Recaps

Ash’s Charizard defeated Xiaoyun’s Mega Metagross, but Lucario then outlasted Charizard in a fierce battle. Ash sent out Pikachu, whose powerful attacks overwhelmed the exhausted Lucario, leaving the match unresolved as Lucario collapsed.

• Ash’s Charizard broke through Mega Metagross’s Psychic attack with Flare Blitz, and the referee ruled Metagross unable to battle.
• Xiaoyun sent out Lucario, who matched Charizard in close combat and survived his Seismic Toss.
• Lucario struck Charizard with Force Palm, and the referee ruled Charizard unable to battle.
• Ash sent out Pikachu, who countered Lucario’s Aura Sphere with Thunderbolt and followed up with Iron Tail and Electro Ball.
• Lucario answered Pikachu’s attack with Heaven-Pillaring Strike, but his weakened swing failed to stop Pikachu’s electricity, and he collapsed from exhaustion.

Xiaoyun defeated Ash's Pikachu with Sceptile to win the Vertress Conference, then declined a Champion Challenge as the Pokémon World Championships approached. After the celebrations, Virgil left the competition and entrusted Xiaoyun with an Eevee Egg.

• Xiaoyun sent out Sceptile, whose Bond Form withstood Pikachu's Thunderbolt before the two Pokémon battled with powerful attacks.
• Sceptile's Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki overcame Pikachu's High-Voltage Thunder Shock, leaving Pikachu unable to battle and giving Xiaoyun the victory.
• Xiaoyun accepted the Vertress Conference trophy and declined a Champion Challenge, while Charles Goodshow announced that the conference had ended and the World Championships would begin in a month.
• Dawn wondered whether to return to the Contest stage, while Barry, Hilda, Rosa, Virgil, Lina, and Qing'an reacted to Xiaoyun's championship.
• Virgil left to return to his rescue work and gave Xiaoyun an Eevee Egg, which Xiaoyun accepted.

Giovanni launched Team Rocket’s assault on Team Plasma’s base, where Jessie, James, and Meowth led the attack. After Vio arrived to defend the base, Team Rocket deployed the Forces of Nature, and the battle continued with Meowth narrowly protected from Vio’s Pokémon.

• Giovanni ordered an all-out assault on Team Plasma’s headquarters and appointed Meowth commander of the operation.
• Jessie and James led Team Rocket’s troops against Team Plasma’s Electric-type defenders, whose forces were battered by Ground-type attacks.
• Vio arrived with Weavile and Cryogonal, identified himself as one of Team Plasma’s Seven Sages, and challenged the attackers.
• Meowth summoned the Forces of Nature, causing Vio and Team Plasma’s guards to panic as Team Rocket’s morale rose.
• Team Plasma attacked the Legendary Pokémon, but Tornadus’s winds scattered their ranks, and Thundurus blocked Vio’s Ice-type attack aimed at Meowth.

Giovanni led Team Rocket in overpowering Team Plasma and demanded that Ghetsis surrender Reshiram, but Ghetsis released and controlled the White Dragon to fight back. After Reshiram overwhelmed the Forces of Nature, Giovanni used the Reveal Glass to transform them into their Therian Forme.

• Tornadus and Landorus attacked Team Plasma while Ghetsis learned that his base was under assault and went outside.
• Ghetsis found Vio and the other Team Plasma members captured, and Giovanni revealed that Team Rocket had raided the base to take Reshiram.
• Ghetsis refused Giovanni’s demand and ordered Colress to release Reshiram, then used a device to control the legendary Pokémon and direct its Blue Flare at Team Rocket.
• Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus blocked Reshiram’s attack and fought back, but Reshiram’s Fusion Flare blast defeated their combined assault.
• Giovanni brought out the Reveal Glass, and its light transformed the Forces of Nature into their Therian Forme.

Giovanni used the Reveal Glass to transform the Forces of Nature and battle Ghetsis’s boosted Reshiram, but Reshiram’s berserk device pushed it out of control and left it vulnerable. After the Forces of Nature defeated the White Dragon, Team Rocket captured Ghetsis and took over Team Plasma.

• Giovanni sent the Therian Formes of Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus against Reshiram, and their battle wrecked Ghetsis’s headquarters battleship.
• Colress increased the berserk device’s output, temporarily empowering Reshiram, which overwhelmed the Forces of Nature and sent them flying.
• Jessie slapped a jeering Team Plasma member while the battle continued, and Reshiram’s escalating power eventually caused the device to make it lose control.
• Giovanni ordered the Forces of Nature to unleash their strongest attacks, and their combined signature moves defeated Reshiram.
• Ghetsis tried to escape with Electrode, but Jessie’s Frillish stopped their Explosion and James’s Pokémon helped subdue him.
• Giovanni ordered Ghetsis taken into custody and announced that Team Plasma now belonged to Team Rocket.

Xiaoyun and his friends met filmmaker Luke in Virbank City and agreed to help him shoot a film about two Larvesta brothers. After Xiaohong replaced Luke’s Larvesta as the younger brother, Xiaojin and Xiaohong successfully performed a dramatic confrontation, and filming continued.

• Xiaoyun and his friends found Roxie and her punks confronting Luke over a misunderstanding about his film auditions.
• Luke asked Xiaoyun to let his Shiny Larvesta, Xiaojin, star as the older brother in his script, and Xiaoyun agreed to help with the shoot.
• Xiaoyun and Luke struggled to get Xiaojin to act convincingly, so Dawn suggested that her Larvesta, Xiaohong, play the younger brother.
• Luke began filming the Larvesta brothers’ confrontation, and Xiaojin and Xiaohong delivered their roles as the older brother attacked the clan and challenged the younger one to grow stronger.

Xiaojin and Xiaohong improvised a dramatic battle for Luke’s film, and both evolved into Volcarona during the fight. Xiaojin overwhelmed Xiaohong, then pretended to faint so its little brother could claim victory, leaving the crew delighted with the unscripted ending.

• Xiaohong challenged Xiaojin over the slaughter of their clan, and the brothers exchanged powerful attacks while Luke and the crew filmed.
• Xiaojin evolved into a Shiny Volcarona after Xiaohong hit it with Burn Up, then Xiaohong also evolved into Volcarona during their continuing battle.
• Xiaojin used its superior strength and Blazing Flame Sky Soar to defeat Xiaohong, who wondered if it could ever win.
• Xiaojin apologized to Xiaohong, touched heads with it, and pretended to faint so Xiaohong would believe it had won.
• Luke praised the improvised ending as art, while Barry questioned the apparent match-fixing and Xiaoyun accepted the unscripted change.

Team Rocket attacked Opelucid City with a mind-controlled Reshiram, and Giovanni sought the Dark Stone while Drayden fought to protect the city. After Reshiram overwhelmed the city and Drayden was abducted, Xiaoyun learned that Alder planned a League operation against Team Rocket.

• Colress told N that Team Rocket had destroyed Team Plasma, and N asked who was responsible.
• Giovanni directed the trio to use their control device to make Reshiram attack Opelucid City while he searched for the Dark Stone.
• Drayden and Haxorus confronted Reshiram, but the battle escalated when the trio activated Reshiram’s Overdrive Mode and unleashed Blue Flare.
• Xiaoyun heard a news report that Opelucid City had suffered severe damage and Drayden had been abducted by Team Rocket.
• Alder announced that the Pokémon League would organize an operation against Team Rocket.

Xiaoyun joined Alder’s mission to rescue Drayden, while Alder and three Elite Four members encountered Hunter L and seized his battleship. Xiaoyun’s group reached Team Rocket’s headquarters and freed Drayden, only to discover Giovanni had deliberately lured them into an ambush.

• Alder asked Xiaoyun to help rescue Drayden, and Xiaoyun set out for Opelucid City with Dawn, Zoey, and Barry.
• Hunter L tried to rob Alder and the Elite Four, but they defeated his Pokémon and took control of his battleship.
• Zoey used Gallade’s Teleport to bring Xiaoyun’s group into Team Rocket’s headquarters, where Darkrai had cleared the guards from the cells.
• Xiaoyun and his companions opened Drayden’s cell, but Jessie and her teammates revealed that Team Rocket had let them infiltrate on purpose.
• Giovanni appeared and told Xiaoyun that the ambush had been intended for Alder or the Elite Four, leaving Xiaoyun worried about the danger.

Xiaoyun rejected Giovanni and Hunter A’s demands and led his friends into battle against Team Rocket and the hunters. As Dawn, Zoey, and Barry held off the hunters, Xiaoyun sent out Kyurama to face Giovanni.

• Xiaoyun pretended to agree to join Team Rocket, but refused to hand Kyurem over when Giovanni demanded it.
• Hunter A and Hunter J arrived with Hydreigon and Salamence, and both sides launched attacks.
• Dawn defended Xiaoyun and fought Hunter J with Gengar.
• Hunter A battled Xiaoyun’s Darkrai while Bisharp tried to attack Xiaoyun from behind, but Barry blocked it with Empoleon.
• Barry and Zoey teamed up against Hunter A, while Dawn continued fighting Hunter J.
• Xiaoyun sent out Kyurama to join the battle against Giovanni.

Xiaoyun and Kyurem battled Giovanni’s controlled Reshiram and the Forces of Nature, who revealed their Therian Formes and overwhelmed Kyurem with a combined attack. The chapter ended as their energy torrent pressed toward Kyurem after overpowering Ice Burn.

• Giovanni ordered Reshiram to fight Kyurem, and their Blue Flare and Fusion Flare attacks initially ended in draws.
• Xiaoyun ordered White Kyurem to use Ice Burn, which broke through Reshiram’s Fusion Flare, but the Forces of Nature protected Reshiram.
• Giovanni praised Jessie, James, and Meowth, then asked Xiaoyun what he would do next.
• Kyurem resumed the battle alone, and Giovanni used the Reveal Glass to transform the Forces of Nature into their Therian Formes.
• The Forces of Nature and Reshiram combined their attacks against Kyurem, whose Ice Burn was overwhelmed by their energy torrent.

N arrived with Zekrom and asked Giovanni to release the controlled Reshiram, then teamed up with Xiaoyun when Giovanni refused. The battle escalated as Giovanni’s upgraded control devices empowered Reshiram and the Forces of Nature, leaving Zekrom and Kyurem facing renewed opposition.

• N and Zekrom interrupted Giovanni’s fight with Xiaoyun by joining in, and N asked Giovanni to release Reshiram.
• Giovanni refused to hand over Reshiram and offered to trade it only for Zekrom, so N asked Xiaoyun to join forces with him.
• Giovanni ordered Jessie, James, and Meowth to attack Zekrom while Reshiram and the Forces of Nature fought Kyurem.
• Zekrom attacked Reshiram with Fusion Bolt as Kyurem used Blizzard and Ice Burn to overwhelm the Forces of Nature.
• Giovanni had Jessie, James, and Meowth activate their upgraded control devices, strengthening Reshiram and the Forces of Nature until Zekrom was driven down and Kyurem’s fight became even.

Kyurem absorbed Zekrom’s power and transformed into Black Kyurem, overwhelming Giovanni’s forces in a clash of attacks. Giovanni’s plan collapsed as Reshiram and the Forces of Nature were defeated, while Dawn continued fighting Hunter J with Victini and Shaymin’s support.

• Xiaoyun summoned Sceptile, Suicune, and Zeraora as Kyurem revealed that it could become stronger by absorbing Zekrom.
• Kyurem trapped Zekrom in an ice cocoon, drained its power, and fused with it to become Black Kyurem.
• Hunter A sent Krookodile and Mandibuzz against Barry and Zoey, who answered with Skarmory and Absol.
• Dawn summoned Victini and Shaymin, whose healing and support helped her gain the advantage over Hunter J.
• Giovanni ordered Reshiram and the Forces of Nature to unleash their strongest attacks on Black Kyurem.
• Black Kyurem used Freeze Shock to break through their combined attacks and defeat them, leaving Giovanni to admit defeat.

Xiaoyun stopped Giovanni’s Mega Beedrill with Sceptile’s new move, Divine Departure, while the hunters and Giovanni’s forces surrendered or fled. After Zekrom emerged from its fusion with Kyurem, the Pokémon League arrived to arrest the remaining enemies, and Alder praised Xiaoyun for defeating the base’s defenders.

• Shadow Darkrai defeated Hydreigon, while Dawn’s Pokémon and Victini brought down Hunter J’s escape attempt, prompting Hunter A to surrender.
• Giovanni sent Beedrill against Black Kyurem, then Mega Evolved it and ordered it to attack again.
• Xiaoyun empowered Sceptile with Darkrai’s power and used Divine Departure to shatter Mega Beedrill’s Mega Evolution and defeat it.
• Giovanni ordered a retreat under cover of Yamask’s Haze, and Xiaoyun stopped Barry from pursuing the fleeing trio.
• Black Kyurem split apart, releasing an exhausted Zekrom, while the hunters who remained surrendered.
• The Pokémon League arrived, and Alder praised Xiaoyun for taking down the enemy base as Marshal, Grimsley, and Shauntal admired his achievement.

Xiaoyun and his friends arrived in Driftveil City for the all-region Driftveil Tournament and reunited with Ash, Brock, May, Misty, and other competitors. Trip challenged Xiaoyun after studying his battles, but a cold purple-haired boy interrupted him.

• The Pokémon League sentenced Ghetsis and Hunter A and Hunter J to life imprisonment, exiled Hunter L to Alola, and N dissolved Team Plasma while Colress founded the Plasma Research Institute.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, Barry, Zoey, and their companions arrived in Driftveil City and checked in for the tournament.
• Ash reunited with Xiaoyun and introduced Brock, May, Max, Iris, Cilan, and Misty, while Max boasted that his father Norman would win the tournament.
• Misty revealed that Kanto competitors included Sabrina, Lt. Surge, Bruno, and Lorelei, leaving Barry dismayed by the tournament's strength.
• Trip told Xiaoyun that he had studied his battles and prepared counters for his Pokémon, then vowed to defeat him.
• A purple-haired boy appeared behind Trip and contemptuously questioned whether Trip was worthy.

Paul returned from Kalos and reunited with Xiaoyun before Alder stopped Trip from provoking him. At the World Championships opening ceremony, Alder announced the tournament rules, and the contestants learned their randomly assigned first-round opponents.

• Paul arrived in Driftveil City, ignored Trip's challenge, and caught up with Xiaoyun, while Trip grew furious at being dismissed.
• Alder restrained Trip and urged the young Trainers to stay focused; Trip left vowing to defeat Alder, Xiaoyun, and Paul.
• Dawn worried about the tournament, and Xiaoyun comforted her and encouraged her Coordinator ambitions.
• Alder opened the World Championships with the Unova Elite Four present and announced a 128-contestant elimination round with one-on-one battles, followed by two-on-two matches through the quarterfinals.
• Barry discovered that his first opponent was Brock, Dawn drew Johto Gym Leader Jasmine, and Xiaoyun drew Galar Gym Leader Bea.

At the Pokémon World Championships, Ash defeated Lt. Surge’s Raichu with Pikachu, demonstrating how much they had grown. The next match began with Barry’s Empoleon facing Brock’s Steelix, and Brock’s Iron Tail was closing in on Empoleon as Barry ordered Hydro Pump.

• Xiaoyun met Volkner, spoke with Paul, and greeted Max, Norman, and a poised woman in the competitors’ waiting area.
• Ash and Lt. Surge began their one-Pokémon battle, with Lt. Surge sending out Raichu against Ash’s Pikachu.
• Pikachu overpowered Raichu’s attacks and knocked it out with a feinting Iron Tail, earning Ash the victory.
• Barry faced Brock in the fourth match, sending out Empoleon against Brock’s Steelix.
• Brock’s Steelix attacked with Stone Edge and Earthquake before aiming Iron Tail at airborne Empoleon, and Barry ordered Hydro Pump.

Barry defeated Brock with Empoleon’s Z-Move, then Misty beat May in the tournament’s twelfth match. Xiaoyun’s match against Bea began next, with Bea insisting that every battle deserved her full effort.

• Barry used Empoleon’s Corkscrew Crash to defeat Brock’s Steelix and win their match.
• May sent out Blaziken against Misty’s Gyarados and used the battlefield’s steam to launch a series of attacks.
• Misty turned the tide with Hurricane and Hyper Beam, knocking out Blaziken and winning the match.
• Xiaoyun was called to face Bea, and Bea declared that she would take the battle seriously despite being a newly appointed Gym Leader.

Xiaoyun’s Lucario battled Bea’s Machamp until Bea used Gigantamax, prompting Xiaoyun to Mega Evolve Lucario. Lucario survived Machamp’s Max Moves, countered with Heaven-Pillaring Strike and Aura Sphere, and defeated Machamp, leaving Xiaoyun the winner.

• Xiaoyun sent Lucario against Bea’s Machamp, and Lucario gained the advantage with Bone Rush, Force Palm, and Aura Sphere.
• Bea recalled Machamp despite the one-on-one rules, then used Gigantamax to transform it into a towering Dynamax Pokémon.
• Machamp struck Lucario with Max Steelspike, but Lucario broke through the steel energy and Mega Evolved.
• Lucario’s Big Ball Aura Sphere failed to break Machamp’s Max Guard, and Bea prepared Machamp’s powerful G-Max attack.
• Mega Lucario met Machamp’s golden attack with Heaven-Pillaring Strike, then knocked it out with a point-blank Aura Sphere.

Dawn defeated Jasmine’s Ampharos with Xiaohong the Volcarona and advanced, while Paul revealed his Mega Aggron in his battle against Trip. Mega Aggron overwhelmed Serperior, and the match continued with Trip struggling to damage it.

• Dawn’s Xiaohong defeated Jasmine’s Ampharos after strengthening itself with Quiver Dance and landing a Flare Blitz, advancing Dawn in the tournament.
• Paul faced Trip, who vowed to defeat him before challenging Xiaoyun, and the two sent out Aggron and Serperior.
• Paul Mega Evolved Aggron, whose imposing form made Trip realize he faced a powerful opponent.
• Serperior’s Leaf Blade failed to hurt Mega Aggron, and Aggron resisted Serperior’s Bind before striking it with Iron Tail.
• Trip ordered Serperior to counter with Leaf Blade, but Mega Aggron’s Iron Tail sent Serperior flying and badly hurt its tail.

Paul defeated Trip in the round of 128 and criticized his shallow battling, then Xiaoyun began his round-of-64 match against Clair. Xiaoyun’s Serperior turned Clair’s Flamethrower against her with a strengthened Leaf Storm, leaving Druddigon under attack.

• Paul’s Mega Aggron defeated Trip’s Serperior, and Paul rebuked Trip for relying on strength and failing to adapt his strategy.
• Paul told Barry and Xiaoyun that Steven had given him his Mega Stone, then admitted he had wanted to teach his old self a lesson.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, Barry, Paul, Ash, Misty, and the others advanced to the round of 64, where Xiaoyun drew Clair as his opponent.
• Clair sent out her Shiny Druddigon against Xiaoyun’s Serperior, and their Pokémon traded Dragon- and Grass-type attacks.
• Clair ordered Druddigon to use Flamethrower, but Serperior redirected the flames with Leaf Storm and then unleashed an even stronger storm that overwhelmed Druddigon.

Xiaoyun defeated Clair in a Dragon-type battle after Serperior and Garchomp overcame Dragonite. Dawn and Paul also won their matches, and the chapter ended as Norman and Barry were introduced for the next battle.

• Xiaoyun's Serperior defeated Clair's Druddigon with boosted Leaf Storm, but Dragonite defeated Serperior with Extreme Speed and Fire Punch.
• Xiaoyun sent out Garchomp, which matched Dragonite's Dragon Dance and defeated it with Dragon Rush after emerging from Dig.
• Dawn's Flygon swept a Hoenn Coordinator's Tropius and Shiftry.
• Paul's Nidoking and Electivire defeated Brycen's Beartic and Darmanitan, respectively.
• The next day, Norman and Barry were announced as the next competitors.

Norman defeated Barry’s Heracross and Empoleon with Slaking, ending Barry’s tournament run in the top 64. Ash and Pikachu pressed Nessa’s Drednaw before it Gigantamaxed, and the battle remained unresolved as Nessa ordered Max Rockfall.

• Norman’s Slaking knocked out Barry’s Heracross with Counter after enduring its attacks.
• Barry’s Empoleon used a Z-Move, but Slaking defeated it with Hammer Arm, ending Barry’s run in the top 64.
• Ash’s Pikachu dominated Nessa’s Drednaw with its speed and attacks until Nessa Dynamaxed it into its Gigantamax form.
• Gigantamax Drednaw sent Pikachu flying with Max Darkness, but Pikachu recovered and struck back with Thunderbolt.
• Nessa ordered Gigantamax Drednaw to use Max Rockfall as the battle continued.

Ash defeated Nessa in the Round of 64, then learned that he would face Misty in the Round of 32. Their battle began the next day, and after Misty’s Politoed froze Totodile, Ash sent out Squirtle.

• Pikachu split Nessa’s Max Rockfall with Iron Tail, struck Drednaw, and ended Ash’s match against Nessa.
• At dinner, the group reviewed the Round of 32 matchups, and Ash learned he would battle Misty while Xiaoyun would face Long Yu.
• Ash and Misty began their match with Totodile and Politoed, whose Drizzle Ability brought heavy rain.
• Totodile overcame Politoed’s Scary Face, bit its Aqua Tail, and landed a Hydro Pump before Misty ordered Politoed to use Belly Drum.
• Politoed froze Totodile with Ice Punch, so Ash recalled it and sent out Squirtle.

Ash defeated Misty after Squirtle beat Politoed and survived Psyduck’s terrifying psychic rampage, while Misty forfeited once Psyduck returned to normal. The next round-of-32 match began with Dawn facing the Masked Royal, whose Incineroar battled her Volcarona, Xiaohong.

• Misty’s Politoed froze Squirtle’s Water Pulse, but Ash used Hydro Pump to create an opening for Rocket Headbutt, which knocked Politoed out.
• Misty’s Psyduck emerged and used Water Gun, then its head was struck and it unleashed powerful Confusion that chased Squirtle across the field.
• Ash had Squirtle use Water Gun on Psyduck’s face, restoring it to its usual dazed state, and Misty forfeited the match to Ash.
• Dawn faced the Masked Royal in the round of 32, and both trainers sent out their Fire-type Pokémon: Incineroar and Dawn’s Volcarona, Xiaohong.
• The Masked Royal ordered Incineroar to use Flamethrower, but Dawn’s Xiaohong answered with Fiery Dance and drew the flames into a vortex.
• The Masked Royal ordered Incineroar to break through the fire vortex with Darkest Lariat.