The Masters Tournament semifinal battle between Ash and Cynthia continues, with the former having three Pokémon remaining and the latter having four. Ash's fourth Pokémon is Dracovish, and Cynthia sends out her fifth Pokémon, Garchomp, causing Ash to wonder if she will Mega Evolve. Dracovish goes in for a super effective Ice Fang, but Garchomp dodges and lands a Dragon Claw, causing Dracovish super effective damage. She then uses Stealth Rock, before Cynthia substitutes her for Roserade, whose burn from Gengar's earlier Will-O-Wisp has been healed thanks to its Ability, Natural Cure. Despite this, Dracovish is able to power through Roserade's Poison Jab and get off a Fishious Rend, though it ends up getting poisoned. However, it manages to persevere and power through Roserade's Leaf Storm with a Dragon Rush, which is enough to knock Roserade out.
Ash wants to recall Dracovish at this point due to the damage it is taking from poison, but it insists on staying in the battle. Cynthia then sends out her sixth Pokémon, Milotic, whom Dracovish charges toward with Dragon Rush. However, Milotic uses Disarming Voice to keep Dracovish at bay, before employing the same tactic it used against Iris's Dragonite and coiling around Dracovish and using Iron Head. However, Dracovish fires back with Fishious Rend, and the attacks collide and make a huge explosion. Although Milotic has taken visible damage, Dracovish ends up going down.
Ash recalls Dracovish and sends out Sirfetch'd as his fifth Pokémon, who takes damage from Garchomp's Stealth Rock. Ash gets an idea and has Sirfetch'd use Brutal Swing to eliminate the Stealth Rock, greatly impressing Goh and Hop. Milotic goes in for a Hydro Pump, but Sirfetch'd dodges and withstands its Iron Head, before getting off a flurry of Fury Cutters. Milotic's next attack is Disarming Voice, but Sirfetch'd impressively powers through it and blitzes Milotic with Meteor Assault, taking it down.
Cynthia recalls Milotic and commends Ash on his cleverness at getting rid of the Stealth Rock, before sending Garchomp back out, and Ash again predicts that she may Mega Evolve. Garchomp uses Scale Shot, but Sirfetch'd manages to fight it off with Fury Cutter, before clashing against Garchomp's Dragon Claw. Sirfetch'd ends up getting knocked back, but is able to avert a second Dragon Claw by using Detect. Sirfetch'd then goes in for a Meteor Assault, and Garchomp uses Draco Meteor in response, both of which successfully land. Both Pokémon take a good amount of damage and enter a standoff, but Garchomp is able to remain conscious as Sirfetch'd faints standing up.
Ash recalls Sirfetch'd as Cynthia calls Garchomp back. Ash sends out his final Pokémon, Lucario, and Cynthia sends Togekiss back out. Lucario starts off with Bullet Punch, and Togekiss tries to stop it in its track with Air Slash, but Lucario is able to push through it and land Bullet Punch on Togekiss, causing it super effective damage. However, it is still standing, and Lucario charges an Aura Sphere. However, Togekiss beats it to the punch with another Air Slash, not only causing it a good amount of damage, but also making it flinch thanks to its Ability, Serene Grace, and Lucario's Aura Sphere is cancelled out because of this. Togekiss uses yet another Air Slash, but Ash has Lucario use Bullet Punch to neutralize the attack. After a brief moment of silence, Cynthia surprises the entire arena by recalling Togekiss, and Dynamaxing it, revealing that she has no intention of Mega Evolving Garchomp. Ash then readies his Key Stone, and Lucario prepares to take on Dynamax Togekiss as the battle enters its climax.