: Ash, Iris, Cilan, and Detective Looker team up (with unexpected help from Team Rocket) to thwart Team Plasma’s plan to rule the region. Arc 3: The Decolore Islands

The season—and the series—concludes at Vermilion City. Iris and Cilan part ways with Ash to pursue their own dreams in the Johto region. Ash returns to Pallet Town briefly before deciding to accompany Alexa to Kalos, setting the stage for the next series, Pokémon the Series: XY . Pokémon: Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond

The season kicks off with Ash Ketchum arriving at Vertress City to compete in the Unova League.

Following the league, the story shifts to a darker, more philosophical plot involving the villainous and the mysterious young man, N .

: In a dramatic quarterfinal match, Ash is eliminated by Cameron after Cameron's Riolu evolves into Lucario mid-battle.