Recaps

Qiao Ran rescued Eve after she nearly drowned, and Vulpix kissed him just before he began giving her artificial respiration. After Eve recovered aboard the ship, Dianxi confronted Qiao Ran about Vulpix’s behavior and admitted she wanted to kiss him too.

• Qiao Ran surfaced with Eve unconscious, and Rotom instructed him to perform CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
• Vulpix kissed Qiao Ran, then urged him to save Eve.
• Qiao Ran revived Eve and brought her back to the cruise ship, where she awoke wrapped in a blanket and thanked him for saving her.
• Eve rested while Qiao Ran decided to ask her about the kidnappers later.
• Dianxi questioned Qiao Ran about Vulpix’s shy behavior, and he admitted that Vulpix had kissed him.
• Dianxi reacted with surprise, then told Qiao Ran that she wanted to kiss him too.

After the cruise, Qiao Ran learned why Eve had fled her wealthy family and encouraged her to pursue her dream. They arrived in Jinling, where Eve planned to meet her older sister.

• Dianxi took Qiao Ran to the deck, where the two shared an intimate moment before returning to the room.
• Qiao Ran held a welcome party for Altaria in Pokémon Pioneer Land, and Altaria gave him her Evolutionary Stone.
• Eve told Qiao Ran that her mother had sent mercenaries to bring her home and explained that she had secretly trained with Jynx so she could travel independently.
• Qiao Ran praised Eve's determination, and she became emotional at his kindness.
• Qiao Ran and Eve disembarked in Jinling, and Eve suggested they go find her older sister.

Qiao Ran took Eve to find her sister, but learned that she and Mei were investigating newly discovered ruins. After recognizing the company’s supposed fossil restorations as Ultra Beasts, he headed to Jinling Gym, where Eve arranged for its Steel-type Gym Leader to meet them.

• Qiao Ran brought Eve and the two little sisters to her sister’s ruins investigation company, but Eve learned that her sister and Mei were away investigating a nearby ruin.
• Eve showed Qiao Ran images of the company’s fossil restorations, and he recognized the creatures as Ultra Beasts and suspected the ruins came from an alternate world.
• Qiao Ran asked to see real fossils, but Eve could not access the company’s collection, so he decided to warn her sister about the dangers of reviving the creatures when they returned.
• Qiao Ran took Eve to Jinling Gym and learned that its Leader was her sister’s friend and that her ace Pokémon was Empoleon.
• Eve told the receptionist that they had an appointment, and the Gym Leader agreed to come meet them.

Qiao Ran met Jinling Gym Leader Iron Maiden, whose hostility grew after he accidentally said her name, and learned she would make his challenge especially difficult. The three-on-three battle began with Iron Maiden sending out a level 32 Aggron, leaving Qiao Ran facing a far stronger opponent than he expected.

• Eve warned Qiao Ran not to call Iron Maiden by her name, but he blurted it out and provoked her into threatening him with her shovel.
• Iron Maiden mistook Qiao Ran and Eve for eloped lovers and raised the difficulty of his Gym challenge, while Eve apologized and shared rumors about Iron Maiden’s unusual strength.
• After the thirty-minute wait, Qiao Ran entered Jinling Gym’s indoor arena for a three-on-three battle against Iron Maiden.
• Iron Maiden revealed that “Cacne” was her Aggron’s nickname and sent out the level 32 Steel-type Pokémon.

Qiao Ran used Suicune to defeat Iron Maiden’s Aggron with a coordinated Tailwind-assisted Water Cannon attack, then sent out Vulpix to face her second Pokémon, Mawile. Iron Maiden grew interested in Qiao Ran’s unusual command style, but the next battle began with her puzzled by his choice of an Ice-type Pokémon against her Steel specialist team.

• Iron Maiden sent out her level 32 Aggron, and Qiao Ran chose Suicune to exploit Aggron’s Water-type weakness.
• Suicune used a burst of north wind to leap over Aggron’s Heavy Slam and struck her twice with Water Cannon, winning the first battle without taking damage.
• Iron Maiden was impressed by Qiao Ran’s command style and sent out her level 35 Mawile.
• Qiao Ran recalled Suicune and chose Vulpix, leaving Iron Maiden confused because Steel types countered Ice types.

Qiao Ran sent Vulpix to face Iron Maiden’s Mawile, but the type disadvantage proved overwhelming and Vulpix was knocked out. As the third battle began, Iron Maiden kept Mawile in the arena, and Qiao Ran reached for a pink Poké Ball.

• Qiao Ran refused to switch Vulpix or let her evolve with the Ice Stone, explaining that her evolved form would be even more vulnerable to Steel attacks.
• Vulpix used Snowscape and dodged Mawile’s Iron Head, but her Powder Snow barely affected the Steel-type Pokémon.
• Iron Maiden revealed Mawile’s Sheer Force Ability and commanded Iron Head Barrage, which struck Vulpix twice and knocked her out of bounds.
• Qiao Ran comforted Vulpix and recalled her to Pokémon Pioneer Land to recover, while Iron Maiden mistakenly suspected he was a powerful psychic.
• Iron Maiden kept Mawile for the third match, and Qiao Ran reached for a pink Poké Ball as Eve watched expectantly.

Qiao Ran’s Mega Dianxi defeated Iron Maiden’s Mawile, and Iron Maiden sent out Excadrill for the final battle. The chapter ended as Excadrill raised a Sandstorm and Dianxi answered with Earth Power.

• Qiao Ran sent out Dianxi, and she used Diamond Storm against Iron Maiden’s Mawile.
• Dianxi Mega Evolved, increasing the power and speed of her Diamond Storm until Mawile could no longer battle.
• Iron Maiden asked about Dianxi’s new form, and Qiao Ran claimed she had switched into an attacking form like Aegislash.
• Iron Maiden sent out her level 36 Excadrill for the final battle, and Qiao Ran recognized its threat from its Attack and Speed.
• Qiao Ran ordered Dianxi to use Earth Power as Iron Maiden commanded Excadrill to summon Sandstorm.

Qiao Ran defeated Iron Maiden in a Gym battle after Dianxi and Excadrill knocked each other out, earning the Jinling Gym badge. He and Eve stayed at the Gym while waiting for Eve’s older sister to return from exploring ruins, and Qiao Ran began asking Iron Maiden how to build his strength.

• Qiao Ran used Dianxi’s Earth Power to keep Excadrill from setting up a sandstorm, but Excadrill used the force of its final hit to land an Iron Head on Dianxi, knocking both Pokémon out.
• Eve declared Qiao Ran the winner because he still had one Pokémon able to battle, and Qiao Ran recalled Dianxi before collapsing from exhaustion.
• Iron Maiden carried Qiao Ran to the Gym infirmary, praised his battle, and awarded him the Jinling Gym’s shovel-shaped badge.
• Iron Maiden teased Eve about eloping with Qiao Ran, leaving Eve flustered, and then agreed to let Qiao Ran and Eve stay at the Gym while they waited for Eve’s older sister.
• Qiao Ran trained his Pokémon and asked Iron Maiden how to strengthen his body, so she handed him her shovel.

Qiao Ran delayed using the golden key while waiting for Mei and the others, then learned that poachers planned to ambush their expedition on the way back. Iron Maiden recruited him for a secret rescue mission because she believed his psychic powers could connect him with Lilia, leaving Qiao Ran asking Rotom for a way to communicate psychically despite having no such ability.

• Qiao Ran began training with a custom shovel and received a new task to catch 100 Rock Type Pokémon.
• Qiao Ran decided to keep the golden key unused until he had met Mei, and Eve later told him that her sister and the others would soon return.
• Iron Maiden told Qiao Ran that poachers had learned about the expedition team's movements and planned to attack them on their return.
• Iron Maiden took Qiao Ran to provide support, explaining that he could supposedly use psychic powers to communicate with Lilia without alerting the poachers.
• Qiao Ran realized he could not use psychic powers and secretly asked Rotom for a way to communicate with Lilia.

Qiao Ran used Dianxi’s telepathy to contact Dr. Lilia and warn her that poachers were attacking the expedition convoy. Lilia coordinated with Qiao Ran to lead the pursuers into an ambush, where the convoy’s attackers were struck by a blizzard and a pink storm.

• Rotom told Qiao Ran that Dianxi could use telepathy to relay his thoughts to Dr. Lilia.
• Dr. Lilia and Mei rode in a transport truck carrying ruins data when poachers attacked their convoy.
• Qiao Ran contacted Dr. Lilia telepathically, identified himself, and warned her about the poachers.
• Iron Maiden gave Qiao Ran a private detail to prove their identity, and Dr. Lilia trusted the warning and coordinated with the Alliance.
• The poachers stopped the convoy with Tyranitar and began surrounding the trucks, but a blizzard and a pink storm knocked several riders down.

Qiao Ran and Iron Maiden led a League counterattack against the poachers, while Dr. Lilia and Mei joined the battle from the research truck. The fight left the poachers reeling, especially after Mei’s Serperior overwhelmed their Pokémon, and the chapter ended with Mei’s remarkable strength still being revealed.

• Qiao Ran surprised the poachers with Aggron and Vulpix, but the leader revealed a large motorcycle force he had brought as a counter-ambush.
• Qiao Ran summoned Iron Maiden and her Steel-type Pokémon, and Iron Maiden charged the poachers while Qiao Ran sent out Dianxi to help fight.
• Iron Maiden battled two Tyranitar as Qiao Ran and Dianxi attacked the poachers’ Pokémon, and Empoleon defended the research team’s truck.
• Dr. Lilia ordered the research team to leave the truck and support the counterattack, and Mei joined her with Serperior.
• Mei commanded Serperior to unleash Leaf Storm, which knocked down most of the poachers’ Pokémon surrounding the truck.
• Mei’s Serperior was revealed to be level 42, leaving the poachers stunned by the young trainer’s power.

Mei and Qiao Ran helped Iron Maiden defeat a group of poachers, then met for the first time in person. Qiao Ran secretly revealed that he knew Mei’s homeland, Unova, and left her a note, setting up a private conversation.

• Mei and Serperior defeated the poachers’ Pokémon while Qiao Ran used Altaria’s Hyper Voice to gain experience.
• The poachers’ leader ordered a retreat and escaped into the forest, but Iron Maiden subdued the remaining poachers and secured their surrender.
• Dr. Lilia and Mei joined Iron Maiden, who introduced them to Qiao Ran and explained that he had used psychic powers to command Pokémon in battle.
• Dr. Lilia realized Qiao Ran’s voice differed from the girl’s voice that had spoken to her telepathically, and Qiao Ran improvised an explanation.
• Qiao Ran whispered “Unova” to Mei and slipped her a note, prompting her to recognize him as someone from her homeland.
• Iron Maiden teased Qiao Ran about his closeness with Mei and warned him not to be greedy as a man.

Qiao Ran explained to Mei that he had visited the Pokémon world as a child chosen by Arceus, and Mei begged him to save it after recognizing Dianxi. He then entered Anomaly 037 in Alola and found himself exploring a deserted, eerie Aether Foundation as his Pokémon began to feel their strength draining away.

• Qiao Ran met Mei by a lake and claimed that Arceus had chosen him to visit the Pokémon world and solve its problems.
• Mei recognized Dianxi as a living Legendary Pokémon, broke down in tears, and pleaded with Qiao Ran to save the Pokémon world.
• Qiao Ran left Jinling alone, used a golden key to open a door to Anomaly 037, and entered the Aether Foundation in Alola.
• Qiao Ran and Rotom found themselves in a cold, artificial cavern with no network signal, so he released Vulpix, Dianxi, Suicune, and Altaria.
• Qiao Ran recognized the Aether Foundation’s symbol and found its abandoned base overgrown with strange crystals and coral-like formations.
• Vulpix and Altaria began losing energy to the oppressive atmosphere, so Qiao Ran picked Vulpix up and continued exploring.

Qiao Ran and his Pokémon discovered Lusamine frozen in a container and fought their way through a swarm of Nihilego. On the bridge, a powerful Nihilego parasitizing Lillie attacked them, and the battle left Qiao Ran badly outnumbered.

• Qiao Ran found Lusamine frozen inside a transparent container as Nihilego emerged from the room’s crystals.
• Qiao Ran ordered Suicune and Dianxi to attack the Nihilego while Vulpix and Altaria joined the fight.
• As the seemingly endless swarm wore down his Pokémon, Qiao Ran recalled Vulpix and Altaria and led Dianxi and Suicune toward the exit.
• A black tentacle attacked Qiao Ran, but Dianxi blocked it with a giant pink diamond.
• Qiao Ran recognized the black Nihilego as a parasite controlling Lillie, and Rotom identified it as level 41.
• Dianxi Mega Evolved and fought alongside Suicune, but the Nihilego dodged their attacks as more white Nihilego gathered around them.

Qiao Ran survived the bridge’s collapse and met Mei, who explained that Ultra Beasts had overrun the facility and taken her friend Lillie. He joined Mei in planning to save Lillie, but found that Mei’s mostly Poison-type team was poorly suited to fighting Nihilego.

• The black Nihilego’s Venoshock corroded the bridge, which collapsed as Qiao Ran recalled Dianxi and Suicune and fell into darkness.
• Tropius caught Qiao Ran in midair, and he met Mei at her underground shelter.
• Mei told Qiao Ran that Ultra Wormholes had brought Ultra Beasts into the facility, which they had made their nest, and that they had taken Lillie.
• Mei showed Qiao Ran Lillie’s Clefairy doll and embraced him when he agreed to help save Lillie.
• Qiao Ran examined Mei’s Pokémon and realized that her mostly Poison-type team lacked effective options against Nihilego.

Qiao Ran and Mei planned to rescue Lillie by drawing the Nihilego away and striking their leader quickly. Their operation began at the Aether Foundation, where Mei lured the Nihilego into the room and the black Nihilego containing Lillie appeared.

• Mei demanded to see Qiao Ran's Pokémon, and he revealed Vulpix, a golden Altaria, Suicune, and Dianxi, leaving her stunned.
• Qiao Ran explained that the Legendary Pokémon were immature and shifted the discussion to rescuing Lillie.
• Qiao Ran analyzed the black Nihilego's weaknesses, and Mei admitted that only her Toxapex knew a potentially useful move, Scald.
• Qiao Ran and Mei agreed on a plan to defeat the black Nihilego quickly, then rode Altaria back to the broken bridge and entered the Aether Foundation.
• Mei entered the room with the transparent containers and slammed a can onto the floor to draw the Nihilego toward her.
• As Mei waited by the containers, the black Nihilego containing Lillie appeared at the doorway.

Mei and Qiao Ran lured the black Nihilego into an ambush and defeated her, then Qiao Ran urged Mei to escape while he and his Pokémon held off the remaining Nihilego. The group began preparing to retreat, but Mei was still making her way out through the swarm.

• Mei drew the black Nihilego toward Lusamine's container by pretending to operate its controls, then attacked when the Nihilego charged her.
• Qiao Ran's hidden Pokémon struck the black Nihilego with super-effective attacks, and Dianxi and Suicune finished her off.
• The black Nihilego collapsed and fainted, prompting the other Nihilego to abandon their siege of Mei and attack Qiao Ran.
• Qiao Ran released Vulpix and Altaria to help hold off the Nihilego as Mei struggled toward the exit.
• Qiao Ran commanded Mei to hurry and prepared to retreat once she escaped.

Qiao Ran accidentally captured Lillie in a Poké Ball while trying to contain the black Nihilego, completing his anomaly mission. After releasing them, he accidentally recalled Lillie again, then released her as Mei demanded an explanation.

• Qiao Ran threw a Poké Ball at the possessed Lillie and Nihilego, and it captured them both, completing the anomaly mission.
• Qiao Ran carried the ball and Mei away from the Nihilego swarm on Altaria and returned to their base beneath the bridge.
• Qiao Ran released the ball, separating Lillie from the Nihilego and revealing that Lillie was alive and recovering.
• Qiao Ran tried to recall the weakened Nihilego, but the beam hit Lillie and pulled her into the Poké Ball instead.
• Mei confronted Qiao Ran, who released Lillie and promised not to make the same mistake again.

Qiao Ran received Tokiwa Power in his left hand and discovered it could heal and delight Pokémon through touch. After Lillie recovered and returned with Mei, she rushed into his hand and collapsed in his arms, leaving him shocked that the power affected humans too.

• Qiao Ran recalled Nihilego safely and agreed to wait for Lillie to wake before leaving the area.
• Rotom revealed that Qiao Ran had completed the mission and could return whenever he wished, then showed him the reward: Tokiwa Power in his left hand.
• Qiao Ran tested Tokiwa Power on Vulpix, Dianxi, Altaria, and Suicune, who each reacted with intense pleasure and comfort.
• Qiao Ran chose not to wake the injured Nihilego and waited for Mei to return with Lillie.
• Lillie introduced herself to Qiao Ran, then rushed to press her head into his raised hand; his Tokiwa Power activated and she collapsed into his arms.

After rescuing Lillie, Qiao Ran treated her with Tokiwa Power, leaving himself exhausted while Mei mistook their closeness for romance. The next morning, he questioned Lillie about the Aether Foundation and the world beyond, seeking clues about the dark force that had made Legendary Pokémon disappear.

• Lillie clung to Qiao Ran and absorbed his Tokiwa Power while Mei fled the room, convinced the two were involved.
• Mei returned to find Qiao Ran exhausted and Lillie asleep with a blissful expression, and accused Qiao Ran of taking advantage of her.
• Qiao Ran placed the unconscious Nihilego in Pokémon Pioneer Land and went to sleep after telling Mei where he could rest.
• The next morning, Qiao Ran resisted his Pokémon’s attempts to obtain more Tokiwa Power, then found Mei and Lillie talking in silence.
• Mei questioned Qiao Ran about his relationship with Lillie, while Lillie showed a growing fondness for him.
• Qiao Ran asked Lillie about the Aether Foundation and the situation outside, connecting his questions to Mei’s missing memories and reports of vanished Legendary Pokémon.

Qiao Ran learned that Ultra Wormholes had devastated Alola and trapped Mei and Lillie at the Aether Foundation, where they began clearing Nihilego and planning to rebuild. When Qiao Ran prepared to leave, Lillie begged to go with him, and Rotom suggested putting her in a Poké Ball; Lillie agreed despite Mei’s objections.

• Lillie told Qiao Ran that her father had vanished into an Ultra Wormhole and that Nihilego had taken her brother and frozen her mother, while Mei explained that Ultra Wormholes had opened across Alola.
• Mei said that anyone who tried to leave the Aether Foundation’s area was sent back through an Ultra Wormhole, and Qiao Ran confirmed the effect when he tried to fly away on Altaria.
• Qiao Ran, Mei, and Lillie cleared Nihilego from the facility, and Qiao Ran caught another dozen or so with Poké Balls.
• After spending another day at the Aether Foundation, Qiao Ran told Mei and Lillie he planned to leave and return with supplies.
• Lillie clung to Qiao Ran and begged him not to leave, and Rotom suggested that he take her in a Poké Ball.
• Mei objected to treating Lillie as a Pokémon, but Lillie said she felt safe with Qiao Ran and agreed to the idea so she could stay with him.

Qiao Ran brought Lillie from the Aether Foundation to his world, where she could stay with him while returning to help Mei. After reaching Jinling Gym, Qiao Ran reunited with Iron Maiden, who sensed something unusual about him.

• Qiao Ran proposed that Lillie divide her time between him and Mei, and Lillie agreed.
• Qiao Ran left Mei at the Aether Foundation, promising to return in a few days with supplies she needed.
• Qiao Ran returned to his world with Lillie and Nihilego, explaining that Nihilego would need careful training and a secure place to live.
• Qiao Ran took Lillie to Jinling Gym to meet Mei and Eve's older sister, who could help arrange identification for her.
• Iron Maiden burst into Qiao Ran's room, mistook Lillie for a girl he had brought home, then sensed something unusual and remarked that he looked better.

Qiao Ran tried to explain why he had brought Lillie to Iron Maiden’s gym, but their argument turned into a fight before his life power let him defeat her and soothe her with a head massage. Eve walked in on the scene and was shocked, but the group eventually learned that Lillie was connected to Mei and that Qiao Ran was trying to find Dr. Lilia.

• Qiao Ran kept his Tokiwa Power secret from Iron Maiden and tried to explain that he had returned for an important reason.
• Iron Maiden attacked Qiao Ran with a shovel, but he fought back after she challenged him to prove his strength.
• Qiao Ran used his green life power to overcome Iron Maiden, then petted her head while Lillie watched.
• Eve entered the room, saw Iron Maiden resting on Qiao Ran’s lap, and mistook the scene for something intimate.
• Qiao Ran explained that Lillie was connected to Mei and that he had come to find Dr. Lilia.
• Qiao Ran told Eve that Iron Maiden’s head had taken an impact and needed a massage, and Eve accepted the explanation.

Qiao Ran stayed at Iron Maiden’s Gym while waiting for Dr. Lilia and Mei, and tried to find a way to communicate with Nihilego. Rotom proposed that Nihilego might need to take humanoid form to learn another language, while Nihilego’s attraction to Qiao Ran’s Tokiwa Power led him to soothe her and Suicune.

• Iron Maiden told Qiao Ran that Dr. Lilia and Mei were working at a suburban laboratory and would probably arrive the next day, then arranged a room for Lillie.
• Qiao Ran spent the day in Pokémon Pioneer Land, where he and his Pokémon failed to understand Nihilego’s speech.
• Rotom theorized that Pokémon communication was instinctive and suggested that raising Nihilego’s affection until she took humanoid form could help her learn a new language.
• Qiao Ran asked Rotom why she had not taken humanoid form herself, but she could not explain it.
• Nihilego latched onto Qiao Ran’s head, and he used Tokiwa Power to pull her off after Dianxi suggested she was drawn to that power.
• At Rotom’s urging, Qiao Ran petted Suicune with Tokiwa Power, and she relaxed into the treatment despite her usual reserve.

Qiao Ran struggled with his attraction to Suicune after she transformed into a human, then sought advice from Iron Maiden and began reconsidering his feelings toward his Pokémon. The next morning, Eve told him Mei and the others had returned, and Qiao Ran hurried to prepare to meet them.

• While Qiao Ran petted Suicune, Tokiwa Power caused her to transform into a mature human woman, leaving him flustered by her appearance.
• Qiao Ran returned to the real world and wrestled with whether he could accept feeling desire for his Pokémon.
• Qiao Ran asked Iron Maiden about her family's Pokémon ancestry, and she shared the saying, “Do what you want to do, don't care about others, and let nature take its course.”
• After thinking through the night, Qiao Ran began to accept that he might let his relationships with his Pokémon develop naturally.
• Eve knocked on Qiao Ran's door and told him that Mei and the others had returned, so he hurried to wash and change.