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Chapter Text

805.   Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!

Arriving in the Kalosian capital of Lumiose City, Ash is barely off the plane when he glimpses a strange Pokémon resembling a Blaziken that is significantly taller. Wondering what it was, he meets up with Alexa, only to discover that her sister’s gym is actually in Santalune City... and that she is not currently in. Though the news dampens his excitement, Ash nevertheless decides to challenge the local gym instead and separates from Alexa to explore Lumiose independently.

Quickly getting lost in the sprawling metropolis, Ash receives help from a young girl who directs him to Prism Tower, the tallest manmade structure in the city, which also houses the Lumiose Gym. Heading inside, he requests a battle, only to be informed by a robotic voice that he needs four more Gym badges before he is violently ejected from the building. Fortunately, he is saved from a painful impact by a large cushion thrown by a bespectacled boy, who introduces himself as aspiring inventor Clemont Liscio, whose younger sister Bonnie recognises Ash from his recent adventure in Unova. Forming fast friends with them, Ash decides to have his first Pokémon battle in Kalos against Clemont, who accepts by using a Bunnelby, but while Pikachu’s Volt Tackle and Electro Ball give him an edge, he and Ash soon learn about the Digging Pokémon’s powerful ears, which stop an Iron Tail in mid-air… just before the match is interrupted by none other than Team Rocket.

Annoyed that they have followed him from Kanto again, Ash fights them, but Pikachu is unable to get a single hit on Wobbuffet, who has drastically improved since the last time they met, and is forced to turn to Bunnelby for help. However, as Ash channels his Aura into Pikachu, he is abruptly saved by a strange frog-like Pokémon that Clemont identifies as a Froakie, which incapacitates Team Rocket with its sticky frubbles and allows Pikachu to blast them off... right before it collapses from its injuries. On Bonnie’s recommendation, Ash decides to take the Froakie to a local professor for some medical treatment, and as they run off, the girl from earlier is seen approaching a strange man with golden eyes at a café, who immediately asks who she is.

806.   Lumiose City Pursuit!

Arriving at the regional Pokémon lab, Ash is introduced to Professor Augustine Sycamore, who explains that this particular Froakie is a notoriously picky starter Pokémon who either abandoned several trainers because he didn’t like them or was returned because he refused to listen to them. Contemplating this, Ash thanks the temperamental Water-type for helping him, but points out that he can’t work alone forever before his attention is diverted when Clemont brings up the topic of something called Mega Evolution.

Elsewhere, the young girl introduces herself as Dina Fyodorova and asks the man if he can help her with something, explaining that she has been having dreams of herself going on adventures with someone who looks like him. Suspicious, the man asks her if she knows his past, and when she responds in the affirmative, he asks her why she would want to help him in the first place, which leads to Dina pointing out that enough time has passed since “that time” as she expresses a desire to help him put “the past to rest” so that he can assume his “destiny”. Scoffing, the man bitterly states that people who tried to help him ended up hating him, but Dina expresses her faith in him before passing him a handwritten message that surprises him.

Back at the lab, Sycamore tells Ash about the recently discovered phenomenon of Mega Evolution and explains how several Pokémon are capable of temporarily assuming a superpowered form while in the presence of certain types of gemstones that he has since dubbed “Mega Stones”. Realising that he has seen something like this with Newtwo, Ash tells the professor about what he has seen, confirming the role of the Mega Stones in the transformation while also revealing that an additional stone and a strong bond with a trainer are required to trigger the transformation properly. Before he can explain more, Team Rocket infiltrates the lab to steal Sycamore’s Garchomp with a shock collar, but while they are quickly blasted off, the device malfunctions and causes Garchomp to go berserk from the electrical discharges as it breaks out and flies away.

Assisted by Froakie, Ash and Professor Sycamore chase Garchomp as she rampages through the streets, and Dina takes her leave upon witnessing this, telling the man that if he has truly lost all hope, he won’t help solve this problem. Indignant, the man remains silent as he watches her leave, but as he regards the message again, he realises that she is right before getting up and following the commotion as Garchomp lands on the Prism Tower.

Upon arriving at the tower’s base, Ash gains access to an emergency stairwell with help from Clemont, but is separated from the others when a Hyper Beam collapses the entryway. Continuing alone, he finds Garchomp on the observation deck and tries calming her down with his Aura as Pikachu and Froakie defend him, but while a news helicopter captures the whole thing on live television, the floodlights on the tower prevent his Aura from being seen clearly. Eventually determining that he cannot calm Garchomp down, Ash has Froakie immobilise her with his frubbles, allowing Pikachu to destroy the collar with an Iron Tail... right before a section of the damaged walkway collapses and causes the Electric-type to fall off.

Without thinking, Ash immediately leaps off the tower to catch his starter before realising his mistake, but as they fall, an Aura field forms around them, which slows them down enough for a Pokémon to save them. Recognising the Pokémon as the same one from the airport, Ash deduces that it is a Mega Blaziken and silently thanks his rescuer before he reunites with Professor Sycamore, Clemont and Bonnie. Elsewhere in the gathered crowd, the golden-eyed man is revealed to be the one who generated the Aura field as he spots the Mega Blaziken reuniting with a masked individual on a rooftop.

The next day, as Ash prepares to leave with Clemont, Bonnie and a new Pokédex from Professor Sycamore, an impressed Froakie chooses him as his trainer after seeing his capabilities the night before. Accepting the Pokémon’s choice, Ash takes Froakie’s Pokéball as the strange man watches them from afar. Inspired by Ash’s actions, he decides that he is done with running as he rereads the message, which is revealed to be a phrase in a strange language telling him that “as long as there is life, there is hope”.

807.   A Battle of Aerial Mobility!

As Ash registers for the Kalos League and receives his badge case, he is surprised to find the strange man waiting outside the Pokémon Center. Initially suspicious of him, Ash is taken aback when the man asks if he can travel with them for reasons he is unwilling to disclose, but he accepts him without further question. Though similarly surprised, the man thanks Ash before introducing himself as “Philippe”. Meanwhile, Team Rocket receives permission from Giovanni to keep following Ash while scouting Kalos for any other rival organisations, and immediately following the call, James catches an Inkay that keeps stealing his croissant.

On the road to Santalune City, Ash, Clemont, Bonnie and Philippe come across a Dedenne that Bonnie instantly takes a liking to; however, a wild Fletchling interrupts the moment before she can convince it to come with them. Setting his sights on this Flying-type, Ash decides to catch it, but runs into trouble when Froakie refuses to listen to him in the subsequent battle. Observing this, Clemont tries to help with an invention designed to attract Pokémon, only to attract a swarm of Beedrill that they are forced to run away from when the machine explodes. Eventually emerging into a canyon, Philippe secretly tracks the Fletchling with his Aura (passing it off as instinct when Clemont asks him), allowing Ash to catch the Pokémon by carefully planning a strategy by utilising the valley walls and Froakie’s jumping skills. However, while thrilled by his success, Ash suspects their newest companion is hiding something from them and asks him if he can use Aura in private.

Back in Lumiose City, as Professor Sycamore and his assistants clean the lab, they are visited by Serena Gabena, a new trainer from Vaniville Town who is there to receive her first Pokémon. As Sycamore brings out three starter Pokémon, Serena asks about Ash, apparently knowing him from before, and is delighted when the professor confirms his appearance and reveals where he is going.

808.   A Shockingly Cheeky Friendship!

Over in Aquacorde Town, Dina heads to a renowned photo spot and retrieves something hidden behind the bricks of the bridge spanning the river. As she heads out, two thugs try to mug her, but she defeats them with her Eevee and Mawile before fleeing into the Santalune Forest. Meanwhile, back in Lumiose City, Serena selects Fennekin as her starter Pokémon.

Elsewhere, as Clemont tutors Bonnie on how to take care of Pokémon, Ash’s vain attempts to pry information out of Philippe are interrupted when Dedenne from before shows up, having been following the party ever since they first met it a few hours ago. Chasing the Antenna Pokémon, Pikachu eventually corners it after getting separated from the others, only to run into Jessie, James and Meowth, who send out Wobbuffet and Growlie. Unable to protect Dedenne and handle both Pokémon at once due to their training at the Team Rocket HQ, Pikachu gets the smaller Electric-type to escape into a river before blasting them off with an Electro Ball, but despite making it to safety as Ash and the others find them, Dedenne is left exhausted from the encounter.

With no medical supplies, the group are at a loss for what to do... until Philippe steps up and heals Dedenne with his Aura just as Team Rocket returns. Now back to full strength, Clemont takes control of Dedenne and defeats Inkay in a 1v1 battle before catching the Antenna Pokémon, but as he gives him to Bonnie to take care of, he also asks Philippe about his abilities. Seeing no way out of this, the group’s newest companion explains his skills in Aura to him and Ash.

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809.   A Blustery Santalune Gym Battle!

Upon arriving in Santalune City, the group meets Gym Leader Viola Paquet, a renowned photographer and Bug-type expert, who brings them to the Gym to reunite with Alexa. Accepting Ash’s request for a gym battle (after being momentarily confused by Bonnie begging her to marry her brother), Viola tells her sister that a girl who came earlier had asked about Philippe before leading Ash to the battlefield to commence their 2v2 match. Going up against a Surskit with Pikachu, the Pallet Town trainer is momentarily stumped when the Pond Skater Pokémon freezes the field before circumventing this by using Volt Tackle to bounce off the walls, keeping pace with Surskit and eventually knocking it out.

Meanwhile, Alexa brings Philippe to meet Dina, who is recovering at the Pokémon Center after arriving yesterday completely out of the blue. Speaking to the younger girl, Philippe learns of her recent escapade in Aquacorde Town as she gives him a sight he has not seen in years: two rusted Pokéballs containing a Gyarados and a Charizard, which instantly recognise their master. Thanking her for getting his Pokémon back, Philippe admits that she was right about him—he does want to resolve his past (and, to a lesser extent, embrace his “destiny”) but doesn’t know how to do so without help. Assuring him of her loyalty, Dina makes a deal with Philippe to resolve each other’s “unfinished business”, which he accepts with a handshake.

Back in the Gym, Ash does not fare well against Viola’s unfamiliar Vivillon and loses the match when Pikachu and Fletchling are successively defeated. In the middle of all this, Serena arrives and watches the battle with Clemont, Bonnie and a returned Alexa, but in his haste to heal his team in the match’s aftermath, Ash doesn’t notice her. Reuniting with Philippe at the Pokémon Center, the group is introduced to Dina, who, upon learning of Ash’s loss, offers to help come up with a strategy to beat Viola. Elsewhere, Viola privately admits to her sister that she found the battle lacking, but Alexa, knowing what Ash is capable of, warns her not to underestimate him before heading to the Pokémon Center to speak with Philippe. 

As Dina brainstorms potential tactics with Ash, Serena returns the latter’s bag, which he had left at the Gym by accident, to him. At the same time, Alexa asks Philippe why he has joined Ash’s team and why her sister is so interested in him and his “past life”. Both questions are put on hold when Ash asks Alexa if she can help him with her Noivern, but following that practice battle, Serena asks Ash if he remembers her.

810.   Battling on Thin Ice!

Thinking back, Ash remembers meeting Serena from Professor Oak’s Summer Camp nine years ago—namely, that she had gotten lost in the forest after being scared by a wild Poliwag, and that he had helped her to safety, offering the advice to “never give up until it’s over”. Learning that she is from the rural Vaniville Town, he asks her if she wants to join them... right before he is interrupted by Alexa for another practice battle. Later that evening, Clemont offers some assistance with another of his inventions, only for it to blow up again, causing an exasperated Ash to use Froakie as a suitable battling partner instead. As this practice session gets underway, Serena recognises Dina as a famous child prodigy from Aquacorde, but when she asks her what she is doing here, the girl merely states that she is here to “help an old friend” like her, which causes Serena to blush profusely.

Following a night’s rest, Ash has his rematch against Viola and gets Pikachu to lodge his tail in the ground to bypass Surskit’s freezing strategy before defeating it with a Thunderbolt. However, as Ash reveals that his strategy was to conserve energy so he could focus on Vivillon, Alexa finds Philippe talking to Dina about her dreams and repeats her questions from yesterday. Cryptically, Philippe answers the first question by explaining that he is travelling with Ash because he reminds him of someone he used to be, and claims that he wants to guide and prevent the younger boy from making any mistakes he did, but when Alexa presses for answers to the second question, he avoids answering it directly, only saying that he has some “unfinished business” to take care of.

Back in the Gym, Ash uses Fletchling to fight Vivillon, but despite landing several hits with Steel Wing and Razor Wind, the Flying-type is stunned by Sleep Powder and knocked out by a lucky Solar Beam. Grimacing, Ash sends out Pikachu and counters Sleep Powder by shocking himself before forcing Vivillon against the frozen field. With its wings numbed by the cold, Vivillon is defeated by Pikachu, earning Ash the Bug Badge. Watching this, Philippe is pleased with the outcome, but as he notices Serena staring at the Pallet Town trainer, he (and Dina) immediately deduces that she has a crush on Ash, which he deems “interesting”.

Following the battle, Ash chooses to head for Cyllage City and invites Serena to join them, which she accepts. However, before leaving with the group, Philippe tells Alexa to look into the past if she wants to know who he is, but cautions her that she might not like what she finds.

811.   Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race!

Deciding to cut through Lumiose City on the way to the next Gym, the group stumbles onto a course for Rhyhorn racing near Odyssey City. Having trained for the sport due to the efforts of her mother, Grace, a renowned Kalosian racer, Serena explains the rules to Ash after he signs up for a one-time trial run at Officer Jenny’s recommendation and teaches him how to ride the Rhyhorn without falling off. However, while Ash slowly learns how to control the Spikes Pokémon, Serena realises that, although she is good at Rhyhorn racing, she wants to pick a path of her choosing instead of just taking the one her mother laid out for her. The following day, the race begins, but when Team Rocket disrupts the event, Ash and Serena quickly blast them off in retaliation with help from their Pokémon. In between these events, Philippe and Dina spend time at the Pokémon Center deciphering her dreams, but while they do not make much progress, the former remembers something back in Lumiose City that could potentially aid their efforts. 

812.   Growing Furfrou!

Passing through a small town, the group encounters a Furfrou belonging to an apprentice Pokémon groomer named Jessica, who is having trouble controlling it. As an excited Serena and Bonnie drag Ash and Clemont on a day’s worth of grooming adventures (and thwart a Team Rocket scheme along the way), Dina has a practice battle against Philippe’s Charizard, discovering that he is very capable in battle despite his claims to the contrary. However, when she is pushed into a corner by the Flame Pokémon, Dina retaliates with a barrage of small yet cutting and slicing attacks from Mawile that almost knocks out her opponent, surprising and forcing him to switch to a more defensive strategy.

Though he ultimately wins the battle, Philippe is impressed by Dina’s coordination with her Pokémon and thanks her for making him feel alive again. Telling him to think nothing of it as they head back to their friends, she asks what they will find in Lumiose that could help them, but he does not elaborate, only saying that it was given to him by a wise person long ago.

813.   Clemont’s Got a Secret!

Upon returning to Lumiose City, the gang runs into Clemont and Bonnie’s father, Meyer, who inadvertently reveals that his son is the local Gym Leader. With this information in hand, Ash confronts Clemont, who reluctantly explains that he was kicked out by a robotic duplicate of himself (which he refers to as Clembot) that he created to battle challengers so that he could have time to further his inventing career… only for it to turn on him and Bonnie due to faulty programming. Sympathetic to his plight, Ash and Serena volunteer to help retake the gym, and with Clemont’s help, they re-enter Prism Tower through the ventilation system to make it to the battlefield, avoiding Clemont’s Gym Pokémon that have been told to keep intruders out.

Meanwhile, Philippe brings Dina to his apartment, where he retrieves a strange cylindrical device called a cryptex, explaining that he was told to open this only when a vision given to him by a mystic came true. Asking him what the vision entailed, Dina is surprised to learn that it involved their first meeting in Lumiose a week ago... only to be annoyed by his admission that he has also forgotten the five-letter password. Looking at the device, she realises forcing it open would destroy the papyrus scroll inside with a vial of vinegar, and asks Philippe if he remembers anything about the combination, to which he says that it had a relation to “where one’s strength lies”. However, before she can think about it, Dina receives an emergency call from Serena, forcing the duo to rush back to the Prism Tower.

As it turns out, while Clembot accepted Clemont’s battle, it also sent guard duplicates of itself to chase Ash, Serena and Bonnie. Breaking in with Charizard and Gyarados, Philippe and Dina deal with Clemont’s Gym Pokémon by locking them in an insulated storeroom. Back on the battlefield, Clemont uses Bunnelby against his Heliolisk and defeats it despite the type disadvantage, allowing him to regain control over his creation when it submits to him. Modifying Clembot to make it more accepting of challengers, Clemont also informs his father of what happened and voices his decision to keep travelling, which Meyer supports. However, Ash tells Clemont that he intends to battle him, not Clembot, and Clemont accepts this as Philippe and Dina ask him for help deciphering the cryptex.

814.   Mega-Mega Meowth Madness!

Unfortunately, Clemont is unable to figure out the password, causing Philippe and Dina to put the cryptex aside for the time being as they visit Professor Sycamore’s lab. As they share a batch of macarons that Serena baked, Team Rocket attacks the lab in an attempt to gain spurious information to potentially Mega-Evolve Meowth. Abducting Sycamore, Serena, Bonnie and Dina, the TRio attempts to pry the information out of the Professor, but he only relents and hands over a hard drive containing a copy of the information he has compiled after they threaten Bonnie.

Working together with a gluttonous Chespin and its much fitter twin – both of which have a penchant for macarons – Ash, Clemont and Philippe track down Team Rocket to a warehouse on the outskirts of Lumiose, only to arrive moments before Meowth activates their latest mecha, the “Mega-Mega Mecha-Meowth”. While Charizard and Gyarados battle it alongside Froakie and Bunnelby, Philippe and Clemont work together to unplug the machine with help from the two Chespin, and when the robot is revealed to have an auxiliary power source, they hold it off enough for help to arrive in the form of the masked figure with the Mega Blaziken, who superheat the machine and blasts Meowth off. Defeated, Jessie and James bail, and in the aftermath, Philippe finds and thanks the masked hero, whom he deduces to be Meyer after recognising his Pokémon. Alarmed that someone has found him out, the disguised Meyer departs as a curious Philippe vows to find out the reasons for his vigilantism after wondering why he would be doing this.

Before the group resumes the journey to Cyllage City, the two Chespin decide to go with Clemont and Philippe, who bring them into their teams. However, upon deciding that he might need someone to trust again in light of the recent developments, Philippe decides to tell Sycamore about his Aura powers after Dina assures him that the professor can be trusted. Though surprised and daunted by what he has been entrusted with, Sycamore promises to guard the secret with his life.

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815.  The Bamboozling Forest!

While having lunch, the gang encounters two Pancham who consume all their food before Team Rocket steals Pikachu, Froakie, Fennekin, Eevee and both Chespin. Having gotten into this situation many times before, Pikachu begins to cut open the net with an Iron Tail, but Froakie inadvertently causes an explosion with Water Pulse, sending everyone falling back into the forest. Upon recovering, the group’s Pokémon quickly find each other but are also forced to contend with a lost Meowth, who tags along with them to meet up with Jessie and James despite Froakie’s distrust.

Meanwhile, while searching the forest, Ash privately confesses to Philippe that he has Aura too, only for the older man to reveal that he is already aware, having suspected this when they met at the Prism Tower. Intrigued, Ash asks about Philippe's goal, affirming that he still wishes to be a Pokémon Master (despite his lingering uncertainty about whether it is still possible), but Philippe sidesteps the question and declines to provide a direct answer, although he admits to having another goal aside from the “destiny” he intends to fulfil. Meanwhile, Jessie and James observe a Pancham working for a Pangoro right before the aggressive Daunting Pokémon attacks them; however, they are fortuitously rescued by a wild Super-Size Pumpkaboo that Jessie captures.

Arriving on the scene moments later, Meowth and the other Pokémon are caught up in the battle and accidentally break the bamboo sprig in Pangoro’s mouth, causing it to lose its motivation to fight. Reuniting with Philippe and Ash soon after, the Pokémon learn from the Pancham that they need a replacement sprig from a specific clearing and head over to the clearing to retrieve it, only to discover that the sprig is located high in the air. While Team Rocket tries to get the bamboo down with Pumpkaboo so they can recruit Pangoro and the Pancham, the Chespin twins end up doing the job for them in a much shorter time, and this results in an argument that devolves into a Pokémon battle. In the end, the TRio are forced to beat a hasty retreat, though Jessie expresses her satisfaction that she got one Pokémon out of the encounter.

As the group gives the leaf to the Pangoro, Ash assures Philippe that he won’t pry into what is clearly a private matter as he nonetheless encourages him to reach his goal. Thanking him, Philippe asks Ash if he is going to tell the others about his Aura, leaving Ash to think about this as they reunite with their friends.

816.  To Catch a Pokémon Smuggler!

While walking along the road, the group nearly gets run down by a man named Dolan, whom Officer Jenny is pursuing. Noticing that a cage has fallen from the criminal’s truck, Ash discovers an injured Scatterbug inside and brings it to the Pokémon Center, where he discovers that it was smuggled from another part of Kalos… right before an arriving Officer Jenny tries to arrest him after assuming that he is in league with Dolan, who turns out to be a Pokémon Smuggler. Fortunately, Serena clears up the misunderstanding, and the group learns that there has been an increase in the number of smugglers who are catching Scatterbug and Spewpa and evolving them into Vivillon before selling them off at high prices. 

As Scatterbug evolves into Spewpa, Ash decides to help Officer Jenny take down this smuggling operation, and the others join him... except for Philippe, who declines to assist. This nearly causes an argument between him and Ash until Dina defuses the situation by pulling the older man aside and speaking to him in private, allowing her to learn that his past attempts to stop people like Dolan caused an uproar from poverty-stricken trainers who depended on smugglers to get Pokémon for them. However, while she understands where he is coming from, Dina points out to Philippe that most smugglers do not care for the well-being of the Pokémon, and, when he still does not budge on the issue, pointedly asks him if he would choose to stick with his morals or lose that respect as a person of integrity.

In the meantime, Clemont discovers a tracking chip on Spewpa, leading Serena to hit on the idea of using it to find the smuggler’s hideout. Disguising Clemont’s Chespin as the bait, they leave him by the side of the road and follow Dolan back to his hideout after he returns for his precious cargo, only for the smuggler to discover the ruse and capture Serena, Clemont and Bonnie with a booby trap. With Froakie, Ash battles Dolan’s Diggersby and struggles against the more powerful opponent, but midway through the battle, the Spewpa evolves into an Elegant Pattern Vivillon, turning the tide with Safeguard and Stun Spore... right before the smuggler’s hideout abruptly explodes from within, releasing all the Pokémon within. Though he is surprised by this, Ash takes advantage of the situation to defeat Dolan and free his friends as Officer Jenny formally arrests the smuggler.

While all this is happening, Philippe and Dina walk out of the smoking ruins, revealing that they were the ones who freed the Spewpa and Scatterbug with Gyarados and Mawile. However, as all the Spewpa evolve into various types of Vivillon, one Scatterbug remains with Philippe, though it refuses to be captured by a Pokéball. Deciding to let him tag along regardless, Philippe lets the Scatterdust Pokémon hop onto his shoulder, but as they hit the road again, Ash asks Philippe why he decided to help them after all. Regarding Dina, the older man tells Ash that something she told him reminded him of something his parents told him long ago.

817.  Kindergarten Chaos

After losing a battle to a Sylveon, Ash is told by its trainer, a girl named Penelope, that he has to come with her, which makes Serena nervous. Fortunately, her fears are dissuaded when they arrive at a daycare, and Penelope explains that she is a teacher who brings back Pokémon and their trainers for the students to interact with. Taking the opportunity to have a break, Philippe spends most of the day trying to decipher the cryptex’s combination and consequently avoids interacting with most of the children, but Dina, by comparison, has a far better time and eventually comes across a shy student named Randall, who is scared of Pokémon due to an incident in his youth where a Hoppip accidentally blasted him to protect itself from a Beedrill.

Unfortunately, while trying to get this child to open up after recalling a time in her youth when she was scared of Pokémon, Dina is accidentally kidnapped by Team Rocket along with Randall, Froakie, Pikachu and Penelope’s Sylveon. As Ash sneaks onboard the TRio’s truck, Dina reveals to Randall that while she never really got over her fear, she still works with Pokémon because she trusts them not to hurt her, which inspires him to help free the Pokémon before they reunite with Ash. Taking charge of the subsequent battle, Dina blasts Team Rocket off with Sylveon and her Mawile and Eevee, which removes Randall’s doubts about Pokémon, and as they reunite with the others, she tells Philippe about the day he missed, which makes him reminisce about a time long forgotten…

818.  Seeking Shelter from the Storm!

Getting caught in a storm as night falls, the group takes shelter inside an abandoned mansion but is almost immediately beset by paranormal occurrences upon entering. However, while most of them are spooked, Philippe deduces that this to be the work of a Ghost or a Psychic-type Pokémon due to the numerous instances of items moving with no one touching them and is proven right when his exploration of the massive residence (which results in him and Bonnie getting separated from the others) leads to the discovery of an Espurr. As Bonnie plays with the Restraint Pokémon, Philippe discovers that its owner and the mansion’s custodian, an old lady, had left it behind with an emerald pendant, and as he and Bonnie try to find out what happened to her, the others encounter and evict Team Rocket from the premises after assuming that they are responsible for what has been happening.

Eventually reuniting with their friends as the sun rises, Philippe and Bonnie explain what happened as a young woman named Elise arrives and reveals that the old lady, her grandmother, had recently passed away and that she intends to refurbish the mansion so that Espurr has a home to live in. With this revelation, a saddened yet accepting Espurr takes the pendant and accompanies Elise to the cemetery to pay its final respects to its owner as Philippe reflects on the encounter, having been reminded of how fleeting life is for loved ones as he and the others continue on their journey to Cyllage City.

819.  An Appetite for Battle!

Upon gorging himself on Serena’s latest batch of macarons, Clemont’s gluttonous Chespin gains so much weight that he cannot fight effectively in a practice battle against Philippe. Seeking to do something about this, Clemont’s attempts to put him on a diet and have him exercise cause him to get into an argument with the Grass-type, which leads Chespin to wander off and eventually wind up at a house run by an elderly baking couple who allow him to eat as many macarons as he wants.

Once he has calmed down, Clemont searches for Chespin, but after finding him, he contemplates leaving him with the bakers after seeing how happy he is, only to be drawn back, along with the others, after an explosion is heard. Arriving on the scene, the Lumiose City Gym Leader finds the husband’s Delphox battling Chespin to settle a quarrel with his wife and takes some advice from Ash to trust in the Spiny Nut Pokémon before he intervenes and explains the situation. Stepping up to take ownership of his Pokémon, Clemont takes control of the subsequent battle and helps his Chespin unlock his Overgrow ability before the match is abruptly resolved when the old man throws his back out. Nevertheless, with his bond with Chespin reaffirmed, Clemont accepts him as his Pokémon, flaws and all.

820.  A Jolting Switcheroo!

While stopping at a Pokémon Center, Bonnie accidentally switches her bag with an identical one belonging to another girl named Lyn, which contains a Pichu instead of Dedenne. Discovering the mix-up in the middle of a practice battle between Ash and Clemont, the group scours the town to find Dedenne, running into many red herrings in the process as Philippe and Dina, having separated from the group to cover more ground, find Lyn and Dedenne… only for the latter to wander off again, resulting in a second chase across town before they are finally able to secure the Antenna Pokémon.

With Dedenne in their possession, Philippe and Dina try to find their friends, with the latter giving the young girl some advice about taking care of Pokémon before they eventually stumble upon a Beedrill nest in a vineyard. Using Scatterbug, Chespin and his Aura, Philippe manages to fight off the Poison Bee Pokémon until the others, who have had their own adventures with Lyn’s older sister, Lena, arrive and chase the Beedrill off. Reunited, the group decides to have dinner with the sisters, but as she reflects on the day’s events while trying to decipher the cryptex’s password, Dina realises that Philippe’s interactions with Lyn were like a father teaching his daughter and grows curious as to why he would act like that.

821.  A Rush of Ninja Wisdom!

In the middle of training, Ash, Dina and Philippe meet a young ninja named Sanpei and his Frogadier, and upon learning that it is what Froakie will evolve into, Ash challenges him to a battle that he loses due to Frogadier’s superior speed and stealth. Lamenting his lack of luck in improving his coordination with Froakie after already using his Aura, Ash consults Philippe, who suggests talking to Sanpei after noticing that he has trained both his Pokémon and himself. Seeing this, Ash agrees and asks Sanpei for help after Dina challenges him to test her agility and stealth.

For the next few hours, Ash slowly trains himself and Froakie, who, in addition to learning Double Team, eventually becomes quick enough to “run” on water and leap between the trees. During this time, the Pallet Town trainer also learns about Sanpei’s two older brothers, Ippei and Nihei, his hometown – a hidden ninja village located in Eastern Kalos – and his aspiration to surpass both of his siblings one day. At the same time, Philippe continues his Aura meditation and finally manages to open up his Aura sight again... only to notice that Dina’s ambience is startlingly bright. Remembering her dreams and how proficient she is with her Pokémon, he pieces together that, just like him, she is proficient in Aura as she notices and deduces his thoughts.

Eventually, following a Team Rocket attack (which they deal with in record time), Sanpei separates from the group with a promise to see Ash again. At the same time, Dina admits to Philippe that she is proficient in Aura, but when he asks why she hid it from him, she reveals that someone is hunting people like them for unknown reasons, leading to him realising that they have to stick together to survive whatever is after them.

822.  Awakening the Sleeping Giant!

As Philippe presses Dina for details on this threat, the group arrives in Camphrier Town and finds a Snorlax whose snoring is not only causing a disturbance in the settlement but could potentially disrupt a festival set to commence that evening. Learning from the townsfolk that it is usually the job of a local lord, Shabboneau, to play the Poké Flute that can awaken the Snorlax, Ash confronts him and his assistant, Benoit Rousseau, only to find out that a Princess Allie of the nearby Parfum Palace stole the musical instrument. Deciding to visit her and retrieve the flute, the group is joined by Benoit, who uses his noble bloodline to help them enter the palace grounds and meet with the princess.

Unfortunately, “Princess” Allie refuses to return the flute and demands that Ash hand over Pikachu as a “family heirloom”, which he obviously refuses. Seeking to get what she wants, the princess challenges Ash to a battle that wagers the Poké Flute and his Pokémon, and with no other choice, he faces her Furfrou on the battlefield… only for the whole thing to be a farce as she ends up forfeiting the battle the moment Furfrou’s hairstyle is messed up and still refuses to give the Poké Flute on a technicality. Incensed by her pompous behaviour, Clemont and Philippe lecture her on her behaviour, but this backfires when she decides to give their friends Poké Flute—in exchange for the two of them staying behind. Both protest this, but Serena and Bonnie, on a recommendation from Dina and Benoit, agree to the exchange and retrieve the flute, secretly promising to rescue them when they are done.

With their mission accomplished, Ash, Serena and Bonnie race back to Camphrier Town, but Team Rocket steals the flute before Lord Shabboneau can play it. However, Bonnie tricks them into playing it in such a way that angers the Snorlax, resulting in them getting blasted off, and once she retrieves the flute, the festival’s opening ceremonies commence. Back at Parfum Palace, Dina is forced to reveal her proficiency in Aura to Benoit as she enhances their stealth, enabling them to sneak past the guards and successfully rescue Clemont and Philippe, who leave behind robotic duplicates as they slip away to rejoin their friends in town. Thankful for the rescue, Philippe tells Dina that he owes her as Benoit, intrigued by their abilities and desiring adventure, asks if he can join them, which leads Ash to accept him into the fold despite apprehension from the other two Aura users. Fortunately, Philippe’s Aura senses do not detect anything shifty about their new companion, but both he and Dina remain on guard as they proceed westward to Cyllage City.

Chapter Text

823.   A Conspiracy to Conquer!

As the group passes through a particularly dense forest, they stumble across a battered Meowth, who reveals that a hooded figure named “Madame X” and three Malamar brainwashed Jessie and James so that she could capture Pikachu… and as soon as he reveals this, the person in question shows up and attacks them, kidnapping not only Pikachu but Philippe too. Tracking them to an abandoned radio station with one of Clemont’s inventions, the group splits up as they enter the facility, only for Clemont and Bonnie to be brainwashed when they encounter the Malamar, with Dina barely escaping in time.

Meanwhile, Ash guides Serena and Benoit to the main hall with his Aura, where they run into their brainwashed friends and the Malamar, and the latter unleashes his Houndoom to fight the Overturning Pokémon, though they ultimately capture him and brainwash Serena. Avoiding the same fate thanks to Dina’s intervention, Ash and Meowth make it to the central control room, where they find Madame X alongside a brainwashed Team Rocket and Pikachu and a restrained Philippe, whose arms and legs have been tied apart from each other with strange glowing cords that suppress his Aura. However, as Dina sneaks around Madame X’s throne, she is surprised when she runs into Benoit, who, for some reason, is not brainwashed!

Demanding an explanation as Benoit explains that the Malamar somehow could not take control of his mind, Dina realises that he must be proficient in Aura and quickly gives him the rundown on what it means as they are forced to fight several other Pokémon that Madame X has brainwashed. At the same time, Ash and Meowth team up to fight Pikachu after ascertaining that they cannot defeat him alone, and the hits they land weaken Madame X’s hold over him and divert her attention to them. This allows Philippe to escape his bonds after he releases his Chespin, but as he prepares to fight the Malamar, he seemingly recognises the three Overturning Pokémon.

However, before any side can gain an advantage, Clemont’s invention (which he left outside to recharge) malfunctions, zooms in and explodes, causing the Malamar to release their mental hold on everyone. Surprisingly, the cacophony of light and sound also causes Madame X to scream and fall off her throne, and as Philippe catches her, he unmasks her as Officer Jenny as Benoit proclaims that the Malamar are the masterminds of the whole plot, having brainwashed her to act as their puppet. Exposed, the Malamar flee into a secret chamber, and as the group follows them, they discover them extracting a strange orb from a mass of otherworldly vines and spikes. Proclaiming that they have gotten exactly what they want, the Malamar activate a self-destruct system and disappear through a portal, forcing everyone else to escape before the building implodes.

In the aftermath, Philippe thanks Dina and Benoit for rescuing him as he learns of the latter’s proficiency in Aura. However, when he is asked about what happened during his capture, he tells them that he recognised the three Malamar as Pokémon belonging to someone from his past who might be the one hunting people like them.

824.   Breaking Titles at the Chateau!

While recovering from their ordeal at a Pokémon Center, Serena suggests to her friends that they visit the nearby Battle Chateau, a famous Kalosian location renowned for its unique ranking system, which Ash compares to other niche battle locations around the world. Accompanied by brothers Nico and Chester, who explain the ranking system in detail, the group arrive on the premises and learns about its history and foundational concepts from its current owner, Lord Turner, who compares the Chateau to a living organism and highlights its battlefield as the beating heart. Intrigued at the thought of a ranking system based around a knight’s code of chivalry and honour, Ash asks to battle the younger Chester while Nico has his final match to advance to the Viscount rank. However, despite being identified as a Grand Duke, Philippe declines challenges from multiple trainers as he tells Dina that he remembers this location having something to do with the clue to the cryptex’s password.

As Ash wins his battle against Chester and gains the Baron title, Philippe and Dina investigate the other rooms for clues while Benoit (a Duke himself) waits in the recreation hall and sees a rock climber named Grant Willis scaling the walls in the room. Wondering why he would be doing that in such a prestigious place, he bumps into Viola, who is visiting to increase her rank, and as he talks to her, he learns that Grant is both the Cyllage City Gym Leader and her boyfriend. However, as he joins her in trying to get him to come down, Philippe and Dina discover a secret passageway hidden behind the bar.

Entering it, the duo heads down a spiral staircase and through a narrow corridor before emerging in a chamber with thirteen stone boxes, ten of which have been opened. Realising that they are right under the battlefield, Dina finds an inscription on the ground that reads “Vires et Honestas” and sees one of the closed boxes glowing… but when she points this out to Philippe, he claims that another is shining instead, leading them to conclude that the boxes must be uniquely coded to their Aura. Wasting no time, Dina opens her box to find a treasure trove of items, including a suit of leather armour and a silvery cloak, a pair of boots, a strange ring, a glove with an empty compartment in its palm, and most importantly, a short sword, a dagger, a short bow and an assortment of throwing knives. Impressed (and somewhat jealous), Philippe looks inside his box, but while he is initially disappointed to find only a plain silver sword and a rather generic set of lightweight chainmail armour alongside a similar ring and glove, a closer inspection of the chainmail leads him to discover that it is laced with diamonds and obsidian, making it nigh indestructible. However, despite scouring the chamber, the duo cannot discern the password that unlocks the cryptex and are forced to head back upstairs.

Rejoining his companions as Dina tells Benoit about what they found, Philippe witnesses Grant challenging Viola to a battle for the title of Grand Duke and watches as the match between his Onix and her Surskit ends in the former’s victory when he traps his opponent with Rock Tomb and flattens it with Flash Cannon. Congratulating both gym leaders in the aftermath, Philippe introduces Grant to Ash and shares his familiarity with the Cyllage City Gym Leader, but Viola pulls him aside after noticing his new sword and warns him that while she and her sister know who he is and trust him, some of the other gym leaders (like Grant) might not be so open. Grateful for her trust, Philippe tells the Santalune City Gym Leader that he will have to work hard to gain her colleagues’ support before a now-helmeted and blue-armoured Benoit, having entered the chamber and retrieved his items from the last box, challenges him to a Pokémon battle and a sword duel, brandishing a newly-acquired two-handed sword to accentuate this.

Accepting this challenge, Philippe dons his purple cloak and heads down to the battlefield before drawing his blade as a crowd gathers to watch the duel and the battle. As it begins, Dina ponders the cryptex’s clue again and realises, after remembering Lord Turner’s analogy, that the password is “heart”. However, as she opens the device, Grant expresses his suspicions regarding Philippe – whom he refers to as “Frederick” – and asks Viola if she thinks he can achieve his “destiny” considering his past. Watching “Philippe” summon his Charizard to face Benoit’s Houndoom as they begin their duel, Viola tells her boyfriend to give him a chance to prove himself as Ash, Serena, Bonnie and Clemont overhear the conversation.

825.   A Pokévision of Things to Come!

Inspired by an old Pokévision video of famed Kalosian singer Aria Sheppard, Serena decides to make a video of her own to showcase Fennekin and enlists help from Clemont and Bonnie. However, due to her inexperience, she runs into several technical issues that are compounded by Bonnie’s desire to make another video about her brother... until Ash comes into the production after finishing his latest training session. Explaining that he has worked on films before in Unova, he takes over from the Liscio siblings and quickly solves several of Serena’s problems with his Pikachu, Fletchling and Froakie assisting and providing security when Team Rocket interfere. By the end of the day, Serena edits and submits the video, which turns out to be a moderately successful hit, but while Bonnie’s video ends in disaster, she ends up having some fun with her brother and is not too bothered about the failure.

Meanwhile, Philippe, Benoit and Dina examine the equipment they obtained from the Battle Chateau and reflect on the Pokémon battle and duel, which, as shown in flashbacks, were respectively won by Philippe and Benoit. However, the unlocked cryptex presents another unexpected problem when Dina reveals that she found a second cryptex inside with another clue… that was written entirely in an indecipherable language. Though frustrated by this curveball, Philippe decides to focus on the current task as he uses his Aura to scan their new gear, identifying numerous enchantments, enhancements and upgrades that can be applied to them (if they acquire the right items). Most importantly, he reveals that the rings are signet rings that act as a form of ID, while the weapons are uniquely tailored to the person whose Aura they correspond to, meaning they will only properly benefit the user unless a willing swap between two individuals is performed. Thanking Philippe, Benoit asks him how he knows all this stuff, but Dina, sensing that this is part of a personal matter for their friend, dissuades him from pushing the matter until their golden-eyed ally is ready to tell them the truth.

Chapter Text

The Mega-Evolution Trainer

The episode starts with a female voice speaking about legends and how mankind and Pokémon were born into a cruel, harsh world to spend all of their existence fighting the everlasting metaphorical and actual darkness surrounding them. From time to time, she does point out that there have been brave individuals, heroes who rise against the darkness, drive it back and guide everyone else through the toughest of times… before ominously stating that, over time, even the most brilliant lights – and heroes – flicker and die, causing the same thing to repeat again and again. Therefore, she promises that there will be no “cycle of destiny”, nor will there be any victory in strength this time.

In the present day, the episode begins with a young man named Alain Moreau and his Charizard facing fellow Pokémon trainer Astrid Bristol and her Absol. Throughout the match, both Pokémon are evenly matched, even when they Mega Evolve (though Alain seems more invested in the fight than Astrid is), but the shockwaves from the battle soon attract attention in the form of rookie trainer Mairin Lay, who watches it unfold from the sidelines as Alain’s perseverance allows his Mega Charizard X to win with a Dragon Claw and Blast Burn. However, as both Pokémon revert to their regular forms, Astrid’s queries about her opponent’s strength are met with cold and stoic answers as Alain states that he hopes to face other powerful Trainers like her in the future as part of his mission to defeat all Mega-Evolved Pokémon with Charizard for reasons known only to him.

Later, as he takes a break by a river, Alain senses that Mairin is watching him and orders her to show herself. Exposed, the young girl and her Chespin, Chespie, nervously emerge and introduce themselves before gushing over the battle they witnessed, momentarily confusing Alain due to his assumption that she is here to battle him. Declining due to her inexperience, Mairin instead brings up gossip from Lumiose City about a rampaging Garchomp from Professor Sycamore’s lab, including the rumour that it was solved by a single trainer who risked his own life for a Pokémon that wasn’t even his. This long-winded spiel quickly irritates Alain, but he keeps calm as he interrupts her by introducing himself and his goal—to master Mega Evolution. 

Intrigued, Mairin enthusiastically asks for an explanation regarding the phenomenon, but Alain can only tell her what he knows, which mainly consists of incomplete information passed down from Professor Sycamore when he was one of his aides. Anticipating more questions, he explains that he left the lab to find out more and to search for his own Mega Stone alongside a Charmander given to him by his mentor... but is shaken out of his reverie when he receives a call containing instructions about where to go next. However, as Alain packs up and leaves, Mairin continues to follow him from afar, persistently tagging along even when he tells her that it is none of her business and insisting that she accompany him even after she narrowly avoids falling off a cliff due to her clumsiness.

Eventually arriving at some old ruins, Alain finds and retrieves a Mega Stone embedded in the limestone foundations, but as he tries to shoo Mairin away, he is challenged by a man named Remo, who demands that he hand over the Mega Stone by sending out his Garchomp, Garchoo. Keen for a challenge, Alain brings out his Charizard and immediately Mega Evolves him before proceeding to thrash his opponent due to the bond he shares with his Pokémon, which enhances their connection (though he admits that the changing of Charizard’s type when he Mega Evolved helped).

Still being followed by Mairin as he exits the ruins, Alain orders her to stop following him, but she remains defiant, declaring that she will catch lots of Pokémon and eventually defeat him with her own Mega-Evolved Pokémon. As she proclaims that Alain must be a good person due to how he treats his Charizard, he sarcastically encourages her, which she picks up on before she is distracted by a Yellow Flower Flabébé. Intending to catch this Pokémon, Mairin has Chespie battle her, but it is only with Alain’s advice that she poisons and catches the Single Bloom Pokémon with a Toxic. Nicknaming her new capture “Bébé”, Mairin brings her to the Pokémon Center while Alain leaves for a nearby restaurant owned by Siebold Blanc of the Kalos Elite Four in an attempt to ditch her.

Arriving at the restaurant, Siebold is informed of Alain’s presence and accepts his challenge upon noticing his keystone... right before Mairin, who has deduced his ploy, barges in and demands to spectate the match. Not wanting to look like a jerk in front of an Elite Four member, Alain agrees as he prepares to face Siebold’s Mega Blastoise with Mega Charizard X, but is questioned by his opponent over the usage of a Pokémon with a type disadvantage, leading him to voice his beliefs that his bond with his Charizard is enough to overcome any disadvantage and that their friendship goes beyond any logic of his. Within two minutes, both Pokémon Mega Evolve and go on the offensive, but Mega Blastoise uses its Mega Launcher Ability to defeat Mega Charizard X with a surprise Dragon Pulse. Nevertheless, Siebold is impressed by his opponent’s performance and commends his battling skills even as Alain remains silent, seething over his defeat.

Back on the road again, Mairin repeats her intention to follow Alain so she can get a Mega Stone and eventually beat him, and upon seeing how she cannot be persuaded otherwise, he lets her tag along as he remembers Professor Sycamore’s belief that the world is entering “a time of great change”. However, as they walk off, a red-headed man is seen standing in a laboratory and expressing an interest in the secrets of Mega Evolution as he calls someone.

As a counter to the previous narration, the episode concludes with a male voice saying that sometimes, victory comes from the most unlikely places, as more often than not, the stories about those “brave heroes” are often exaggerated and romanticised over time. Thus, he suggests that it may come from a place that neither of them will see coming... and ominously states that when that happens, the world will irreversibly be changed.

Chapter Text

826.   Going for the Gold!

Arriving in Ambrette Town, the group pays a visit to its world-famous aquarium, where they find, among the numerous Water-type Pokémon, a golden statue of a Magikarp. Learning from the aquarium’s director, Rodman, about the legend surrounding this Pokémon, Ash decides to help him catch the larger-than-average Shiny Pokémon and enlists the help of Philippe, Benoit and Dina, all of whom take up the challenge to relax and unwind. As Clemont tries to use scientific methods to catch the Pokémon, Serena receives some advice on fishing from Ash (though she fails to capture the Corsola that she catches due to Fennekin’s reluctance to get dirty), and Bonnie tries to become friends with Rodman’s partner, an unfriendly Clauncher. Meanwhile, as Team Rocket tries to catch the Golden Magikarp by using their old Magikarp Submarine, Philippe teaches Dina how to use Aura in fishing, allowing her to reach a peaceful state of mind that greatly increases her patience.

827.   Coming Back into the Cold!

Still in Ambrette Town, the group meets up with Alexa, who is on an assignment to cover a discovery at the town’s Fossil Laboratory, which turns out to be a small herd of resurrected Amaura and Aurorus, which are being kept in an air-conditioned and snowy environment to ensure their safety. As they learn that these peaceful Pokémon originally lived in northern Kalos before they went extinct, Ash recounts the last few times he saw resurrected Fossil Pokémon right before everyone ends up having a snowball fight due to Amaura’s playful demeanour. Meanwhile, Benoit practices his Aura on the Aurorus and discovers its ability to communicate with its species through auroras.

Unfortunately, the peace is shattered when Team Rocket breaks in and steals the Amaura, not knowing it will slowly die outside the special environment. Taking charge of the situation with his Houndoom, Benoit tracks them down with the lead Aurorus and fights them, allowing Bonnie, Serena and Alexa to free the Amaura before he blasts the TRio off (though not before they take note of the numerous Aura users in the group). Returning to the enclosure, the group ensures that the Pokémon are safe as Philippe commends Benoit’s skill, even saying that he reminds him of someone with a similar personality and skillset in his past. Before he can elaborate, however, he is interrupted by Alexa, who asks what his real name is, only for Philippe to state that he has had many names throughout his life and that he can be whatever she addresses him by as he works to achieve his “destiny”. Curious about what that might be, Alexa presses him for more details, but the golden-eyed man cryptically tells her that a change is coming soon for all of them, and they will have to pray that what happened “before” does not happen again.

828.   An Undersea Place to Call Home!

While fishing along the Muraille Coast, Ash snags a Skrelp that poisons Pikachu but receives medical aid from a nearby pair of marine archaeologists named Lindsey and Eddy, who are searching for the S.S. Cussler, an ocean liner which sunk decades ago after hitting an iceberg in winter. Volunteering to help, Philippe explains to the group that the ship was rumoured to be carrying some precious cargo on its final voyage that he is interested in retrieving as they navigate through the numerous whirlpools surrounding the wreck, but he does not explain what it is out of a concern that the cargo might not be there.

Upon arriving at the site, Ash, Serena and Philippe accompany Lindsey as she dives inside a small submersible and locates the sunken liner alongside numerous other shipwrecks after travelling through a vicious current. By observing the numerous Water-type Pokémon, they realise that they are fusing the ships to create a unified home... right before discovering Team Rocket trying to break into the Cussler to retrieve the supposed treasure. Pursuing them, Ash and Serena confront the TRio at the main storeroom, but Philippe stops them from fighting by pointing out that the unstable structure could collapse if it is disturbed, only for Jessie to not listen and blast open the room in an attempt to subdue them, triggering a flood that causes the wreck to collapse.

As James and Meowth drag their teammate back to the sub and run for it, Ash takes command of the local Skrep and Dragalge – including the one he caught earlier – and convinces them to save their home by repairing the damage. However, his actions result in the storeroom getting sealed off, denying Philippe a chance to see if what he wanted was onboard… but as a gesture of gratitude, the Skrelp brings them to the captain’s cabin and gives them a small box, which the golden-eyed man identifies as the treasure he has been seeking. Thanking the Mock Kelp Pokémon, the group begins to make their way out as the ship shifts sideways, but Philippe and Froakie are separated from the others by falling debris, forcing Ash and Serena to return to the surface without them.

Explaining what happened as they reunite with Clemont, Bonnie, Dina, Lindsey and Eddy, Ash soon spots Froakie, Skrelp, Chespin and Scatterbug being brought to the surface by the whirlpools. With no time to spare as the current prepares to drag them down, the Bubble Frog Pokémon grabs the other three Pokémon and leaps across the whirlpools, using the floating debris as launching points. Grabbing Froakie and the others as they make it back to the ship, Ash worries about Philippe—only for him to surface moments later, having used his Aura to hold his breath and swim to the surface after he blasted his way out of the sinking Cussler. Nevertheless, while she is relieved to see her friend safe, Dina berates Philippe for putting himself at risk as Lindsey and Eddy decide to designate the location as a marine preserve for Water-type Pokémon.

In the aftermath, Ash begins to devise a strategy to defeat Grant by using Froakie’s jumping skills as Benoit opens the box to find the captain’s logbook, which details how the Cussler sank—and thirteen keystones stolen from various tombs around Kalos. Upon seeing these, Philippe explains that he has been looking for these for a long time as Dina gives the logbook to the archaeologists and hands one each to her and Benoit, telling them that all they need now is a Mega Stone. However, as Ash watches this, he is interrupted by Serena, who asks him how he was able to command all those Pokémon, and with no other option, he confesses and explains his proficiency in Aura to her.

829.   Climbing the Walls!

Upon arriving in Cyllage City, the group locates the gym at the top of a steep hill overlooking the settlement, but while Benoit agrees to accompany Ash as he climbs to the top, Philippe and Dina separate from the others to explore the town on their own. Wandering around and taking in the picturesque views, the duo eventually sit down at a seaside café located at an old submarine base and discuss Dina’s dreams, which she has been able to see more clearly ever since he taught her that fishing technique. Asking her if she remembers anything, Philippe learns that her most recent vision was of a couple fighting something “hellish”, though she cannot identify exactly what it is. Though disturbed, he hides his worry and assures her they will be on guard as they relax.

Meanwhile, after an arduous climb, Ash and Benoit eventually reach the hilltop and discover their friends waiting for them alongside Grant, having taken an elevator they missed. Despite feeling foolish, Ash challenges Grant, who accepts and sends out his Onix against Pikachu before dissuading Ash from using his usual battling style by revealing that he knows his tactics. Unable to use Pikachu’s speed, Ash takes a sizeable amount of damage before he switches to Froakie and uses his new leapfrogging tactic to outmanoeuvre and knock out the Rock Snake Pokémon with a Water Pulse to the head. Watching all this, Serena expresses worry for Ash, especially in light of him telling her about his Aura powers, but Benoit reassures her that he will probably be fine as Grant brings out an unfamiliar Tyrunt.

Staying cautious as the second match begins, Ash’s wariness is validated when the Royal Heir Pokémon is revealed to know Draco Meteor, forcing him to swap the exhausted Froakie for Pikachu. Having had enough rest, the Electric-type goes toe-to-toe with the Tyrunt in a fight that ends when he uses an Iron Tail to lodge a stray Draco Meteor in his opponent’s mouth before prematurely detonating it with a Thunderbolt, knocking out his opponent and granting Ash the Cliff Badge. As Ash celebrates his victory, Serena suggests they head for Shalour City next as she wishes to see the famed Tower of Mastery, and since this is where the next Gym is, Ash concurs with her decision as Grant tells him to expect something different from that battle.

Later that night, Grant meets Benoit in the Pokémon Center and voices his continued distrust of “Frederick” due to the secrets he is keeping. Defending his ally, Benoit points out that “Philippe” has done nothing to them that warrants explicit distrust by pointing out that everyone keeps secrets nowadays, but while Grant concedes this point, he warns the former assistant that they do not know everything about him yet… and that some secrets are best left forgotten. At the same time, in the bathroom, Philippe regards one of the keystones from the Cussler as he slots it into his glove perfectly, but notices an inscription on each of the gems, with his reading “Dum Spiro Spero”.

Chapter Text

830.   A Battle by Any Other Name!

As the group resumes their travels, Serena makes some Poké Puffs for her team and shares them with her friends, while Philippe equips his fellow Aura users with their keystones. However, while Ash (who declines the keystone for the time being) and Dina enjoy their friend's pastries, a nearby trainer named Miette McDowell and her Slurpuff think otherwise and offhandedly insult Serena’s baking skills. Immediately forming a rivalry with the haughty trainer, Serena is persuaded by Bonnie to participate in an upcoming Poké Puff Contest hosted by famed chef Gena Passard and signs up so she can beat Miette, with Dina also joining with her Mawile and Eevee while Benoit and Philippe decide to watch anyway so they can buy the treats for their Pokémon. Working with their Pokémon, Serena and Miette pass the first round with Dina – who pulls off a narrow victory at the last second when her workplace is sabotaged by the undercover Team Rocket – and a pair of siblings called the Berrybaker Kids.

As the competitors take a break, Ash is asked by Miette, completely out of the blue, if he has “a future bride in mind”, but while he uneasily evades the question, he finds himself thinking about how some of his former companions (like Hiroshi and Leaf, May and Drew, Dice and Katie, and Iris and Cilan) have ended up together… and consequently does not notice Serena blushing. Remaining flustered as she prepares for the second round, Serena tries to stay calm, but before the competition can resume, Team Rocket steals all the baking ingredients as revenge for their elimination, forcing the trainers to look in the forest for anything they can find.

Suspecting something amiss, Serena and Dina investigate with their friends, and after dealing with an angry horde of Swirlix, they find the TRio about to loot the last berry grove in the forest with a massive vacuum. Defending it, Dina targets the machine’s joints with her throwing knives and cuts the airflow with her Mawile, allowing Serena and Miette to destroy it. With Team Rocket dealt with, the girls return to the competition, but despite losing to the Berrybaker kids, Serena and Miette merely affirm their rivalry, which is intensified when Miette brings Ash into the equation, having deduced that Serena has a crush on him. At the same time, Dina gives Benoit and Philippe some Poké Puffs as thanks for supporting her up to this point. 

831.   To Find a Fairy Flower!

Troubled by a bad hair day, Bonnie enlists Serena’s help to fix it, only for her new flower hairpin to attract a Red Flower Flabébé, which remains attached to the accessory no matter how hard everyone tries to remove it. Heading into the nearby Calanthe Town to find her owner, the group crosses paths with an old man named Grey, who recognises the Flabébé as the one belonging to his hospitalised wife and explains that the Single Bloom Pokémon lost her original fairy flower trying to get to her. Sympathising with his plight, Philippe decides to help Grey, only to discover from Nurse Joy that this Flabébé’s particular flower is currently out of season and can only be found in the high plains outside of town.

Escorted to the location by a disguised Team Rocket (whose disguises Ash, Dina, Benoit and Philippe immediately see through), the team scours the field and eventually finds the flower on the side of a cliff. Putting her own life at risk as the others come under attack from Team Rocket, Bonnie climbs up as Philippe holds off the TRio with Charizard, Chespin and Scatterbug, nearly getting overrun by the combination of Inkay, Pumpkaboo, Wobbuffet and Growlie. Fortunately, Bonnie manages to retrieve the flower, and the restored Flabébé regains enough strength to intoxicate Team Rocket with her pollen, saving Philippe and the others as they rush back to town and reunite the Single Bloom Pokémon with her owners, who allow Bonnie to say goodbye to her new friend. Though saddened at the thought of leaving, she is cheered up by Dedenne as Philippe wistfully regards his keystone again.

832.   The Bonds of Evolution!

Upon arriving in the Brackish Town, the group learns of an exhibition battle featuring Kalos Champion Diantha Carnet... but learns that the tickets have already been sold out. Lamenting their bad luck, they bump into Professor Sycamore, who is visiting to interview Diantha regarding her Mega Evolution-capable Gardevoir, and tag along with him to meet the champion… only for her to turn down Sycamore’s offer to examine her keystone now, though she agrees to meet him when she returns to Lumiose City. However, as she is guided away by her assistant, Kathi Lee, Diantha sees Philippe and recognises him.

Despite lacking tickets, the group is allowed to watch the match between Diantha and her opponent, Magnus, after Sycamore vouches for them, and get to witness the bond between a Mega-capable Pokémon and its trainer and what it is capable of when Diantha and her Gardevoir effortlessly defeat Magnus’ Absol without Mega Evolving in five minutes. Awestruck by her power, Ash gushes over the battle as the group sits down at a café for a break (though Philippe stays quiet) and expresses a desire to face her one day. Chuckling at his enthusiasm, Dina reminds him that he has to collect all the Gym Badges as Serena orders a slice of Brackish Town’s famous chocolate cake, which starts an argument over who should have the slice. Fortunately, Clemont manages to resolve it with one of his inventions, but as the group relaxes, they bump into a disguised Diantha, who reveals that Philippe invited her to spend time with them!

Shocked that his ally knows the Kalos Champion, Benoit questions him, which leads to Philippe dropping the bombshell that he was her former teacher who taught her how to perform Mega Evolution. Before he can explain more, however, Ash interrupts by asking Diantha for a battle, and despite her lack of free time, she agrees to have one match after Philippe makes a passing comment about her performance against Magnus. Watched by Sycamore, the battle begins between Gardevoir and Pikachu, but it quickly ends in the latter’s defeat when Ash’s strategy backfires due to Diantha’s experience. Furthermore, an attempt from Team Rocket to kidnap her Pokémon leads to her displaying the power of Mega Evolution when she tracks Gardevoir down through their emotional bond, and once the TRio have been located, she and Philippe give them a chance to surrender before they free Gardevoir with Charizard and Gyarados, blasting the “annoyances” off in the process.

Though she cannot resume the battle with Ash when Kathi Lee comes to pick her up, Diantha promises to face him when he reaches the Kalos League. But before she boards the helicopter, she pulls Philippe aside and speaks to him privately, expressing knowledge of his past as she tells him to be careful. In response, he tells her that he is aware of what he might face as he turns the warning back on her, but she turns it back by reminding him of a promise she made to help him no matter what. Knowing that they have each other’s backs, the two hug before going their separate ways, with Dina and Benoit speculating on what other allies their golden-eyed ally could have as the Champion flies off into the sunset.

833.   Heroes – Friends and Faux Alike!

Having been blasted off for the umpteenth time by Ash and Co., Jessie, James and Meowth disguise themselves as Serena, Ash and Bonnie and cause trouble in a nearby town as a form of revenge. With their friends being framed for things they did not do, Dina and Benoit are forced to figure out what happened as two suspicious scientists approach Clemont to work on a Heliolisk mecha. Tagging along out of curiosity, Philippe teaches the Lumiose Gym Leader some important life lessons that prove useful when the mastermind behind the day’s events is revealed.

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834.   Mega Revelations!

While walking through the woods, the group encounters a trio of Pokémon trainers named Korrina Burgess, Sabine Hellwich and Milos Onassis, the former of whom challenges Ash as part of a personal goal to achieve 100 consecutive victories in Pokémon battles. Accepting her offer, Ash faces her Lucario with Pikachu, but despite having practised against this Pokémon in the past, he loses to a barrage of Swords Dance and Bone Rush when he notices that she has a keystone. Jubilant over her 99^th victory, Korrina reveals that she is the Shalour City Gym Leader and voices her intention to find a Mega Stone for her Lucario so she can honour her ancestor, who was the first trainer to practice Mega Evolution in Kalos. At the same time, Philippe deduces that Milos and the blindfolded Sabine are fellow Aura users after noticing the gear they have and the signet rings they are wearing, which the latter confirms before she challenges him to a tag team battle upon sensing the ten remaining keystones in his possession. With Chespin and Houndoom, Philippe and Benoit face a Scizor and an Absol, during which they learn that their trainers have been having strange dreams too after Sabine accidentally lets it slip.

Before the battle can be concluded, Team Rocket interferes and kidnaps Lucario, Pikachu, Chespin and Houndoom, but while Korrina figures out where they are through her bond with Lucario, she cannot track them effectively. Stepping up, Benoit successfully tracks the TRio and receives some unexpected help from Milos, whose Aura is refined enough to dispel traps and illusions left in the thieves’ wake. Eventually, the combined efforts of the two Aura users lead the group to a cliff, where they discover that their Pokémon have broken free by themselves, and after another tag battle between Jessie, James, Korrina and Sabine, the TRio is sent blasting off again.

Having achieved her 100^th victory, Korrina heads for Geosenge Town to continue her mission, and the group decides to accompany her there. However, while Philippe is impressed by the strength of their new companions, he refrains from giving Sabine and Milos two of the keystones, wanting to see what they are capable of in a physical fight before he makes a decision.

835.   The Cave of Trials!

Upon arriving at Geosenge Town, the group fruitlessly searches for the Mega Stone Lucarionite before learning from a local photographer named McGinty of a nearby cave that supposedly holds a special evolution stone inside. Intentionally not heeding a warning that horrible things will happen to “unqualified” individuals who set foot inside, Dina leads the others there as an understanding Philippe regards the cryptex’s clue... only for Milos, looking over his shoulder, to reveal that he understands the language that it is written in. Surprised, Philippe asks him for help and discovers that the “clue” is merely a statement saying that the answer will be found at the “birthplace of Mega Evolution”, which he deduces to be the Tower of Mastery.

Discovering that the entrance to the cave has collapsed, the group clears the blockage just in time for Team Rocket to come flying out, but as they head inside, they find the Lucarionite (alongside other assorted Mega Stones) sitting on a pedestal with no obvious guards or dangers in sight. However, as Korrina approaches the Mega Stone, she and Lucario are attacked by a Blaziken, which challenges her and the five Aura users to a Pokémon battle. Accepting this, Philippe, Benoit, Dina, Milos and Sabine unleash their Pokémon and charge into battle alongside Korrina, but they discover that the Blaze Pokémon is more than capable of fighting all of them at once, using its enhanced agility, strength and speed to constantly get the upper hand on its opponents and forcing them to keep adjusting their strategies to avoid being hit by its blows.

Eventually, after numerous failed attempts to get the upper hand on such a powerful opponent, Dina remembers that Mega Evolution relies on the bond they share with their Pokémon and relays this to Sabine, Milos and Benoit. Putting their faith in their Scizor, Absol and Houndoom, the trio of Aura users batter their opponent before stepping back to allow Korrina to finish it off... only for Philippe to stop her at the last moment before calling for a man named Gurkinn – her grandfather – to come out. Emerging from behind a rock, the Mega Evolution Guru commends their victory and allows the party to take their desired Mega Stones before exiting the cave, revealing that the whole thing was a test for his granddaughter and her friends. Outside, Philippe identifies the Scizorite and Absolite before handing them to Sabine and Milos alongside two keystones, but as they join Korrina to Mega Evolve their Pokémon, McGinty reveals that Gurkinn enlisted him to help with the trial, causing Dina to regard him in a disapproving manner as she wonders what other secrets are being hidden from them.

836.   The Aura Storm!

Despite some trouble, Sabine and Milos pull off successful Mega Evolutions with Scizor and Absol, but Korrina’s attempt ends in disaster when she cannot control her Mega Lucario during a battle with Pikachu. Intervening with his own Mega Lucario, Gurkinn knocks out Korrina’s Pokémon and sends him to the Pokémon Center while Korrina apologises to Ash. Forgiving her, Ash tells Korrina that he had trouble controlling his Pokémon too, though not on this scale, and volunteers to help her refine Lucario’s skill in Aura. Watching them, Gurkinn remarks to McGinty that Korrina doesn’t understand what Mega Evolution means, much to an eavesdropping Dina’s immense dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, as Philippe examines and identifies Milos’ gear and weapon (a set of plate mail, a belt, a pair of brown boots and a twin-handed sword with an ornate hilt), Sabine approaches him for a duel to see if he is as good as her dreams have been telling her. Agreeing, Philippe faces the young warrior and is impressed by her speed, agility and proficiency with her two specialised longswords, but midway through the fight, he accidentally tears off the blindfold she is wearing and sees a massive scar across her milky-white eyes. Shocked by the revelation that she is blind, Philippe apologises, but Sabine insists on continuing the match and switches to a scythe as she fights (and eventually draws against) her opponent with a far more aggressive style. Intimidated and impressed as the fight ends, Philippe carefully asks her how she sustained her injury as he examines her gear, but in response, she snaps at him and refuses to elaborate further.

Apologising for his friend’s attitude, Milos pulls Philippe aside and tells him that she is sensitive about her injury before explaining that she gained it in a fight against something “hellish”, which piques the golden-eyed man’s interest. For the time being, however, he puts that aside as Milos gets him and Sabine to apologise to each other, which they do after he argues how doing so would benefit their coordination and teamwork. This reminds Philippe of two people from his past – one of whom would act as a peacekeeper while the other instigated arguments with their aggressiveness – and he contemplates telling the group the truth about himself as they return to the others, but decides not to out of fear that it would compromise their relationships.

Arriving just in time to see Korrina being defeated in a battle against Gurkinn’s Lucario, the trio of Aura users witness the older trainer admonishing his granddaughter for her overconfidence before he directs her to the nearby Pomace Mountain for special training with a reclusive trainer who lives there. As a show of good faith, everyone decides to accompany her, with Ash being particularly eager to learn more about using Mega Evolution as he encourages her not to give up, but before they leave, Dina lets Gurkinn know that she disapproves of his method of teaching with vague statements and lessons that were given without any direct answers. In response, Gurkinn hints that he knows about “Charles” and what he is working towards, causing Dina to issue a subtle threat to leave her friends alone.

837.   Calling from Beyond the Aura!

On the way to Pomace Mountain, Korrina reflects on how her relationships with Lucario, Milos and Sabine have evolved since their youth before she is interrupted by Philippe, with whom she speaks about the relationships between them and their Pokémon. Learning from the young gym leader that she is unsure whether she can follow in her ancestor’s footsteps, Philippe advises Korrina to use the rules as guidelines and recounts a time, long ago, when someone close to him encouraged him to “evolve” alongside society by adapting to their needs. Grateful for his advice, Korrina thanks the older man before asking what he intends to do when he sees “her” again, having been vaguely informed by Gurkinn as to his true identity… only for Philippe to avoid her question and correct her to say that it is “if” he sees “her” again.

As the conversation comes to an end, the group’s attempt to take a shortcut through a cave causes them to be attacked by a swarm of Noibat (that was startled by Team Rocket), and this causes them to be split into two groups – one with Ash, Serena, Bonnie, Benoit, Dina and Lucario, and the other with Philippe, Clemont, Korrina, Pikachu, Sabine and Milos. With night falling, both groups decide to rest and wait for morning... only for Lucario to worry about his trainer as a similarly restless Korrina confides in her friends by admitting her feelings of failure after numerous futile attempts to understand her grandfather’s teachings. Sympathising with his fellow Gym Leader, Clemont takes her aside and encourages her to try forming a connection with Lucario through his Aura, but due to her lack of ability and formal training in Aura, Korrina approaches Philippe for help and receives a crash course that lasts throughout the night.

The following morning, Team Rocket attacks Korrina’s group with a bunch of gadgets that boost their strength, and without her signature Pokémon, she is forced to rely on Pikachu as the others battle Wobbuffet, Growlie, Inkay and Pumpkaboo. Not wanting someone else to bear the weight of her battles, Korrina reaches out to Lucario, who senses her cry for help miles away and comes running to help as he spontaneously Mega Evolves and sends the TRio running. However, while Korrina is relieved to reunite with her Pokémon, she has him revert to normal until they are sure they can control his Mega Evolution.

838.   The Bonds of Mega Evolution!

Arriving at Pomace Mountain, the group finds a treehouse belonging to the trainer that Gurkinn told them about, Mabel, and her Mega-capable Mawile, which greatly interests Dina as Korrina steps up to have a practice battle that she unsurprisingly loses. Having evaluated her fighting style, Mabel tells the young gym leader that she lacks focus and informs her that they will begin training tomorrow before inviting Ash, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Philippe, Dina, Benoit, Sabine and Milos to the same lesson, adding that they might find new things about themselves.

Over the next few days, everyone makes flower arrangements with their Pokémon (which, according to Mabel, reflect their personalities), with Korrina’s and Lucario’s constantly displaying similar attributes and a deep understanding of each other. During this period, Benoit tries to Mega Evolve his Houndoom and eventually stabilises and strengthens the connection by thinking about the good times he shared with his Pokémon, a discovery that he shares with his fellow Aura adepts as they promptly test and determine its effectiveness in practise battles against each other.

However, as Philippe reflects on his own Mega Stones for Charizard and Gyarados, he finds Dina grumbling about the vagueness of the lessons (which she has deduced to be the actual training). But while he admits that he doesn’t appreciate the lack of clarity either, he nevertheless reveals that he had to do all this practice when he started using Mega Evolution – no matter how much he complained about it – because while the actual transformation was easy, maintaining control over it was problematic, and it remained a problem for years despite all the training. He then finishes with a saying from his mentor that “nature does nothing in vain”, but as she reflects on this, Dina realises that one person commonly associated with those words is Korrina’s ancestor.

Similarly growing tired after their progress seemingly stagnates, Korrina ponders if it is even all worth it on their final night, but is assured by Philippe and Clemont that it is... right before Mabel shows up and affirms this. Going on, she explains that Korrina and Lucario have a strong bond (as evidenced by Lucario pre-emptively using moves without his trainer telling him to), but they are looking at it from different perspectives that she encourages to bring together. With that done, Mabel turns to Philippe and asks him what he thinks, to which he replies by saying that Korrina has the potential to do great things with Mega Evolution, only to be interrupted by Team Rocket, who burst in and steal Pikachu and both Mawile before he can elaborate.

Rushing outside, Benoit and Milos Mega Evolve Houndoom and Absol and send them after the TRio, quickly freeing the captive Pokémon before they come under fire from Growlie and are forced to bail from the balloon as it makes a crash-landing. Arriving on the scene, Dina, Philippe and Korrina Mega Evolve Mawile, Gyarados and Lucario, but the latter continues to struggle with her Pokémon until some encouragement from Clemont helps her break through the haze surrounding his mind with her Aura. Once her Pokémon calms down, Korrina subsequently blasts off Team Rocket before she is congratulated by Mabel, who deems that they have surpassed what she can teach them.

The next day, as Ash decides to separate from Korrina so he can train more before their match, Philippe and Benoit challenge Sabine and Milos to a rematch. As Dina agrees to referee the fight, the episode ends as the four Aura users face each other with Gyarados, Houndoom, Scizor and Absol by their sides and with their weapons in hand, ready for a fight.

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839.   The Forest Champion!

As the party continues their trek to Shalour City by cutting through a forest, they come across a Hawlucha protecting a group of smaller Pokémon from an Ursaring. Learning that it acts as a peacekeeper from a ranger named Keaton, Ash sets his eyes on this Pokémon as his next team member and bonds with him through his Aura by helping him perfect his signature move, Flying Press. However, while Hawlucha is willing to join Ash’s team, he is reluctant to leave the forest without a replacement guardian, forcing the group to search for one before he joins them. At the same time, Philippe and Dina try Benoit’s new Mega Evolution technique with Charizard, Gyarados and Mawile, during which they find out that the former’s Mega Stone for his Charizard is a Charizardite Y.

840.   Battle in the Sky!

While cutting through the Kalos Canyon, the group encounters several Sky Trainers in a mid-air fight format called Sky Battles. Brought to a facility where wing suits for said Sky Battles can be obtained, Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Dina decide to try them out, while Bonnie is forced to sit out the experience due to being too short, much to her disappointment. Fortunately, she cheers up when Philippe and Benoit invite her to watch their latest Mega Evolution practice session on the ridgeline between Mega Charizard Y and Mega Houndoom, and she joins them as they head to the battlefield, which gives them a spectacular view of the whole canyon.

Leaving them on the ground as he attempts to glide with Fletchling, Ash is challenged by a Sky Trainer named Moria to a battle with her Talonflame. Though the Tiny Robin Pokémon is eager to battle, Ash is forced to replace him with Hawlucha when his opponent refuses to accept the initial opponent and consequently loses due to the Wrestling Pokémon’s lack of experience. However, as Dina and Bonnie plead with Moria to accept Fletchling’s challenge, Team Rocket intervenes and captures Talonflame, leading to a chase through the canyon that ends with Serena bringing them down with her Fennekin. Forced to land, the TRio fights Ash and Dina, and upon seeing Fletchling blasting them off, an impressed Talonflame accepts him as his opponent. Subsequently, the smaller Pokémon pushes himself and evolves into Fletchinder before using his knowledge of Flame Charge to narrowly defeat his opponent, which earns Moria’s respect as the group lands. Watching this, Dina wonders what her Eevee wants to evolve into, though she decides to let her Pokémon make the final choice as they reunite with Philippe and Benoit before resuming their journey to Shalour City.

The Awakening

Arriving in Shalour City after the events of The Bonds of Mega Evolution!, Korrina Burgess, Sabine Hellwich and Milos Onassis stop by the Pokémon Center. While waiting for the Pokémon to be healed, Milos, nostalgic for the past after spending time with Philippe, begins reminiscing about his past…

Years ago, an orphaned Milos had been raised by the assistants in the Tower of Mastery alongside Sabine and Korrina, though the latter was often away with her grandfather, Gurkinn, on special training to succeed him as the next Shalour City Gym Leader. Growing up to be fairly independent, he opted not to rely on any particular person other than the two girls whom he considered his best friends, and Sabine repaid this loyalty by constantly supporting his endeavours over the years, growing closer to him as they sparred against each other while training their Absol and Scizor.

Eventually, when they discovered their proficiency in Aura at 14, the two were initially scared of this new power, but the more comfortable they grew with using their new abilities, the more confident they became. However, while Milos set boundaries for himself to prevent overexertion or unwanted attention by spending hours reading in the Tower’s library, the more altruistic Sabine decided to be more open about her powers to help people, which slowly drove a wedge between them over how they should use their abilities.

In the present, Milos is snapped out of his reverie by Sabine asking him if he is all right, and he answers in the affirmative as he retrieves his Pokémon and accompanies the girls back to the Tower. As they wait for the tide to recede so they can cross the bay, Milos asks Korrina what she thinks of Ash and Philippe and learns that she considers both worthy opponents but greatly respects the latter due to knowing something about him that she decides not to reveal. Hearing this, Sabine also recalls her past as she reaches out her hands to “sense” the wind…

Following a particularly vicious argument with Milos, Sabine had left the Tower of Mastery that night to wander around Shalour City and was consequently attacked by an unknown cloaked being with a black halberd. Finding herself outmatched, she retreated to the Tower, only to discover the tide had risen, stranding her on the wrong side of the bay. As Sabine called out for help, Gurkinn’s Lucario heard her and sprinted across the water to save her, but while it drove off the intruder, it arrived too late to save Sabine from getting slashed across the face by a blade that cut through her Aura, resulting in her permanent blindness.

Touching her blindfold as they walk across the bay, Sabine remembers her duel with Philippe and confides in Korrina about how she feels as a member of their trifecta, admitting that she has felt a need to prove herself ever since she lost her eyesight. Comforting her friend, Korrina reassures Sabine that she does not need to push herself or operate on the same level as her or Milos... but as they continue to talk, both girls bump into Milos, who has noticed that the doors of the Tower of Mastery have been blown open. Rushing in, the trio find an injured Gurkinn propped on the floor beside his Lucario, who tells them that someone broke into the Tower and stole something. While Korrina tends to her grandfather, Milos and Sabine rush to the roof, where they find, illuminated by the moonlight, the same cloaked figure that attacked Sabine three years ago!

Upon learning what had happened to his friend, Milos blamed himself for what had happened and contemplated leaving the Tower as a form of penance, but he was talked out of it by Korrina, who assured him that Sabine needed both of them to help her regain her full strength. They then spent the next few months assisting Sabine with her recovery, but despite all her struggles, attempts and adjustments, she could not reuse her old fighting style, which led to many arguments that strained their once close relationship as she was forced to use her Aura more often to “see” her surroundings. Yet, in an ironic twist of fate, the combination of these factors led his friend to channel her anger and frustrations into developing a more aggressive fighting style that traded a strong defence for a fast, overwhelming attack that would take out her adversaries as quickly as possible.

Seizing the opportunity for retribution, Sabine attacks the figure with her scythe, leaving Milos to keep up as he Mega Evolves his Absol and brings out his two-handed sword. Unfortunately, while they are both formidable fighters, the figure exploits their lack of teamwork and coordination by unleashing a form of blackened, corrupted Aura that erodes their defences, and while Milos holds out, Sabine cannot withstand the onslaught and is brought to her knees, forcing her Scizor to defend her. Left alone in the fight, Milos hears the voices of the Tower’s assistants echoing all around him, but while he uses his Aura to dispel the illusions and gets back in the fight alongside Absol, his more defensive style leaves him unable to press an advantage against his opponent.

Meanwhile, as Sabine struggles to rise, she cynically wonders if she will be useful in a fight... until her Scizor breaks off from the battle to support her. Surprised, she reaches out with her Aura and discovers that although it is exhausted from the fight, it is willing to endure the pain so that its trainer can be safe, which causes her to remember the rest of her life up to this moment…

Despite her differences with Milos, Sabine spent the next three years working with him to perfect her new fighting style, with Korrina mediating between them whenever things got too heated. Eventually, she mastered this new technique and another one where her Scizor would fight alongside her to compensate for her lack of eyesight, and a few weeks ago, she and Milos had received a series of dreams that directed them to the Battle Chateau. With Korrina accompanying them while on a quest of her own, Sabine and Milos retrieved their gear from the secret chamber, and after spending the intervening time practising with their new weapons and armour, they met Philippe and received their Key Stones and Mega Stones while travelling with him.

Realising that she was never a liability to her friends, Sabine clears her mind and replenishes her Aura with a meditative technique that she picked up from Milos, and as she does, she Mega Evolves Scizor. Alerted by this new development, the being lunges for her only for the rejuvenated Sabine to match it evenly in strength and agility before slashing it across the face with her longsword, causing its cloak to fall off and reveal an attractive yet scarred woman with black eyes. Incensed that it has been forced into the light, the woman lets out a piercing shriek that disorients Sabine, and as she knocks her to the ground, she states in an unknown (yet understandable) language that she will finish what she should have started years ago… only for Milos to take advantage of this distraction by stabbing her in the back. As the woman shrieks in pain, Sabine likewise acts quickly and decapitates her with her scythe, but as she rushes over to Milos, the woman’s body turns to face them!

However, after a quick and silent evaluation, the woman decides it is not worth continuing the fight. Retrieving her head, she warns them that this is only the beginning, that more trials await them, and that when the dust clears, both they and their “master” will submit to their true overlord. With that, she falls off the tower and disappears before Milos can apprehend her. Seconds later, Korrina arrives on the roof and, upon seeing the aftermath, asks Sabine what happened as Absol and Scizor notice a strange case that the figure dropped during the duel.

The following morning, a recovering Gurkinn brings his granddaughter and her friends to a secret chamber beneath the Tower of Mastery and shows them a massive mural covering the walls and ceiling of the room, which contains, among other things, likenesses of Milos, Sabine, Dina, Benoit, and all their Pokémon along with a few other unfamiliar faces. As Sabine asks what this is, the old man reveals that it was painted centuries ago by an oracle as Milos realises that it tells the story of the lost royal bloodline of Kalos, who were scattered and supposedly killed off following a war that occurred near the end of their reign. However, as he explains the basic gist of the tale to his friend, Korrina deduces whose story this is by piecing together what she knows about Kalos’ history.

Reaching the same conclusion, Sabine asks about the case they retrieved but is taken aback when Gurkinn refuses to reveal what it contains, only telling her and Milos that it is for “the lost prince, the prodigal child of Kalos”. Though she wants to push the issue, Milos – who has likewise deduced the person’s identity – convinces her not to, but as the group heads back up, he notices a small pyramid in the middle of the room that is concealed by visual trickery, though he pays little attention to it.

As they return to their rooms, Sabine thanks Milos and Korrina for supporting her ever since she lost her eyesight and challenges them to a three-way duel. Deciding to use this to prepare for her impending Gym Battle against Ash, Korrina runs ahead of her friends to grab her Pokémon while Milos and Sabine grab their Pokéballs. However, as they walk to the battlefield, the case they retrieved is shown in a vault under the Tower... and is revealed to be open, showing a wooden and metallic staff with a sapphire blue crystal embedded in its top.

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841.   The Cave of Mirrors!

As the group stumbles into the famed Reflection Cave, Pikachu is pulled through the mirror-like crystal walls into a parallel universe, causing Ash to head in after him. Disoriented by the sudden changes as he emerges from the cave, he quickly bumps into this world’s version of his party and aggravates the much more confident Mirror Serena, who challenges him to a tough battle that he barely scrapes through. Fortunately, she believes his claims that he is not their Ash due to his experience, and with some help from Mirror Clemont and Bonnie, they find Mirror Ash, who, after returning Pikachu, reveals that he lost Mirror Pikachu… which is later found tussling with the Prime Team Rocket, who followed him through the portal, and a battle subsequently breaks out between them and Ash, Hawlucha and Fletchinder.

Over in the real world, as Clemont, Serena, and Bonnie try to find a way to bring Ash back, Philippe’s examination of the wall leads him to realise that the entire cavern is flowing with Aura, which causes Dina to formulate an idea of manipulating it to create a gateway of their own so they can rescue Ash. Back in the Mirror Universe, Ash successfully defeats Team Rocket but learns from Mirror Benoit and Dina that, according to legend, anyone left in the Mirror World after sunset will be stranded there forever. Unwilling to leave the TRio behind, he goes back and rescues them before dragging them to the cave, but before he leaves, Mirror Philippe (whom Ash notices is wearing another ring besides his signet ring) hands him a letter to pass to his counterpart, saying that he will know what to do with it. Accepting the letter, Ash makes it back to the cave and crosses back to his dimension in the nick of time, thanks to a portal that Philippe and Benoit manage to open. Now safely back in their world, Team Rocket leaves the group in peace, and as Ash hands the letter to Philippe, the group exits the Reflection Cave for the nearest Pokémon Centre.

842.   Forging Forest Friendships!

While trying out a variety of combined attacks during a training session, Ash is kidnapped and dragged into the forest by a Trevenant, forcing Froakie, Fletchinder and Hawlucha to work together as Benoit and Houndoom set out to rescue their friend. As they cut through the woods, the three Pokémon nearly get trapped in an illusion caused by a Trick Room but manage to defeat the Elder Tree Pokémon after a lengthy battle, only to find out that all it wanted was some help to free a Bonsly and a Sudowoodo from an electric net. However, as Philippe gives a long and stern lecture to the Trevenant about asking nicely for help, Benoit reveals that in light of what happened, he intends to return to the Battle Chateau to practice his skills, and after some discussion with his friends, he departs the group with the promise to meet the group at Shalour City.

843.   Summer of Discovery!

Having been invited to a five-day Pokémon Summer Camp, the group takes a detour to the coastline north of Geosenge Town and arrives at the camp, where they reunite with Professor Sycamore and his assistants, Sophie and Cosette. Once they have settled into their cabin, they mingle with the other trainers and meet a boisterous trainer named Tierno Gutiérrez, who introduces them to his best friends, Pokévision enthusiast Shauna Armeniox and photographer Trevor Lockwood, and their starters, an agile Squirtle, a haughty Bulbasaur and a hyperactive Charmander. Excited to meet familiar Pokémon, Ash shares his dreams and end goals, but as she listens to him, Serena starts to wonder what she wants at the end of her journey. Noticing this as they head to orientation, Dina alerts Philippe and encourages him to give her advice as Sycamore introduces the staff, the rules and the itinerary for the week before revealing that all teams will be competing for a spot in the Summer Camp Hall of Fame.

To encourage cooperation and teamwork, a round of introductory battles is commenced so that the trainers can get to know one another, but while Ash, Serena and Clemont choose their new friends as their opponents and bring out Froakie, Fennekin and Chespin, they get flattened pretty badly. Fortunately, no argument breaks out, but it leaves the group wondering if their teamwork is as good as their new friends as they head for dinner, with Ash asking for and receiving pointers from Tierno about how they stayed in sync. While all this is going on, Philippe leaves Charizard and Gyarados in Sycamore’s care before sneaking over to the Hall of Fame, where he finds a photo of himself and Diantha from nearly 15 years ago, taken when she was a fellow camper, and reminisces about simpler times as the sun goes down.

Later that night, Philippe emerges from the hall to find Serena sitting by the pier and encourages her to take as much time as she needs to make a decision, as this will be one of the most important steps in her life. As they sit down to talk, Dina is seen watching from the group’s cabin as she silently wishes Serena good luck.

844.   Day Three Blockbuster!

On the third day of the Pokémon Summer Camp, Professor Sycamore tasks the campers with making a Pokévision video, which cheers Serena up after a mildly disastrous attempt at a competitive battle the previous day. Having made such a video before, she takes charge of the group and divides the tasks among her teammates as she learns from Shauna about the concept of Pokémon Performers, who take part in Showcases that display the skills of the Pokémon and the trainers to attain the title of “Kalos Queen”. In particular, what catches Serena’s interest is the news that Aria and her Braixen are the current holders of the title, and she keeps thinking about it even as she tries to focus on making her video, which leads to her slipping and falling off a cliff with Ash at a remote filming location.

Fortunately for Serena, quick thinking from Ash breaks her fall, but he forgets to extend the Aura to himself and sprains his ankle, forcing Clemont and Bonnie to turn back and get help. Staying with him, Serena ends up talking to her friend as he reflects on his journey thus far and acknowledges that he still has a long way to go until he accomplishes his dream, though he affirms that he will get there one day. Upon discovering her interest in Pokémon Showcases, Ash encourages her to try it out if she truly has the passion for it, and with this motivation, Serena decides (once they have been rescued, finished the Pokévision video and screened it) to see a Showcase before making her final choice.

Coinciding with all these events, Philippe talks to Sycamore as he studies and witnesses Mega Evolution while taking note of the type changes and new abilities gained by the Pokémon. However, when he recounts his encounter with Korrina, Sycamore is astonished to learn that Mega Evolution existed hundreds of years ago and wonders why they are resurfacing, causing Philippe to speculate that they might indicate an impending calamity or crisis.

845.   Foggy Pokémon Orienteering!

With the next activity of the Pokémon Summer Camp being an Orienteering Competition, all the campers set out into the woods (except for Philippe and Dina, who team up with Sycamore’s assistants to monitor the three checkpoints and level the playing field). Remembering the last time he participated in such a contest back in Kanto, Ash guides Serena and Clemont to victory at various checkpoints and even gets into a fierce yet friendly competition with Shauna, Tierno and Trevor. However, before they can finish, a strange fog rolls in, separating Bonnie and Pikachu from the others, and as a trail of strange flowers lures them deeper into the woods, Clemont raises the alarm upon noticing his sister’s disappearance and alerts the others, who initiate a search. At the same time, the fog somehow disables the security feeds, forcing Philippe and Dina to head into the forest to get the campers out as the former admits to the latter that this feels familiar.

In the woods, Trevor uses his eye for detail to deduce where Bonnie and Pikachu have gone, and the group follows his Charmander as they navigate through the mists. Meanwhile, Bonnie and Pikachu end up being knocked out by an Amoonguss’ Spore, and the former ends up being carried away by a Drifblim after nearly falling into a ravine, but by sheer luck, Philippe stumbles upon the scene and makes it to Bonnie after leaping across… right before he is attacked by a mysterious figure wearing what appears to be an all-black, specialised suit. As he duels this person with his sword and disappears into the thickening fog, Dina reunites with Ash and the others, who have found them thanks to Fletchinder, and explains the situation as Shauna sees a cluster of Drifloon and Drifblim at the bottom of the chasm. Thinking quickly, she startles them with help from Serena and Tierno, allowing Ash, Clemont and Dina to use the Ghost-types as bounce pads to make it across and retrieve Bonnie.

With his sister safe, Clemont gets back across the ravine while Dina sends Eevee, Mawile, Chespin and Scatterbug to find Philippe, and while Ash is torn over what to do, he ultimately decides to head back on account of his sprained ankle. As he jumps across the gorge, he almost falls when he lands awkwardly but is saved at the last second by everyone pulling on Clemont’s Aipom Arm. Elsewhere, Philippe is nearly overwhelmed by his opponent as they surgically target his nerve points, but before it can kill him, the being is suddenly scared off by a strange presence that it senses nearby, and as he gets to his feet, the fog clears to reveal his saviour – a towering black and blue deer with multicoloured antlers. Recognising the Pokémon, Philippe’s shock gives way to suspicious anger as he asks why it is here, but it merely sends a message to him through his Aura before the fog returns. When it clears, he reunites with everyone else, having somehow returned to the other side of the ravine as Bonnie wakes up.

Back at the camp, as everyone recovers from their encounter, Dina asks Philippe what the Pokémon said to him after learning what happened. Initially hesitating, he decides to tell her after a discussion with Chespin and Scatterbug, realising that he doesn’t want to hide things anymore and that it is only a matter of time before he has to tell the truth.

846.   Battling Into the Hall of Fame!

On the final day of the Pokémon Summer Camp, Professor Sycamore hosts a Team Battle Competition to close out the event, with Ash and Clemont motivating the others to push through and win despite their points being lacklustre when compared to the higher-ranked teams. Nevertheless, Serena, Bonnie and their Pokémon receive enough of a morale boost to push through and face Tierno, Trevor and Shauna in the final match, with the battle coming down to the wire in a 3v3 featuring Pikachu, Fennekin and Chespin against the three Kanto starters.

However, while all this is happening, Philippe retrieves Charizard and Gyarados from Professor Sycamore before he shows Dina the photo of himself and Diantha. Noticing that he looks the same as he did nearly 15 years ago, Dina realises that Philippe must not age, but as she asks him how old he is, he ponders whether or not he should answer this question. Thinking back to when he told her about the Pokémon in the forest, he remembers what it said to him – that it would meet him again, very soon, and that he would be judged for his past actions. Having thought about this, and knowing the risk, he tells Dina the truth about his age, leaving her shocked, but despite this, she decides to stick with him until she knows the full story and admits that she already suspected this from numerous instances through their journey when he acted wiser than he looked. As they leave the Hall of Fame, they bump into Team Rocket, who have been working as the camp chefs this whole time, but allow them to escape with their well-earned cash.

Outside, Ash’s team wins the final match, and Sycamore decides to include them in the Hall of Fame despite their lower ranking to recognise their many accomplishments during the event. Intrigued by Squirtle’s constantly moving battling style, Ash asks Tierno for advice in the hopes of preparing for his match against Korrina, and as the Summer Camp ends, Sycamore thanks Philippe for his assistance and promises to be there if he needs help.

Pokémon: Diancie—Princess of the Diamond Domain

The short begins with the Mythical Pokémon Diancie sitting quietly inside an abandoned house as she practices her powers. Hearing a cry for help from the forest outside, she realises that a Pokémon must be in danger and leaves to investigate, but as she leaves, her Carbink servants, Merrick, Bort, and Allotrope, return to the cottage with the food they obtained. As they notice her absence and attempt to follow their mistress, they accidentally disturb a horde of Ariados and are forced to run.

Meanwhile, Diancie quickly locates the source of the trouble upon reaching a nearby river – a Pangoro that is stuck in a log – but her valiant attempts to pull it out prove fruitless until a Heracross helps her out by shattering the log with a Megahorn. Thanking it, the Mythical Pokémon discovers that the Single Horn Pokémon belongs to a hooded trainer standing on the opposite bank, who nods at her before leaving. However, before she can follow the figure, Merrick, Bort, and Allotrope burst in with the Ariados in pursuit, though the angry Bug-type Pokémon are mostly dealt with by the Pangoro, who defeats most of them with the broken pieces of the log. Left alone, the lead Ariados attempts to strike Diancie, but it is interrupted by twin bursts of fire and electricity that rain from the sky, which scare it and the horde into retreating. Looking up, all the Pokémon see a masked trainer and an Ampharos on the back of an unidentified creature, the former of which gives a salute before flying away.

Retrieving a dizzy Pancham from inside the log’s remains, the Pangoro thanks Diancie and the Carbink before leaving, and once the Mythical Pokémon has explained herself to her servants, she likewise departs alongside them. However, they remain unaware that the whole thing was staged by a mysterious girl watching through a security camera mounted on a Honedge hiding in a nearby tree.

Chapter Text

Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction

Now back on the road to Shalour City, the group stops by Avignon Town, where Ash battles an Ace Trainer. Though he defeats her Pyroar and Meowstic with Pikachu and Froakie, both of them and Hawlucha are flattened by her Mega Absol, leading Ash to seriously contemplate getting a Mega Evolution for himself to stand a chance against Korrina. However, as Bonnie tries to introduce the trainer to Clemont, she approaches Philippe and introduces herself as Astrid Bristol before passing on a message from Diantha, which turns out to be a report about several G-Men agents disappearing around where they are. Reading it, Philippe asks Dina what she thinks, but the group hears a ruckus at the main square before she can answer.

Heading over to investigate, they find a strange Pokémon being harassed by a woman with a Delphox and a man with a Greninja, and Dina identifies these individuals as professional thieves Merilyn Flame and Ninja Riot as she brings out her Mawile to fight them alongside Philippe and his Chespin, allowing Ash and the others to escape with the Pokémon before they use a smoke bomb to cover their exit. Reconvening with the others in an alleyway close to the town’s famous hotel, the duo discover that the Pokémon is a Diancie, a Mythical Pokémon capable of human speech that hails from the underground Diamond Domain, and the group’s consultation of Serena’s Pokédex leads them to find out about the myth that it can make diamonds. However, Dina’s keen interest in this skill is curbed by Philippe’s caution, and as he restrains her from doing anything rash, he asks Diancie if she can create a human disguise, as it would protect her from outside strangers, and she conjures up an illusion of such, allowing her to travel freely.

Now safe from imminent danger, Diancie joins the group as they stop at a café for lunch, and as she tries some of the scones at Bonnie’s behest, her dignified replies lead Serena to conclude that she must be a kind of princess. Desiring to learn more about her, Dina asks the Mythical Pokémon several questions regarding her past, but Diancie expertly deflects all of them before the more skilled Philippe takes over and discerns that she must have been raised in a high-class environment or monarchy before guessing that she must be on a quest of her own… or is escaping from something. But before he can ask her where she comes from, a black-suited figure crashes through the café’s roof and attacks them.

Instinctively moving to protect Diancie, Ash’s intuition is proven right when the figure (whom Philippe recognises as the same person who attacked him during the Pokémon Summer Camp) goes after the Mythical Pokémon, but as Dina’s Eevee faces their new adversary, Diancie creates an avalanche of diamonds which clear a path through the café and allow the others to escape. Moving to pursue them, the figure nearly maims Dina’s Pokémon before it is stopped by a girl with a Chesnaught, who tells Dina to follow her friends. Finding her familiar yet desiring to rejoin her friends, Dina thanks her before recalling Eevee and running out.

Once she has caught up with the others, Dina asks Diancie about her powers and learns that although she can create the gems, they are only temporary (which is confirmed back in the café when the avalanche dissipates during the fight between the girl and the figure). As a gesture of thanks for saving her, Diancie reveals her true goal – to find the Legendary Pokémon Xerneas so that she can boost her abilities with her Fairy-type Aura. As Clemont explains the stories behind the Pokémon, including the myth that it can grant eternal life, Dina notices that Philippe is deep in thought, but he brushes her off when she approaches him. However, Ash, desiring to meet Xerneas too, asks Diancie if they can accompany her, and she agrees to (jokingly) consider them her royal escorts.

Suspecting that they are being watched, Philippe and Dina purchase bus tickets under a false name, thus allowing the group to sneak out of Avignon Town undetected, but as a disguised Diancie commends the former on the precautions he is taking (and is complimented for her good manners), she also asks why he and Dina carry weapons after sensing a foreboding aura around his sword. Momentarily taken aback, Philippe composes himself before admitting that they do so to remain vigilant and ready for a fight that might happen at any moment, which impresses Diancie. Turning to Ash, she asks him what his relationship with other humans is (as she can already see that his bond with Pikachu is strong) but as he tells her that he considers all of his former travelling companions to be his friends, he realises that since returning from Unova, he has never really kept in touch with any of them.

Later that night, as the group camps by a river after alighting from the bus, Ash and Philippe witness Diancie trying in vain to use her powers to make something and learn that she is trying to create a special type of gem called a Heart Diamond. Gently telling the Mythical Pokémon that such a skill only comes after extensive practice and time, the older man also agrees that it is a frustratingly unfair reality, though she cheers up when Ash suggests making a wish on a passing shooting star. Nearby, Dina sees Serena admiring Ash from her tent while Clemont calls Korrina to tell her they will be delayed getting to Shalour City.

The next day, as they board a boat to throw off any pursuers, Diancie spends some time with Bonnie and remarks on how happy she has been as they witness a group of Floatzel and Buizel swimming in the river. As she reflects on these happy times, she suddenly produces a single diamond, which she gifts to Bonnie at the girl’s behest, even as she points out that it will eventually disappear. Close by, Philippe regards the letter his Mirror counterpart gave Ash as he practices his Mega Evolution, which he successfully pulls off with Mega Charizard Y again. Seeing this, Diancie is awestruck, and Dina gives her a rundown on how the phenomenon works as they arrive at their destination, the small yet expansive Orsay City.

However, as they leave the boat, Philippe senses something strange nearby and separates from his friends to wander the streets. Following him through the streets, Dina is guided to a large Gothic cathedral, and as she enters, she finds her friend arguing with its custodian, an elderly priest who forbids him from entering the crypt due to his “cursed” nature. Defusing the argument by telling Philippe to wait outside, Dina heads into the lower chamber and finds an odd stone in an old reliquary that she recognises as a Mega Stone. Taking it, she hears voices whispering to take care of the world’s “next child”, while upstairs, the priest answers Philippe’s question as to whether he should judge his judges that while it is all right to question and request explanations, he should remain respectful throughout.

Elsewhere in the city, Serena and Bonnie take Diancie to a nearby mall and embark on a small shopping spree, but their enjoyment is abruptly ended when the Mythical Pokémon catches sight of three Carbink and attempts to hide from them, which leads to a panicked chase through the shopping mall. Assuming that the Jewel Pokémon are in league with the thieves, Clemont uses a stretchable ladder that enables Serena to reach her while Ash uses his Aura to create obstacles for the three Jewel Pokémon, slowing them down and allowing them to escape.

Reuniting with Philippe and Dina at a nearby park, the group discovers that Diancie knows the Carbink, but before they can question her, Merilyn appears and attacks them with her Delphox, which Dina interrupts with a throwing knife. Bringing out Froakie and Pikachu, Ash stalls her to buy time for Serena to lead the others away, which she does by commandeering some Rhyhorn being prepped for a race. Heading into the nearby forest, the group slows down once they are a fair distance away, only to be ambushed by Riot and the black-suited figure from the café attack. Acting quickly, Dedenne saves them from the former’s Greninja with Nuzzle as a brawl ensues, and as they fight Riot and his ally while Mawile, Chespin and Scatterbug face Greninja, Dina and Philippe question them as to why they want Diancie. However, neither responds, and the black-suited figure even manages to slash Philippe in the side with a knife, with only his armour protecting him from a fatal injury.

Elsewhere, Merilyn manipulates Ash into moving closer to the group, and he consequently reunites with his friends as their opponents surround them. With their prey cornered, the thieves fire attacks to capture their target but are thwarted by the sudden appearance of the three Carbink, who shield Diancie with their bodies. Seeing this, Dina seizes the opportunity to Mega Evolve her Mawile, which drives the thieves back, but this leaves the group open to Riot, who attempts to lasso Diancie. However, he is stopped by the girl with the Chesnaught, this time accompanied by an Aegislash, and the distraction allows the group to escape, though not before Dina overhears the girl’s name – Millis Steel – which she finds familiar.

Making their way through the forest while Dina provides cover with her Aura, the group are formally introduced to the Carbink, who reveal that they are Diancie’s bodyguards, Merrick, Bort and Allotrope. Stepping forward, a suspicious Merrick asks who they are, but Diancie defends the group by explaining that they – including Philippe, whom the Carbink refer to as “the forsaken one” – are all her friends. Learning that they have been fruitlessly searching for Xerneas for many months, Ash questions Diancie about why she left her bodyguards and discovers that she left them simply because she saw Avignon Town from a distance and thought it was fun to go there. Overhearing this, Philippe empathises with her feelings of being stifled by her lifestyle (and overprotective but necessary bodyguards) but stays silent as Diancie apologises to Merrick for leaving and making them worry. Fortunately, Merrick reveals that her sudden departure caused him to reach the same conclusion as Philippe and likewise apologises to the princess.

Eventually, the group reaches the entrance to the Diamond Domain and enters it (despite trepidation at letting Philippe enter due to his “cursed” nature before Diancie and Dina vouch for him) to find the cavern’s luminous gemstones on the verge of disintegrating due to the death of the Heart Diamond that powered the realm. Upon arriving at the now-dead gemstone, they are introduced to the eldest Carbink, Dace, who informs Diancie of what has transpired since she left her home, and she begins to crack under the pressure of her responsibilities, saying that she hasn’t found Xerneas and thus doesn’t have the power that will allow her to make a new Heart Diamond. Empathizing with how she feels, Ash tells her about his most recent loss in the Unova League and how he thought that he had let his Pokémon down before telling her that, in the end, they have to keep moving on as a team.

Agreeing, Dina produces the Mega Stone she got from the Orsay City cathedral and hands it to Diancie, using Mega Evolution as a metaphor for teamwork… right before a shocked Dace recognises it as Diancite. Questioning the group where they got it from, he tells Diancie to keep the valuable gemstone as Merrick brings them back to the present by pointing out that they still don’t know how to find Xerneas. Thinking over what they could do, Diancie realises that there is one location they haven’t checked yet and suggests looking for Xerneas in her home, but while her peers agree, they express hesitation at the thought of bringing in outsiders like “the last few times”. However, they are forced to concede when Diancie insists on bringing along her friends, who prove useful when Philippe and Dina use their Aura to help the group find their way around the darkened tunnels. Watching them, Diancie reveals in passing conversation with Clemont that she has met other Aura users, including a “kind wild girl” with a Heracross and a “cold-hearted hunter” with an Ampharos.

Eventually emerging at the base of a large tree, the group is greeted by a vast cataract waterfall surrounded by a lush forest, and Dace reveals that they are in the Allearth Forest – a natural sanctuary for Pokémon hidden by the high cliffs surrounding them. Walking down into the woods, he also explains that this is the home of both Xerneas and her counterpart Yveltal, the embodiment of death, who is rumoured to sleep within the forest in a “cocoon of destruction”, and as they head through the trees, Serena and Clemont notice that the climate and atmosphere fluctuate rapidly, cycling through the different seasons at an accelerated pace. Similarly, Ash and Dina remark on feeling the sheer amount of Aura emanating all around them as they notice hundreds of curious Pokémon peeking out from the shadows as well as several stone statues, but before they can point this out, Diancie senses something and goes on ahead, only to trip over a log and faceplant in the ground.

Fortunately, she finds Xerneas nearby, who, while surprised, patiently listens to the young Mythical Pokémon as she pleads for help to save her kingdom. As she reveals that she knows of her quest and what she seeks from her, the ancient Legendary Pokémon beckons the others to come closer after sensing them nearby, then asks Diancie some cryptic questions regarding her journey. Though confused, Diancie answers them truthfully, leading Xerneas to reveal that she has had the power all along, and as she points out that she already made a “perfect diamond” long before this moment, Bonnie discovers that the diamond that Diancie gave her on the boat to Orsay City is still there.

With her point made, Xerneas turns to Philippe and begins to address him in a more serious tone, only to be cut off by the arrival of an airship. Recognising it as the one belonging to master thief Argus Steel, Dina realises that Millis must be his daughter and warns everyone as the father-daughter team descends from the craft with their Doublade and Aegislash. Confirming Dina’s deduction with the revelation that she was merely helping them so that Diancie could develop her power all on her own (thus allowing them to grab a Pokémon capable of generating an endless supply of diamonds), Millis uses her Chesnaught to try and catch the Mythical Pokémon but is interrupted by Riot, Merilyn and the black-suited figure, who followed the group after planting trackers on Dina and Ash.

Not wanting to be captured, Xerneas leaves as the thieves begin fighting over Diancie, but as Serena, Clemont and Bonnie defend her, the black-suited figure makes a beeline for Philippe instead. Acting quickly, Dina and Ash defend their friend as the fight slowly takes them towards a mysterious crater with an underground lake, and as they approach it, the Aura users sense something powerful inside. But before Dina and Ash can guide the battle away from the hole, the black-suited figure tackles Philippe into the crater, and as they hit the ground, his eyes turn black.

With no choice, Dina and Ash jump into the crater as Serena’s team deals with the thieves with help from the local Pokémon, but as they fight the black-suited figure, they fail to notice Philippe wading into the lake and drawing his sword… until Xerneas arrives and warns them to get out of the crater as it is Yveltal’s resting place! Hearing this, Ash breaks off from the fight and lunges for the older man, but while he yanks his friend out of the water, he fails to stop him from channelling his Aura through his sword and summoning the fabled Cocoon of Destruction, which emerges from the depths of the now-bubbling lake. Noticing their friend’s sword developing black and red highlights, along with a ruby set in its pommel, Dina asks Xerneas for help, and the Legendary Pokémon allows them to climb on as she jumps out, leaving the black-suited figure behind.

Setting them down by their friends (who have lured the thieves into traps set by the local Pokémon), Xerneas tells Philippe – who appears confused as to what just happened – that he should never have come back here of his own accord as his subconscious feelings about his unresolved past caused Yveltal to take advantage of them to ensure his awakening ahead of schedule. Intervening before Philippe can argue with the Legendary Pokémon, Dina reminds them of bigger problems as the cocoon bursts open to reveal Yveltal, who roars in anger and flies out of the cavern, immediately targeting the escaping Riot and Merilyn with an Oblivion Wing and causing them to crash into the forest.

Watching in horror as Yveltal’s indiscriminate attacks petrify anything and everything they hit, Diancie tells the group that they have to do something before the Steels snatch her in their airship. Giving chase, Ash realises that the stone statues in the forest must have been victims of the furious Legendary Pokémon as it pursues the airship and comes up with a plan to get Yveltal’s attention so that they can subdue him and prevent the Allearth Forest’s eventual destruction. Agreeing with this plan, Philippe volunteers to act as bait while Dina partners with him to ensure he doesn’t get killed.

Upon arriving at the Steels’ position after their Pokémon get petrified, Dina gets Yveltal’s attention by shooting him with an arrow, and Philippe draws his attention with his sword before running back into the trees with Ash while Serena and Clemont rescue Diancie. Dodging the blasts of Oblivion Wing (which inadvertently kill Riot and Merilyn as large swathes of the forest are destroyed), the duo manage to trap him beneath a boulder after luring him into a narrow valley, but Yveltal easily breaks free… only to face Xerneas, who pleads with her counterpart not to do this. Momentarily calmed, Yveltal regards her, but his anger takes over, and he fires off an Oblivion Wing, which she reluctantly counters with an Aurora Beam as she begins to fight her old friend.

As Clemont’s group reunites with Ash’s team on opposite sides of the valley – one in summer and one in winter – Diancie prepares to make a Heart Diamond to assist Xerneas as Ash, Philippe and Dina use their Aura to help her, but Yveltal notices this and fires two Oblivion Wings at their respective positions. Unfortunately, while the Aura users dodge the blast aimed at them, Diancie cannot move fast enough, causing Merrick, Bort and Allotrope to sacrifice themselves so that she can complete the Heart Diamond. Meanwhile, Xerneas is slammed into the cliffside by a Hyper Beam, allowing Yveltal to target the Aura users and Ash and Pikachu are blown over the side of the cliff in the ensuing chaos, forcing Dina to buy time for Serena and Clemont to pull them up by attacking Yveltal with her Mega Mawile.

Distraught by the deaths of her bodyguards, Diancie breaks down crying, but as Philippe defends her position, he also encourages her not to let the sacrifices of her subjects be in vain. Reminded of all those relying on her back in the Diamond Domain, Diancie calms herself, but as she does, she realises how they can stop Yveltal and tells Philippe her plan – to use her Mega Evolution to distract him so Xerneas can step in and do the rest. Despite the riskiness of the plan, Philippe decides to trust her as he raises his sword and activates his Mega Stone, successfully evolving her into Mega Diancie along with his Gyarados and Charizard.

Reuniting with Dina and her Mega Mawile, Philippe and Diancie attack Yveltal, successfully creating a new Heart Diamond in the heat of the moment. Boosted by the energy provided by the brilliant gem, the four Mega Evolutions push back the Destruction Pokémon, allowing Ash to reach out to the dazed Xerneas and heal her with his Aura… right before everyone hears Argus’ airship arriving overhead as it launches several missiles, inadvertently stunning the four Mega Evolutions and allowing Yveltal to get a second wind. Retaliating in seconds with an Oblivion Wing, the enraged Legendary Pokémon sends the airship plunging into the waterfall before turning to Diancie and preparing to kill her and the rest of the group, but before he can, the still-injured Xerneas heals him with Geomancy.

Seeing this act of kindness come at the expense of his counterpart’s well-being is enough to clear Yveltal’s mind, and as the Legendary calms down, Philippe approaches the Legendary Pokémon with the acknowledgement of his judgment. However, before they can answer, Pikachu suddenly collapses and begins to turn to stone, and a horrified Ash realises that he was struck on the tip of his tail by an Oblivion Wing. Trying in vain to slow the process with his Aura, he pleads with Xerneas to heal Pikachu, and the Life Pokémon obliges with a Geomancy despite knowing that this could kill her. But as the weakened Legendary is forced to her knees, Philippe channels his Aura into her, saying that despite his faults and impending judgment, he does not want her to die as well. With Dina doing the same, Xerneas doubles her efforts and resurrects Pikachu and everyone else killed in Yveltal’s rampage, including the thieves and all the statues in the forest, while restoring the ravaged land. Exhausted from the effort, she and the Aura users collapse, but they are all supported by their friends and allies as Ash hugs Pikachu, with Xerneas telling Diancie and the Carbink that this is the promise of life and the ultimate beginning of hope.

Deciding to try her powers again, Diancie Mega Evolves herself with Philippe’s help and creates a new Heart Diamond to replace the old one, which all the Carbink rejoice over. Knowing that the Diamond Domain is saved, Dace thanks the group for helping them as Bonnie, on Dedenne’s suggestion, returns the diamond Diancie made to her in remembrance of their friendship, while Dina promises to provide help to her kingdom whenever she asks for it. But as Philippe watches the procession, he turns back to Xerneas and Yveltal, who begins his judgment by asking him who he is.

Raising his sword, Philippe responds that he is the lost son of Kalos’ first king as he kneels before the two Legendary Pokémon and humbly requests forgiveness for the “terrible” mistakes he made during his “first life”… only to be shocked when he discovers that Xerneas and Yveltal have no intention of making their final decision now due to the recent events. However, Xerneas assures him that his heartfelt admission (made in the aftermath of a great calamity) will be taken into account as she tells him they will meet again at the “birthplace of Mega Evolution”. Agreeing with his counterpart’s decision, Yveltal takes one look at the others, including Diancie, and swears them all to secrecy before flying off into the night sky with the declaration that they will meet again… and as he does, the black-suited figure, who has escaped the crater, watches in silence before leaving.

Musing that her counterpart has always had a theatrical flair, Xerneas turns to the group and agrees to lead them out of the Allearh Forest via one of the few safe routes for humans to use, but she cautions Diancie, Ash and Philippe with the phrase “Memento Mori”, reminding them that nothing lasts forever, not even immortal beings. However, the trio remain undeterred, and as he holds his keystone aloft, Philippe declares that until then, they will make their own destiny.

In the credits, Xerneas guides the group out of the Allearth Forest before leaving them. As the party resumes their journey to Shalour City, a series of flashforwards reveal that Argus and Millis are now running a chocolate shop while Riot and Merilyn are engaged, with both duos subsequently meeting the Aura users that Diancie encountered. Back in the Diamond Domain, Dace replaces the old Heart Diamond with the new one, replenishing the kingdom’s power, and Diancie sits on her throne, awaiting emissaries with her Mega Stone. Elsewhere, Xerneas arrives at a Pokémon Centre in a small town and assumes a human form as she walks inside to see a similarly disguised Yveltal speaking to Benoit Rosseau. Sitting next to him, she takes his hand to reassure him that he is not alone before they embrace, content in the knowledge that they have each other.

Chapter Text

847.   Origins of Mega Evolution!

Finally arriving in Shalour City, the group reunites with Korrina, Sabine and Milos, who bring them to the Tower of Mastery in the city’s bay. However, they are prevented from entering due to the high tide, which forces them to wait outside, and Ash uses this time to incorporate what he learned from Tierno into his battling style (with limited success). While he does, Philippe, Serena and Clemont reflect on the recent events, which Sabine and Milos learn about from Dina.

Eventually, as the tide recedes, the group walks across the causeway and reunites with Gurkinn in the Tower’s foyer, which houses a massive statue of a Mega Lucario. Noticing the murals on the walls, Dina asks about them, prompting Gurkinn to tell the story of how his ancestor found a keystone and a Mega Stone on the island that the Tower is built on with the help of a young man who possessed the ability to control Aura. As he speaks, Sabine and Milos take Philippe and Dina away from the group to speak in private, but while Gurkinn notices this, he continues to talk by telling Korrina that although she has come far, she is still not ready to possess a family heirloom called the Scroll of Secrets, which supposedly contains some secret knowledge regarding Mega Evolution.

Upon arriving on the rooftop, Sabine and Milos reveal to Philippe and Dina that when they returned to the Tower two weeks ago, they were attacked by a cloaked being – the same one that had blinded Sabine when she was younger – that had tried to steal something. Alarmed, Philippe asks them if the “staff” is safe, but this immediately raises Sabine’s suspicions as neither she nor Milos were told what the being had tried to steal, and she bluntly asks him who he is. Realising his mistake yet knowing that this day was inevitable, Philippe hands his allies the letter from his parallel counterpart, and Milos reads it aloud to discover that their golden-eyed acquaintance is the lost son of Kalos’ first king… who is more than three thousand years old! Shocked, Sabine demands to know more and gets increasingly upset when Philippe refuses to do so until he unlocks the cryptex, which he promises will tell them everything in detail. Fortunately, Milos defuses the situation by using his Aura to confirm Philippe’s intentions, but as a failsafe, he makes him swear on Arceus that he will abide by his promise, and this particular assurance mollifies Sabine.

Later that night, the group is awoken by an alarm and rushes out to find Team Rocket stealing the Scroll of Secrets from the statue in the foyer. Acting fast, they give chase, but Ash, Korrina and Philippe are separated from the others when James’ Inkay destroys the stairway to the top floor, though they arrive just in time to shoot down the TRio’s getaway balloon with Chespin’s Pin Missile. Together, the three trainers face Pumpkaboo, Inkay and Meowth, the latter of which manages to fight Korrina’s Lucario to a draw until he Mega Evolves and sends him, Jessie, James and their Pokémon flying with a single Bone Rush.

In the aftermath, Gurkinn reveals the contents of the Scroll of Secrets, which ultimately turn out to be nothing but general ground rules about being a Gym Leader. Despite seeing this coming, Dina expresses her disappointment to Philippe over the lack of clarity and is surprised when he agrees with her sentiment, having expected Korrina’s ancestor to be more forthcoming with that “secret”. However, he admits that he knows exactly where the real secrets are being held and agrees to show them to her and the others during Ash’s Gym Battle.

Hours later, as the sun rises, Ash prepares to face Korrina for his third Gym Badge while Philippe gathers Dina, Milos and Sabine in the foyer just as Benoit arrives with two hooded figures. Surprised to see him again, the quartet learn that he was sidetracked by his guests, who reveal themselves as the human avatars of Xerneas and Yveltal! Greeting an understanding Philippe and his shocked acquaintances, they tell him that his judgment will be decided by both them and the other Aura users as Ash’s Gym Battle begins.

848.   Showdown at the Shalour Gym!

Bringing out Hawlucha first, Ash goes up against Korrina’s Mienfoo but initially struggles to land any hits due to not mastering the dancing techniques he tried to teach his Pokémon. However, as his opponent takes advantage of this with a Swift that scores a glancing blow, Ash has an epiphany when he recalls advice from Serena and Philippe the day before – namely that since he doesn’t have the sense of rhythm as Tierno, he should focus on his strengths to create a new one to his liking. Taking this to heart, he has Mienfoo inflict damage on itself with a missed High Jump Kick, allowing Hawlucha to finish it off with Flying Press.

As this is happening, Xerneas and Yveltal bring the Aura users to a secret chamber under the Tower of Mastery, and here, against the backdrop of a massive mural (and with flashbacks), Philippe tells them his story, starting with his true identity as the lost prince of Kalos. Explaining that he was “cursed” with immortality following a mistake he made in the past, he also reveals that he is one of the pioneers of Mega Evolution alongside Korrina’s ancestor, who refined the technique into what is being used now, and that they and their companions created the Aura-infused armour and weapons to fight alongside their Pokémon. Together, they had subsequently formed an order called “The Knights of Kalos”, which had enforced his parents’ rule across the region and, with some assistance from foreign powers, reshaped Kalos into its present state.

Back upstairs, Ash defeats Machoke with Hawlucha before preparing to face Korrina’s own Hawlucha. Unfortunately, the strain of defeating two opponents proves to be too much for the Wrestling Pokémon, but while he is quickly defeated, Ash brings out Fletchinder in retaliation and uses his greater speed to beat the other Wrestling Pokémon. However, as he warns the Ember Pokémon to be careful, Korrina brings out her Lucario and Mega Evolves him before defeating Fletchinder with a Metal Sound and Power-Up Punch. With only two Pokémon left, Ash selects Froakie next to do some damage before he brings out Pikachu.

Meanwhile, Philippe continues his story by revealing that the “help” came from three minor kingdoms within Kalos that provided critical help in unifying the region with Mythical Pokémon, one of which was the Diamond Domain. With help from these kingdoms and some additional relief from Hoenn, he and his friends solidified his parents’ rule over the region, allowing them to form alliances with other Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, including Arceus itself. As a display of gratitude, the Alpha Pokémon subsequently sent down a powerful being called “Raven Solstice” to help them, and Milos not only recognises this as the person who wrote the letter but deduces from the epistolary that Philippe was close to her. Confirming this, Philippe explains that, for a while, the kingdom prospered, and they even were set to marry each other… until he met his unfortunate death due to a plague, which set off a series of events that led to the downfall of the kingdom and the deaths of almost everyone he cared about.

Upstairs, as Froakie gets a few strikes on Mega Lucario, Dedenne hears a commotion and heads off with Bonnie, Clemont and Serena to find Team Rocket sneaking around the Tower for more secrets on Mega Evolution. Subsequently, a running battle ensues throughout the Tower between both sets of trios, which ends in Jessie, James and Meowth getting blasted off when Dedenne, Fennekin and Chespin corner them on the top floor. Victorious, Serena and the Liscio siblings head back down, and as they do, they bump into and recognise Yveltal, who had sensed the disturbance and came to investigate but who lets them go upon seeing that it has been resolved. Returning to the battlefield, Ash’s friends arrive just in time to see Froakie being defeated by a powerful Bone Rush that slams him into a wall.

With only Pikachu left, Ash brings him out and engages Mega Lucario in a standoff before the battle begins in earnest. Commending each other as the fight destroys large sections of the battlefield, Ash and Korrina have their Pokémon go all out with everything they have learned, culminating in Pikachu unleashing a triple combo of Volt Tackle, Iron Tail and Electro Ball that successfully blows through Lucario’s defences. Below, as all this is happening, Sabine questions how Philippe is still alive, and he reveals that it was partially due to the efforts of “Raven Solstice”, though he maintains that it is more of a curse than a benefit since he had to witness everyone he cared about passing on through the centuries, with only the memories of his friends and family giving him the strength to do the bare minimum of living until the present. However, he confesses that he lost the will to “do the right thing” until Dina tracked him down in Lumiose City and expresses his understanding if they don’t want to help him due to his “complicated” past.

Hearing all this, Dina processes his words and pieces together her companion’s eccentricities throughout their journey as the others discuss the revelations. With a more comprehensive view of Philippe, she tells him that she understands his motives and reasons for acting his way, reminding him of her promise to help resolve his “unfinished business” and reaffirming her decision to continue travelling with him. Similarly, Benoit and Milos express their understanding and pledge their loyalty to help him, and while Sabine is more hesitant, she agrees to join so that she can “keep [him] in check”, leading Philippe to shake her hand as Xerneas christens them as the reformed “Knights of Kalos”.

At the same time, Ash, thrilled at having bested a Mega Evolved Pokémon, is congratulated by Korrina, who holds no ill will towards him as she grants him the Rumble Badge. Speaking to his granddaughter as the newly-christened Knights return to the wrecked arena, Gurkinn tells her how proud he is as she hugs and thanks him in response. With his third badge acquired, Ash decides to head for Coumarine City next, and the Knights decide to continue travelling with him for as long as it takes to help their ally.

Early the next morning, Philippe enters the secret chamber again and approaches a small pyramid in the centre of the room that was hidden due to visual trickery. As he wonders if he can accomplish his goal, Dina arrives and assures him that he can as she hands him the cryptex and reminds him that he still has to unlock it. Thanking her, Philippe takes the device and, after some thought, unlocks it by using symbols on the mural to decipher the password, “aeternum”, before removing a small papyrus scroll from within. However, as he reads it, Sabine also arrives with the news that Xerneas and Yveltal have left before handing him a wooden and metallic staff with a blue crystal.

Recognising the “Staff of Life”, Philippe learns that Xerneas left a parting message in its crystal and plays it to discover that she and Yveltal have judged him repentant for his past actions. As the recording of the Legendary Pokémon promises to help him on his quest to reunite his friends and family, Sabine asks Philippe how many Knights there were in the past and discovers that there were twelve from all walks of life. Expressing his confidence and belief that the remaining eight souls would have reincarnated in the present day (with their memories usually manifesting as dreams), he tells her and Dina that they must find them to prevent their adversaries from hunting other Aura adepts… just as the illustrations of the keystones on the walls begin glowing. However, while the girls are surprised, Philippe merely kneels before the pyramid and gestures for them to do the same before reciting a prayer for the dead that begins to echo around the room. The episode ends with the revelation that another chamber underneath the pyramid houses a long-neglected altar and a single stone sarcophagus – the burial site of the lost Queen of Kalos.

Chapter Text

849.   Splitting Heirs!

Upon departing from Shalour City, Bonnie and Clemont get into an argument over uneaten vegetables, which escalates over the day to the point where they refuse to speak to each other. As Ash mediates between the siblings, the group meets a pair of bickering brothers, Blake and Heath, who bring them to their family mansion nearby after accidentally inconveniencing them. To resolve the feud between their sons, Blake and Heath’s parents send them out to find a treasure that will decide who will inherit the mansion, but as the group splits into two to scour the mansion grounds with the brothers’ Meowstic, the hunt proves to be harder than expected when they disturb an angry Exploud.

Meanwhile, now armed with Xerneas’ Staff of Life and Yveltal’s Sword of Death, Philippe considers reestablishing contact with the kingdom’s former allies as he discusses plans with Benoit and Milos. Overhearing their conversation over whom they should approach first, Sabine suggests asking the Diamond Domain for help by citing Dina’s promise to Diancie. Recognising that it would be ideal to secure the aid of one of the three minor autonomous kingdoms before they made any more moves, Milos agrees with his friend’s suggestion and persuades Philippe to hand over four of the remaining eight keystones so that he and Sabine can give them to any fellow Knights they might find along the way. Deciding to trust their hunch, Philippe acquiesces and directs the duo to the Allearth Forest, but tells them to head for Hoenn once they finish the negotiations. Before they leave, Sabine is stopped by Scatterbug, who expresses a desire to join them, and she allows the Bug-type to tag along after Philippe gives his blessing.

The Wandering Nomad

Following the events of Splitting Heirs!, Sabine and Milos use the directions given by Philippe to find the entrance to the Allearth Forest, which is hidden within a cave in a foggy valley. Accompanied by the Scatterbug, they use their Aura to navigate through the darkness, and as they do, Sabine thinks back to what they learned from Philippe, Xerneas and Yveltal. Mulling over these revelations, she asks Milos what he thinks of all this and voices her suspicions that their golden-eyed acquaintance is still hiding something from them. However, Milos merely responds by saying that while he shares her suspicions, he is more focused on preparing for the coming storm and suggests they expand their teams with some Kalosian Pokémon.

Eventually emerging by a river lined with trees filled with springtime blooms, the duo admires the tranquil beauty of the Allearth Forest and notes the immense amount of naturally occurring Aura around them… only for Milos to sense someone approaching them. While Sabine takes up a vantage point in the trees, Milos stands his ground and tells whoever is out there that they mean no harm and are just passing through to find someone, but when he receives no answer, he ventures forward to spring what he suspects is a trap. This proves to be the right call as a Heracross promptly ambushes him, and as he fights it, Sabine spots a hooded girl with a spear observing the battle in a nearby bush. Moving fast, she disarms the girl with her scythe and slices off her green cloak to reveal that she is wearing a special outfit of studded leather with a similar design to their armour and a signet ring on her left hand and Mega Evolution glove on her right. Realising her mistake as the girl notices their rings too, Sabine releases her hostage, who likewise tells her Pokémon to stand down before apologising for the misunderstanding.

Sitting down, Sabine and Milos learn that their new acquaintance is Emilie Andersen, a wandering trainer who has lived alone in the wilderness for four years. Given how she is quite clearly one of them, Sabine invites her to come along, but Emilie is hesitant to do so and admits that she prefers the company of wild Pokémon to people until Milos mentions that they are going to see Diancie and namedrops Xerneas and Yveltal. Hearing this, Emilie’s guarded demeanour changes to a more friendly one, and she agrees to guide them to the entrance of the Diamond Domain, though she still dodges the offer to join them.

As they walk through the now-summertime forest, a curious Milos carefully asks Emilie about her past but receives no answer no matter how nicely he phrases his questions. However, when Scatterbug approaches Emilie after sensing something about her, he and Sabine are shocked when she allows it to sit on her shoulder and stroke it while understanding its speech. Deducing that her Aura must make her immune to the poisonous powder coating the Scatterdust Pokémon, Sabine commends her fellow Aura user for doing something that neither of them was able to do, leading Emilie to admit that she has had this ability ever since she was young, though she states her preference for Bug-types over other more capable Pokémon. But before she can continue, Milos senses something on the path ahead and has Absol fire a Shadow Ball down the trail… only to immediately regret this decision when an irate Pancham and Helioptile attack him.

Unfortunately, while Sabine comes to his aid, she has trouble facing the smaller, more agile Pokémon, forcing her to turn to Emilie for help. But as she does so, she sees their new ally lost in thought as she watches the battle…

Years ago, Emilie had been growing up in a small town in southern Kalos when her Aura manifested at an early age, granting her the ability to communicate with Pokémon of all types. Unfortunately, while she initially viewed this as a gift, she ended up being ostracised by most of her jealous peers, save for a few who manipulated her into working for them so they could catch Pokémon for their journey – which they then proceeded to treat a whole lot better than the actual person helping them. To make matters worse, the constant use of her powers eventually led to her suffering a mental breakdown, but she received no help from the authorities due to a threat to her life that her oppressors made.

In the present, Emilie is snapped out of her ruminations by the Scatterbug, which tugs at her boots before attempting to use String Shot to subdue the attacking Pokémon, and as she senses the Bug-type’s desire to help Sabine and Milos, she realises that she cannot ignore someone in aid and draws her spear. Concentrating, she channels her Aura through her weapon to generate a field that calms the Pokémon, allowing Milos and Sabine to defeat and capture them in Pokéballs. With this ordeal over, Emilie apologises for her inaction and explains her dislike of fights, which Milos acknowledges and accepts, even saying that although he knows there is far more she is not telling about her past, she still has a place with them. However, while Sabine acknowledges and accepts Emilie’s pacifistic mindset, she points out that the “tendency” of mankind to pick sides in arguments will invariably lead to conflict, which the other girl accepts as an eventuality even as she maintains her neutral stance.

Looking around, Milos notices that the sun is about to set and decides to wait until morning before they resume their trek… but is surprised when a trio of Carbink emerges from the bushes and greets them. Introducing themselves as Merrick, Bort and Allotrope, the Jewel Pokémon offer to bring them to the Diamond Domain and explain that Diancie received a vision from Xerneas that foretold of their arrival (and that they would be vital in reforging the future of Kalos) when Sabine asks them how they knew they were coming. With this easy way available for them, the duo accepts the offer, and so does Emilie after Scatterbug prompts her.

Later, as Milos speaks with Diancie and Dace at the Heart Diamond, Sabine tells Philippe’s story to Emilie, who is stunned by what they are a part of. As she seriously considers joining them, Milos returns with Diancie, who agrees to help them right before she recognises Emilie as someone who helped her on her quest to find Xerneas. In turn, Emilie recognises the Mythical Pokémon and greets her with Scatterbug, but when she is asked if she is travelling with Milos and Sabine, she remembers her past again…

Eventually, after being tormented one too many times, Emilie used her Heracross to stand up to her bullies and thrashed all of them before turning them in. However, the experience didn’t give her any meaningful peace, and after a while, she left her home to live as a wandering nomad, helping Pokémon in need across Kalos for the next few years until she had the same dreams that Sabine and Milos experienced. Guided by these visions, they travelled to the Battle Chateau and retrieved her gear, but as she had left, she encountered Xerneas, who told her that she would, one day, find her true companions in the Allearth Forest. With no other place to go, Emilie slowly made her way to the hidden sanctuary, crossing paths with Diancie along the way before she arrived at her destination.

Reflecting on this final memory, Emilie concludes that her future lies on this path and agrees to join Sabine and Milos on their journey to give “human interaction” a second chance. Declaring her to be a “cryptic” one, Milos nevertheless accepts her choice and shakes her hand to welcome her to the team, but as she claims Scatterbug as her own Pokémon by catching him in a Pokéball, Emilie is surprised when he evolves into a Spewpa. Guessing that the Scatterdust Pokémon must have been waiting for the right trainer, Sabine hands Emilie a keystone as both a sign of trust and a congratulatory gift, causing her new ally to burst into happy tears and hug her new friends as a happy Diancie looks on.

Chapter Text

850.   The Clumsy Crier Quiets the Chaos!

While stopping at a Pokémon Center, the group discovers that Nurse Joy’s assistant, an earnest yet clumsy Wigglytuff, is having trouble adjusting to life under her tutelage. Sympathising with it, Dina convinces the rest of the group to help as the Pokémon Center is soon besieged by numerous trainers whose Pokémon were attacked by a wild, out-of-control Salamence (that Team Rocket accidentally angered). During all the various failed attempts to lift Wigglytuff’s spirits, Bonnie discovers a fairy tale about the Fairy-type’s immunity to all Dragon-type attacks, and this reminds Philippe of Dina’s past counterpart as he recounts her escapades to her present self and Bonnie, even revealing that she had an Eevee whose relationship mirrors the one Dina has with her Pokémon before it evolved into a Sylveon.

However, as Dina checks her Pokémon to see if such an evolution is guaranteed, Team Rocket’s attempt to kidnap Wigglytuff is stopped by the Salamence, forcing them to escape empty-handed. With Mawile having been injured in the encounter, only Wigglytuff is capable of approaching Salamence due to its Fairy-typing, and it, fortunately, calms the larger Dragon-type with a Heal Pulse once Eevee stuns it with a surprise Fairy Wind. Witnessing this as the now-emboldened Wigglytuff decides to stay with Nurse Joy, Philippe tells Dina that the first sign of a Sylveon’s evolution is the presence of a Fairy-type move.

851.   Dreaming a Performer’s Dream!

During a reunion with Shauna, the group watches a Pokémon Showcase hosted by Monsieur Gilles Pierre, with Serena witnessing Aria’s performance with her Braixen first-hand. However, a wild Pancham crashes the subsequent performance by breakdancing on the stage before escaping despite Dina and Philippe’s attempts to apprehend it. Things eventually get back on track, but once the show is over and Shauna has left, the group reencounters the Pancham, which steals Ash’s hat, Clemont’s glasses and Philippe’s keystone before running off into the forest. Giving chase, Serena and Benoit find the Playful Pokémon practising a Showcase routine and deduce that he must want to perform onstage.

To gain his trust, Serena gives Pancham her favourite pair of sunglasses before deciding to catch him to fulfil her dream – which she has finally chosen – of becoming a Pokémon Performer. Following some advice from Benoit, who is surprisingly well-versed in the field, and unexpected assistance from Team Rocket, she eventually battles the Playful Pokémon and adds him to her team.

852.   A Campus Reunion!

As the group passes through a small town that contains his old school, Clemont reunites with his old teacher, Miss Éclairisse, who recounts the times he spent with a Shinx he had befriended while creating a system to help Electric-types restore their electrical reserves. With that system currently being installed all over the campus, it doesn’t take long for Team Rocket to try and exploit the machinery to attract Electric-types so they can steal them, but when Clemont heads over with Benoit, Dina and Philippe to investigate the disruption, he is distracted by an aggressive Luxio, whom he recognises as his old friend.

Taking the opportunity to flee, James modifies the plan to work from an electric tower, only for this to drain the town’s power supply. Fortunately, the blackout is quickly noticed by Luxio, who confronts them, and a battle soon ensues as Clemont arrives on the scene, discovering that the Spark Pokémon has been waiting for him to return ever since he mistakenly left it behind during his graduation ceremony. Apologising to his old friend as he blasts the TRio off with a massive Discharge, the Lumiose Gym Leader is forgiven by Luxio, who decides to join him as his new Pokémon once the town’s power has been restored.

The Man with the Dragon

With Emilie joining their group, Sabine and Milos send Philippe a message from Orsay City that details the successful negotiations with the Diamond Domain and their plans to travel to Hoenn from Lumiose City. Receiving a congratulatory reply, the duo are given information on a “Megalith”, which Philippe describes as a massive, monolithic artefact tied to Mega Evolution that could be used as a weapon of mass destruction. This disturbs all three Aura users, but they nevertheless decide to proceed with this mission by trekking across an uncharted stretch of forest to make it to a monorail that will bring them to the capital in time to catch their flight.

Wasting no time, Sabine, Milos and Emilie immediately leave the Pokémon Centre, and as they walk, they take the opportunity to bond with their new Pokémon, though only the latter manages to bond with Spewpa. Seeing her peers having trouble with their Pancham and Helioptile, she offers to help them and makes some leeway after using her Aura to break down the language barrier. However, as they continue to walk through the forest, they remain unaware that a strange, black-suited figure is watching them.

By the end of the day, the exhausted party pauses to take a break and share their backstories with their new Pokémon to ease the tension. As she does this, Emilie tells Milos that Spewpa’s aura is distinctly different from others of its species she has encountered, but before he can respond, a series of narcotic-coated darts suddenly knock him and Sabine out. Though caught off guard, Emilie uses her spear to hold her ground against their unseen adversaries until another dart strikes her after she instructs the Kalosian Pokémon to remain hidden. Paralysed, she then watches as the figure in black enters the campsite and knocks her out with a blow to the head after noticing that she is still conscious.

Emerging from their hiding spots when the sun rises the following morning, Spewpa, Pancham and Helioptile discover that their trainers are gone. Surmising that they were taken after the ambush the previous night, the former decides to rescue them and guilt-trips the others into accompanying him when he implies that they will be indirectly responsible for the possible deaths of their trainers if they do nothing. With that, Helioptile picks up the trail that their attackers left behind, but as the trio sets off, they are watched by another figure hiding in the trees with a familiar Ampharos.

Over the next two days, the three Pokémon trek through the forest, slowly learning to trust and help one another by encountering various obstacles, such as rough terrain and other wild Pokémon. During this time, Pancham discovers her agility and develops a fighting style based on her physical moves, Helioptile refines his Parabolic Charge, and Spewpa practices String Shot until he is on the verge of evolving. As all this happens, the unknown figure watches them from a distance, but when a female voice tells him to go to them, he refuses, wanting to wait and see if the situation develops according to his dreams.

Eventually, the three Pokémon discover their drugged and imprisoned trainers in a clearing. Spewpa deduces that this is a trade upon noticing numerous people lingering about as though they are waiting for someone. However, as he debates their next course of action with the more aggressive Pancham, Helioptile senses a strangely familiar presence in the bushes and calls for whoever it is to show themselves, leading the unknown figure to step out of the shadows with his hands raised. Assuring the Pokémon that he poses no threat, he displays his signet ring, identifying himself as one of the Knights, even as he claims that he is “not one of the good guys", and offers to create a distraction with his Ampharos and his other “friend” to allow them to unlock the cages and free their trainers. Though hesitant, the Pokémon sense that he is telling the truth and agree to work with him, but are taken aback when the man’s “friend” emerges from the bushes.

Moments later, an unmarked van pulls up, and two women – one with blue hair and one with purple hair – step out alongside a familiar figure dressed in a black cloak. As they approach the cages, the black-suited person steps forward to greet them but is interrupted by a massive explosion from a huge, winged beast that the Aura Knight is riding. With his Ampharos by his side, he has his Pokémon rain down bolts of lightning from the sky while the creature begins spewing fire, quickly sending the grunts into a panicked frenzy. However, the black-suited person remains steadfast as they draw knives and leap into the air to battle him.

As the Aura Knight counters her every move with a scimitar and a katana, Spewpa, Pancham and Heliolisk sneak into the clearing and take the keys to the cages from an unconscious grunt, allowing them to reunite with their trainers. Unfortunately, they are discovered by the cloaked figure, who immediately attacks them and forces Spewpa to throw up a Protect to buy time for the others to get away as his opponent somehow begins to drain his life force. But before he can be killed, the cloaked figure is batted aside by Ampharos, who picks up the weakened Spewpa and escapes into the forest. With the distraction having worked, the Aura Knight commands the creature to incinerate the van, triggering a massive explosion that covers their tracks as they escape into the forest.

Once the situation is under control, the black-suited figure meets up with a cloaked figure and states, in a modulated voice, that “they” got away. However, both are interrupted by the two women, Mable and Celosia, who berate them for their failure, only for the cloaked person to lash out and grab the latter by the throat. As she does this, her hood falls away, revealing her as the same woman who fought Sabine and Milos at the Tower of Mastery – whose head is now attached – and she regards her choking victim with contempt before releasing her. As she departs, the woman reminds the startled Mable that while they might be in charge of the operation, she answers to someone else.

Hours later, Emilie wakes up after being administered an antidote and learns what happened from Spewpa as she hugs her Pokémon. Thanking their saviour as he compliments the now-friendly beast, she extends an offer to join them upon noticing his signet ring, but he declines and turns to leave even as the similarly revived Sabine and Milos point out that, as a Knight of Kalos, he is duty bound to help them (and Philippe) accomplish their goals. In response, the man says that he is just a simple bounty hunter and that he already got his “payment” by revealing that he has pickpocketed one of the keystones, but stops when Emilie tells him about their Aura dreams and states that they are going to Hoenn.

Stiffening upon hearing these details, the man stays silent for a few moments before agreeing to join them on the condition that he gets paid. Unamused at this proposition, Milos voices a strong objection, but Sabine and Emilie convince him to tolerate his presence for the sake of the mission, with the former even reminding her friend of how much of an attitude she used to display as the latter assures the bounty hunter that he will be handsomely compensated beyond his wildest dreams. However, Emilie also reveals that since they are taking a commercial flight to Hoenn, the man’s creature – which he calls “Nightshade” – cannot go with them.

Scoffing at this detail, the group’s newest member turns to Nightshade to ask if “she” can make it there on her own, and to the group’s surprise, she vocally confirms that she can before flying off by herself. With that, the bounty hunter introduces himself as Joaquim Rodríguez and shakes Milos’ hand, but while the Aura Knight remains suspicious of his true intentions, he decides to give him a chance upon discovering that his Helioptile (and Sabine’s Pancham) is a lot more agreeable now… right before Sabine realises that they have missed the train, meaning that they will have to walk to Lumiose City.

Eighteen hours later, the utterly exhausted quartet arrives in Lumiose City, and as they make their way to the airport, Sabine updates Philippe on their progress by sending him a message that informs him of their new allies. Seconds later, she receives a reply of congratulations along with some information on a mysterious wooden tablet that they have to find, and a watching Milos explains that this is an artefact that will allow them to access an ancient Kalosian weapon. Curious, Sabine asks her friend if he knows more about this, but as she walks through the terminal doors, she bumps into a young girl with a Chespin.

Apologising for the inconvenience, the girl introduces herself as Mairin just as her companion, an older man whom she calls Alain, catches up and coldly admonishes her for running off again. Similarly apologetic, Milos greets Alain, but Joaquim notices from his tickets that he is taking the same flight as them and grows suspicious when Alain abruptly demands a battle with all of them upon seeing their keystones. However, with no time to waste and with Alain not backing down, he is forced to stay silent as Sabine and Milos face him in a 2v1 so they can all make their flight.

As Sabine and Milos battle Alain, the episode ends with the male narrator saying that sometimes, fate can bring the most unlikely of people together. However, he also states that while those people can sometimes be worlds apart, they usually end up working well together… unless they don’t want to, in which case, as he ominously puts it, they will always end up dying “alone and forgotten”.

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853.   Bonnie for the Defence!

While the others take a break from travelling by training, Bonnie ventures into the forest and comes across three children, Heidi, Jay and Kye, who call themselves the “Lapras Defence Force”. Discovering that they are hiding an injured Lapras whose condition is worsening, Bonnie tells them that they have to take it to the Pokémon Center, but they refuse until Clemont and Ash bluntly tell them that it will die if they don’t do something. Once Nurse Joy has treated the sick Pokémon, the group’s attempt to get it back to the ocean leads to them falling into a Team Rocket trap at an estuary, and in the ensuing battle, Bonnie uses Dedenne in battle for the first time, leading to her blasting Jessie, James and Meowth off with a Thunder Shock and Nuzzle. With that done, the kids reunite the Lapras with its pod, and Bonnie says goodbye to the Transport Pokémon as it leaves.

In a post-credit scene, Philippe regards the inscription on his keystone as he trains his Chespin with his Charizard and Gyarados. Having tanked an Ice Beam meant for Lapras earlier, the Spiny Nut Pokémon promptly evolves into a Quilladin and learns Wood Hammer, but as Philippe congratulates his starter, he receives a message from Milos and Sabine that they are boarding their flight to Hoenn. Sending them some information on what they should try to find there, he subsequently examines the Staff of Life and the Sword of Death as he notices similar inscriptions, which read “Vita viam invenit” and “Mors vincit omnia”.

The Heroes of Hoenn

Learning of the discovery of an ancient wooden tablet in Hoenn that reportedly holds both secrets of Mega Evolution and information on an artefact called the “Megalith”, Alain, Mairin, Sabine, Milos, Emilie and Joaquim travel the other side of the world to investigate. On the long flight to their destination, the four Aura users take a moment to reflect on and discuss the recent battle Sabine and Milos had against Alain’s Mega Charizard X, which was able to take out both Mega Scizor and Mega Absol with little effort, with Joaquim admitting that he is immensely powerful. However, while Emilie agrees with this sentiment, she also mentions that she senses a deep anger and turmoil within their new companion and suggests hiding their true nature from him, which they all agree to.

Upon landing in Hoenn, the group travels to the coordinates given to them by their contacts, and Milos discovers the Kalos Royal Family’s crest on some of the ruins dotting the foggy landscape. Recalling Philippe’s words about an ancient alliance between Hoenn and Kalos, he speculates that this must have been an outpost of some kind just as Mairin trips and falls down a hill. Fortunately, she is saved by Steven Stone, who asks the party what they are doing here, but before the Knights can respond, Alain demands a battle upon noticing a keystone in the newcomer’s collar pin.

Despite claims of a busy schedule (and Joaquim pointing out that they don’t have the time), Steven agrees to face Alain upon seeing his resolve and unleashes his Mega (and Shiny) Metagross to face Mega Charizard X, which proves to be an even match on every level. Sitting down with Mairin as they watch the fight, Milos learns from the young girl that Steven recently took back the Hoenn Champion title from Contest Master Wallace Reyes and is rumoured to be in a relationship with Sinnoh Champion Cynthia Jenness (which Sabine wholeheartedly believes). However, Emilie is impartial to all this, and as she tends to Spewpa and Chespie, she asks Mairin what she thinks of Alain, subtly challenging her belief that her travelling companion is a good person because he has a good relationship with Pokémon.

Much to Emilie’s surprise, Mairin’s faith in the Mega Evolution trainer is steadfast, even as Joaquim points out the simplicity of that mindset and how it tends to leave the deepest wounds when a betrayal inevitably strikes. Hearing this, Emilie realises that something must have happened to the bounty hunter to make him distrust people like her, but as she delicately asks him about it, the battle between Mega Charizard X and Mega Metagross is interrupted by a surprise Flamethrower from a Pyroar.

As the smoke clears, the Royal Pokémon is revealed to belong to a man named Lysandre, whom Milos recognises as a prominent Kalosian businessman who owns the multimillion-dollar corporation Lysandre Labs. Apologising to the Hoenn Champion for his subordinate’s “weakness”, Lysandre introduces himself and Steven before revealing that he was the one who sent Alain on his current mission. However, as the Mega Evolution trainer repeatedly tries to exclude the inquisitive Mairin from his affairs, Lysandre notices the four Knights and greets them.

Sensing something foreboding about the man, the quartet agree to keep their Aura between themselves for the time being as Milos returns the greeting on their behalf, expressing surprise that the CEO of such a secretive company would be in a foreign region searching for “relics of a forgotten past”. In response, Lysandre tells Steven and the Knights that he is interested in harnessing the power generated by Mega Evolution for humanitarian purposes as Alain saves Mairin from another fall down a hill after he warns her not to meddle in his affairs.

Changing tactics as they return to the higher ground, Mairin deduces that Alain and Lysandre must have met before, and with Steven watching, the Mega Evolution trainer confirms this, explaining that he first met the businessman while searching for a Charizardite. Back then, he and his Charmeleon had been defeated by Pyroar, and in the aftermath, Lysandre had told him that he had to be the strongest to accomplish his goals and dreams before recruiting him to help with his research on Mega Evolution. However, despite being given a keystone and a Mega Stone, Alain reveals that Lysandre had discouraged him from getting Professor Sycamore’s help by claiming that “certain people” would use his research for “evil” if word about it got out and had cited humanity’s long and turbulent history to prove his point.

Back in the present, Steven accompanies the group as Lysandre leads them along the foggy road, and as Alain and Mairin go on ahead, Milos and Sabine take the opportunity to privately ask the Hoenn Champion if he knows who they are. Replying in the affirmative, Steven asks what they are doing in Hoenn, and Milos explains after a silent but intense debate that they are searching for the Megalith so they (and Philippe) can decide what to do with it. Sensing that they have their own secrets, Steven respectfully changes the subject and instead asks about their weapons and gear, which he remarks might interest some friends of his as Sabine and Joaquim explain what each of them is capable of.

Intrigued as they catch up to the others at a ruined temple complex, Steven expresses an interest in visiting Kalos sometime soon before admitting that he was travelling to learn more about the roots of Mega Evolution after the discovery of a wooden tablet. Revealing that he found one too, Lysandre speculates that there might be multiple tablets with various secrets, but Milos, remembering Philippe’s words about the tablets being mere artefacts that contained trivial information on how to open the passageway that would lead them to the Megalith, deems that unlikely.

Nevertheless, the group decides to enter the ruins and unlock the gateway with their keystones, which activates a staircase leading to the top of a nearby plateau. As they ascend, Emilie informs Joaquim that she can sense the vast amounts of Aura flowing around them, but while he admits that he senses it too, he also confides in her that something feels amiss due to the lack of security surrounding what is purportedly a destructive weapon. Warned, Emilie keeps her senses peeled as they arrive at an abandoned complex whose ruins bear the crest of the Kalos Royal Family.

With the site’s authenticity confirmed, Milos accompanies Steven and Alain as they make their way to the central vault and begin to move two daises that will unlock the chamber, but the Hoenn Champion stops when Joaquim suddenly warns him that they are being watched. Scanning their surroundings, Milos cannot detect anyone but trusts the bounty hunter’s instincts by sending Sabine and Emilie to investigate before returning to the others as they raise a massive crystal out of the ground. Confirming that this is the Megalith, Milos reaches out with his Aura and is taken aback by its sheer power, which Lysandre notices as he sends his findings to his scientists, who arrive on an airship to start their analysis of the artefact.

However, as Joaquim wonders what is taking Sabine and Emilie so long, he finds them in a battered state and discovers that they were attacked by a strange-looking girl with a Salamence, whom they are certain was the guardian of the complex. They also reveal that she fled mere seconds before he arrived as she had sensed something foreboding approaching their position, and within moments of this statement, the sky darkens, and a storm begins to brew. Helping the girls back to the others, Joaquim returns just as Steven declares that he has seen this storm before and warns everyone to back away just as Rayquaza exits the clouds and begins circling the structure. Strangely, his presence causes the Megalith to react adversely, but as Lysandre tries to figure out what is happening, Milos and Steven spot a lone figure riding the Sky-High Pokémon, who feeds him a meteor and triggers the Legendary Pokémon’s own Mega Evolution.

Realising what is happening, Milos rallies the Knights to him as they Mega Evolve Scizor, Absol, Heracross and Ampharos. With their Pokémon by their side, the quartet charges into battle and distracts the Sky-High Pokémon and his rider, allowing Alain and Steven to evacuate the scientists from the site. As Lysandre remarks that they have somehow angered Rayquaza, Steven shoots him a suspicious look before Mega Evolving his Metagross alongside Alain’s Mega Charizard X, but despite trying their best, none of the six Mega Evolved Pokémon can even scratch the Legendary, who unleashes a superpowered Draco Meteor that destroys the complex.

In the aftermath, as everyone digs themselves out of the rubble, Alain attempts to shrug off a dislocated shoulder that he gained when saving Mairin from an explosion, but Emilie forces him to get medical treatment after pointing out that he can barely support himself. Assuming that the Megalith was destroyed, Lysandre vows to find another one as Milos and Sabine use their Aura on the crater and discover that an unknown force teleported the artefact out after seeing trace amounts of psychic energy. However, they conceal this from Lysandre and instead tell Steven and the other Knights while sharing their suspicions of the CEO.

Acknowledging and sharing their concerns as he receives an alert about a similar disturbance off the coast of Rustboro City, the Hoenn Champion also reveals to the Knights that he knows who was controlling Rayquaza and shares his suspicions that he is waiting outside the ruins to speak to them. At the same time, Lysandre tells Alain to go to Rustboro after receiving a similar report from his own contacts, but as Mairin decides to tag along, the CEO pulls his subordinate aside and tells him to stay close to the Champion, as his knowledge of Mega Evolution may be useful to their mission.

Minutes later, as the group makes their way down to the shrine, they are stopped by a strange, hooded man who tells the Knights to come with him as “he” has been expecting them. Remembering Steven’s words, Sabine promises to catch up with Mairin sometime later and accompanies the rest of the Knights as they follow the man to a hidden airship. As they board it, the man removes his mask and hood to reveal himself as Samuel Faraday, and as he introduces himself as one of the leading scientists of Hoenn Labs, he assures them that all their questions will be answered in due time. As the airship rises into the sky, the episode ends with the strange-looking girl and her Salamence watching it before following them.

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854.   Pathways to Performance Partnering!

Following an argument between Pancham and Clemont’s Chespin, Serena meets Nini Turowska, a young Performer preparing for her debut Showcase, and forms a friendly rivalry with her while enlisting Benoit to critique and evaluate their dance choreography. To her surprise, Ash offers advice from his experience from watching (and participating in) Pokémon Contests in Hoenn and Sinnoh, and she takes these to heart as she perfects her performance. Meanwhile, Philippe thinks about the last call he had with Sabine and Milos as he reflects on the inscriptions on his staff and sword, Dina practices fighting with her Pokémon, and Team Rocket reminisces about the times they helped Jessie back when she was a Coordinator. Realising that she has been neglecting this aspect of herself since the Sinnoh Grand Festival ended, Jessie decides to become a temporary Performer to gain some new ideas and is supported by James and Meowth as she begins brainstorming.

855.   When Light and Dark Collide!

While passing by the rehearsal for a Super Pokémon Battle Show, Ash mistakes the situation for an actual kidnapping and accidentally injures the main star, a Gallade. To help the director, Carl, he and Bonnie volunteer Hawlucha to act as an understudy for Gallade, but the Wrestling Pokémon’s refusal to back down from or tone down fights ends up causing problems with Carl’s Shiny Hawlucha, a former wrestler who has since semi-retired due to a career-ending injury. Fortunately, after learning about this from Carl, Hawlucha agrees to take a few hits during the actual performance, causing the rest of the rehearsal to proceed without a hitch.

On the opening night, Team Rocket crashes the play, but Philippe, Benoit and Dina chase them out with Quilladin, Houndoom and Mawile, allowing the show to go on. Ultimately, both Hawlucha go off-script to have an actual battle, but while the younger Hawlucha wins, he respectfully acknowledges the older challenger, who tells him that he will go far in his journey.

856.   A Stealthy Challenge!

Stumbling across an unconscious Sanpei and his newly-evolved Greninja in the woods, the group discovers that he is on a mission to deliver a scroll to a safe house before sunset as they are set upon by a strange ninja with a Barbaracle. Fleeing deeper into the forest, they split up, with Clemont, Bonnie and Benoit creating a series of decoys to fool their pursuer while Ash takes Serena, Philippe, Dina and Sanpei on a risky shortcut through a nearby mountain. This leads to them running into various lethal hazards that separate them, and while all of them make it out safely, Ash, Sanpei and Dina are cornered by the ninja at the edge of a cliff.

Refusing to throw in the towel, Dina and her Mega Mawile face the ninja in a knife fight and buy enough time for Ash and Sanpei to defeat his Barbaracle. During this, Froakie takes a hit for the weakened Greninja and evolves into Frogadier before using Aerial Ace to defeat the Collective Pokémon, allowing the trio to slip away after they use a smoke bomb. Quickly heading down, they make it to the safe house and reunite with their friends, only to discover that the whole thing was a final, secret test from Sanpei’s master, Saizo, who wanted to see how far his apprentice had come. Though displeased with the “lack of communication”, Dina congratulates Sanpei on passing as he and Ash have their rematch.

857.   A Race for Home!

Stopping by the Baa de Mer Ranch to try its renowned cheese and ice cream, Serena is surprised to run into Grace, who is there as a coach to train new Rhyhorn Racers. As a result, she abstains from riding the ranch’s Skiddo while her friends all try their hand at it (with varying degrees of success) and even avoids her mother out of a desire to avoid revealing her career change. Noticing her dilemma, Ash and Philippe advise her to tell Grace about what career she intends to follow, with the latter recounting personal anecdotes from his life involving Pokémon that found their calling in roles they were not designated.

Eventually, after foiling a Team Rocket heist alongside Philippe and Benoit, Serena reveals her aspiration to become a Pokémon Performer to her mother, but Grace is sceptical as she points out that Serena tends to give up when faced with challenges. Before a disagreement can erupt, Benoit suggests they compete in a Skiddo race for three rounds, and Serena agrees to pursue a career as a Rhyhorn racer if she loses even a single lap. Seeing this, Philippe is reminded of someone else from his past who specialised in aggressive tactics with several Skiddo and never stopped fighting for her beliefs and her friends.

Despite the intense competition, Serena’s determination and belief in herself galvanise her Skiddo as she grips its horns, enabling her to push forward and win all three laps. Convinced, Grace gives her daughter her blessing to pursue her goal and reveals that there will be a Showcase in Coumarine City, which is also where Philippe realises the reincarnation of the next Knight might be.

858.   Facing the Grand Design!

As the group passes by a misshapen mountain called Grace Tower, they are alarmed to stumble across a group of Malamar and Inkay until Ash uses his Aura to ascertain that these are not the same Pokémon they faced before. Despite this, everyone contemplates leaving the area so as not to disturb the wild Pokémon, only to be dissuaded by Philippe, who expresses a desire to investigate due to a peculiar dream he had. With Benoit’s reassurance, the group decides to climb the mountain, but as Dina confides in Clemont about her suspicions that something is amiss with her friend, they bump into Team Rocket, who are revealed to be aiding Officer Jenny from the earlier Malamar encounter!

Recognising them, Officer Jenny reveals her investigation of the scheming Overturning Pokémon, which led to the discovery that they have been hypnotising scientists to create machines that appear to be terraforming generators. With these being capable of remaking the world into a primordial hellscape that will kill everyone on the planet (apart from the Malamar), Ash declares that they have to stop these Pokémon as Dina realises that Philippe’s “dream” was a premonition of this encounter. Pulling him aside, she questions him about how it ends, but before he can reply, a sudden quake and landslide forces everyone to move. This allows them to see the machines (which were hidden at the top of the mountain) activate, but before they can do anything, the Malamar arrive and restrain them, with only James, Meowth, Clemont, Philippe and Benoit escaping when the ground below them gives way.

Regrouping with Clemont and the Knights after surviving the fall, James’s Inkay voices a desire to go back and face the Malamar, feeling partially responsible for what happened the last time as Philippine translates his agitated ramblings. As Meowth apologises to Inkay for his previous doubts, James agrees to team up with the Knights as he reveals that he knows that they have Aura (which they deduced after following Ash around for so long) but assures them that they have no intention of exposing it to Giovanni for reasons of their own. Grateful for the discretion, Philippe explains his premonition (which showed them getting defeated by the Malamar) and formulates a plan with the highest chance of thwarting the schemes of their adversaries.

Enlisting the help of the forest Malamar, the team storms Grace Mountain and engages in a massive fight with the Malamar, who attempt to hypnotise Inkay. However, this fails due to his strong bond with James, who saves his friend with Growlie before freeing the others. Meanwhile, Clemont finds the machines embedded in the rocks after Dina uses her Aura to mask his presence and damages them, allowing Philippe and Benoit to face the Malamar with their Mega Evolutions. The resulting battle is fierce, and in the middle of Philippe’s duel, his opponent taunts him by saying that if he does not “submit” to “her”, he will fail the memories of “what you [they] both hold dear”. Enraged, Philippe slices one of the Malamar’s appendages clean off with the Sword of Death, and as he is restrained by Benoit, the injured Malamar retreats through a portal with its compatriots and one salvageable terraforming machine before detonating charges around the summit in an attempt to kill everyone.

Escaping the explosions, the group reflects on their encounter as one of the forest Malamar offers Inkay to join them, which he contemplates but ultimately turns down. At the same time, given the escalation of the day’s events, Philippe decides to tell Ash and his friends about his past out of a desire to keep them out of as much unwarranted danger as possible, and the episode ends with him, Dina and Benoit explaining who and what they are to a stunned Ash, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie.

In a post-credit scene, the three Malamar report to a cloaked figure sitting on a throne who muses that with his current path, Philippe will eventually return to her, and all they will have to do is wait.

The Guardians Among Us

Upon arriving at the floating base of Paradiso Island, Sabine, Milos, Emilie and Joaquim are escorted into the facility’s briefing room by Nicholas Koenig, where they are surprised to reunite with Nightshade. Relieved, Joaquim pets the winged beast as he learns from Head Scientist Junichi Takeda that he had to save her after the island’s automatic defences accidentally targeted her.

Once everyone has gotten comfortable, a lengthy discussion begins, with the rest of the Knights discovering that Junichi was previously one of Joaquim’s clients and is working alongside Samuel and Steven Stone to find out why they are here. Having already the basic details of their mission by studying Hoenn’s history, Junichi becomes shifty when the Megalith is mentioned, and by probing him, Milos deduces that he has the massive artefact with him, locked in a vault deep within the island. However, while the Knights cannot convince the scientists to hand it over to them (though they are convinced to increase security around the artefact), negotiations regarding a renewed alliance between their regions go much better as Junichi reveals that they have been interested in experimenting with and helping Aura individuals ever since an old friend of theirs developed such powers. Providing the Knights with an address in Sootopolis City, Samuel and Nicholas tell them that they will find someone there who might be interested in helping their cause but request that at least two of them stay behind so they can get down to “other business”.

With two places to be in, the group splits up, with Milos and Emilie heading out with Nicholas aboard the airship while Joaquim and Sabine stay behind. Following Samuel to the main lab, the latter meets the Haellmigk sisters, Elsa and Courtney, who examine her weapons at the molecular level and are impressed enough by their craftsmanship to present her with the option of upgrading them. Unsure of how they will do that, Sabine cautiously accepts but is won over when they apply liquid mercury to her blades, purifying and sharpening them. Meanwhile, as Joaquim guides Nightshade outside, he senses someone familiar in the base’s hatchery, where he is shocked to find an equally surprised young woman with flowing black hair and green eyes tending to a Pokémon egg with a silver and wooden quarterstaff.

Elsewhere, Nicholas lands the airship at Sootopolis in the middle of an intense thunderstorm and drops Milos and Emilie off at the Contest Hall to find their contact while he flies back. Entering the building, the duo finds themselves watching the Contest Appeal of a young Coordinator named Lisia Mizutani and discovers from audience members that she is both Wallace’s niece and a prominent idol in Hoenn who has been rising through the ranks for the past year. Taking an interest in her after learning that she has recently entered a friendly rivalry with renowned Coordinator May Maple, Milos takes Emilie backstage once the round is over and finds Lisia venting to a blonde-haired girl about how several of her rivals have been requesting battles with her. As she expresses a viewpoint that Contests should not be about rivalry, Milos introduces himself to Lisia, but as Emilie approaches them, she notices a signet ring on the finger of Lisia’s companion and realises just who their real contact is.

Back on Paradiso, Joaquim’s initial shock at seeing the girl disappears as he coldly asks her how she has been doing. As he notices her signet ring, the girl likewise hides her surprise under a façade of cold indifference as she replies that she is doing just fine before asking him why he is here, to which he coldly responds that it’s not her right to know. However, she retorts by revealing that she knows that he is hiding something and demands to know what it is and whether it has something to do with a secret shared between them, which causes Joaquim to snap back with a response that she has no right to ask anything of him after “what happened before”. Angered, both draw their weapons and engage in a brief brawl that ends up trashing the room before the base’s security drones forcefully separate them… but this is revealed to have been witnessed by Junichi and Samuel, who express interest in this newfound drama that the girl, whom they address as Isabella Galilei, has caused. At the same time, both scientists notice that Isabella’s Pokémon egg was glowing during the confrontation with Joaquim, and a quick check leads to the discovery that it will hatch into a Noibat, a rare and powerful Dragon-type Pokémon native to Kalos.

Over the next two weeks, Sabine learns how to handle her upgraded weapons and evolves Pancham into a Pangoro after sparring with the Playful Pokémon in Paradiso’s arena. Simultaneously, Milos gets to know Lisia and her companion, Heidi Wyttenbach, as they travel to and arrive in Slateport City for the former’s next Contest, during which his Helioptile evolves into Heliolisk after saving them from a lightning strike in a freak storm. However, the duo notices the increasing intensity and frequency of the storms and voices their concerns to Nicholas, who speculates Kyogre must be involved in some way as he conveys the messages to a troubled Junichi while handling hundreds of complaints regarding the freakish weather from the mainland.

Eventually, after a tidal wave nearly swamps Pacifidlog Town and a sudden eruption of Mount Chimney prompts an evacuation of Lavaridge Town, the scientists are forced to discuss the worsening weather, with Junichi asking Courtney what could be behind this. Drawing on her past as a former member of Team Magma, the elder Haellmigk recalls her organisation increasing the amount of naturally occurring geothermal and volcanic activity before Groudon showed up four years ago, but she also points out that there are hundreds of ways which could awaken him or Kyogre. As she hypothesises that one of these might be responsible for their current predicament, a thought occurs to Junichi, but an explosion shakes the base before he can speak.

Shaken awake by the blast while he meditates in his room, Joaquim flies Nightshade to the epicentre of the explosion, located at the main lab. However, upon arriving there, he is ambushed by a masked figure with a Mega Salamence, whom he realises is the same person who attacked Sabine and Emilie at the temple complex as he engages her in an aerial battle with his Ampharos. Witnessing this from the ground, Junichi prevents Samuel from sending out Rayquaza and suggests that Isabella should help instead, only for Nicholas to inform them that she has vanished from her quarters. Meanwhile, an awakened Sabine reaches the scene to find Courtney dragging an unconscious Elsa out of the ruined lab and decides to assist them rather than checking on the Megalith in the vault. However, as she navigates through the debris, she senses Isabella nearby and asks for assistance.

On the other side of Hoenn, Milos and Emilie are ambushed by a hooded figure on their way to the Contest Hall, and upon seeing its cloak and red halberd, the former realises that this individual resembles the one he and Sabine fought at the Tower of Mastery. However, this assailant reveals a completely new fighting style when it brings out a black sword and attacks them with it, leaving both Knights unable to properly defend themselves as they alternate between fleeing and protecting themselves. Eventually reaching the Slateport Contest Hall in a battered state, Emilie tells the exhausted Milos to find Lisia and Heidi while she and Spewpa fend off the attacker, prompting him to stumble backstage and warn them of the situation before collapsing on the ground.

Back on Paradiso, Joaquim manages to bring down the Mega Salamence, but its trainer continues the fight with a specialised short bow, a katana with a red and blue hilt, and a wide assortment of darts. Startled by her aggression, he counters her with his swords and gauntlets, and as he drives her into a corner, he breaks her mask to reveal the face of a black-haired, red-eyed girl with an intense gaze that momentarily freezes him. Seizing the opportunity, she slices him in the side, but Joaquim retaliates by punching her in the face, stunning her as he prepares to deliver the finishing blow… just as Isabella steps in and commands the girl to stop in an unfamiliar language. Seemingly recognising this intruder, the girl warns them that they will only find death on the path they are on before escaping on her battered Salamence with a smoke bomb.

At the same time, Heidi rushes out of the Contest Hall to find the exhausted Emilie barely holding on and takes control of her Spewpa to continue the fight in her stead while bringing out a three-headed, multi-coloured flail and a red and grey steel shield. With these weapons, she defends her companion, revealing that her weapon contains multiple properties of Pokémon attacks as she drives back the hooded being with fire and ice, but as it retreats, it launches a poison dart at Emilie. Acting fast, Spewpa intercepts the dart and, through sheer willpower, overcomes the toxin and defiantly drives away the being with a surprise Bug Buzz before spontaneously evolving. As the Bug-type lands on the fatigued Emilie, she notices its wing patterns are far different from any other Vivillon she has seen as Heidi takes her to Lisia and Milos.

With the threat seemingly neutralised, Joaquim finds the scientists and demands to know what happened, but before they can reply, Sabine and Courtney arrive with the alarming news that the vault was broken into and the Megalith stolen. Realising that Joaqium’s opponent was a distraction, Junichi puts forth his hypothesis that Samuel Mega Evolving Rayquaza was the catalyst for the worsening storms (though he absolves his friend of any blame by expressing his belief that this was going to happen someday regardless of whatever they did). Bringing them back to a more concerning matter, Joaquim questions the scientists about the intruder, and Nicholas tells him (with the help of flashbacks) that she was most likely a descendant of the Draconids, an ancient tribe that acted as middlemen between Kalos and Hoenn millennia ago and who worshipped the Weather Trio (especially Rayquaza) as gods. However, before they can continue the conversation, Samuel receives an urgent message from Steven Stone that tells them to go to the Devon Corporation immediately.

With Paradiso damaged in the attack, Junichi decides to stay behind and repair the place with his Pokémon while Samuel, Nicholas and the Haellmigk sisters go in his stead. Grabbing their gear, Sabine and Joaquim join the scientists as they board an airship with Nightshade, but as they do, Isabella joins them with the Noibat egg and insists that she accompany them. Weighing their options, Sabine decides to play safe and allows her to join them, pointing out to Joaquim that they will need all the help that he can get as Isabella boards the craft and sets the egg down near Nightshade, who notices that it is glowing faintly.

Five minutes later, as the airship departs from Paradiso, Sabine receives a call from Milos and learns that he and Emilie are on their way to the Devon Corporation with Lisia and Heidi after receiving the same message from Steven. The episode ends with both groups heading for Rustboro City as Groudon and Kyogre are seen emerging from their resting places… and are revealed to have undergone Primal Reversion.

Chapter Text

859.   A Slippery Encounter!

While cutting through a rocky valley, the group is surprised when two slimy creatures fall from a passing Swanna and land on Ash and Dina. Identifying them as Goomy – a particularly weak Dragon-type that must be constantly hydrated to survive – the duo take it upon themselves to care for the Pokémon, which have immense trouble adjusting to the group for various reasons.

Eventually turning to Philippe and Clemont for help as their water supplies run low, the group learns through a brief mind-share that numerous Bug-types invaded the Goomy’s home, and the Swanna spirited them away before they could be captured. But before they can find out more, Team Rocket attacks the group and steals Pikachu, Eevee, Quilladin and both Goomy, though the Pokémon break out by using Goomy’s slime to slip through the bars. In the ensuing battle, the five buy enough time for the others to arrive with Mega Mawile and Mega Gyarados, who blast them off after the Goomy use Bide to defeat Inkay, Pumpkaboo and Growlie in one fell swoop. Following this, the Goomy allow themselves to be caught by Ash and Dina to get stronger.

860.   One for the Goomy!

Getting separated from each other after a confrontation with Team Rocket accidentally disturbs some Lotad and Lombre, the group and the TRio have to work together to make it out of the forest. As they search for their friends, Meowth reveals to Dina that Jessie will be participating in the Coumarine City Showcase, Serena gets a taste of Pokémon Battles when she faces James, Inkay and Growlie, and Ash’s Goomy befriends Dedenne after the latter defends him while facing Pumpkaboo and Wobbuffet. Ultimately, Dina’s Eevee evolves into Sylveon, but her Goomy remains friends with both her and Mawile.

861.   Thawing an Icy Panic!

Upon arriving in Coumarine, the group learns of a lost Vanillite that is under Nurse Joy’s care and treks to the Pokémon Center on the other side of the city to see it (except for Philippe, Benoit and Dina, who wisely take the city’s monorail instead). However, as both groups travel to their destination, they meet someone new, with Ash being introduced to Coumarine City Gym Leader Ramos Salerno at his Grass-type ranch as the Knights bump into Ramos’ assistant, an athletic and fun-loving girl named Aoife O’Connor whom they recognise as one of them when they see her signet ring.

Quickly bonding with all three of them thanks to her shared interests, virtues and values, Aoife is introduced to the others at the Pokémon Center, where she shows her softer side by using her Abomasnow to comfort the scared Vanillite. However, the moment is interrupted by Team Rocket, who steals the Ice-type and causes a freak blizzard to strike the city as they escape. Giving chase with her two Skiddo, Aoife leads the charge as Benoit and Philippe burn a path with Houndoom and Charizard, and they eventually find the TRio being harassed by a Vanillish and a Vanilluxe. Deducing that Vanillite must belong to them, Dina frees the captive Pokémon with her throwing knives, but this does not calm the angry Ice-types, whose rampage threatens to freeze the city.

With the situation worsening, Ash prepares to intervene, but an arriving Ramos cautions him from doing so with his Gogoat and advises him to strategise from a different perspective. Realising what he is saying and recognising the Gym Leader (who acknowledges him in turn), Philippe tells the others to stand down as Ramos commands hundreds of Sunflora to melt the snow with Solar Beam, which calms the Ice-types and gets them to leave. With the imminent threat having passed, Team Rocket retaliates in a mecha utilising the powers of Ice-type Pokémon, but Ash, Serena and Clemont provide enough of a distraction for Ramos to immobilise them with a Grass Knot and Leach Seed, allowing Philippe, Benoit and Aoife to Mega Evolve Charizard, Houndoom and Abomasnow and blast them off. In the aftermath, Ramos tells Ash and Philippe that he will see them at the Coumarine Gym before riding off into the sunset.

862.   The Green, Green Grass Types of Home!

Early the next morning, Serena wakes up to see Ash jogging and watches him from afar. Having seen this sort of thing for a while now, a nearby Philippe offers her some advice about relationships and tells her that if she is sure about her feelings, she should tell Ash as soon as possible or before it becomes too late.

Once everyone is awake, the group heads for the Gym – which is inside an enormous tree on the city outskirts – and climbs it to find Ramos sitting outside his house. Ash immediately asks him for a battle, only to be surprised when the elderly Gym Leader invites them in for tea. Deducing this to be a test, Dina and Benoit sit down (the former reluctantly) and convince the others to join them for a round of refreshing herbal beverages, but the impatient Ash downs his cup in seconds, leading Ramos to direct him to prune the trees and cut the weeds. However, Philippe is suddenly overcome by a bout of dizziness after drinking his tea, and as the others proceed to the garden, he is forced to lie down before losing consciousness.

Outside, Dina figures out the task is to carefully tend to the plants so that they don’t destroy the small shoots hidden underneath and communicates this to Ash, who thanks her for the heads-up before completing the task at a much slower pace. Having passed the test, Ash accesses the grassy battlefield and starts with Fletchinder, who dominates and defeats his first opponent, a Jumpluff, with Flame Charge and Razor Wind. While all this is happening, the unconscious Philippe dreams of the past and his first death from the plague that ravaged Kalos millennia ago, along with the futile attempts from “Raven Solstice” to treat him. This led to her staying together until he died, but the dream continues by showing his unexpected revival and resurrection alongside his exploration of a now-devastated Kalos before he found “Raven” again.

Meanwhile, Ash defeats Ramos’ next Pokémon, a Weepinbell, with Fletchinder, but the Ember Pokémon is poisoned and falls to the third and final opponent, Gogoat. Bringing out Hawlucha, Ash manages to drive the stubborn Mount Pokémon into a corner and weakens him with repeated blows, but Gogoat takes advantage of an opening and drives Hawlucha into the ground with Bulldoze and Take Down before healing itself with Synthesis. Though he is frustrated by this fresh start, Ash stays calm as he brings out Frogadier and has the agile Water-type use his enhanced senses – which have been boosted from his recent evolution and fight against Sanpei – to sense where Gogoat is hiding in the vegetation before pre-emptively sniping the Mount Pokémon with a Water Pulse, which ends the match in his favour.

Admitting that he is impressed by Ash’s interpretation of his advice, Ramos awards him the Plant Badge before revealing that Philippe should be waking up any moment now. Relieved, Ash and his friends rush to check on their friend, and true to Ramos’ word, they find him stirring from his stupor and insisting that he is fine despite his wooziness from his ordeal. However, while Ash realises that Ramos must have drugged his friend’s tea, he decides not to bring it up as he explains that they will be staying for Serena’s showcase. As they head down, the still woozy Philippe sees a carving on the steps leading to the battlefield and recalls the remainder of his dream, including his second chance at life… and his wife and children.

863.   Under the Pledging Tree!

Learning of an annual festival being held in Coumarine as Serena registers for the Pokémon Showcase, the group decides to participate in the event, which is based on a legend about the trainer who planted the enormous Pledging Tree that the Gym is based in. Since this involves trainers giving gifts to their Pokémon, everyone splits up to accomplish this in different ways, with Bonnie assuming the role of looking after everyone’s Pokémon as Clemont chooses to create a gift for his team. By comparison, the Knights head into the city’s shopping district via the monorail to see what they can buy, and Serena, realising that she has the opportunity to spend time with Ash, takes full advantage of this by helping him with his selection of gifts to get for his Pokémon. However, while Ash is initially oblivious to what she is doing, he slowly catches on to the fact that Serena is spending more time with him, which causes him to think back to the “future bride” conversation he had with Miette.

Meanwhile, Philippe, Dina, Benoit and Aoife quickly select several practical and sentimental gifts for their Pokémon, but as they head back on foot to admire the cliffside views of the northern ocean, they run into Ramos. Wasting no time, Philippe pulls him aside and demands to know why he drugged his tea the day before, but the old man merely inquires whether he had trouble remembering his second life. Snarling at him not to dodge the question, Philippe nearly throttles Ramos before Benoit separates them, whereupon the Gym Leader reveals that the drugged tea was to give him a clearer vision of his aspirations for the future. Thinking about these words, Dina realises that Philippe wants things to return to the way they were before, and Ramos pointedly asks if he is willing to sacrifice all of his loved ones in the present to recreate the past as he leaves.

Hours later, Ash and Serena return to the monorail and are thrilled to receive a commemorative blue ribbon for being the millionth visitors on the train. However, while they admire the views of the setting sun on the way back, Ash is inspired by a comment from Serena that compares him to a Pokémon, and he tells her to wait for him at the Pledging Tree before rushing off to get something. Confused, Serena nevertheless makes her way back to Clemont and Bonnie and reunites with them and the Knights at the base of the tree, but as she waits for Ash to return, she spots the disguised Team Rocket and approaches them on impulse to talk about Ash. Fortunately, while Jessie and Meowth refuse to give straight answers, James tells Serena that Ash repeatedly brought out the best in everyone he met, including them, and reveals much about the Pallet Town trainer’s past achievements. Thanking him for this, an awestruck Serena returns to her friends as Ash finally arrives with hundreds of handpicked Berries, all for his team’s varied tastes.

With the festival commencing, everyone hands out their gifts to their Pokémon, and Serena receives a dress from her mother for the Showcase, which she supplements with the blue ribbon when Ash gives it to her. Watching the proceedings, Aoife privately speaks to Ramos, who tells her that he still trusts Philippe despite the earlier encounter and expresses his belief that he will do the right thing as long as “she” is “still alive”. Sensing that she wants to travel with them, the Gym Leader allows her to, telling his former assistant that it is time for her to find her destiny.

Dear Friend

Remembering all of his previous travelling companions in light of the events of Under the Pledging Tree!, Ash decides to send them well wishes by writing letters, only to run into problems trying to write suitable and poetic sentences. With no choice, he turns to his friends for help, but a busy Philippe can only advise him to be honest before he is called away to oversee a sparring match between Benoit and Aoife. Likewise, Clemont tells him to write rough drafts before writing the final message as he irons out the kinks in his latest invention (which promptly explodes), and Bonnie is too preoccupied with Dedenne after the latter accidentally ingests a caffeinated drink.

At his wit’s end, Ash asks Serena for help and has a fortunate breakthrough when she tells him to write from his heart and express his feelings for the recipient of the letter he is sending. Inspired, Ash begins writing, and as he asks Nurse Joy if she can help him post the letters, a series of flashforwards set over the following days show several of the recipients as they receive their letters.

• In Pallet Town, Gary Oak finds three letters: one addressed to him, another to Tracey Sketchit and the third to Professor Oak. Scanning his letter, he smirks before wishing Ash good luck.
• Across the settlement, Leaf Greene is revealed to be reading another letter addressed to her and Hiroshi Suzuki. Nostalgic upon reading the words, Leaf’s boyfriend reminisces about the good times they shared six years ago and wonders if it is possible to relive those moments again. As he heads out, he passes by the Ketchum household, where Delia Ketchum is seen reading another letter from her son.
• Northwards, in Twinleaf Town, Dawn Berlitz receives her letter from a Wingull as she is about to head down for lunch with Piplup. Smiling as she reads it, she immediately calls Daisuke “Dice” Platinum and learns that he and Katherine “Katie” Norton likewise received letters from their former travelling companion…
• Exhausted after a long day of approving the reconstruction of Opelucid City and the renovation of its Gym, Iris Ajagara gets her letter from Fraxure, who gives it to her as the sun begins to set. Reading through it, she coyly remarks to her Pokémon that they have such good friends.
• To the south, in Nimbasa City, Chase Hawkins reads a similar letter to Eliza Goodwin and Adrienne Martinez, the latter of whom expresses a desire to face Ash one day. Hugging Eliza, Chase proceeds to frame the letter on a wall of the faculty office to remind everyone of their goals.
• In Petalburg City, Max Maple receives the letter on the night before he is set to start his Pokémon Journey. Watched by his parents, he enthusiastically proclaims that “he still remembers his promise”.
• Having been awakened by his brother in Veilstone City, Paul Rebolledo receives his letter at dawn and silently browses it. Intrigued, Reggie asks Paul who it is from, but although the stoic trainer refuses to tell him, his brother can discern that it is from someone important.
• At the same time, in Striaton City, Nurse Joy passes Cilan Griffith his letter as she finishes treating his Pokémon in the aftermath of his latest Gym Battle. Taking it back to the Gym and perusing it in the comfort of his room, he is moved by the message’s sincerity and is overcome by emotion as he begins to tear up.
• On Paradiso Island in Hoenn, Junichi Takeda receives his letter in the middle of a thunderstorm after saving the delivering Wingull from being struck by lightning. Skimming it after flash-drying the dampened piece of paper, he heartily chuckles at the optimism of his old ally…
• Over in Ecruteak City in Johto, an emotional May Maple is reading her letter when she is surprised by Drew Hayden. Initially concerned over why she is crying, he learns about what happened from Solidad Natochenny, as he comforts his friend and advises her to save that letter. Regarding the green-haired Coordinator, May agrees before reaffirming her rivalry with him.
• As the sun sets on Nuvema Town, Trip McGonnigal has his letter delivered to him by his family’s Herdier. Watched by his Serprior, he reads the letter before setting it down in his room next to his commemorative honour for his part in ending the Unovan Civil War.
• Back in Kanto, Brock Harrison receives his letter following a massive makeover of the Pewter City Gym, courtesy of his parents. Sitting on the sofa, he is joined by his brother, Forrest, who asks him if he got what he wanted from the remodelling, and answers that he did—along with something else.
• And finally, Misty Waterflower sentimentally regards her letter from Ash beside the pools of the Cerulean City Gym… until her elder sister, Daisy, calls her from the kitchen for some help. 

Back in Kalos, as the day of the Pokémon Showcase draws ever closer, Serena chances upon the drafts of letters, which number forty in total. Skimming through them, she sees the effort that Ash put into writing each one, containing individualised, heartfelt messages like a memory, a reaffirmation of a promise and words of encouragement, all of which he remembered in great detail. Moved by what she has discovered, Serena is interrupted by Ash and leaves with him to continue her practice for the Showcase.

As the episode ends, a final message is shown onscreen thanking “those who have never forgotten any of us”.

Chapter Text

864.   A Showcase Debut!

On the day of the Coumarine Showcase, Serena reunites with Shauna and learns that the event’s prize is a Princess Key, of which three will be needed to gain entry into the Master Class Showcase, where they can get the chance to become the Kalos Queen. Meanwhile, as Jessie receives the final preparations from James and Meowth, renowned Pokémon theatre producer and former Kalos Queen Eileen Palermo arrives out of obligation to watch the Showcase and makes it clear to her assistant that she will leave as soon as possible as “there will never be another Kalos Queen like Aria”. Unaware of this, Philippe learns from Aoife about her intention to accompany him on his journey as she joins the Knights in the audience and gifts her a keystone before warmly welcoming her into the party.

Watched by all of her friends as Monsieur Pierre opens the event with his Klefki, Serena observes the other Performers as Shauna and Jessie compete in the first round, which involves styling their Pokémon within a given time limit. Both come up with unique designs, but ultimately, Shauna is declared the winner and advances to the next round, though Jessie does not take the loss personally and admits to James that she is a little out of shape and needs to adjust and practice more to match Kalosian standards. Following a few more rounds, Serena takes the stage with Fennekin, but makes a critical error in measuring the length of a ribbon on her Pokémon’s neck, which causes her to ruin her outfit when she trips and falls on the runway. As a result, she is ranked the lowest among the Performers and does not proceed to the next round.

Devastated, Serena sits out the rest of the Showcase and leaves early before any of her friends can find her (including Shauna, who wins her first Princess Key yet leaves the victory ceremony to search for her missing friend). Fortunately, after a few hours of scouring the city, Ash finds Serena in the Pokémon Centre and comforts her over her loss as she cries, promising to be there if she needs it. Moved by his kind words, Serena dries her tears and thanks Ash before gratefully hugging him.

Early next morning, Serena heads down to a pier overlooking the Coumarine Harbour to reflect on her loss, only to run into Philippe, who mentions that the others were concerned about her. Sitting down by the waterfront, the two have a heart-to-heart that Palermo witnesses, with the Lost Prince encouraging his younger companion to try again by pointing out that her friends will always be there when she falls before admitting that he knows what it feels like to be defeated by one’s hubris. Knowing about his past, Serena asks Philippe who he failed and learns about his family – some of whom have survived to the present but who remain estranged from him after he broke off contact with them – as he motivates her not to give up on her loved ones as he did with a saying from his wife.

Emboldened by his words, Serena decides that the time has come for a change and cuts her hair as a sign of her growth. Returning to the Pokémon Centre, she surprises her friends with a new outfit – complete with the ribbon that Ash gave her – and vows to continue travelling with them on their journey as they welcome her back.

865.   An Oasis of Hope!

Having decided to return to Lumiose City to battle Clemont for his fifth badge, Ash takes a shortcut through the Lumiose Badlands but is forced to stop when his Goomy starts coughing due to the hot and dry climate. With Dina’s Goomy being similarly affected and with no source of water in sight, the group contemplates taking a different route just as they run into an injured Spoink who begs them to help liberate its home – an oasis filled with hundreds of fruit trees – from a brutish Grumpig. Given its proximity to their location, the group promises to help the Spoink as they make their way there, but when Ash and Dina challenge the Manipulate Pokémon, it hypnotises all the Spoink in the area and chases them into a cave, where they are trapped behind bars by none other than Team Rocket!

As it turns out, this has all been part of the TRio’s plan to steal the oasis’ resources in a massive heist with Grumpig’s help, and Jessie sweetens the pot by demanding that the group hand over Pikachu, Chespin and Quilladin, all of whom are forced to go when Grumpig threatens the hypnotised Spoink. With no other way out of the trap, Dedenne and the Goomy slip through the bars and try to get the key, but are caught by Grumpig and are sorely beaten… right before Aoife draws one of her four weapons, a silver and grey war hammer, and smashes the bars open. Freed, Ash and Dina catch up to the escaping Team Rocket and send them packing with Frogadier, Mawile and Sylveon, leaving Aoife to help Dedenne and the Goomy defeat the brutish Grumpig with her two Skiddo.

Fortunately, the latter battle goes well due to Aoife’s tendency to power through Grumpig’s many attacks, and in a stroke of good luck, both Soft Tissue Pokémon evolve into Sliggoo. With their new power, they collectively blast the Grumpig off with twin streams of Dragon Beath and reunite with Pikachu, Chespin and Quilladin, who freed themselves earlier before the TRio got on their balloon. Now safe, the group ensures that the Spoink are doing fine before resuming their journey, and as they do, an impressed yet curious Philippe asks Aoife what she got from the Battle Chateau… only to be shocked when she reveals a startling number of items, including four weapons (including two war hammers, an axe and a mace), a complete set of plate mail armour alongside an intimidating-looking helmet, a pair of gauntlets and a belt, and a pair of heavy leather boots.

866.   The Future is Now, Thanks to Determination!

As the group continues their trek through the Badlands, a distracted Clemont convinces his friends to take a detour to the Kalos Power Plant to check on his modifications to the place. Upon arriving, however, the group’s Electric-types go berserk and leave their trainers as they are drawn to something inside the building, and an attempt to sneak in through the ventilation system leads to Dina nearly getting sliced to pieces by the fans. Still, after taking a longer but safer route through the vents, the group learns that Team Rocket has taken over the facility and is holding all of Lumiose City hostage for their unspecified plans.

Taking charge, Clemont devises a plan to trigger a temporary overload to free the controlled Pokémon, but he and Benoit are separated from the others and end up getting trapped in the main generator’s chamber with all the brainwashed Electric-type Pokémon. With no choice, the duo confront Luxio, Dedenne and Pikachu and breaks the former free by transferring some of Benoit’s Aura over to him, granting him some resistance to the controlling radio waves. Noticing this, Meowth, Inkay, Pumpkaboo and Growlie attack them, forcing Benoit and Luxio to hold them off as Clemont puts his own life at risk by using himself as a conduit when he tricks the brainwashed Pokémon into electrocuting him. This plan works, and the resulting surge of power causes an overload that breaks the mind control, but upon seeing his trainer in danger, Luxio siphons the electricity away from Clemont and into himself, triggering his evolution into a Luxray. Weakened yet grateful, Clemont subsequently breaks into the control room and blasts Team Rocket off with an Electric Terrain from his new Pokémon.

Reuniting with his friends in the aftermath, Clemont realises that he will only slow them down and elects to return to Lumiose City on the Power Plant’s helicopter to recover from his injuries and prepare for his Gym Battle against Ash. Unsure of how her brother will do without her, Bonnie voices her concerns but is mollified when Benoit volunteers to accompany Clemont back after realising that he too has to “set some things straight”. Wishing them good luck and a swift recovery, Ash and Philippe bid their companions farewell as they board the helicopter and fly back to Lumiose.

867.   A Fork in the Road! A Parting of the Ways!

After being sent flying by Pikachu again, Jessie and Wobbuffet are separated from James and Meowth and nursed back to health by local medical practitioner Dr. White. Taken aback by his kindness, she helps him around his clinic and considers giving up her Team Rocket career when she learns more about caring for Pokémon, including details she had not known when she had studied to become a Nurse. In the middle of this, she runs into the group, but while they figure out her identity fairly quickly, they decide to keep quiet about it as White’s childhood friend, Beatrice, informs him of a Pokémon hunter who was spotted in the vicinity.

However, before Jessie can decide, a battered James arrives with news that the Pokémon hunter has captured Meowth and the others and pleads with the group to help him. Torn between starting anew and returning to a life of crime, Jessie speaks to Philippe, who points out he cannot decide for her before using a motto that his friends always lived by to ask what she truly wants. Reflecting on his words, Jessie chooses to remain loyal to her friends and rushes to save them with Philippe and the Knights as she has Wobbuffet combine Counter and Mirror Coat to create a new universal counterattack that ultimately defeats his opponent’s Rhyperior all by himself. Impressed, Philippe expresses his approval of Jessie’s choice and character, and as she reunites with James and Meowth, she promises to use what she learned from Dr. White to help them in their exploits.

Meanwhile, as Clemont recovers from his injuries, he continues practising against Clembot with some help from Benoit, whose Houndoom provides more of a challenge when compared to the young gym leader’s Pokémon. Eventually, the duo get the idea to implement Ash’s training into his sessions, but this burns out Clembot’s CPU instead, much to their chagrin.

868.   Battling with Elegance and a Big Smile!

After losing her temper when Pancham and Fennekin begin fighting during a training session, Serena yells at them before storming off to cool down, but the guilt begins to gnaw at her as she spends time with Dina and Aoife in a small store. Wondering if she is choosing the right approach to Showcases, she bumps into a cheerful girl named Ariana, who encourages her to smile as it is the most important thing for those performing with their Pokémon, and becomes fast friends with her as she reveals the mistake she made during her first Showcase. However, Ariana tells her that everyone makes mistakes and assures Serena that she shouldn’t give up because of one tiny error before praising her smile and encouraging her to make the first step by apologising to her Pokémon. With this encouragement, Serena drags her new friend over to have tea at a nearby café with Aoife and Dina, who realise who “Ariana” is when they get a closer look at her.

Later that evening, the girls return to the Pokémon Centre, where the exhausted Ash and Bonnie reveal that they spent the whole day getting Pancham and Fennekin to bury the hatchet, and as Serena apologises for her earlier outburst and reconciles with her Pokémon, Philippe recognises “Ariana” as well. Seeing how strong her bond is with her Pokémon, “Ariana” challenges Serena to a Double Battle with her Delphox and Aromatisse, but the gap in experience immediately becomes apparent when she easily routs Serena’s Pokémon. Nevertheless, by remembering advice from Ash that Pokémon need to be in sync with each other as well as their trainer in this kind of fight, Serena manages to turn the battle around with her own positivity, allowing Fennekin to best the Delphox and evolve into Braixen. However, the match is interrupted by a sudden call that forces Serena’s opponent to leave early, and once she is gone, Philippe, Dina and Aoife bluntly tell their friend that “Ariana” is actually Kalos Queen Aria, whom they assume was likely keeping tabs on her as a potential successor. Though surprised, Serena thanks her newfound rival for her advice as Aria muses over a phone call that “she” is interesting while watching a video of Serena’s first performance.

While all this is happening, Clemont battles a young trainer named Sawyer Duncan and gives him and his Treecko critical advice about the timing of the attacks. Outside the Gym, Benoit meets with Alexa and Viola for an off-the-books interview, but while he answers some of their questions about Philippe’s true origins, he evades several others. In the end, the interview is interrupted by a disruption at a nearby store caused by two Honedge, and as Benoit heads out to deal with the situation, he tells the sisters that the Lost Prince is an enigma that no one can genuinely decipher.

Chapter Text

Where the Land and Sea Clash

Upon arriving in Rustboro City, both groups meet on the front steps of the Devon Corporation and quickly introduce themselves before entering the building to reunite with Steven, Alain, Mairin, and Lysandre—who is communicating via livestream—in the main conference room. With everyone gathered, President Joseph Stone updates the team, informing them that Groudon and Kyogre have been sighted approximately 100 miles off the Rustboro coastline and are set to cross paths within the hour. Noting that they have undergone Primal Reversion, Steven speculates that either the presence of the Megalith or the appearance of Mega Rayquaza might have catalysed this phenomenon but points out that, regardless of the reason, they will be far more powerful than the last time they fought and will be capable of causing natural disasters on a global scale rather than just locally.

Knowing that the Megalith was last tracked to the coastline, Nicholas shares this with Steven, who realises that the two Legendary Pokémon might be drawn to it. Fearing what might happen if they fight this time, the Hoenn Champion decides to try and extract the artefact, with Sabine, Joaquim, Milos and Emilie agreeing to accompany him (even though the latter two are recovering from their previous fight). However, as Samuel likewise volunteers to assist, so does Alain, and Mairin does not react well to his decision, refusing to come along due to her fears of running into another Legendary Pokémon and begging him not to go by pointing out that his shoulder has not fully healed from the last skirmish at the ruins. Despite this, Alain coldly reminds Mairin of his goal to become the strongest, snapping at her when she questions how far he is willing to go before telling her to go home if she is so worried about him.

Having overheard the argument from outside the conference room, Steven asks Alain why he doesn’t want Mairin to come along as they walk to the building’s helipad, but frowns when he receives the answer that she is just “a nuisance”. Similarly disapproving of this response, Sabine tells Alain that Mairin is right to a certain extent, only for her concerns to be brusquely dismissed, forcing Milos to calm her down before she can get into a shouting match. Still new to the situation, Lisia muses that perhaps Alain does care about Mairin deep down, but Joaquim expresses his sincere doubts that simply being friends with Pokémon automatically makes one a good person.

Arriving at the helipad, the group splits up into two teams, with the former heading out on a specialised airship while the latter goes to the control room to monitor the situation. But before the former team leaves, Courtney hands them back their weapons, which she had upgraded during the meeting. These include Joaquim’s scimitar and katana, which have been infused with crushed skull and skin fragments from an unidentified being, Emilie’s spear, whose blade has been enhanced with layers of sharpened diamond and obsidian, and Milos’ longsword, which now has a yellow diamond set in its hilt, but she dodges their queries as to how she got the materials to upgrade them in the first place before they depart.

Following a short flight, the team arrives at Primal Groudon’s location in the middle of the ocean, but as the Knights feel the wave of heat being emitted by the Continent Pokémon, they also see several news helicopters surrounding the Legendary, which ignore a warning from Steven to leave for their safety. Back in Rustboro, Heidi and Nicholas notice that a crowd is lining the waterfront to watch the impending clash and wonder why they would put themselves in such danger, with the former speculating that perhaps it’s “just our nature” to live as dangerously as possible. Agreeing with that sentiment, Nicholas is interrupted by Elsa, who informs him that while Junichi will be sending his Deoxys over as soon as possible to help, he will be leaving the execution of the operation up to them.

Outside, Primal Groudon suddenly stops, and as it does, Milos senses the Megalith’s presence just above the water’s surface. But before he can tell Steven, Primal Kyogre suddenly leaps from the water and attacks her counterpart by freezing him and the surrounding ocean with a Sheer Cold. Enraged, Primal Groudon breaks free by superheating his body, but this sends chunks of ice everywhere, which strikes one of the news helicopters and causes it to crash on the ice. Seeing this, Samuel convinces Steven to get closer so they can rescue the survivors and secure the Megalith while Lysandre orders Alain over a private feed to protect the Megalith “for the good of humanity”.

Once they are close enough, Alain sends out Mega Charizard X while the Knights parachute (or fly on Nightshade, in Joaquim’s case) onto the ice, narrowly dodging water columns from Primal Kyogre. Fortunately, they all land safely, and as Emilie finds and tends to the survivors of the crashed helicopter, the other Knights approach the Megalith as Alain separates from them to face Groudon. Reaching out with her Aura, Sabine tries to make a connection with the monolithic structure… but suddenly senses danger and barely saves Milos from a surprise Crunch from a familiar Mega Salamence, whose trainer reappears with a Whismur, an Altaria and a Tyrantrum that attack them!

Unaware of the skirmish unfolding on the ice, Alain and Steven have Mega Charizard X and Mega Metagross face Groudon and Kyogre, but both are outmatched by the Primal Legendary Pokémon and are brought down by Groudon’s Precipice Blades. Witnessing all this from the Devon Corporation’s headquarters, Elsa contacts Samuel and urges him to bring out Mega Rayquaza to stop the fight… only to be shocked when he reveals that he doesn’t have a meteor to initiate the process. Overhearing all this as she becomes aware of the escalating situation, Heidi throws up her hands in frustration and volunteers to head out and provide support with a declaration that “balance must be restored”. Uncomfortable with all the fighting, the pacifistic Lisia objects to her friend’s plan, but Isabella counters this viewpoint by telling her that she used to think that way until recent events forced her to change her mind…

Hours earlier, as she had helped drag Elsa out of the destroyed lab on Paradiso, Sabine had asked Isabella why she had come to Hoenn after the Aura Knight deduced that she was the reason Joaquim agreed to help them. Initially unsure how to respond, she eventually replied that she wanted a fresh start with no one else to hold her back or remind her of her past in Kalos. However, while Sabine had been respectful enough not to pry into her private affairs, she had explained the circumstances of Joaquim’s alliance with them and pointed out that he must have cared to a certain extent if he had accompanied them of his own free will before telling her to at least try giving him a second chance.  

With that, Isabella agrees to go with Heidi, and as the Haellmigk siblings decide to head out too, Lisia reluctantly concedes that she might be right – though she is having a hard time believing it – before agreeing to join them with her trump card: a Mega Stone that she uses with her Altaria, Ali. With Nicholas piloting the Hoenn Labs airship, the six head towards the battle zone while preparing for a fight.

Back at the clash, Alain disregards Steven’s warnings and has the airship head to where Charizard has crashed before rappelling down onto the ice. However, while he manages to recall his Pokémon, he is caught in the shockwave of Groudon blasting Kyogre with an Eruption and is knocked unconscious. Nearby, as Joaquim battles the Tyrantrum with his Mega Ampharos and Nightshade, he notices that it is wearing some meteorite fragments around its neck and quickly incapacitates the Despot Pokémon before grabbing the rocks. On the other side of the battlefield, Sabine and Milos face the girl and her Mega Salamence, letting Mega Absol and Mega Scizor deal with her Pokémon even when it batters them with a ferocious barrage of Dragon Claw and Outrage. Deeming its trainer as the real threat, the duo faces her in a duel but struggles to keep up with her agility and smaller stature, which prevents them from landing hits as she taunts them about their inadequate strength to face their “true enemy”.

With the situation having escalated to this point, Steven orders his airship to recover Alain after deciding that the Knights are capable of handling themselves, but before they can land, an alarm blares to indicate the opening of the cargo hatch. Realising who is responsible, the Hoenn Champion looks out the viewport to see Mairin running across the ice with Chespie and deduces that she stowed away aboard the airship when they departed. At the same time, Samuel decides that he has waited long enough and unleashes Rayquaza to try and delay Groudon and Kyogre despite the massive power disparity, and while the Sky-High Pokémon is predictably no match for the two Primal Legendary Pokémon, he defiantly remains flying as his trainer rides and fires projectiles from his back with his Pokéball launcher.

Unfortunately, the heat emitted by Groudon causes the ice to break, and with nowhere to land, Steven aborts the attempt before sending Mega Metagross to protect Alain and Mairin. Weighing his options, he contemplates attacking either Legendary Pokémon directly… only to suddenly receive a message from Nicholas, who tells him they are on the way.

Back on the ice, as the increasingly exhausted Joaquim struggles to hold back the girl’s Altaria, he is suddenly surprised by Emilie, who has arrived with Elsa, Courtney, Heidi, Lisia and Isabella. With these reinforcements, the Knights hold back the opposition as they make their way to Sabine and Milos, with Heidi saving them from their opponent by smacking the girl in the face with her shield. Acting fast, Milos hands her one of the two remaining keystones, allowing her to Mega Evolve her own Altaria alongside Lisia and Ali to join Mega Scizor and Absol as they face the Mega Salamence. At the same time, Sabine passes the last keystone to Isabella, who promptly Mega Evolves her Gengar to face the girl’s surprisingly agile Whismur as she uses her quarterstaff to channel the elements themselves into offensive attacks.

Suddenly, the Megalith begins to glow brighter, causing the two Primal Legendary Pokémon to react aggressively. As they do, Joaquim jumps on Nightshade, but before he can take off, Isabella tells him to hand over the meteorite fragments for a second, and despite his suspicions, he complies, allowing her to superheat them with an enchantment that fuses the stones into a larger mass before she hands it back to him. With no time to waste, he flies up to Rayquaza and manages to toss the completed meteor to Samuel—only to be shot down by a random Origin Pulse from Primal Kyogre and crash into the ocean with Nightshade. Horrified, Isabella jumps into the raging sea to rescue him as Emilie and Vivillon lasso her with a rope before anchoring themselves to the ice with Mega Heracross.

Unable to help directly despite seeing this from above, Samuel quickly feeds the meteor shards to his Pokémon, successfully revitalising and Mega Evolving him. Now rejuvenated, Mega Rayquaza unleashes a massive barrage of Draco Meteor, peppering everything in the surrounding vicinity with explosions before knocking out both Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre with a single Dragon Ascent. Defeated, both Legendary Pokémon return to their normal states as Mega Rayquaza regards the Megalith with Samuel, who tells Steven what he sees through a commlink just as a Deoxys arrives on the scene. Knowing that this is Junichi’s Pokémon, Mega Rayquaza lets it touch and scan the Megalith as everyone else watches from below, with Emilie and Isabella having successfully rescued Joaquim and Nightshade while Lisia, Heidi and the Haellmigks are revealed to have captured the red-eyed girl and her Whismur.

However, at that moment, a submarine suddenly surfaces and blinds everyone in the vicinity with flares before taking the Megalith as it departs. Unable to pursue or locate the cloaked vessel, Deoxys returns to Mega Rayquaza as Steven and Samuel receive a transmission from Lysandre, who reveals that the sub belongs to him and adds that he supposedly found a way to contain the Megalith’s energy. Declaring that it is best if he keeps the Megalith for the time being, Lysandre ends the transmission as Steven lands the airship on the ice to pick everybody else up, just in time for Alain to awaken and learn of everything that has transpired. Though angry at Mairin for putting herself in danger, he awkwardly thanks her for helping save him and returns her hug as they fly back to the mainland.

Over in Kalos, Professor Sycamore watches the news broadcast of the clash between Kyogre, Groudon and Rayquaza and is stunned to see Alain at the scene. Hiding this last fact as he contacts Philippe, the professor delivers the rest of the disturbing news to the Lost Prince of Kalos, who expresses great concern over the events.

One week following the newly dubbed “Clash of the Primals”, Steven informs a recovered Mairin that Alain has already left for Kalos. Intending to investigate Lysandre himself after growing suspicious of his extreme secrecy, he offers an equally determined Mairin a lift to get back home, which she gratefully accepts, but wonders where the Knights have gone, as since the battle’s conclusion, they have practically vanished off the face of the earth.

On the other side of the world, Lysandre personally thanks Alain for helping secure the Megalith and helping him with his plans for world peace before advising him to take a break. However, Alain, haunted by his Charizard’s defeat at the hands of the Primal Legendary Pokémon, refuses and remarks that he still has a long way to go to become the strongest. Seeing how his subordinate cannot be dissuaded, Lysandre proceeds to stage Mega Evolution battles for Alain while musing that what they did in Hoenn will lead to a significant change in Kalos for humanity and Pokémon.

While all this is happening, a disguised Milos contacts Philippe at Lumiose North Station and is told to stay hidden while learning that this might be the last time they contact each other. Once the call finishes, he returns to the others while remembering the events following the battle.

Mere hours after the Clash of the Primals, the Knights discreetly discharged themselves from the Devon Corporation’s medical bay due to the healing properties of their Aura (which allowed them to heal much faster than ordinary people) and met with Junichi, who confirmed the Megalith’s Kalosian origins. However, he also revealed that it was not a weapon, but rather, a critical component of one, which had prompted the Knights to accompany and investigate it directly at Lysandre Labs, and Junichi had helped them by creating false identities so Lysandre’s staff would not recognise them before sending them all off on a private flight back home. But before their departure, Isabella and Heidi had voiced their decision to join them on their mission (the latter after a hushed conversation with Lisia), and despite Joaquim’s hesitation, Emilie and Sabine had vouched for them, leading to their acceptance into the group.

Returning to a cargo train, Milos passes by the disguised Elsa and Courtney (whom Junichi had insisted accompany them “for research purposes”) and the prison car, where the captured Draconid girl is being held. Ignoring everyone else as they go about their business, he finds Sabine observing the Megalith through a window in its sealed compartment and questions her as to what Lysandre’s – and Philippe’s – motivations could be, remarking that neither has been particularly clear with them. As they ponder this, the episode ends with the train pulling out of the station, bound for Lysandre Labs in the eastern reaches of Kalos.

Chapter Text

869.   Good Friends, Great Training!

On the outskirts of Lumiose City, Ash reunites with Tierno, whom he challenges to a Double Battle after learning that he got the Voltage Badge from Clembot. Now armed with several more Pokémon, Tierno and his newly evolved Wartortle prove to be more of a challenge, but the battle is interrupted by one of Team Rocket’s mechas, which captures Ash’s Sliggoo, Wartortle and Tierno’s Raichu. However, Dina manages to wedge one of her throwing knives in the mechanism, allowing them to track it, and she splits off from the rest with Tierno, Bonnie and Aoife to find the missing Pokémon.

Fortunately, due to Jessie’s carelessness, it doesn’t take long before the quartet finds and frees the three Pokémon, but they remain wary of the machine as they return to the others. This soon escalates into a prolonged chase, and as they reunite with their companions, the united group destroys the mecha… only to accidentally set the surrounding forest on fire. Seeing this, Ash’s Sliggoo uses Rain Dance to put the flames out and triggers his evolution into a Goodra before blasting the TRio off with a Dragon Pulse. Following this, Ash resumes his Double Battle against Raichu and Wartortle and wins with Goodra and Pikachu before Tierno separates from the group.

In the aftermath, the party arrives at Lumiose City as night falls, with Ash determined to battle Clemont for his next badge. Looking out over the shining city, Philippe regards his staff and sword before channelling his Aura through them, deciding that, once again, the time has come to talk to Xerneas and Yveltal.

870.   Confronting the Darkness!

Having returned to Lumiose City, the party reunites with Clemont and Benoit just in time for the former to be arrested for several crimes that Clembot had supposedly committed. Protesting his creation’s innocence, Clemont enlists Philippe to help him, and the investigation receives some additional support in the form of Alexa and Meyer, the former of whom reveals that Blaziken Mask has seemingly been involved in the case too (much to the latter’s nervousness). As Philippe silently confirms the vigilante’s identity to the Knights, the group investigates Clemont’s computer and discovers that it was hacked by an outside source named “Belmondo”, who had copied Clembot’s blueprints and who plans to target the Lumiose Museum next. However, as they head out to share the information with Alexa, Benoit is sidetracked by the two Honedge and separates from the group with Aoife to catch them.

Exasperated, Clemont explains to Philippe that the Aura Knight has been trying to add the Pokémon to his team for the last five days as they meet Alexa and hand her the information, but the group is forced to put this on the back burner when they discover that “Belmondo” is the name of a student from Lumiose University who was recently expelled from a robotics course that Clemont was taking in his spare time. Suspecting that there is more to this than meets the eye, the Lumiose Gym Leader and his friends lay a trap at the Lumiose Museum later that night and successfully ambush the false Clembot and his creator, who reveals that he did this out of jealousy towards Clemont and his successful creation before he calls for backup and runs for it. Said backup soon arrives in the form of robotic duplicates of the Knights, and as Philippe chases after Belmondo, Clemont stays behind to guide Clembot as it faces its counterpart in a Pokémon battle. Fortunately, Clembot’s new empathic programming allows it to triumph over its doppelgänger and Belmondo’s Magnezone with his creator’s Heliolisk, but the Dark Clembot refuses to accept defeat and threatens Clemont, who is subsequently forced to destroy it with his Luxray.

At the same time, Ash, Dina and Serena are saved when Benoit and Aoife return and destroy the other robots with the two Honedge that the former caught after a gruelling battle over the rooftops, and Philippe tackles and pins Belmondo before he can make it out of the museum grounds. However, the disgraced student reveals one last trick up his sleeve when he summons a duplicate of the Lost Prince, which matches the real deal in strength and agility as it mocks him with petty lies and counters his Mega Evolved Pokémon with robotic facsimiles. All this soon takes its toll on Philippe, and he snaps, swapping out Xerneas’ staff for Yveltal’s sword before brutally slashing and dismembering his robotic doppelgänger to reduce it to a pile of scraps on the ground. With a nearly murderous intent, he turns to Belmondo, but Blaziken Mask intervenes and restrains him, reminding the Lost Prince of who he is to his friends and what he represents to all of Kalos as Belmondo is knocked out by a couple in red and blue robes. Turning to Philippe, the couple proceed to calm him by pulling the Sword of Death out of his hands, and as he regains control, the Lost Prince realises what he nearly did and is overcome with guilt as he thanks Blaziken Mask for stopping him from doing something rash. Humbly deflecting the claims that he is stronger and wiser, the vigilante assures Philippe that they have all made mistakes and lost people they care about before escaping into the night just before Alexa arrives.

With the situation resolved, Ash and Clemont prepare for their forthcoming gym battle as the following day breaks, while Alexa meets the Knights at a local hotel for a follow-up interview. At the same time, Philippe, returning to his apartment alone, discovers the human forms of Xerneas and Yveltal waiting for him.

871.   The Moment of Lumiose Truth!

With the day of Ash’s gym battle finally arriving, he faces Clemont for the Voltage Badge in a 3v3 match watched by Serena, Bonnie, Meyer and Clembot. Beginning with Pikachu and Bunnelby, the two immediately start with the same moves as their first battle in Kalos, but this time, Pikachu is ready when his opponent grabs him by the ears and hits him with an Iron Tail. In response, Bunnelby retaliates with a combination of Wild Charge and Dig, only for these to miss and exhaust him enough for Pikachu to knock him out with an Electro Ball. However, Ash’s starter is so wounded that he chooses to be swapped out for Hawlucha, who faces the unfamiliar Heliolisk with a Flying Press.

Elsewhere, Philippe tells Xerneas and Yveltal that he needs advice on dealing with his family, starting with his surviving daughter, whom he last saw in Snowbelle City more than 15 years ago. Asking if they know what happened to her following “that argument”, he learns from Xerneas that she was rescued by a tribe native to Hoenn that recognised her as one of their own and should still be living there. Realising that she will likely run into his allies, Philippe laments the “poor” first impression he will likely make on her and accepts the unlikelihood of her forgiving him or “Raven”. At the same time, Alexa interviews the Knights as they walk around Lumiose City and learns about their journey thus far and the allies and Legendary Pokémon they have encountered. Intrigued about the other two kingdoms with Mythical Pokémon, she reveals rumours of one such Pokémon being sighted in the middle of a desert valley, which catches the Knights’ interest.

Back at the gym, Ash defeats Heliolisk by exploiting a vulnerability when it uses Flash and Parabolic Charge, but an unconcerned Clemont shrugs it off before unleashing Luxray. Instantly defeating Hawlucha with an Electric Terrain and Wild Charge, the Gleam Eyes Pokémon also takes out Pikachu, leaving Ash with only Goodra, who uses Rain Dance to remove the Electric Terrain. Realising what his opponent is trying to do, Clemont attempts to paralyse him upon deducing that he has the Hydration Ability, but the rain prevents him from doing so, and Ash consequently uses Bide to return the favour and defeat Luxray with his own power, thus winning the Voltage Badge. Having been beaten, an impressed Clemont concedes defeat and thanks Ash for pushing him to become a better Gym Leader, even as his opponent humbly claims that it was nothing while selecting Laverre City as his next destination on Serena’s suggestion. Simultaneously, with his injuries healed thanks to some rigorous physical therapy from Benoit, Clemont decides to rejoin the group and gives control of the Gym back to Clembot and Meyer, who promise to take care of it in his absence.

Meanwhile, Philippe acknowledges that it will be a tall order asking the two of them for help but expresses his belief that he has no other choice if he wants to face “her”. However, while Xerneas is hesitant about intervening directly, Yveltal is more willing to help train the Lost Prince if he defeats them in a Pokémon battle and teleports all of them to the front of a nearby cathedral to have their match. As the 2v1 battle begins, Alexa and the Knights are shown inside the same cathedral when the latter party notices an unfamiliar Legendary Pokémon in the stained glass. Identifying it as a “Zygarde” as the battle rages outside, Alexa tells the Knights that it is a reclusive and secretive Pokémon that has not been seen for at least 3000 years, and not much is known about it besides the fact that it keeps Xerneas and Yveltal in check. However, as the Knights examine the ominous images of hundreds of humans and Pokémon bowing to Zygarde, they realise that they have all seen it before in their dreams and decide to ask Philippe about it. The episode ends as Mega Charizard Y, Quilladin, and Mega Gyarados land the final blows on Xerneas and Yveltal, who submit to Philippe and agree to help him.

Chapter Text

872.   Garchomp’s Mega Bond!

Stopping by Professor Sycamore’s lab before they leave, the group discovers that he has obtained a Garchompite and a keystone, thus allowing him to Mega Evolve Garchomp, and Philippe and the Knights take the opportunity to update him on their latest experiences with Mega Evolution. As this happens, the disguised Xerneas and Yveltal explore the lab and encounter two new assistants, Sina and Dexio, who tell them about how one of Sycamore’s other assistants brought the Mach Pokémon in from the street, but the Legendary Pokémon quickly grow suspicious of the duo after they drop hints that they know who they are.

Before Sycamore can perform the test, Team Rocket crashes the lab and steals Garchomp, the keystone and the Mega Stone for a test of their own, and while Clemont manages to place a tracker on their mecha with help from one of Benoit’s Honedge, James unknowingly destroys it with Inkay. Heading out to find them, the group splits up to cover more ground in the forest, and the Knights take this opportunity to ask Philippe about Zygarde, but he proves to be cagey about the topic and refuses to speak about it openly. Despite this lack of transparency, the Knights keep their faith in him as Benoit locates Team Rocket in a nearby clearing.

Once the team has assembled, Clemont advocates a careful plan of action after Dina’s suggestion to call in Xerneas or Yveltal leads Philippe to reveal that they will only assist if the enemy is too powerful. As a result, the group adheres to Clemont’s plan, which has Ash and Aoife charging right in and drawing the TRio’s attention, allowing Sycamore to get close to Garchomop and free her, though not without suffering injuries of his own. However, as Benoit and Aoife try to get him out with Honedge and Skiddo, they receive some unexpected aid from two individuals: Blaziken Mask and a masked archer wielding a crossbow and a longbow. Seeing the signet ring the latter is wearing, the duo join forces with the newcomer and his Fletchinder in holding off the TRio’s mecha as Sycamore borrows Blaziken Mask’s keystone to Mega Evolve Garchomp, which quickly turns the tide of the fight. Calling it quits, Jessie, James and Meowth escape with the data they managed to obtain as Sycamore deduces who Blaziken Mask is from smelling motor oil on the keystone (which he had smelled earlier when Meyer fixed the lights in his lab).

Reuniting with Xerneas and Yveltal back at the lab, the Knights are formally introduced to the masked archer, Geoffrey “Geoff” Henderson, who reveals that Meyer had called him in for help and that the Legendary Pokémon had redirected him to help them when he arrived at the lab. However, as he is accepted into the team with open arms as he reveals his Mega Pidgeot for Sycamore’s research (with one of Philippe’s keystones), Geoff also recognises Dina’s Sliggoo and Ash’s Goodra.

873.   Defending the Homeland!

Guided by Geoff, the group reaches a series of wetlands on the outskirts of Lumiose City that were previously hidden by thick fog and meets his boss, a ranger named Keanan Andersen. Explaining to Ash and Dina that their Goodra and Sliggoo hail from this place, the older man reveals that the wetlands were attacked by a swarm of Bug and Poison-types several months ago, but the invaders have since settled down and segregated off a special healing spring at the behest of their leader, a Blue Flower Florges for unknown reasons. This has resulted in the water in the surrounding streams going down to dangerously low levels, and with the entire reserve in danger of drying out, the group agrees to help when Geoff asks for it, but Philippe and Dina confide in each other that they sense something strange nearby.

Upon reuniting with and hearing news of an attack from their old friend, a Wooper, Goodra and Sliggoo head further into the wetlands, and the group relies on both of their Fletchinder and Geoff’s Mega Pidgeot to get a bird’s-eye view of what turns out to be a siege on the last haven of the reserve’s local inhabitants. Fortunately, Goodra and Sliggoo manage to hold the line, and the latter even fights and wins in a one-on-one battle against the Florges. However, before they can exploit this victory, the defenders are suddenly blindsided by a Shadow Ball and Psybeam, distracting them long enough for an unexpected cloud of smoke to cover the battlefield and allow the invaders to retreat. Surprised to hear this when the group reports back to him, Keanan reveals that no Pokémon in the wetlands can use those attacks, causing Benoit to suspect that Team Rocket may be behind this (since Inkay and Pumpkaboo could have used the attacks).

Meanwhile, as Geoff and Aoife bond over their shared past as former soldiers, Philippe sees a photo of Keanan and a young girl with a Heracross and asks Keanan who she is as Clemont reviews the security footage. Upon discovering that she is his daughter, Emilie – who left home several years ago on a journey of her own and has not been heard from since – Philippe recognises her as one of the Knights and tries to tell him of her whereabouts, but a swarm of Ariados attacks the lodge before he can do so. In the ensuing chaos, Pikachu, Dedenne and Wooper are captured, and Dina is electrocuted into unconsciousness by the black-suited figure from the Allearth Forest when she tries to cut them free. Hearing her cries, Philippe and Benoit try to save her but are promptly captured by the figure, who evades Xerneas and Yveltal with a cloaking device before escaping into the night.

874.   Beyond the Rainbow!

Unable to rescue their friends, Ash, Serena, Bonnie, Clemont, Geoff and Aoife stage a rescue plan with Keanan, Xerneas and Yveltal after confirming Team Rocket’s presence in the reserve on the security cameras. Meanwhile, Philippe, Dina and Benoit awaken in a dark cave and meet the dark-suited figure, who verbally introduces herself – through a modulated feminine voice – as Essentia and withholds their Pokéballs, indicating that she will only return them once they have “faced themselves”. As she melts away into the darkness, Dina frees herself, but as she realises that this is no ordinary cave, she and her friends are suddenly separated from each other by an all-encompassing darkness. Subsequently, all three of them experience a series of visions – Philippe sees an apparition of “Raven” who asks him why he “abandoned” her, Dina receives a vision of her future self that warns her to remove herself from Philippe before she ends up suffering the consequences of his “sins” and Benoit encounters a spirit of a deceased Aura user who tells him of the cave’s strange properties while advising him to help the Lost Prince find balance.

Outside, Geoff and Xerneas track Essentia to the cave and sneak in to find her, but instead discover that Florges is working with Team Rocket to help her daughter, a Blue Flower Floette, with the healing spring. Suspecting that there must be more to this alliance, he shares the information with Aoife and Yveltal, whose investigation leads them to discover an automated turret protecting a pump draining the spring. Deducing that the TRio must be double-crossing Florges, the duo fight it while Geoff alerts Ash’s group of what they have found just as they arrive at the entrance to the spring.

With this new information, Serena and Clemont attack the guards, allowing the others to get inside and find the spring as Ash convinces the Florges that they mean no harm by revealing his Aura. At the same time, Aoife destroys the turret and the pump with her war hammers, but contact with her is lost moments later when Essentia ambushes her and Yveltal, and Xerneas leaves Geoff to save them. Using an Aurora Beam to drive off the assassin, she retrieves the stolen Pokéballs while Geoff intercepts and damages Team Rocket’s airship with a barrage of arrows and a Flame Charge as they try to escape, but this latter attack punctures the water tanks, which drain entirely.

Back in the cave, Aoife finds Philippe, Benoit and Dina, revives and updates them on the situation as Ash, Goodra and the Florges arrive from another entrance. Furious at Team Rocket’s endangerment of a child, the group pursues them, and Dina unleashes Sliggoo to fight Inkay, Pumpkaboo and Wobbuffet alongside Ash’s Goodra and Florges while Philippe faces Meowth with Quilladin. Remembering his vision, Benoit tells Philippe that this place is rich in Aura, and the Lost Prince subsequently draws on its power by using the memories of his family to motivate himself before forcefully subduing the TRio (who are sent blasting off with their Pokémon when their ship explodes) while Aoife frees the captive Pokémon. With the water gone, however, it seems there is no way to restore the drained spring… until Goodra uses Rain Dance in conjunction with Florges’ Grassy Terrain. To expedite the process, Dina uses her Sliggoo to help, and with a push from Xerneas and Yveltal, he evolves into Goodra too.

As the sun rises, Geoff checks up on the revived Floette and tells Florges she will be fine. However, large portions of the wetlands remain uninhabitable, and upon seeing how much he wants to help his friends restore his home, Ash decides to leave Goodra behind so he can help them. Seeing this, Dina asks her Goodra if he wants to stay behind too but is surprised when he declines, intending to get stronger before he returns home. At the same time, Philippe leaves Keanan a letter about his daughter, telling him that she is doing well and promising that she will return home someday. Promising to return, Ash says goodbye to Goodra as he, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Philippe, Dina, Benoit, Aoife, Geoff, Xerneas and Yveltal resume their journey to Laverre City.

Chapter Text

875.   So You’re Having a Bad Day!

With Ash in a depressed state over leaving Goodra behind, Serena tries to cheer him up despite suffering from an unbelievable streak of lousy luck alongside Bonnie, but her efforts are confounded by the usual Team Rocket shenanigans when they ambush the group. To make matters worse, this trap provokes three angry Pangoro, and the resulting chaos leads to everyone getting scattered all over the forest in smaller groups. Among these groups, Bonnie, Dedenne and Meowth end up getting tied together with thick vines that prevent them from separating and are forced to put aside their lingering differences from the last time they were forced to work together as they try to navigate through the dense forest.

Meanwhile, lingering questions from the battle in the wetlands lead Dina and Benoit to ask Philippe, Xerneas and Yveltal about what happened, and the Legendary Pokémon reveal that the caves they entered are like the Allearth Forest – a location full of naturally occurring Aura that acts as a natural sanctuary for the location Pokémon and a replenishing conduit for Aura users. However, they also reveal that the second function of the locations was only made possible through the work of beings like Raven Solstice, who had terraformed them by infusing the surroundings with her own Aura. Disturbed, Benoit asks Philippe if Zygarde had been there during the terraforming process, and after some hesitation, Philippe confirms this while revealing that they had been controlling him with a third relic created by Arceus itself.

876.   Scary Hospitality!

Lost in the forest during a thunderstorm, Ash, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie chance upon a mansion after getting separated from the Knights in a thunderstorm. Invited in by the owner, an elderly gentleman named Lon, they are initially grateful for the shelter, but Clemont soon notices several peculiarities in their surroundings, especially after Lon confirms that this is the infamous “Scary House” supposedly haunted by malevolent spirits. Feeling a sense of déjà vu as he grows increasingly paranoid, the Lumiose Gym Leader tries to use his inventions to prove that there is an explanation behind all this and discovers that a Gengar, a Haunter and a Gastly are responsible for the paranormal activity.

However, before the group can relax, Bonnie goes missing, followed by Ash, Pikachu and Serena, the last of whom Clemont sees falling down a trap door. On the verge of freaking out as he is left with Lon and the Ghost-types, he learns of a cellar in the basement, but when he investigates, he is horrified to see religious symbols plastered over the doorway. Nevertheless, after mustering his courage, he has Luxray, Bunnelby and Chespin break down the rusted door and find his friends and an old journal inside the chamber. Reading this, Clemont discovers that it belonged to a young boy who befriended the Ghost-type Pokémon while living in the mansion, as well as a photo of said boy that resembles a younger Lon—that was taken over 200 years ago. Remembering the account, Lon confirms that the photo is his before revealing that he is actually dead, causing everyone to scream in horror.

The next morning, the quartet are awakened in the middle of the forest by Philippe and the Knights, who claim that they found them where they are and have been watching them for the past few hours. Shaken, the group wonders if it was all a dream, but unbeknownst to the others, Bonnie and Dedenne discover a photo of them, Lon and the three Ghost-type Pokémon in her bag.

877.   A Fashionable Battle!

Upon arriving in Laverre City, Ash learns that Gym Leader and famed fashion designer Valerie de Caro is currently occupied with her seasonal fashion show, necessitating a postponement of their battle until the following day. At the same time, Clemont reunites with Sawyer and introduces him to the others, with the younger boy showing interest in and admiration of Ash due to his previous travels as he challenges him to a Double Battle. However, while most of their friends follow them to the battlefield to see this, Serena, Bonnie, Philippe, Dina, and Benoit decide to explore the massive gym upon realising that it also serves as a fashion store, with the latter three planning to buy specific items and upgrades for their gear. As human companions separate, Xerneas wonders what she and Yveltal should do, only to see the latter being drawn away by a strange, recognisable melody.

During their shopping spree, Serena, Bonnie, Benoit, and Philippe are interrupted by two assistants who escort them to a private room. Observing this, a suspicious Dina follows them into the restricted back corridors with a new amulet that enables her to pick locks and disarm the security system, only to run into Valerie herself, who explains that she had taken the girls to ask for a favour. Instantly forming a connection with Mawile and Sylveon, the quirky gym leader apologises for excluding Dina before bringing her to Philippe and Benoit – with whom she had been having tea – and encouraging them all not to miss the show before she departs. Commenting that Valerie seems “weird”, the baffled Dina discovers from Philippe that they were merely catching up on each other’s lives and is astonished to learn that he has known her since childhood due to her proficiency in Aura, which allowed her to communicate with Pokémon.

Later that evening, Ash, Sawyer, Clemont, Geoff and Aoife reunite with Philippe, Dina and Benoit, who explain what happened to them as they assure the former that they have secured him a spot for his match with Valerie. As Xerneas and Yveltal likewise return, the show begins, and as Serena and Bonnie are shown among the models (as the originals could not show up due to prior obligations), Dina quickly realises why Valerie wanted them to see the fashion show when she appears onstage with a couple dressed in the style of and accompanied by a Gardevoir and a Gallade, both of whom are wearing signet rings. Recognising them as two more members of the Knights of Kalos, she alerts Philippe as Valerie eyes Sawyer in the crowd and invites him to have a 1v1 gym battle right there and then – before proceeding to defeat his new Bagon with her Spritzee.

In the aftermath of the show, the group reconvenes at the Pokémon Center, where Ash decides to do some last-minute training with Sawyer so he can prepare for his match (though he finds it hard to concentrate after seeing Serena in the dress she had modelled in). At the same time, Philippe and the Knights visit the gym, where Valerie introduces them to the final two Knights of Kalos – musician Wolfgang Brahms and singer Renata “Ren” Svobodová.

878.   Fairy-Type Trickery!

As the sun rises the following morning, Ash begins his 3v3 match against Valerie, who starts with a Mr. Mime. Cautious of the type disadvantage his team has against hers, he uses Hawlucha, who lands a few quick blows with Karate Chop, but his more agile opponent retaliates with a Psychic, which forces Ash to recall the Wrestling Pokémon and use Fletchinder instead. With his superior speed, the Ember Pokémon exploits the type advantage and knocks out Mr. Mime with a Flame Charge, leading Valerie to comment that Ash can understand his Pokémon very well, a remark that Serena, Clemont and Sawyer agree with.

Elsewhere, Philippe and Dina speak to Renata and Wolfgang as they prepare for a concert and learn how they obtained their gear from the Battle Chateau and their Gardevoir and Gallade. Getting straight to the point, Philippe reveals his identity and asks them to join him by offering the last two keystones as a gesture of goodwill, but both are hesitant and reply that they need time to consider the offer. With nothing else to do (since Benoit, Geoff and Aoife are busy practising their battling skills against their Pokémon), Philippe and Dina decide to attend the concert, where they discuss the next step before deciding to head to the location of the second minor kingdom that Alexa mentioned. As this happens, Renata and Wolfgang incorporate Mega Evolution into their performance, which turns out to be a rendition of an old song and dance that Philippe remembers from his youth, and he stays until the end of the performance, feeling nostalgic for the past as he remembers his first life.

Back at the gym, Ash faces Valerie’s Sylveon and eventually takes it out with a well-timed Steel Wing and Brave Bird. However, the combination leaves Fletchinder winded, and he soon falls to Valerie’s final Pokémon, the Spritzee from the day before, which forces Ash to bring out Hawlucha again as his opponent uses the Trick Room tactic that she used to defeat Sawyer. Thinking fast, he hits on the idea of something that he learned from Aoife and has Hawlucha tank a Gyro Ball with an X-Scissor, resulting in him gaining enough collateral force to break the Trick Room and defeat the exhausted Spritzee with a High Jump Kick. Though disappointed at not being able to use a third Pokémon, he still accepts the Fairy Badge as Valerie commends his skill while an inspired Sawyer asks Ash for another battle, which he accepts as they leave the gym.

At the same time, Philippe and Dina arrive to talk with Valeria in private, and she brings them into a room where Xerneas and Yveltal have been resting while talking to other curious and awestruck Pokémon. Speaking to the Lost Prince, the Fairy-type Gym Leader tells him that he does not need to ask her anything as she can already sense the inner turmoil in his soul and assures him that she will always be on his side as she believes he is a good person. Thanking her, Philippe receives a hug “for good luck”, but as he leaves, Valerie stops Dina and tells her that although she meant what she said, it will be up to her to keep him on the right path, as she is the only Knight he will truly listen to when things go south.

The Train to Freedom

As the train barrels through the Kalosian countryside towards Lysandre Labs, Sabine and Milos continue to debate what could happen once they arrive at their destination and eventually rope Elsa into the discussion when they cannot come up with a satisfactory answer. While this is going on, Isabella decides that the time has come to settle the demons of her past and approaches Joaquim in the train’s dining car, where he is revealed to be nurturing the Noibat egg. Sensing her presence, he initially remains silent but eventually turns to ask her why she saved his life when he and Nightshade fell into the sea, and in response, she replies that she doesn’t want him to die. However, Joaquim scoffs at this and reminds her that although she didn’t let him die “the last time”, she had hurt him in a far worse way than she could ever imagine…

Several years ago, Isabella and Joaquim grew up in a small coastal town in southern Kalos and were close friends throughout their childhood. As it turned out, both of them were adept in Aura, but Joaquim’s powers and skills were dwarfed by Isabella’s more potent abilities, which granted her immense mastery over Pokémon and humans. Desiring to find out more about her limits, she delved deeper into the study of Aura, and her practice sessions eventually bore fruit when she manifested actual magical powers, but this came at a cost as Joaquim began to distance himself from her out of jealousy and spite towards her natural prowess. This eventually culminated in a massive argument at their school, during which he bitterly revealed that her sheer mastery over her Aura was why she had no other friends besides him, as none of them thought themselves worthy of matching up to her. Driven to tears by the revelation, Isabella subsequently cut ties with Joaquim and refused to speak to or acknowledge him.

In the present, Isabella asks Joaquim if he thinks they have a second chance, but a loud explosion shakes the train before he can reply. Grabbing the egg to prevent it from falling off the table, the bounty hunter contacts Emilie, who was stationed at the back of the train, but only receives silence and decides to head for the cargo car where Nightshade is hiding as he tells Isabella to check on the Megalith. Though she is not happy, she obliges and runs back through the train, passing by Heidi and Courtney before she runs into Sabine, who tells her that they are being attacked… right before a long arm breaks through the window, grabs and yanks her out. Shocked, Isabella is forced to leave due to the train’s speed, but as she rushes back through the train, she (and Joaquim, who reaches Nightshade and begins prepping her for the fight) remembers her past again.

Upset by the reason behind her alienation, Isabella made plans to leave her home and rejected all of Joaquim’s guilt-ridden attempts to reconcile with her. However, during a trip into the woods, she stumbled upon a small, winged creature and bonded with it through her Aura as it grew, eventually naming it Nightshade after taming it. As it turned out, this creature was empathic and sentient, and it suggested that she bury the hatchet with Joaquim, prompting her to make one final attempt before her departure. Unfortunately, this coincided with the abduction of Joaquim’s baby sister, which drove the entire town into hysterics as search parties were organised to find her, but this caused Isabella to alter her approach instead as she decided to help find the missing child on her own to make it up to him. To this end, she acted on her Aura-related dreams and retrieved her gear from the Battle Chateau before returning and brutalising several local thugs in her search for the culprits.

Back in the present, Sabine faces her assailant as she regains her bearings on the roof of the train car… or assailants, as it is revealed that they are both hooded figures the Knights previously encountered! Unleashing her Pangoro and Scizor, she brandishes her scythe as she fights alongside her Pokémon, blocking blows from their halberds and swords until they send her running with a pair of high-powered, dart-launching gauntlets. Taking cover behind a ventilator, Sabine reaches out with her Aura to contact Milos, only to learn that he is defending the Megalith from several other masked goons with Elsa. Below, as Isabella rushes to the Megalith, she finds the unconscious Emilie locked in a compartment and revives her, learning that she got jumped by the hooded figures before she could raise the alarm. Helping her to her feet, Isabella tells Emilie she has a plan but warns her that she might disapprove of it.

Forty-five seconds later, the duo arrives at the prison car and frees the red-eyed girl, returning her Pokéballs and weapons as she informs her what is happening before presenting her with a choice – fight alongside them or die in her chains. Scoffing, the girl points out that she could join forces with those attacking them, but Isabella insists that she won’t before revealing that she can sense a great deal of inner turmoil within her. However, while she expresses her understanding that joining the Knights may conflict with her beliefs, she also points out that she must make peace with her past to move forward, which impresses Emilie. Commending her comrade as they move back through the train to find Joaquim, Emilie asks Isabella where she heard that, which triggers another flashback to her past…

Following many sleepless nights and acts of brutal violence, Isabella tracked down the kidnappers in a hidden cave. Unfortunately, while she effortlessly defeated them with Nightshade and her Gengar, she discovered that she was too late to save Joaquim’s sister, and in her grief and rage, she lobotomised the last surviving kidnapper—just as several townsfolk chanced upon the scene. Disturbed by her brutality and fearing her power, they blamed her for the kidnapping before swarming and attempting to lynch her, but she fled, leaving behind Nightshade when it volunteered to hold them off. Having lost the last links to her life in Kalos, she then travelled to Coumarine City and stowed away on a cargo ship bound for Hoenn to start a new life.

In the present, the red-eyed girl regards one of her Pokéballs before opening it to reveal a Whismur. Addressing it as “Aster” as it nuzzles her, she wonders if she has a choice in dictating her future if she is running away from her past and realises after some self-reflection that she has been running for too long. With that, she resolves to face her demons and fix her tumultuous relationship with her loved ones but also realises that there is only one option that will allow her to do this…

Still on the roof, Sabine is saved by Joaquim, who flies in with Nightshade and blasts her attackers with fire, but they are surprised when their opponents are revealed to be immune to the flames when they recover and retaliate with blasts of dark Aura. As the duo adjusts their strategy, Emilie and Isabella emerge from a hatch and join the fray with the former’s Vivillon… just as the train enters a tunnel. With barely any time to react as the beings escape in a cloud of black smoke, Sabine and Emilie abandon the fight and dive back inside the train as Joaquim attempts to grab Isabella, only to fail and be forced to pull up on Nightshade to avoid a collision.

Fortunately, Isabella is revealed to have saved herself by allowing her Mega Gengar to possess her body, thereby giving her a degree of durability as she pins herself to the side of the train. Shimmying her way along its side, she finds a doorway to a passenger compartment in one of the last carriages and enters it, only to find three Inkay hiding inside, which she tries to comfort. But as she calms them down, she suddenly senses something wrong and dives to the floor, grabbing and covering the Inkay just as the seats of the compartment (and every other one in the car) are shredded by a machine gun mounted at the end of the carriage that the masked goons are manning.

Unable to get up without getting shot, Isabella crawls out of the compartment and bumps into Elsa, Heidi, Milos and Courtney, the latter of whom was shot and wounded while charging the gun. With there being no other way to get to the operator, Isabella turns to the Inkay and convinces them to work with her to save the others on the train before sending two of the Revolving Pokémon to get as close to the operator as possible so they can jam the gun with a Psybeam. Crawling back into the compartment, she waits for the gun to stop, and when it does, she quickly gets up and fires a magic missile through the hole to the back, nailing the man in the head. Catching onto this plan, the other goons drive off the Inkay before resuming firing as the train exits the tunnel, pinning Isabella down, but this lasts for five seconds before the Draconid and her Mega Salamence immolate them. This causes the rest of the gun’s ammunition to detonate in an explosion that nearly engulfs them, but they are saved by Joaquim and Nightshade, the former of whom realises that Isabella must have let her out of her cell.

Thirty minutes later, as the others recover from the attack, Joaquim finds Isabella in the wrecked dining car and accuses her of letting their prisoner out, which she does not deny. However, when he asks why, she reveals that while the easy answer would be to say that they needed help, she doesn’t know if it is an answer she wants to say and admits that she is still unsure of how to speak to him after all this time. Admitting that she hasn’t “liked” people since that day, Isabella is cut off by Joaquim, who asks her if she killed his sister, and as she definitively whispers that she did not, he remembers his past…

Following Isabella’s escape, the townsfolk captured Nightshade, but it formed an empathic link with Joaquim, who convinced them to spare it under the pretence that it was just a wild animal. Once they were alone, Joaquim spoke with Nightshade, who revealed to him the circumstances behind Isabella’s departure and what she had gone through to search for his sister, making him immensely guilty. Blaming himself for her disappearance, he spent the next few years searching for her while furthering his career as a bounty hunter, but he had always come up short, even after visiting the Battle Chateau and retrieving his gear to help him. Eventually, he got a lead on her location from Junichi and had been contemplating how to get to Hoenn when he came across Sabine, Milos and Emilie.

In the present, Joaquim repeats his question to Isabella, who realises his intent and, having realised that she doesn’t want to run anymore, opens her Aura to him for the first time since their argument. Now able to read her emotions, Joaquim learns everything she has been through since they last saw each other, including every questionable act she has committed and every secret she has hidden, and through this, he finds closure. Having likewise found her solace, Isabella apologises as she embraces him, and as they bury the hatchet and comfort each other, the Pokémon egg hatches into a Noibat. But as Nightshade nuzzles the newborn Sound Wave Pokémon, the still-unshackled Draconid is seen back in her cell, wondering where this path will take her as the train continues towards Lysandre Labs.

The credits are shown as a series of still images, displaying Isabella’s journey through Hoenn, how she met Junichi, and her life on Paradiso for the next few years before she reunited with Joaquim.

Chapter Text

879.   Rivals: Today and Tomorrow!

After accidentally misplacing his notebook outside the Laverre Gym, Sawyer’s frantic attempts to search for it come up empty-handed even after combing the entire town. Unbeknownst to him, Team Rocket finds the notebook and mistakes it for Steven Stone’s due to a photo of him being affixed to the inside of the front cover, while a despondent Sawyer explains to Ash and Clemont that the notebook was a gift from Steven and contains not only all the notes and observations from his journey but also vital information on various Mega Evolutions. Understanding his predicament, Clemont advises him to use his Slurpuff’s keen sense of smell, and it does track down Team Rocket, who returns it upon realising their error. However, upon discovering the notebook’s contents, the TRio attempt to steal it back leads to them getting blasted off by Benoit, Aoife and Geoff’s Mega Houndoom, Mega Abomasnow and Mega Pidgeot. Watching all this, Valerie persuades Renata and Wolfgang to accompany Philippe on his journey so they can know who they are, and with her encouragement, they approach him in the Pokémon Center.

Later that night, the group decides to travel to Anistar City via Dendemille Town, where Serena can participate in her next Showcase. However, as Philippe prepares for negotiations with the second minor kingdom, Xerneas and Yveltal decide to separate from the group for a while to investigate something, though they assure the Knights that they will meet up at Anistar to see “where it all began”. At the same time, Ash and Sawyer have a 3v3 battle to make up for their unfinished one the previous day and with prior knowledge of how his opponent works, the former quickly takes down Bagon and Slurpuff, allowing him to face Treecko with Frogadier. Both Pokémon turn out to be evenly matched, but while the younger trainer enables his Pokémon’s evolution into Grovyle, he is ultimately defeated. Nevertheless, Sawyer is inspired to get stronger as Philippe and Serena note the newfound rivalry and Ash’s innate ability to bring out the best in others due to how he views the world.

880.   A Not-So-Flying Start!

Back on the road, the group finds an abandoned Pokémon egg near a tree that hatches into a Noibat. Stuck with a baby Pokémon, everyone tries to help it acclimate to its new surroundings, but after many attempts, they discover that only Ash can calm it as it imprinted on him when it hatched. Meanwhile, Philippe introduces Renata and Wolfgang to the rest of the Knights, who are a bit sceptical of their placement in the group. However, a chance encounter with Team Rocket that traps the couple in a dark cave with Noibat and Hawlucha allows them to show off what they can, including the ability to use their Aura to boost the morale of their allies, a veritable arsenal of hidden weapons built within Wolfgang’s musical instruments and Renata’s hypnotic singing, which incapacitates the TRio and allows them to blast them off with a pair of Meowstic. As the day ends with Noibat getting some training from Wolfgang on handling his echolocation, Ash adds the young Sound Wave Pokémon to his team.

881.   A Relay in the Sky!

Stumbling upon a Pokémon Sky Relay, Ash enters with Fletchinder, Hawlucha and Noibat so he can teach the latter how to fly, and goes up against the previous winner, a boy named Orson, as well as Geoff’s Pidgeot and Fletchinder. Going side by side, both teams stay neck and neck as they clear the various obstacles and clash with the other competitors, including Team Rocket, whom Aoife ultimately handles with a mace and Mega Abomasnow. Eventually, it comes down to Noibat against Geoff’s Fletchinder and Orson’s Starly, but when the Sound Wave Pokémon cannot get past a disorienting updraft wind current no matter how hard he tries, the Ember Pokémon sacrifices her winning chance to help him spread his wings. As a result, Noibat gains the ability to fly while Fletchinder evolves into a Talonflame, causing a proud Ash and Geoff to celebrate their greater success as Orson wins the Sky Relay.

882.   Lights! Camera! Pika!*

While walking through the forest, the group chances upon a movie shoot featuring multiple Pikachu, and the director, Frank, eyes Ash’s partner as the newest star for his latest movie starring five other Pikachu in various costumes (which are nicknamed “The Cosplay Pikachu”). With some persuasion from his granddaughter and assistant, Jean, the group decide to help him make the movie, but while the Knights settle into their departments, Philippe has trouble finding his area of expertise and calls Diantha for advice… only to interrupt a battle she is having with Trevor, though she manages to give him some words of encouragement by telling him to follow his heart as he did for his Pokémon. Hanging up, Diantha defeats Trevor’s Florges within minutes and commends his tactical approach to the battle, only to be interrupted by Kathi Lee, who informs her of a recent attack on a cargo train.

Unaware of this while refining the script, Clemont, Wolfgang and Renata submit it to Frank as filming begins and continues for the rest of the afternoon, with Philippe and Benoit manning a second unit to quicken the pace of the shoot with additional sequences. Once the post-production is done later that night, the group is treated to an early preview of the final cut, which brings Frank to tears as he profusely thanks the group for helping him achieve his dream. Having enjoyed the experience, Philippe receives a copy of the completed film from Jean for distribution and once again reaches out to Diantha to help bring an old man’s dream to life. The episode ends with a behind-the-scenes shoot created by the girls and several bloopers throughout the production.

883.   A Frenzied Factory Fiasco!

While exploring the world-famous Pokéball Factory, Ash, Serena, Bonnie and Clemont are tricked by a disguised Team Rocket into handing over their Pokémon before getting locked in a storage room. Having split off beforehand due to seeing right through the TRio’s disguises, Philippe and the Knights attempt to intervene, but are lured into a gas chamber and are knocked out, save for Dina, who escapes through the ventilation system with several of their smaller Pokémon (including Sylveon, Mawile and both Honedge and Meowstic). With the factory being mostly automated, she reunites with Pikachu, who managed to escape the case he was trapped in, and they work together to stop the TRio heist, leading to a battle on the factory floor against Meowth, Growlie and Wobbuffet. At the same time, Jessie and James attempt to thwart their progress by hijacking the controls of the assembly machines but run into issues of their own when they are forced to fight Dina’s Pokémon.

As Clemont blasts the doors open with one of his inventions, he and Bonnie stumble across the knocked-out Knights and revive them while Serena and Ash split up to find Team Rocket and free the captive factory workers. Meanwhile, the scuffle on the assembly line soon spills into the Pokéball storage facility, resulting in Pikachu nearly capturing Meowth in a Luxury Ball as Dina uses all the equipment and Pokémon she has to gain the upper hand on Growlie and Wobbuffet. Having noticed the escape, James tells Meowth that they have to go, but they are confronted at the parking lot by Dina, who makes a deal with Meowth to give back all the Pokéballs if Pikachu beats him in a 1v1. Agreeing, Meowth squares off against his oldest enemy, but despite putting up an impressive fight with Pay Day and an inventive usage of Fury Swipes, he ends up losing when he is hit by a Volt Tackle, forcing Jessie and James to collect him and blast themselves off with a small number of Pokéballs, though they leave the group’s Pokémon in their haste. With that, Dina and Pikachu reunite with the others and are congratulated on their handling of the situation after seeing them in action on the factory’s security cameras.

884.   Performing with Fiery Charm!

Upon arriving in Dendemille Town, Serena decides to wear a dress she received from Valerie to the Showcase as she reunites with Miette, who comments on her new look before telling her that she is still intent on “having a chat” with Ash, which flusters her as the event begins. Assisted by her “backstage crew” of Dina, Benoit and Renata (who is revealed to be a former Performer who transitioned into singing), Serena learns that the first round is a Poké Puff bake-off but becomes worried when Miette and a disguised Jessie pass their rounds with ease. Fortunately, she manages to develop a Poké Puff inspired by her journey that ultimately wins the judges over, allowing her to proceed to the next round.

Learning that this is the freestyle round, Jessie does a circus-inspired performance that garners the crowd’s approval, but as she leaves the stage, she knocks into and “accidentally” rips Serena’s skirt. Horrified and at a loss as Miette takes the stage, Serena gets a second wind upon remembering something Ash said and makes a last-minute modification to her dress by trimming the hem. With this new outfit, she performs an elaborate dance that she had practised and choreographed with her Pokémon for weeks, and this ends up being the deciding factor in the voting as the audience, won over by the mesmerising spectacle, overwhelmingly votes in Serena’s favour and grants her the Princess Key.

Reuniting with her friends after the Showcase, Serena reveals what happened, but as Ash comments that she looked nice in her dress, Miette appears and congratulates her rival before declaring that she will win both the next competition and “the other one”. Though flustered, Serena keeps her cool and thanks everyone for getting her this far, particularly focusing on Ash for his words of comfort and advice. Meanwhile, Jessie, though irritated by Serena’s victory, tells James and Meowth that she has to step her game up even more to achieve a single triumph over the younger girl.

Concurrently with all these events, Philippe walks through the scenic town as he reminisces about his honeymoon with Raven Solstice following his resurrection and marriage. During this time, he also remembers her real name—Mystra—and the promise that he made to her to do what was best for not only their loved ones but also their home, country, and people.

Pokémon: Hoopa—The Mischief Pokémon

The short begins with Baraz departing from Meray and Hoopa aboard his Braviary, brusquely telling them to meet him in Dahara City. As she watches her brother leave, Meray remembers how they grew up together…

Years ago, the siblings had spent their childhood in Arche Valley, learning to control their innate ability to communicate with Legendary Pokémon. As the eldest one and the leader of their circle of friends, Baraz had taken his roles and responsibilities seriously, but Meray preferred to spend time with Hoopa and play pranks on the locals all day… until the day when the siblings and their friends, Kevie, Pitt, Lucianne and Tarık, got into trouble when Hoopa misinterpreted an order from Baraz and made it rain candy on a farmer by teleporting the treats from a local store.

Forced to return the stolen treats, the siblings (and Hoopa) were inadvertently reminded by the store’s owner, Mira, that they had the legacy of their great-grandfather, Ghris, to live up to, which caused Meray to remember that he was the one who sealed Hoopa’s Unbound form away approximately three thousand years ago. However, while the other children were captivated by the tale, Tarık displayed more interest in Ghris’ travelling companion – a young man wielding a staff and a sword while wearing a gold crown inlaid with three emeralds – and got into an argument with Meray over who was more important in the story until Mira intervened.

Subsequently, the children had been tasked with helping Mira make the latest batch of pastries, both as punishment and to teach them a lesson, and while they were kneading the dough, Tarık apologised to Baraz for his outburst at Meray. Due to his strong friendship with the other boy, Baraz accepted his apology, which led to him discussing Ghris’ many accomplishments throughout his life. However, while Baraz spoke highly of his late great-grandfather’s deeds, he doubted being a capable successor even as Tarık expressed confidence in his skills.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when Meray, impatient with their slow progress after misplacing the heavy load required to flatten the dough, told Hoopa to find something of a suitable heaviness to speed up the process… only for the whole thing to blow up in her face when the Graveler summoned by the Mythical Pokémon inadvertently broke a religious symbol modelled on Arceus. Fearing Mira’s anger, the children temporarily substituted a larger version of the symbol from the village fountain while hastily attempting to repair the smaller one with whatever supplies Hoopa brought them, but even this attempt to cover their mistakes ended in disaster when Baraz’s impatience with Hoopa led to him accidentally reattaching the final piece the wrong way.

Pushed to his breaking point, Baraz lashed out at Hoopa and blamed him for the mess, which caused Meray to admonish him as she defended the immature Mythical Pokémon. This caused Baraz to snap back at his sister over how she always took Hoopa’s side, and the argument soon escalated into a physical fight, forcing their friends to separate them just as Mira returned to break up the commotion. However, when Tarık admitted the damage to the statue in an attempt to take the fall for his friends, the elderly baker revealed that she already knew that the symbol was broken… and that it was a decorative fake, with the real one being in an altar in her home. With that, she let the kids off with a warning and gave them some of the doughnuts they were making earlier as a treat, though not before she had remarked that taking the fall for his allies was something Ghris’ companion would have done.

Hours later, as Tarık reflected on the day’s events while the other scarfed down the pastries, he decided to find out more about Ghris’ travels and whom he could seek out to learn more about Hoopa’s past to fulfil his purpose. However, as he shared his plans with the siblings, he soon realised that their fight had left a rift in their relationship, and they stormed off when he tried to get them to reconcile.

In the present, as Meray and Hoopa begin the trek to Dahara City, the former expresses her regrets over the fight she had with her brother all those years ago while morosely acknowledging the unlikeliness of him ever forgiving her even as Hoopa tries to cheer her up. Elsewhere, Baraz heads for the Tomb of the Ancients to retrieve Hoopa’s Prison Bottle, and Tarık – who is already in Dahara – ties a letter to a Pidove and gives it instructions to fly to a specific location in the southern reaches of their desert home, deciding that since they are going to restore Hoopa’s power, they should get help from the man who helped Ghris to begin with—the Lost Prince of Kalos!

Chapter Text

885.   Rotom’s Wish!

With no Pokémon Center in the immediate vicinity, the exhausted group checks into a run-down hotel where Ash catches wind of a training field in the building. However, he is appalled when he learns that guests have to wager their Pokémon as part of the terms and conditions, with them giving up their Pokémon if they lose. As an argument breaks out between him and the hotel’s owner, a thuggish man named Mantle, a Rotom appears and provides a distraction, allowing the group to seek shelter in a storage room. Here, they find out that during the hotel’s opening a decade ago, its former owner and Rotom’s trainer, Weston, was challenged by Mantle for its ownership, with the threat of harassing the guests if his demands were rejected. Out of duty to his customers, Weston had agreed to the battle but lost when Rotom fled the battle after being intimidated by the Krookodile’s roar, which caused the hotel to be reduced to its current pitiful state.

Though they empathise with Rotom’s plight, the group points out that they cannot do anything to change the past unless they have a time machine… at which point Philippe senses something and follows Rotom to a lone elevator. Entering it, the group is surprised when Rotom possesses the lift, causing a series of strange runes to become visible on the walls, and Philippe, recognising them as instructions for a time manipulation spell, has the Knights channel their Aura into them, allowing the Plasma Pokémon to supercharge the elevator. Following a flash of bright light, the group is transported back to that fateful moment, and Ash and Benoit intervene before Mantle can declare his victory, exploiting a loophole in the rules to buy time for Weston to get his Rotom, whom they find in the storage room. Learning that the custodians of the hotel have no battling experience, Clemont devises a plan upon seeing several electrical appliances and gets Weston to utilise Rotom’s ability to change forms and types by possessing said appliances, allowing him to defeat the Krookodile when he returns to the battlefield.

Incensed, Mantle and his goons attempt to take the hotel by force, but this incurs the wrath of Benoit, Geoff and Aoife, who proceed to thrash all of them with their Honedge, Talonflame and Skiddo. Once this skirmish has finished, Weston thanks the group for their help and takes their photo to commemorate the hotel’s opening, which they see when they return to the present alongside a statue of a cavalier in the now pristine hotel. With that, the group finally relaxes with a good night’s sleep as Weston celebrates the tenth anniversary of the hotel’s opening (along with the more subdued Mantle and his goons, who are now clerks).

However, as the following morning dawns, Philippe receives a letter from an unknown person addressing him as the Lost Prince of Kalos and inviting him to visit a nearby city that is part of the second minor kingdom. Learning that this person has been in contact with both Alexa and Diantha and needs some help with the local Mythical Pokémon, he shares this with the Knights, who all agree to head to this location after discussing the impending detour with their friends.

Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages

Following the letter’s instructions, the group heads to rendezvous point – a Pokémon Center in the middle of a desert – and relax by a pool as Benoit plots their next move to Dahara City, the location mentioned in the letter and the home of the Dahara Tower, a religious monument from which the city takes its name. Speculating that this site must be of great importance to their quest, Dina asks Philippe what he remembers of the place, and he tells her that it was where a friend of his named Ghris had captured the local Mythical Pokémon, though he has no idea where he could be now after they lost contact roughly 1500 years ago.

As the Knights continue to plan and speculate, Serena arrives with a plate of doughnuts she has made for everyone, but before Ash can try one, he notices a strange hand stealing the pastries through a strange portal-like ring. Alerting Philippe and Dina, he grabs it as they and Pikachu come to his aid, only for all four of them to be dragged through the ring to the other side, a pavilion on the outskirts of Dahara City. There, they meet the culprit: a small purple Pokémon with three golden rings resembling an impish djinn, and Philippe recognises him as a Hoopa before explaining to his friends that he is a trickster and kleptomaniac who insists on calling people nicknames that he creates for them. This is soon made clear when Hoopa, eager to show off his power, summons a large horde of Pikachu (including the five Cosplay Pikachu) for the sole purpose of making Ash find his own, and when Ash quickly solves this problem by using his Aura and his connection with his partner, the immature Pokémon throws a tantrum, inadvertently causing all the Pikachu to discharge their electricity into Philippe before he can shield himself with his Aura.

Fortunately, the situation is calmed down by a young man and woman who lecture Hoopa on his behaviour (though not before getting electrocuted too) before persuading him to send all the Pikachu back where they came from. With the situation under control, the girl introduces herself as Meray, a resident of Arche Valley and Ghris’ great-granddaughter, while her companion reveals himself to be the man who sent Philippe the letter, a merchant named Tarık Yılmaz. Introducing himself, Philippe asks her how Ghris has been doing—only to be saddened when he learns that his friend died a few years ago and grieves his passing as Ash and Dina ask the duo if there is any way they can bring the others to them.

Once everyone else has been brought through one of Hoopa’s rings and the proper introductions have been made, Meray and Tarık explain that they are trying to restore the Mythical Pokémon power at Dahara Tower, causing a cautious Philippe to ask them if they are sure he can control his emotions. However, while Meray expresses her faith in her friend’s abilities, Tarık admits that he isn’t sure and explains that based on Ghris’ final accounts, Hoopa still has a child’s mental capacity and maturity. Regardless, the group agrees to accompany them to the monument under the assumption that it will be a short trip, only to be disappointed when they learn that while Hoopa can transport them directly to their destination, he can’t travel through his portals, meaning that they will have to make their way there on foot.

Sensing that there is something else they are not telling him, Philippe presses them for more information just as another man approaches them. Recognising him as her older brother, Baraz, she coldly greets him as he approaches them, but is held back by Benoit, who senses something wrong with him… and his suspicions are proven correct when the man unveils a strange bottle and releases a shadowy force that possesses Hoopa. This causes the Mythical Pokémon to transform into a massive, six-armed being, and as an alarmed Philippe identifies this new creature as a “Hoopa, Unbound”, it immediately begins causing havoc, forcing Geoff and Aoife to act quickly as it begins throwing occupied buildings at the group. However, they are all effortlessly batted aside by the angry Pokémon, who tries to destroy the bottle before a timely intervention from Wolfgang and Renata allows Dina to kick it away.

Rushing over to Baraz, Tarık questions him about what happened, but the other man can only respond with confusion as he tells him that the last thing he remembers is something coming over him when he touched the bottle. Hearing this, Philippe grabs the bottle and infuses it with his Aura, encouraging Baraz and Meray to do the same despite noticing some friction between them. Fortunately, his words are successful, and the siblings complete the process, drawing out the dark spirit from Hoopa (who returns to normal) and resealing the bottle. Visibly exhausted from the effort as he grips the bottle, Philippe is supported by Dina as he comments that this was harder than the last time before explaining to everyone present that he and Ghris had enchanted the bottle to allow only themselves to handle it without getting possessed by Hoopa’s dark side. Turning to Baraz, the Lost Prince asks if he took it from the Tomb of the Ancients, and upon receiving confirmation that he did, he sternly tells him that he should have waited for them.

Taking charge of the situation, the Knights stay behind and tend to the injured while the others head to the Pokémon Center in Dahara City via a riverboat service. On the way, Tarık, Baraz and Meray (the latter two of whom are still giving each other the cold shoulder) tell Hoopa’s story to the group with help from Philippe’s first-hand accounts of what he witnessed…

Approximately 3000 years ago, Hoopa Unbound first appeared above the then-fledgling Dahara Town, consuming the inhabitants’ food before repaying them with a shower of gold. Taking a liking to this arrangement, the immature and lazy Mythical Pokémon returned to the city multiple times over the next few years, and the gold it paid the villagers allowed the town to expand into a city. Over time, however, the bored villagers began challenging Hoopa to Pokémon battles, which eventually resulted in the immature Mythical Pokémon summoning increasingly strong Pokémon to battle in his stead, and this culminated in a massive clash between other summoned Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, which threatened the city and its inhabitants. To prevent further loss of life, Ghris fashioned a magic bottle infused with Philippe’s Aura, and by using his powers to communicate with Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, he tricked Hoopa into sealing himself inside. As a result, Hoopa was reduced to his smaller, Confined form, and Ghris took advantage of his much more palatable state to bring the Mythical Pokémon into his family while he sealed the bottle away in the desert and assisted Philippe in the unification of the Kingdom of Kalos. However, as part of the enchantment, Hoopa was not allowed to pass through his rings until he had understood why he was imprisoned, which had caused Ghris, in the last years of his life, to permit him to form bonds with Baraz and Meray so that they would be able to help him regain his power.

Continuing their story as the boat docks at the Pokémon Center, Baraz reveals that the Dahara Tower was built on the hill where the bottle was forged, making it a holy location for the inhabitants of their home village in the Arche Valley. However, before he can finish, Meray cuts in by saying that they and their fellow villagers possess the innate ability to communicate with Legendary Pokémon and worship Arceus (from whom they supposedly received their powers) as a god. Irked, Baraz snaps at her, but a similarly irritated Tarık defuses the impending argument and forcibly separates them with a Spritzee before apologising to the group, revealing – over the siblings’ objections – that they have held grudges against each other for years ever since an incident in their childhoods and have only ever worked together out of necessity since then.

Upon hearing this, Philippe expresses his understanding of the situation before shifting the conversation back to Hoopa, towards whom he expresses his doubts over whether he has matured or changed from his childish ways. Insulted, Hoopa mocks Philippe and his wife, forcing Dina to calm him down before he can slap the Mythical Pokémon, though she advises him to give the Mischief Pokémon a chance by pointing out how he has changed from meeting new people ever since she first met him in Lumiose City.

Realising that she is right as Meray reprimands Hoopa, Philippe apologises for his outburst and admits that while he is still reluctant to accept Hoopa’s claims, he should give him a chance to prove that he has matured. However, before he can continue, Dina and Ash sense danger and tackle their friends to the floor as the front entrance of the building explodes.

Fortunately, everyone escapes serious injury, but as the smoke clears, Philippe is shocked to see Essentia standing at the destroyed entrance with two cloaked figures, both of whom quickly shed their robes to reveal a man and a woman with black eyes. Recognising them from his past, Philippe warns Dina not to engage, but she is forced to when Essentia instructs them to capture Hoopa and brings out Sylveon and Mawile, with Tarık and Ash joining her alongside Spritzee and Pikachu. Observing Baraz and Meray shielding Hoopa nearby, Philippe contacts the Knights while protecting Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie with Quilladin and Charizard, only to be attacked by Essentia, who demands he hand over the bottle just as he receives a reply from Benoit that they will arrive in two minutes. Refusing, Philippe duels her, but Essentia dodges his sword and manages to open the bottle on his belt.

Freed, the dark spirit emerges once more, but, having learned from its mistake, it forms its own body instead of possessing Hoopa. Quickly reacting, Baraz dives for the bottle, but the spirit shatters it and takes the form of Hoopa Unbound just as the Knights show up, forcing Essentia and her two companions to retreat. With the angry Hoopa Unbound threatening the safety of hundreds of lives in the Pokémon Center, Hoopa Confined summons a Lugia to battle his counterpart, allowing the group to escape across the rooftops of the adjacent buildings as everyone else heads out the door.

Bringing the other Knights up to speed on what they missed as they eventually stop in a deserted alley, Philippe and Dina wonder if Essentia has been following them. However, with more pressing matters at hand, they put the disturbing thought aside as Hoopa Confined refuses to face his alternate self out of fear, leading Baraz to propose the creation of another prison bottle to trap the entity. Remembering that they will need Fire, Water and Ground types to make such a container, Philippe tells the siblings that they will have to forge it at the Tower due to the high concentration of Aura present and warns them about what to expect as Hoopa Confined opens a portal to their destination. Alongside Philippe’s Charizard and Gyarados, Ash and Serena volunteer Frogadier and Braixen to help create the new bottle, but as they are short a Ground-type, the group settles on a Hippopotas that Bonnie saw earlier to act as a substitute. Furthermore, with Hoopa Confined still unable to pass through his rings, Ash, Philippe and Tarık decide to stay behind and escort him through the city while the Knights defend the rest from any potential attacks at the Tower.

With that, the group splits up, and as the Tower team arrives at their destination, they make their way into the depths of the structure via a secret entrance. Eventually arriving at a massive chamber with an enormous stone in its centre, Benoit comments that it resembles a primitive altar as he divides the Knights into pairs and has them take up positions around the room as Dina gathers the remains of the shattered bottle in a casting mould that Serena finds under the stone. However, with Baraz and Meray barely on speaking terms with each other, Clemont and Bonnie take it upon themselves to mediate between the siblings and convince them to work together by pointing out that, while they don’t have the same responsibilities, they still rely on each other when times were tough, encouraging Baraz to be more tolerant of Hoopa while prompting Meray to accept the burden they share.

Outside the Tower, Ash’s group runs into Hoopa Unbound while sneaking through the streets of Dahara City. Having disposed of the Lugia with a portal, he attacks them, but while Philippe slices its arm and allows them to escape into a storeroom, Tarık voices the realisation that the city may not be a good location to hide as Hoopa Unbound might tear apart the place to find them. Given how this would put innocent lives at risk, Philippe changes the plan to start an evacuation of the city, and Tarık informs both him and Ash of a citywide communications system that can be accessed from the top of the tallest skyscraper. With this revised plan, the trio make a break for it as Hoopa Unbound finds them, and as they do, Ash deduces that Hoopa is scared of the power he once wielded and tries to cheer him up by highlighting all the good things he could do with some guidance from Baraz and Meray (even when Hoopa points out Baraz doesn’t like him).

In an attempt to buy time, Philippe and Tarık split off from Ash, Pikachu and Hoopa Confined to lure Hoopa Unbound into the sewers, where the former brings out Mega Charizard Y and Gyarados for a battle, only for his opponent to summon a Kyurem. While the duo try to control the Boundary Pokémon as it erupts from the ground and begins rampaging through the city, Hoopa Unbound gets by them and intercepts Ash’s team as they arrive at the skyscraper. Thinking quickly, Ash tells Hoopa to summon a Pokémon that will allow them to reach the top as fast as possible and is rewarded with Latios and Latias, which allow him to ride them.

At the Tower, Benoit and Dina receive an update on the battle from Geoff, who observes Hoopa Unbound’s rampage from the safe side of the causeway leading to the Tower and wonders if they should help the others. However, Aoife expresses confidence in Philippe’s ability to hold off the danger… only to be cut off when the Tower’s lobby explodes. Heading over immediately, Wolfgang and Renata find her under a collapsed column but are attacked by the man and woman from before as Essentia sneaks into the altar chamber. Sensing her presence, Benoit faces her in a duel alongside his two Honedge while Dina assists him from afar with her short bow, allowing Serena to protect Baraz, Meray and the Liscio siblings as they try to complete the new bottle.

Elsewhere, Ash makes it to the top of the skyscraper with Hoopa Confined and leaves Pikachu behind with the Eon Duo to delay the Hoopa Unbound while he breaks in. Finding the automated comms system, he follows Tarık’s instructions to activate it and successfully directs everyone to the relative safety of Dahara Tower, but just as he finishes, the injured Pikachu is thrown into the room after being hit by a Dark Pulse. Grabbing him, Ash barely escapes the skyscraper on Latias and Latios before the Djinn Pokémon blows out the top floor with a Shiny Rayquaza that it summons, but as he descends to the street level, he finds Philippe and Tarık being chased by Kyurem, a Primal Groundon and a Primal Kyogre. Commenting on the impossibility of there being a second Weather Trio as his companions hop on the Eon Duo in an attempt to divert the battle away from the crowds, Ash learns from Philippe that Hoopa’s rings can not only transport people across great distances but between dimensions as well, meaning that these Pokémon are from alternate universes.

Back at the Tower, the lobby fight takes a bad turn when Renata is struck in the throat, rendering her unable to sing as Wolfgang’s opponent shatters his flute with his halberd. As they fight, Aoife wakes up, but despite realising that a stone has crushed her foot, she ignores the pain as she brings out Abomasnow and Mega Evolves him before ordering him to smash the debris she is pinned under. Once his trainer is freed, the Frost Tree Pokémon makes his way out and reunites with Geoff and his Mega Pidgeot, who saves Wolfgang and Renata with a barrage of arrows from his crossbow, allowing them to Mega Evolve their Gallade and Gardevoir.

Below, Benoit begins to tire against Essentia, but he is reinforced by Serena, Clemont and Bonnie, who join the fight with Braixen, Luxray and Dedenne. Working together, they lure Essentia into a trap by using Luxray’s Electric Terrain, which shatters her helmet’s visor to reveal a pair of blue eyes and forces her to retreat. However, as the others pursue Essentia, Dina overhears Baraz telling Meray that they need to enchant the nearly complete bottle with a prayer as an Aura user infuses it with their life energy, which would leave them weakened for a while. Since Philippe is not present, she volunteers for the process, pointing out that she is the only Aura user present and expressing her willingness to make the sacrifice, which strikes a chord in Meray.

Meanwhile, the situation in the city worsens with the arrival of a Dialga, a Palkia and a Giratina, even as Ash manages to purge the now Mega-Evolved Shiny Rayquaza of Hoopa Unbound’s influence. Jumping on, he takes control of the Sky High Pokémon to draw the attention of the other rampaging Legendary Pokémon, allowing Philippe and Latios to attack Hoopa Unbound directly. However, while this allows Tarık, Latias and Hoopa Confined to continue the evacuation to Dahara Tower, it still leaves their compatriots outmatched until the former is inspired by the appearance of Philippe’s Mega Charizard Y to have Hoopa Confined find Mega Stones for Rayquaza and the Eon Duo. Catching on, the group uses these to level the playing field when Philippe uses his keystone to simultaneously Mega Evolve all three of their Legendary Pokémon, and Hoopa Confined even helps by re-summoning the Lugia, granting them enough firepower to knock the Kyurem out of the fight.

Unable to comprehend that the tide is turning against him, Hoopa Unbound begins to feel the presence of the reforged bottle and shifts his target to Dahara Tower. Fortunately, the group makes it to the Tower with the Legendary Pokémon they have and finds the wounded Aoife, who updates them on what happened as she laments their lack of firepower. Understanding her concerns, Philippe suddenly remembers something and brings her to a section of Dahara Tower that is closed for an archaeological dig before uncovering and activating a hidden entrance leading to a seemingly empty room. Explaining that he and Ghris agreed to use this as a last line of defence if the location was threatened, he shows Aoife runes inscribed on the ground – a making out a rudimentary control interface – and despite not knowing what this could do, she sits down on the platform and channels her Aura into them.

Aboveground, Ash and Hoopa Confined try to have their Legendary Pokémon form a defensive perimeter around the Tower, but the Creation Trio get through… only to be stopped by a massive fist that is revealed to be part of an enormous stone and metal statue. As it begins pounding on the Giratina, Palkia and Dialga, Tarık recognises it and explains to Ash that the colossus was rumoured to have been built by the inhabitants of Arche Valley on Philippe’s orders and was meant to have been controlled by an Aura Guardian or Knight. Regardless, as the giant statue keeps the Legendary Pokémon at bay, Ash, Hoopa Confined and Tarık land at the causeway as Philippe finds and sends Geoff to support Aoife before helping the injured yet still fighting Wolfgang and Renata. As he duels the man and woman, he demands to know if they were sent by “her” and takes their silence as a confirmation as Benoit’s group emerges from the entrance to the altar chamber, still fighting Essentia.

Outside, Hoopa Unbound arrives and fires multiple Shadow Balls at the Eon Duo, the Mega Rayquaza and the statue, hitting the latter two due to their greater size. Seizing this opening, the Creation Trio target the statue alongside the Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre, and despite its durability, the sentinel is overwhelmed and demolished by the continuous attacks from five Legendary Pokémon, triggering a mental backlash that extends to Aoife when the connection is severed. As she collapses, Geoff supports her as they hobble back upstairs and grips her hand upon noticing that she is shaking to assure her that they will be all right.

Driven mad with fury at the thought of being imprisoned again, Hoopa Unbound assaults Dahara Tower, disrupting the multiple battles within and gouging out large chunks of stone which threaten the evacuees congregating at the side of the tower facing away from the city. Fortunately, Wolfgang and Renata save them from the falling rubble, but as Philippe and Benoit’s group continue their battles, Serena breaks off and heads to the entrance of the monument, only to be horrified when she finds a large mountain of rubble blocking the way out. Calling out for Ash, she tries to climb over the debris but stops when she hears a familiar voice.

On the other side of the rubble, Ash, Tarık and Hoopa Confined are found by Hoopa Unbound, and despite putting up a valiant fight with Frogadier, Fletchinder and Hawlucha, they are defeated. Roaring that he will not be imprisoned again, Hoope Unbound grabs Hoopa Confined and begins to squeeze him… but is suddenly distracted by a shout from Baraz, who is revealed to be standing atop the rubble with Meray while holding the reforged Prison Bottle. Instantly, the relic’s enchantment takes effect, and Hoopa Unbound can only watch as his power and dominion over his Legendary Pokémon army disappear, futilely demanding that they obey him.

However, as Baraz prepares to open the bottle to seal Hoopa Unbound within with the declaration that he is too dangerous for this world, Hoopa Confined – who is still being held in his larger self’s hand – interrupts him with a plea not to do this before turning to his counterpart. Having witnessed the destruction he is capable of and how people are willing to lay down their lives for him, he acknowledges their anger towards their imprisonment but tells him that if he does this, he is no better than those who locked him away. With that, he pleads with Hoopa Unbound to spare the inhabitants of Dahara, as while they have wronged and exploited them for their gain, they have also suffered enough from his rampage and do not deserve to die. Listening to the words of his smaller counterpart as he calms down, Hoopa Unbound expresses his scepticism that anyone would be willing to put up with him, but Hoopa Confined tells him that one family did, and shares a memory of when he, Baraz, Meray and Tarık got lost in the mountains and had to rely on each other to survive until Ghris rescued them.

Fortunately, this memory is enough to calm Hoopa Unbound fully, and he allows the bottle’s enchantment to take effect as it draws the worst of his anger inside, sealing it off and allowing both Mythical Pokémon to merge into a single being. Witnessing this as the group climbs over the rubble, Philippe berates a severely weakened Dina for putting her life at risk to enchant the bottle as he carries her on his back, though he acknowledges that he would have done the same thing had he been in her shoes. However, as a nearby Benoit guides Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, Wolfgang and Renata out, he sees Geoff carrying Aoife and goes over to help… just as Essentia (who managed to slip away in the earlier chaos) ambushes them and slashes Geoff over his left eye, blinding and causing him to drop Aoife as he screams in agony.

Hearing the commotion, Philippe, Ash, Baraz, Meray, Tarık and Dina rush over as Essentia’s allies appear. However, with Aoife in no condition to fight and Geoff out of commission, they are forced to rely on their Pokémon to protect their friends and assist Benoit. Furthermore, with the tower in a weakened state, the floor soon gives way, causing them to fall into the altar room, and as they continue to fight, Dina is fatally stabbed in the gut by the black-eyed woman after gaining the upper hand over Essentia. Enraged, Benoit pushes all three combatants back with renewed vigour and is joined by Tarık while Philippe stabilises Dina at the altar, only to discover that their fall into the room damaged it. Thinking fast, he turns to Ash and tells him to get Hoopa before revealing to Baraz and Meray that, following the original battle against Hoopa Unbound, Ghris helped replenish both of their depleted Auras by calling upon Arceus when they were close to death, a feat no one has accomplished since that day.

Despite the slim chance of this working, the siblings agree with Philippe to repeat the process to save Dina’s life and put aside their differences to implore Arceus for help as Philippe and Ash transfer their Aura to their dying friend. Joining them in prayer, Hoopa pleads for help… and is shocked when a bright light appears out of nowhere. From the other side of the chamber, Essentia’s allies recognise this and react in fear, abandoning the fight, grabbing her, and fleeing into the shadows as it engulfs the entire chamber.

Outside, the rest of the group finds Geoff and Aoife being carried by the latter’s Abomasnow and discovers what happened. But before Serena and Clemont can ask for an elaboration, Dahara Tower seemingly implodes from within, sucking in all the rubble and debris and forcing everyone to back away before it abruptly stops. Fearing the worst, everyone rushes over and finds a stunned Benoit and Tarık in the middle of a giant crater with a strange ball of white light hovering above the ground.

Elsewhere, as Ash’s eyes adjust to the sudden brightness, he finds himself standing in a white void alongside Pikachu, Philippe, Dina, Baraz, Meray, Hoopa… and Arceus, who inquires why it has been summoned. Upon learning the reason, the unamused Mythical Pokémon remarks that coming down to fulfil simple favours is becoming repetitive, but it nevertheless replenishes Philippe’s and Ash’s Aura as they finish healing Dina, acknowledging that “the Chosen One” is here “again” before turning to Baraz and Meray. Telling the siblings that it has always observed their growth from afar, Arceus explains that it was not their lineage that enabled them to summon him but rather their faith in their loved ones (Hoopa for Meray and the citizens of Arche Valley for Baraz). It then explains that anyone with sufficient faith in their beliefs can do the same – though it also states that it reserves the right to make the final judgment regarding endorsement. Returning to Ash and Philippe, the Mythical Pokémon recognises the latter, expressing knowledge of his current mission before turning to an awestruck Hoopa and welcoming him into the pantheon by telling him that he has passed his test of character. Having made peace with his past, Hoopa accepts his new family and bows his head as Arceus touches its hoof to his head, causing a bright light to emanate once more.

Outside, as Serena, Clemont and Bonnie begin to worry about their friends, Hoopa’s ring suddenly appears, and the healed Dina steps through, followed by Ash, Philippe, Benoit, Tarık, Baraz, Meray and Hoopa. Ecstatic at finally being able to pass through his rings again, the Mythical Pokémon decides to celebrate by bringing everyone back to Dahara City and transports everyone back to the other side of the causeway as he returns the rest of the Legendary Pokémon to their home dimensions. However, as the sun rises, Arceus mentally addresses the Knights as the group assembles on the causeway, telling them their journey has only just begun before its physical form rises into the sky from the ball of light. Its departure is witnessed by Ash and Pikachu, who remember the last time they saw the creator of the Pokémon World in Sinnoh, and as they reveal this to their stunned friends, Baraz and Meray finally bury the hatchet between them with a hug, promising to be there for each other as they lead their people into a new era. Finally, as Hoopa and Meray thank the group for their help, Philippe shakes Baraz’s and Tarık’s hands as he did with Ghris millennia before, thus paving the way for a new alliance between them with the declaration that they must stand together in these trying times or die alone.

In a series of mid-credits scenes, the Knights help oversee the initial reconstruction of Dahara City as Philippe appoints Baraz and Meray as the co-regents of Dahara and its surrounding territories, including Arche Valley. With Tarık agreeing to help their cause after a discussion with Dina and Benoit, the group departs with a promise to keep in touch and an assurance that they will meet again. However, in a post-credit scene, the black-eyed man and woman meet with a shadowy figure who listens to their report with great interest before speaking to someone else and informing them that “your paths will soon cross once more”.

Chapter Text

886.   A Festival Trade! A Festival Farewell?

Fresh from their adventure in Dahara City, the party arrives at a town hosting the Gourgeist Festival, an event where trainers dress up as their Pokémon. However, as the group decides to participate to take their mind off the recent events, Team Rocket are unexpectedly invited to Count Pumpka’s castle, situated on the outskirts of the small town, where they discover that the Count’s Pumpkaboo has fallen in love with Jessie’s Pumpkaboo due to her Super-Size type. Upon learning that he is willing to trade a Mega-capable Mawile for Pumpkaboo, Jessie seizes the opportunity by tricking Count Pumpka into catching Pikachu for them… only for his bodyguards to screw up and capture Chespin (who had been wearing a Pikachu costume) instead.

While all this happens, Philippe helps Dina recover from her near-death experience and discovers that she feels much more “aware” of the world around her, while Ash receives an unexpected call from an old friend – Max! Greeting the younger boy as he thanks him for the letter he sent months ago, Ash catches up with him on the recent events, discovering that he is now on a Pokémon journey of his own with an Electrike and recently went back and caught the Ralts he helped before. Feeling nostalgic, the older trainer imparts some words of wisdom for Max, advising him to form a strong bond with his Pokémon and, if he is aiming for the Pokémon League, to try his best until he manages to get to the top. Unfortunately, any further discussion is stopped when Ash receives news of Chespin’s abduction and is forced to end the call, saying goodbye to Max as he, Philippe and Dina head out.

Storming the castle, the group demands Chespin back, only to be trapped in an electrified cage. However, Jessie has second thoughts about the trade, and although she reluctantly goes through with it, she realises that she has made a mistake almost immediately when Mawile does not return her affection like Pumpkaboo did. But in a stroke of good fortune for her, Pumpkaboo evolves into Gourgeist due to the trade, causing the count’s Pumpkaboo to lose his infatuation for her and necessitating a reversal. With no real reason to keep Chespin either, Team Rocket gives him back to the confused group before departing via a self-inflicted blast-off, leaving the group to put the whole thing behind them as they are treated to a fireworks display over dinner in the castle.

Note: The re-dub of this episode is dedicated to former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who died due to complications from a bile duct tumour on July 11, 2015.

887.   Over the Mountain of Snow!

As the group rides on several Mamoswine to cut through a snowy mountain pass, they are forced to rely on Serena to negotiate and traverse the obstacles when the more experienced Aoife uncharacteristically declines to help them. Concerned for his friend, Philippe takes her aside and discovers that she is suffering from trauma caused when her mental connection with the sentinel in Dahara City was abruptly severed. With Geoff’s assistance, he tries to help her as the group encounters an Abomasnow caring for a sick Snover and decides to help by cobbling together a healing remedy from the local ingredients as instructed by Benoit. Persuaded to participate by Wolfgang and Renata, Aoife enlists the help of her Skiddo and Abomasnow to find said ingredients, allowing her friends to treat the Frost Tree Pokémon, and later defends them from a Team Rocket attack. In the aftermath, Aoife’s two Skiddo evolve into Gogoat, and after remembering Ramos’ words about finding her destiny, she decides to continue helping others in small ways while on her road to a full recovery.

888.   Adventures in Running Errands!

While resting at a Pokémon Center in a small town after their mountain escapade, Philippe learns from Wolfgang that Renata is having trouble recovering from the debilitating throat injury she sustained in Dahara City and speculates that it might permanently impair her singing abilities. Overhearing this, a distressed Renata isolates herself from her peers as a sudden thunderstorm hits the town and refuses to speak to them even as the building loses power due to a generator short-circuiting from a leaky roof. As the storm has similarly disrupted the communications, everyone splits into smaller groups to help Nurse Joy operate the Pokémon Center, with Ash, Aoife, Geoff and Benoit fixing the roof and Clemont and Wolfgang repairing the generator as everyone else treats the Pokémon with the medical supplies they have.

Once the rain abates, Clemont and Wolfgang send Chespin, Bunnelby and Meowstic on an errand to pick up replacement fuses for the generator. Seeking to spend time with her boyfriend, Renata’s Meowstic joins them as they set out, but the quartet are sidetracked when a Fearow steals the money that they have, forcing them to fight it to get the money back before both Constraint Pokémon deal with the angry Flying-type by blasting it with twin Psybeams. Meanwhile, Ash’s and Clemont’s groups reunite after finishing their tasks and find the rest of the group speaking with the local trainers and getting to know them and their Pokémon. Among them, Renata interacts with several musically inclined children who recognise her from her concerts, and as she is asked when her next performance will be, she reflects on how far her three careers (a Performer, a singer and a Knight) have come. Concluding that she will either recover from this injury or adapt in her own way, she confides her worries to Wolfgang, who promises his fiancée that he will always be there for her.

However, as Philippe is relieved to see this, he wonders what is taking their Pokémon so long. Heading out to investigate with Ash, Wolfgang and Renata, he eventually finds the four Pokémon being hounded by Team Rocket a short distance from the Pokémon Center and deduces from the dropped fuses nearby that they were jumped on the way back. But instead of helping them directly, he chooses to watch with the others as the Pokémon collectively blast the TRio off, proving that they can stand alone. With this annoyance resolved, the quartet retrieves the fuses and returns to the Pokémon Center just in time for Clemont to restart the generator and restore the building’s power, allowing operations to resume before the group hits the road again.

889.   Mending a Broken Spirit!

During a training session, Pancham accidentally breaks Braixen’s branch, causing her to sink into a deep depression. Feeling guilty, he tries to find a replacement, but she refuses to accept any replacement branch that the group finds, causing them to realise that she is associating her old branch with important memories that she shares with Serena. Empathising with the Fox Pokémon, Wolfgang and a poorly disguised James join forces to help her and direct Serena to a local tree surgeon named Woodward, who supposedly reattached the broken horn of a Sawsbuck. However, while he confirms this rumour, Woodward challenges Serena to a battle instead of fixing the branch, believing that this is the best way to determine what Braixen wants.

As the match commences, James and Wolfgang talk about their prized possessions, with the former going on about his bottle cap collection as the latter shows off his arsenal of musical instruments, all of which either possess built-in weapons or can enchant those around him. Explaining that each one has a purpose and associated memory, the musical maestro plays a melody on his violin as the battle continues, but laments the loss of his flute, which was an anniversary present from Renata. Unfortunately, before James can respond, Jessie and Meowth interrupt the battle to capture Pikachu, and while Serena, Philippe and Wolfgang send them packing in seconds, this action ends up incinerating what’s left of Braixen’s branch.

However, as Braixen despairs, Woodward admits that the branch was already beyond repair and explains that the battle was to teach her the value of letting go of the past to become stronger. Reflecting on this, Braixen sees the value of his words and forgives Pancham by accepting a new branch that he offers before fighting Woodward’s Gallade to a standstill. Thanking Woodward as the group prepares to return to the Pokémon Center, Serena gives him the fragments of the old branch, which he grafts onto a new sapling in the hopes that it will be useful to someone else as James returns to Jessie and Meowth with a new understanding of when to let go of old things. At the same time, Wolfgang returns to Renata with the decision to get a new flute to replace his old one, and the episode ends with them starting a practice battle as they Mega Evolve their Gallade and Gardevoir.

890.   A Legendary Photo Op!

Passing by the foot of an active volcano named Mount Molteau, the group reunites with Trevor and his now-adversarial Charmeleon, who immediately challenges Ash to a battle over his trainer’s objections. Thinking quickly, Ash calms the Flame Pokémon by allowing it to vent against Fletchinder before learning that its trainer is here to photograph a Moltres living in the volcano’s summit crater. Intrigued, he and the rest of the group agree to accompany Trevor, but as they hike up the slopes, Geoff has trouble with his depth perception due to the loss of his eye and confesses to Philippe and Aoife that this injury is also causing problems with his aiming, which is threatening his ability to use his ranged weapons. Worried, Philippe suggests using one of his Pokémon as a spotter to land his shots, but Geoff refuses due to his preference for working alone and out of fear that his concentration will be interrupted by the need to coordinate with others.

Reaching the peak, the group runs into Team Rocket, who are likewise interested in the local Legendary Pokémon, and the resulting scuffle wakes up the Moltres when a boulder falls directly onto its resting spot in the lava. Furious at being disturbed, it blasts the TRio off when they try to escape before turning to the group and engaging Fletchinder and Frogadier without breaking a sweat, forcing Geoff to provide cover fire with his crossbow. Predictably, he misses several shots and nearly hits the two Pokémon due to his impaired vision, but as he sends out Pidgeot, he remembers Philippe’s advice from earlier and, given the dire situation, sends out Talonflame to try the new tactic.

Fortunately, with this new method, Geoff manages to shoot the Moltres before it can incinerate the two Pokémon, but it quickly recovers and launches a Flamethrower at the group as they retrieve Frogadier. Acting fast, Ash’s Fletchinder blocks the blast and evolves into Talonflame before retaliating with a Brave Bird that drives Moltres into a corner, only to fall into the crater out of exhaustion. Without thinking, Ash jumps into the crater to save the Scorching Pokémon and catches him as Geoff saves them both with Pidgeot. Seizing the opportunity, Philippe reaches out with his Aura and calms the Moltres by forcing it back into the lava before turning to Ash and reproaching him (along with Serena) for his recklessness. Nevertheless, the placated Legendary allows them to leave in peace upon realising that they are not a threat, and with their latest encounter behind them, Trevor decides to join the group as they continue on their way to Anistar City.

The Gilded Cage

As the wrecked train arrives at Lysandre Labs, the Knights disembark and are immediately met by armed security, who demand that they come with them. Given how their recent battle has left them exhausted and unable to resist, Milos reluctantly tells the others to stand down as the guards escort them to the compound’s entrance to meet Lysandre. However, while the six greet the organisation’s CEO with suspicion, they are surprised when he thanks them for helping protect the Megalith and invites them to stay for a while. With little choice given their battered state, the group agrees as the Draconid is restrained and escorted into the facility by the guards, who ignore Isabella’s attempts to vouch for her.

Later that night, as the group recovers from their wounds, a restless Sabine gets out of bed and exits the building to view the stars, only to find Milos speaking to Heidi in a nearby field. Watching them from afar, she listens in on their conversation with her Aura sense and learns of the latter’s reluctance to fully join them due to her desire for “balance” and dislike of committing to a side. However, as she sees Heidi catch a White Flower Flabébé that has strayed from a nearby meadow in the darkness to prove her point with colour theory, Sabine senses a dark and foreboding presence nearby that she cannot pinpoint with her Aura sense.

Disturbed, Sabine searches the compound for the Haellmigk sisters when she wakes up the following morning and is directed by Joaquim and Isabella (who are busy caring for the former’s new Noibat) to one of the labs, where she finds them speaking to Emilie. Revealing what happened, Sabine asks her fellow Knight if she can sense anything with her heightened senses, but while Emilie confirms that she cannot after trying, she tells Sabine that she believes her and agrees to help. Meanwhile, the imprisoned Draconid is brought before Lysandre, who calls her by her name – Zinnia – and asks her to help them with their tests on Mega Evolution. Wary of the older man, she considers turning him down but eventually accepts upon sensing a familiar presence nearby and is brought to a new room to rest. Along the way, she runs into Alain, who does not acknowledge her, but once she is alone, Zinnia brings out Aster and ponders whether she has made the right choice as she hugs the Whismur.

Weeks later, as the Knights and Zinnia slowly grow stronger as they train and recover from their injuries, a still-nervous Sabine confesses to Milos about her worries over what she sensed on their first night as Emilie helps search the grounds and is surprised when he reveals that he had sensed something wrong too. However, he admits that while the uncertainty of what that might be keeps him up at night, he is currently focused on convincing Heidi to join them fully and confesses that she is a tough person to decipher. Deciding that she needs a distraction too, Sabine decides to help with Heidi’s recruitment and agrees to meet with her on the Lysandre Labs training field, where they proceed to have a three-way Double Pokémon battle.

During this fight, Sabine observes Heidi’s extremely methodical battling style, and upon finding no visible flaws in her Mega-capable Altaria, her newly evolved White Flower Floette or her weapon of choice, she directly asks the quieter girl what is keeping her from joining them after correctly assuming that she is having visions about Philippe and the future of Kalos. Sighing, Heidi acknowledges that Sabine is right and shows her past through several Aura visions…

Born and raised in Hoenn, Heidi had been childhood friends with Lisia after they had bonded over their first Pokémon, a pair of Swablu whom they had rescued from a poacher. However, despite growing up alongside and being overshadowed by the niece of the famous Coordinator Wallace Reyes, she was never jealous of Lisia’s successes, instead being more philosophical and contemplative about what she intended to do. As a result, while Lisia had followed in her uncle’s footsteps, the more unsure Heidi decided to take a trip to Kalos, and it was during this time that she found and retrieved her stuff from the Battle Chateau.

However, a few days before she was due to head back, Heidi encountered a strange, hooded figure who seemed to know a lot about her, and who told her about her Aura and what it could entail, also adding that in the future, it was likely that she would be approached to join a group of individuals like her. Suspicious, Heidi questioned the being over her identity and motives, but the being declined to reveal her identity even after being challenged to a Pokémon Battle that she accepted and subsequently won with her three Malamar. Tending to her Altaria in the fight’s aftermath, Heidi was warned that while she had the power to make a difference in the world, joining a side would always result in someone getting hurt, and she mulled over this advice for the next few years as she travelled with Lisia. As a result, she slowly grew more introspective and philosophical until she met Milos and Emilie in the Sootopolis Contest Hall, where she immediately identified them as the ones whom the being had spoken of.

Back in the present, a sympathetic Sabine and Milos comfort Heidi and express their understanding of her dilemma by bringing up the arguments they used to have over how they should use their Aura. Curious, Heidi asks how they resolved their differences, and while she is surprised to learn that they never really did, she also discovers that they learned to put it aside when considering the bigger picture. Concluding by letting their newest ally know that it is ultimately her choice whether she wants to join them, Sabine continues the match against Milos as Heidi ponders the new perspective of a bigger picture where sides are irrelevant.

While this is happening, Emilie’s investigation leads her to discover that they are all being monitored by hidden security cameras and scanners. Quickly covering her tracks to hide her discovery, she runs into Zinnia, who is exhausted from the near-constant testing and speaks to the younger girl about the bonds they share with their Pokémon, during which she is asked why she chose to stay with Milos and Sabine. Contemplating this question, Emilie responds that they gave her what regular people could not—a family—and speculates that her choice strengthened her relationships with Vivillon and Heracross, as she would have never gained the ability to use Mega Evolution if she had not met them.

Pondering this, Zinnia asks about any biological relatives that might have cared for her, and Emilie, despite some hesitation, recalls her father, Keanan, who had taught her many life lessons in her youth before she left her hometown. At the same time, however, she deduces the younger girl’s ulterior motive and tells her that if she wants to put her past behind her, she should do it as soon as possible to save herself from the emotional pain that comes with unresolved issues. Scoffing, Zinnia expresses her doubts that she would have an easier time and tells Emilie that her family is considerably more dysfunctional, which leads the Aura Knight to advise her to try breaking the problem down to its core components as she separates to continue her investigation.

Eventually, after much careful searching, Emilie discovers a hidden door in the facility’s library and enters it to find what appears to be an underground prison. Stunned by what she has stumbled upon, she comes across numerous containment cells – of which only two are occupied – and a locked door, which she enters after using her Vivillon’s Powder to decipher the combination on the adjacent electric keypad. However, upon entering the room, Emilie is horrified to find a lab filled with the desiccated corpses of both Pokémon and Aura Knights that have been experimented upon and attempts to leave… right before she is knocked unconscious by a blast of Dark Aura, having been discovered by a pair of familiar hooded figures ever since she entered the secret lab’s entryway.

Meanwhile, Elsa and Courtney are summoned to meet with Lysandre, who assigns them to the scientific team studying the Megalith after cryptically indicating his plans for a “great purpose” revolving around the relic. Suspicious of his intentions, the sisters tap out a Morse code message to Junichi that updates him on their progress as they head to the lab, with Courtney theorising what weapon the Megalith could have been used for as Elsa receives a reply from her boss to keep investigating and to “hand out the gifts”. However, as they arrive at the lab, the sisters are introduced to Xerosic, the red-goggles-wearing leader of the red-jumpsuit-wearing scientific team, whom they shake hands with as they meet the team: Aliana, Bryony, Mable and Celosia.

Elsewhere, Milos, Sabine and Heidi return from their practice session and reunite with Joaquim and Isabella, who indicate an urgent need to keep quiet. Noticing their troubled expressions, Milos gets the girls to comply as a non-verbal conversation ensues via a series of memories Isabella projects into their minds of her multiple attempts to leave the facility to explore the nearby mountains with Nightshade, only to be denied every time by a series of guards making increasingly outlandish claims as to why she cannot leave. Furthering the group’s suspicions, Joaquim reveals that when he asked Lysandre about this, the organisation’s leader had told him that there was “no need to worry about anything at all”, which leads Sabine and Milos to head to Emilie’s room to find her as the others try to contact someone. However, they find it empty save for a note warning them that they are being watched and subsequently realise that they are trapped in Lysandre Labs.

As Zinnia releases a Pidgey with a letter attached to its leg from the roof of Lysandre Labs, the black-suited figure, Essentia, watches her from a distance before reporting to Lysandre and the hooded figure who had spoken to Heidi. Telling them that the Knights have been contained, she is ordered to watch and analyse them while he facilitates his plans.

Chapter Text

891.   The Tiny Caretaker!

Late one night, Bonnie stumbles across an injured Tyrunt stolen by Team Rocket from a nearby research lab and takes it back to the others. With help from Benoit, who shares the experience he gained from caring for the Amaura and Aurorus back in Ambrette Town as he trains with his two Honedge, she treats the Royal Heir Pokémon and bonds with it before the TRio returns for their precious cargo. Getting captured alongside Dedenne, Bunnelby and Quilladin, Bonnie has the Tyrunt use its strength to escape once more, but they are constantly stalked by Meowth, who leads Jessie and James right to the party as they try to make it back to the others. Eventually, this culminates in a battle that results in Tyrunt evolving into a Tyrantrum and single-handedly blasting the TRio off, but upon learning where it is from, the group is forced to return the Despot Pokémon to the scientists at the research lab, which saddens Bonnie. Promising to return and visit it when she becomes a trainer, she says goodbye to the intimidating yet docile Pokémon as the group resumes their journey to Anistar City.

892.   A Trip Down Memory Train!

After another scuffle against Team Rocket, Ash, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie are separated from Trevor, Philippe and the Knights when they fall into an abandoned mineshaft. Finding the place nostalgic, the Liscio siblings recount how they first met Bunnelby after getting evicted from the Lumiose Gym and how they earned his trust by teaching him how to protect some abandoned Pokémon in an old subway car. Meanwhile, as Trevor learns more about the Knights and the personal trials they have been experiencing, an uncertain Philippe seeks counsel from Dina and Benoit regarding their next step, leading them to challenge him to both a duel and a Pokémon battle to test his skills and get him to open up what has been bothering him. Accepting this, Philippe puts up a valiant fight but only wins the duel when both of Benoit’s Honedge evolve into Doublade, and subsequently confesses to them that he is not keen on visiting Anistar City due to a prophecy that was given to him by the same person who gave him the cryptex. However, Dina and Benoit remain undeterred and promise to stand by his side with the understanding that everything will be explained in due time.

893.   A Frolicking Find in the Flowers!

While setting up camp in a meadow, the group discovers an Eevee dancing on a rock, and Serena sets her eyes on it as her next Pokémon for an upcoming Showcase in Anistar City. However, this Pokémon turns out to be extremely shy, and although everyone scours their surroundings to find it after unintentionally scaring it off, they are unsuccessful. Fortunately, through her own efforts and with some guidance from Philippe, Dina, Benoit, Renata and Wolfgang, Serena eventually gains the Eevee’s trust with a circlet of flowers and a practice session with Braixen and Pancham before catching it after a battle against Team Rocket. Observing how Eevee remains timid when greeted by all the new faces (save for Bunnelby, who had let her take a Poké Puff that was set as a lure earlier), Philippe quips to Serena that this Eevee is a lot like her when she first started on her journey as Trevor snaps a photo of the group’s newest member.

The Ketchum Conference

Having been summoned to the Lily of the Valley Island in Sinnoh for an urgent meeting, Diantha greets Cynthia upon arriving before she is escorted into the conference room. Noticing the numerous Elite Four members, Champions and various other individuals assembled, she asks who called a meeting of this scale and learns that it was Lance, who explains that he did so to bring attention to a serious issue cropping up over the past seven years. Wondering what this could be as she sits beside Alder, Diantha coolly rebuffs his attempts to ask her out for dinner as the meeting begins with Lance detailing an incident on New Island that he learned from G-Men agents Amanda Greene and Muneo Fujimoto.

Recognising this, the room falls silent as the Kanto/Johto Champion recounts the events that led Mewtwo to enact his world-threatening scheme out of a desire to understand his place in the world and identifies several individuals involved, including Ash Ketchum, which prompts a round of murmurs from those present who recognise the young Pokémon trainer. Silencing everyone with a hand gesture, Lance cedes the floor to several past and present members of his Elite Four, and one by one, Lorelei, Agatha, Karen, Bruno, and Will elaborate on various incidents at Shamouti Island, Greenfield, Mount Quena, the Lake of Life, and Alto Mare, all of which Ash was involved in. As part of the proceedings, an interview with Professor Samuel Oak regarding his involvement in the fourth of these occurrences is played, in which he explains that he did not realise it was Ash who had helped him and Celebi until the events of the adventure unfolded in the present.

Pondering something as they take a break for recess, Lance asks Hiroshi Suzuki and Leaf Greene if he can speak with Celebi, but is informed that she is currently monitoring the passage of time with Dialga and cannot be disturbed. Meanwhile, a very worried Diantha expresses her fears to Cynthia and Wallace that Ash’s presence in Kalos may signal an impending calamity, but is reassured that he should be able to counter any threats that arise and that she can consult Steven if she doesn’t believe them. Acknowledging their perspectives, Diantha questions the absence of the Hoenn Champion and learns from Cynthia that he could not physically attend the meeting due to a “business trip" but promised to drop in later via a livestream.

With the meeting reconvening five minutes later, Wallace takes the stand in Steven’s absence to recount the events in Forina, LaRousse City and Monsu Island with help from Hoenn Elite Four members Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia and Drake. Corroborating the last report with his account (as he had infiltrated Team Magma at that time), Lance highlights to everyone that regardless of how much they know, there is a clear and highly consistent pattern: with every single world-threatening incident caused by a Legendary Pokémon or an organisation, Ash Ketchum and his friends have always been the ones to help solve it.

As Ash had returned to Kanto next, Hiroshi and Leaf take over the meeting to explain that they had decided to travel with their old friend as they had previously done four years prior. Recalling that they had been involved in just as much “adventure” as the last time, the couple shares their experiences at the Tree of Beginning, the Mirage Incident, and their road trip to the Sea Temple of Samiya. In addition, they also bring up the increase in Team Rocket activity that Task Force 137 dealt with in their absence, which culminated in the capture of Professor Sebastian and several other high-ranking members of Team Rocket.

Seizing the opportunity to find out more about this special trainer, Diantha, Drayden and Alder ask about Ash’s progress in the regional League tournaments, leading Hiroshi to remember that, up to that point, Ash had placed Top 16 in the Indigo Conference and Top 8 in both the Silver and Ever Grande Conferences. Bringing in Hoenn Labs Head Scientist Junichi Takeda and Salon Maiden Anabel Thomas in a livestream with Lance’s approval, Leaf also reveals Ash’s victory in the Orange Islands League and the Kanto Battle Frontier, with her associates pointing out that Pyramid King Brandon Blair and the organisation’s owner, Scott, had deemed him worthy of a Frontier Brain slot. This revelation impresses the regional Elite Four members, especially when they learn that Ash had defeated all of Brandon’s Regi Golems as well as Factory Head Noland Wills’ Articuno, with Junichi also highlighting Ash’s consistent placing in the competitions he participated in as a testament to his skill as a trainer while attributing his losses to “absolutely ridiculous opponents and circumstances”.

Moving onto Ash’s Sinnoh adventure, Cynthia distributes her notes to Aaron, Bertha, Flint and Lucian, allowing them to cover the events of the incidents at Alamos Town, the Gracidea Flower Fields, Michina Town and Crown City. However, she tackles the most difficult one with help from G-Men agent Mitsumi Platinum, expanding on the appearance and ultimate goals of Team Galactic before ending with a brief description of the Battle of Spear Pillar three years prior. Explaining the role that Ash had played during the crisis (as recounted by her son and his girlfriend), Mitsumi speaks highly of him and reveals that he embodied the willpower of Azelf, one of the Lake Guardians of Sinnoh, alongside his friends, Dawn Berlitz and Brock Harrison.

Recognising the names, the various Elite Four members note that wherever Ash goes, he always has a cluster of friends by his side who all seem to come from families with notable positions. Agreeing with this observation, the Champions identify Cerulean City Gym Leader Misty Waterflower, famous Coordinator May Maple, renowned researcher Gary Oak, and even Professor Oak’s assistant, Tracey Sketchit, as some of these travelling companions, and note that these people seemed to grow into who they are now because they had met Ash, thus characterising him as a catalyst for an individual’s change. But as they debate over taking action against what they have learnt, they are interrupted by Drayden’s protégé, Iris Ajagara, who reminds them that Ash had also been to Unova before heading off on his current adventure.

Apologising as she acknowledges the youngest person there, Cynthia allows Iris to take the stand as she recaps her adventures with Ash across Unova, including the ones at the Kingdom of the Vale, Roshan City and New Tork City. However, she also draws particular attention to a few other incidents involving Team Rocket and the now-disbanded Team Plasma, highlighting the involvement of the metahuman group Zeta Squad (who are revealed to be still operating out of Nimbasa City), as well as how she and her friends ended the age-old ideological civil war by merging the members of the Tao Trio to recreate the original Aboriginal Dragon. Pausing momentarily as she remembers N, Hilbert and Hilda, Iris concludes by expressing her opinion of Ash, whom she sees as a very passionate and mature person at his core, if a little unfocused and impulsive.

Reflecting on all she has heard, Diantha realises that Ash has popped up in several legends, including the Shamouti Prophecy and the Legend of Michina Town, and asks Hiroshi and Leaf about this. In response, they return to when they visited the Kingdom of Rota during their second journey through Kanto and reveal that Ash has the power to control Aura, which led to speculation amongst their friends that this allowed him to survive so many life-threatening encounters with Legendary Pokémon and nefarious organisations. Guessing that this is probably what passes as a regular day in Ash’s life, Junichi questions why no one has ever looked into this before, causing all of the Champions to admit that while they have borne witness to Ash’s many accomplishments, it never struck them as “odd” until it began to happen consistently.

Sighing in mild frustration as he mutters that there needs to be a change in priorities, Junichi also brings up the issue of Team Rocket members Jessie, James and Meowth, who have been sighted in almost every region and have been following Ash for the last few years for unspecified reasons (with the ostensible and stated reason being that they want to capture Ash’s surprisingly hardy Pikachu). Confirming this sentiment, Hiroshi and Leaf turn to Lance, but while the Kanto/Johto Champion acknowledges this and identifies former Viridian City Gym Leader Giovanni Paul as the organisation’s leader, he also reveals that he vanished from the gym when G-Men agents raided the building, leaving his current whereabouts unknown.

Now incredibly worried about what might happen as she processes what she has learned, Diantha asks Hiroshi and Leaf what she can expect and is distressed to discover that there are no concrete answers. However, when they advise her to start by identifying any organisation that could be seeking Legendary or Mythical Pokémon for any reason, she realises that there is an organisation that fits that description and calls her own Elite Four members to start investigating the secretive Lysandre Labs, only to find out that someone else is currently doing the same. Surprised, Diantha asks who this is and is startled when she learns that it is Steven, who joins the meeting via a livestream at that moment.

Greeting his colleagues (while lingering a bit longer on Cynthia), Steven states that he is currently in Kalos to investigate Lysandre Labs, whose role in the recent Clash of the Primals is common knowledge amongst the general public. However, as he also discloses the involvement of Hoenn Labs and several other individuals in the incident (which leads Junichi to mute his end of the call), the Hoenn Champion is interrupted by Mairin, who peeks into the call to see the Champions, all of whom greet her with varying expressions of surprise, amusement and disbelief. Explaining why the younger girl is with him after Amanda and Mitsumi deduce that she has a personal stake in all this, Steven asks Diantha for her approval regarding an investigation of Lysandre Labs in the hopes of finding something that would allow them to find out what they are doing.

Though conflicted over the potential overlapping of their jurisdictions, Diantha gives Steven the green light to commence the investigation in her absence, granting him her official support and trust as the meeting concludes. With that, she prepares to head back to Kalos immediately to launch a separate investigation on Ash, which she starts by asking Hiroshi, Leaf and Junichi about what to expect from the Pallet Town trainer. Exchanging glances, the trio describe their mutual friend as the special ends, beginning by saying that while he may seem normal, he is one of the most complex people they have ever met…

The end credits are a recap of still images depicting Ash’s adventures throughout the different regions, ending with him and Pikachu currently in Kalos as they arrive in Anistar City.

Chapter Text

894.   Tag Team Battle Inspiration!

Upon arriving in Anistar City, the group reunites with Tierno and Shauna, who are here for the Showcase and whose respective starters have evolved into Blastoise and Ivysaur. However, Ash is more interested to hear that Tierno unsuccessfully challenged the Anistar Gym, and as he plans his strategy, Serena speaks with Shauna about Eevee and gains many ideas for new performances, though she opts to leave it up to her Pokémon when she evolves. However, a much bigger problem presents itself in the form of Eevee’s crippling shyness, which prevents her from socialising with any of the other Pokémon despite Serena’s best efforts.

While all this is happening, Philippe tries calling Milos and Sabine from the Pokémon Center, only to find their numbers blocked. Though worried about this, he focuses on a much more pressing matter – his return to the Anistar Gym – and reveals to Dina, Wolfgang and Renata that the gym leader is a powerful oracle who foretold the prophecy in the cryptex. Realising that they never saw the prophecy, the three ask to see it, and despite his hesitation, Philippe shows it to them. At the same time, Serena decides to take a page out of Ash’s book and challenges Tierno and Shauna to a tag battle with Ash, who advises her throughout the process.

Elsewhere, Benoit, Aoife and Geoff come across a break-in at a small riverside warehouse close to the Anistar Sundial and are attacked by a group of red-suited goons as they investigate. Fortunately, they manage to chase them off after a prolonged fight, but as they report the incident to Officer Jenny, the trio discover that these people have been frequently observed lurking by an anchored yacht on the opposite side of the river and are recognised and asked for assistance in investigating whatever might be there. Knowing that this will concern Philippe, Benoit speaks to the Lost Prince, who is initially uninterested but accepts the offer upon hearing of the involvement of the sundial. Meanwhile, Serena calls off the tag battle when she gains a new idea from Tierno’s battling style and decides to leave with the slightly more comfortable Eevee to practice while Ash continues the now 2v1 battle.

Later that night, Philippe regards his keystone, musing to himself that “it’s time to face [his] destiny” again, and as he looks out into the starry sky, he promises Mystra that they will meet again.

895.   A Performance Pop Quiz!

As Serena and Shauna register for the Showcase, the Knights (save for Wolfgang and Renata) prepare to raid the boat as they gather at the Anistar Sundial, which Philippe regards warily. However, as the memories that have come with his return to the city threaten to resurface, he controls himself and joins the others as they row to the anchored ship. Back with the others, Serena leaves Eevee with Ash as she discovers that Nini and Jessie are participating as well and goes up against the former in the first round’s Pokémon Quiz, which she aces thanks to a last-minute study from Philippe the previous night. Though she does not pass, Nini wishes her rival good luck and shares stories on how she has been doing as Shauna and Jessie proceed to the next round.

Meanwhile, the Knights storm the boat and quickly clear it of all hostiles, but as Benoit voices his suspicions that something is amiss after observing that there seem to be fewer enemies than there were at the warehouse yesterday, Dina and Philippe find a laptop on the bridge that is rigged to a bomb. Working fast, the former cuts the wires linking the device to the explosives, but this triggers a failsafe countdown instead, and to make things worse, the rowboat is destroyed by an explosive barrel thrown by one of the goons. Forced to jump overboard to escape the imminent explosion, the Knights are weighed down by all their gear but are saved from drowning by the disguised Xerneas and Yveltal, who pull them from the water and revive them.

At the same time, Shauna and Jessie begin their performances, but Eevee is scared by a Seed Bomb during the latter’s performance and runs off. Hearing this from Ash when he runs into her, Serena pleads with the security attendant to let her search for her Pokémon with her friends, risking her disqualification if she fails to show up in five minutes. Fortunately, Eevee is found by Renata, who points out that Serena must be worried for her and encourages the timid Pokémon to take that leap of faith forward and trust her new trainer as she contacts the others. Receiving this news as Serena reunites with her Pokémon, Wolfgang barters with the security to allow Serena back in, this time with Eevee watching in the wings with Renata holding her, and as her newest Pokémon watches, Serena deviates from her pre-planned performance by creating a new one inspired by Eevee’s dance moves, which allows her to net her second Princess Key. Impressed by her ingenuity and spontaneity, Ash and Shauna congratulate Serena as a flummoxed Jessie concedes to James and Meowth that she will be happy if she manages to beat Serena at least once.

Later, as Tierno, Trevor and Shauna depart Anistar City to travel together, Philippe thanks Xerneas and Yveltal for the rescue. However, as he checks the waterlogged laptop, he is disturbed to discover profiles of people proficient in Aura, most of whom are marked as deceased, and files on something called “Project Illuminate”, which indicates Zygarde’s involvement.

896.   Cloudy Fate, Bright Future!

With the Showcase a success, the group sets their sights on the Anistar Gym for Ash’s seventh badge, but as his friend gets ready for the match, Philippe notices a news broadcast from reporter and Elite Four member Malva Cantarero regarding the Sundial. Learning that Professor Sycamore will be arriving to investigate its properties, the group is intrigued by the possibility that it may be connected to Mega Evolution and heads to the waterfront to reunite with him and his assistants, including Sina and Dexio. However, before the suspicious Xerneas and Yveltal can confront them, a woman with a Sigilyph attacks them and accuses Sycamore of being the one who “will indicate the path”. Defending the professor, the group engages the attacker in a short brawl that ends with the timely intervention of the Anistar Gym Leader, Olympia, who is also revealed to be a powerful psychic seer.

Reprimanding the woman – who is revealed to be her apprentice, Carrie – Olympia reveals that the whole thing was a misunderstanding from one of her prophecies, which had depicted everyone present being involved in a crisis that will affect all of Kalos in the future. Muttering that this makes more sense, Philippe greets Olympia and explains to his surprised friends that he has worked with “her kind” before, but his elaboration is cut off when Olympia has another vision upon seeing Ash’s Frogadier and the disguised Legendary Pokémon. Inviting them to the gym (whose interior resembles a planar sphere), another of Olympia’s apprentices, Charlene, tells the Knights that Olympia is guided by the “voice of the stars”, thus drawing a link to Mystra and her kind, the Celestials. In addition, it is also revealed that Olympia had predicted a recent clash between Groudon and Kyogre in Hoenn, which Philippe and the Knights state that they are aware of (to everyone else’s surprise).

Returning to the Pokémon in question, Olympia deems them (alongside Ash and Philippe) as critical players in the fight for Kalos’ survival who will play vital roles in the coming crisis. Explaining that this is part of an older prophecy that she foretold decades ago, the seer starts by detailing Frogadier’s past through a series of visions, which reveal that he was an outcast among other Froakie due to his insistence on constantly training while everyone else socialised and played, which caused friction between himself and others of his kind. Upon learning that he had to team up with humans to reach his full potential, he travelled to Sycamore’s lab, but his high standards caused him to reject all who chose him as a starter… until he met Ash. As the visions end, Olympia reveals that Frogadier will soon gain a unique power when he evolves that will further strengthen the bond between him and Ash, but as she accepts their anticipated request for a battle, she receives an alert of something happening at the Sundial.

Returning to the monolith, the group finds Team Rocket chipping away with tools to get a sample, but before anyone can do anything, a Future Sight that Olympia’s two Meowstic had fired earlier comes back and blasts the TRio off, though they manage to get a shard of the Sundial in the process. In awe of the accuracy of Olympia’s foresight, Ash nevertheless vows to beat her as Philippe regards the Sundial once more.

897.   All Eyes on the Future!

As Ash warily begins his Anistar Gym Double Battle by selecting Frogadier and Talonflame, he remembers his previous trials up to this point as Olympia brings out her two Meowstic. Telling himself that he can’t lose now, he has a pep talk with his team before sending them onto the field.

Back at the waterfront, Professor Sycamore and his assistants examine the Sundial under the watchful eye of the Knights, who learn that the energy emanating from the monolith is similar to that of Mega Evolution. Moving closer to it, Benoit is surprised when he also feels a large amount of Aura radiating from the Sundial, which is revealed to have a healing effect on specific injuries when it repairs Renata’s throat and voice. Taking advantage of this, Aoife and Geoff use the Sundial to fully heal their physical wounds sustained in Dahara City, though the latter is mildly disappointed when it fails to restore his eye. Back at the Gym, Ash initially struggles against Olympia’s ability to predict his attacks but eventually devises a cunning strategy by having his Pokémon count down before Future Sight hits, allowing him to gauge his attacks much more accurately.

While this is happening, Sina and Dexio are pulled aside by Xerneas, Yveltal, Philippe and Dina, the latter two of whom have discovered, through a background check, that they are not researchers but spies from the Pokémon League. Having been informed by the Legendary Pokémon about their first encounter with the pair, the Lost Prince questions their intentions, causing the duo to drop their façade and disclose that they work for Diantha, who tasked them with monitoring the Legendary Pokémon that the Knights have allied with and investigating reports of green cells appearing throughout Kalos. Turning to Xerneas, Dina learns that both Legendary Pokémon have been similarly looking into these cells since they departed the group in Laverre City and consider them a clear sign of Zygarde’s return. Moreover, as he brushes off the suspicious growls from Sina’s Glaceon and Dexio’s Espeon, Yveltal notes that should Zygarde return, the only means of controlling it would be through the third and final relic, the Crown of Dominion, which is currently in “her” possession.

Back in the Gym, Ash’s plan is momentarily impeded by Frogadier getting paralysed by a Thunder Wave, but this is circumvented by having him ride Talonflame, and with their combined speed and strength, both Pokémon deal massive amounts of damage to their opponents before finishing them off with a Water Pulse/Flame Charge combo. Conceding the match, Olympia tells Ash that she was right in her predictions of his Pokémon being special and grants him the Psychic Badge as Sycamore, Xerneas, Yveltal, Philippe and the Knights return to the Gym, having been called by Olympia to meet there following the battle’s conclusion.

With her desired audience present, Olympia tells them about the prophecy regarding the fate of Kalos and mentions seeing green fire threatening the lives of everyone in the region. However, she also mentions that several brave heroes will rise to fight the incoming threat, which will arise from both the human realm and the stars above, and that everyone is meant to play a part, big and small, in what will happen. Hearing this, the others are either confused or apprehensive, but while Ash is somewhat understanding, a disconcerted Philippe questions whether or not he will meet Mystra again, to which Olympia tells him that it will be entirely up to him as she leaves him with the saying that “in the absence of light, darkness will prevail”.

As the group reflects on this new development and revelation back at the Pokémon Center, Ash and Serena gain new Pokédexes from Sycamore with updated information on Mega Evolution while Xerneas and Yveltal gift the Knights with several upgrades to their gear, including Dina’s dagger and shortbow, Geoff’s crossbow and longbow, Benoit’s helmet and bracers, one of Iona’s hammers and Renata’s gloves. In addition, the Legendary Pokémon also bless their signet rings, granting them new abilities and gifting Philippe with a new cloak before agreeing to stay with the group for the time being as a gesture of goodwill. Accepting their presence, Philippe informs Ash as he heads for the final Gym in Snowbell City, and the group sets out once more as the sun rises the following day. But as they do, Olympia has another vision of deep green eyes shrouded in the flames and recoils in shock.

In a post-credit scene, Mystra speaks to the three Malamar, telling them their time to return has come and that she is anticipating a chance to see Philippe again. At the same time, on the outskirts of Anistar, Philippe draws the Sword of Death and looks up to the stars, anticipating the battle that will decide the ultimate fate of Kalos.