Chapter Summaries

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.

Red’s Blastoise overwhelmed Ash’s Melmetal with powerful attacks and won, leaving Ash down two Pokémon to zero. Ash prepared to send out his next Pokémon.

• Red had Blastoise use Blizzard, but Ash had Melmetal spin and use Double Iron Bash to push back the ice and create a metal tornado charged with Thunder Punch.
• Red ordered Hydro Cannon, and Blastoise’s combined water blasts tore through Melmetal’s tornado and sent Melmetal flying.
• Blastoise struck Melmetal with two Aura Spheres, then froze its Thunder Wave with Blizzard.
• Ash had Melmetal charge with Superpower, but Blastoise stopped it with two point-blank Aura Spheres and slammed it into the stadium wall.
• The referee declared Melmetal unable to battle, giving Blastoise its second win as Ash fell behind 0–2.

Ash's Charizard faced Red's Charizard and was badly outmatched despite fighting with all his strength. When Ash urged him to rise, Blaze ignited, and Charizard prepared one last Flare Blitz.

• Ash recalled Melmetal after Red's Blastoise knocked him out, then sent out Charizard as Red switched to his own Charizard.
• Ash's Charizard attacked with Thunder Punch and Aerial Ace, but Red's Charizard evaded him with Dragon Dance and wounded him with Dragon Claw.
• The two Charizard clashed with Dragon Claw, and Red's Charizard overpowered Ash's Charizard, leaving him with deep chest wounds.
• Ash's Charizard charged with Flare Blitz, but Red's Charizard outmaneuvered him and overwhelmed his flames, blasting him to the ground.
• Ash called for Charizard to get up, and Blaze erupted across Charizard's body as Ash ordered one last Flare Blitz.

Ash’s Charizard, Ash-Greninja, and Snorlax lost to Red’s Pokémon, leaving Pikachu as his final battler in a 0–5 match. Ash and Red resumed the battle with their Pikachu, and their first Quick Attack clash ended evenly, prompting Li Wei to recognize Ash’s Full-Power Pika form.

• Charizard’s Blaze flared as it launched a final Flare Blitz, but Red’s Charizard defeated it with Fire Blast, bringing the score to 0–3.
• Ash-Greninja lost to Red’s Venusaur, and Ash’s Snorlax lost to Red’s Snorlax, leaving Ash with only Pikachu.
• Ash sent out Pikachu against Red’s Pikachu as the scoreboard showed 0–5, while the crowd and Ash’s friends urged him on.
• Ash thanked Pikachu and promised they would finish the battle without regrets; Red and his Pikachu answered with their own resolve.
• The referee resumed the match, and both Pikachu used Quick Attack, colliding at the center of the field without either gaining the advantage.
• Li Wei recognized Ash’s Full-Power Pika form and told Blue to keep watching.

Ash’s Pikachu pushed Red’s Pikachu to a standstill before Ash used Gigantamax to turn the battle around. Red acknowledged their strength and prepared an Electrium Z move with his Pikachu, leaving the two sides poised for a final clash.

• Ash and Red’s Pikachu traded Thunderbolts, Electroweb, Iron Tail, Quick Attack, and Volt Tackle in an intense, nearly even battle.
• Ash’s Pikachu grew increasingly battered but kept fighting, drawing praise from the spectators and Karuna for his strength and bond with Ash.
• Red’s Pikachu feinted and landed a powerful Volt Tackle that sent Ash’s Pikachu tumbling and left him close to defeat.
• Ash’s Pikachu used Quick Attack to evade Red’s Pikachu’s finishing strike, and Ash activated Gigantamax.
• Red acknowledged Ash and Pikachu’s strength, then synchronized with his Pikachu and prepared an Electrium Z move for the final clash.

Ash and Pikachu lost the final battle to Red, but earned his approval and the respect of the crowd. As Ash vowed to keep pursuing his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master, he walked through the Competitor Tunnel and found someone waiting there.

• Ash and Red’s Pikachu unleashed their ultimate attacks, and Red’s Pikachu remained standing after the clash.
• The referee declared Red the winner after Ash’s Pikachu could no longer battle, leaving the final score at 6-0.
• Ash thanked Pikachu, and Red praised Ash, Pikachu, and Ash’s other Pokémon before accepting Ash’s promise to challenge him again.
• Professor Kukui, Professor Oak, Ash’s friends, and the other Champions praised Ash’s performance, while Blue had already left, satisfied with his student.
• Ash vowed to keep working toward becoming a Pokémon Master, then walked into the quiet Competitor Tunnel and found a figure waiting against the wall.