Chapter Summaries

Qingyu comforted Ogerpon after the Festival of Masks, invited her to travel with him, and she accepted. The next day, a video of the battle and Paldea’s announcement exposed Kitakami’s false history and revealed Qingyu’s plans to overhaul its tourism industry.

• Qingyu reassured Ogerpon that the villagers would no longer be prejudiced against her and invited her to travel with him.
• Ogerpon accepted Qingyu’s invitation, and he introduced himself as Qingyu.
• Qingyu saw Ogerpon’s high friendship rating and noted that she feared loneliness and was clingy.
• Kieran watched Qingyu and Ogerpon together and resolved to get stronger so he could find a partner of his own.
• Qingyu posted Lacey’s footage of the battle, showing Ogerpon defeating Pecharunt and the Loyal Three before a stunned online audience.
• Paldea announced that the Loyal Three had been villains, that Qingyu would oversee Kitakami’s tourism cleanup, and that Loyal Plaza would be rebuilt with statues of Ogerpon and Qingyu.

After the events in Kitakami, Qingyu oversaw the village’s reforms and took Caitlin and Cynthia to the Crystal Pool, where he confirmed its crystals and water contained Terastal material. Ogerpon reunited with the powerful Milotic guarding the pool, and Qingyu photographed the site’s energy for Geeta as a possible source for further research.

• Geeta put Qingyu in charge of Kitakami’s reforms, and the villagers renamed Loyal Plaza Verdant Plaza and planned to honor Ogerpon and Qingyu.
• Qingyu appointed Xue Zhong as Kitakami’s new mayor, while the villagers embraced Ogerpon merchandise and celebrated Qingyu as their hero.
• Caitlin learned what had happened the previous night and watched Ogerpon hide behind Qingyu, while Qingyu explained why Pecharunt had been dangerous to humans.
• Qingyu, Cynthia, and their Pokémon climbed Oni Mountain to visit the Crystal Pool, where Qingyu recognized its crystals as raw Terastal ore.
• A huge Terastallized Milotic emerged from the pool, but Ogerpon recognized it and greeted it as a close friend, allowing the group to approach the water.
• Qingyu found Tera Shards in the pool water, photographed the evidence, and planned to send it to Geeta for research.

Qingyu collected Terastal ore to have Yukito repair Ogerpon’s masks, then ignored Yukito’s warning and went to the Timeless Woods with Cynthia and Caitlin to find Bloodmoon. The moon turned blood-red and the fog thickened, signaling Bloodmoon’s arrival as Qingyu prepared Sylveon to face it.

• Milotic retrieved a large chunk of raw Terastal ore from the Crystal Pool for Qingyu to bring back for Ogerpon’s masks.
• Qingyu asked Yukito to replace the gems in Ogerpon’s masks, and Yukito agreed to finish the repairs by the next day.
• Yukito warned Qingyu to avoid the Timeless Woods, where the dangerous Bloodmoon lived, but Qingyu decided to investigate anyway.
• Qingyu, Cynthia, and Caitlin waited in the Timeless Woods for Bloodmoon, and Qingyu explained that it appeared under specific nighttime conditions.
• The mist thickened and the moon changed into a blood-red full moon, prompting Qingyu to summon Sylveon and prepare for Bloodmoon’s arrival.

Qingyu, Caitlin, and Cynthia encountered Bloodmoon Ursaluna in the Timeless Woods, where Sylveon sketched the legendary Pokémon. After Ursaluna used Blood Moon to knock out an intruding Ariados, the group left its drawing behind, and Ursaluna accepted it as a friendly gift.

• Caitlin's outburst cleared the fog in the Timeless Woods, and Bloodmoon Ursaluna appeared beside the lake.
• Qingyu encouraged Sylveon to sketch Ursaluna while Caitlin and Cynthia watched from a distance.
• An Ariados trespassed into Ursaluna's territory, and Ursaluna knocked it unconscious with Blood Moon, inspiring Sylveon to draw the attack.
• After Ursaluna finished drinking, the three humans left, leaving Sylveon's drawing behind.
• Ursaluna found the drawing, recognized itself using Blood Moon, and carried the gift back to its cave.

Qingyu helped Sylveon master Blood Moon after she learned Moonblast, then took his Pokémon to Kitakami’s hot springs with Cynthia and Caitlin. After the group enjoyed their final outing, their journey through Kitakami came to an end.

• Qingyu guided Sylveon to recall Bloodmoon’s technique, and she turned the moonlight scarlet with her aura before firing a powerful Blood Moon beam.
• Qingyu, Cynthia, and Caitlin went to a hot spring inn, where Cynthia took Sylveon and Ogerpon to the women’s bath while Qingyu took Riolu, Bagon, and Miraidon to the men’s bath.
• Bagon leapt into the spring and flipped headfirst underwater, so Qingyu pulled him out; Miraidon relaxed beside the pool, while Riolu walked across the water using Aura and meditated.
• Cynthia gently helped Ogerpon bathe as Sylveon floated happily, while Caitlin compared herself with Cynthia and became withdrawn.
• Qingyu and the others left the inn, bringing their journey through Kitakami to a close.

On New Year’s Day, Qingyu and Cynthia visited Celestic Town’s shrine, reflected on the past, and made wishes with their Pokémon. Meanwhile, Mew found the Sunshine Gym empty and traveled to Viridian Forest, where it sensed a presence with energy similar to its own.

• Qingyu and Cynthia walked to Celestic Town’s shrine and discussed the events of the past year and Qingyu’s ambitions for the Sunshine Gym.
• Qingyu recited the creation legend of Arceus, and he and Cynthia recalled their childhood before making wishes at the shrine.
• Qingyu summoned his Pokémon so they could share in the shrine’s New Year blessings.
• Mew arrived at the empty Sunshine Gym, feared Qingyu and Eevee had abandoned it, and decided to look for an old friend in Viridian Forest.
• Mew teleported to Viridian Forest and sensed a nearby presence whose energy closely resembled its own.

After returning to Paldea, Qingyu settled back into life at the Sunshine Gym, welcomed his Pokémon and prepared for the new semester. Mew arrived and transformed into a Mewtwo to urgently show Qingyu something, leaving him stunned.

• Qingyu returned to the Sunshine Gym alone and released Miraidon, Bagon, Riolu, Sylveon, and Ogerpon, who each settled into familiar routines or adjusted to their new home.
• Qingyu posted on Poké TV that the Sunshine Gym would serve as a designated Victory Road examination gym for the coming semester.
• Mew arrived at the gym, recognized that Eevee had evolved into Sylveon, and befriended Ogerpon.
• While Qingyu prepared sandwiches, Mew hurriedly transformed into a Mewtwo, shocking him.

Six days earlier, Giovanni ordered researchers to suppress Mewtwo’s developing self-awareness, while Mew secretly befriended the newborn Pokémon. After learning Mewtwo’s origins from Mew’s memories, Qingyu persuaded Mew to keep visiting and help protect it from Team Rocket’s influence; then Mufei, the headmaster of Orange Academy, arrived at the Sunshine Gym.

• Giovanni named the developing Pokémon Mewtwo and ordered researchers to increase its drugs and suppress its thinking.
• Mew secretly appeared in Mewtwo’s tank, communicated with it, and called it a friend before leaving as researchers approached.
• Mew used its psychic powers to show Qingyu its memories, and Qingyu explained that Mewtwo had been created from Mew’s genes by Team Rocket.
• Qingyu suggested that Mew visit Mewtwo and guide it before Giovanni could influence it, and Mew agreed to help.
• Mufei introduced himself to Qingyu as the headmaster of Orange Academy at the Sunshine Gym.

Director Mufei delivered the Sunshine Gym’s Badges and invited Qingyu to become an official Naranja Academy teacher, asking him to help students improve through Victory Road. Qingyu accepted, then learned that Geeta wanted him to raise the students’ standards so Paldea could find a strong Champion for a planned expedition into Area Zero.

• Mufei visited the Sunshine Gym on Geeta’s behalf and gave Qingyu the Gym’s Badges for the year.
• Mufei praised Qingyu for reviving students’ interest in battling and described the problems affecting Naranja Academy.
• Mufei offered Qingyu an honorary teaching position focused on assessing and advising students during Victory Road, and Qingyu accepted.
• Mufei relayed Geeta’s request that Qingyu set higher standards because the League planned to explore Area Zero and needed a powerful new Champion for the team.

Qingyu considered the danger of Paldea’s Area Zero and then started a new-season livestream to teach doubles strategies. He introduced a Slaking team built around Skill Swap, leaving viewers curious about its teammates and how the strategy would work.

• Qingyu reflected that Area Zero might open a year early and resolved to help bring its long exploration to a satisfying close.
• Qingyu saw that Pokémon Champions had started a new season and announced that he would stream ranked doubles while preparing a lesson on team building.
• Qingyu read that GF Studio was working with Devon Corporation to add Mega Evolution later that year.
• Qingyu began his livestream, selected Slaking for an experimental doubles team, and explained that Skill Swap could overcome its Truant Ability.
• Qingyu named Medicham and Raichu (Alola's Appearance) as especially suitable Skill Swap teammates for Slaking.

Qingyu built a doubles team around Slaking and matched with Sinnoh Elite Four member Lucian. Lucian, watched by Flint and Aaron, faced the matchup with confidence as he prepared to test his doubles strategy against Teacher Yu.

• Qingyu assembled a team built to support Slaking, including Medicham to give it Pure Power and teammates to establish Electric Terrain.
• Qingyu explained regional Pokémon forms to his viewers and matched with Lucian, a Psychic-type specialist from Sinnoh's Elite Four.
• Lucian spent his vacation with Flint and Aaron, then went upstairs to play Pokémon Champions and secretly preserve his battle tactics by choosing doubles.
• Aaron spotted Qingyu's livestream, and Flint and Aaron watched as Lucian was matched against Azure Feather.
• Lucian overcame his unease and resolved to use his doubles expertise to try to defeat Teacher Yu.

Qingyu used Medicham and Slaking to disrupt Lucian’s opening strategy, then swapped Slaking’s Truant for Pure Power and blocked Gallade’s attack with Protect. Lucian set up Trick Room and believed he had regained the initiative as Qingyu withdrew Medicham and ordered Slaking to attack Gallade.

• Lucian recognized that Medicham could use Skill Swap to give Slaking Pure Power and chose Sigilyph and Gallade to counter it.
• Qingyu led with Slaking and Medicham, while Lucian sent out Sigilyph and Gallade as predicted.
• Qingyu used Taunt on Sigilyph and Fake Out on Gallade, preventing Tailwind and stopping Gallade’s attack.
• Medicham swapped Abilities with Slaking, and Slaking used Protect to block Gallade’s Sacred Sword.
• Lucian sent out Bronzong, ordered it to use Trick Room, and had Gallade keep attacking Slaking.
• Qingyu recalled Medicham and ordered Slaking to use Shadow Claw on Gallade, while Lucian believed his Trick Room plan would restore his advantage.

Qingyu used Skill Swap and Trick Room against Lucian to turn Medicham’s Pure Power against him and keep Slaking in the battle. Lucian surrendered after Qingyu’s Rest and Electric Terrain combination restored Slaking and left Medicham unable to stop it.

• Qingyu had Slaking knock out Gallade with Shadow Claw while Bronzong set up Trick Room, then sent out Alolan Raichu.
• Lucian used Medicham’s Fake Out and Bronzong’s Body Press against Slaking, but Qingyu blocked both with Protect and used Skill Swap to take Medicham’s Pure Power.
• Qingyu’s Alolan Raichu gave Medicham Surge Surfer in exchange, leaving Lucian’s Medicham without its damage boost.
• Lucian attacked Slaking with Body Press and High Jump Kick, but Qingyu used Rest and had Raichu set Electric Terrain to wake Slaking and restore its HP.
• Lucian realized that Medicham could no longer stop Slaking and surrendered.

Qingyu defeated Lucian with a Huge Power Slaking strategy, then used the stream to explain ways Lucian could improve his team and encouraged viewers to experiment with their own strategies. Lucian, Flint, and Aaron reconsidered type specialization as they watched, while Qingyu climbed to Great Ball rank and inspired viewers to play through the night.

• Qingyu defeated Lucian with Huge Power Slaking and analyzed Lucian’s Tailwind and Trick Room strategies for his viewers.
• Qingyu suggested Talonflame, Whimsicott, and Jumpluff as possible Tailwind users and promised to demonstrate Whimsicott’s strength next stream.
• Lucian, Flint, and Aaron discussed using Pokémon beyond their preferred types, and Lucian resolved to train harder and refine his teams.
• Qingyu won several more ranked matches with Slaking, ended his stream at Great Ball tier, and prompted viewers to try climbing themselves.
• Viewers opened Pokémon Champions to test their strategies, and many played until the next morning.

After Qingyu’s viewers lost battles using his Slaking team, one realized opponents had learned its counters from Qingyu’s new video. The video also revealed that Qingyu’s Sunshine Gym would assess Victory Road challengers, leaving Naranja Academy’s incoming students to prepare for a difficult Badge challenge.

• A viewer noticed that opponents had countered his Slaking team with Taunt, Shadow Tag, and other tactics, then discovered Qingyu’s video had explained those counters.
• The viewer watched Qingyu describe how Gothitelle’s Shadow Tag could trap and exploit Pokémon that relied on Skill Swap to support Slaking.
• Qingyu announced that the Sunshine Gym in Cabo Poco would assess Victory Road challengers and make its assessment a little harder that year.
• A new student enrolling at Naranja Academy realized he would have to challenge Qingyu and resolved to prepare to earn his recognition.

Qingyu spent a quiet morning at the Sunshine Gym as Ogerpon began planting Herba Mystica seeds and Sylveon prepared to visit the Lumiose Museum. He sent Sylveon to Kalos with its paintings, where it arrived safely and hurried inside to find Master Smeargle.

• Qingyu woke to find Sylveon sleeping in its new cat bed while Bagon napped and Miraidon lounged around the Sunshine Gym.
• Ogerpon used the powers of its masks to prepare farmland and plant the Herba Mystica seeds Qingyu had saved.
• Sylveon remembered its promise to show its latest paintings to Master Smeargle at the Lumiose Museum and chose its paintings of Blood Moon and a Shiny Rayquaza.
• Qingyu used the Travel Raising Module to send Sylveon to Lumiose City in the Kalos Region.
• Sylveon arrived at the Lumiose Museum, dodged Miss Guide, and ran inside.

Brassius visited Lumiose Museum and secretly watched Sylveon show its paintings to Master Smeargle, whose frightening encounter with one painting convinced it that Sylveon had surpassed it. Smeargle took another break from the art world, while Sylveon returned to Qingyu determined to paint a dragon.

• Brassius and Sudowoodo admired the museum’s works and followed Sylveon upstairs, hoping to meet Master Smeargle and another great artist.
• The museum director welcomed Sylveon and let it enter the closed second floor to find Smeargle.
• Sylveon presented its paintings, and Smeargle was transported into the first painting, where a terrifying giant bear nearly attacked it before it awoke in the exhibition hall.
• Smeargle returned the paintings and concluded that Sylveon’s art was beyond its ability, while Sylveon mistakenly thought its bear painting had failed to impress.
• Smeargle announced another short break, and Brassius and Sudowoodo resolved to seek out Sylveon as their teacher.
• Sylveon returned to Qingyu and decided it would paint a dragon.

On Naranja Academy’s opening day, Qingyu watched the Victory Road announcement and worried about the Sunshine Gym’s poor reputation. He launched a livestream to show his Gym assessments to the public, and a challenger arrived just as he began.

• Qingyu watched Director Mufei open Victory Road and spotted Nemona, Penny, and familiar Sunshine Gym challengers among the students.
• Qingyu wondered how Paldea would handle Victory Road with one Elite Four position vacant and decided the Sunshine Gym would soon get busy.
• Qingyu checked the League’s Gym rankings and found the Sunshine Gym at the bottom despite his own popularity.
• Qingyu started a livestream to broadcast Gym challenges and let viewers judge his assessments.
• A nervous voice called from the Sunshine Gym’s front door, announcing the first challenger.

Kieran traveled from Kitakami to Paldea to challenge Qingyu, hoping a battle would help him become stronger and find his courage. Qingyu recognized that Kieran seemed troubled, adjusted the challenge to a two-on-two battle, and revealed that he would lead with Sableye.

• Kieran arrived at the Sunshine Gym after recalling how Qingyu had stood by Ogerpon, and he told Qingyu he wanted to understand his heart through battle.
• Qingyu noticed Kieran's changed hairstyle and worried that he might be approaching the darker mindset Kieran later showed, so he planned to help him through the battle.
• Qingyu gave Kieran a five-question Gym test about Dark/Ghost typing, Prankster, Choice items, Disable, and move exhaustion.
• Kieran used his Rotom Phone to check the answers and deduced that Qingyu's Pokémon was Sableye.
• Qingyu chose a two-on-two Gym battle and brought out Sableye, which he had borrowed from the League.

Qingyu used Sableye to trap Kieran’s Sentret in a strategy combining Trick and Disable, leaving it unable to use moves or switch out. As Sentret began to exhaust itself, Qingyu prepared to use Mean Look, while Kieran watched in fear.

• Qingyu began a two-on-two Gym battle against Kieran and sent out Sableye, while Kieran chose Sentret.
• Sentret’s Frisk revealed Sableye’s Choice Scarf, and Kieran ordered Charge Beam.
• Sableye dodged Charge Beam and used Trick to swap its Choice Scarf for Sentret’s Oran Berry, locking Sentret into Charge Beam.
• Qingyu had Sableye use Disable on Charge Beam, preventing Sentret from using the move it was forced to repeat.
• Sentret ignored Kieran’s order to stop and charged Sableye in frustration as its energy failed, while Qingyu prepared to use Mean Look.