XYS04

Pokémon: Mega Evolution Special IV (Japanese: ポケットモンスターXY特別編 最強メガシンカ ～Act IV～ Pocket Monsters XY Special Episode: The Strongest Mega Evolution ~Act IV~) is the fourth and final Mega Evolution Special and the fourth special episode of Pokémon the Series: XY. It first aired in Japan on October 29, 2015 alongside XY094 and in the United States on December 26, 2015.
==Other posters and logos==
File:XYS04 poster.png|Poster
File:XYS04 logo JP.png|Logo
==Blurb==
Upon returning to Lysandre Labs, Alain resumes his training to master the art of Mega Evolution. To test him, Lysandre has set up a gauntlet of ten challengers who can use Mega Evolution. Lysandre declares that Alain must battle them all, and if he loses even one match, Lysandre will take back the Key Stone and Mega Stone that he gave Alain.
As Alain and Charizard take on opponent after opponent, Mairin and Steven arrive at Lysandre Labs. Lysandre leads Steven to a secure room where he shows off the Giant Rock, which has been secured in a tank to contain its massive energy. Meanwhile, Mairin and her Chespin, Chespie, go to watch Alain battle. In between matches, Alain tells Mairin that he no longer wishes to travel with her because she is disrupting his training.
A heartbroken Mairin runs away and tells Chespie she wants to be alone. Chespie wanders off and stumbles into a lab where scientists are experimenting on small, green, blob-like creatures. After an experiment causes an explosion, Chespie rescues one of the creatures, but becomes infected with its glowing energy in the process.
After defeating nine opponents, Alain faces off against Malva, one of the Kalos region’s Elite Four, and her Mega Houndoom. The battle is fierce, but Alain emerges victorious.
Meanwhile, the injured Chespie has been taken to a Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy tells Mairin and the others that Chespie is in no immediate danger, but it’s unconscious and won’t wake up, and she’s not sure why.
Lysandre vows to use all the resources at his disposal to help Chespie recover, and he sends Alain and Charizard out to complete the Mega Evolution system to find a cure for Chespie. In private, however, Malva tells Lysandre that she questions his motives.
Finally, we catch a glimpse of one mysterious blob-like creature crawling away from Lysandre Labs. It pauses and casts a foreboding shadow behind it.
==Plot==
Having flown into the Kalos region, Mairin and call for an update on Alain's situation since he decided to travel separately. Alain has, in the meantime, returned to Lysandre Labs to continue training to become the strongest. He requests a battle scenario from Lysandre. Lysandre agrees, and declares that Alain shall face ten other Mega Evolution s in a row; if Alain loses even once, Lysandre shall take away the Key Stone and Mega Stone he gave to Alain and . Elite Four member Malva observes the proceedings as well, smiling to herself.
The first Trainer appears, haughtily remarking that he'll quickly defeat Alain, sending out his . Both Trainers Mega Evolve their Pokémon, with Charizard firing off a to begin, but Venusaur's prevents it from being as effective as it would have been. Venusaur counters with , releasing poisonous projectiles that hone in on Charizard. Despite its attempts to dodge, Charizard takes a direct hit and becomes ed. Subsequently, Steven and Mairin arrive at the Labs, received by Lysandre and his secretary. Lysandre tells Mairin that Alain is battling and arranges for an escort so she can go and watch, while confirming that Steven is here to inquire about the Giant Rock. Mairin and Chespie arrive on the scene, concerned for Alain and Charizard as the latter is restrained by Venusaur's . Charizard notices Mairin's presence, as does Alain, before he orders Charizard to stay focused. Venusaur slams Charizard to the ground, and Alain asks it to get up before ordering . Venusaur's Trainer responds with , but Charizard manages to break through the barrage and land a powerful blow that wins the match. Alain gives Charizard a Pecha Berry for the poison, but the second Mega Evolution Trainer has already taken to the field, informing Alain that his ordeal isn't over yet and promises to crush them with his Mega . Alakazam fires its which Charizard manages to bear the brunt of before charging in with Dragon Claw.
In another room, Lysandre reveals the Giant Stone to Steven, which he has contained in a high-security tank to ensure no energy leaks out. Lysandre says that this is to prevent another crisis like the one in Hoenn, as Steven watches silently.
Alain makes swift work of his next few opponents, Charizard defeats the Mega Alakazam, followed by a Mega , , and . As Alain heals Charizard with a Super Potion for the next battle, Mairin approaches him to ask why he's decided to put himself through the battling. Alain tells Mairin not to follow him around, claiming that she's not strong enough to protect herself from the dangers he will be experiencing. Mairin insists that she became stronger because she was with Alain, and if they stay together they can continue to do so. At this, Alain snaps at Mairin, declaring that he can't be stronger because of Mairin's presence. Chespie begins retorting, but Mairin puts her down and runs away, shaken. Malva observes their interactions, smiling, and even Charizard is concerned, but resumes its battle stance at Alain's command.
Having retreated to a stairwell, Mairin is confused and sad at how Alain treated her, weakly informing Chespie that she wishes to be alone before crying to herself. Chespie goes on its own exploration before hearing a faint cry from somewhere, and follows a scientist into a hidden laboratory full of trees in enclosures. One particular enclosure holds a green, cell-like creature, surrounded by other similar creatures, which notices Chespie's presence. Two other scientists begin conducting an experiment, irradiating the cell creature with energy. This causes an energy feedback that causes vines and vegetation around the lab to glow and grow, much to Chespie's alarm. Eventually the enclosure overloads and explodes, destroying the containment field holding the cell creature, irradiating not only the cell with energy but Chespie as well. Instinctively, Chespie runs for the cell creature, picking it up and evading the scientists chasing after it, using its Vine Whip to lift the cell to an air vent so it can escape. Suddenly, Chespie collapses on the floor, still glowing with the energy it absorbed.
On the battlefield, Charizard defeats a Mega , Alain's ninth opponent. Malva makes her appearance, congratulating Alain for making it to her. Alain identifies Malva as a member of the Kalos Elite Four, and Malva confirms that she heard about Alain's earlier loss to Siebold. Alain swears that he won't lose this time, and Malva sends out her . Mega Evolving Charizard again, Alain orders a , but Houndoom remains unscathed. To his horror, Alain realizes that Houndoom cancelled out the Flamethrower with its Ability. Grinning, Malva Mega Evolves her Houndoom and orders her own Flamethrower, strong enough to send Charizard flying despite its efforts to resist. Alain orders a , which Malva counters with as Houndoom releases a cloud of black smoke to trap Charizard. Alain has Charizard destroy the cloud with Flamethrower, but this gives Houndoom the chance to hit it with , pinning Charizard to the ground. Malva comments on Alain's desire to become the strongest Mega Evolution Trainer, pointing out that many strong Pokémon exist and questioning his choice in Charizard as his partner. Alain responds that he and Charizard share the same bond and dreams, and he seeks strength to protect the ones he loves. Malva is intrigued by this, remarking that Alain's sincerity is what made Lysandre interested in him, before ordering a . Charizard dodges the move, and Houndoom lunges for another Crunch, both Pokémon ready to clash.
As Mairin searches for Chespie, she sees the scientists wheel her Pokémon out on a stretcher, and demands answers. The scientists claim that they're seeking medical attention for Chespie when Steven arrives on the scene. Distraught, Mairin tells him that Chespie is comatose.
Having exchanged many attacks, neither Alain's nor Malva's Pokémon are out for the count. As Houndoom goes for another Crunch, Alain finally commands , which eventually catches Houndoom and sends it flying in an eruption of energy, defeating it. Malva, recalling Houndoom, notes that Alain is "irritating" but congratulates him on his ten win streak. Lysandre soon arrives to offer his congratulations, reminding Alain that Pokémon can't achieve Mega Evolution on their own. Alain agrees, recalling that a Trainer's own power is needed, and he reaffirms his resolve to protect those he loves. Amused, Lysandre begins to ask who Alain is referring to, until his secretary shows up with a message, alarming Lysandre and Alain.
In the Labs' medical facility, Nurse Joy informs Mairin that while Chespie is physically fine, they have yet to determine why it's unconscious. In tears, Mairin blames herself for letting Chespie go off on its own. Arriving on the scene, Professor Sycamore tries to assure her that Chespie is fine. Lysandre promises to keep Chespie at Lysandre Labs, under the care of their high-end medical facility, but Mairin falls against him sobbing. Behind a corner, Alain is angry at himself for pushing Mairin away and effectively causing Chespie's accident. He walks off silently, with an intensely furious glare and resolve in his eyes.
Having left Lysandre Labs on another journey, this time alone, Alain comes across a Trainer with a Mega that challenges him to a battle. Alain recalls what Lysandre told him - they need to finish work on the Mega Evolution Energy machine to heal Chespie. Alain affirms this, choosing to pursue greater power with renewed zeal so he can "see Mairin smile again". Separately, Malva chides Lysandre for manipulating Alain's actions to suit his own goals; Lysandre responds by saying that he technically hasn't lied to Alain. Malva shrugs, remarking that Alain's sincerity is what Lysandre likes about him, and her boss merely smiles to himself.
The mysterious cell creature from before has escaped onto the open road, where the setting sun casts a dark shadow behind it, forming a sinister silhouette.
==Major events==
* Alain and Mairin reunite.
* Alain has a battle with Malva of the Kalos Elite Four and wins.
* Chespie meets a Zygarde Core and helps it escape from Lysandre Labs, but becomes ill in the process and falls into a coma.
* Lysandre is revealed to own a Key Stone.
* Alain sets off on a quest to restore Chespie's health.
===Debuts===
====Humans====
* Malva (in person)
====Pokémon debuts====
* (; recurring)
==Characters==
===Humans===
* Alain
* Mairin
* Nurse Joy
* 
* 
* Malva
* Lysandre
* Team Flare Scientists
* Staff A
* Staff B
* Trainers
===Pokémon===
* (; Mega Charizard X)
* (Mairin's; Chespie)
* (Malva's; Mega Houndoom)
* ()
* (Trainer's; Mega Venusaur)
* (Trainer's; Mega Alakazam)
* (Trainer's; Mega Heracross)
* (Trainer's; Mega Scizor)
* (Trainer's; Mega Ampharos)
* (Trainer's; Mega Aggron)
* (Trainer's; Mega Pinsir)
* (Trainer's; Mega Banette)
* (; recurring; debut)
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
==Cast==
! colspan=6 | 
|-
|}
==Trivia==
* In both Japan and the United States, this special aired between All Eyes on the Future! and From A to Z!
** In Japan, it aired in a block alongside XY094.
* This episode marks the first time in the where an Elite Four member is defeated by a other than a .
* This episode directly ties into From A to Z!, as the Zygarde Core that Chespie frees later meets and starts traveling with .
* A real world globe can be seen in this episode, based on 's Museum's Geo-Cosmos.
* This is the only episode in which Malva is drawn with the tinted glasses she wears in the games.
===Errors===
* 's s . In the games, Venoshock cannot cause poisoning.
* Shortly after she Mega Evolves her , the diamond-shaped cutouts on Malva's pants are briefly colored in red instead of her skin color.
* In the English dub, when Charizard gets up after being slammed down by Mega Venusaur, its Trainer says, "Oh" without his mouth moving at all.
===Dub edits===
==In other languages==
Category:Mega Evolution Specials
S04
Category:Episodes written by Atsuhiro Tomioka
Category:Episodes storyboarded and directed by Yūji Asada
Category:Episodes storyboarded by Yūji Asada
Category:Episodes directed by Yūji Asada
Category:Episodes animated by Masaaki Iwane
Category:Episodes focusing on Alain
Category:Episodes focusing on Team Flare
Category:Episodes in which a Legendary Pokémon appears
Category:Episodes featuring Elite Four members
Category:Episodes in which a Champion appears
de:Mega-Entwicklung – Sonderfolge IV
es:SME04
fr:PME04
it:XYS04
ja:ポケットモンスター XY 特別編 最強メガシンカ 〜Act IV〜
zh:宝可梦 XY 特别篇 第4集