Chapter Summaries

Xiaoyun defeated the Masked Man's Incineroar with Bond Bloodmoon Bear, then faced Tapu Koko, Alola's guardian deity. Zeraora countered Tapu Koko's Electric attacks and gained the upper hand, but Tapu Koko restored Kukui's Z-Ring and gave him a mysterious golden Z-Crystal.

• Xiaoyun's Bond Bloodmoon Bear unleashed Cero and Blood Moon Slash to defeat the Masked Man's Incineroar, putting him one win from advancing.
• The Masked Man sent out Tapu Koko, which attacked Rotom during the interval until Kukui and the referee stopped it.
• Xiaoyun recalled Bloodmoon Bear and sent out his final Pokémon, Zeraora, whose Volt Absorb Ability made Tapu Koko's lightning ineffective.
• Zeraora dodged Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam and struck it with Thunder Punch, Discharge, and Plasma Fists, leaving Tapu Koko struggling.
• Tapu Koko restored Kukui's Z-Ring with a natural halo and gave him a golden Z-Crystal that Kukui recognized as possibly the legendary Tapu Z.

Xiaoyun defeated Tapu Koko with Zeraora and advanced to the tournament semifinals, where he was set to face Mustard. That night, Mew and Mewtwo visited him, and Mew asked him to become a guardian of the Tree of Beginning after the tournament.

• Kukui used Tapu Koko’s legendary Z-Move, Guardian of Alola, against Xiaoyun’s Zeraora and Gigavolt Havoc.
• The clash knocked out both Pokémon, and the referee declared Xiaoyun the winner of the final quarterfinal.
• Xiaoyun joined Alder, Norman, and Mustard in the semifinals and learned that Mustard would be his next opponent.
• Mewtwo arrived at Xiaoyun’s room with Mew, who asked Xiaoyun to become a guardian of the Tree of Beginning.
• Xiaoyun agreed to visit the Tree of Beginning after the tournament, while Mew secretly decided to sneak along to watch the semifinals.

Norman battled Alder in the tournament semifinals, defeating Escavalier with Spinda and Swellow before Volcarona knocked out Swellow. With the match going badly, Norman sent out his final Pokémon, a giant, sleepy-looking Pokémon that prepared to face Volcarona.

• Norman and Alder exchanged pleasantries before sending out Spinda and Escavalier to begin their semifinal battle.
• Norman had Spinda poison itself and use Facade to hit Escavalier hard, but bad poison weakened Spinda until Escavalier knocked it out.
• Norman sent out Swellow, whose Flame Orb activated its Guts; Swellow used Brave Bird to defeat Escavalier and even the score.
• Alder sent out Volcarona, which countered Swellow's Double Team and defeated it with a combination of attacks, putting Norman behind.
• Norman reflected that Champions and their Pokémon were difficult to defeat, then sent out his final Pokémon, an enormous, sleepy-looking Pokémon with a fierce gleam in its eyes.

Alder defeated Norman in the first semifinal with Volcarona’s Blazing Flame Sky Soar, securing a place in the final. The second semifinal began between Xiaoyun and Mustard, and their opening Pokémon, Metagross and Kommo-o, clashed until Metagross revealed a meteor attack aimed at Mustard.

• Alder’s Volcarona overwhelmed Norman’s Slaking with Blazing Flame Sky Soar, making Alder the first finalist.
• Norman accepted that his strength still fell short of Champion level after his defeat.
• Xiaoyun and Mustard began the second semifinal by sending out Metagross and Kommo-o.
• Mustard boosted Kommo-o with Clangorous Soulblaze, then used its sound-based attacks to batter Metagross.
• Metagross recovered from Kommo-o’s attack and summoned a flaming meteor that plunged toward the arena.
• Alder stopped Marshal from intervening, judging that Mustard and the experts in the stadium could handle the meteor.

Mustard’s Kommo-o and Xiaoyun’s Metagross knocked each other out in a mutual Explosion, leaving the match tied. Mew then joined Xiaoyun’s side and transformed into Urshifu and Zekrom as it battled Mustard’s Rapid Strike Style Urshifu.

• Mustard’s Kommo-o halted and shattered Metagross’s meteor, then used Clanging Scales to stop Metagross’s Hammer Arm charge.
• Metagross ignored Xiaoyun’s warning and used Explosion, knocking out both itself and Kommo-o.
• Mustard sent out Rapid Strike Style Urshifu, but Mew entered the field and Xiaoyun declared that it would battle for him.
• Mew dodged Urshifu’s attacks with Teleport, transformed into Urshifu, and matched its punches and Surging Strikes.
• Mustard boosted Urshifu with Bulk Up and prepared Focus Punch while Mew transformed into Zekrom.
• Mustard ordered Urshifu to unleash a full-power Focus Punch against Zekrom.

Xiaoyun’s Mew defeated Mustard’s first Urshifu, then Xiaoyun’s Bond Form Sceptile fought Mustard’s Single Strike Style Urshifu to a simultaneous knockout after both Trainers unleashed their strongest attacks. With Mustard’s Pokémon all unable to battle, Xiaoyun advanced from the semifinal.

• Mew transformed into Zekrom and defeated Mustard’s Urshifu with Bolt Strike before putting it to sleep with Hypnosis.
• Mustard sent out a second Urshifu, and Mew left the battlefield to visit Mewtwo while Xiaoyun chose Sceptile to fight.
• Sceptile entered Bond Form and battled Single Strike Style Urshifu evenly as Xiaoyun and Mustard traded commands.
• Mustard Dynamaxed Urshifu, whose powerful attacks pushed Sceptile to its limit.
• Xiaoyun linked with Darkrai and used Move-Fusion to restore Sceptile’s strength, then ordered Divine Departure against Urshifu’s G-Max One Blow.
• Divine Departure cleaved through Urshifu’s attack and knocked it out, while Sceptile also collapsed; the referee declared both unable to battle and announced Xiaoyun’s semifinal victory.

After drawing with Mustard in the semifinals, Xiaoyun prepared to face Alder in the Driftveil Tournament final, a six-on-six battle. The final began with Luxray battling Alder’s Accelgor, and Xiaoyun sent Luxray charging toward it with Wild Charge.

• Xiaoyun and Mustard’s semifinal ended in a draw, and Mustard invited Xiaoyun to visit Galar someday.
• The tournament’s final between Xiaoyun and Alder was scheduled for the next evening, and Cynthia encouraged Xiaoyun while promising good news if he won.
• At the Driftveil Tournament final, Alder sent out Accelgor and Xiaoyun chose Luxray.
• Accelgor used Agility, Water Shuriken, Double Team, and Focus Blast, while Luxray dodged with Quick Attack and countered with Thunder Fang and Discharge.
• Luxray’s Thunder Wave only grazed Accelgor, but the brief pause let Xiaoyun order Wild Charge.

Xiaoyun and Alder traded Pokémon in their battle, with Accelgor defeating Luxray before Torterra evened the score. Suicune then defeated Alder’s Volcarona with Absolute Freezing Air, leaving Xiaoyun ahead in the match.

• Accelgor used Final Gambit and Water Shuriken to knock out Luxray, giving Alder the first round.
• Torterra interrupted Accelgor’s Recover with Earthquake and defeated it with Frenzy Plant, tying the battle.
• Volcarona defeated Torterra with Heat Wave and an intensified Fire Spin.
• Xiaoyun sent out Suicune, which stopped Volcarona’s Hurricane with Psychic and countered its Fire Spin with Surf.
• Volcarona boosted itself with Quiver Dance and attacked with Flare Blitz, but Suicune froze it with the combined move Absolute Freezing Air, winning the round.

Xiaoyun’s Mismagius defeated Alder’s Conkeldurr but fell to Bouffalant, leaving Darkrai to take over the battle. Darkrai defeated Bouffalant and Escavalier, putting Xiaoyun in control of the match.

• Xiaoyun sent Mismagius against Alder’s Conkeldurr, using Illusion Space and Dream Eater to drain its stamina before Alder recalled it.
• Alder sent out Bouffalant, which dodged Mismagius’s Will-O-Wisp and knocked it out with Megahorn.
• Xiaoyun summoned Darkrai, whose Dark Void and Dark Pulse put Bouffalant to sleep before Foul Play turned its charge against it.
• Alder used Bouffalant’s Sleep Talk to launch High Horsepower and Head Charge, but Darkrai’s Shadow Mode made it immune to Head Charge, and Thunder knocked Bouffalant out.
• Alder sent out Escavalier, but Darkrai shattered its X-Scissor with Shadow Claw and froze it with Ice Beam.

Xiaoyun’s Darkrai defeated Alder’s Pokémon in succession, but Alder summoned Reshiram and turned the finals into a clash of legendary dragons. Xiaoyun sent out Kyurem, which transformed into Black Kyurem and defeated Reshiram, leaving the match—and the chapter—on Kyurem’s victory.

• Darkrai defeated Alder’s Conkeldurr, extending its winning streak to three matches.
• Alder summoned Reshiram, which overpowered Darkrai with Fusion Flare and forced Xiaoyun to respond.
• Xiaoyun sent out Kyurem, and the legendary dragons began battling with fire and ice.
• Kyurem transformed into Black Kyurem and overwhelmed Reshiram with lightning and ice attacks.
• Black Kyurem knocked Reshiram unconscious, and the referee declared Kyurem the winner.

Xiaoyun won the Pokémon World Championships after defeating Alder and Reshiram, then traveled with Dawn to the Tree of Beginning to seek guardianship. Mew set him a trial against Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, and Xiaoyun prepared to battle them.

• Xiaoyun received the championship trophy from Alder as friends and viewers across the regions celebrated his victory.
• A week later, Xiaoyun and Dawn entered the Tree of Beginning’s secret realm with Mew and Mewtwo and saw thriving Fossil Pokémon.
• Xiaoyun carefully gave Dawn a crystal from the realm after Mewtwo warned them not to take things casually.
• Mew revealed that Regirock, Regice, and Registeel guarded the Tree of Beginning and that Xiaoyun had to defeat all three to become a guardian.
• Xiaoyun accepted the trial and sent out Sceptile, Suicune, and Darkrai to face the Legendary Titans.

Xiaoyun and his companions defeated the three divine-office Regi Titans, then entered the Tree of Beginning and established a connection that let him summon Deoxys through its power. The Tree’s life force also triggered Dewott’s evolution into a unique Water-type Samurott, leaving Xiaoyun wondering what other changes it might bring to his Pokémon.

• Sceptile, Darkrai, and Suicune battled Regirock, Registeel, and Regice until Sceptile and Darkrai activated their special forms and defeated their opponents.
• Suicune froze Regice with Absolute Freezing Air, and Sceptile and Darkrai joined forces to finish the last Regi Titan.
• Mew brought Xiaoyun and Dawn inside the Tree of Beginning, where Xiaoyun connected with its energy and felt its peaceful emotions.
• Xiaoyun used Deoxys’s psychic crystal as a token and successfully summoned Deoxys through the Tree of Beginning.
• The Tree’s life force caused Dewott to evolve into a special, pure Water-type Samurott with the Sharpness ability.

Xiaoyun left Twinleaf Town with Dawn to begin his League assignment in Kalos, where he was to investigate Team Flare and evaluate Gyms. They arrived in Lumiose City and reached Professor Sycamore’s lab, where Sycamore was giving Starter Pokémon to new Trainers.

• Xiaoyun said goodbye to Lina and Qing'an and left home with Eevee.
• Dawn joined Xiaoyun for the journey to Kalos, bringing Shaymin along while the invisible Victini followed.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn arrived in Lumiose City and paid an unexpectedly steep taxi fare to reach the Sycamore Pokémon Lab.
• Sophie greeted Xiaoyun and Dawn and led them through the lab’s public museum.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn entered a room where Professor Sycamore was handing Starter Pokémon to new Trainers.

Xiaoyun visited Professor Sycamore’s lab, explained the Power of Overcoming, and agreed to demonstrate it in a battle against Alain. Their one-on-one match began with Xiaoyun’s Sceptile gaining the upper hand against Alain’s Charizard.

• Professor Sycamore gave Sawyer a Pokédex, and Sawyer recognized Xiaoyun as his idol and vowed to become stronger.
• Xiaoyun told Professor Sycamore about the Power of Overcoming, and the professor asked to observe it firsthand in a battle.
• Professor Sycamore introduced Xiaoyun to his former assistant Alain, and they agreed to a friendly match.
• Alain sent out Charizard while Xiaoyun chose Sceptile, prompting Sawyer to eagerly record the battle.
• Charizard’s Flamethrower was split by Sceptile’s Leaf Blade, and Sceptile dodged Dragon Claw before blasting Charizard away with Leaf Storm.

Xiaoyun defeated Alain’s Mega Charizard with Sceptile’s Bond Form, and Professor Sycamore recorded the new energy while Team Flare learned of it. The next day, Xiaoyun and Dawn went shopping in Lumiose City, where they encountered Team Rocket capturing Ash’s Pikachu and Froakie.

• Alain Mega Evolved Charizard, but Xiaoyun’s Bond Sceptile overwhelmed him and won the battle with Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki.
• Professor Sycamore recorded Sceptile’s Bond Phenomenon, while Aliana learned that Alain had gathered data on the unfamiliar power.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn stayed in Lumiose City, then Xiaoyun defeated a taxi driver’s Binacle after the driver tried to extort them.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn went shopping on Spring Avenue and changed into new clothes.
• Xiaoyun and Dawn found Team Rocket holding Ash’s Pikachu and Froakie in a Meowth balloon, while Clemont’s Bunnelby’s Mud Shot was reflected by Wobbuffet’s Counter.

Xiaoyun rescued Ash and his Pokémon from Team Rocket, then identified Clemont as Lumiose City's Gym Leader and began an on-site assessment. Clembot admitted Xiaoyun into the Gym, leaving Clemont's predicament and evaluation unresolved.

• Xiaoyun and Dawn cut through Team Rocket's mechanical arms, and Blaziken Mask destroyed the balloon to free Pikachu and Froakie.
• Bonnie asked Dawn to be her brother Clemont's girlfriend, then learned Dawn and Xiaoyun were childhood sweethearts.
• Xiaoyun identified Clemont as Lumiose City's Gym Leader and announced that he was a Pokémon League inspector.
• Clemont confessed that Clembot had locked him out of the Gym, and Xiaoyun offered to assess him on-site if he proved he was the legitimate Gym Leader.
• Clembot questioned the group at Prism Tower, then opened the door after Xiaoyun identified himself as the inspector.

Clemont stopped Clembot’s takeover of the Lumiose Gym, repaired its programming, and prepared for Xiaoyun’s assessment battle. Clemont sent out Magneton against Xiaoyun’s newly caught Deino, whose first official battle began as Clemont underestimated it.

• Xiaoyun entered the Lumiose Gym, and Clembot agreed to let Clemont challenge it under the Gym’s rules.
• Clemont’s Bunnelby battled Clembot’s Heliolisk, while Clemont distracted Clembot with Mud Shot and used his backpack’s shutdown button to disable it.
• Clemont revised Clembot’s programming, and the restored robot apologized before Clemont accepted its work and faced Xiaoyun’s assessment.
• Clembot announced a three-on-three battle, and Clemont sent out Magneton while Xiaoyun chose Deino for its first official battle.

Xiaoyun assessed Clemont’s Lumiose City Gym, defeating his Pokémon with Deino and Zeraora before approving the Gym and awarding Clemont a Plain Badge. Dawn then challenged Clemont to a two-on-two Gym battle, which began with Magnemite facing Piplup.

• Deino defeated Clemont’s Magneton, but Electrode’s powered-up Rollout and Discharge knocked Deino out.
• Xiaoyun sent out Zeraora, which caught Electrode’s Rollout and defeated it with Thunder Punch; Clemont then sent out Heliolisk, which lost to Plasma Fists.
• Meyer encouraged Bonnie and reminded Ash that courage mattered more than winning; Clemont renewed his resolve and continued battling.
• Xiaoyun praised Clemont’s tactics and resilience, declared that the Lumiose Gym had passed its assessment, and gave him a Plain Badge.
• Dawn challenged Clemont to a two-on-two Gym battle, and the match began with Clemont’s Magnemite facing Dawn’s Piplup.

Dawn defeated Clemont and earned the Voltage Badge, then she and Xiaoyun decided to visit Santalune City. Clemont warned the Kalos Gym Leaders that Xiaoyun, the Pokémon World Championships champion, was conducting League assessments, leaving them anxious about facing him.

• Dawn defeated Clemont’s Magnemite with Piplup’s Secret Sword and revealed that she had reached the semifinals at the Vertress Conference and the top thirty-two in the championship tournament.
• Dawn defeated Clemont’s Magnezone with Piplup’s Ice Storm and Secret Sword, earning the Voltage Badge.
• Ash asked Clemont for a battle, but Clemont postponed it until the next day and recommended that Dawn and Xiaoyun visit Santalune City and its Battle Chateau.
• After Xiaoyun and Dawn left, Clemont told the Kalos Gym Leaders in their group chat that Xiaoyun was the new inspector, prompting them to worry about their assessments.

Serena reunited with Xiaoyun and Dawn in Vaniville Town, then saw Ash on the news and decided to leave to find him. The chapter ended with Serena planning to set out the next day.

• Serena practiced riding Rhyhorn before nearly colliding with Xiaoyun and Dawn on a country path.
• Serena recognized Xiaoyun from summer camp, and he introduced Dawn as his girlfriend.
• Serena invited the travelers to her home, where she talked with them about their Kalos journey and her uncertainty about her own goals.
• A news report showed Ash calming an out-of-control Garchomp in Lumiose City, and Serena recognized him immediately.
• Serena explained that she wanted to thank Ash for helping her as a child, and Xiaoyun and Dawn encouraged her to follow her heart.
• After Xiaoyun suggested Ash might soon travel with another girl, Serena decided to leave the next day.