Recaps

Li Wei and Cynthia traveled to Alola, where Li Wei earned Tapu Koko’s approval, received a Z-Ring, and challenged the island’s Totem Pokémon. Their visit also brought them to the Trainer School and the Ruins of Life, where Li Wei connected ancient carvings to Ultra Necrozma, before they reached Akala Island.

• Li Wei asked Professor Kukui for a Z-Ring and traveled with Cynthia to Melemele Island, where Kukui revealed his Masked Royal identity and offered to guide their Island Challenge.
• Tapu Koko battled Zeraora, then gave Li Wei an Electrium Z and blessed him, and Li Wei defeated Hala’s Hariyama and received a Z-Ring and Fightinium Z.
• Li Wei and Cynthia bought adjoining villas at Kala'e Bay, thanked Hala and Kukui with dinner, and met Hala’s grandson Hau.
• Li Wei defeated Totem Gumshoos with Arcanine and received a Normalium Z, then Cynthia used Garchomp to drive off Totem Raticate and obtained Darkinium Z-Crystals.
• Ilima brought Li Wei and Cynthia to the Trainer School, where they met Samson Oak, Lillie, Mallow, Sophocles, Kiawe, and Lana, and Li Wei encouraged Lillie as she worked to overcome her fear of touching Pokémon.
• Li Wei and Cynthia defeated Totem Dugtrio and Totem Lycanroc, earning Ground-type, Steel-type, and Rock-type Z-Crystals.
• At the Ruins of Life, Li Wei and Cynthia studied ancient carvings, and Li Wei sensed that the people had worshipped Ultra Necrozma as a bringer of light and life.
• Li Wei and Cynthia flew to Akala Island to challenge more Totem Pokémon, then met Olivia at her jewelry shop in Konikoni City.

Li Wei and Cynthia completed their Alola challenges, returned to Sinnoh, and prepared their Wellness Center before joining Ash and Steven to deal with Hoopa and the missing Prison Bottle. When purification failed, Li Wei’s group released the Shadow in Nameless Valley and fought the Legendary Pokémon it controlled, with Hoopa summoning allies to help.

• Li Wei and Cynthia completed the Akala challenges, earned Z-Crystals, helped Mallow’s restaurant, and visited Aether Paradise, where Lusamine asked Li Wei to help reach Ultra Space.
• Li Wei and Cynthia returned to Sinnoh through Giratina’s Distortion World, showed off their completed Wellness Center, and learned that the Prison Bottle had gone missing in Dahara City.
• Steven, Ash, and their companions found that Barza had opened the Prison Bottle, releasing its Shadow and transforming Hoopa into Hoopa Unbound, before Steven drew the Shadow back into the bottle.
• Li Wei arrived in Dahara City and explained that Hoopa had once been kind, then led the group in attempting to purify the Shadow at Dahara Tower, but it resisted and began draining their strength.
• Li Wei and Steven moved the fight to Nameless Valley, where Li Wei released the Shadow from the Prison Bottle and it summoned several powerful Legendary Pokémon under its control.
• Li Wei’s allies fought the summoned Pokémon as Giratina, Black Rayquaza, Regigigas, and the others joined the battle, while Hoopa brought Reshiram, Zekrom, and Lugia to help.

Li Wei and his allies helped Hoopa regain its power by learning to use it responsibly, then Hoopa connected the Pokémon and people around Li Wei across several regions. Ash advanced to the Lumiose Conference final by defeating Sawyer, while Li Wei ended the stretch by battling a Melmetal pulled from an Ultra Wormhole.

• Hoopa summoned Legendary Pokémon to aid the defenders, and Ash, Cynthia, Blue, Li Wei, and their Pokémon defeated the otherworldly threats, including Shadow Hoopa.
• Hoopa regained its true form, learned from Arceus that power carried responsibility, and had its restriction lifted.
• Li Wei brought Hoopa and its Valley of Creation family to the Theme Park, Cameran Palace, and Professor Oak’s Laboratory, where Hoopa met new friends and agreed to help with research.
• Ash entered the Lumiose Conference, revealed Mega Greninja, and advanced through the tournament as Alain and Sawyer also reached the semifinals.
• Alain defeated Louis, and Ash beat Sawyer in a six-on-six battle after Ash-Greninja defeated Mega Sceptile, securing his place in the final.
• Li Wei asked Hoopa to retrieve a Pokémon from an Ultra Wormhole, and Sirfetch’d began battling the wary Melmetal at the Battle Tower.

Li Wei caught and studied Melmetal before traveling with Cynthia and their companions to Kalos and Galar. Ash won the Lumiose Conference but then lost to Pachira, while Li Wei advanced through the Master League rounds and drew Bruno for his next match.

• Li Wei caught Melmetal after Sirfetch'd defeated it, then brought it home and introduced it to his family and Pokémon.
• Professor Rowan examined Melmetal, recorded its data, and advised Li Wei on its metal-based diet before Li Wei took his group to Kalos.
• Ash defeated Alain in the Lumiose Conference final and became champion, then lost to Pachira and decided to study in Alola to improve his Trainer skills.
• Li Wei defeated Luo Bai 3-0 in the Master League opener and later studied Brawly’s Softness Secret while preparing for his next match.
• As the tournament narrowed to sixteen competitors, Li Wei drew Bruno, and the contestants prepared to move to Wyndon after a day’s break.