Recaps

Gary, Shiyang, Barry, Ayaka, Kieran, and Asahi defeated the three Legendary Titans and reached Mew in the cavern, only to discover that Xiaoyun was already there and had arranged the trials. Xiaoyun revealed that the Titans guarded the entrance and that the group had earned the chance to meet Mew.

• Ayaka and Regidrago defeated Regice, while Gary and Shiyang overcame Registeel with Moltres and Virizion.
• Kieran and Asahi used their two Urshifu to defeat Regirock, but Asahi's Great Ball bounced off because Regirock already had a Trainer.
• The six reunited and followed a passage lined with Fossil Pokémon toward a vast underground lake, where they found Mew playing beneath an enormous ancient tree.
• Xiaoyun appeared beside Mew, stunning Barry and the others, while Mew showed its closeness to him.
• Gary inferred that Xiaoyun had arranged the Titan battles, and Xiaoyun confirmed that the Titans guarded the entrance and that victory qualified the group to meet Mew.

Xiaoyun revealed that Mew could not be caught, then challenged the explorers to defeat three of his Pokémon for a reward. Shiyang lost his battle against Xiaoyun’s Walking Wake, and Gary stepped forward to face him with Moltres.

• Shiyang recognized Xiaoyun as the Sinnoh Champion, and Xiaoyun explained that Mew could only be photographed before offering a battle challenge.
• Xiaoyun set the terms: the group could win a favor by defeating three of his Pokémon, but if they lost, they would have to call him Teacher and accept his guidance.
• Shiyang challenged Xiaoyun with Virizion, while Xiaoyun sent out the unfamiliar ancient Pokémon Walking Wake.
• Walking Wake used Flamethrower, Dragon Claw, Sunny Day, Water Steam, and Dragon Rush to overwhelm Virizion and knock it unconscious.
• Mewtwo dismissed the battle as uninteresting, and Xiaoyun told the others they had to defeat one of his Pokémon before learning its name.
• Gary stepped forward and sent out Moltres, determined to challenge Xiaoyun and learn more about Mewtwo.

Gary and Xiaoyun’s battle ended in a mutual knockout, after which Mewtwo revealed its name. Barry and Ayaka then challenged Xiaoyun and Dawn to a Double Battle, where Dawn used Skill Swap to give Diancie Zeraora’s Volt Absorb as the fight continued.

• Gary sent Moltres against Xiaoyun’s Walking Wake, and their fierce attacks culminated in both Pokémon being knocked out.
• Mewtwo introduced itself to Gary and the assembled researchers and Trainers.
• Barry and Ayaka challenged Xiaoyun and Dawn to a Double Battle, sending out Regieleki and Regidrago against Zeraora and Diancie.
• Zeraora and Regieleki traded powerful Electric-type attacks while Diancie and Regidrago clashed with gems and Dragon-type moves.
• Barry and Ayaka launched a coordinated Thunder and Dragon Energy attack, but Dawn used Skill Swap to give Diancie Volt Absorb and nullify Thunder.

Xiaoyun and Dawn defeated Barry and Ayaka in a Double Battle before Xiaoyun faced Asahi’s Rapid Strike Style Urshifu in a fierce one-on-one match. Zeraora won with Thunder in the rain, but collapsed from exhaustion immediately afterward.

• Dawn’s Mega Diancie blocked Regidrago’s Dragon Energy, while Zeraora used Plasma Fists and Thunder Half-Moon Slash to knock Regidrago out.
• Diancie defeated Barry’s Regieleki with Stone Edge and Moonblast, giving Xiaoyun and Dawn the Double Battle victory.
• Asahi and Kieran chose separate one-on-one matches against Xiaoyun, and Asahi sent out her Rapid Strike Style Urshifu to face Zeraora.
• Urshifu pressured Zeraora with Surging Strikes, Aqua Jet, and Close Combat, while both Pokémon traded powerful attacks and Asahi summoned rain with Rain Dance.
• Zeraora and Urshifu clashed in a massive exchange of Thunder Half-Moon Slash and Surging Strikes, leaving both injured but still standing.
• Xiaoyun used the rain to make Thunder strike Urshifu through its Protect barrier, knocking it out as Zeraora also ran out of strength.

Xiaoyun defeated Kieran’s Urshifu with Bond Phenomenon Sceptile, ending the group’s attempt to win Mew’s trial. He made the challengers honor their bet and call him Teacher before they departed to pursue their own plans.

• Kieran’s Single Strike Style Urshifu fought Xiaoyun’s Sceptile, but Sceptile gained the advantage with Leaf Blade and close-combat skill.
• Xiaoyun activated Bond Phenomenon, and Sceptile defeated Urshifu with Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki; Kieran accepted the loss and thanked Xiaoyun for his advice.
• Xiaoyun made the six challengers call him Teacher, while Mewtwo refused to let them collect information about Mew.
• The six left the cave, and Professor Hodaka announced that Project Mew would disband for now.
• Gary planned to return to his research, Shiyang intended to search for Celebi, Kieran planned to train in Galar, and Barry and Ayaka planned to cheer Xiaoyun on at the Masters Eight.

At Wyndon Stadium, Paul and Alain began their three-on-three battle for the final Masters Eight spot, with Paul’s Metagross facing Alain’s Tyranitar. Paul gained the early advantage, but Alain rallied with Dragon Dance and powerful attacks, and the match remained underway as Paul used Psychic for a purpose he had not yet revealed.

• Xiaoyun, Ash, Cynthia, and Dawn watched as Paul and Alain entered the stadium for the final Masters Eight placement match; Cynthia had chosen retirement over competing.
• Paul sent out Metagross, and Alain answered with Tyranitar, whose Sand Stream covered half the battlefield in a sandstorm.
• Paul’s Metagross broke through Tyranitar’s Stone Edge, dodged Fire Punch, and struck it with Iron Head and a super-effective Earthquake, leaving Tyranitar badly hurt.
• Alain had Tyranitar use Dragon Dance, then countered Metagross’s attacks with Rock Slide, Fire Punch, and Crunch, knocking Metagross backward.
• Alain ordered another Fire Punch, but Paul told Metagross to use Psychic and explained that he was not targeting Tyranitar itself.

Paul took an early lead over Alain by defeating Tyranitar and trading Magmortar for Chesnaught, but Alain’s Charizard knocked out Metagross with Blast Burn. Paul sent out Gyarados as the battle reached its final matchup.

• Paul trapped Tyranitar with Metagross’s psychic power, then defeated it with Meteor Mash and a point-blank Earthquake.
• Paul switched Metagross for Magmortar, which battled Alain’s Chesnaught; Chesnaught used Belly Drum to power up Giga Impact and knock out Magmortar, but Metagross immediately defeated the exhausted Chesnaught with Bullet Punch.
• Alain sent out Charizard, which broke through Metagross’s Protect with Blast Burn and knocked it out.
• Paul sent out Gyarados to face Alain’s Charizard, leaving both trainers with one Pokémon as the battle continued.

Paul defeated Alain’s Mega Charizard with Mega Gyarados, earning the final place in the Masters Eight. With the lineup complete, the tournament’s main event was set to begin.

• Alain and Paul Mega Evolved their Pokémon and battled through a series of powerful attacks, with rain strengthening Gyarados’s Water-type moves.
• Charizard and Gyarados exhausted themselves in a final clash of Dragon Rush and Outrage, and Gyarados emerged victorious.
• The referee declared Paul the winner after all three of Alain’s Pokémon were unable to battle, securing Paul’s place in the Masters Eight.
• Alain thanked Paul for the match, and Paul complimented Charizard before heading to the competitors’ tunnel.
• The commentator revealed the final Masters Eight rankings, and Xiaoyun and Ash voiced their determination to win the tournament.
• In interviews, Paul said he wanted to face Xiaoyun, while Alain vowed to defeat Paul in a rematch.

The Masters Eight tournament began at Wyndon Stadium, where the eight competitors were introduced and drawn into their first-round matchups. Paul and Ash opened the tournament, and Ash sent out Dragonite as their three-on-three battle began.

• Leon, Xiaoyun, Steven, Lance, Diantha, Iris, Ash, and Paul entered the stadium as the eight Masters.
• The draw paired Paul with Ash, Diantha with Lance, Leon with Steven, and Xiaoyun with Iris.
• Paul and Ash prepared to fight in the opening match while the other competitors left the battlefield.
• The referee announced a three-on-three Single Battle with each Trainer allowed one use of Dynamax, a Z-Move, or Mega Evolution.
• Ash sent out Dragonite when the match began.

Ash and Paul’s first match began with Dragonite and Gyarados trading powerful attacks, but Paul’s Ice Fang secured the opening win before Ash’s Gengar defeated Gyarados to tie the score. Paul then sent out Froslass, whose beauty distracted Gengar and helped her defeat it with Draining Kiss and Shadow Ball, leaving Paul ahead two to one.

• Ash and Paul had Dragonite and Gyarados use Hurricane and Dragon Dance before Paul caught Dragonite with Ice Fang and defeated it with Surf.
• Ash sent out Gengar, which dodged Gyarados’s attacks and knocked it out with three Thunder Punches to tie the score.
• Paul chose Froslass, and Gengar became so captivated by her that it struggled to focus on the battle.
• Froslass used Snowscape and Blizzard to evade and freeze Gengar while Ash tried to counter with Fire Punch, Will-O-Wisp, and Sludge Bomb.
• Froslass used Draining Kiss to distract Gengar, then struck it with Shadow Ball and won the battle, putting Paul ahead two to one.

Ash defeated Paul in the first Masters Eight main tournament match after Melmetal overcame Froslass and won their final clash with Electivire. The victory left Ash advancing from the opening match, while Paul congratulated him and looked forward to battling again.

• Ash sent out Melmetal, which defeated Paul's Froslass with Double Iron Bash.
• Paul's Electivire used Motor Drive, Thunder, and Wild Charge to battle Melmetal and leave it badly damaged.
• Ash Dynamaxed Melmetal, which overwhelmed Electivire with Max Knuckle and G-Max Meltdown.
• Paul answered with Electrium Z and Gigavolt Havoc, but Electivire fainted and Ash won the match.
• Ash thanked Melmetal, and Paul congratulated Ash before the two agreed they looked forward to meeting again.

Diantha and Lance fought the second Masters Eight match, with Diantha’s Aurorus defeating Aerodactyl before Lance’s Dragonite tied the score. Dragonite gained the upper hand against Goodra, and the chapter ended as its Fire Punch struck before Goodra could use Fire Blast.

• Diantha opened with Aurorus, which froze and defeated Lance’s Aerodactyl with Freeze-Dry, Blizzard, and Refrigerate-enhanced Hyper Beam.
• Lance sent out Dragonite, which struck Aurorus with Dragon Rush while it was immobilized after Hyper Beam, tying the score at one to one.
• Diantha chose Goodra instead of Gardevoir, and Goodra and Dragonite traded attacks as Lance boosted Dragonite with Dragon Dance.
• Goodra landed a Dragon Pulse, but Dragonite broke through the smoke with Dragon Rush and counterattacked.
• Lance ordered Dragonite to finish Goodra with Fire Punch, which hit before Goodra could release its Fire Blast.

Diantha defeated Lance with Mega Gardevoir and advanced to the semifinals. Steven then faced Leon, whose Rillaboom was overpowered by Steven’s Armaldo, leaving their match underway.

• Diantha Mega Evolved Gardevoir, which knocked out Lance’s Dragonite with Dazzling Gleam.
• Lance sent out his Shiny Gyarados, but Gardevoir redirected its Hydro Pump, evaded Crunch, and struck it with Thunderbolt.
• Gardevoir blocked Lance from recalling Gyarados and knocked it out with a second Thunderbolt, giving Diantha the victory and a place in the semifinals.
• Steven and Leon began their match, with Leon sending out Rillaboom and Steven choosing Armaldo.
• Armaldo cut through Rillaboom’s Drum Beating vines, then used Ancient Power to break their close-range clash and boost its stats.
• Armaldo’s boosted X-Scissor overpowered Rillaboom’s Wood Hammer, visibly surprising Leon.

Leon defeated Steven in a Champion battle after Dynamax Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Charizard overcame Steven’s Armaldo, Cradily, and Mega Metagross. The match ended with Charizard’s Blaze-boosted Flare Blitz, and Leon advanced to the semifinals.

• Leon recalled Rillaboom, Gigantamaxed it, and defeated Steven’s Armaldo with G-Max Drum Solo.
• Steven’s Cradily endured Rillaboom’s Max Moves, defeated the exhausted Rillaboom with Power Whip, then knocked out Cinderace with a Stockpile-boosted Spit Up before both Pokémon fainted.
• Steven sent out Mega Metagross to face Leon’s final Pokémon, Charizard, and the two Pokémon exchanged powerful attacks.
• Charizard overwhelmed Mega Metagross with a Blaze-boosted Flare Blitz, giving Leon the victory and a place in the semifinals.

Xiaoyun and Iris began their quarterfinal battle, with Serperior overwhelming Excadrill through increasingly powerful Leaf Storms. Iris’s Dragonite then endured Serperior’s boosted attacks and defeated it with a decisive Dragon Rush, leaving the match unresolved.

• Iris sent out Excadrill, while Xiaoyun chose Serperior for the battle.
• Serperior used Contrary to strengthen successive Leaf Storms, blasted the ground around Excadrill’s tunnel, and knocked Excadrill out.
• Iris sent out Dragonite, which used Fire Blast to clash with Serperior’s Leaf Storm.
• Serperior surprised Dragonite with Dragon Pulse and repeatedly bombarded it, but Iris ordered Dragonite to charge in and close the distance.
• Dragonite dodged a Dragon Pulse with a sharp upward turn and struck Serperior with Dragon Rush, leaving Serperior unable to rise.

Xiaoyun and Iris battled in the final match of the Masters Eight quarterfinals, with Garchomp defeating Iris’s Haxorus after both Pokémon unleashed powerful Dragon Rush attacks. Xiaoyun advanced to the semifinals alongside Ash, Diantha, and Leon, with the matchups set to be drawn the next day.

• Serperior and Dragonite knocked each other out, leaving Iris and Xiaoyun with one Pokémon each.
• Iris sent out her longtime partner Haxorus, while Xiaoyun chose Garchomp, and the two Pokémon traded powerful attacks.
• Haxorus used Dragon Dance and Outrage to gain the upper hand, then threw Garchomp into a crater.
• Xiaoyun Mega Evolved Garchomp into Garchomp Z, which countered Haxorus until Iris’s Dragon Power helped Haxorus rise and launch a final Dragon Rush.
• Garchomp Z and Haxorus collided with their Dragon Rushes and both fell unconscious, so the referee declared Xiaoyun the winner.
• Iris and Xiaoyun praised each other after the battle, and the commentator confirmed that Ash, Diantha, Leon, and Xiaoyun advanced to the semifinals.

The Masters Eight semifinal began with Xiaoyun facing Ash in a three-on-three battle, where Ash’s Gigantamax Gengar defeated Hydreigon before Xiaoyun’s Lucario quickly knocked Gengar out. The chapter ended as Ash sent out Pikachu and Xiaoyun prepared Lucario to counter its Quick Attack.

• The semifinal draw paired Xiaoyun against Ash and Leon against Diantha, while their friends and fellow Champions watched from the stands.
• Ash opened with Gengar, but Xiaoyun’s Hydreigon dominated their early exchanges and forced Ash to Gigantamax Gengar.
• Gengar’s G-Max-Terror overwhelmed Hydreigon and gave Ash the first knockout.
• Xiaoyun sent out Lucario, which rapidly defeated the exhausted Gengar with Bullet Punch and Bone Rush.
• Ash chose Pikachu and ordered Quick Attack, while Xiaoyun told Lucario to prepare its bone club for the approaching strike.

Ash and Xiaoyun’s battle reached its final round after Pikachu and Lucario knocked each other out, and Ash sent out Solgaleo against Xiaoyun’s Darkrai. Xiaoyun Mega Evolved Darkrai into its Shadow Form, and it trapped Solgaleo in shadow chains before unleashing a barrage of Shadow Balls.

• Pikachu and Lucario fought through a series of close-range clashes and powerful attacks until both were knocked unconscious.
• Ash revealed Solgaleo as his final Pokémon, stunning the spectators, and Xiaoyun answered by sending out Darkrai.
• Xiaoyun Mega Evolved Darkrai into its Shadow Form, which split Solgaleo’s Flash Cannon with Shadow Slash and clashed with its Sunsteel Strike.
• Solgaleo’s Morning Sun held back Dark Void, but Darkrai detonated the attack and used shadow chains to bind Solgaleo.
• Darkrai fired a rapid barrage of Shadow Balls at the trapped Solgaleo.

Xiaoyun defeated Ash in the first semifinal after Gigantamax Darkrai overwhelmed Solgaleo with G-Max Eternal Bad Dreams, advancing to the finals. Ash accepted the loss and vowed to win next time, while Leon and Diantha prepared for their own battle.

• Ash used Solgaleo’s Wild Charge and Sunsteel Strike to pressure Darkrai, but Darkrai weakened the attacks with Dark Void.
• Xiaoyun Gigantamaxed Darkrai and used Max Lightning and Max Flare to overpower Solgaleo’s matching attacks.
• Xiaoyun commanded G-Max Eternal Bad Dreams, and its nightmare shadows swallowed Solgaleo despite Ash’s Sunsteel Strike.
• The referee declared Solgaleo unable to battle and announced Xiaoyun as the winner and first finalist.
• Ash congratulated Solgaleo and promised Xiaoyun he would win next time, while Diantha challenged Leon before their match.

Leon and Diantha began their Masters Eight semifinal, with Leon taking the first knockout before Diantha’s Aurorus defeated Mr. Rime and faced Cinderace. Cinderace launched a fierce assault on Aurorus, and Leon prepared a full-power Blaze Kick through the dust.

• The repaired battlefield opened for Leon and Diantha’s semifinal, and they each sent out their first Pokémon: Mr. Rime and Gourgeist.
• Leon’s Mr. Rime outmaneuvered Gourgeist and knocked it out with Ice Beam and Psychic.
• Diantha sent out Aurorus, which countered Mr. Rime’s attacks and defeated it with Blizzard.
• Leon sent out Cinderace, which broke through Aurorus’s Blizzard and pressed it with Blaze Kick and repeated Pyro Balls.
• Diantha had Aurorus raise a Rock Tomb barrier against Cinderace’s barrage, and Leon ordered Cinderace to use a full-power Blaze Kick through the dust.

Leon defeated Diantha in the semifinal after Cinderace and Gardevoir traded wins, then Charizard overcame Mega Gardevoir with Gigantamax. Leon advanced to the finals, where Xiaoyun would be his next opponent.

• Cinderace defeated Aurorus with Blaze Kick and Pyro Ball, tying the score when Gardevoir defeated Cinderace with Moonblast and Dazzling Gleam.
• Leon sent out Charizard, and Diantha Mega Evolved Gardevoir as their final battle began.
• Charizard and Mega Gardevoir exchanged powerful attacks, with neither gaining a decisive advantage.
• Leon Gigantamaxed Charizard and used G-Max Wildfire to defeat Gardevoir's strongest Dazzling Gleam.
• The referee declared Leon the winner and announced that he had advanced to the finals, where he looked toward Xiaoyun.

Xiaoyun and Leon began their unrestricted six-on-six Masters Eight final at Wyndon Stadium. Floatzel defeated Leon’s Cinderace with a powerful water-dragon attack, but Inteleon quickly knocked Floatzel out, leaving the battle tied at one Pokémon each.

• Xiaoyun’s family and friends gathered at Wyndon Stadium to watch the Masters Eight final, where the referee announced that all battle systems would be allowed.
• Leon opened with Cinderace, while Xiaoyun sent out Floatzel and activated its Torrent ability.
• Floatzel blocked Cinderace’s attacks and defeated it with Water Dragon Bite Explosion, giving Xiaoyun the first win.
• Leon sent out Inteleon, whose precise Hydro Pump shots forced Floatzel onto the defensive.
• Inteleon predicted Floatzel’s path and struck it with a water bullet, knocking it out and tying the battle.

Xiaoyun’s Infernape defeated Leon’s Inteleon with a powerful Bond Phenomenon attack, but Leon sent out Dragapult and began gaining the upper hand against Xiaoyun’s Aerodactyl. The chapter ended with Aerodactyl battered by Dragapult’s Phantom Force and Dragon Darts.

• Xiaoyun sent out Infernape, which charged through Inteleon’s Water attacks and overwhelmed it with close-combat strikes.
• Leon used Rain Dance and Mist to let Inteleon target Infernape through the fog, but Infernape unleashed its Bond Phenomenon and evaporated the mist.
• Infernape used Night Guy to overcome Inteleon’s full-power Hydro Pump and knock it into the battlefield wall, winning the match.
• Leon sent out Dragapult, while Xiaoyun replaced Infernape with Aerodactyl; the two Pokémon traded taunts before Dragapult attacked with Dragon Darts.
• Aerodactyl swatted away Dragapult’s Dreepy with Steel Wing, but Dragapult used Dragon Dance and Phantom Force to strike from behind, then followed with Dragon Darts that left Aerodactyl struggling.

Xiaoyun and Leon continued their battle, with Aerodactyl defeating Dragapult before falling to Gigantamax Rillaboom, which then traded itself for Torterra. Leon sent out Mr. Rime against Bloodmoon Bear, and their battle was still raging when the chapter ended.

• Aerodactyl used Bond Phenomenon and defeated Dragapult with Thunder Bagua and Gaia Energy Cannon, putting Leon three Pokémon behind.
• Leon Gigantamaxed Rillaboom, which defeated Aerodactyl with Max Knuckle after Aerodactyl countered its attacks with Thunder Bagua.
• Xiaoyun sent out Torterra, and its Z-Move, Bloom Doom-Giant Tree Seal, clashed with Rillaboom's G-Max Drum Solo until both Pokémon were knocked out.
• Leon sent out Mr. Rime, and Xiaoyun answered with Bloodmoon Bear.
• Bloodmoon Bear and Mr. Rime exchanged Moonblast, Ice Beam, Earth Power, and Psychic attacks as their battle continued.

Xiaoyun defeated Leon in the Eight Masters Tournament after Sceptile overcame Gigantamax Charizard, making Xiaoyun champion. At the awards ceremony, Xiaoyun shared a championship photo with his fiancée Dawn.

• Bloodmoon Bear fooled Leon into approaching with Mr. Rime, then defeated it with Lightning Release Bomb.
• Leon sent out Charizard, which defeated Bloodmoon Bear, and Xiaoyun answered with his final Pokémon, Sceptile.
• Sceptile fought Charizard to a standstill, and Leon used Eternatus’s Galar Particles to charge his Dynamax Band and Gigantamax Charizard.
• Bond Phenomenon and Totem Form empowered Sceptile, which sliced through Charizard’s G-Max Wildfire with Divine Departure and won the battle for Xiaoyun.
• Xiaoyun received the championship trophy and posed for a second photograph with Dawn, whom he introduced as his fiancée.