Recaps

Roy helped Professor Kukui find a way forward with his plans for the Alola Pokémon League, and Kukui shared his Z-Ring and Z-Crystals with Professor Oak. As Kukui and Nariya prepared to leave, Roy considered Z-Moves that Kukui had not yet discovered.

• Professor Kukui asked Roy for his contact information so he could seek advice while building the Alola Pokémon League.
• Professor Oak and Nariya Oak returned to the lab, and Kukui showed Professor Oak his Z-Ring and Fire, Water, and Grass Z-Crystals.
• Professor Kukui explained how Z-Moves worked, while Roy wondered whether Kukui knew about Pokémon-specific Z-Crystals.
• Professor Oak gained a rough understanding of Z-Moves and appreciated Kukui's openness.
• Kukui's Communicator alarm went off, reminding him and Nariya that it was nearly noon and time to say goodbye to Professor Oak.

Professor Kukui and Oak Chengya left Oak Research Lab after Professor Oak sponsored their Alola project and warned them about the Aether Foundation. Kukui resolved to build the region’s Trainer School and Pokémon League carefully while remaining ready to cut ties if the foundation interfered.

• Professor Kukui explained that he and Oak Chengya had to hurry through several ship transfers to reach Alola, while Roy learned that Annihilape had defeated the Primeape leader and been accepted as the tribe’s boss.
• Professor Kukui asked Professor Oak to keep the Z-Crystals and Z-Rings secret until Z-Moves became stable, and Oak agreed to support Alola’s research.
• Professor Oak gave Oak Chengya a black card containing his personal savings to fund Alola’s first Trainer School, and Kukui accepted the money as a serious responsibility.
• Oak Chengya relayed Roy’s warning about the Aether Foundation, telling Kukui to offer it benefits when useful but sever ties if it interfered.
• Professor Kukui recognized a path toward establishing the Pokémon League and resolved to proceed carefully while acting decisively against interference.

Agatha finished dealing with the ghosts that had escaped from the Spirit World near Lavender Town and prepared to return to Oak Research Lab to meet Roy. Gengar accompanied her, while Arbok plotted to get Roy to make him more Pokéblocks, and Mismagius grew suspicious of their behavior.

• A female ghost escaped into the sky above Lavender Town, but Gengar destroyed her with a Shadow Ball, eliminating the last ghost to escape from the Spirit World.
• Agatha checked her communicator and decided to return to Oak Research Lab after spending nearly a month handling the escaped ghosts.
• Gengar hid in Agatha’s shadow so he could accompany her and continue absorbing the Ghost Power in Roy’s body.
• Arbok demanded to accompany Agatha so Roy could make him more Pokéblocks, but Agatha chose to take only Gengar.
• Arbok threatened to tell Agatha’s Pokémon about Roy’s Ghost Power, so Gengar promised to order him 1,000 especially sour Pokéblocks from Roy.
• Mismagius noticed Gengar and Arbok acting suspiciously and decided to follow Agatha next time to find out what they were hiding.

Agatha arrived at Oak Research Lab and discovered that Professor Oak’s many research projects involving Roy’s Pokémon had left him considering a vacation. When Gengar went to surprise Roy at summer camp, he encountered a much larger Ancient Gengar hiding in Roy’s shadow.

• Agatha entered Oak Research Lab and saw a clock, golden spoon, and cone-shaped object that Professor Oak was trying to reseal.
• Professor Oak told Agatha that Roy’s Pokémon had become the subjects of his unusual research projects, and Agatha found a report about Roy’s Ancient Gengar.
• Agatha and Professor Oak walked through the backyard, where Roy’s Annihilape taught the Primeape leader to gather Ghost-type energy while Drakloak rested on Dragonite.
• Gengar followed Roy’s scent to the summer camp and watched Roy train Snorunt to hit a target with Ice Shard as Ash, Serena, and Gary looked on.
• Gengar entered Roy’s shadow to investigate what he sensed inside and was confronted by a much taller, larger Gengar with green markings.

Ancient Gengar and Agatha's Gengar clashed over their appearance and argued about which of them was the other's ancestor. Agatha returned to meet Roy's Ancient Gengar, while Roy asked Professor Oak about research and another stream.

• Agatha's Gengar returned and accused Roy of secretly catching another Gengar, then recoiled at Ancient Gengar's tattoos.
• Ancient Gengar and Agatha's Gengar insulted each other and argued over who was whose ancestor.
• Ash and Serena asked Gary why Ancient Gengar was much bigger, and Gary guessed that it ate more.
• Agatha arrived with Professor Oak, confirmed that Roy's Gengar was the one from the ancient ruins, and went to inspect its tattoos.
• Roy asked Professor Oak which Pokémon he was researching and whether they would stream that night, prompting Oak to worry about finding enough to discuss.

Agatha gave Roy a Gengarite, allowing him to attempt Mega Evolution with his Ancient Gengar. The attempt began but failed, leaving Roy without a Mega Gengar.

• Agatha gave Roy a Gengarite she had obtained through the Kanto Pokémon League.
• Roy took Ancient Gengar to an open area and explained Mega Evolution to it while Ash, the others, and Professor Oak watched.
• Roy gave Ancient Gengar the Gengarite and used his Key Stone to begin Mega Evolution.
• Roy shouted his Mega Evolution chant as dark-purple light surrounded Ancient Gengar.
• Ancient Gengar began changing color, but the light faded, the changes reversed, and its connection to Roy disappeared.

Roy’s attempt to Mega Evolve Ancient Gengar failed, but he reassured the Pokémon and realized his immense Ghost Power could sustain Mega Evolution for a long time. Agatha agreed to delay taking Roy away from Professor Oak’s lab for two days, leaving him to continue helping with summer camp.

• Ancient Gengar returned to normal after failing to Mega Evolve, and Roy suspected their bond was not yet strong enough.
• Roy realized the Key Stone drained stamina during Mega Evolution, but his Ghost Power could likely keep his Pokémon Mega Evolved for a long time.
• Agatha noticed Ancient Gengar’s pale purple coloring and recognized that he was shiny.
• Roy comforted Ancient Gengar, then watched him and Agatha’s Gengar fight over who was closest to him.
• Agatha agreed to wait two days before taking Roy away from the Oak Research Lab so he could help Professor Oak with summer camp.
• Agatha went to stay with Delia at Ash’s house while Roy remained at the lab.

Roy discovered that his Ghost Power could activate the Wishing Star and began testing whether it could trigger Dynamax. He successfully sent Dynamax Factors into Ancient Gengar’s Poké Ball, which grew larger and glowed purple.

• Roy returned Ash and Serena to the summer camp dorms, then went alone to the Wetland Marsh Zone to study his Wishing Star.
• Roy used Ghost Power to activate the Wishing Star, but stopped when its energy made a Poké Ball glow in the Oak Research Lab backyard.
• Roy sneaked out of the lab with Ancient Gengar and brought it to the mountains near Pallet Town for a safe test.
• Roy put away his other Poké Balls, recalled Ancient Gengar into its Luxury Ball, and used Ghost Power to activate the Wishing Star again.
• Dynamax Factors flowed into Ancient Gengar’s Poké Ball, causing it to grow to about the size of a soccer ball and glow purple.

Roy successfully Dynamaxed Ancient Gengar, tested his transformed moves with Flutter Mane, and learned that the form drained his power and lasted about five minutes. When Ancient Gengar returned to normal, his Luxury Ball shattered, leaving Roy to consider making an accessory to control Dynamax energy.

• Roy threw the enlarged Poké Ball and restored Ancient Gengar to his original size in Dynamax form.
• Ancient Gengar discovered that his moves had transformed into Max Moves, and Roy had him demonstrate Max Guard.
• Roy evolved Misdreavus into Flutter Mane, whose enormous Shadow Ball failed to break Ancient Gengar's Max Guard.
• Roy tested Ancient Gengar's other Max Moves and learned that Dynamax lasted about five minutes before Ancient Gengar returned to normal.
• Ancient Gengar's Luxury Ball shattered, and Roy decided he would need an accessory to regulate the energy used for Dynamax.

Roy tested Dynamax with a Wishing Star, but its power appeared to run out after Ancient Gengar grew enormous. Marshadow watched Roy leave and considered him as a possible Rainbow Hero.

• Ancient Gengar clung to Roy in fear of being released, then accepted a spare Luxury Ball and returned to Roy's shadow.
• Roy realized the Wishing Star had stopped responding after he used it to Dynamax Ancient Gengar, and wondered whether its Dynamax Factor was depleted.
• Roy left the mountains with Misdreavus and Ancient Gengar and returned to Oak Research Lab.
• Marshadow watched Roy from the clouds and wondered how he had made Gengar grow so large.
• Marshadow, searching on Ho-Oh's orders for a human with a pure heart, was drawn to Roy's sweet scent and decided to give him another chance.

Marshadow followed Roy to Oak Research Lab and used Ho-Oh's Rainbow Wing to test Roy for a pure heart, but it chose Annihilape instead. Marshadow entered Annihilape's dream and watched it win battles against powerful Pokémon, ending with a confrontation against a terrifying giant dragon.

• Marshadow followed Roy to Oak Research Lab, where Dragonite sensed something nearby but failed to find him.
• Roy took Annihilape to bed after it broke Professor Oak's repaired strength tester, and Marshadow followed them to Palossand.
• Marshadow tested Roy with Ho-Oh's Rainbow Wing, but it eventually landed on Annihilape and revealed that Annihilape had a pure heart.
• Marshadow sent black energy into Annihilape and entered its dream, where Annihilape practiced a move after watching a battle on a Communicator.
• In the dream, Annihilape defeated Machamp and several other Pokémon in battles before facing a hundred-meter-tall dragon.

Marshadow tested Annihilape by making him dream that Roy had been killed, then watched Annihilape's grief turn into uncontrollable rage. The Rainbow Wing turned black, leaving Marshadow to fear that Annihilape's corrupted heart would bring disaster to Kanto.

• Marshadow realized Annihilape's pure heart was devoted to helping Roy win, but struggled to devise a suitable trial.
• Marshadow appeared in Annihilape's dream and struck Roy through the chest as Annihilape celebrated a victory.
• Annihilape watched Roy die and ignored the cries of humans and Pokémon who needed help.
• Annihilape discovered Marshadow controlling the dream and unleashed his rage, turning the sky blood-red.
• Marshadow saw the Rainbow Wing turn black and feared Annihilape's corrupted heart would bring disaster to Kanto.

Marshadow ended Annihilape’s assessment after Annihilape attacked him in a rage over a dream in which Roy was killed. Annihilape woke to find Roy alive, and Marshadow appeared before Roy and his Pokémon, leaving Roy puzzled about how Marshadow had emerged from Palossand.

• Marshadow failed to calm Annihilape, who attacked him relentlessly after believing Roy had been killed in the dream.
• Marshadow transformed into his Full Power Form and tried to fight back, but Annihilape kept charging through his attacks.
• Marshadow forcibly ended the dream and escaped, uncertain how to judge Annihilape’s assessment.
• Annihilape woke in his bed, saw Roy safe beside him, and embraced him; Roy patted his back as the other Pokémon woke.
• Marshadow emerged from the shadows before Roy and his Pokémon, and Roy scanned him and wondered how he had appeared inside Palossand.

Marshadow subdued Annihilape and Ancient Gengar before agreeing to talk with Roy. It revealed that Ho-Oh had sent it to find a Rainbow Hero, and the restored Rainbow Wing had chosen Annihilape, leaving Roy to ask why Marshadow had appeared in Palossand's space.

• Annihilape attacked Marshadow in a rage, but Marshadow restrained him with shadow energy.
• Ancient Gengar tried to rescue Annihilape, but Marshadow found him in the shadows and bound him too.
• Roy reached for Giratina's Scale, but Marshadow asked to talk, so Roy ordered his Pokémon to stop attacking.
• Marshadow released Annihilape and Ancient Gengar, then introduced itself as Ho-Oh's messenger and showed Roy the Rainbow Wing.
• Roy thought Ho-Oh had chosen him, but Marshadow pointed to Annihilape, revealing that the Rainbow Wing had chosen him instead.
• Roy asked Marshadow why it had come to Palossand's space, and Marshadow began to explain.

After Marshadow explained his dream test, he rewarded Annihilape with two powerful moves. He then asked Roy to become the Rainbow Hero, a human chosen by Ho-Oh.

• Marshadow told Roy and the others that he had tested Annihilape in a dream, where Annihilape had fought him and killed Roy.
• Roy praised Annihilape for defeating Giratina in the dream, and Marshadow gave Annihilape a mass of black energy as a reward.
• Annihilape gained the ability to enter shadows and learned Shadow Steal and Endeavor.
• Marshadow, impressed by Roy and his Pokémon, asked Roy to become the Rainbow Hero at Ho-Oh's request.

Roy rejected Marshadow’s offer to become Ho-Oh’s Rainbow Hero and used Giratina’s Scale to reveal his supposed status as the Renegade Dragon’s Reverse Hero. Marshadow accepted that Roy had powerful backing and, after Roy asked about its mission, began brooding over Ho-Oh’s decision to make it select candidates.

• Marshadow offered Roy Ho-Oh’s Rainbow Wing and a chance to become the Rainbow Hero, but Roy refused.
• Marshadow questioned Roy’s refusal, and Roy showed it Giratina’s Scale to demonstrate his connection to Giratina.
• Roy claimed he was Giratina’s only envoy, the Reverse Hero, and Marshadow believed him because of the scale’s divine pressure.
• Roy asked why Marshadow was selecting Rainbow Hero candidates instead of guiding people chosen by Ho-Oh.
• Marshadow sat on Roy’s bed and showed its resentment over being given the selection work by Ho-Oh.

Roy tried to recruit Marshadow by offering it his Ghost Power, but Marshadow refused to abandon Ho-Oh and lose its Divine Authority. Roy then proposed that Marshadow remain Ho-Oh’s messenger while accepting his boosts, and left his Luxury Ball before it to consider.

• Roy approached Marshadow and offered it the chance to leave Ho-Oh and follow him instead.
• Roy claimed his energy could strengthen Legendary Pokémon and showed Marshadow Giratina’s cracked Luxury Ball as proof of his connection to the Nether Dragon Deity.
• Marshadow tasted Roy’s Ghost Power and found it enticing, but rejected the offer because leaving Ho-Oh would cost it its Divine Authority and provoke Ho-Oh.
• Marshadow explained that several Legendary Pokémon’s Divine Authorities came from their leaders, giving Roy a basic understanding of the hierarchy.
• Roy suggested Marshadow could stay Ho-Oh’s messenger, enter his Poké Ball voluntarily, and receive his boosts without being restrained.
• Marshadow considered Roy’s proposal as Roy placed his Luxury Ball before it.

Roy subdued Marshadow and boosted him with Ghost Power, proving that he could strengthen the Legendary Pokémon. Marshadow tested his enhanced power in a reflection of the research lab formed from its shadows, where he transformed into his Full Power Form and prepared a Shadow Punch.

• Marshadow entered Roy's Luxury Ball, emerged immediately, and stopped regretting his capture after Roy's Ghost Power strengthened him.
• Marshadow rushed out of Palossand and crushed two Shadow Balls that Palossand hurled at him, while Roy reassured Palossand that Marshadow was their new teammate.
• Roy followed Marshadow into the lab's shadows, where Marshadow revealed a reflected version of the research lab.
• Roy boosted Marshadow again, triggering his Full Power Form and enlarging the shadow giant behind him.
• Marshadow condensed a Shadow Punch as the shadow giant mirrored his movement.

Marshadow shattered the Reflection Space with his punch, then restored it before the real world could be thrown into chaos. Roy persuaded Marshadow to delay his trial and travel with him as a friend, but Marshadow left to find Ho-Oh and promised to return.

• Marshadow's punch shattered the Reflection Space, and his shadow giant caught the fragments before they could strike Roy, Annihilape, and Misdreavus.
• In the real world, Dragonite briefly saw the Oak Research Lab and forest lose their shadows, then watched them return.
• Marshadow's shadow giant pieced the Reflection Space back together, and Marshadow wondered how he would explain his encounter with Roy to Ho-Oh.
• Roy asked whether Marshadow could extend the Rainbow Hero trial indefinitely, and Marshadow realized he could delay reporting back while spending time with Roy.
• Marshadow entered Roy's shadow with Annihilape, learned Roy's name, and said he would return after finding Ho-Oh, which could take a week or a month.

Roy said goodbye to Marshadow, who promised to protect him and left with Pokéblocks, then completed his work at Oak Summer Camp. As Roy prepared to leave Professor Oak's lab, Professor Oak gave him an ID Card containing 5 million Kanto Trainer Contribution Points.

• Marshadow explained that he could protect Roy but could not freely attack or be ordered into battle, then followed Roy's scent as he promised to find him in Kanto.
• Roy gave Marshadow Pokéblocks before Marshadow departed, and Drakloak returned with Dreepy to check on Roy.
• Two days later, Roy announced the end of Oak Summer Camp and handed out participation rewards while the children said goodbye to him.
• Roy hugged the tearful Serena, who was leaving for Kalos that afternoon, while Gary said goodbye to Agatha.
• Professor Oak gave Roy an ID Card loaded with 5 million Kanto Trainer Contribution Points as a reward for donating relic artifacts, enough to exchange for three talented Kanto Starter Pokémon.

Roy prepared to leave Professor Oak’s lab, where Drakloak evolved early into Dragapult. The new Dragon/Ghost Pokémon joined Roy with enhanced stats and a powerful mixed-attack profile.

• Professor Oak asked Roy to bring his Pokémon to the lab for research, but refused Roy’s request to livestream together.
• Annihilape ordered the former Primeape leader to follow a daily training plan or face a beating.
• Roy told Ash to cherish the people around him, then prepared to leave the lab with Palossand.
• Drakloak said goodbye to Dragonite and began evolving as a purple light entered the evolutionary pillar from Roy’s Spatial Bracelet.
• Drakloak evolved into Dragapult at level 58, gaining two Individual Value points and a powerful set of Dragon and Ghost moves.

Roy's Drakloak evolved into Dragapult, which showed off its new speed and abilities. Dragapult carried Roy into the sky, giving him the mount he had long wanted, while Ash was left watching from the ground.

• Roy congratulated Dragapult on evolving, and two Dreepy flew from the openings in its head to join him.
• Dragapult lost control of its new speed and nearly crashed into Roy, but Dragonite stopped it in time.
• Dragapult adapted to its evolved body by flying through the sky and performing daring maneuvers over the wetland.
• Dragapult offered to carry Roy, and Roy climbed onto its back; Delia stopped Ash from joining them.
• Dragapult flew Roy into the sky, and Roy decided he could make a saddle to improve the ride.

Roy tested Dragapult’s speed and watched him race Professor Oak’s Dragonite before leaving Pallet Town with Agatha. The chapter ended with everyone seeing Roy off as he headed toward his next destinations.

• Roy asked Dragapult to fly faster, but Dragapult accelerated so sharply that Roy nearly vomited after landing.
• Agatha realized Dragapult could help Roy make quick round trips to the three places required for his travel permit.
• Dragapult raced Professor Oak’s Dragonite, and their Dragon Ascent and Dragon Rush created dragon-shaped phantoms over Pallet Town.
• Roy reminded Professor Oak to protect the clock sealing Ancient Jigglypuff, and Professor Oak agreed not to disturb the sealed Pokémon.
• Delia, Professor Oak, Shuli, Ash, Gary, Serena, and the summer camp children watched Roy and Agatha leave Pallet Town.

Agatha brought Roy to Saffron City and registered him for an Advanced Division challenge match at the Ring Arena despite his lower official rank. Roy entered the preparation room, where he noticed a Joy watching a battle with unusual interest.

• Agatha took Roy through Saffron City, and Roy learned that the city had a Fighting Dojo but no Psychic Gym yet.
• Agatha brought Roy to the Ring Arena and vouched for him when staff questioned whether he qualified for the Advanced Division.
• After regular matches were found to be fully booked, Agatha arranged for Roy to challenge the ring defender, Bado, whose Lopunny was at Beginner King level.
• Roy entered the Advanced Division preparation room and saw Joy watching a live battle on television.

Roy faced reigning challenger Bado in his first First Arena Ring Challenge, while Bado revealed that his Lopunny could Mega Evolve. The battle began with Roy’s newly evolved Dragapult facing Mega Lopunny.

• Roy left the preparation room and entered the arena to face Bado, whose tenth consecutive victory was at stake.
• The audience questioned why a newcomer had been matched against Bado, while Bado initially expected an easy win.
• Roy sent out Dragapult, and Bado sent out a Lopunny carrying a Lopunnite.
• Roy recognized that Mega Lopunny’s Scrappy ability could let it hit Ghost-type Pokémon, but believed Dragapult had a powerful countering move.
• Bado used his Key Stone to Mega Evolve Lopunny, and Mega Lopunny entered the battle.