(Japanese: 激闘！ それぞれのバトル！！Fierce Fighting! Respective Battles!!) is the 78th episode of Diamond & Pearl. It first aired in Japan on May 8, 2008 alongside DP077 as part of a one-hour special.
While taking a walk by Lake Valor, Ash and Pikachu see the shadow of a mysterious creature. The next day, the competitors progress through the battle rounds of the Wallace Cup.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
Ash encounters Azelf at Lake Valor, much like Dawn encountered Mesprit at Lake Verity in Following a Maiden's Voyage. Much speculation as to who will encounter Uxie is being made at the current time, with major candidates being Brock and Paul. During the episode, May tells of a story she heard about a mysterious, legendary Pokémon (likely to be Uxie) during her pitstop at Snowpoint City.
At the end of this episode, Piplup is returned to its Poké Ball for the first time in a long time so as to come out with the effects of the Ball Capsule. If Ash had used Pikachu instead of Buizel, it is unknown what he would have done.
Errors
In Dawn's first match, Buneary's capsule has a Bubble Seal , but then it changes to a Heart Seal when it opens.
