Recaps

Red defeated Blue and joined Li Wei as the first Trainers to advance to the Master League Top 8 with 3-0 records. The next day, Cynthia battled Lance, and her Mega Garchomp took down his Dragonite to give her a decisive advantage.

• Red defeated Blue by a score of 6-4, leaving Blue and Ash waiting for their next chances to advance.
• Li Wei rested his Pokémon and watched the matches with Meloetta, Diancie, and Hoopa.
• Cynthia and Lance began their battle by sending out Garchomp and Dragonite, then switched Pokémon as the fight continued.
• Lance's Mega Gyarados badly injured Cynthia's Roserade, so Cynthia Mega Evolved Garchomp and defeated Gyarados with Dragon Claw.
• Cynthia trapped Lance's Dragonite in Sand Tomb and struck it with Dragon Claw, knocking it out.

Cynthia, Diantha, Steven, and Leon won their matches at Hammerlocke Stadium, while the round-robin draw paired Ash with Steven and Blue with Leon. The 1-2 group draw also set old rivals Lance and Lorelei against each other.

• Cynthia defeated Lance after Togekiss knocked out his last Pokémon, Hydreigon.
• Diantha defeated Mustard when Goodra endured Urshifu's attacks and finished it with Dragon Pulse.
• Steven beat Lorelei 6-4 after Silver Mega Metagross swept through Lapras, Articuno, and Alolan Ninetales, while Leon defeated Roland 6-3.
• Elesa drew Ash against Steven, Blue against Leon, and Cynthia against Diantha in the 2-1 group.
• Elesa drew Lance against Lorelei, Roland against Wallace, and Mustard against Professor Kukui in the 1-2 group.

Ash fell from a 2-0 start to 2-2 after losing to Steven, while Blue, Cynthia, Lance, and Roland advanced and several Trainers were eliminated. The final Round of 16 pairings were set, and Ash and Roland emerged to begin their match with Li Wei commentating.

• Steven defeated Ash at Hammerlocke Stadium, leaving Ash with a 2-2 record and facing elimination.
• Blue defeated Leon 6-4, while Cynthia beat Diantha and Lance defeated Lorelei.
• Roland defeated Wallace, and Mustard advanced after Professor Kukui lost in the Top 16.
• Nessa conducted the draw, producing Ash vs Roland, Leon vs Mustard, and Lance vs Diantha after rematch rules changed the pairings.
• Lillie and the others decided to support both Ash and Roland, and Ash vowed to give the match everything he had.
• Li Wei joined Miller as a special commentator as Ash and Roland entered the arena for their match.

Roland’s Ursaluna defeated Ash’s Melmetal in the opening battle of their Master League match. Ash sent out Greninja next, while Roland’s Ursaluna remained standing but was badly worn down.

• Roland sent out Ursaluna, and Ash answered with Melmetal.
• Ursaluna took Melmetal’s Ice Punch to complete Swords Dance, then used Fire Punch and Drain Punch to strengthen its advantage and recover.
• Ash ordered Melmetal to use Superpower, but Roland’s boosted Ursaluna met it with Headlong Rush and won the clash.
• The referee declared Melmetal unable to battle, giving Roland the first win.
• Li Wei praised Roland’s strategy and noted Ash had been too passive, then Ash sent out Greninja.

Ash switched from Greninja to Infernape after Roland’s Electivire punished Greninja’s attempted U-turn with a powerful Thunderbolt. Infernape faced Electivire in a fierce clash echoing its old rivalry, and the chapter ended as both Pokémon charged into each other with Flare Blitz and Wild Charge.

• Ash sent out Greninja against Roland’s Electivire, but Roland recalled Ursaluna and sent in Electivire to gain the type advantage.
• Greninja launched Water Shuriken and attempted U-turn, but Roland read Ash’s plan and hit Greninja with Thunderbolt before it escaped.
• Ash sent out Infernape, whose past rivalry with Electivire recalled its battles against Shinji’s Electivire at the Lily of the Valley Conference.
• Electivire attacked with Ice Punch, and Infernape met it with Fire Punch, with the flames slightly overpowering the freezing attack.
• Electivire charged with Wild Charge as Infernape answered with Flare Blitz, and the two Pokémon collided in a blast of fire and lightning.

Ash’s Infernape defeated Roland’s Electivire after his powerful Blaze erupted, but the battle left him exhausted. Roland sent out her ace Salamence, and Ash chose Pikachu for the next fight.

• Electivire and Infernape traded close-range attacks until Roland ordered Earthquake and Ash answered with Fire Blast.
• As Infernape neared his limit, his unique Blaze flared to life, and Ash urged him to break through their limits together.
• Infernape’s golden-red Flare Blitz clashed with Electivire’s full-power Wild Charge and knocked Electivire out.
• Roland praised Infernape and sent out her ace Salamence.
• Ash called Pikachu onto the field to face Salamence.

Ash and Greninja restored their bond and transformed into Ash-Greninja during their battle against Roland’s Leafeon. After trading attacks, Greninja struck Leafeon with a full-power Ice Beam at point-blank range.

• Ash and Roland sent Greninja and Leafeon into battle after their earlier Pokémon had traded wins and been withdrawn.
• Leafeon used Swords Dance to strengthen its attacks and pressured Greninja with Leaf Blade, while Greninja struggled with its injuries and type disadvantage.
• Ash and Greninja synchronized their hearts and transformed into Ash-Greninja.
• Ash-Greninja froze Leafeon with Ice Beam, then used Aerial Ace and Dark Pulse while Leafeon tried to recover and counterattack.
• Greninja and Leafeon exchanged rapid attacks until Ash ordered Greninja to fire a full-power Ice Beam at close range.

Ash and Roland fought through a grueling battle that left both Trainers with only one Pokémon each: Pikachu and Salamence. Their final showdown began with Thunderbolt and Flamethrower colliding, leaving the match unresolved.

• Ash used Greninja’s Ice Beam and Aerial Ace to defeat Roland’s Leafeon, while Greninja was left nearly exhausted.
• Dusk Form Lycanroc forced a double knockout with Roland’s Excadrill, bringing Ash ahead 3-1 before Kommo-o defeated Greninja and made it 3-2.
• Ash’s Garchomp and Roland’s Kommo-o knocked each other out after trading powerful Dragon-type attacks.
• Roland’s Snorlax defeated Ash’s Infernape and Greninja, tying the score at 4-4, before both Snorlax landed Mega Punches and fell.
• Ash sent out Pikachu and Roland sent out Salamence as their final Pokémon, and their Thunderbolt and Flamethrower collided in an explosion.

Ash and Pikachu battled Roland’s Salamence in the decisive match, using clever defenses and counterattacks to keep pace before Roland Mega Evolved Salamence. Ash chose Pikachu’s special Z-Move, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, and began its activation.

• Roland opened with Draco Meteor, and Ash had Pikachu create overlapping Electrowebs to block most of the meteors.
• Ash and Roland traded attacks as Pikachu dodged Salamence’s Iron Tail, countered Flamethrower, and escaped Earthquake with Iron Tail and Electroweb.
• Roland Mega Evolved Salamence, revealing its new form and Aerilate Ability.
• Ash chose Pikachu’s Pikashunium Z over Gigantamax and began the Z-Move pose for 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt.

Ash defeated Roland in the final Round of 16 match and advanced to the Top 8 of the Pokémon Master League. The chapter ended with Ash’s next opponent likely to be Li Wei or Red.

• Roland used Mega Salamence’s full-power Draco Meteor against Ash’s Pikachu.
• Ash and Pikachu answered with 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, and the attacks collided above Hammerlocke Stadium.
• Salamence fell and was unable to battle, while Pikachu remained standing long enough for the referee to declare Ash the winner.
• Ash caught Pikachu and celebrated his victory, then shook hands with Roland, who accepted the loss and recognized how much she still had to learn.
• Cynthia, Steven, Blue, and Lorelei watched Ash’s progress, while Red told his Pikachu he would not hold back.
• Ash’s 3–2 victory advanced him to the Top 8, where he was likely to face Li Wei or Red.

After Roland lost to Ash and was eliminated from the tournament, Cynthia and Li Wei visited her at the Budew Hotel to comfort her. Roland accepted her disappointment and resolved to keep striving for next year’s tournament.

• Leon defeated Mustard, and Lance defeated Diantha to complete the Top 8.
• Li Wei went with Cynthia to visit Roland, who sat awake in her hotel room grieving her loss.
• Cynthia praised Roland and reminded her that losing to Ash’s powerful 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt was nothing to be ashamed of.
• Roland admitted she still wanted to win and face stronger opponents, including Red and Blue.
• Cynthia shared how she dealt with losses, then offered Roland Berry Pie and encouraged her to try again next year.
• Roland accepted the pie and agreed.

Roland left for Mt. Silver after Cynthia challenged him to compete for the Sinnoh Champion title next year. The Master League quarterfinal draw paired Li Wei with Lance and Red with Ash, with the tournament moving to Wyndon for single-elimination matches.

• Roland departed after Cynthia invited him to challenge her for the Sinnoh Champion title next year.
• Nessa drew the quarterfinal bracket, pairing Li Wei with Lance, Red with Ash, Blue with Steven, and Cynthia with Leon.
• Ash celebrated the chance to battle Red, while Kiawe envied him and Professor Oak took pride in Ash’s success.
• Lance and Li Wei acknowledged their friendship and agreed to give their upcoming match everything they had.

Li Wei invited Black Rayquaza to battle Lance in the Master League, hoping to give Lance and his Dragonite a chance to face the dragon revered by the Dragon Tamer Family. Rayquaza agreed, and Li Wei’s approved roster set the stage for its appearance at Wyndon Stadium.

• Chairman Rose noticed that Li Wei had listed Black Rayquaza, but approved the roster because the Master League rules allowed it.
• Li Wei chose Alolan Ninetales, Diancie, Zeraora, Tyranitar, and Arcanine for his lineup, then decided to replace his planned final Pokémon, Dragapult, with Rayquaza.
• Li Wei used the Power of Overcoming to contact Black Rayquaza in the ozone layer above Sinnoh and invited it to face Lance’s Dragonite.
• Black Rayquaza agreed to meet Li Wei on the battlefield the next evening.
• Li Wei selected shiny Rayquaza for his final roster slot and told Meloetta to get some proper rest.

Li Wei and Lance began their Master League quarter-final match at Wyndon Stadium. Li Wei’s Alolan Ninetales and Lance’s Red Gyarados opened with defensive and setup moves, and the battle continued as Lance ordered Gyarados to use Thunder Wave.

• Jason introduced the quarter-final match between Li Wei and Lance, with Lorelei joining him as a guest commentator.
• Li Wei and Lance entered the stadium, greeted each other, and took their positions for the six-Pokémon match.
• Li Wei sent out Alolan Ninetales, whose Snow Warning brought hail across the field, while Lance sent out Red Gyarados, whose Intimidate lowered Ninetales’s Attack.
• Li Wei ordered Alolan Ninetales to use Aurora Veil as Lance had Gyarados use Dragon Dance.
• Lance ordered Gyarados to use Thunder Wave.

Li Wei's Alolan Ninetales defeated Lance's Red Gyarados by weathering its attacks with Aurora Veil and freezing it with Freeze-Dry. Lance sent out Charizard next, leaving Li Wei to note that both of Lance's first two Pokémon were Flying types.

• Li Wei sent out Alolan Ninetales, which set up Aurora Veil in the hail while Lance had Red Gyarados use Dragon Dance and Thunder Wave.
• Alolan Ninetales countered with Freeze-Dry and Moonblast as Aurora Veil and hail wore down Gyarados through several rounds of attacks.
• Lance ordered Gyarados to close in with Ice Fang and strike with Earthquake, but Li Wei's Ninetales kept firing Freeze-Dry.
• Freeze-Dry froze Gyarados solid, and Ninetales's next attack shattered the ice and knocked Gyarados out.
• Lance sent out Charizard as his next Pokémon.

Li Wei used Alolan Ninetales to defeat Lance’s Red Gyarados, then replaced hail with a sandstorm by sending out Tyranitar against Charizard. Tyranitar and Lance’s Kommo-o traded boosts and attacks in a brutal close-range clash, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Alolan Ninetales defeated Lance’s Red Gyarados with hail and Freeze-Dry.
• Lance sent out Charizard, but Li Wei switched to Tyranitar, whose Sand Stream replaced the hail with a sandstorm.
• Tyranitar used Stone Edge against Charizard, forcing Lance to withdraw it and send out Kommo-o.
• Tyranitar completed Dragon Dance as Kommo-o’s Aura Sphere struck it, then charged with Ice Punch while Kommo-o countered with Clanging Scales.
• Kommo-o used Clangorous Soulblaze and Tyranitar danced again before both Pokémon exchanged attacks and entered a close-range brawl.

Li Wei’s Tyranitar and Lance’s Kommo-o fought to a draw, after which Li Wei’s Arcanine faced Lance’s Garchomp. Arcanine forced Garchomp back with Roar, but Lance’s newly sent-out Aerodactyl gained a boost to every stat, leaving the battle ongoing.

• Li Wei’s Tyranitar and Lance’s Kommo-o knocked each other out in a final clash of Aerial Ace and Clanging Scales.
• Li Wei sent out Arcanine while Lance chose Garchomp, whose Sand Veil benefited from the lingering sandstorm.
• Lance boosted Garchomp’s Attack three times with Swords Dance, then sent it diving at Arcanine with Outrage.
• Li Wei ordered Arcanine to dodge with Extreme Speed and use Roar, forcing Garchomp to return to Lance’s team.
• Lance sent out Aerodactyl, which used Ancient Power and gained a boost to all its stats despite being hit by Arcanine’s Flamethrower.

At Wyndon Stadium, Li Wei’s Arcanine defeated Lance’s Aerodactyl by using Extreme Speed to evade attacks, maneuver through the air, and change direction mid-charge. Li Wei realized Arcanine had developed the technique on its own while racing home for meals at the Theme Park.

• Lance’s Aerodactyl used an empowered Rock Slide, but Arcanine raced between the falling rocks with Extreme Speed and closed in.
• Arcanine used Flamethrower to disrupt Aerodactyl’s flight, then chained bursts of Extreme Speed to reach it in midair.
• Arcanine collided with Aerodactyl, damaged its wing, and forced it down to the ground.
• Arcanine dodged Aerodactyl’s Thunder Fang with a sharp midair turn, struck its injured wing with Extreme Speed, and finished it with Flamethrower.
• The referee declared Aerodactyl unable to battle, and Lorelei praised Li Wei’s aerial tactics before Li Wei recalled how Arcanine learned to change direction while racing home for meals.

Li Wei sent Zeraora against Lance’s Charizard, and Zeraora gained the upper hand with its speed and powerful electric attacks. The battle continued as Charizard launched a Flare Blitz to counter Zeraora’s pursuit.

• Lance recalled Aerodactyl, and Li Wei returned Arcanine to its Poké Ball before sending out Zeraora against Charizard.
• Zeraora and Charizard faced each other as the spectators discussed Zeraora’s training and Lance’s difficult matchup.
• Lance ordered Charizard to use Air Slash, but Zeraora dodged the blades with Agility and rushed through its Flamethrower with Wild Charge.
• Charizard attacked with Dragon Claw, but Zeraora’s Plasma Fists knocked the claw aside and sent lightning surging through Charizard.
• Zeraora pursued the tumbling Charizard through the air, and Lance ordered Charizard to use Flare Blitz.

Li Wei defeated Lance’s Charizard with Zeraora, leaving Lance to send out Dragonite as his final Pokémon. Instead of choosing one of his other partners, Li Wei summoned Black Rayquaza, stunning the crowd and setting the stage for their battle.

• Zeraora struck Charizard with a second Plasma Fists, knocking Charizard unconscious and winning the match.
• Li Wei recalled Zeraora while Lance recalled Charizard and prepared to send out his final Pokémon.
• Lance summoned Dragonite, whose power grew as Lance’s dragon power resonated with it.
• Li Wei looked to the sky and announced that the appointed time had come, as the clouds churned above Wyndon Stadium.
• Black Rayquaza emerged from the clouds and took its place before Li Wei, astonishing Lance and the gathered spectators.

Li Wei and Lance faced off in a fierce aerial battle as Lance Mega Evolved Dragonite to challenge Black Rayquaza. After the two traded attacks and Mega Dragonite began to tire, Black Rayquaza signaled that it was ready to end the battle.

• Lance used his dragon power and Key Stone to Mega Evolve Dragonite, whose presence briefly held back Black Rayquaza’s Pressure.
• Li Wei and Lance both ordered Dragon Dance, raising Black Rayquaza’s and Mega Dragonite’s strength and speed.
• Black Rayquaza and Mega Dragonite exchanged attacks including Extreme Speed, Dragon Claw, Air Slash, Wild Charge, and Ice Punch.
• Mega Dragonite gradually tired and suffered burns while Black Rayquaza remained formidable, though both Pokémon sustained injuries.
• Black Rayquaza nodded to Li Wei, and Li Wei commanded it to use Dragon Ascent.

Li Wei's Mega Black Rayquaza defeated Lance's Mega Dragonite in the final clash, sending Li Wei to the semifinals. The next quarterfinal began as Blue and Steven brought out their Mega-evolved aces, Charizard and Metagross.

• Rayquaza Mega Evolved with Dragon Ascent and overwhelmed Lance's exhausted Mega Dragonite, who fell and became unable to battle.
• The referee declared Li Wei the winner, and Lance thanked Dragonite, Rayquaza, and Li Wei before shaking Li Wei's hand.
• Li Wei and Lance left the arena to applause, while the tournament moved on to Blue versus Steven.
• Steven's Pokémon defeated Blue's Alakazam and Electivire, and Blue's Aegislash defeated Steven's Aggron and Skarmory, leaving the score at 5-2.
• Steven sent out Silver Metagross as his last Pokémon, and Blue answered with Charizard; both trainers Mega Evolved their aces into Mega Charizard X and Mega Metagross.

Blue defeated Steven in a full battle after Mega Charizard X and Mega Metagross knocked each other out, earning a semifinal berth through his stronger remaining team. At dinner, Li Wei and Blue agreed to face each other with their strongest teams, and Li Wei resolved to win for himself and his Pokémon.

• Mega Charizard X and Mega Metagross traded powerful attacks before their final collision knocked both Pokémon out.
• Blue won because Machamp, Arcanine, and Blastoise remained able to battle, while Steven's team had been defeated.
• Blue advanced to the semifinals, joining the confirmed contenders ahead of the remaining matches between Red and Ash and Cynthia and Leon.
• Li Wei, Lance, Blue, and Steven returned to Cynthia's villa after taking their Pokémon to the Pokémon Center and shared hot pot prepared by Brock.
• Li Wei and Blue said they would use their trained Pokémon and full first-string teams when they faced each other.
• Li Wei resolved to win for himself and for Lucario, Silver Metagross, Dragapult, and his other Pokémon.

Ash began his six-on-six battle against Red at Wyndon Stadium, opening with Sceptile against Red’s Espeon. Sceptile’s Focus Sash activated and triggered its Unburden Ability, and Ash called for Abyssal Thrust while Sceptile clung to its last bit of stamina.

• Jason introduced Ash and Red’s match at Wyndon Stadium, and Sophocles predicted Ash had no chance of winning.
• Red sent out Espeon, and Ash chose Sceptile, whose Focus Sash Ash had equipped to make use of Unburden.
• Espeon interrupted Sceptile’s Swords Dance with Psychic, but Sceptile broke free with Earthquake and clashed with Psybeam using Leaf Blade.
• Espeon’s Psychic struck Sceptile into the stadium wall, leaving it nearly fainted, but its Focus Sash kept it standing.
• Sceptile’s Focus Sash was consumed, activating Unburden and doubling its speed, and Ash ordered it to use Abyssal Thrust.

Ash’s Sceptile fell to Red’s Espeon after a desperate Focus Sash and Unburden counterattack, leaving Ash to continue the battle with Melmetal against Red’s Blastoise. Ash adapted to Blastoise’s enormous Surf by sending electricity through the water, but Red ordered Blizzard as the fight continued.

• Ash used Sceptile’s Focus Sash and Unburden to launch Abyssal Thrust at Espeon, but Espeon recovered with Morning Sun before Future Sight knocked Sceptile out.
• Ash recalled Sceptile, encouraged Pikachu, and sent out Melmetal as Red replaced Espeon with Blastoise.
• Red’s Blastoise unleashed a massive Surf that pushed Melmetal backward.
• Ash had Melmetal use Thunder Punch on the water, sending electricity through it and damaging Blastoise.
• Red praised Ash’s adaptation and ordered Blastoise to use Blizzard.