PJ124: Valor: A Strategic Part of Battling!

is the 34th episode of , and of .
==Synopsis==
The Masters Eight Tournament battle between Ash and Cynthia is underway, and Ash has three Pokémon left, while Cynthia has four. After switching her Pokémon repeatedly to gain the advantage, Cynthia calls Garchomp to the field, while Ash calls on Dracovish. Cynthia soon switches to Roserade, and it’s defeated by Dracovish, but Dracovish ends up poisoned. Refusing to retreat, Dracovish goes up against Cynthia’s Milotic. The two Pokémon clash, but Milotic wins, and Ash’s Sirfetch’d is up next. Overcoming hazards on the battlefield, Sirfetch’d defeats Milotic but falls to Garchomp. Now Ash is down to his final Pokémon, Lucario, and Cynthia switches out Garchomp for Togekiss—who starts to Dynamax!
==Episode plot==
Following the double knockout of Spiritomb and Pikachu, Ash brings Pikachu back to his side and thanks him for his performance. Cynthia and Ash call on Garchomp and Dracovish respectively. Dracovish lunges in with Ice Fang, but Garchomp dodges, drawing Dracovish closer in to use Dragon Claw for massive damage. She then has her use Stealth Rock before recalling her for Roserade.
Ash notices that Roserade isn't burned despite having been hit by Gengar's Will-O-Wisp earlier. Cynthia reveals that her Roserade has Natural Cure; after swapping the Pokémon out, it removes any status conditions on them. Dracovish is still eager to battle and uses Fishious Rend, which Roserade responds with Poison Jab. Both hits connect with each other, causing Dracovish to become poisoned and significantly enraging it. Roserade then tries to use Leaf Storm, but Dracovish uses Dragon Rush and powers through the attack, knocking it out in the process.
After the victory, Ash tries to recall Dracovish but it dodges his attempt to do so, insistent on fighting to the very end. Cynthia brings Milotic out, who Dracovish immediately uses Dragon Dive on. Milotic uses Disarming Voice to disorient it before moving in to squeeze it like it did with Iris' Dragonite in the first round. Dracovish attempts to use Fishious Rend as Milotic uses Iron Head in response, causing an explosion that sends both Pokémon flying backwards. Due to the poison inflicted from its fight with Roserade, Dracovish ends up fainting.
Ash then calls Sirfetch'd, who immediately gets pelted by the rocks Garchomp had planted earlier on the field. Knowing that ignoring the rocks would be a problem, Ash has him use Brutal Swing to destroy them, much to Cynthia's shock. Milotic uses Hydro Pump, but Sirfetch'd dodges it before following up with Fury Cutter. Sirfetch'd blocks the attack with his shield before hitting Milotic. Milotic tries to counter with Disarming Voice once again, but Sirfetch'd uses Meteor Assault and powers through it, causing Milotic to faint.
Cynthia brings Garchomp once again, prompting Ash to wonder if she intends to Mega Evolve her. Cynthia orders Garchomp to use Scale Shot in response, but Sirfetch'd cuts through the attack and gets closer. Garchomp responds with Dragon Claw, prompting him to use Detect to dodge the attack. As Sirfetch'd charges another Meteor Assault, Garchomp uses Draco Meteor in an attempt to stop him; however, he manages to charge up and collides into her. 
As the dust settles, Garchomp is revealed to have endured the attack, but Sirfetch'd is completely frozen. As Dan moves in to take a closer look, he deems Sirfetch'd unable to battle, having fainted while standing up. The announcer remarks this as him being a paragon of true chivalry, refusing to fall down even in defeat. Ash thanks Sirfetch'd for his performance and recalls him. Diantha is surprised that Cynthia didn't Mega Evolve her Garchomp, but Leon already knows her plan.
Down to his last Pokémon, Ash brings out Lucario. At the stands, Cinderace emerges from its Poké Ball, much to Goh's surprise. Cinderace explains that it wants to cheer Lucario on. Lucario hears Cinderace and appreciates the support, so Ash tells him to make it proud by doing their best. Cynthia brings back Togekiss once more. Lucario moves in with Bullet Punch, which Togekiss tries to stop with Air Slash; however, he punches each slash away; at Oak's lab, Ash's Infernape replicates it on Professor Oak, causing him to dodge his attacks. Lucario jumps before rapidly punching Togekiss, dealing some damage to it. He then tries to charge an Aura Sphere, but Togekiss stops it with another Air Slash, causing him to stumble. However, he manages to shrug it off to block the third round with Bullet Punch.
Cynthia remarks on how Ash and Lucario are in perfect sync before recalling Togekiss. However, Ash and Lucario soon notice that she's wearing a Dynamax Band as she proceeds to Dynamax Togekiss.
==Trivia==
*"Side story": 
*Sirfetch'd becomes the second Pokémon of Ash's team to faint while standing up, the first being Ash's Incineroar who evolved from Torracat back in Fiery Surprises!
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes featuring Champions