Recaps

Chen Shi returned from a parallel world and told Steven, Professor Oak, and the others how dark matter had nearly wiped out its population. He left them shaken by the threat and the speed of its spread.

• Chen Shi returned home, where Little V had already revealed his arrival to the family.
• Professor Oak asked Chen Shi whether he had learned how to deal with dark matter in the parallel world.
• Chen Shi explained that the parallel world's Steven and Cynthia were Champions, but the survivors had to hide underground and often lacked food.
• Chen Shi said only about twenty thousand humans and fifty thousand Pokémon remained in a world overrun by dark matter.
• Chen Shi described how dark matter had devastated the world in four months, including corrupting Ho-Oh and forcing Eternatus to kill it.
• Steven, Professor Oak, Cynthia, and the others fell silent, wondering whether their world could withstand dark matter.

Chen Shi reassured his family and friends about the dark matter threatening their world, then revealed that he had been chosen as its Savior. Cynthia became nearly certain that Arceus’s regard for Chen Shi confirmed his extraordinary importance.

• Chen Shi comforted Grandma Chen, served dinner, and urged everyone to eat despite their fear of the dark matter.
• Professor Oak asked about research into dark matter, and Chen Shi said researchers had found no useful solution and urged his teacher not to overwork himself.
• Chen Shi revealed that he was the chosen Savior, and Cynthia explained why she believed his achievements and strength made him the only possible candidate.
• Steven accepted that Chen Shi was the Savior and resolved to train harder so he could help his friend.
• Cynthia asked whether her lookalike visitor was Arceus, and Chen Shi confirmed that she had been Arceus’s Human Avatar.

Chen Shi tried to trigger Florges's Bond Phenomenon and learned that he needed to connect with her most precious memories. After reliving how Florges's rescued Trainer brought color and flowers into her life, Chen Shi prepared to channel his psychic power into their bond.

• Chen Shi brought Florges to the training grounds and tried channeling psychic power through their bond, but she only felt less hungry.
• Cynthia stopped Steven from interrupting Chen Shi when she noticed a faint white light around him.
• A voice told Chen Shi to experience Florges's most precious memories and strengthen the bond they shared.
• Chen Shi relived Florges's memories of being rescued from Pokémon Hunters and traveling with the Trainer who cared for her.
• Chen Shi witnessed Florges's happiness as her Trainer built her a garden, and realized that her constant watering expressed her love for him.
• The being urged Chen Shi to channel his psychic power into the present-day Florges and let the flowers watered with love bloom.

Chen Shi awakened Florges’s bond phenomenon and successfully used Cogita’s Bracelet to Dynamax Charizard at the Chen Family Farm. The huge Pokémon damaged the family home, leaving Chen Shi and Charizard apologizing to Grandma Chen while the town celebrated the breakthrough.

• Chen Shi’s power triggered Florges’s bond phenomenon, and she emerged in a flower-adorned form that impressed Steven and Cynthia.
• Metagross and Charizard both asked Chen Shi for the bond phenomenon, but he told them he would try another experiment first.
• Chen Shi used Cogita’s Bracelet to Dynamax Charizard, causing the Poké Ball to grow and a vortex to form above the farm.
• Verdant Town residents recognized Dynamax and cheered, assuming Chen Shi had made it possible in Hoenn.
• Dynamax Charizard crushed the walls around the Chen family home, so Chen Shi and Charizard apologized to Grandma Chen until she let them off.

Chen Shi learned that Yuko wanted to compete for a place in the Hoenn League Elite Four and offered to help her prepare. Yuko asked Chen Shi and Grandpa Chen to watch her compete, leaving her goal and their response unresolved.

• Chen Shi relaxed in the garden with Dragapult while his other Pokémon trained, played, and helped around the house.
• Grandpa Chen told Chen Shi that Elite King Mura planned to retire and that the Hoenn League would train candidates to choose his successor.
• Yuko told Chen Shi she wanted to join the Elite Four, despite the hardships she had faced and the limited resources available to her.
• Chen Shi offered to train or support Yuko's Pokémon, but she clarified that she only wanted him and Grandpa Chen to watch her compete.

Yuko asked Chen Shi and Grandpa Chen to witness her victory, and Chen Shi gave her stones and a bracelet to help her prepare for the Elite King competition. Mew returned with valuable Legendary Pokémon parts as payment for making Chen Shi the World Tree Guardian, but Chen Shi refused the gift and told Mew to take it back.

• Yuko told Chen Shi that she planned to defeat Pheobe and secure an Elite King seat, and asked him and Grandpa Chen to come see her win.
• Chen Shi and Grandpa Chen encouraged Yuko, and Chen Shi gave her a Key Stone, a Mega Stone, a Psychium Z, and a Z-Ring.
• After Grandpa Chen took Yuko away, Chen Shi sensed Mew returning and teased it for hiding nearby.
• Mew presented Chen Shi with around thirty or forty valuable parts from Legendary Pokémon, claiming it was giving them to him out of charity.
• Chen Shi gathered the parts, then pushed them back to Mew and reminded it that he had already been paid to become the World Tree Guardian.

Chen Shi agreed to accompany Mew to the World Tree Mystery Realm and complete the ritual that would make him its Guardian. He brought Steven and Cynthia along, and the group arrived at the thriving realm, where Chen Shi inspected the World Tree and found nothing wrong.

• Mew recovered its treasured items and urged Chen Shi to visit the World Tree Mystery Realm soon.
• Chen Shi agreed to go immediately and promised Mew they would vacation in the Galar Region afterward.
• Steven asked to join Chen Shi, and Cynthia came along as well.
• Mew teleported Chen Shi, Steven, and Cynthia to a forest and opened a passage into the World Tree Mystery Realm.
• Chen Shi, Steven, and Cynthia entered the realm and marveled at the enormous World Tree and its beautiful, lively surroundings.
• Chen Shi checked the World Tree for problems, found none, and said they should complete the ritual.

Chen Shi completed the World Tree Guardian ritual, causing the World Tree to shower the world in life-giving rain. He gained a bond with the World Tree, while Mew celebrated its newfound ability to resist dark matter.

• Mew led Chen Shi, Steven, and Cynthia inside the World Tree and began the ritual as Pokémon gathered outside.
• The World Tree raised Chen Shi on a green throne, pierced his fingertip, and gathered energy as the Pokémon danced around it.
• Mew used green liquid to draw a flame between Chen Shi’s eyebrows, completing the ritual and strengthening the Pokémon and their partners.
• Life-giving rain spread across the world, and Xerneas told Mewtwo that the World Tree was celebrating Chen Shi’s arrival as its guardian.
• Mew explained that Chen Shi and the World Tree could share power, then eagerly prepared to send him back so he could bask in the sun.

Chen Shi agreed to travel to the Galar Region with Steven and Cynthia, but Mew first introduced him to the mystery realm’s five guardian beasts, who were now under his command. Chen Shi identified the rare Pokémon for Steven and Cynthia, ending with the introduction of Ogerpon.

• Steven persuaded Chen Shi to visit the Galar Region, and Cynthia joined after mentioning Leon’s invitation.
• Mew led Chen Shi, Steven, and Cynthia out of the World Tree to meet the five guardian beasts.
• Mew told the five Pokémon that Chen Shi would command them, and they bowed respectfully to him.
• Chen Shi introduced Regirock and Urshifu, then revealed that the silver Pokémon was the Steel-type mythical Pokémon Melmetal.
• Chen Shi identified the yellow Pokémon as Zeraora and the small green Pokémon as Wellspring Mask Ogerpon.

Chen Shi introduced Ogerpon to Cynthia and Steven, explaining its masks and powerful Ivy Cudgel. After learning how Mew had rescued Ogerpon, he gave it and the other Pokémon treats and asked Ogerpon to protect the World Tree, leaving it deeply moved by his kindness.

• Chen Shi explained that Ogerpon could change its typing with four masks and that its Ivy Cudgel could land repeated critical hits.
• Mew recalled finding Ogerpon after three Pokémon had killed its Trainer and stolen its masks, then helping it get revenge and bringing it to the World Tree Mystery Realm.
• Chen Shi decided Ogerpon should remain in the World Tree Mystery Realm to guard it rather than go with him.
• Chen Shi gave Ogerpon and the other Pokémon Pokéblocks, and promised to bring Ogerpon more treats each month.
• Ogerpon offered Chen Shi three masks in gratitude, but Chen Shi refused them and asked Ogerpon to use them to protect the World Tree.

Chen Shi arrived in the Galar Region with Steven and Cynthia, and Leon told him about the Dragon-type Pokémon den at the Lake of Outrage. After learning where the den was, Chen Shi decided to visit it secretly with Dreepy that night.

• Chen Shi, Steven, and Cynthia arrived at Motostoke Airport, where Leon welcomed them and took them to the Shy Bag for a meal.
• Chen Shi asked Leon about a den with many Dragapult, and Leon explained that its Dragon-type Pokémon had fled two years earlier and now drove people away.
• Chen Shi privately recognized that the Pokémon had been searching for their missing son, Dreepy, who remained in his shadow.
• Chen Shi claimed he wanted to study wild Dynamax Pokémon, while Steven and Cynthia eyed him suspiciously.
• Leon told Chen Shi that the den was on an island in the Lake of Outrage, northwest of Motostoke.
• Chen Shi decided to teleport to the den with Dreepy that night so Steven, Cynthia, and Leon would not discover the truth.

Chen Shi took Dreepy to Dragon Island to reunite him with his long-lost mother, revealing that his story about Dreepy hatching from a rock had been a lie. Dreepy’s mother recognized him and embraced him, while the island’s Pokémon surrounded Chen Shi before she stopped them and realized he had cared for her son.

• Chen Shi woke Dreepy and told him they were going to meet his mother, leaving Dreepy stunned because he had believed he sprang from a rock.
• Chen Shi teleported with Dreepy to Dragon Island, where Dreepy’s mother sensed powerful Psychic energy and sounded an alarm.
• Chen Shi showed Dreepy to the island’s leader, who recognized the bloodline in him and knew he was her missing son despite his yellow coloring.
• Dreepy realized Chen Shi had lied to him, but greeted his mother, who cried and embraced him.
• Dragon-type Pokémon surrounded Chen Shi, but Dreepy’s mother stopped them and concluded that he had rescued and raised her son.

Dragon Mom urged Dreepy to stay on Dragon Island, but the other Dragapult's disdain for his unusual coloration made him refuse. When Chen Shi saw how they treated Dreepy, he attacked a Champion-level Dragapult and prepared to fight the group.

• Dragon Mom was shocked by Dreepy's strength and hoped he would stay on Dragon Island and eventually take over as leader.
• Dreepy rejected his mother's offer, saying the other Dragapult looked down on him because of his unusual coloration.
• Chen Shi noticed the group's disdain and confronted them for rejecting their leader's son.
• After a Champion-level Dragapult snorted at him, Chen Shi struck it into a crater.
• The Dragon-type Pokémon charged at Chen Shi, who resolved to force them to accept Dreepy through strength.

After Chen Shi and Dreepy returned from Dragon Island, Chen Shi tried to justify publicizing Dreepy’s humiliating past by recasting it as the start of a future legend. Dreepy escaped to the Distortion World with Pokéblocks for Giratina, while Chen Shi laughed at how easily he had talked his Pokémon into dropping the matter.

• Chen Shi asked Dragapult whether he had enjoyed watching him defeat Dragon Island’s adult Dragon-types, and Dreepy left after silently acknowledging Dragon Mom’s plea for a future visit.
• Dreepy confronted Chen Shi about spreading his embarrassing past, but Chen Shi argued that they were a team and that Dreepy’s struggles were part of his path to greatness.
• Chen Shi declared that Dreepy would become the Netherworld Lord and began inventing a legend about his origins, prompting Dreepy to beg him to stop.
• Dreepy dropped the demand for an explanation, went to his nest, and ignored Chen Shi’s good-night wishes as the Pokémon in their Poké Balls realized Chen Shi’s persuasive skills had grown.
• Dreepy opened a portal to the Distortion World, took Pokéblocks from Chen Shi’s backpack for Giratina, and left while Chen Shi burst out laughing.

Chen Shi woke up after Steven tricked him, then set out with his friends to find Max Mushrooms for Charizard’s soup. Leon recommended the forest outside Stow-on-Side, though he also offered to arrange a purchase.

• Togekiss let Steven, Cynthia, and Leon into Chen Shi’s room after Chen Shi refused to wake up.
• Steven claimed Chen Shi’s daughter was about to be born, jolting Chen Shi out of bed before he realized it was a prank.
• Mew tried to provoke Cynthia by mentioning a parallel-world Cynthia, but Cynthia said she trusted Chen Shi and refused to be baited.
• Chen Shi finished getting ready, recalled Togekiss, and left with Steven, Cynthia, Leon, and Mew to look for Max Mushrooms for Charizard.
• Leon recommended searching the forest outside Stow-on-Side and offered to contact someone who could sell Chen Shi Max Mushrooms.

Chen Shi, Cynthia, Steven, and Leon headed to Stow-on-Side to search for Max Mushrooms, while Chen Shi warned Leon that Chairman Rose planned to use Eternatus. Leon remained skeptical and demanded evidence, so Chen Shi advised him to investigate Rose through Mustard.

• Chen Shi chose to search for Max Mushrooms in Stow-on-Side with Cynthia and Steven, and Leon offered to guide them.
• On the train, Leon asked Chen Shi how he had used Dynamax in Hoenn, and Chen Shi refused to share the information if it would reach Rose.
• Chen Shi warned Leon that Rose was a schemer like Maxie and Archie and would eventually try to bring out Eternatus.
• Steven trusted Chen Shi, while Leon rejected the accusation and demanded evidence.
• Chen Shi told Leon to ask Mustard to secretly investigate Rose.

Chen Shi, Cynthia, Steven, and Leon traveled into a forest to look for Max Mushrooms and stopped by a waterfall for a picnic. As Florges and Lucario prepared the barbecue, Chen Shi reminisced with Cynthia about their travels and learned that Mew had urged her to have a baby soon.

• Chen Shi used Teleport to take Steven, Cynthia, and Leon to a waterfall in the forest, where they set up a picnic.
• Chen Shi brought out a barbecue grill from his modified backpack, and Florges began cooking with help from Lucario.
• Chen Shi recalled his travels with Cynthia and joked that Swampert had burst their tent, prompting Swampert to silently brood over being blamed.
• Cynthia told Chen Shi that Mew had tried to persuade her to have a baby soon, and she asked how he had known Mew would bring it up.

Steven advised Leon to follow Chen Shi’s hint and ask Mustard to investigate Chairman Rose, while Chen Shi explained to Cynthia why Mew wanted their future child to inherit his Psychic power. Their quiet picnic turned into a crisis when Chen Shi’s psychic power began rampaging, and Mew evacuated everyone as Arceus appeared before him.

• Steven told Leon that Chen Shi was usually right about secrets and reminded him to follow Chen Shi’s hint about Mustard investigating Chairman Rose.
• Chen Shi told Cynthia that Mew wanted their child to inherit his special Psychic power, which could counter dark matter, but he would not let their daughter face that danger.
• Chen Shi said he planned to stay in his world, grow stronger, and help Dreepy and the others while researchers studied dark matter.
• As Florges offered Chen Shi grilled meat, he was struck by unbearable pain and began bleeding as his psychic power surged out of control.
• Chen Shi urged Mew to take Cynthia, Steven, Leon, and the Pokémon away, and Mew teleported them to safety.
• As Chen Shi’s consciousness faded, Arceus appeared before him with a grave expression.

Chen Shi suddenly collapsed in a burst of psychic power, and Arceus’s Plates sealed the destruction while Mew and the others searched for a cause. Dialga and Palkia took Mew, Cynthia, Steven, and Chen Shi’s Pokémon away on Arceus’s orders, leaving Leon behind as Chen Shi’s fate remained unknown.

• Chen Shi’s psychic power erupted after he was suddenly struck down, and Arceus’s Plates formed a seal to contain it.
• Mew reassured Cynthia, Steven, and Leon that Arceus had intervened, while Cynthia recalled that Chen Shi had been reaching for food when he collapsed.
• Mew suspected Chen Shi had been hit by a curse that awakened his psychic power and made it attack everything nearby.
• Space at the blast site vanished into a black hole before Dialga and Palkia repaired it, and Mew believed Arceus had taken Chen Shi away.
• Dialga told Mew, Cynthia, Steven, and Chen Shi’s Pokémon that Arceus had ordered them to leave with the Time-Space Duo, while Leon stayed behind.

Arceus and Necrozma struggled to explain why Kyurem’s Soul Freeze had left Chen Shi near death, suspecting an attack from a parallel world. While Chen Shi’s soul remained asleep, another being took control of his body and identified a possible cause.

• Arceus and Necrozma concluded that parallel-world forces had attacked Chen Shi’s soul with Kyurem’s Soul Freeze, though they could not explain how it reached the unique Chen Shi.
• Necrozma and Arceus argued over their failure to protect Chen Shi before Dialga and Palkia arrived with Mew, Cynthia, and the others.
• Arceus told Cynthia and the others that Chen Shi’s soul was asleep and that their bond with him might be needed to wake him.
• Chen Shi suddenly sat up, revealing that another being was controlling his body, while Cynthia and Steven realized he was acting differently.
• The being told Arceus that Chen Shi had likely left a mark on history during his previous trip to a parallel world, allowing enemies there to target him with Soul Freeze.

After Chen Shi was struck by Soul Freeze in a parallel world, Mind Chen Shi outlined several ways to awaken him and the group made plans to try them. Cynthia prepared to enter Chen Shi’s deepest dream with his Pokémon, while Mind Chen Shi began repairing his damaged soul.

• Mew explained that the Dark Side had traveled into the past of a parallel world and used Kyurem’s Soul Freeze on Chen Shi, leaving him asleep until his lifespan ran out.
• Mind Chen Shi described calling Chen Shi’s name and finding Kyurem as possible ways to wake him, and Arceus sent Cogita to seek help from the parallel world’s Legendary Pokémon.
• Mind Chen Shi proposed using Cresselia and Darkrai’s combined dream powers to send Cynthia into Chen Shi’s mind, and Cynthia agreed despite the dangers.
• Arceus set out to bring Darkrai, Cresselia, and a Dreepy from the Distortion World, while Swampert, Florges, Togekiss, and the other Pokémon volunteered to accompany Cynthia.
• Steven took responsibility for repeatedly calling Chen Shi’s name, and Mind Chen Shi prepared to merge with Chen Shi to repair his damaged soul.

As Chen Shi remained incapacitated, Shadow Pokémon attacked the World Tree, and Ogerpon fought to protect it. After Rayquaza grievously wounded Ogerpon and shattered its Teal Mask, Ogerpon prepared to make one last stand with its Hearthflame Mask.

• Mew sensed that someone was attacking the World Tree, and Arceus and Necrozma recognized the timing as suspicious.
• Shadow Pokémon pressed toward the World Tree as the four guardians fought them across the Mystery Realm.
• Ogerpon Terastallized with its Teal Mask and used Ivy Cudgel to knock down eight Shadow Pokémon and overpower five others.
• Rayquaza struck Ogerpon, shattered its Teal Mask, and left it with a severe wound filled with dark Dragon-type energy.
• Ogerpon accepted that it could not defeat Rayquaza and took out its Hearthflame Mask for one final fight.

Chen Shi played hide-and-seek with his daughter Xiao Xi at the Chen Family Farm, where Florges helped her hide in a flower-filled secret base. After Chen Shi found her, he lifted her onto his neck and pretended to fly her around.

• Xiao Xi asked Florges to hide her from Chen Shi, and Florges made a secret base among the flowers for her.
• Xiao Xi told Florges to keep quiet but then called out to Chen Shi that she was ready to be found.
• Chen Shi followed Xiao Xi's voice to the garden and found her in Florges's secret base.
• Chen Shi lifted Xiao Xi from the flowers and comforted her when she complained that he always found her.
• Xiao Xi asked Chen Shi to fly her, and he carried her on his neck while pretending to take off.

Cynthia and Dragapult entered Chen Shi’s dream and discovered he was living an ordinary, happy life with Cynthia and their daughter, Xiao Xi. Cynthia hesitated to wake him, but eventually asked to speak with him, and the dream ended with Chen Shi inviting her to dinner.

• Cynthia watched Chen Shi play with Xiao Xi in the dream and realized he had chosen a simple family life over his powers and accomplishments.
• Dragapult urged Cynthia to wake Chen Shi so he could help defend the real world and the World Tree from the Dark Side.
• Cynthia decided she wanted to talk to Chen Shi before waking him.
• Dream Cynthia called Chen Shi and Xiao Xi inside for dinner, and the family prepared to enter the Villa.
• Teenage Cynthia arrived with a Shiny Dragapult and asked to join them for a meal, and Chen Shi welcomed her inside.

Cynthia confronted Dream Cynthia with the truth that her family life was Chen Shi’s dream and urged her to let him return to the real world. Dream Cynthia accepted the truth but defended their life together, while Chen Shi remained in the kitchen, leaving Cynthia to realize he had chosen his dream.

• Grandma Chen noticed Cynthia, but Chen Shi signaled her not to ask, and the family shared a meal together.
• After the others left, Cynthia asked Dream Cynthia about giving up her position as Sinnoh Champion, and Dream Cynthia said her husband and daughter mattered more than trophies.
• Cynthia told Dream Cynthia that her life was only a dream of Chen Shi’s and accused her of trapping him and obstructing his greatness.
• Dream Cynthia challenged Cynthia to explain why Chen Shi had not come out of the kitchen, then argued that he had chosen the happiness of their ordinary life.
• Dream Cynthia put Xiao Xi to bed and went to help Chen Shi wash dishes, while Cynthia silently accepted her defeat.