GC141

==Synopsis==
The opening round of the Ever Grande Conference features all-star Pokemon.
==Summary==
The early morning before the first round of the Ever Grande Conference begins, Justin is shown training Mega Blaziken when Rachel arrives. Rachel mirrors the advice Justin gave her before the Grand Festival. Justin should not pressure his Pokemon into training and Justin says he is not. Blaziken herself is placing pressure on herself to master Speed Boost. Justin explains that Blaziken harassed him into training this morning in her Mega Evolution form.
Rachel asks why Justin chose Mega Blaziken over Mega Gardevoir for the competition. Justin acknowledges what he now admits was a mistake. Justin says he chose Mega Blaziken because he was inspired by Rachel using Shuppet. Rachel reminds Justin she lost, but Justin sharply notes she was better than Evyr, especially with her battle combinations. What caused Rachel to lose was simply her and Shuppet's inexperience in battling together in Contests. Justin believes it would be different with Mega Blaziken since they had battled together extensively. 
As of now, the problem is not just Speed Boost. Justin says Blaziken has been completely calm and loyal since evolution but he did not realize she had become a perfectionist, which is causing her to over-exert herself. Justin says he wants Blaziken to master her Speed Boost, but they've run out of time. Justin recalls Mega Blaziken who disobeys and pops out of her ball to keep training. Justin controls his temper but Gardevoir senses it and pops out of his ball as well to confront Mega Blaziken.
Stressed about competition, Justin screams at his Pokemon to stop arguing. He recalls them both. Rachel has only ever seen Justin so angry one other time, his loss to Winona, and even then he was not angry at his Pokemon. Justin apologizes to Rachel for seeing him shout at his Pokemon, and he walks to the main stadium. Rachel recognizes that Justin is the one who calms her down before performances, but she has no idea what to say to him.
Justin and his rivals congregate at the main stadium for the beginning of the Ever Grande Conference fortnight. The first round will span two days and Justin learns that he will not be battling on the first day of competition, relieving him since he is not in the right head-space to compete. Andrew, Monica, and Connor are all battling, however. 
Connor is up first and he faces Wilton. Connor chooses Sceptile and Wilton chooses Manectric. Unlike Andre and his use of Manectric, Wilton's uses a paralysis strategy with its Static, willingly taking damage from Leaf Blade attacks. Once Static settles, Wilton Mega Evolves Manectric, who strikes Sceptile with Thunder. Connor reacts by Mega Evolving Sceptile, who is revealed to have the Lightning Rod ability. Sceptile's power skyrockets when Manectric lands another Thunder and channels it into a devastating Leaf Storm. Manectric weakens the attack with Light Screen and a fierce battle ensues, which still ends in Sceptile's victory. Connor advances to the second round. 
In his opening round, Andrew battles a trainer, Caroline. They summon Absol and Mawile, respecively, and neither trainer wasts a second in Mega Evolving their Pokemon. Though Mega Evolved, Absol's defenses have not improved, only her speed and attack power. Aware, Andrew has Absol use Megahorn for defensive purposes to prevent Mawile from getting close. Absol's collection of moves are resisted by Mawile but she whittles down her opponent to secure Andrew a place in the second round. 
Monica faces Samuel. She chooses Salazzle to face what would be Samuel's Mega Aggron, which Monica finds perfect. Mega Aggron is far too slow to strike Salazzle. Meanwhile, Salazzle reveals her Corrosion ability, allowing her to point absolutely any type of Pokemon, even Steel-Types. Aggron suffers from horrific poisoning as the battle rages with Salazzle simply dodging. When the poison does its work, Salazzle wins Flamethrower. 
On the second day of competition, Justin battles Cyndy. Justin is more relaxed and in a better mood. Justin intended to use Mega Blaziken for his opening round, but inspired by Monica, Justin opts for his more reliable Gardevoir. Cyndy chooses Medicham and Justin readies Gardevoir, but Blaziken busts out as his opening Pokemon, much to his chagrin. 
Justin is forced to battle with Blaziken and decides to battle with her in her reliable standard form. However, Cyndy Mega Evolves Medicham. Despite Medicham's Mega Evolved state, Blaziken battles better, reminding Justin that Mega Evolution does not guarantee an edge. Blaziken is prepared to overwhelm Medicham with Blaze Kick, but Medicham surprisingly performs Counter, delivering heavy damage to Blaziken. Medicham then heals with Recover. Forced, Justin Mega Evolves Blaziken, allowing Blaziken to assert control of the battle again and avoid Medicham's Counter. However, Blaziken soon loses control of her speed and crashes, leaving her prey to a Thunder Punch from Medicham's four ghost-like arms. In the stands Rachel explains to Justin's rivals the problem with Blaziken's Speed Boost.
Frustrated, Justin tries to understand why Blaziken cannot move properly. Justin then remembers how Gardevoir battles when Mega Evolved. When Mega Gardevoir battles, his "gown" prevents him from moving with his feet because he'll trip, he must be stationary or move with psychic power. Justin recognizes that Mega Gardevoir battles as a different Pokemon, so Mega Blaziken must battle as a different Pokemon as well. 
Justin notes Blaziken battles on two legs, so he wonders how Mega Blaziken must battle. Using Mega Medicham has further inspiration, Justin orders Blaziken to battle while standing on one foot instead of both feet. With this one change, Blaziken only needs to focus on pivoting, turning, and stopping with one foot while the other can attack and defend. Blaziken kicks Medicham with Blaze Kick, and it retaliates with Counter, but Blaziken uses her free foot to block the Counter, jump, execute another Blaze Kick, and land perfectly on one foot. Mega Blaziken finds battling while balancing on one foot to provide perfect dexterity, balance, and acrobatics for her, which leads to victory over the Meditate Pokemon. 
Justin advances to the second round. He is relieved he finally figured out how to train Mega Blaziken and hugs her as she exits her Mega Evolved state. That night, Justin sets up a new speed obstacle course for Mega Blaziken. She completes the course perfectly several time while speeding on one leg.
==Major Events==
*Connor, Andrew, Monica, and Justin advance to the second round of the Ever Grande Conference
*Justin's Blaziken masters her Speed Boost and control of Mega Evolution
For a list of all major events in this anime, please see Major Events (Grand Conquest). 
==Characters==
===Humans===
*Justin
*Rachel
*Andrew
*Monica
*Connor
*Trainers
*Civilians
===Pokemon===
*Eevee (Justin's)
*Skitty (Rachel's)
Category:Grand Conquest
Category:Pokémon League Episodes