Chapter Summaries

Cynthia defeated Leon’s Aegislash by adapting its dust-cloud tactics and exploiting the opening in King’s Shield. Leon sent out Haxorus next, and it began boosting its Attack and Speed with Dragon Dance.

• Aegislash used a dust cloud and Shadow Sneak to damage Milotic while Cynthia discovered that Flamethrower had burned it and that Weakness Policy had boosted its stats.
• Cynthia had Milotic hide in a dust cloud and use a decoy made from Tartar’s energy to draw out Aegislash’s Shadow Sneak.
• Milotic struck Aegislash in Blade Forme as it tried to raise King’s Shield, knocking it out and earning Cynthia the victory.
• Leon praised Cynthia’s tactics and sent out Haxorus, which used Dragon Dance to raise its Attack and Speed.
• Cynthia prepared to face Haxorus while warning herself to stay alert for its attacks.

Leon and Cynthia traded knockouts when Haxorus and Togekiss fell together, leaving their battle tied. They sent out Dragapult and Roserade next, and Roserade waited for Dragapult to reappear from Phantom Sneak.

• Cynthia sent Togekiss against Leon's boosted Haxorus, and the two Pokémon traded attacks as Haxorus struggled through flinching and paralysis.
• Leon revealed that Haxorus held a Life Orb, and Haxorus and Togekiss knocked each other out with Iron Tail and Dazzling Gleam.
• Leon sent out Dragapult while Cynthia sent out Roserade, and Dragapult pressed the attack with Dragon Dive and Thunderbolt.
• Dragapult vanished with Phantom Sneak, and Cynthia told Roserade to watch for the moment it reappeared before attacking.

Cynthia and Leon fought through Roserade’s defeat, with Roserade poisoning Dragapult and forcing it to retreat nearly exhausted. Leon then sent out Dondozo against Cynthia’s Lucario, whose speed and Dondozo’s durability shaped the opening of their next battle.

• Roserade used Dazzling Gleam and Sludge Bomb against Dragapult, then poisoned it with Poison Point after intercepting Dragon Rush.
• Dragapult feinted with two successive Phantom Force attacks before defeating Roserade with Dragon Rush, while Roserade’s poison left Dragapult nearly exhausted.
• Cynthia and Leon praised Roserade’s effort, returned their injured Pokémon, and prepared for the second half of the battle.
• Leon sent out Dondozo, and Cynthia chose Lucario instead of using Mega Evolution.
• Lucario struck Dondozo with Meteor Mash, but Dondozo’s Solid Rock Ability reduced the damage from the super-effective move.
• Lucario used Mind Reader to evade Bulldoze, and Leon recognized that it used the move as propulsion.

Cynthia’s Lucario battled Leon’s Duraludon, using careful evasion, Swords Dance, and unexpected Aura Sphere attacks to overcome its defenses. Lucario defeated Duraludon with a final Meteor Mash, though it was left badly injured and exhausted.

• Lucario dodged Duraludon’s attacks while using Swords Dance to raise its attack power.
• Duraludon struck Lucario with Bulldoze and Stone Edge, while Lucario used Aura Sphere to catch Leon off guard and reveal Duraludon’s Assault Vest.
• As both Pokémon neared their limits, Duraludon injured Lucario’s leg with Stone Edge and followed with Bulldoze.
• Lucario used Extreme Speed to cross Bulldoze’s shock wave, launched itself into the air, and deflected Duraludon’s Hammer Arm.
• Lucario struck Duraludon with Meteor Mash and won the battle.

Leon and Cynthia’s battle continued as Lucario fell to Oranguru, leaving Oranguru to face Cynthia’s Milotic in a punishing endurance match. The chapter ended with both Pokémon powering up and recovering at once, poised to decide the battle with their next moves.

• Leon sent out Oranguru, whose Grass Terrain began healing him and strengthened his Grass-type attacks.
• Lucario struck Oranguru with a final counterattack before collapsing, and Cynthia recalled him after praising his effort.
• Cynthia sent out Milotic, who used his burn-activated Marvel Scale, Grass Terrain, Aqua Ring, and Recover to endure Oranguru’s attacks.
• Oranguru and Milotic traded attacks as Scald burned Oranguru and Cynthia used Milotic’s coils to trap him briefly.
• Oranguru avoided a nearly certain Ice Beam by deflecting it with his drumsticks, then landed Drain Punch on Milotic.
• Leon had Oranguru use Swords Dance while Cynthia ordered Milotic to Recover, and both finished their moves at the same time.

Cynthia and Leon’s battle reached its final stage after Oranguru and Milotic knocked each other out and Garchomp defeated Leon’s poisoned Dragapult. Cynthia Mega Evolved Garchomp as Leon prepared to Gigantamax Charizard, whose Poké Ball grew enormous.

• Oranguru and Milotic traded final attacks and were both unable to battle.
• Cynthia sent out Garchomp while Leon sent out his poisoned Dragapult, and Garchomp’s Venom Drench-reduced speed let it defeat Dragapult.
• Leon sent out Charizard as his final Pokémon, and Cynthia prepared to Mega Evolve Garchomp.
• Cynthia Mega Evolved Garchomp, while Leon activated Gigantamax and Charizard’s Poké Ball transformed into a gigantic Poké Ball.

Cynthia defeated Leon in a fierce battle between Garchomp and Gigantamax Charizard, winning the match as Sinnoh’s Champion. Afterward, both Champions thanked each other for the battle and promised to face one another again.

• Leon sent out Gigantamax Charizard, and it clashed with Cynthia’s Garchomp using Max Flare and Draco Meteor, scorching and devastating the battlefield.
• Leon and Cynthia traded powerful attacks as Charizard’s Gigantamax and Garchomp’s stamina came under pressure from the burning field.
• Kaim realized Leon had weakened Charizard’s Max Flare to quickly follow with a super-effective Max Wyrmwind, but Cynthia’s Garchomp broke through it with its full Dragon Power.
• Garchomp struck Charizard before it could counterattack, and Charizard returned to normal and collapsed from exhaustion.
• The referee declared Cynthia the winner, and Leon and Cynthia thanked each other, shook hands, and promised to battle again.
• Sonia welcomed Leon at the entrance and handed him a towel.

After defeating her opponent, Shirona rested and considered how formidable Red would be in their upcoming battle, resolving to win. Kaim waited with her recovering Pokémon at the Stadium, where a visitor appeared as evening fell.

• Red and Green watched the tournament final, then flew away together on Charizard and Pidgeotto.
• Shirona rested in the bath and reviewed Red’s strength and possible untapped potential.
• Shirona admitted she was eager to battle Red and vowed to win.
• Kaim waited for Shirona’s Pokémon to recover, walked around the quiet Stadium with Blaziken, and saw someone enter through the gate.

Kaim reunited with Green and Red while waiting for Cynthia’s Pokémon to recover, and the three recalled how Kaim had encountered Red during his battles against Team Rocket in Kanto. The chapter left them together at the tournament venue, catching up after years apart.

• Kaim recognized Green, who learned that Kaim was supporting Cynthia and said he wanted to thank her for their Sinnoh League battle.
• Green told Kaim that Red was getting drinks, and Red soon arrived with Pikachu.
• Kaim and Red greeted each other as old acquaintances, surprising Green, and explained they had met two or three times in Kanto.
• Kaim recalled treating Red after he destroyed Team Rocket’s Hideout in Celadon City and again after Red defeated Team Rocket at Silph Co. in Saffron City.
• Green called Kaim kindhearted for helping Red, and Kaim and Red agreed that they had never expected to meet again.

Kaim learned that Red had trained on Mt. Silver, while Green and Red joked about their friendship. Cynthia searched for Kaim, met Leaf, and encouraged her as a fellow Trainer whose battling style she admired.

• Kaim asked Red where he had gone after winning the Kanto League, and Red showed him Mt. Silver on a map.
• Green told Red he had nearly missed the competition and urged him to check in with his family, prompting Kaim to tease Green and Red about their friendship.
• Cynthia went to the Pokémon Center looking for Kaim, but Leaf told her he had been at the Stadium.
• Leaf recognized Cynthia and praised her match, and Cynthia recognized Leaf as a Kanto League top-eight competitor from Pallet Town.
• Cynthia told Leaf she enjoyed watching her battles, and they agreed they would like to battle each other someday.

Kaim and Cynthia prepared for her upcoming battle against Red, while Red looked forward to facing her. After assessing Red’s team and discussing their chances, Cynthia eagerly anticipated the challenge, then asked Kaim to massage her tired muscles.

• Cynthia and Kaim met Red, Green, and Leaf at the Stadium, where Cynthia and Red agreed to enjoy their battle the next day.
• Red reflected on his upcoming match with Cynthia, while Green and Leaf teased each other about their past battles.
• Kaim studied Red’s battle data and concluded that his strategies made winning extremely difficult, and Cynthia praised his growing skill as a Trainer.
• Cynthia and Kaim agreed that Red had an edge in levels and Mega Evolution, but Cynthia looked forward to how the battle would strengthen their Pokémon.
• Kaim dried Cynthia’s hair and began massaging her back, and Cynthia asked him to press harder for a more immediate effect.

Kaim gave Cynthia a massage and shared a cramped bed with her and Little Black before her final against Red. The next day, Cynthia admitted she was nervous but excited, and asked Kaim to put on the Divine Hairpin so she could feel they were fighting side by side.

• Kaim explained that massage and stretching supported gradual recovery, then gave Cynthia a treatment to help her sleep and improve circulation.
• Kaim agreed to share his single bed with Cynthia and Little Black, and the three fell asleep together before the final.
• The next day, Kaim told Cynthia about the packed Stadium and the widespread attention on her battle with Red.
• Cynthia confessed her nerves and excitement, and said she wanted to win so she could stand at the summit with Kaim.
• Cynthia asked Kaim to fasten the Divine Hairpin in her hair, then took his hand as they prepared to leave.

Cynthia and Red began their championship final, and their first Pokémon, Bullet Seed and Pikachu, fought at a blistering pace. Pikachu’s exceptional threat and precise techniques challenged Cynthia’s strategy, while the battle remained unresolved.

• Cynthia embraced Kaim before entering the stadium, and Red met her at the opposite gate as the championship final began.
• Cynthia sent out Bullet Seed, while Red released Pikachu, whose threat level was higher than Cynthia’s Garchomp’s.
• Pikachu and Bullet Seed traded rapid attacks, but Bullet Seed used dust and a feint to burn Pikachu with Obi.
• Red had Pikachu use Volt Tackle to pierce Bullet Seed’s attack, limiting recoil and damage before Pikachu landed a focused Thunderbolt that struck Bullet Seed directly.

Cynthia and Red continued their battle, trading Pokémon in a fierce match that ended in a draw between Espeon and Zweilous before Cynthia sent out Roserade against Red’s Snorlax. Roserade’s boosted attacks struggled against Snorlax’s defenses, and the chapter ended as Snorlax charged with Giga Impact and Roserade regained its footing to see something unbelievable.

• Pikachu defeated Cynthia’s Bullet Seed with Volt Tackle, and Cynthia sent out Zweilous against Red’s Pokémon.
• Red switched Pikachu for Espeon, which exploited Zweilous’s weaknesses, but Cynthia’s Mirror Coat and a final Scald left both Pokémon unable to battle.
• Cynthia sent out Roserade while Red chose Snorlax, whose boosted Special Defense blunted Roserade’s attacks.
• Roserade paralyzed Snorlax and triggered its Weakness Policy, increasing its Special Attack, while Snorlax’s stamina gradually recovered.
• Cynthia recognized Snorlax’s setup and ordered Roserade to dodge, but Snorlax’s Giga Impact grazed it and sent it rolling across the field.

Cynthia's Roserade and Lucario battled Red's Snorlax and Venusaur, with Snorlax defeating Roserade before falling to Lucario. Red then sent out Venusaur, which trapped Lucario with an emerging-root attack and followed up with Earth Power as Frenzy Plant threatened to finish the battle.

• Roserade used Dazzling Gleam and repeated attacks to wear down Snorlax, but Snorlax's Giga Impact knocked Roserade out.
• Cynthia sent out Lucario, which used Swords Dance and Struggle before taking Snorlax's final Earth Power assault and defeating him.
• Red sent out Venusaur and surprised Cynthia by opening with Frenzy Plant, while Lucario dodged the roots and countered with Meteor Mash.
• Venusaur used Giga Drain and Frenzy Plant to pressure Lucario, then caught Lucario's legs with a new underground-root attack and slammed him down.
• Venusaur hit Lucario with Earth Power and unleashed Frenzy Plant as Cynthia called out to Lucario.

Cynthia’s Lucario defeated Red’s Venusaur but fell to Red’s Blastoise, leaving Cynthia with two Pokémon against Red’s injured Blastoise, injured Pikachu, and possible Charizard. Determined to win and see what lay beyond the challenge, Cynthia sent out Milotic.

• Lucario dodged Venusaur’s Frenzy Plant, used Cynthia’s cue to evade a hidden Earth Power, and defeated Venusaur with Meteor Mash.
• Red sent out Blastoise, which used Rain Dance and Hydro Cannon before trapping Lucario and knocking him out with Aura Sphere.
• Cynthia thanked Lucario, considered the challenge ahead, and resolved to win the battle.
• Cynthia sent out Milotic.

Red's Blastoise defeated Cynthia's Milotic after a prolonged battle, but Milotic first wore Blastoise down enough to reveal its Mirror Coat. Cynthia then sent Milotic against Pikachu, where it fell after helping prepare the way for her remaining Pokémon.

• Red's Blastoise and Cynthia's Milotic traded attacks in the rain as both trainers tried to exploit their Pokémon's strengths.
• Red waited for Blastoise's Torrent to activate and struck Milotic with a powerful Hydro Cannon, but Milotic used Mirror Coat to defeat Blastoise.
• Cynthia chose to keep Milotic in against Pikachu, trusting its decision to stay and fight for her victory.
• Pikachu overcame Milotic's attacks and counterattacks, then defeated it with Volt Tackle.

Red and Cynthia sent out their final Pokémon and Mega Evolved Charizard into Mega Charizard X and Garchomp into Mega Garchomp. Their dragons traded powerful attacks, and the chapter ended with Garchomp grabbing Charizard during their close-range clash.

• Pikachu knocked Garchomp with a final Iron Tail before being declared unable to battle.
• Red sent out Charizard and revealed his Key Stone, while Cynthia Mega Evolved Garchomp.
• Red Mega Evolved Charizard into Mega Charizard X, and the two Pokémon began fighting with attacks including Flare Blitz and Blast Burn.
• Charizard and Garchomp clashed using Dragon-type power, with Charizard's Tough Claws giving him a slight advantage.
• Cynthia directed Garchomp to evade Charizard's attack, but Charizard redirected his strike and hit Garchomp with a fiery charge.
• Garchomp caught Charizard between his scythes as their close-range battle continued.

Cynthia and Red fought an exhausting battle that ended with Red’s Charizard defeating Garchomp, and the Champions acknowledged each other’s strength. After the ceremony, Cynthia told Kaim that she felt frustrated by the loss.

• Garchomp and Charizard traded powerful attacks until Red’s Charizard landed Blast Burn, leaving both Pokémon at their limits.
• Garchomp fainted while still standing in Mega Evolution, and the referee declared Red the winner.
• Cynthia thanked Garchomp, while Red and Cynthia praised each other and promised to battle again.
• After the award ceremony, Cynthia joined Kaim in the backyard and admitted that losing left her frustrated.

After Cynthia accepted her loss and shared a kiss with Kaim, they received a mysterious invitation to a gathering at the Stadium. The Champions and other powerful Trainers assembled there, where the hologram’s host welcomed them as the lights went out.

• Cynthia thanked Kaim, kissed him, and went with him to rest after the Championship final.
• Cynthia received an unsigned Holo Card inviting her to a festival hosted by someone claiming to be the strongest Pokémon Trainer, and Kaim sensed a presence resembling Mew’s.
• Cynthia and Kaim went to the Stadium the next evening and found Diantha, Iris, Steven, Mikuri, Lance, Red, Green, Gary, and others waiting there.
• Leon arrived with Sonia, and Daigo joined Kaim as the Stadium lights dimmed.
• The woman from the Holo Card appeared before the gathered Trainers and welcomed them.