Recaps

Lin Guang sent Charizard, Gyarados, Shiny Aerodactyl, Shiny Tyranitar, and Scyther against Mewtwo, hoping to shatter its Restraining Armor and face it at full strength. With the armor gone, Mewtwo overwhelmed the Pokémon but was struck by Scyther, leaving Mewtwo questioning why they fought beside humans.

• Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki left the Viridian Gym, and Lin Guang summoned his Pokémon to battle Mewtwo.
• Mewtwo knocked Charizard and Shiny Aerodactyl down, while Gyarados struck Mewtwo and shattered the Restraining Armor.
• Mewtwo’s unleashed psychic power controlled Shiny Aerodactyl, but Charizard’s Dragon Rush broke its hold and Lin Guang ordered Shiny Aerodactyl to Mega Evolve.
• Mega Shiny Aerodactyl, Shiny Tyranitar, and Gyarados attacked Mewtwo, while Scyther used Double Team to land an X-Scissor strike.
• Mewtwo saw Lin Guang’s Pokémon standing with him and questioned why they fought alongside humans.

Mewtwo questioned why Lin Guang’s Pokémon chose to follow him, prompting Lin Guang to challenge Mewtwo alone. After their battle, Lin Guang told Mewtwo that he was his own unique person, not anyone’s shadow.

• Mewtwo asked Lin Guang’s Pokémon why they willingly followed a human, and Gyarados, Charizard, and Shiny Aerodactyl affirmed their loyalty to Lin Guang.
• Lin Guang sealed the space and altered time throughout the Viridian Gym, then told Mewtwo they would fight alone so Mewtwo could find the answer he sought.
• Lin Guang used his Dragon Talisman and the Space Stone to attack Mewtwo, then relied on the Rabbit, Ox, and Monkey Talismans to dodge, strike, and transform incoming rubble.
• Mewtwo’s anger faded as he wondered why Lin Guang chose to catch Pokémon despite his own immense power.
• Mewtwo asked what Pokémon meant to Lin Guang, and Lin Guang called them companions and told Mewtwo he was his own unique existence, not anyone’s shadow.

Mewtwo left the Viridian Gym to explore the world and search for Mew, while Lin Guang later met Lance, who challenged him to a battle. The chapter ended as Lin Guang's Gyarados attacked Lance's Aerodactyl with Aqua Tail.

• Mewtwo resolved to leave the Viridian Gym, explore the world, and search for Mew, then said goodbye to Lin Guang and flew away.
• The Pokémon League investigated the Viridian Gym, uncovered its ties to Team Rocket, and questioned Lin Guang about his plans to enter the Quartz Conference.
• Lance sought Lin Guang out, sensed a special power in him, and invited him to battle after learning he planned to challenge the Elite Four.
• Lin Guang and Lance sent out Gyarados and Aerodactyl on a nearby battlefield as Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki watched.
• Lin Guang ordered Gyarados to charge Aerodactyl with Aqua Tail.

Lin Guang sparred with Lance, whose Aerodactyl showed that Lin Guang’s Gyarados could hold his own against Elite Four-level strength. After Lance left Viridian City, Lin Guang and his companions earned their eighth badges elsewhere and returned to Pallet Town, surprising Professor Oak.

• Lance and Lin Guang battled with Aerodactyl and Gyarados, and their Hyper Beams canceled each other out.
• Lance ended the sparring match, judged Lin Guang strong enough to challenge the Elite Four, and invited him to join the Pokémon League as an investigator; Lin Guang declined.
• Lance told Lin Guang that an Elite Four member would temporarily lead the Viridian Gym, then left the city on Dragonite.
• Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki decided to find another Gym, earned their eighth badges, and qualified for the Quartz Conference.
• Lin Guang and his companions returned to Pallet Town, where Professor Oak expressed surprise at their early arrival.

Lin Guang returned to Pallet Town and showed Professor Oak his unusual Pokémon, including a Shiny Aerodactyl and a Mega Evolution-form Charizard. After resting and training for three days, Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki set off for the Orange Islands to seek the Legendary Birds.

• Lin Guang introduced Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki to Professor Oak and brought his Pokémon into the professor’s backyard.
• Professor Oak examined Lin Guang’s Shiny Aerodactyl and learned that Lin Guang had caught it before the Pokémon League discovered the fossil Pokémon; he agreed to keep it secret for now.
• Lin Guang explained Charizard’s transformation and recounted what happened in the Mysterious Garden, leading Professor Oak to speculate about permanent Mega Evolution.
• Lin Guang told Professor Oak he planned to visit the Orange Islands with Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki before preparing for the Quartz Conference.
• During their three days in Pallet Town, Lin Guang secretly used the Power Stone to strengthen their Pokémon and told his companions they would seek Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.
• Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki left Pallet Town and set out for the Orange Islands.

Lin Guang and his group reached Shamouti Island, where he explained the legend connecting the Legendary Birds and Lugia. After agreeing on a plan to avoid helping Gelardan lure out Lugia, they rested and set off separately for the three islands.

• Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki arrived at Shamouti Island, where Pokémon collector Gelardan noticed them.
• Lin Guang explained that Gelardan sought Lugia and translated the altar inscription about the Legendary Birds and the Sea God.
• Lin Guang said Lugia was stronger than the Legendary Birds and calmed the weather caused by their battles.
• Mio Takamiya proposed a plan to keep their search from helping Gelardan lure out Lugia, and Lin Guang and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki agreed.
• After resting overnight, Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki split up to search Ice Island, Fire Island, and Thunder Island.

Mio Takamiya used her Astral Dress to locate Moltres beneath Fire Island’s magma and asked the Legendary Pokémon to join her. Moltres demanded proof of her strength, and after their battle began, Starmie was defeated by Moltres’s Fire Uzumaki.

• Mio Takamiya arrived on Fire Island with Raichu and manifested her Astral Dress to sense Moltres beneath the volcano.
• Mio Takamiya used her power to reach the island’s depths, where Moltres emerged from the magma and spoke to her through Telepathy.
• Mio Takamiya asked Moltres to fight for her, and Moltres challenged her to prove she could command it.
• Mio Takamiya sent out Starmie, which held back Moltres’s Flamethrower with Hydro Pump and then attacked with Ice Beam and Psychic.
• Moltres broke free of Psychic and struck Starmie with Fire Uzumaki, leaving it unable to battle.

Mio Takamiya defeated and caught Moltres with Raichu’s powerful Kirin attack, then allowed the injured Legendary Pokémon to recover beside her. As Moltres joined her, Lin Guang arrived on Ice Island.

• Mio Takamiya sent Raichu to fight Moltres after Starmie fell, and Raichu repeatedly pressured the bird with powerful Thunderbolts.
• Mio Takamiya had Raichu climb onto Moltres’s back and use its full-power Thunder, revealing the attack as Kirin.
• Raichu’s Kirin struck Moltres, and Mio Takamiya caught the defeated Pokémon in a Poké Ball before releasing it again.
• Moltres sensed that the other Legendary Birds might also have been caught, then accepted Mio Takamiya’s help recovering through her spirit power.
• Lin Guang arrived on Ice Island as Mio Takamiya remained with Moltres on Fire Island.

Lin Guang found Articuno in an ice cave atop Ice Island and challenged it to join him as his partner. Their battle began with Shiny Aerodactyl, and Lin Guang anticipated Articuno’s next Ice Beam as the fight continued.

• Lin Guang sensed Mio Takamiya drawing on her spirit power, then used the Space Stone to locate and travel to Articuno’s ice cave.
• Articuno awoke and asked Lin Guang why he had come; he asked it to become his partner and fight beside him.
• Articuno agreed to acknowledge Lin Guang if he defeated it and promised to protect his Pokémon if he lost.
• Lin Guang sent out Shiny Aerodactyl, whose Dragon Claw was stopped by Articuno’s Reflect and whose Stone Edge disappeared into Articuno’s Mist.
• Lin Guang spotted Articuno moving through the mist to prepare another Ice Beam and ordered Shiny Aerodactyl to use Rock Tomb.

Lin Guang and Shiny Aerodactyl battled Articuno, and Mega Shiny Aerodactyl broke through Articuno’s defenses so Lin Guang could catch it. Lin Guang healed Articuno and shared the Ice-Ice Fruit’s power with it, then wondered how the others were doing on Fire Island.

• Lin Guang directed Shiny Aerodactyl to dodge Articuno’s Ice Beam and strike it with Dragon Rush, but Articuno summoned a blizzard and froze Aerodactyl’s wing.
• Lin Guang Mega Evolved Shiny Aerodactyl, which recovered and overwhelmed Articuno with Stone Edge and Dragon Rush.
• Mega Shiny Aerodactyl broke through Articuno’s Reflect and struck it, allowing Lin Guang to catch Articuno in a Poké Ball.
• Lin Guang released Articuno, healed its injuries with the Horse Talisman’s power, and gave it some of the Ice-Ice Fruit’s power.
• Articuno nuzzled Lin Guang and considered becoming his companion a great opportunity, while Lin Guang wondered how things were going on Fire Island.

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki confronted Zapdos on Thunder Island, hoping to make the legendary Pokémon submit, while Gelardan headed there to capture it. Mega Venusaur battled Zapdos and fired a Sunlight Beam at it, leaving the clash unresolved.

• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki flew toward the center of Thunder Island, where Zapdos appeared and ordered her to leave its territory.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki sent out Mega Venusaur and declared that she would make Zapdos submit, prompting the two Pokémon to fight.
• Gelardan spotted the confrontation and piloted his specially built airship toward Thunder Island to add Zapdos to his collection.
• Mega Venusaur grounded Zapdos's Thunderbolt with its vines and fended off its Razor Leaves and Discharge, though the attack caused slight paralysis.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki ordered Sunlight Beam, and Mega Venusaur instantly fired a scorching beam at Zapdos.

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and Mega Venusaur battled Zapdos while Gelardan waited for a chance to capture the Legendary Bird. After the clash left Zapdos gravely injured, Kaguya caught it, and Zapdos emerged to see Gelardan’s airship and cages.

• Gelardan arrived near Thunder Island and decided to wait until Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and Zapdos had weakened each other before attempting to capture Zapdos.
• Zapdos attacked Mega Venusaur, but Venusaur used Vine Whip and Frenzy Plant to bind and batter it.
• Zapdos recovered some strength by drawing on the storm’s lightning, then clashed its strongest Thunderbolt with Mega Venusaur’s fully charged Sunlight Beam.
• Gelardan launched his specially designed ring cages at the gravely injured Zapdos, but Kaguya Ōtsutsuki caught Zapdos in a Poké Ball.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki released Zapdos, which saw Gelardan’s airship and the cages nearby.

Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki fought off Gelardan’s airship with the Legendary Birds and their Pokémon. After Gelardan fled and the airship exploded, Lugia appeared and sensed the three humans’ unusual powers and the Legendary Birds’ new trainers.

• Zapdos joined Kaguya Ōtsutsuki in the sky, while Mio Takamiya and Lin Guang arrived riding Moltres and Articuno.
• Zapdos attacked Gelardan’s airship, and Gelardan retaliated with cannons and flywheel cages to capture the Legendary Birds.
• Lin Guang and Mio Takamiya sent their Pokémon to damage the airship until Gelardan activated its self-destruct sequence and escaped.
• The Legendary Birds left their islands, shared their experiences with their trainers, and flew away from the exploding airship.
• Lugia emerged from the ocean, found the storm had subsided, and used Telepathy to tell Lin Guang that he was unusual.

After Lugia calmed the storm, Lin Guang and his companions chose to train separately for the Quartz Conference. Back in Pallet Town, Ash Ketchum and his companions found Lin Guang watching Charizard and Shiny Aerodactyl battle.

• Lugia dispersed the storm and returned to the sea after wishing Lin Guang and his companions smooth sailing.
• Lin Guang asked Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki whether they would train with him or separately, and both chose to train on their own after returning to Kanto.
• Lin Guang and his companions returned to Pallet Town, parted ways, and began training their Pokémon separately.
• Ash Ketchum and his companions found Lin Guang in the mountains while Charizard and Shiny Aerodactyl battled in the sky.
• Lin Guang reassured Ash Ketchum and his companions that the Pokémon were his, and Ash eagerly approached them in awe.

Ash visited Lin Guang shortly before the Quartz Conference, hoping to learn how to train his Pokémon. Lin Guang agreed to help and examined Ash’s team, but Ash’s Charizard challenged Lin Guang’s larger Charizard before training could begin.

• Ash admitted that he had come to Lin Guang to learn about Pokémon training, and Lin Guang took Ash and his companions to his mountain training ground.
• Ash and his companions watched Lin Guang’s Pokémon practice battles, weighted exercise, and other training, while Brock identified several Pokémon from other regions.
• Ash asked Lin Guang to teach him, and Lin Guang agreed to help during the days before the Quartz Conference.
• Ash released Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Pidgeotto, Primeape, and Charizard for Lin Guang to inspect.
• Ash’s Charizard spotted Lin Guang’s larger Charizard and attacked it with a burst of flame.

After six days of special training with Lin Guang, Ash and his friends headed to Quartz Plateau for the Quartz Conference. At the Competitors' Village, Ash reunited with Gary Oak while Lin Guang left to meet Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.

• Lin Guang's Charizard defeated Ash's Charizard with one blast, and Lin Guang offered to examine Ash's Pokémon and create a training program.
• Lin Guang examined Ash's Pokémon, used the Time Stone to repair Charizard's physical foundations, and assigned the team to train with his Pokémon.
• After six days of training, Ash, Lin Guang, Misty, and Brock set out for Quartz Plateau as the Quartz Conference approached.
• The group arrived at Quartz Stadium, verified their competitor identities, and entered the Competitors' Village.
• Lin Guang spotted Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and invited Ash and the others to join him, but Gary Oak called out to Ash, prompting an argument about their battling styles.
• Lin Guang left with Misty and Brock while Ash and Gary continued their conversation.

Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki shared contestant lodging before the Quartz Conference opening ceremony, while Lin Guang continued training and watched Ash Ketchum arrive at the stadium. The ceremony began with the contestants entering the arena, and Ash Ketchum appeared nervous as the competition got underway.

• Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki told Lin Guang they intended to defeat him, and Lin Guang said he was aiming for the championship.
• Lin Guang discovered that Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki had been assigned to his four-person contestant lodging, where they met their shy twelve-year-old roommate.
• Lin Guang secretly trained at Quartz Stadium and watched Damalanqi arrive, followed by Ash Ketchum, who vowed to fight to the end.
• The Quartz Conference opening ceremony began, and the contestants entered the stadium as the announcer welcomed Trainers with at least eight badges.
• Misty and Brock spotted Ash Ketchum in the procession, while Ash looked stiff with nerves and Gary Oak, Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki walked more calmly.

The Team Rocket trio stole Moltres's flame during the Quartz Conference opening ceremony and used a mecha to seize the ceremonial cauldron. Moltres's flame formed into its likeness, destroyed the mecha, and restored the cauldron, allowing the ceremony to continue.

• Jessie stole the torch from the torchbearer, and she and James revealed themselves as members of Team Rocket.
• Jessie lit the ceremonial cauldron with Moltres's flame, and the Team Rocket trio used their Locust Mecha to carry it away.
• Lin Guang declined to intervene and asked Mio Takamiya to ensure the flame did not hurt anyone; Mio confirmed that Moltres could control or reclaim it.
• Ash Ketchum and Pikachu tried to stop the trio, but their attacks failed, and Ash refused to retreat despite Brock's warning.
• Moltres's flame took the shape of Moltres, destroyed the Locust Mecha, and returned the cauldron to its place.
• The Team Rocket trio's disruption ended, and the Quartz Conference opening ceremony continued.

Lin Guang swept A Jing’s three Pokémon in his Quartz Conference qualifying battle, making a strong impression on the stadium. As Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki’s matches remained ahead, Lance’s brother watched Lin Guang and hoped to face him later.

• Damalanqi delivered the opening address, and the contestants prepared for the Quartz Conference qualifying battles.
• Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki drew their battlefields and learned their match times and opponents.
• Lin Guang sent out Eevee against A Jing’s Gloom, and Eevee dodged Razor Leaf with Dig before knocking Gloom out with a headbutt.
• Eevee defeated A Jing’s Vaporeon with Rocket Headbutt and Geodude with Iron Tail, winning all three battles in under three minutes.
• Lance’s brother watched Lin Guang’s rapid victory and hoped Lin Guang would remain in the tournament long enough for them to battle.

Lin Guang watched Mio Takamiya and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki sweep their matches with Eevee before joining them to watch Ash Ketchum defeat Takeshi. The chapter left Ash celebrating Kingler’s victory while Lin Guang reflected on Professor Oak’s care for the Pokémon.

• After watching the first round, Lin Guang saw Mio Takamiya sweep her three opponents with Eevee, then learned she had caught new Pokémon.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki returned with Eevee and swept her three opponents in the same time as Mio Takamiya.
• Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki watched Ash Ketchum battle Takeshi, whose Seadra lost after slipping and being struck by Kingler’s Crabhammer.
• Takeshi sent out Golbat, which hit Kingler with Razor Wind, but Ash Ketchum ordered Kingler to defeat it with Hyper Beam.
• Ash Ketchum celebrated Kingler’s victory and went to speak with the television crew.

Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Gary Oak, and Ash Ketchum advanced through the tournament’s fourth round into the top sixteen. After the finalists were decided, Ryo Min approached Lin Guang and introduced himself as Lance’s younger brother.

• Lin Guang advanced through the second and third rounds with Shiny Rhyhorn and Haunter, then swept his fourth-round opponents with Mime Jr. to reach the top sixteen.
• Mio Takamiya advanced through the second and third rounds with Seadra and Eevee, then used Pidgeot to sweep the fourth round and enter the top sixteen.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki advanced through the first three rounds with Victreebel, then used Starmie to sweep her fourth-round opponents and reach the top sixteen.
• Gary Oak broke the top-thirty-two curse and advanced to the top sixteen, naming Lin Guang as his rival in an interview.
• Ash Ketchum defeated Kunko’s Bellsprout with Muk and advanced to the top sixteen.
• After all sixteen finalists were decided, Ryo Min approached Lin Guang and said that he was Lance’s younger brother.

As the Quartz Conference advanced, Lin Guang watched Ryo Min and Mio Takamiya win their matches and prepared for Ash Ketchum’s bout against Hiroshi. He searched the Quartz Plateau for the Team Rocket trio to keep them from interfering, but they recognized him and began plotting to steal his Pokémon.

• Ryo Min told Lin Guang he wanted to battle him in the Quartz Conference finals, and Mio Takamiya left after declaring she would deal with Lin Guang’s other challengers.
• The round of sixteen began, and the chapter explained that Ash Ketchum had been worn down after the Team Rocket trio kidnapped him and his Pokémon before his earlier match.
• Ryo Min defeated a trainer from Saffron City with Dragonair and Gyarados, while Mio Takamiya beat a trainer from Viridian City using Eevee and Pidgeot.
• Lin Guang skipped the second day’s matches, then searched the Quartz Plateau for the Team Rocket trio before Ash Ketchum’s match against Hiroshi.
• Lin Guang interrupted Jessie at a phone booth, and Jessie, James, and Meowth recognized him and decided to trick him with their Pokémon checkup scheme to steal his rare Shiny Rhyhorn.

Lin Guang foiled Team Rocket's attempt to steal his Pokémon and send them after Ash Ketchum, then continued to Quartz Stadium. He arrived as Ash Ketchum and Hiroshi's match reached its final stage, with one Pokémon left apiece.

• Lin Guang recognized Team Rocket's disguise but pretended to trust Jessie and James until they tried to seize his Poké Balls.
• Jessie, James, and Meowth revealed themselves as Team Rocket and realized Lin Guang had stopped them from contacting Ash Ketchum.
• Jessie sent out Arbok and James sent out Weezing to steal Lin Guang's Pokémon, but Shiny Rhyhorn and Haunter easily resisted their attacks.
• Haunter and Shiny Rhyhorn defeated Team Rocket and sent Jessie, James, and Meowth flying away.
• Lin Guang headed to Quartz Stadium and arrived as Ash Ketchum and Hiroshi each had one Pokémon left in their match.

Ash Ketchum defeated Hiroshi in a Pikachu-versus-Pikachu battle and advanced to the Quartz Conference final eight. After the remaining round-of-sixteen matches established the quarterfinal lineup, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's match against Sandy Yuto began the next day.

• Hiroshi's Pikachu used Lightning Rod to withstand Ash Ketchum's Thunderbolt and boost its own Special Attack, but Ash Ketchum's Pikachu outlasted it and won.
• Lin Guang noted that Ash Ketchum would face Mio Takamiya in the quarterfinals and that Gary Oak would face him.
• Lin Guang won his round-of-sixteen match with Shiny Rhyhorn, Haunter, and Eevee, while Mio Takamiya defeated a trainer from the Chengdu Region with Pidgeot and Eevee.
• The quarterfinal matchups were set: Kaguya Ōtsutsuki against Sandy Yuto, Lin Guang against Gary Oak, Lance against a trainer from the Hoenn Region, and Mio Takamiya against Ash Ketchum.
• Gary Oak gathered information about Lin Guang's earlier battles and Pokémon as Lin Guang, Mio Takamiya, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, and Ash Ketchum prepared for the quarterfinals.
• Lin Guang and Mio Takamiya watched as Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's quarterfinal match against Sandy Yuto began.

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki defeated Sandy Yuto in a six-on-six battle at the Quartz Conference and advanced to the semifinals. Lin Guang and Mio Takamiya worked out that her remaining Pokémon were Mega Venusaur and Zapdos, though only they, their companion, and Professor Oak knew about the Legendary Birds.

• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and Sandy Yuto began their sixth-round match with Victreebel and Arcanine.
• Victreebel endured Arcanine’s attacks and defeated it with Body Slam.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki’s Victreebel defeated Sandy Yuto’s Nidoqueen, then her Starmie defeated Marowak and Gabite before losing.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki’s Eevee and Sandy Yuto’s Golem knocked each other out.
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki’s Arcanine defeated Sandy Yuto’s final Pokémon, sending her through to the semifinals.
• Lin Guang and Mio Takamiya concluded that Kaguya Ōtsutsuki’s unrevealed Pokémon were Mega Venusaur and Zapdos.