Chapter Summaries

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.

Qiao Ran helped Mimikyu open up, learned about her lonely past, and began training her for a match against another Mimikyu. As the match approached, Mimikyu started accepting her new companions, while Lillie gave her a handmade flower and rediscovered her love of dolls.

• Mimikyu quietly greeted Qiao Ran, then told him she had grown up isolated in the Western-style Mansion and had hidden beneath a Pikachu doll to avoid hurting others.
• Qiao Ran reassured Mimikyu that he would show her more of the world, then introduced her to his Pokémon, who learned that she was too shy to respond to them.
• Qiao Ran planned to raise Mimikyu above level twenty-five before her match and trained her alongside his other Pokémon, secretly healing her with Tokiwa Power.
• Lillie gave Mimikyu a handmade cherry-pink flower for her head, and Mimikyu stayed still and accepted the gift.
• Lillie recalled her childhood attachment to dolls and considered making Mimikyu more accessories, while Qiao Ran agreed as long as they would not hinder battles.

Mei arrived at the Western-style Mansion and helped Qiao Ran prepare for his upcoming battle with Phoebe, while she and Lillie bonded over their shared connection to the Pokémon World. At Phoebe’s banquet, her Froslass swiftly defeated the assistants’ Pokémon, leaving Qiao Ran to watch and consider the skill he would face.

• Mei arrived at the Western-style Mansion, hugged Qiao Ran, and learned that he and Lillie were sharing a room.
• Qiao Ran released Mimikyu and explained his planned battle with Phoebe; Mei assessed the match and encouraged him.
• Mei and Lillie discussed returning to the Pokémon World, and Mei persuaded Qiao Ran to let her sleep in his room that night.
• Phoebe welcomed the guests to her banquet and sent her Froslass to demonstrate her strength against the assistants’ Pokémon.
• Froslass defeated the assistants’ Pokémon with precise Ice-type attacks, chilling the dining room while Qiao Ran watched her control.

Phoebe gathered her research assistants at her mansion, explained the dangers and plans for an expedition into the ruins, and arranged a battle against Qiao Ran to demonstrate their equally trained Mimikyu. With Lillie refereeing, the match began as Qiao Ran's Mimikyu overcame her fear and stepped onto the battlefield to face Phoebe's.

• Phoebe subdued her assistants with her Ghost Pokémon, then promised rewards, academic guidance, and a League recommendation to those who joined her expedition.
• Phoebe warned the researchers about the expedition's dangers and said she would report to the Pokémon League before beginning the operation the following night.
• Phoebe invited Qiao Ran to battle and chose Lillie as the referee; Lillie steadied herself with Qiao Ran's encouragement despite her fear of the ghosts.
• Phoebe sent out her level-24 Mimikyu, and Qiao Ran discovered that his own Mimikyu had grown stronger since both Pokémon began training at level 22.
• Qiao Ran soothed his frightened Mimikyu with encouragement and Tokiwa Power until she stepped forward to face Phoebe's Pokémon.
• Lillie announced the start of the one-on-one match, and Qiao Ran and Phoebe issued their commands simultaneously.

Qiao Ran’s Mimikyu gained the early advantage over Phoebe’s through Will-O-Wisp and a faster Shadow Sneak, but Phoebe responded with an unfamiliar power and began a strange dance. Qiao Ran and Lillie suspected it was an Alolan Z-Move as the battle continued.

• Phoebe and Qiao Ran chose Swords Dance and Will-O-Wisp, respectively, as their Mimikyu faced off; Qiao Ran’s move burned Phoebe’s Mimikyu and halved its Attack.
• Qiao Ran and Phoebe ordered their Mimikyu to use Shadow Sneak, and Qiao Ran’s faster Mimikyu struck first, breaking Phoebe’s Disguise.
• Phoebe used a strange red power to steady her Mimikyu and restore its Shadow Sneak, which then broke Qiao Ran’s Mimikyu’s Disguise too.
• Phoebe abandoned her playful testing and declared she would use her full strength, while Qiao Ran vowed to do the same.
• Phoebe struck a dancing pose, and Qiao Ran and Lillie suspected she was preparing an Alolan Z-Move.

Qiao Ran and Mimikyu survived Phoebe’s Never-Ending Nightmare and won their battle, with Qiao Ran’s last-minute use of Tokiwa Power possibly helping Mimikyu prevail. As the crowd celebrated Mimikyu’s victory, Phoebe noticed something shining in Qiao Ran’s left hand.

• Phoebe unleashed the Ghost-type Z-Move Never-Ending Nightmare, covering the battlefield in overwhelming dark energy.
• Qiao Ran ordered Mimikyu to use Shadow Sneak and poured Tokiwa Power into her as the attacks collided.
• After the shadows cleared, one Mimikyu remained standing and picked up the little flower to place it on her head, revealing that Qiao Ran’s Mimikyu had won.
• Lillie declared Qiao Ran and Mimikyu the victors, and Qiao Ran carried the exhausted Mimikyu as the crowd and ghosts applauded.
• Phoebe struggled to accept her defeat, then spotted something shining in Qiao Ran’s left hand.