Recaps

Professor Oak arrived in Alola to watch Ash compete in the tournament, and Ash’s Meltan summoned many others to evolve into Melmetal. The group headed to a dinner hosted by Lusamine, while Ash welcomed Melmetal to his team.

• Professor Oak, Delia, and Crystal arrived at Manalo Stadium, where Ash and Professor Kukui welcomed them.
• Meltan broke free from Professor Oak, spun its head, and summoned Meltan from beneath the sea and nearby waters.
• The gathered Meltan merged in golden light, transforming Ash’s Meltan into Melmetal.
• Professor Oak and Professor Burnet discussed how the transformation compared with Zygarde’s Complete Forme, while Crystal recorded her observations.
• Li Wei invited the group to Lusamine’s dinner, and Ash introduced Melmetal to Rowlet before they set off to eat.

The Alola League final began with Ash facing Gladion in a six-on-six battle, and Ash opened with his newly evolved Melmetal against Gladion’s Silvally. Gladion changed Silvally to Fighting type, but Ash answered with Melmetal’s Ice Punch and Thunder Punch at once.

• Jessie, Meowth, and the other spectators watched as commentators Ji Qiu, Cynthia, and Li Wei introduced the final, while Ash’s friends and family cheered from the stands.
• Ji Qiu announced the six-on-six rules, and Ash and Gladion each declared their determination to battle at full strength.
• Ash sent out Melmetal, which had evolved the previous night, while Gladion chose Silvally.
• Ash ordered Melmetal to use Double Iron Bash, and Silvally dodged before Gladion activated its Fighting Memory to change its type.
• Gladion used Silvally’s Multi-Attack against Melmetal, which blocked the blow and slid backward, then Ash revealed Melmetal’s Ice Punch and Thunder Punch together.

Ash's Melmetal defeated Gladion's Silvally with a spinning combination of Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, and Double Iron Bash, which Ash dubbed Tornado Destroys the Parking Lot. Gladion sent out Lucario to face Melmetal, and Ash immediately continued the attack as the battle pressed on.

• Ash had Melmetal combine Ice Punch and Thunder Punch with Double Iron Bash, sending Silvally flying and breaking through its Protect with a final spinning assault.
• Hala declared Silvally unable to battle, giving Ash the first-round victory as Manalo Stadium erupted in cheers.
• Li Wei explained that Melmetal's strength powered the combination attack and noted several ways it could be countered, while Cynthia warned that the battle had only just begun.
• Gladion recalled Silvally and sent out Lucario, whose aura rippled across the field as spectators wondered how it would stop Melmetal's attack.
• Ash ordered Melmetal to use the spinning combination again, continuing his offensive against Lucario.

Gladion used Lucario to disrupt Melmetal’s spinning attack and defeat it, tying the battle with Ash at one apiece. Gladion then sent out Crobat, while Ash answered with Naganadel.

• Gladion had Lucario fire Aura Spheres into Melmetal’s path, creating craters that broke Melmetal’s balance and stopped its spin.
• Gladion ordered Lucario to use Close Combat, and Lucario knocked Melmetal out with a six-hit combo.
• Hala declared Melmetal unable to battle, tying Ash and Gladion’s score at one apiece.
• Gladion recalled Lucario and sent out the speedy Crobat.
• Ash sent out Naganadel to face Crobat.

Ash’s Naganadel defeated Gladion’s Crobat, but Gladion’s Porygon-Z used Trick Room and Ice Beam to knock Naganadel out. With the score tied at 2-2, Ash sent out Pikachu to face Porygon-Z.

• Gladion’s Crobat used its speed to harass Naganadel until Ash had Naganadel use Dragon Dance to boost its speed.
• Naganadel struck Crobat with two Thunderbolts and knocked it out, putting Ash ahead 2-1.
• Gladion sent out Porygon-Z, whose Download Ability raised its Special Attack, then used Trick Room to reverse the speed advantage.
• Porygon-Z froze Naganadel with Ice Beam and knocked it out with Tri Attack, tying the score at 2-2.
• Ash sent out Pikachu, and when Porygon-Z opened with Ice Beam, Ash ordered Pikachu to dodge with Quick Attack and charge in.

Ash’s Pikachu defeated Gladion’s Porygon-Z with Electroweb and Iron Tail, bringing the score to 3-2. Gladion sent out Zoroark, his missing father Mohn’s former partner, and the battle continued with Pikachu facing Zoroark’s Hyper Voice.

• Ash’s Pikachu bound Porygon-Z with Electroweb and knocked it out with Iron Tail, giving Ash’s team a 3-2 lead.
• Gladion recalled Porygon-Z and sent out Zoroark, which had once belonged to his father, Mohn.
• Gladion and Ash traded attacks as Zoroark used Night Daze, Flamethrower, Dark Pulse, and Hyper Voice against Pikachu.
• Ash told Pikachu to meet Zoroark’s Hyper Voice with a maximum-power Thunderbolt.

Ash and Gladion’s Pikachu and Zoroark knocked each other out in a devastating final clash, bringing the score to 4-3. Ash sent out Torracat to face Gladion’s Lucario, and their battle began with Torracat countering Aura Sphere with Fire Fang.

• Gladion’s Zoroark and Ash’s Pikachu exchanged attacks until both collapsed unconscious in a huge crater.
• Hala declared Pikachu and Zoroark unable to battle, and the scoreboard changed to 4-3.
• Ash thanked Pikachu and sent out Torracat, while Gladion chose Lucario.
• Torracat charged with Flame Charge, but Lucario dodged and fired an Aura Sphere.
• Ash ordered Torracat to counter with Fire Fang, which clashed with Aura Sphere and neutralized most of its force.
• Ash used the smoke from the explosion as cover and told Torracat to charge in with Fire Fang.

Ash’s Torracat and Rowlet battled Gladion’s Lucario in the final stretch of their match. Rowlet’s Brave Bird overcame Lucario’s Extreme Speed, leaving the match’s outcome to be determined by the remaining Pokémon.

• Torracat used Fire Blast to badly burn Lucario, but Lucario trapped it with Psychic and struck with Extreme Speed.
• Ash ordered Torracat to use Payback, and its counterattack left both Pokémon down; Torracat was unable to battle, while Lucario remained standing but nearly exhausted.
• Ash sent out Rowlet, and Gladion kept Lucario in the battle despite its injuries.
• Rowlet used its Everstone for Seed Bomb to meet Lucario’s Aura Sphere, then launched Brave Bird.
• Brave Bird broke through Lucario’s Extreme Speed and struck its crossed arms, leaving Lucario unable to battle while Rowlet landed, visibly fatigued.

Ash and Gladion sent their final Pokémon, Lycanroc (Dusk Form) and Lycanroc (Midnight Form), into a fierce battle for the Alola Championship. After their Counters neutralized each other, both Trainers unleashed their Z-Moves, leaving the outcome undecided.

• Rowlet defeated Gladion's Lucario, leaving Gladion with one Pokémon and Ash one battle away from becoming Champion.
• Gladion sent out Lycanroc (Midnight Form), and Ash recalled Rowlet and chose Lycanroc (Dusk Form) for the final battle.
• The two Lycanroc traded Stone Edge, Accelerock, Counter, and other attacks as their battle escalated.
• Midnight Lycanroc used Outrage, while Dusk Lycanroc answered with Stone Edge; both Pokémon were injured in the clash.
• The Lycanroc used Counter against Counter, creating a quadruple counter that made either side reluctant to attack.
• Ash and Gladion activated their Z-Rings and launched Splintered Stormshards and Devastating Drake at each other.

Ash defeated Gladion in the Manalo Conference final and became the Alola League’s first Champion. After receiving the trophy, Ash looked forward to battling the Masked Royal the next day, while Blue decided to train after watching the match.

• Ash and Gladion used their final Z-Moves, and Lycanroc remained standing after their attacks collided while Midnight Lycanroc fell.
• Hala declared Ash the winner of the Manalo Conference, and Gladion congratulated him on becoming Alola’s first Champion.
• Ash and Gladion shook hands as the crowd celebrated, and their Lycanroc shared a friendly head pat.
• Professor Kukui, disguised as the Masked Royal, presented Ash with the Champion’s trophy, and Ash raised it with his Pokémon gathered around him.
• Blue switched off the broadcast and set out to train, but Daisy insisted he eat with her first.
• Dawn celebrated Ash’s victory in the Chat Group, while Lance said he had missed the matches and Steven recommended watching the replays.

Two Guzzlord emerged from Ultra Wormholes during Ash’s Champion celebration, forcing the Alola League’s leaders and spectators to evacuate. Li Wei and Cynthia faced the Ultra Beasts, with Mega Diancie and Mega Garchomp ready to fight as the battle began.

• Wicke detected an immense ultra aura as a purple Guzzlord fell into Manalo Stadium, followed by a far larger Shiny Guzzlord.
• Lusamine announced an evacuation, and Li Wei and Cynthia organized the officials, island leaders, and young trainers to guide the spectators to safety.
• Li Wei summoned Hoopa, who brought Diancie and Li Wei’s Pokémon to the battlefield.
• Li Wei Mega Evolved Diancie, while Cynthia Mega Evolved Garchomp to confront the two Guzzlord.
• Mega Diancie struck the purple Guzzlord with Dazzling Gleam, making it roar in pain.

Li Wei and Cynthia quickly defeated the two Guzzlord that attacked Manalo Stadium, and the researchers later investigated why the Ultra Wormholes had opened. At Ash’s celebration banquet, Faba traced the immediate trigger to powerful Z-Moves, while Cynthia suggested that Alola’s many rifts and the stadium’s accumulated energy also contributed.

• Cynthia’s Mega Garchomp and Li Wei’s Mega Diancie overwhelmed the two Guzzlord and knocked them both out.
• Li Wei had Hoopa return the Guzzlord through its rings, while Wicke and Faba closed the Ultra Wormholes without anyone being injured.
• Ash and the others marveled at the Pokémon’s strength, and Alola’s leaders thanked Li Wei and Cynthia for preventing further harm.
• Faba presented evidence that Ash and Gladion’s powerful Z-Moves had attracted the energy-sensitive Guzzlord through the Ultra Wormholes.
• Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet confirmed that the Z-Moves had produced unusually high energy, while Cynthia added that Alola’s rifts and the stadium’s accumulated energy may also have drawn the Guzzlord.

Ash and Professor Kukui began their exhibition match at Manalo Stadium, with Torracat facing its rival Incineroar. Torracat’s speed and attacks failed to overcome Incineroar’s experience and power, and Kukui called for Blast Burn.

• Manalo Stadium reopened for Ash and Professor Kukui’s exhibition match, with Li Wei and Cynthia joining Ji Qiu as commentators and Hala refereeing.
• Ash sent out Torracat, and Kukui answered with Incineroar, setting their rivals against each other.
• Torracat used Flame Charge repeatedly to gain speed, but Incineroar read his movements and countered with Inferno Overdrive.
• Ash ordered Torracat to attack with Fire Fang, but Incineroar knocked him back with Inferno Overdrive.
• Kukui called for Incineroar to use Blast Burn as it gathered Fire-type energy.

Torracat absorbed Professor Kukui’s Blast Burn before Ash recalled it to recover, then Ash sent Lycanroc to battle Braviary. Braviary seized Lycanroc and hurled it from high above, but Lycanroc got back up and charged again.

• Torracat charged into Incineroar’s Blast Burn and absorbed the flames through its fire bell, enduring intense strain.
• Ash trusted Torracat’s attempt, then recalled it when it reached its limit and sent out Lycanroc.
• Professor Kukui replaced Incineroar with Braviary, and Ash kept Lycanroc in despite Braviary’s advantages.
• Lycanroc countered Braviary’s Rock Slide and tried to intercept its attacks, but Braviary caught it with Seismic Toss and threw it to the ground from high above.
• Lycanroc stood back up and charged at Braviary, which struck first with Dual Wingbeat.

Ash's exhausted Lycanroc used Counter to weaken Kukui's Braviary before being knocked out, and Rowlet defeated Braviary after an aerial Everstone rally and a Brave Bird collision. Kukui sent out Venusaur, leaving Ash's battered Rowlet to face his next opponent.

• Lycanroc struck Braviary with Counter, then fell to Braviary's final Brave Bird and was unable to battle.
• Ash sent out Rowlet, who began an aerial rally by batting his Everstone back and forth with Braviary.
• Rowlet used Brave Bird to collide with Braviary, and Braviary fell while Rowlet managed to stay aloft.
• Kukui recalled Braviary and sent out Venusaur to continue the match.

Ash’s Rowlet battled Professor Kukui’s Venusaur, escaping a Solar Beam with Feather Dance before being defeated by Sleep Powder and Sludge Bomb. With Kukui leading 2–1, Ash sent out Torracat to face Venusaur.

• Professor Kukui sent out Venusaur, and Ash ordered Rowlet to attack with Brave Bird.
• Venusaur caught Rowlet in its flower and prepared Solar Beam, but Rowlet used Feather Dance to escape just before the attack fired.
• Venusaur trapped Rowlet with Vine Whip, but Ash had it use Seed Bomb to launch its Everstone into Venusaur and break free.
• Venusaur’s Sleep Powder slowed Rowlet, and a Sludge Bomb struck it, leaving it unable to battle as Venusaur took the lead 2–1.
• Ash sent out Torracat against Venusaur and ordered it to use Flame Charge.

Ash’s Torracat defeated Professor Kukui’s Venusaur with a devastating Fire Blast after absorbing Incineroar’s Blast Burn and growing stronger. The score was tied, and Ash sent out Melmetal to face Kukui’s Empoleon.

• Ash recalled Rowlet and sent Torracat back into battle, revealing that it had absorbed Incineroar’s Blast Burn and gained extraordinary firepower.
• Torracat used Flame Charge to evade Venusaur’s Vine Whips and rush behind it.
• Ash ordered Fire Blast, and Torracat’s attack struck Venusaur before it could fire Solar Beam, knocking it out.
• Hala declared Torracat the winner, tying the score, and Professor Kukui praised Ash and Torracat before recalling Venusaur.
• Professor Kukui sent out Empoleon, and Ash chose Melmetal; Ash commanded Double Iron Bash as Kukui ordered Metal Claw.

Ash and Professor Kukui battled at Manalo Stadium, where Kukui’s Empoleon and Lucario defeated Ash’s Melmetal. Ash sent out Naganadel against Lucario, and the fight continued with both Pokémon still standing.

• Empoleon’s Whirlpool and Wave Crash failed to overcome Melmetal, which knocked Empoleon out with Thunder Punch and Double Iron Bash.
• Professor Kukui sent out Lucario, which used Low Kick to knock Melmetal down before locating it through Aura and defeating it with successive Aura Spheres.
• Ash sent out Naganadel against Lucario, and both Pokémon traded attacks while Naganadel boosted its speed with Dragon Dance.
• Lucario closed in with Extreme Speed, but Naganadel escaped the smoke and dodged Lucario’s Aura Sphere by taking off.

Ash and Torracat defeated Professor Kukui’s Incineroar in a fierce Z-Move clash, but Torracat evolved into Incineroar and immediately ran out of stamina. As Kukui prepared to send out his last Pokémon, Tapu Koko descended into Manalo Stadium.

• Naganadel defeated Lucario with a point-blank Dragon Pulse, leaving Professor Kukui with two Pokémon.
• Torracat and Incineroar fought in a close-range battle, trading heavy blows as both trainers prepared Inferno Overdrive.
• Ash and Professor Kukui unleashed Inferno Overdrive at the same time, and Torracat remained standing after Incineroar fell.
• Torracat evolved into Incineroar, then became unable to battle from exhaustion, leaving both trainers to choose their next Pokémon.
• Tapu Koko descended from the sky and landed in the center of Manalo Stadium as Professor Kukui prepared to send out his final Pokémon.

Tapu Koko appeared at Manalo Stadium and accepted Ash’s challenge, defeating Naganadel before battling Pikachu. Pikachu and Tapu Koko traded powerful attacks, and the final battle remained unresolved as both caught their breath.

• Tapu Koko landed before Professor Kukui, and Ash eagerly accepted its challenge for the final battle.
• Tapu Koko activated Electric Terrain and defeated Naganadel with Nature’s Madness after a fierce exchange of attacks.
• Pikachu took Naganadel’s place, and Ash countered Nature’s Madness with Electroweb before Pikachu closed in on Tapu Koko.
• Pikachu and Tapu Koko clashed with Thunderbolt and Discharge, then traded Iron Tail and Steel Wing blows until both were pushed back.

Ash and Pikachu faced Tapu Koko’s Guardian of Alola Z-Move with their 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt and won the Manalo Stadium battle. The Four Guardian Deities blessed Ash, who ended the match exhausted but at peace beside Pikachu.

• Tapu Koko summoned Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini, whose powers restored Kukui’s strength and transformed Ash’s Electrium Z into Pikashunium Z.
• Professor Kukui and Tapu Koko performed Guardian of Alola, creating a towering golden giant that attacked Ash and Pikachu.
• Ash and Pikachu answered with 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, and the two Z-Moves collided in a tremendous burst of light.
• Pikachu stood back up after the collision, and the referee declared Tapu Koko unable to battle and Ash the winner.
• The other guardian deities blessed Ash, while he and Pikachu rested together after the exhausting battle.

The Pokémon School friends discussed their plans for the break while Li Wei oversaw construction of a challenging new training facility at the Theme Park. Ash prepared for the Master League, and Li Wei planned further expansion of the Park.

• Sophocles said he and Molayne would visit the Mossdeep Space Center, while Mallow planned to study with Li Wei in Jubilife City as Aina's Kitchen underwent renovations.
• Mallow invited the group to spend two days at the Pokémon Theme Park, and Lana, Kiawe, and Lillie shared their plans for the break.
• Ash said he would enter the Master League, which was due to begin its Knockout Round the following month, and remained Alola's Champion.
• Li Wei visited the Theme Park to oversee a new training facility with a waterfall and cliff for Pokémon such as Kubfu and Riolu to train on safely.
• Li Wei planned to add a water park and other facilities the next year, bringing the Theme Park closer to completion.

Li Wei brought Magearna’s Soul-Heart to Lillie, and Lillie awakened Magearna by speaking of her father, Mohn. Magearna revealed that it knew where Mohn was and projected a beam pointing northwest, possibly toward Galar, as Lillie received an excited call from her mother.

• Li Wei received Magearna’s intact Soul-Heart from Diantha and took it to Lillie’s home on Melemele Island.
• Lillie installed the Soul-Heart in Magearna, but Magearna remained inactive while Li Wei investigated.
• Lillie remembered Mohn and whispered that she missed him, causing Magearna’s Soul-Heart to shine and awaken Magearna.
• Magearna recognized Mohn in a family portrait and confirmed that it knew where he was.
• Magearna projected a beam pointing northwest, and James said the direction could reach northern Galar; Lillie then answered a call from Lusamine.

Lusamine received a report that a Trainer had seen someone resembling Mohn in Galar’s Crown Tundra, and she prepared to investigate. Lillie then revealed that awakened Magearna knew where Mohn was, and Li Wei brought her and their companions to Aether Paradise to join Lusamine.

• Wicke told Lusamine that Xiaoxiu had spotted a man resembling Mohn in the Crown Tundra, and Lusamine considered arranging a search with Galar’s help.
• Lusamine called Lillie to share the report, and Lillie revealed that Magearna had awakened and knew where Mohn was.
• Lusamine asked Li Wei to accompany Lillie to the Crown Tundra, and he agreed.
• Li Wei used Hoopa to bring Lillie, James, and Magearna to Aether Paradise, where Lusamine was also informing Gladion.
• Li Wei suspected Mohn was in the Crown Tundra but thought they might find someone else there too, so he knew they needed to prepare.

Li Wei, Lillie, and Lusamine learned that Magearna’s Soul-Heart beam pointed toward the Galar Region, supporting the theory that Mohn was in the Crown Tundra. After the group reviewed Xiaoxiu’s sighting and prepared to search, Gladion arrived and urged Lusamine to go find Mohn.

• Li Wei and Lillie arrived at Aether Paradise through Hoopa’s ring, where Wicke offered Xiaoxiu a reward for helping find Mohn.
• Magearna confirmed that its beam pointed toward Mohn, and Li Wei explained that following it would lead to him.
• James and the Aether Foundation’s supercomputer traced the beam’s route to Galar, while Xiaoxiu’s sighting placed Mohn near Giant’s Bed in the Crown Tundra.
• Wicke reported that Xiaoxiu could guide them to the sighting location, and Faba’s equipment narrowed Magearna’s signal to Galar’s snowy south.
• After Li Wei briefed Gladion, Gladion stood and urged Lusamine to go find Mohn.