Ep. 1: Ash trains for the League while Iris battles Cynthia and Team Rocket targets Meloetta

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After securing his eighth Unova Gym badge, Ash learns the Unova League begins in three months. He and his friends visit Virbank City for Bearticone, where they encounter Sinnoh Champion Cynthia. She is attending the Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup in eastern Unova, prompting Ash, Iris, and Cilan to enter. Meanwhile, Team Rocket pursues Meloetta, a Mythical Pokémon that has followed Ash since Pokéstar Studios. The villains injure Meloetta, but the heroes rescue and heal it. Grateful, Meloetta sings before disappearing. Iris then challenges Cynthia to a battle, allowing Axew to learn Giga Impact against Garchomp. The group boards a seaplane to Undella Town, unaware that Team Rocket and Meowth are tracking Meloetta. Cynthia reveals an old friend awaits them, and Dawn arrives with Piplup to greet the group upon landing.