Recaps

Li Wei and his companions prepared to travel to Wyndon for the Master League’s round of sixteen, and Li Wei braced himself for increasingly difficult battles. On arriving in Wyndon, Cynthia asked Red for a favor.

• Li Wei and Cynthia packed for Wyndon, and Li Wei resolved to give every remaining Master League match his all.
• Li Wei discussed upcoming battles with his Pokémon, anticipating a chance for Lucario to challenge Cynthia’s Lucario and planning to use Zeraora against Bruno.
• Li Wei and Cynthia joined Red, Blue, and their companions on a leisurely flight to Wyndon aboard their Pokémon.
• Cynthia told Li Wei that Roland had left to train at Mt. Silver after accepting her challenge to enter the next Sinnoh League and face the Elite Four.
• The group landed in Wyndon’s central plaza, where Cynthia caught up with Red and asked him for a favor.

Li Wei and Cynthia arrived in Wyndon, where Cynthia arranged for Red and Green to train Roland while the group prepared for dinner. Li Wei used Hoopa to bring his family from Sinnoh to Wyndon, and his grandfather offered to cook for everyone that evening.

• Cynthia asked Red and Green to train Roland, and both agreed to help her.
• Brock set off with Ash, Korrina, Dawn, Serena, and Xiao Meng to buy ingredients for dinner, while Blue and Silver left separately.
• Li Wei and Cynthia went to Cynthia's villa, and Hoopa brought Li Wei's parents, relatives, and grandfather to Wyndon through a ring.
• Dayou and Mizuki agreed to help Li Wei's family enjoy their stay, and Cynthia showed them the rented vehicles.
• Li Wei's grandfather said he would cook dinner, and Li Wei agreed to help him.

Li Wei and his friends gathered at his Wyndon villa for dinner on the eve of the Master League round of sixteen, whose draw included Li Wei versus Bruno. After Victini briefly boosted Clemont’s stamina, Clemont’s energy quickly faded, and he was sent to help Brock wash vegetables as more guests arrived.

• Li Wei reflected on his close friendship with Bruno and how Bruno had taught him the Hardness Secret, which several of Li Wei’s Pokémon were learning.
• Lance arrived first to help Li Wei set up the outdoor campsite, and Akin arrived next after slipping away from a shopping trip with Crystal and the others.
• Brock arrived with groceries alongside Ash, Xiao Meng, Dawn, Serena, Korrina, Bonnie, Clemont, and Iris, who had met Ash’s group while shopping.
• Victini restored Clemont’s stamina, briefly surrounding him with a golden glow before he quickly ran out of energy again.
• Li Wei sent Clemont to help Brock wash vegetables while Victini returned to building snowmen with Shaymin, Hoopa, Diancie, and Meloetta.

Li Wei and his friends prepared a dinner gathering in Wyndon, while Green discussed the search for Eevee evolutions beyond its eight known forms. Green’s experiments had uncovered no new evolution methods, leaving the mystery unresolved.

• Li Wei and his friends set up the villa while Brock, Serena, Xiao Meng, Dawn, and the others prepared ingredients, and Red’s group arrived with food and snacks.
• Li Wei invited Professor Oak to dinner and called Professor Rowan, who declined but promised to attend a celebration banquet after the tournament.
• Steven arrived with Professor Sycamore, who joined the gathering and said he had come to watch the tournament and study Mega Evolution.
• Green told Li Wei, Lance, Steven, and Blue that Dragon-type materials had caused Eevee to evolve into Sylveon and that attempts to trigger Steel-type evolution had failed.
• Green explained that his research with Professor Oak’s team pointed to other possible Eevee evolutions, but Eevee could not learn Dragon-type moves and Iron Tail had not produced a Steel-type form.

Li Wei and his friends gathered at a villa in Wyndon for a meal before the Master League, where several competitors discussed their goals for the tournament. Leon remained at Wyndon Stadium with Raihan, still unable to find his way home.

• Brock, Li Wei, and their family prepared a feast while Ash, Akin, Lt. Surge, and Silver's Umbreon eagerly smelled the food.
• Lorelei confirmed that Li Wei would face Bruno and that she would face Blue, while the group discussed the Master League's top contenders.
• Lance asked Li Wei about his goal, and Li Wei said he wanted to leave no regrets; Lance said he wanted the same, and Blue aimed to face Red in the final.
• Xiao Meng called everyone to carry the food, and the group shared hot pot, roast lamb, steaks, and other dishes at the villa.
• Raihan found Leon standing at Wyndon Stadium, and Leon joked that Raihan should focus on reaching the Top 8 before trying to beat him.

The Master League’s round of sixteen began at Wyndon Stadium, with Steven facing Caitlin in the opening match. Steven’s Metagross defeated Caitlin’s Mega Gallade, and Steven prepared to Dynamax his next Pokémon.

• Vivian introduced the sixteen competitors as they entered Wyndon Stadium, with Red making the final entrance.
• The competitors returned to the VIP Lounge, where Li Wei watched the opening match alongside Lance, Lorelei, Cynthia, and others.
• Caitlin sent out Bronzong and Steven sent out Claydol, as the trainers fought over control of the field with Trick Room.
• Caitlin’s Gothitelle struck first with Psychic, and Steven responded by Mega Evolving Gallade.
• Steven sent out Metagross without Mega Evolving it, and it defeated Mega Gallade with Meteor Mash.
• Steven recalled Metagross as his Dynamax Band began to glow.

Steven defeated Caitlin in their opening round-robin match after his Gigantamax Corviknight and Silver Metagross overcame her team. The next battle began with Red facing Siebold, who opened with Seismitoad against Red’s Pikachu.

• Steven Dynamaxed Corviknight, which helped defeat Caitlin’s Alakazam and Sigilyph before Gothitelle took it down and defeated Armaldo.
• Steven sent out Silver Metagross, which overpowered Caitlin’s Metagross in a series of clashes and knocked it out with Zen Headbutt.
• Steven advanced to the 1-0 group while Caitlin fell to the 0-1 group.
• Red and Siebold entered the arena for their first round-robin battle, and Siebold said he wanted them both to battle without holding back.
• Siebold sent out Seismitoad, and Red answered with Pikachu.

Red swept Siebold 6-0, followed by matching 6-0 victories from Leon and Blue in their Round Robin matches. The chapter ended as Li Wei prepared to battle next, with Cynthia wishing him luck.

• Red defeated Siebold 6-0 after Pikachu used rain and its electric attacks to overcome Seismitoad, Kingdra, Lapras, and Inteleon, while Venusaur defeated Mega Blastoise.
• Leon swept Drake 6-0, with Gigantamax Charizard proving too much for Drake’s team.
• Blue defeated Lorelei 6-0, as Arcanine, Machamp, Alakazam, and Charizard overwhelmed her Pokémon.
• Li Wei recalled his Pokémon and prepared to enter the next match, while Cynthia wished him luck.

Li Wei faced Bruno in the Master League and used Arcanine to withstand three of Gigantamax Machamp’s G-Max Chi Strikes with Morning Sun. Arcanine remained standing, leaving Bruno and the spectators astonished by its stamina and healing.

• Blue swept Lorelei and declared that he would defeat Red in the Finals, while Red watched from the viewing area.
• Li Wei met Blue in the Competitor Tunnel before entering the stadium to face Bruno.
• Sirfetch’d dodged Machamp’s Dynamic Punch and struck it with Meteor Assault, prompting Bruno to Gigantamax Machamp.
• Li Wei withdrew Sirfetch’d and sent out Arcanine instead of Dynamaxing, then had it use Morning Sun to endure Machamp’s G-Max Chi Strike.
• Arcanine withstood three G-Max Chi Strikes and kept standing, while Blue explained that its power came from several extraordinary sources and its abundant energy.

Li Wei defeated Bruno 6-1 in the Master League, with Lucario finishing Machamp, and advanced to the 1-0 bracket. The chapter then introduced Cynthia’s match against Alder, who had returned to competition after rebuilding his team and finding Iris as his successor.

• Arcanine endured three Dynamax attacks before collapsing, and Li Wei’s Pokémon defeated Bruno’s team, including his giant Steelix and Hariyama.
• Lucario dodged Machamp’s Seismic Toss and knocked it out with Aura Sphere, giving Li Wei a 6-1 victory over Bruno.
• Bruno praised Li Wei after the match, while Leon admired Arcanine’s stamina and looked forward to facing Li Wei.
• Li Wei joined Red, Leon, Blue, and Steven in the 1-0 bracket as the stadium prepared for Cynthia versus Alder.
• Alder returned to the Master League after rebuilding his team and choosing Iris as his successor, and Iris cheered him on.
• Cynthia and her Garchomp faced Alder as Cynthia made clear she was competing for the championship.

Lance defeated Raihan 6-3 in a Dragon-type showdown at Wyndon Stadium, overcoming Raihan’s rotating weather tactics with Dragon Dance boosts and powerful attacks. The victory left Lance the winner of their Master League match.

• Cynthia defeated Alder 6-1, and Alder congratulated her before the next match began.
• Akin joked that Lance commanded the Flying Army, and Silver revealed he had recorded the remark and negotiated a Volcano Burger and cartoons to keep quiet.
• Raihan opened with Goodra and used Rain Dance, but Lance’s Kingdra exploited the rain with Swift Swim and Dragon Dance.
• Raihan rotated weather with Torkoal and Gigalith, while Lance’s Gyarados and Kingdra defeated Gigalith and Salamence.
• Raihan Gigantamaxed Duraludon against Lance’s Gigantamax Charizard, but G-Max Wildfire defeated Duraludon after their Dynamax turns ended.
• Lance boosted Dragonite with two Dragon Dances, defeated Raihan’s remaining Pokémon, and won the match 6-3.

After the first day of the Master League ended, Valerie drew the second-round matchups for the 1-0 group. Li Wei was paired with Diantha, while Red faced Cynthia, Green faced Steven, and Leon faced Lance.

• Diantha defeated Wallace 6-4 with Mega Gardevoir's Moonblast, joining the 1-0 group.
• Vivian interviewed Li Wei and the other competitors in Li Wei's crowded waiting room; Li Wei named several potential opponents, while Red and Green said they aimed to become Champion.
• Valerie entered in a Sylveon-inspired gown and began drawing the 1-0 group matchups.
• Valerie drew Red against Cynthia, and they exchanged a nod after learning the result.
• Valerie drew Green against Steven and Leon against Lance.
• The remaining draw paired Li Wei with Diantha.

The Master League draw paired Li Wei with Diantha and Cynthia with Red for the next round, while the other 0-1 competitors also learned their matchups. At dinner, Li Wei’s family and friends discussed the demanding draw and agreed that Li Wei was favored against Diantha.

• Vivian announced the 0-1 matchups: Wallace vs Drake, Alder vs Siebold, Raihan vs Lorelei, and Caitlin vs Bruno.
• Valerie encouraged the competitors to give their all, and the draw ceremony ended with Li Wei set to face Diantha in the second half of the next day’s matches.
• Li Wei considered using Melmetal against Diantha and noted how difficult it would be to plan against her varied Pokémon.
• Li Wei invited Red and the others to dinner, where Wen Hui learned that Cynthia would face Red and Li Wei would face Diantha.
• Lance asked the group who they favored between Li Wei and Diantha, and Steven, Blue, Red, and Lorelei all chose Li Wei.

Li Wei faced Diantha in the featured 1-0 bracket match and gained an early advantage with Zeraora and Lucario. The battle continued with Lucario attacking Diantha’s third Pokémon, Aurorus.

• Wallace, Siebold, Lorelei, and Bruno won their matches and advanced to the 1-1 bracket, while Drake, Alder, Raihan, and Caitlin fell to 0-2.
• Vivian announced Li Wei’s match against Diantha, and both Trainers sent out their first Pokémon.
• Zeraora defeated Diantha’s Hawlucha with Fake Out and Plasma Fists.
• Li Wei switched to Lucario, which defeated Tyrantrum with Aura Sphere and Close Combat.
• Diantha sent out Aurorus, and Lucario began battering it with Close Combat.

Li Wei’s Dragapult defeated Diantha’s Goodra and Pumpkaboo before her Gardevoir became her last Pokémon. Diantha and Li Wei Mega Evolved their aces, and Mega Metagross closed in on Mega Gardevoir through the smoke.

• Li Wei sent Dragapult against Diantha’s Goodra, and its Shadow Force and follow-up attacks knocked Goodra out.
• Dragapult used its ambush tactics to defeat Diantha’s Pumpkaboo, leaving Gardevoir as her last Pokémon.
• Li Wei chose Silver Metagross to face Gardevoir, and the two Pokémon traded attacks before Diantha Mega Evolved Gardevoir.
• Li Wei Mega Evolved Metagross, and it endured Mega Gardevoir’s Moonblast and rapid Shadow Balls while firing Flash Cannon through the smoke.
• Diantha moved Mega Gardevoir above the smoke with Teleport, but Li Wei sent Metagross bursting out with Bullet Punch at close range.

Li Wei defeated Diantha to reach a 2-0 record, then watched Blue and Steven begin their Master League match. Blue took an early lead, but Steven had covered the field with hazards.

• Li Wei's Mega Metagross knocked out Diantha's Mega Gardevoir, giving Li Wei a decisive victory and his second tournament win.
• Li Wei congratulated Steven before joining his Pokémon in the waiting room, where Cynthia helped him clean up after Arcanine's enthusiastic welcome.
• Blue and Steven entered the field, exchanged greetings, and sent out Arcanine and Skarmory to start their battle.
• Steven had Skarmory set Spikes, but Blue used Roar to force it out before it could place Stealth Rock.
• Steven sent out Armaldo, which set Stealth Rock as Blue switched to Aerodactyl; Aerodactyl then defeated Armaldo, putting Blue ahead 1-0.

Steven and Blue’s battle continued as Steven used hazards, Trick Room, and Explosion to challenge Blue’s team. Steven’s Aggron then charged at Blue’s Blastoise with Heavy Slam, leaving their clash unresolved.

• Steven’s Skarmory set Spikes, but Pidgeot used Defog to clear the field before defeating Skarmory with Brave Bird, putting Blue ahead 2-0.
• Steven sent out Claydol and established Trick Room, reversing the battlefield’s speed order.
• Claydol used Explosion to knock out itself and Blue’s Machamp before Machamp could act.
• Steven sent out Aggron, and Blue switched to Blastoise to face it under Trick Room.
• Aggron charged at Blastoise with Heavy Slam, while Blue ordered Blastoise to stop it.

Steven’s Aggron and Cradily fell to Blue’s Blastoise and Charizard, leaving Silver Metagross as Steven’s last Pokémon against Blue’s Charizard. Both Trainers Mega Evolved their Pokémon as their long-awaited showdown began.

• Aggron endured Blastoise’s Aura Sphere and struck back with Head Smash, but after Trick Room faded, Blastoise’s Hydro Pump and Aura Sphere defeated it.
• Blastoise won but was too exhausted to battle again, leaving Steven with a score of 1-4.
• Steven’s Cradily lost to Blue’s Charizard, so Steven sent out his Silver Metagross as his final Pokémon.
• Blue and Steven said their Charizard and Metagross had long wanted to face each other.
• Steven Mega Evolved Metagross, and Blue Mega Evolved Charizard.

Steven's Mega Metagross used its newly developed speed to pressure Blue's Mega Charizard Y, but Charizard endured the assault and began its counterattack. The battle continued as Metagross recovered from Charizard's Focus Blast and Blue ordered another Heat Wave.

• Steven Mega Evolved Metagross, while Blue Mega Evolved Charizard Y and activated Drought.
• Mega Metagross used its thrusters and Bullet Punch to catch Charizard in the air, but Charizard struck back with a sun-boosted Heat Wave.
• Steven used Agility to increase Metagross's speed, then landed repeated Ice Punches on Charizard.
• Blue used Roost to heal Charizard, and Steven attacked its grounded form with Rock Slide, but Charizard protected itself and survived.
• Blue ordered Charizard to use Focus Blast, which blasted Metagross backward; he then told Charizard to take off and use Heat Wave again.

Blue defeated Steven in a grueling battle at Wyndon Stadium, advancing to the 2-0 bracket while Steven fell to 1-1. Lance and Leon then took the field for their next match and sent out Gyarados and Rillaboom.

• Mega Charizard Y and Mega Metagross traded attacks until both were too exhausted to battle, giving Blue a 6-2 victory over Steven.
• Blue and Steven shook hands, congratulated each other, and agreed to meet again in the Top 8.
• Lance and Leon entered the stadium to cheers as they prepared for their Master League battle.
• Leon sent out Rillaboom while Lance sent out a Red Gyarados over ten meters long.

Red defeated Cynthia 6-3 in the final battle of the second day, while Leon beat Lance 6-4 earlier. Afterward, the Master League draw began, and the 0-2 group’s matchups were announced before Nessa started drawing the 1-1 group.

• Leon defeated Lance 6-4, with Gigantamax Charizard and a powered-up Rillaboom leading his team to victory.
• Red defeated Cynthia 6-3 after Charizard and Garchomp knocked each other out, Snorlax beat Lucario, and Red’s remaining Pokémon overcame Cynthia’s team.
• Li Wei planned to give Cynthia’s Pokémon extra food and use his remaining Pokémon Item Prize Tickets to help them improve.
• Vivian explained the draw rules for the 0-2, 1-1, and 2-0 groups, including how contestants could advance or be eliminated.
• Nessa drew Alder against Raihan and Drake against Caitlin in the 0-2 group, then began drawing the 1-1 group.

Nessa drew the 1-1 and 2-0 tournament matchups, setting up Li Wei against Red and Blue against Leon in the bracket where one more win secured a place in the top eight. The chapter ended with the stadium eagerly anticipating the next day's matches.

• Nessa drew Lorelei against Steven, Bruno against Diantha, Wallace against Lance, and Cynthia against Siebold in the 1-1 bracket.
• Vivian announced that a win in the 2-0 bracket would secure an early spot in the top eight.
• Nessa drew Leon against Blue, prompting Blue and Leon to welcome the high-profile matchup.
• Nessa drew Red against Li Wei, and the stadium erupted as the two prepared to face each other the next day.

At Cynthia’s villa, Li Wei and his friends discussed the possibility that he and Cynthia might face each other, then prepared for the next Master League matches. The chapter ended with Li Wei heading to help in the kitchen after learning the Team Rocket Trio had opened a food stall at the tournament venue.

• Dayou worried that Li Wei and Cynthia might both reach the 2-1 bracket and be matched against each other, but Li Wei, Cynthia, and Wen Hui said it would not matter.
• Ash, Dawn, Serena, and the others returned from the market with food, while Green borrowed Cynthia’s study to prepare for his match against Leon.
• Li Wei planned to rest before choosing his team to face Red, considering his battle-ready Pokémon and deciding to let Shaymin stay on the lawn with Pikachu and Victini.
• Lorelei and Bruno discussed Alder and Raihan facing elimination, and Bruno revealed that a trio selling regional specialties was drawing customers at the venue.
• Blue recognized the trio as rivals to her food stall, and Li Wei realized they were the Team Rocket Trio.
• Xiao Meng called Li Wei to help in the kitchen, and he went to join her.

Li Wei and his guests enjoyed hot pot and red bean tangyuan in the snow before returning to his Wyndon villa with Cynthia. Cynthia asked him not to hold back if they faced each other in the tournament, and Li Wei agreed.

• Xiao Meng served green rice dumplings, and Li Wei's red bean tangyuan delighted Cynthia, Diantha, and the others.
• Yellow asked Li Wei to teach her how to make red bean tangyuan, and he invited her to learn the next day.
• When snow began to fall, the group set up a canopy over the hot pot, while Silver and Akin scuffled and Lorelei challenged rumors that she feared aging.
• Li Wei and Cynthia returned to the villa, where they drank coffee and watched their Pokémon relax beneath the night sky.
• Cynthia told Li Wei to fight her without holding back if they met in the tournament, and Li Wei agreed.

Darkrai came to Wyndon to offer Li Wei help against Red, but Li Wei chose to keep Darkrai in reserve while he tested his own strength. Li Wei discussed possibly registering Darkrai or Black Rayquaza for later matches, leaving Darkrai available if he reached a tougher stage.

• Darkrai visited Li Wei in Wyndon and offered to help after hearing about his upcoming match against Red.
• Li Wei asked whether Darkrai wanted to battle Red, and Darkrai said it would fight if doing so helped Li Wei.
• Li Wei asked Darkrai to stay nearby in case he needed help, while Cynthia explained the Master League’s advance registration rules for Pokémon and lead choices.
• Li Wei decided not to register Darkrai yet and told the Chat Group he might add it for later matches.
• Lance said he wanted to battle Black Rayquaza, and Li Wei suggested that he invite it to a separate battle.