Chapter Summaries

Qiao Ran and Mei awkwardly discussed the night they had been left alone together, while Mei and Lillie worried that something more had happened. At breakfast, the group planned their busy day and decided who would visit the Wild Area before their mountain climb.

• Mei told Qiao Ran that Lillie and the others had tricked him into entering her room, then stopped him from leaving so they could talk.
• Qiao Ran told Mei and Lillie that he and Mei had talked and watched videos, and both girls admitted they would have felt too humiliated to do anything more while tied up.
• Acerola shared videos about Ghost Pokémon, and the group discussed visiting Galar to introduce her to Marnie and the others.
• Qiao Ran listed the day's errands, including buying supplies, arranging Altaria's livestream, finding an inn, and preparing for the mountain climb.
• Mei, Lillie, and Acerola chose to visit the Wild Area with Qiao Ran, and Mei joined them rather than staying behind with him.

Qiao Ran prepared supplies for a prolonged expedition in Alola’s Wild Area while trying to manage rising tensions among his Pokémon. After finding a hotel for the group, he planned Altaria’s livestream and song release, which was about to draw attention from the “Trainer Diary” account.

• Qiao Ran shopped for climbing gear, food, medicine, and other supplies with Suicune, Nihilego, Yveltal, and Vulpix, while Nihilego provoked Yveltal and Suicune tried to keep the peace.
• Qiao Ran returned to the Pokémon Center exhausted and heard that Dianxi had visited Mei, Lillie, and Acerola and given them gem sculptures of their Pokémon.
• Qiao Ran checked out of the Pokémon Center and booked three hotel rooms for the group, choosing a single room for himself.
• Qiao Ran told the others that Altaria would livestream that night and that Rotom had edited footage to accompany her song.
• Someone mentioned that the “Trainer Diary” account was apparently going live that day.

Qiao Ran and Altaria launched a livestream that drew hundreds of thousands of viewers, culminating in Altaria’s performance of “Together.” The song stirred powerful memories among people from the Pokémon World, and the stream ended with viewers cheering for an encore.

• News of Altaria’s planned livestream spread online, and Qiao Ran and Altaria grew nervous as more than a hundred thousand viewers gathered before it began.
• At eight o’clock, Altaria introduced herself as Qiqi, answered questions with Qiao Ran, and performed several songs while the audience continued to grow.
• Altaria announced that she would sing “Together,” and Cynthia watched with Phoebe as the familiar song reminded her of home.
• Sabrina and a dark-skinned man watching from the mountains were moved by the song, while Qiao Ran and the girls watched Altaria perform with tears in their eyes.
• Altaria finished “Together” to applause and a flood of comments, as viewers praised her performance and called for her to sing it again.

After Altaria’s successful livestream, Qiao Ran comforted her about her insecurities and learned her song video had quickly reached the site-wide trending list. The next day, he and his companions began climbing Alola’s mountain cautiously, fighting Ultra Beasts along the way.

• Altaria finished her livestream, and Qiao Ran praised her performance before taking her to the Wild Area to talk.
• Altaria admitted she feared being left behind and lacked confidence, so Qiao Ran promised to support her singing and spend more time with her.
• Mei showed Qiao Ran that Altaria’s newly uploaded song video was trending, with more than a hundred thousand viewers.
• The next morning, Qiao Ran and the others prepared to climb the Alola mountain and agreed to turn back if anyone or their Pokémon became exhausted or endangered.
• The group entered Alola and began ascending on foot, where Silvally knocked away an attacking Kartana and they encountered several other Ultra Beasts.

Qiao Ran and his companions climbed Mount Hokulani, fighting Ultra Beasts and catching Pokémon along the way. After Qiao Ran completed his Fairy-type collection mission and Lillie befriended a Clefairy, they reached the abandoned Hokulani Observatory, where a hidden electric trap activated and Qiao Ran sensed someone approaching.

• Qiao Ran’s group rested each day in the Real World while continuing their climb and battling Ultra Beasts on Mount Hokulani.
• After six or seven days, Qiao Ran caught Minior and enough Clefairy, Cleffa, and Clefable to complete his Fairy-type mission, while Lillie added a Clefairy to her team.
• Qiao Ran, Lillie, Mei, and Acerola fought off Blacephalon and Buzzwole near the summit and approached the seemingly abandoned Hokulani Observatory.
• Qiao Ran found that the observatory’s enormous doors were already open, and the group entered cautiously after sensing no signs of life inside.
• Qiao Ran triggered a concealed electric trap by throwing a Poké Ball down a passage, then sensed movement deeper in the building and said someone would arrive soon.

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.