Recaps

Xiaoyun and his Pokémon fought to restrain Dialga while Ash's group worked to restore the musical mechanism in the Space-Time Towers. The battle continued as Dialga's reflected attack hurtled toward the towers.

• Palkia fought Darkrai while Xiaoyun's Aerodactyl, Suicune, and Sceptile trapped Dialga in ice and thorny vines.
• Ash and his group found that Team Rocket had stolen the musical mechanism, caught them, and made them help reinstall it.
• Dialga broke free, attacked Xiaoyun's team, and knocked Aerodactyl back with Dragon Claw.
• Dawn used Piplup's Bubble Beam to protect Xiaoyun from a falling stone slab and promised to support him.
• Suicune reflected Dialga's Aura Sphere, but the attack veered toward the Space-Time Towers.

Xiaoyun, Darkrai, and the others survived Dialga and Palkia’s battle when Oración from the Space-Time Towers calmed the two Legendary Pokémon and healed the injured. Palkia restored Alamos Town and left, while Xiaoyun and Dawn watched the town’s return to safety.

• Meowth repaired the device, and Jessie had Wobbuffet use Counter to reflect Xiaoyun’s Aura Sphere into Dialga, injuring it again.
• Dialga and Palkia prepared to use Roar of Time and Spacial Rend, but Oración began playing from the Space-Time Towers and calmed them and the people of Alamos Town.
• The golden wings of light healed Darkrai, Suicune, Sceptile, Aerodactyl, and Palkia’s damaged gem as Darkrai remembered Alicia and the others watched the towers.
• Dialga opened a dimensional wormhole and returned to its territory, while Palkia bowed to the Space-Time Towers and restored Alamos Town to the real world.
• Palkia told Xiaoyun that it approved of him beating Dialga, then left through a spatial wormhole as Xiaoyun embraced Dawn and exchanged smiles with Darkrai.

After the Alamos incident, Xiaoyun recruited Darkrai as his partner and continued his journey, while the Sinnoh League discussed the twin gods’ appearance and Team Galactic’s activity. The League left the gods’ sudden appearance unexplained and asked Cynthia to investigate Team Galactic.

• Xiaoyun and his companions assured their families and Professor Rowan that they were safe after the Alamos incident.
• In Alice’s secret garden, Xiaoyun invited Darkrai to travel with him, and Darkrai agreed to become his partner.
• Darkrai entered a Great Ball, choosing to leave Alamos Town and see the world with Xiaoyun.
• Sinnoh League chairman Dennis Francis convened the Elite Four and officials to discuss the twin gods’ appearance in Alamos Town.
• Bertha and Lucian said they could not explain the gods’ appearance, while Flint and Aaron urged the meeting to end.
• Dennis left the matter pending and asked Cynthia to investigate Team Galactic’s recent activities.

Flint was forced to stay for a League meeting and write a lengthy summary while Lucian recalled Xiaoyun’s battle with Dialga. Later, Xiaoyun and Dawn met Cynthia at the National Park, where she chose an ice cream flavor and chatted with them before a purple-haired boy approached.

• Dennis stopped Flint from leaving the meeting and ordered him to write a ten-thousand-word summary.
• Lucian watched a photo of Xiaoyun confronting Dialga in Alamos Town and thought he would see him again soon.
• At the National Park, Xiaoyun and Dawn followed rumors that Cynthia was nearby and found her deciding between strawberry and vanilla ice cream.
• Xiaoyun suggested combining the flavors, and Cynthia ordered the mix before Xiaoyun and Dawn bought ice cream too.
• Cynthia recognized Xiaoyun from recent reports and encouraged Dawn in her goal of competing in Pokémon Contests.
• A purple-haired boy with an indifferent expression emerged from the crowd and approached Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Cynthia.

Paul challenged Cynthia to a full six-on-six battle after Xiaoyun defended him from the crowd's mockery. Cynthia accepted, and Garchomp overwhelmed Paul's Pokémon as the battle continued.

• Xiaoyun ordered Paul an ice cream, and Paul challenged Cynthia to a full six-on-six battle.
• Xiaoyun rebuked the onlookers for mocking Paul, and Cynthia praised Xiaoyun before accepting Paul's challenge.
• Cynthia sent out Garchomp, whose strength Darkrai warned Xiaoyun was formidable.
• Paul sent out Chimchar, Weavile, and Murkrow, and Garchomp knocked each of them out with one attack.
• Paul sent out Torterra and ordered Frenzy Plant, but Garchomp blocked the attack and knocked Torterra out with Brick Break.

After Paul forfeited against Cynthia’s Garchomp, Xiaoyun challenged the Champion to a one-on-one battle. Cynthia chose Glaceon, and Xiaoyun Mega Evolved Aerodactyl, shocking Paul and the spectators as the battle began.

• Paul recalled Torterra and forfeited his match against Cynthia.
• Xiaoyun spoke with Paul about his promise to give him Chimchar, and Paul left in the direction of the Pokémon Center.
• Xiaoyun challenged Cynthia, who agreed to a one-on-one battle and sent out Glaceon.
• Xiaoyun chose Aerodactyl and used Mega Evolution, stunning the spectators and Paul.

Xiaoyun and Cynthia battled to a draw after Aerodactyl and Glaceon knocked each other out with their final attacks. Cynthia left after hinting that the Pokémon League had taken an interest in Xiaoyun and that he would learn more later.

• Xiaoyun's Mega Aerodactyl pressured Cynthia's Glaceon with Fire Fang, but Glaceon retaliated with Ice Beam and resisted Aerodactyl's Supersonic with Hyper Voice.
• Cynthia's Glaceon used Attract to make Aerodactyl charge toward it, then blasted him away with Blizzard.
• Xiaoyun promised Aerodactyl extra Pokéblocks and Poffins, then ordered him to use Head Smash as Glaceon charged with Giga Impact.
• Aerodactyl and Glaceon collided in a massive explosion and were both unable to battle, making the match a draw.
• Cynthia praised Xiaoyun, hinted that the Pokémon League had noticed him, and departed without explaining further.

After waking in an unfamiliar bedroom, Xiaoyun realized he had transmigrated into the future, where he was married to Dawn and living in Twinleaf Town. He accepted the change but remained confused about Paul’s presence in his house.

• Xiaoyun woke in a strange room and learned from Dawn that they were married.
• Dawn worried that Xiaoyun had damaged his brain and tried to take him to the hospital.
• Paul examined Xiaoyun after Dawn said he had drunk himself stupid, and both considered seeking psychiatric care.
• Xiaoyun asked his age and location, learning he was twenty-two and in Twinleaf Town.
• Xiaoyun asked why Paul was in his house.

Xiaoyun fought Leon in the Masters Eight finals and won after Sceptile easily defeated Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard, but Darkrai revealed that the match and the stadium were part of a dream. Darkrai’s shadows began covering the arena as it tried to wake Xiaoyun.

• Paul complained that Xiaoyun had mistaken his reason for coming, insisting he had agreed to spar with him.
• At the Masters Eight finals in Galar, Leon challenged Xiaoyun for the title of strongest trainer.
• Xiaoyun sent out Sceptile, which overpowered Leon’s Charizard in their first clash.
• Leon Gigantamaxed Charizard, but Xiaoyun discovered that his Key Stone and Sceptile’s Mega Evolution Stone were missing.
• Xiaoyun ordered Sceptile to use Blade Storm, and the move blasted Charizard back to normal, winning Xiaoyun the tournament.
• Darkrai appeared and told Xiaoyun that the stadium and battle were a dream before spreading shadows across the arena.

Darkrai broke Mismagius’s powerful illusion, which had drawn Xiaoyun into a dream of his future adventures with Dawn and the Masters Eight. Back at camp, Xiaoyun learned Mismagius had shaped the dream from his own imagination and wondered why Paul had appeared in it.

• Darkrai froze the arena and revealed that Xiaoyun’s recent days with Dawn had been an illusion created by a powerful Mismagius.
• Mismagius appeared and summoned an enormous, hat-wearing illusion of Eternatus, but Darkrai overwhelmed it with a Shadow Ball and Dark Void.
• Xiaoyun woke in his tent, checked on the sleeping Dawn, and confirmed that he had returned to the real camp.
• Darkrai brought the captured Mismagius to Xiaoyun, who asked how it had created such a detailed dream.
• Mismagius explained that it had only nudged Xiaoyun with psychic powers, and Xiaoyun realized he had imagined the dream’s scenes and people himself.

Xiaoyun convinced Mismagius to join him after learning that its powerful psychic abilities had helped it evade Darkrai. The next morning, Dawn watched Xiaoyun sleep and nearly kissed him before he murmured “Wifey” and startled her.

• Xiaoyun invited Mismagius to travel with him so they could play every day, and Mismagius agreed and entered a Great Ball.
• Xiaoyun checked Mismagius’s Pokédex entry and realized its unusually broad Psychic-type moveset reflected exceptional psychic power.
• After Xiaoyun fell asleep, Mismagius used its psychic power to give him a pleasant dream, then returned to its Poké Ball.
• The next morning, Dawn found Xiaoyun still asleep and quietly watched him in the tent.
• Dawn leaned in to kiss Xiaoyun, but he murmured “Wifey,” making her cry out in surprise.

Xiaoyun and Dawn continued toward Hearthome City after Mismagius’s illusion left Dawn embarrassed. Pikachu fell from the sky and led them to Ash, where they learned Pokémon hunters had stolen a Shieldon, leaving Xiaoyun reunited with Gary and the others.

• Dawn learned that Mismagius had trapped Xiaoyun in an immersive illusion while she slept, and the group continued toward Hearthome City.
• An unidentified yellow Pokémon fell onto Xiaoyun’s back, and he recognized it as Ash’s Pikachu.
• Pikachu told Xiaoyun that Ash was in danger and led him and Dawn through the forest.
• Gary, Ash, Zoey, and Brock tried to stop Pokémon hunters, but the hunters used a diversion to steal the stone-still Shieldon and escape.
• Ash reunited with Pikachu and thanked Xiaoyun, who greeted Zoey, Brock, and an awkward Gary.

Xiaoyun, Gary, and Ash pursued Hunter J to rescue Shieldon, then infiltrated her airship to search for the captured Pokémon. They began checking its rooms while Hunter J’s grunts patrolled nearby.

• Xiaoyun agreed to help Gary pursue Hunter J, and the group decided that Xiaoyun, Gary, and Ash would scout ahead while the others waited for Officer Jenny.
• Gary and Ash set off on a motorcycle while Xiaoyun rode Aerodactyl, and Xiaoyun warned them that Hunter J had a Salamence and a petrification device.
• The trio found Hunter J’s airship and planned to infiltrate quietly, but Gary had Alakazam use Teleport and they landed with a crash inside.
• Xiaoyun, Gary, Ash, and their Pokémon searched the airship’s rooms for Shieldon.
• After hearing grunts mention that they had caught a rare Pokémon called Shieldon, Xiaoyun pulled Gary and Ash into a passage to hide as three patrolmen approached.

Xiaoyun, Ash, and Gary infiltrated the airship by disguising themselves as grunts while searching for Shieldon. At dinner, Xiaoyun learned that Hunter J was outside with the crew and prepared to reveal their identities to Lord Heiteng.

• Xiaoyun had Sceptile knock out three grunts, and the group took their clothes and tied them up.
• Xiaoyun, Ash, and Gary followed a bald man to the dining hall, where Xiaoyun decided they could gather information.
• Lord Heiteng’s lackeys identified him as the team’s second-in-command and Hunter J’s right-hand man.
• Heiteng told the grunts to finish eating and go outside the airship to support Lady J before an important client arrived.
• Xiaoyun noticed Heiteng’s petrification device, signaled Ash and Gary to get ready, and told Heiteng, “Thanks, but I don't eat beef!”

Xiaoyun fought through the Pokémon hunters’ airship and left their force unconscious while Gary and Ash went to find Shieldon. Outside, Hunter J reported to Mr. Shimura that she had secured his goods.

• Xiaoyun, Gary, and Ash attacked the hunters in the restaurant, and Sceptile knocked out a man wearing a petrification device.
• Xiaoyun gave the device to Gary and Ash and stayed behind to hold off the hunters’ Pokémon.
• Darkrai blocked the attackers’ moves and used Dark Void to knock out their Pokémon and the hunters.
• Xiaoyun spotted Jessie, James, and Meowth trying to sneak away, and Darkrai put them to sleep.
• Hunter J told Mr. Shimura that she had secured the goods and agreed to bring them to his helicopter.

Ash and Gary rescued Shieldon from Hunter J, but her Pokémon and grunts overwhelmed them, forcing the pair to escape with Teleport. Xiaoyun arrived just as they vanished, leaving him behind and the rescue unfinished.

• Staravia snatched Shieldon's protective case from Hunter J's grunt and brought it to Ash and Gary.
• Hunter J and her Pokémon attacked Ash and Gary, who fought back with their Pokémon but were gradually overwhelmed.
• Gary and Ash agreed to retreat with Alakazam's Teleport and return later to rescue Xiaoyun.
• Alakazam teleported Ash, Gary, and their Pokémon away just as Xiaoyun arrived, leaving him behind.

Xiaoyun confronted Hunter J after she failed to capture Gary and Shieldon, and he stopped her attempted retreat by seizing her helicopter. Hunter J ordered her poachers to attack, but Xiaoyun’s Pokémon overwhelmed them until she used Forretress’s explosions to cover her escape.

• Xiaoyun appeared at the spaceship and faced Hunter J, who recognized him as the one who had thwarted her before.
• Hunter J’s financier canceled their deal and ordered her to return his deposit, so she tried to retreat.
• Xiaoyun sent Aerodactyl to stop the helicopter and provoked Hunter J into ordering her poachers to attack him.
• Suicune blocked the attackers with Blizzard, while Xiaoyun Mega Evolved Sceptile and used Missile Tail to clear their Pokémon.
• Hunter J sent out six Forretress and ordered them to use Explosion, then shouted for her crew to retreat.

After Xiaoyun defeated Hunter J’s forces, Officer Jenny arrested the buyers, while Hunter J escaped and assessed her losses aboard her airship. She ordered her organization to erase evidence, find new work, and strengthen its forces before facing Xiaoyun again.

• Xiaoyun reunited with Gary, Ash, and Officer Jenny after Hunter J escaped, then handed over the two unconscious buyers Aerodactyl had captured.
• Officer Jenny arrested the buyers, who had wanted to purchase Shieldon.
• Hunter J learned that fifteen personnel and their Pokémon had been lost and that the airship’s heavy supplies had been abandoned.
• Hunter J’s subordinate claimed the League had infiltrated her organization, and Hunter J accepted the explanation and ordered her dealings with the arrested client erased.
• Hunter J refused to return the client’s deposit, told her subordinate to find new jobs, and resolved to improve her forces before confronting Xiaoyun again.

Xiaoyun, Dawn, Ash, and Zoey reached Hearthome City and registered for its Pokémon Contest. Dawn learned the contest would use Double Battles, then ran into Kenny and saw Jessilina hurry away before Zoey introduced her friend Nando.

• Gary handed Shieldon to Officer Jenny, said goodbye to Xiaoyun and Ash, and continued his research journey.
• Two and a half days later, Xiaoyun, Dawn, Ash, and Zoey arrived in Hearthome City and registered Dawn and Zoey for the contest.
• Nurse Joy told Dawn and Zoey that the contest would use Double Battles for both performances and elimination rounds, surprising Dawn.
• Kenny registered for the contest, traded barbs with Dawn, and left after declaring that he would not lose this time.
• Dawn spotted Jessilina, who hurried away with a formally dressed man, and Zoey introduced Nando as a skilled rival she had met at a previous contest.

Nando explained to Dawn and Xiaoyun why he pursued both Pokémon Contests and League competitions, and Dawn grew more determined to prepare for the Ribbon. Xiaoyun brought his Pokémon to the field behind the Pokémon Center and began assigning their training.

• Nando told Dawn that Ash had inspired him to compete in both Pokémon Contests and the League, and he said he looked forward to competing against her.
• Zoey praised Nando's strength, and he left after sharing his experience with Dawn and the others.
• Dawn worried that the Ribbon would be difficult to win, but Xiaoyun encouraged her to focus on preparing for the preliminary round.
• Dawn hurried Xiaoyun to the battlefield behind the Pokémon Center, where he brought out his six Pokémon and began assigning their training.
• Xiaoyun told Sceptile to train Calm Mind and seek out Darkrai for a battle, and Darkrai accepted Sceptile's invitation.
• Xiaoyun paired Ursaring with Aerodactyl for sparring and began telling Mismagius to work on her Ghost-type moves.

Xiaoyun trained Grotle and Buizel to use Counter Shield while Dawn practiced a coordinated Contest performance with Buneary and Swablu. Three days later, the Hearthome Contest began, with Dawn and the other contestants ready backstage and Xiaoyun, Ash, and Brock cheering from the stands.

• Xiaoyun taught Grotle and Buizel how to create protective rings with Mega Drain and Water Gun, then corrected their technique as they practiced.
• Dawn rehearsed an ice-and-feather performance with Buneary and Swablu, but Swablu's Tailwind scattered the feathers and caused Buneary to fall.
• Dawn comforted Swablu and encouraged her with Piplup's story of improving before his first competition, and Swablu agreed to try again.
• Three days later, Dawn and Zoey waited in their gowns at the Hearthome Contest while Kenny, Jessie, Nando, and other contestants arrived.
• Xiaoyun brought out his cheering kit, gave supplies to Ash and Brock, and Ash joined him in cheering as the contest host Marian introduced the judges and a special guest.

Dawn performed in the Hearthome Contest, shaping Swablu’s cotton and Buneary’s Ice Beam into a cloud of ice before completing a white angel wing with Feather Dance. The chapter ended with her finished display before the judges had announced its score.

• Fantina explained that the Hearthome Contest judges would score contestants strictly on elegance, technique, and coordination between their two Pokémon.
• Nando earned 39 points for his musical performance with Kricketune and Roserade, while Kenny, Zoey, and Jessie also performed.
• Marian called Dawn to the stage, and Dawn sent out Buneary and Swablu.
• Dawn had Swablu create cotton and Buneary freeze it into ice, then used Dizzy Punch to shape the ice into a cloud.
• Dawn had Swablu use Tailwind and Feather Dance to assemble a white angel wing above Buneary.

Dawn advanced through the Pokémon Contest’s preliminary and first battle rounds, then faced Jessie in the second round. Jessie’s Seviper and Dustox trapped Buneary and Pachirisu in Haze and attacked them, leaving Dawn struggling to respond.

• Dawn earned 39.1 points for her performance with Swablu and Buneary, narrowly surpassing Nando’s score, and advanced to the second round with Nando, Kenny, Jessie, and Zoey.
• Dawn defeated her first-round opponent with Buneary and Pachirisu, while Nando and Zoey also won their matches.
• Jessie defeated Kenny, whose Prinplup and Buizel lost to Seviper and Dustox, and Kenny left the waiting room in embarrassment.
• Dawn faced Jessie in the second round while Nando and Zoey were matched against each other.
• Jessie’s Seviper and Dustox used Haze to obscure the battlefield, then attacked Buneary and Pachirisu with Poison Sting, leaving Dawn unable to see or find a counter.

Dawn defeated Jessie to advance to the Hearthome Contest finals, where she faced Nando. The final match began with both trainers choosing new Pokémon, and Nando countered Dawn’s opening attacks as he prepared to strike back.

• Dawn used Buneary’s Bounce to dodge Jessie’s attacks, then Pachirisu’s Sweet Kiss and Discharge and Buneary’s Hidden Power defeated Seviper and Dustox.
• Dawn advanced to the finals, while Jessie lamented losing her chance to win a second Ribbon.
• Nando defeated Zoey with Roserade and Kricketune, earning his place in the final against Dawn.
• Dawn sent out Buneary and Piplup, while Nando chose Anorith and Sunflora.
• Dawn ordered Bubble Beam at Anorith and Hidden Power at Sunflora, but Nando’s Pokémon intercepted both attacks.

Dawn lost Buneary to Nando's carefully coordinated attack, but then used Piplup's Bubble Beam to push Anorith into Sunflora's Solar Beam and even the battle. With two minutes remaining, Piplup and Sunflora faced off alone, and Nando ordered Sunflora to use Grass Whistle.

• Nando's Sunflora struck Buneary with Solar Beam while Anorith kept it occupied, knocking Buneary out and leaving Dawn with only Piplup.
• Dawn encouraged Piplup to drive the injured Anorith back with Peck, then used Bubble Beam to push it into Sunflora's Solar Beam.
• Nando could not stop Sunflora's already-fired Solar Beam, and Anorith was knocked out, leaving a one-on-one battle.
• Nando's Sunflora attacked with Bullet Seed, but Piplup intercepted the seeds with Bubble Beam.
• Nando ordered Sunflora to use Grass Whistle.