Japanese Title: Three-Match Rival Battle! Towards the Future!!
Original Airdate: June 4, 2015
US Airdate: August 8, 2015
I don't know about Ash, but Serena's sure made friends with Sawyer and Treecko.
Ash formally meets Sawyer, a young trainer from Hoenn who has come to Kalos to learn about Mega Evolution. Before they can battle, however, Sawyer needs to find his missing journal, which contains a priceless memento. This results in the two working together against Team Rocket.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- The Cameo: Aside from Steven in Sawyer's flashbacks, Professor Birch is the one who gave Sawyer the choice of Hoenn starters, with Sawyer inevitably choosing Treecko.
- Chekhov's Gunman: Steven Stone returns to the main anime canon, appearing for the first time since Advanced Generation.
- Curb Stomp Cushion: Sawyer's Pokémon put up some effort but Ash's Pikachu, Hawlucha and Frogadier trash them easily.
- Empathy Pet: Treecko frequently shares expressions with Sawyer.
- Foreshadowing: Sawyer met Steven Stone before departing to Kalos. Steven told Sawyer that the Treecko line was capable of Mega Evolution.
- Gameplay and Story Segregation: Slurpluff uses Electro Ball which he cannot learn in the games.
- Tastes Like Friendship: Serena's baking solidified the friendship between the twerps and Sawyer.
- Took a Level in Badass: Treecko evolves into Grovyle during its battle with Frogadier. It only does slightly better before getting knocked flat.
- The Unreveal: While Sawyer brought Treecko from Hoenn with him, it is unknown if he caught Bagon in Hoenn or Kalos, as it was available in both games.
