Recaps

Xiaoyun’s newly evolved Gabite swept Trip’s remaining Pokémon, winning the battle and leaving Trip shaken by the gap between them. After Xiaoyun demonstrated Aerodactyl’s strength and advised Trip to be humble, Trip left to reflect, while Xiaoyun encouraged Ash to bring his Gible out for training.

• Xiaoyun had Gabite use Dragon Dance to overpower Trip’s Timburr, Servine, and Lampent, winning the six-on-one battle.
• Trip questioned whether Xiaoyun’s greater experience explained the loss, and Xiaoyun summoned Aerodactyl to demonstrate the difference in their Pokémon’s strength.
• Xiaoyun advised Trip that confidence could become arrogance and that he needed to learn humility, so Trip thanked him and left to be alone.
• Dawn congratulated Xiaoyun on Gabite’s evolution, and Xiaoyun rubbed her head.
• Xiaoyun suggested Ash bring his Gible from Professor Oak’s lab to train with them, and Ash agreed to ask for it.

Xiaoyun and Dawn reached Nacrene City to challenge its Gym, where they met deputy director Hawes and Gym Leader Lenora. After Rotom defeated Hawes in a knowledge contest, Dawn began her two-Pokémon Gym battle against Lenora.

• Xiaoyun and Dawn explored Nacrene City and visited its art-filled streets before heading to the Nacrene Gym.
• Hawes introduced himself as the museum’s deputy director and led them to Lenora, the Gym Leader and his wife.
• Lenora brought Xiaoyun and Dawn to a library challenge, where Xiaoyun pulled the thickest book and revealed a hidden passage.
• Xiaoyun introduced Rotom to Hawes and challenged him to a knowledge contest, which Rotom won in three minutes.
• Lenora began the Gym battle against Dawn, and Dawn sent out Rufflet while Lenora sent out Herdier.

Dawn defeated Lenora’s Watchog and Herdier with Oshawott and Rufflet, earning the Nacrene Gym’s Basic Badge. Lenora then invited Xiaoyun, whom she recognized as a Champion who had defeated Cynthia, to battle next.

• Lenora used Roar and Mean Look to force Dawn’s Rufflet out and trap Oshawott, but Dawn’s Oshawott defeated Watchog with Razor Shell.
• Lenora’s Herdier used Protect to interrupt Oshawott’s attack, then knocked Oshawott out with a close-range Shadow Ball.
• Dawn sent out Rufflet, which used Tailwind and Air Slash to pressure Herdier, then endured Thunder Fang and defeated it with Rock Smash.
• Lenora awarded Dawn the Basic Badge and praised her battle, then invited Xiaoyun to take the field for the next match.

Xiaoyun’s Snivy evolved into Servine and defeated Lenora’s Cinccino, then battled her Stoutland. The chapter ended as Servine and Stoutland launched their strongest attacks at each other.

• Lenora sent out Cinccino, whose Skill Link-powered Bullet Seed overwhelmed Snivy until Snivy evolved into Servine.
• Servine used Leaf Storm to break Cinccino’s Bullet Seed and then knocked Cinccino out with Leaf Blade.
• Lenora sent out Stoutland, which clashed with Servine using Take Down and Shadow Ball.
• Servine distracted Stoutland with Attract, then struck it with Leaf Blade after Stoutland shattered the hearts with Hyper Voice.
• Xiaoyun ordered Servine to unleash Leaf Storm at maximum power, while Lenora commanded Stoutland to use Giga Impact.

Xiaoyun defeated Lenora with Servine’s Contrary-boosted Leaf Storm and earned the Basic Badge before traveling with Dawn through Pinwheel Forest. There, they met Gym Leader Burgh and were surrounded by Team Plasma forces led by Seven Sage Vio, leaving a battle underway.

• Servine’s Leaf Storm broke through Stoutland’s Giga Impact and defeated it, earning Xiaoyun and Dawn the Basic Badge.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn entered Pinwheel Forest, where Rotom guided them and they encountered Burgh, the Castelia Gym Leader.
• Burgh joined Xiaoyun and Dawn on the way to see the thousand-year-old tree, but a Trainer and Liepard blocked their path.
• Vio arrived with Team Plasma members, and Rotom identified him as one of the Seven Sages.
• Vio trapped the group behind an ice wall, and both sides sent out Pokémon.
• Gabite’s Dragon Pulse collided with Cryogonal’s Ice Beam as Team Plasma members commanded their Electric-type Pokémon to use Ion Deluge.

Xiaoyun’s Skorupi defeated Vio’s Cryogonal and evolved into a powerful Shiny Drapion, helping turn the battle against Team Plasma. Vio escaped by using Haze, a flashbang, and tear gas, so Xiaoyun sent Zeraora and Darkrai to search the forest for him.

• Burgh, Dawn, Xiaoyun, and their Pokémon fought Team Plasma as Aerodactyl attacked the grunts and blocked them from calling reinforcements.
• Xiaoyun recalled Gabite from its disadvantageous fight against Cryogonal and sent out Skorupi, which used its Fire-type moves and boosted techniques to defeat Cryogonal.
• Skorupi evolved into a blood-red Shiny Drapion with Fire and Poison types, and Drapion swiftly knocked out Vio’s Beartic with a combined attack.
• Vio used Cryogonal’s Haze and threw a flashbang and tear gas to escape, leaving Xiaoyun and the others coughing and blinded.
• Aerodactyl cleared the smoke with Hurricane, and Xiaoyun sent Zeraora and Darkrai to search the forest for Vio.

Xiaoyun and his companions recovered a stolen Dragonite skeleton and discovered a mural of Kyurem and a meteorite linked to Team Plasma’s plans. Several days later, Team Plasma leader Ghetsis appeared aboard the organization’s warship.

• Zeraora ambushed Vio near the thousand-year-old tree, and Darkrai defeated him with Dark Void and Nightmare.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Burgh found the stolen Nacrene Museum Dragonite skeleton and a large meteorite in the tree hollow, and Burgh went to contact Lenora.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn discovered a hidden mural of Kyurem, and Rotom translated an inscription about Kyurem seeking truth and ideals to complete its lost body.
• Lenora and Officer Jenny arrived, recovered the Dragonite skeleton, and Lenora explained that the meteorite’s magnetic field made it a waymarker; Xiaoyun suspected Team Plasma planned to use the skeleton as a weapon to capture Kyurem.
• Lenora gave Xiaoyun and Dawn two Dragon Fangs, which they equipped on Gabite and Vibrava.
• Several days later, Ghetsis appeared aboard Team Plasma’s enormous warship.

Ghetsis learned that Xiaoyun had thwarted Team Plasma’s operation and ordered the Shadow Triad to retrieve Vio and a meteorite for Colress. After reaching Castelia City with Dawn and Burgh, Xiaoyun helped repel a Venipede swarm, but the cause remained unknown and the group decided they needed to find its leader.

• The Shadow Triad reported that Vio had been captured and his squad defeated, and Ghetsis learned Xiaoyun was responsible.
• Ghetsis ordered the Shadow Triad to free Vio, obtain the meteorite from the Wild Area, and avoid provoking visiting Trainers.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Burgh arrived in Castelia City, where a Venipede crawled onto Burgh’s face and a huge swarm appeared in the streets.
• Officer Jenny and her Pokémon fought the Venipede, but Herdier was overwhelmed until Xiaoyun, Burgh, and Dawn joined the battle.
• Drapion intimidated the remaining Venipede, while Officer Jenny said Professor Juniper was investigating their sudden appearance.
• Burgh concluded that they needed to find the Venipede leader to stop the swarm.

Xiaoyun helped Burgh and Officer Jenny stop the Venipede riot, then agreed to investigate the dangerous energy near the Desert Resort. He and Dawn traveled through the underground tunnels with Suicune, got lost, and discovered a blocked passage that opened onto the Desert Resort.

• Xiaoyun had Drapion intimidate a Venipede into leading them to its leader, and Drapion defeated the leader and took command of the swarm.
• Drapion led the Venipede to the mayor's designated location, resolving the riot as Professor Juniper reported that abnormal energy near the Desert Resort had driven them from their home.
• When a sudden sandstorm blocked air and sea travel, Officer Jenny offered 500,000 League dollars and Burgh added a million, persuading Xiaoyun to investigate through the underground tunnels.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn rode Suicune through the tunnels, but Suicune ignored the signs and took them to a passage blocked by boulders.
• Rotom scanned their location and confirmed they had reached the Desert Resort, so Suicune froze and smashed the boulders to reveal what lay beyond.

Xiaoyun and Dawn explored an ancient underground castle and awakened a hostile Volcarona as Team Rocket and Hunter L’s forces converged above. The chapter ended with Suicune facing the thousand-year-old Volcarona, poised for a fight.

• Rotom led Xiaoyun and Dawn through the darkness to an ancient castle guarded by two Zen Mode Darmanitan.
• James, Jessie, and Meowth began Team Rocket’s operation above the castle, using an artificial Sandstorm to conceal their search.
• Hunter L and Hunter J located the castle aboard their warship and ordered their hunters through the Sandstorm toward it.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn found a chamber devoted to Volcarona and examined a mural depicting the Pokémon as a sun god.
• A hostile Volcarona appeared at the altar, and Suicune stepped forward to confront it.

Xiaoyun and Suicune battled and caught a powerful Volcarona, only to discover that its energy signature did not match their target. They left Volcarona to recover in its Poké Ball and planned to have Shaymin treat it after they finished searching.

• Volcarona attacked Xiaoyun and Suicune with fiery scales, but Suicune countered with Hydro Pump and Ice Beam.
• Volcarona charged through Suicune's water attacks, and Suicune froze it with Absolute Freezing Air so Xiaoyun could catch it.
• Rotom detected strong energy fluctuations elsewhere, revealing that the captured Volcarona was not their target.
• Xiaoyun tried to treat Volcarona with Potions, then agreed with Dawn to have Shaymin heal it later.
• In Twinleaf Town, Shaymin sneezed and suspected Xiaoyun was talking about it, while Lina wondered how Xiaoyun and Dawn were doing.

Xiaoyun learned that the dying Volcarona had reached the end of its lifespan and was asked to care for its two Larvesta offspring. Hunter L and Hunter J then attacked Xiaoyun and Dawn, and the battle continued as Dawn ordered Piplup and Vibrava to counter Sceptile's Dragon Pulse.

• Darkrai told Xiaoyun and Dawn that Volcarona could not be healed because its lifespan had run out.
• Two Larvesta, including a Shiny Larvesta, rushed to Volcarona, which entrusted its offspring to Xiaoyun.
• Hunter L arrived with his hunters, recognized Xiaoyun, and teamed up with Hunter J to attack him.
• Hunter J sent out Salamence and Haxorus, ordering Draco Meteor and Outrage against Xiaoyun.
• Xiaoyun used Suicune and Zeraora to defend against the attack, while Hunter L Mega Evolved Sceptile and joined the battle with Eelektross.
• Dawn ordered Piplup to use Blizzard and Vibrava to use Dragon Pulse against Sceptile's strengthened Dragon Pulse.

Xiaoyun and Dawn fought Hunter J and Hunter L in the ruins until Jessie, James, and Meowth led Team Rocket into the battle, mistaking the hunters for intruders on their turf. Xiaoyun used the resulting chaos to get Dawn away, then mounted Aerodactyl and warned the trio that the hunters were coming for them.

• Piplup, Vibrava, and Gengar combined their attacks to repel Sceptile's Dragon Pulse while Hunter J's Salamence and Haxorus struggled against Suicune and Xiaoyun's other Pokémon.
• Hunter J sent out Scolipede and Seismitoad and ordered her forces to join the fight.
• A Team Rocket member reported that their people had been petrified, so Jessie led James, Meowth, and their troops toward the plaza to claim the treasure and attack everyone there.
• Team Rocket's Ground- and Rock-type Pokémon struck the hunters with Earth Power and Rock Blast, forcing Hunter J to turn her forces around to defend.
• Xiaoyun had Suicune cover the ruins in Mist, then sent Dawn away with Suicune and Gengar while both sides struggled with confusion and friendly fire.
• Xiaoyun blocked Sceptile's Energy Ball with Zeraora, flew to the trio on Aerodactyl, and kicked them as he warned that the hunters were coming for them.

Xiaoyun rescued Dawn and revived the dying Volcarona with energy from a meteorite, then persuaded Volcarona and its two Larvesta to join him. Meanwhile, Team Rocket and the hunters fought over the meteorite, and Giovanni was presented with only a small fragment of it.

• Xiaoyun kicked Meowth away, then used Aerodactyl to throw Jessie and James toward the hunters and provoke Team Rocket into fighting them.
• Xiaoyun returned to Dawn and used Aerodactyl's Hyper Beam to break the meteorite so Volcarona could absorb its energy and regain its prime strength.
• Volcarona agreed to travel with Xiaoyun and care for the two Larvesta, which Xiaoyun and Dawn each caught in a Poké Ball.
• Hunter L spotted the meteorite and charged for it, restarting the battle until the ruins began collapsing and both sides fled with pieces.
• Giovanni praised James, Jessie, and Meowth for supposedly securing the meteorite, then discovered that the fragment they presented was tiny.

Hunter L received the final payment for the meteorite, which Ghetsis sent to Colress, while Xiaoyun and Dawn returned to Castelia City and began a Gym battle against Burgh. Dawn’s Vibrava defeated Burgh’s Dwebble, and Burgh sent out Whirlipede.

• Hunter J questioned Hunter L about the failed mission, but he explained that Ghetsis had paid the balance after receiving the meteorite.
• Ghetsis ordered a subordinate to deliver the meteorite to Colress, who wondered whether the palm-sized object was all he had been sent.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn reported their work in Castelia City, collected Burgh’s bonus, and spent the evening enjoying ice cream by the sea.
• The next morning, Xiaoyun and Dawn arrived at Castelia Gym, where Burgh arranged a three-on-three Gym battle with Dawn.
• Dawn’s Vibrava used Bug Buzz and Earthquake to weaken Dwebble, then blocked Rock Wrecker with Protect and knocked it out with Dragon Pulse.
• Burgh sent out Whirlipede as his second Pokémon.

Dawn defeated Burgh’s Whirlipede and Leavanny with Vibrava, which evolved into Flygon during the battle, and earned the Beetle Badge despite both final Pokémon being knocked out. Xiaoyun then began his own Gym battle against Burgh, sending out Drapion to face Escavalier.

• Dawn’s Vibrava defeated Burgh’s Whirlipede and evolved into Flygon.
• Flygon and Leavanny exchanged attacks until both became unable to battle, making Dawn the winner.
• Burgh awarded Dawn the Beetle Badge, and Xiaoyun asked to battle him next.
• After a short rest, Burgh sent out Escavalier and Xiaoyun sent out Drapion.

Xiaoyun’s Drapion defeated Burgh’s Escavalier and endured Accelgor’s Final Gambit, leaving Burgh with only Galvantula. Galvantula turned the battlefield’s Sticky Web into an electrical net and destroyed Drapion’s Pin Missile, while Burgh ordered it to keep using Discharge.

• Drapion shattered Escavalier’s X-Scissor, blocked its attacks with Acupressure, and knocked it out with a Fire-infused Cross Poison.
• Burgh sent out Accelgor, which used Double Team and Water Shuriken before its Focus Blast was stopped by Drapion’s Pin Missile.
• Accelgor used Final Gambit and broke through Drapion’s attacks, but Drapion’s boosted defense let it withstand the hit, and Burgh recalled Accelgor.
• Burgh sent out Galvantula, which spread Sticky Web across the battlefield as Xiaoyun ordered Drapion to break through with Pin Missile.
• Galvantula used Discharge through the Sticky Web to destroy Drapion’s Pin Missile, and Burgh commanded it to continue using Discharge.

Xiaoyun defeated Burgh at the Castelia Gym with Zeraora and earned the Beetle Badge before traveling with Dawn to Rainbow Valley. There, their Larvesta sparred, and a lonely Cottonee appeared to show them why it kept striking out in love.

• Xiaoyun recalled his exhausted Drapion and sent out Zeraora against Burgh's Galvantula.
• Zeraora absorbed Galvantula's Zap Cannon with Volt Absorb, and Burgh gave Xiaoyun the Beetle Badge before sending him and Dawn away.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn bought Casteliacone, traveled to Rainbow Valley, and decided to camp there to see the Diamond Breeze at dawn.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn encouraged their Larvesta to battle, but Xiaoyun's golden Larvesta repeatedly outmaneuvered and defeated Dawn's Larvesta.
• A Cottonee drifted onto Dawn, and Xiaoyun teased it for being single.
• Dawn tried to comfort the dejected Cottonee, which suddenly perked up and rushed toward another Cottonee that had landed nearby.

Xiaoyun trained Cottonee to fight strategically after a female Cottonee rejected its courtship, and Cottonee used its new skills to win her favor. As the Cottonee couples departed Rainbow Valley in the Diamond Breeze, Xiaoyun and Dawn promised to keep traveling together.

• A female Cottonee attacked Cottonee after it tried to court her, and Xiaoyun told the heartbroken Pokémon that it needed to become stronger.
• Xiaoyun coached Cottonee through a battle against Dawn's Piplup, using Tailwind, Cotton Guard, Stun Spore, Poison Powder, and Mega Drain to defeat it.
• The next day, Cottonee used Xiaoyun's lessons to defeat two rivals and win the female Cottonee's affection.
• As Diamond Breeze filled Rainbow Valley, Xiaoyun told Dawn that they would keep exploring together, and they shared a tender moment.

Xiaoyun, Dawn, Ash, and their friends entered Nimbasa Town’s Battle Tournament, where Xiaoyun faced Georgia in the opening match. His Gabite, secretly Zorua using Illusion, overwhelmed Georgia’s Beartic and left the battle poised for Xiaoyun to finish it.

• Xiaoyun, Dawn, Cilan, Iris, and Ash registered for the tournament with three Pokémon each, and Bianca accidentally knocked Ash into a fountain before rushing off to sign up.
• Don George announced that the tournament champion would win a seven-feather set, then explained the elimination and knockout rounds.
• The draw paired Xiaoyun against Georgia, Dawn against Burgundy, and Cilan against Trip, while Trip vowed to prove himself after his own match.
• Georgia sent out Beartic and challenged Xiaoyun’s Gabite, which dodged Icicle Crash and struck Beartic with Shadow Ball.
• Beartic charged with Bulk Up-boosted Body Press, but Gabite caught the attack unharmed and struck back with Revenge, sending Beartic crashing to the ground.

Xiaoyun won his match against Georgia with Zorua’s Illusion, and Dawn defeated Burgundy with Larvesta. Cilan and Trip’s battle turned against Trip after Dwebble used Sand Rush and Shell Smash, leaving Gurdurr without its I-beam as the chapter ended.

• Xiaoyun used Zorua’s Illusion to trick Georgia’s Beartic into attacking a fake Gabite, then won with Shadow Claw.
• Dawn challenged Burgundy, and the two argued over Pokémon styles before beginning their battle.
• Dawn’s Larvesta boosted its speed with Flame Charge, tripped Stoutland with String Shot, and defeated it with Absorb.
• Trip’s Gurdurr battered Cilan’s Dwebble with its I-beam, but Dwebble used its shell to withstand the blows.
• Cilan’s Dwebble blinded Gurdurr with Sand Rush and began Shell Smash, while Gurdurr realized its I-beam was stuck in the ground.

Xiaoyun defeated Stephan’s Blitzle with Servine in the Don George Battle Tournament quarterfinals. The next match between Dawn and Iris began with Iris’s powerful Excadrill overwhelming Oshawott’s first attacks.

• Dwebble defeated Trip’s Gurdurr with X-Scissor, while Ash also won his match with Tepig’s Flame Charge, completing the tournament’s eight quarterfinalists.
• The next day, Xiaoyun faced Stephan and sent out Servine against Stephan’s Blitzle.
• Blitzle absorbed Servine’s Energy Ball with Sap Sipper, but Servine used Attract and Vine Whip to restrain it before finishing it with Slam.
• Iris and Dawn began their match after Iris learned Dawn had not entered her Dragon-type Pokémon; Iris sent out Excadrill, and Dawn chose Oshawott.
• Excadrill overpowered Oshawott’s Razor Shell and broke through its Water Pulse with Crush Claw, prompting Dawn to call for Aqua Jet.

Dawn’s Oshawott evolved into Dewott and defeated Iris’s Excadrill, after which Ash began his quarterfinal battle against Cilan. Ash’s Tepig gained the upper hand over Stunfisk, and the fight continued as Ash ordered a Flamethrower.

• Dawn’s Oshawott copied Excadrill’s Focus Blast, then held off its attacks until it evolved into Dewott.
• Dewott used Fury Cutter and Razor Shell to defeat Iris’s Excadrill, earning Dawn the victory.
• Iris and Dawn agreed to battle again, while a red-haired middle-aged man watched approvingly.
• Ash and Cilan began their quarterfinal match, with Ash sending out Tepig and Cilan choosing Stunfisk instead of Pansage.
• Tepig endured Stunfisk’s Scald, used Defense Curl and Rollout to avoid Mud Shot, then knocked Stunfisk back by charging through another Scald.
• Ash ordered Tepig to use Flamethrower as Stunfisk reeled from the collision.

Dawn defeated Bianca’s Pignite with Rufflet in the first semifinal of the Don George Battle Tournament. Xiaoyun and Ash then began their semifinal battle, with Larvesta charging at Oshawott as their match continued.

• Tepig defeated Cilan’s Stunfisk, and the tournament semifinals were set as Xiaoyun versus Ash and Dawn versus Bianca.
• Bianca distracted Dawn before their match by asking to pet Rufflet, then sent out Pignite against Dawn’s Rufflet.
• Rufflet overpowered Pignite with Crush Claw, Aerial Ace, and a Tailwind-enhanced defense against Flamethrower, then knocked it out with Rock Smash.
• Dawn advanced to the final, and Bianca immediately asked if she could pet Rufflet.
• Xiaoyun and Ash began their semifinal with Larvesta and Oshawott, whose Flamethrower and Water Gun collided evenly.
• Xiaoyun ordered Larvesta to use Flame Wheel and charge at Oshawott.

Ash and Xiaoyun’s semifinal battle ended with Larvesta defeating Oshawott, and the tournament advanced to its final between Xiaoyun and Dawn. Unova Champion Alder appeared as the special guest and announced that the winner could challenge him, leaving Trip eager for that chance.

• Ash told Oshawott to fight back, and it used Water Pulse to trap Larvesta, but Xiaoyun countered with Fire Spin and forced a head-on clash.
• Oshawott struck Larvesta with Razor Shell, but Larvesta’s Flame Body burned it, and Flame Wheel defeated it.
• Don George announced that the tournament final would be between Xiaoyun and Dawn.
• Don George revealed Unova Champion Alder as the tournament’s special guest, and Alder praised the young Trainers.
• Don George announced that the winner could challenge Alder, which made Trip regret losing in the first round.
• Don George started the final between Xiaoyun and Dawn, both from Twinleaf Town in Sinnoh.