Recaps

Qiao Ran and his companions reached the observatory, where Sophocles and Molayne explained how they had survived the Ultra Beast crisis. Molayne then began showing them satellite recordings of unusual events, starting with a location in Kanto near Pewter City and Mt. Moon.

• Qiao Ran found Sophocles hiding among traps, and Sophocles deactivated the mechanisms before introducing himself.
• Sophocles led Qiao Ran, Mei, Acerola, and Lillie underground and explained that he had built devices to capture Ultra Beasts for research.
• Qiao Ran explained that the Ultra Beasts had settled into habitats and generally did not enter buildings, then asked whether the observatory had made any unusual discoveries.
• Sophocles introduced Qiao Ran's group to his cousin Molayne, the observatory director and Steel-type captain.
• Sophocles urged Molayne to show the group their satellite records, and Molayne opened a backup drive containing videos, beginning with footage near Pewter City and Mt. Moon in Kanto.

Qiao Ran and his companions learned that mysterious black-purple phenomena had appeared at important sites across several regions, including Alola’s Altar of the Moone. After Qiao Ran revealed he came from another world and supplied the starving Hokulani Observatory staff, the observatory gained hope as they prepared for what came next.

• Molayne showed Qiao Ran, Mei, Acerola, and Lillie satellite footage of strange shadows at the Tree of Beginning and other important locations, while explaining that Unova was obscured by gray-white fog.
• Molayne revealed that similar phenomena had appeared at the Altar of the Moone and at the Island deities’ shrines, and Acerola offered to guide Qiao Ran to the Harvest Shrine she had managed.
• Qiao Ran assured Molayne that the group would help the observatory staff and take them down the mountain when they were ready.
• Qiao Ran told Molayne and Sophocles that he was an Otherworlder, opened a spatial rift, and produced purified water and canned meat.
• Qiao Ran and his companions gave their supplies to Molayne, who distributed food and water among the observatory staff.

After returning from Hokulani Observatory, Qiao Ran and the girls planned to rest and share Molayne’s information with Sabrina, Cynthia, and the others. Mei insisted on joining a future trip to Unova, and Qiao Ran agreed only if she and the others strengthened their Pokémon; later that night, Mei sneaked into his room, but Lillie sensed he was awake and came to the door.

• Qiao Ran and the girls returned to the Real World with Molayne’s information and agreed to rest before deciding when to descend the mountain.
• Mei said she wanted to visit Alola’s other islands, while Lillie and Acerola agreed that Alola’s dangers needed attention.
• Mei asked to return to Unova, and Qiao Ran warned her that it was too dangerous until her Pokémon reached Elite Four level.
• Mei and Mei rushed out for special training, but returned when their Pokémon ran out of stamina.
• Mei sneaked into Qiao Ran’s room after Acerola fell asleep, but Lillie knocked and said she could tell Qiao Ran was awake.

Qiao Ran dealt with the awkward aftermath of Lillie and Mei’s nighttime encounter, then shared observatory footage with Cynthia and Sabrina. The footage revealed spreading black-and-purple matter across multiple regions, and Cynthia connected the worst-affected Sinnoh sites to Giratina before questioning how Qiao Ran knew.

• Qiao Ran let Lillie into his room while Mei hid in the wardrobe, where she watched Lillie and Qiao Ran together until Lillie left.
• Qiao Ran noticed Mei was shaken the next morning and worried the incident might affect the group’s upcoming battles.
• Qiao Ran discovered that his system mission now required him to catch one hundred Dragon-type Pokémon.
• Qiao Ran contacted Cynthia and Sabrina and sent them observatory footage showing black-and-purple matter spreading across regions including Kanto and Sinnoh.
• Cynthia identified Sinnoh locations in the footage and linked Mt. Coronet, the Three Lakes, and Sendoff Spring to regional legends and Giratina.
• Cynthia asked how Qiao Ran had guessed Giratina was involved, and Qiao Ran claimed he had worked it out from the darkness in the footage.

Cynthia explained that the fog around Sendoff Spring might be connected to Giratina, and she asked Qiao Ran to investigate other fog-covered locations. After the group decided to visit Acerola’s shrine, Qiao Ran summoned a new Pokémon in the Wild Area: Mew.

• Cynthia told Qiao Ran and Sabrina that Sinnoh’s legends and research pointed to Giratina as the source of Sendoff Spring’s strange phenomena.
• Qiao Ran claimed Suicune had told him that Articuno lived at the Seafoam Islands and Zapdos at the Abandoned Power Plant, and Cynthia believed him.
• Cynthia asked Qiao Ran to visit fog-covered locations and record what he found, and he agreed to investigate them firsthand.
• Acerola offered to take the group to the shrine on Ula'ula Island, and Qiao Ran agreed to visit it after lunch.
• Qiao Ran used Rotom to summon a new companion in the Wild Area, and Mew emerged from the Poké Ball.
• Mew showed off her Teleport, invisibility, and transformation abilities, while Qiao Ran caught her and wondered whether Mew was connected to the origins of humans.

Qiao Ran discovered that Mew could transform into Pokémon and copy their abilities, then realized she could become a powerful move tutor for his team. He introduced Mew to the girls as a Pokémon born in the Wild Area, and they eagerly planned to visit her.

• Qiao Ran learned that Mew could transform into Pokémon, copy their moves, and reproduce their physical forms, including Vulpix, Ninetales, and Ho-Oh.
• Dianxi stopped Qiao Ran from inspecting Mew too closely while she was transformed as Ho-Oh.
• Qiao Ran realized Mew could teach Pokémon moves by demonstrating them and decided to train her so she could transform more often.
• Qiao Ran told Mei, Lillie, Acerola, and the others that Mew had been born in the Wild Area and could learn every move.
• The girls chose to visit the Wild Area to see Mew instead of going out to relax, while Qiao Ran considered bringing her along later.

Qiao Ran and his companions prepared to lead the observatory researchers down the mountain through territory held by Ultra Beasts. After reassuring the group and outlining precautions, Qiao Ran set out with Mew at his side, intending to help her gain experience.

• Qiao Ran made up a story about Mew being a newly discovered Pokémon from near Rongcheng, and Mei and the others remarked on his practiced lies.
• Mei revealed that she knew Lillie had visited Qiao Ran the previous night, then left in a fluster after struggling to explain why she had brought it up.
• The next morning, Qiao Ran decided to keep Lillie's room booked so they could return to the same place after traveling between worlds.
• Qiao Ran and his companions arrived to find the researchers ready to leave, and he warned them that Ultra Beasts might attack them directly and urged them to travel in groups with Pokémon.
• Molayne encouraged the frightened researchers, and Qiao Ran promised to get everyone down safely before leading the group out with Mew on his shoulder.

Qiao Ran led the researchers and his companions down Mount Hokulani, recruiting Nihilego and other Ultra Beasts to protect them along the way. After ten exhausting days, they reached Aether House, where Lusamine welcomed Lillie home and the group faced the challenge of finding shelter for everyone.

• Molayne recognized Mew as a Legendary Pokémon, while Sophocles remained calm about Qiao Ran’s Pokémon.
• After several people were injured in a Kartana attack, Qiao Ran asked Nihilego to rally Ultra Beasts to help protect the group, and she agreed in exchange for a promised visit afterward.
• Nihilego brought other Ultra Beasts to join the descent, and Qiao Ran identified those marked with red, gem-shaped stickers as allies.
• Qiao Ran’s group reached the foot of Mount Hokulani after ten days without any deaths, and he arranged to take the researchers to Aether House.
• Lillie hesitated to tell Lusamine about her relationship with Qiao Ran, while he reassured her that he would stay by her side.
• At Aether House, Lusamine hugged Lillie and welcomed her back as the children gathered around the returning group.

After returning to Aether House, Qiao Ran and the others reunited with Lusamine and Nanu, then told them about the strange black-and-purple phenomena seen in satellite footage. Lusamine advised Lillie to seek the Moon Flute on Exeggutor Island before investigating the Altar of the Moone, while Nanu offered access to his old police-station files on Anabel; Qiao Ran then gave Lusamine a small box before leaving for the Real World.

• Lusamine noticed Lillie's changes and grew curious about her closeness with Qiao Ran, while Nanu reunited awkwardly with Acerola and the researchers settled in at Aether House.
• Qiao Ran and the others showed Lusamine and Nanu footage of strange black-and-purple objects appearing across the Pokémon World, especially in Sinnoh and near the Altar of the Moone.
• Lusamine told Lillie to visit Exeggutor Island for the Moon Flute, which legend said could awaken the sleeping Child of the Stars.
• Acerola showed Nanu photos of Anabel in the Real World, and Nanu recognized her and said he might have files about her at his former police station in Po Town.
• Nanu gave Qiao Ran keys to the old station and asked him to search for Anabel's files, then left as the researchers prepared to rest at Aether House.
• Qiao Ran and Lillie planned to return to the Real World, and Qiao Ran quietly placed a small box in Lusamine's hands before leaving.

Qiao Ran gave Lusamine recordings of Lillie’s performances and matches, then awkwardly fled when Lusamine questioned his relationship with Lillie. After an uncomfortable night involving Lillie and Mei, the group resumed their journey toward Po Town, where Molayne told Qiao Ran about Guzma and Professor Kukui.

• Qiao Ran gave Lusamine recordings of Lillie’s performances and matches, along with supportive comments from another world, and Lusamine asked about his relationship with Lillie.
• Qiao Ran returned to his room, where Lillie and Mei had arrived together; after an awkward silence, they each shared a hug with him and left.
• The next morning, Acerola noticed that Lillie and Mei seemed tired, while Mei privately wondered what had happened during Lillie’s short visit to Qiao Ran.
• Qiao Ran suggested visiting Alola that morning, and Acerola was delighted at the chance to see the children at Aether House.
• After lunch, Qiao Ran and the others escorted the researchers toward Po Town, and Qiao Ran explained that Guzma was overseeing the town with Plumeria handling much of its management.
• Molayne described his past as a fellow Island Challenge Trainer with Guzma and Professor Kukui, and Qiao Ran recognized Kukui’s name.

Qiao Ran and his companions reached Po Town, reunited Molayne and Sophocles with Guzma, and searched Nanu’s police station for Anabel’s file. At Aether House, Lusamine tested Lillie before explaining that travel between the Pokémon World and the Ultra Beasts’ world could burden the people on either side.

• Qiao Ran brought Molayne and Sophocles to Po Town, where Plumeria arranged for them to help build houses and Guzma greeted Molayne coldly.
• Molayne and Sophocles thanked Qiao Ran and his companions before they continued toward Nanu’s police station.
• Qiao Ran used his Aura Power to find the right key, and the group searched the dusty station until they found Anabel’s file and photographs.
• Qiao Ran took the file and useful supplies, planning to use the photographs to help Anabel recover her memories.
• At Aether House, Lusamine summoned Qiao Ran and Lillie to her laboratory, teased out Lillie’s reaction, and explained the strain that travel between worlds could place on their inhabitants.

Qiao Ran and Lillie discussed Ultra Wormhole dangers and Lusamine’s research before sharing a long, personal conversation with her about their relationship and family. The next day, they traveled with Acerola toward Tapu Bulu’s shrine, hoping to find the missing Island deity and help it if needed.

• Lusamine warned Qiao Ran and Lillie that the Ultra World’s auras could erode consciousness and described her plans to develop protective helmets.
• Lusamine pressed Qiao Ran and Lillie to share what they had been withholding, and they spent the night discussing their relationship and future with her.
• Lusamine told Qiao Ran to care for Lillie, then reflected on her family and her continued search for Mohn after they left.
• The next day, Acerola guided the group toward Tapu Bulu’s shrine and explained that the Island deity had disappeared since the crisis began.
• Acerola asked Qiao Ran to help Tapu Bulu if it was in trouble, and he agreed as they continued toward the shrine.

Qiao Ran and his companions reached the Ruins of Abundance, where they found a rift revealing fragments of the Distortion World. Rotom triggered an unusual singularity that disabled Qiao Ran’s ability to travel between worlds, and the group prepared to enter the ruins together.

• Alola guided Qiao Ran and the others across Haina Desert to the Ruins of Abundance.
• Qiao Ran’s group discovered a black-and-purple substance surrounding the altar, and Yveltal identified its power as something like rules.
• Qiao Ran saw fragments of the Distortion World through the substance and had Rotom photograph the strange sight.
• Rotom announced that Distortion World: No. 787 was an unusual singularity, and Qiao Ran found he could no longer travel between worlds.
• Qiao Ran offered to send the girls to the Wild Area if danger arose, but they chose to accompany him into the ruins.

Qiao Ran entered the Distortion World after crossing the Ruins of Abundance and became separated from his companions. He met a strange ball of light claiming to be Rotom, learned they were in Distortion World No. 787, and followed her toward a way to complete the world's task.

• Qiao Ran guided the group through the distorted Ruins of Abundance, sensing that the scenery was shifting and changing around them.
• When Qiao Ran crossed the hall's threshold, his companions and Pokémon vanished, leaving him alone in a vast, fragmented world.
• A ball of light woke Qiao Ran and proved it was Rotom by recounting details from their shared past.
• Rotom told Qiao Ran that they were in Distortion World No. 787, a Singularity formed from the Pokémon World, the Distortion World, and special powers.
• Qiao Ran followed Rotom until they reached a bottomless chasm, where Rotom told him to wait for something to arrive and then jump across.

Qiao Ran crossed the floating islands alone, reached a Pokémon battlefield, and received a Poké Ball as the mysterious ball of light vanished. He faced Tapu Bulu as his next opponent, ready to battle.

• Qiao Ran jumped between the floating islands, relying on his own strength to cross the abyss.
• On reaching the final island, Qiao Ran discovered a Pokémon battlefield and a horned shadow waiting at the opposite end.
• The ball of light said it had to leave, then disappeared and left a Poké Ball in Qiao Ran's hand.
• Qiao Ran accepted the Poké Ball and took his place on the battlefield, determined to face his opponent.
• The shadow revealed itself as Tapu Bulu, whose powerful cry and swinging bell made the floating island tremble.

Qiao Ran found himself facing an enraged Tapu Bulu and sent out Vulpix, who unexpectedly displayed greatly increased strength. As Vulpix fought to evade Tapu Bulu, Qiao Ran suspected its blood-red eyes impaired its vision, giving them a possible opening.

• Qiao Ran threw a Poké Ball and was surprised when Vulpix appeared, then faced Tapu Bulu across the field.
• Tapu Bulu spread Grassy Terrain and charged Vulpix with Horn Leech, but Vulpix leapt much higher than she normally could and dodged the attack.
• Qiao Ran told Vulpix to use Hail, but the strange world’s dark-red snowfall seemed unlikely to help her Snow Cloak.
• Vulpix used Blizzard to slow Tapu Bulu, and its next charge veered off course, allowing her to dodge easily.
• Qiao Ran suspected Tapu Bulu’s blood-red eyes had impaired its vision and realized that this might improve Vulpix’s chances.

Qiao Ran and Vulpix continued fighting Tapu Bulu, but its powerful Wood Hammer shattered the floating island and left Qiao Ran in danger of falling. Vulpix evolved into Ninetales to save him, and they turned back toward Tapu Bulu to continue the battle.

• Qiao Ran ordered Vulpix to use Ice Beam, but Tapu Bulu dodged and prepared a powerful Wood Hammer.
• Tapu Bulu struck the floating island, causing the ground near Qiao Ran to crack and begin collapsing.
• Vulpix narrowly dodged the attack and fired Ice Beam at the crumbling ground to hold it together and give Qiao Ran time to escape.
• Vulpix evolved into Ninetales, using her stronger Ice-type energy to rescue Qiao Ran from the unstable ground.
• Qiao Ran and Ninetales acknowledged that the battle was not over and faced Tapu Bulu again.

Qiao Ran and Ninetales fought Tapu Bulu across collapsing Floating Islands, using Aurora Veil, Blizzard, and careful teamwork until Ninetales froze it. As the battlefield began to rebuild and reveal Alola’s history, Qiao Ran comforted Ninetales over her evolution and thanked her for saving him.

• Qiao Ran realized the battle followed no rules and prepared to keep fighting across the Floating Islands with Ninetales.
• Ninetales used Hail and Aurora Veil to weaken Tapu Bulu’s attacks while she struck it with Blizzard.
• Qiao Ran and Ninetales dodged Tapu Bulu’s Wood Hammers and escaped as successive Floating Islands collapsed.
• After an exhausting fight, Ninetales froze Tapu Bulu and secured their victory.
• Qiao Ran comforted Ninetales about evolving and thanked her for protecting him.
• The Floating Island began to reassemble, and visions revealed Alola’s history as Tapu Bulu vanished.

Qiao Ran and Ninetales found themselves back in the altar after experiencing a strange battle in a shattered world, while everyone else struggled to recall what had happened. Ninetales revealed her evolved Humanoid Transformation, and the group began comparing accounts of the battle.

• Qiao Ran realized that only he and Ninetales remembered their battle in the strange world, while the altar and its strange substance had returned to normal.
• Lillie, Mei, and Acerola noticed that the group had forgotten something and found the altar empty of Pokémon, but Rotom remained under maintenance and could not explain what happened.
• Qiao Ran checked Ninetales's condition and asked her to use Humanoid Transformation so they could tell the others what they had experienced.
• Ninetales transformed into a tall, elegant woman but could not retract her ears and nine tails, while Dianxi compared her own appearance with Ninetales's evolved form.
• Qiao Ran and Ninetales briefly described their journey to a shattered world and their victory over Tapu Bulu, prompting Acerola to ask about it in astonishment.

After Qiao Ran and Ninetales returned from the Distortion World, Rotom completed an upgrade and announced that the singularity had been separated, but the promised rewards led them to a restored Tapu Bulu at the altar. Tapu Bulu thanked Qiao Ran and Ninetales for helping it, then turned its attention to Qiao Ran.

• Ninetales modestly explained that she defeated Tapu Bulu with Qiao Ran’s commands and grew stronger in the other world, while Qiao Ran told the girls that she had evolved to save him.
• Qiao Ran and the girls investigated the ruins, and Yveltal warned that the strange power had deceived both her and Dianxi.
• Rotom awoke after completing her upgrade, and a system voice announced that Distortion World No. 787 had been separated and rewards were being distributed.
• Rotom pointed Qiao Ran toward Lillie and Mei, where he found Tapu Bulu floating above the altar, restored and free of the substance that had corrupted it.
• Rotom translated Tapu Bulu’s thanks to Qiao Ran and Ninetales, who then exchanged compliments before Tapu Bulu turned to Qiao Ran.

Qiao Ran and his companions met Tapu Bulu, who awakened Z-Power on Ula'ula Island but could not leave to join their journey. After returning to the Real World to rest, Qiao Ran caught Rotom trying to sneak away and reminded it that it still owed him an explanation.

• Tapu Bulu declined to travel with Qiao Ran because it had duties on Ula'ula Island, but gave him a Grass-type Z-Crystal and asked him to help the other islands.
• Tapu Bulu used its power to awaken Z-Crystals within Ula'ula Island, giving the island’s residents hope that they could recover.
• Qiao Ran accepted that Tapu Bulu’s help was the reward and said the island’s people needed it more than he did.
• Qiao Ran and the others returned to the Real World, booked rooms at an inn, and agreed to take their next island journey more slowly.
• Qiao Ran caught Rotom trying to sneak back into the Wild Area and asked it to finish telling him what it had left unexplained.

Qiao Ran questioned Rotom about the mysterious light from the shattered world, then visited the Wild Area to check on Ninetales after her evolution. The group discussed Ninetales’s future and where the Ultra Beasts could live, and the chapter ended the next morning as Qiao Ran prepared to contact Lillie, Mei, and the others.

• Qiao Ran asked Rotom whether she had been the ball of light in the shattered world, and Rotom admitted it while claiming she knew nothing beyond following the system’s guidance.
• Qiao Ran visited the Wild Area and found Ninetales adjusting to her evolved form alongside Dianxi and Mew, who had transformed into Vulpix.
• Altaria and Dianxi argued over whether Ninetales should help with singing and promotion or make decorations, but Qiao Ran left the choice to Ninetales.
• Qiao Ran and the others discussed the Ultra Beasts, and Nihilego explained that they had left their homes because the Ultra World was unfit to live in; Qiao Ran offered the Wild Area as a possible refuge.
• Qiao Ran stayed in the Wild Area overnight, and the following morning he joked that the Pokémon could open a restaurant before setting out to call Lillie, Mei, and the others.

Qiao Ran and Cynthia learned that the Distortion World’s encroachment threatened both worlds, prompting Cynthia to join the effort and travel to the Pokémon World. The group prepared to meet in Rongcheng and recruit Anabel, while Mei reacted pointedly to Cynthia’s decision.

• Qiao Ran, Cynthia, Sabrina, and Brock discussed Qiao Ran’s experience in the Distortion World, and Cynthia warned that its spreading imbalance could destroy both worlds.
• Qiao Ran told the group they had found Anabel’s old records and mentioned an unidentified Nurse Joy, so Brock volunteered to identify her.
• Cynthia decided to travel to the Pokémon World immediately and asked Qiao Ran to take her there, planning to reach Sinnoh from Unova with Garchomp.
• Qiao Ran agreed to accompany Cynthia, inviting her to meet him and the others in Rongcheng before they planned the journey.
• Cynthia set out to inform Phoebe, while Mei teased Qiao Ran about Cynthia and Anabel joining the group.

Qiao Ran and his companions spent the day shopping and playing games, while the girls tried to arrange a private talk between him and Mei by tricking them into meeting at the lakeside. After discovering the setup, Qiao Ran and Mei walked back together and began reminiscing about Mei’s adventures in Alola.

• Qiao Ran and the girls disguised themselves to shop for new clothes for Ninetales, and they encouraged her to consider becoming an idol with Altaria.
• Qiao Ran and his companions spent the evening trying games before he returned to his room for the night.
• Lillie and Mei separately lured Qiao Ran and Mei to the lakeside, where they discovered they had both been tricked into meeting.
• Qiao Ran received messages from Mei and Lillie urging him to take the initiative, and he sensed the two of them hiding nearby.
• Qiao Ran and Mei walked back in silence until Qiao Ran asked Mei to tell him about her past adventures in Alola.

Mei recounted how she came to Alola and met Lillie before Qiao Ran confessed that he wanted to travel with her forever. After Mei accidentally fell into a lake and spent the night with him, she tried to hide what had happened, while the group planned a visit to a haunted house escape room.

• Mei told Qiao Ran about moving from Kanto to Alola, her island challenge, and meeting Lillie in a clothing shop.
• Qiao Ran praised Lillie, then told Mei he wanted to keep traveling with her forever and asked her for an answer.
• The rotten railing broke beneath Mei, and Qiao Ran jumped into the lake to rescue her; they ended up spending the night together in his room.
• Mei realized she had not returned to her room and worried that Lillie and Mei knew what had happened, while Qiao Ran shared secrets about them.
• Mei and Lillie acted unconcerned at breakfast, and Acerola suggested that the group visit a haunted house escape room.