Recaps

Li Wei learned that the glowing meteorite might be the legendary Rainbow Meteorite, and Steven agreed to inspect it. Meanwhile, Roark investigated newly formed caverns in Oreburgh Mine, and Li Wei continued caring for Arcanine as it recovered.

• Steven told Li Wei the meteorite resembled the Rainbow Meteorite and arranged to visit before his match in Oreburgh City.
• The meteorite began glowing with rainbow light, revealing a pattern resembling a Mega Stone, and Li Wei stored it beside his Diancite.
• Roark and Officer Jenny sealed off Oreburgh Mine after miners discovered unfamiliar mirrorlike stones and caverns that had not existed before.
• Roark contacted the Pokémon League to request an investigation into the unexplained caverns and stones.
• By mid-April, Li Wei had qualified for the top thirty-two of the Pokémon Breeder Competition and continued feeding and comforting Arcanine as it recovered.
• Brock made an important decision.

Li Wei reflected on Brock joining Ash and on Ash’s growing strength before preparing to take Shaymin back to Floaroma Town. Steven arrived at Li Wei’s home to accompany him, where the visitors’ excitement over meeting Steven interrupted their business discussion.

• Brock withdrew from the Master League, left Jiro in charge of the Gym, and set out to travel with Ash using Geodude and Onix.
• Ash defeated Lt. Surge’s Vermilion Gym with his Pikachu and earned his third Gym Badge, while Lt. Surge complained that Pikachu had cheated.
• Li Wei cared for Shaymin, who was staying at his home under his protection, and planned to take Shaymin back to Floaroma Town for a visit.
• Li Wei trained with Lucario and visited Milotic and the other Pokémon by the river, planning to bring Milotic to the Breeder Competition’s round of thirty-two.
• Steven arrived at Li Wei’s home, where Xiao Rou, Mizuki, Shiyin, and Rimei gathered to meet him before Li Wei called them back to discuss serious business.

Steven examined Li Wei’s meteorite and found rainbow light inside, then invited him to investigate the anomaly at Oreburgh Mine. Li Wei agreed to travel with Steven, leaving the Breeding Center on their Metagross as the chapter ended.

• Steven used his tools to chip into Li Wei’s meteorite, revealing rainbow light within it.
• Steven said the meteorite resembled a fragment of the legendary Rainbow Meteorite and advised Li Wei to keep it safe.
• Steven told Li Wei he had been invited to investigate the anomaly at Oreburgh Mine, where the meteorite had been found, and invited him along.
• Li Wei told Leon and Dayou he would be away, then left with Steven on their Metagross.
• Steven asked Li Wei to groom his Pokémon after his match, and Li Wei agreed.

Li Wei and Steven traveled to Oreburgh Mine to investigate its mysterious blue glow, and Steven offered Li Wei a Metagross Mega Stone in exchange for a year of Pokémon care and supplies. They entered the mine with Roark and reached the glowing site.

• Li Wei asked Steven about the Metagross Breeding Manual while they flew toward Oreburgh City, and Steven offered him a Metagross Mega Stone.
• Li Wei refused to take the costly stone for free, so Steven proposed that Li Wei work off its price by providing Pokéblocks and Pokémon maintenance for a year.
• Steven and Li Wei arrived at Oreburgh Mine, where Roark greeted them and led them inside after bringing them sandwiches and Moomoo Milk.
• Steven gave Li Wei the Metagross Mega Stone before they began exploring, and Li Wei released Lucario to help scan their surroundings.
• Roark led Li Wei and Steven through the mine until they reached a blue glow on a stone wall.

Li Wei and Steven investigated strange Mirror Stones in Oreburgh Mine, where three people had vanished after reportedly walking into a rock wall. Li Wei deployed his Pokémon to search for signs of a spirit-world rift, and Steven ended the chapter saying he had a few ideas.

• Steven and the geologists examined the Mirror Stone and found unusual properties and energy fluctuations.
• Lucario told Li Wei that its aura vanished when it entered the stones.
• Roark revealed that three people had gone missing and that a maintenance worker had seen someone disappear into a rock wall.
• Li Wei agreed to help and sent Arcanine, Metagross, Drakloak, and Dragapult to search for unusual signals.
• Li Wei learned that the disappearances had occurred where Steven was investigating, though the suspected rift had not appeared since the group gathered.
• Steven removed his gloves and told Roark that he had a few ideas.

Li Wei, Steven, and Roark investigated the Mirror Stones in Oreburgh Mine after three people disappeared, ruling out signs of a Spirit World Rift. Their search was interrupted when a Mirror Stone rippled and showed Roark laughing warmly with his father Byron inside it.

• Steven identified the cave’s mirror-like stones as similar to the Mirror Stones in Kalos’s Reflection Cave and explained that their purpose was unknown beyond reflecting images.
• Li Wei said Dragapult and Drakloak had sensed no Ghost-type energy, making it unlikely that the missing people had been swallowed by the spirit world.
• Li Wei, Steven, and Roark began exploring the branching cave passages together, choosing not to split up.
• A Mirror Stone rippled at a three-way fork, and Metagross, Lucario, and Steven’s Energy Detector alerted them to the change.
• Li Wei, Steven, and Roark returned to the fork and saw Byron laughing with Roark inside the Mirror Stone, leaving Roark insisting that the scene was impossible.

Li Wei and Steven crossed a rippling Mirror Stone into a parallel world while searching for the missing Byron and Roark. They found the other world's Byron and Roark in Oreburgh Mine, where Byron recognized them but questioned why they had come.

• Steven explained that Mirror Stones could connect to parallel worlds, and he entered one to search for the missing people while Roark stayed behind.
• Li Wei followed Steven after his meteorite began glowing, and they used their Pokémon to search the unfamiliar world.
• Lucario drove off an attacking Fearow, and Dragapult located the others near Oreburgh Mine.
• Li Wei and Steven found the other world's Roark, Byron, workers, and Pokémon inside a mine resembling their own world's Oreburgh Mine.
• Byron recognized Steven and Li Wei, and Steven asked why their arrival seemed strange to him.

Steven and Li Wei learned that their counterparts in this world had very different lives before discovering an injured Black Rayquaza in Oreburgh Mine. Rayquaza fixed its gaze on Li Wei, and his system offered a quest to heal it.

• Byron told Steven that he had worked thirty-three days straight as Hoenn's Champion and told Li Wei that he was the world's top-ranked chef.
• Steven explained that he and Li Wei came from another world, and Byron and Roark accepted the revelation after reacting with surprise.
• Byron revealed that three people resembling Steven and Li Wei had been found unconscious and led them deeper into Oreburgh Mine.
• Steven and Li Wei discovered a severely injured Shiny Rayquaza, which woke and stared at Li Wei while their Pokémon shielded them from its gale-force winds.
• Li Wei's system offered him a quest to heal Rayquaza, and Byron explained that the Pokémon's discovery was why he and Roark had come to the mine.

Li Wei encountered an injured Black Rayquaza in the Oreburgh Mine and offered it a Rainbow Meteorite and treatment. After Rayquaza accepted his help, Li Wei treated its wounds while Steven and the others watched from a distance.

• Byron shielded Roark as the injured Black Rayquaza fixed its golden eyes on Li Wei and his group.
• Rayquaza asked for Li Wei's Rainbow Meteorite, and Li Wei chose to approach it despite Steven's concern.
• Rayquaza swallowed the meteorite, accepted Li Wei's offer to treat it, and eagerly ate his Oran Berry Cubes.
• Li Wei examined Rayquaza, located its injuries, and applied Ice Heal and a Potion to its wounds.
• After mostly finishing the treatment, Li Wei wondered who had injured Rayquaza so badly.

Li Wei treated Black Rayquaza’s injuries in Oreburgh Mine, and Rayquaza rewarded him with Dragon Scales and a way to summon its help. Steven and Li Wei prepared to return to their world after Rayquaza opened a passage through a special Mirror Stone.

• Li Wei treated Rayquaza’s injuries until its condition improved to minor injuries.
• Steven and Roark checked on the three miners and confirmed they were safe.
• Rayquaza gave Li Wei three Dragon Scales for Drakloak and offered him the nearly depleted Rainbow Meteorite as a way to call for help.
• Rayquaza said it would leave to challenge its opponent, and Li Wei invited it to return if it was injured again.
• Rayquaza made a special Mirror Stone ripple, proving it could connect the two worlds and opening the way home for Li Wei and Steven.

Li Wei returned from the Reflection Cave world with the Rainbow Meteorite and helped Steven and Roark arrange for the cave to be reported and marked with warnings. Back at his Breeding Center, he checked in with his Pokémon and asked Milotic to join him onstage at the next round of the Pokémon Breeder Competition.

• Li Wei learned that the Rainbow Meteorite would summon Rayquaza when he shouted its name.
• Steven rejected Roark's suggestion to seal Reflection Cave completely and proposed warning signs and a report to the Pokémon League.
• Li Wei had dinner with Steven and Roark, then returned to Jubilife City that night.
• Li Wei found Shaymin leading a hide-and-seek game with the other Pokémon and reminded them not to play too late.
• Li Wei visited Milotic by the river and asked her to appear with him in the next round of the Pokémon Breeder Competition, and she agreed.

Li Wei and Akin prepared backstage for the televised Pokémon Breeder Competition’s round of 32, trading jokes and taking part in the group chat’s teasing. As the event approached, a staff member arrived to brief the contestants.

• Li Wei arrived at the studio for makeup and reunited with Akin, whom the group chat had nicknamed “Second-Place Gold.”
• Li Wei finished his makeup quickly, then waited while Akin got his makeup done and took a photo of him for the group chat.
• The group chat praised Li Wei’s appearance and teased Akin, who angrily declared he would beat Li Wei and become “First-Place Gold.”
• Li Wei and Akin chatted backstage, and Li Wei got the top thirty-two contestant list from Brock.
• A staff member entered around half past three and began explaining what the contestants needed to know before the competition.

Li Wei and Akin watched the Pokémon Breeder Competition’s first round, a grooming and presentation test, as contestants showcased their partners. Akin scored highly with Explodey, and Li Wei went onstage next with Milotic.

• Li Wei recognized Suzie among the top 32 and learned that Sasha, Ge Li, and Lalami were among the contestants drawing attention.
• A staff member introduced the judges and explained that the first round would eliminate the eight lowest-scoring contestants.
• Li Wei drew number 24, while Akin drew number 13, and the competition began with contestants grooming their Pokémon.
• Judge Dailan criticized Milo’s care of Stoutland and praised Sasha’s grooming of Eevee, while Judge Morikawa offered Sasha advice.
• Akin groomed Explodey and earned a high score that put him in first place for the round.
• Li Wei called Milotic from its Luxury Ball as his turn began.

Li Wei impressed the judges by quickly grooming his Milotic and took the provisional lead in the competition. In the second round, contestants had to identify mixed Berries, and Li Wei used Appraisal after identifying eighteen varieties by scent.

• Li Wei chose his seven-meter Milotic for Fur Care, surprising the audience and judges.
• Li Wei polished Milotic’s scales, used Aqua Ring to wash away grime and powder, then applied Sunscreen Spray.
• The judges gave Li Wei four perfect scores, putting him ahead of Akin, and the favored contestants, including Suzie, advanced to the second round.
• Contestants began a Berry identification test involving a powder made from twenty-one Berries and juice blended from sixteen.
• Li Wei identified eighteen Berries by scent before activating Appraisal to find the remaining three.

Li Wei dominated the Pokémon Breeder Competition’s second round, identifying nearly every Berry and taking first place with 35 points. He qualified for the round of sixteen, while Harold grew excited about Li Wei’s apparent talent and ordered Ron to investigate him.

• Li Wei identified the powdered Berries by smell and completed the mixed-juice answers, while the judges and Harold watched his performance.
• The competition staff scored the contestants, and Li Wei took first place with 35 points, followed by Sasha and Ge Li; Akin narrowly qualified in fifteenth place.
• The organizers announced that the round of sixteen would be held live in three days.
• Harold told his butler Ron to investigate Li Wei, and Ron presented the background files he had already prepared.
• Li Wei invited Akin to stay at his home in Hearthome City, and Akin eagerly accepted so he could enjoy the cooking there.

After placing first in both rounds and advancing to the top sixteen, Li Wei returned to Jubilife City with Akin, who visited his family's enormous Breeding Center. Li Wei welcomed Akin and his Pokémon, then took him to the cafeteria to cook dinner while Akin watched Steven battle Roark.

• Li Wei told his grandfather he had made the top sixteen, while Akin bragged in the group chat about supposedly placing second in both rounds.
• Li Wei and Akin arrived at the Jubilife Breeding Center, where employees and customer Qian greeted Li Wei and asked whether he had advanced.
• Li Wei released his Pokémon to rest and agreed to feed Akin's Pokémon as well; Akin said he was hungry, so Li Wei took him to the cafeteria.
• Li Wei sent Leon a message that he was home, then told the cafeteria aunties he would cook dinner for Akin and introduced Akin to them.
• Li Wei checked the refrigerator and planned a spicy meal, then prepared to feed Drakloak one of Rayquaza's Dragon Scales while Akin watched Steven battle Roark on television.

Li Wei shared a spicy dinner with Akin while the Chat Group discussed his cooking and plans for a Pokémon restaurant. Green asked Li Wei to invite Mr. Lian for a visit, and Li Wei ended the night by promising Akin a Volcano Burger the next day.

• Li Wei served Akin several spicy dishes, and Akin recorded a video of the meal before eagerly digging in.
• Akin struggled with the spice but praised the food as the Chat Group teased him and complimented Li Wei’s cooking.
• Steven said he would visit the next day, while Green asked Li Wei to tell Mr. Lian that he and Professor Oak planned to visit.
• Li Wei told the group that his family intended to open a Pokémon restaurant once the Breeding Center became more stable.
• After dinner, Akin asked for a Volcano Burger, and Li Wei promised to make one before taking him to a guest room.

Li Wei introduced Akin to the family, put him to work checking on Pokémon, and continued preparing for the Young Breeders' Competition. Steven visited for lunch, where the Old Master's cooking won over Akin and impressed Steven; Steven ended by suggesting they try Mega Evolution.

• Li Wei asked Akin to check on his Turtwig, Piplup, and Eevee, relying on Akin's hatching gift to improve Pokémon potential.
• The family discussed watching Li Wei compete, and the Old Master said Professor Oak would visit the Breeding Center after the competition.
• Steven arrived for Pokémon care and stayed for lunch, where the Old Master had the family prepare fish and other ingredients.
• Akin tasted the Old Master's Crispy Apple and eagerly begged to become his grandson, while Steven praised the meal.
• After lunch, Steven suggested that they try Mega Evolution that afternoon.

Li Wei and Steven successfully Mega Evolved their Metagross and sparred, with Steven’s more experienced Pokémon winning. Steven confirmed Li Wei could safely handle Mega Evolution, and the chapter ended as Nurse Joy offered to treat Metagross.

• Li Wei and Steven synchronized their Aura and Mega Evolved their Metagross as the Breeding Center staff watched.
• Steven challenged Li Wei to a spar, and their Metagross clashed with Meteor Mash, Flash Cannon, Psychic, and other moves.
• Steven’s Metagross defeated Li Wei’s Metagross with Heavy Slam, ending its Mega Evolution and leaving it unable to battle.
• Steven praised Li Wei’s battle and confirmed he could handle Mega Evolution, granting him the Metagrossite in exchange for Pokéblocks and a year of Pokémon care.
• Nurse Joy asked to treat Metagross.

After witnessing Mega Evolution, Li Wei sought a Lucarionite for Lucario and learned that the Battle Chateau in Kalos might offer one as a reward. Steven departed to investigate Oreburgh Mine with Lance and Cynthia, while Li Wei and his Pokémon resolved to keep training together.

• Li Wei asked Steven if he had a Lucarionite, but Steven said he was also searching for one and suggested Li Wei challenge the Battle Chateau in Kalos to earn an Evolution Stone.
• Steven noticed that his Pokémon seemed livelier and slightly stronger after Li Wei maintained them, and he arranged for biweekly maintenance.
• Steven told Li Wei he was heading to Oreburgh Mine with Lance and Cynthia to investigate the site connected to Reflection Cave, but declined Li Wei's offer to help.
• Steven left, and Li Wei decided he was not strong enough to take on League responsibilities yet.
• Nurse Joy returned Li Wei's recovered Metagross, and Li Wei encouraged Metagross, Lucario, Arcanine, Shaymin, and the others to keep growing stronger together.

Li Wei practiced Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish under the Old Master’s guidance, then prepared for the Pokémon Food round of 16. After checking their ingredients, Li Wei and Akin met Bali before the live competition began.

• Li Wei failed to make a grade A Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish, and the Old Master advised him to improve his seasoning and heat control.
• Gengar ate Li Wei’s leftover fish while Li Wei reminded him to wash up and turn off the lights.
• On May 3, Li Wei and Akin arrived for the live round of 16, where all sixteen contestants would compete to determine the top eight.
• Li Wei and Akin checked the fresh ingredients prepared for their Pokémon Food contest in a locked room.
• Bali introduced himself to Li Wei, praised his care of Milotic, and exchanged LINE contacts with him.
• A staff member told the contestants the competition was about to begin.

Li Wei competed in the Young Breeders' Competition’s Pokémon Food round, impressing viewers with his speed, composure, and rapid improvement. As he began cooking with an unusual liquid, Shiyin wondered what it was.

• The Hearthome TV Station staff called the sixteen contestants to begin the live competition, and Li Wei entered to loud cheers from his supporters.
• Cynthia and members of the chat group watched the broadcast, while Lance began telling them about events at the Oreburgh Mine.
• The contestants began preparing Pokémon Food for carnivorous Pokémon, and Li Wei chose not to use Berries because their flavors could put some Pokémon off.
• Li Wei quickly deboned chicken and duck, prompting Blue to explain that Li Wei had improved dramatically and learned exceptionally fast.
• Li Wei started cooking ingredients according to memorized ratios, and Shiyin noticed he was using something other than water.

The contestants prepared Pokémon Food while the judges evaluated their cooking, and Li Wei and Sasha earned the highest human-judge scores. The host prepared to announce which eight contestants would advance, leaving the Pokémon judges’ scores and the final results unrevealed.

• The judges praised Li Wei’s careful Pokémon handling and knife skills as the contestants cooked.
• Renji admitted he had made his Pokémon Food too spicy because he liked spicy food, and the judges warned him to consider Pokémon’s tastes.
• Sasha received 8.7 points, while Akin’s misshapen, overcooked food earned 5.5 and put him last so far.
• Li Wei’s chicken-and-mushroom dish earned nine points from the judges, and Lalami received 8.6.
• The host announced that the finalized scores were ready and prepared to reveal the eight contestants advancing.

Li Wei advanced to the Hearthome TV Station contest’s top eight while Akin was eliminated and fled to avoid the teasing and training awaiting him. Li Wei drew the sweet theme for the quarterfinals and was paired against Kui Luo.

• Li Wei placed first in the judging results, while Akin and Bali were eliminated and Renji scraped into eighth place.
• Bali asked to learn at Li Wei’s family Breeding Center, and Li Wei agreed to let him ask Li Wen about it.
• Li Wei read Cynthia’s congratulatory message and saw that Blue, Lance, and the others were preparing to tease Akin, so Akin fled before they could catch him.
• Li Wei joined the quarterfinal draw, received the sweet theme, and was matched against Kui Luo; Sasha drew sour and Renji drew spicy.
• Li Wei returned home to find that Akin had already run off.

Li Wei and Steven traveled from Jubilife City to Floaroma Town so Li Wei could take Shaymin home and inspect the town's security. On the way, Steven described the ruined Oreburgh City and Pokémon attack they encountered in a parallel world, while Li Wei's cooking practice and upcoming competition remained on his mind.

• Li Wei continued practicing his fish dishes while his family and the Breeding Center employees urged him to take a break.
• Steven joined Li Wei on a trip to Floaroma Town, and Li Wei picked up Shaymin to bring it home.
• Li Wei and Steven flew north on their Metagross, with Drakloak and Dragapult escorting them as Drakloak approached evolution after eating the final Dragon Scale.
• Steven told Li Wei that Oreburgh City was abandoned and overgrown in the parallel world, and that Pokémon attacked them when they tried to explore beyond it.
• Steven said the Pokémon League planned to seal and guard Reflection Cave because Pokémon could cross through its Mirror Stones.
• Li Wei and Steven discussed Pokémon Hunters and arrived in Floaroma Town with Shaymin.