Chapter Summaries

Li Wei introduced Barza and Meray to Queen Arianna, then showed her how Hoopa could transport them across vast distances. After Hoopa brought them to Kala'e Bay, Li Wei planned to demonstrate another trip to Professor Oak's Laboratory.

• Li Wei introduced Barza and Meray as descendants of Arceus's envoys from the Valley of Creation, and Queen Arianna welcomed them to Cameran Palace.
• Queen Arianna asked why Lucario and Li Wei's other Pokémon were absent, and Li Wei explained that Hoopa had brought them from Jubilife City.
• Li Wei took Queen Arianna and Lucario to meet Mew and Hoopa, whose sudden appearance startled them.
• Hoopa opened a golden ring, and Li Wei, Queen Arianna, and Lucario stepped through to Kala'e Bay in the Alola Region.
• Li Wei asked Hoopa to take them next to Professor Oak's Laboratory in Pallet Town.

Li Wei brought Queen Arianna, Lucario, Barza, Meray, and Hoopa to Professor Oak’s Laboratory, where Hoopa showed off its Unbound form. Professor Oak arranged to study Hoopa after it had a couple of days to play.

• Li Wei introduced Queen Arianna, Lucario, Barza, Meray, and Hoopa to Professor Oak and Crystal at the laboratory.
• Li Wei explained how Hoopa’s rings enabled travel through space and between worlds, and told them about the Valley of Creation.
• At Li Wei’s request, Hoopa transformed into Hoopa Unbound outside the laboratory, then returned to its smaller form and cheered up with a doughnut.
• Li Wei asked Hoopa to help Professor Oak collect research data, and Hoopa agreed.
• Li Wei suggested waiting a couple of days before the research began, and Professor Oak accepted.

Li Wei visited Professor Oak with Queen Arianna and Hoopa, where they encountered a second Mew before returning to Cameran Palace. He spent time with Mew and the other Pokémon, made desserts with Philip, and left for home with Hoopa after dinner.

• Li Wei brought Hoopa, Queen Arianna, and their companions to Professor Oak's Laboratory, where they met the Mew that lived there and watched it travel through Hoopa's ring to Cameran Palace.
• Li Wei and Queen Arianna returned to Cameran Palace, where Li Wei joined Mew, Hoopa, and the other Pokémon at the playground.
• Li Wei told Barza and Meray that he would visit his teacher, Philip, and went to the workshop to make donuts and other desserts for the Pokémon.
• Li Wei served the desserts to Hoopa and the two Mew, spent another hour at Cameran Palace, and then left for home with Hoopa.

Ash arrived in Lumiose City for the opening of the Lumiose Conference, where he and Alain drew attention as the tournament’s most anticipated contestants. Malva interviewed Ash about his goal to win, while Li Wei and the others watched from home.

• Ash arrived at the Lumiose Battle Arena for the conference, which attracted attention because he and Alain were competing.
• Malva reported on the tournament as a Kalos Elite Four member and former Team Flare undercover agent.
• Li Wei watched Malva’s broadcast with Dawn and Brock, and explained that the reporter was Malva.
• Malva interviewed Ash, while the disguised Team Rocket Trio brought their camera crew over to film him.
• Ash told viewers that he intended to win the Lumiose Conference, and Dawn laughed at his confidence.

At the Lumiose Conference banquet, Ash met Alain and promised to face him in the finals, while hinting that he had a secret weapon for the tournament. Back at the Theme Park, Hoopa visited for donuts, and Meray revealed that Barza had set out to compete in a Pokémon League tournament.

• Ash reunited with Sawyer, Tierno, and Trevor at the banquet, then told Alain he had come specifically to battle him and agreed they would meet in the finals.
• The Lumiose Conference announced Ash's first-round match against A-Peng, and Professor Sycamore warned Ash that Alain would be difficult to beat.
• Li Wei asked Ash about his secret weapon, and Ash promised he would use it at the Pokémon League tournament.
• Hoopa arrived at the Theme Park after registering in Professor Oak's Laboratory's Pokédex and asked Li Wei where Shaymin and donuts were.
• Meray told Li Wei that Barza had started a journey to become stronger and protect Hoopa, while Li Wei went to find his Pokémon training at the Battle Tower.

Ash revealed that Greninja could Mega Evolve and used Mega Greninja to sweep A-Peng’s team at the Lumiose Conference. After advancing to the top thirty-two, Ash looked toward Alain, anticipating a showdown in the finals.

• Diantha opened the Lumiose Conference, and Alain defeated Trevor with Mega Charizard X in the tournament’s first match.
• Ash surprised the audience by Mega Evolving Greninja, revealing a form distinct from its Bond Phenomenon.
• Professor Sycamore’s news announcement shared the discovery of Mega Greninja and plans to distribute its Pokédex data through the regional Leagues.
• Mega Greninja defeated A-Peng’s Altaria and Blaziken, sweeping all three of his Pokémon.
• Ash advanced to the top thirty-two and looked toward Alain, thinking of meeting him in the finals.

The Lumiose Conference quarterfinals concluded, setting up Alain against Louis and Ash against Sawyer in the semifinals. Li Wei arranged for friends and family to travel to Kalos for the final and then continue to Galar for the Master League Knockout Round.

• Alain and Ash secured semifinal spots in opposite halves, while the group planned to watch their eventual final and travel to Galar using Hoopa's rings.
• Sawyer Mega Evolved Sceptile in his quarterfinal against Ayaka and defeated her Mega Absol to claim the last semifinal spot.
• The organizers announced full six-on-six semifinal matches between Alain and Louis and between Ash and Sawyer for the following afternoon.
• Steven praised Sawyer's tactical skill but noted the strength gap between him and Ash.
• Li Wei invited friends and relatives to the Kalos final and the Master League Knockout Round, then arranged to bring Korrina along from Kalos.

Li Wei arranged for his family and friends to watch the tournaments, while Steven offered to cover the Chat Group's travel and hotel costs. The next afternoon, the Lumiose Conference semifinals began with Alain facing Louis.

• Li Wei invited Vera to watch his matches, and Roland declined the Kalos finals so she could prepare for the tournament.
• Akin, Lt. Surge, Brock, Jasmine, Silver, and others agreed to attend the matches, while Steven offered to pay for their travel and hotels for his birthday.
• Steven sent twenty red envelopes worth one million Pokéyen each, and Blue claimed them all before Akin realized he had missed out.
• Steven uploaded a questionnaire to collect travel and lodging details, and the group praised his generosity as he logged off to go stone hunting.
• The following afternoon, the Lumiose Conference semifinals began, and Alain's Charizard dominated the opening match against Louis.

Alain defeated Louis in the Lumiose Conference semifinals, securing a place in the finals. As Ash prepared to face Sawyer, Li Wei remembered something and decided to go after watching Ash's match.

• Alain's Charizard defeated Louis's Rhyperior, leaving Louis with only one Pokémon while Alain had used just Charizard and Metagross.
• Louis Mega Evolved his Garchomp and struck Charizard with Draco Meteor, but Alain Mega Evolved Charizard into Mega Charizard X and overwhelmed Garchomp.
• The referee declared all six of Louis's Pokémon unable to battle, and Alain advanced to the finals.
• Ash watched Alain's victory and prepared with his six Pokémon for his match against Sawyer.
• Li Wei told Brock that Ash's match was about to start, and Brock joined Li Wei and the others in the screening room.

Ash and Sawyer began their semifinal match as viewers wondered what Ash’s secret weapon was and discussed the tournament’s battle-system rules. Ash opened with Hawlucha against Sawyer’s Slaking, and Hawlucha began attacking before Ash finally ordered it to use Swords Dance.

• At the Pokémon Theme Park, Li Wei, Cynthia, Dawn, Brock, and their Pokémon settled in to watch Ash’s semifinal against Sawyer.
• Brock and Clemont described Sawyer as an analytical Trainer who had studied Ash, while the referee announced that the battlefield would change after three Pokémon on either side were unable to battle.
• Ash sent out masked Hawlucha, whose costume Serena had made, and Sawyer answered with Slaking.
• Li Wei asked Cynthia whether Ash-Greninja counted as one of the battle systems, and Cynthia explained that the Bond Phenomenon did not use an item and generally did not count.
• Hawlucha’s Karate Chop barely affected Slaking, and Ash ordered a High Jump Kick before finally telling Hawlucha to use Swords Dance.

Ash battled Sawyer in the Lumiose Conference, where Sawyer’s carefully planned strategies knocked out Hawlucha and Talonflame before Pikachu faced Aegislash. The chapter ended with Sawyer’s Aegislash using King’s Shield to block Pikachu’s Iron Tail and sharply lower its Attack.

• Sawyer’s Slaking endured Hawlucha’s attacks, recovered with Slack Off, then knocked Hawlucha out with Counter.
• Ash sent out Talonflame, which defeated Slaking with Brave Bird before Clawitzer entered the battle.
• Talonflame and Clawitzer knocked each other out after trading Flare Blitz and Aqua Jet.
• Ash sent out Pikachu against Sawyer’s Aegislash and directed it into the forest.
• Aegislash cut down the trees with Sacred Sword, blocked Pikachu’s Iron Tail with King’s Shield, and lowered Pikachu’s Attack.

Ash used an unconventional tactic to defeat Sawyer’s Aegislash, then both Trainers lost their next Pokémon in a simultaneous knockout. The battle remained tied as the next round began on a wasteland field.

• Pikachu struggled against Aegislash’s King’s Shield and Sacred Sword, so Ash studied the cluttered battlefield and devised a plan.
• Pikachu launched broken trees into the air and used a piece of wood to interfere with Aegislash’s King’s Shield, creating an opening for Thunderbolt.
• Pikachu defeated Aegislash, bringing Ash’s consecutive knockouts to two, while Sawyer recalled his Pokémon and the arena changed to a wasteland.
• Ash sent out Noivern and Sawyer sent out Salamence, and their Dragon Claw and Dragon Rush clash left both Pokémon unable to battle.

Ash’s Goodra defeated Sawyer’s Slurpuff, leaving Sawyer with only Sceptile as Ash sent out Greninja. The semifinal’s decisive battle began with Sceptile countering Greninja’s opening moves.

• Sawyer sent out Slurpuff, and Ash chose Goodra despite Slurpuff’s Fairy-type advantage against Dragon Pokémon.
• Goodra endured Slurpuff’s attacks and released its accumulated Endure energy in a powerful beam that knocked Slurpuff out.
• Ash recalled the injured Goodra, while Clemont warned that Sawyer’s final Pokémon, Sceptile, had a type advantage over Ash’s remaining Pokémon.
• Sawyer sent out Sceptile, and Ash chose Greninja for the deciding matchup.
• Ash commanded Greninja to use Water Shuriken, but Sceptile’s Dragon Claw destroyed it before Greninja used Double Team.
• Sawyer ordered Sceptile to use Frenzy Plant, which sent plants surging toward Greninja in the air.

Ash and Greninja defeated Sawyer and Mega Sceptile in the Lumiose Conference semifinal, advancing Ash to the finals. Alain looked forward to facing Ash, while Shinji resolved to keep improving.

• Ash and Greninja activated the Bond Phenomenon as Sawyer mega evolved Sceptile.
• Ash-Greninja dodged Mega Sceptile's attacks and used Double Team and Aerial Ace to counterattack.
• Ash-Greninja froze Mega Sceptile with Ice Beam and finished him with a powerful Water Shuriken.
• The referee declared Ash the winner, and Ash and Sawyer shook hands after the battle.
• Alain anticipated his showdown with Ash, while Shinji returned to his room determined to improve.

Li Wei used Hoopa’s rings to bring the Mythical Pokémon Melmetal from Ultra Space into the Battle Tower. He sent Sirfetch’d to battle it, and the fight was still underway when Melmetal charged with Heavy Slam.

• Li Wei told Dawn and Cynthia to pack for their trip to Kalos the next day, then decided to investigate a Mythical Pokémon clue.
• Li Wei asked Hoopa to use the coordinates he provided to pull a Pokémon out of an Ultra Wormhole.
• Hoopa brought a wary, mid-Champion Tier Melmetal into the Battle Tower, where Pokédex Rotom recorded its information.
• Li Wei sent Sirfetch’d to face Melmetal, and Sirfetch’d attacked with Brutal Swing before deflecting Melmetal’s Hammer Arm with Detect.
• Sirfetch’d struck Melmetal’s joint with Brick Break, but Melmetal charged at it with Heavy Slam.

Li Wei used Hoopa to bring Melmetal to the Battle Tower and caught it after Sirfetch'd defeated it with Meteor Assault. At the Pokémon Center, a scan of Melmetal alerted the Rowan Research Institute that a new Pokémon had been recorded under Li Wei's name.

• Li Wei had Hoopa bring Melmetal to the Battle Tower, where Sirfetch'd fought it to a standstill.
• Sirfetch'd defeated Melmetal with Meteor Assault, and Li Wei caught it in a Luxury Ball.
• Li Wei thanked Hoopa and welcomed Melmetal as his newest partner, bringing his Steel-type team to four Pokémon.
• Li Wei took Melmetal to the Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy Xuelan scanned it and uploaded its data.
• The Rowan Research Institute received a notification that Li Wei had recorded a new Pokémon.

Li Wei introduced the newly caught Steel-type Melmetal to Professor Rowan, who recognized it as the legendary Cyclops and arranged to document it for the Pokédex. After Melmetal finished treatment, Li Wei brought it home and introduced it to his family and Pokémon companions.

• Professor Rowan called Li Wei after hearing about his catch, recognized Melmetal from a legend, and asked Li Wei to bring it to the institute the next morning.
• Nurse Joy and Chansey finished treating Melmetal, and Li Wei promised Nurse Joy a sweet-and-sour lunch before leaving the Pokémon Center.
• Li Wei released Melmetal and Sirfetch'd, introduced them, and watched the two Pokémon greet each other.
• Li Wei brought Melmetal home and introduced it to his family, Pokémon companions, Cynthia, and Dawn.
• Li Wei said Hoopa had fished Melmetal out and he had caught it, while Hoopa proudly accepted the credit.

Li Wei introduced Melmetal to his family and Pokémon, explaining its connection to an old Galar legend and learning that it ate metal. The next morning, Li Wei left Cynthia sleeping and went out to meditate, while his grandpa offered to make him scallion pancakes.

• Li Wei introduced Melmetal to everyone, and Cynthia suggested the legendary Galar cyclops might have been a Dynamaxed Melmetal.
• Li Wei learned that Melmetal was gentle and ate screws or other metals, and he planned to find liquid metal for it to try.
• Li Wei told Melmetal to sleep with Arcanine and the others, and Melmetal settled down for the night.
• At six the next morning, Li Wei quietly left Cynthia asleep and went outside to train his aura through meditation.
• Li Wei greeted his grandpa, Gengar, and Farfetch'd, and his grandpa agreed to make him scallion pancakes for breakfast.

Li Wei meditated at Swan Lake, then brought Melmetal to Professor Rowan’s laboratory to learn more about the Pokémon’s needs. Professor Rowan examined Melmetal and found that it appeared to be a life-form composed entirely of metal.

• Li Wei meditated with Lucario at Swan Lake while his Aura surveyed the surrounding Pokémon.
• Li Wei woke Melmetal, discovered it refused Pokéblocks, and fed it twenty kilograms of metal instead.
• Dayou agreed to prepare metal for Melmetal and wait for measurements from Professor Rowan to determine its feeding needs.
• Li Wei gave Hoopa five more minutes to finish eating before he and Cynthia traveled through Hoopa’s ring to the Rowan Research Institute.
• Professor Rowan met Hoopa, then examined Melmetal and observed that its body seemed to be made entirely of metal.

Li Wei and Cynthia brought Melmetal to Professor Rowan’s institute for a full examination and to learn how to care for it. After testing Melmetal’s body and diet, Professor Rowan recommended a daily feeding plan, while Hoopa became eager to try eating iron.

• Li Wei and Cynthia arrived at the Rowan Research Institute with Melmetal, where they shared breakfast with Professor Rowan and the researchers.
• Li Wei told Professor Rowan that he and Cynthia planned to travel to Kalos with Hoopa and meet Red, Steven, and the others; Yuzao asked him to get Red’s autograph.
• Professor Rowan and his assistants recorded Melmetal’s physical data, confirmed its Iron Fist ability and moves, and observed its instinctive response to metal objects.
• Melmetal ignored Pokémon Food and crunched up iron ore, prompting Professor Rowan to recommend forty kilograms of high-quality metal minerals and five to eight grams of metal powder each day.
• Hoopa said it wanted to try eating iron, but Li Wei picked it up and stopped it.