Recaps

Xia You and Erika tried to stop Ho-Oh from rescuing the defeated Legendary Beasts, but Ho-Oh revived Entei and Raikou and turned the fight against them. Xia You caught Suicune before Ho-Oh could restore it, while the battle continued.

• Ho-Oh appeared and shattered Xia You’s Great Ball, forcing him to prepare to fight for the Legendary Beasts.
• Xia You sent out Gardevoir, Jolteon, Crystal Steelix, Scyther, and Dragonair, while Erika released Leafeon and Tangela to help Gengar and Charizard.
• Ho-Oh restored Entei to full strength, and Xia You ordered his Pokémon to hold off Ho-Oh and block the Beasts’ escape.
• Xia You failed to catch Raikou and Suicune with two Great Balls, and Ho-Oh then revived Raikou as well.
• Xia You caught Suicune with another Great Ball while Ho-Oh was approaching.

Xia You rescued Suicune and faced Ho-Oh, but Ash and the others’ victory over Unown caused the crystals to vanish and gave Ho-Oh a chance to escape. Xia You was left with Suicune, while Entei, Raikou, and Ho-Oh got away.

• Ho-Oh attacked Xia You after he caught Suicune, but Gardevoir and Gengar intercepted its fireballs while Raikou escaped with Entei.
• Xia You ordered his and Erika’s Pokémon to attack Ho-Oh, which repelled their moves with a burst of golden energy.
• Xia You took out his Master Ball, intending to catch Ho-Oh while his Pokémon kept it occupied.
• The crystals suddenly vanished as Ash and the others apparently dealt with Unown and Xiaomei, and Ho-Oh flew out of reach.
• Ho-Oh vanished beyond the horizon, leaving Xia You frustrated but still in possession of Suicune.

After catching Suicune and driving off Ho-Oh with Erika’s help, Xia You reunited with Ash and the others, who explained how the Crystal Tower incident had ended. The group returned to the Pokémon Center, where they rested and agreed to tell the public a simplified account of what happened.

• Erika congratulated Xia You on catching Suicune and thanked him for recognizing her help against Ho-Oh.
• Ash, Misty, Brock, and Delia joined Xia You and Erika, and Erika explained that Xia You had fought Ho-Oh and caught Suicune.
• Misty told Xia You that Ash had persuaded Xiaomei to let go of her obsession, causing the illusory Entei to vanish, while the Unown had disappeared.
• Xia You and the others headed for the Pokémon Center as a rescue helicopter arrived after the danger had passed.
• At the Pokémon Center, the group ate dinner and let Professor Oak give the reporter a simplified account that concealed the battle between Xia You and Ho-Oh.

Xia You collected his recovered Pokémon and learned Nurse Joy had realized the Crystal Tower battle was real, then joined Erika and the others for breakfast. After saying goodbye to Ash and Misty, Xia You and Erika set off north toward the next Gym while Ash’s group headed west.

• Nurse Joy returned Xia You’s four Great Balls and one Poké Ball after his Pokémon recovered, and privately realized he had fought with real Legendary Pokémon at the Crystal Tower.
• Xia You slept late, then learned Professor Oak had gone to the estate with Mr. John and Delia had already left for Pallet Town.
• Erika had saved Xia You breakfast, and he ate before everyone gathered their luggage to leave.
• Xia You and Erika said goodbye to Ash and Misty, who expected to meet them again in a little over ten days.
• Xia You and Erika walked north toward the next Gym as Ash and the others went west, passing hills and fields covered in golden sunflowers.

Xia You and Erika reached a grassland beside a lake, where Erika caught a Hoppip after watching the flock and battling it with Leafeon. They shared lunch with their Pokémon, while the newly caught Hoppip bonded with Erika’s team and Suicune remained under guard by the Legendary Birds.

• Xia You and Erika crossed the grassland and watched the many wild Pokémon living peacefully around the lake.
• Erika spotted a flock of Hoppip and decided to catch one for her collection of Johto Grass-type Pokémon.
• Erika chose a graceful Hoppip, battled it with Leafeon, and caught it successfully.
• Xia You and Erika prepared lunch together and ate with their Pokémon.
• Erika’s Hoppip befriended her Leafeon and Tangela, while Suicune resisted Xia You and stayed put under the Legendary Birds’ watch.

Xia You and Erika spent the night in a festival town and continued toward Violet City, growing more comfortable with each other along the way. Near the city, they met Xing Qiwu and Xing Qisi, two more of the Weekday Brothers, who challenged Xia You to a battle.

• Xia You and Erika reached a guesthouse, corrected the proprietress's mistaken assumption that they were a couple, and explored the town festival before turning in.
• The next morning, Erika traveled with her Hoppip, while Xia You reflected on their growing closeness and Suicune's still-uncertain allegiance to him.
• Xia You and Erika reached the outskirts of Violet City after a pleasant journey together.
• Xing Qisi and Xing Qiwu recognized Xia You and introduced themselves as the fourth and fifth of the Weekday Brothers.
• Xing Qisi and Xing Qiwu challenged Xia You to a battle, offering their medals if he defeated them.

Xia You met the Weekday Brothers, Xing Qisi and Xing Qiwu, outside the city and agreed to battle them one at a time. He and Xing Qiwu sent out their Pokémon simultaneously, leaving Larvitar facing Slugma despite its type advantage.

• Xing Qiwu explained that she and Xing Qisi recognized Xia You from his photo, his battles, and their sister’s description of him.
• Xing Qisi mistook Erika for Xia You’s romantic partner, and Xia You introduced her as his traveling companion.
• Xia You and Xing Qiwu agreed to a one-round battle with both sending out their Pokémon at the same time.
• Xia You sent out Larvitar while Xing Qiwu sent out Slugma, giving Larvitar a type advantage.
• Xing Qiwu refused Xia You’s offer to switch Pokémon and vowed to win despite the disadvantage.

Xia You’s Larvitar defeated Xing Qiwu’s Slugma despite Xia You briefly getting distracted, then faced Xing Qisi’s Electabuzz in the siblings’ next match. The chapter ended as the second battle began, with Larvitar again holding a type advantage.

• A crowd gathered around Xia You’s match with the Weekday Brothers and recognized him as the champion.
• Xing Qiwu ordered Slugma to attack Larvitar with Ember, while Xia You briefly failed to react before commanding Larvitar to dodge and use Rock Throw.
• Larvitar’s Bite triggered Slugma’s Flame Body, but Larvitar’s Guts ability turned its burn into an advantage, and it defeated Slugma.
• Xing Qisi challenged Xia You and claimed his sister had been unlucky, while Xing Qiwu took over as referee.
• Xing Qisi sent out Electabuzz, but Xia You kept Larvitar in battle, leaving Electabuzz at a type disadvantage as their match began.

Xia You defeated Xing Qisi’s Electabuzz with Larvitar, which evolved into Pupitar after the battle. Xing Qisi and Xing Qiwu conceded and gave Xia You their medals, while Xing Qisi warned that the three remaining Weekday Brothers would seek revenge.

• Xing Qisi struggled to find a strategy against Xia You’s Larvitar, which was immune to Electabuzz’s Electric-type moves.
• Larvitar defeated Electabuzz with Rock Throw after resisting its Discharge and enduring its other attacks.
• Larvitar evolved into Pupitar, and Xia You used his Pokédex to examine its new form.
• Xing Qiwu and Xing Qisi conceded and handed Xia You their Exhilaration Medal and Carelessness Medal.
• Xing Qisi warned Xia You that the remaining three Weekday Brothers would avenge them, and Xia You left with Erika.

Xia You and Erika visited Bellsprout Tower in Violet City, then chose to travel through the forest toward Ecruteak City. On the way, they found the Pokémon Ninja School, where its elderly headmaster welcomed them.

• Xia You took Erika to Bellsprout Tower, where she enjoyed the temple and explained that her travel guide had described it in detail.
• Xia You read an article praising his battle against the Weekday Brothers and resolved to win the Silver Conference.
• Xia You let Erika choose their route, and they decided to visit Ecruteak City and challenge its Gym first.
• Xia You spotted the Pokémon Ninja School on his map, and he and Erika left their route to visit it.
• The school's headmaster approached Xia You and Erika, introduced himself as a ninja, and welcomed them to the school.

Xia You and Erika toured the Ninja Academy, where the headmaster explained its Pokémon ninjutsu training and tried to recruit them with a Spinarak-silk beauty treatment offer. Before Xia You could decline, Aya confronted him over their past battles and accused him of leaving her outside overnight.

• The headmaster showed Xia You and Erika the academy’s students training Pokémon in different disciplines.
• The headmaster explained that Spinarak silk could be used for beauty treatments, which caught Erika’s interest.
• The headmaster offered them a fourteen-day course for 21,580, but Xia You was preparing to refuse.
• Several shuriken struck the ground near Xia You, and Aya leaped down in front of him.
• Aya recognized Xia You and demanded they settle their old grievances, including the time he had left her out in the cold overnight.

Aya confronted Xia You for leaving her behind before, and persuaded the headmaster to let them settle the matter with a Pokémon battle at the Ninja Academy. Their match drew the academy’s students, and Xia You and Aya took their places as the crowd gathered.

• Xia You admitted that he had forgotten to wake Aya before leaving, making her furious.
• Aya demanded a battlefield, and the headmaster hesitated until she explained that Xia You was the Indigo Conference champion.
• Xia You agreed to battle Aya and told the headmaster it was an ordinary match, not a score-settling.
• Aya recognized Erika, who explained that she was traveling with Xia You to catch Grass-type Pokémon in Johto.
• The headmaster introduced Xia You to the students and announced the battle, drawing a crowd of more than two hundred.
• Xia You and Aya took their positions on opposite sides of the battlefield as students gathered around.

Xia You and Aya began a three-on-three battle at the Ninja Academy, with Charizard facing Aya’s Muk in the opening match. After Muk countered Charizard’s first attacks, Xia You launched an Air Slash that struck Muk, leaving the result unresolved.

• Aya chose a three-on-three battle in which both sides sent out Pokémon simultaneously and the last Pokémon standing would win.
• Xia You and Aya sent out Charizard and Muk, respectively, and the headmaster began the match.
• Aya ordered Muk to use Sludge Bomb, but Charizard dodged it and Xia You countered with Flamethrower.
• Aya had Muk use Acid Armor to change shape and avoid most of Flamethrower’s damage.
• Xia You ordered Fire Spin, and Aya’s Clear Smog ignited when it met the flames, canceling the attack.
• Xia You had Charizard use Air Slash, and the blades of air struck Muk.

Xia You's Charizard quickly defeated Aya's Muk, and his Jolteon gained the upper hand against her Ariados. The second battle ended with Jolteon biting Ariados amid a surge of electricity.

• Charizard used Heat Wave to dry out Muk and halt its healing, then knocked it out with Slash.
• The headmaster declared Charizard the winner, and Aya recalled Muk before sending out Ariados.
• Xia You sent out Jolteon, which dodged Ariados's attacks and forced it to spread webs across the battlefield.
• Ariados approached Jolteon after the webs slowed it, but Jolteon unleashed a barrage of electricity and bit into it.

Xia You sent Dragonair against Aya’s final Pokémon, Venomoth, after Jolteon defeated Ariados and gave him three match points. Hoping to win without humiliating Aya, he let Dragonair face her ace, and their battle remained evenly matched.

• Jolteon defeated Aya’s Ariados with a close-range Discharge, leaving Aya with one Pokémon.
• Aya sent out Venomoth, and Xia You chose Dragonair as its opponent.
• Xia You sent Dragonair because its strength and typing offered Aya a fairer battle while still giving him a chance to win.
• Aya attacked aggressively with Venomoth, while Dragonair dodged and countered with moves including Agility, Twister, Thunder Wave, and Dragon Rage.
• Dragonair and Venomoth traded blows evenly as the students watched with excitement.

Xia You defeated Aya in the final battle at the Ninja Academy, where Dragonair knocked out Venomoth with Aqua Tail. After Aya vowed to challenge him again someday, Xia You left the academy with Erika, worried that their rivalry would continue.

• Aya ordered Venomoth to use Leech Life, while Xia You countered with Dragonair's Aqua Tail.
• Dragonair dodged Venomoth's attack and struck it with Aqua Tail, knocking it unconscious and winning Xia You the match.
• Aya accepted her defeat, and Xia You praised her and Venomoth's performance.
• Aya promised to train after finishing her studies and challenge Xia You again, leaving him dismayed.
• Xia You and Erika left the Ninja Academy after lunch, and Xia You complained that Aya would keep pursuing him.

Xia You and Erika arrived in Ecruteak City and explored its historic streets while learning about the Bell Tower, the Burned Tower, and Ho-Oh's legend. They checked into a guesthouse, where the owner told them that the Ecruteak Five were performing that night.

• Xia You and Erika chose the road to Ecruteak City instead of visiting the National Park.
• Xia You and Erika admired Ecruteak City's traditional streets and read about its famous towers and the legend of Ho-Oh reviving Entei, Suicune, and Raikou.
• Xia You decided to find lodging rather than challenge Morty's Gym before nightfall.
• The guesthouse owner told Xia You and Erika that the Ecruteak Five would perform at the Ecruteak Dance Theater that night.

Xia You and Erika visited Ecruteak Dance Theater after securing last-minute tickets to a performance of the Legend of the Burned Tower. As they waited for the show to begin, Xia You noticed a monk with a Bellsprout and a girl peeking out from a small stage door.

• Xia You and Erika strolled through Ecruteak City's crowded evening street, sampling snacks as they headed to the theater.
• Xia You showed Erika the tickets he had managed to buy online after a long search.
• Xia You and Erika entered the packed Ecruteak Dance Theater and took their second-floor seats.
• Xia You noticed a monk attending the show with a Bellsprout beside him.
• Xia You saw a girl peering through a small door near the stage, and she quickly withdrew when their eyes met.

Xia You and Erika watched the Eevee Sisters perform Ecruteak City's legend, including the burning of the Bell Tower, and were impressed by the elaborate show. Afterward, as they prepared to leave, an Eevee ran past them with a girl in a pink kimono chasing after it.

• At eight o'clock, the performance began with projections of Lugia and Ho-Oh and a dancer in a black kimono narrating Ecruteak City's history.
• The women in black and yellow kimonos portrayed Umbreon and Jolteon as the legend turned to the storm and the Bell Tower's destruction by fire.
• A woman in a red kimono brought Flareon onto the stage, and a blue-kimono dancer used Vaporeon to depict the rain extinguishing the flames.
• The five Eevee Sisters performed together, and the girl in pink released Espeon as the story ended with sunlight returning to the city and the Bell Tower left in ruins.
• Xia You and Erika applauded the show, then waited for the crowd to thin before leaving the auditorium.
• An Eevee ran up behind Xia You and Erika as a girl in a pink kimono chased after it, calling for it to wait.

After meeting Xiaomei and receiving an invitation to the Eevee Sisters’ tea party, Xia You went with Erika to challenge Morty at the Ecruteak Gym. The three-on-three battle began with Xia You choosing to give his less experienced Pokémon a chance to train.

• A frightened Eevee crashed into Xia You, and Xiaomei apologized and explained that a wild Fearow had startled it backstage.
• Xia You and Erika praised Xiaomei’s performance, and Xiaomei invited them to the Eevee Sisters’ tea party the next morning.
• The next day, Erika insisted on accompanying Xia You to the Ecruteak Gym instead of going to the tea party ahead of him.
• Xia You met Morty, the Ecruteak Gym Leader, and took his place on the battlefield for a three-Pokémon Gym battle.
• Xia You decided to use the match to train his other Pokémon rather than challenge Morty with his ace.

Morty increased the difficulty after Pupitar easily defeated Gastly, sending out his ace Banette against Xia You. Xia You answered with his rare Crystal Steelix, and both Trainers prepared for a more serious battle.

• Morty sent out Gastly, but Pupitar guarded against its attacks and defeated it with Crunch.
• After Gastly’s quick loss, Morty chose Banette as his second Pokémon instead of following his usual lineup.
• Xia You accepted the challenge, recalled Pupitar, and used his Pokédex to learn about Banette.
• Xia You sent out Crystal Steelix, whose unusual appearance surprised Morty and made him eager to battle.

Xia You’s Crystal Steelix battled Morty’s Banette, using its speed and strength to counter the Ghost-type Pokémon. After Morty allowed Xia You to battle without worrying about damaging the Gym, Crystal Steelix swallowed Banette, leaving its fate uncertain.

• Banette hit Crystal Steelix with Shadow Ball, but Crystal Steelix charged in and struck Banette with Iron Tail as it reappeared behind it.
• Morty used Night Shade, and Crystal Steelix took the attack rather than burrowing underground; Xia You explained he had been worried about damaging the Gym.
• Morty reassured Xia You that the Gym was built to withstand underground battles, so Xia You let Crystal Steelix dodge Banette’s next Night Shade by burrowing.
• Crystal Steelix burst out of the ground beneath Banette and launched it into the air, then swallowed it before it could vanish.
• Morty watched Banette struggle inside Crystal Steelix until its movements gradually stopped.

Xia You’s Crystal Steelix defeated Morty’s Banette, prompting Morty to send out his ace, Dusknoir. Gengar volunteered to battle, rejected Morty’s request to trade for it, and the two Trainers prepared to begin their match.

• Morty conceded after Crystal Steelix spat out an unconscious Banette, giving Xia You his second victory.
• Morty sent out his ace, Dusknoir, and Xia You recognized the Ghost-type Pokémon.
• Gengar volunteered to face Dusknoir, and Xia You agreed to let it battle.
• Morty questioned Gengar about its ability to speak and then asked Xia You to trade it to him.
• Xia You refused to give up Gengar, and Morty and Gengar agreed it was time to begin the battle.

Xia You defeated Morty in a Gym battle after Gengar used bizarre tricks to counter Dusknoir’s moves. Morty awarded Xia You the Phantom Badge, and Erika hurried him along as they realized they would be late for Xiaomei’s tea party.

• Morty sent out Dusknoir against Xia You’s Gengar, confident that his trusted partner would win.
• Gengar countered Dusknoir’s Shadow Sneak, Curse, and Will-O-Wisp by transforming into a light bulb, wearing headphones, and becoming a fire extinguisher.
• Gengar knocked Dusknoir out, and the referee declared Xia You the overall winner of the Gym battle.
• Morty admitted his defeat and gave Xia You the Phantom Badge, bringing Xia You’s Johto total to four Badges.
• Erika pointed out that it was nearly ten, and Xia You realized they would not reach Xiaomei’s tea party on time.

After defeating Morty, Xia You and Erika flew to the Eevee Sisters’ tea party in Ecruteak City, where they met Xiaomei and her sister Xiaotao. Erika joined an offer to attend a flower-arranging class, while Xiaomei pointed Xia You toward Pokémon battles.

• Xia You and Erika left Morty’s Gym on Charizard, and Morty reflected on how easily his Pokémon had been defeated.
• Xia You and Erika arrived at the tea party courtyard, where Xiaotao welcomed them and Xiaomei greeted them warmly.
• Xiaomei led them into the family courtyard and explained that the sisters held a tea party there about once a week.
• Xiaomei invited Erika to her sister Xiaojuan’s flower-arranging class, and Erika said she wanted to exchange ideas with her.
• Xiaomei told Xia You that Pokémon battles were taking place elsewhere in the courtyard.