Recaps

A man and an unidentified male caller coordinated a secret operation set for three days later, confident that the Kanto League could be shaken before its Teleportation System was fully deployed. At Mt. Moon, disguised Team Rocket members entered a concealed base, where Ariana was directing the operation with Matori's support.

• The man told his butler that the Kanto League's hidden forces would respond to a true crisis, then said he had secured an agreement to act in three days.
• The man and the caller confirmed that their preparations were complete and agreed that the operation had to succeed.
• Two disguised Team Rocket members reached a concealed entrance in an abandoned Mt. Moon mine and used a knock sequence to gain access.
• The members revealed their Team Rocket uniforms and proceeded through the mine to a guarded command room.
• Ariana directed the operation using a topographical map while Matori monitored data and surveillance footage.

After a powerful thirteen-man poacher team attacked the Central Area, Captain Gao requisitioned Xinhai to join the rangers’ response. As they flew toward the area, Captain Gao revealed that it had been sealed for three years as part of a twenty-year cycle, though he did not know what lay inside.

• A radio alert announced that a powerful thirteen-man poacher team had appeared in the Central Area and called for all available squads to provide support.
• Captain Gao verified Xinhai’s identity and requisitioned him to help capture the poachers; Xinhai agreed.
• Captain Gao left four rangers behind to pursue fleeing poachers and protect nearby wild Pokémon, then led the rest toward the Central Area.
• Captain Gao lent Xinhai his Tropius, and Xinhai flew with Gardevoir and Eevee alongside the ranger team.
• Xinhai asked about the Central Area, and Captain Gao explained that it was sealed for three years every twenty years and that the current lockdown had begun a year earlier.

Xinhai and Captain Gao rushed toward a battle in the protected central region after a powerful explosion revealed a fierce clash. The rangers were defending a towering ancient tree against a large force of poachers as the fighting continued.

• A distant explosion sent a purple-and-green mushroom cloud into the sky, and Captain Gao ordered everyone to fly toward it at full speed.
• Gardevoir warned Xinhai that the fighters ahead were at least Elite level, but Xinhai said they still had to go.
• In the central region, a ranger team led by a scarred middle-aged man defended the towering tree with a coordinated formation and support skills.
• The poachers sent a wave of powerful Pokémon, including a Tyranitar, two Nidoking, a Nidoqueen, and a Houndoom, against the ranger line.

Rangers led by a middle-aged man unleashed two devastating Leaf Storms, empowered by coordinated support from their Pokémon, and overwhelmed the drug-controlled attackers. As the storms advanced toward the poachers’ formation, Sister Qing ordered Tyranitar to raise a massive Rock Wall.

• The middle-aged ranger ordered his formation to engage, and two Sceptiles created Substitutes before launching Leaf Storms boosted by Jumpluff and Cherrim’s Helping Hand.
• Rangers coordinated Helping Hand and Petal Blizzard attacks, amplifying the storms with petals from Venusaur, Exeggutor, and other Grass-type Pokémon.
• Mightyena and the other drug-controlled Elite-level Pokémon attacked the storms, while Tyranitar fired Hyper Beam and Dark Pulse and Nidoking and Nidoqueen launched Blast Burns.
• The pink-green storms swallowed the opposing attacks and engulfed Mightyena and the dozen or so Elite-level Pokémon charging beside it.
• Sister Qing called to Tyranitar, which stomped the ground and raised a massive Rock Wall between the poachers’ formation and the storms.

Sister Qing’s poachers’ defenses were shattered by the rangers’ coordinated Grass-type attack, which killed the drugged wild Pokémon sent ahead as cannon fodder. Kazuhiko Suzuki rejected her attempt to blame the rangers and ordered a second wave, as Sceptile created another Substitute.

• The rangers’ Destruction Storm smashed through the poachers’ Rock Wall, Light Screens, Reflect barriers, and thirteen Protect Barriers before carving a deep trench and killing the drugged wild Pokémon in its path.
• Sister Qing saw the rangers maintain their coordinated formation and recognized that their teamwork gave the League its strength.
• Sister Qing accused the rangers of killing the wild Pokémon they claimed to protect, angering some of the younger rangers.
• Kazuhiko Suzuki told his team not to fall for her provocation and said the poachers were responsible for the Pokémon’s deaths.
• Kazuhiko Suzuki ordered the rangers to prepare a second wave, and Sceptile created another Substitute.

As an Elite-level battle erupted near the towering tree, Kazuhiko Suzuki and Sister Qing both ordered their forces to defend against its shockwave before returning to a tense standoff. Xinhai and Captain Gao arrived with reinforcements, while Sister Qing continued to stall for the five minutes her lord had requested.

• A massive explosion and dragon roar erupted in the distance, and Kazuhiko Suzuki realized the chief ranger had engaged an enemy while Sister Qing took heart that her lord had made his move.
• A powerful shockwave swept across the battlefield, and Kazuhiko Suzuki and Sister Qing ordered their respective forces to raise Light Screen and Reflect barriers.
• The shockwave passed, more ranger support squads arrived, and both sides maintained their standoff as Sister Qing prepared the poachers for another round and watched the timer.
• Xinhai arrived with Eevee and Gardevoir alongside Captain Gao, who told Xinhai and the other arriving rangers to follow Masahiko Tanoue's arrangements before heading toward the Core Area.

Xinhai joined the second echelon as healing and psychic support while Elite-level Pokémon fought beneath the towering tree. The chapter ended as the old ranger ordered Serperior to use Leaf Storm against the attackers.

• Masahiko Tanoue assigned Xinhai’s Gardevoir to support the front line and ordered two rangers to treat wounded Pokémon in the rear.
• Sunny weather and torrential rain collided in the sky, and Xinhai realized the distant battle would decide the night’s victory.
• Hydreigon, Houndoom, two Whimsicott, and Braviary combined their attacks into a flaming tornado aimed at the rain-shrouded region.
• Gyarados countered Hydreigon’s Dragon Pulse with Destruction Beam while the old ranger stood beneath the towering tree.
• The old ranger ordered Serperior to use Leaf Storm.

Ariana coordinated Team Rocket’s planned assault on Mt. Moon, assigning squads to breach tunnels and plant explosives near the Giant Moon Stone. Meanwhile, Sorrel and a younger Pewter Gym Trainer patrolled the mountain, suspected Team Rocket’s target, and prepared to confront them.

• Ariana questioned two Team Rocket grunts about League patrols and surveillance around Mt. Moon.
• Ariana assigned the Third Squad to breach a thin rock layer, deploy sonic equipment, and place explosives and vibration mines, then gave tasks to the Second, Fifth, and Sixth Squads.
• Ariana warned the seven squad captains that the operation would begin in two hours and ordered final checks of their personnel and equipment.
• Sorrel and a younger Pewter Gym Trainer walked through a tunnel with two Sandslash, a Lunatone, and a Marowak while discussing Team Rocket’s possible target.
• Sorrel suspected Team Rocket might seek the Giant Moon Stone or other valuable resources and vowed that they would pay for entering Pewter City’s territory.

The elderly ranger’s Serperior, Milotic, and Pelipper unleashed three coordinated attacks against an approaching flaming tornado, while Venusaur and Meganium combined Petal Blizzard with Serperior’s Leaf Storm. The chapter ended as Pelipper’s Hurricane Waterspout collided with the fused leaf-and-petal attack, the forces beginning to merge.

• Exeggutor used Helping Hand to empower Serperior, Milotic, and Pelipper as they prepared their attacks.
• Serperior launched Leaf Storm, Pelipper sent down a Hurricane Waterspout, and Milotic released a massive Water Tornado toward the flaming tornado.
• The woman riding Braviary ordered Braviary and Hydreigon higher and recalled Whimsicott and Houndoom.
• Venusaur and Meganium joined their Petal Blizzard attacks to Serperior’s Leaf Storm, expanding it into a jade-green and pink tornado.
• Pelipper’s Hurricane Waterspout caught up with the fused Leaf Storm and Petal Blizzard, and the two attacks began merging less than three hundred meters from the flaming tornado.

Hunter E's combined attack was overwhelmed by the elderly ranger's massive fused vortex, but she warned that someone else was targeting Celebi. The ranger realized Hunter C was spreading an emerald light around the Tree of Nature.

• The elderly ranger's fused vortex tore apart the fiery tornado and continued charging through the sky.
• Hunter E avoided the attack by flying Braviary and sent Houndoom and Whimsicott back into battle.
• Hunter E taunted the elderly ranger that she was not the only one targeting Celebi.
• Exeggutor noticed emerald light spreading around the Tree of Nature, and the elderly ranger identified Hunter C as the likely threat.

Hunter C sought Celebi to steal its Life Energy and escape the decay caused by his Ghost-type Pokémon, while Hunter E and an elderly ranger entered Celebi’s Nature Domain. The ranger gathered his Pokémon and headed for the towering tree, as the expanding barrier began altering space near Xinhai and Eevee.

• Hunter C clenched his fists when he recognized the lunatic Hunter E had brought into the situation, and Hunter E rode Braviary into Nature Domain ahead of the elderly ranger.
• The elderly ranger arrived in the moonlit forest and summoned Exeggutor, which used Psychic power to bring the ranger’s scattered Pokémon to him.
• Exeggutor could not locate Hunter E or Hunter C through Nature Domain’s interference, so the ranger decided to head straight for the towering tree and protect Celebi.
• The ranger recalled his Pokémon except Exeggutor, and the two vanished using Psychic power.
• Outside Nature Domain, Gardevoir sensed that the spreading barrier was changing space and warned Xinhai through Telepathy.
• Xinhai and Eevee watched as the emerald barrier expanded to the place where the ranger and poachers had been.

Xinhai and his Pokémon were transported to an unfamiliar moonlit forest filled with dense Life Energy. After Gardevoir reunited the scattered group, they set out toward a colossal glowing tree at the forest’s center.

• Xinhai found himself in a primeval forest with Eevee, Krokorok, and Linoone, but could not sense Gardevoir, Blaziken, or Mightyena.
• Gardevoir located Xinhai and used Teleport to retrieve Blaziken and then Mightyena.
• Xinhai confirmed that his companions were safe and observed the ancient forest’s dense Life Energy and drifting green motes.
• Gardevoir sensed extremely pure, ancient energy coming from a towering tree that dominated the forest.
• Xinhai led his group toward the glowing tree while his Pokémon stayed alert and searched their surroundings.

Sister Qing and Kazuhiko Suzuki found themselves scattered across Nature Domain after Hunter E forcibly opened the sealed secret realm, and both set out to locate their Pokémon and allies. Meanwhile, Xinhai’s group continued toward the Tree of Nature in the Central Area as the forest’s life energy grew stronger.

• Sister Qing realized the poacher members and their Pokémon had disappeared, then sent out Staraptor and Probopass and used her locator to head toward the nearest signal.
• Kazuhiko Suzuki recognized Nature Domain as Celebi’s sealed secret realm and used his locator to find the nearest signal.
• Kazuhiko Suzuki rode Tropius toward a glowing towering tree while Shiftry followed through the branches.
• Xinhai led his companions toward the Tree of Nature as Eevee tried to catch the drifting energy motes and Xinhai explained they were not physical objects.

Xinhai’s team detected a Gym-level Weavile hunting a wounded Grovyle, and Xinhai rushed to intervene while Gardevoir and Eevee prepared boosts for Blaziken. The Weavile was about to strike Grovyle when a voice from the forest ordered it to stop.

• Gardevoir sensed a Gym-level Weavile chasing a Grass-type Pokémon and warned Xinhai that its Dark-type Aura interfered with Psychic abilities.
• Xinhai left Gardevoir and Eevee behind to use Calm Mind and Bulk Up, then led Blaziken, Mightyena, Krokorok, and Linoone toward the battle.
• Xinhai’s team raced through the forest as the Weavile’s Intimidate Ability and Gym-level Aura grew stronger.
• The wounded Grovyle remembered how the Weavile had injured it and its kin had been captured while covering its escape.
• The Weavile raised ice blades over Grovyle, but a hoarse voice from the forest told it to stop playing around.

A hidden attacker killed the sinister man who was hunting Starter Pokémon, and his Weavile charged toward the attacker’s position. Blaziken intercepted Weavile, but its powerful Ice-type energy began to hinder Blaziken’s leg.

• The sinister man rode his Mightyena and started discussing capturing another Starter Pokémon before two Vacuum Waves struck, forcing Mightyena to use Protect and making Weavile dodge.
• A nearly invisible black projectile pierced the sinister man’s chest, and he fell from Mightyena and died as the Pokémon mourned him.
• Weavile raced toward the projectile’s source, and Blaziken blocked its path.
• Blaziken and Weavile clashed, and Weavile’s ice blades left cold energy lodged in Blaziken’s leg.

Xinhai and his Pokémon defeated the Mightyena that had attacked Grovyle, while Weavile left after deciding its debt to Blaziken was settled. Xinhai found Grovyle badly wounded but alive, and realized Weavile had controlled its attack precisely enough to avoid lethal damage.

• Weavile repaired its ice blades, decided not to continue fighting Blaziken, and disappeared into the forest.
• The opposing Mightyena charged toward Xinhai's hiding place and clashed Dark Pulses with Xinhai's Mightyena before Krokorok attacked with boulders.
• Xinhai's Mightyena, Krokorok, and Blaziken struck the opposing Mightyena from three sides and knocked it unconscious.
• Xinhai emerged from the bushes with Gardevoir, Linoone, and Eevee, then hurried to check on Grovyle.
• Xinhai found ice crystals precisely sealing Grovyle's wounds and concluded that Weavile had avoided its vital organs.

Sorrel and a young Pewter Gym disciple felt controlled explosions shaking Mt. Moon and realized they came from the direction of the Giant Moon Stone. Sorrel led the disciple and their Pokémon toward the mountain’s depths to investigate and stop Team Rocket if they were targeting the stone.

• Sorrel and the boy encountered tremors and falling rubble while patrolling with Lunatone, Sandslash, and Marowak.
• Sorrel identified the deep rumbling as a controlled explosion and learned from the Sandslash that it came from the direction of the Giant Moon Stone.
• Sorrel decided to investigate, and the boy refused to stay behind and report to the Gym.
• Sorrel led the group deeper into Mt. Moon as the explosions continued.
• The narration revealed that the Giant Moon Stone lay in a cavern sacred to the Clefairy Tribe.

Xinhai used Gardevoir’s enhanced Life Dew and medical supplies to stabilize Grovyle, then dealt with the dead poacher and freed his captive Pokémon. The chapter ended with three Sceptile and four Grovyle emerging from their unlocked Poké Balls in the moonlit clearing.

• Gardevoir’s Life Dew absorbed the forest’s Life Energy, healing Grovyle’s wound far more effectively than usual.
• Xinhai treated and bandaged Grovyle, whose breathing soon grew steadier despite remaining unconscious.
• Xinhai closed the dead poacher’s eyes, captured Mightyena in a Restraint Lock Poké Ball, and smashed its original Poké Ball.
• Xinhai found three injured Sceptile and four injured Grovyle trapped in Restraint Lock Poké Balls on the poacher’s belt.
• Xinhai unlocked the Poké Balls and released all seven Pokémon into the clearing.

Xinhai freed the captured Treecko and Grovyle from the poacher’s Poké Balls and helped reunite them with their Sceptile companions. Gardevoir and Eevee healed the group, and the previously unconscious Grovyle awoke safely.

• The leading Sceptile asked Xinhai whether he had seen the tribe’s other captured members, and Xinhai searched the poacher’s belongings.
• Xinhai found seventeen locked Poké Balls in the poacher’s Spatial Backpack and released eleven Treecko and six Grovyle.
• The Sceptile and Grovyle welcomed their rescued tribespeople, while Xinhai gave them space to reunite.
• Gardevoir and Eevee used Life Dew to heal the Pokémon, including an injured Grovyle and the Treecko.
• The unconscious Grovyle woke, learned from its companion that Xinhai had saved it, and gave him a grateful cry.

After rescuing the Sceptile clan, Xinhai and his companions destroyed the poachers’ Poké Balls and concealed the corpse and evidence. The clan invited them to its nearby territory to repay them, and Xinhai agreed to follow.

• Blaziken returned Xinhai’s arrow, and Xinhai and Blaziken destroyed the Poké Balls that had held the clan captive.
• Xinhai asked Krokorok to bury the poacher’s corpse, the Poké Ball fragments, and the bloodstains beneath the forest soil.
• The leading Sceptile invited Xinhai and his companions to the clan’s nearby territory as thanks for saving them.
• The injured Grovyle asked Xinhai to let the clan guide them, and Xinhai accepted.
• The Sceptile led the way to its territory as Xinhai and his companions followed.

Xinhai escorted the injured Sceptile and Grovyle to their hidden forest home, where an Elite-level Old Sceptile healed them with a wave of emerald energy. After learning that Xinhai had saved its clan members, Old Sceptile thanked him and led him and his companions behind the ancient tree.

• The Sceptile group led Xinhai and his companions through the forest to a hidden valley beneath an ancient tree.
• Several Sceptile and Grovyle welcomed the injured members home, and an Elite-level Old Sceptile emerged from its nest.
• Old Sceptile spread emerald light across the valley, using rapidly grown Grass type to heal the injured Sceptile and Grovyle.
• A recovered Sceptile told Old Sceptile what had happened, and Grovyle added its account of Xinhai's help.
• Gardevoir translated Old Sceptile's thanks and invitation, and the clan gathered to meet Xinhai and his companions.
• Old Sceptile led Xinhai and his companions behind the ancient tree, followed by the Sceptile Tribe.

The old ranger and his Pokémon waited beneath the Tree of Nature alongside a group of powerful Grass-type Pokémon. Hunter E arrived by Braviary as Hunter C approached in shadow, and the Champion-level Sceptile confronted him.

• The old ranger waited with his Pokémon and several unfamiliar Grass-type Pokémon beneath the Tree of Nature.
• Hunter E flew in on Braviary and called out to the old ranger.
• Hunter C raced toward the Tree of Nature’s roots, but a vine struck and forced him to dodge.
• Hunter C landed beside a boulder as the enormous Sceptile rose and unleashed its Intimidate.
• A horrifying whimper sounded from the shadow beneath Hunter C’s feet.

Hunter C confronted the old ranger and Sceptile, hoping to seize Celebi’s Life Energy to escape his approaching death. After Sceptile suppressed Dusknoir’s Nether Domain, Hunter C summoned dozens of Ghost-type Pokémon to fight.

• Hunter C’s Dusknoir emerged from his shadow and spread its Nether Domain, but Sceptile’s Presence compressed it to a twenty-meter radius.
• The old ranger warned Hunter C to abandon his plan to take Celebi’s Life Energy, but Hunter C explained that he was near death and willing to gamble for rebirth.
• Hunter C raised his hand and expanded the shadow beneath his feet across the Tree of Nature’s branch and trunk.
• Dozens of Ghost-type Pokémon, including Gengar, Mismagius, Chandelure, and Banette, emerged from the shadows around Hunter C.

The Clefairy and Igglybuff lived peacefully around the Giant Moon Stone in a vast cavern until the eldest Clefable sensed danger at the entrance. The population gathered in the central terrace as a powerful Clefable raised a Confusion barrier, just as a violent tremor shook the mountain.

• Igglybuff played among the crystals and underground lake while Clefairy gathered berries and cared for the young.
• The eldest Clefable opened its eyes and looked toward the cavern entrance after sensing something approaching.
• A powerful Clefable warned the cavern’s inhabitants, and the Clefairy and Igglybuff gathered in the central terrace.
• The powerful Clefable formed a Confusion barrier around the gathered Pokémon.
• A violent tremor surged through the cavern from all directions.

Hunter C’s Ghost-type Pokémon and Dusknoir expanded the Nether Domain and began using Gengar’s gathered energy to open a Spirit World Passage. The old ranger and his Pokémon launched a coordinated assault to stop them.

• Ghost-type energy from Hunter C’s Pokémon poured into Dusknoir’s Nether Domain, expanding it to nearly three hundred meters.
• The Champion-level Sceptile summoned massive vines, but Mismagius and Sableye stopped them at the domain’s edge.
• Dusknoir unleashed a powerful Gravity field as Gengar absorbed the Ghost-type Pokémon’s energy and drove it into the ground, turning the earth gray-black.
• The old ranger realized Hunter C’s Pokémon were trying to open a Spirit World Passage and ordered them to stop.
• Sceptile, Gyarados, Serperior, Milotic, Pelipper, Venusaur, and Meganium attacked Gengar and Dusknoir with a barrage of moves.