Pokémon The Series: Sun & Moon

Ash has a dream in which he and Pikachu enter an ancient temple and encounter two mysterious Pokémon. Ash makes a promise to them, after which another Pokemon appears. The next morning, he, Pikachu and Rotom-Dex are led by Tapu Koko to a spot in the forest where they find a sleeping Cosmog, a Pokémon that Rotom cannot identify but which Ash recognizes from his dream. Ash takes it to the Pokémon school, with both interesting and unfortunate results. Ash decides to care for the Cosmog and Lillie names it "Nebby". Lillie's mother Lusamine, the President of the Aether Foundation, re-enters her daughter's life with her associates Professor Burnet, Faba and Wicke, but Lillie is not happy to see her. Lusamine and the Aether Foundation have a powerful interest in the temple from Ash's dream and what they call Ultra Beasts. They are shocked when Ash tells them about his dream, and Lusamine asks Ash to let Aether look after Nebby, who may be an Ultra Beast. Ash turns down the offer, saying he will keep his promise to look after Nebby. Lusamine accepts his decision, but Faba is not pleased.

Nebby seems to be settling in nicely with Ash and his Pokémon, but things start to turn sinister when Team Rocket notice Nebby with Ash. Since it's a Pokémon they've never seen before, they naturally start making plans. At school, the class are working on Pokémon sculpture (with varying results) when Nebby starts manifesting the ability to teleport class members to various locations they happened to be thinking about at the time. Nebby teleports Ash, Pikachu and itself to Jigglypuff's location, with the usual/expected results when Jigglypuff starts singing. It then teleports them all to all the previous locations, then finally to Team Rocket's location. When Ash refuses to surrender Nebby, Jessie sends out Mimikyu to battle Pikachu, with the others grabbing Nebby while Ash and Pikachu are distracted. However, just as Team Rocket are celebrating, Nebby teleports them and itself to Bewear's den and then teleports itself back to Ash.

Ash and the gang visit Aether Paradise, where they are greeted by Wicke and Faba; however, while Faba is eager to see Nebby, he treats Rowlet very badly. Also on Aether Paradise is Team Rocket, disguised as Aether employees (hired by Faba). Ash and friends are given a tour which includes Lusamine's mansion, where Lusamine is constantly too distracted by phone calls and business to even try to be a proper hostess and Team Rocket is forced to serve snacks. At Professor Burnet's research area, they meet a group of Ditto, one of which does not like Professor Burnet's medical treatment and runs off, assuming the forms of other Pokémon in the facility (including Rotom!). Naturally, Ash and friends give chase and Ditto is finally nabbed when it disguises itself as Snowy but is spotted by Lillie as a fake. Faba is worried that Lillie may remember why she can't touch Pokémon, and Team Rocket stumbles across secret information about Aether's research in Faba's lab.

It's bath time for Ash's Pokémon, but an accident caused by Litten gets Lycanroc dirty again, making it very angry! While giving Lycanroc a second bath, Ash starts thinking about Gladion, causing Nebby to teleport him, Pikachu and Lycanroc to Gladion's location. Nebby is terrified by Gladion's frightening helmeted Type: Null Pokémon Silvally. Gladion gets very upset that Nebby may be an Ultra Beast and explains that he saw part of the incident that emotionally damaged Lillie: an attack by an Ultra Beast. When Gladion demands to know what makes Ash so special, Ash asks Gladion for a resumption of their unfinished battle, since he believes trainers get to know each other through battling. It's Ash's Lycanroc versus Gladion's Silvally. Lycanroc is knocked into a pond and gets dirty again, which makes it angry and out of control. Ash tries to stop Lycanroc, but it's Nebby's crying that calms Lycanroc down. The battle resumes, and Silvally defeats Lycanroc.

Lillie's day does not begin well, as Lusamine has instructed Hobbes to videotape all of her interactions with Snowy and other Pokémon. Lillie complains to Lusamine, but things end badly when Lusamine takes another call in the middle of Lillie's call. At Professor Kukui's house, Professor Burnet is giving Nebby an examination when Kiawe, Mallow, Lana, Lillie, Sophocles and their Pokémon arrive for a sleep-over. Ash invites Professor Burnet to stay over as well, and she accepts. A game of Nebby Hide-and-Seek decides whether the boys or the girls get to sleep up in the loft where Ash usually sleeps, and a fast-paced game of Z-Move Pose, One-Two-Three literally goes up in flames when Kiawe gets over-excited and uses his Z-move. Professor Burnet offers to cook dinner, but her Munchlax ruins her efforts by devouring everyone's food. While waiting for the second attempt at dinner, Ash, Kiawe and their Pokémon go outside to train and are joined by the others. Later while everyone else is asleep, Lillie goes outside. Professor Burnet follows, and Lillie tells her about her quarrel with Lusamine. The next morning, Lillie wishes that she could talk to her brother, and Nebby immediately teleports her to Gladion's cave. Before Gladion can stop it, Gladion's Type: Null Silvally appears before Lillie, causing her to flash back to the Ultra Beast attack on her, which involved Silvally. Nebby teleports her back to the others, but the experience has caused Lillie to regress and she can no longer bear to touch or be touched by Snowy.

Gladion is furious about what has happened to Lillie and blames Ash. Later that same night at his motel room, he confronts Faba, who wants Silvally returned to him. Faba unleashes a Hypno and a Alakazam, both of whom easily defeat Gladion's Lycanroc and Umbreon. Before Gladion can unleash Silvally, Hypno hypnotizes Gladion and Faba takes Silvally's Pokéball. The next day, with the help of Ash, the gang and Professors Kukui and Burnet, Lillie tries to overcome her regression but fails. After school, Lillie tells Ash about her experience at Gladion's cave. In response to Lillie's feelings, Nebby teleports her, Ash, Pikachu, Snowy and Rotom to places where Lillie has happy memories of when she and Gladion were children. They are finally transported to the lab level on Aether Paradise, where their arrival is spotted by both Faba and Team Rocket, while in Lusamine's office Gladion confronts his mother about Sivally and Faba. After Team Rocket refuses to help him, Faba sends Hypno and Alakazam to attack Ash and Lillie, and Faba kidnaps Lillie. Before Hypno can hypnotize Lillie, Nebby teleports Ash and the other Pokémon to their location, and Gladion and Lusamine arrive during the battle. Gladion, who has recovered Silvally from Faba's lab, unleashes him. Silvally's helmet shatters and when it rescues Lillie from Alakazam, she remembers how Faba had released an Ultra Beast from a wormhole which had attacked her and how Silvally had saved her then. Silvally easily defeats Hypno and Alakazam and Faba sneaks away. Now, with her memories restored, Lillie is able to touch Silvally, as well as other Pokémon.

Everyone (with the exception of Litten) is delighted that Lillie can now touch Pokémon, but Faba now has a plan to kidnap Nebby. While the gang is distracted, he tricks Nebby with sugar stars and gets Nebby to teleport them both to his lab, but is spotted by Lana before they disappear. Lillie orders a jet to take her, Ash and Gladion to Aether Paradise, where they tell Lusamine what has happened. Faba uses Nebby to open a wormhole into Ultra Space, and the others arrive in time to free Nebby, who evolves into a Cosmoem, but too late to prevent Nihilego, the Ultra Beast that had attacked Lillie, from appearing in the lab. Silvally, Pikachu and Lusamine's Clefable try to battle Nihilego, but are easily driven back. Nihilego tries to attack Lillie again, but Gladion and Lusamine throw themselves in front of her. When Nihilego goes for Gladion, Lusamine pushes him out of the way and is captured. As the others watch in helpless horror, Lusamine is taken away into Ultra Space.

As everyone tries to come to grips with Lusamine's disappearance, Ash is worried that the newly evolved Nebby is completely dormant. That night, after Gladion tells her of his plans, Lillie both comes to a momentous decision and undergoes a transformation. The next day when Lillie doesn't show up for school, Hobbes tells Ash that Lillie has run away from home with Gladion. Ash, Professor Kukui and the gang go to Melemele Island Kahuna Hala for help. Hala guesses that Gladion and Lillie may have gone to Poni Island, and everyone goes in pursuit. On Poni Island, Gladion and Lillie penetrate an ancient temple, avoiding death traps and battling hostile Pokémon, and barely manage to escape thanks to some unexpected arrivals and help. After the gang reach The Altar of the Sun, the temple from Ash's dream, all four Island Guardian Pokémon appear.

The Island Guardians show the gang how, after Nebby was born, they had taken it and left for Ash to find. Ash shows them the dormant Nebby and they begin a mysterious ritual. Professor Kukui leaves to rescue Professor Burnet, who is on Poni Island and being threatened by the hostile Jangmo-o and Hakamo-o guarding the Altar, using his Braviary to battle them. The Guardians activate the altar, causing Nebby to evolve into Solgaleo, who still remembers everybody. A Solganium Z-crystal appears and is given to Ash, but its unusual shape won't fit in his Z-ring. Tapu Koko takes Ash's Z-ring and with the help of the other Guardians reforges it into a Z-Power Ring. It then teaches Ash the Z-move Searing Sunraze Smash, which empowers Solgaleo and enables it to open a wormhole and carry the gang into Ultra Space.

Thanks to Solgaleo, Ash and the others have passed through the wormhole into Ultra Space, while back at the Altar of the Sun Professors Kukui and Burnet try to monitor the wormhole. The gang attempt to rescue Lusamine, but find that she is merging with the Nihilego that kidnapped her and does not want to be rescued. They chase after her as she throws up barriers to block their way, but Solgaleo is able to smash through them. As she flees, Lusamine sends out her own Pokémon to stop them. The gang and their Pokémon battle the possessed Pokémon until only Ash, Pikachu and Solgaleo are left to pursue Lusamine.

The battle in Ultra Space to free Lusamine from Nihilego continues with Lusamine's possessed Pokémon being defeated by the gang's trust in their Pokémon and Gladion, Kiawe and Lana's Z-moves; however, Lusamine's Pokémon continue to battle. Despite Lusamine's conjuring a lake of poison, Ash, Pikachu and Solgaleo continue to pursue her until joined by Gladion, Lillie, Snowy, Silvally and the freed Clefable. Lillie finally confronts her mother, but just as it looks like her words have reached Lusamine, Nihilego refuses to let Lusamine go and fights back. Ash's Electrium Z-crystal transforms into a Pikashunium Z-crystal, and he and Pikachu use the Z-move 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt to defeat Nihilego and free Lusamine and her Pokémon. Lusamine and her children are reunited at last, and Solgaleo brings everyone back to Poni Island.

Now that Lusamine has been rescued and the threat from Ultra Space has been removed, it's time to celebrate. However, Ash doesn't feel like celebrating because immediately after their return Solgaleo mysteriously disappeared. After a very heart-to-heart talk, Professors Kukui and Burnet have something very important to tell Ash... something that delights not only him but all the others (especially the girls!). The spreading of the good news causes various reactions among the Alolan grown-ups as well. That night, Gladion tells Ash that he is leaving to go on an Island Pilgrimage in order to grow stronger. The next day, Professor Kukui is unceremoniously awakened to a stunning surprise - a beach-side wedding prepared and attended by everyone and presided over by Principal Oak! The lady who actually catches the bride's bouquet is a total surprise, and Ash is finally able to say thank you and goodbye to Solgaleo.

Professor Burnet and her Munchlax have settled in perfectly with Professor Kukui, Ash and their Pokémon. During a lesson on Pokémon battling, Komala, the school's bell-ringer, literally drops into the class, and Ash and his friends learn more from Principal Oak about it and how it came to the school. Both Ash and Kiawe try battling Komala, but even asleep it proves more than a match for their Pokémon. Jigglypuff shows up and after singing everyone to sleep, angrily doodles on their faces, but when it tries to do the same to Komala, Komala is able to dodge Jigglypuff's attacks even while still asleep! Things start to turn ugly as Jigglypuff gets angrier and angrier, but Komala keeps dodging. The class tries to prevent the squabble between the lullaby-singing Pokémon and the already-and-always-sleeping Pokémon from getting worse by teaching Komala Jigglypuff's Sing move, and the results are amazing...but not at all as they expected!

While Ash and Professors Kukui and Burnet are out, Rotom-Dex is left in charge at home to watch over the other Pokémon, who were napping. A new Rotom-powered washing machine is delivered, the noise causing the others to wake up and start getting rambunctious and ending with Pikachu accidentally using Thunderbolt on everybody, zapping the two Rotom out of their respective forms and making them switch each other's forms! After the humans return, the deliveryman returns to take back the washing machine (now containing the Rotom-Dex's Rotom) and deliver it to the Pokémon Center, while the washing-machine's Rotom is activated inside the Pokédex. During a malfunction, Rotom manages to escape from the washing machine into the island's electrical system and tries to find its way back to Ash and its Pokédex form, while its multiple Form Changes (in each of which it can't vocally communicate) cause havoc at the homes of Ash's friends.

Team Rocket are returning from Jessie's major shopping spree when they spot a cute Frillish which James decides to catch, but his jealous Mareanie drives it away and bursts into tears when James scolds her. Just then, a male Mareanie appears, but Mareanie is not pleased to see it. It seems that even Pokémon can have mysterious pasts: this male was Mareanie's first love after it saved her from a Tentacruel, but apparently cheated on her. It wants Mareanie back, in anger evolves into a Toxapex and attacks James, seriously poisoning him. Thinking she's causing James trouble, Mareanie runs away. Later, while alone on the beach, Mareanie is attacked by another Tentacruel; however, James, who had been searching for her, arrives in time to save her. Toxapex reappears and James chooses to let Mareanie go to be with Toxapex, but Toxapex challenges James to a battle for Mareanie. James is poisoned again, but fights off the poison, and the battle ends in a draw, with each winning the other's respect. Toxapex is about to leave when Tentacruel attacks again, but James drives it off again, winning Toxapex's friendship but making Mareanie jealous again!

Lana's little sisters Harper and Sarah return home with a story about having met a mysterious Pokémon in the forest, and each has an unusual berry to show for it. When Mallow sees the berry, she immediately recognizes it from a strange incident that happened to her and Lana involving the mysterious Pokémon back when they first met. However, Team Rocket overhear part of the story and they decide to go after the Pokémon as well. Ash and Pikachu accompany the girls back to the forest, and as they search for the mysterious Pokémon, which Rotom-Dex eventually identifies as a Drampa, the girls tell him the story about how they were lost in the woods and were helped by Drampa. Ash, Mallow and Lana eventually find Drampa, but Team Rocket tries to capture Drampa using probably their most embarrassing disguises ever, but Drampa is not fooled and literally blows them away, and everyone settles down to a snack of Bittersweet berries.

Ash, Pikachu, the gang and their Pokémon are visiting the snow-covered Mount Lanakila on Ula'ula Island with Professor Kukui and kahuna Hala (some of them enjoying the snow and cold weather less than the others) and learning about Alolan ice-type Pokémon. Chasing after a runaway Snowy, Lillie is almost run over by a Pokémon Sled ridden by a girl named Cerah and her Alolan Ninetales. After a battle with a Sneasel, Hala's Crabrawler evolves into a Crabominable. Lillie tells them about meeting Cerah, and Kukui tells the gang about a sport called "Pokémon Sledding". Cerah re-appears and tells them about a competition being held the next day, which excites their interest; she takes them to a practice course and they try Pokémon Sledding, but Lillie is thrown from her sled and loses her confidence. However, with everyone's encouragement, she keeps trying and succeeds, and Snowy learns to perform Ninetales' Aurora Veil move. The next day at the Pokémon Sled Jump Contest, Kiawe/Turtonator, Hala/Crabominable, Ash/Pikachu and Lillie/Snowy are among the competitors. Jessie/Mimikyu also try to compete, but Bewear grabs Team Rocket and leaves, and the Hala/Crabominable team wins the competition.

Ash challenges the greatest battle royal fighter with his Litten.

Today's lesson consists of "Pokémon Ping-Pong", where Trainer and Pokémon play ping-pong together as partners. Ash and his friends get really interested in Pokémon Ping-Pong after being taught by guest lecturer Ilima (with each game having unusual finishes), and decide to go watch the tournament he's going to participate in. Ilima has signed up for this tournament in order to defeat Ikari "The Dragon", the current Pokémon Ping-Pong champion and the player he lost to last time. Ikari smashes through his competition with Mienshao as his partner. A disguised Team Rocket gets involved when Jessie enters the tournament with Wobbuffet as her partner, but they're barely getting started against Ilima and his partner Smeargle when Bewear arrives and snatches Team Rocket away again. Ilima and Smeargle make it to the finals to face Ikari and Mienshao, but Ikari keeps blaming Mienshao for every point lost even when it's his own fault. Tied at one game each, the final game of the match reaches deuce with Ilima and Smeargle's teamwork against Ikari's ruthless and selfish atittude.

One day during class, Poipole appears at the school and lures Pikachu away while Ash and the others are busy. When they finally notice that Pikachu is missing, an agitated Ash and his Pokémon start searching for Pikachu. Rowlet spots Pikachu and Poipole playing, but, thinking that Pikachu is being attacked, charges in. Frightened, Poipole disables Rowlet with a Poison attack. When Pikachu gets angry at its friend being hurt, Poipole is sorry and carries Rowlet to get help, with Pikachu leading. Team Rocket spots the trio and, realizing that Poipole may be an Ultra Beast, chases after them. Just as Team Rocket is about to capture them, Ash, Lycanroc and Torracat appear and the battle is on, only to be interrupted by Bewear once again carrying Team Rocket off. Back at the Ultra Guardians base, Poipole is identified as an Ultra-Beast and Ash agrees to look after it. After playfully dodging every attempt to capture it, Poipole finally enters the Beast Ball on its own and happily settles in with Ash and his Pokémon ... especially Pikachu!

Ash is on his way to the Pokémon Center with Pikachu, Rotom and Poipole for the school's work experience program when he is stopped by the Team Skull grunts, who challenge him to a battle. The 3-on-1 battle backfires when something goes wrong with Zipp's Garbodor's Venom Shock and Team Skull is forced to retreat. At the Center, the Nurse Joy that works there has a bad cold, so Ash and the others decide to do her duties for her. With some minor hiccups (such as a mix-up about Pokémon Center uniforms and an unexpected delivery to Team Rocket's food truck), things go well, but Zipp keeps showing up, apparently seeking treatment for his Garbodor, who is suffering from Poison Clog. The gang aren't sure how to help Garbodor, but Nurse Joy appears and takes change of treating Garbodor with their help. By evening, Garbodor has been cured, but the Nurse Joy who treated Garbodor turns out to be a sister of the now-recovered Nurse Joy.

Sophocles is out camping with his parents and Pokémon at Bamboo Hill when he finds a strange metallic object buried in the ground. Remembering a folktale, he believes it to be the legendary spaceship Celestial Starship. The next day, after he tells his classmates about it, they go there and see it for themselves. After an unsuccessful attempt to dig it up, they return to school, where they are contacted by Lusamine about an Ultra Beast having been detected. Sophocles is surprised to discover that the Pokémon he discovered is a Celesteela, and they determine to return it home. Attempts to catch it in a Beast Ball prove unsuccessful as it is firmly rooted down. Team Rocket attempts to catch Celesteela as the Ultra Guardians try to protect it, and Team Rocket is almost incinerated as Celesteela begins to launch itself. After the Ultra Guardians create a safe launch area, they watch Celesteela fly home.

Kiawe and his family are doing their daily chores when a limousine comes roaring up and a large crude-talking man named Viren emerges with his Electivire, announcing that he wants to buy the farm and turn it into a resort! Naturally his offer is refused and he leaves, promising that they'll change their minds. Later, the family find that Viren's corporation has bought the nearby land and dammed up the stream that provides water to the farm! When Ash and the others find out, they immediately want to help and leave for Akala Island. At the farm, they find that the farm's fences have been deliberately broken and the farm's Miltank are loose. Kiawe accuses Viren of sabotage and challenges him to a battle with Kiawe's Marowak against Viren's Electivire. However, after Turtonator is injured protecting Mimo and Kiawe's Z-Move with Marowak fails, Electivire defeats Marowak. That night, Kiawe confesses to Marowak that the Z-Move failed because Kiawe didn't believe in Marowak, and he promises to trust Marowak. The next day, Viren returns and Kiawe challenges him again, with the farm on the line. This time, the Z-Move Inferno Overdrive succeeds and Marowak defeats Electivire. Viren is about to have his bulldozers destroy the farm when Officer Jenny of Akala Island arrives and arrests Viren for fraud, trespassing and malicious destruction of property.

A school of Dewpider on Melemele Island have set out from their nesting pool on a journey to find new homes, but one of them can't keep up with the others and is left behind. Wandering about the forest on its own, it gets into some scary situations until it reaches the beach, but it finds the ocean a very scary place too. Wandering along the beach, it comes across Lana and Popplio with Ash, Pikachu, Poipole, and Rotom, and because Lana is wearing one of Popplio's bubbles around her head (resembling the water bubble Dewpider uses to exist on dry land), it falls in love with her! When Poipole accidentally bursts Dewpider's bubble, Lana dives into the ocean with it to save it. When it follows her back onto dry land, she brings it to the Pokémon school to show everybody. When she pops her own bubble, Dewpider doesn't recognize her, becomes scared and runs away. Everyone wants to help, but Lana and Professor Kukui agree that Dewpider has to find a new home on its own, so they all follow and observe Dewpider. After some mishaps, it finally finds a pond it likes, but runs into an Surskit that already lives there, and the two battle. During the battle, Surskit evolves into an Masquerain and flies happily away, leaving the pond to Dewpider as its new home.

Mallow's older brother Ulu returns with his partner Lickitung just in time, as their father Abe has strained his back before he can compete in the Alola Bread Festival. Ulu takes over for his father, but he is distracted by Nina, the waitress from the Alolan Pancake Race, on whom he has a major crush. Unfortunately, Ulu suffers a setback when his over-active feelings for Nina cause his major ingredients to get devoured by a Snorlax! However, Mallow has a plan to save the situation, and Ash and the gang are ready to back her up! With Steenee's special ingredient and the gang's help, their jelly bread is a huge success, but Ulu's happiness is dashed when he learns Nina has a fiance! The day ends on a happy note when Mallow is awarded the festival trophy, and Ulu and Lickitung leave to continue their cooking journey.

When Mareanie shows it can use Knock Off, a Dark-type move, Team Rocket realizes that now they'll be able to do a Dark-type Z-move with their Darkinium Z crystal ... if they only had a Z-ring! Team Rocket boss Giovanni tells them to go to Ula'ula Island and see Island Kahuna Nanu, an old acquaintance of his, but when they get there (having left behind talking dummies of themselves to fool Bewear) they're told by a grumpy old man that Nanu has gone on a training pilgrimage and won't be back for a long time! When Jessie, in her anger, smashes an old tombstone, she releases a giant Gengar who steals their Darkinium-Z crystal. Later at the local library, a girl named Acerola, after reading a scary story about a wicked Pokémon to two children, is kidnapped by Gengar, who flies off with her stealing everything. Her Mimikyu flies after them and tries to rescue Acerola, but fails. Gengar offers all of the stolen items to Acerola as gifts, but she refuses to accept them, as they are stolen, and Gengar in a temper tries to possess Acerola, but Team Rocket has been following and Jessie's Mimikyu attacks Gengar (with James secretly retrieving their Darkinium-Z crystal). Team Rocket teases Gengar into losing, then runs off with Gengar in pursuit; when it catches up to them, the battle gets very confusing and is only halted when the grumpy old man and Acerola appear. The old man (who is actually Island Kahuna Nanu) gives James a Z-ring and he uses the Z-move Black Hole Eclipse with Mareanie to defeat Gengar. As a reward for helping her, Acerola (Nanu's niece) gives Jessie a Mimikyu Z-crystal.

Team Rocket (especially Jessie) are celebrating getting a Z-ring and a Mimikyu Z-crystal, but they are shocked to see Ash, Pikachu, Rotom-Dex and Poipole arriving on Ula'ula Island. Ash is ready to undergo his third Island Trial, but first he has to find Island Kahuna Nanu. At the stationhouse, Nanu is in the middle of an unwelcome phone call from Giovanni when Ash arrives. Nanu pretends to be someone else and tricks Ash into looking after all of the Alolan Meowths while he sneaks away, and they nearly prove too much for Ash to handle, even with his Pokémon's help. After they all finally fall asleep, Acerola arrives and exposes Nanu as the Island Kahuna. At the Island Library where Acerola works, she tells Ash the legend of the Alolan Blinding One (which is overheard by Team Rocket). Finally, Nanu shows up and Ash begs to undergo the Island and Grand Trials. Although initially refusing, Nanu reluctantly agrees to a battle to see if Ash is skilled enough. It's Ash's Lycanroc versus Nanu's Krookodile, but Lycanroc is continually overpowered. Eventually, Lycanroc loses its temper again and is badly defeated. Despite the devastating loss, Ash is determined to stay on Ula'ula Island and train with Lycanroc to get stronger and overcome Nanu's Trials.

Ash wants to undergo some special training, so Acerola suggests that he go to see Ula'ula Island Guardian Pokémon Tapu Bulu at the Ruins of Abundance. Riding on a Mudsdale, they reach the mountainside where Tapu Bulu resides and climb up the mountain, where, beside a small lake, they find Tapu Bulu. Ash asks Tapu Bulu to train him and his Pokémon, but it seems more interested in napping. Poipole wakes it up with its Paint Attack and it creates a great tree which emits a sweet odor and a powerful aura that causes Rowlet to learn and use Razor Leaf! Ash is delighted and plays with his Pokémon in a sudden rain storm (watched by Tapu Bulu), but when Rowlet accidentally splashes Lycanroc with mud, it loses its temper again and almost attacks Ash's other Pokémon. Ash holds Lycanroc back and reminds it of the good times they had together when it was a Rockruff, and eventually Lycanroc calms down. Impressed, Tapu Bulu agrees to train them. During the battle, Lycanroc is knocked into the lake, but keeps its temper and learns Stone Edge! Pleased at Lycanroc's progress, Tapu Bulu has its new tree grow Oran berries and shares them with everyone...then returns to its nap!

Now that Team Rocket has both a Z-crystal and a Z-ring and can perform Z-moves, this may be the ideal time for them to finally capture Pikachu. An unenthusiastic Nanu tells them Ash and Pikachu are at an abandoned shopping mall. No sooner have Team Rocket raced off than Ash appears, asking for an Island Trial. Nanu sends him off to the abandoned mall, telling him that the Trial, with Acerola as the judge, will be to battle the trainers waiting for him there. Ash and Team Rocket come face to face in an ultimate showdown battle with Mimikyu battling Pikachu! It's a tough battle, with Mimikyu keeping the upper hand, and Team Rocket seems on the verge of finally capturing Pikachu! Team Rocket unleashes their new Z-move, Let's Snuggle Forever, which traps Pikachu inside Mimikyu's disguise; however, Pikachu uses the newly-learned move Electroweb to protect itself. A second Electroweb traps Mimikyu, and Ash and Pikachu use their Z-move 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt to defeat Mimikyu. As Acerola proclaims Ash and Pikachu the winners, Bewear (who had discovered that Team Rocket had secretly left Melemele Island) collects Team Rocket (in a shopping cart) and takes them back home. With Ash having passed the Island Trial, Nanu agrees to grant Ash a Grand Trial!

The time has come for Ash to undergo the Ula'ula Grand Trial against Island Kahuna Nanu, but this time it's not like anything he's ever done before ... he must face three Pokémon in a row using only one of his own! Ash chooses Lycanroc as his Pokémon, and Nanu brings out his first Pokémon ... Krookodile. Krookodile deliberately dirties Lycanroc, but Lycanroc keeps its temper, takes Krookodile down with the newly-learned move Counter after several unsuccessful Accelerock and finally defeats it. Nanu's second Pokémon is Sableye, who has a powerful Shadow Claw move but is eventually defeated by Lycanroc's Stone Edge, the whole battle being watched by Tapu Bulu who drops a berry to give Lycanroc needed energy. Nanu's final Pokémon is an Alolan Persian, but this time both Ash and Lycanroc are goaded to the point where Lycanroc loses its temper again and attacks Ash! Ash calms Lugarugan and Lycanroc uses its rage to give it extra power. Nanu powers Persian up with the Dark Z-Move Black Hole Eclipse, but Ash counters with his own Rock Z-crystal and Lycanroc uses Continental Crush to defeat Persian. With Ash having won the Grand Trial, Nanu gives him a Lycanium Z crystal. Tapu Bulu, delighted, gives Lycanroc another power berry, and Ash and his team return to Melemele Island.

Ash and the gang are watching a fireworks display when a mysterious Pokémon appears and begins its own fireworks performance, to everyone's delight (especially Poipole). Just as its performance ends, a wormhole opens and an Ultra Beast appears. The next day, the Ultra Guardians are summoned, and Lusamine briefs them on the first stranger, an Ultra Beast designated Blacephalon. Suddenly the power goes off; when the Ultra Guardians arrive at the power sub-station where the drain is coming from, they find the trouble is being caused by the second Ultra Beast, designated Xurkitree, which attacks them. Blacephalon appears and the two Ultra Beasts begin battling. Because the fighting styles look like performances, Ash comes up with an unusual plan: to combine all their Pokémon's attacks into one fireworks performance! With the Ultra Beasts distracted, Ash unleashes Lycanroc's new Z-move Splintered Stormshards and both Ultra Beasts are weakened enough to be captured. The next day, worm holes are opened and the two Ultra Beasts return home.

While visiting the Hōkūlani Observatory on Ula-ula Island, which is run by Sophocles's cousin Molayne, the classmates meet a new Pokémon, Minior, that makes a connection with Ash's Poipole. However, while everyone is having a great time playing with Minior, a painful memory regarding another Minior haunts Sophocles.

While on their way to the ferry back to Melemele Island, the gang find a strange cave that supposedly is a short cut. When Merowak causes Turtonator's spikes to explode, everyone becomes separated. After wandering into a wondrous ice cavern, Lillie, Mallow and Sophocles meet Alolan Sandshrew (one of which is much larger than the others) who are battling a Tyranator that has invaded their domain. The battle cuts Lillue and Snowy off from the others, but she is determined to help the Sandshrew. Meanwhile, Rotom's "detailed analysis" is not proving much use to Lana in finding a way out, and Ash and Kiawe find themselves out in the cold.

Ash and Professor Burnet are watching Masked Royal and Incineroar on TV in another Battle Royal, and even though their opponent tries to use outside interference the duo win; however, Masked Royal and Incineroar are blindsided by another masked wrestler, Mad Magma, and his Magmortar, members of a rule-breaking group called The Revengers, who challenge them to a match, and Masked Royal accepts. When Professor Kukui arrives home, Ash and Professor Burnet convince him to take them to see the challenge match. At the arena, they meet up with Mallow, Lana, Lillie, Kiawe and Sophocles. Professor Kukui manages to sneak away before the main event and get back to the ring as Masked Royal with Incineroar just in time. Before the match can even begin, Incineroar is attacked by three other Pokémon: a Muk, a Poliwrath and a Golem, while Masked Royal is restrained by the other Revengers trainers. Enraged at the dirty tactics, Torracat charges the ring with Ash in pursuit and takes down Magmortar before it can squash Incineroar! Viren appears as the manager of the Revengers and challenges Masked Royal, Incineroar, Ash and Torracat to a tag team grudge match against Mad Magma, Magmortar, Mr. Electric (another Revenger wrestler) and his Electivire; when Ash and Torracat show that they are willing and ready to battle, Masked Royal accepts the challenge. Masked Royal gives Ash a mask like his, and Ash becomes Ash Royal! The new masked duo and their Pokémon work well together and put up a good fight, despite dirty tactics from both Magmortar and Electivire and outside interference from the other Revengers' Pokémon. During the match, Torracat learns to use Revenge and defeats both Magmortar and Electivire! Masked Royal and Incineroar use the Z-move Malicious Moonsault to wipe out all five sore-losing Revengers, and the masked duo and their Pokémon partners win the match! Unwilling to accept defeat, Viren unleashes a Pangoro, but it's no match for a combined Incineroar/Torracat attack, with Viren being taken down as well!

The Pokémon School is putting on a PokéDance, and each Trainer has to come up with a dance that will showcase their Partner Pokémon's individual qualities. Mallow and Steenee learn the Alola Hula from Anela, the old lady from the market, and her Oricorio and decide to practice it. However, Team Rocket sees this as a perfect opportunity to steal some Pokémon. On the day of the PokéDance, the gang finds out that the judges are Anela and Oricorio. Each duo shows off their own style: Lillie/Snowy with an ice dance, Lana/Popplio (with some help from Harper and Sarah) with a bubble dance, Kiawe/Marowak with a fire baton dance (that unfortunately goes out of control) and Sophocles/Charjabug/Togedemaru with a Charjabug race car that transforms into a mecha. Before Ash and his Pokémon can perform, Team Rocket appears (with Jessie in male guise and James in female guise!) and trap the humans in one cage and their Pokémon in another (with the exception of Steenee, who has been off practicing)! When Steenee sees what's happened, it tries to help but is captured. When Meowth accidentally reveals how the cages can be opened by the buttons on their tops, Steenee tries to stomp on then and evolves into Tsareena! Tsareena uses Tropical Kick on Meowth and Stomp to open the cages. Before Team Rocket can be defeated, Bewear appears and carries them off.

Faba comes to the Pokémon School to give a special lesson on how PokéBalls work, but a device he brings with him to demonstrate miniaturization does not work. When he tries to fix it, the machine goes haywire and the miniaturization beam shoots everywhere, hitting Ash, Lillie and Sophocles and shrinking them down to mini-size! When Faba tries to fix the machine again, Togedemaru accidentally crashes into it, smashing it and causing Togedemaru to get knocked into the mini-three, sending them all into the outside stream, the drainage system and eventually an outside river. Kiawe, Mallow and Lana shift into Ultra-Guardian mode to try and find them along with Pikachu and Snowy. The mini-trio meet friendly Dedennes (who communicate with Togedemaru and later Pikachu via electricity) and friendly Comfey, but are later chased and cornered by the Alolan Persian who had previously bullied Ash's Litten. Before the Persian can attack, the others find them and Mallow's Tsareena decisively defeats the Persian and sends it fleeing. The mini-trio are reunited with their Pokémon partners, and Pikachu's accidentally sneezing on them somehow causes a reaction that returns them all to normal size! Back at the Pokémon school, Faba again tries to demonstrate his machine, but when it goes haywire again the beam hits Togedemaru and this time blows it up to giant-size!

Viren turns up again, this time overseeing the construction of a resort known as Viren Tower. A new rock/steel-type Ultra Beast called Stakataka turns up first at the Pokémon school (where it's mistaken for a new type of vaulting box), and catching it, even though it doesn't move, turns out to be harder than expected and they are forced to give up for the day. During the night, it moves itself to Viren's building site. When Viren, mistaking it for a statue stand, glues a golden statue of himself onto it, it goes berserk and the Ultra Guardians are once again called into action! Another unorthodox "Ash strategy" enables him to calm down and capture Stakataka, who is later released into an Ultra wormhole back to its home.

The gang, their Pokémon and their Ultra Guardian Ride Pokémon visit the Pokémon Paradise Resort, a special hot spring, to relax, but for some reason three of the employees look very familiar and may be plotting some mischief ...

One morning, as a mysterious cloudy weather covers Alola, Satoshi notices that Professors Kukui and Burnet are feeling listless. Once he gets to the Pokémon School, he talks with his classmates, and it appears their mothers and fathers are feeling the same way. The Ultra Guardians are dispatched in order to investigate this mystery, but then a new member of the team appears.

While draining everyone (except the Ultra Guardians) of their vitality, the mysterious Ultra Beast pursues Lunala to Melemele Island with the Ultra Guardians giving chase. When the Ultra Beast attacks Lunala, Kapu-Kokeko appears and joins Lunala to engage the Ultra Beast in a fierce battle with assistance from the Ultra Guardians and their Ride Pokémon, but Lunala is caught and absorbed by the Ultra Beast. Meanwhile, a special unit from Rocket-Dan Headquarters shows up to target them as well, but is also suffering from the vitality drain. The Rocket-Dan group fails to capture the Ultra Beast, but after Solgaleo also appears and is able to free Lunala, they turn their attention on the two Legendary Pokémon. Gladio/Silvady and Satoshi/Pikachu free them and the Rocket-Dan airship is forced to retreat just as the Ultra Beast reappears and absorbs Solgaleo, escaping through an Ultra Wormhole! Everyone's vitality is restored and the injured Lunala is taken to the Ultra Guardian base, where power from Satoshi, Kaki, Gladio and Suiren's Z-rings restore it to full strength. Sauboh enters with information that the airship that attacked them was part of Rocket-Dan.

Although Lusamine is originally against the idea, the Ultra Guardians travel with Lunala to the other side of an Ultra Wormhole opened by Lunala, while Professor Kukui and Sauboh prepare to face Rocket-Dan's Matori Matrix and Wicke and Professor Burnet try to figure out UB: BLACK's connection to the Radiant One. The Ultra Guardians arrive on a dark world, where they are attacked by other Bevenom until Satoshi's Bevenom convinces them to stop. Agoyon. an evolved version of Bevenom, communicates with them by telepathy and explains that UB: BLACK, actually named Necrozma and who is the actual Blinding One, needs Solgaleo's power to revive this dark and dying world after a meteor strike had caused it to lose its power of light. Agoyon also reveals that Satoshi's Bevenom had gone on its own to find a new world where they could survive. Necrozma appears, still possessing Solgaleo and battling Lunala, but when Gladio tries to attack he is stopped by Satoshi, who says that he intends to save everyone, and Lilie and the other support Satoshi's plan: the four Z-ring holders will use their Z-Moves in a combined attack to release Solgaleo from Necrozma's absorption and to give Necrozma enough Ultra Aura to restore it. Meanwhile back in Alola, the Matori Matrix unleashes a Mega Bossgodora, which defeats Kukui's Warrgle and Sauboh's Sleeper and Foodin.

The battle to save Solgaleo and restore Necrozma as the Blinding One continues, but Satoshi's plan doesn't seem to be working, while back in Alola Professor Kukui is forced to call out his Gaogaen to face the Matori Matrix's Mega Bossgodora, and their Z-Move Hyper Dark Crusher wins the battle! The Rocket-Dan airship tries to enter the Ultra Wormhole, but is stopped by Tapu-Kokeko. Back in Ultra Space, Lunala joins in the battle, and Lusamine and Professor Burnet manage to contact the Ultra Guardians with a way to transfer Ultra Aura to Necrozma with the assistance of the Island Guardian Pokémon, the Island Kahunas and all the Pokémon and people in Alola...even Rocket-Dan and their Pokémon! Solgaleo is released, but Necrozma continues to attack! The Island Kahunas send the power of their Z-moves, but when that doesn't help, Lunana gives Gladio a Lunala Z-crystal. Satoshi uses his Solgaleo Z-crystal and the two use a combination of Sunshine Smasher and Moonlight Blaster Z-moves to restore Necrozma to The Blinding One, bringing light and life back to Bevenom's world. When Bevenom chooses to stay, Satoshi accepts that decision, and he and the Ultra Guardians, Lunala and Solgaleo return to Alola.

Satoshi, Pikachu, Kaki and Hoshi visit Pikachu Valley, which is looked after by Pikaria, who is so devoted to Pikachu that she even dresses like (and tries to get everybody else to do likewise) and tries to talk like Pikachu (even adding "Pika" to the end of every sentence and everybody's name). The Valley Pikachu (all of whom belong to Pikaria) are wary of Satoshi's Pikachu because he comes from Kanto, but after female Pikachu Kurin proves friendly and dominant male Pikachu Banchō loses to Satoshi's Pikachu in a battle, everything seems to be going well...until Rocket-Dan tries to capture all of the Valley Pikachu. But it turns out that Pikaria has a plan (as well as a Z-ring, a Pikachu Z-crystal and the Z-move Certain-kill Pikachoot) up her sleeve!

Since Satoshi and Professor Burnet are huge Royal Mask fans, they're overjoyed at attending a handshake event with him at the Melemele Island Mall, and insist on Professor Kukui coming with them. Royal Mask is in danger of having his true identity exposed, but another huge fan may be the answer...that is, until rudo wrestler Mad Boober and his Booburn challenge the supposed "Royal Mask" to a fight!

The Pokémon School is putting on a play (written by Rotom-Dex), in which Lilie plays the hero Liliel, who sets off on a journey to meet the legendary Pokémon; Satoshi plays Kapu-Kokeko, Suiren plays Kapu-Rehire, Mao plays Kapu-Tetefu, Māmane plays Kapu-Bulul, Kaki plays legendary Pokémon "Kakigaleo" (a dead ringer for Solgaleo) and even Pokémon are cast members, with Mao's Amajo playing a human queen (with Māmane as the king) and their other Pokémon playing themselves in costumes of themselves! To complicate matters, all their parents are there to see the show, including Lusamine and Satoshi's mother. But who is the mysterious actress Musabarbara, who is in the play as well playing Lunala, and her two accomplices? With all this drama and Musabarbara trying to steal the spotlight, Rotom-Dex will have to do some fast re-writes to bring this play to a successful conclusion and a happy ending! Meanwhile, an unusual wild Eievui fleeing from an angry Hellgar finds itself on board a ferry headed for ... where?

Suiren's sisters Ho and Sui want to go to a haunted house, but there don't seem to be any in Alola. Acerola and Mimi-tan have come to Melemele Island for a visit, and she suggests, with Principal Okido's approval, that they make one at the Pokémon school. Under Rotom-Dex's guidance, Ho and Sui start exploring the "haunted house" (with all ghostly SFX provided by Satoshi and the gang). Suddenly mysterious things begin happening, and Acerola's Kagebouzu reveals the presence of extremely enthusiastic Ghost Pokémon, possibly drawn by Mimi-tan's presence. Ho and Sui are having too much fun with the Ghost Pokémon to be scared and the Ghost Pokémon want them to stay with them, so everyone is transported into a scary dreamworld created by Mumargi. Now the gang must escape Mumargi's traps before Ho and Sui are whisked away forever; maybe Principal Okido's Nekkoala can help! Meanwhile, waves from a playful Hoeruko causes some crates (inside one of which Eievui is napping) to fall overboard off the ferry; in a panic, Eievui falls into the sea and nearly drowns before being rescued by a Tamanta who gives it a ride.

An intense magnetic anomaly has occurred, centered at Wela Volcano Park on Akala Island. Since this anomaly may affect the system that senses the appearances of Ultra Beasts, Lusamine concludes that she can't just ignore it, so she instructs Satoshi and the other Ultra Guardians to look into the cause. When they arrive at Wela Volcano, the Ultra Guardians split into two teams to investigate. The team of Satoshi, Kaki and Māmane discover that the disturbances are caused by the illegal mining and uncovering of Spark Stones, which are also the main food source for the area's Rock-type Pokémon. The Rock Hunters (the illegal miners) try to drive them off by unleashing a Kailios, but Kaki's Garagara defeats it. In the meantime, the team of Mao, Suiren and Lilie have run in to the Mountaineers they had previously encountered in Episode 975/969. Satoshi, Kaki and Māmane follow the Rock Hunters into a cave inside the volcano, only to run into them again fleeing from an Alolan Golonya. Golonya attacks, but Māmane summons his Ride Metang to battle it. Metang uses an unusual tactic to win, and the Mountaineers convince Golonya to join them. Meanwhile, Eievui and its new friend Tamanta are having a great time traveling to who knows where.

Melemele Island Kahuna Hala's grandson Hau is training with his Fukuthrow when he runs into Satoshi, and is excited to learn that not only does Satoshi have a z-ring but also that Satoshi's Mokuroh defeated one of his grandfather's Pokémon. Satoshi asks for a battle against Hau, who is only too happy to oblige. When Satoshi drops his Grass-Z crystal and is distracted, Fukuthrow defeats Mokuroh. Hau promises a rematch, and Satoshi and Mokuroh return to the Dodekabashi nest, where Satoshi sees both it and Kerarappa using Seed Machine Gun and tries to teach Mokuroh to use that move. Mokuroh is unable to use it, but finds an Unchanging Stone and is able to use it to perform Seed Bomb instead. In the rematch, Mokuroh's new Seed Bomb move is effective and Satoshi's Z-Move Bloom Shine Extra wins the battle. Hau is upset at first, but determines to become stronger and win his grandfather's Grand Trial, and the two part as friendly rivals. Meanwhile, Eievui's attempt to play with a Namakobushi prove less than successful; its retaliation causes Eievui to meet Pikachu and its Alolan Pokémon friends, and they seem to be getting along, despite Eievui's rough-house style of playing.

Rotom, accompanied by a very reluctant Satoshi, is visiting the set of his favorite TV show Alolan Detective Laki. When Rotom jumps in to point out script continuity problems, the director decides to offer him a guest appearance as himself on the show! Rotom's constant rehearsing at the Pokémon school bugs the heck out of everybody. But then the director offers to make the guest appearance a permanent role, which is Rotom's dream come true, and he accepts, which means that Rotom and Satoshi will have to split up. Satoshi is furious, and he and Rotom quarrel and part ways. Lilie has a serious talk with Satoshi which helps him better understand, while Rotom realizes that he has a dream that does not include acting on a TV show. The two apologize to each other and become friends again. Meanwhile, Eievui has had the best day ever playing with Pikachu and the gang, but when they go home at the end of the day, it realizes that it's lonely.

Eievui, now arrived on Melemele Island, sets out to find someone, but finds itself being chased by the bullying Persian from previous episodes.

While training for a possible Island Challenge/Grand Trial on Poni Island, Satoshi and Pikachu meet Kapu-Kokeko and ask to battle it. During the battle, something strange happens and Satoshi and Pikachu find themselves in a ruined city. They meet a mysterious trainer named Dia and a pokémon named Zeraora and learn that an Ultra Beast named Akujiking was responsible for the massive destruction and because the Island Guardians have fled Z-moves no longer work... Why does this ruined city and a particular destroyed building seem so familiar?

Dia explains how his world came to be the way it is and how he and Zeraora met. Realizing that without Z-moves neither he and Pikachu nor Dia and Zeraora are strong enough on their own to defeat Akujiking and send it back through the Ultra Wormhole, Satoshi comes up with a plan to combine their attacks to hit Akujiking's weak spot, despite Dia's belief that such a plan would not work. However, Satoshi/Pikachu's confidence and determination may not only make the plan work but inspire Dia to finally gain a Pokémon partner. Their training session lures Akujiking out and battle is joined. If the plan does work and Akujiking is sent back, will Satoshi and Pikachu be able to find their way home?

It's not only vacation time at the Pokémon school, but also reunion time! Suiren's been keeping a secret from the gang ... guess who's finally found time to come from Kanto to visit Alola! The original trio and the rest of the gang are in for some fun ... Takeshi wants to observe and help out at the local Pokémon Centers and Kasumi joins the gang exploring Melemele Island and having fun, especially on Treasure Island. However, Rocket-Dan have realized that they haven't been doing very well or very much, so they hatch up plans to steal the gang's Tamanta Ride Pokémon. Are our original trio and their Alolan friends in for some major battling? With Rocket-Dan's using a new and improved Mecha, it may take super-awesome combined Z-moves to win this time!

The original trio and the gang head over to Akala Island to visit Kaki's family's farm. While there, they run into Lychee and Takeshi falls for her extra hard! Could the meeting between these two Rock-type Pokémon Trainers be the start of something wonderful ... and permanent?