Recaps

Xiaoyun defeated Paul and reminded him of their promise that the loser would grant the winner one request. Xiaoyun asked Paul to let him raise Chimchar if Paul ever lost faith in him, and Paul agreed to give Chimchar more time to prove himself.

• Dawn, Ash, and Brock praised Xiaoyun and Sceptile after Xiaoyun's victory over Paul.
• Xiaoyun stopped Paul and reminded him that their pre-battle promise was witnessed by Professor Rowan.
• Xiaoyun asked Paul to let him raise Chimchar if Paul ever decided to stop training him.
• Paul questioned Xiaoyun about Chimchar's hidden power, but Xiaoyun pretended not to know about it.
• Paul looked at Chimchar's Poké Ball, decided to give him more time, and agreed to Xiaoyun's request.

After leaving Sandgem Town, Xiaoyun and Dawn traveled toward Jubilife City, where Dawn practiced throwing Poké Balls. Xiaoyun accidentally caught a Buneary with a casual throw, but Buneary emerged furious and attacked them.

• Xiaoyun promised Paul that he could have Chimchar if it failed to meet his expectations, then departed with Dawn while Ash and the others stayed behind.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn left Sandgem Town for Jubilife City and camped after a day of travel.
• Dawn practiced throwing Poké Balls, and Xiaoyun teased her about missing Buneary and hitting him in the face instead.
• Xiaoyun invented a throwing mnemonic and demonstrated it by accidentally hitting a Buneary with a Poké Ball.
• Buneary emerged from the Poké Ball, glared at Xiaoyun and Dawn, and fired an icy beam at them.

Dawn battled the Ice Beam-using Buneary with Piplup and finally caught it after Piplup learned Aqua Jet during the fight. Xiaoyun treated Buneary and said it only needed rest.

• Xiaoyun pulled Dawn out of the way of Buneary’s Ice Beam and encouraged her to catch it.
• Dawn challenged Buneary and sent Piplup to battle, but Buneary dodged Bubble Beam and countered with Dizzy Punch and Ice Beam.
• While evading Buneary’s attacks, Piplup learned Aqua Jet and used it to strike the exhausted Buneary.
• Dawn threw a Poké Ball and caught Buneary, celebrating her first Pokémon capture.
• Dawn let Buneary out, and Xiaoyun treated it, saying it had only exhausted itself and needed rest.

Xiaoyun and Dawn traveled through the forest after settling Buneary and Piplup's squabble, but they became lost in the Forest of Confusion. As they ventured deeper, Xiaoyun frightened Dawn with a ghost story, and she clung to him.

• Buneary froze Piplup with Ice Beam, then won Dawn's sympathy by pretending to be helpless when Piplup demanded a rematch.
• Xiaoyun advised Piplup to rely on social skills instead of force, and Piplup became confident after Dawn praised him.
• After spending the night, Xiaoyun and Dawn set out for Jubilife City but realized they were lost in the Forest of Confusion.
• Xiaoyun explained that Stantler's glowing antlers could lead travelers into illusions, then took Dawn's hand as they continued through the forest.
• When Dawn asked whether anything besides Stantler lived there, Xiaoyun shouted that there were ghosts, frightening her into jumping into his arms.

Xiaoyun and Dawn found Team Rocket’s smoking balloon and followed it into the forest, where Jessie, James, and Meowth searched a hollow tree for food. The trio discovered Berries and Combee honey, but their argument over whether to eat or sell it left them unaware of danger approaching.

• Xiaoyun pointed out Team Rocket’s falling Meowth balloon, and he and Dawn went to investigate.
• Jessie, James, and Meowth crawled out of their crashed balloon and searched for shelter and food.
• James led Jessie and Meowth into a hollow tree, where they found Berry cores, travelers’ bags, and a hidden cache of Berries.
• James discovered a jar of Combee honey, and Jessie claimed it for its supposed beauty benefits.
• Jessie, James, and Meowth argued over whether to keep or sell the honey as danger approached unnoticed.

Jessie spilled Ursaring’s treasured honey, prompting Ursaring to chase Team Rocket through the Forest of Confusion. Xiaoyun and Dawn encountered the fleeing trio and stood to battle Ursaring, whose Hyper Beam clashed with their Pokémon’s attacks.

• Jessie ignored James and Meowth’s warnings and dropped the jar of Combee honey, enraging Ursaring.
• Ursaring fired a Hyper Beam at Team Rocket, then chased them through the forest as they fled.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn headed toward the forest’s exit and encountered the fleeing Rocket Trio.
• Ursaring caught up with Xiaoyun and Dawn, who sent out Turtwig and Piplup to fight it.
• Turtwig’s Razor Leaf and Piplup’s Bubble Beam collided with Ursaring’s Hyper Beam.

Xiaoyun and Turtwig wore down and caught a powerful Ursaring after it chased them through the forest. Dawn admired Xiaoyun’s battling, while elsewhere Ash sneezed and wondered whether Team Rocket was nearby.

• Xiaoyun recognized Ursaring’s strength and decided to catch it, then sent Turtwig to battle while Dawn stepped aside with Piplup.
• Turtwig used Withdraw, Razor Leaf, and Energy Ball to weaken Ursaring while avoiding a direct fight.
• Turtwig’s Leech Seed drained Ursaring’s remaining stamina, and a final Energy Ball knocked it out.
• Xiaoyun caught Ursaring, and Dawn and Piplup cheered after briefly freezing at his triumphant pose.
• Elsewhere in the forest, Ash sneezed and checked for Team Rocket, sensing that someone might be after Pikachu.

Xiaoyun tried to convince the defiant Ursaring to become his Pokémon, then won it over by offering Pokémon food and daily Pokéblocks. Ursaring accepted the arrangement and began eating happily while Dawn patted its head.

• Dawn reassured Xiaoyun and asked why he had caught the hot-tempered Ursaring.
• Xiaoyun questioned Ursaring about their battle, but Ursaring still refused to become his Pokémon.
• Dawn warned Xiaoyun not to abuse Pokémon after his unsettling laugh, and Xiaoyun denied intending to hurt Ursaring.
• Xiaoyun offered Ursaring Pokémon food and promised special Normal-type Pokéblocks, and Ursaring eagerly agreed to join him.
• Ursaring devoured the food and let Dawn pat its head, quickly settling into its new role.

Xiaoyun and Dawn followed Ursaring to his den, where they collected Berries and discovered a Mega Stone. After explaining Mega Evolution to Dawn, Xiaoyun set off with them to leave the Forest of Confusion before dark.

• Xiaoyun and Dawn followed Ursaring to his tree hollow after he stopped to gather his belongings.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn explored Ursaring’s messy den and found honey and a basket of Berries, including rare Salac Berries and Apicot Berries.
• Xiaoyun promised to make the Berries into Poffins for Ursaring after they left the forest.
• Xiaoyun found a purple Mega Stone and explained Mega Evolution to Dawn, though he could not identify which Pokémon it belonged to.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Ursaring packed their finds and prepared to leave the Forest of Confusion before dark.

Xiaoyun assessed Ursaring’s moves and began training him to learn ranged attacks so he could become a more versatile fighter. He wondered how to obtain a Peat Block for Ursaring’s evolution while Dawn’s training also struggled.

• Xiaoyun assigned Sceptile and Turtwig their daily training before turning to Ursaring.
• Xiaoyun checked Ursaring’s Pokédex profile and found that he had a strong move pool and Gym Stage strength but few ranged attacks.
• Xiaoyun told Ursaring to study Rock Tomb and learn to broaden his coverage after his lack of ranged moves had let Turtwig wear him down.
• Xiaoyun planned for Ursaring to learn further combat moves and considered how to obtain a Peat Block to evolve him into Ursaluna.
• Dawn’s training was not going smoothly.

Dawn struggled to train Piplup to perform a spinning Bubble Beam for a Pokémon Contest because he became dizzy and lost control. Xiaoyun set up an intense spinning exercise to help him adapt, and after the first round left Dawn worried about how much more Piplup could take.

• Dawn trained Piplup to spin in midair while using Bubble Beam, but his dizziness made the bubbles fly wildly and caused him to crash.
• Dawn told Xiaoyun about her planned Contest routine and Piplup’s difficulty, and Xiaoyun promised to help him overcome the dizziness.
• Xiaoyun put Piplup on Turtwig’s shell and had Ursaring strike it to make it spin, while assigning Sceptile to keep everyone safe.
• Piplup clung to the spinning shell, then staggered off feeling extremely dizzy, and Xiaoyun told him to rest for five minutes before another round.
• Dawn asked Xiaoyun to give Piplup more time to recover, but Xiaoyun sent her aside so he could have a heart-to-heart with Piplup.

Xiaoyun pushed Piplup through intensive training until it overcame its fear of spinning, performed Spinning Bubble Beam, and learned Whirlpool. After Piplup recovered from exhaustion, Xiaoyun and Dawn continued their journey and reached the outskirts of Jubilife City.

• Xiaoyun encouraged Piplup to face its fear and train by reminding it of Dawn’s upcoming Contest and its pride as her Starter Pokémon.
• Piplup trained on Turtwig’s back, repeatedly falling before learning to release Bubble Beam while spinning.
• Dawn resolved to make Piplup’s hard work worthwhile, and Piplup mastered Spinning Bubble Beam that afternoon.
• Piplup also learned Whirlpool, then fainted from exhaustion after Xiaoyun praised it for not disappointing Dawn.
• Dawn cared for Piplup after it woke at dusk, and the next morning she and Xiaoyun set out toward Jubilife City.

Xiaoyun and Dawn arrived in Jubilife City, where Dawn failed to buy a Pokémon Watch before Teruhiko recruited Xiaoyun for a Pokétch Company quiz event. Xiaoyun answered the first clown’s questions and earned a coupon, while the pair prepared to find the next clown.

• Xiaoyun and Dawn reached Jubilife City, recovered their Pokémon, and registered Dawn for a Pokémon Contest.
• Dawn went to buy a Pokémon Watch, but the store had recalled its stock, so the pair bought journey supplies instead.
• Teruhiko introduced himself and his Shinx, then asked Xiaoyun to help with a Pokétch Company quiz event.
• Xiaoyun followed Teruhiko to the first clown and answered several dozen Pokémon questions correctly.
• The clown gave Xiaoyun a coupon and told him to seek out the next clown.

Xiaoyun and Dawn completed Teruhiko’s clown quiz and learned that his father, Teruatsu, had recruited them to test the Pokétch Company’s new Pokémon Watch. They accepted watches and a Pokémon Egg as compensation, and Teruhiko promised to attend Dawn’s Contest the next day.

• Xiaoyun and Dawn answered the final clown’s questions and collected three vouchers.
• Teruhiko introduced his father, Teruatsu, who revealed that he had been disguised as the clowns to find Trainers for a product test.
• Teruatsu explained the company’s need for Trainers to test the Pokémon Watch and offered Xiaoyun and Dawn watches in exchange for feedback during their travels.
• Xiaoyun accepted after Teruatsu offered additional compensation, and he and Dawn received Pokémon Watches and a Pokémon Egg.
• Teruatsu wished Dawn success at her Contest, and Teruhiko promised to watch and cheer for her.

On the day of the Jubilife City Pokémon Contest, Xiaoyun accompanied Dawn to the venue, where they met Ash and heard Zoey criticize him for entering as a battle Trainer. Xiaoyun encouraged Ash and reassured Dawn before leaving to watch the competition.

• Dawn emerged in her formal dress, and Xiaoyun praised her before escorting her toward the contestants' waiting room.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn met Ash, who explained that he had entered Aipom in the contest because Aipom wanted to perform.
• Zoey told Ash that Pokémon Contests were sacred to Coordinators and urged him not to enter one again.
• Dawn explained that Zoey had helped her and was a new Coordinator who had already won a Ribbon.
• Xiaoyun encouraged the unsettled Ash to compete as himself, then reassured Dawn that she would shine onstage before heading to the audience seats.

Xiaoyun watched the Jubilife Contest and turned his seats into a cheering section for Dawn, while contestants including Zoey, Jessilina, and Ash performed. Ash earned a strong score, and Dawn and Zoey watched his performance from the preparation room.

• Xiaoyun found Teruhiko in the stands and brought out Ursaring and Turtwig to cheer for Dawn, dressing them and Teruhiko in contest gear.
• Zoey performed with Misdreavus using Double Team, Confuse Ray, and Thunder Wave, earning a score of 29.3 and temporarily taking first place.
• Jessilina the Sweet performed with Carnivine, jumping into its mouth and receiving praise from the judges.
• Ash used Aipom's Double Team and Swift to form a five-pointed star, then shattered it with Focus Punch and earned a score of 29.1.
• Dawn was surprised by Ash's performance, and Zoey acknowledged that he had taken the contest seriously.

Dawn made her Pokémon Contest debut with a dazzling performance alongside Piplup, earning the highest score and beating Zoey. Afterward, Zoey and Ash congratulated her as the contestants awaited the announcement of who would advance.

• Xiaoyun loudly cheered Dawn on as she took the stage, and his support helped her relax.
• Dawn directed Piplup through a performance combining Whirlpool, Aqua Jet, and Spinning Bubble Beam, ending with a burst of water and sparkling blue light.
• The audience and judges praised Dawn's performance, while Zoey recognized her as a promising rival and Jessie worried about losing her chance at a Ribbon.
• Dawn received a unanimous score of 29.5, placing first ahead of Zoey, as Johanna and Lina watched proudly on television.
• Ash and Zoey praised Dawn in the waiting room, where Zoey pointed out that the list of contestants advancing to the next round had appeared.

Dawn defeated Nobuko with Buneary and advanced, while Zoey beat Ash in the timed Contest match. Jessie Lina also won her match, setting up her next battle against Dawn, which began with Piplup facing Carnivine.

• Dawn and Nobuko began their match with Buneary and Masquerain, and Dawn used Buneary’s Bounce and Dizzy Punch to defeat Masquerain.
• Zoey defeated Ash after Glameow repeatedly countered Aipom and Ash ran out of time with almost no points remaining.
• Xiaoyun watched Ash’s loss and wondered how Paul would fare in a Pokémon Contest.
• Jessie Lina won her match with Carnivine, and Dawn and Jessie Lina were paired for the next battle.
• Dawn sent out Piplup against Jessie Lina’s Carnivine.

Dawn defeated Jessie and reached the Pokémon Contest final, where she narrowly lost to Zoey when time ran out. She called Johanna afterward and received praise for how much she had grown.

• Dawn used Piplup's attacks to defeat Jessie and Carnivine, advancing to the final.
• Zoey defeated her opponent Glameow and met Dawn in the final.
• Dawn and Zoey traded attacks in a close contest, but Zoey won when the five-minute time limit ended with her ahead on points.
• Dawn called Johanna, who praised her growth despite her loss.
• Xiaoyun and Teruhiko went backstage to check on Dawn.

After the contest, Dawn said goodbye to Teruhiko and Zoey while Xiaoyun comforted and encouraged her. Xiaoyun then agreed to travel with Ash and Brock toward Oreburgh City the next day, and everyone returned to the Pokémon Center to rest.

• Johanna chatted with Xiaoyun during her call with Dawn, leaving Dawn frustrated that she barely got to speak.
• Dawn and Xiaoyun walked Teruhiko to the entrance and said goodbye as he left with Shinx.
• Zoey said goodbye to Dawn and Xiaoyun, explaining that she wanted to train harder after nearly losing to Dawn.
• Xiaoyun encouraged Dawn, then changed the subject when Ash and Brock joined them.
• Xiaoyun remembered his Gym challenge and agreed to travel with Ash and Brock to Oreburgh City the next day.
• Xiaoyun invited everyone to return to the Pokémon Center to rest.

Xiaoyun and his companions arrived in Oreburgh City and went to Oreburgh Gym, where they watched Paul challenge Roark. Paul defeated Roark’s final Pokémon, Cranidos, and won the Gym Challenge.

• Xiaoyun stopped Ash from rushing to challenge the Gym before the group had eaten or rested.
• The next morning, Xiaoyun and his companions visited Oreburgh Gym and learned that Roark was already battling a challenger.
• Xiaoyun spotted Paul on the battlefield, and Brock explained that Ash wanted to beat him after losing their previous battle.
• Xiaoyun suggested that Ash challenge Paul to a fistfight, and Ash considered the idea.
• Paul ordered Elekid to strike Cranidos with Brick Break using its other hand, knocking Cranidos out and winning the Gym Challenge.

After Paul defeated Roark and received the Coal Badge, Xiaoyun reminded him of their agreement about Chimchar, and Paul agreed to watch the others battle. Ash began preparing to challenge Roark first, with Xiaoyun set to battle afterward.

• Paul narrowly defeated Roark’s Cranidos with Elekid, and Roark gave Paul the Coal Badge.
• Xiaoyun stopped Paul and asked about Chimchar, and Paul said Chimchar could remain on his team for now.
• Ash invited Paul to watch his Gym battle, and Paul agreed to stay and observe both battles.
• Xiaoyun and Ash asked Roark for Gym battles, and Roark said Ash would go first after his Pokémon recovered.

Ash challenged Roark for a Badge in a three-on-three Gym battle, where Staravia and Pikachu each faced Roark’s Pokémon. After Staravia and Pikachu were defeated, Aipom battled Cranidos but was struck down repeatedly, leaving the match unresolved.

• Ash sent out Staravia against Roark’s Geodude, but Geodude used Rollout to knock Staravia out.
• Ash sent out Pikachu, whose Thunderbolt defeated Geodude despite its Ground type.
• Roark’s Onix interrupted Pikachu with Screech and landed Dig, but Pikachu escaped Bind and defeated Onix with Iron Tail after forcing it out of its hole.
• Roark sent out Cranidos, and its Head Smash defeated Pikachu after clashing with Volt Tackle.
• Ash sent out Aipom, which was caught off guard by Stealth Rock and struck by Cranidos’s Zen Headbutt and Head Smash before it could finish charging Focus Punch.

After Ash lost his Gym challenge to Roark, a rampage by revived fossil Pokémon forced Roark to postpone Xiaoyun’s battle and rush to Oreburgh Mine. Xiaoyun, Dawn, Ash, and Brock joined the response, where Xiaoyun quietly planned to use the crisis as battle training for his Pokémon.

• Roark’s Cranidos knocked out Ash’s Aipom with Head Smash, and Roark denied Ash the Badge.
• Paul criticized Ash for letting his emotions affect his battle and left after Xiaoyun’s Gym challenge was postponed.
• A mine worker told Roark that revived fossil Pokémon had run wild and injured people, so Roark hurried to Oreburgh Mine.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn followed Roark to the mine, while Ash and Brock joined the effort and Paul departed.
• Roark sent out Onix and Cranidos to help the rescue teams, and Xiaoyun split up the group to cover the area.
• Xiaoyun told Sceptile to fight the fossil Pokémon as training while he and Dawn prepared their Pokémon to help.

Xiaoyun coached Dawn in combining Piplup and Buneary’s moves, then decided to catch an Aerodactyl that was provoking Ursaring. He challenged Aerodactyl to a battle, with Ursaring ready to follow his plan and get revenge.

• Xiaoyun trained Turtwig and Ursaring while Dawn battled an Armaldo with Piplup and Buneary.
• Xiaoyun suggested combining Ice Beam and Bubble Beam, and Dawn’s Pokémon knocked out Armaldo with the combined attack.
• Aerodactyl appeared and insulted Ursaring, which retaliated by hurling rocks while Aerodactyl dodged and taunted it.
• Xiaoyun told Ursaring to follow his commands and promised it could punch Aerodactyl, then challenged Aerodactyl to a battle.
• Aerodactyl accepted the challenge, treating it as a fight.