Recaps

Xiaoyun defeated Trip in the preliminary match with Serperior’s Contrary-boosted Leaf Storm, while Dawn began her own preliminary battle against Bianca. The chapter ended with Dawn ordering Mamoswine to counter Bianca’s Flare Blitz with Frost Fang Ice Break.

• Xiaoyun’s Serperior overwhelmed Trip’s Serperior with repeated Leaf Storms, and the referee declared Xiaoyun the winner.
• Trip accepted his loss to Xiaoyun, feeling relieved that the weight of the match had lifted.
• Xiaoyun and Barry joined Zoey to watch Dawn’s match, where Dawn recognized her opponent Bianca.
• Bianca sent out Emboar, and Dawn chose Mamoswine for their strength-focused battle.
• Mamoswine endured Emboar’s attacks, struck back with Earthquake and High Horsepower, and both Pokémon clashed with Flamethrower and Blizzard.
• Emboar charged with Flare Blitz, but Mamoswine survived using Curse, and Dawn ordered Frost Fang Ice Break.

Dawn, Ash, Virgil, and Cameron advanced from the preliminaries, and Xiaoyun began his first elimination match against Kǎtè. Bisharp defeated Kǎtè’s Aegislash with Thousand-Blade Shattering Strike and Assurance, leaving Kǎtè to send out Aggron.

• Dawn defeated Bianca’s Emboar, while Ash, Virgil, and Cameron also won their preliminary matches and advanced to the top 64.
• In the first elimination round, Xiaoyun and Kǎtè sent out Bisharp and Aegislash, and Kǎtè became convinced that Aegislash’s description meant he was destined to be king.
• Aegislash ambushed Bisharp with Shadow Sneak and traded attacks with it, but Bisharp adapted and gained the upper hand with Night Slash.
• Kǎtè used King’s Shield to repel Bisharp’s Iron Head and Thousand-Blade Shattering Strike, but the barrage left Aegislash weakened.
• Xiaoyun ordered Assurance, and Bisharp knocked out Aegislash; Kǎtè then sent out Aggron.

Xiaoyun defeated Kǎtè in the first elimination round with Sceptile, then watched Dawn advance before heading into the afternoon matches. His next opponent, the timid Qisheng, recognized him from the Lily of the Valley Conference, leaving their battle about to begin.

• Kǎtè's Aggron and Xiaoyun's Bisharp knocked each other out with Metal Burst and Thousand-Blade Shattering Strike, leaving Kǎtè to send out his Starter Pokémon, Delphox.
• Xiaoyun sent out Sceptile, which cut through Delphox's boosted Mystical Fire and then defeated it by cleaving through Burn Up with Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki.
• Dawn used Gengar to overwhelm a Fighting-type specialist, who forfeited because he could not overcome Gengar's Intangibility.
• At the afternoon matches, Xiaoyun faced Qisheng, who sent out an Alolan Ninetales while Xiaoyun chose Larvesta.
• Qisheng interrupted Xiaoyun's opening command and timidly said she had seen him at the Lily of the Valley Conference.

Qisheng battled Xiaoyun in the Unova tournament, but Xiaojin defeated her Alolan Ninetales and Raichu. Xiaoyun recalled his exhausted Larvesta and sent out Garchomp to face Qisheng’s final Pokémon, Kommo-o.

• Qisheng opened the battle with Alolan Ninetales, whose Freeze-Dry and Blizzard Xiaojin broke through with Flare Blitz, knocking it out.
• Qisheng sent out Alolan Raichu, which used Electric Terrain and repeated Electro Balls to put Xiaojin under pressure.
• Xiaojin countered Raichu’s barrage with Fire Spin, then overpowered its massive Electro Ball with a strengthened pillar of fire and knocked it out.
• Qisheng sent out Kommo-o as her final Pokémon, while Xiaoyun recalled the exhausted Xiaojin and chose Garchomp.
• Xiaoyun and Qisheng exchanged puns before the match between their pseudo-legendary Pokémon began.

Xiaoyun defeated Qisheng’s Kommo-o, while Dawn beat Kate’s Swampert with Piplup’s Z-Move, and both advanced in the elimination tournament. The next day, Xiaoyun began the final elimination round against Xiaoxi, sending out Bloodmoon Bear before his opponent revealed Whimsicott.

• Qisheng’s Kommo-o used Clangorous Soulblaze and attacked Garchomp, but Xiaoyun’s Garchomp used Dragon Dance and Outrage to overwhelm it with Draco Meteor and Dragon Rush.
• The referee declared Kommo-o unable to battle, giving Xiaoyun the win, while Barry, Ash, and Virgil commented on Garchomp’s strength.
• Dawn’s Flygon defeated Kate’s Zebstrika and Ludicolo, but Swampert knocked out Flygon with a super-effective Ice Punch.
• Dawn kept Piplup in battle and used a Z-Move, Hydro Vortex, to engulf and defeat Swampert, advancing to the next round.
• The next day, Xiaoyun entered the final elimination round against Xiaoxi and sent out Bloodmoon Bear, while Xiaoxi chose Whimsicott.

Xiaoxi used Whimsicott and Amoonguss to inflict paralysis and sleep on Xiaoyun’s Pokémon, but Xiaoyun’s Torterra defeated both of them. Xiaoxi sent out Gardevoir, who copied Torterra’s Shell Smash boosts, and the battle continued as Torterra prepared to use Crunch.

• Xiaoxi’s Whimsicott used Substitute, Stun Spore, and Leech Seed to paralyze Bloodmoon Bear, but Xiaoyun withdrew it before Whimsicott could finish it.
• Xiaoxi’s Amoonguss put Bloodmoon Bear to sleep with Spore, then attacked it with Pollen Puff, prompting Xiaoyun to switch in Torterra.
• Torterra defeated Amoonguss by using Earthquake and Thorn Detonation after Amoonguss tried Solar Beam against its thorny restraints.
• Whimsicott returned and used Tailwind, Cotton Spore, and Hurricane, but Torterra used Shell Smash and knocked it out with Wood Hammer.
• Xiaoxi sent out Gardevoir, who used Psych Up to copy Torterra’s Shell Smash stat changes, and Xiaoyun ordered Torterra to attack with Crunch.

Xiaoyun defeated Xiaoxi to advance to the Unova League quarterfinals, and Ash also won his elimination match against Stephan. The next day, the eight quarterfinalists gathered, where Xiaoyun recognized Hilda and Rosa among the newly arrived contestants.

• Gardevoir used Telepathy to evade Torterra's attacks, but Xiaoxi's prepared Future Sight struck Torterra and knocked it out.
• Bloodmoon Bear overwhelmed Gardevoir after using Mind's Eye to block its predictions and landing Blood Moon, earning Xiaoyun a quarterfinal spot.
• Xiaoyun congratulated Dawn and met Barry, then joined the others to watch Ash face Stephan in the final elimination match.
• Krookodile dodged Sawk's Brick Break with Aerial Ace and knocked Sawk out, advancing Ash to the quarterfinals.
• The next day, Xiaoyun saw the eight quarterfinalists gather and recognized two newcomers as Hilda and Rosa.

Ash and Cameron began their six-on-six quarterfinal match on a rock field, where Ash’s Leavanny defeated Cameron’s Ferrothorn but then fell to Samurott. Ash sent out Torkoal to clear Cameron’s Stealth Rock, and the match continued with Samurott poised to attack it at close range.

• Xiaoyun invited Hilda and Rosa to join the quarterfinalists, and Bei Pingchuan eventually joined them too.
• The announced matchups paired Cameron with Ash, Virgil with Rosa, Xiaoyun with Bei Pingchuan, and Dawn with Hilda.
• Freddy O'Martian announced that the quarterfinals would be six-on-six battles, and Cameron and Ash took the field for the first match on a rock battlefield.
• Cameron sent out Ferrothorn, but Ash’s Leavanny bound its vines with String Shot and defeated it with X-Scissor and Leaf Storm.
• Cameron’s Samurott defeated Leavanny with Aqua Jet and Aerial Ace, then Ash sent out Torkoal, which cleared Stealth Rock and struck Samurott with Rapid Spin.
• Cameron ordered Samurott to use Razor Shell against Torkoal at close range.

Ash’s Torkoal defeated Samurott and tied with Chandelure, putting Ash ahead at the midpoint of his battle with Cameron. In the second half, Staraptor and Hydreigon knocked each other out before Gabite defeated Hydreigon; Gabite then faced Cameron’s Swanna as the chapter ended with Swanna preparing to counter Draco Meteor.

• Ash’s Torkoal used Eruption and Burn Up to defeat Samurott, then traded attacks with Cameron’s Chandelure until both Pokémon were unable to battle.
• After the ten-minute break, Cameron sent out Hydreigon and Ash countered with Staraptor.
• Staraptor fought Hydreigon with Aerial Ace, Brave Bird, and Close Combat before Hydreigon’s Dragon Pulse knocked it out.
• Ash sent out Gabite, which used Draco Meteor to defeat Hydreigon; Cameron complained that Ash had launched a sneak attack, and Alder warned him to behave.
• Cameron sent out Swanna, which hit Gabite with Water Pulse before Ash ordered Gabite to use Draco Meteor again.
• Cameron ordered Swanna to dodge the meteors and counter with Brave Bird.

Ash defeated Cameron in the first quarterfinal after Pikachu and Lucario knocked each other out, advancing to the semifinals. The next match began with Virgil facing Rosa, and Virgil switched from Jolteon to Leafeon as their Pokémon exchanged opening attacks.

• Gabite knocked out Cameron's Swanna with Crunch and Draco Meteor, but Lucario then defeated Gabite with Force Palm.
• Pikachu and Lucario traded attacks until Pikachu's Thunder weakened Lucario, and Pikachu's Iron Tail combined with Electro Ball to knock Lucario out as well.
• The referee declared Ash the winner, and Cameron asked him to carry his conviction forward and defeat an unnamed man.
• Virgil and Rosa entered the field for the second quarterfinal, while Hilda encouraged Rosa and confidently anticipated reaching the finals.
• Rosa's Lilligant used Sunny Day, and Virgil's Jolteon used Volt Switch to bring in Leafeon.
• Lilligant's sun-powered Weather Ball met Leafeon's Swift, after which Leafeon used Swords Dance and Rosa ordered Encore followed by Weather Ball.

Virgil and Rosa’s battle continued as Virgil’s Eevee team used Baton Pass and type advantages to take the lead, while Rosa’s remaining Pokémon fought back. With Rosa’s last Pokémon, Serperior, facing Espeon, the chapter ended as their attacks clashed.

• Virgil used Baton Pass to bring in Flareon, whose boosted Flare Blitz knocked out Rosa’s Lilligant.
• Carracosta knocked Flareon away, but Virgil switched in Leafeon; Leafeon and Carracosta later knocked each other out with Solar Blade and Giga Impact.
• Jolteon defeated Rosa’s Conductive Emolga, leaving Rosa three Pokémon down at the end of the first half.
• In the second half, Cinccino knocked out Vaporeon and then took Flareon down with it, tying the teams at four Pokémon each.
• Umbreon trapped Reuniclus with Mean Look, built up three Calm Minds, and knocked it out with Snarl and Dark Pulse.
• Virgil switched Umbreon out for Espeon against Rosa’s Serperior; Espeon’s Stored Power scattered Leaf Storm, and Serperior began using Frenzy Plant.

Virgil defeated Rosa to advance to the semifinals, and Xiaoyun began his quarterfinal match against Bei Pingchuan. Xiaoyun knocked out Bei Pingchuan’s Pangoro and Tyrunt fell to Gallade, leaving Luxray facing Gallade as the battle continued.

• Virgil stopped Rosa’s Serperior with Espeon’s Psychic, and Rosa forfeited the match.
• Dawn, Zoey, Piplup, Shaymin, and Victini cheered for Xiaoyun before his match against Bei Pingchuan began on a grass field.
• Bei Pingchuan’s Pangoro overwhelmed Tyrunt early, but Tyrunt bit onto Pangoro’s fist and fired Draco Meteor, knocking Pangoro out.
• Bei Pingchuan sent out Gallade, which defeated Tyrunt with a three-hit Triple Axel.
• Xiaoyun sent out Luxray and used Electric Terrain; Luxray countered Gallade’s Psycho Cut and Triple Axel with Rising Voltage and Iron Tail.
• Gallade repeatedly escaped Luxray’s attacks with Teleport, and Xiaoyun ordered Luxray to use Ten Thousand Thunderbolts.

Xiaoyun’s Luxray and Lucario defeated Bei Pingchuan’s Gallade and Alolan Marowak, giving Xiaoyun the advantage in the first half. The second half began with Aerodactyl battling Bei Pingchuan’s Charizard, and their clash remained unresolved.

• Bei Pingchuan sent out Alolan Marowak, whose Lightning Rod Ability let it withstand Luxray’s electric attacks and strike back.
• Xiaoyun switched Luxray for Lucario, which countered Marowak’s moves and defeated it with a massive Aura Sphere.
• Barry expected Xiaoyun to win, while Dawn and Zoey warned that Bei Pingchuan’s Kanto Pokémon could make the second half more difficult.
• Xiaoyun sent out Aerodactyl as Bei Pingchuan sent out Charizard, and the Pokémon clashed with fire, stone, and steel attacks.
• Charizard attacked with Dragon Rush, but Aerodactyl blocked the charging dragon with its steel wings, leaving the battle in progress.

Xiaoyun awakened Aerodactyl’s Bond Phenomenon, transforming it into a Dragon-type powerhouse that defeated Charizard and Pidgeot. With Bei Pingchuan down to his final Pokémon, he Mega Evolved Gengar, leaving the battle poised to continue.

• Aerodactyl mocked Charizard until Xiaoyun activated the Power of Overcoming and triggered its Bond Phenomenon, changing its form and typing to Rock and Dragon.
• Aerodactyl blocked Charizard’s Dragon Claw, broke it with its own attack, and defeated Charizard with Dragon Rush.
• Bei Pingchuan sent out Pidgeot, which battled Aerodactyl with Quick Attack, Ancient Power, Aerial Ace, Hurricane, Rock Tomb, and Brave Bird.
• Aerodactyl dodged Pidgeot’s Brave Bird with Acrobatics and knocked it out with Thunder Bagua.
• With only Gengar left, Bei Pingchuan Mega Evolved it as spectators watched.

Xiaoyun defeated Bei Pingchuan’s Gengar with Aerodactyl’s Gaia Energy Cannon, then cheered Dawn on as she began her quarterfinal match against Hilda. Dawn’s Whimsicott gained the upper hand against Hilda’s Braviary, and the chapter ended as Dawn ordered Cotton Spore.

• Bei Pingchuan tried to set up Trick Room, but Aerodactyl’s Taunt interrupted Mega Gengar and Xiaoyun pressed the attack.
• Gengar poisoned Aerodactyl with Toxic, but Xiaoyun ordered Gaia Energy Cannon, which broke through Gengar’s Protect and knocked it out.
• Xiaoyun returned to the stands, embraced Dawn, and cheered as she went to face Hilda in the final quarterfinal match.
• Dawn and Hilda sent out Whimsicott and Braviary on the water field, and Dawn used Tailwind and Cotton Guard to blunt Braviary’s Crush Claw.
• Dawn ordered Whimsicott to use Cotton Spore against Braviary.

Dawn defeated Hilda’s first three Pokémon with Whimsicott, Larvesta, and Pachirisu, taking the first half of their battle. On the new canyon battlefield, Hilda sent out Stoutland while Dawn revealed an unusual-looking Braviary that left Hilda wondering where it came from.

• Dawn’s Whimsicott defeated Hilda’s Braviary with Cotton Spore and Moonblast, then used U-turn to switch in Larvesta against Klinklang.
• Larvesta overcame Klinklang’s attacks and defeated it with Burn Up after Dawn urged it to surpass Xiaojin.
• Hilda’s Accelgor defeated Larvesta with Focus Blast, but Dawn’s Pachirisu used Encore and Electric Terrain to set up Thunder and knock Accelgor out.
• The first half of the match ended with Hilda’s three Pokémon unable to battle, and the canyon battlefield rose for the next round.
• Hilda sent out Stoutland as Dawn brought out an unusual-looking Braviary, prompting Hilda to ask why it looked different.

Dawn’s Braviary defeated most of Hilda’s team before Emboar finally knocked it out. Dawn then Mega Evolved Lopunny for the final matchup, and Lopunny landed a Double Kick that staggered Emboar.

• Freddy O'Martian explained that Dawn’s Braviary was a Psychic-type regional form from ancient Sinnoh, while Hilda’s Stoutland fought it with Thunderbolt and Thunder Fang.
• Dawn’s Braviary used Esper Wing to build speed, but Hilda’s Stoutland used Roar to force it back into its Poké Ball and bring in Mamoswine.
• Dawn’s Mamoswine defeated Stoutland with Frost Fang Ice Break, and Braviary later defeated Hilda’s Mienshao with Brave Bird.
• Hilda’s Emboar defeated Braviary with Flare Blitz, leaving Dawn to send out Lopunny and Mega Evolve it.
• Dawn’s Mega Lopunny met Emboar’s Arm Thrust with Jump Kick, then bound his arms with its ears and struck him twice with Double Kick.

Dawn defeated Hilda to advance to the Vertress Conference semifinals, where she was matched against Ash, while Xiaoyun was set to face Virgil. After Lina arrived to support Xiaoyun but enthusiastically fussed over Dawn instead, Xiaoyun and Virgil began their semifinal battle, with Virgil opening against Xiaoyun's Floatzel.

• Dawn used a second High Jump Kick to defeat Hilda's Emboar and win their quarterfinal match.
• The semifinal matchups were announced: Xiaoyun would face Virgil, and Dawn would face Ash.
• Lina arrived at the contestants' hotel to support Xiaoyun but hugged and celebrated Dawn, leaving Xiaoyun feeling overlooked.
• The Vertress Conference semifinals began, and Xiaoyun and Virgil took the field for their battle.
• Virgil sent out Jolteon against Xiaoyun's Floatzel and ordered Thunder Wave.

Xiaoyun’s disguised Zoroark defeated Virgil’s Jolteon, then battled Umbreon before Floatzel took over and nearly defeated it. Virgil sent out Glaceon against Floatzel, and Xiaoyun switched to Infernape, which Glaceon froze; Xiaoyun then activated Infernape’s Bond Phenomenon.

• Xiaoyun revealed that the apparent Floatzel that defeated Jolteon was Zoroark using its Illusion Ability.
• Zoroark fought Virgil’s Umbreon, but Umbreon’s Calm Mind boosts gave it the upper hand until Zoroark used U-turn to bring in the real Floatzel.
• Floatzel used a powerful waterspout and a triple Ice Blade strike to badly injure Umbreon, which Virgil then replaced with Glaceon using Baton Pass.
• Glaceon summoned snow and used Snow Cloak and Freeze-Dry against Floatzel, prompting Xiaoyun to recall it and send out Infernape.
• Glaceon froze Infernape with Ice Beam, and Xiaoyun activated Infernape’s Bond Phenomenon.

Xiaoyun’s Infernape overwhelmed Virgil’s team with its immense power, but Virgil’s Eevee used surprise attacks to defeat it. Virgil forfeited afterward, satisfied that he had achieved his goal.

• Xiaoyun’s Bond Infernape melted Glaceon’s icy battlefield with Flame Dome and defeated it.
• Infernape defeated Virgil’s Vaporeon by overpowering Hydro Pump and Surf with its fire attacks.
• Virgil’s Flareon used Flash Fire to absorb Infernape’s flames, but Infernape stopped its Flare Blitz with Mach Punch and defeated it with Close Combat.
• Virgil sent out Eevee, which blinded Infernape with Mud-Slap and Sand Rush before striking it with Return and Double-Edge.
• After Eevee knocked Infernape out, Virgil forfeited, satisfied that he had accomplished his goal.

Dawn battled Ash in the second semifinal, defeating his Glalie and Noctowl with Togekiss and Altaria. After Noctowl fell, Ash sent out Corphish, and the chapter ended as Altaria emerged from the mist with Aerial Ace.

• Xiaoyun and Barry traded teasing remarks before Lina told them to watch Dawn and Ash's match.
• Dawn's Togekiss confused Ash's Glalie with Sweet Kiss and knocked it out with Aura Sphere.
• Ash's Noctowl defeated Togekiss with Hypnosis and Extrasensory, then Dawn's Altaria beat Noctowl with Draco Meteor.
• Iris was shocked to learn that Altaria was a Dragon type after Xiaoyun showed her its Pokédex entry.
• Ash sent out Corphish, and Altaria launched Aerial Ace at it after both Pokémon's ranged attacks met in the mist.

Ash and Dawn’s battle continued as Dawn’s Flygon defeated Corphish and Torterra, while Ash’s Sceptile quickly knocked out Flygon. Dawn sent out Gengar, whose Intangibility let it counter Sceptile, and Ash recognized the move from their earlier tournament battle.

• Corphish blocked Altaria’s Aerial Ace, then knocked Altaria out with a Guillotine it learned during the battle.
• Flygon dodged Corphish’s attacks while building power with Dragon Dance, then defeated it with Dragon Tail before its Guillotine could land.
• Torterra used Frenzy Plant and Rock Climb against Flygon, but Flygon won their clash with Dragon Rush and knocked Torterra unconscious.
• Sceptile defeated Flygon with a swift Leaf Blade, and Dawn sent out Gengar to face Ash’s next Pokémon.
• Gengar dodged Sceptile’s Leaf Blade with Intangibility and struck it from behind with Shadow Ball, prompting Ash to recognize the move from their earlier Fighting-type tournament battle.

Ash and Dawn battled through their final Pokémon after Sceptile defeated Gengar and both Sceptile and Mega Lopunny knocked each other out. Ash won when Gabite’s Draco Meteor inexplicably homed in on Piplup’s Iron Head, knocking Piplup out and deciding the match.

• Sceptile used Detect and Night Slash to dodge Gengar’s Ice Punch and knock Gengar out.
• Dawn Mega Evolved Lopunny, and she and Sceptile traded attacks until Leaf Storm and High Jump Kick left both unable to battle.
• Dawn sent out Piplup, while Ash chose Gabite instead of Pikachu.
• Piplup endured Gabite’s Dragon Pulse with Iron Head, leaving its steel-covered head unharmed.
• Gabite’s Draco Meteor projectiles strangely converged on Piplup’s head and knocked Piplup out, giving Ash the victory.

Xiaoyun and Ash began their six-on-six Vertress Conference final, trading Pokémon and powerful attacks as Ash took the first round with Mismagius and Krookodile both being knocked out. Their next Pokémon, Bloodmoon Bear and Tauros, were still battling when Xiaoyun ordered a point-blank Hyper Beam against Tauros's Thrash.

• Xiaoyun and Ash opened the final with Drapion and Torkoal, and Ash's sun-boosted Eruption badly injured Drapion before Xiaoyun switched it out for Mismagius.
• Mismagius interrupted Torkoal's attacks, put it to sleep with Hypnosis, and defeated it with Dream Eater after blocking Ash's attempt to recall it.
• Ash sent out Krookodile, which was poisoned by Drapion's Toxic Spikes, but its Sand Tomb and Sandstorm overwhelmed Mismagius; Krookodile and Mismagius then knocked each other out with their final attacks.
• Xiaoyun sent out Bloodmoon Bear while Ash chose a Tauros, and Krookodile's sandstorm had accidentally swept away the Toxic Spikes.
• Bloodmoon Bear and Tauros exchanged Earthquake attacks, then Tauros charged through Hyper Voice and struck Bloodmoon Bear before both Pokémon were caught in Bloodmoon Bear's Earth Power.
• Ash ordered Tauros to use Thrash, and Xiaoyun answered with a point-blank Hyper Beam aimed at the charging Tauros.

Ash continued his battle against Xiaoyun, defeating Tauros before Sceptile fell to Mega Metagross’s meteor attack. Ash brought out Charizard and Mega Evolved it into Mega Charizard X, leaving the match poised for their clash.

• Ash’s Bloodmoon Bear defeated Tauros with Hyper Beam as Cameron watched in disbelief at Ash’s strength.
• Ash sent out Sceptile against Xiaoyun’s shiny Metagross, which used Gravity and Flash Cannon while Sceptile countered with Solar Beam.
• Mega Metagross summoned a meteor with Gravity and Psychic, but Sceptile split it with Leaf Blade before Metagross drew the fragments back together and knocked Sceptile out.
• Ash recalled Sceptile, then sent out Charizard and Mega Evolved it into Mega Charizard X.
• Xiaoyun ordered Metagross to attack Mega Charizard X with Meteor Mash.