Recaps

Yushu used Uxie’s psychic power to defeat Mars and her Pokémon, turning the battle against Team Galactic. Riley returned to the mine with Officer Jenny and Lucian, where they found Yushu already tying up Mars and the defeated Galactic members.

• Mars sent out Bronzor and coordinated its Gyro Ball with Purugly’s Shadow Claw to break Vespiquen’s defense.
• Yushu called on Uxie, which restrained Mars, Bronzor, and Purugly with Psychic.
• Uxie knocked out Bronzor and Purugly with Mystical Power, while the remaining Team Galactic members panicked.
• Riley returned to Iron Island with Officer Jenny, several police officers, and Lucian, the Psychic-type Elite Four member.
• The group found Yushu tying up Mars and the defeated Team Galactic members, and Yushu asked Riley to help secure her.

After Team Galactic was defeated, Yushu and Riley dealt with the police and the reward, while Lucian discovered Yushu’s unusually gifted Ralts had trouble evolving. Lucian brought out his Medicham to guide Ralts, leaving it poised to begin training.

• Yushu claimed that an unknown expert had defeated Team Galactic, while bound Mars recognized Lucian as the attacker who had pinned her down with Confusion.
• Officer Jenny arrested the Team Galactic members and told Yushu that capturing commander Mars earned a 100,000 Alliance Currency bounty; Riley gave Yushu his share.
• Lucian sensed psychic energy and asked Yushu whether he had a Psychic-type Pokémon, so Yushu released Ralts.
• Lucian judged Ralts exceptionally gifted and explained that its unusually strong psychic energy meant it needed guidance before evolving.
• Lucian summoned his mid-Elite Four-level Medicham and asked it to guide Ralts, and Medicham began meditating.

Ralts evolved into Kirlia with Lucian and Medicham’s help after Lucian used a Psychic Gem as a catalyst. After Lucian and Officer Jenny left with the captured Team Galactic members, Yushu and Riley resolved to grow stronger, while Cyrus met with Saturn and Jupiter at Galaxy Team Headquarters.

• Medicham guided Ralts into meditation, and Lucian used a Psychic Gem to help it evolve into Kirlia.
• Yushu steadied Kirlia and thanked Lucian, who told him Kirlia might one day surpass him.
• Officer Jenny reported that Mars and the other Team Galactic members had been secured, and she and Lucian departed with them.
• Riley apologized to Yushu for bringing him into danger, and they agreed to train on Iron Island to become stronger.
• Cyrus sat at Galaxy Team Headquarters as Saturn and Jupiter stood before him.

Cyrus learned that Lucian had captured Mars and ordered Saturn to arrange her release while Team Galactic kept a low profile. After a month of intense training on Iron Island, Yushu’s Pokémon had reached Gym Level, and he returned to Solaceon Town after running out of Pokéblocks and receiving Aili’s increasingly frustrated messages.

• Saturn told Cyrus that the Pokémon League had captured Mars, and Jupiter explained that Lucian had encountered her while inspecting Canalave City.
• Cyrus ordered Saturn to arrange Mars’s release and warned Jupiter that Cynthia and her Garchomp were far stronger than she assumed.
• A month later, Yushu defeated a Steelix during his training on Iron Island, where his Pokémon had advanced to Gym Level.
• Yushu decided to return to Solaceon Town because Aili was demanding his return and he had run out of Pokéblocks.
• Yushu said goodbye to Riley and boarded a ship for Canalave City.

Yushu returned to Freewill Ranch after a month away, rewarded Aili and Shuren for keeping the ranch running, and spent the night making Pokéblocks. The next morning, Kaixin brought Gardenia to visit, and Yushu recognized the Eterna Gym Leader from a past battle.

• Yushu returned to the ranch and gave Aili and Shuren ten thousand Alliance Currency each and three days of paid leave.
• Yushu inspected the ranch, found it well maintained but low on Pokéblocks, and spent the night making more.
• Aili teased Yushu the next morning, and Shuren told him that Kaixin was coming with someone.
• Kaixin arrived with Gardenia, whom Yushu recognized as the Gym Leader who had defeated all three of his Pokémon with Turtwig.
• Gardenia remembered Yushu and Shuren because they had lost to her, but did not remember Aili's photo with her.

Gardenia visited Yushu’s ranch with Kaixin to order Pokéblocks, but her Grass-type obsession led her to enthusiastically paw at Torterra before challenging Yushu to a battle. Yushu accepted and sent out Kirlia against Gardenia’s Cherubi, and their battle was still underway when Cherubi prepared Solar Beam.

• Kaixin explained that Gardenia had come to Solaceon Town to visit and order Pokéblocks, and Yushu offered her priority supply.
• Gardenia rushed over to hug and rub her face against Torterra, who recognized her from their earlier battle and recoiled in alarm.
• After inspecting Torterra, Gardenia challenged Yushu, and he accepted so he could redeem himself for his earlier loss to her.
• Gardenia sent out Cherubi, while Yushu chose Kirlia to battle it.
• Cherubi used Sunny Day and Leech Seed, but Kirlia reflected the seeds with Psychic and countered Magical Leaf with Psybeam.
• Gardenia ordered Cherubi to use Solar Beam as the battle continued.

Yushu’s Kirlia defeated Gardenia’s Cherubi by using Psychic to block sunlight and interrupt Solar Beam, then faced her powerful, speed-focused Turtwig. With Kirlia tiring from dodging, Yushu chose to build its strength with Calm Mind, leaving it exposed as Turtwig unleashed Leaf Storm.

• Yushu had Kirlia use Psychic to sweep up leaves and dust, blocking sunlight and slowing Cherubi’s Solar Beam.
• Kirlia pinned Cherubi with Psychic and knocked it out with Psybeam, winning the first battle.
• Gardenia sent out her Turtwig, which struck Kirlia with Tackle and overwhelmed its Psybeam with Leaf Storm.
• Yushu had Kirlia use Calm Mind despite Gardenia’s Tackle, and Kirlia continued meditating after taking the hit.
• Gardenia ordered Turtwig to attack the meditating Kirlia with Leaf Storm.

Yushu defeated Gardenia’s Turtwig with Kirlia, then sent out Torterra to face her stronger Roserade. The battle continued as Torterra endured Roserade’s attacks, with neither Pokémon yet defeated.

• Kirlia redirected Turtwig’s Leaf Storm with Psychic and knocked Turtwig out, winning the match against it.
• Yushu recalled Kirlia, which nearly collapsed from exertion, while Gardenia acknowledged his skill and brought out Roserade.
• Yushu chose Torterra for the next match, and Gardenia got distracted by her urge to approach it before Roserade snapped her back to attention with Vine Whip.
• Torterra used Ingrain as Roserade’s sunny-weather Weather Ball struck, then blocked the Fire-type attack with Wood Hammer.
• Torterra took Roserade’s Petal Blizzard head-on and used Curse to boost its defense and strength.
• Roserade pressed its attack with Power Whip, but Torterra endured the barrage.

Yushu defeated Gardenia’s Roserade with Torterra after enduring her attacks through Curse and Synthesis. After the battle, Gardenia sampled Yushu’s specially made Grass-type Pokéblocks and was impressed by Cherubi’s delighted reaction.

• Torterra survived Roserade’s attacks and defeated her in a clash between Weather Ball and Frenzy Plant.
• Kaixin announced Torterra’s victory, and Gardenia praised Yushu for how much he had changed.
• Yushu took Gardenia and the others to the ranch room where he made Pokéblocks.
• Gardenia gave one of Yushu’s Grass-type Pokéblocks to Cherubi, who devoured it with obvious delight.
• Yushu explained some of the Pokéblock’s ingredients but kept the full recipe secret.

Yushu agreed to sell Gardenia more Pokéblocks and learned that her friend Maylene, a Fighting-type Trainer from Veilstone City, wanted to try them. When Maylene arrived the next morning, she demanded a battle before they could talk or eat.

• Gardenia praised Yushu's Pokéblocks and offered to introduce him to customers in exchange for a twenty percent discount.
• Gardenia contacted her friend Maylene, who lived in Veilstone City and was known for her intense love of fighting.
• Gardenia brought Maylene to meet Yushu the next morning while he was feeding his Pokémon.
• Maylene introduced herself and immediately challenged Yushu to a match, refusing his offer of coffee and cookies.

Yushu battled Maylene at the ranch, where Staraptor defeated her Hitmontop despite its anti-air tactics. Maylene’s next move was left unresolved as the chapter ended after the match.

• Maylene challenged Yushu to a battle, agreeing to discuss business properly afterward.
• Maylene sent out Hitmontop, and Yushu chose Staraptor to face it.
• Hitmontop struck Staraptor with Fake Out and tried to follow with Triple Kick, but Staraptor escaped into the air with Tailwind.
• Staraptor countered Hitmontop’s Gyro Ball with Brave Bird and Aerial Ace, then used Hurricane to suspend it in midair.
• Staraptor finished Hitmontop with Brave Bird, and Gardenia declared Staraptor the winner.

Yushu battled Maylene’s Lucario to learn about her Pokémon’s personalities, then impressed her with Staraptor’s recovery Pokéblock. Maylene urged him to take the breeder certification exam so he could sell his products through official channels, leaving Yushu resigned to studying for it.

• Maylene sent out Lucario, which attacked her with Aura Sphere, and she punched the blast aside before the Pokémon battled Yushu’s Staraptor.
• Staraptor and Lucario traded attacks, but Yushu used Staraptor’s retreat to bait Lucario into a Brave Bird that left it exhausted.
• Yushu ended the battle and fed Staraptor a Pokéblock that quickly restored its energy, prompting Maylene to order a two-month supply.
• Maylene told Yushu that breeder certification was required to sell Pokéblocks through official channels, and Yushu decided to try the exam.

Yushu decided to take the breeder certification exam in Jubilife City, despite Aili warning him that the pass rate was low and he had little time to prepare. He doubled Aili’s pay to secure her help, finished the ranch’s orders, and left its care to Aili and Shuren while telling Aili to learn to make Pokéblocks.

• Yushu told Aili he planned to take the breeder exam, and she warned him about its difficulty and low pass rate, but he remained confident he could pass.
• Yushu decided to leave for Jubilife City, prompting Aili to threaten to quit until he offered double pay and a bonus for the month.
• Yushu worked for several days to finish Maylene’s and Gardenia’s orders and stock three refrigerated cabinets with Pokéblocks.
• Yushu left Aili and Shuren in charge of the ranch and asked Aili to practice making Pokéblocks while he was away.

Yushu arrived in Jubilife City to prepare for the junior Breeder exam and began exploring its food stalls and Trainer School library. He obtained a library card and headed to the second-floor reference section to study.

• Aili and Shuren saw Yushu off as he left for Jubilife City, and Aili admitted that she had been trying to pressure him about the exam.
• Yushu arrived in Jubilife City, checked into a hotel near the Trainer School, and went out to find lunch.
• Uxie appeared and joined Yushu in eating snacks from stalls along the street.
• Yushu visited the Jubilife City Trainer School library and applied for a library card.
• The librarian told Yushu that Breeder exam reference books were in section C on the second floor.

Yushu used the Eye of Detection to master Pokémon nutrition and other breeding subjects during several days of intensive study. After going out for air, he met Sinnoh Champion Cynthia at an ice cream stall and helped her choose chocolate, leaving the two eating together as the crowd watched from afar.

• Yushu struggled to study Pokémon nutrition until he used the Eye of Detection to absorb and understand the material.
• Yushu spent the next several days studying at the library, rapidly working through books with the Eye of Detection.
• Yushu left the library to get some air and heard students gathering because Cynthia had arrived at the school.
• Cynthia agonized over choosing an ice cream flavor, and Yushu recommended the stall's chocolate.
• Cynthia thanked Yushu for the suggestion, and the two ate ice cream together while onlookers kept their distance.

Yushu met Cynthia at the Trainer School, where she had come to teach an open class, and impressed her with his knowledge of Pokémon breeding and Sinnoh’s legends. The conversation ended with Cynthia appreciating Yushu’s fresh explanation of Giratina and the Distortion World.

• Yushu asked Cynthia why she was at the Trainer School, and she explained that she had been invited to give an open class about Pokémon battles.
• Cynthia recognized Yushu from Lucian’s description and learned that he was studying to become a Breeder while running a ranch.
• Cynthia discussed the value of breeding knowledge with Yushu, who agreed that Pokémon health and care were essential to training.
• Yushu and Cynthia talked about Sinnoh’s legends, and Yushu described Giratina as the guardian of the Distortion World, whose role helped keep the ordinary world stable.
• Cynthia said Yushu’s explanation offered a new way to understand the legends and told him that he was special.

Yushu and Cynthia spent the evening talking, and she invited him to watch her Elite Four exhibition match with a VIP ticket. On match day, Yushu and Uxie arrived at Jubilife City's crowded stadium, where Uxie stopped to enjoy some takoyaki.

• Cynthia gave Yushu a VIP ticket to her exhibition match after they talked late into the evening.
• Yushu accepted Cynthia's invitation and promised to attend.
• On the day of the match, Yushu prepared for the event while Uxie teased him about being excited to watch an Elite Four battle.
• Yushu and Uxie reached Jubilife City's stadium and saw crowds, ticket seekers, and vendors gathered outside.
• Uxie persuaded Yushu to buy takoyaki and happily ate it near the stadium.

Yushu entered the VIP seating area for Flint and Cynthia’s match, where Lucian and Volkner questioned how he had obtained a ticket. He explained that Cynthia had given it to him, prompting the two men to tease him about their new acquaintance before the conversation turned to his breeder exam.

• Yushu followed a staff member into the VIP area and recognized Lucian beside an unfamiliar yellow-haired man.
• Lucian introduced the man as Volkner, the Gym Leader of Sunyshore Gym.
• Lucian asked how Yushu had secured a VIP ticket, and Yushu said Cynthia had given it to him.
• Yushu explained that he and Cynthia had met only two days earlier, but Lucian and Volkner suspected there was more to their connection.
• Lucian asked about Yushu’s breeder exam preparation, and Yushu said he had reviewed everything and felt nearly certain to pass.
• Volkner remarked that few people chose to pursue breeding.

Yushu watched Cynthia and Flint begin their six-on-six exhibition battle in Jubilife City. Flint’s Magmortar and Cynthia’s Gastrodon traded attacks, and the chapter ended with Gastrodon blocking Solar Beam using Muddy Water.

• Yushu explained that ranching was his main business and that he sold Pokéblocks, prompting Volkner to ask about their quality.
• The host introduced Flint and Cynthia to the cheering crowd, and they met on the field for a six-on-six battle.
• Flint sent out Magmortar, while Cynthia chose her West Sea Gastrodon.
• Magmortar’s Flamethrower clashed with Gastrodon’s Whirlpool, and Cynthia followed with Hydro Pump.
• Flint countered Hydro Pump with Solar Beam, but Gastrodon combined Muddy Water with its attack to block the beam.

Cynthia’s Gastrodon defeated Flint’s Magmortar after Rain Dance weakened its Solar Beam and Cynthia outlasted it before striking from underground. Flint sent out Drifblim next, and it covered the battlefield in Haze.

• Flint used Magmortar’s fast Solar Beam to counter Cynthia’s Water-types, but Cynthia’s Gastrodon summoned rain and weakened the attack.
• Gastrodon and Magmortar clashed with Muddy Water and Fire Blast, while Gastrodon maintained steady pressure as Magmortar’s stamina waned.
• Cynthia used Acid Armor to hide Gastrodon underground, then surprised Magmortar with Stone Edge and Earth Power, knocking it out.
• Flint recalled Magmortar and sent out Drifblim, a Pokémon that had once saved him from falling off a cliff.
• Drifblim followed Flint’s command to use Haze, filling the battlefield with thick black mist.

Cynthia overcame Flint’s Drifblim by turning its Curse strategy against it with Trick Room. Spiritomb knocked Drifblim out, giving Cynthia the round.

• Flint used Haze and Will-O-Wisp to pressure Cynthia’s Gastrodon, so Cynthia recalled it and sent out Spiritomb.
• Flint maneuvered Drifblim behind Spiritomb and used Curse, then attacked with Hex while the curse drained Spiritomb’s stamina.
• Cynthia countered with Payback, and the battle’s observers recognized Flint’s strategic approach.
• As Spiritomb and Drifblim both weakened, Cynthia used Trick Room to reverse their speed advantage.
• Spiritomb struck first with Shadow Ball and knocked out Drifblim, winning the round.

Flint battled Cynthia with Rapidash and Flareon, while Cynthia kept Gastrodon in the fight. Flareon’s Flash Fire-boosted attacks overwhelmed Gastrodon, and the chapter ended as Flareon charged in with a final Flare Blitz.

• Cynthia sent Gastrodon out again, and Flint challenged it with Rapidash’s Flare Blitz.
• Gastrodon flooded the field with Muddy Water, slowing Rapidash and turning the arena into mud.
• Rapidash tried to dry the field with Inferno, but Gastrodon combined Muddy Water with Surf to defeat it.
• Flint sent out Flareon, which absorbed its Fire Spin with Flash Fire and powered up its Fire Blast.
• Flareon’s boosted Fire Blast broke through Gastrodon’s Hydro Pump, and Flint ordered a final Flare Blitz.

Flint’s Flareon defeated Cynthia’s Gastrodon, but Cynthia sent out Garchomp, which knocked Flareon out with one Dragon Rush. Flint’s Houndoom then challenged Garchomp, but its Fire Fang began losing against Dragon Claw.

• Flareon broke through Gastrodon’s Muddy Water with Flare Blitz and knocked it out.
• Cynthia sent out her ace Garchomp, and Flint ordered Flareon to attack with Flare Blitz.
• Garchomp defeated Flareon with a single Dragon Rush.
• Flint sent out Houndoom, whose Flamethrower Garchomp split apart with Dragon Claw.
• Garchomp charged Houndoom, and their Dragon Claw and Fire Fang clash pushed Houndoom backward.

Cynthia's Garchomp defeated Flint's Houndoom, leaving Flint's Infernape to face it in a fierce close-range battle. Infernape gained power with Bulk Up and struck harder, but Garchomp continued to defend against its attacks.

• Cynthia ordered Garchomp to use Draco Meteor, knocking Houndoom out and winning the match against it.
• Flint sent out his strongest partner, Infernape, and opened with Mach Punch and Close Combat against Garchomp.
• Infernape briefly gained the upper hand in close combat, but Garchomp's Rough Skin injured it during the exchanges.
• Flint had Infernape use Bulk Up, then followed with Mach Punch and Fire Punch as Garchomp blocked its attacks.

Cynthia’s Garchomp defeated Flint’s Infernape in their exhibition match, and Cynthia won the stadium’s acclaim. The host then invited randomly selected audience member Yui onto the field to choose an exhibition battle opponent.

• Cynthia ordered Garchomp to use Earthquake, then countered Infernape’s Reversal with Dragon Rush.
• Garchomp defeated Infernape, which was knocked unconscious and declared unable to battle.
• The referee awarded the exhibition match to Cynthia, while Flint accepted the loss.
• The host announced that a randomly selected audience member could battle Cynthia or Flint, and the selection landed on Yui.
• Yui introduced herself as a Trainer preparing for the Lily of the Valley Conference, and the host asked her whom she wanted to battle.