Recaps

Li Wei used Hoopa to bring Melmetal to the Battle Tower and caught it after Sirfetch'd defeated it with Meteor Assault. At the Pokémon Center, a scan of Melmetal alerted the Rowan Research Institute that a new Pokémon had been recorded under Li Wei's name.

• Li Wei had Hoopa bring Melmetal to the Battle Tower, where Sirfetch'd fought it to a standstill.
• Sirfetch'd defeated Melmetal with Meteor Assault, and Li Wei caught it in a Luxury Ball.
• Li Wei thanked Hoopa and welcomed Melmetal as his newest partner, bringing his Steel-type team to four Pokémon.
• Li Wei took Melmetal to the Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy Xuelan scanned it and uploaded its data.
• The Rowan Research Institute received a notification that Li Wei had recorded a new Pokémon.

Li Wei introduced the newly caught Steel-type Melmetal to Professor Rowan, who recognized it as the legendary Cyclops and arranged to document it for the Pokédex. After Melmetal finished treatment, Li Wei brought it home and introduced it to his family and Pokémon companions.

• Professor Rowan called Li Wei after hearing about his catch, recognized Melmetal from a legend, and asked Li Wei to bring it to the institute the next morning.
• Nurse Joy and Chansey finished treating Melmetal, and Li Wei promised Nurse Joy a sweet-and-sour lunch before leaving the Pokémon Center.
• Li Wei released Melmetal and Sirfetch'd, introduced them, and watched the two Pokémon greet each other.
• Li Wei brought Melmetal home and introduced it to his family, Pokémon companions, Cynthia, and Dawn.
• Li Wei said Hoopa had fished Melmetal out and he had caught it, while Hoopa proudly accepted the credit.

Li Wei introduced Melmetal to his family and Pokémon, explaining its connection to an old Galar legend and learning that it ate metal. The next morning, Li Wei left Cynthia sleeping and went out to meditate, while his grandpa offered to make him scallion pancakes.

• Li Wei introduced Melmetal to everyone, and Cynthia suggested the legendary Galar cyclops might have been a Dynamaxed Melmetal.
• Li Wei learned that Melmetal was gentle and ate screws or other metals, and he planned to find liquid metal for it to try.
• Li Wei told Melmetal to sleep with Arcanine and the others, and Melmetal settled down for the night.
• At six the next morning, Li Wei quietly left Cynthia asleep and went outside to train his aura through meditation.
• Li Wei greeted his grandpa, Gengar, and Farfetch'd, and his grandpa agreed to make him scallion pancakes for breakfast.

Li Wei meditated at Swan Lake, then brought Melmetal to Professor Rowan’s laboratory to learn more about the Pokémon’s needs. Professor Rowan examined Melmetal and found that it appeared to be a life-form composed entirely of metal.

• Li Wei meditated with Lucario at Swan Lake while his Aura surveyed the surrounding Pokémon.
• Li Wei woke Melmetal, discovered it refused Pokéblocks, and fed it twenty kilograms of metal instead.
• Dayou agreed to prepare metal for Melmetal and wait for measurements from Professor Rowan to determine its feeding needs.
• Li Wei gave Hoopa five more minutes to finish eating before he and Cynthia traveled through Hoopa’s ring to the Rowan Research Institute.
• Professor Rowan met Hoopa, then examined Melmetal and observed that its body seemed to be made entirely of metal.

Li Wei and Cynthia brought Melmetal to Professor Rowan’s institute for a full examination and to learn how to care for it. After testing Melmetal’s body and diet, Professor Rowan recommended a daily feeding plan, while Hoopa became eager to try eating iron.

• Li Wei and Cynthia arrived at the Rowan Research Institute with Melmetal, where they shared breakfast with Professor Rowan and the researchers.
• Li Wei told Professor Rowan that he and Cynthia planned to travel to Kalos with Hoopa and meet Red, Steven, and the others; Yuzao asked him to get Red’s autograph.
• Professor Rowan and his assistants recorded Melmetal’s physical data, confirmed its Iron Fist ability and moves, and observed its instinctive response to metal objects.
• Melmetal ignored Pokémon Food and crunched up iron ore, prompting Professor Rowan to recommend forty kilograms of high-quality metal minerals and five to eight grams of metal powder each day.
• Hoopa said it wanted to try eating iron, but Li Wei picked it up and stopped it.

Li Wei registered Melmetal’s Pokédex data, hosted Professor Rowan, and then traveled with his group to Lumiose City for Ash and Alain’s match. The group settled into a villa, while Blue and the others were already out shopping.

• Li Wei registered Melmetal’s information so it could be used in official competitions, and Professor Rowan warned him to keep Hoopa’s fetching ability secret.
• Li Wei sent Professor Rowan and the others home after lunch, then planned to travel to Kalos with Cynthia, Dayou, Mizuki, Xiao Meng, Shiyin, Dawn, and Brock.
• Diantha arranged for Lance to be the guest commentator after Li Wei declined the role and Red and the others chose to sit in the stands.
• Hoopa transported Li Wei’s group and their Pokémon to a villa in central Lumiose City.
• Li Wei messaged the others after arriving, and Blue replied that she and Yellow, Crystal, Akin, and Silver were already shopping while Green said to meet at the Lumiose Venue.

The Kalos League final between Ash and Alain began at Lumiose Stadium, with famous guests and enthusiastic cheering squads watching. Ash opened with Pikachu against Alain’s Tyranitar, whose Sand Stream filled the battlefield with a sandstorm.

• Lance, Diantha, and Professor Sycamore joined the finals as guest commentators, while Red, Blue, Li Wei, Cynthia, and other guests watched from the stands.
• Dawn, Korrina, Hoopa, and Piplup cheered for Ash, while Mairin and Chespin supported Alain; Lorelei reassured a nervous Serena.
• The referee announced that Ash and Alain could each use six Pokémon and choose between Z-Moves and Mega Evolution, then revealed a rocky battlefield for the first round.
• Ash sent out Pikachu, and Alain sent out Tyranitar, whose Sand Stream spread a sandstorm across the field.

Ash’s Pikachu defeated Alain’s Tyranitar in the opening battle of the Lumiose Conference finals, using Iron Tail and the battlefield’s water to counter Tyranitar’s attacks. Ash recalled Pikachu and sent out Charizard, leaving the next matchup about to begin.

• Alain sent out Tyranitar, whose Sand Stream covered the rocky battlefield in a sandstorm, while Ash chose Pikachu.
• Ash’s Pikachu dodged Earthquake with Iron Tail and blocked Tyranitar’s Stone Edge with repeated Iron Tails.
• Pikachu used Iron Tail to raise a wave that drenched Tyranitar, then struck him with Thunderbolt and Electro Ball.
• Pikachu finished Tyranitar with Iron Tail and won the first battle without taking much damage.
• Ash recalled Pikachu and sent out Charizard.

Ash revealed Charizardite on Charizard and used him to defeat Alain's Weavile, putting Alain at a disadvantage in the finals. Alain then sent out his own Mega Charizard X, and the two Charizard began their showdown.

• Ash sent out his Charizard, revealing the Mega Stone Professor Sycamore had given him: Charizardite for Mega Charizard Y.
• Ash's Charizard overwhelmed Weavile with Flamethrower and Fire Fang, knocking it out and giving Ash another win.
• Alain sent out his own Charizard, which carried the Mega Stone for Mega Charizard X.
• The two Charizard faced off as the crowd roared, then both fired Flamethrower into the sky to begin their battle.

Ash and Alain’s Charizard battled in the Lumiose City arena, with Ash using Dragon Dance and Mega Evolution to gain the upper hand. The fight left Mega Charizard X badly hurt but still charging in for a possible comeback.

• Ash’s Charizard used a spinning dodge to perform Dragon Dance, then clashed evenly with Alain’s Charizard using Dragon Claw.
• Alain Mega Evolved his Charizard into Mega Charizard X, and Ash answered by Mega Evolving his Charizard into Mega Charizard Y.
• Ash’s Mega Charizard Y used Drought-boosted attacks to overpower Mega Charizard X and knock it down with Flamethrower.
• Ash kept Mega Charizard Y at a distance and landed two powerful Flamethrowers on Mega Charizard X.
• Alain urged his weakened Mega Charizard X to close in and use Thunder Punch.

Ash and Alain’s Lumiose Conference final continued as their Charizard clashed, leaving Alain’s Charizard unable to battle and Ash’s barely standing. Alain’s Bisharp then scored two knockouts before Talonflame and Unfezant knocked each other out, and the chapter ended with Alain sending out Metagross and Ash choosing Pikachu.

• Ash’s Mega Charizard Y defeated Alain’s Mega Charizard X in a final Flare Blitz, though Ash recalled his badly injured Charizard rather than make it keep fighting.
• Alain sent out Bisharp, which defeated Ash’s Noivern with Guillotine and then knocked out Hawlucha as well.
• Ash’s Talonflame and Alain’s Unfezant fought an aerial battle and were both unable to continue after their Brave Bird collision.
• Alain sent out Metagross, and Ash chose Pikachu for the next battle.

Ash and Alain continued their Lumiose Conference final, with Pikachu defeating Metagross before Ash sent out Greninja to face Bisharp. As Ash and Greninja synchronized and transformed into Ash-Greninja, they evaded Bisharp’s Guillotine and launched a Water Shuriken counterattack.

• Ash sent Pikachu against Alain’s Metagross, and Pikachu dodged its attacks before riding on its back and striking it with Thunderbolt and Iron Tail.
• Metagross was unable to battle, leaving Alain with only Bisharp, while Ash recalled Pikachu and sent out Greninja.
• Greninja dodged Bisharp’s Iron Head and traded Aerial Ace and Water Shuriken against its Focus Blast.
• Ash and Greninja synchronized their resolve and transformed into Ash-Greninja.
• Ash-Greninja used Double Team to evade Bisharp’s Guillotine, appeared behind it, and attacked with Water Shuriken.

Ash defeated Alain’s Bisharp with Ash-Greninja’s Water Shuriken and won the Lumiose Conference championship. As Diantha presented him with the trophy, Ash focused on the stronger opponents and greater stages still ahead.

• Ash and Greninja used a powerful Water Shuriken to defeat Alain’s Bisharp, the last Pokémon on Alain’s team.
• The referee declared Greninja the winner, and Ash was named the Lumiose Conference champion.
• Ash celebrated with Pikachu, Greninja, and his friends as spectators and Pokémon League figures congratulated him.
• Ash posed with his six Hall of Fame Pokémon and received the championship trophy from Diantha.
• Ash looked toward Red and resolved to keep challenging himself on the way to becoming a Pokémon Master.

After the Lumiose Conference, Ash celebrated with friends and discussed challenging Pachira, while Alain chose to spend the evening with Mairin. The group backed Ash’s decision to battle Pachira without taking her Elite Four position and advised him to keep developing as a Trainer.

• Alain congratulated Ash on their battle and said he would see him in the Master League, then left to have dinner with Mairin.
• Li Wei, Xiao Meng, Brock, and Yellow went ahead to the suburban villa to prepare dinner while Cynthia and the other Champions handled interviews.
• At the villa, Lance asked Ash which Elite Four member he would challenge, and Ash named Pachira after she had invited him to battle.
• Ash explained that he had already agreed with Pachira that he could decline the Elite Four position if he won, and Green supported his choice to keep growing before taking on such responsibilities.
• Lorelei said Ash needed theoretical knowledge and tactical guidance and suggested that he take classes at a Trainer School.

Li Wei revealed that he had agreed to teach for one semester at the Alola Region Trainer School while helping establish its Pokémon League, and the group discussed Ash potentially studying there. The group split up the next day, with Ash heading to his Elite Four challenge and Li Wei and the others traveling to Hammerlocke for the Master League opening ceremony.

• At a barbecue, Yellow explained that Lorelei thought Ash needed systematic training, and Li Wei suggested Green teach him, but Green said he was too busy.
• Li Wei revealed that Samson Oak had invited him to teach at the Alola Region Trainer School for one semester while he helped establish Alola's Pokémon League.
• Lorelei suggested Ash could study under Li Wei in Alola, and Ash welcomed the idea as the group joked about the region's beaches.
• The next day, Ash left for his Elite Four challenge while Li Wei, Cynthia, and the others traveled to Hammerlocke for the Master League opening ceremony.
• After arriving at Cynthia's Hammerlocke villa, Steven directed the group to check into their booked hotels, while Ash headed to the Lumiose Venue.

Li Wei, Cynthia, and their companions met Steven, Lance, and Lorelei before watching Ash challenge Pachira in a six-on-six battle. Pachira defeated Ash 6-4, leaving him to reflect that his own skills might be holding back his Pokémon.

• Li Wei and Cynthia met Steven, Lance, and Lorelei outside the Londe Rosé Hotel, and the group decided to visit a Battle Café and watch Ash's match.
• At the Lumiose Venue, Ash challenged Pachira in a six-on-six battle, with no Elite Four position at stake.
• Ash's Garchomp and Infernape helped him take an early 3-1 lead, but Cynthia noticed he was neglecting switches and his Pokémon's condition.
• Pachira turned the battle around with Mega Houndoom, Sunny Day, and careful tactics, defeating Ash's remaining Pokémon one by one.
• Pachira won 6-4, and Ash realized his Trainer skills had fallen behind his Pokémon's strength and could make him a burden to them.

After losing to Pachira, Ash recognized his tactical shortcomings and decided to study at the school in Alola, while Serena chose to pursue her own growth. Li Wei, Cynthia, and the others watched the Master League opening ceremony in Galar as the draw began.

• Pachira defeated Ash and advised him to improve his tactics, status management, and battle sense.
• Ash thanked Pachira for her guidance and resolved to get stronger.
• Lorelei and Cynthia discussed how the loss would help Ash grow, while Blue decided to get him into classes at the Trainer School.
• Ash decided to study in Alola, and Serena chose to part ways with him so she could grow on her own.
• Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie planned to travel to Galar for the Master League, while Li Wei and Cynthia watched from the stands.
• The host explained the Master League rules and seeded competitors before the draw began, and Li Wei realized he might face a Masters Eight competitor early.

Li Wei studied his first-round opponent, Sinnoh Ice-type specialist Luo Bai, and prepared for their Master League match. The round of 128 began with the top competitors advancing easily, and Li Wei's match started at four in the afternoon.

• Li Wei's family watched the Master League draw, where Red drew loud cheers and Akin was matched against Galar Gym Leader Raihan.
• Li Wei drew Luo Bai, whose team included Glaceon and Mega Abomasnow, while Roland drew Sinnoh Gym Leader Volkner.
• Li Wei reviewed Luo Bai's information and planned to use Arcanine, Lucario, and Corviknight, while Luo Bai resigned himself to taking down one of Li Wei's Pokémon as a success.
• Leon, Cynthia, Steven, Lance, Lorelei, and the other top competitors won their opening matches and advanced to the round of 64.
• Li Wei's match began at four, and he sent out Lucario after Red wished him good luck.

Li Wei defeated Sinnoh Ice-type specialist Luo Bai 3-0 in the Master League round of 128. He advanced to the top 64 while Luo Bai accepted the gap in their strength and asked to battle together again.

• Li Wei and Luo Bai began their match in Hammerlocke Stadium, where Luo Bai sent out Abomasnow and used Mega Evolution.
• Li Wei's Arcanine defeated Mega Abomasnow with Flare Blitz after closing the distance with Extreme Speed.
• Li Wei recalled Arcanine and used Corviknight to defeat Beartic with Body Press and Glaceon with Brave Bird.
• Li Wei defeated Luo Bai 3-0, shook his hand, and advanced to the top 64.

Blue defeated Wulfric to advance to the top sixty-four, then Red made his long-awaited return to official competition at Hammerlocke Stadium. The chapter left Red facing the arena as the crowd and fellow competitors reacted to his arrival.

• Blue defeated Wulfric's Abomasnow with Arcanine's Fire-type attacks and advanced to the top sixty-four.
• Blue shook Wulfric's hand and asked him to call him Blue.
• The Hammerlocke Stadium crowd erupted in cheers before Red appeared, while Serena wondered at his popularity and Ash proudly praised him.
• Leon, Raihan, and the other top Trainers watched as Red entered the stadium with Pikachu on his shoulder.
• Red silently surveyed the stadium and waited for his opponent, prompting the commentator to praise his answer and the crowd to erupt again.

After Red advanced to the top 64, Li Wei and the others discussed the new Swiss-system format for the Master League knockout stage and next year’s regional qualification changes. Lance revealed he planned to compete as a Johto representative, leaving Lorelei concerned about Kanto’s limited spots.

• Red swept his opponent with Pikachu and advanced to the top 64, while Akin prepared for his match against Raihan.
• Li Wei explained that the knockout stage would use a Swiss system, with competitors advancing after three wins and being eliminated after three losses.
• Clemont explained the system to Bonnie, and Blue said format changes aimed to make matches more exciting.
• Lance described next year’s regional divisions, a thirty-two-competitor play-in, and a top-sixteen Swiss stage.
• Lorelei worried that Kanto’s four qualifying spots would leave too few places if Red and Blue competed, and Li Wei suggested she enter the Alola League.
• Lance said he planned to compete as a Johto representative.

After the top 64 was decided, Akin and Lt. Surge reacted to their losses and upcoming matchups, while Li Wei learned he would face Brawly. The chapter ended with Li Wei postponing his choice of Pokémon and preparing to study his opponent.

• Diantha defeated Piers, finalizing the top 64, while Roland's victory over Volkner and Raihan's defeat of Akin were recalled.
• Lt. Surge drew Red as his round-of-64 opponent and accepted that reaching the top 64 was a success.
• Li Wei drew Brawly, and Steven warned him that the Fighting-type Gym Leader was strong and skilled in grappling.
• Li Wei returned to the villa with Cynthia and found his eager Pokémon arguing against drawing lots to decide who would battle Brawly.
• Li Wei decided to study Brawly with Rotom and choose his Pokémon the next day.

Li Wei studied Brawly’s battle recordings and recognized the Softness Secret, a style that redirected opponents’ strength instead of meeting attacks head-on. The chapter ended with Erika struggling to prepare for Professor Kukui, whose Masked Royal recordings offered few clues about his team.

• Li Wei watched Brawly’s recent battles with his Pokémon, and Cynthia noted that entering the Master League had brought them together around a shared goal.
• Li Wei and Lucario identified the Softness Secret in Brawly’s Hariyama and Machamp, while Metagross recorded the Pokémon’s battle patterns.
• Li Wei compared Brawly’s approach with Bruno’s Hardness Secret, and Bruno admitted he had tried but failed to master softness.
• After reviewing the recordings, Li Wei decided to rest rather than cram, while Cynthia studied her opponent, Rinto.
• Erika asked the Chat Group about the Masked Royal, but no one knew his identity, and she complained that Professor Kukui’s recordings were difficult to study.

The Master League revealed its final top 32 and the round-of-32 draw, setting up Roland against Caitlin and Li Wei against Norman. Roland aimed to prove herself against her older sister Cynthia, while several competitors anticipated either tough battles or an early vacation.

• Professor Kukui, competing as the Masked Royal, entered the top 32 after defeating Erika, while Roland also advanced and hoped to face Cynthia later.
• Lance worried about drawing Red, and Li Wei teased him before the AI draw paired Li Wei with Norman.
• Red drew Flint, Blue drew Drasna, Lance drew Sabrina, and Roland drew Caitlin, who promised not to hold back.
• Roland and Caitlin exchanged determined words, while Cynthia noted that Caitlin would be angry if she lost.
• Diantha drew Lucian, who welcomed the chance to leave early for a packed holiday itinerary, prompting Flint and Volkner to ask to join him.

The final 16 were set, and Elesa drew the first-round matchups for the Points-Based Round Robin. Li Wei was paired with Bruno, and the contestants prepared to move to Wyndon before competition began.

• Roland lost to Caitlin 6-5, completing the final 16 lineup alongside Champions, Elite Four members, and other qualifiers.
• The host explained that contestants needed three wins to advance to the Top 8 and three losses to be eliminated.
• Elesa appeared as the guest draw host and drew Red against Siebold, then Blue against Lorelei.
• Elesa drew Leon against Drake, Caitlin against Steven, Lance against Raihan, Cynthia against Alder, and Diantha against Wallace.
• Elesa's final draw paired Li Wei with Bruno, and the contestants prepared for a day's break and a move to Wyndon.