to block Pikachu’s Iron Tail and sharply lower its Attack.

• Sawyer’s Slaking endured Hawlucha’s attacks, recovered with Slack Off, then knocked Hawlucha out with Counter.
• Ash sent out Talonflame, which defeated Slaking with Brave Bird before Clawitzer entered the battle.
• Talonflame and Clawitzer knocked each other out after trading Flare Blitz and Aqua Jet.
• Ash sent out Pikachu against Sawyer’s Aegislash and directed it into the forest.
• Aegislash cut down the trees with Sacred Sword, blocked Pikachu’s Iron Tail with King’s Shield, and lowered Pikachu’s Attack.

Ash used an unconventional tactic to defeat Sawyer’s Aegislash, then both Trainers lost their next Pokémon in a simultaneous knockout. The battle remained tied as the next round began on a wasteland field.

• Pikachu struggled against Aegislash’s King’s Shield and Sacred Sword, so Ash studied the cluttered battlefield and devised a plan.
• Pikachu launched broken trees into the air and used a piece of wood to interfere with Aegislash’s King’s Shield, creating an opening for Thunderbolt.
• Pikachu defeated Aegislash, bringing Ash’s consecutive knockouts to two, while Sawyer recalled his Pokémon and the arena changed to a wasteland.
• Ash sent out Noivern and Sawyer sent out Salamence, and their Dragon Claw and Dragon Rush clash left both Pokémon unable to battle.

Ash’s Goodra defeated Sawyer’s Slurpuff, leaving Sawyer with only Sceptile as Ash sent out Greninja. The semifinal’s decisive battle began with Sceptile countering Greninja’s opening moves.

• Sawyer sent out Slurpuff, and Ash chose Goodra despite Slurpuff’s Fairy-type advantage against Dragon Pokémon.
• Goodra endured Slurpuff’s attacks and released its accumulated Endure energy in a powerful beam that knocked Slurpuff out.
• Ash recalled the injured Goodra, while Clemont warned that Sawyer’s final Pokémon, Sceptile, had a type advantage over Ash’s remaining Pokémon.
• Sawyer sent out Sceptile, and Ash chose Greninja for the deciding matchup.
• Ash commanded Greninja to use Water Shuriken, but Sceptile’s Dragon Claw destroyed it before Greninja used Double Team.
• Sawyer ordered Sceptile to use Frenzy Plant, which sent plants surging toward Greninja in the air.

Ash and Greninja defeated Sawyer and Mega Sceptile in the Lumiose Conference semifinal, advancing Ash to the finals. Alain looked forward to facing Ash, while Shinji resolved to keep improving.

• Ash and Greninja activated the Bond Phenomenon as Sawyer mega evolved Sceptile.
• Ash-Greninja dodged Mega Sceptile's attacks and used Double Team and Aerial Ace to counterattack.
• Ash-Greninja froze Mega Sceptile with Ice Beam and finished him with a powerful Water Shuriken.
• The referee declared Ash the winner, and Ash and Sawyer shook hands after the battle.
• Alain anticipated his showdown with Ash, while Shinji returned to his room determined to improve.

Li Wei used Hoopa’s rings to bring the Mythical Pokémon Melmetal from Ultra Space into the Battle Tower. He sent Sirfetch’d to battle it, and the fight was still underway when Melmetal charged with Heavy Slam.

• Li Wei told Dawn and Cynthia to pack for their trip to Kalos the next day, then decided to investigate a Mythical Pokémon clue.
• Li Wei asked Hoopa to use the coordinates he provided to pull a Pokémon out of an Ultra Wormhole.
• Hoopa brought a wary, mid-Champion Tier Melmetal into the Battle Tower, where Pokédex Rotom recorded its information.
• Li Wei sent Sirfetch’d to face Melmetal, and Sirfetch’d attacked with Brutal Swing before deflecting Melmetal’s Hammer Arm with Detect.
• Sirfetch’d struck Melmetal’s joint with Brick Break, but Melmetal charged at it with Heavy Slam.