Chapter Summaries

After Cheng Tian’s Pokémon defeated Zapdos, Stacy asked to take the defeated Salamence, and the group returned to civilization. At the police station, Cheng Tian and Su Han learned that Stacy was the governor’s daughter and thanked them for saving her life.

• Su Han found Cheng Tian safe after Noivern and the other Pokémon had defeated Zapdos, though Zapdos had lost part of its right wing.
• Stacy asked to catch the unconscious Salamence, and Cheng Tian agreed to let her have it.
• Cheng Tian, Su Han, Stacy, and Dave left the canyon and went to a nearby police station, where they received a reward offer for helping capture Aerodactyl.
• The policewoman recognized Stacy as the governor’s daughter and thanked Cheng Tian and Su Han for saving her and Dave.

Cheng Tian and Su Han received a Normalium Z from Governor Hobbs as a reward for rescuing Stacy. Back in New York, Cheng Tian practiced Z-Move poses with Rotom until Su Han caught him on video and teased him.

• Governor Hobbs welcomed Cheng Tian and Su Han and heard how they had captured Aerodactyl and rescued Stacy.
• Stacy joined Cheng Tian in the hall, thanked him, and told him she had tried to capture Aerodactyl to ease her mother's burdens.
• Hobbs gave Su Han one Normalium Z and recommended that she look to Hawaii Island for more Z-Crystals.
• Cheng Tian examined the Z-Crystal in their New York room, then practiced a Z-Move with Rotom and shouted “Pulverizing Pancake.”
• Su Han filmed Cheng Tian, teased him about showing the video to their future child, and refused to delete it after he acted cute for her.

Cheng Tian and Su Han entered the Hawaii Islands, where powerful wild Pokémon guarded rare Z-Crystals, and began exploring with Gengar’s scouting clones. Gengar sensed that one clone had been attacked and pointed Cheng Tian toward the danger.

• Cheng Tian and Su Han flew toward the Hawaii Islands on Noivern after obtaining access through a military inspection.
• They landed in a northwestern forest to avoid the other trainers and used a Normal-type Z-Crystal to search for nearby crystals.
• Cheng Tian sent Gengar’s clones in different directions to scout the forest while he and Su Han rested.
• Gengar’s clones observed a powerful Slaking and a sun-absorbing Exeggutor, while another clone was destroyed by an unseen attacker.
• Gengar sensed the clone’s destruction and pointed Cheng Tian toward the attacker.

Cheng Tian and Su Han encountered a wild level 61 Golisopod in the Hawaiian Islands, and their Pokémon fought it after Cheng Tian’s Z-Crystal began to glow. The battle left Golisopod paralyzed, but its strength and skill astonished Cheng Tian.

• Greninja detected hidden tracks in the forest, but Golisopod ambushed it and wounded its shoulder.
• Cheng Tian’s Z-Crystal glowed, so he sent out Tinkaton, Sylveon, Aggron, and Florges to join Greninja in attacking Golisopod.
• Golisopod used its speed, Swords Dance, and powerful claws to overwhelm Greninja’s copies, catch Tinkaton’s Gigaton Hammer, and knock Tinkaton into Florges.
• Aggron tricked Golisopod with a thrown log and struck it with Thunder Punch, sending it into a tree and paralyzing it.
• Cheng Tian wondered where the island’s Pokémon came from and marveled at Golisopod’s strength, battle experience, and stealth.

Cheng Tian and Su Han battled Golisopod in the forest, using Aggron to wear it down while Greninja powered up for a decisive strike. When Golisopod’s Emergency Exit triggered, it fled, leaving Cheng Tian, Su Han, Gengar, and Noivern in pursuit.

• Cheng Tian sent Aggron and Greninja to attack Golisopod, with Greninja retreating to build up Swords Dance while Aggron fought on the front line.
• Aggron endured Golisopod’s attacks and landed Smart Strike, piercing its armor.
• Greninja struck Golisopod with a powerful Aerial Ace, shattering part of its armor and leaving it severely injured.
• Golisopod used Sand Attack to cover its escape, activating its Emergency Exit as it fled rather than being recalled to a ball.
• Cheng Tian recalled Aggron and Greninja, sent Gengar after Golisopod, and rode Noivern with Su Han to pursue it through the forest.

Cheng Tian and Su Han chased down and defeated Golisopod, finding a Buginium Z in its shattered shell and treating it afterward. After resting at the forest’s edge, they headed southwest toward Gravel Mountain in search of a Rockium Z.

• Cheng Tian sent Noivern after Golisopod, and Noivern used Steel Wing to smash through trees and catch up.
• Gengar slowed Golisopod with Mean Look, then Noivern struck it with Boomburst and knocked it unconscious.
• Cheng Tian pulled a Buginium Z from Golisopod’s shattered shell, and Su Han examined the crystal.
• Cheng Tian had Gengar put Golisopod to sleep and treat its injuries before they flew to a clearing to rest.
• Su Han suggested searching nearby Gravel Mountain for a Rockium Z, and Cheng Tian agreed.
• After lunch and a nap, Cheng Tian and Su Han flew southwest toward Gravel Mountain.

Cheng Tian and Su Han searched Gravel Mountain for a Rockium Z, then camped overnight as two wild Steelix erupted from the mountainside and fought nearby. They fled toward one of the Steelix’s tunnels, where a strange cry suddenly sounded.

• Cheng Tian and Su Han found no Z-Crystal before nightfall and made camp behind a Stone Edge wall created by Aggron.
• An Onix emerged from the gravel, and Su Han spotted another Trainer camping on the summit.
• Two level-45 Steelix smashed through the camp wall while fighting, forcing Cheng Tian and Su Han to flee on Noivern.
• Su Han suggested sheltering in one of the tunnels the Steelix had carved, but a strange cry rang out as they flew toward it.

Cheng Tian discovered that a powerful female Mawile had stopped two Steelix from fighting and challenged her for the silvery-white Z-Crystal she carried. He ambushed Mawile with Aggron, but the chapter ended before the outcome of their battle was clear.

• A mysterious cry briefly stopped the two Steelix, but they resumed fighting until a Mawile leaped down and defeated one with Fire Fang while the other fled underground.
• Cheng Tian approached the defeated Steelix and found Mawile scolding it; Mawile was a level 64 female who carried a Z-Crystal.
• Mawile showed Cheng Tian the Z-Crystal and agreed to give it to him if he defeated her.
• Cheng Tian challenged Mawile, and Aggron dropped from above with Sky Drop and Heavy Slam.
• Dust rose from Aggron's impact, then Mawile cried out in displeasure.

Cheng Tian’s battle with Mawile was interrupted by a man who attacked both Pokémon and tried to seize Mawile. Cheng Tian turned his team against the intruder, and the two sides began fighting.

• Mawile dodged Aggron’s attack and used Power-Up Punch to exploit Aggron’s Fighting-type weakness, but Aggron forced it back with Flamethrower.
• Aggron battered Mawile’s Protect shield, and Mawile grabbed its tail and bit down.
• A man and his Turtonator struck Aggron and Mawile with Fire Blast, then the man attacked Cheng Tian’s Noivern.
• Cheng Tian released his Pokémon and targeted the intruder, while the man sent out Vileplume, Drapion, Staraptor, Nidoking, and Haxorus.
• Gengar blasted the man from behind with Shadow Ball, and Cheng Tian ordered his team to attack as Mawile turned to Steelix.

Cheng Tian and Su Han defeated the white man and his Pokémon after he ambushed Mawile, then took a Fire-type Z-Crystal from him. Cheng Tian pocketed the crystal, though he wondered whether the man had brought it to the island or found it there.

• Steelix charged the opposing team with Gyro Ball but was punched away by Haxorus.
• Greninja used his bond-phenomenon form to hurl a gigantic Water Shuriken at Haxorus, who barely dodged it as it struck the mountainside.
• Cheng Tian and Su Han subdued the white man, while their Pokémon defeated Haxorus, Turtonator, and the rest of his team.
• Su Han stopped Cheng Tian from hitting the unconscious man, then kicked him until Cheng Tian pulled her away.
• Greninja and Gengar looted the white man and found a Fire-type Z-Crystal, which Su Han took before Cheng Tian pocketed it.

Mawile gave Cheng Tian a Steel-type Z-Crystal without requiring a battle, then dragged the unconscious man away with Steelix. After a night of rest, Cheng Tian and Su Han met the other island explorers and began trading Z-Crystals, while Su Han stopped Cheng Tian from offering two crystals for a Fairy-type Z.

• Mawile tossed Cheng Tian a Steel-type Z-Crystal, then took the unconscious man away with Steelix.
• Cheng Tian and Su Han slept in a mountainside cave until morning.
• Cheng Tian and Su Han arrived at the beach, where five explorers had gathered after returning from the island.
• Su Han explained that the explorers were arranging trades for Z-Crystals they needed.
• Cheng Tian and Su Han offered a Fire Z, Grassium Z, Darkinium Z, and Ghostium Z, and arranged trades for the Darkinium Z and Ghostium Z.
• A man offered a Fairy-type Z in exchange for two Z-Crystals, but Su Han stopped Cheng Tian from accepting the deal.

Wen Xu lost another Pokémon battle to Cheng Tian’s father, then lazed around at home while Gengar handled her meals and chores. A video call invitation from Granny Du appeared on the TV just as Wen Xu was playing a game.

• Wen Xu’s Drapion lost to Cheng Tian’s father’s Gallade after Gallade survived Night Slash with its Focus Band and defeated Drapion with Close Combat.
• Wen Xu chatted with Cheng Tian’s father, learned Cheng Tian had returned from traveling, and said she would attend the Elite Four Training Camp and aim for better tournament results.
• Gengar helped Wen Xu get out of bed for breakfast and made her eat the egg yolks she disliked.
• Gengar’s doubles took care of the household chores while Wen Xu played on the PS5.
• Granny Du invited Wen Xu to join a video conference.

Wen Xu learned that Elite Four training camp was starting that afternoon and reluctantly left her vacation to report to the Phoenix Nest. She reunited with fellow Elite Four members and waited with them for the last arrival, Cheng Tian.

• Granny Du called Wen Xu and reminded her to pack for training camp, prompting Wen Xu to realize it was already May.
• Wen Xu and Gengar packed for the camp, and Wen Xu headed to the Phoenix Nest, where electronic devices were forbidden.
• Wen Xu met Han Yu and Yu Xiao outside the Phoenix Nest as more Elite Four members gathered.
• Long Weixi arrived with Granny Du, and Wen Xu greeted Granny Du before enthusiastically embracing Long Weixi.
• Granny Du said they were waiting for one more youngster, and Cheng Tian arrived after getting lost.

Cheng Tian joined the Phoenix Nest Training Camp, where he watched Long Lan’s Haxorus defeat Yang Yonggang’s Mega Aggron and asked about using the Z-Crystals he had acquired. The group prepared to eat before beginning training, while Long Lan explained that Z-Move use depended on compatibility.

• Han Yu mistook Cheng Tian for an Elite Four member, and Granny Du clarified that he had come to join the regular training camp.
• Cheng Tian and the others entered the Phoenix Nest, where they watched Long Lan’s Haxorus defeat Yang Yonggang’s Mega Aggron with a powerful Counter.
• Long Lan welcomed the trainees and explained that ranked battles required a World League referee to count.
• Cheng Tian said he hoped to learn battle techniques and asked what to do when he got hungry, prompting Long Lan to tell him to eat his fill.
• Cheng Tian asked Long Lan how to use the Z-Crystals he had obtained while traveling, and Long Lan explained that Z-Moves required compatibility.
• Granny Du called everyone to get ready to eat before discussing training.

At dinner, Cheng Tian asked Long Weixi about compatibility with Z-Moves and learned that she could only use Normalium Z. Long Weixi suggested asking Gengar, who had mastered a way to unleash Z-Moves, but Gengar Teacher remained asleep when Cheng Tian begged him to teach.

• Cheng Tian teased Yu Xiao about losing an exhibition match to Wen Xu, embarrassing Yu Xiao at dinner.
• Liang Pingfeng switched seats with Cheng Tian to escape Long Weixi’s ominous attempts to make him move.
• Cheng Tian asked Long Weixi how Z-Move compatibility worked, and she explained that she could use only Normalium Z and had given up on Dragonium Z.
• Long Weixi and Yang Yonggang said Gengar could answer Cheng Tian’s questions because he had mastered a way to unleash Z-Moves.
• Cheng Tian excitedly asked Gengar Teacher to teach him, but Gengar stayed half asleep.

Cheng Tian trained with Gengar Teacher to learn a Z-Move, but his attempts to activate Never-Ending Nightmare failed. He left without mastering it, while Gengar decided to study the Ghostium Z himself.

• Cheng Tian and Gengar greeted Gengar Teacher and began a nighttime lesson with the Ghostium Z.
• Gengar Teacher demonstrated a Z-Move without a dance or recited lines, leaving Cheng Tian surprised by how simple it seemed.
• Cheng Tian tried several poses, lines, and dances, but could not activate a Z-Move and suspected his Z-Crystal was fake.
• Gengar Teacher considered making Gengar swallow the Z-Crystal, but Cheng Tian stopped the plan after hearing about Gengar Teacher's past ordeal.
• Gengar proposed keeping the Z-Crystal to study its power, and Cheng Tian ended the lesson and left.
• Gengar Teacher received a message from Wen and went to prepare a late-night snack for the hungry Buddha.

Cheng Tian began training at the Phoenix Nest and accepted Han Yu’s challenge, opening their battle with Aggron’s Mega Evolution and Heavy Slam. Han Yu’s Kangaskhan countered with her baby’s Power-Up Punches, then Mega Evolved as Yang Yonggang judged Cheng Tian’s chance of winning to be slim.

• Greninja and Florges helped Cheng Tian get ready, and Gengar served him breakfast before he headed to the training grounds.
• Cheng Tian met Han Yu, who challenged him to a battle, while Yang Yonggang and Coach Wen came to watch.
• Cheng Tian and Han Yu sent out Aggron and Kangaskhan, and Cheng Tian immediately Mega Evolved Aggron and ordered Heavy Slam.
• Kangaskhan held Aggron back while her baby struck with Power-Up Punch, then the mother dodged Iron Tail and hit Aggron with Mega Punch.
• Han Yu Mega Evolved Kangaskhan and her baby, and Cheng Tian realized his chance to win had become very small.

Cheng Tian lost his battle against Han Yu after his attempt to activate a Steel-type Z-Move failed, then learned from Wen Xu that Gengar could eat his shadow to help him master her shadow-traveling technique. He agreed to give up his shadow, while Gengar hesitated.

• Mega Kangaskhan and its baby overwhelmed Cheng Tian's Mega Aggron with repeated Power-Up Punches and defeated it with Focus Punches.
• Cheng Tian tried to use a Steel-type Z-Move by reciting a dramatic line, but the attempt failed and his Pokémon lost the battle.
• Han Yu teased Cheng Tian about needing more practice, while Yang Yonggang joked about Cheng Tian's Mixed Team.
• Wen Xu demonstrated how she could enter and emerge from her own shadow, stunning Cheng Tian.
• Wen Xu told Cheng Tian to let Gengar eat his shadow to strengthen their connection, and Cheng Tian agreed while Gengar stared at the shadow uncertainly.

Cheng Tian gained a way to hide inside a shadow after Gengar became his new shadow, though the shadow world left him gasping for air. He and Gengar then unleashed the Ghost-type Z-Move Never-Ending Nightmare before the watching trainers.

• Gengar Teacher hypnotized Cheng Tian and extracted his shadow, and Gengar chose to swallow it and become Cheng Tian’s new shadow.
• Cheng Tian woke to find his shadow separated from him, then stepped into it and nearly suffocated in the airless Other-Dimensional Shadow World.
• Cheng Tian returned from the shadow and realized Gengar could hide inside it and carry him away in an emergency.
• Cheng Tian and Gengar activated the Ghost-type Z-Crystal and began performing a Z-Move as Yang Yonggang and other trainers watched.
• Cheng Tian and Gengar unleashed Never-Ending Nightmare, filling the area with writhing shadows that sought to drag nearby living things into darkness.

Cheng Tian recovered from his first exhausting Z-Move and began looking for a way to improve at Training Camp. Cao Min offered to help him build his Mega Evolution endurance, while Long Lan discussed the country’s future competitive lineup.

• Long Weixi, Han Yu, and Cao Min praised Cheng Tian’s compatibility with Ghostium Z after he used a powerful Z-Move, and Yang Yonggang warned him not to overuse it.
• Han Yu sent Greninja to take the exhausted Cheng Tian and Gengar to get food, while Wen Xu reflected on Gengar’s willingness to take Cheng Tian’s fatal injuries.
• Han Yu explained that Training Camp included powerful Mixed Team competitors who were not Elite Four members, and Cheng Tian watched them spar.
• Cao Min advised Cheng Tian to work on his Mega Evolution endurance and offered to train him against his Dhelmise.
• Long Lan told his deputy that Mixed Teams were becoming the prevailing trend and that the country needed to adapt its thinking.