Recaps

As Groudon and Kyogre’s battle threatened Rustboro City, Xiaoyun forced Lysandre to join Steven’s team, and the group set out to stop the two Ancient Pokémon. Steven’s opening attack on Kyogre barely provoked it, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Lysandre reported that Groudon and Kyogre were approaching Rustboro City, and Steven volunteered to stop them.
• Xiaoyun agreed to accompany Steven and pressured Lysandre into coming along as well.
• Groudon and Kyogre collided offshore and exchanged devastating attacks that transformed the sea and sky.
• Steven assigned Alain and Paul to intercept Kyogre while Xiaoyun, Lysandre, and Dawn faced Groudon.
• Alain and Paul moved to attack Kyogre, while Steven Mega Evolved Metagross and struck Kyogre with Meteor Mash.
• Kyogre staggered from Steven’s blow but remained largely unharmed, and Steven realized the attack had only provoked it.

Alain, Paul, and Steven fought Primal Kyogre, whose power forced them to coordinate and defend against its devastating attacks. Elsewhere, Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Lysandre confronted Groudon with their Pokémon, and the chapter ended as their opening attack collided with Groudon’s Eruption.

• Alain’s Charizard attacked Kyogre with Flamethrower, but Kyogre’s Primordial Sea nullified the move and sent Charizard flying with a tail strike.
• Paul used Electivire and Torterra to hit Kyogre with Thunder, Frenzy Plant, and Wild Charge, while Steven’s Metagross followed with Flash Cannon.
• Kyogre knocked Charizard away with Water Spout and unleashed Origin Pulse, which Alain, Paul, and Steven barely managed to withstand together.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Lysandre took their positions against Groudon, and Xiaoyun summoned Gouging Fire, Walking Wake, and Raging Bolt.
• Lysandre brought out Pyroar, while Dawn prepared Diancie and Floette for battle.
• Xiaoyun ordered the three Ancient Legendary Beasts to use Dragon Pulse, and Groudon answered with Eruption, causing a massive explosion when the attacks collided.

Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Lysandre fought Primal Reversion Groudon until Kyogre broke through the defensive line and struck it, escalating the clash between the two deities. The Mega Evolution Giant Rock appeared, and Mega Rayquaza arrived and overwhelmed both Groudon and Kyogre.

• Xiaoyun coordinated attacks from Walking Wake, Gouging Fire, and Raging Bolt while Lysandre sent Pyroar into the fight and Dawn Mega Evolved Diancie to block Groudon’s Precipice Blade.
• Kyogre broke through the defenders, struck Groudon with Mud Shot and a tail slap, and sent it crashing into the sea.
• Groudon erupted from the water in fury, and the Mega Evolution Giant Rock appeared as Lysandre anticipated the next phase of his plan.
• Mega Rayquaza descended, stopped Groudon and Kyogre, and battered both with Draco Meteor and Dragon Ascent.

Xiaoyun stole the Mega Evolution Giant Rock from Lysandre and sent an enraged Mewtwo to fight Rayquaza. As the battle moved into space, Groudon and Kyogre escaped, ending the crisis in Hoenn while Lysandre was left defeated and empty-handed.

• Lysandre launched flashbangs and a capture net to seize the giant rock, but Xiaoyun used Sceptile and Darkrai to send it through a spatial gate to the Tree of Beginning.
• After Claire reported that the rock had vanished, Lysandre blamed Rayquaza and ordered Mega Gyarados and Pyroar to attack it.
• Mewtwo demanded a battle after sensing the rock's power, so Xiaoyun brought Mega Mewtwo X to the battlefield and pointed it toward Rayquaza.
• Mega Mewtwo X struck Rayquaza, and the two fought in outer space after Rayquaza used Dragon Ascent to leave the planet.
• Kyogre fled into the ocean and Groudon walked away as the crisis ended, leaving Lysandre defeated and the giant rock missing.

After the Hoenn battle, Xiaoyun and Dawn reunited with May and met her traveling companion Drew in Rustboro City. Their meal was interrupted by Steven and Wallace, whose arrival excited May and Drew.

• Xiaoyun spoke with Mewtwo and Z2 through the Power of Overcoming, and Z2 said it could not Mega Evolve while its other half and core were missing.
• Dawn told Xiaoyun that May and Wallace had arrived in Rustboro City, and they hurried to meet them at the Pokémon Center.
• May reunited with Dawn and introduced Drew, while Dawn and Xiaoyun teased the pair about their close relationship.
• The group shared a meal, where Dawn described balancing Gym battles with Pokémon Showcases and May praised her determination.
• Steven and Wallace arrived at the restaurant, and May and Drew eagerly greeted Wallace.

Dawn challenged Wallace to a Contest battle and narrowly lost after Diancie Mega Evolved and fought Milotic to a standstill. Wallace then revealed plans for a new worldwide Pokémon World Championships ranking system, leaving Xiaoyun and the others discussing its divisions and entry requirements.

• Wallace and Steven joined Xiaoyun, Dawn, May, and Drew for a meal, where Dawn stood and challenged Wallace to a battle under Pokémon Contest rules.
• At Rustboro City's public battlefield, Dawn sent out Diancie against Wallace's Milotic, and Wallace used elegant Contest techniques to counter her attacks.
• Dawn Mega Evolved Diancie, and the two Pokémon traded powerful moves until Milotic exploited an opening and won by a narrow margin.
• Wallace praised Dawn's performance and then announced that the Pokémon World Championships would return with regional divisions and a worldwide ranking system.
• Steven and Wallace explained that the Galar and Kalos divisions would have different regional memberships, while Trainers needed to reach Great Ball Rank to qualify for the Masters Eight.
• Xiaoyun explained that unregistered Trainers would not appear in the rankings, prompting Drew to question whether Nurse Joy could battle.

Xiaoyun and his companions learned their initial rankings in the new Trainer competition, and he qualified for the Kalos division with a rank of 10 in Great Ball tier. In Laverre City, Dawn accepted a last-minute role in Valerie’s fashion show, and the chapter ended as Sawyer joined Xiaoyun in the audience, waiting to see her walk the runway.

• Rotom revealed Dawn’s Great Ball rank was 108, May’s was 856, and Xiaoyun’s was 10, while Steven and Wallace had to start from scratch.
• Wallace explained that Great Ball-tier Trainers could challenge higher-ranked contestants for a large number of points, and Dawn joked about asking Xiaoyun to lose to her.
• Steven backed out of a potential battle with Xiaoyun to inspect rare volcanic rocks, while Wallace left to handle League business and promised to face Xiaoyun at the championship.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn arrived in Laverre City, but Valerie’s staff told them the Gym was closed to challenges because she was preparing a fashion show.
• Keiko recruited Dawn to replace a missing model, and Valerie coached Dawn in runway walking and posture.
• Sawyer met Xiaoyun at the fashion show and asked where Dawn was, and Xiaoyun pointed him toward the runway.

Dawn modeled in Valerie’s fashion show, then accepted Valerie’s invitation to battle on the runway. Dawn sent out Diancie against Valerie’s Sylveon, and the fight continued as Sylveon’s boosted Dazzling Gleam shattered Diancie’s Light Screen.

• Valerie led the fashion show, and Dawn made a striking appearance in a sunset-themed kimono, drawing admiration from the audience and Xiaoyun.
• Dawn stopped in front of Xiaoyun, who complimented her, and she admitted that walking the runway felt strange.
• Valerie invited Dawn to battle in order to showcase her designs, and Dawn accepted while Sawyer’s request for a Gym battle went unanswered.
• Dawn sent out Diancie against Valerie’s Sylveon in a one-on-one battle, astonishing the audience with the rare Mythical Pokémon.
• Dawn and Diancie countered Sylveon’s attacks with Diamond Storm, Ancient Power, and Light Screen, while Valerie set Misty Terrain and boosted Sylveon’s Dazzling Gleam until it broke the barrier.

Dawn defeated Valerie at the Laverre Gym and earned the Fairy Badge, then she and Xiaoyun returned the next morning to watch Sawyer battle Valerie. Sawyer’s Clawitzer fell to Sylveon, but his newly evolved Sceptile defeated Sylveon, leaving the match poised for Sawyer’s comeback victory.

• Dawn’s Diancie defeated Valerie’s Sylveon with Diamond Storm, earning Dawn the Fairy Badge.
• Dawn showed Xiaoyun her Badge, and the two shared an affectionate moment as Sawyer quietly stepped away.
• The next morning, Xiaoyun and Dawn arrived at the Gym and watched Sawyer battle Valerie with Clawitzer against Sylveon.
• Valerie’s Sylveon defeated Sawyer’s Clawitzer with Misty Terrain-boosted Moonblast.
• Sawyer sent out his evolved Sceptile, which struck Sylveon with Leaf Blade and then overwhelmed it with Energy Ball after Valerie ordered Calm Mind.

Sawyer defeated Valerie’s Spritzee by breaking Trick Room and earned a Badge. Xiaoyun then began his Gym inspection battle against Valerie, where Sylveon defeated Mr. Mime with a concealed Dig and Shadow Ball.

• Valerie’s Spritzee used Trick Room to overcome Sceptile’s speed, but Sawyer had Sceptile break the field with X-Scissor and win with Frenzy Plant.
• Sawyer received a Badge from Valerie, and Dawn explained that Xiaoyun had come to assess her qualifications as a Gym Leader.
• Valerie sent out Mr. Mime, while Xiaoyun chose his newly evolved Sylveon for their two-on-two battle.
• Mr. Mime repeatedly raised Light Screens to block Sylveon’s boosted Dazzling Gleam, while Valerie counterattacked with Psychic.
• Sylveon used Dazzling Gleam as a feint, approached with Dig, then knocked Mr. Mime out with a close-range Shadow Ball.

Xiaoyun defeated Valerie’s Mega Mawile with Sirfetch’d’s Meteor Assault and approved Laverre Gym’s assessment. Days later, Xiaoyun and Dawn checked into the Time Hotel, where an elevator malfunction opened onto a bustling, newly restored version of the lobby.

• Xiaoyun’s Sylveon lost to Valerie’s Mawile, so he sent out Sirfetch’d to continue the battle.
• Valerie Mega Evolved Mawile, but Xiaoyun used Sirfetch’d’s tactics and Meteor Assault to defeat it.
• Xiaoyun declared that Valerie had passed Laverre Gym’s assessment, and Valerie treated the group to desserts.
• After resting in Laverre City and traveling for several days, Xiaoyun and Dawn checked into the Time Hotel for the night.
• The elevator jolted and stopped, then opened to reveal a brightly lit lobby filled with guests and restored furnishings.

Xiaoyun and Dawn discovered that Rotom had drawn them into a past scene to seek help saving its owner's hotel from Akun. Xiaoyun defeated Akun's Krookodile with Frogadier, and Frogadier evolved into Greninja as Akun tried to leave.

• Darkrai explained that Rotom's powerful lingering attachment had overlaid a scene from the past onto reality, and Z2 sensed that Rotom wanted their help.
• Akun threatened to take the hotel or the guests' Pokémon through battles, so Xiaoyun challenged him and wagered that Akun would work for the owner if he lost.
• Xiaoyun used Frogadier to outmaneuver Krookodile with Double Team, Water Pulse, Ice Beam, Aerial Ace, and Waterfall, then defeated it with a falling pillar.
• Akun recalled Krookodile and tried to leave with his lackeys, but Frogadier began evolving into Greninja.

Xiaoyun’s newly evolved Shiny Greninja defeated Akun and then battled Siebold in a three-on-three match, which continued through Greninja and Sirfetch'd before Torterra defeated Clawitzer. Siebold sent out Mega Blastoise, and Xiaoyun awakened Bond Phenomenon in Torterra as their final battle began.

• Greninja evolved, and Xiaoyun stopped Akun from fleeing by making him agree to work at the hotel.
• Siebold revealed that he was a Kalos Region Elite Four member and challenged Xiaoyun to a three-on-three battle.
• Greninja and Siebold’s Barbaracle fought to a draw after both Pokémon fell unable to battle.
• Siebold’s Clawitzer battered Sirfetch'd and knocked it out, but Xiaoyun’s Torterra defeated Clawitzer with Frenzy Plant.
• Siebold Mega Evolved his Blastoise, and Xiaoyun activated Bond Phenomenon with Torterra, transforming it.

Xiaoyun defeated Siebold’s Mega Blastoise with Bond Torterra in a climactic battle, winning the tournament at the timeworn establishment. After leaving the elevator, the group found Akun working as a waiter and saw the owner greeting guests beneath their newly taken commemorative photo.

• Siebold’s Mega Blastoise battered Torterra with Water Pulse and Dragon Pulse, but Grassy Terrain and Torterra’s healing kept it standing.
• Xiaoyun had Torterra unleash Deep Forest Emergence, overwhelming Blastoise with huge vines and trapping it.
• Xiaoyun’s Torterra struck Blastoise with Wood Hammer, knocking it out and securing Xiaoyun’s victory.
• Xiaoyun and Siebold agreed to take a commemorative photo with the owner and the gathered travelers.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Siebold left through the elevator and found Akun serving as the establishment’s head waiter.
• Akun led them toward the restaurant while the owner greeted guests beneath the photo on the lobby wall.

Xiaoyun’s Dratini evolved into Dragonair after eating Dawn’s ice cream, and he met Emilia, a wealthy Trainer with a Shiny Dragonair. When Dawn returned and caught Emilia teasing Xiaoyun, the argument escalated, and Xiaoyun defended Dawn by snapping at Emilia.

• Dawn and Xiaoyun relaxed in Fengxu Town while preparing for the Pokémon Showcase, and Dawn shared her Snow Breeze ice cream with him.
• Dratini ate the leftover ice cream and evolved into Dragonair in front of Xiaoyun.
• Emilia arrived with her Shiny Dragonair, introduced herself to Xiaoyun, and discussed how to raise Dragonair.
• Dawn returned and became jealous when Xiaoyun and Emilia were talking and their Dragonair were affectionate with each other.
• Emilia teased Dawn by calling Xiaoyun handsome, and Xiaoyun finally snapped at Emilia in Dawn’s defense.

Xiaoyun defended Dawn from Emilia’s advances, and the two women faced each other again at the Fleurrh Showcase. The first round began with a Snowbreeze ice cream theme, and Miette and Slurpuff prepared their dessert as Dawn and Emilia watched.

• Xiaoyun told Emilia to leave and insisted Dawn had done nothing wrong, prompting Emilia to storm off with her Shiny Dragonair.
• Dawn teased Xiaoyun about meeting Emilia, then accepted his candy and went with him to get more ice cream.
• At the Showcase venue, Emilia confronted Dawn, and Miette mistakenly believed Xiaoyun was two-timing Dawn and urged her to leave him.
• Pierre opened the Fleurrh Showcase and announced that the first round was a themed performance featuring Snowbreeze ice cream.
• Miette and Slurpuff worked together to whip, flavor, and shape their ice cream into decorated heart and star molds.

Dawn and her Pokémon impressed the judges and audience at the Fleurrh Showcase, where she won her third Princess Key with a theatrical battle performance. Miette and Emilia congratulated her, and Dawn looked ahead to the Master Class.

• Miette and Emilia advanced after impressing the judges with their Pokémon-assisted ice cream creations, and Dawn advanced with Blue-Gray’s sword-themed dessert.
• Miette and Emilia performed graceful routines with their Pokémon in the freestyle round.
• Dawn staged a dramatic battle in which Blue-Gray defended her from Red Gyarados and defeated it with a golden phantom sword.
• Dawn won the audience vote and secured the Fleurrh Showcase’s Princess Key, her third.
• Miette praised Dawn’s performance, while Emilia acknowledged Dawn’s victory and vowed to compete again.

Dawn and Xiaoyun encountered Trip in Frost Cavern, where Trip challenged Xiaoyun to a battle after learning his high Championships ranking. Greninja gained the upper hand against Trip’s Abomasnow, and the chapter ended with Trip believing Sheer Cold had frozen Greninja before Xiaoyun revealed it had vanished.

• Dawn and Xiaoyun rode Dawn’s Mamoswine through the deep snow and entered Frost Cavern, where they found Trip with an Abomasnow.
• Xiaoyun teased Trip into revealing that he was searching for Abomasnow’s Mega Stone, then accepted Trip’s battle challenge.
• Rotom announced the one-on-one match, revealing that Xiaoyun ranked tenth in the Great Ball Tier, Trip ranked 586th, and Dawn ranked 108th.
• Trip sent out Abomasnow and used Snow Warning, while Xiaoyun called on his Shiny Greninja.
• Greninja countered Abomasnow’s Blizzard with an ice shield, then used Double Team, Water Shuriken, and close-range attacks to overwhelm it.
• Trip ordered Abomasnow to use Sheer Cold, which appeared to freeze Greninja, but the ice sculpture was empty as Xiaoyun asked what had made Trip think he could defeat Greninja.

Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Trip defeated a wild Abomasnow and discovered that Team Flare was capturing its group. They freed the Pokémon and cornered Mable, who tried to buy her escape with an Abomasnow Mega Stone, but Xiaoyun demanded everything instead.

• Xiaoyun explained that Greninja had used Double Team, Haze, and Protean to deceive Trip, then healed Trip's Abomasnow with Shaymin.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn battled a wild Abomasnow, and Shaymin learned that humans had been capturing its group.
• The group found Mable and Team Flare holding several Abomasnow in cages, and Mable ordered her subordinates to release them after recognizing Xiaoyun.
• Z2 tried to stop Mable from leaving, so Xiaoyun blocked the escape route with Tyrantrum.
• Mable offered Xiaoyun an Abomasnow Mega Stone in exchange for her escape, but Xiaoyun said he would take both the stone and everything else.

Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Trip defeated Mable and Team Flare in Frost Cavern, then parted ways with Trip and reached Anistar City. When Carrie attacked them at the sundial, Olympia intervened and asked them to forgive her pupil.

• Xiaoyun and Trip fought Mable and her Pokémon while Dawn and Z2 helped defeat Team Flare’s reinforcements.
• Xiaoyun’s Tyrantrum defeated Mega Houndoom, and Z2 subdued the other Pokémon, leaving Mable to surrender.
• Xiaoyun returned Trip’s Abomasnow Mega Stone and left Mable for Officer Jenny; he and Dawn later parted from Trip and continued to Anistar City.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn visited Anistar City’s sundial, where Carrie launched a Shadow Ball at them and began battling Xiaoyun’s Dragonair.
• Olympia arrived as Dragonair prepared another attack and apologized for Carrie, asking Xiaoyun and Dawn to let the incident go.

Xiaoyun and Dawn settled the Anistar Gym incident, defeated Olympia’s Meowstic in a Double Battle, and Dawn earned the Psychic Badge. They then followed Z2 into Terminus Cave, where they found Team Flare’s Aliana battling Ash and Pikachu as Z2’s other half drew closer.

• Olympia apologized for Carrie’s attack by giving Xiaoyun a Dragonium Z-Crystal and explaining that Carrie had misunderstood a prophecy about him.
• Olympia divined that Dawn’s future lay on a dazzling stage but could only tell Xiaoyun that he was very strong.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn challenged Olympia together, and their Dragonair and Gyarados overcame the two Meowstic after Gyarados Mega Evolved and defeated the male Meowstic with Hyper Beam.
• Dawn accepted the Psychic Badge, bringing her collection to seven, and she and Xiaoyun continued their journey to Terminus Cave.
• Z2 sensed its other half nearby and rushed toward sounds of battle, prompting Xiaoyun and Dawn to follow.
• Aliana used Bronzong’s Light Screen to block Pikachu’s Thunderbolt while battling Ash in the cave.

Ash and his friends fought Team Flare to protect Squishy, whom the officers wanted to capture as a research specimen. When Squishy saw them risking themselves for it, it released its power and transformed into Zygarde’s 50% Forme.

• Ash’s Pikachu defeated Aliana’s Honchkrow, then struck Mightyena with Iron Tail as Team Flare’s officers attacked Bonnie and Squishy.
• Serena’s Delphox and Clemont’s Luxray blocked Liepard’s and Manectric’s attacks while Bonnie stood in front of Squishy and refused to hand it over.
• Xerosic claimed Squishy was an important research specimen, but Ash and Bonnie rejected Team Flare’s demand to take their partner.
• Aliana’s Bronzong overwhelmed Pikachu’s Electro Ball, but Serena’s Pangoro struck Bronzong away with Arm Thrust.
• Ash, Serena, and Clemont fought Team Flare’s Pokémon as Squishy resolved to protect them and drew on its power.
• Squishy unleashed a green shock wave and transformed into Zygarde’s 50% Forme.

Bonnie's Squishy transformed into its powerful king serpent form and helped Ash's group fight Team Flare, while Xerosic's energy absorption device weakened it. Team Rocket arrived and Wobbuffet reflected the attackers' moves, but Team Flare escalated to weapons, leaving the battle in chaos.

• Squishy transformed into its king serpent form and used Land's Wrath to blast Team Flare's Pokémon and members.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Z2 watched the battle from behind a rock while Z2 delayed acting to test the humans.
• Ash, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and Squishy fought back, but Xerosic deployed a device that drained energy from Squishy.
• Team Rocket appeared, and Wobbuffet reflected the executives' combined attacks, injuring Team Flare and disrupting their formation.
• Xerosic ordered Team Flare to abandon battling and fire weapons at Team Rocket, forcing Jessie, James, and Meowth to scramble for cover.

Z2 arrived in time to free Squishy from Team Flare’s restraints, and Xiaoyun and Dawn joined the battle. Xiaoyun’s Bisharp faced Hunter K’s Pawniard and Bisharp squad, where it began overpowering them one by one.

• Hunter K used a petrifying beam while Aliana and Bryony restrained Squishy with electrified chains, leaving Squishy weakened and trapped.
• Z2 emerged, attacked Team Flare with Thousand Arrows, and asked Xiaoyun and Dawn to take over the fight.
• Sceptile cut through the restraint anchors while Dawn, Ash, Serena, and the others fought Team Flare’s Pokémon, allowing Bonnie to comfort Squishy.
• Xiaoyun confronted Hunter K, and Sceptile defeated Hunter K’s Bisharp before Xiaoyun called out his own Bisharp to face the Pawniard and Bisharp squad.
• Xiaoyun’s Bisharp struck down several opponents with Sucker Punch, Metal Claws, and Iron Head while Sceptile watched approvingly.

Xiaoyun and his allies defeated Team Flare’s forces after Bisharp evolved into Kingambit and unleashed its powerful moves. Hunter K and two executives were captured, while Xerosic and Bryony escaped with Zygarde research data, prompting Lysandre to redirect Team Flare’s plans toward Xerneas and Y God.

• Bisharp evolved into Kingambit during the battle, then defeated the opposing Pokémon with Kowtow Cleave and Thousand-Blade Shattering Strike.
• Sceptile destroyed Hunter K’s petrification cannon, and Hunter K surrendered to Xiaoyun.
• Xerosic escaped with Team Flare’s research data, Bryony fled, and Dawn and Ash captured Aliana and Claire.
• Squishy and Z2 reconciled over the humans’ actions, while Xiaoyun thanked his allies and Kingambit honored Sceptile.
• At Team Flare headquarters, Xerosic and Bryony blamed the defeat on Zygarde, Xiaoyun, and Hunter K’s surrender, while presenting the research data to Lysandre.
• Lysandre ordered Team Flare to seek Xerneas and Y God and use them to reshape the planet.