Recaps

Xiaoyun faced Wulfric in an inspector assessment battle, defeating Sandslash with Sylveon before sending Tyrantrum against Aurorus. Tyrantrum and Aurorus both fainted after a brutal close-range endurance contest, leaving the match tied and Wulfric bewildered.

• Xiaoyun used Sylveon to defeat Wulfric's Alolan Sandslash by exploiting its sensing ribbons and chaining Disarming Voice into Moonblast.
• Wulfric sent out Aurorus, whose hail-boosted Hyper Voice overpowered Sylveon's, prompting Xiaoyun to recall it and choose Tyrantrum.
• Xiaoyun's Tyrantrum disrupted Aurorus's attacks with Head Smash, then endured Freeze-Dry while biting Aurorus with Crunch.
• Tyrantrum and Aurorus continued their endurance contest until both fainted, and Wulfric wondered what kind of assessment battle he had just fought.

Xiaoyun defeated Wulfric’s Mega Abomasnow with Kingambit and passed the Gym evaluation, while Serena earned her eighth Badge. The group arrived in Lumiose City for the Master Class Pokémon Showcase, where Dawn reunited with Shauna.

• Xiaoyun’s Sylveon was frozen by Mega Abomasnow’s Blizzard, so he sent out Kingambit, which overcame Abomasnow with Kowtow Cleave and a three-blade combination attack.
• Wulfric accepted his defeat, and Xiaoyun announced that Wulfric had passed his Gym evaluation.
• Serena defeated Wulfric’s Avalugg in her Gym challenge and earned the Iceberg Badge, completing her set of eight Badges.
• The group traveled to Lumiose City, where Serena prepared for the Master Class Showcase and Ash considered looking for battle facilities.
• Shauna rushed up to Dawn, hugged her, and said she was excited to compete alongside her in the Master Class.

Dawn reunited with Shauna, Miette, and Emilia ahead of the Pokémon Showcase Master Class, while Serena revealed she had earned eight Gym Badges. Emilia declared that she would claim the Kalos Queen title, and the chapter ended with the others reassessing Serena as a serious competitor.

• Shauna happily greeted Dawn and questioned Serena about competing after she had switched to challenging Gyms.
• Miette offered Dawn homemade Poffins, and Dawn praised their taste.
• Emilia arrived with her Shiny Dragonair, traded barbs with Xiaoyun, and challenged Dawn to avoid elimination in the first round.
• Emilia questioned Serena's experience, and Ash defended her by revealing that she had earned eight Gym Badges.
• Shauna, Miette, and Emilia reacted with surprise and respect to Serena's achievement.

At the Lumiose City Pokémon Showcase Master Class opening ceremony, Aria welcomed the contestants and Pierre explained the competition rules. Serena lost the first round to Jessie Lina, who advanced with an unconventional dance performance.

• Pierre opened the Master Class and introduced Palermo, Aria, and the other judges.
• Aria gave the opening address, while Dawn discussed the challenge of facing the reigning Kalos Queen with Xiaoyun.
• Pierre announced the three-round freestyle competition and the final showdown against Aria for the Kalos Queen title.
• Serena, Xinli, and Jessie Lina performed in the first group; Serena used Delphox's Mystical Fire, Xinli created ice sculptures with Glaceon, and Jessie and Meowth danced.
• The judges chose Jessie Lina to advance, and Ash comforted Serena after her loss.

Dawn advanced through two rounds of the Pokémon performance competition with Piplup’s dazzling bubble routine and Altaria’s moving song and dance. After breaking the scoring record again, she left Miette eager to sing her song.

• Dawn used Piplup’s Bubble Beam, Whirlpool, and Peck to create a rainbow crystal staircase and a spectacular finish, earning the highest score in her group.
• Dawn and Emilia praised each other’s Pokémon after Dawn advanced, while Emilia blushed and hurried away.
• Dawn entered the second round with Miette and a girl using Cinccino, then performed with Altaria.
• Dawn sang while Altaria used Dragon Dance as a gentle, rhythmic performance, deeply moving the audience and judges.
• Dawn broke the scoring record and advanced with a nearly perfect score, then gave Miette permission to sing her song.

Shauna regained her confidence with Dawn’s encouragement and delivered a polished flower-themed performance with Ivysaur and Flabébé at Glory Plaza. Her performance earned strong applause, and the final competition continued with Dawn and Jessie still to perform.

• Shauna worried that Dawn’s singing had made her own chances hopeless until Dawn reminded her of the memories she wanted to make with her Pokémon.
• Shauna resolved to enjoy the stage with her partners, while Jessie planned a fierce, avant-garde performance with Meowth and Gourgeist.
• Pierre introduced Shauna as the first contestant in the final round, and she took the stage with Ivysaur and Flabébé.
• Shauna combined Petal Dance, Razor Leaf, Sweet Scent, and Vine Whip to create a flower whirlwind that settled into a giant woven basket.
• Aria and Palermo praised Shauna’s polished performance, and Dawn congratulated her as she left the stage.

Jessie Lina delivered a bizarre, off-key performance before Dawn stunned the audience with a spectacular routine featuring Gengar and Aegislash. Dawn won an overwhelming lead and advanced to the finals, where Aria anticipated facing her.

• Jessie Lina used Gourgeist's Will-O-Wisp, Meowth's smoke bombs and attacks, and her singing to create an eerie, chaotic performance that left the audience and judges speechless.
• The judges offered Jessie cautious praise, stopped her from singing another song, and sent her backstage before introducing Dawn as the final contestant.
• Dawn used Gengar's Trick Room and Shadow Ball alongside Blue-Gray's King's Shield and Sacred Sword to create a royal tableau of ghostly phantoms bowing to a glowing crest.
• The audience and judges erupted in applause, while Ash, Serena, Bonnie, Shauna, Miette, Emilia, and Jessie reacted to Dawn's performance.
• Dawn advanced to the finals by an overwhelming lead, and Aria watched her with the resolve to face her as her final opponent.

Dawn defeated Aria in the Pokémon Showcase Master Class with a performance recreating the scenery of Sinnoh and was crowned the new Kalos Queen. Aria accepted the loss, and the two became friends as Aria decided to travel to Sinnoh and explore Pokémon Contests.

• Dawn recovered backstage after her exhausting performance and felt satisfied that she had shown she could return to the Contest stage.
• Aria performed with Delphox, Aromatisse, and Vivillon, using Mega Evolution and Psychic to create a dreamlike world that earned a long ovation.
• Dawn performed with Shaymin, Floette, and Diancie, recreating Sinnoh’s landscapes in a presentation called “Light of Sinnoh.”
• The audience vote gave Dawn 68 percent of the support and Aria 32 percent, making Dawn the new Kalos Queen.
• Aria crowned Dawn, accepted her defeat, and decided to travel to Sinnoh to seek inspiration and try Pokémon Contests.

Xiaoyun and Dawn returned to Lumiose City for the Kalos League Conference, where Barry welcomed them and led them to the competitors’ hotel. They found Zoey waiting there after winning the Grand Festival, and her threat to claim Dawn as her roommate made Xiaoyun apologize immediately.

• Xiaoyun woke Dawn as their flight landed in Lumiose City, and Barry greeted them at the airport with a teasing sign.
• Barry said he had won fifteen of his seventeen Battle Café matches and took Xiaoyun and Dawn to the competitors’ hotel, while Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie headed elsewhere.
• Nurse Joy recognized Dawn as the new Kalos Queen and asked for her autograph.
• Zoey surprised Dawn at the hotel and announced that she had won the Grand Festival and become a Top Coordinator.
• After Xiaoyun taunted Zoey about not facing May, Zoey declared that Dawn was hers and that she would share Dawn’s room, so Xiaoyun bowed and apologized to her.

After Zoey joined Dawn and Xiaoyun’s travels in Kalos, she challenged Xiaoyun to a battle to test their strength. Greninja countered Zoey’s Mega Starmie’s type advantage, and the chapter ended with Mega Starmie showing off its unusual new form.

• Zoey told Dawn and Xiaoyun she had come to Kalos to learn and decided to travel with Dawn.
• At the hotel training grounds, Zoey challenged Xiaoyun to a battle, requiring him to use a Kalos-caught Pokémon and no Legendary Pokémon.
• Zoey sent out Starmie, while Xiaoyun chose his Shiny Greninja.
• Starmie attacked with Power Gem, Rapid Spin, and Thunder, but Greninja used Double Team and Protean to avoid the lightning.
• Zoey Mega Evolved Starmie, revealing its long-legged form as Dawn, Barry, and Xiaoyun reacted with surprise.

Xiaoyun defeated Zoey’s Mega Starmie with Bond Greninja before the friends attended the Lumiose Conference opening ceremony. The chapter ended as Xiaoyun, introduced as the previous championship winner and a Pokémon League Inspector, prepared to battle Kalos Champion Diantha in a three-on-three exhibition match.

• Xiaoyun activated Bond Greninja, whose Water Shuriken shattered Mega Starmie’s Liquidation blades.
• Zoey’s Starmie used Bulk Up and stretched its arms with Waterfall to strike Greninja, but Greninja countered with Protean and Night Slash, defeating Starmie.
• Dawn ended the battle, and Zoey announced she would share a bed with Dawn while Barry asked Xiaoyun to be his roommate.
• At the Lumiose Conference opening ceremony, Diantha appeared with Elite Four members Malva and Drasna, and the contestants watched from the stands.
• The host introduced Xiaoyun as the previous championship winner and Pokémon League Inspector, then announced his three-on-three exhibition match against Diantha.
• Diantha and Xiaoyun took their positions and exchanged polite remarks before preparing to begin their battle.

Xiaoyun's Raging Bolt defeated Diantha's Goodra in three minutes, after which Gouging Fire took its place against Delphox. Delphox's boosted psychic attacks buried Gouging Fire, but it emerged unharmed as Diantha ordered another full-power Psychic.

• Diantha sent out Goodra, while Xiaoyun opened with the unfamiliar Ancient Legendary Beast Raging Bolt.
• Goodra used Rain Dance and Aqua Ring to weather Raging Bolt's Thunders, but Raging Bolt defeated it with a Zap Cannon that shattered Protect.
• Diantha sent out Delphox, and Xiaoyun replaced Raging Bolt with Gouging Fire.
• Gouging Fire absorbed Delphox's Fire Blast with Burning Bulwark and traded attacks with her before she boosted her power with Nasty Plot.
• Delphox struck Gouging Fire with Psyshock and Psychic, burying him under rocks, but Gouging Fire burst free and Diantha ordered another maximum-output Psychic.

Xiaoyun’s Walking Wake battled Diantha’s Mega Gardevoir after his first two Pokémon defeated Delphox and another of Diantha’s mainstays. Xiaoyun proposed ending the exhibition match as a draw, Diantha accepted, and the Lumiose Conference was set to begin.

• Gouging Fire broke through Delphox’s Light Screen and defeated it with Dragon Claw, giving Xiaoyun two consecutive wins.
• Diantha sent out Gardevoir and Mega Evolved it, while Xiaoyun brought out Walking Wake as his third Pokémon.
• Walking Wake and Mega Gardevoir exchanged powerful attacks, with Diantha’s Pokémon landing Hypnosis, Hyper Voice, and Future Sight to badly damage Walking Wake.
• Xiaoyun suggested ending the exhibition match because both sides had spent considerable stamina, and Diantha agreed to a draw.
• The crowd applauded the battle, while the Trainers reflected on the contest and the Lumiose Conference prepared to begin.

Dawn’s Samurott defeated Lin Yi’s Alolan Ninetales and Lapras with a series of precise counterattacks and Spikes, but Lin Yi’s boosted Cloyster battered Samurott with Icicle Spear and Rock Blast. Samurott fell into the river channel severely injured, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved.

• Dawn opened the three-on-three match by sending out Samurott against Lin Yi’s Alolan Ninetales, whose Snow Warning brought snow to the field.
• Samurott interrupted Ninetales’ Blizzard, laid Spikes with Ceaseless Edge, and defeated it with Sacred Sword.
• Lin Yi sent out Lapras, which took Spikes damage, and Dawn’s Samurott used Aqua Jet to turn Lapras’ Blizzard into a frozen projectile before knocking it out with Sacred Sword.
• Lin Yi’s final Pokémon, Cloyster, took Spikes damage and used Shell Smash to boost its offense and speed.
• Cloyster struck Samurott with a barrage of Icicle Spear and Rock Blast, forcing it into the river channel with severe injuries.

Dawn defeated Lin Yi by using Pachirisu’s Swagger to confuse Cloyster before striking it with Thunder. Barry then gained the lead against Fang Yuan, whose Infernape and Toxicroak both fell to Empoleon.

• Dawn sent out Pachirisu, which used Swagger to confuse Cloyster and make it attack wildly.
• Dawn ordered Pachirisu to hit Cloyster with a full-power Thunder, knocking it out and winning her match against Lin Yi.
• Dawn returned to the stands, where Xiaoyun praised her and Zoey bought chips from James.
• Barry began his match against Fang Yuan with Empoleon, which defeated Fang Yuan’s Infernape with Hydro Cannon.
• Fang Yuan’s Toxicroak fought Empoleon at close range, but Barry baited it into a full-power Wave Crash that knocked it out.

Barry defeated Fang Yuan’s Mega Kangaskhan with Empoleon’s Steel-type Z-Move, then several other trainers advanced before Trevor faced Alain in the tournament. The chapter left Trevor’s newly revived Aerodactyl facing Alain, whose strength remained unknown.

• Fang Yuan Mega Evolved Kangaskhan, and the mother-and-child pair pressured Barry’s Empoleon with coordinated attacks.
• Barry used Empoleon’s Corkscrew Crash to knock Kangaskhan unconscious and win the battle.
• Sawyer and Tierno won their matches, while Trip swept his opponent with Serperior and advanced.
• Trevor took the field against Alain and sent out his recently revived Aerodactyl.

Alain’s Charizard defeated Trevor’s three Pokémon, including Mega Charizard Y, in a decisive battle at the Pokémon League Conference. As Alain left the field, Ash prepared to face Tom Sawyer.

• Alain’s Charizard defeated Trevor’s Aerodactyl with Dragon Claw and Flamethrower.
• Charizard defeated Trevor’s Kabutops with Flamethrower and Dragon Rush.
• Trevor Mega Evolved his final Charizard into Mega Charizard Y, and Alain answered by Mega Evolving his Charizard into Mega Charizard X.
• Alain’s Charizard used a water screen to obscure the field, then interrupted Fire Blast and knocked Mega Charizard Y out of the battle.
• Alain left after Trevor’s defeat, while Serena, Tierno, Xiaoyun, and Ash reacted to the match.
• The announcer called Ash from Pallet Town to battle Tom Sawyer from Coumarine City, and Ash headed out with Pikachu.

Ash swept Tom Sawyer’s team of three with Bond Greninja in the Lumiose Conference Round of 32. The next day, Dawn began her battle against Bai Hao by sending out Whimsicott against his Excadrill.

• Ash activated Bond Greninja to evade Altaria’s Draco Meteor and knock her out with a powerful Water Shuriken.
• Ash-Greninja defeated Tom Sawyer’s Heliolisk and Furfrou, securing Ash an overwhelming one-on-three victory.
• The first elimination round ended, reducing the Lumiose Conference field from 64 competitors to 32.
• The next day, Dawn faced Kanto Trainer Bai Hao in the Round of 32, and Bai Hao opened with Excadrill on a rocky battlefield.
• Dawn sent out Whimsicott, prompting Xiaoyun to remark that it was very considerate while Barry questioned her choice.

Dawn used Whimsicott’s Taunt and defensive tactics to defeat Bai Hao’s Excadrill, then withdrew the battered Whimsicott and brought out Togekiss. Togekiss beat Greninja, but Greninja set up Rain Dance before it fainted, and Bai Hao sent out Raichu to exploit the rain.

• Dawn’s Whimsicott used Taunt to stop Excadrill from setting up Sandstorm or Swords Dance, then slowed it with Cotton Spore and absorbed Crush Claw with Cotton Guard.
• Whimsicott countered Excadrill’s Scorching Sands with Moonblast, then charged and fired Solar Beam before finishing Excadrill with another Moonblast.
• Bai Hao sent out Greninja, whose Ice Beam and Dark Pulse wore Whimsicott down, so Dawn recalled it and sent out Togekiss.
• Togekiss used Ancient Power to blunt Greninja’s Ice Beam, then split another Ice Beam with Air Slash after Ancient Power boosted its stats.
• Togekiss defeated Greninja with Brave Bird, but Greninja used Rain Dance just before fainting.
• Bai Hao sent out Raichu, intending to use the rain to his advantage.

Dawn defeated Bai Hao after Mega Raichu Y’s Electric attacks failed against Flygon, while Serena began her rocky-field match by overpowering Swanna with Rhydon before Umbreon wore Rhydon down. The battle ended with Rhydon collapsing, leaving Serena to continue with her remaining Pokémon.

• Bai Hao Mega Evolved Raichu into Y form and used Thunder to bombard Dawn’s Togekiss, who survived behind Protect.
• Dawn replaced Togekiss with Flygon, whose Ground typing made it immune to Raichu’s Electric attacks; Flygon then defeated Raichu with Draco Meteor after their Hyper Beam clash.
• Serena sent Rhydon against A Qing’s Swanna and used Rock Tomb, a rock shield, and Hammer Arm to defeat it despite Rhydon’s Water weakness.
• A Qing sent out Umbreon, which interrupted Rhydon’s attacks with Sucker Punch and repeatedly struck it with Dark Pulse until Rhydon collapsed.

Serena defeated A Qing and advanced to the top 16, where the Trainers learned their next matchups. Dawn and Serena were paired against each other, and the chapter ended as the round of sixteen began with Barry facing Ayaka.

• Serena used Pangoro to defeat A Qing's Umbreon, then sent out Clawitzer to defeat Scolipede and secure her place in the top 16.
• Serena returned to the stands, where Dawn congratulated her and the group discussed Serena's tactics and Xiaoyun's psychological training methods.
• The tournament announced the round-of-16 pairings, matching Barry with Ayaka; Barry apologized to Ayaka after she caught him insulting her.
• Sawyer drew Tierno, Ash drew Makoto Yuki, and Dawn was paired against Serena.
• The next day, the round of sixteen began with Barry versus Ayaka as the opening match.

Barry defeated Ayaka in a fierce final battle between Mega Chesnaught and Mega Absol by secretly recovering with Synthesis while pretending to be unable to stand. After the match, Ayaka demanded Barry’s contact number and introduced herself before leaving.

• Barry and Ayaka’s Pyroar and Hitmonlee knocked each other out, leaving their final Pokémon to decide the battle.
• Ayaka Mega Evolved Absol, and Barry answered by Mega Evolving Chesnaught as they traded attacks across the field.
• Absol and Chesnaught landed powerful finishing blows on each other, and both Mega Evolutions ended as they collapsed.
• Absol briefly stood before falling, while Chesnaught secretly used Synthesis and then rose, allowing the referee to award Barry the win.
• Ayaka took Barry’s contact number, told him her name, and left him bewildered.

Sawyer defeated Tierno after Mega Sceptile broke through Mega Blastoise’s attacks and finished it with a close-range Iai Slash combined with Leaf Blade. The next round-of-sixteen matchup, Dawn versus Serena, began as their friends debated the likely winner and placed bets.

• Zoey, Dawn, and Xiaoyun reacted with surprise when Ayaka asked Barry for his contact information, while Bonnie misunderstood how Barry had made a new friend.
• Sawyer and Tierno began their round-of-sixteen battle on a rugged wilderness field, with Tierno’s Mega Blastoise facing Sawyer’s final Pokémon, Mega Sceptile.
• Mega Blastoise used Shell Smash to power up Dragon Pulse and break through Sceptile’s Frenzy Plant and Dragon Pulse, leaving Sceptile badly hurt.
• Sawyer sent Sceptile rushing through Blastoise’s next Dragon Pulse with Detect, then used a close-range Iai Slash combined with Leaf Blade to defeat Blastoise and win.
• After the battlefield changed to a forest, Dawn and Serena took their places for the next match, while Ash, Barry, Zoey, Clemont, and Bonnie chose sides and bet on the result.

Dawn and Serena began their battle, with Dawn’s Dragalge and Aegislash defeating Serena’s Vivillon before Serena sent out Rhydon. Serena cleared Dawn’s Toxic Spikes and counterattacked, leaving the poisoned Rhydon charging at Aegislash with Megahorn as the chapter ended.

• Barry and Zoey teased Xiaoyun for not cheering loudly enough for Dawn.
• Dawn sent out Dragalge and Serena sent out Vivillon, which boosted itself with Quiver Dance before battling with Hurricane and Bug Buzz.
• Dawn switched Dragalge out for her Shiny Aegislash, Blue-Gray, which blocked Hurricane with King's Shield and defeated Vivillon with Shadow Sneak and Sacred Sword.
• Serena sent out Rhydon, which was poisoned by the Toxic Spikes on the field, then used Earthquake to clear them.
• Serena had Rhydon strike Blue-Gray with Bulldoze and pressure it with Rock Blast before ordering Megahorn.

Dawn defeated Serena in their League battle after both trainers Mega Evolved their final Pokémon. Dawn advanced, while Serena left the match pleased with how far she had come.

• Dawn recalled Blue-Gray after Rhydon fainted, and Serena sent out Delphox while Dawn chose her Red Gyarados.
• Serena and Dawn Mega Evolved their Pokémon, then traded Fire-type attacks as the forest battlefield caught fire.
• Serena used Delphox's Psychic power to break apart Gyarados's Surf and followed with Dazzling Gleam, while Gyarados countered with Crunch.
• Serena's Burn Up overpowered Gyarados's Fire Blast, but Dawn redirected Surf into the clash and created a steam explosion that knocked Delphox out.
• The referee declared Dawn the winner, and Serena congratulated her in the competitors' passageway before blushing as she thought of Ash.