Chapter Summaries

Qiao Ran watched the Magic City Gym’s Gym Leader competition, where Sabrina and Nian Hongyu advanced to the final four. After Qiao Ran’s awkward encouragement sent Sabrina into a flustered psychic outburst, the afternoon showdown began with Sabrina’s chances still uncertain.

• Sabrina and Nian Hongyu made it through the morning’s knockout matches and joined the final four contestants.
• During the lunch break, Qiao Ran asked Xia Fei about popular songs and celebrities, hoping to find material for Altaria’s singing.
• Qiao Ran and the others visited Sabrina before her match and offered her encouragement.
• Qiao Ran took Sabrina’s hand and told her his heart would always be with her, prompting her psychic energy to fling him into a wall.
• Sabrina chased Qiao Ran, the others, and nearby staff out of the lounge, then the host opened the afternoon’s final showdown.

Sabrina defeated Nian Hongyu in the Magic City Gym’s six-on-six final, using Mega Evolution to secure the victory and become the new Gym Leader. Nian Hongyu accepted her defeat and chose to stay at the Gym to train and challenge Sabrina.

• Qiao Ran learned from Nian Hai that managing stamina through successive battles was an important skill for Gym Leaders.
• Sabrina and Nian Hongyu advanced to the final after winning their earlier matches, then began a six-on-six battle.
• With Nian Hongyu down to her last Pokémon and Sabrina still holding three, the two Trainers sent out their Alakazam.
• Sabrina Mega Evolved her Alakazam, which overwhelmed Nian Hongyu’s Alakazam and won the match.
• Sabrina received the Gym Badge from Nian Hai and became the new Gym Leader, while Nian Hongyu resolved to stay and continue challenging her.

After Sabrina became Magic City’s Gym Leader, videos of her and Phoebe made them online sensations while Qiao Ran’s group returned to Aether House. Qiao Ran visited Altaria, and the next morning Acerola revealed that Aether House was running low on food because an Ultra Beast occupied Ula’ula Island’s largest city.

• Sabrina refused to go out to eat after qualifying as a Gym Leader, so Qiao Ran’s group ordered takeout at her home.
• Videos featuring Phoebe and Sabrina spread online, drawing large audiences and prompting former Gym Leader Nian Hai to worry about Sabrina’s workload.
• Qiao Ran told Cynthia he would return the next day for their battle, then went back to Aether House with Lillie and the others.
• Qiao Ran visited Altaria in the Wild Area and showed her performances on a tablet; she enjoyed them and began practicing her singing.
• Acerola told everyone at breakfast that Aether House was rationing food because supplies were low and an Ultra Beast occupied Ula’ula Island’s largest city.

Qiao Ran arranged to help Acerola and the Aether House, then returned to the Real World to battle Cynthia. Their match began at Sabrina’s Gym, where the spectators learned Cynthia was a Champion and wondered whether Qiao Ran could challenge her.

• Qiao Ran told Acerola he would help explore the city and deal with the monster, then promised to bring back photos from his outing.
• Qiao Ran and his companions returned to the Real World, where Rotom was asked to edit photos to make their Alola trip seem believable.
• Qiao Ran met Cynthia at Sabrina’s home, and they agreed to battle before Cynthia left the next morning.
• Sabrina arranged a battle court at her Gym and served as referee while Qiao Ran and Cynthia took their positions.
• Gym Trainers gathered to watch, and one revealed that Cynthia was a Champion, leaving Nian Hongyu and the others astonished.

Qiao Ran and Zacian faced Cynthia and her level 72 Garchomp in a one-on-one battle, revealing the vast gap between their strength despite Zacian’s legendary skill. After Zacian blocked Garchomp’s Dragon Rush in her King of Sword form, Cynthia launched a precisely controlled Earthquake, leaving Qiao Ran searching for a way to endure her overwhelming attacks.

• Sabrina announced the friendly match, and Cynthia sent out her level 72 Garchomp while Qiao Ran chose Zacian.
• Cynthia opened with Stone Edge, and Zacian used her speed and experience to dodge the attack.
• Garchomp charged Zacian with Dragon Rush, forcing Qiao Ran to have her take up the broken Sacred Sword and enter her King of Sword form.
• Zacian met Garchomp’s Dragon Rush with Play Rough, but Qiao Ran felt the impact’s painful force even as Zacian remained standing.
• Cynthia commanded Garchomp to use Earthquake, precisely confining its tremors to the ground around Zacian.

Qiao Ran and Zacian battled Cynthia and Garchomp, surviving a series of powerful attacks but falling behind as Cynthia revealed her skill and tactical insight. The fight reached its climax when Cynthia began Mega Evolving Garchomp and challenged Qiao Ran to show his limits.

• Zacian stopped Garchomp’s Earthquake by slashing the ground with Behemoth Blade, and Cynthia praised her judgment.
• Cynthia used Sandstorm and a second Earthquake to pressure Zacian, while deducing that Zacian was Steel-type.
• Qiao Ran and Zacian closed in on Garchomp, but Garchomp unleashed Earthquake beneath itself and left Zacian badly battered.
• Qiao Ran praised Zacian for her effort as both recognized the gap between them and Cynthia’s strength.
• Cynthia revealed her Key Stone and began Mega Evolving Garchomp, while Qiao Ran and Zacian prepared for the final clash.

Cynthia defeated Qiao Ran and Zacian in a friendly match at Sabrina’s Gym, then spent her final day in Magic City sightseeing with Qiao Ran and the others. As Cynthia prepared to leave, she and Qiao Ran promised to battle again after he grew stronger, and Qiao Ran found her sitting alone on the balcony that night.

• Cynthia’s Garchomp defeated Zacian, and Sabrina declared Cynthia the winner as Qiao Ran healed Zacian with Tokiwa Power.
• Cynthia invited Qiao Ran to explore Magic City, and Sabrina joined them while the group enjoyed desserts and sightseeing.
• Lillie watched Cynthia and decided she wanted to become a Trainer like her, while Cynthia repeatedly asked Qiao Ran to help her make everyday choices.
• The group took a keepsake photo, and Cynthia asked Qiao Ran to contact her after collecting his Badges so they could battle again.
• On Cynthia’s last night before leaving, Qiao Ran found her sitting alone on Sabrina’s balcony and asked whether something was on her mind.

Cynthia confided in Qiao Ran and embraced him before leaving, while the group prepared to travel onward and confront the threat in Alola. Lusamine agreed to protect the children at the Aether House, and Qiao Ran ended the night resting beside Zacian.

• Cynthia hugged Qiao Ran for comfort, thanked him, and asked him to keep it secret before saying he could forget about it once he could defeat her.
• Cynthia departed the next day, and Sabrina decided to return to her duties as a Gym Leader while urging Qiao Ran's group to continue to Alola.
• At the Aether House, Qiao Ran, Lillie, and Mei claimed their memory card had broken, then confirmed they planned to deal with the monster the following day.
• Acerola explained that only one of her and Uncle Modan could leave the children, so Lusamine offered to stay and defend the Aether House.
• Qiao Ran visited Zacian in the Wild Area, learned she was not troubled by her loss to Cynthia, and fell asleep beside her.

Qiao Ran’s group traveled from Aether House through Po Town to Malie City, recruiting Guzma and learning that the Ultra Beast devastating the island was Guzzlord. They found its trail through the ruined city and finally came face-to-face with the enormous creature, preparing to attack.

• The children at Aether House gave Qiao Ran a protective charm before he and the others set out for Malie City with Modan and Acerola.
• Modan recognized the group’s careful battle formation, while Acerola resolved to keep improving alongside Mei and the others.
• In Po Town, Guzma reluctantly agreed to join the group after Plumeria, his former subordinates, and Acerola urged him to help.
• Acerola described the Ultra Beast’s size and ability to devour everything, and Qiao Ran identified it as Guzzlord and outlined its weaknesses.
• The group followed a massive trench of devoured ground into ruined Malie City, where Qiao Ran sensed no other creatures nearby.
• Qiao Ran’s group spotted a towering Guzzlord and prepared to strike as soon as the battle began.

Qiao Ran and the other Trainers launched a coordinated assault on the enormous Guzzlord, but its immense strength and sweeping Dragon Pulses made the battle a desperate struggle. As Guzzlord’s anger rose, Qiao Ran recognized that it was about to use Earthquake and led Lillie into the air, while the other Trainers also took flight.

• Qiao Ran split the group into pairs, then joined Lillie in approaching Guzzlord while the others took positions around it.
• Qiao Ran Mega Evolved Dianxi and launched a surprise attack with Lillie and the other Trainers, angering Guzzlord without causing significant damage.
• Guzzlord fired a massive Dragon Pulse that carved through the ground, and Qiao Ran realized he had to focus on defeating it quickly while the group avoided its mouth.
• Guzma and Golisopod attacked Guzzlord, but their strikes left only a small cut, while the other Trainers continued struggling against its huge body and powerful attacks.
• Guzzlord swept another Dragon Pulse across the battlefield, forcing Qiao Ran and Lillie, Acerola and Modan, and the two Meis to dodge rubble and flee.
• When Guzzlord roared again, Qiao Ran recognized it was about to use Earthquake, flew off on Altaria with Lillie, and saw the other Trainers take to the sky.

Qiao Ran and his allies fought a long battle to defeat the enormous Guzzlord, then took shelter in Po Town to recover. As Qiao Ran settled in to rest with Modan, Modan praised his leadership and contribution to the victory.

• Guzzlord's Earthquake devastated the area, but Guzma escaped the dust cloud with Scizor's help.
• Qiao Ran, Lillie, Mei, Mei, Acerola, Guzma, and their Pokémon fought Guzzlord from afternoon until night, with Zacian finally defeating it with Behemoth Blade.
• Guzzlord's body dissolved into the air after its defeat, and the exhausted group celebrated their victory.
• Guzma offered the group rooms in Po Town, where they could rest instead of traveling to the Aether House.
• Qiao Ran shared a room with Modan, who praised his command, strength, and courage in battle.

After Guzzlord’s defeat, Qiao Ran and his companions discussed continuing their journey across Alola, while Modan encouraged Acerola to travel with them. In the Real World, Sabrina received a visitor who said she reminded him of the Dark Queen.

• Modan joked with Qiao Ran about his relationships with the girls, and Qiao Ran acknowledged that their bonds had grown deeper.
• Po Town’s residents thanked Qiao Ran and Modan for defeating Guzzlord, and Plumeria thanked Qiao Ran for recognizing Guzma’s crucial role in the battle.
• At breakfast, Qiao Ran said the group planned to explore the other islands and find Mei’s mother; Modan offered to look after Aether House so Acerola could join them.
• Qiao Ran, Lillie, and Mei agreed to talk openly with Acerola about traveling with them, including their ability to visit the Real World.
• In the Real World, a Gym Trainer told Sabrina that a dark-skinned man wanted to see her because she reminded him of the Dark Queen, and Sabrina smiled.

Sabrina met the mysterious man who claimed to be Brock, while Qiao Ran and his companions returned to Aether House after defeating Guzzlord. Qiao Ran then told Acerola about his Otherworld origins and warned her that traveling between worlds came at a heavy price.

• Sabrina recognized the visitor’s resemblance to Brock and heard him identify himself as Brock.
• Qiao Ran and his companions returned to Aether House, where Lusamine congratulated them and the children urged them to recount the battle against Guzzlord.
• Acerola entertained the children with stories about Qiao Ran’s leadership during the battle, delaying his chance to speak with her.
• Mei and Lillie brought Acerola to a room with Qiao Ran, and he revealed that he came from another world and could take people between worlds.
• Acerola reacted with shock and curiosity, asked about the Otherworld, and learned from Qiao Ran that crossing worlds required a special method and came at a heavy price.

Qiao Ran and the others explained becoming Pokémon to Acerola, who listened to their adventures and asked for one more night to decide whether to join them. In the Real World, Sabrina discovered that Brock believed nearly twenty years had passed since they last met, while she had been gone for only a few months.

• Qiao Ran, Mei, and Lillie explained becoming Pokémon to Acerola and described its benefits, while Acerola asked for time to consider joining them.
• Qiao Ran and the others shared their past adventures with Acerola through the night, and she said she wanted to join them but needed another night to decide.
• Sabrina met Brock and realized that he looked much older than the young man she remembered, though he insisted he was Brock.
• Sabrina told Brock that only two or three months had passed for her, while Brock said he had lived in the Real World for nearly twenty years.
• Sabrina and Brock ended their conversation without resolving the timeline discrepancy, and Brock said she could contact him while he stayed nearby.

Sabrina contacted Cynthia after learning that Kanto Gym Leader Brock had lived in their world for nearly twenty years, and Cynthia asked to speak with him when Qiao Ran returned. After defeating Guzzlord, Acerola decided to join Qiao Ran’s group, and they planned to leave Alola the day after tomorrow; back in the Real World, they found Sabrina’s urgent note and learned Brock had visited her Gym.

• Sabrina told Cynthia that Brock had lived in their world for almost twenty years, and Cynthia asked to talk to him when he returned.
• After breakfast, Acerola told Qiao Ran and the others that she wanted to join them and help people in the Otherworld.
• Qiao Ran planned to leave Alola the day after tomorrow, giving Acerola time to say goodbye and allowing the group to observe Lillie and the others for possible Nihilego aftereffects.
• Qiao Ran brought Mei and the others through the Portal to Sabrina’s empty home, where they found her note asking him to call immediately because something important had happened.
• Sabrina told Qiao Ran to come to her Gym and revealed that Brock had visited while the group was away.

Qiao Ran and the others met Brock at Sabrina’s Gym and learned that he had been in this world for nearly twenty years, far longer than the others. Brock began recounting the strange events that preceded his arrival, leaving the cause of the time discrepancy unresolved.

• Sabrina told Qiao Ran and the others that Brock had spent nearly twenty years in this world, and they speculated that people from the Pokémon World might have arrived at different points in time.
• Qiao Ran, Mei, and Lillie went to Sabrina’s Gym, where Brock arrived and confirmed that he was the same Brock they knew.
• Sabrina introduced Brock to the group and brought Cynthia into their discussion by video call; Brock realized that they appeared not to have aged as he had.
• Brock explained that he had found Sabrina on a screen and came to Magic City, then began describing unusual phenomena in Pewter City that seemed unrelated to Pokémon.

Brock recounted how he had been stranded in this world for nearly twenty years after disasters struck his home, and he learned that the Pokémon World remained in grave danger. Cynthia proposed that Dialga’s power had sent people to this world at different times, leaving the group determined to keep seeking companions and investigating.

• Brock described the disasters that engulfed his world, his failed attempts to contact the Pokémon League, and his lonely search for a way home.
• Brock explained that he had spent nearly twenty years traveling this world before recognizing Sabrina on a screen and asked about Pewter City and his family.
• Qiao Ran shared his ability to travel between worlds and told Brock that Galar, Unova, and Alola were in crisis, dampening Brock’s hopes of returning.
• Sabrina and Qiao Ran encouraged Brock to join them in gathering companions, while Qiao Ran explained the difficult conditions for crossing between worlds.
• Cynthia theorized that Dialga’s power had brought her and Caitlin into this world at different times, and the group concluded that the timing of each person’s crossing might explain why their outreach had attracted few others.

Qiao Ran, Cynthia, Phoebe, and Brock discussed the time-related crossings between worlds and concluded that finding Dialga was the most practical next step. Cynthia asked Brock to help investigate ruins, and afterward Qiao Ran and the girls headed out to relax and shop.

• Phoebe joined Cynthia's call, questioned Brock about his arrival in this world, and learned that he had no clear memories or clues about where he first appeared.
• Phoebe argued that they should find the Pokémon behind the crossings, and Cynthia agreed that collecting information about Dialga was their best lead.
• Cynthia asked Brock to investigate ruins for her when needed, and Brock agreed to help with the work.
• Sabrina stayed with Brock at the Magic City Gym to arrange work for him, while Qiao Ran and the girls decided to spend the afternoon exploring.
• Lillie and Mei envied Qiao Ran's ability to keep humanoid Pokémon close, wondered about Rotom's portal power, and then set off to shop and relax.

Qiao Ran and his Pokémon spent an afternoon shopping before Altaria entered a mall singing contest. Her heartfelt performance captivated the audience, and listeners wondered if she was a professional singer.

• Mei nicknamed Altaria Little Seven and took her shopping for clothes.
• Dianxi bought a plush toy modeled after herself and called it like holding her own daughter, leaving her and Qiao Ran embarrassed.
• Mei found Qiao Ran and Dianxi looking red-faced, then hurried them to watch Altaria perform.
• Altaria sang an uplifting song at the mall contest, overcoming her nerves as the audience fell silent to listen.
• Listeners praised Altaria's voice and wondered whether she was a professional singer.

Altaria performed the song “Together” at a mall event, won first place, and chose the name Qiqi when the audience asked who she was. Qiao Ran filmed the performance and returned with the group to the Pokémon World, where Zacian received a plush toy and asked after his health.

• Altaria finished singing “Together,” moved the audience, and thanked Qiao Ran for helping her take the stage.
• When the audience asked her name, Altaria hesitated before introducing herself as Qiqi.
• Qiao Ran asked Rotom to edit and upload the recording, and Altaria collected coupons and a large Mimikyu plush as her prize.
• Qiao Ran and the others spent the afternoon shopping and eating before returning to the Pokémon World with their purchases.
• Dianxi gave Zacian a plush modeled after her, and Zacian asked whether Qiao Ran had recovered; Dianxi said he seemed back to his usual condition.