Chapter Summaries

Qingyu planned a new instructional stream and, with Cynthia’s suggestion, chose her Togekiss to showcase a Serene Grace strategy. He began a Double Battle stream in Celestic Town, introducing Togekiss before revealing how the strategy worked.

• Qingyu realized he had not released a video recently and struggled to choose a Sinnoh Pokémon for his next strategy stream.
• Cynthia suggested her Togekiss, and Qingyu remembered a strategy built around its Serene Grace Ability.
• Qingyu started a stream titled around stopping opponents from playing the game, drawing viewers and familiar Trainers into the chat.
• Qingyu selected Togekiss as the stream’s star and began setting up a Double Battle, promising to explain the strategy.

Qingyu built a Serene Grace team around Togekiss and explained how flinching strategies relied on speed before matching with Lacey. At home in Driftveil City, Lacey had decided to practice Double Battles for Blueberry Academy and was stunned to find that her opponent was Teacher Yu.

• Qingyu assembled a Togekiss-centered team with Talonflame, Dudunsparce, Indeedee, Dedenne, and Ambipom, then queued for ranked Double Battles.
• Qingyu explained that Serene Grace increased the odds of secondary effects and that flinching strategies required acting before the opponent.
• Qingyu matched with a pink-haired Trainer whose ID was I don't think that's okay! and recognized her as Lacey.
• Lacey woke to find herself home alone because her father, Clay, was working through the vacation on Unova League projects.
• Lacey considered practicing Double Battles ahead of enrolling at Blueberry Academy and began a ranked match.
• Lacey recognized her opponent's Trainer ID, Azure Feather, as Teacher Yu.

Qingyu faced Lacey’s Plusle-and-Minun lead with Talonflame and Togekiss, using Tailwind to try a flinch-focused strategy. The plan faltered when Plusle avoided a flinch and unleashed a devastating Discharge, leaving Qingyu to bring out Dedenne for a more reliable strategy.

• Qingyu identified Lacey’s Whimsicott as her main support threat and chose Talonflame and Togekiss as his leads.
• Lacey sent out Plusle and Minun, while Qingyu sent out Talonflame and Togekiss.
• Minun used Helping Hand as Talonflame set Tailwind, allowing Togekiss to move first and make Plusle flinch with Air Slash.
• Qingyu explained that Talonflame’s Gale Wings made it an effective Tailwind setter and supported Togekiss’s speed-dependent flinch strategy.
• Plusle avoided flinching and used a boosted Discharge that knocked out Togekiss and nearly defeated Talonflame and Minun.
• Qingyu sent out Dedenne, intending to use a strategy that could make the opponent flinch reliably.

Qingyu used Dedenne and Ambipom to repeatedly Fling and retrieve items, guaranteeing that Lacey’s Plusle and Minun flinched and could not act. After the strategy wore them down, Lacey sent out Primarina and Granbull.

• Lacey thought Plusle’s Discharge had given her the advantage, but Qingyu sent out Dedenne as Talonflame and Plusle knocked each other out.
• Dedenne boosted its speed with Agility while Qingyu brought Ambipom onto the field.
• Dedenne and Ambipom used Fling with Razor Fang and King’s Rock, making Plusle and Minun flinch before they could attack.
• Qingyu explained that Dedenne and Ambipom could use Pickup to retrieve their items and repeat Fling, repeatedly flinching Lacey’s Pokémon.
• After Plusle and Minun were worn down, Lacey revealed Primarina and Granbull as her remaining Pokémon.

Qingyu defeated Lacey with a stalling strategy built around Pickup, Fling, and repeated flinches. Afterward, Lacey hoped to recruit him to teach Double Battles in Unova, and Nemona invited her to Kitakami, where Qingyu and Cynthia might also be vacationing.

• Qingyu's Dedenne and Ambipom repeatedly used Fling to flinch Lacey's Pokémon until Granbull finally collapsed and he won the battle.
• Lacey accepted her defeat and realized that Blueberry Academy needed a Double Battle teacher like Qingyu.
• Lacey received a call from Nemona, who invited her to visit Kitakami the next day.
• Nemona told Lacey that Qingyu and Cynthia might be vacationing in Kitakami, and Lacey agreed to go.
• Nemona reflected that she had predicted Lacey's interest in Qingyu and used that knowledge to guide her into accepting the invitation.

After Qingyu’s frustrating Double Battle livestream ended abruptly when Cynthia brought him fruit, he prepared to travel with her to Kitakami. He looked up the region and hoped to meet Ogerpon during the trip.

• Qingyu used a slow Pickup, Fling, and held-item strategy with Dedenne and Ambipom to win Double Battles, driving several opponents to disconnect.
• Cynthia entered Qingyu’s room with fruit, and Qingyu abruptly shut down his livestream after viewers recognized her voice.
• Qingyu shared fruit with Cynthia and agreed to leave for Kitakami the next day so they could return to Celestic Town before New Year.
• Qingyu researched Kitakami and hoped he would get the chance to meet Ogerpon.

Qingyu and Cynthia traveled to Kitakami, where Qingyu recognized that the region’s revered legend had unfairly vilified Ogerpon. After seeing Mossui Town’s inflated tourist prices, Qingyu resolved to expose the truth, and on the way to their hotel he spotted several familiar figures.

• Qingyu and Cynthia read Kitakami’s legend about the Loyal Three defeating an evil ogre, and Qingyu explained that the story distorted what had really happened to Ogerpon.
• Qingyu decided to clear Ogerpon’s name and reveal the truth during his visit to Kitakami.
• Qingyu and Cynthia arrived in Mossui Town and found vendors selling mochi and Loyal Three merchandise at high prices.
• Qingyu worried that the locals’ treatment of tourists would damage Kitakami’s reputation and considered raising the issue with Chairwoman Geeta.
• Qingyu spotted several familiar figures while walking with Cynthia toward their resort hotel.

Qingyu met Nemona, Lacey, and Arven in Kitakami, where Nemona eagerly challenged him to a battle. After agreeing to fight later, Qingyu took the group to lunch and spotted a familiar blonde girl through the restaurant window.

• Nemona introduced Qingyu and Cynthia to her friend Lacey, who revealed she was Qingyu's fan and had battled him the day before.
• Nemona began to reveal that Lacey's father was a Gym Leader from Driftveil City, but Lacey stopped her from sharing personal information.
• Arven arrived in Kitakami to learn how to make its well-regarded mochi and was pleased to encounter Qingyu and Nemona.
• Nemona challenged Qingyu, explaining that her Pawmo had evolved into Pawmot, and Qingyu agreed to battle after lunch.
• Qingyu took the group to Top Fresh in Verdant Town and noticed a familiar blonde girl through the window.

Caitlin unexpectedly reunited with Cynthia, Qingyu, and their companions in Kitakami, where she revealed that she planned to leave her Battle Frontier position and pursue an Elite Four place in Unova. The gathering ended with Cynthia and Qingyu wishing her success.

• Caitlin explored Verdant Town, sent Darach away with her shopping bags, and went to a restaurant she remembered from Paldea.
• Caitlin spotted Cynthia and Qingyu through the restaurant window, then joined them and their companions in a private room.
• Caitlin told the group she would hand her Frontier Brain position to Darach and challenge for a place in Unova's Elite Four.
• Caitlin explained that she wanted to grow as a Trainer and find more opportunities to face Cynthia, and Cynthia and Qingyu wished her success.

Qingyu accepted Nemona’s invitation to a three-on-three battle, but he had only Riolu and his newly evolved Sylveon ready to fight. Sylveon faced Pawmot in its first battle, and the chapter ended with Sylveon’s Swift barrage keeping Pawmot on the defensive.

• Qingyu agreed to Nemona’s request for a three-on-three Single Battle, with Lacey refereeing.
• Caitlin, Cynthia, and Arven learned that Qingyu’s Eevee had evolved into Sylveon two nights earlier.
• Nemona opened with Pawmot’s Nuzzle, but Sylveon evaded it by using Quick Attack to run out of reach.
• Nemona used Charge and then Quick Attack to interrupt Qingyu’s Encore and close in on Sylveon.
• Qingyu ordered Sylveon to use Swift, and its dense barrage forced Pawmot to focus on fending off the star-shaped energy.

Qingyu demonstrated Sylveon's Ribbon Bond ability against Nemona, whose Pawmot and Crocalor were both unable to withstand its attacks. Nemona took Qingyu's strength as motivation to improve and sent out Dudunsparce to continue their battle.

• Qingyu had Sylveon channel Swift through its ribbons, intensifying the Fairy-type attack with Pixilate.
• Nemona recalled Pawmot and sent out Crocalor, which tried to use Yawn before Qingyu blocked it with Protect.
• Qingyu had Sylveon create a Substitute and unleash Swift, knocking out Crocalor before it could use Hyper Voice.
• Qingyu praised Nemona's growth and said she could pass a Gym assessment, but Nemona said she wanted to become as strong as him.
• Nemona sent out Dudunsparce and challenged Qingyu to continue their battle.

Qingyu defeated Nemona’s Terastallized Dudunsparce by using Sylveon and a Substitute to turn her risky Drill Run strategy against her. Nemona eagerly challenged him to go all out again at her next Gym Challenge, leaving Qingyu worried that he had fueled her battle addiction.

• Nemona Terastallized Dudunsparce and ordered it to use Drill Run against Sylveon.
• Qingyu positioned Sylveon and its Substitute to bait Dudunsparce into attacking the decoy from behind.
• Dudunsparce pierced the Substitute, and Sylveon struck back with Swift while Dudunsparce was unable to defend itself.
• Lacey ruled Dudunsparce unable to battle, and Nemona accepted her defeat.
• Nemona enthusiastically asked Qingyu to go all out at her next Gym Challenge, and Qingyu worried that he had intensified her battle addiction.

Qingyu tested Sylveon's strength in a battle with Nemona, then met Carmine and Kieran, who offered to guide the group to Verdant Town. Kieran was visibly starstruck by Qingyu, and the chapter ended with Ogerpon's Warden fleeing after Qingyu spotted them watching from the bushes.

• Qingyu confirmed Sylveon could recover with Moonlight and praised Nemona after their battle.
• Lacey, Cynthia, and Caitlin admired Sylveon, and Lacey got to hold and pet her.
• Qingyu recognized Carmine and Kieran, who approached and offered to take the group to Verdant Town's Pokémon Center.
• Carmine introduced Kieran, who nervously greeted Qingyu and blushed when they became friends.
• Qingyu spotted Ogerpon's Warden hiding in the bushes, and the Warden cried out and ran away.

Qingyu and the others discussed Kitakami’s legend of the ogre, suspected the story concealed the truth about Ogerpon, and planned to learn more from Carmine’s grandfather. As they prepared to attend the Festival of Masks, Qingyu shared a theory connecting the ogre and Kitakami’s Crystal Pool to Area Zero.

• Carmine told Qingyu and the others the legend of the ogre and the Loyal Three, while Cynthia and Caitlin questioned inconsistencies in the story.
• Qingyu suggested the real history might be the opposite of the legend, and Nemona urged the group to search for the ogre; Carmine offered to introduce them to her grandfather the next day.
• At the Pokémon Center, Qingyu theorized that people from Heath’s Area Zero expedition had come to Kitakami and that the ogre might be connected to the Crystal Pool and Terastal ore.
• Carmine told the group to enjoy the Festival of Masks that evening, and Qingyu and Cynthia changed into kimonos before setting out together.

Qingyu and Cynthia spent the Festival of Masks with Caitlin before watching the fireworks together and affirming their growing bond. As they parted from the crowd, they spotted Ogerpon fleeing toward the mountain, leaving Qingyu to recognize the figure.

• Caitlin bought the festival masks and paid for the goldfish she caught with her psychic powers.
• Caitlin left Qingyu and Cynthia alone, and they watched the fireworks together in Loyal Plaza.
• Cynthia told Qingyu she wanted to hold on to him, and they clasped hands until the fireworks ended.
• Nemona spotted Qingyu and Cynthia, but Lacey and Arven stopped her from interrupting them.
• Nemona, Lacey, and Arven saw a masked, cloaked figure in the plaza, which fled toward the mountain after Lacey cried out.
• Qingyu recognized the fleeing figure as Ogerpon.

Qingyu defended Ogerpon from hostile Kitakami villagers and offered it kindness, earning its trust. As the crowd’s anger eased, Verdant Town’s caretaker stepped forward.

• Kitakami villagers and tourists shouted at Ogerpon and tried to drive it away from the Festival of Masks.
• Qingyu realized Ogerpon was watching the Loyal Three’s statues and decided to help it, while Cynthia prepared to support him.
• Qingyu donned the Cornerstone Mask, approached Ogerpon, and told it he was its friend.
• Ogerpon took Qingyu’s hand after he gently stroked its forehead, despite the villagers’ angry threats.
• Nemona, Lacey, and Arven praised Qingyu’s actions, and many tourists stopped joining the villagers’ hostility.
• The caretaker of Verdant Town stepped out of the crowd.

Qingyu defended Ogerpon from Verdant Town’s villagers, then recognized Pecharunt’s poison as it emerged and began controlling the villagers. As Ogerpon prepared to attack, Qingyu stopped it long enough to call Geeta and announce that whatever happened next would be self-defense.

• Qingyu confronted the mayor and condemned the villagers for treating Ogerpon as a threat, prompting tourists, Carmine, and Kieran to distance themselves from them.
• Kieran admired Qingyu’s courage and resolved to become stronger so he might befriend Ogerpon.
• Qingyu spotted purple smoke drifting toward Loyal Plaza and realized Pecharunt had revived and was releasing poison.
• Cynthia sent out Togekiss and Milotic to disperse the smoke and protect the people, revealing Pecharunt as the villagers began dancing under its influence.
• Ogerpon readied its Ivy Cudgel to attack Pecharunt, but Qingyu stopped it and called Geeta to warn her that he would be acting in self-defense.

Geeta authorized Qingyu to handle the situation in Kitakami, where Pecharunt had controlled the villagers and Pokémon and faced Ogerpon in battle. Ogerpon battered Pecharunt, but Pecharunt escaped to Loyal Plaza and revived the Loyal Three, setting up a larger fight.

• Geeta told Qingyu the Paldea League had his back, as long as he did not flatten Kitakami.
• Cynthia used Roserade and Togekiss to put Pecharunt’s controlled villagers and Pokémon to sleep, then left the battle to Qingyu.
• Qingyu had Sylveon and Riolu use Tail Whip on Ogerpon, triggering its Defiant Ability and greatly boosting its Attack.
• Ogerpon smashed Pecharunt’s chains and attacks, then broke its peach shell with several powerful Ivy Cudgel strikes.
• Pecharunt fled to Loyal Plaza, where the statues shattered and the revived Loyal Three appeared to protect it.

Qingyu helped Ogerpon reclaim the three stolen masks and awakened the Hearthflame Mask’s power through Terastallization. Ogerpon knocked out Okidogi while Cynthia’s Togekiss pursued Pecharunt, leaving Pecharunt desperate to escape.

• Kieran returned to Loyal Plaza with the three masks and gave them to Qingyu so Ogerpon could fight the Loyal Three.
• Qingyu chose the Hearthflame Mask for Ogerpon, then used his Tera Orb to unleash its full power through Terastallization.
• Ogerpon charged the Loyal Three and knocked Okidogi unconscious with a flaming Ivy Cudgel strike.
• Pecharunt fed Toxic Mochi to Munkidori and Fezandipiti, controlling them as they attacked Ogerpon while it tried to flee.
• Qingyu asked Cynthia for help, and she sent Togekiss after Pecharunt with Extreme Speed.

Qingyu ordered Ogerpon to kill Pecharunt, ending the century-long threat to Kitakami, then confronted the caretaker for blaming them and demanded answers as a Paldea Gym Leader. Cynthia joined the questioning as Sinnoh Champion, and the caretaker fainted.

• Ogerpon defeated the remaining Loyal Three, while Pecharunt begged Qingyu for mercy and secretly plotted to make him its puppet.
• Qingyu decided Pecharunt was too dangerous to spare and told Ogerpon to kill it; Ogerpon struck it down, then collapsed in tears as its Terastallization ended.
• The Kitakami Villagers woke, and the caretaker blamed Ogerpon for the destruction of Loyal Plaza and demanded compensation.
• Nemona, Arven, and Lacey backed Qingyu and revealed that Lacey had recorded the events, while Qingyu identified himself as a Paldea Gym Leader investigating Kitakami.
• Cynthia declared that she would question the caretaker as Sinnoh Champion, and he fainted in fear.