Chapter Summaries

Xiaoyun visited Nana's Pokémon Day Care, reunited with his Pokémon, and gathered them to announce upcoming battles. He assigned several Pokémon to special training groups, and the Day Care became a bustling training ground.

• Xiaoyun greeted Youzi at the Day Care and went to the backyard, where Shaymin summoned the Pokémon with an Energy Ball signal after Xiaoyun promised it special Pokéblocks.
• Aerodactyl, Victini, and the other Pokémon arrived, and Xiaoyun greeted them before questioning Spiritomb, who insisted it wanted a peaceful life.
• Xiaoyun announced that important battles might be coming and said he wanted everyone to get a chance to battle.
• Xiaoyun assigned Aerodactyl to lead Garchomp, Hydreigon, Dragonite, and Tyrantrum in training, and sent Sirfetch'd to learn alongside Kingambit.
• Xiaoyun paired Sylveon and Absol with Luxray and Greninja with Floatzel, while the other Pokémon trained independently or sparred.
• The Pokémon began training throughout the Day Care, and Twinleaf Town residents recognized the commotion as a sign that Xiaoyun had returned.

Xiaoyun and his friends visited Barry’s home for a barbecue hosted by Palmer, where Xiaoyun teased the stingy Battle Tycoon into promising expensive food. Kenny arrived and ran into Xiaoyun, whom he clearly knew and resented, while Barry tried to smother their explosive reunion.

• Xiaoyun watched his Pokémon train before Dawn and Zoey arrived and told him Palmer had invited them to Barry’s home for a meal.
• Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Zoey reached Barry’s house, where Palmer and Ayaka were waiting, and Xiaoyun joked that Barry was broke despite his family’s wealth.
• Xiaoyun got Palmer to agree to serve wagyu and lobster at the barbecue, then Barry called everyone outside to help set up the grill.
• Ayaka answered the door for Kenny, who was stunned to learn she was staying at Barry’s home and assumed she was Barry’s girlfriend.
• Kenny recognized Xiaoyun in the backyard and started to curse at him, but Barry covered Kenny’s mouth and called his furious reaction an enthusiastic greeting.

The chapter reviewed Xiaoyun's Pokémon roster, listing their abilities, signature moves, transformations, histories, and strength levels. Sceptile remained the team's leading ace, while several legendary partners and transformed fighters had reached champion level or possessed unmeasured strength.

• Sceptile had mastered Mega Evolution, Bond Phenomenon, and Fusion Evolution and remained the team's spiritual leader.
• Ursaluna, Aerodactyl, and Infernape had gained distinctive powers through Bond Phenomenon, while Shiny Metagross reached champion level through Mega Evolution.
• Spiritomb had abandoned thoughts of escape as its Trainer grew stronger, while Garchomp and Kingambit had become disciples of Aerodactyl and Sceptile respectively.
• Darkrai had fused with Giratina's source energy, gaining a dark-night form with unmeasured strength.
• Suicune, Victini, Zeraora, Volcarona, Walking Wake, Gouging Fire, and Raging Bolt were listed at champion level or above, while Deoxys and Kyurem retained unknown strength ratings.

A barbecue gathering turned awkward for Kenny as everyone revealed their battle achievements and Barry challenged Zoey and Dawn to a Double Battle. Zoey and Dawn defeated Barry and Kenny with a coordinated combination attack, leaving the story after their victory.

• At the barbecue, Zoey rejected Kenny's attempt to flirt, and Kenny learned that Barry, Xiaoyun, Dawn, and Zoey had all achieved impressive competition results.
• Barry proposed a Double Battle with Kenny against Zoey and Dawn, while Xiaoyun refereed and Palmer watched with Ayaka.
• Barry and Kenny sent out their Empoleon, while Zoey chose Starmie and Dawn sent out Blue-Gray, her Aegislash.
• Zoey's Mega-Evolved Starmie and Blue-Gray gained the upper hand, but Barry and Kenny rallied with a combined spinning Steel Wing and Hydro Pump attack.
• Zoey and Dawn countered with Starmie's Psychic power and Blue-Gray's slashes, then finished with a Psycho Cut that shattered the Empoleon's combination move and defeated them.

After Dawn and Zoey defeated Barry and Kenny, Palmer challenged Xiaoyun to a spar and learned that Xiaoyun was preparing for the Elite Four Challenge. Xiaoyun had brought only Shaymin and Victini, so Palmer chose Victini to battle, then sent out Dragonite.

• Dawn and Zoey celebrated their victory while Palmer scolded Barry and Kenny for losing.
• Barry redirected Palmer's anger toward Xiaoyun, and Kenny reacted with jealousy when he learned Xiaoyun was taking on the Elite Four Challenge.
• Palmer challenged Xiaoyun to a practice battle, but Barry tried to stop him, warning that Xiaoyun's Pokémon were monsters.
• Xiaoyun revealed he had brought Shaymin and Victini, and Palmer chose Victini after Barry guessed that its quiet manner meant it was strong.
• Shaymin pushed Victini forward to battle Palmer, who sent out Dragonite.

Xiaoyun’s Victini battled Palmer’s Dragonite to a draw, shocking Barry and Kenny. After Palmer praised Xiaoyun and Victini, Barry asked about Heatran again, while Zoey cheered up a disheartened Kenny with a skewer.

• Xiaoyun asked Palmer why he was not using Heatran, and Barry learned for the first time that his father had one.
• Palmer boosted Dragonite with Dragon Dance and sent it against Victini with Thunder Punch, but Victini countered with Searing Shot.
• Dragonite pressed its attacks, and Xiaoyun directed Victini to use Protect and close-range Searing Shot before the Pokémon traded stronger blows.
• Victini used V-create against Dragonite’s Dragon Rush, and both Pokémon were sent flying, ending their clash in a draw.
• Palmer recalled Dragonite, praised Xiaoyun and Victini, and told Barry to train Empoleon until it could beat Dawn before asking about Heatran again.
• Kenny felt defeated after watching the battle, but Zoey gave him a grilled meat skewer that lifted his spirits.

Xiaoyun arrived on Lily of the Valley Island to begin his formal challenge for Sinnoh’s Elite Four and Champion positions, where Cynthia and the Elite Four welcomed him. As the opening match against Aaron began, Aaron asked Xiaoyun not to defeat him too decisively.

• Xiaoyun arrived at Lily of the Valley Island with his family and friends, and Cynthia and the Elite Four greeted him at the harbor.
• Cynthia hosted a welcoming banquet for Xiaoyun, where Qing'an loudly declared that his son had the makings of a Champion.
• The next day, the crowd gathered as Xiaoyun prepared to challenge for the Elite Four and Champion positions.
• Dawn’s friend Salvia arrived disguised as Dawn, then revealed herself and joined the group in the VIP lounge.
• Xiaoyun and Aaron entered the battlefield, and Aaron asked Xiaoyun to take it easy before the referee started the match.

Xiaoyun faced Aaron in the first round of the tournament, using Genesect to defeat Yanmega and overwhelm Vespiquen. The battle remained unresolved as Vespiquen and her Combee fell under Genesect’s rapid barrage.

• Aaron and Xiaoyun sent out Yanmega and Genesect, while Ash and the Pokémon School students watched the match live.
• Yanmega used Agility and Double Team to build speed, but Genesect used Lock-On and Techno Blast to break through its evasions.
• Aaron’s Yanmega attacked at close range, but Genesect’s second Lock-On-guided Zap Cannon struck it down and eliminated it.
• Aaron sent out Vespiquen, who commanded Combee to swarm Genesect and support her attacks with Bug Buzz and defensive formations.
• Genesect countered Vespiquen’s attacks with rapid Drive changes and successive Techno Blasts, leaving Vespiquen and the Combee unconscious or incapacitated.

Xiaoyun and Aaron continued their Pokémon battle, trading knockouts as Xiaoyun’s Pokémon relied on heavy attacks and tactical openings while Aaron’s team fought back. Volcarona and Beautifly ultimately knocked each other out, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Genesect knocked out Aaron’s Vespiquen with a barrage of shots, then Xiaoyun sent out Hisuian Zoroark against Scizor.
• Hisuian Zoroark used Bitter Malice to frostbite Scizor, then exploited a close-range opening to knock it out before using Memento to weaken Heracross.
• Aaron Mega Evolved Heracross, which defeated Xiaoyun’s Sylveon with a series of attacks.
• Volcarona overwhelmed Heracross’s Rock Blast with a massive Flame Ring and knocked it out.
• Beautifly used Gust, Silver Wind, Solar Beam, and Morning Sun to battle Volcarona, and the two Pokémon knocked each other out.

Xiaoyun defeated Aaron in the first Elite Four match with his Corrosion-ability Drapion, then began his second match against Bertha. His Serperior gained the upper hand against Bertha’s Golem with a powerful Leaf Storm, but the battle continued.

• Xiaoyun’s red Drapion poisoned Aaron’s Drapion with Corrosion, then defeated it with Cross Poison to win their match.
• Bertha was announced as Xiaoyun’s next opponent, and the spectators discussed her formidable, battle-hardened style.
• Bertha opened with Golem, while Xiaoyun sent out Serperior.
• Golem powered through Serperior’s Leaf Storm with Rollout, then used Earthquake to shake Serperior and break her draining vines.
• Serperior leaped clear of Earthquake and struck Golem with a Contrary-boosted Leaf Storm.

Xiaoyun’s Contrary Serperior defeated Granny Bertha’s Golem before falling to Gliscor, and Spiritomb then defeated Gliscor with a mix of status moves and sneak attacks. Granny Bertha’s Golurk knocked Spiritomb out, leaving Xiaoyun to continue the battle with another Pokémon.

• Serperior used successive Leaf Storms to defeat Golem, then Gliscor evaded its next attack and knocked Serperior out with X-Scissor.
• Xiaoyun persuaded his reluctant Spiritomb to battle by promising not to call on it for two years if it won.
• Spiritomb burned and confused Gliscor, then landed Hex to defeat it.
• Granny Bertha sent out Golurk, which overwhelmed Spiritomb with Shadow Punch and Heavy Slam, knocking it out.

Xiaoyun defeated Granny Bertha’s Golurk with Torterra, then used the exclusive Z-Move Ultimate All-Encompassing Giant Wood Seal to knock out her Torterra, though both Pokémon collapsed. Bertha sent out Rhyperior, which defeated Xiaoyun’s Tyrantrum, before Bloodmoon Bear entered the battle and halted Rhyperior’s charge with its Blood Moon beam.

• Xiaoyun’s Torterra defeated Bertha’s Golurk after countering Shadow Force with Earthquake and finishing it with Wood Hammer.
• Bertha’s Torterra and Xiaoyun’s Torterra fought a prolonged battle until Xiaoyun’s exclusive Z-Move shattered Protect and knocked Bertha’s Torterra out, leaving both unable to battle.
• Bertha sent out Rhyperior, which defeated Xiaoyun’s Tyrantrum with Rock Wrecker and Hammer Arm.
• Xiaoyun sent out Bloodmoon Bear, which shattered Rhyperior’s Rock Slide with Hyper Voice and struck it with Earth Power.
• Bertha ordered Rhyperior to charge through Earth Power, but Bloodmoon Bear’s Blood Moon beam stopped it and knocked it down.

Xiaoyun’s Bond Bloodmoon Bear defeated Granny Bertha’s Hippowdon in a clash between Blood Moon Slash and Continental Crush, earning him his second victory in the Elite Four Challenge. Bertha congratulated Xiaoyun and urged him to keep challenging higher peaks.

• Granny Bertha sent out Hippowdon, whose Sand Stream filled the battlefield with a fierce sandstorm.
• Xiaoyun awakened Bloodmoon Bear’s Bond Phenomenon, transforming it into the powerful Bond Bloodmoon Bear.
• Bloodmoon Bear countered Hippowdon’s attacks with Hyper Voice, Earthquake, its blood moon blade, and Hammer Arm.
• Granny Bertha used Groundium Z to unleash Continental Crush, and Xiaoyun ordered Bloodmoon Bear to answer with Blood Moon Slash.
• Bloodmoon Bear’s slash defeated Hippowdon, securing Xiaoyun’s second Elite Four Challenge victory.
• Granny Bertha congratulated Xiaoyun, praised his strength and bond, and left to cheers from the stands.

After defeating two Elite Four members, Xiaoyun prepared to face Flint while his friends and rivals reacted to his victories. The chapter ended with Paul and Ash deciding to train harder after watching Xiaoyun battle.

• Flint argued with Aaron and hesitated about facing Xiaoyun, while Volkner and Lucian challenged his confidence.
• Xiaoyun returned to the lounge, where Dawn, Qing'an, Salvia, Barry, and the others congratulated him and discussed Flint's strength.
• Paul watched Xiaoyun defeat Granny Bertha and resolved to train Electivire, hoping to earn an Elite Four position if Xiaoyun became Champion.
• Ash and the Pokémon School students watched Xiaoyun's battle, and Ash vowed to grow stronger before their next match.

Xiaoyun faced Flint in the Sinnoh League Elite Four Challenge, where Flint’s Sunny Day-boosted Mega Houndoom overwhelmed Dragonite and claimed the first knockout. Xiaoyun sent Dragonite back and prepared to choose his next Pokémon.

• Flint opened with Houndoom and used Sunny Day as Xiaoyun sent out Dragonite.
• Flint Mega Evolved Houndoom, and Xiaoyun had Dragonite use Dragon Dance.
• Mega Houndoom struck Dragonite with Burn Up and Dark Pulse, then clashed with Dragonite’s Dragon Rush through Inferno.
• Dragonite was unable to battle, giving Flint the first knockout of the match.
• Xiaoyun recalled Dragonite and told Flint it was his turn.

Xiaoyun sent out Suicune, which defeated Flint’s Houndoom and Rapidash before Flint switched to Drifblim and used evasive Ghost-type tactics to drain Suicune’s stamina. Xiaoyun ordered Suicune to unleash Absolute Freezing Air, and the chapter ended as the freezing attack engulfed the arena and Drifblim.

• Xiaoyun summoned Suicune, which used Rain Dance to end Sunny Day and overwhelmed Flint’s Houndoom with water and ice attacks.
• Flint sent out Rapidash, but Suicune froze the rain-soaked ground and defeated it with Sheer Cold after it slipped.
• Flint brought out Drifblim and used Tailwind, Double Team, Curse, and Hex to avoid Suicune’s attacks and wear it down.
• Xiaoyun ordered Suicune to use Absolute Freezing Air, freezing the rain and seemingly catching Drifblim in the icy blast.

Xiaoyun and Flint traded Pokémon in a heated battle, with Floatzel defeating Flareon and Magmortar before Flint sent out his ace Infernape. Flint’s Infernape overwhelmed Xiaoyun’s Infernape, but Xiaoyun’s Pokémon rose from the crater in a powerful Bond Infernape form.

• Flint’s Drifblim defeated Suicune with Hex from behind its Substitute, but Xiaoyun’s Sirfetch’d used Scrappy to defeat Drifblim with Meteor Assault.
• Flint’s Flareon defeated Sirfetch’d, then Floatzel used Torrent and its water armor to defeat Flareon and Magmortar.
• Flint sent out his ace Infernape, and Xiaoyun answered with his own Infernape for a head-to-head battle.
• Flint’s Infernape struck Xiaoyun’s Infernape into a crater with a powerful Fire Punch and rushed in to finish it.
• Xiaoyun’s Infernape punched Flint’s Infernape from underground, then emerged transformed into Bond Infernape.

Xiaoyun and his Infernape defeated Flint’s Infernape after it entered Bond Phenomenon, leaving Flint eager for a rematch. Xiaoyun’s Elite Four Challenge reached its third victory.

• Xiaoyun’s Infernape entered Bond Phenomenon and overpowered Flint’s Infernape in close combat with a fire staff.
• Flint’s Infernape unleashed the Z-Move All-Out Pummeling, but Xiaoyun’s Infernape countered with Sea-Calming Staff Strike and defeated it.
• Flint accepted his loss, congratulated Xiaoyun, and asked how he had achieved Bond Phenomenon, but Xiaoyun kept it secret.
• Flint promised to win next time, and Xiaoyun secured his third victory in the Elite Four Challenge.

Kenny watched Xiaoyun defeat Flint and struggled with envy and admiration as he compared their journeys. On Lily of the Valley Island, Lucian prepared for his upcoming battle with Xiaoyun, while Paul responded to Xiaoyun’s victories by ordering more training.

• Kenny watched Xiaoyun defeat Flint and admitted he wanted his own moment in the spotlight, though he considered focusing on Pokémon Contests instead.
• Flint complained about his loss, and Lucian explained that Xiaoyun’s Infernape had overwhelmed him with a blow beyond an ordinary Z-Move.
• Lucian said Xiaoyun’s aggressive style might be less effective against his Psychic-type tactics, earning Granny Bertha’s approval and Flint and Aaron’s scorn.
• Paul switched off the television and ordered extra training, telling Electivire that he could not waste time while Xiaoyun advanced to his fourth Elite Four challenge.

On the night before his fourth Elite Four battle, Xiaoyun reassured Dawn that she could pursue her dream of becoming a Top Coordinator while staying by his side. The next day, Xiaoyun defeated Lucian’s Espeon with Greninja, and Lucian sent out Alakazam for the second round.

• Dawn worried that Xiaoyun’s life as Champion would separate them, and he promised to support her Coordinator ambitions and travel with her.
• Lina and the others interrupted Xiaoyun and Dawn on the balcony, then teased them as they went downstairs hand in hand.
• At the Sinnoh League stadium, Xiaoyun began his fourth challenge against Psychic-type Elite Four member Lucian, who led with Espeon against Greninja.
• Espeon paralyzed Greninja with Thunder Wave, but Greninja used Mud Shot to change types and evade the ensuing Shadow Ball barrage.
• Greninja used Substitute and a point-blank Water Shuriken barrage to knock out Espeon, giving Xiaoyun the opening victory.
• Lucian acknowledged his lack of information about Greninja and sent out Alakazam for the next round.