XY130: Valuable Experience for All!

is the 33rd episode of Pokémon the Series: XYZ.
==Synopsis==
At the Kalos League, Ash defeats Astrid and her Mega Absol to move into the semifinals, securing a spot alongside Alain. There’s just one spot left—and Tierno and Sawyer are battling for it.
Tierno and his Pokémon are looking great as they leap into their battle dance, but the analytical Sawyer has been watching them and knows what to expect. He also has a secret weapon of his own—and when his Sceptile Mega Evolves, it’s all over!
Sawyer and Ash are paired for the semifinals in a six-on-six Full Battle. Ash has just five Pokémon traveling with him...until Keanan arrives, bringing Goodra to complete the team!
==Episode plot==
On a TV channel, Malva presents the memorable battles thus far of the first round. Those involve Alain's Mega Charizard, Ash-Greninja, Astrid's Mega Absol and Remo's Mega Garchomp. Malva explains the Mega Evolution users make this tournament even more exciting, as the second round is to begin soon. In a battle, Astrid's Mega Absol uses Psycho Cut, which Ash's Hawlucha dodges. Using Flying Press, Hawlucha defeats Mega Absol, who reverts to its original form. Thus, Ash is the second semi-finalist, along with Alain. While walking through the halls after his victory, Ash encounters Sawyer, who congratulates Ash for the battle. Sawyer promises to win as well and reminds Ash about his promise to battle Sawyer in the Kalos League to settle the score. Ash points out his opponent, Tierno, is strong as well. Sawyer knows Tierno is Ash's acquaintance and is aware of Tierno's rhythm strategy. Sawyer promises to break this strategy, having a secret weapon, which he wants to keep a secret. Ash wishes him luck, while Sawyer knows he cannot lose, else he can't face Ash in the battle.
Malva calls for her camera crew, Team Rocket. However, Team Rocket is exhausted by all the interviews they did and have to do and sit down, knowing their original plan was to capture Pikachu at the League. Remo has won the battle, placing him in the semi-finals. Before the last battle for the semifinals begins, Shauna arrives to Serena, Clemont, Bonnie and Trevor, who confirm the last battle has not started yet. Shauna is glad and asks how Serena is doing. Serena states she is fine and tells Ash has gone to the semifinals. Ash arrives and notices Shauna, greeting her. Shauna wonders about Tierno's opponent and is told he is Sawyer. Ash admits he lost to him once, while Clemont explains he is a tough trainer, a hard worker and a good analyst. At the badlands battlefield, Tierno and Sawyer arrive, the latter sending out an Aegislash, who evolved from a Doublade. Tierno sends Ludicolo and dances with it, amusing the audience and even making Trevor take pictures of it. The heroes with both of them luck, as the battle starts.
Ludicolo dances and summons rain through Rain Dance. Sawyer knew Tierno would raise the power of his Pokémon and has Aegislash use Swords Dance. Seeing these tactics, Clemont wonders who will win this battle. Aegislash goes to use Swords Dance, but gets hit by Ludicolo's Hydro Pump. Sawyer notices Ludicolo's speed got boosted, due to its Swift Swim ability being activated. Ludicolo repeats its attack, negating Aegislash's Slash attack and wounding it. Tierno and Ludicolo dance around, taunting Sawyer and Aegislash, thinking they may give up. Ash notes how well Tierno raised his Ludicolo. Ludicolo repeats its attack, but Sawyer has Aegislash use King's Shield, causing Aegislash to change its form and protect itself from the attack. Clemont explains King's Shield changes Aegislash's Blade form to Shield form, which negates all damage and even can lower the opponent's attack power when attacking directly. Next, Aegislash uses Sacred Sword, negating Ludicolo's Hydro Pump and sends it away. While Aegislash uses Swords Dance, Ludicolo goes to use Solar Beam. Regardless, Aegislash repeats its Sacred Sword move and defeats Ludicolo with it.
Tierno calls Ludicolo back and sends in his Raichu. Raichu uses Charge Beam, but is countered by King's Shield. Aegislash uses Slash, changing from Shield to Blade form, but Raichu uses Dig. A moment later, Raichu attacks and defeats Aegislash with Dig. Team Rocket, however, is annoyed how they constantly have to do interviews. Jessie is frustrated if she'll continue hearing "The Pokémon League of Fierce Fights". James proposes quitting the job, which Jessie approves of to catch some Pokémon instead. However, Malva pulls them in for another interview, which shocks Team Rocket. 
Sawyer has his second Pokémon, Slurpuff, use Attract on Raichu, immobilizing her. Consequently, Raichu ignores Tierno's call for Charge Beam and is left open to an Energy Ball from Slurpuff. Tierno swaps Raichu with Blastoise, and Slurpuff launches Attract, but Blastoise spins around and negates the move, before defeating Slurpuff wit Hydro Cannon. Sawyer summons his Sceptile as his last Pokémon, and Tierno, impressed by Sceptile's agility, has Blastoise use Ice Beam. However, Sceptile counters with Leaf Storm before dodging Blastoise's Hydro Cannon and striking him with Leaf Blade. Tierno has Blastoise use Skull Bash, but Sawyer's Sceptile foils the attack with Frenzy Plant, knocking Blastoise skyward. Realizing Blastoise is about to faint, Tierno has him use Rain Dance in midair. The move takes effect just before Blastoise falls to the ground, defeated.
Tierno sends Raichu back as his last Pokémon, and commands a Thunder, making Clemont realize Blastoise's Rain Dance makes Thunder an unmissable move, giving Tierno an advantage. Just as Raichu is about to launch the attack, Sawyer touches his Key Stone and Mega Evolves his Sceptile. Ash sees this is the secret weapon Sawyer was talking about. Taken aback, Tierno has his Raichu complete her Thunder, but Mega Sceptile endures the attack without taking damage. Sawyer reveals that its ability upon Mega Evolution, Lightning Rod, has prevented the damage. Mega Sceptile uses Dragon Claw, countering Raichu's Focus Blast, and defeats her, winning the match for Sawyer and making him the last semifinalist. The screen displays the semifinal battles, which are full six-on-six battles. Alain is pitted against Remo, and Ash against Sawyer. During the sunset, Serena asks Ash what will he do, since he has only five Pokémon, rather than six. Ash panics and looks at the clock, then runs off.
They wait for a while before Ash sees Keanan arrive with his Goodra, who he has decided will be his sixth Pokémon for the Kalos League. Ash reveals when they visited the wetlands earlier, he knew there was a point in the Kalos League where he would have to do full six-on-six battles. Although he thought of asking Professor Oak to send him a Pokémon, he decided to have Goodra as his final Pokémon, and Goodra accepted. Ash sends out the rest of his Pokémon and inspires them to do their best to win against Sawyer.
==Debuts==
===Pokémon===
*Mega Sceptile (Sawyer's)
*Aegislash (Sawyer's) (Blade and Shield form)
*Sawyer's Slaking
===Move===
*King's Shield
===Item===
*Sceptilite
==Trivia==
thumb
*"Pokémon Quiz:" Mega Garchomp (JP)
*"Who's That Pokémon?:" Aegislash (Shield Form; US)
*This episode marks the very first time that a Pokémon Ash previously released rejoined his team.
*Similar to Curtain Up, Unova League!, Cameron, like Sawyer, mentions having obtained a "secret weapon" for the League.
*In the Japanese version of the episode on Hulu's service in Japan (hulu.jp) when Tierno sends out Raichu to battle against Sawyer's Aegislash, Raichu's tail is cut off at the edge. This is intended to represent that Raichu is female.
*Much like in Like a Meowth to a Flame, Ash had the option of using his reserves before deciding to stick with his current team.
**This seems a lot less coincidental, as Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (Hoenn Remakes) were released around the time, as well as the XY series recycling many plot points from the Ruby and Sapphire series.
===Dub edits===
*In the Japanese version of the episode, when Mega Sceptile is hit with Raichu's Thunder, it screams in pain. However, since it is unaffected because of Lightning Rod, Thunder would not cause any damage. In the English version, Mega Sceptile is muted upon impact.
===Goofs===
*When Astrid's Absol uses Psycho Cut after the opening theme plays, an Absolite is seen around its neck. However, when Ash's Hawlucha uses Flying Press, Astrid's Absol suddenly becomes a Mega Absol.
==Gallery==
==References==
Category:Episodes in which a released Pokémon rejoins a main character's team
Category:Episodes featuring a Pokémon League
Category:Episodes focusing on Sawyer
Category:Episodes focusing on Tierno
Category:Episodes featuring Elite Four members
Category:Episodes featuring Champions
Category:Episodes featuring Mega Pokémon