Recaps

Qiao Ran brought Lillie to meet Mei and Dr. Lilia, who examined a cannon recovered from ruins and heard Lillie’s account of Ultra Beasts destroying her home. Dr. Lilia then offered to recommend Qiao Ran for an archaeological assistant position with a senior Elite Four member near Hangcheng.

• Qiao Ran invited Lillie to meet the returning group, and helped her tie her hair before they left.
• Dr. Lilia kept Eve outside the conference room while Qiao Ran and Lillie joined her and Mei.
• Mei showed Qiao Ran a weathered cannon barrel recovered from the ruins, which he recognized as connected to Genesect.
• Lillie described how Ultra Beasts and other strange Pokémon had devastated Alola, and Dr. Lilia resolved to report her account to the research institute.
• Qiao Ran asked whether the excavation had uncovered a golden key, but Dr. Lilia said it had not.
• Dr. Lilia recommended Qiao Ran for an assistant role with a senior Elite Four member and said she and Mei would provide letters of recommendation.

Qiao Ran learned more about the Pokémon World’s catastrophe from Dr. Lilia, then met Mei privately and discovered that her request was a Pokémon battle. Mei challenged him to test herself and deepen their understanding of each other, leaving them ready to battle.

• Dr. Lilia summarized the evidence that the Pokémon World had suffered a catastrophe and that travel between worlds might be possible, then exchanged contact information with Qiao Ran.
• Mei arranged to meet Qiao Ran that night, and he later told her what he had learned about the devastated Pokémon World.
• Qiao Ran encouraged Mei by reminding her that hope remained, and she felt that joining him to uncover the truth and save the world had given her a new goal.
• Mei asked Qiao Ran for a Pokémon battle, surprising him after their moonlit conversation had seemed to be turning romantic.
• Mei explained that battling would let them understand each other better, and Qiao Ran agreed to her challenge.

Qiao Ran and Mei began their two-on-two battle at Jinling Gym, where Mei sent out a level 40 Amoonguss and Qiao Ran answered with Suicune. Mei’s Sunny Day and Solar Beam injured Suicune, but Suicune used Tailwind to scatter Amoonguss’s Spore, leaving Mei and her Pokémon dazed.

• Qiao Ran agreed to battle Mei the next day, postponing his visit to the Aether Foundation and departure from Jinling.
• Eve refereed the two-on-two match at Jinling Gym while Lillie watched from the sidelines.
• Mei sent out her level 40 Amoonguss, nicknamed Little Shroom, and Qiao Ran chose Suicune to face it.
• Mei had Amoonguss withstand Suicune’s Ice Beam while setting Sunny Day, then used the sunlight to fire an instant Solar Beam that injured Suicune.
• Mei ordered Amoonguss to use Spore, but Qiao Ran had Suicune summon Tailwind to blow the spores away and leave Mei and Amoonguss groggy.

Qiao Ran and Dianxi defeated Mei’s Gothitelle after revealing that Dianxi could create temporary Diamond Storm imitations and Mega Evolving. Mei accepted the loss happily and placed greater hope in Qiao Ran, while Lillie and Eve separated her from him at the training grounds.

• Qiao Ran sent Dianxi out to battle Mei’s Gothitelle, and Dianxi’s Diamond Storm was blocked by Protect.
• Mei had Gothitelle use Psychic to turn the fallen diamonds into a counterattacking storm, but Qiao Ran explained that Dianxi’s diamonds were disposable imitations and made the storm vanish.
• Qiao Ran Mega Evolved Dianxi, who overwhelmed Gothitelle with a powerful Diamond Storm despite Mei setting up Trick Room.
• Eve declared Dianxi the winner, and Mei told Qiao Ran she was happy to lose because she saw his bond with Dianxi and believed he could help save her homeland.
• Lillie and Eve pulled Mei away when she excitedly hugged Qiao Ran at the training grounds.

Qiao Ran returned to the Aether Foundation with Lillie and reunited with Mei, who showed them a locked box she had found beneath the foundation. After Lillie opened it and Rotom accessed the memory card, Rotom’s suggestive cries left Mei and Lillie confused and embarrassed.

• Qiao Ran left Jinling with Lillie and planned to visit the Aether Foundation before continuing his journey.
• Qiao Ran and Lillie traveled through the golden door and arrived at the Aether Foundation, where Mei greeted them.
• Mei told Qiao Ran and Lillie about a heavy box she had found beneath the foundation and showed them its contents.
• Lillie used a password her mother had given her to unlock the box, revealing discs, a memory card, and three unusual Poké Balls.
• Rotom asked Qiao Ran to insert the memory card, then cried out suggestively and startled Mei and Lillie.

Qiao Ran and his companions discovered records of the Aether Foundation’s Type: Null experiments and cautiously released one of the three prototypes. Type: Null erupted with a strange aura and charged at Qiao Ran, leaving him in immediate danger.

• Rotom played a research log describing the creation of three Type: Null prototypes and a failed emergency test.
• Lillie recognized the record as evidence of the Aether Foundation’s biological experimentation, while Qiao Ran connected it to the three Poké Balls.
• Mei urged caution, so Qiao Ran and the others moved to an open area and surrounded it with their Pokémon before releasing a prototype.
• Type: Null appeared restrained and motionless, then roared and unleashed an aura like the one Nihilego had possessed.
• Type: Null grew larger, broke the ground as she charged toward Qiao Ran, and ignored Vulpix’s freezing attack.

Qiao Ran and his Pokémon defeated the hostile Type: Null, but repeated captures failed until he used Tokiwa Power on her Beast Ball and she willingly entered it. Afterward, he planned to rest and leave the next day, while Mei grew suspicious that Lillie knew what had happened.

• Altaria shielded Qiao Ran from Type: Null, and Dianxi, Suicune, Mei, and their Pokémon overwhelmed the attacker.
• Qiao Ran repeatedly caught and released Type: Null, but she continued resisting and glaring at him.
• Qiao Ran poured Tokiwa Power into the Beast Ball, after which Type: Null rolled around happily, turned pink-eyed, and begged to be put inside.
• Type: Null entered the Beast Ball willingly, and Qiao Ran decided to leave the two remaining balls unopened until later.
• Qiao Ran told Mei he would rest there for the night, catch Nihilego the next day, and leave while Lillie stayed to help Mei.
• Mei asked Lillie what Qiao Ran had done to Type: Null, but Lillie denied knowing and avoided her gaze.

Qiao Ran traveled to Juju Mountain, caught enough Rock-type Pokémon to reach his goal of a hundred, and challenged himself to grow stronger as his responsibilities weighed on him. In the Pioneer Land, his hundredth Rock-type Pokémon transformed the landscape, and he prepared to summon something while keeping Type: Null in line.

• Qiao Ran visited Altaria in the Pioneer Land and stayed with her until she fell asleep against him.
• Qiao Ran left the Aether Foundation, traveled toward Juju Mountain, and reflected that he needed greater strength to handle his burdens.
• Qiao Ran toured Juju Mountain with Dianxi, Suicune, and Vulpix, catching Rock-type Pokémon along the way until he reached a hundred.
• Qiao Ran asked a nurse about the newly opened Gym and learned its elderly Gym Leader was mysterious and the League had approved it unusually quickly.
• Qiao Ran brought his hundredth Rock-type Pokémon into the Pioneer Land, where the ground rose into varied terrain, then warned Type: Null not to disrupt his upcoming summoning.

Qiao Ran summoned Yveltal, who gave the world the right to die, and then went to challenge the newly opened Grass-type Gym. He registered for a battle and saw children leaving a lesson with their Pokémon and the Gym Leader, a petite elderly woman.

• Qiao Ran opened the Dusk Ball and summoned Yveltal, whose roar drew the attention of Pokémon across the development area.
• Yveltal told Qiao Ran that she had given the world and its Pokémon the right to die, and he warned her not to kill anyone.
• Yveltal met Qiao Ran's companions and insulted the absent Xerneas.
• Qiao Ran went to the newly opened Jugu Gym and registered for a Gym Challenge.
• Qiao Ran watched children excitedly tell their parents about their Pokémon as the elderly Gym Leader looked on.

Qiao Ran challenged the Grass-type Gym Leader Ouyang Cong and won his first battle with Altaria before sending out Yveltal against Ferrothorn. Yveltal secretly used her signature move Oblivion Wing instead of the Dark Pulse Qiao Ran called, leaving Ouyang Cong stunned as the attack struck.

• Ouyang Cong welcomed Qiao Ran to the Gym challenge and began their match after a rest.
• Qiao Ran sent out Altaria against Ouyang Cong’s level-27 Lurantis, and Altaria defeated it with Fire Blast.
• Ouyang Cong raised the difficulty by sending out her level-31 Ferrothorn, and Qiao Ran chose Yveltal for the next battle.
• Qiao Ran called for Dark Pulse, but Yveltal understood his real intention and unleashed Oblivion Wing.
• Ouyang Cong stared in shock at Yveltal’s devastating attack, which the chapter explained could restore much of the damage it dealt.

Qiao Ran’s level 10 Yveltal defeated Old Lady Ouyang’s Ferrothorn, but Old Lady Ouyang raised the stakes by sending out a level 42 Decidueye. Yveltal chose to face the far stronger opponent, leaving Qiao Ran to wonder whether she could overcome the level gap.

• Yveltal battered Ferrothorn with Knock Off and Dark Pulse until Old Lady Ouyang’s Pokémon lost, raising Yveltal to level 10.
• Old Lady Ouyang praised Qiao Ran’s battling and decided to increase the challenge for their third match.
• Old Lady Ouyang randomly selected a Poké Ball and sent out her imposing shiny Decidueye.
• Qiao Ran checked Decidueye’s level and discovered it was 42, while Yveltal was only level 10.
• Qiao Ran asked whether Yveltal could handle Decidueye, and Yveltal rejected his offer to switch Pokémon.

Qiao Ran and Yveltal struggled against elderly Ouyang’s Shiny Decidueye, whose Spirit Shackle let it disappear into shadows and evade their attacks. After Yveltal urged him to trust his judgment, Qiao Ran found a way to prevent Decidueye from dodging, but the chapter ended as it struck Yveltal with Leaf Blade again.

• Qiao Ran sent Yveltal into battle against elderly Ouyang’s Decidueye, and Yveltal opened with Dark Pulse.
• Decidueye used Spirit Shackle to vanish into a shadow and reappear near Yveltal, then struck her with Leaf Blade.
• Qiao Ran tried Sucker Punch, but Decidueye again dodged by disappearing into Yveltal’s shadow.
• Elderly Ouyang urged Qiao Ran to switch Pokémon, but he refused and kept searching for a way to hit Decidueye.
• Yveltal told Qiao Ran to trust her, prompting him to realize he needed to stop Decidueye from dodging.
• Decidueye pierced Yveltal with Spirit Shackle and emerged in her shadow as it prepared another Leaf Blade.

Qiao Ran defeated Old Lady Ouyang’s Decidueye with Yveltal and earned a Badge. Afterward, Old Lady Ouyang explained how high-level Pokémon could develop special abilities and hinted that her own unusual techniques came from an old friend.

• Qiao Ran ordered Yveltal to use Snarl at close range, turning the battle around and knocking Decidueye down.
• Yveltal pinned Decidueye and finished it with Dark Pulse, and the referee declared Qiao Ran the winner.
• Yveltal asked Qiao Ran for the reward she had been promised, and he told her they would discuss it later.
• Old Lady Ouyang gave Qiao Ran a Badge and led him to a lounge to answer his questions about Decidueye’s unusual abilities.
• Old Lady Ouyang explained that powerful Pokémon could extend their natural abilities and said her aging Decidueye had once been Elite Four level.
• When Qiao Ran asked about the strange light in her eyes, Old Lady Ouyang admitted she used special techniques learned from an old friend but withheld the details.

Qiao Ran learned more about the reclusive Elite Four member at Zhenze Lake and agreed to meet her after finishing his other work. He and Vulpix acknowledged their feelings, while Rotom later approached Dianxi with secret photos.

• Old Lady Ouyang Cong told Qiao Ran that Iron Maiden had also recommended he visit her old friend, a reclusive Ghost Type expert who lived near Zhenze Lake.
• Old Lady Ouyang Cong described the Elite Four member as carefree and advised Qiao Ran to be himself when they met.
• After returning to the Pokémon Center to recover, Qiao Ran reassured Vulpix that she mattered even when she did not battle.
• Vulpix confessed that she liked Qiao Ran, and he accepted her feelings while asking to postpone taking things further until after meeting the Elite Four member.
• Rotom appeared beside Dianxi in Pioneer Land and offered her top-secret photos, making Dianxi wary.

Rotom showed Dianxi a secret photo album in exchange for her help, while Qiao Ran went to the Pioneer Land to fulfill Yveltal’s request for a reward. Yveltal overwhelmed him during the session, and Dianxi rescued him, leaving Qiao Ran exhausted and chastened.

• Rotom offered Dianxi information about Qiao Ran in exchange for help with future activities, then revealed her secret photo album to her.
• After spending time with Vulpix, Qiao Ran called Rotom to take him to the Pioneer Land and learned that Yveltal was waiting for her promised reward.
• Suicune guided Qiao Ran and Yveltal to a room prepared for the session while Dianxi questioned how long they had been inside.
• Dianxi rushed into the room and found Yveltal pinning an exhausted Qiao Ran to the floor after becoming carried away by Tokiwa Power.
• Dianxi pulled Qiao Ran free, and he admitted he had forgotten how depleted he was after spending time with Vulpix.

After a tense night with Dianxi, Qiao Ran traveled to Yangxian Town and sought Mei’s advice on reconciling two Pokémon, though her suggestion seemed too risky to try. He then went to the frontier to face his Pokémon, where Yveltal immediately asked him to arrange another battle.

• Dianxi tucked Qiao Ran into bed, told him to rest, and returned to her Poké Ball without explaining what she knew about Vulpix.
• Qiao Ran rode a bus to Yangxian Town, contacted Mei, and asked how to settle a dispute between two Pokémon.
• Mei advised Qiao Ran to take both Pokémon out together and divide what they wanted fairly, but he worried that trying this could end badly.
• Qiao Ran checked the next bus to Zhenze Lake, then used Rotom to travel to the frontier that night.
• Yveltal appeared before Qiao Ran and demanded to know when her next match would be.

Qiao Ran went to speak with Vulpix and Dianxi about their feelings, but Dianxi appeared before he could reach her cave and kissed him, taking the initiative in their relationship. As her Mega Evolution wore off, Qiao Ran caught her as she fell and asked whether she always lost her clothes when she changed back.

• Vulpix told Qiao Ran that Type: Null and Nihilego were fighting, and led him to their battle.
• Qiao Ran stopped the fight and made Type: Null and Nihilego lie together as punishment for wrecking the grass and trees.
• Qiao Ran asked Vulpix to come with him to speak with Dianxi, and she agreed.
• Qiao Ran took out the Eternal Diamond Dianxi had given him and headed toward her flower-covered cave.
• Dianxi appeared in a wedding-like dress, kissed Qiao Ran, and interlaced her fingers with his as the Eternal Diamond floated beside them.
• Dianxi's Mega Evolution ended, and Qiao Ran caught her before asking whether she always changed back without clothes.

Qiao Ran brought Dianxi and Vulpix to an agreement about sharing their relationship, then visited the Aether Foundation and learned that Lillie had begun restoring its power. He left with Lillie for the other world to meet an Elite Four member, while Mei stayed behind to protect the recovering facility.

• Dianxi agreed to share Qiao Ran with Vulpix, and Vulpix accepted after Dianxi spoke with her.
• Qiao Ran established a rotation for who would sleep on his left side after Dianxi won their contest.
• Qiao Ran teleported to the Aether Foundation and found its lights restored through Lillie's work.
• Lillie described her plans to revive the Aether Foundation and agreed to travel with Qiao Ran to the other world.
• Mei remained at the Aether Foundation to guard the facility while Qiao Ran left with Lillie.

Qiao Ran and Lillie visited a mansion after being recommended by Dr. Lilia, but its mysterious white-haired owner knocked them unconscious and had Gengar take them inside. They woke in the dark mansion with no network connection and heard a strange sound nearby.

• Qiao Ran and Lillie traveled to Zhenze Lake and found the mansion marked on Iron Maiden's Hand-drawn Map.
• A white-haired, red-eyed girl confronted Qiao Ran after he called her a little girl, then invited him and Lillie inside.
• The girl used two Gengar to knock Qiao Ran and Lillie unconscious and carry them into the mansion.
• Qiao Ran and Lillie woke in the mansion, found that Rotom could not connect to a network, and heard a strange noise in the darkness.

Qiao Ran and Lillie reached Phoebe, the mysterious Elite Four member, and saw her Mimikyu overpower Suicune. Phoebe revealed her unusual nature and asked Lillie about an onion-shaped Pokémon, leaving Qiao Ran wondering whether she meant Celebi.

• Qiao Ran and Lillie explored the haunted building with Suicune until they reached a white-haired girl named Phoebe.
• Phoebe challenged Qiao Ran’s doubts about her identity by ordering Mimikyu to attack, and Mimikyu overpowered Suicune.
• Phoebe floated toward Qiao Ran and revealed that she and Iron Maiden were the same kind of person, though she did not understand her own origins.
• Phoebe asked Lillie about a Pokémon recorded in ancient objects that she described as onion-headed.
• Lillie glanced at Qiao Ran, who suspected Phoebe was asking about Celebi.

Qiao Ran and Lillie discussed Phoebe’s questions about Celebi with Mei and decided to share only basic information, while Qiao Ran learned that Phoebe’s Mimikyu was level 60. At dinner, Mimikyu led them to a dining room where Ghost-type Pokémon were preparing an elaborate meal.

• Qiao Ran asked Phoebe to let him and Lillie rest, and Phoebe agreed before telling Mimikyu to show them to rooms.
• Qiao Ran discovered the mansion had Wi-Fi despite having no phone signal, and Rotom revealed that Mimikyu was level 60.
• Qiao Ran contacted Mei, who warned him that revealing Celebi’s powers could attract dangerous attention; Lillie also urged him not to trust Phoebe.
• Qiao Ran agreed to tell Phoebe only ordinary facts about Celebi and asked Mei what Pokémon Phoebe might be connected to, but Mei did not know.
• Mei questioned Qiao Ran about how his Pokémon had reconciled, then advised him about treating them equally.
• Mimikyu led Qiao Ran and Lillie to dinner, where Haunter, Polteageist, Litwick, and apron-wearing Froslass were preparing the meal.

Qiao Ran and Lillie met Phoebe to discuss an archaeological expedition to ruins beneath Zhenze Lake, and Lillie shared what she knew about Celebi. Phoebe gave Qiao Ran a Mimikyu to raise and challenged him to battle her in three days, leaving him to prepare for their match.

• Phoebe explained that she had found ruins beneath Zhenze Lake but could not reach their depths, and said she had gathered assistants for an upcoming expedition.
• Lillie described Celebi to Phoebe but withheld information about its legendary powers, prompting Phoebe to ask them to report any new details.
• Phoebe offered Qiao Ran one of two nearly equal Mimikyu and challenged him to battle her with their Pokémon in three days.
• Qiao Ran chose the shy, trembling Mimikyu, while Phoebe took the more affectionate one for herself.
• Phoebe announced that the battle would take place before the expedition assistants gathered at a banquet, then left with her Ghost Type Pokémon.

Qiao Ran and Lillie struggled to earn the trust of their timid Mimikyu, so they sought Mei’s advice before Qiao Ran’s battle with Phoebe in three days. Mei suggested finding what Mimikyu wanted, and Lillie began to offer an idea.

• Qiao Ran and Lillie tried to approach Mimikyu, but she repeatedly avoided them in fear.
• Qiao Ran considered using Suicune and his Tokiwa Power to calm Mimikyu, but Lillie suggested asking Mei for help.
• Phoebe read Qiao Ran’s recommendation letters and wondered how far his battle talent could take him, then noticed a warning not to touch his arm.
• Qiao Ran and Lillie surprised Mei while she was trying on Lillie’s dress, and Mei explained that they should appeal to Mimikyu’s interests to build trust.
• Qiao Ran and Mei worried they had too little time to discover what Mimikyu wanted, and Lillie said she might have an idea.

Mimikyu was chosen by Qiao Ran despite her expectation that the other Mimikyu would be selected, and she panicked in the unfamiliar white passageway. After she survived and dodged an attack from a strange creature, Qiao Ran and Lillie watched the confrontation and prepared to carry out Lillie's plan to change their relationship with her.

• Mimikyu recalled how she had lived quietly in the mansion and expected the Trainer to choose the cheerful Mimikyu instead of her.
• Qiao Ran chose Mimikyu, then took her to an unfamiliar white passageway where she retreated into a corner in fear.
• A strange soft-bodied creature attacked Mimikyu with Power Gem, but her Disguise Ability let her withstand the first hit.
• Mimikyu fled and dodged the creature's subsequent attacks using skills she had developed over years of hiding and escaping.
• Lillie and Qiao Ran watched the encounter on a floating phone and decided it was time to begin the next step of Lillie's plan.

Qiao Ran staged a rescue so Mimikyu would feel she could rely on him, and she accepted his comfort after he saved her from Nihilego. The next morning, Mimikyu woke beside Qiao Ran and answered his greeting.

• Qiao Ran chose Nihilego to play the villain in Lillie's rescue plan and sent her after Mimikyu.
• As Nihilego pursued her, Mimikyu grew exhausted and feared that Qiao Ran had abandoned her.
• Qiao Ran and Dianxi rescued Mimikyu, and she let him carry her as she fell asleep.
• Qiao Ran returned to the Western-style Mansion with Mimikyu, while Lillie and Mei warned him not to look beneath her disguise.
• Mimikyu woke beside Qiao Ran at dawn and responded when he greeted her.