Recaps

Li Wei used eleven Pokémon Item Prize Tickets, hoping to find something that could rapidly strengthen his Pokémon, and won Rare Candies, a Scroll of Darkness, and Eternal Ice. He considered how to use the prizes, but the chapter ended before he chose which Pokémon would receive the Rare Candies.

• Li Wei watched his Pokémon train and decided that ordinary resources would not make them stronger quickly.
• Li Wei borrowed luck from Victini and Sky Shaymin before spending his eleven Pokémon Item Prize Tickets.
• Li Wei drew Rare Candies, several enhancers, a Dragon Scale, Tamato Berries, a Scroll of Darkness, and Eternal Ice.
• Li Wei considered using the Scroll of Darkness on Darkrai because he had no Kubfu, and planned to give the Eternal Ice to Alolan Vulpix and the Dragon Scale to Garchomp.
• Li Wei wondered which Pokémon should receive the three Rare Candies.

Li Wei distributed the rewards from eleven item draws among his Pokémon and tested whether Rare Candies had improved Lucario’s speed. He then opened the Scroll of Darkness with Darkrai, who became absorbed in its teachings about channeling resolve into a decisive strike.

• Li Wei gave Garchomp a Dragon Scale, distributed enhancers to Diancie, Zeraora, and Melmetal, and fed Lucario three Rare Candies.
• Li Wei asked Rotom to measure Lucario’s speed ten times to check whether the candies had made a difference.
• Li Wei showed Darkrai the Scroll of Darkness, and Darkrai recognized that it described an item for evolving Kubfu into Urshifu (Single Strike Style).
• Li Wei and Meloetta unfurled the scroll while Darkrai, Sirfetch'd, Shaymin, and Diancie gathered to look.
• Li Wei read that darkness was not wickedness but the power to sever calamity, and that the fighting style focused all strength and resolve into a single decisive strike.

Li Wei studied the Scroll of Darkness with Darkrai, who used it to deepen its understanding of itself as the embodiment of nightmares. Li Wei kept the scroll for future study and possible use by Kubfu, then invited Cynthia to breakfast.

• Li Wei read the Scroll of Darkness and considered how its Single Strike Style teachings could benefit his Pokémon.
• Cynthia joined Li Wei and asked about the scroll, which she recognized as the one that let Kubfu evolve.
• After studying the scroll for half an hour, Darkrai said it did not suit it but had helped it understand its nature more deeply.
• Darkrai explained that it embodied nightmares and that understanding its darkness had helped it grow stronger.
• Li Wei kept the scroll, having memorized its martial teachings, and invited Cynthia to eat breakfast with him.

Li Wei stayed home while Steven defeated Lorelei and advanced, then followed Diantha’s match against Bruno as she used Gardevoir to overcome his giant Steelix and weather Gigantamax Machamp’s assault. Diantha entered the final stage with Hawlucha and Gardevoir remaining, and victory already seemed to favor her.

• Li Wei lent Dayou the Scroll of Darkness, and Dayou offered to ask his martial arts master about Kubfu.
• Steven defeated Lorelei 6-4 after Metagross overcame Articuno, sending Steven to the 2-1 bracket and Lorelei to the 1-2 bracket.
• Bruno’s Poliwrath knocked out Diantha’s Aurorus, while Aurorus damaged Poliwrath with Blizzard before falling.
• Diantha’s Gardevoir put Bruno’s giant Steelix to sleep with Hypnosis and defeated it with Mystical Fire after Tyrantrum weakened it.
• Bruno Gigantamaxed Machamp, which defeated Diantha’s Goodra and Gourgeist with G-Max Chi Strike.
• Diantha reached the final stage with Hawlucha and Gardevoir left against Bruno’s team, and the match’s momentum favored her.

Diantha defeated Bruno, Cynthia swept Siebold, and Lance beat Wallace as the four matches decided who fell into the 1-2 bracket. The competitors considered possible future matchups, while Blue planned to send Ash to school in Alola before he entered next year’s Master League.

• Diantha Mega Evolved Gardevoir and defeated Bruno’s final Pokémon, winning their match 6-5.
• Cynthia used Togekiss, Gastrodon, and Glaceon to wear down Siebold’s team before Mega Garchomp defeated Mega Blastoise, giving her a 6-0 win.
• Lance Mega Evolved Dragonite and defeated Wallace 6-3, sending Wallace to the 1-2 bracket.
• Lorelei and Bruno speculated about whom they might face next, while Cynthia guessed Lorelei could meet Wallace.
• Akin declared he would reach the top 16 next year, and Silver and Lance doubted he could do it.
• Blue decided to send Ash to a Trainer School in Alola before Ash entered next year’s Master League.

At Wyndon Stadium, Caitlin defeated Drake and Alder upset Raihan, eliminating both from the Master League. Blue and Leon then prepared for their 2-0 match, with the chapter ending as Blue made his entrance and considered his lineup.

• Caitlin used Trick Room and Mega Gallade to defeat Drake 6-3 and advance.
• Alder's Volcarona swept four of Raihan's Pokémon after boosting with Quiver Dance, sending Raihan out of the tournament.
• Drake and Raihan became the first competitors eliminated before the Top 8.
• Lance attacked Akin after Akin joked about Dragon-type Trainers struggling.
• Vivian announced that Blue and Leon would face each other, with the winner advancing directly to the Top 8.
• Blue entered to cheers from his supporters and prepared to choose from his evenly trained Pokémon roster.

Blue battled Leon at Wyndon Stadium, using Arcanine and Scizor to counter Leon’s team. The match continued with Scizor charging at Inteleon after blocking its Snipe Shot.

• Blue and Leon sent out Arcanine and Mr. Rime, and Arcanine defeated Mr. Rime with Flare Blitz.
• Leon sent out Inteleon, but Blue used Arcanine’s Roar to force it off the field and bring out Dragapult.
• Dragapult struck Arcanine with U-turn and returned to its Poké Ball, allowing Leon to bring Inteleon back.
• Blue recalled Arcanine and sent out Scizor, which blocked Inteleon’s Snipe Shot.
• Blue ordered Scizor to attack Inteleon with Bullet Punch.

Blue and Leon’s match continued as Scizor and Inteleon traded attacks before both used U-turn, bringing Aegislash onto the field against Arcanine. After a fierce exchange, the exhausted Pokémon launched their final attacks, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Blue’s Scizor and Leon’s Inteleon traded blows, with Inteleon landing Ice Beam and a critical Snipe Shot while Scizor endured the hit.
• Leon used Inteleon’s U-turn to bring in Aegislash, and Blue answered with Scizor’s U-turn before sending out Arcanine.
• Arcanine’s Intimidate lowered Aegislash’s attack, but Leon used Swords Dance while Blue attacked with Fire Blast.
• Aegislash struck Arcanine with Sacred Sword, and Blue countered with Flare Blitz before Aegislash blocked Fire Blast with King’s Shield.
• Blue and Leon ordered Arcanine and Aegislash to clash with one final Flare Blitz and Sacred Sword.

Blue and Leon’s Pokémon battle reached its final stage as Leon’s Charizard became the last Pokémon standing against Blue’s three remaining Pokémon. Leon Gigantamaxed Charizard, and Blue prepared to respond with the Dynamax technique he had once resisted.

• Arcanine and Aegislash knocked each other out, and Alakazam defeated Leon’s Inteleon before setting up Trick Room as it fell to Haxorus.
• Blue’s Rhyperior used Trick Room to defeat Haxorus, then battled Dragapult until both Pokémon went down as Trick Room expired.
• Leon sent out his Charizard, and Blue answered with his own Charizard while keeping Machamp and Scizor in reserve.
• Leon Gigantamaxed Charizard, leaving Blue to decide how to face it as he reflected on his growing acceptance of Dynamax.

Blue and Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard fought through all three Max Moves before trading final attacks and both collapsing. With all six of Leon’s Pokémon unable to battle, Blue won the match, and the stadium cheered for both Trainers.

• Blue revealed his Dynamax Band and sent out his Charizard to face Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard.
• The two Charizard traded Max Moves, then returned to normal size, badly injured but still determined to fight.
• Blue and Leon ordered Dragon Claw, and Leon’s speed-boosted Charizard struck first.
• Blue’s Charizard answered Blue’s call to continue, but both Charizard collapsed after exchanging Thunder Punch.
• The referee declared Blue the winner after Leon’s sixth Pokémon was unable to battle, and Blue approached Leon with respect.

Blue defeated Leon 6-4 and became the first competitor to advance to the Master League Top 8. Li Wei and Red began their long-awaited battle, each sending out their ace Pokémon.

• Blue shook Leon's hand after their battle and advanced to the Top 8, while Red left before Blue could meet his gaze.
• Red told Li Wei, “See you in the finals,” and Li Wei agreed with Leon that they looked forward to facing each other.
• The other Champions discussed Li Wei's chances against Red, and Darkrai watched from the waiting room while Li Wei chose not to use it.
• Li Wei and Red entered the stadium to cheers from their supporters, and the professors watched from the research institutes and the venue.
• Li Wei sent out Lucario and Red sent out Pikachu, then both Trainers ordered their Pokémon to use Aura Sphere and Thunderbolt.

Li Wei and Red battled in the Master League, with Lucario and Pikachu trading blows until Pikachu won, then Li Wei’s Dragapult forced Pikachu to withdraw. Red sent out Snorlax, and Li Wei answered with Milotic.

• Blue defeated Leon 6-4 to advance to the Top 8, leaving Leon to watch Li Wei and Red’s match while awaiting the draw.
• Lucario and Pikachu fought head-on, and Pikachu defeated Lucario with Thunderbolt after a punishing exchange.
• Li Wei sent out Dragapult, whose Phantom Force let it evade attacks and wear Pikachu down until Red recalled it.
• Red sent out Snorlax, and Li Wei responded by sending out Milotic.

At Wyndon Stadium, Li Wei’s rarely used Milotic surprised everyone by revealing it knew Origin Pulse and defeated Red’s Snorlax. The battle continued with Red preparing to send out his next Pokémon, while Cynthia also disclosed how Li Wei’s other Pokémon had learned powerful signature moves.

• Red recalled Pikachu and sent out Snorlax, while Li Wei brought out Milotic.
• Milotic used Surf to hurt Snorlax, then stunned the stadium by unleashing Origin Pulse, which overwhelmed Snorlax’s Hyper Beam.
• Red had Snorlax use Rest and Sleep Talk, but Milotic’s repeated Origin Pulses defeated its Flamethrower and even its Charm.
• Cynthia revealed that Kyogre had more or less taught Milotic Origin Pulse, Arcanine had learned Precipice Blade, and Dragapult had learned Giratina’s Shadow Force.
• After four consecutive Origin Pulses, Snorlax fainted, Milotic panted from exhaustion, and the crowd cheered.

Red and Li Wei’s battle reached its climax as Mega Diancie overwhelmed Mega Charizard Y with Diamond Storm, but Red ordered Charizard to charge through the attack. Charizard neared the other side of the storm, and Red gave the command for Blast Burn.

• After Snorlax fell, Red sent out Venusaur, which used Sunny Day before Li Wei recalled Milotic following the clash of Solar Beam and Origin Pulse.
• Red’s Espeon used Calm Mind and Baton Pass to transfer its boosts to Charizard, but Mega Diancie struck Charizard with Diamond Storm.
• Red Mega Evolved Charizard into Mega Charizard Y, which used Drought to intensify the sunlight, while Diancie used Rock Tomb as a feint before landing another Diamond Storm.
• Despite its injuries and Rock-type weakness, Charizard continued fighting, dodged through Rock Tomb, and charged into Diancie’s full-power Diamond Storm with Flare Blitz.
• As Charizard neared the edge of Diamond Storm, Red ordered it to use Blast Burn.

Red defeated Li Wei’s Diancie with Mega Charizard Y, then sent Pikachu against Zeraora. Pikachu overcame Zeraora by shaking apart the Rock Field and using the rubble to attack, leaving both it and Red’s final Pokémon near their limits.

• Red had Charizard charge through Diancie’s Diamond Storm with Flare Blitz, and Charizard defeated Diancie before returning to its normal form.
• Li Wei sent out Zeraora while Red chose Pikachu, and Brock explained that Zeraora’s Volt Absorb and Pikachu’s already-used moves gave Li Wei an advantage.
• Zeraora pressed Pikachu with Fake Out, Plasma Fists, and Close Combat, but Red had Pikachu hammer the ground with Iron Tail to disrupt Zeraora and send rocks flying at it.
• Li Wei ordered Plasma Fists, but Pikachu collapsed the ground beneath Zeraora with Brick Break and knocked it out with a final Iron Tail.
• The referee declared Zeraora unable to battle as the exhausted Pikachu landed and the stadium erupted in cheers for Red.

The Top 8 draw set Li Wei against Steven, and the next day Lorelei, Wallace, and Lance won their knockout matches. Lance became the third quarterfinalist, while Cynthia and Leon’s match was about to begin.

• Red defeated Li Wei 6-3, advancing to the Top 8 while Li Wei dropped to a 2-1 record.
• Sabrina’s draw paired Li Wei with Steven, Cynthia with Leon, and Lance with Diantha; Lorelei drew Siebold, while Bruno drew Wallace.
• Lorelei defeated Siebold 6-4, advancing to 2-2 as Siebold’s Master League run ended.
• Wallace defeated Bruno by overcoming his Hardness Secret and Gigantamax Machamp’s G-Max Chi Strike.
• Lance defeated Diantha 6-3 with his team of Dragon-types, becoming the third competitor to reach the quarterfinals.
• Cynthia and Leon’s match began.

Cynthia and Li Wei advanced to the Top 8, and Steven, Leon, and Lorelei won the final Swiss-system matches to complete the eight-person field. The Top 8 draw paired Red with Lorelei and Blue with Steven, with the remaining matchups still to be drawn.

• Cynthia defeated Leon and advanced to the Top 8, leaving him at 2-2.
• Li Wei defeated Steven in a Steel-type battle and qualified for the Top 8.
• Steven, Leon, and Lorelei won their final matches, completing the Top 8 field.
• Diantha drew Red and Lorelei as the first Top 8 matchup.
• Diantha drew Blue and Steven as the second matchup.
• The draw began for the remaining competitors, with Leon's silver ball placed in the 3-1 pool.

Li Wei drew Leon as his quarterfinal opponent, while the other matchups paired Red with Lorelei, Blue with Steven, and Lance with Cynthia. At a celebration banquet, Li Wei’s friends encouraged him, and his confidence grew as he reflected on how battling Red had strengthened his team.

• Diantha drew Li Wei’s name first, and Vivian announced that Leon would be his quarterfinal opponent.
• Vivian revealed the full bracket: Red faced Lorelei, Blue faced Steven, and Lance faced Cynthia alongside Li Wei versus Leon.
• Li Wei, Ash, Akin, and Lt. Surge celebrated the draw, and Steven invited Professors Kukui and Sycamore to join them.
• The group discussed the matchups, and Red said Li Wei had a chance to defeat Leon while Blue urged him to win.
• Li Wei grew more confident because battling Red had improved his Pokémon’s strength and fighting spirit.

At Wyndon Stadium, Blue and Steven’s Champions’ aces fought a close Mega Evolution battle that ended with both Charizard and Metagross unable to continue. The Top 8’s final match, Li Wei versus Leon, was set to begin after the battlefield was replaced.

• Red defeated Lorelei 6-2, and Cynthia defeated Drake 6-4 to advance to the semifinals against Red.
• Steven and Blue each Mega Evolved their last Pokémon, Metagross and Charizard, with Blue choosing Mega Charizard X.
• Blue’s Charizard used Dragon Dance and opponent-tailored attacks to damage Metagross, while Steven’s Metagross countered with Stone Edge, Earthquake, and Thunder Punch.
• After both Pokémon exchanged a final Flare Blitz and Earthquake, Charizard and Metagross were both declared unable to battle.
• Steven and Blue congratulated each other as the crowd applauded, and Li Wei’s match against Leon was announced as the final Top 8 bout.

Li Wei and Leon’s battle continued as Sirfetch’d and Aegislash knocked each other out, then Li Wei’s Dragapult defeated Leon’s with Giratina’s Shadow Force. Leon sent out Rillaboom, which defeated Dragapult but took a Dragon Darts hit before it fell.

• Sirfetch’d and Aegislash fought fiercely, and both Pokémon were unable to continue battling.
• Li Wei and Leon sent out their Dragapult, which opened with Dragon Darts, Dragon Dance, Agility, and Dragon Rush.
• Li Wei’s Dragapult used Shadow Force, a technique Giratina had taught it, to strike Leon’s Dragapult from its shadow and evade its Dragon Darts.
• Li Wei’s Dragapult punished Leon’s Dragapult’s U-turn with Assurance, knocking it out and winning the mirror match.
• Li Wei told Leon that Giratina had personally taught Dragapult Shadow Force during training in the Distortion World.
• Leon sent out Rillaboom, which defeated Li Wei’s Dragapult after taking a Dragon Darts attack.

Li Wei and Leon’s battle reached a 3–3 tie after Metagross and Rillaboom knocked each other out. Li Wei then sent Lucario against Leon’s Cinderace, and the chapter left them trading attacks.

• Metagross and Rillaboom clashed, and Li Wei used Earthquake to destroy Leon’s Grassy Terrain.
• As Rillaboom prepared a finishing Wood Hammer, Li Wei ordered Metagross to meet it with Ice Punch, freezing Rillaboom as both Pokémon fell.
• The referee declared Metagross and Rillaboom unable to battle, making the score Li Wei 3–3 Leon.
• Li Wei sent out Lucario while Leon chose Cinderace, and Lucario refused Li Wei’s offer to recall it.
• Lucario used Earthquake to break apart Cinderace’s Will-O-Wisp, then faced Cinderace’s Pyro Ball with Aura Sphere and evaded further attacks using aura sensing.

Li Wei’s Lucario defeated Leon’s Cinderace despite its type disadvantage, and Zeraora then beat Inteleon in a clash of speed. Leon sent out Charizard for the decisive battle, declaring the match would not be over until Li Wei defeated it.

• Li Wei’s Lucario overcame Cinderace’s attacks and won with Close Combat, proving victorious despite the type disadvantage.
• Li Wei sent out Zeraora, which overwhelmed Leon’s Inteleon with a barrage of Plasma Fists and won the speed battle.
• Leon praised Li Wei and recalled Inteleon, then declared that the match would continue until Charizard was beaten.
• Leon summoned Charizard as the crowd erupted and Blue, Red, and the others watched the crucial battle begin.

Li Wei’s Arcanine endured Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard’s attacks and answered with Precipice Blade, badly injuring Charizard as its Dynamax turns ended. Arcanine remained standing, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved.

• Leon Gigantamaxed Charizard and attacked Arcanine with G-Max Wildfire, but Arcanine endured it using its rainbow radiance and Morning Sun.
• Leon used Max Airstream and Max Quake while Li Wei urged Arcanine to hold on.
• Li Wei ordered Arcanine to use Precipice Blade, and Red Orb fragments transformed it into what he called Primal Arcanine.
• Arcanine’s Precipice Blade struck Gigantamax Charizard and caused its form to end as its three Dynamax turns ran out.
• Charizard stood with a severe abdominal wound, while the exhausted Arcanine remained standing.

Li Wei sent out Zeraora to face Leon’s badly wounded Charizard in the final showdown. Charizard unleashed its last reserves in a desperate fight, and both Pokémon were left preparing to continue.

• Arcanine knocked out Charizard with Ancient Power after completing Li Wei’s plan, and Li Wei sent out his final Pokémon, Zeraora.
• Li Wei and Zeraora synchronized with the Power of Overcoming as Charizard’s Blaze erupted and Leon refused to concede.
• Charizard surprised Zeraora with Dragon Tail and pressed it with a series of Flare Blitz attacks.
• Li Wei and Zeraora countered with Plasma Fists while Charizard continued fighting on instinct despite its injuries.
• Leon and Charizard launched a final Flare Blitz that collided with Zeraora’s full-power Plasma Fists, leaving both Pokémon battered.
• Charizard struggled to stay airborne and gathered its remaining flames for one last attack as Zeraora stayed alert.

Li Wei defeated Leon in the Wyndon Stadium quarterfinal and advanced to the final four, where he would face Blue. Leon accepted the loss and vowed to train for next year as Li Wei celebrated with his friends.

• Li Wei's Zeraora defeated Leon's Charizard with Plasma Fists, giving Li Wei the victory after all six of Leon's Pokémon were unable to battle.
• Li Wei and Leon shook hands, and Leon said he hoped they could battle again next year before heading toward the emergency exit by mistake.
• Wen Hui confirmed that Li Wei had reached the semifinals, while Li Wen and Dayou discussed how difficult Blue's team would be to overcome.
• Leon met Raihan, Sonia, Mustard, and Honey in the Competitor Tunnel, declared that he would improve, and agreed to battle Mustard next year.
• Li Wei returned to the waiting room through Hoopa's ring and received congratulations from the others.