Chapter Summaries

Jing He, Volkner, and Watari went to Sunyshore Gym to check on Denji and get him battling again. After Rotom drained the Gym’s power and Tinkaton smashed through a locked door, they entered the Gym and drew Denji’s attention.

• Volkner worried about Denji’s loss of interest in battling, and Jing He considered using a Pokémon Battle to reach him.
• Volkner proposed several battle arrangements, but Watari rejected being dragged into a match against Jing He.
• At Sunyshore Gym, Volkner knocked on the closed doors while Gengar greeted Denji’s Pikachu and took a Lighthouse Badge.
• Jing He had Rotom disable the Gym’s electrical defenses, but the power outage sealed a second door.
• Jing He sent out Tinkaton, which smashed through the second door, prompting Denji to call out from inside.

Jing He challenged Denji to a Gym battle, betting that a win would earn him use of the arena while a loss would reveal why the Gym had lost power. Tinkaton defeated Electivire in a final clash, and Denji rediscovered his enthusiasm for battling as the arena was left badly damaged.

• Jing He offered Denji a bet: he would explain the Gym’s power outage if Denji won, while Denji would lend him the arena for a few days if Jing He won.
• Denji accepted the bet and sent out Electivire, while Jing He chose Tinkaton for the Gym battle.
• Tinkaton and Electivire traded powerful attacks, and Denji grew more engaged as Electivire’s fighting spirit surged.
• Denji ordered Electivire to use Wild Charge at maximum power, and Jing He answered with Tinkaton’s Gigaton Hammer.
• Tinkaton won the clash, Electivire lost the ability to battle, and its final attack split and wrecked the arena.

Denji regained his fighting spirit while battling Jing He, first with Pikachu and then with Raichu, before sending out Luxray against Gengar. Jing He’s status-focused tactics left Luxray poisoned, burned, and confused as Gengar prepared to strike with Hex.

• Pikachu asked Denji to battle, and Denji sent it out against Jing He’s Charcadet.
• Pikachu endured Charcadet’s Flamethrower and struck back with Volt Tackle, helping Denji reconnect with memories of his childhood battles with Volkner.
• Denji used a Thunder Stone to evolve Pikachu into Raichu, but Charcadet’s Fire Blast overwhelmed it, so Denji sent out Luxray.
• Jing He switched to Gengar, which used Trick, Will-O-Wisp, and Confuse Ray to inflict Toxic, Burn, and Confusion on Luxray.
• Jing He ordered Gengar to use Hex while Denji struggled to understand the change in his opponent’s tactics.

Jing He defeated Denji in Sunyshore Gym and received a Badge, Charge Beam, and an Electirizer, while Denji rediscovered his enthusiasm for battling. Jing He then borrowed the Gym’s training venue and used Rotom to power its equipment, leaving everyone ready to begin training.

• Gengar defeated Luxray, and Denji awarded Jing He the Badge and Charge Beam Technical Machine along with an Electirizer.
• Jing He gave Rotom the Electirizer, Charge Beam Technical Machine, and manual, and Denji learned that Rotom had consumed the Gym’s stored electricity.
• Watari and Volkner told Denji about Jing He’s Pokémon receiving recognition and protection from legendary Pokémon, then Denji resolved to challenge Cynthia.
• Jing He treated Tinkaton’s and Charcadet’s minor injuries and arranged to use Denji’s automated training venue.
• Jing He asked Rotom to power the Gym’s circuits, activating the training equipment, and announced that training would begin.

Denji and Volkner took Jing He and their Pokémon to the Seven-Star Restaurant’s Double Battle event, where they met Jasmine and Aley. As the competitors gathered and Gengar spotted an appetizing Pokémon, the group prepared for the event.

• Denji and Volkner invited Jing He and the little ones to the Seven-Star Restaurant, and they cycled to Lake Verity together.
• Jing He’s Dragonite trained with Denji’s equipment, practicing how to sense the earth’s veins before using Earthquake.
• Gengar swept desserts from a table into Jing He’s shadow while the group sampled the restaurant’s pre-meal treats.
• Denji introduced Jing He and Volkner to Jasmine, the Olivine Gym Leader, who had come to the event.
• Aley, the Veilstone Gym Leader, excitedly asked Jing He to teach her, then joined Jasmine as her Double Battle partner.
• Gengar drifted toward a nearby Pokémon it found appetizing as Denji asked Aley and Jasmine about their pairing.

Jing He met Alcremie at the Seven-Star Restaurant and learned that it had been bought from a Pokémon Hunter before Chiqiu rescued it and helped it become happy again. Jing He considered inviting Alcremie to work at his Coffee Shop, but Chiqiu said Alcremie’s wishes would decide while he tried to keep it.

• Aley told Jing He about her difficult past and the jobs she had tried before becoming Veilstone’s Gym Leader.
• Gengar found Alcremie at the dessert station and repeatedly startled it into sharing cream until Jing He intervened and gave it an Energy Cube.
• Chiqiu introduced himself as the Seven-Star Restaurant’s owner and explained that Alcremie had been unhappy after being sold to a dessert shop by a Pokémon Hunter.
• Jing He considered poaching Alcremie for his Coffee Shop, and Chiqiu said he would respect Alcremie’s choice but try to keep it.

Jing He entered the Seven-Star Restaurant’s doubles tournament alone and paired Charcadet with Rotom, giving Rotom its first battle. After they easily defeated Chiqia and Chiqiu, Jing He challenged the other competitors to take him on.

• Jing He entered the tournament solo after learning Watari had already reached Canalave City, and the announced lineup drew an excited crowd.
• Jasmine and Aley defeated their opponents to earn a free dinner, then Jing He faced tournament hosts Chiqia and Chiqiu.
• Jing He invited Rotom to battle beside Charcadet, helping it overcome its nerves with soothing Aura.
• Charcadet and Rotom combined Flamethrower and Thunderbolt to knock out Snorlax and Munchlax in one attack.
• Volkner declared that he and Denji would not lose to Jing He, who answered that he alone could take on all the competitors.

Jing He faced Jasmine and Aley in a double battle, where their coordinated strategy nearly trapped Kubfu and set up Meditite’s powerful attack. He anticipated their plan, turned the attack against them, and won, leaving Jasmine and Aley to accept their defeat.

• Jasmine sent out Steelix and Aley sent out Meditite, while Jing He chose Dragonite and Kubfu.
• Jasmine used Steelix’s Autotomize and Aley set up Reflect as Jing He boosted Dragonite with Dragon Dance.
• Steelix targeted Kubfu with Bind while Dragonite’s Extreme Speed was stopped by Reflect, and Meditite launched High Jump Kick at the trapped Kubfu.
• Kubfu had fallen asleep but broke free enough to use Detect, redirecting Meditite’s kick and making it crash into the ground.
• Dragonite struck Steelix with Aqua Tail, then Kubfu finished it with Close Combat; with Meditite weakened by recoil, Jing He won the battle.

Gengar and the others met Azelf while Jing He battled Jasmine and Aley, and their fierce wish to stay with Jing He impressed the Lake guardian. Azelf left behind a fang, completing the trio of materials for the Red Chain, while Jing He worried about what that might lead to.

• Marshadow recognized the phantom as Azelf, and Gengar shared Energy Cubes with Azelf and Alcremie.
• Azelf asked Gengar and the others about their dreams, and their determination to live with Jing He forever moved it.
• Azelf left a tiny fang behind before departing, while Jing He defeated Jasmine and Aley in battle.
• Jing He learned that Azelf had given Gengar the fang and realized that Azelf's Fang, Uxie's Claw, and Mesprit's Wing were all gathered.
• Jing He put Marshadow back in the shadows and decided not to visit Lake Valor, then reassured himself that Gengar was incredibly cute.

Jing He faced Volkner and Denji in the restaurant tournament’s final doubles match, where their close coordination and powerful tactics put him under pressure. Gengar and Ice Ninetales turned the battle around with a coordinated ambush, defeating Electivire and Flareon and securing the win.

• Volkner and Denji defeated their earlier opponents, and the restaurant owners announced ten Enjoyment Tickets at starred restaurants as the tournament’s grand prize.
• Jing He chose Gengar and Ice Ninetales for the final match, while Denji sent out Electivire and Volkner sent out Flareon, the Only King.
• Denji used Electivire’s Discharge to boost its Speed and paralyze Flareon, while Volkner had Flareon use Curse and then ordered a Flare Blitz at Ice Ninetales.
• Electivire used Follow Me to disrupt Jing He’s setup, but Jing He had Ice Ninetales dig underground and Gengar escape through Phantom Force.
• Gengar struck Electivire from behind, letting Ice Ninetales freeze it with Blizzard, while Gengar knocked out Flareon with a Shadow Ball.

After winning the Seven-Star Restaurant tournament, Jing He trained with his Pokémon at Lake Verity and tried to recruit Alcremie to join his pastry team. Gengar began learning Marshadow’s signature move Spectral Thief, while Alcremie received an invitation from Jing He and the Indeedee siblings.

• Jing He won ten Enjoyment Tickets at the Seven-Star Restaurant tournament, gave one each to Jasmine and Aley, and later told Cynthia that Volkner and Denji had made the battles difficult after Watari left.
• Jing He woke from a dream about G-Max Alcremie and decided to try recruiting Alcremie after seeing how much his Pokémon liked it.
• Aley asked Jing He for martial arts pointers, then moved a massive boulder during his training; Jing He promised to give him pointers next time.
• Gengar asked Marshadow to teach it a powerful move, and Marshadow agreed to explain Spectral Thief after Gengar offered it three boxes of Energy Cubes.
• Jing He showed Alcremie photos of the Indeedee siblings’ baking and invited it to help make the world’s most delicious cake, while Indeedee invited it over a video call.

Jing He left Sinnoh for Hoenn after receiving an invitation to the Lily of the Valley Conference and news that the League was still considering a more satisfying reward for helping Regigigas. Meanwhile, Sakaki interpreted Jing He’s Meowth plushie as a plan to turn Team Rocket’s “Meowth and Pichu” characters into a merchandise brand, while Jing He returned to Canalave City and reunited his Pokémon.

• At Sunyshore City Airport, Denji gave Jing He an invitation to the Lily of the Valley Conference and explained that the Sinnoh League was still considering his reward.
• On his flight, Jing He reviewed the invitation, calculated his growing savings, and watched Alcremie enjoy its first plane ride.
• At the Team Rocket base, Mato delivered Jing He’s Meowth plushie to Sakaki, who declared that merchandise was the next step for “Meowth and Pichu.”
• Sakaki envisioned using Team Rocket merchandise to reach ordinary people and expand the organization’s influence, while Mato recognized the responsibility of the plan.
• Jing He spoke with Mato, joked about giving Sakaki a life-sized Persian plushie, and returned to Canalave City, where he reunited Alcremie with the Indeedee siblings and the rest of his Pokémon.

Jing He and his Pokémon celebrated New Year's Eve together in Canalave City, preparing a feast, exchanging presents, and welcoming the new year beneath fireworks. The chapter ended with the family making wishes for the year ahead.

• Jing He woke to Gengar's antics, then gathered his Pokémon family for breakfast and announced a day of big cleaning.
• Jing He, the Indeedee siblings, and Alcremie prepared the New Year's feast while the other Pokémon cleaned the house, causing a few mishaps along the way.
• Jing He and the Pokémon gathered around a table full of food, toasted the new year, and enjoyed a lively dinner.
• Jing He and Rotom made Energy Cubes, and Jing He gave every Pokémon a present despite having spent his savings and owing the Hoenn League more than two million League Credit.
• Jing He and his Pokémon counted down on the balcony as fireworks lit up Canalave City, then wished each other a happy new year.

On New Year’s Day, Jing He received greetings from friends across the Pokémon world and learned that the International Police had promoted him to Chief Superintendent. Steven Stone, Flannery, and Roxanne visited his reopened Coffee Shop, where he gave them Pokémon plushies that he framed as advice for their teams.

• Jing He exchanged New Year greetings with Cynthia and Lila, who told him the International Police had promoted him to Chief Superintendent for his work on the Snowpeak and Aqualine Operations.
• Jing He received calls and messages from Professor Oak, Wataru, Sabrina, Lorelei, the Team Rocket trio, and others, including a cryptic greeting from Sakaki Boss.
• Steven Stone, Flannery, and Roxanne visited Jing He and gave him a Metal Coat, Charcoal, and Hard Stone.
• Jing He gave Steven Stone a Mawile plushie, Flannery a Torkoal plushie, and Roxanne a Rockruff plushie, explaining how each Pokémon could help their teams.
• Jing He invited his students to try new desserts at his reopened Coffee Shop, where Indeedee and Alcremie greeted them.

Steven showed Jing He that he and Shiny Metagross had achieved Mega Evolution, and Jing He confirmed that they were in good condition. Later, during a quiet day at home, Jing He received a desperate call from Volkner, who said he had been imprisoned and kept awake by people calling him a monkey.

• Steven brought Jing He, Flannery, and Roxanne to the lake and demonstrated Shiny Metagross's Mega Evolution.
• Jing He and the others noticed Steven and Metagross's transformation was less dramatic than Jing He and Gengar's, and Jing He explained that a stronger bond brought greater enhancement.
• Jing He checked Metagross's condition, reassured Steven, and had Rotom send a recording to Professor Sycamore.
• Jing He relaxed at home while his Pokémon trained and pursued their own interests.
• Jing answered an unfamiliar call and heard Volkner beg for help from a place where he had been held without sleep for three days.

Jing He traveled to Solaceon Town with Cynthia to rescue Denji, who had been trapped in the Solaceon Ruins by illusions created by Unown. After fighting through aggressive wild Pokémon, they reached the ruins’ depths and found Denji running in place.

• Denji called Jing He for help after being trapped in the Solaceon Ruins for three days by Unown illusions.
• Jing He contacted Cynthia and Watari, then flew from Hoenn to Sinnoh while Cynthia agreed to meet him in Solaceon Town.
• Jing He and Cynthia entered the ruins using Watari’s information and Rotom’s projected 3D map, with Lucario and Gengar protecting them.
• Gengar defeated a swarm of attacking Zubat and Golbat as Jing He and Cynthia advanced through the ruins.
• Jing He and Cynthia reached the depths of the ruins and saw Denji running in place.

Jing He and Cynthia confronted Unown that had trapped Volkner and tried to distort space and time. The Unown interrupted their dangerous formation after sensing Giratina’s aura, then warned them that an angry legend was about to awaken and bring destruction.

• Jing He, Cynthia, and Gengar found Volkner surrounded by Unown, and Gengar broke their attempt to pull them into an illusion.
• The Unown turned Volkner and Infernape against them, but Cynthia’s Garchomp defeated Infernape while Jing He and Cynthia held back to protect the ruins.
• The Unown formed a barrier and began distorting space and time, so Jing He used Giratina’s aura to frighten them into stopping.
• The Unown restored the group’s orientation and conveyed a warning that a legend would awaken in anger and bring destruction, but they did not identify the being.
• Jing He offered the Unown Energy Cubes, and they paused their return to the murals to taste them.

Jing He, Cynthia, and Volkner escaped the Unown’s trap in Solaceon Ruins and uncovered signs that Team Galactic might target the Spear Key. Elsewhere, Dialga and Palkia clashed, and Giratina contacted Jing He to demand an update on his story.

• Jing He and Cynthia found Volkner trapped by the Unown, and the group learned that the ruins’ mural offered no clear explanation of the prophecy.
• Jing He discovered three empty grooves in the ruins’ floor pattern and urged Cynthia to strengthen security at Solaceon Ruins to protect the Spear Key from Team Galactic.
• Jing He warned the Unown that intruders might come for the Spear Key, and they worried about the threat.
• Dialga and Palkia fought where time and space intersected, exchanging Roar of Time and Spacial Rend.
• Jing He, Cynthia, and Volkner left the ruins, and Volkner fell asleep in the grass while Jing He received a message from Giratina.
• Giratina asked Jing He to update “Meowth and Pichu” and reminded him to vote.

Jing He and Cynthia enjoyed a picnic in Solaceon Town while Gengar showed off a rough imitation of Marshadow’s Spectral Thief. They then visited Professor Rowan, who identified the Pokémon Egg as most likely a Larvitar or Gible, leaving Jing He worried about the cost of raising it.

• Jing He served desserts made by Indeedee and Alcremie, and Gengar demonstrated a move that stole one stage of Garchomp’s Swords Dance boost.
• Cynthia suggested that Professor Rowan examine Jing He’s Pokémon Egg, and she and Jing He traveled with Volkner to Rowan’s lab in Twinleaf Town.
• Professor Rowan listened as Jing He and Cynthia described their encounter with Unown in the Solaceon Ruins, and Cynthia said she had already sent word to her grandmother.
• Professor Rowan examined the Egg and estimated a sixty percent chance it contained a Larvitar, a thirty percent chance it contained a Gible, and a ten percent chance it was another Dragon-type or Ground-type Pokémon.
• Jing He’s hopes of the Egg containing a Flygon faded, and Cynthia offered to lend him money if he needed it.

Jing He, Cynthia, and Volkner traveled to a mountain inn near Twinleaf Town to enjoy its natural hot springs with their Pokémon. The chapter ended with the group relaxing in the pool as Jing He offered them macarons and Marshadow hesitated at the water’s edge.

• Jing He woke at Professor Rowan’s research institute, fed Volkner grain pancakes, and considered registering for the Lily of the Valley Conference.
• Cynthia invited Jing He and Volkner to a hot spring inn, and they drove there through the snowy mountains.
• Jing He and Volkner entered the bath with their Pokémon, while Dragonite splashed Volkner’s Fire-type Pokémon into the water.
• Jing He joined the Pokémon in the hot spring, and Marshadow lingered by the pool while Jing He offered everyone macarons.