Recaps

Xiaoyun defeated Terashima’s Pokémon, and Buizel evolved into Floatzel after using Flying Raijin. Hunter J escaped while Terashima fled with Riolu, but Xiaoyun chased him down and freed Riolu, leaving Terashima in custody.

• Buizel unleashed Flying Raijin to sweep away Terashima’s Golem and Graveler, then evolved into Floatzel.
• Dawn and Hajime arrived as Xiaoyun confronted Terashima and Hunter J after defeating Terashima’s team.
• Hunter J threw Riolu to Terashima and escaped on Salamence, while Terashima fled with Riolu on Fearow.
• Dawn and Hajime stopped Terashima’s subordinates from firing as Xiaoyun pursued him on Aerodactyl.
• Xiaoyun struck Fearow with Stone Edge, recovered Riolu, and arrested Terashima after Aerodactyl frightened him into surrendering.

After Riolu was rescued, Xiaoyun and Dawn visited Riolu’s home, where his elderly caretaker welcomed him back. The next morning, the caretaker asked Xiaoyun to train Riolu and show him the world, and Riolu chose to become Xiaoyun’s Pokémon before they resumed their journey.

• Terashima cooperated with Officer Jenny and put on the silver bracelets after Aerodactyl persuaded him.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Hajime brought Riolu home, where the old man embraced him and thanked Xiaoyun for saving him.
• The old man invited Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Hajime to stay the night.
• The next morning, the old man asked Xiaoyun to take Riolu traveling so he could grow before returning to guard the country.
• Xiaoyun offered Riolu a Poké Ball, and Riolu chose to become his Pokémon.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn set off again with Riolu as Hajime and the old man watched them go.

Dawn trained her Pokémon at Lake Valor, where Trapinch evolved into Vibrava and Piplup resisted evolving. As Dawn tried to learn why Piplup refused, a beautiful Pokémon emerged from the lake.

• Dawn had Trapinch battle Piplup, and Xiaoyun stopped the match before their rivalry turned into a fight.
• Trapinch evolved into Vibrava after Dawn praised it.
• Piplup began to evolve but resisted, and Xiaoyun explained that it did not want to evolve.
• Dawn and Xiaoyun asked Piplup why it wanted to stay unevolved, but it grew too embarrassed to answer.
• A mist rose over Lake Valor, and a beautiful water serpent emerged, catching Dawn's attention.

At Lake Valor, Xiaoyun and Dawn met Hoenn Champion Wallace, who was exploring the area ahead of the Wallace Cup. Dawn asked him why Piplup resisted evolution, and Wallace began explaining possible reasons.

• Xiaoyun and Dawn spotted Milotic at Lake Valor and discovered Wallace riding on it.
• Wallace greeted Xiaoyun and Dawn, and Dawn excitedly introduced herself as a Coordinator competing in the Wallace Cup.
• Wallace explained that Pokémon could resist evolution for different reasons, including confidence in their own strength.
• Wallace told Dawn that Piplup's resistance probably did not come from that confidence, making Xiaoyun laugh and prompting Piplup to threaten him with Peck.
• Xiaoyun calmed Piplup, and Piplup let the glow around its beak fade.

Wallace explained why Piplup resisted evolution, and Dawn accepted that it wanted to remain a Piplup. He then trained Dawn in a battle against Milotic, where Piplup learned Blizzard under pressure and stopped Milotic’s waves before Wallace praised Dawn’s promise.

• Wallace explained that Piplup might resist evolution because it feared losing its identity, and Piplup admitted it wanted to stay by Dawn’s side as a Piplup.
• Dawn hugged Piplup and told it that it did not have to evolve, and Wallace invited her to battle him.
• Dawn and Piplup opened with Bubble Beam and Whirlpool, while Wallace countered with Milotic’s Twister and Surf.
• Dawn combined Whirlpool with Ice Beam to create Ice Whirlpool, but Milotic shattered it with Surf and then attacked with Waterfall.
• Piplup learned Blizzard under pressure and froze Milotic’s waves, after which Wallace ended the match and praised Dawn’s potential.

Xiaoyun and Dawn met May at Lake Valor, where she revealed that her Eevee had evolved into Glaceon and invited the group to dinner. As everyone headed to the Seven Stars Restaurant, Dawn became jealous of Xiaoyun praising May, while Team Rocket watched and Jessie worried about competing against three girls.

• Azelf followed Xiaoyun after sensing a familiar power connected to Mesprit and revealed that it had helped Piplup’s battle strength surge.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn met Ash and his companions at Lake Valor’s docks to welcome May, who arrived by cruise ship and handed out gifts.
• May showed everyone her newly evolved Glaceon and explained that she had traveled to Snowpoint City to evolve Eevee at the Ice Rock.
• Xiaoyun invited the group to the Seven Stars Restaurant, and May eagerly led everyone toward dinner.
• Dawn grew jealous when Xiaoyun praised May, so he reassured Dawn that she was the only one he saw.
• Team Rocket watched from their Meowth-shaped hot-air balloon as Jessie complained that three girls were competing against her.

Ash and Brock won a Double Battle against Roman and Kylie to earn the right to dine at Seven Stars Restaurant. May and Zoey then teamed up to challenge the couple, leaving their battle about to begin.

• The receptionist explained that diners had to defeat Roman and Kylie in a Double Battle, so Ash and Brock accepted the challenge.
• Ash sent out Monferno while Brock chose Croagunk, and Roman and Kylie countered with Drifloon and Girafarig.
• Croagunk struck Drifloon with Sucker Punch, and Monferno hit Girafarig with Mach Punch while dodging the opponents’ attacks.
• May, Dawn, and Zoey discussed how Ash had protected the abandoned Chimchar before it evolved into Monferno and joined him.
• Monferno and Croagunk defeated Girafarig and Drifloon, earning Ash and Brock entry to the restaurant.
• May and Zoey accepted the next challenge and sent out Blaziken and Gastrodon.

May and Zoey defeated Roman and Kylie’s Snorlax and Munchlax with a combined Fire Spin and Whirlpool, earning the right to dine at the restaurant. Xiaoyun and Dawn then began their battle against Nidoking and Nidoqueen, and the match remained underway as they launched their next attacks.

• May had Blaziken leap over Snorlax and Munchlax’s Rollout while Zoey prepared Gastrodon’s Whirlpool.
• May and Zoey combined Fire Spin and Whirlpool, defeating Snorlax and Munchlax and winning their place at the restaurant.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn sent out Riolu and Buneary against Roman and Kylie’s Nidoking and Nidoqueen, then dodged the couple’s Earth Power.
• Buneary and Riolu counterattacked with Hidden Power and Force Palm, knocking Nidoqueen down and striking back at the Nido couple.
• Riolu used Circle Throw to send Nidoking into Buneary’s Jump Kick, which sent him crashing into Nidoqueen.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn ordered Riolu to use Aura Sphere and Buneary to use Ice Beam.

After Xiaoyun and Dawn defeated Roman and Kylie’s strongest Pokémon, the group enjoyed their promised dinner before the Wallace Cup began. Xiaoyun entered the contest on a whim in an elaborate outfit, while the group realized Brock was missing.

• Riolu and Buneary defeated Roman and Kylie’s Nidoking and Nidoqueen with a coordinated attack, and Xiaoyun praised Dawn’s timing.
• Roman honored his bet and paid for the group’s luxurious meal, which Ash and May ate enthusiastically.
• Marian opened the Wallace Cup, and Wallace impressed the crowd with Milotic’s performance.
• Xiaoyun appeared in an ornate robe and told May he had long dreamed of becoming a Coordinator, then admitted he had entered on a whim.
• Dawn and Xiaoyun noticed Ash was also dressed for the contest, and someone asked where Brock had gone.

The Wallace Cup began, and May, Zoey, Ash, and Jessie Lina each performed with their Pokémon. Jessie Lina took the lead with a risky Seviper act, and Dawn was introduced as the next contestant.

• Zoey asked where Brock was, while the others awkwardly avoided explaining that they had left him behind.
• Brock waited alone in the stands as the Wallace Cup officially began.
• May scored 39.1 with Wartortle, and Zoey scored 39.0 with Lumineon.
• Ash earned 38.7 with Ambipom, while Jessie Lina scored 39.3 after risking a Seviper performance that impressed the judges and audience.
• Dawn stepped onto the stage and sent out Vibrava.

Dawn dazzled the Pokémon Contest judges and audience with Vibrava’s Sandstorm performance, then Xiaoyun made his stage debut with Suicune. Xiaoyun’s performance won over the crowd, while Brock realized he was the only one in his group who had not entered.

• Dawn used Vibrava’s Sand Tomb, Sandstorm, and Scary Face to create a towering face of swirling sand, then cleared the storm and bowed.
• The judges praised Dawn’s performance, and she earned a score of 39.5, surpassing Jessie.
• Johanna and Lina watched Dawn on television and teased each other before turning their attention to Xiaoyun’s performance.
• Xiaoyun sent out Suicune, whose Mist concealed the stage before it emerged and stunned the audience; Jessie complained that entering a Legendary Pokémon was unfair.
• Xiaoyun directed Suicune to use Purify, clearing the pool and transforming the stage into a misty scene that drew loud cheers.
• Brock noticed Xiaoyun had entered the contest and realized he was the only one in his group sitting in the audience.

Xiaoyun advanced through the Wallace Cup preliminary round with Suicune’s performance, then defeated Ash in a fierce Monferno battle to reach the next round. Ash was eliminated after his Monferno was knocked out by Fire Blast.

• Lina pretended she had known Xiaoyun caught Suicune while privately resenting that he had not told her.
• Xiaoyun earned a score of 39.9 for his Suicune performance, and he, his companions, and Jessie advanced from the preliminary round.
• The Wallace Cup draw paired Xiaoyun against Ash, who sent out Monferno instead of battling with Pikachu.
• Ash’s and Xiaoyun’s Monferno traded Mach Punches before Xiaoyun’s Monferno gained the advantage with Flamethrower and Fire Pledge.
• Xiaoyun’s Monferno struck Ash’s weakened Monferno with Fire Blast, and the referee declared Xiaoyun the winner.

May defeated Jessie to secure a semifinal spot, and Xiaoyun then deliberately threw his match against Dawn. The chapter left Dawn believing she had won through skill as the judges silently accepted the result.

• May used Venusaur to repel Seviper’s Poison Sting and then blasted it out of the arena with Solar Beam, defeating Jessie.
• The semifinals were set as Xiaoyun against Dawn and May against Zoey.
• Xiaoyun told Riolu to use only thirty percent of its strength, while Dawn sent out Piplup for their match.
• After both contestants hesitated, Xiaoyun ordered Riolu to use a deliberately weakened Karate Chop, and Piplup knocked it down with Drill Peck.
• The timer ran out, Dawn won on points, and Xiaoyun praised her while the judges chose not to question his obvious forfeit.

May defeated Zoey in the Wallace Cup semifinal by using Beautifly’s Morning Sun to charge Solar Beam, then faced Dawn and Buneary in the final. The final began with Glaceon reflecting Buneary’s Ice Beam and the Pokémon colliding in midair, leaving the outcome undecided.

• May’s Beautifly countered Zoey’s Glameow and used Morning Sun to gather sunlight before knocking Glameow out with Solar Beam.
• Zoey accepted her defeat and recalled Glameow, while Ash and Teacher Brock remarked on May’s growth.
• Marian introduced May and Dawn as the Wallace Cup finalists, and Dawn sent out Buneary while May chose Glaceon.
• Buneary’s Ice Beam was reflected by Glaceon’s Mirror Coat, and Buneary dodged the return attack with Bounce.
• Dawn ordered Buneary to use Jump Kick, and May answered with Glaceon’s Ice Fang as the two attacks collided.

Dawn defeated May in the Wallace Cup final after Buneary evolved into Lopunny and turned the battle around. May accepted her loss and looked forward to battling Dawn again.

• May used Glaceon's Hail and Ice Body Ability to heal it while Dawn lost points, but Dawn ordered Buneary to attack with Hidden Power.
• Glaceon countered with Blizzard, freezing Buneary, but Buneary evolved into Lopunny and gave Dawn renewed confidence.
• Lopunny overwhelmed Glaceon with Jump Kick, then used Double Team to distract it while preparing a surprise attack from above.
• Dawn ordered Lopunny to strike with Return, leaving Glaceon badly weakened when time ran out.
• Marian announced Dawn as the Wallace Cup winner, and May congratulated Dawn before promising to battle her again.

Dawn won the Wallace Cup and received the Aqua Ribbon, her third Ribbon, before the group returned to the Pokémon Center. Brock confronted Ash and the others for leaving him uninformed, then punished Ash and Pikachu by taking away their favorite foods for several days.

• Wallace awarded Dawn the Aqua Ribbon and encouraged her to perform at the Grand Festival.
• Brock confronted Ash and the others for entering the Wallace Cup without telling him, and Xiaoyun fled with Dawn.
• May and Zoey explained that they had not known Brock was being left out, while Ash admitted fault and apologized.
• Brock forgave Ash but sentenced him to several days of vegetables and Pikachu to several days without ketchup.
• Dawn proudly showed Johanna her Aqua Ribbon again, and Lina offered to listen whenever Dawn wanted to share her excitement.

Xiaoyun met Azelf at Lake Valor, where the Lake Guardian gave him a Psychic Seed before disappearing. He and Lina reached Pastoria City, and Xiaoyun began his Gym challenge by asking Crasher Wake for a battle.

• Xiaoyun confronted Azelf, who revealed it had followed him out of curiosity and for the fun of watching battles.
• Azelf gave Xiaoyun a Psychic Seed that strengthened his mental world and his mastery of the Power of Overcoming, then returned beneath Lake Valor.
• The next day, Xiaoyun and Lina left Ash and the others and continued their journey.
• Xiaoyun and Lina arrived in Pastoria City, and Xiaoyun headed to the Pastoria Gym after settling in.
• Xiaoyun challenged Gym Leader Crasher Wake, who enthusiastically accepted.

Xiaoyun battled Crasher Wake in a three-on-three Gym match, using Riolu before switching to Mismagius. Mismagius defeated Gyarados with Hypnosis and Dream Eater, and Crasher Wake sent out Sharpedo next.

• Xiaoyun opened the match with Riolu, which used Swords Dance and dodged Gyarados's Hydro Pump with Quick Attack.
• Riolu's Thunder Punch failed to break through Gyarados's Twister, and Xiaoyun recalled it to avoid Gyarados's Hurricane.
• Xiaoyun sent out Mismagius, which stopped Gyarados's Waterfall with Psychic and redirected the wave toward it.
• Mismagius teleported in front of Gyarados, used Hypnosis to make it see Dark Lugia, then defeated it with Dream Eater.
• The referee declared Gyarados unable to battle, and Crasher Wake sent out Sharpedo.

Xiaoyun’s Riolu defeated Crasher Wake’s Sharpedo by sensing it with Aura and striking it with Thunder Punch at close range. Riolu then faced Crasher Wake’s final Pokémon, Floatzel, and was struggling as the battle continued.

• Crasher Wake sent out Sharpedo, and Xiaoyun recalled Mismagius and sent Riolu back into battle.
• Sharpedo pressured Riolu with Aqua Jet, Hydro Pump, and Night Slash, but Riolu countered with Force Palm, Aura Sphere, and Thunder Punch.
• Xiaoyun told Riolu to sense Sharpedo’s Aura, allowing Riolu to locate it underwater and evade its Rocket Headbutt.
• Riolu grabbed Sharpedo’s fin, endured its Rough Skin, and knocked it out with a close-range Thunder Punch.
• Crasher Wake sent out Floatzel, which clashed with Riolu and forced it to one knee before Crasher Wake ordered another Razor Wind.

Xiaoyun defeated Crasher Wake’s final Pokémon, Floatzel, with his own Floatzel’s powerful combination attacks and won the Fen Badge. The chapter left Xiaoyun with five of the eight badges needed for his quest.

• Xiaoyun recalled Riolu after Crasher Wake’s Floatzel knocked it out, then sent out his own Floatzel.
• Xiaoyun’s Floatzel reflected Razor Wind with Iron Tail and broke through Brick Break with Ice Aqua Jet, striking Crasher Wake’s Floatzel into the pool wall.
• Crasher Wake’s Floatzel powered up with Bulk Up and charged with Wave Crash, but Xiaoyun’s Floatzel pierced the attack with Flying Raijin and knocked it out.
• The referee declared Xiaoyun the winner, and Crasher Wake awarded him the Fen Badge and praised his prospects at the Lily of the Valley Conference.
• Xiaoyun accepted the badge, bringing his badge-collection quest to five out of eight.

Xiaoyun and Dawn visited the Great Marsh to catch Pokémon, then encountered Paul battling a Drapion. Paul’s Nidoking knocked Drapion back and prepared to finish the fight with Earth Power.

• Xiaoyun earned the Fen Badge, and he and Dawn rested in Pastoria City before visiting the Great Marsh.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn bought Safari Balls and heard Trainers talking about a powerful Bug King in the marsh.
• Dawn and Xiaoyun each threw many Safari Balls but failed to catch any Pokémon.
• A ground-shaking battle led Xiaoyun and Dawn to Paul, whose Nidoking was fighting a Drapion.
• Paul’s Nidoking countered Drapion’s X-Scissor with Double Kick, sending Drapion flying, and Paul ordered Earth Power.

Paul caught a powerful Drapion in the Great Marsh while Xiaoyun struggled to catch any Pokémon. Xiaoyun then encountered a fiery Shiny Skorupi and began battling it with Monferno.

• Paul defeated Drapion with Nidoking and caught it with a Safari Ball on his first try.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn spoke with Paul about Drapion being called the Bug King before Paul left with Nidoking.
• Xiaoyun spotted a red Skorupi, but it broke out of his Safari Ball and attacked him with Pin Missile.
• Monferno burned away Skorupi’s Pin Missile with Flamethrower, and Skorupi answered with a matching burst of fire.
• Skorupi used X-Scissor to attack Monferno, and Xiaoyun ordered Monferno to use Mach Punch.

Xiaoyun finally caught the Shiny Skorupi after repeated failed attempts, while Paul secretly watched Monferno battle and reflected that it was being raised well. After Dawn caught a Swinub and they returned to Hearthome City, Xiaoyun and Dawn began a practice battle that ended with Xiaoyun ordering Skorupi to use Poison Tail.

• Xiaoyun caught Skorupi on his eighteenth Safari Ball attempt after Monferno defeated it.
• Paul watched Monferno battle, acknowledged that it was being raised well, and left with Nidoking.
• Dawn caught a Swinub with her Poffins, and she and Xiaoyun finished their Great Marsh trip.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn returned to Hearthome City after several days of travel and practiced with Skorupi and Swinub.
• Skorupi's X-Scissor clashed with Swinub's Take Down, and Xiaoyun then commanded Skorupi to use Poison Tail.

Xiaoyun showed Dawn that his Shiny Skorupi could inflict a powerful fire poison, then accepted fashion designer Paris's invitation to a competition after Dawn persuaded him. The pair prepared to enter, with Xiaoyun agreeing to design Dawn's outfit.

• Skorupi struck Swinub with fire poison and X-Scissor, and Dawn's Antidote failed to help.
• Xiaoyun treated Swinub with a Poffin and explained Skorupi's unusual fire poison and its talent for Fire-type moves.
• Paris approached Xiaoyun and Dawn and invited them to enter her Fashion Design Competition.
• Dawn recognized Paris as a designer she admired and persuaded Xiaoyun to join the competition.
• Dawn asked Xiaoyun to design her clothes, then kissed him and promised more affection if he did well.

Xiaoyun helped Dawn prepare for Paris’s fashion design competition, where Dawn and Lopunny won with an elegant, understated presentation. Paris crowned Dawn and later featured her photograph on a magazine cover, earning Dawn the title Sinnoh Princess.

• Xiaoyun reunited with Ash and learned that Ash, Zoey, and Brock had entered the competition after Fantina left Hearthome City.
• Xiaoyun defended Dawn when a haughty young lady insulted her at registration.
• Dawn chose a simple design after realizing the competition should showcase a Pokémon’s beauty, and Xiaoyun encouraged her before the show.
• Ash, Zoey, Jessie, and the young lady presented their outfits before Dawn and Lopunny transformed the stage with an elegant gown and Ice Beam display.
• Paris praised Dawn’s presentation, and Dawn and Lopunny won the competition as Paris crowned Dawn and later used her photograph as a magazine cover.