Recaps

While traveling, Xiaoyun reflected on his newly awakened Power of Overcoming and its ability to let him enter and influence Pokémon’s inner worlds. He and Dawn agreed to appear on Sinnoh Now in a televised Double Battle after Xiaoyun misunderstood the reporter’s invitation.

• Xiaoyun recalled how Mesprit’s light may have awakened his Power of Overcoming and considered asking Professor Rowan how to develop it.
• A reporter named Rhonda approached Xiaoyun and Dawn and asked whether they had ever done doubles outdoors.
• Xiaoyun mistook Rhonda’s question and invitation for something improper, while Dawn recognized Sinnoh Now as a popular battling show.
• Dawn encouraged Xiaoyun to accept the challenge, and he agreed after realizing the episode involved a nearby Double Battle.
• Rhonda led Xiaoyun and Dawn toward their opponents while scolding the crew member who kept hitting her with the microphone.

Xiaoyun and Dawn faced the twins Yongqi and Yongwu in a Double Battle after the brothers had won twenty-four matches in a row. Their opening attacks put Turtwig under pressure, but Dawn and Xiaoyun coordinated a counterattack as Piplup moved to stop Quilava’s Flamethrower.

• Reporter Rhonda brought Xiaoyun and Dawn to a clearing where Yongqi and Yongwu challenged them to break or extend their winning streak.
• Dawn chose Piplup, while Xiaoyun sent out Turtwig, then reassured Dawn that she should battle according to her own ideas.
• Piplup used Bubble Beam on Quilava and Turtwig used Razor Leaf on Croconaw, but Croconaw blocked the bubbles and Quilava burned away the leaves.
• Quilava’s Flamethrower scorched Turtwig, and the twins ordered their Pokémon to keep up the pressure on Turtwig and Piplup.
• Xiaoyun told Turtwig to get behind Piplup and prepare Energy Ball, while Dawn ordered Piplup to use Bubble Beam against Quilava’s Flamethrower.

Xiaoyun and Dawn's Pokémon battled the twins' Quilava and Croconaw, using coordinated attacks to knock Croconaw out. After enduring Quilava's Flamethrower, Turtwig evolved into Grotle, leaving the fight against Quilava unresolved.

• Xiaoyun's Turtwig ambushed Croconaw with Energy Ball after Piplup's Bubble Beam clashed with Quilava's Flamethrower.
• Turtwig caught Croconaw's Aqua Tail with Bite, then used Withdraw and Iron Defense to withstand Slash before striking Croconaw with Tackle.
• Quilava's Swift struck Piplup after Smokescreen obscured his vision, while Quilava rushed to support Croconaw.
• Turtwig ignored Quilava's Flamethrower and knocked out Croconaw with Energy Ball, but Quilava's attack hit Turtwig.
• Turtwig endured the flames and evolved into Grotle.

Xiaoyun and Dawn defeated the older twin’s team when Grotle evolved and used Rock Climb to stop Quilava’s final attack and knock it out. After the battle, reporter Rhonda interviewed them and learned they had grown up together, leaving her eager to promote their story as childhood sweethearts.

• Xiaoyun congratulated Grotle on evolving as the reporter filmed the moment.
• The older twin ordered Quilava to use Lava Plume, but Xiaoyun told Grotle to use Rock Climb, interrupting the attack and knocking Quilava out.
• Dawn celebrated the victory with Xiaoyun, then blushed when she remembered the camera crew was watching.
• Rhonda interviewed Xiaoyun and Dawn, and Dawn said she had known Xiaoyun since childhood and that they had some chemistry.
• Rhonda told them the special episode would air in about three days and planned to promote their childhood connection.

Lina, Hanyu Qing'an, Johanna, Kenny, Barry, and a purple-haired boy saw reports of Xiaoyun and Dawn’s battle and affectionate reunion, while the pair camped by a river in Eterna Forest. As Xiaoyun trained his Pokémon, Zoey arrived with Ash and Brock.

• Lina worried about Dawn and Xiaoyun until Hanyu Qing'an showed her a magazine featuring their victory and hug.
• Johanna watched footage of Dawn and Xiaoyun together and considered discussing their relationship with Lina.
• Kenny and Barry reacted jealously to the broadcast, while a purple-haired boy left Eterna City after watching Xiaoyun battle.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn camped by a river in Eterna Forest, where Dawn caught several Pokémon and Xiaoyun trained his team.
• Zoey arrived with Ash and Brock, and Xiaoyun greeted them and petted Pikachu.

Xiaoyun and Ash discussed how Zoey had joined their travels, while Zoey teased Dawn about the romantic stories and photos of her and Xiaoyun. Xiaoyun caught a cocky Buizel, which challenged him and chose Ursaring as its opponent.

• Xiaoyun asked Ash how he and Zoey had started traveling together, and Ash explained that Zoey had refused his offer to give her Aipom and agreed to let it compete with her instead.
• Zoey showed Dawn a magazine full of photos of Dawn and Xiaoyun, then teased her about their relationship as they insisted they were just good friends.
• Xiaoyun took the magazine from Dawn and read it before Ash interrupted to point out that Xiaoyun's fishing rod was moving.
• Xiaoyun pulled a Buizel from the water, and the cocky Pokémon challenged him to battle, saying it had beaten other people who tried to catch it.
• Xiaoyun told Buizel to choose an opponent from his Pokémon, and Buizel picked Ursaring after dismissing Aerodactyl, Sceptile, and Grotle.

Xiaoyun caught Buizel after Ursaring defeated him in a practice battle, then met Sinnoh Elite Four member Lucian in Eterna Forest. Lucian revealed that he was traveling to prepare for his Champion challenge against Cynthia in two days.

• Buizel challenged Ursaring, who endured his attacks and defeated him with Hammer Arm and Brick Break.
• Xiaoyun caught Buizel after seeing him learn Water Pulse during the battle.
• Lucian approached the group, and Xiaoyun, Zoey, Dawn, and Ash recognized him as a member of the Sinnoh Elite Four.
• Lucian explained that Officer Jenny had told him about Xiaoyun driving off Pokémon Hunter J, and he praised Xiaoyun's achievement.
• Lucian said he had come to Eterna Forest while traveling with his Pokémon to prepare for his upcoming challenge against Cynthia.

Ash challenged Lucian to a one-on-one Pokémon battle, sending out Armaldo against Lucian’s Bronzong. After trading attacks, Bronzong stopped Armaldo’s Slash with Extrasensory, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Ash challenged Lucian to a Pokémon battle, and Lucian accepted after hearing Ash’s dream of becoming a Pokémon Master.
• Brock refereed the one-on-one match as Lucian sent out Bronzong and Ash chose Armaldo, which he had caught after rescuing it from Team Rocket in Oreburgh City.
• Ash ordered Armaldo to use X-Scissor, but Lucian’s Bronzong disrupted the attack with Metal Sound.
• Ash had Armaldo counter with Screech, canceling out Bronzong’s Metal Sound.
• Bronzong’s Gyro Ball collided with Armaldo’s X-Scissor, and then Bronzong used Extrasensory to stop Armaldo’s Slash.

Lucian defeated Ash with Bronzong, then challenged Xiaoyun to a battle against Sceptile. After a tense standoff, Sceptile struck first and traded powerful attacks with Bronzong, leaving both Pokémon battling at close range.

• Lucian’s Bronzong defeated Ash’s Armaldo with Flash Cannon, and Brock declared Lucian the winner.
• Ash thanked Lucian for showing him how strong he could become, then Lucian challenged Xiaoyun to a battle.
• Xiaoyun sent out Sceptile to face Lucian’s Bronzong, and the two Pokémon waited for an opening.
• Xiaoyun ordered Sceptile to use Leaf Blade, striking Bronzong before Iron Defense could finish and knocking it to the ground.
• Bronzong countered with Gyro Ball, but Sceptile met it with Night Slash, and the collision sent both Pokémon flying backward.
• Lucian used Extrasensory to catch Sceptile, but Xiaoyun ordered Agility, and Sceptile dodged with rapid movements and afterimages.

Xiaoyun used Sceptile’s Substitute and a boosted Solar Beam to counter Lucian’s Bronzong, then defeated it with Blade Storm - Dark. Lucian accepted the loss as Dawn and the others celebrated Xiaoyun’s victory over an Elite Four Pokémon.

• Lucian trapped Sceptile with Gravity and struck it with Heavy Slam, sending it through trees.
• Xiaoyun revealed that Sceptile had used Substitute, then countered with a Work Up-boosted Solar Beam that weakened Bronzong.
• Lucian ordered Bronzong to attack with full-power Heavy Slam, and Xiaoyun answered with Sceptile’s Blade Storm - Dark.
• Sceptile’s attack passed through Bronzong, which fell and was unable to battle, though Sceptile also dropped to one knee from the strain.
• Lucian recalled Bronzong and accepted his defeat as Dawn cheered and Zoey, Brock, and Ash reacted to Xiaoyun’s victory.

Xiaoyun defeated Lucian in battle, earning the Elite Four member’s respect and drawing interest from trainers across Sinnoh. After Xiaoyun left to get Sceptile treated, the Rocket Trio saw a chance to target Ash and Pikachu.

• Lucian congratulated Xiaoyun, accepted his defeat, and left after promising to battle him again.
• Dawn praised Xiaoyun, but Ash and Zoey stayed by the river so Zoey could keep fishing for a Water-type Pokémon; Xiaoyun headed to the Pokémon Center.
• The Rocket Trio watched Xiaoyun leave and decided to use their latest robot to target Ash and Pikachu.
• Lucian sent the other Elite Four members information about Xiaoyun and his defeat, prompting Flint, Aaron, and Cynthia to react to the news.
• Flint told Volkner about Lucian’s loss, while Aaron said he wanted to meet Xiaoyun and Cynthia wondered where she had heard the name Hanyu Yun before returning to her vacation.

Xiaoyun and Dawn reached Eterna City and visited Eterna Gym, where Gym Leader Gardenia’s enthusiasm for Grass-type Pokémon led to an awkward first meeting. Gardenia began a three-on-three Badge battle against Xiaoyun, who sent out his newly caught Buizel to face her Cherubi.

• Xiaoyun and Dawn arrived in Eterna City, rested at the Pokémon Center, and went to Eterna Gym the next morning.
• Gardenia emerged from a room and interrupted Xiaoyun’s introduction to sniff the Poké Balls at his waist, leaving him confused and Dawn jealous.
• Gardenia apologized and invited Xiaoyun to battle after learning he had a Grass-type Pokémon, and Dawn followed them to the battlefield.
• A referee announced the three-on-three Badge match rules, and Gardenia sent out Cherubi as her first Pokémon.
• Xiaoyun chose his newly caught Buizel to battle Cherubi.

Xiaoyun used Buizel to challenge Gardenia, and Buizel defeated Cherubi before Turtwig knocked it out. Xiaoyun sent out Grotle, but Gardenia interrupted the battle to inspect it and eat the fruit on its back.

• Gardenia ordered Cherubi to attack Buizel, and Buizel overcame its hesitation to block Magical Leaf with Sonic Boom.
• Cherubi caught Buizel off guard with a fast Tackle, but Buizel dodged another charge and avoided Solar Beam with a burst of Water Gun recoil.
• Buizel struck Cherubi with Water Pulse and Aqua Jet, knocking it out.
• Gardenia sent out Turtwig, which defeated Buizel with Leaf Storm after its speedy Tackles and a missed Water Pulse.
• Xiaoyun sent out Grotle, and Gardenia rushed over to feel its shell and legs before eating the fruit on its back.

Xiaoyun’s Grotle defeated Gardenia’s Turtwig, but Roserade’s super-effective attacks forced him to withdraw it. Xiaoyun sent out his strongest partner, Sceptile, to face Gardenia’s final Pokémon.

• Gardenia’s Turtwig attacked Grotle with Tackle and Leaf Storm, but Grotle endured the hits and healed with Synthesis.
• Grotle trapped Turtwig with Mega Drain and knocked it out with Energy Ball.
• Gardenia sent out Roserade, which struck Grotle with Weather Ball and Solar Beam.
• Xiaoyun recalled Grotle and chose Sceptile instead of Aerodactyl, calling it his strongest partner.
• Gardenia recognized Sceptile’s strength and became visibly excited, prompting the referee to remind her to mind her image.

Xiaoyun defeated Gardenia at the Eterna Gym and earned the Forest Badge. Gardenia then proposed a “friendly” exchange between Sceptile and her Pokémon, and Xiaoyun fled with Dawn before she could arrange one.

• Sceptile defeated Gardenia’s Roserade with a swift Leaf Blade, giving Xiaoyun the victory after Gardenia’s three Pokémon were unable to battle.
• Xiaoyun accepted the Forest Badge, bringing his Gym Badge collection progress to two of eight.
• Gardenia asked Xiaoyun to let Sceptile have a “friendly” exchange with her Venusaur, then offered Meganium and Tropius as alternatives.
• Xiaoyun declined Gardenia’s request and hurried away with Dawn as Gardenia called after him with an offer to borrow Crasher Wake’s Gyarados.
• Dawn teased Xiaoyun about Sceptile’s supposed romantic prospects, and Xiaoyun pulled her toward the Pokémon Center before she could continue.

Xiaoyun and Dawn reached the cliffs above Alamos Town and accepted a ride from Alice in her hot-air balloon. As they flew over the town, Xiaoyun glimpsed Dialga and Palkia battling in a spatial rift, leaving him wary as the Alamos Tournament approached.

• Xiaoyun and Dawn found the rope bridge to Alamos Town dangerously unstable and decided not to cross it.
• Alice offered Xiaoyun and Dawn a ride across the lake in her hot-air balloon, and she agreed to guide them around town.
• Alice showed Xiaoyun and Dawn the Space-Time Towers and explained that they would host the Alamos Tournament.
• Xiaoyun briefly saw Dialga and Palkia fighting inside a spatial rift, but Dawn and Alice did not notice.
• Xiaoyun dismissed Dawn's concern about his blank stare and decided not to tell her what he had seen.

A shadowlike black Pokémon appeared in Alamos Town, vowed to protect a courtyard from the spatial rifts, and vanished. Xiaoyun swept through three trainers’ Pokémon in the plaza before Ash arrived and challenged him, leaving Ursaring and Ambipom ready to battle.

• A shadowlike black Pokémon rose near a manor, vowed to protect the courtyard, and disappeared into a corner.
• Alice guided Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Alice around Alamos Town, where Xiaoyun accepted a plaza battle challenge.
• Xiaoyun and Ursaring defeated Infernape, Empoleon, and Torterra in succession, discouraging the other trainers from challenging them.
• Ash arrived with Pikachu and challenged Xiaoyun, while Brock tried to flirt with Alice and Croagunk dragged him away.
• Xiaoyun sent Ursaring back into battle, and Ash chose Ambipom as his Pokémon.

Xiaoyun defeated Ash’s evolved Ambipom in a battle, then Alice invited the group to her peaceful estate, where they met the Pokémon living in her secret garden.

• Ash sent out his newly evolved Ambipom, and Brock refereed its battle against Xiaoyun’s Ursaring.
• Ambipom used its twin tails and Contest-trained agility to attack and evade Ursaring, but Ursaring endured its Focus Punches.
• Xiaoyun ordered Ursaring to use Counter, knocking Ambipom out and winning the battle.
• Zoey teased Dawn about her interest in Xiaoyun, and Dawn flustered in response.
• Alice invited the group to her estate, where Cherubi, Luxio, Combee, Bibarel, Pidgeotto, Staravia, Shellos, and Lumineon greeted them.

Xiaoyun and his friends released their Pokémon into the estate, where his fierce-looking team nearly started a fight with Brock’s Chansey. Alice calmed everyone with a melody played on a leaf, while a mysterious shadow watched from a corner.

• Dawn, Zoey, Brock, and Ash released their Pokémon to mingle with the estate’s wild Pokémon.
• Xiaoyun released his team, and Ursaring’s roar frightened the smaller Pokémon until Xiaoyun warned everyone to behave.
• Chansey climbed onto Aerodactyl, then fell and began crying, prompting Ambipom and Ursaring to prepare for a fight.
• Alice played a soothing melody on a leaf, calming Chansey, Ursaring, and the other Pokémon.
• A dark shadow watched Alice’s performance from a corner of the courtyard as Dawn, Zoey, Brock, and Ash praised her music.

Alice played Oración, recalling how Alicia had welcomed Darkrai and inspired it to protect the garden. When space-time disturbances opened around the estate, Darkrai attacked Xiaoyun, but Xiaoyun entered its inner world to offer help.

• Alice explained that Oración had been taught to her by her grandmother Alicia and could soothe people and Pokémon.
• Darkrai remembered Alicia welcoming it to the garden and silently protecting her and the estate ever since.
• Tonio arrived and told Alice that his instruments had detected major space-time anomalies throughout Alamos Town.
• The sky darkened and cracks formed in the air as Darkrai appeared and ordered everyone to leave.
• Darkrai hurled Dark Void at Xiaoyun, but Sceptile blocked it with Leaf Storm and guarded Xiaoyun.
• After the spatial disturbance subsided, Xiaoyun used the Power of Overcoming to enter Darkrai's inner world and said he could help it.

Xiaoyun tried to persuade Darkrai to work with him to prevent a disaster in Alamos Town, but Baron Alberto’s attack interrupted their conversation and Darkrai drove Xiaoyun from his inner world. After Xiaoyun confronted Alberto, Alice rejected the baron and publicly revealed that she loved Tonio.

• Xiaoyun told Darkrai he understood that Darkrai was trying to protect Alamos Town and offered to help stop the coming disaster.
• Alberto ordered Lickilicky to attack Darkrai with Hyper Beam, disrupting Darkrai’s inner world and causing him to eject Xiaoyun.
• Darkrai and Lickilicky’s attacks canceled each other out, and Darkrai disappeared before Alberto could defeat him.
• Xiaoyun grabbed Alberto by the collar and berated him for interrupting his conversation with Darkrai, then let him go after Ash, Brock, and Dawn intervened.
• Alberto called Alice his fiancée, but Alice denied accepting his proposal and said she loved Tonio, leaving Alberto stunned.

Xiaoyun and his group toured the Space-Time Towers before finding Alamos Town plunged into darkness and Darkrai surrounded by an angry crowd. Darkrai put the attackers to sleep and fled, and the chapter ended with Alberto transformed into a Lickilicky as someone insisted Darkrai was not responsible for the mass unconsciousness.

• Xiaoyun and his group explored the Space-Time Towers, where Alice explained that the musical apparatus had no music discs to play.
• After the group left, Jessie, James, and Meowth overheard that the apparatus was valuable, and Meowth began dismantling it.
• Xiaoyun and his group emerged to find Alamos Town shrouded in darkness while Alberto Yuan accused Darkrai of causing the town's strange events.
• Alberto ordered Lickilicky and the crowd's Pokémon to attack, so Darkrai unleashed Dark Void and knocked the trainers and Pokémon unconscious.
• Darkrai glanced at Xiaoyun and escaped as he tried to stop it.
• At the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy found the unconscious patients' vital signs normal, while Alberto, now transformed into a Lickilicky, blamed Darkrai and someone declared that Darkrai had not caused it.

Tonio explained that a space-time rupture had trapped Alamos Town in another dimension and swapped people’s dreams with Pokémon’s. After recalling a prophecy that the final “Oración” could stop the disaster, Tonio set out to retrieve the music disc while Xiaoyun planned to investigate outside.

• Tonio concluded that a space-time rupture had caused humans and Pokémon to switch places in their dreams, leaving Alberto trapped in Lickilicky’s nightmare.
• Tonio revealed that Alamos Town had been dragged into another dimension, prompting panic among the trainers as attempts to escape failed.
• Xiaoyun reassured Dawn, silenced Alberto, and urged Tonio to think of a way to resolve the crisis.
• Tonio recalled his great-grandfather’s prophecy that playing the final “Oración” on the Space-Time Towers would end the disaster.
• Tonio and Alice left to retrieve the music disc, while Xiaoyun asked Ash to accompany them and chose to investigate outside.

Dialga and Palkia fought above Alamos Town, and Darkrai tried to stop them before their battle destroyed the town. Xiaoyun rescued the defeated Darkrai, but Darkrai still planned to return to the fight despite its injuries.

• Dialga and Palkia emerged above the Space-Time Towers and attacked each other, destroying parts of Alamos Town.
• Darkrai confronted the gods, dodged their attacks, and trapped both in a Dark Void until they broke free and knocked it down.
• Xiaoyun sent Suicune to catch Darkrai and told it he had helped because he wanted to protect what was precious to him.
• Darkrai recognized Xiaoyun's desire to protect Dawn and, despite its injuries, prepared to return to stop Dialga and Palkia.

Xiaoyun used Mega Evolution on Sceptile and Aerodactyl to prove to Darkrai that he could help fight Dialga. With Suicune and Palkia supporting them, his Pokémon struck Dialga into a crater, while Darkrai launched a Dark Pulse at Palkia.

• Xiaoyun proposed that Darkrai fight Palkia while he handled Dialga, and Darkrai doubted he could do it.
• Xiaoyun brought out Sceptile and Aerodactyl and gave them Mega Evolution Stones, with a Key Stone supplied by Steven Stone through Nurse Joy.
• Xiaoyun Mega Evolved Sceptile and Aerodactyl simultaneously, then ordered Suicune, Sceptile, and Aerodactyl to attack Dialga.
• Suicune and Sceptile hit Dialga with Blizzard and Dragon Pulse, giving Palkia an opening to strike it with Dragon Claw.
• Mega Aerodactyl followed with Head Smash and drove Dialga into a crater, after which Xiaoyun challenged Darkrai’s doubts.
• Darkrai acknowledged Xiaoyun’s strength and fired a Dark Pulse at Palkia.