Recaps

Fang Yan battled Ash and used the match to help him recognize that his Pokémon needed fighting styles suited to their changing bodies and abilities. Ash resolved to learn his partners better and reconsider bringing his older Pokémon back, then agreed to stay at the Day Care for training.

• Fang Yan invited Brock to cook dinner together and discussed Pokémon breeding with him, while advising Dawn that caring for Pokémon and finding their strengths could help in Contests.
• Fang Yan challenged Ash and defeated Buizel, Monferno, Gliscor, Staraptor, and Grotle; during the match, Grotle evolved into Torterra, and Luxray defeated Pikachu.
• Fang Yan asked Ash whether he understood his Pokémon and explained that Ash favored fast battles even when some of his Pokémon had become heavier and less suited to that approach.
• Ash thanked Fang Yan and considered using his Sinnoh partners against Paul while letting his older Pokémon battle in other League matches.
• Fang Yan invited Ash and his friends to stay at the Pokémon Day Care for a few days of training, and they accepted.

Ash’s attempts to help around the Day Care caused a string of disasters, so Fang Yan sent him to train in a nearby forest. Meanwhile, Fang Yan and Brock welcomed a Scrafty to learn Dragon Dance, and Brock recorded Fang Yan’s Pokémon-raising methods.

• Ash and Dali sparred, then Ash and Pikachu caused trouble while helping around the Day Care.
• Ash tore a flour sack, covering Fang Yan and Mime Jr. in flour, so Fang Yan ordered him to go train in the forest and wash up.
• After Ash left, Fang Yan and Brock accepted a Trainer’s Scrafty and brought it to the Lapras siblings to learn Dragon Dance.
• Brock wrote down Fang Yan’s approach of helping Pokémon feel genuine joy and considered trying it himself.

Fang Yan advised Dawn on how to help her Pokémon shine in Contests, explaining that a Pokémon’s charm came from its individual personality and bond with its Trainer, not just its appearance. Dawn left determined to become a top Coordinator and promised to send Fang Yan pictures of her future trophies and ribbons.

• Shauna played hide-and-seek with the Day Care Pokémon, and Fang Yan accidentally found the Piplup that was supposed to be hiding.
• Fang Yan comforted the tearful Piplup by promising to make it something delicious, then spent the afternoon cooking and relaxing in the garden.
• Dawn asked Fang Yan how to make her Pokémon more beautiful, and he recalled how his advice had helped Anzi win her first Pokémon Contest championship.
• Fang Yan explained that a Pokémon’s charm could come from traits such as cuteness, cleverness, elegance, or strength, and urged Dawn to find what suited each of her Pokémon.
• Dawn thanked Fang Yan, resolved to become a top Coordinator, and promised to send him pictures of her trophies and ribbons.

After several days of training and rest at Fang Yan’s Pokémon Day Care, Ash, Brock, and Dawn left to pursue their goals, while Fang Yan plotted to make the League Conference more exciting. That night, after talking with Cynthia about snow, Fang Yan fell asleep, and the first snow began to fall around the Day Care.

• Fang Yan served dinner to Ash, Brock, Dawn, and their Pokémon, then asked how their training had gone.
• Ash and Dawn declared their goals, and Ash decided they would leave soon to challenge the Gym and pursue their ambitions.
• Fang Yan gave Ash, Brock, and Dawn wooden plaques, reminded Ash to call Delia, and saw them off from the Day Care.
• Fang Yan spoke with Gary about Shieldon, then messaged Cynthia about a plan for the League Conference and learned that it was snowing where she was.
• Fang Yan wondered whether snow would reach the Day Care, talked about building a snowman, and fell asleep with Mime Jr. in Ninetales’s embrace.
• Snow began falling by the lake and around the Day Care, and Fang Yan excitedly woke Gengar the next morning to tell him.

Fang Yan and Gengar celebrated the first snowfall by playing in the snow, provoking several Pokémon Day Care residents and getting buried and planted in the snow. After warming up indoors, Fang Yan planned a hot pot feast and a grocery trip with Gengar.

• Fang Yan and Gengar played in the snow, rolling around and burying their heads in it until Dali pulled them out and accidentally planted Fang Yan back in the snow.
• Dali spun Fang Yan and Gengar by their legs, and Roserade used aromatherapy to clear Fang Yan’s dizzy thoughts.
• Gothitelle floated Fang Yan indoors, but after he teased her, she sent him back outside and left him buried under falling snow.
• Gengar and Misdreavus joined Fang Yan in the snow, and Lilligant dug them out after secretly taking pictures with Shauna’s camera.
• Mime Jr. brought Fang Yan and Gengar ginger water, and Ninetales brushed snow off Fang Yan and warmed him with her tails.
• Fang Yan asked Gengar about dinner and decided they would go shopping after breakfast to make hot pot for a snowy-day feast.

Heavy snow covered Twinleaf Town, but Fang Yan delivered fresh milk and ginger drinks to customers before checking that the day care’s Pokémon had safe places and enough food for winter. With business nearly halted by the weather, he planned to patrol the forest soon and see how its Pokémon were faring.

• Fang Yan sent Shauna to school on Rapidash, then rode Ninetales with Gengar to Twinleaf Town to deliver fresh milk and complimentary ginger drinks to customers.
• Fang Yan visited the shop, found children studying and playing there, and told Gothitelle to come home early for hot pot before buying groceries.
• Fang Yan checked the boarding Pokémon and confirmed Scrafty, Bellossom, Beedrill, Empoleon, Miltank, and the others had suitable winter shelters and food.
• Fang Yan inspected the snowy backyard, planned to patrol the forest in a few days, and wondered whether the hot spring was still usable.
• Fang Yan saw that the day care had no customers through the afternoon and comforted Mime Jr. after few customers visited the cafeteria.

Fang Yan and the others built snowmen, then turned the backyard into a chaotic snowball-free brawl after Fang Yan wrecked their creations. As Gothitelle and Lilligant prepared to help him build a snowman, the Lake Guardians awoke after hearing that Cynthia had gone to the ancient ruins and their operation could begin.

• Fang Yan suggested building snowmen, and Shauna, Mime Jr., Gothitelle, Lilligant, and the Pokémon joined him outside.
• Shauna and the Pokémon built detailed snowmen while Fang Yan made a crooked one whose head fell off.
• After Gengar laughed at Fang Yan, Fang Yan destroyed Gengar's snowman and then wrecked the others, prompting the group to chase and pin him down.
• Fang Yan offered Dali extra food to destroy the snowmen, escaped during the ensuing commotion, and Gengar paralyzed him with a lick before stealing the camera.
• Gothitelle and Lilligant offered to help Fang Yan build a snowman, while Gengar and the others started another bout of chaos.
• After learning Cynthia had gone to the ancient ruins, Mesprit, Uxie, and Azelf awoke and prepared to begin their operation.

Mime Jr. spent a happy day playing with Gengar and the others, then experienced a frightening dream in which its friends were attacked and it fought back with Metronome. It woke beside Fang Yan after its moves smashed his bed, and Fang Yan comforted it as they went to sleep with Ninetales.

• Mime Jr. left the bed to play with Gengar and the others, enjoying the seesaw, swings, snow castles, and lunch at the lake.
• As evening approached, a masked person riding Salamence attacked the group, and Mime Jr. fled with Snorunt before the scene shifted to another lake.
• Mime Jr. watched its friends melt away under attack, then used Metronome to send the enemies flying while protecting Snorunt and the other Pokémon.
• Mime Jr. woke from the dream beside Fang Yan, and its Metronome moves had destroyed his bed.
• Fang Yan comforted Mime Jr. and fell asleep with it in Ninetales's embrace while Gengar returned to the ceiling.

After Mime Jr. recovered from its nightmare and reopened the dining hall, Fang Yan learned that the heavy snowfall was unusual and joined Officer Jenny to survey the roads. He then organized the Pokémon Day Care’s Pokémon to begin clearing Day Care Road, leaving Gengar eager for the fish-shaped dinner Fang Yan had promised.

• Gothitelle cleared away the broken bed, and Fang Yan explained that Mime Jr. had likely broken it with Metronome during a nightmare.
• Mime Jr. insisted on opening the dining hall, then greeted the snowmen before gathering vegetables for the day’s meals.
• Officer Jenny visited Fang Yan to inspect the unusual snowfall and survey the roads for hazards.
• Fang Yan accompanied Officer Jenny around Day Care Road and suggested clearing snow into nearby groves while warning traveling Pokémon.
• Fang Yan assigned the Day Care Pokémon to help clear the road, promised Gengar squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, and led the group outside with a shovel.

After Mime Jr. told Fang Yan about a dream in which three Pokémon were captured at Lake Verity, Fang Yan suspected Team Galactic was behind it and set out to investigate. He left the Pokémon Day Care in the Fujinos’ care and promised Mime Jr. he would rescue the Pokémon if they were in danger.

• Gothitelle returned from the little house after the children’s parents picked them up and used her psychic powers to help Fang Yan and the others clear snow from Day Care Road.
• The Fujinos joined the snow-clearing, and Fang Yan led everyone back for lunch before they continued working.
• After making lunch, Mime Jr. remembered a dream about a dragon-riding villain, people with different-colored hair, and three Pokémon being captured at Lake Verity.
• Mime Jr. told Fang Yan about the dream and his bad feeling, prompting Fang Yan to suspect Hunter J and Team Galactic might be targeting the Lake Guardians.
• Fang Yan asked the Fujinos and Shauna to watch the Pokémon Day Care, then left with Gengar and the others to investigate Lake Verity, promising Mime Jr. he would rescue the Pokémon if needed.

Ash, Dawn, and Brock dreamed that the lake guardians were in danger, while Team Galactic and Pokémon Hunters attacked Lake Verity to capture Azelf. Gary and his allies fought to stop them, but Azelf was petrified and Gary was badly outmatched as Cynthia rushed toward the unfolding crisis.

• Ash, Dawn, and Brock woke from matching dreams in which the lake guardians were captured, then set out with Cynthia for Mt. Coronet.
• Professor Rowan monitored rising energy readings and coordinated with the professors, Cynthia, and Fang Yan, who had arrived at Lake Verity.
• Team Galactic ambushed Gary at the lake as a bomb from their airship exploded in the water; A Feng and A Lan arrived to help him fight.
• Hunter J rode Salamence toward a sphere of light, where Azelf appeared and was petrified by her beam.
• Ash sensed that Azelf had been captured, and Cynthia sped toward the lake while Gary tried to reclaim Azelf and was blasted away with Arcanine.

Fang Yan arrived at Lake Valor after Team Galactic captured the Lake Guardians, defeated Pokémon Hunter J, and pursued the commanders after they escaped to Mt. Coronet. Gengar secretly followed them to Cyrus, who prepared to begin making his ideals a reality.

• Hunter J petrified Mesprit and Uxie, and Team Galactic took all three Lake Guardians’ statues while Gary and the others were under attack.
• Fang Yan arrived with the Legendary Birds and ordered Gary, A Feng, and A Lan to help recover the statues as the battle turned against Team Galactic.
• Fang Yan defeated Hunter J and destroyed her airship, sending it crashing into the lake.
• Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn escaped with the statues through a mysterious opening, but Fang Yan traced their location to Mt. Coronet using his wooden tag.
• Fang Yan left Gary to handle the aftermath and flew toward Mt. Coronet, while Gengar followed the escaped commanders in the shadows.
• Cyrus learned that the Lake Guardians had been captured and ordered Team Galactic to begin making his ideals a reality.

Fang Yan, Cynthia, and Ash stopped Cyrus from controlling Dialga and Palki, freed the Lake Guardians, and sent the legendary Pokémon back. After the crisis, Fang Yan worried that his actions might have caused the conflict between Dialga and Palki, while Gengar secretly took the Spear Key, Spear Pillar, and Adamant Orb.

• A scientist used the Crimson Chain to control Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie, while Gengar watched from the shadows; Ash and his friends were captured by Team Galactic.
• Gengar freed Ash and the others, and Cynthia arrived outside the base; Fang Yan then joined them and fought the Team Galactic members while Cynthia led Ash into the Distortion World.
• Cyrus used the Lake Guardians and the Spear Key to summon Dialga and Palki, then entered the Distortion World while the two legendary Pokémon remained bound by red chains.
• Ash and his friends freed the Lake Guardians from the red gems, and Fang Yan and Cynthia destroyed the chains with help from their Pokémon; the Lake Guardians sent Dialga and Palki away.
• The Lake Guardians thanked Fang Yan and agreed to visit Mime Jr.; afterward, Gengar revealed that it had stolen the Spear Key, Spear Pillar, and Adamant Orb, while Fang Yan wondered whether he had set the legendary conflict in motion.

Fang Yan and his Pokémon subdued Zapdos after it refused to honor their agreement, only to discover he had misunderstood what the Legendary Birds had promised. Zapdos flew off after Fang Yan treated its injuries, while Moltres and Articuno agreed to stop causing needless destruction and went their separate ways.

• Fang Yan found no sign of Mars, the other Team Galactic members, or the Team Rocket Trio after Officer Jenny took the captured members away.
• Zapdos tried to leave without honoring its agreement, so Garchomp and Cynthia prepared to fight before Fang Yan stepped in with Gengar and Gothitelle.
• Fang Yan's Pokémon battered Zapdos with Gravity, Phantom Force, Ninetales's charge, Leaf Storm, and Gothitelle's Barrier attacks until Zapdos lost consciousness.
• After Zapdos woke, Fang Yan learned it had thought he wanted the Legendary Birds to fight for him, when he had only meant for them to stop causing destruction.
• Fang Yan treated Zapdos's injuries, and Zapdos flew away; Moltres and Articuno agreed to honor the clarified request and departed.

After Fang Yan and Ash helped settle the trouble with the Legendary Pokémon, Cynthia invited everyone to eat. Fang Yan and Cynthia teased each other on the way, then Cynthia rode ahead to reserve a table while Fang Yan followed on Ninetales.

• Fang Yan told Cynthia that the Legendary Pokémon would stop destroying things across Sinnoh, and Ash said he had helped because Azelf and the others were his friends.
• Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie promised to visit Fang Yan and Mime Jr. at the Pokémon Day Care before flying away.
• Fang Yan announced that Cynthia would treat everyone to a meal, and Cynthia agreed despite teasing him for acting generous.
• Fang Yan coaxed Gengar out of its pretend sulk by promising new snacks, then told Cynthia about his agreement with Moltres and the others.
• Cynthia asked what had happened with Zapdos, but Fang Yan kept the story secret to preserve its dignity.
• Cynthia rode ahead on Garchomp to reserve a table while Fang Yan followed on Ninetales.

Fang Yan explained Mega Evolution to Ash and encouraged him to pursue strength through his bond with Pokémon rather than relying on battle transformations. After Ash and his friends left, Fang Yan and Cynthia shared a snowy walk and exchanged playful challenges before Cynthia departed wearing a scarf he had made for her.

• Ash asked Fang Yan to battle Cynthia, but Fang Yan refused and explained Mega Evolution to Ash and his friends.
• Brock revealed that he had a Key Stone and planned to Mega Evolve his Steelix after returning to Pewter City, while Misty had already learned Mega Evolution with her Gyarados.
• Fang Yan reminded Ash that Mega Evolution and other battle mechanics were only aids, and Ash vowed to become a Pokémon Master alongside Pikachu.
• Fang Yan told Ash he looked forward to seeing him discover a bond of his own, and Ash promised to defeat Fang Yan and Cynthia someday.
• After Ash and his friends left, Cynthia questioned Fang Yan about how he knew of battle mechanics from other regions, and they teased each other about battling and becoming Champion.
• Fang Yan gave Cynthia a scarf he and Gengar had knitted, and Cynthia left on Garchomp wearing it.

After the Legendary Birds and Lake Guardians rewarded Fang Yan with a Z-Ring and Z-Crystals, he gave the Grass-type crystal to Lilligant and learned that they would need to dance to use a Z-Move. Just as Fang Yan prepared to test it with her, someone called out to him.

• After Cynthia left, Fang Yan decided to keep the Key Stone and Mega Stone, trusting that she would find a Mega Evolution that suited her as she continued forward.
• Fang Yan received a Z-Ring and a Z-Crystal from the Legendary Birds for helping them destroy Team Galactic's base and make peace in Sinnoh.
• The Lake Guardians rewarded Fang Yan with a Grassium Z for helping rescue Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie and stop the battle between Dialga and Palki.
• Fang Yan learned that Z-Moves required a dance, then gave the Grassium Z to Lilligant after Gengar declined it.
• Lilligant thanked Gengar with a kiss on the cheek and kissed Fang Yan as well, while Gengar teased Fang Yan about being jealous.
• As Fang Yan prepared to try a Z-Move with Lilligant, someone called, "Manager."

After encouraging Gary to enter the League Conference, Fang Yan challenged him to test his strength, but Lilligant’s first Bloom Doom proved overwhelmingly powerful. The move knocked out Gary’s entire team and devastated the battlefield, leaving Fang Yan and Gary waiting for Officer Jenny.

• Gary found Fang Yan in Solaceon Town and regretted that he had missed Ash, then reflected on how much stronger he needed to become.
• Fang Yan encouraged Gary to enter the League Conference and compete against strong Trainers such as Ash, Paul, and A Lan.
• Gary agreed to enter and declared that he would beat Ash and the Trainer with Legendary Pokémon, so Fang Yan challenged him to battle Lilligant with his full team.
• Lilligant and Fang Yan performed their synchronized dance and unleashed Bloom Doom, while Gothitelle and Gengar struggled to shield the surrounding area.
• Bloom Doom overwhelmed Gary’s six Pokémon and left a huge crater, so Fang Yan and Gary waited for Officer Jenny to arrive.

After his battle with Gary wrecked the grounds, Fang Yan paid for the repairs and gave Gary two stones meant to help him and Blastoise deepen their bond. Gary left for Lake Valor, while Fang Yan looked forward to the League Conference before Gothitelle dumped him into the snow.

• Officer Jenny from Solaceon Town arrived, learned Fang Yan and Gary had caused the wreckage during a practice battle, and ordered them to pay for repairs and spar at a proper training ground.
• Fang Yan and Gary paid compensation at the town hall, then healed their Pokémon at the Pokémon Center.
• Fang Yan told Gary he had not defeated Lilligant and gave him two stones, explaining they could help Gary and Blastoise when their bond reached another stage.
• Gary put the stones away, said he and Blastoise would work hard, and rode off on Arcanine to deal with something at Lake Valor.
• Fang Yan talked with Ninetales and Gengar about the coming League Conference, but Gothitelle lifted him into the air and planted him headfirst in the snow.

Fang Yan returned to the Pokémon Day Care after a tiring night of travel and reunited with his friends and Pokémon. After arranging for others to cover the cottage, he went to sleep at home with his Pokémon.

• Fang Yan reached the Pokémon Day Care at dawn, where Mrs. Fujino welcomed him and his snow-covered Pokémon inside.
• Fang Yan told Mime Jr. and Shauna that new Pokémon friends planned to visit, and both girls grew excited.
• Fang Yan persuaded Gothitelle to rest and arranged for Roserade, Pinsir, Heracross, and others to look after the cottage children.
• Fang Yan left the Pokémon Day Care and cafeteria in Mr. Fujino's care, then returned to his room with Gengar and the others.
• Fang Yan settled down to sleep between Lilligant and Gothitelle as Ninetales curled around them, comforted by being home.

As the unusual snowfall continued around Twinleaf Town, Fang Yan remembered his role as forest ranger and set out to check on the forest Pokémon. He left the Day Care in the Fujinos’ care and entered the forest with his Pokémon, including Vespiquen, who agreed to protect him.

• Fang Yan and the Fujinos discussed the persistent snow and rumors of a giant figure on Mt. Coronet while Mrs. Fujino gave Gengar a scarf.
• Fang Yan remembered he was a forest ranger and decided to inspect the forest for Pokémon affected by the heavy snow.
• Fang Yan left the Pokémon Day Care in Mr. and Mrs. Fujino’s care and headed toward the forest with Gengar, Lilligant, Ninetales, Dali, and Luxray.
• Fang Yan invited Vespiquen to join the group, claiming he would need her protection in the forest.
• Vespiquen reluctantly agreed to accompany Fang Yan, and the group entered the forest.

Fang Yan arrived in the snow-covered forest and learned that a powerful outsider had taken over a winter shelter cave and injured its Pokémon. He defeated the Rhyperior responsible and left it unconscious, restoring the forest Pokémon’s cave to them.

• Fang Yan found a worried Pachirisu, which told him that an outsider had claimed the cave meant for vulnerable forest Pokémon and defeated Seviper, Honchkrow, and Lopunny.
• Fang Yan and Gengar treated the injured Pokémon, and Fang Yan promised Lopunny he would handle the intruder.
• Fang Yan followed Pachirisu to the cave, where Dali shook the entrance until the occupying Rhyperior emerged.
• Fang Yan questioned Rhyperior about taking the cave and hurting the forest Pokémon, but Rhyperior answered that strength was the foundation of everything.
• Fang Yan ordered Dali to attack, and Dali struck Rhyperior with Dynamic Punch until it collapsed unconscious.
• Fang Yan stood over the defeated Rhyperior and asked whether it knew who protected the forest.

Fang Yan found Alcremie in the cave with Rhyperior and negotiated for Rhyperior to work at the nursery to compensate the injured forest Pokémon. After Steelix let Fang Yan's group leave, Fang Yan invited Alcremie to visit the nursery, where it could learn to make desserts; the group then headed home.

• Rhyperior woke up trapped in the rock and, after Lilligant threatened it with an Energy Ball, explained that it had entered the cave to live deeper inside and would return the sunlit area to the forest Pokémon.
• Fang Yan led his group beyond the boundary, where cave Pokémon attacked them until Geodude pointed the way; Rhyperior then appeared with Steelix and Alcremie.
• Steelix ordered Fang Yan to leave and said he was a lot like Ninetales, while Fang Yan promised to bring food as compensation for the cave Pokémon.
• Fang Yan told Rhyperior it had to work at the nursery to repay the forest Pokémon, and Rhyperior agreed after Fang Yan said Alcremie could come too.
• Fang Yan invited Alcremie to visit the nursery and learn dessert-making, and Alcremie agreed after Rhyperior gave its approval.
• Fang Yan assured Lopunny and the other forest Pokémon that he would bring food the next day, then led everyone home with Rhyperior and Alcremie.

Fang Yan and his Pokémon prepared food and medicine for injured Pokémon in the forest, while he left Alcremie with Vespiquen. At the hive, Alcremie tasted Vespiquen’s special honey and found a new source of happiness; Fang Yan continued into the cave to deliver supplies.

• Fang Yan asked Gothitelle, Mime Jr., and Alcremie to prepare portable food and herbal medicine for the forest visit.
• Gothitelle prepared the supplies and planned to have Roserade watch the cottage while it taught Alcremie to make desserts.
• Fang Yan left Alcremie with Vespiquen at the hive before heading into the forest with Gengar and the others.
• Vespiquen explained the hive’s rules to Alcremie and let it taste a special honey made to bring happiness.
• Alcremie enjoyed the honey and seemed to have discovered a dessert of its own.
• Fang Yan reached the cave, checked on Lopunny and the other Pokémon, distributed food, and went deeper inside with the remaining supplies.

Fang Yan visited Steelix in its cave and learned how it had joined Grandaunt’s Pokémon Day Care, stayed with her through its decline, and watched over it after her death. Steelix agreed to keep looking after the Day Care and its Pokémon under Fang Yan’s care.

• Gothitelle used Gravity to drop the Crobat and Golbat from the cave ceiling, and Gengar drew Steelix out of the ground.
• Fang Yan shared food with Steelix and asked about its past at the Pokémon Day Care.
• Steelix recalled how Grandaunt recruited it, how it left when she married, and how it returned after she reopened the Day Care following her divorce.
• Steelix remembered Grandaunt’s death, the Pokémon leaving to follow their own paths, and Ninetales telling it that human bonds were worth the sorrow of parting.
• Fang Yan thanked Steelix for staying with Grandaunt and asked it to look after the Day Care’s Pokémon as their elder.