Recaps

Dawn faced Wallace in the round-of-sixteen finale, sending out Shaymin, which transformed into Sky Forme with a Gracidea Flower. Wallace’s Politoed gained the upper hand with rain-boosted attacks, and the battle left both Pokémon battered, with Shaymin unconscious and Politoed still standing.

• Zoey predicted Wallace would win, while Ash and Serena encouraged Dawn and Xiaoyun watched anxiously.
• Wallace sent out Politoed, whose Drizzle ability brought rain, and Dawn revealed Shaymin as her Pokémon.
• Dawn gave Shaymin a Gracidea Flower, transforming it into Sky Forme before the battle began.
• Politoed used rain-boosted attacks and Earth Power to pressure Shaymin, which countered with Energy Ball, Leaf Storm, and Seed Flare.
• Shaymin charged into Politoed’s Whirlpool and unleashed an explosion that damaged both Pokémon; Shaymin collapsed unconscious while Politoed remained standing.

Dawn’s Diancie defeated Wallace’s Politoed and Ludicolo, but Wallace sent out his signature Pokémon, Milotic, and overwhelmed Diancie with Surf followed by Waterfall. The attack left Diancie swallowed by the waves and slammed into the ground.

• After Shaymin lost to Politoed, Dawn sent out Diancie to continue the battle against Wallace.
• Diancie defeated Politoed with Diamond Storm after countering its attacks with Stone Edge and Moonblast.
• Wallace sent out Ludicolo, which used its rain-boosted speed and Blizzard against Diancie.
• Diancie Mega Evolved and defeated Ludicolo with Holy Diamond, putting Dawn two Pokémon ahead.
• Wallace sent out Milotic, which swallowed Diancie’s weakened Diamond Storm with Surf and then struck it down with Waterfall.

Dawn and Piplup faced Wallace’s Milotic in the final battle, showing their bond and strength despite losing. Afterward, Xiaoyun comforted Dawn, while Piplup found itself caught between them.

• Dawn sent out Piplup as her final Pokémon, and she and Piplup declared their resolve to finish the match together.
• Piplup used Iron Head and Dawn’s Ice Storm combination to withstand Milotic’s Ice Beam, Surf, and Waterfall.
• Dawn and Piplup unleashed a Z-Move that struck Milotic, but Aqua Ring healed Milotic enough to remain standing as Piplup collapsed.
• The referee declared Wallace the winner, and Wallace praised Dawn and her Pokémon after the crowd applauded their performance.
• Xiaoyun met Dawn in the competitors' tunnel, praised her battle, and embraced her and Piplup as Dawn cried with relief.

Xiaoyun faced Tobias in the quarterfinals and defeated his Regice with Walking Wake’s boosted Water Steam and a barrage of Draco Meteor. Tobias sent out Heatran as the battle continued.

• The quarterfinal matchups paired Xiaoyun against Tobias, Wallace against Norman, Steven against Paul, and Diantha against Ash.
• Xiaoyun and Tobias traded taunts before Tobias opened with Regice and Xiaoyun chose Walking Wake.
• Xiaoyun ordered Walking Wake to use Sunny Day, then its boosted Water Steam overcame Regice’s Blizzard and struck it hard.
• Tobias used Lock-On and Zap Cannon, but Walking Wake’s horizontally fired Draco Meteor overwhelmed the attack and knocked out Regice.
• Tobias recalled Regice and sent out Heatran as his next Pokémon.

Tobias's Mega Heatran fell to Xiaoyun's Gouging Fire, and Tobias sent out Darkrai before Mega Evolving it. The chapter ended with Mega Darkrai launching Dark Void at Xiaoyun and his Darkrai.

• Tobias Mega Evolved Heatran, but Walking Wake could not withstand its Magma Storm and Xiaoyun recalled it.
• Xiaoyun sent out Gouging Fire, which absorbed Heatran's Magma Storm with Burning Bulwark and combined Flare Blitz with Dragon Rush to defeat Mega Heatran.
• Tobias brought out Darkrai, and Xiaoyun answered with his own Darkrai, whose presence revived Tobias's memories of being beaten by it.
• Tobias Mega Evolved his Darkrai into a tentacled, giant-eyed form, and Xiaoyun and his Darkrai reacted with disgust.
• Tobias ordered Mega Darkrai to use Dark Void, and it formed a spinning black hole that began pulling everything toward it.

Xiaoyun’s Darkrai defeated Tobias’s Mega Darkrai by revealing its Shadow Form and overpowering its attacks. After the battle, Xiaoyun caught Jessie, James, and Meowth running an unlicensed snack business, but they fled before he could stop them.

• Tobias’s Mega Darkrai overwhelmed Xiaoyun’s Darkrai with a barrage of Shadow Balls and Dark Pulse, but Xiaoyun’s Darkrai transformed into its Shadow Form.
• Shadow Darkrai cleaved Tobias’s Dark Void apart with Shadow Slash and used Shadow Force to suppress Mega Darkrai’s growing attack.
• Shadow Darkrai pierced the unstable Dark Void with a shadow arrow, blasted Mega Darkrai, and won the battle as Tobias realized the gap between them had widened.
• Dawn told Barry that a Meowth had sold her snacks, while Jessie, James, and Meowth counted the 200,000 Pokémon League Coins they had earned.
• Xiaoyun found Jessie, James, and Meowth in the competitors’ passage and asked whether they had a business license, prompting the trio to flee and leave their merchandise behind.

Norman faced Hoenn Champion Wallace in a battle that exposed Wallace’s deceptive tactics and the power of his Pokémon. After Slaking defeated Gyarados, Wallace’s Milotic trapped Slaking in a powerful combination of Surf and Twister, leaving Norman struggling to respond.

• Norman sent out Exploud, but Wallace’s Gyarados endured its attacks and knocked it out with Aqua Tail.
• Norman’s Linoone used Extreme Speed to strike Gyarados repeatedly, but Wallace had anticipated its approach and caught it with Ice Fang, knocking it out.
• Norman sent out Slaking, which tanked Gyarados’s Waterfall and then defeated it with Hammer Arm during its active turn.
• Wallace sent out Milotic, whose Surf and Waterfall combination was frozen by Slaking’s Blizzard before Slaking fell asleep from Truant.
• Milotic struck sleeping Slaking with Aqua Tail, but Slaking retaliated with Counter; Milotic softened the blow with Aqua Ring and recovered from its injuries.
• Wallace combined Milotic’s Surf and Twister to form a massive waterspout that shredded Slaking’s Blizzard and trapped Slaking in its currents.

Wallace defeated Norman before Steven defeated Paul in a hard-fought battle at the Lumiose City Stadium. Steven advanced, while Diantha prepared to face Ash next.

• Wallace defeated Norman when Slaking was knocked unconscious, and Norman invited Wallace to share drinks the next time he visited Petalburg City.
• Steven defeated Paul's Metagross with Cradily, then won their Aggron clash after both Pokémon used Mega Evolution.
• Paul's Electivire battled Steven's Aggron, and their Z-Move and Head Smash collision knocked both Pokémon out, giving Steven the victory because he had one Pokémon left.
• Steven praised Paul's growth, and Paul vowed to keep improving.
• Cynthia and Diantha praised Paul, and Diantha said she looked forward to facing Ash.

Ash faced Diantha in the final quarterfinal match and used Charizard in an unconventional battle against her Aurorus. Charizard lifted Aurorus during Blizzard and slammed it into the battlefield, leaving Aurorus sprawled in a crater while Charizard caught his breath.

• Ash received encouragement from Serena, Iris, and Xiaoyun before entering the battlefield to face Diantha.
• Diantha sent out Aurorus, whose Snow Warning brought snow to the field, and Ash answered with Charizard.
• Charizard's Fire Blast was blocked by Light Screen, and he charged through Ancient Power before Aurorus unleashed Blizzard.
• Ash ordered Seismic Toss, and Charizard forced his way through the blizzard, grabbed Aurorus, and lifted it into the air.
• Aurorus's Ice Beam went wild as it panicked at the height, and Charizard hurled it into the ground, creating a crater.

Ash battled Diantha in a Kalos stadium, losing Charizard after Gourgeist stole its Evolution Stone and then drawing with her Gourgeist when Pikachu and Gourgeist knocked each other out. The battle ended with Ash checking on Pikachu.

• Diantha sent out a Super Size Gourgeist, which ambushed Charizard with Shadow Sneak after Ash's Fire Blast.
• Ash tried to Mega Evolve Charizard but discovered Gourgeist had stolen Charizard's Evolution Stone with Thief.
• Diantha kept the stone and used Shadow Ball and Shadow Sneak to defeat Charizard.
• Ash sent out Pikachu, who struck Gourgeist with powerful Thunderbolts, but Gourgeist used Pain Split to recover while weakening Pikachu.
• Ash ordered Pikachu to combine Iron Tail and Electro Ball, but Diantha commanded Gourgeist to use Explosion, knocking both Pokémon out.
• Ash picked up Pikachu and asked if he was okay.

Ash and Greninja pushed Diantha and Mega Gardevoir to their limits in a fierce final battle, but Diantha ultimately won. Afterward, Ash asked Diantha to return Charizard’s Mega Stone, catching her off guard.

• Diantha sent out Gardevoir, and Ash answered with Greninja, which transformed through the Bond Phenomenon into Ash-Greninja.
• Greninja broke through Gardevoir’s defenses with Iai Slash and launched a Golden Water Shuriken as Diantha Mega Evolved Gardevoir.
• Mega Gardevoir combined Moonblast and Hyper Voice to destroy the Golden Water Shuriken, and Greninja was unable to battle.
• Ash and Diantha praised each other after the match, with Diantha admitting that Ash had made her feel pressured.
• Diantha mistook Ash’s request for an autograph, but Ash clarified that he wanted Charizard’s Mega Stone back.

Xiaoyun faced Wallace in the first semifinal and sent out Zeraora against Wallace’s Gyarados. After Zeraora established Electric Terrain and attacked at high speed, Wallace Mega Evolved Gyarados to block a Thunder Punch, leaving the battle poised to continue.

• Xiaoyun and Wallace met in the semifinal arena, where Wallace admitted he would rather not face the Trainer who had demonstrated his strength against Tobias.
• Wallace sent out Gyarados, and Xiaoyun answered with Zeraora, drawing the crowd’s surprise at another Legendary Pokémon.
• Xiaoyun ordered Discharge, but Wallace had Gyarados use Stone Edge to block the attack.
• Xiaoyun used Thunder to establish Electric Terrain, then sent Zeraora’s boosted Discharge against Gyarados, which again countered with Stone Edge.
• Xiaoyun sent Zeraora rushing around Gyarados with Thunder Punch, but Wallace Mega Evolved Gyarados and the transformation’s light blocked the strike.

Xiaoyun’s Zeraora defeated Wallace’s Mega Gyarados and Whiscash, then transformed into Mega Zeraora for the battle against Milotic. Wallace prepared for an endurance fight with Aqua Ring, but Xiaoyun ordered Zeraora to attack with Thunder.

• Zeraora grabbed Mega Gyarados by its horns and defeated it with a point-blank Discharge.
• Wallace sent out Whiscash, whose Ground typing blocked Zeraora’s Electric attacks and let it gain the advantage with Earthquake, Mud Shot, and Take Down.
• Zeraora used Plasma Fists to turn Whiscash’s Take Down into an Electric-type move, restoring its stamina with Volt Absorb before defeating Whiscash with Close Combat.
• Wallace sent out Milotic as his final Pokémon, and Xiaoyun activated the Power of Overcoming to transform Zeraora into Mega Zeraora.
• Wallace ordered Milotic to use Aqua Ring, but Xiaoyun called for Mega Zeraora to attack with Thunder.

Xiaoyun defeated Wallace in the semifinals after Zeraora broke through Milotic’s healing and landed Thunder Half-Moon Slash. He advanced to the finals, where Steven or Diantha awaited, and Wallace asked him to fight Steven just as fiercely if they met.

• Xiaoyun switched Zeraora from ranged attacks to close combat, and Zeraora struck Milotic with Plasma Fists and Wild Charge despite being injured.
• Wallace used Recover and Aqua Ring to heal Milotic, but Xiaoyun ordered Zeraora to break through Milotic’s Blizzard with Thunder.
• Zeraora emerged from the smoke wielding an electric guandao and knocked Milotic unconscious with Thunder Half-Moon Slash, winning Xiaoyun the match.
• Wallace congratulated Xiaoyun and asked him to give Steven the same fierce fight if Steven reached the final, and Xiaoyun agreed.
• Steven and Diantha watched the match and recognized Xiaoyun as a serious potential opponent in the final.

Steven defeated Diantha in their Mega Evolution battle, then met Xiaoyun before their tournament final and encouraged him to rest after the match. Xiaoyun and Steven sent out their opening Pokémon, Skarmory and Xiaojin, as the final began.

• Diantha Mega Evolved Gardevoir, and Steven Mega Evolved Metagross for their rematch.
• Mega Metagross defeated Mega Gardevoir with Meteor Mash, securing Steven's victory over Diantha.
• Diantha teased Steven about his reputation for digging up rocks, while he insisted that excavation was training.
• On finals day, Xiaoyun reflected on his journey, and Steven advised him to take a proper rest after the match.
• Xiaoyun resolved to return to Twinleaf Town with Dawn after the tournament and later battle Cynthia, who anticipated his plans.
• Xiaoyun and Steven began the final with Xiaojin the Volcarona and Skarmory, respectively.

Xiaoyun and Steven traded Pokémon in a strange, increasingly dramatic final, with Volcarona and Claydol knocking each other out before Mismagius defeated Cradily and fell to Mega Skarmory. Xiaoyun sent out Bloodmoon Bear as the battle continued.

• Xiaoyun sent out shiny Volcarona, and its Flare Blitz drove Steven to recall Skarmory and send out Claydol.
• Volcarona broke through Claydol’s defenses with Blazing Flame Sky Soar, but Claydol used Explosion, leaving both Pokémon unable to battle.
• Steven sent out Cradily, and Xiaoyun answered with Mismagius, which escaped Cradily’s vines with Substitute and put it to sleep with Hypnosis.
• Steven Mega Evolved Skarmory and used Brave Bird to knock out Mismagius, while Will-O-Wisp burned Skarmory.
• Xiaoyun sent out Bloodmoon Bear as Steven’s Mega Skarmory remained on the field.

Xiaoyun’s Bloodmoon Bear defeated Steven’s Mega Skarmory, and his Infernape then overwhelmed Aggron with powerful attacks. The battle continued with Steven’s Armaldo facing an exhausted but eager Infernape.

• Xiaoyun’s Bloodmoon Bear used Mind’s Eye to catch and stun Mega Skarmory, then slammed it into a crater with Lariat and won the battle.
• Steven sent out Aggron, and Xiaoyun chose Infernape, drawing Paul’s focused attention from the stands.
• Infernape blocked Aggron’s attacks, activated Blaze, and hurled Aggron away before blasting it with Flamethrower.
• Infernape grabbed Aggron during Flare Blitz and detonated the attack, knocking Aggron out while weakening itself.
• Steven sent out Armaldo, and Xiaoyun asked Infernape to keep battling; Infernape agreed.

Xiaoyun’s Infernape awakened Bond Phenomenon, defeated Steven’s Armaldo, and then gave way to Sceptile for the final battle against Metagross. Sceptile gained the upper hand before Xiaoyun activated their bond, transforming him into Bond Sceptile as the fight continued.

• Steven’s Armaldo overwhelmed Infernape with a barrage of super-effective attacks, but Infernape survived and transformed through Bond Phenomenon.
• Xiaoyun’s Bond Infernape defeated Armaldo by overpowering Steven’s Continental Crush with a gigantic flaming staff strike.
• Steven sent out Metagross, and Xiaoyun chose Sceptile as his final Pokémon.
• Sceptile attacked Metagross with rapid Leaf Blade strikes and a series of powerful moves, forcing Steven’s Pokémon to defend and counter with Psychic.
• Xiaoyun activated the Power of Overcoming, transforming Sceptile into Bond Sceptile.

Xiaoyun defeated Steven in the Kalos Championship final with Sceptile’s Divine Departure and was crowned champion. As the crowd celebrated, Xiaoyun and Dawn exchanged a wave, and the story looked ahead to what would come next.

• Xiaoyun’s Bond Sceptile cut through Mega Metagross’s attacks and broke apart the rocks Steven hurled at him.
• Xiaoyun ordered Divine Departure, and Sceptile’s lightning-wreathed slash overwhelmed Steven’s Psychic Steel Burst and knocked Metagross out.
• The referee declared Xiaoyun the Kalos Championship champion after all six of Steven’s Pokémon were unable to battle.
• Kimia warned Raleigh against assuming he could become as strong as Xiaoyun, while Barry, Ash, and Paul each reacted to the champion’s victory.
• Steven accepted his defeat, and Xiaoyun and Dawn exchanged a wave across the arena.

Xiaoyun returned to Twinleaf Town and spent a cheerful morning with his family, while Qing'an fantasized about rising from deputy mayor to mayor of Jubilife City. Over breakfast, Xiaoyun learned his Pokémon were staying at Lina’s expanded Day Care and helped boost Qing'an’s pride before Qing'an left for work.

• Xiaoyun woke up, kicked Shaymin out of his bed, and carried Skitty downstairs.
• Lina scolded Qing'an for wanting to wake Xiaoyun, then worried when Qing'an drifted into fantasies about becoming mayor of Jubilife City.
• Xiaoyun joined his parents for breakfast, and Lina welcomed him home and asked how long he would stay.
• Lina explained that Xiaoyun’s Pokémon were at her Day Care and that Qing'an had approved another plot of land for it.
• Xiaoyun praised Qing'an until he proudly left for work, then told Lina he had learned his flattery from a child psychology book she had used when he was young.

Xiaoyun visited Nana's Pokémon Day Care, reunited with his Pokémon, and gathered them to announce upcoming battles. He assigned several Pokémon to special training groups, and the Day Care became a bustling training ground.

• Xiaoyun greeted Youzi at the Day Care and went to the backyard, where Shaymin summoned the Pokémon with an Energy Ball signal after Xiaoyun promised it special Pokéblocks.
• Aerodactyl, Victini, and the other Pokémon arrived, and Xiaoyun greeted them before questioning Spiritomb, who insisted it wanted a peaceful life.
• Xiaoyun announced that important battles might be coming and said he wanted everyone to get a chance to battle.
• Xiaoyun assigned Aerodactyl to lead Garchomp, Hydreigon, Dragonite, and Tyrantrum in training, and sent Sirfetch'd to learn alongside Kingambit.
• Xiaoyun paired Sylveon and Absol with Luxray and Greninja with Floatzel, while the other Pokémon trained independently or sparred.
• The Pokémon began training throughout the Day Care, and Twinleaf Town residents recognized the commotion as a sign that Xiaoyun had returned.

Xiaoyun and his friends visited Barry’s home for a barbecue hosted by Palmer, where Xiaoyun teased the stingy Battle Tycoon into promising expensive food. Kenny arrived and ran into Xiaoyun, whom he clearly knew and resented, while Barry tried to smother their explosive reunion.

• Xiaoyun watched his Pokémon train before Dawn and Zoey arrived and told him Palmer had invited them to Barry’s home for a meal.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Zoey reached Barry’s house, where Palmer and Ayaka were waiting, and Xiaoyun joked that Barry was broke despite his family’s wealth.
• Xiaoyun got Palmer to agree to serve wagyu and lobster at the barbecue, then Barry called everyone outside to help set up the grill.
• Ayaka answered the door for Kenny, who was stunned to learn she was staying at Barry’s home and assumed she was Barry’s girlfriend.
• Kenny recognized Xiaoyun in the backyard and started to curse at him, but Barry covered Kenny’s mouth and called his furious reaction an enthusiastic greeting.

The chapter reviewed Xiaoyun's Pokémon roster, listing their abilities, signature moves, transformations, histories, and strength levels. Sceptile remained the team's leading ace, while several legendary partners and transformed fighters had reached champion level or possessed unmeasured strength.

• Sceptile had mastered Mega Evolution, Bond Phenomenon, and Fusion Evolution and remained the team's spiritual leader.
• Ursaluna, Aerodactyl, and Infernape had gained distinctive powers through Bond Phenomenon, while Shiny Metagross reached champion level through Mega Evolution.
• Spiritomb had abandoned thoughts of escape as its Trainer grew stronger, while Garchomp and Kingambit had become disciples of Aerodactyl and Sceptile respectively.
• Darkrai had fused with Giratina's source energy, gaining a dark-night form with unmeasured strength.
• Suicune, Victini, Zeraora, Volcarona, Walking Wake, Gouging Fire, and Raging Bolt were listed at champion level or above, while Deoxys and Kyurem retained unknown strength ratings.

A barbecue gathering turned awkward for Kenny as everyone revealed their battle achievements and Barry challenged Zoey and Dawn to a Double Battle. Zoey and Dawn defeated Barry and Kenny with a coordinated combination attack, leaving the story after their victory.

• At the barbecue, Zoey rejected Kenny's attempt to flirt, and Kenny learned that Barry, Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Zoey had all achieved impressive competition results.
• Barry proposed a Double Battle with Kenny against Zoey and Dawn, while Xiaoyun refereed and Palmer watched with Ayaka.
• Barry and Kenny sent out their Empoleon, while Zoey chose Starmie and Dawn sent out Blue-Gray, her Aegislash.
• Zoey's Mega-Evolved Starmie and Blue-Gray gained the upper hand, but Barry and Kenny rallied with a combined spinning Steel Wing and Hydro Pump attack.
• Zoey and Dawn countered with Starmie's Psychic power and Blue-Gray's slashes, then finished with a Psycho Cut that shattered the Empoleon's combination move and defeated them.

After Dawn and Zoey defeated Barry and Kenny, Palmer challenged Xiaoyun to a spar and learned that Xiaoyun was preparing for the Elite Four Challenge. Xiaoyun had brought only Shaymin and Victini, so Palmer chose Victini to battle, then sent out Dragonite.

• Dawn and Zoey celebrated their victory while Palmer scolded Barry and Kenny for losing.
• Barry redirected Palmer's anger toward Xiaoyun, and Kenny reacted with jealousy when he learned Xiaoyun was taking on the Elite Four Challenge.
• Palmer challenged Xiaoyun to a practice battle, but Barry tried to stop him, warning that Xiaoyun's Pokémon were monsters.
• Xiaoyun revealed he had brought Shaymin and Victini, and Palmer chose Victini after Barry guessed that its quiet manner meant it was strong.
• Shaymin pushed Victini forward to battle Palmer, who sent out Dragonite.