Recaps

After Cynthia confronted Xia You over a tabloid story about him and Diantha, he sent Caitlin to meet Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo, then led Cynthia toward a hotel, leaving his intentions unclear.

• Xia You found Cynthia and Caitlin blocking his path in Mistralton City, and they said they had come specifically to find him.
• Cynthia confronted Xia You about the report claiming he was romantically involved with Diantha, but he dismissed it as gossip and refused to explain himself.
• Cynthia questioned Xia You about what his relationship with her was, and he challenged her to explain why she had any right to question him.
• Xia You sent Caitlin to the Pokémon Center to tell Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo he would return later.
• Xia You led Cynthia toward a hotel and told her to follow if she wanted to know the truth, and she reluctantly went with him.

Xia You took Cynthia to a hotel suite and answered her questions by forcefully seducing and sleeping with her. The chapter ended with him declaring that Cynthia now belonged to him, while she rested quietly beside him.

• Xia You rented a hotel suite and led Cynthia inside, where she challenged him to explain his relationship with Diantha.
• Xia You pinned Cynthia against a wall and kissed her, and she gradually stopped resisting and responded to him.
• Xia You carried Cynthia to the bedroom and ignored her warning about the consequences of continuing.
• Xia You and Cynthia had sex, after which Cynthia curled up in the blanket beside him.
• Xia You concluded that Cynthia had become his woman, like Sabrina and Erika.

After Xia You and Cynthia reconciled through intimacy, Cynthia accepted their relationship but wanted to keep it secret, especially from Caitlin. The chapter ended with Cynthia dressed and preparing to leave, physically marked by what had happened.

• Xia You teased Cynthia about whether his explanation had eased her anger, and she admitted she was tired and still hurt.
• Xia You held Cynthia and gently touched her while she urged him to leave because Caitlin, Cheryl, and the others were waiting.
• Cynthia worried Caitlin would discover that she had secretly become Xia You's woman and decided the relationship must remain hidden.
• Cynthia struggled to get out of bed and dress, then washed and tended to the marks Xia You had left on her.
• Cynthia finished dressing and looked almost as she had before, though her appearance showed that she had become a woman who had known a man.

After sleeping with Xia You, Cynthia struggled to hide her embarrassment and avoid suspicion from Caitlin and Cheryl. She left the hotel alone, mortified after overhearing staff gossip about what had happened in room 9106, and ended up ordering bitter black coffee at a café.

• Cynthia checked her appearance and asked Xia You to leave first so she could calm down before facing Caitlin and Cheryl.
• Xia You left after warning Cynthia not to take too long, since Cheryl had messaged to ask when they were coming back.
• Cynthia overheard the receptionist and another employee gossiping about the couple in room 9106 as she tried to leave the hotel.
• The receptionist recognized Cynthia and asked her to return the room card so the hotel could check her out and refund her deposit.
• Cynthia panicked when staff were sent to retrieve the room card from the untidy room, then left the hotel feeling overwhelmed.
• Cynthia entered a café and ordered the bitterest black coffee.

Cynthia arrived at the Pokémon Center in Mistralton City after becoming Xia You’s lover, then tried to conceal what had happened from the others. As Dawn shifted the conversation to a rumor about Xia You and Diantha, Caitlin seemed to suspect that Cynthia was hiding something.

• Cynthia hesitated outside the Pokémon Center before entering and joining Xia You’s group.
• Dawn and Makomo remarked that Cynthia looked more radiant, while Cheryl noticed love bites on her neck.
• Cynthia explained her changed appearance by saying she had slept well and claimed a call from her grandmother had delayed her return.
• When Dawn asked why she and Caitlin had come to Mistralton City, Cynthia said they were passing through and had happened to see Xia You.
• Dawn moved on to other topics and eventually brought up the rumor about Xia You and Diantha.

Dawn explained that the rumor linking Xia You and Diantha came from Diantha asking him to help fend off her suitors, easing Cynthia’s concerns. After spending the night in Mistralton City, Xia You took Meloetta out to continue training and helping her adjust to the team.

• Dawn told Cynthia and Caitlin how Diantha had asked Xia You to pose as her partner to discourage her suitors.
• Cynthia and the others discussed the risks Diantha had taken and how much she seemed to trust Xia You.
• Xia You said the rumor would fade after they left Unova, though Cynthia doubted it would disappear so easily.
• Cynthia and Caitlin stayed in Mistralton City while Dawn prepared for her Pokémon Contest.
• Xia You slipped away from Cheryl that night, and Cynthia appeared exhausted at breakfast the next morning.
• Xia You released Meloetta behind the Pokémon Center and continued helping her adjust to life with his team.

Xia You reassured Snivy that it did not have to evolve, then told Cynthia and Caitlin that Meloetta had joined his team. Caitlin suggested giving Snivy an Everstone, leaving the evolution discussion with a practical solution.

• Xia You spoke privately with Snivy about evolution, and Snivy admitted it did not want to evolve.
• Xia You accepted Snivy’s choice and told it that it could remain as it was.
• Cynthia and Caitlin approached and saw Meloetta among Xia You’s Pokémon.
• Xia You said he had caught Meloetta in the wild a few days earlier, surprising Cynthia and Caitlin.
• Caitlin suggested giving Snivy an Everstone so it would not evolve accidentally.

Xia You obtained an Everstone through Caitlin and tested whether his Crystal Steelix could Mega Evolve with a Steelix Mega Stone. As the Mega Evolution began, Caitlin grew suspicious that Cynthia knew more about Xia You than she let on.

• Caitlin called the Mistralton City branch and arranged for an Everstone to be delivered to her at the Pokémon Center.
• Xia You brought out the Steelix Mega Stone and discussed with Cynthia whether it would work on his Crystal Steelix.
• Xia You had Crystal Steelix swallow the Mega Stone, then prepared to test it with his meteorite Key Stone.
• Caitlin questioned why Xia You's Key Stone looked different, and Cynthia explained its possible power-enhancing effect.
• Cynthia noticed Caitlin becoming suspicious of her familiarity with Xia You and redirected her attention as Xia You began Crystal Steelix's Mega Evolution.

Xia You’s Crystal Steelix Mega Evolved into a massive, dazzling Pokémon, and he tested its strength before recalling it to avoid attracting more attention. He and Caitlin returned to the Pokémon Center to wait for her Everstone.

• Xia You’s Mega Key Stone resonated with Crystal Steelix as it absorbed the Evolution Stone and Mega Evolved into a towering crystal Pokémon.
• Cynthia and Caitlin admired Mega Crystal Steelix, while Xia You asked how it felt and learned it was excited by its new strength.
• At Xia You’s command, Mega Crystal Steelix flew into several large trees and snapped them with a light collision.
• Cynthia warned Xia You that the trees belonged to the Pokémon Center and that the commotion would draw attention.
• Xia You canceled Mega Evolution and recalled Crystal Steelix and Meloetta before a boy and a girl arrived; Cynthia told them the damage had come from a battle.
• Xia You recalled his remaining Pokémon and led Caitlin back to the Pokémon Center to wait for her Everstone.

Cynthia and Xia You secretly spent the morning together, but Skyla saw them leaving a hotel arm in arm. Skyla recognized Xia You as the Trainer who had defeated her and decided to gather evidence before telling Elesa.

• Cynthia worried she might be pregnant after she and Xia You had sex without protection, but Xia You brushed off her concerns and urged her to get ready for Dawn’s competition.
• Cynthia and Xia You left the hotel without alerting Caitlin and headed toward the Pokémon Center for breakfast.
• Cynthia and Xia You ran into Skyla, and the three exchanged awkward greetings before going their separate ways.
• Skyla realized the man with Cynthia was the Trainer who had defeated her and concluded that he was Xia You and was involved with Cynthia.
• Skyla considered telling Elesa what she had seen but decided to wait and gather photos and evidence first.

Caitlin secretly realized that Cynthia and Xia You had an intimate relationship, then noticed Skyla following their group on the way to Dawn’s Pokémon Contest. After Caitlin identified Skyla as the Mistralton Gym Leader, Xia You learned that Cynthia had previously battled Elesa in the city, while Skyla’s reason for following them remained unclear.

• Caitlin used her psychic powers to discover that Xia You had visited Cynthia’s room, then concealed her knowledge while the group ate breakfast.
• Caitlin encouraged Dawn before the group set off for the Pokémon Contest Hall, and Dawn confidently declared she intended to win the Ribbon Medal.
• Caitlin sensed a red-haired woman following the group and identified her as Skyla, the Mistralton Gym Leader.
• Xia You asked Cynthia about her earlier visit to Mistralton City, and Cynthia admitted that Elesa had challenged her to a battle.
• Xia You guessed Skyla might be following them to report what she had seen to Elesa, then urged the group to continue to Dawn’s contest.

Dawn won her fifth Ribbon Medal and qualified for the Grand Festival, while Xia You celebrated with the group and handled calls about Team Plasma's destroyer. He learned that Shelly and Courtney had secured the ship and were holding Linda aboard it.

• Dawn won the Contest's Battle Evaluation, earned her fifth Ribbon Medal, and qualified for the Grand Festival.
• Xia You joined Cheryl, Makomo, Cynthia, Caitlin, and the others in planning a celebration for Dawn.
• Looker asked Xia You about Team Plasma's destroyer, and Xia You claimed he had found no sign of it before leaving Driftveil City.
• Xia You video-called Shelly, who reported that she and Courtney had erased Team Plasma's information and taken control of the destroyer.
• Shelly showed Xia You that Linda was being held behind bulletproof glass aboard the ship.

After leaving Mistralton City, Xia You and his companions traveled toward Icirrus City and explored Mistralton Tower, an empty landmark used for a festival competition. They learned the event was not happening soon, then continued their journey with Ross Mountain ahead.

• Xia You told Shelly and Courtney to keep watching Linda and warned them that Looker was investigating further.
• Xia You, Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo said goodbye to Cynthia and Caitlin and left Mistralton City for Icirrus City.
• The group traveled through increasingly steep wilderness toward Ross Mountain, while Xia You let Meloetta and Mewtwo experience the outdoors.
• The travelers found Mistralton Tower and discovered it was a venue for a commemorative festival and competition where the winner rang its bell.
• Makomo explained that the festival was still far off, and the group rang the bell before admiring the mountain scenery.

Xia You and his companions endured a miserable night in Mistralton Tower before continuing across Ross Mountain to Dongge Town. After hearing about a Fighting type Tournament there next month, Xia You invited Bea to enter, and she agreed.

• The group abandoned their windy camp inside Mistralton Tower at three in the morning and slept outdoors instead.
• Xia You, Dawn, and Makomo crossed Ross Mountain and reached Dongge Town after passing through a volcanic area.
• At the Pokémon Center, Xia You heard that Dongge Town would host a Fighting type Tournament the following month.
• Xia You messaged Bea about the tournament, and she immediately replied, "Okay."

Xia You and his companions reached Icirrus City to challenge Brycen, but learned he had gone to the Ice Lake for training and registered to wait for his return. As they explored the city, Makomo told them Brycen had been a famous movie star before Alder invited him to become a Gym Leader.

• Xia You and his companions entered chilly Icirrus City and went to the Icirrus Gym to challenge Brycen.
• A Gym staff member told them Brycen was away training at the Ice Lake, so Xia You registered his contact information for a later challenge.
• Dawn, Cheryl, and Makomo left the Gym and decided to look around the city while waiting for a notification.
• Makomo explained that Brycen was known as the Ice Masked Hero and had starred in action movies before retiring after a serious filming accident.
• Makomo said Alder visited Brycen in the hospital and personally invited him to become the Icirrus Gym Leader, impressing Dawn.

Xia You and Makomo went to the Icirrus Gym, where Gym Leader Brycen recognized Xia You and mentioned his achievements and scandal with Diantha. Brycen prepared to give the Gym battle his all, while Makomo watched and wished Xia You luck.

• After Brycen returned, Xia You left the Pokémon Center with Makomo to head for the Icirrus Gym.
• On the way, Makomo realized she and Xia You were alone together, and Xia You told her Ho-Oh’s blessing kept him from feeling the cold.
• Xia You and Makomo met Brycen on the Gym’s icy battlefield.
• Brycen recognized Xia You’s four consecutive Conference victories and his scandal with Diantha.
• Brycen challenged Xia You to show his strength, and Makomo wished Xia You good luck.

Xia You began his three-Pokémon Gym battle against Brycen, who opened with Cryogonal and faced Tyranitar. In Driftveil City, Looker investigated the Team Plasma Destroyer and followed a lead involving Charles and a group called Dr. Ice Pillars.

• Brycen interrupted the referee’s explanation and declared that he would use his strongest Pokémon in the three-on-three Gym battle against Xia You.
• Brycen sent out Cryogonal, and Xia You answered with Tyranitar as Makomo prepared to record the match.
• The referee started the Gym battle between Xia You and Brycen.
• Looker investigated the harbor but could not confirm whether the strange sailing ship people recalled was the Team Plasma Destroyer.
• Looker identified Xia You as someone who had asked about the ship and learned that Charles had disappeared while searching for his missing childhood friend.
• Looker heard that Charles had fought masked thieves called Dr. Ice Pillars and decided to investigate whether they were connected to Team Plasma.

Bea set out for Unova after Xia You’s announcement stirred her feelings, while Xia You defeated Brycen and earned the Ice Pillars Badge. As he and Makomo returned to the Pokémon Center, Xia You reassured her that companionship did not depend on being useful.

• Bea stopped training and began packing after hearing that the Don George Fighting Tournament would take place next month, then decided to leave for Unova immediately.
• Xia You defeated Brycen’s Cryogonal with Tyranitar, then beat Vanilluxe and Walrein with Snowman Snorlax on the Ice Field.
• Brycen presented Xia You with the Ice Pillars Badge, giving him eight Gym Badges by count, though two were identical Basic Badges.
• Xia You and Makomo left the Gym and headed back to the Pokémon Center in the afternoon heat.
• Makomo admitted she felt increasingly unable to help Xia You, and he told her that being companions was not about being useful.

After earning the Icirrus City Gym Badge, Xia You and his companions headed west, but three Absol launched a coordinated attack against him on the road. Mewtwo and Gardevoir stopped the attackers, while the group remained wary of whoever had sent them.

• Xia You returned to the Pokémon Center with Makomo after winning the Gym battle, and he showed Dawn and Cheryl his new Badge.
• Makomo showed Dawn and Cheryl footage of Xia You’s battle, and the group chatted before setting out west from Icirrus City.
• Three Absol sprang from the bushes and attacked Xia You from different angles.
• Mewtwo and Gardevoir emerged from their Poké Balls and knocked the three Absol into the trees, killing them.
• Dawn, Cheryl, and Makomo gathered beside Xia You and watched for further attackers, while Makomo suspected that someone was hiding nearby.

Xia You and Mewtwo discovered the Dark Trinity hiding nearby and confronted them. Mewtwo defeated their coordinated backup attack with overwhelming force, leaving the three officers’ fate unresolved.

• Mewtwo sensed the Dark Trinity hiding behind rocks on a nearby hill and approached them before they could retreat.
• Mewtwo immobilized the three officers, but one used a special smoke bomb to disrupt its psychic perception and briefly escape its hold.
• The Dark Trinity released Banette, Accelgor, and Bisharp to attack Mewtwo from three directions with super-effective moves.
• Mewtwo stopped all three Pokémon with sheer force and sent them crashing into rocks and trees, knocking them unconscious.

Mewtwo effortlessly defeated and captured the Dark Trinity after they attacked Xia You. Xia You identified the Team Plasma assassins and contacted Looker, leaving the three awaiting transfer to the Officer Jenny and the International Police.

• Mewtwo overwhelmed the Dark Trinity's Pokémon and immobilized the three attackers when they tried to flee.
• Mewtwo brought the captives back to Xia You, and Dawn demanded to know why they had attacked him.
• Xia You identified the attackers as Team Plasma's Dark Trinity, and they threatened him on behalf of the organization.
• Xia You called Looker, who arranged for the International Police to take custody of the Dark Trinity.
• Xia You asked Makomo to contact the local Officer Jenny while the captives remained restrained.

After the Shadow Triad’s failed attack, Xia You and his companions resumed their journey, and he vowed to bring down Team Plasma. That night, Makomo overheard Xia You and Cheryl together and began wondering what their relationship meant, then noticed the discarded rubbish outside their tent the next morning.

• Looker abandoned his pursuit of leads about Dr. Ice Pillars to focus on securing the capture of the Shadow Triad.
• Xia You and his companions handed the Shadow Triad to Officer Jenny and continued traveling; Xia You promised to make Team Plasma pay and bring the organization down.
• At camp that night, Makomo overheard Xia You and Cheryl in their tent and wondered whether they were merely friends and companions.
• Makomo noticed that Dawn was also awake, but the two agreed without speaking to act as though nothing had happened.
• The next morning, Makomo saw Cheryl cooking breakfast and noticed the rubbish outside Xia You and Cheryl’s tent, recalling that Xia You had Ho-Oh’s power inside his body.

Makomo secretly collected a sample from Xia You’s trash, hoping to investigate the effects of Ho-Oh’s blessing. Dawn caught her conducting an experiment and looked through the microscope, leaving Makomo scrambling to explain what she saw.

• During breakfast, Makomo recalled Xia You’s claim that Ho-Oh had blessed him and decided to collect a sample for research.
• Makomo secretly opened Xia You’s trash bag, gathered a sample in a test tube, and buried the evidence.
• Back at camp, Makomo hurried into her tent to examine the sample with her research instruments.
• Dawn returned to pack, noticed Makomo’s microscope, and asked to look through it.
• Dawn peered into the microscope and cried out in surprise, so Makomo took her place and called the sample ordinary microorganisms.

Xia You and his companions crossed the Icirrus Wetlands, where a Pokémon Ranger warned them about a red-haired girl known as the “Dragon Buster.” They soon encountered the girl, who asked if they were Trainers, and Dawn challenged her rude approach.

• Xia You asked why Makomo was acting strangely, and she let him believe she felt unwell while privately thinking about her research on his unusual tadpoles.
• Dawn spotted Stunfisk, and Makomo explained that a past fire had driven Pokémon, including Keldeo, from the wetlands.
• A Pokémon Ranger reminded the group that fires were prohibited and warned them to be careful around a red-haired girl calling herself the “Dragon Buster.”
• The group encountered the red-haired girl searching the wetlands with a wooden stick, and she asked whether they were Trainers.
• Dawn asked the girl why she had not introduced herself before questioning them.

Xia You accepted Langley’s challenge and battled her Beartic with Dragonite. Dragonite struck back with Thunder Punch, sending Beartic flying and paralyzing it, leaving Langley stunned.

• Langley introduced herself as the Dragon Buster and challenged Xia You to a battle with his Dragon-type Pokémon.
• Xia You agreed and sent out Dragonite, while Langley chose Beartic.
• Langley ordered Beartic to attack with Ice Punch, and Dragonite met it with Thunder Punch.
• Dragonite dodged Beartic’s Ice Punch and hit it in the face with Thunder Punch, sending it into a puddle and paralyzing it.
• Langley was shocked that Beartic had lost the clash of strength.