XY128

This article is about an episode of the Pokémon animated series that has not been dubbed into English. As such, its coverage may contain romanized Japanese names, rather than dub names.

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XY128

XY128   EP927 ライバル決戦！サトシゲッコウガVSメガジュカイン！！ Decisive Rival Battle! Satoshi Gekkouga VS Mega Jukain!!

First broadcast Japan July 28, 2016 United States

English themes Opening Ending

Japanese themes Opening XY&Z Ending プニちゃんのうた

Credits Animation Team Kato Screenplay 面出明美 Akemi Omode Storyboard 志村錠児 Jōji Shimura Assistant director 浅利藤彰 Fujiaki Asari Animation directors 大橋藍人 Aito Ōhashi 志村泉 Izumi Shimura No additional credits are available at this time.

Screenshots on Filb.de Preview thread on BMGf Closed Original review thread on BMGf

(Japanese: ライバル決戦！サトシゲッコウガVSメガジュカイン！！ Decisive Rival Battle! Satoshi Gekkouga VS Mega Jukain!!) is the 128th episode of the XY series, and the 927th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on July 28, 2016.

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Plot

The battle between Ash and Sawyer continues as Sawyer's Aegislash stands before Pikachu after it has cut down all the trees and cleared the battlefield with Sacred Sword, limiting Pikachu's options for evading attacks. Ash wonders what Sawyer could be planning by cutting the trees down, as well as Bonnie questioning it too as Ash's friends give their thoughts on the situation. Back on the battlefield, Sawyer praises Aegislash and Ash informs Pikachu that they need to be careful while battling Aegislash. Professor Sycamore is interested by Sawyer's battling technique, while Diantha wonders what he could be planning for Pikachu during the battle, commenting on how Sawyer has analyzed the battle so far. Alain watches the battle between the two from the stands.

Ash makes his next command, ordering Pikachu to use Iron Tail, but Sawyer quickly has Aegislash use King's Shield to protect itself from the attack. Pikachu's Iron Tail connects with the King's Shield, causing Pikachu's Attack stat to drop as a result, which reminds Ash that attacking Aegislash will be difficult. Clemont and Tierno note on how King's Shield needs to be dealt with properly and not handled carelessly. Seeing an opportunity to attack, Sawyer commands Aegislash to use Sacred Sword, which Pikachu successfully dodges, only to be struck when he gets too close, slamming into the ground after the hit. Tierno wonders if Sawyer's plan is to limit Pikachu's speed, with the scattered logs forming unstable footing for Pikachu, whereas Aegislash is floating in the air, giving it the advantage. Sawyer continues to have Aegislash use Sacred Sword, which Pikachu is able to avoid several times until he backs himself into a corner and is hit. Ash attempts to use Thunderbolt instead, but that is soon blocked by King's Shield once again. During Aegislash's change to its Shield Forme, Ash takes notice of how it joins with its shield. Ash tells Pikachu that he has a risky idea, but he trusts Pikachu to be able to handle it. This is quickly noticed by Sawyer as he has seen the same expression on Ash's face numerous times. As Sawyer tells Aegislash not to let its guard down, Ash commands Pikachu to use Iron Tail, which he slams into the ground, forcing the logs all around into the air. Sawyer responds confidently by having Aegislash use Fury Cutter, but as Ash orders Pikachu to use the logs to close in, Aegislash is unable to land a hit as Pikachu darts between the midair logs. When Pikachu finally appears to be closing for an attack, Sawyer commands Aegislash to use King's Shield. Setting his plan into action, Ash orders Pikachu to throw one of the logs, which wedges into Aegislash's shield where it would normally join to complete its King's Shield. Already in the middle of its move, Aegislash becomes stuck when it attempts to form King's Shield, and Ash orders Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, which connects and knocks Aegislash out.

With Sawyer's remaining Pokémon brought down to three, the battlefield is changed. While the field is being changed, Sawyer and Ash talk about how the latter was able to win the battle against Aegislash, and Sawyer notices that Ash has complete trust in his Pokémon and that's what makes them strong. The new battlefield is brought up and is revealed to be a desert field, and Ash and Sawyer send out their Pokémon for the next battle, Noivern and Salamence, as Serena scans the latter with her Pokédex. The battle begins with Ash commanding Boomburst, which is dodged by Salamance numerous times before finally connecting. Noivern then uses Dragon Claw but Sawyer has Salamence use Dragon Rush to counter. As the two attacks collide and Noivern recoils, Ash checks on Noivern to make sure he's alright. In the meantime, Sawyer commands Salamence to use Incinerate. Noivern nimbly dodges each fireball flung its way, but after dodging the last, Salamence suddenly pops up in front of Noivern and uses Dragon Tail to send him flying. Clemont theorizes that Salamence deliberately used Icinerate to guide Noivern's movements. After checking that Noivern is alright, Ash has him dodge Salamence's resumed Incinerate attacks. As Salamence winds up for another fireball, Ash has him use Boomburst to intercept it. The attacks collide and create a smoke cloud, which Ash uses to his advantage by commanding Noivern to use Acrobatics. Remembering that Noivern can see even in the smoke, Sawyer has Salamance use Protect, narrowly blocking Noivern's oncoming attack. Ash and Sawyer command their Pokémon to use Dragon Rush and Acrobatics, and the two collide powerfully. As the smoke clears, both Pokémon are revealed to have been knocked out. Both Ash and Sawyer return their defeated Pokémon to their Poké Balls. Sawyer immediately sends out his fifth Pokémon, Slurpuff, and Ash sends out his Goodra in response. Sawyer remarks to himself that he's never battled Goodra before and tells Slurpuff to be ready for anything.

Sawyer starts off the battle by having Slurpuff use Flamethrower, which is countered by Goodra's Ice Beam, creating a collision. When the smoke clears, Slurpuff uses Dazzling Gleam, which is super effective on Goodra, but shows to have had little effect on it. Sawyer then orders Fairy Wind in an attempt to deal more super effective damage, but Ash has Goodra use Bide. Anticipating the upcoming attack, Sawyer has Slurpuff use Cotton Guard to raise its Defense before Ash orders Goodra to fire off Bide, but having used Cotton Guard, the attack doesn't do much damage, so Ash orders Goodra to use Ice Beam, but is then countered by Slurpuff's Flamethrower, causing an explosion and creating a smoke cloud. Sawyer commands Fairy Wind, and by using its incredible sense of smell, Slurpuff is able to scout out Goodra's location through the smoke and hit it hard with Fairy Wind, sending it flying back. Sawyer comments on how Slurfuff's sense of smell can be used to locate its opponents through the smoke as Ash mentions that he must have used that technique after battling Noivern. Slurpuff uses Flamethrower again and Ash commands Bide, but Goodra shows to be in some pain after taking so much damage, causing Sawyer to order Slurpuff to keep it up with Flamethrower. As the attack explodes, Sawyer looks pleased, but it is short lived when Goodra is shown to have endured the hit and uses Bide, which is then countered by Fairy Wind, causing an explosion that knocks out both Pokémon from the battle.

Returning their Pokémon, Sawyer then sends out his sixth and final Pokémon, Sceptile, who Bonnie and Clemont comment on as Trevor mentions that Ash only has Pikachu and Greninja left, with the former being weakened from his previous battles. Tierno adds that Sceptile has the ability to Mega Evolve, while Serena hopes that Ash is careful during the battle. Ash sends Pikachu into the battle again and starts off with Quick Attack but Sawyer has Sceptile use Leaf Storm while keeping its distance. Leaf Storm surrounds Pikachu but Ash commands him to use Thunderbolt through Leaf Storm, which makes contact. Pikachu attacks with Iron Tail, but Sawyer has Sceptile counter with Leaf Blade, sending Pikachu back before being commanded to use Frenzy Plant, which surrounds and takes hold of Pikachu when he attempts to dodge and slams him to the ground, knocking him out.

With Ash down to his final Pokémon, he sends out Greninja to face Sceptile. Ash starts off by commanding Water Shuriken and Sceptile counters by using Dragon Claw to cut through. Greninja then uses Double Team, but the copies are destroyed by Sceptile's Frenzy Plant, which then reveals the real Greninja and Sawyer commands Sceptile to use Leaf Blade on it, but is countered with Cut by Greninja. Sawyer then begins to talk to Ash about how he has always followed in his footsteps and he will reach the top if he manages to defeat him in the battle between him and the real Ash; the person he admires. Ash then apologises to Sawyer that he rushed to catch up to him as Sawyer managed to surpass him in their last battle, and how it is thanks to it that he was able to know who he is. Ash tells Greninja that they will go with all their power and Greninja transforms into its Ash-Greninja form and Sawyer Mega Evolves his Sceptile into Mega Sceptile. Sceptile uses Frenzy Plant and Ash tells Greninja to dodge it, which it succeeds in and then uses Cut to tear its way through Frenzy Plant. Ash then commands Water Shuriken using the shuriken on its back but is countered by Dragon Claw from Sceptile. Greninja then attacks Sceptile using Aerial Ace but in turn is hit with Leaf Storm using the tip of Mega Sceptile's tail. Sceptile then uses Leaf Blade as Greninja uses Cut as the two attack one another's moves with their own. Sceptile attacks once more time with Leaf Storm, but this time Ash feels the pain of the damage Greninja takes from the attack and when the move causes a collision, Ash mentions that it's not over. Sawyer commands Sceptile to use Frenzy Plant again and Greninja charges down it, using Cut to cut through Frenzy Plant. In the crowd, Shauna comments on how Ash-Greninja is unable to get close to Mega Sceptile due to getting cornered at every point, Tierno wonders as to how Sawyer managed to make Frenzy Plant so powerful as Trevor points out that it's incredible. Bonnie begins to get worried as she fears Ash will lose the battle, but Serena assures her that Ash will win and that she shouldn't worry because he is with Greninja. Clemont then mentions how Ash is strong because of his Pokémon and that as long as he remains fighting with his Pokémon, he will become stronger. As Frenzy Plant approaches Ash-Greninja after being dodged by Ash and Greninja in sync, Ash orders it to use Cut as it tears right through the attack, and the synchronization between the two is noticed by Professor Sycamore as he and Diantha watch on. Greninja's giant shuriken grows bigger as Ash tells Greninja to get ready before commanding it to use Double Team creating dozens of copies. Ash makes his final command of the battle as he has Greninja use Water Shuriken, which grows significantly in size by combining with the copy shurikens. Knowing the battle is almost over, Sawyer commands Mega Sceptile to use Leaf Storm, which sends of the tip of its tail surrounded in leaves straight into the Water Shuriken, but it is no match for the power of the now bigger shuriken as Water Shuriken completely cuts through and makes contact with Mega Sceptile, knocking it out as it reverts to its normal form, making Ash the winner of the battle.

With Ash as the winner of the second semi-finals battle, he advances to the finals. Ash's friends cheer and congratulate him from the crowd as they are thrilled that Ash made it to the finals after defeating Sawyer, with Serena showing the most happiness. As Ash-Greninja and Ash are both exhausted from the battle, Ash-Greninja reverts back its normal form as Ash says that they managed to win. Team Rocket watch on as they are impressed by Ash's battle and wonder whether this means that he will be able to win the League this time. With Professor Sycamore and Diantha, the former claps as he comments on the marvelous and surprising battle, while Diantha hopes that there are many more Trainers like Ash and Sawyer, as Professor Sycamore hopes so too. Having seen the result of the battle, Alain smiles as he walks away. Sawyer and Ash meet at the middle of the battle field as Sawyer tells Ash that he has received a lot of experience because of Ash and also mentions that Ash is the Trainer he will always admire. Ash admits that they had a good battle and he was excited throughout. The two of them agree to battle again one day when they have both trained harder, had many more battles and become much stronger. The two shake hands after a well fought battle.

Major events

• Sawyer's Shelgon is revealed to have evolved into Salamence.
• The Full Battle between Ash and Sawyer ends in Ash's victory, advancing him to the finals to face Alain.

For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.

Characters

Humans

Pokémon Quiz

• Ash
• Serena
• Clemont
• Bonnie
• Jessie
• James
• Professor Sycamore
• Sawyer
• Alain
• Tierno
• Trevor
• Shauna
• Diantha
• Malva
• Announcer
• Referee

Pokémon

Pokémon Quiz: Mega Sceptile (Japan)

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Dedenne (Clemont's)
• Greninja (Ash's; Ash-Greninja)
• Goodra (Ash's)
• Noivern (Ash's)
• Chespin (Clemont's)
• Sceptile (Sawyer's; Mega Sceptile)
• Salamence (Sawyer's)
• Slurpuff (Sawyer's)
• Aegislash (Sawyer's)

Trivia

File:Title Card XY Ash V2.png

The title card segment focuses on Ash for this episode

• Poké TV: "Pokemon Unbelievable" focusing on some of Ash's, Clemont's, and Serena's Pokémon, along with Sawyer's Mega Sceptile.
• Serena, Bonnie, Clemont's Chespin, and Mairin narrate the preview for the next episode.
• This episode marks the first time Ash has ever gotten into the finals of a Pokémon League Conference.
• XY&Z is used as an insert song during Ash's battle against Sawyer, when Mega Sceptile and Ash-Greninja are battling each other.
• This episode marks the first time Goodra is knocked out during a battle since its capture.

Errors

• After Pikachu makes contact with Aegislash's King's Shield, the animation of Pikachu's Attack stat dropping moved up instead of down, making it appear that the stat was being raised instead of dropping.
• When Sawyer calls for Aegislash to continue using Sacred Sword, Aegislash was shown being in Shield Forme instead of Blade Forme before attacking.
• When Pikachu returns to Ash after defeating Aegislash, his bruises from the battle disappear.
• When Salamance's Dragon Rush and Noivern's Acrobatics collide at the end of their battle and create a smoke cloud, Pikachu is missing the brown patch on his tail.
• Before Greninja uses Double Team, the webbing on its left hand is missing.
• After Greninja uses Double Team, the inside of one of the Greninja doubles' ear is cream instead of blue.
• When Ash commands Greninja to use Cut to counter Sceptile's Leaf Blade, the scoreboard displays Ash's Noivern and Sawyer's Salamence as the two who are currently battling. Due to this, the scoreboard displays Pikachu as being still able to battle despite being knocked out previously, and Ash's Goodra and Greninja aren't on the scoreboard, despite having been used and defeated, and currently in battle, respectively.
  • Additionally, Sawyer's Slurpuff and Sceptile are absent from the scoreboard, too.
• When Greninja uses Cut, it is missing the star shape on its leg.
• When Ash commands Ash-Greninja to use Cut on Mega Sceptile's Frenzy Plant after dodging it, there is a tree in the background, despite them being on a desert battle field at that point of the battle.
• When Mega Sceptile uses Frenzy Plant on Ash-Greninja, Greninja's giant shuriken is colored dark blue like the stars on its legs instead of light blue for a few frames as it falls.
• Before Ash has Greninja use Cut against Mega Sceptile's Frenzy Plant, Ash's Pikachu is shown standing next to Ash, but is also shown on the right-hand side where Ash placed him after being defeated previously.
• When Ash is declared the winner of the battle, on the scoreboard, Talonflame and Slaking's silhouettes are different from before.

In other languages

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XY series

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This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.