Recaps

Xia You and his companions discussed Dawn’s possible sighting of Cynthia and looked forward to seeing Elesa at a fashion show in Striaton City. At the venue, Xia You met Elesa in disguise, and she left him with an autograph before hurrying away.

• Dawn said she had spotted Cynthia, and Xia You suspected Cynthia had followed him to Unova to keep an eye on him.
• Makomo and Songlu talked about Elesa’s fame and beauty, and the group anticipated seeing her at the fashion show.
• Xia You and his companions arrived at the crowded Striaton City fashion show venue the next day.
• Xia You caught a masked woman when she stumbled in the corridor and recognized her as Elesa after her cap fell off.
• Elesa gave Xia You an autograph and asked him to keep her presence secret before she left.

Xia You and his companions watched Elesa’s fashion show, then failed to reach her backstage because of the crowd. As they turned to leave, they encountered Cynthia and Caitlin, and Dawn recognized Cynthia.

• Xia You returned to his seat with Elesa’s autograph hidden in his pocket.
• Elesa dazzled the audience as the fashion show’s finale, and the show ended to loud applause.
• Songlu and Dawn persuaded the others to wait backstage for a chance to meet Elesa, but the crowded entrance and security guards kept them out.
• Songlu and Dawn gave up and turned to leave as Cynthia and Caitlin approached along a quieter passage.
• Xia You recognized Cynthia and Caitlin, and Dawn excitedly called out to Cynthia.

Cynthia and Caitlin secretly joined Xia You and the others backstage after Elesa’s Fashion Show, where Caitlin eagerly greeted Xia You and Cynthia questioned why he had come. Songlu said the group wanted Elesa’s autograph, prompting jealousy from Caitlin and teasing from Cynthia, while Xia You denied wanting one.

• Cynthia quietly told Dawn to keep her voice down because she and Caitlin had come secretly.
• Cheryl introduced Cynthia and Caitlin to Makomo and Songlu, and Songlu excitedly asked Caitlin for an autograph.
• Cynthia teased Xia You about seeking a fan meet-and-greet after the Fashion Show and asked why he was there.
• Caitlin hurried to greet Xia You, and Cynthia stepped between them before asking him why he had come to watch Elesa.
• Songlu said they were going to get Elesa’s autograph, making Caitlin jealous, while Xia You insisted he was only tagging along.

Xia You tried to avoid meeting Elesa again after running into her in the hallway, but Cynthia and the others brought Elesa out from backstage. Elesa recognized Xia You despite his disguise, leaving Cynthia and Caitlin suspicious about why he had hidden his face.

• Cynthia invited Dawn, Songlu, Makomo, and Xia You to meet Elesa, but Xia You refused and waited outside.
• Caitlin led the others backstage, where they met Elesa and got autographs and photos.
• When the group returned with Elesa, Xia You disguised himself with a hat, sunglasses, a mask, and a different-looking outfit.
• Caitlin began introducing Xia You to Elesa, but Elesa recognized him as the fan she had met in the hallway and asked whether they were all together.

Elesa revealed that she had met Xia You before, prompting Cynthia and the others to question his connection to her. At lunch, Elesa challenged Cynthia to explain her interest in Xia You, asking whether she was his lover or an ex-girlfriend who still had feelings for him.

• Elesa recognized Xia You and revealed that he had met her before and received her autograph.
• Cynthia, Caitlin, Cheryl, and Dawn reacted with surprise, while Xia You dropped his disguise without showing embarrassment.
• Cheryl suggested that the group go to eat, and Cynthia agreed so she could keep an eye on Xia You and speak with Makomo and Elesa.
• The group went to a revolving restaurant, where Cynthia deliberately sat far from Xia You and pulled Caitlin beside her.
• Cynthia teased Xia You about dining with his idol, and Elesa asked whether Cynthia was his lover or an ex-girlfriend who still had feelings for him.

Cynthia and Elesa traded pointed remarks over Cynthia’s concern for Xia You until he clarified that he and Cynthia were close friends. After lunch, Xia You and his companions prepared to leave to meet Ash, parting from Cynthia, Caitlin, and Elesa with an agreement to meet again.

• Elesa suggested Cynthia still had feelings for Xia You, prompting Cynthia to deny it and accuse Elesa of making baseless assumptions.
• Elesa challenged Cynthia’s concern as controlling, and their argument escalated until Xia You intervened.
• Xia You told Cynthia to stop and assured Elesa that he and Cynthia were close friends who joked with each other.
• After lunch, Xia You told Cheryl and Dawn they would collect their luggage and set out to meet Ash, who was arriving in Unova the next day.
• Caitlin accepted Xia You’s departure, Cynthia turned away rather than say goodbye, and Elesa shook Xia You’s hand as they parted.

Xia You, Cheryl, and Dawn agreed to travel east to Nuvema Town with Makomo, who was eager to join them and learn about their journey. Back at the restaurant, Elesa challenged Cynthia to a Pokémon battle, and Cynthia accepted.

• Makomo asked Xia You if he was still heading east, and he confirmed that he was going to Nuvema Town.
• Makomo explained that she was also going there to visit Professor Juniper and asked to travel with Xia You, Cheryl, and Dawn; they agreed.
• Makomo hurried home with Songlu to pack while Xia You and the others went to the Pokémon Center to retrieve their luggage and wait.
• After Xia You and the others left, Elesa said goodbye to Caitlin and confronted Cynthia about her reservations regarding Elesa's interactions with Xia You.
• Elesa challenged Cynthia to a battle, and Cynthia accepted.

Elesa and Cynthia began a full six-on-six battle at a riverside field, while Xia You explained to Dawn and Cheryl how he had accidentally received Elesa’s autograph. The chapter left the battle underway, with Cynthia’s Garchomp facing Elesa’s Zebstrika.

• Elesa challenged Cynthia to a full six-on-six battle, and Caitlin reluctantly agreed to referee.
• Elesa sent out Zebstrika, and Cynthia answered with her powerful Garchomp, which had a type advantage.
• As the battle began, Xia You, Cheryl, and Dawn returned to the Pokémon Center and waited for Makomo.
• Dawn asked Xia You how he had met Elesa, and he explained that she had mistaken him for a fan and given him an autograph.
• Dawn and Cheryl realized Cynthia had likely misunderstood the autograph and become angry over it.

Xia You left Striaton City with Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo, then accepted a Pokémon Championships ranking battle on the road. He sent out his unique Crystal Steelix to begin honing its abilities, leaving Makomo amazed by the Pokémon.

• Makomo joined Xia You, Cheryl, and Dawn as they set out from Striaton City toward Nuvema Town.
• Makomo shared her excitement about traveling on foot with Pokémon Trainer companions and asked the others to call her by her name.
• Xia You accepted a Rotom battle match against a Trainer ranked a few hundred places above him.
• Xia You released Crystal Steelix, planning to use it in Ranking Battles to sharpen its strength.
• Dawn explained Crystal Steelix’s rarity and importance to Xia You, while Makomo stared at it in amazement.

Xia You’s Crystal Steelix easily defeated a Trainer’s Gothitelle and Emboar, impressing Makomo with its strength. After hearing how Xia You caught it, Makomo considered traveling, but hesitated because she worried about leaving Songlu behind.

• Xia You’s Crystal Steelix defeated Gothitelle and Emboar in two attacks each, and his opponent left after losing.
• Makomo cautiously approached Crystal Steelix and touched its cool, hard surface after Xia You reassured her it was safe.
• Xia You told Makomo, Dawn, and Cheryl how he had encountered and caught Crystal Steelix on Mandarin Island.
• Dawn encouraged Makomo to travel, but Makomo hesitated because she was worried about leaving Songlu alone.
• Dawn urged Makomo to be brave and take the step toward traveling.

Xia You, Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo camped outdoors after failing to reach the next town before nightfall. Makomo learned more about Xia You's bond with his Pokémon and his thoughtfulness, then asked Cheryl and Dawn to tell her about their travels.

• Xia You led the group to a stream, set up camp, and Makomo helped Cheryl prepare dinner.
• Makomo watched Xia You and Dawn care for their Pokémon and learned from Cheryl how close they were to Xia You.
• Makomo asked Xia You about caring for Crystal Steelix and carefully wrote down his advice.
• Xia You offered the tent to Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo, while he slept outside with his Pokémon.
• Inside the tent, Makomo asked Cheryl and Dawn about their travels, and Cheryl began telling her stories.

Xia You camped with Dawn, Cheryl, and Makomo, then heard a radio report about a fierce battle between Elesa and an unidentified Trainer he suspected was Cynthia. The group continued east the next morning and arrived near Accumula Town, where Makomo shared details about the town.

• Xia You camped beneath the night sky while Gardevoir tended the fire and the others settled into their tent.
• Xia You heard a radio report describing a battle between Elesa and an unidentified female Trainer, with Caitlin possibly acting as referee.
• Xia You suspected that the other Trainer was Cynthia and wondered whether the battle had begun because of him.
• After breakfast, Xia You, Dawn, Cheryl, and Makomo continued east through the woods.
• Makomo explained that she and Dawn did not plan to catch common roadside Pokémon, then introduced Accumula Town as a friendly stop for traveling Trainers.

Xia You and his companions visited the Pokémon Battle Club in Accumula Town, where manager Don George explained that the club managers in several towns were all members of his family. Xia You reviewed the registered Trainers but found no one worth battling, leaving him to continue looking around the club.

• Dawn spotted the Pokémon Battle Club, and Xia You led the group inside.
• Don George introduced himself as the club manager and explained that the managers at several other Battle Clubs were his relatives, all named Don George.
• Don George showed Xia You a computer listing the club's registered Trainers and their battle records.
• Xia You found no opponent who interested him, so he closed the computer and said he would keep looking.
• Don George accepted Xia You's decision and invited him to return whenever he wanted a battle.

Xia You and his companions left the Battle Club and found Ghetsis delivering a manipulative Team Plasma speech in Accumula Town. N approached Xia You, studied him and his Tyranitar, and remarked that he sensed a powerful Pokémon presence.

• Xia You led his group out of the Battle Club after finding no contestants worth watching.
• Dawn spotted a crowd gathered around a speaker in the town square, and Xia You brought the group closer.
• Ghetsis urged the crowd to question humans’ right to command Pokémon while Team Plasma supporters stirred up the audience.
• Xia You recognized Ghetsis and noticed that several people in the crowd were watching the onlookers rather than the speech.
• N approached Xia You, stared at him and Tyranitar, and said he sensed a very strong Pokémon presence.

N approached Xia You and asked him for a Pokémon battle, then led him to a nearby field to avoid the noise of the square. As they prepared to begin, Xia You suspected N had recognized him and wanted to test his strength, but N's true motive remained unclear.

• N noticed something unusual about Xia You and challenged him to a battle after saying he could hear Pokémon's voices.
• Xia You accepted, while Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo followed the two men out of the square.
• N led Xia You to an Open-Air Battle Field beside a basketball court, where no Team Plasma members followed them.
• Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo took seats to watch, and Makomo opened her notebook to record the battle.
• Xia You and N took out their Poké Balls as Xia You considered whether N was testing him for Team Plasma and said they should begin.

N challenged Xia You, and the two sent out Zoroark in different forms. N's Zoroark opened with Dark-type attacks, but Xia You's Hisuian Zoroark evaded them with Double Team and launched a three-pronged counterattack.

• N sent out his Zoroark, and Xia You answered with his Hisuian Zoroark, surprising N and Makomo.
• The two Zoroark faced off, and N's Pokémon attacked first with Night Daze.
• Xia You commanded Hisuian Zoroark to use Double Team, and the move created several illusions that Night Daze failed to hit.
• N tried to locate the real Hisuian Zoroark before ordering Dark Pulse to strike every double.
• Hisuian Zoroark lunged at N's Zoroark from three directions before it could unleash Dark Pulse.

Xia You’s Hisuian Zoroark outmaneuvered N’s Zoroark, exposing N’s weaknesses as a battler and taking control of their match. The chapter ended with N’s Pokémon knocked to the ground.

• N guessed which of Hisuian Zoroark’s Double Team copies was real, but his Zoroark attacked the wrong one and was struck by the real Pokémon.
• Xia You assessed N as an arrogant battler who did not trust his Pokémon to act on its own.
• Hisuian Zoroark used Double Team and Agility to evade N’s Zoroark and prevent it from fighting at close range.
• N ordered Zoroark to use Taunt, but Xia You countered with Shadow Sneak and threw it off balance.
• Hisuian Zoroark dominated the close-range exchange, and N’s Zoroark was knocked to the ground.

Xia You defeated N’s Zoroark, then left Accumula Town with the three girls and encountered a lost blonde girl at a crossroads. The girl admitted she was lost, leaving Xia You’s group ready to help her find her way.

• Xia You defeated N’s Zoroark, and N acknowledged the strong bond between Xia You and his Pokémon before leaving.
• Xia You decided not to confront Ghetsis and departed with the three girls.
• Xia You and the girls replenished their supplies, ate lunch, and left Accumula Town heading east.
• Dawn noticed a blonde girl holding a map upside down at a crossroads and asked if she needed help.
• The blonde girl admitted she was lost, and Dawn offered to give her directions.

Dawn and the others met Bianca on the road to Nuvema Town and invited her to travel with them to Professor Juniper’s lab. Along the way, Xia You spotted a Pokémon in the sky and suspected it was Zekrom.

• Bianca got lost while trying to find Professor Juniper’s lab in Nuvema Town and asked Dawn’s group for directions.
• Dawn revealed that the group was also headed to Nuvema Town, and Bianca explained that she was going there to get her first Pokémon and begin her journey.
• Bianca introduced herself to Dawn, Xia You, Cheryl, and Makomo, then joined them on the walk to Nuvema Town.
• Bianca chatted with Dawn and Makomo as the group traveled, while Xia You and Cheryl walked quietly beside them.
• Xia You stopped after sensing something in the sky, and Cheryl saw a fleeting dark silhouette that Xia You identified as probably Zekrom.

Xia You recognized Zekrom flying through the clouds but chose not to pursue it, then continued toward Nuvema Town with the group. When night fell, everyone camped and shared a meal, leaving Bianca delighted by the food and grateful for the company.

• Xia You spotted Zekrom near Accumula Town and decided to wait for another chance to encounter it rather than change course.
• Dawn and the others learned that Bianca’s father had delayed her journey because she was so clumsy, and they saw her stumble through mishaps on the road.
• Xia You decided the group would camp before reaching Nuvema Town, and Makomo and Bianca used the outdoor equipment they had bought or brought.
• Dawn sent Bianca to gather firewood instead of helping with camp preparations, and Bianca cheerfully went without noticing the Pokémon’s reactions.
• Cheryl and Makomo prepared dinner while Xia You and Dawn helped, and Bianca praised the meal after eagerly eating several bowls.

Xia You and the others shared advice about caring for and bonding with Pokémon as Bianca eagerly anticipated receiving Tepig. The next morning, they reached the outskirts of Nuvema Town, where Xia You hoped to meet Ash.

• Bianca told Xia You that she had chosen Tepig as her first Pokémon, and Dawn teased her about the choice.
• Xia You explained that trust and sincere care had helped him grow close to Snivy.
• Around the campfire, Xia You, Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo shared travel and Pokémon-care advice with Bianca.
• The group left camp the next morning and traveled toward Nuvema Town among many novice Trainers.
• Xia You looked down at Nuvema Town from a high slope and thought of meeting Ash there.

Xia You and his companions reached Nuvema Town and visited Professor Juniper’s lab, where Makomo reunited with Juniper and brought her Musharna for a checkup. Makomo introduced Xia You, Dawn, Cheryl, and Bianca to Juniper, leaving Bianca ready to receive her starter Pokémon.

• Xia You asked Dawn about Ash’s arrival, then had her message Ash to meet them at Professor Juniper’s lab instead of the airport.
• Xia You, Dawn, Cheryl, Bianca, and Makomo reached Professor Juniper’s lab outside Nuvema Town, where Bianca admired the building.
• Makomo revealed that she and Juniper had been university friends with Burnet, whom Xia You recognized by name.
• Makomo led the group through the lab and told its researchers that she had found Musharna and brought it for Juniper to examine.
• Makomo entered Juniper’s office and introduced Xia You, Dawn, Cheryl, and Bianca to Professor Juniper, explaining that Bianca had come for her starter Pokémon.

Bianca received Tepig as her Starter Pokémon while Xia You toured Professor Juniper’s laboratory with Makomo. A strange storm struck Nuvema Town with a powerful bolt of lightning, and Professor Juniper rushed to the airport, leaving Xia You expecting that Ash’s arrival would explain what happened.

• Professor Juniper welcomed Bianca and led her, Cheryl, and Dawn to choose a Starter Pokémon while Xia You stayed behind with Makomo.
• Xia You and Makomo toured the laboratory and discussed Professor Juniper’s research into Pokémon origins and Unova legends.
• Dark clouds suddenly covered Nuvema Town, and a massive bolt of blue lightning struck toward Harbor Airport before the clouds disappeared.
• Dawn and Bianca asked Xia You and Makomo what had caused the lightning, while Bianca appeared with her new Tepig.
• Professor Juniper remembered she was supposed to pick someone up at the airport and hurried there in her red off-road vehicle.
• Xia You told Makomo not to investigate because he expected Professor Juniper to return with the answer.

After learning that Zekrom had struck Ash's Pikachu, Xia You left the laboratory to search for it with Dragonite and Mewtwo. Mewtwo found Zekrom over the sea, and their battle began inside a storm cloud before the cloud dissipated, revealing Zekrom.

• Professor Juniper returned with Professor Oak, Ash, and Delia, and Xia You and Dawn greeted them.
• Ash explained that Zekrom's lightning had struck Pikachu after Team Rocket attacked them near the port.
• Xia You recognized the black silhouette Ash had seen as Zekrom and left to search for it rather than wait for Pikachu's examination.
• Mewtwo sensed Zekrom over the sea, and Xia You flew there with Dragonite.
• Mewtwo charged into Zekrom's storm cloud, and their fight churned the cloud until it dissipated and revealed Zekrom.

Mewtwo gained the upper hand against Zekrom by using Xia You’s battle tactics and superior skill. At Professor Juniper’s laboratory, Ash recognized the battle as Xia You’s and revealed to the others that he was a Super Champion who had won conferences in four regions.

• Mewtwo used Teleport, Future Sight, and Xia You’s efficient battle style to outmaneuver Zekrom and take control of their fight.
• Ash, Dawn, Professor Juniper, and the others saw flashes of battle above the sea and realized someone was fighting there.
• Ash noticed Xia You was missing and guessed that he was battling the Pokémon in the thunderclouds.
• Cheryl said Xia You had gone out for a walk, and Ash concluded that he must be fighting a Legendary Pokémon.
• Ash explained Xia You’s reputation to Professor Juniper, Makomo, and Bianca, revealing that he was a Super Champion and a conference winner in four regions.