Recaps

Xia You's Monferno defeated Candice's Sneasel and Medicham, prompting her to take off her jacket and fight in earnest. Candice and Xia You sent out their next Pokémon, Froslass and Snowman Snorlax, as the battle continued.

• Monferno used Flame Wheel to corner and defeat Candice's Sneasel, giving Xia You a one-to-zero lead.
• Candice sent out Medicham, which used Detect and Meditate to challenge Monferno before Xia You countered with Feint and Mach Punch.
• Candice took off her jacket as Medicham got serious, but Xia You had Monferno retreat and attack from range until Medicham could no longer battle.
• Xia You recalled his exhausted Monferno, and Candice prepared to send out her third Pokémon.
• Candice sent out Froslass while Xia You sent out Snowman Snorlax, which captivated Candice with its appearance and Ice typing.

Xia You defeated Candice’s Froslass and Abomasnow, earned his eighth Badge, and accepted her invitation to share lunch and battle advice. Meanwhile, Charles Goodshow discussed how to handle Xia You at the Lily of the Valley Conference, then revealed that Tobias, a Trainer with Darkrai, would also compete.

• Snowman Snorlax defeated Candice’s Froslass after overcoming her blizzard strategy and avoiding Destiny Bond by obeying Xia You’s command to stop.
• Snowman Snorlax defeated Candice’s Abomasnow in a contest of strength, giving Xia You a three-to-zero Gym victory.
• Candice awarded Xia You the Icicle Badge, completing his set of eight Badges, and invited him to stay for lunch and training advice.
• Xia You battled Candice again after lunch, and she recognized the large gap between their strength.
• Charles Goodshow convened League officials to discuss Xia You, then proposed giving him weaker opponents while reserving exciting matches for other Trainers.
• Charles Goodshow showed the officials footage of Tobias challenging Gyms with Darkrai and announced that Tobias would enter the Lily of the Valley Conference.

Charles Goodshow arranged to promote Tobias and downplay Xia You at the Lily of the Valley Conference, while Xia You traveled toward Eterna City and crossed paths with Paul. Meanwhile, Sabrina arrived at Celadon Gym with Cynthia and Cheryl, leaving Erika bracing for a confrontation.

• Charles Goodshow told the Conference executives that Tobias had several other Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, then arranged to give him more coverage and Xia You less.
• Xia You and May left Snowpoint City for Eterna City to meet Shelly and Courtney, and May played with her Manaphy along the way.
• Xia You encountered Paul, who promised to defeat him at the Lily of the Valley Conference, and Xia You dismissed Paul's confidence.
• Erika worried about Cynthia meeting Sabrina in Saffron City, but a Gym employee reported that Sabrina had arrived at Celadon Gym with Cynthia and Cheryl.
• Erika closed the Gym to the public, changed into modest clothes, and went to meet Sabrina as Sabrina entered with Cynthia and Cheryl.

Cynthia accompanied Sabrina to confront Erika, where Sabrina accepted her and proposed that Cynthia help keep Xia You in check, but Erika mistakenly learned that Cynthia was his woman too. Meanwhile, Xia You and May arrived at the renovated Old Chateau in Eterna Forest and planned to spend the night there.

• Sabrina met Erika in the Gym’s Reception Room, and Erika apologized for intruding on Sabrina and Xia You’s relationship.
• Sabrina said she accepted Erika and proposed that Cynthia, who was free to travel between regions, help keep Xia You in check.
• Sabrina revealed that she believed Cynthia was Xia You’s woman, and Erika accepted the misunderstanding while Cynthia failed to explain herself.
• Sabrina proposed that the group travel to Johto to meet Xiaojuan, Xiaotao, and Xiaoyu, and Erika agreed to go.
• Xia You and May reached Eterna Forest, where May won thirteen consecutive Pokémon battles against novice Trainers.
• Xia You showed May the fully renovated Old Chateau and said they would spend the night there.

Xia You and May reached Eterna City, where John warned him that Tobias would enter the Lily of the Valley Conference with an extraordinary team. Xia You met Shelly and Courtney about a Team Galactic operation near the city, then encountered Gardenia with May at the Eterna Department Store reopening.

• Xia You visited the Old Chateau with May, reunited with Ghost Girl, and heard how she protected her family and their home from troublesome Trainers.
• Xia You received a call from John, who warned him about a powerful competitor at the Lily of the Valley Conference; Xia You identified the competitor as Tobias and reconsidered how to face him.
• Shelly and Courtney told Xia You that Team Galactic had occupied a steel factory near Eterna City and that the International Police wanted to meet with him.
• Shelly explained that she and Courtney had confronted Cynthia after hearing her insult Xia You, and Xia You cautioned them to be careful.
• Xia You spent several hours with Shelly and Courtney at a hotel, then met May and Gardenia, who invited them to the Eterna Department Store reopening and its magic show.

Xia You reunited with Jinghui at the Eterna Department Store before meeting Looker with Shelly and Courtney to discuss an International Police operation against Team Galactic. The group prepared to storm the Dororo Steel Factory, where Team Galactic held Mr. Dodoro and was forging a chain to control Pokémon.

• Xia You, May, and Gardenia met magician Jinghui backstage, where she told Xia You she had caught a Gastly on his advice.
• Looker contacted Xia You, who left May with Gardenia and met Looker at a café with Shelly and Courtney.
• Looker revealed that Team Galactic had occupied the Dororo Steel Factory and was forging a chain to control Pokémon.
• Looker explained that Shelly and Courtney had infiltrated the factory and helped uncover that Team Galactic was holding its owner, Mr. Dodoro.
• Looker reported that at least two Team Galactic executives and 150 members were inside, and asked Xia You to break through their defenses so the International Police could arrest them.

Xia You invited Gardenia to join the International Police operation against Team Galactic, then met up with her and Looker at dawn. The group set off for the Steel Factory, with Shelly driving and Gardenia sitting tensely beside Xia You.

• Xia You told Looker he would bring Gardenia, the Eterna Gym Leader, to help breach Team Galactic's defenses.
• Xia You watched Jinghui's successful magic show at the Eterna Department Store and praised her afterward.
• Gardenia agreed to join the operation, while Xia You told Jinghui and May to stay behind because it was too dangerous.
• Xia You spent the night with Shelly and Courtney, then met Gardenia with them at seven in the morning.
• Looker arrived in a jeep, but Shelly took over driving after he nearly hit Xia You.
• Shelly drove Xia You, Courtney, Gardenia, and Looker out of Eterna City toward the operation, while Gardenia tensed when Xia You's leg brushed hers.

Xia You led Shelly, Courtney, and Gardenia in an assault on the Dororo Steel Factory to open a route for the International Police and rescue the hostages. They broke through Team Galactic’s defenses and fought Jupiter and Mars as officers arrived, leaving Team Galactic’s forces in disarray.

• Xia You brought Shelly, Courtney, and Gardenia to the forest near the Dororo Steel Factory, where Looker had positioned the International Police.
• Xia You and the three women released their Pokémon and charged the factory, defeating the guards and blasting open the main gate.
• Xia You’s group entered the factory and encountered Jupiter and Mars, who recognized Shelly and Courtney and began fighting them.
• Xia You and Gardenia battled the remaining Team Galactic reinforcements while Shelly and Courtney fought Jupiter and Mars.
• International Police officers poured into the factory and joined the battle, throwing Team Galactic’s ranks into disarray.

Xia You and the police rescued Dororo and the Steel Factory hostages, then searched the Team Galactic facility for the Red Chain. He pursued a fleeing researcher, rescued the occupants of a car that crashed into a lake, and captured Team Galactic commander Pluto, who pretended to be an innocent researcher.

• Xia You left Shelly and Courtney to fight Jupiter and Mars while he and Gardenia freed Dororo and the other hostages and handed them to Looker.
• Xia You and Gardenia fought through elite Team Galactic guards and entered a remodeled laboratory while searching for the Red Chain.
• Gardenia spotted a fleeing figure, and Xia You chased him on Charizard; the escaping cars split up, but Xia You pursued the first one.
• The first car crashed into a lake, and Xia You sent Milotic to break it open and rescue its passengers, including Pluto.
• Gardenia jumped into the water and dragged Pluto to shore, where Xia You confronted the captured commander as Pluto claimed he was only a researcher.

Xia You brought Pluto to the Old Chateau so Ghost Girl could confront the man who had murdered her family, while Gardenia was terrified by the mansion and its ghostly presence. To let Ghost Girl take revenge without killing Pluto, Xia You told her to tear off his right hand and left foot, then stop the bleeding.

• Xia You bound Pluto to Charizard and flew with him and Gardenia to Eterna Forest and the Old Chateau.
• Gardenia recognized the Old Chateau and remembered seeing Xia You's photograph there, while Pluto realized Xia You had brought him to face the family he had murdered.
• Ghost Girl emerged from the mansion, and Gardenia panicked as Xia You held her close.
• Xia You stopped Ghost Girl from killing Pluto and warned that revenge might cause her to disappear once her hatred was gone.
• Xia You told Ghost Girl to tear off Pluto's right hand and left foot, and she did so before using ghostly energy to stop his bleeding.

Xia You used Dialga to send the wounded Pluto three thousand years into the past, leaving him stranded, then returned to the present with Gardenia and explained the Ghost Girl’s history. He asked Gardenia to visit and look after the Ghost Girl and the Mansion, and was surprised when Gardenia revealed she had seen his photograph there.

• Gardenia heard Pluto’s screams and realized that Xia You and the Ghost Girl knew each other, while she clung to Xia You in fear.
• Xia You summoned Dialga and took himself, Gardenia, the Ghost Girl, and Pluto three thousand years into the past.
• Xia You left Pluto stranded in the ancient wilderness with a first-aid kit, then used Dialga to return with the others to the present.
• Xia You explained the Ghost Girl’s story to Gardenia and asked her to look after the Ghost Girl and the Mansion.
• Gardenia agreed to visit the Ghost Girl and asked whether Xia You’s photograph in the Mansion was there because he had helped her before.

Xia You told Gardenia about the Ghost Girl and his capture of Dialga, then returned with her to the Steel Factory after promising to keep the Mansion secret. There, he learned Team Galactic’s commanders Jupiter and Mars had been captured, but the Red Chain was missing, while Shelly and Courtney misread Gardenia’s wish to befriend them as evidence of a romance with Xia You.

• Gardenia explained that she had previously entered the Mansion and seen Xia You’s photo before the Ghost Girl drove her out.
• Xia You asked Gardenia to keep the Ghost Girl and Dialga secret, then left the Mansion with her on Charizard.
• Xia You returned to the Steel Factory, where Looker reported that Jupiter and Mars had been captured and more than a hundred Team Galactic members arrested.
• Xia You told Looker that Pluto had died after driving off a cliff and suggested the missing Red Chain had escaped in another car.
• Shelly and Courtney teased Xia You about Gardenia’s damp clothes and his scent, while Gardenia innocently asked to join their feast and become their friend.

Erika, Cynthia, Cheryl, and Sabrina arrived unannounced at the Five Sisters’ home to confront Xiaojuan, Xiaotao, and Xiaoyu about their relationship with Xia You. After Sabrina introduced herself as Xia You’s girlfriend, Xiaojuan refused to leave him, and Xiaoyu challenged the visitors to settle the matter with a Pokémon battle.

• Erika, Cynthia, Cheryl, and Sabrina visited the Five Sisters’ home without warning, and a maid hurried to notify Xiaojuan.
• The sisters left their performances in Xiaomei and Sakura’s hands and drove home, with Xiaoyu insisting they would battle if the visitors caused trouble.
• Xiaojuan, Xiaotao, and Xiaoyu entered the Reception Room and met Erika, Cynthia, Cheryl, and Sabrina.
• Erika introduced Sabrina as the Gym Leader of Saffron Gym and Xia You’s girlfriend.
• Xiaojuan admitted the sisters had been at fault but refused to leave Xia You, and Xiaoyu stood up and challenged Sabrina and the others to a Pokémon battle.

Xiaoyu challenged Sabrina to a battle between their Legendary Pokémon, and the sisters discovered that Sabrina had Xia You’s Legendary Birds. The six Pokémon began a fierce fight, which left the estate badly damaged as the Legendary Beasts appeared to fall behind.

• Xiaoyu challenged Sabrina to battle, and Sabrina accepted before Xiaoyu led everyone to the outdoor Battle Field.
• Xiaoyu, Xiaojuan, and Xiaotao sent out Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, while Sabrina revealed Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos.
• The six Pokémon recognized one another but decided to fight to settle which group was stronger.
• The Legendary Beasts and Legendary Birds launched into a melee, and their attacks forced the onlookers to retreat while Sabrina stood her ground.
• Heavy rain and hail swept across the estate as the battle damaged the courtyard, walls, pool, and lawn.
• Xiaoyu and the others realized that the Legendary Beasts seemed to be losing ground after the opening exchanges.

Sabrina stopped the battle between the Legendary Birds and Legendary Beasts before Three-Bird Combo could devastate Ecruteak City, and the three sisters conceded. She then held a family meeting, welcomed the women into Xia You's family, and proposed making Cynthia its head wife.

• Sabrina ordered the Legendary Birds to use Three-Bird Combo, but Xiaojuan warned that the attack could destroy much of Ecruteak City, so Sabrina called it off.
• Xiaojuan conceded the battle, and after Xiaotao and Xiaojuan persuaded her, Xiaoyu also accepted defeat; the sisters recalled their Legendary Beasts.
• Sabrina began a family meeting and insisted that Cynthia was Xia You's woman, despite Cynthia's earlier denial.
• Sabrina introduced the women, acknowledged Cheryl and the three sisters as Xia You's women, and welcomed them into the family without punishment.
• Sabrina proposed rearranging the women's positions by age, strength, and status, then named Cynthia as the best candidate for the first position.

Sabrina persuaded the others to accept Cynthia as Xia You’s public partner, while Erika learned that Xiaoyu’s drugging had led Xiaojuan and Xiaotao to become Xia You’s women and reconciled with Xiaojuan. Meanwhile, Xia You and Looker regrouped in Eterna Gym to plan another strike against Team Galactic after their operation failed to recover the mysterious chain.

• Sabrina proposed that Cynthia travel with Xia You, publicly present herself as his partner, and keep other women away from him; Erika, the other sisters, and Cheryl agreed, while Cynthia reluctantly stayed silent.
• At the Five Sisters’ home, Erika told Cynthia she had never believed Cynthia was Xia You’s woman, then teased her about becoming his eldest sister and questioned whether she could confront Xia You.
• Xiaojuan apologized to Erika and explained that Xiaoyu had drugged Xia You, leading Xiaojuan and Xiaotao to become involved with him; Erika and Cynthia understood that the sisters had not deliberately betrayed Erika.
• Xia You returned to Eterna Gym with Shelly, Courtney, and Looker, where he met May and gathered with the others to plan another operation against Team Galactic.
• Looker recalled that his superior had condemned the Steel Factory operation as a failure because Team Galactic escaped with the mysterious chain, despite the arrests, rescues, and other successes.

Xia You told Looker that Team Galactic planned to capture the Lake Guardians and advised him to concentrate their defenses on one lake. Meanwhile, Cyrus sent Saturn to pursue the plan, and Xia You agreed to bring Gardenia along on the next operation.

• Xia You identified Lake Acuity, Lake Valor, and Lake Verity as Team Galactic’s targets and explained that the Red Chain would help them control the Lake Guardians to summon Dialga and Palkia.
• Looker considered the risks of defending all three lakes and Xia You’s plan to guard one heavily, then decided to consult International Police headquarters.
• Cyrus refused Saturn’s request to rescue the captured Team Galactic members and ordered him to use the Red Chain to capture the Lake Guardians.
• Saturn reported that Xia You had helped the International Police, and Cyrus dismissed the threat as Team Galactic prepared to pursue its objective.
• Looker left with Shelly and Courtney to prepare for the next operation, and Xia You promised Gardenia he would bring her along when it began.

Xia You left Eterna City with May to challenge Sinnoh’s Battle Frontier and stopped at Caitlin’s Battle Chateau after learning she was still there. He reunited with Caitlin, who welcomed him warmly and showed clear signs of affection, while his Battle Frontier challenge had yet to begin.

• Xia You told Gardenia he would challenge Sinnoh’s Battle Frontier, then said goodbye to Gardenia and Jinghui with May the next morning.
• Xia You contacted Caitlin and learned that she had driven Darkrai from Canalave City but had not returned to Unova.
• Xia You and May flew across the sea on Charizard and Dragonite, reaching Caitlin’s Battle Chateau in the evening.
• Caitlin welcomed Xia You and May with her butler Darach, who said Caitlin had often spoken about Xia You and had canceled her return to Unova to see him.
• During dinner, Caitlin and Darach revealed that Caitlin had changed her plans as soon as Xia You said he was coming, and Xia You recognized her interest in him.

Xia You arrived at Caitlin’s Battle Chateau, where Darach served as its Frontier Brain, and agreed to challenge him after resting. Caitlin’s growing affection for Xia You remained unspoken as the chapter ended with Darach preparing his strongest team for their public three-on-three battle.

• Caitlin explained that challengers earned stamps by defeating Frontier Brains and confirmed that Darach had taken over as the Battle Chateau’s Frontier Brain.
• Xia You accepted Caitlin’s offer of lodging and agreed to battle Darach the next morning, while May rested at the chateau.
• Caitlin brought Xia You wine at his door, but he politely declined to invite her in and closed the door.
• At breakfast, Xia You chose to make his battle against Darach public, and Caitlin led him and May to the Battle Field.
• Caitlin explained that the match would be three-on-three, and Darach announced that he would use his strongest lineup against Xia You.

Xia You agreed to battle Darach under tournament rules, and the two began a match between Empoleon and Greninja. Greninja dodged Darach’s opening attacks, but Empoleon’s Surf surged toward him as the chapter ended.

• Caitlin explained that Darach had requested permission to switch Pokémon freely, and Xia You agreed to fight under regular tournament rules.
• Darach sent out Empoleon, while Xia You chose Greninja for the opening battle.
• Darach tested Greninja with Water Gun, but Greninja dodged and closed the distance.
• Darach used a feint to have Empoleon fire Hydro Pump, but Greninja evaded that attack as well.
• Darach ordered Empoleon to use Surf, sending a massive wave toward Greninja.

Greninja countered Empoleon’s ranged attacks, forcing Darach to recall it and send out Gallade for close combat. After outmaneuvering Gallade with a series of feints and attacks, Greninja struck it with Water Shuriken as Darach tried to recall it, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Greninja rode out Empoleon’s Surf, and Xia You recognized that Empoleon relied on ranged attacks to keep opponents away.
• As Greninja charged, Darach recalled Empoleon and sent out Gallade to fight at close range.
• Gallade used Leaf Blade and Teleport to attack Greninja from behind, but Greninja anticipated the ambush and countered with Shadow Sneak.
• Greninja used Double Team and Substitute to confuse Gallade, then struck it with Night Slash and forced it to Teleport across the field.
• Greninja feinted a Water Shuriken throw to make Gallade use Teleport, then hit it with four Water Shuriken and charged as Darach tried to recall it.

Greninja defeated Gallade and fought Staraptor through their third battle before Xia You recalled it when exhaustion set in. Xia You sent out Lucario, whose homing Aura Spheres chased Staraptor through the air.

• Greninja blocked Darach's Poké Ball recall beam with Substitute, then knocked Gallade out with Shadow Critical Hit.
• Darach released Staraptor as his third Pokémon, and Greninja faced it in the air battle.
• Greninja dodged Staraptor's Wing Attack and nearly struck it with Aerial Ace, but the Pokémon narrowly avoided the hit.
• As Greninja tired from its earlier battles and Staraptor's aerial attacks, Xia You recalled it despite the spectators' protests.
• Xia You sent out Lucario, which launched homing Aura Spheres that pursued Staraptor through the sky.

Xia You defeated Darach at the Battle Chateau and received his Gold Print before announcing he would challenge another facility that day. Back in Sinnoh, Jie Zilan recognized that Cynthia’s troubling trip had revolved around Xia You and urged her granddaughter to marry him.

• Lucario defeated Darach’s Staraptor and Empoleon, overcoming Empoleon’s final counterattack with Rock Smash.
• Darach praised Xia You as the strongest Trainer he had ever faced and gave him his Gold Print.
• Caitlin presented Xia You with a case for his prints, and he said he would challenge another facility after resting rather than wait until the next day.
• Cynthia returned to the Celestic Town Museum with Cheryl, and Jie Zilan noticed her exhaustion and guessed the trip had gone badly because of Xia You.
• Jie Zilan chided Cynthia for becoming more involved with Xia You and told her to hurry up and marry him.

After learning that Cynthia had tacitly accepted a place as the head of Xia You’s harem, Xia You planned to return to Kanto and apologize to Sabrina and Erika. He then challenged Dahlia at the Battle Roulette, where the spins set a three-on-three battle on a Rock Field with items and Rock-type Pokémon prohibited.

• Cheryl told Xia You that Sabrina had accepted Erika, won over the three sisters, and approved Cynthia as the head of his harem; Xia You was stunned and decided to discuss it with Cynthia later.
• Xia You told Cheryl to meet him at the Battle Frontier and resolved to return to Kanto to apologize to Sabrina and Erika in person.
• May and Caitlin accompanied Xia You to the Battle Roulette, where Dahlia greeted Caitlin and teased her about Xia You being her boyfriend.
• Dahlia explained the roulette rules, and Xia You spun the rings to determine a three-Pokémon battle on a Rock Field with items and Rock-type Pokémon prohibited.
• Caitlin warned Xia You that Dahlia was strong and told him to be careful.

Xia You battled Dahlia at the Battle Roulette, defeating her Ludicolo and drawing with her Togekiss before sending out Monferno against her final Pokémon, Medicham. Their close-range fight began evenly, leaving the match unresolved.

• Xia You sent Umbreon against Dahlia’s Ludicolo, and Umbreon dominated the battle before winning with Dark Pulse.
• Caitlin warned Dahlia that Xia You had already defeated Darach, and Dahlia admitted she should have taken him seriously sooner.
• Dahlia sent out Togekiss, but Xia You’s increasingly precise commands helped Umbreon force a double knockout despite Togekiss’s advantages.
• Dahlia sent out Medicham, and Xia You chose Monferno for the final battle.
• Monferno and Medicham traded blows evenly in close combat as the battle began.