Chapter Summaries

Su Hao used Aura to contact the weakened souls linked to the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield, awakening Zacian and Zacian. The two Pokémon appeared as fading illusions, and Su Hao learned they had barely survived their battle with Darkest Day a thousand years earlier.

• Su Hao saw how badly damaged the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield were and realized they might need to be reforged.
• Reshiram warned Su Hao that the artifacts’ condition could mean their masters had also suffered misfortune.
• Su Hao sent Aura through the Rusted Sword and Rusted Shield and sensed a weakened soul.
• Mist filled the Sleeping Courtyard, and Zacian and Zacian appeared before Su Hao as illusory figures.
• Zacian and Zacian recalled their near-fatal battle with Darkest Day and wondered whether Su Hao had awakened them.

Su Hao learned that Zacian and Zacian had shattered their weapons fighting Nihilego and were now too weak to face the Darkest Day. They entrusted him with carrying the broken sword and shield to their King in the Crown Snowfield, and Su Hao agreed.

• Zacian and Zacian told Su Hao that their weapons shattered in a difficult battle against Nihilego, whose mysterious power resisted their signature moves.
• Zacian admitted that the siblings lacked the strength to fight again while the Darkest Day stirred.
• Zacian and Zacian recognized Su Hao as a visitor from another spacetime and asked him to take their broken weapons to their King.
• Reshiram appeared and clarified that Zacian and Zacian were not asking Su Hao to become their hero.
• Su Hao agreed to deliver the broken sword and shield to the King in the Crown Snowfield.

Su Hao crossed Crown Snowfield in a blizzard, heading for Freezington to gather materials for Bonding Stirrups and possibly find Calyrex. After Hisuian Braviary sensed a dangerous presence rushing toward them, Su Hao mounted it to flee, but hoofbeats drew near.

• Zacian and Zamazenta wished Su Hao well as he left the Sleeping Courtyard of the heroes.
• Two days later, Su Hao trudged through a blizzard in Crown Snowfield on his way to seek the Legendary King.
• Su Hao told Diancie he planned to visit Freezington first to gather materials and techniques for making two Bonding Stirrups, and possibly encounter Calyrex.
• Diancie and Reshiram sensed a strange presence in the blizzard and warned Su Hao to be careful.
• Hisuian Braviary spotted an unknown individual rushing toward them and urged Su Hao to climb aboard.
• Su Hao mounted Hisuian Braviary, but distinct hoofbeats approached through the blizzard as it took off.

Su Hao and Hisuian Braviary followed Glastrier through the blizzard and found it threatening Mohn, Lillie, and Guzzlord. Su Hao intervened with an Aeroblast, and Glastrier turned its fury toward him and Hisuian Braviary.

• Su Hao identified Glastrier as the source of the blizzard and followed it toward Freezington on Hisuian Braviary.
• Mohn stood in Glastrier’s path to protect his home, and Glastrier prepared to strike him.
• Lillie emerged from the house as Guzzlord and attacked Glastrier with Sludge Bombs, but Glastrier froze the barrage.
• Mohn tried to flee with Lillie, but Glastrier blocked their escape with walls of ice.
• Su Hao and Hisuian Braviary arrived, and Su Hao’s Aeroblast forced Glastrier back before it turned to attack them.

Su Hao arrived with Reshiram to save Mohn, Lillie, and Guzzlord from Glastrier, then defeated the ice Pokémon and healed its injuries. Glastrier submitted to Su Hao, whose healing power reminded it of Calyrex.

• Mohn warned Su Hao to flee as Glastrier's attack had barely harmed the Pokémon.
• Su Hao summoned Reshiram, whose Azure Flames burned away Glastrier's Ice Beam and injured it.
• Su Hao blocked Glastrier's escape, and Reshiram defeated it with Fusion Flare.
• After the Blizzard cleared, Su Hao sat atop Glastrier while Mohn, Lillie, and Guzzlord watched from the house.
• Glastrier pleaded for mercy, and Su Hao healed its injuries with Life Energy, reminding Glastrier of Calyrex.

Su Hao rescued Mohn and Lillie in Crown Snowfield, then alerted Ash so Alola could locate Mohn. After learning that Calyrex was still asleep, Su Hao planted Iceroot Carrots for Glastrier, which grew increasingly attached to him.

• Su Hao reassured Mohn that he and Lillie were safe, concealed his knowledge of Guzzlord's identity, and left after sharing tea with them.
• Su Hao sent Ash a photo of Mohn, prompting Ash to contact Professor Kukui and Alola to arrange for Lusamine to travel to Crown Snowfield.
• Su Hao rode Glastrier away from Mohn's home and learned through their mental connection that Calyrex had slept since the Darkest Day three thousand years earlier.
• Su Hao took Glastrier to Snowy Stream Valley and planted Iceroot Carrot seeds with Ogerpon, Milotic, and Leafeon.
• Su Hao used Tokiwa Power to speed the carrots' growth, and Glastrier tearfully realized it could no longer live without him.

Su Hao rode Glastrier to Freezington, where villagers and tourists mistook him for the legendary King of Abundance. Glastrier frightened the crowd when it reacted to their intrusive questions, and the village chief apologized to Su Hao as the King.

• Su Hao rode Glastrier toward Freezington and recalled that Calyrex’s petals and its steeds’ manes were materials for Bonding Stirrups.
• Su Hao arrived in Freezington and found a tiny, aging village where a villager recited legends of the King of Abundance and its beloved steed.
• A little girl spotted Su Hao dangling an Iceroot Carrot for Glastrier and exclaimed that the King of Abundance had arrived.
• Tourists crowded around Su Hao with questions, prompting Glastrier to spread a threatening layer of ice across the ground.
• The village chief apologized to Su Hao and asked him to stop his Pokémon, addressing him as the King of Abundance.

Su Hao entered Freezington on Glastrier, learned how to make a Bonding Stirrup, and improved the village’s farmland. After leaving, he secretly returned and revealed the awakened but weakened Calyrex hiding in the woods beside Glastrier.

• The village chief pleaded with Su Hao, who calmed Glastrier and entered Freezington.
• Su Hao examined an abandoned statue of Calyrex and learned the basics of weaving a Bonding Stirrup from the village chief.
• Su Hao revived a wilting plant and enriched Freezington’s farmland in return for the lesson.
• Su Hao and Glastrier left the village, then circled back so Su Hao could find Calyrex nearby.
• Calyrex emerged from a shrub, embarrassed to be caught hiding, and Su Hao recognized that it had awakened but remained weak from a lack of faith.

Su Hao helped the newly awakened Calyrex understand that Galar’s history had erased its rule and credited Zacian and Zacian’s deeds to the Royal Family. Calyrex and Glastrier set out to seek justice, leaving Su Hao to consider how to delay them until he could return to his own world.

• Calyrex offered Su Hao a reward for reuniting it with Glastrier, but Su Hao instead gave it a history book about Galar.
• Calyrex read that the Royal Family had claimed the heroes’ victories and that the kingdom’s history had erased Calyrex.
• Glastrier became furious that the Royal Family had also stolen Zacian and Zacian’s achievements.
• Calyrex declared that it would seek justice for Zacian and Zacian, and Glastrier agreed to accompany it.
• Su Hao realized he had provoked Calyrex and began thinking of ways to delay its confrontation with the Royal Family.

Su Hao helped Calyrex recover its full strength by making a Bonding Stirrup and enabling it to enter the As One state with Glastrier. Calyrex then learned that Zacian and Zacian had entrusted Su Hao with their broken sword and shield and asked it to choose new kings.

• Su Hao explained that Calyrex needed the Bonding Stirrup to enter the As One state with Glastrier or Spectrier, and Calyrex recognized him as a visitor from another time and space who carried its Abundance Power.
• Calyrex made its Radiant Flower bloom and gave Su Hao Radiant Petals so he could craft the Bonding Stirrup.
• Su Hao moved Calyrex and Glastrier to the Old Cemetery, then made a Bonding Stirrup and helped them enter the As One state, restoring Calyrex's strength.
• Su Hao told Calyrex that Zacian and Zacian had sent their broken sword and shield and apologized for being unable to fight, then asked Calyrex to address the underground energy's unrest.

Calyrex learned that Nihilego had destroyed the Rusted Sword and Shield and sensed that Darkest Day would awaken soon. Reshiram struck a deal with Calyrex to reforge the weapons and choose new wielders in exchange for help fighting Darkest Day, and Calyrex agreed to fight even if the weapons could not be reforged in time.

• Calyrex lifted the ruined Rusted Sword and Shield and listened as Su Hao recounted their battle with Nihilego.
• Calyrex sensed that Nihilego's power was growing and warned that Darkest Day was about to awaken.
• Reshiram appeared before Calyrex and proposed a deal to reforge the weapons and find new wielders.
• Calyrex agreed to help choose new masters for the Sword and Shield, while Reshiram promised to fight Darkest Day regardless of whether suitable wielders were found.
• Calyrex offered to make new divine artifacts for Su Hao's partners after the battle, and Reshiram and Calyrex sealed their deal.

Su Hao helped Calyrex lure Spectrier back, obtain its mane, and complete a Bonding Stirrup for its black-rider form. After learning Calyrex needed a craftsman and metal to reforge Sword and Shield, Su Hao accepted a tournament battle against Lt. Surge and received an unexpected message from Lance.

• Su Hao and Calyrex grew Shaderoot Carrots in the Old Cemetery to lure Spectrier back, and Calyrex and Glastrier stopped Spectrier from fleeing.
• Spectrier gave Calyrex enough mane hair for a second Bonding Stirrup, which Calyrex used to merge with Spectrier and take its black-rider form.
• Calyrex told Su Hao that reforging Sword and Shield required substantial metal and a replacement for its former cyclops craftsman.
• Su Hao accepted the Pokémon Battle Commission's invitation to battle Vermilion Gym Leader Lt. Surge in Vermilion City one week later.
• Su Hao saw that Lance had sent him a message and wondered why Lance was contacting him.

Su Hao arranged to meet Lance in Vermilion City, where Lance planned to recruit him for a mission against Team Rocket. At Crown Temple, Su Hao agreed to meet Lusamine and Professor Mohn, who wanted to thank him.

• Su Hao told Lance he could reach Vermilion City in a week, and Lance confirmed the meeting to Kiyo.
• Lance explained that the Kanto Pokémon League had organized missions against Team Rocket and planned for Su Hao to join his team.
• Kiyo said the Vermilion City mission involved capturing illegal black balls that Team Rocket was selling.
• Lance was confident Su Hao would cooperate because he held a serious grudge against Team Rocket.
• Professor Kukui told Su Hao that Lusamine and Professor Mohn wanted to meet him, and Su Hao directed them to Crown Temple.

Gladion, Lillie, and their family reached Crown Temple after Lillie spared a defeated Weavile with Peachy Peaches, but the Weavile was caught in a sudden surge of Galar particles. Gigantamaxing spread across Crown Snowfield, and Su Hao arrived with Calyrex as the Darkest Day appeared to awaken.

• Gladion defeated a Weavile with Lillie the Guzzlord, and Lillie left Peachy Peaches beside it before continuing toward Crown Temple.
• The Weavile recovered, ate the Peachy Peaches, and started away, but dark-red energy erupted beneath it.
• Lillie, Gladion, Lusamine, and Mohn noticed the unusual number of Weavile near Crown Temple and saw the temple ruins ahead.
• Dark-red pillars and Galar particles caused wild Pokémon throughout Crown Snowfield to Gigantamax and rampage, including the Weavile they had encountered.
• Gladion prepared to battle the Gigantamaxed Weavile, but Su Hao struck it with Aura Bullets and defeated it before riding out from Crown Temple with Calyrex.
• Calyrex said the Darkest Day was likely about to awaken, and Su Hao concluded it was already too late to reforge Sword and Shield.

After Calyrex suppressed the Gigantamax outbreak in Crown Snowfield, Su Hao met with Lusamine’s family at Crown Temple and asked Lusamine to help gather materials for reforging Sword and Shield. The group agreed to cooperate, and Su Hao promised to provide a detailed list of the metals and ore he needed.

• Su Hao reassured Lusamine’s family that Calyrex would handle the Gigantamax outbreak in Crown Snowfield.
• Calyrex used Spectrier’s spirit power to rain down star-like attacks and suppress the rampaging Gigantamax Pokémon.
• Su Hao brought Lusamine’s family into Crown Temple and explained that they would wait for news from Hammerlocke before confronting Nihilego.
• Lusamine thanked Su Hao for reuniting her family and offered the Aether Foundation’s assistance.
• Su Hao asked Lusamine to transport large quantities of precious metals, steel, and iron ore to Crown Snowfield so he and Calyrex could reforge Sword and Shield.

Su Hao arranged for Melmetal to receive metals and ores so it could reforge the sword and shield, while Magearna awakened the artifacts to help them choose suitable partners. The sword and shield began testing Su Hao’s Pokémon and rejected Reshiram and Incineroar.

• Lusamine agreed to have the Aether Foundation deliver the listed materials to Crown Snowfield within a week, and Su Hao explained that the materials would feed Ash’s Melmetal.
• Su Hao revealed that Melmetal would forge the necessary steel, grow stronger from the materials, and receive Calyrex’s guidance and help mastering Special Gigantamax.
• Calyrex asked Magearna to use its psychic power to help the sword and shield choose compatible partners, and Lillie agreed on Magearna’s behalf.
• Su Hao released his Pokémon, and Magearna’s Soul-Heart beam awakened the sword and shield so they could seek new masters.
• The sword and shield approached Reshiram and Incineroar, then fled from them because of their Fire-type energy.

Sword and Shield rejected several Pokémon before choosing Leafeon for the sword and Ogerpon for the shield. Calyrex explained that the artifacts had sensed their potential, and the group accepted their choices.

• Sword and Shield rejected Reshiram, Incineroar, and several Pokémon with traces of legendary power.
• The sword chose Leafeon, then fell silent as it awaited reforging.
• The shield passed over Zeraora and Lucario before choosing Ogerpon.
• Calyrex explained that the artifacts had sensed Leafeon and Ogerpon’s potential through Magearna’s Soul-Heart.
• Lucario congratulated Leafeon and Ogerpon, and the others accepted Sword and Shield’s choices.

Su Hao and Calyrex finished planning how to reforge Sword and Shield for Leafeon and Ogerpon, then learned that Nihilego was close to breaking free and headed to Hammerlocke. Rose revealed that he had awakened Nihilego to secure Galar’s future, but Nihilego absorbed the stadium’s Max Guard and aimed a destructive beam at him.

• Calyrex sent Su Hao, Lusamine, and her family directly to the edge of the Crown Snowfield using Confusion and Mental Energy.
• Su Hao and Calyrex planned to increase the sword’s Abundance Power for Leafeon and reforge the shield into a mask for Ogerpon.
• Calyrex sensed Gigantamax Energy gathering toward Hammerlocke and concluded that Nihilego’s release was imminent, so Su Hao set off with it.
• Nihilego’s escape plunged Hammerlocke into chaos as dark-red lightning caused Pokémon to Gigantamax and go berserk.
• Rose told Dande that he had released Nihilego to provide Galar with an unlimited source of Galar particles, and Dande vowed to defeat it to calm it down.
• Nihilego absorbed the Max Guard into its core and aimed a destructive beam at Rose.

Dande fought Nihilego as its power returned with Galar’s gathering particles, while Rose hoped to capture it and use it as an energy source. After Dande’s team weakened Nihilego, Charizard struck it down and Dande threw a Great Ball to capture it.

• Nihilego fired Dynamax Cannon at Rose, but Oleana, Milotic, and Garbodor tried to protect him, and Charizard interrupted the attack with Dragon Pulse.
• Oleana recalled her badly injured Pokémon, and Rose urged Dande to capture Nihilego for Galar’s future.
• Dande battled Nihilego with his six main Pokémon as its strength rapidly recovered from the returning Galar particles.
• Dande and Charizard pushed Nihilego back atop Hammerlocke Stadium’s tower while Rose expected to use it as the core of his energy plant.
• Charizard knocked Nihilego down with Dragon Pulse, and Dande threw a Great Ball to capture it.

Nihilego broke free and overwhelmed Dande, threatening to destroy Hammerlocke Stadium. Su Hao arrived on Reshiram with Calyrex and froze Nihilego, leaving Rose and Oleana stunned to recognize him as the True Hero.

• Nihilego shattered the Great Ball, escaped its seal, and incapacitated Dande and Charizard with the blast.
• Rose learned that Raihan was away in the Wild Area and tried to send Copperajah against Nihilego, but Oleana stopped him.
• Nihilego unleashed a powerful Dynamax Cannon that threatened the whole Hammerlocke Stadium.
• Su Hao arrived on Reshiram and intercepted the attack while Calyrex used Spectrier to strike Nihilego with psychic energy.
• Reshiram burned Nihilego, and Calyrex switched to Glastrier and froze it with a Glacial Lance.
• Rose recognized Su Hao and realized he was the True Hero.