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| Season | Pokémon the Series: XYZ (Season 19) · The Lumiose Conference arc (XY123–XY131) |
| Episode | Season 19, episode 38 · English episode 926 · Japanese episode 931 · Bulbapedia code XY131 |
| English title | Down to the Fiery Finish! |
| Japanese title | カロスリーグ優勝！ サトシ頂上決戦！！ Karosu Rīgu Yūshō! Satoshi Chōjō Kessen!! — “Kalos League Victory! Satoshi’s Ultimate Match!!” |
| First aired (Japan) | 18 August 2016 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 5 November 2016 · Cartoon Network |
| Screenplay | Shinzō Fujita |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | XY&Z – Satoshi (Rica Matsumoto) · Pikachū no Uta (Pikachu’s Song) – Pikachu (Ikue Ōtani) |
| English opening | Stand Tall – Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth |
| Who’s That Pokémon? | Bisharp (US) |
| Previous episode | Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted! (XY130) |
| Next episode | A Towering Takeover! (XY132) |
Plot episodeAlain wins the LeagueZ2 unleashed
Down to the Fiery Finish! is the 38th episode of Pokémon the Series: XYZ, the nineteenth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 926th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 931, Bulbapedia code XY131). It first aired in Japan on 18 August 2016 and in the United States on 5 November 2016. It falls within the season’s The Lumiose Conference stretch (EP123–EP131).
Synopsis
Alain wins the Kalos League when his Mega Charizard X outlasts Ash-Greninja in a titanic final clash, and moments later Lysandre unleashes the captive Z2 on Lumiose City, covering it in enormous roots. Weakened by Metagross, Pikachu shields itself from Flamethrower with dirt kicked up by Iron Tail, a trick learned from Bunnelby, but falls to Charizard’s Dragon Claw. Ash sends out Goodra, which summons rain with Rain Dance and stores up damage from Bisharp’s Iron Head and Focus Blast to unleash a full-power Bide that drops Bisharp to one knee. Keanan and the wetland Pokémon watch on television, while Meyer and Clembot listen on the radio. Bisharp’s Iron Head and a Guillotine that slices through Dragon Pulse knock Goodra out, leaving Ash with only Greninja, which uses Double Team and leaps over Bisharp to knock it out with a rain-boosted Water Shuriken.
Ash and Alain bring out their partners’ full power: Greninja becomes Ash-Greninja and Charizard Mega Evolves. Flamethrower clears a Double Team, Water Shuriken and Aerial Ace meet Dragon Claw, and Ash feels every blow through their bond. Greninja cuts through Flamethrower and blocks Blast Burn with a wall of water before slamming Charizard down with Aerial Ace. Alain congratulates Ash but vows never to lose again, and the two agree to end it with no hard feelings. Water Shuriken overpowers Thunder Punch, and then Ash-Greninja forms an enormous orange Water Shuriken that collides with Charizard’s Blast Burn in a massive explosion. When the smoke clears, both Pokémon are standing, but Ash-Greninja collapses and reverts, and Alain wins the Lumiose Conference.
Ash admires Alain’s Charizard, and the two shake hands as Ash’s friends console him. Team Rocket, moved to tears, abandon their capture plan, and Professor Sycamore wonders whether victory has given Alain what he was looking for. Alone, Alain resolves to keep collecting Mega Evolution energy to save Chespie. As Diantha presents Alain with the trophy, Mairin turns to Lysandre and finds his seat empty. At the Team Flare-occupied Lumiose Gym, Xerosic fires a Zygarde-powered cannon at the imprisoned Z2, and Squishy senses its pain. On Lysandre’s orders, Z2 breaks through the Gym wall, climbs to the top of Prism Tower and gathers Zygarde Cells from across the city as giant roots erupt through the streets, causing panic. Lysandre declares that the world will be reborn, Squishy escapes Bonnie’s bag, and a bright red Zygarde roars from the root-covered tower.
Major Events
- Alain wins the League. Mega Charizard X’s Blast Burn beats Ash-Greninja’s giant Water Shuriken, and Alain wins the Lumiose Conference
- Lysandre unleashes Z2 over Lumiose City
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Shinzō Fujita.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Kalos storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- An XY&Z remix
Part of our Pokémon the Series: XYZ guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.