Chapter Summaries

Yan Yang went to New Bark Town to receive his prepared starter Pokémon and was delighted to find that it was a Shiny Turtwig, a Pokémon he had loved since his first game. He and Turtwig accepted each other as partners, ready to grow and fight together.

• Yan Yang watched children receive starter Pokémon at Doctor Jiachengxue's institute, while several late arrivals left empty-handed.
• Doctor Jiachengxue greeted Yan Yang and brought out the starter he had arranged from the Sinnoh Region.
• Yan Yang recognized the Shiny Turtwig and recalled how Turtwig had helped him clear his first Pokémon game.
• Yan Yang asked Turtwig to become his partner, and Turtwig chose him and vowed to protect him.

Yan Yang caught the Shiny Turtwig, who grew anxious after discovering his many powerful Pokémon companions. He reassured her that she would have opportunities to prove herself, and she began to regain confidence.

• Yan Yang caught Turtwig with an ordinary Poké Ball and promised to get her a better one later.
• Doctor Jiachengxue encouraged Yan Yang to take research courses when he went to school.
• Yan Yang brought Turtwig home, where she met Cosmog and Audino and worried about her place among them.
• Yan Yang introduced his other Pokémon, whose high levels left Turtwig feeling weak and unnecessary.
• Yan Yang comforted Turtwig by comparing her potential growth to a seedling rising above the surrounding trees.

Yan Yang took Turtwig to school for the first time and reassured her about being weaker than his other Pokémon. Turtwig grew more confident in her place on the team, though she still worried about being abandoned, and the chapter ended with a Pokémon guessing quiz.

• Yan Yang brought Turtwig along as he headed to school, since her small size made her easier to take inside.
• Yan Yang encouraged Turtwig to compare herself with Pokémon at her level and reminded her that her teammates could help her improve.
• Yan Yang gave Turtwig water and lifted her while running to cheer her up on the overcast day.
• Turtwig reflected that Yan Yang had chosen her for herself, not for her unusual qualities, and decided she wanted him to be her only Trainer.
• Turtwig enjoyed playing with Cosmog and felt useful because he seemed even weaker than she was.
• The chapter presented a quiz asking readers to identify a Pokémon from clues about its type, Abilities, signature move, and another trait.

Yan Yang arrived at the Trainer School, learned he had been assigned to Class 1, and toured the campus with staff member Li Qiang. As the opening ceremony approached, he noticed an experienced trainer with a Garchomp among the students.

• Yan Yang used Cosmog to reach the school near Goldenrod City and waited to learn about his enrollment.
• Li Qiang met Yan Yang, told him the Champion had recommended him for Class 1, and showed him the campus and its double-room dormitories.
• Yan Yang heard students discuss the school, its large first-year intake, and rumors that Class 1 students were experienced trainers; Li Qiang explained that Yan Yang had other recommended students as future competitors.
• Yan Yang headed to the opening ceremony with Turtwig and spotted a trainer with a Garchomp in the crowd.

Yan Yang attended the academy's opening ceremony, learned that he was exempt from the entrance test, and settled into Room 416 with his Pokémon. As he finished warning them about dorm life, someone knocked and asked why the door was locked.

• Principal Mu Tao welcomed the new students, explained the academy's rules and assessments, and warned them to learn type matchups.
• Yan Yang went to his classroom, where a teacher told him he could skip the entrance test and go straight to his assigned dormitory.
• Yan Yang found Room 416, a spacious double room he would share with Bu Xiang, and released his Pokémon to explore.
• Yan Yang reminded his Pokémon to behave and keep a low profile, then heard someone knock and ask why the door was locked.

Yan Yang settled into his school dormitory, met his energetic new roommate Bu Xiang, and kept his stronger Pokémon hidden from his curious classmates. By night, Bu Xiang still had not returned, and Yan Yang let Armorouge sleep beside him with Turtwig under the blanket.

• Yan Yang opened the door to meet Bu Xiang, who greeted him and then vanished down the corridor without unpacking.
• Yan Yang and Armorouge arranged his belongings, including a pillow stuffed with Pokémon fur and an old rag doll, while Turtwig was disappointed she could not contribute fur.
• Yan Yang hurried back from the cafeteria with food for Armorouge and overheard classmates debate whether he was a hidden expert or had entered through connections.
• Yan Yang returned to find Bu Xiang still absent, then discovered Armorouge had prepared an extra blanket on his bed.
• Yan Yang let Armorouge sleep beside him and tucked Turtwig into his arms, while deciding they could not repeat it at school.

Yan Yang attended the first class of the school year, where Teacher Shen E introduced herself and had the trainees give self-introductions. After several students spoke, Ruan Zhu claimed he was the strongest in the class and challenged anyone who disagreed.

• Yan Yang entered the nearly empty classroom and waited as classmates gradually arrived.
• Teacher Shen E arrived with a Kirlia, joked about the seven students who were late, and introduced herself as the homeroom teacher and battle instructor.
• Shen E explained that the class would begin with self-introductions and said Agate and two other exam-exempt students would handle class management for now.
• Agate introduced herself as a Dragon Family Trainer from Blackthorn City, and Yan Yang considered introducing Armorouge to her, but Armorouge refused.
• Maha, Lihua, and Dongye Haotian introduced themselves before Ruan Zhu declared himself the strongest student and invited his classmates to challenge him.

Yan Yang attended class as one of three exempted students and learned the school’s rules for keeping Pokémon out of their Poké Balls. When Teacher Shen E mentioned stricter permits for Dragon-type pseudo-legendary Pokémon, Agate realized Yan Yang had one and reacted with shock that he could hear telepathically.

• Teacher Shen E introduced Ruan Zhu as the second exempted student and warned him to stop boasting, prompting him to back down when she threatened to contact his father.
• During introductions, Kirlia probed Yan Yang with Psychic Power, causing Armorouge’s Poké Ball to shake until Teacher Shen E stopped Kirlia.
• Teacher Shen E explained that exempted students could release certain Pokémon under level twenty, so Yan Yang brought out Turtwig while Ruan Zhu complained that the rule did not help him.
• Teacher Shen E outlined the school’s semesters, assessments, and focus on doubles battles, then noted that Dragon-type pseudo-legendary Pokémon faced stricter carry-permit assessments.
• Agate recognized that Yan Yang had a Dragon-type pseudo-legendary Pokémon, and Yan Yang was startled when he heard her unspoken thought.

Yan Yang discovered that Agate’s Dragon Tamer Power could reach Armorouge inside its Poké Ball, but Armorouge refused her call. After Teacher Shen explained the school’s rules and early graduation requirements, Yan Yang met with Ruan Zhu and Agate, who became eager to battle him and learn about his Alolan Dragon-type Pokémon.

• Agate sent a telepathic message to Armorouge, but Yan Yang heard it and refused on its behalf; Armorouge signaled that it would not go to her.
• Teacher Shen said students could pursue early graduation after completing their first academic year, and Yan Yang decided he would leave as soon as he could.
• Teacher Shen assigned student numbers by written-exam scores, prompting one student to complain before she insisted that everyone follow the rules.
• After class, Ruan Zhu and Agate stopped Yan Yang to talk, and Ruan Zhu challenged him to a battle; Yan Yang agreed to battle him another day with a different Pokémon.
• Agate asked whether Yan Yang had a powerful Dragon-type Pokémon, then eagerly proposed inviting it to her family for study when he said it came from Alola.

Yan Yang reconsidered Agate’s invitation to the Dragon Family after she mentioned the Dragonblood Trial and its rewards for Dragon-type Pokémon. The meeting ended with Agate and Ruan Zhu stunned by Armorouge’s level, while Ruan Zhu quietly looked for a way to avoid battling him.

• Agate tried to persuade Yan Yang to visit the Dragon Family, and he changed his mind when she mentioned the Dragonblood Trial and its secret rewards.
• Yan Yang brought out Armorouge, while Agate released Dragonair and Ruan Zhu released Garchomp, drawing a crowd of astonished students.
• Agate noticed Armorouge was above level sixty, and she and Ruan Zhu wondered how Yan Yang had earned the loyalty of such a powerful Pokémon.
• Yan Yang checked Garchomp and Dragonair’s status and evaluations, while both Pokémon felt wary of Armorouge.
• Ruan Zhu devised excuses to postpone his promised battle, Garchomp edged away, and Armorouge looked down on them for their reluctance to fight.

After parting from Agate and Ruan Zhu, Yan Yang chose research courses and took Armorouge to the campus Pokémon Battle and Training Club to find sparring partners. The club’s assessment revealed Armorouge was level 73, and Yan Yang agreed to buy a membership so his Pokémon could train there.

• Yan Yang learned Agate had about three months left on her journey before she could return, while Armorouge’s intimidating strength left Ruan Zhu and Garchomp shaken.
• Yan Yang took Turtwig toward the training area and selected three research electives, keeping his training time in mind.
• Armorouge urgently urged Yan Yang to find a place to battle, so Yan Yang entered the Pokémon Battle and Training Club.
• The club attendant assessed Armorouge at level 73 and admitted the club had no Pokémon strong enough for an even match, but offered level 60 sparring partners.
• Yan Yang accepted the instructional sparring and agreed to buy a club membership.

Yan Yang trained Turtwig with Entei’s help, encouraging her to pursue an offensive style despite her weak starting strength. After reuniting with Armorouge, he returned to the dorm and met his new roommate, Bu Xiang, who was impressed by Armorouge and lamented his poor exam ranking.

• Yan Yang brought Turtwig to a private training room, where Entei used his flames to nourish her and Yan Yang asked whether she wanted an offensive or defensive path; Turtwig chose offense.
• Yan Yang had Turtwig use Withdraw and then test her strength, and the machine showed her score was only five compared with Yan Yang’s 52 and Entei’s 300.
• After Turtwig’s first charge failed to improve her score, Yan Yang taught her how to apply force; she adjusted her technique and raised her score to seven before practicing for over an hour with help from both Yan Yang and Entei.
• Yan Yang ended Turtwig’s training and found Armorouge waiting in the public area; Armorouge was disappointed that none of his opponents had provided a challenge.
• Back at the dorm, Yan Yang met his new roommate Bu Xiang, who excitedly admired Armorouge and said he was in Class 30 and had placed last in his class on the placement exam.

Bu Xiang told Yan Yang that he was a struggling Trainer without a Pokémon, then worked through the night to save money for a partner. After a shift-ending accident, he found an injured Fighting-type Pokémon near his tent.

• Bu Xiang admitted that he had missed the starter Pokémon selection and asked to borrow Turtwig, but Yan Yang refused.
• Bu Xiang shared his difficult family circumstances and declared that he wanted to become a Trainer despite having little money.
• Bu Xiang told Yan Yang that he rarely planned to return to the dorm, then left for his overnight restaurant job.
• Bu Xiang daydreamed about choosing a Fighting-type partner but dropped a tray, and the head chef withheld his pay for the night.
• After finishing his shift before dawn, Bu Xiang found a rare, apparently hungry Fighting-type Pokémon in the bushes near his tent.

Yan Yang settled into his courses, finding the research classes and Pokémon history especially engaging while basic lessons reviewed familiar material. In battle class, Teacher Shen E demonstrated how Prankster affected status moves, and Yan Yang brought Turtwig to outdoor drills ahead of the follow-up assessment.

• Yan Yang attended three research courses, including a genetics class where he was the only student, while Doctor Jiachengxue's request had kept the school's research courses from being canceled.
• Teacher Qianxue focused Pokémon biology lessons on difficult material and struggled to help Xiao Hao memorize the type effectiveness chart.
• Teacher Yue Kai captivated the class with Pokémon history and told an unofficial story about Ho-Oh and Lugia as star-crossed lovers.
• Teacher Shen E demonstrated Prankster with Whimsicott, showing how it sped up status moves and how Cramorant nullified Whimsicott's Hypnosis.
• Yan Yang released Turtwig for outdoor battle drills, but he planned to use the session to get familiar with the training ground before the follow-up assessment.

Lycanroc tried to escape the Spirit World after growing stronger, but the guardian swallowed her into the void. She awoke in an apparently idyllic scene with Yan Yang, where an alien will seized control of her and made her fatally wound him, leaving her grieving beside his body.

• Lycanroc reached the Spirit World's boundary, but its guardian slowed her and swallowed her into the void.
• Lycanroc awoke in bright sunlight beside Yan Yang and joyfully chased him, believing she had returned to him.
• A cold will took control of Lycanroc and turned her playful paw into a powerful strike that tore into Yan Yang.
• Yan Yang told Lycanroc it was not her fault before dying, while his hand briefly caught her fur.
• Lycanroc regained control, howled in despair, and tried in vain to stop Yan Yang's bleeding and warm his body.

Lycanroc was trapped in a repeating vision of killing Yan Yang, each cycle deepening her despair until the Spirit Realm replaced the illusion with an undead version of him. He asked what she was afraid of, forcing her to confront a darker truth she could not bear to recognize.

• Lycanroc repeatedly watched herself kill Yan Yang as the Spirit Realm reset the scene, and his dying words and touch intensified her torment.
• Lycanroc wished to lose the power controlling her so Yan Yang could be safe, but the repeated deaths continued until the fog swallowed the illusion.
• The Spirit Realm formed an undead Yan Yang from the mist, and Lycanroc feared that she had truly killed her Trainer.
• Undead Yan Yang asked Lycanroc what she was afraid of, and the question brought a darker truth into her shattered consciousness.

Lycanroc confronted her self-loathing and nearly destroyed herself, but Undead Yan Yang’s familiar presence helped her awaken a new Ghost-type power. She sensed Yan Yang in the living world and set out to return to him, deciding to hide her pain and limit her strength to keep him safe.

• Lycanroc blamed herself for killing Yan Yang in each cycle and raised her claw to destroy herself before she could be controlled again.
• Undead Yan Yang pressed against Lycanroc’s forearm and urged her to wake up and accept her new power.
• Lycanroc’s fear and despair shattered a restraint within her, awakening Ghost-type energy that transformed her Rock-type nature.
• Lycanroc’s Ghost-type shockwave scattered Undead Yan Yang, whose eyes showed peace and relief before he vanished.
• Lycanroc sensed Yan Yang beyond the Spirit World and resolved to wake up, return to him, and stop growing stronger to protect him.

Yan Yang excelled in physical education while struggling with Pokémon mathematics, and he avoided becoming class president when the class elected Ruan Zhu instead. The chapter ended with a question about which Pokémon liked extremely spicy cream.

• Yan Yang and Xiao Hao struggled through Pokémon mathematics, while Yan Yang stood out for his speed and stamina in physical education.
• Yan Yang declined to pursue popular electives, preferring research-oriented classes.
• Agate and Ruan Zhu nominated Yan Yang for class president, but Yan Yang hoped to avoid the role.
• The class voted for Ruan Zhu, whose League Tournament experience made him seem like the more reliable choice.
• Yan Yang was relieved to escape class duties, and the chapter ended by asking what Pokémon liked extremely spicy cream.

Yan Yang watched the Pokémon following trial as his classmates battled school-provided opponents for the right to bring their winning Pokémon to class. The trial continued with Agate defeating a powerful Mightyena, while Yan Yang still awaited his turn.

• Yan Yang decided that only Turtwig would participate in the trial, and Teacher Shen E explained the battle rules.
• Xiao Hao used Azumarill’s Sap Sipper Ability and a Defense Curl-powered Rollout to defeat Venusaur.
• Student No. 2 lost when Ampharos used Ice Punch to defeat his Donphan despite the type matchup.
• Yan Yang observed his classmates’ Pokémon, including Dongye Haotian’s Annihilape, which won decisively.
• Agate used Dragonair and her Dragon Tamer Power to evade Mightyena’s attacks and defeat it.

Yan Yang’s Turtwig faced Tangrowth in her first official battle and won after using Shell Smash, Tackle, and Absorb. Teacher Shen ended the assessment, and the chapter closed with a Pokémon-description guessing prompt.

• Ruan Zhu defeated Wigglytuff quickly with Garchomp, showing the class that his battle skills surpassed Agate’s.
• Yan Yang chose Turtwig for the assessment instead of revealing his Dragon-type Pokémon, and she drew Tangrowth as her opponent.
• Turtwig used Shell Smash to boost her stats, then dodged Tangrowth’s vines and wore it down with Tackle.
• Yan Yang ordered Turtwig to use Absorb when Tangrowth grew tired, and a critical hit knocked Tangrowth out before it could use Giga Drain.
• Yan Yang praised the jubilant Turtwig, and Teacher Shen dismissed the class after announcing that four students had failed the assessment.