Recaps

Xiaoyun helped Dawn and Princess Salvia trade places so Salvia could enter the Arrowroot Contest, while Dawn experienced the burdens of princess duties. Salvia began her performance as “Dawn,” leaving Xiaoyun and Kenny to watch from the sidelines.

• Cynthia told Xiaoyun that Hunter J belonged to the worldwide poaching organization called the Hunter League and was responsible for Sinnoh.
• In Arrowroot Town, Princess Salvia asked Dawn to take her place as princess for a day so she could enter the Pokémon Contest, and Dawn agreed.
• Dawn and Salvia dressed alike to trick Xiaoyun, but he recognized Dawn by the faint hickey on her neck.
• Dawn struggled to handle the princess’s schedule and paperwork while Xiaoyun accompanied Salvia through town, where she asked him to call her Salu.
• Xiaoyun ran into Kenny at the contest venue, where Salvia greeted him as “Dawn” and praised his past contests.
• Salvia entered the Arrowroot Contest as Dawn and opened her performance by having Togekiss use Aura Sphere and Air Slash.

Salvia and Kenny reached the Arrowroot Contest final, where Salvia won after Dawn encouraged her to keep battling without regrets. Salvia left with her Ribbon, while Kenny remained convinced that Dawn had held his hand and vowed to wait for her.

• Kenny's Alakazam scored higher than Salvia's performance, and both Coordinators advanced to the contest final.
• Dawn was unexpectedly brought to the contest as a royal guest and cheered for Salvia from the stands.
• Kenny's Alakazam dominated the early battle, leaving Salvia discouraged as Togekiss struggled to land attacks.
• Dawn urged Salvia not to give up, and Salvia regained her determination to battle with all her strength.
• Togekiss landed a powerful Sky Attack that defeated Alakazam, earning Salvia the Ribbon and the victory.
• Salvia thanked Kenny and kept her Ribbon, while Kenny mistook her for Dawn and vowed to wait for Dawn.

Xiaoyun and Dawn pursued poachers who had stolen Pokémon, and Granny Bertha stopped them before inviting Xiaoyun to battle. Their match began at her research institute, where Bertha’s Hippowdon kept Metagross under pressure, and the battle remained unresolved.

• Poachers trapped and stole Pokémon at a town festival, but Gible used Dig to escape the net.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn chased the poachers, and Granny Bertha stopped their Graveler from using Explosion with Quagsire’s Damp before defeating them with Earth Power.
• Bertha released the stolen Pokémon to Officer Jenny, invited Xiaoyun and Dawn to her research institute, and challenged Xiaoyun to a battle.
• Xiaoyun sent out Metagross to face Bertha’s Hippowdon, and the two Pokémon exchanged attacks as Hippowdon gained the advantage.
• Metagross countered Hippowdon’s Stone Edge with Psychic, and Xiaoyun ordered another Meteor Mash as the battle continued.

Xiaoyun defeated Bertha’s Hippowdon and reached Sunyshore Gym, where Volkner and Flint joined forces to challenge him in a Double Battle. The battle began with Xiaoyun’s Lucario and Infernape facing Magmortar and Electivire, and Electivire activated Motor Drive by striking itself with Thunder.

• Xiaoyun used Psyshock to interrupt Hippowdon’s Crunch, then defeated it with Metagross’s Flash Cannon.
• Flint told Volkner that Xiaoyun, who had defeated Lucian and Aaron and helped bring down Team Galactic, was coming to Sunyshore City.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn arrived at Sunyshore Gym, where Volkner agreed to battle him alongside Flint in a Double Battle.
• Flint and Volkner sent out Magmortar and Electivire, while Xiaoyun chose Lucario and Infernape.
• Xiaoyun’s Pokémon dodged Flamethrower and Thunderbolt, then charged Electivire, but Volkner ordered it to use Thunder on itself and activate Motor Drive.

Flint and Volkner’s coordinated attacks injured Infernape and left Lucario unconscious after it shielded its teammate. Lucario’s fall triggered an extraordinary Blaze in Infernape, which faced Magmortar and Electivire in a rage.

• Flint and Volkner sent Magmortar and Electivire against Infernape and Lucario, while Sunny Day strengthened the Fire-type battle.
• Magmortar blinded Infernape with Clear Smog, then combined attacks with Electivire to unleash Thunder Flame Roar.
• Lucario protected the injured Infernape by confronting the combination attack with a massive Aura Sphere, but the collision left it badly wounded and unconscious.
• Infernape reached Lucario, saw it fall unconscious, and erupted in grief and anger as its Blaze surged to a frightening level.
• Flint and Volkner watched as the enraged Infernape turned toward Magmortar and Electivire, intent on tearing apart everything in its path.

Xiaoyun used the Power of Overcoming to reach Infernape’s inner world and help him regain control of his Blaze. Their bond awakened Infernape’s new bond form, and after he defeated Flint’s Magmortar, Volkner prepared to continue the battle.

• Infernape overwhelmed Magmortar and Electivire with his uncontrolled Blaze, while Xiaoyun realized the power was consuming Infernape’s consciousness and could harm him.
• Xiaoyun entered Infernape’s inner world and stood between him and the illusions of Zangoose, Electivire, and Magmortar.
• The Power of Overcoming connected Xiaoyun and Infernape, restoring Infernape’s will and bringing light to his inner world.
• In the arena, Xiaoyun stopped the referee from declaring Infernape defeated, and their synchronized bond transformed Infernape into his new bond form.
• Infernape’s Burn Up pierced the combined attacks of Magmortar and Electivire, then his Flare Blitz defeated Magmortar.
• Flint recalled Magmortar and yielded the battle to Volkner, who vowed that he would not lose as a Gym Leader.

Xiaoyun and Infernape defeated Volkner and Flint’s Pokémon, earning the Beacon Badge and completing his badge collection. As Xiaoyun and Dawn headed toward their next competitions, Volkner accepted Ash’s Gym challenge, while Arceus awakened and vowed to reclaim the Life Orb.

• Infernape defeated Electivire with a blazing strike, and the referee declared Xiaoyun and his Pokémon the winners of the Gym battle.
• Volkner gave Xiaoyun the Beacon Badge, completing his badge quest, and Xiaoyun said he and Dawn would train before the Grand Festival and Lily of the Valley Conference.
• Flint resolved to train for a future challenge against Cynthia, while Volkner accepted Ash’s challenge to the Sunyshore Gym.
• Xiaoyun teased Shaymin for insulting him, then grabbed it and kneaded its face as it pleaded to be let go.
• Arceus awakened in a dark void, prepared to reclaim the Life Orb, and shouted Damos’s name in anger.

Xiaoyun and Dawn reached Michina, where Gible’s watermelon theft led to a Double Battle against Yuya and Yune. As they celebrated their win, Arceus appeared in the storm overhead, leaving everyone awestruck.

• Xiaoyun and Dawn rested and swam by a river in Michina with their Pokémon.
• Gible stole watermelons from Yuya and Yune’s patch, so Xiaoyun offered to pay for the damage; Yuya instead challenged Xiaoyun and Dawn to a Double Battle.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn battled Yuya and Yune, defeating Heracross and Beautifly with Gible and Pachirisu; Gible’s misfired Draco Meteor struck Piplup.
• Yuya and Yune gave Xiaoyun and Dawn watermelon as promised, while Gible and Pachirisu eagerly raided the melon patch again.
• Dark clouds and thunder filled the sky, and Arceus appeared in a blaze of golden light above the group.

Arceus attacked Michina and rejected Sheena’s attempt to appease it with the Life Orb, forcing Xiaoyun and several legendary Pokémon to confront it. The chapter ended with Giratina, Dialga, Palkia, Deoxys, and Darkrai facing Arceus while Rayquaza fled after sensing its power.

• Arceus unleashed lava and meteors on Michina, and Xiaoyun and Dawn rode Aerodactyl toward the disaster.
• Palkia and Dialga intervened to protect the humans, but Arceus overwhelmed their defenses and attacks.
• Sheena tried to communicate with Arceus and offered the Life Orb, but Arceus shattered it, accused her of presenting a fake, and attacked the group.
• Darkrai blocked Arceus’s Draco Meteor but was blasted into a mountain, while Palkia and Dialga’s combined attack was defeated by Judgment.
• Giratina joined the confrontation, and Xiaoyun summoned Deoxys; Darkrai recovered with Shaymin’s healing, leaving five Pokémon facing Arceus.
• Rayquaza sensed the gathering, recognized Arceus, and fled.

Xiaoyun and the Legendary Pokémon fought Arceus until he used the Lake Guardians’ power to enter its mind and persuade it to question Damos’s supposed betrayal. Arceus agreed to listen, and Xiaoyun asked it to send him back in time so he could uncover the truth.

• Giratina, Deoxys, Darkrai, Dialga, and Palkia attacked Arceus, but Arceus repelled them until Xiaoyun identified the five Plate types it lacked.
• Xiaoyun urged Sheena to recognize that she could not negotiate with Arceus without strength, leaving her shaken as the battle continued.
• The Legendary Pokémon combined their strongest attacks against Arceus, leaving both sides injured and Arceus weakened.
• Xiaoyun used the Power of Overcoming with Mesprit, Uxie, and Azelf to enter Arceus’s mental space and begin speaking with it.
• Xiaoyun challenged Arceus to reconsider whether Damos had betrayed it, and Arceus stopped fighting to hear him out.
• Xiaoyun asked Arceus to send him through space and time to the past so he could uncover what happened with Damos.

Xiaoyun persuaded Arceus to let him travel back in time to expose Damos’s assistant, Marcus, before Arceus destroyed the world. After Dialga brought the group to ancient Michina, they confronted Marcus and began battling his Pokémon.

• Arceus agreed to give Xiaoyun one chance to prove the truth, warning that it would destroy the world if he failed.
• Arceus brought Dialga over and had it send Xiaoyun, Dawn, Ash, Sheena, and the others through time to ancient Michina.
• After arriving, the group realized they did not know what Damos looked like, so Ash asked a nearby man for directions and learned he was Marcus, Damos’s assistant.
• Marcus surrounded the group with soldiers, and Pikachu knocked the attackers down with Thunderbolt.
• Marcus sent Bronzong, Heatran, and other Pokémon into battle, while Xiaoyun and his companions fought back.
• Xiaoyun used the Power of Overcoming to Mega Evolve Sceptile, which struck Heatran with Dragon Claw and defeated it with Dragon Pulse.

Xiaoyun and his companions defeated Marcus, rescued Damos, and returned the Life Orb to Arceus, which healed and offered to send them home. When Arceus's time power clashed with Dialga's in the spacetime tunnel, Dawn and Xiaoyun were pulled into a strange vortex.

• Infernape defeated Bronzong, and Xiaoyun took the Life Orb from Marcus and exposed his plot to kill Arceus.
• Sceptile knocked Marcus unconscious, and a soldier led Xiaoyun and the others to Damos's prison.
• Sheena proved her connection to Damos, explained Marcus's betrayal, and Damos thanked the group for saving Arceus.
• Xiaoyun returned the Life Orb to Arceus, which healed and offered to send everyone back through time.
• In the spacetime tunnel, Xiaoyun and his companions passed Dialga, whose power clashed with Arceus's and destabilized the tunnel.
• A vortex sucked Dawn away, and Xiaoyun grabbed her but was pulled in with her.

Xiaoyun and Dawn were swept into the ancient Hisui Region, where Akari and Rei found them near Jubilife Village. After waking, Xiaoyun learned that Dawn was safe and introduced himself to Akari, while Dawn recovered under Pesselle’s care.

• Arceus regained its sealed memories, then ordered Dialga to search for Xiaoyun and the others after learning they had been swept into another space-time.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn appeared unconscious near Jubilife Village, where Akari and Rei found them and carried them back with Gengar.
• Akari knocked Gengar unconscious when it hesitated, then took Dawn and Gengar to the village while Rei carried Xiaoyun.
• Xiaoyun woke in Jubilife Village, learned Dawn had already awakened, and confirmed to Akari that they had traveled there from modern Sinnoh.
• Akari took Xiaoyun to get food, while Pesselle told Dawn she only needed a few days of rest and served Shaymin another helping.

Dawn and Xiaoyun recovered in Jubilife Village, met Team Galactic commander Kamado, and encountered Volo before learning about Hisui Pokémon. Akari gave Xiaoyun a Peat Block so his Ursaring could evolve into Ursaluna.

• Dawn reunited with Xiaoyun, thanked physician Pesselle, and learned that people in Hisui feared Pokémon.
• Akari brought Dawn and Xiaoyun to meet Kamado, who invited them to join Team Galactic, but they declined.
• Xiaoyun recognized Kamado as Professor Rowan’s ancestor, then spotted Volo in the village and identified him as a potential threat.
• Rotom discovered that its Pokédex lacked information on Hisui Pokémon, so Akari let it absorb the data from her Pokédex.
• Akari gave Xiaoyun a Peat Block for his Ursaring and showed Dawn her own Ursaluna.

Under the full moon, Ursaring evolved into Bloodmoon Form after Cresselia’s Lunar Wing reacted to the Peat Block, and Xiaoyun’s newly transformed Pokémon battled Akari’s Ursaluna. Bloodmoon Bear won the match, while Kamado and Cyllene considered whether Pokémon battles could be introduced to the village.

• Xiaoyun placed a Peat Block on Ursaring under the full moon, and Cresselia’s Lunar Wing enhanced its evolution into Ursaluna-Bloodmoon.
• Akari challenged Xiaoyun to a one-on-one battle between their Ursaluna, drawing Kamado, Cyllene, and other villagers to watch.
• The two Ursaluna clashed with Headlong Rush and Slash, but Xiaoyun shifted tactics and used Scary Face and Hyper Voice to leave Akari’s Ursaluna vulnerable.
• Bloodmoon Bear’s Moonblast broke through Akari’s Rock Tomb, and its Blood Moon attack defeated Ursaluna with a final strike.
• Akari admitted she was unaccustomed to formal Trainer battles, while Kamado and Cyllene discussed the possibility of promoting them.

A Space-Time Distortion appeared near Jubilife Village, and Xiaoyun, Dawn, Pesselle, and Cyllene led a group into the mountains to rescue injured Pokémon. They encountered an alpha Garchomp, which fought Sceptile, while Xiaoyun found an injured Hisui Zorua and then came face-to-face with a Hisui Avalugg.

• Xiaoyun and Pesselle saw a Space-Time Distortion form over the forest, and Dawn healed an injured Rufflet with Shaymin's Aromatherapy.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, Pesselle, and Cyllene agreed to investigate the forest and help the injured Pokémon despite the villagers' objections.
• The group found many injured Pokémon in the snowy mountains, and Shaymin began treating them as the weather worsened.
• An alpha Garchomp appeared and attacked Pesselle, but Sceptile confronted it while the others joined the rescue effort.
• Xiaoyun found an unconscious Hisui Zorua beneath a tree and turned to discover a Hisui Avalugg looming behind him.

Xiaoyun and Dawn defeated the threats in Hisui, caught a Hisuian Zorua, and returned to Michina with Dialga. Back at the temple, Sheena explained what had happened in their absence and gave Xiaoyun a fragment of the Life Orb, while Darkrai and Deoxys appeared before him.

• An unseen Zoroark struck Avalugg with Will-O-Wisp, and Xiaoyun defeated it with Infernape's Bond Phenomenon form and Flare Blitz.
• Sceptile knocked out Garchomp, calming the spatial rifts, while the Hisuian Zorua woke and later fell asleep in Xiaoyun's arms.
• Pesselle showed Xiaoyun a red cursed fox mask from his friend, while Zoroark watched them before disappearing.
• Dialga arrived, opened a spatial rift, and Xiaoyun caught the willing Zorua before he and Dawn said goodbye to Pesselle and returned to Michina.
• Sheena told Xiaoyun that Dialga had searched for him, the other gods had left, and Arceus had left him a Life Orb fragment; Darkrai and Deoxys then appeared.

After returning from the Hisui Region, Xiaoyun and Dawn learned that the Grand Festival was about to begin, and Deoxys teleported them to Lake Valor in time for Dawn to register. They reunited with Ash, Zoey, Nando, and other Coordinators, while Ursula and Kenny announced their determination to compete.

• Xiaoyun returned Lina's call, then told Professor Rowan about the Hisui Region and offered to send him Rotom's records of Hisuian Pokémon; he also called Cynthia and Barry.
• Dawn learned from Zoey that registration for the Lake Valor Grand Festival was closing that afternoon, and Xiaoyun asked Deoxys to teleport them there.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn registered just before the deadline and went to the welcome party, where they encountered Ash, Zoey, and Nando.
• Xiaoyun told Ash and Nando about traveling to Hisui and showed them Zorua, while Ash looked forward to the Lily of the Valley Conference.
• Ursula challenged Dawn to a rematch, and Kenny told Dawn he would do his best before leaving.

At the Sinnoh Grand Festival opening ceremony, Wallace dazzled the audience with a water-themed performance before Marian explained the competition and judging rules. The first-round performances began, and several Coordinators impressed the judges as Dawn prepared backstage.

• Wallace performed with Seaking and Gyarados, using their moves to create a dramatic leap through a towering wave.
• Azelf arrived invisibly beside Xiaoyun and said it had come to watch the performances.
• Marian announced that 108 contestants would compete for 32 places in the second round and introduced the ten judges, including Johanna.
• Ursula earned 94.5 points by evolving her Eevee into Vaporeon and Flareon during her performance.
• Nando earned 95 points with a musical performance, and Jessie earned 95.2 points with a daring display by Seviper and Yanmega.
• Kenny earned 94.5 points with Empoleon and Floatzel, and Zoey began her water-themed performance with Gastrodon and Lumineon.

Dawn earned first place in the Grand Festival preliminary performances with a dazzling display featuring Swablu and Shaymin, then learned she would face Ursula in the next round. After an awkward family dinner and a morning spent hiding marks on her neck, Dawn headed to the arena for their Double Battle.

• Zoey scored 95.5 points for her performance, and Ash praised her abilities.
• Dawn used Swablu and Shaymin to create a flower-filled spectacle, earning 99 points and first place among the contestants who advanced.
• Dawn was matched against Ursula for the next morning's Double Battle, and Lina joined Dawn, Johanna, and Xiaoyun for dinner.
• Lina and Johanna's playful quarrel escalated into a kiss, and Xiaoyun and Dawn fled to their room.
• The next morning, Dawn tried to cover the marks on her neck, then shut Xiaoyun outside when he teased her.
• Dawn and Ursula entered the arena for their match, and the second elimination round began.

Dawn defeated Ursula to advance to the top 16, then won her next match and reached the quarterfinals, where she faced Kenny. As Marian started their battle, Kenny sent out Empoleon and Floatzel.

• Ursula combined Gabite’s Sandstorm with Flareon’s Fire Spin, but Dawn countered with Vibrava’s Sandstorm and Mamoswine’s Blizzard.
• Ursula’s Scary Face and Gabite’s Dragon Claw injured Vibrava, while Dawn used Vibrava’s Supersonic and Sonic Boom to disrupt Ursula’s attacks.
• Mamoswine defeated Gabite with Ice Fang, and Vibrava and Mamoswine knocked out Flareon with a double Earthquake, sending Dawn through to the top 16.
• Dawn praised Ursula after the match, and Ursula urged her to keep trying for the championship.
• Dawn defeated a young woman with Togekiss and Swablu, while Kenny, Jessie, Nando, and Zoey also advanced; Dawn was later matched against Kenny in the quarterfinals.
• Marian began Dawn and Kenny’s quarterfinal battle, and Kenny sent out Empoleon and Floatzel.

Dawn defeated Kenny in a fast-paced two-on-two Contest battle, using Pachirisu’s paralysis and Lopunny’s powerful kicks to overcome his Empoleon and Floatzel. The judges praised their timing and control, though Wallace wondered whether they had neglected visual appeal.

• Kenny opened with Rain Dance to boost Floatzel’s speed and strengthen his Water-type attacks, while Dawn countered with Lopunny and Pachirisu.
• Dawn targeted Empoleon as Lopunny’s Jump Kick struck Floatzel and Pachirisu dodged Empoleon’s Flash Cannon.
• Empoleon and Floatzel combined their Hydro Pumps into a powerful waterspout, but Lopunny froze and shattered it with Blizzard.
• Pachirisu slipped behind Kenny’s Pokémon and used Nuzzle to paralyze both of them, then knocked Floatzel out with Discharge.
• Lopunny used High Jump Kick to send Empoleon crashing into the boundary wall, giving Dawn the victory.
• Fantina, Johanna, and Wallace praised the battle, while Wallace questioned whether the Coordinators had focused enough on visual appeal.

Kenny accepted his loss to Dawn as she celebrated advancing to the Grand Festival semifinals. After the matchups were announced, Dawn overcame her nerves with Xiaoyun’s encouragement and began her semifinal against Jessie, bringing out Gengar alongside Swablu as the battle started.

• Kenny recalled his Pokémon, accepted his loss to Dawn, and left the arena determined to keep working hard.
• Marian announced Nando, Zoey, Jessie, and Dawn as the semifinalists, and the draw paired Zoey with Nando and Dawn with Jessie.
• Dawn confessed to Xiaoyun that reaching the championship felt unreal, and he reassured her that their journey was real and urged her to perform as usual.
• At the semifinal venue, Jessie and Dawn took their positions, and Marian announced their match as the audience eagerly called for it to begin.
• Jessie sent out Yanmega and Wobbuffet, while Dawn first called out Swablu and then summoned a nervous Gengar from her shadow.
• Dawn and Swablu encouraged Gengar, who gathered his courage and prepared to battle Jessie’s Pokémon.

Dawn’s attacks were repeatedly reflected by Jessie’s Wobbuffet, allowing Jessie and Yanmega to take the lead in their Contest battle. With time running short and her Pokémon struggling against Bug Buzz, Dawn faced a desperate situation when Swablu suddenly cried out.

• Dawn’s Swablu and Gengar quickly injured Yanmega, but Wobbuffet reflected their combined attacks with Mirror Coat.
• Dawn sent Gengar and Swablu to attack Wobbuffet physically, but it used Counter to knock them both back.
• Jessie ordered Yanmega to attack with Air Slash, then had it shelter behind Wobbuffet, which reflected Dawn’s combined pulses and put Jessie ahead on points.
• Jessie had Yanmega use Bug Buzz, causing Gengar and Swablu pain while Dawn struggled to find a way through Wobbuffet’s defenses.
• As Dawn faced the prospect of losing, Swablu gave a clear, resounding cry.

Dawn defeated Jessie in the first semifinal after Swablu evolved into Altaria and used Sing, while Zoey overcame Nando to reach the final. After a break, Dawn and Zoey began the Grand Festival final, leaving the outcome undecided.

• Swablu evolved into Altaria, whose Sing put Wobbuffet to sleep and left Yanmega vulnerable; Gengar knocked Yanmega out, and Dawn won the semifinal.
• Jessie congratulated Dawn and insisted she win the championship before leaving the arena.
• Zoey used Mismagius and Leafeon to counter Nando’s Kricketune and Lopunny, then won the second semifinal with a Psychic-powered Aerial Ace from Leafeon.
• After a two-and-a-half-hour break, Dawn and Zoey took their places for the Grand Festival final as Marian introduced the match.
• The crowd began the final, while Xiaoyun, Ash, and Brock discussed the lively atmosphere and the scale of the Pokémon League Conference.