Chapter Summaries

Ash and Lucario fought over whether humans could be trusted, while Li Wei and Steven reflected on the lengths they would go for their Pokémon. At the Tree of Creation, Mew’s friends began longing to return, and Li Wei’s group drew closer as the ground started trembling.

• Lucario accused Ash of eventually abandoning Pikachu, and Ash tackled Lucario into a river, where they continued fighting as Li Wei recorded and commentated.
• Steven realized he would risk his life for his Pokémon, and Li Wei recognized that he felt the same after his Pokémon looked toward him.
• Li Wei, Steven, and the others camped for the night beneath the Tree of Creation and agreed to take turns keeping watch, with Ash included.
• Mew’s friends, including Shaymin and Diancie, wanted to return to Li Wei, while Pikachu wanted to return to Ash; Meowth reassured them that their Trainers would search for them.
• Li Wei fired a signal flare, which caught the attention of Pikachu, Shaymin, Diancie, and Meowth at the Tree of Creation.
• Li Wei’s group reached the place where Sir Aaron had sealed Lucario, saw the war from a thousand years ago through a Time Flower, and then felt the ground tremble as both Lucario’s aura sensors rose.

Li Wei and Steven battled Regirock while Ash’s group entered a cave leading into the Tree of Creation. Regirock’s power came from the Tree, and it wanted the intruders to leave as Ash’s group continued deeper inside.

• Regirock emerged from the ground and attacked Ash, but Lucario pushed him out of danger.
• Li Wei and Steven sent Ash’s group into a cave with Sir Aaron’s Lucario and Arcanine, then fought Regirock with Lucario, Metagross, and Aggron.
• Regirock endured repeated attacks because the Tree of Creation replenished its power, but it stopped attacking and demanded that Li Wei and Steven leave.
• Ash’s group wondered why Regirock had attacked them, and Sir Aaron’s Lucario suggested it was defending the Tree of Creation.
• The passage opened before Ash’s group as they continued through the cave.

Ash, Brock, and Lucario raced through the Tree of Creation in search of Pikachu, encountering ancient Pokémon and fighting past Regice. Pikachu heard Ash nearby as Team Rocket fled from Registeel, while Li Wei and Steven caught up on Corviknight.

• Ash, Brock, and Lucario emerged into a cavern where peaceful ancient Pokémon, including Omanyte, Omastar, and Aerodactyl, lived.
• Kidd secretly investigated the Tree of Creation, but an unknown force destroyed all her survey modules at once.
• Ash and Lucario climbed to another tier, where Pikachu heard Ash calling and ran toward him with Shaymin, Diancie, Sirfetch'd, Mew, and Meowth following.
• Regice attacked Ash and Brock, but Lucario struck it with an Aura Sphere, and the group escaped through a tunnel.
• Jessie and James ran into Ash and Brock while fleeing Registeel, and Li Wei and Steven pursued them on Corviknight.
• Jessie and James became separated from Ash's group at a tunnel fork as Jessie dismissed the danger and James warned her to look behind.

Li Wei and Steven reached Mew and the Pokémon it had brought to the World Tree, while Jessie and James were swallowed by the tree’s human-targeting defenses. After learning Mew had kept the group there because it was lonely, Li Wei and Steven agreed to play with it as Ash called for Pikachu nearby.

• A lava-like Cradily swallowed Jessie, while an Omastar swallowed James after he released Chimecho to escape.
• Li Wei and Steven flew into the World Tree and reached Pikachu, Meowth, Shaymin, Diancie, Sirfetch'd, and Mew on a high platform.
• Li Wei reassured Pikachu that Ash would arrive soon, and Meowth explained that Mew had brought everyone there to play and they could not leave.
• Mew showed Li Wei and Steven its worn toys, and they realized it had been lonely for thousands of years.
• Li Wei suggested playing with Mew, Steven agreed, and Ash's shout for Pikachu made Pikachu perk up.

Ash reunited with Pikachu inside the Tree of Creation, where Mew stopped the Tree’s immune mechanism from attacking the group. But the Tree’s condition soon deteriorated, leaving Mew feverish and the surrounding crystals crumbling as the group followed her toward a way out.

• Ash reunited with Pikachu and introduced him to Lucario as the magma-like apparitions pursued them.
• Li Wei recognized the apparitions as the Tree of Creation’s immune cells and led the group in a run for safety.
• Mew contacted the Tree of Creation, causing the apparitions to vanish and bringing Kidd, Jessie, and James to the crystal cave.
• The crystals turned red and began crumbling as Mew developed a fever, and Kidd learned that the Tree’s vital signs and energy transmission were failing.
• Li Wei carried Mew and led the group onward as she tried to guide them out of the Tree of Creation.

Li Wei, Ash, Lucario, and Mega Lucario joined their aura to help Mew restore the collapsing Tree of Creation, while Diancie and Shaymin strengthened them. Their combined Aura Sphere surpassed the power Sir Aaron had once wielded, giving them hope of saving the Tree.

• Li Wei and the others reached the Tree of Creation’s heart, where Sir Aaron’s gloves and a Time Flower revealed how he had sacrificed himself to save Cameran Palace and why he had sealed Lucario away.
• Lucario learned that Sir Aaron had never abandoned it and chose to sacrifice itself by transferring aura to Mew, but its strength alone was insufficient.
• Li Wei decided to help Lucario, then Mega Evolved it as they began sending aura into Mew.
• Ash put on Sir Aaron’s gloves and formed an Aura Sphere, while Diancie used Helping Hand, Shaymin sent green light into the group, and Sirfetch’d cheered them on.
• Li Wei, Ash, Lucario, and Mega Lucario combined their aura into a sphere stronger than Sir Aaron’s, and Lucario declared that they had a chance.

Li Wei, Ash, and their Pokémon restored the Tree of Creation and helped Mew recover. As the group prepared to leave, Mew grew sad about being left alone, and Li Wei learned it could not stray far from the tree for long.

• Li Wei, Ash, Mega Lucario, Diancie, and Shaymin channeled Aura into Mew, which restored the Tree of Creation and stopped the mountain from collapsing.
• Li Wei and the others rested and shared food, while Kidd ordered Banks to seal away their gathered data so no one else would disturb the tree.
• Mew enjoyed Li Wei's Pokéblocks and then pleaded with him to stay and play.
• Li Wei considered finding Mew a companion but gave up on the idea because Mew were so difficult to find.
• Li Wei asked whether Mew could leave the Tree of Creation for longer, and Meowth translated that it could only go a little farther than the castle and could not stay away long.

Li Wei and the others said goodbye to Mew after learning its range was limited to places connected to the Tree of Creation’s roots. Lucario stayed at Cameran Palace to protect it and keep Mew company, while the others left promising to visit again.

• Li Wei warned Mew not to bring Trainers’ Pokémon into the Tree of Creation, since it might mistake them for a virus and cause trouble.
• Ash invited Lucario to travel with him, but Lucario chose to stay at Cameran Palace to protect Queen Arianna and keep Mew company.
• Li Wei and Steven decided to suggest that Queen Arianna create a video-game room for Mew at Cameran Palace rather than connect the Tree of Creation to the internet.
• Li Wei and the others left the revitalized Tree of Creation, and Jessie, James, and Meowth departed in their handmade hot-air balloon.
• Mew grew sad at the farewell, but Ash said they could keep in touch and Steven promised to visit in two weeks, cheering Mew up.

Li Wei and his companions returned to Cameran Palace, where Queen Arianna welcomed them and helped make a special playroom for Mew. After Mew made new friends and the group shared the story of saving the Tree of Creation, the companions began going their separate ways.

• Queen Arianna welcomed Li Wei and his companions, and Steven used Money Power to order electronics and games for Mew's new room.
• Mew visited the attic at Cameran Palace, where Queen Arianna welcomed Mew and Ash played games with Mew.
• Li Wei told Cynthia about Sir Aaron's sacrifice and how he, Ash, and the Lucario had helped save Mew and the Tree of Creation.
• Ash and Steven explained the Tree of Creation crisis in the group chat, and Li Wei invited the others to visit Mew at Cameran Palace.
• Ash and Brock departed, Steven said goodbye, and Li Wei prepared to travel to Blackthorn City.

Li Wei unlocked the ability to control Aura after his breakthrough at Cameran Palace and decided to learn dessert-making from its pastry chef, Philip Filet Mignon. He met Philip in his workshop and asked him to teach him.

• Li Wei's Aura broke through, granting him the beginner-level Aura ability and the power to sense through darkness.
• Li Wei stayed at Cameran Palace to learn how to make desserts and asked Queen Arianna to introduce him to the palace pastry chef.
• Queen Arianna gave Li Wei a letter for Philip Filet Mignon, who had developed and refined many desserts in his workshop.
• Li Wei examined Philip's dessert photographs and judged that Philip was likely a Master Tier dessert chef.
• Li Wei introduced himself to Philip and asked to learn how to make desserts from him.

Li Wei asked Philip to teach him dessert making, and Philip let him demonstrate his skills in the Royal Kitchen. Philip tasted Li Wei’s Corn Tart and recognized that Li Wei was a capable dessert maker.

• Li Wei presented Queen Arianna’s recommendation letter and asked Philip to teach him dessert making.
• Philip warmed to Li Wei after hearing how much he enjoyed making desserts, but remained skeptical of his abilities.
• Li Wei offered to prove his skills by making a dessert, and Philip allowed him to use the kitchen and its ingredients.
• Li Wei prepared Corn Tarts with precise, confident movements, impressing Philip as he watched.
• Philip tasted a Corn Tart and was struck by its crisp pastry, fragrant corn, and balanced citrus sweetness.

After Philip tasted Li Wei’s Corn Tart, the two spent several days exchanging cooking and dessert-making techniques in Cameran Palace. Li Wei left having learned from Philip, while their new panna cotta earned praise from Queen Arianna and the Pokémon.

• Philip tasted Li Wei’s Corn Tart, apologized for underestimating him, and invited him to stay and exchange cooking skills.
• Li Wei and Philip shared recipes and techniques in Philip’s workshop, where Mew, Diancie, and Lucario enjoyed their food.
• Philip asked Li Wei to teach him Candied Sweet Potato, and they created a new version of White Jade Panna Cotta with roasted Chesto Berry.
• On the afternoon before Li Wei’s departure, Queen Arianna, Housekeeper Granny, Mew, Diancie, and Lucario praised the refined panna cotta.
• Li Wei called Philip his teacher, and Philip welcomed him to seek guidance whenever he needed help with desserts.

Li Wei left Cameran Palace after the World Tree crisis, carrying new rewards and friendships, then traveled to Saffron City with plans to explore Kanto. He learned that Team Rocket was undergoing a major transformation, with Giovanni apparently working with Lance to remove criminal factions from the organization.

• Li Wei said goodbye to Mew, Queen Arianna, and the others at Cameran Palace, promising to send Mew more treats and find a way to bring it to his home someday.
• Li Wei reflected on the rewards he had gained, including a Latias Mega Stone, Soul Dew, aura abilities, friendship with Mew, and new dessert-making skills.
• Li Wei and Lucario traveled to Saffron City, where Li Wei learned Sabrina was away in Unova and Lance complained about Kanto's absent Gym Leaders.
• Li Wei learned that Team Rocket had announced an industrial transformation and plans to renovate children's welfare homes while authorities arrested former members and Pokémon Hunters.
• Li Wei suspected Giovanni was cooperating with Lance to purge criminal factions from Team Rocket as it tried to become legitimate.

Ash received a special-edition Pokédex and the title of Person of Bonds from Professor Oak in Saffron City. Green told Li Wei that Professor Oak had prepared a different thank-you gift for him, and Li Wei planned to visit Pallet Town before continuing his travels.

• Professor Oak asked Ash what Pokémon meant to him, then gave him a Red Special Pokédex and named him Person of Bonds.
• Akin praised Ash's new title, and Green reminded him that the Pokédex carried responsibility and offered to teach him more battle tactics.
• Green told Li Wei that Professor Oak had prepared a gift for him because he already had Pokédex Rotom.
• Li Wei planned to visit Vermilion City, Pallet Town, and Blackthorn City before heading home.
• Li Wei took Diancie, Shaymin, and the others to the Silph Building and invited them to buy whatever they needed.

Li Wei arrived in Vermilion City to visit his old friend Lt. Surge, who had once refused Giovanni’s invitation to rejoin Team Rocket. Lt. Surge greeted Li Wei at the Vermilion Gym after an awkward moment when he mistook the crowd’s cheers for admiration of himself.

• Li Wei went to the Vermilion Gym, where Lt. Surge was battling challengers and thinking about asking Li Wei to cook for him.
• The chapter recalled how Li Wei and Lt. Surge had met aboard the S.S. Aqua and how Lt. Surge had since chosen a peaceful life as a Gym Leader.
• Giovanni visited Lt. Surge and invited him to join Team Rainbow Rocket, but Lt. Surge refused while offering to help if Giovanni followed the right path.
• Li Wei arrived at the Gym with Lucario and Diancie, prompting the spectators to cheer for him and leaving Lt. Surge embarrassed.
• Li Wei teased Lt. Surge for taking his frustration out on a challenger, and Lt. Surge asked whether he had come to challenge the Gym.

Li Wei watched the Vermilion Gym’s morning challenges before Lt. Surge invited him to cook lunch for the Gym staff. As Li Wei prepared to cook with the ingredients Lt. Surge had stocked, he discovered that Surge had even provided the seasonings he commonly used.

• Lt. Surge and Li Wei decided not to battle because the Gym was holding official challenges and neither wanted a dangerous no-holds-barred match.
• Li Wei watched the morning Gym Challenges with Lucario, Shaymin, and Diancie while the Gym’s female visitors gathered around him for autographs.
• Lt. Surge grew jealous of Li Wei’s fans, then invited him to cook lunch after his stomach growled.
• Li Wei agreed to cook for the Gym staff, and Visquez and Tony eagerly asked to join the meal.
• Li Wei chose to steam the fresh harbor fish and was surprised that Lt. Surge had stocked ginger and all the seasonings he commonly used.

Li Wei cooked a feast for Lt. Surge and discussed his plans to visit the Dragon's Den before asking about Giovanni. Lt. Surge revealed that Giovanni had tried to recruit him into Team Rocket again, and Li Wei ended the chapter by jokingly presenting his Special Investigator credentials before saying he had something to tell him.

• Li Wei prepared a table of seafood and other dishes for Lt. Surge and Biscuit.
• Li Wei told Lt. Surge he planned to visit Professor Oak, then Blackthorn City and the Dragon's Den, though he was undecided about catching another Dragon-type Pokémon.
• Li Wei casually asked whether Giovanni had contacted Lt. Surge, startling him and the former Team Rocket members at the table.
• Lt. Surge admitted Giovanni had recently explained Team Rocket's new ideals and asked him to rejoin, but Lt. Surge had refused while offering to help with the ideals.
• Li Wei flashed his Special Investigator credentials and jokingly declared Lt. Surge under arrest, then said he had something to tell him.

At Vermilion Gym, Li Wei and Lt. Surge discussed Team Rocket’s reforms and Silver’s connection to Giovanni. Silver visited Akin in Johto, while Li Wei later left Vermilion City for Pallet Town.

• Li Wei told Lt. Surge that Team Rocket was changing, and they speculated that Lance and Giovanni might cooperate to help Silver reconcile with his father.
• Silver climbed over the wall to visit Akin, explaining that he still felt guilty about Giovanni’s crimes and believed he did not deserve to live openly.
• Akin stopped trying to persuade Silver and watched animation discs with him, ordering Volcano Burgers, cola, and the fries Silver wanted.
• Li Wei left Vermilion Gym after reminiscing with Lt. Surge, who accepted a Bug Catcher’s challenge.
• Li Wei fished at Vermilion Harbor with Lucario and watched his Pokémon race across the sea before setting off with Diancie for Pallet Town.

Li Wei arrived in Pallet Town and visited Professor Oak's Laboratory, where he arranged a gathering with Blue and several friends for the next day. Red, Yellow, Ash, Brock, Lorelei, and Lance all said they would join.

• Li Wei arrived in Pallet Town with his Pokémon and took a group photo with Professor Oak's Laboratory's windmill in the background.
• Blue invited Li Wei to the laboratory and confirmed he had returned to Pallet Town after handling challenges at the Viridian Gym.
• Akin learned Li Wei was in Pallet Town and arranged to visit the next day with someone else.
• Red and Yellow said they would come to Pallet Town the next day, and Ash and Brock decided to return there too.
• Lorelei and Lance asked to join the gathering, and Blue welcomed them.
• Li Wei arrived at Professor Oak's Laboratory.

Li Wei arrived at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Pallet Town and learned that Professor Oak and Bill were researching a gigantic fossilized tooth believed to belong to an ancient Sharpedo. After settling in for the night, Li Wei invited Cynthia to join a gathering the next day, and she accepted.

• Daisy welcomed Li Wei and his Pokémon to Professor Oak's Laboratory while Professor Oak, Bill, and Blue continued their research.
• Blue told Li Wei that the researchers had found a single enormous fossilized tooth near Bill's Lighthouse and preliminarily identified it as belonging to an ancient Sharpedo.
• Blue showed Li Wei to a guest room in the villa and explained that Corviknight could be let out by the window near a pond.
• Li Wei called his father Leon to say he had arrived safely and expected to return home in four or five days.
• Li Wei invited Cynthia to the gathering at Professor Oak's Laboratory the next day, and she agreed to come.