Chapter Summaries

Roy and Professor Oak met Oak Chengye and Professor Kukui, who came to discuss their plans for Alola. Oak Chengye announced he would travel with Kukui to help establish Alola’s first Pokémon League and Trainer School, leaving Professor Oak concerned about the dangers and challenges ahead.

• Professor Oak continued training the Primeape leader with Ghost-type Pokéblocks, while Roy’s Annihilape confronted it after Oak left.
• Roy and Professor Oak found Oak Chengye trying to move Dusclops and learned that Professor Kukui had come with him.
• Professor Kukui introduced himself to Professor Oak and explained that he had tested Pokémon moves using his own body because Alola lacked equipment.
• Oak Chengye said he planned to accompany Kukui to Alola to help establish its first Pokémon League and Trainer School.
• Professor Oak worried about his cousin’s safety and considered the many political and practical obstacles to building a League in Alola.

Professor Kukui told Professor Oak that the Alola League had funding and a planned stadium, then introduced the Z-Ring and Z-Moves as a battle system unique to Alola. Roy recognized the Aether Foundation and wondered about the region’s tensions before Kukui demonstrated his Level 78 Incineroar against Oak’s Dragonite.

• Professor Kukui told Professor Oak that the Joy and Jenny families had been contacted and that the Aether Foundation would fund the Pokémon League and build Manalo Stadium.
• Roy overheard Kukui mention the Aether Foundation and recalled Dr. Mohn’s disappearance into Ultra Space and the different versions of Lusamine’s story.
• Professor Kukui showed Professor Oak a Z-Ring made by Hala and explained that Z-Crystals let Pokémon use Z-Moves.
• Professor Oak brought Kukui and Roy to the backyard to test the new moves, and Roy released his Pokémon to distract the summer-camp children.
• Professor Kukui sent out his Level 78 Incineroar to face Professor Oak’s Dragonite.

Professor Kukui demonstrated Incineroar’s Inferno Overdrive against Roy’s Dragonite, revealing the Z-Move’s power and its severe cost to both Pokémon and trainer. After helping Kukui recover, Roy introduced Ash to him and concluded that Kukui did not know Ash and simply wanted to establish the Alola League.

• Professor Kukui used a Z-Ring and a Fire Z-Crystal to have Incineroar unleash Inferno Overdrive at Dragonite.
• Dragonite countered with Air Slash, which split apart Incineroar’s fireball and ended the attack.
• Incineroar returned to its Poké Ball, and Professor Kukui nearly collapsed from the energy cost of the Z-Move.
• Roy took Professor Kukui inside, where Ash brought Kukui’s lab coat and Roy gave him tea and an energy bar.
• Roy introduced Ash to Professor Kukui and saw no sign that Kukui recognized him.

Professor Kukui met Roy at Professor Oak’s lab and asked for his assessment of Z-Moves after explaining how they interacted with evasive moves and Protect. Roy judged them to be powerful but limited, leaving Kukui worried that Z-Moves were the Alola Region’s only way to attract outside attention.

• Professor Kukui asked Ash whether he would attend the Alola Region’s Pokémon Trainer School, and Roy sent Ash outside to play with Gary and Serena.
• Roy introduced himself to Professor Kukui, who recognized him as the Edge Cup competitor whose Annihilape had used a new move capable of defeating Legendary Pokémon.
• Roy said Professor Oak would have to approve any demonstration of Annihilape’s move, and Kukui agreed to ask Oak when he returned.
• Kukui explained that Z-Moves could not hit Pokémon made untargetable by moves like Dig or Phantom Force, while Protect could reduce their damage to less than a quarter.
• Roy described Z-Moves as brief, dazzling fireworks with many restrictions, and Kukui accepted the comparison while worrying that Alola had little else to attract influential outsiders.

Roy advised Professor Kukui on how to build the Alola League amid the region’s divided island factions and uncertain support. Kukui was left stunned by Roy’s detailed plan.

• Professor Kukui worried that the Joy and Jenny families had not answered his invitation and that Alola’s island factions and the Aether Foundation made the League’s future uncertain.
• Kukui explained that only Hala supported the League, while Usofu avoided involvement and the other islands had no current island kings.
• Roy told Kukui to promote Z-Moves, use Z-Rings and Z-Crystals to attract the Joy and Jenny families, and establish a League Police Bureau and Pokémon Center on Melemele Island.
• Roy urged Kukui to recruit allies across the islands, involve Nanu and the International Police, and select new island kings who could enforce the League’s authority.
• Roy proposed turning the island pilgrimages into an Island Challenge to choose Alola’s first Champion and warned Kukui to keep the Aether Foundation under control.
• Kukui sat blankly after hearing Roy’s plan.

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.