Chapter Summaries

Qingyu began the Sunshine Gym’s first battle with Nemona, but Eevee froze when Pawmi charged. Eevee’s overwhelming fear seemed to intimidate Pawmi instead, leaving Qingyu stunned by the unexpected effect.

• Qingyu welcomed Nemona to the newly reopened Sunshine Gym and inspected her Pawmi, learning that it had the Iron Fist Ability.
• Qingyu and Nemona agreed to a one-on-one battle, with Nemona taking the first move and using Pawmi against Eevee.
• Nemona ordered Pawmi to attack with Quick Attack, but Eevee froze instead of dodging.
• A powerful heartbeat-like sound and a sense of pressure made Pawmi slow down and stop its charge.
• Qingyu realized Eevee’s timid stance had frightened Pawmi and likened the effect to the King Engine.

Qingyu’s timid Eevee defeated Nemona’s Pawmi by dodging its attacks and exploiting Confuse Ray and Encore. After the Sunshine Gym’s victory was announced, Eevee realized it had won without getting hurt and began to feel proud of its strength.

• Qingyu stopped giving Eevee commands, while Nemona urged Pawmi to attack again.
• Eevee baited Pawmi with an unsteady-looking stance, and Nemona ordered Thunder Shock instead of a close-range attack.
• Eevee dodged Thunder Shock through Anticipation and used Confuse Ray to confuse Pawmi.
• Qingyu ordered Encore, and the King Engine intensified Pawmi’s confusion until it exhausted itself with erratic electrical attacks.
• The Sunshine Gym was declared the winner, and Eevee proudly realized it had won without being hurt.

Qingyu defeated Nemona in a battle, revived Pawmi, and gave her advice on training it. He invited her to become an apprentice at the Sunshine Gym, and Nemona eagerly accepted, hoping to grow strong enough to become a Champion.

• Qingyu defeated Nemona with Eevee, and Nemona excitedly asked to battle again until Qingyu reminded her to care for Pawmi.
• Qingyu revived Pawmi and stopped Nemona from paying him, then explained that her battle commands had been sound but Pawmi needed more focused training.
• Qingyu advised Nemona to develop Pawmi’s physical attack and speed, noting that its Iron Fist Ability made those strengths important.
• Nemona asked to challenge the Sunshine Gym often, so Qingyu offered her a position as a gym apprentice.
• Qingyu encouraged Nemona by saying she had Champion potential, and she accepted his offer, eager to learn from him.

After Nemona became an apprentice, Qingyu studied Elesa’s gym-management advice and devised a plan to make the Sunshine Gym a place where Trainers could learn through challenging tests. The system gave him a mission to pass the Paldea League’s gym qualification assessment, and Iono messaged him.

• Nemona left after agreeing to become an apprentice at the Sunshine Gym, and Qingyu considered how future apprentices and challengers could help the gym grow.
• Qingyu received and read Elesa's Guide to Gym Management, concluding that the Sunshine Gym should emphasize its unique appeal rather than focus only on his strength.
• Qingyu decided to connect his instructional videos to gym challenges by using their Q&A material in placement tests for rookie Trainers.
• The system announced a new mission for Qingyu to pass the Paldea League's gym qualification assessment, with a reward determined by his results.
• Qingyu considered testing his teaching approach on Nemona, then received a message from Iono introducing herself.

After Iono befriended Qingyu, she coached him on improving the Sunshine Gym’s management and attracting local challengers. Qingyu decided to focus his next stream on Paldean Pokémon, though Cynthia still had not replied to his message.

• Iono messaged Qingyu and offered to coach him on running a Gym, and Qingyu accepted her advice.
• Iono explained that Qingyu’s popular streams drew viewers from other regions because his showcases lacked local flavor, leaving the Sunshine Gym with few new challengers.
• Iono advised Qingyu to feature one or two common Paldean Pokémon rather than teach complex team tactics, and Qingyu agreed.
• Qingyu considered Paldean Pokémon he knew and settled on content for that night’s stream, while Cynthia’s message remained unanswered.

Qingyu tried to teach Eevee Snarl by combining the move with Eevee’s King Engine, but Eevee could only manage a weak squeak. After Eevee fell asleep, Qingyu began a livestream focused on a strategy for removing battlefield hazards.

• Qingyu watched a film with Eevee and observed that frightening scenes activated Eevee’s King Engine.
• Qingyu chose Snarl as Eevee’s next move and played a Mabosstiff training video for it.
• Eevee struggled to imitate Snarl, so Qingyu stopped the lesson and reassured it.
• Eevee fell asleep on the sofa after dinner while Qingyu prepared for his livestream.
• Qingyu teased viewers who were struggling against hazard-stacking teams and introduced a Paldean hazard-removal strategy.

Qingyu showcased a team of common Paldea Pokémon and explained how Maushold could be a powerful battler. In his first match, he faced an opponent using the entry-hazard strategy he had taught viewers and began countering it with Encore and Tidy Up.

• Qingyu added Maushold, Meowscarada, Jumpluff, Talonflame, Corviknight, and Clodsire to his team for a Paldea-themed stream.
• Qingyu reminded viewers that he was the officially certified Gym Leader of the Sunshine Gym in Cabo Poco.
• Qingyu matched with a higher-rated Great Ball opponent whose team used the entry-hazard strategy he had taught.
• The opponent's Skarmory set Stealth Rock, and Qingyu had Maushold use Encore to lock it into repeating the move.
• Qingyu ordered Maushold to use Tidy Up to counter the entry hazards.

Qingyu used Maushold’s Tidy Up to clear hazards and boost its stats, then outpredicted his opponent and disrupted the opponent’s battle plan. Maushold nearly defeated Metagross with Population Bomb as the battle continued.

• Qingyu had Maushold use Tidy Up to sweep away Stealth Rock and boost its Attack and Speed, then ordered it to use the move again when Skarmory laid more hazards.
• Qingyu’s opponent recalled Skarmory and sent out Bronzong, but Maushold’s Taunt stopped Bronzong from using Trick Room.
• Qingyu predicted the opponent’s Explosion command and had Maushold use Protect, leaving Bronzong knocked out while Maushold remained unharmed.
• Qingyu sent Maushold after the opponent’s Metagross with Population Bomb, draining most of its HP in a rapid series of attacks.

Qingyu used Maushold to sweep through opponents on stream and nearly reached Great Ball rank, but a missed Population Bomb cost him his promotion match. After joking that Garchomp was less distinguished than Maushold, he discovered that Cynthia herself had watched the stream and heard him.

• Qingyu's Maushold overwhelmed an opponent's Metagross and won the match 4-0, while Qingyu explained how Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin could counter Population Bomb.
• Qingyu swept several Hazard Stack teams with Maushold and reached the Great Ball rank promotion match, but Population Bomb missed and he lost.
• When viewers asked how to counter Maushold, Qingyu recommended Garchomp and joked that it lacked Maushold's Mouse Dance.
• Cynthia, identified as the new Sinnoh League Champion, sent Qingyu a paid message teasing him about making Garchomp angry.

After becoming Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia finished selecting three new Elite Four members and finally had time to reconnect with her childhood friend Qingyu. She discovered that Qingyu had become a streamer and entered his livestream, where her teasing message left him sweating nervously.

• Cynthia defeated Lucian in an Elite Four assessment, then told him he had passed alongside Flint and Aaron.
• Bertha reassured Lucian that he was qualified and recalled that the previous Elite Four had managed to defeat only two of Cynthia's Pokémon during her Victory Road challenge.
• Back at her villa, Cynthia found Qingyu's message saying he had recovered and wanted to keep the Sunshine Gym running in Paldea.
• Cynthia replied to Qingyu and watched his videos under the streamer name Azure Feather, recognizing his familiar voice.
• Cynthia entered Qingyu's livestream and sent a gold paid message joking that Garchomp would be angry about his insult.

Qingyu ended his stream after Cynthia unexpectedly appeared, then spent an hour chatting with her and learned she planned to visit the Sunshine Gym the next day. Cynthia revealed she intended to bring him a Pokémon, while Garchomp protested after she decided to take him along.

• Cynthia recognized Qingyu during his stream and sent him a paid message, prompting him to end the broadcast.
• Qingyu messaged Cynthia, and they chatted for an hour before realizing it was nearly four in the morning in Sinnoh.
• Cynthia told Qingyu she would visit the Sunshine Gym the next day to deliver him a Pokémon.
• Cynthia privately admitted her grandmother had not asked her to deliver the Pokémon, though a suitable Pokémon was available at the laboratory.
• Cynthia woke Garchomp and announced that they would travel to Paldea the next day, leaving him bewildered and unwilling.

Nemona trained Pawmi and challenged Qingyu to another battle while he waited for Cynthia to arrive from Sinnoh. Cynthia reached the Sunshine Gym and greeted Qingyu, leaving Nemona stunned that he knew the New Sinnoh Champion.

• Nemona trained Pawmi's punching and stamina under Qingyu's guidance.
• Cynthia flew toward Paldea on Garchomp after Qingyu sent her the gym's location.
• Nemona challenged Qingyu, and Eevee easily wore Pawmi out in battle.
• Cynthia arrived at the Sunshine Gym, greeted Qingyu, and shocked Nemona, who realized they knew each other.

Qingyu reunited with Cynthia and discussed his past, Nemona’s ambitions, and the value of a Trainer’s bonds with Pokémon. Cynthia brought out a Riolu and offered Qingyu the chance to earn its recognition.

• Qingyu felt isolated as Eevee cuddled with Cynthia and Pawmi hid behind Nemona, while Garchomp glared at him over an old bathing mishap.
• Nemona learned that Qingyu and Cynthia had known each other as children, and Cynthia teased Qingyu about becoming a Champion.
• Qingyu encouraged Nemona to pursue Victory Road, and she eagerly agreed to work hard.
• Cynthia told Qingyu that a strong Trainer needed a team of trusted Pokémon, not just one partner.
• Cynthia released a Riolu from a Luxury Ball and offered Qingyu the chance to gain its recognition.

Qingyu faced Cynthia’s cautious Riolu in a battle to earn Riolu’s approval, with Cynthia withholding commands. Eevee and Riolu exchanged evasive moves and a counterattack without either landing a hit, leaving Qingyu intrigued by the closely matched battle.

• Riolu appeared on the battlefield and judged Qingyu’s Aura while remaining wary of the unfamiliar people around him.
• Qingyu saw that Riolu had the Hidden Ability Prankster and several strong moves, and decided he wanted to catch him.
• Cynthia told Qingyu that Riolu would only follow a Trainer who earned his approval and said she would not give Riolu commands.
• Riolu adopted a defensive stance, so Qingyu ordered Eevee to use Covet and make the first move.
• Riolu dodged with Detect and launched Counter, but Eevee lowered its body and slid past the punch without either Pokémon landing a hit.

Qingyu and Eevee faced Riolu in a tense battle, while Riolu misread their nervousness as deliberate restraint and guidance. After Eevee used Snarl, Riolu accepted Qingyu as its Trainer and joined his team.

• Riolu struggled to understand Eevee’s extraordinary reflexes and the pressure from its pounding heartbeat while Cynthia watched.
• Qingyu worried that Eevee’s attacks would not work, and Riolu mistook his concern for disappointment in its own strength.
• Riolu launched a renewed attack, and Qingyu told Eevee to use Snarl, which made Riolu stop and conclude that the battle had been a lesson.
• Cynthia said Riolu had accepted Qingyu, and Qingyu offered Riolu his hand.
• Riolu sensed Qingyu’s sincere welcome, took his hand, and resolved to train harder as his Pokémon.

Cynthia said goodbye to Qingyu after assuring him that she and everyone in Celestic Town would support him, while Nemona watched excitedly. During his stream, Qingyu introduced Talonflame and its Gale Wings ability, then matched against Larry for his Great Ball promotion match.

• Cynthia declined to stay in Paldea for long but told Qingyu to return to Celestic Town if he needed a place to rest.
• Qingyu asked whether Cynthia would support him if his Gym failed its evaluation, and she promised that she would.
• Cynthia left on Garchomp after saying that Celestic Town would always welcome Qingyu home.
• Qingyu told his viewers that he and Cynthia were childhood friends, then introduced Talonflame as an easy-to-use Pokémon with powerful Gale Wings.
• Qingyu began his Great Ball promotion match and discovered that his opponent was Larry, the Paldea Elite Four member and Medali Gym Leader.

Larry tried to explore a Flying-type battle style in Pokémon Champions after Geeta urged him to change his approach. He faced Qingyu in a ranked match, where Talonflame disrupted Larry’s opening plan with Taunt.

• Larry finished work, ate roasted rice balls at the Treasure Eatery, and returned to the Medali Gym feeling restless.
• Larry remembered Geeta’s request to change his style and decided to try using Flying-type Pokémon in Pokémon Champions.
• Qingyu encountered Larry’s verified Flying-type team in a promotion match and chose Talonflame as his lead.
• Larry sent out Staraptor, which used Thief to steal Talonflame’s Flying Gem after Talonflame boosted with Bulk Up.
• Larry ordered Staraptor to use Whirlwind, but Qingyu’s Talonflame used Taunt first and stopped it.

Qingyu used careful predictions and Maushold’s Population Bomb to remove Larry’s Oricorio, then revealed that his bulky Talonflame could withstand Staraptor’s attacks and recover with Gale Wings-boosted Roost. Larry recognized that he had fallen into Qingyu’s trap, leaving the match tilted in Qingyu’s favor.

• Larry wondered whether Qingyu had predicted Staraptor’s Taunt and recalled Staraptor after its status moves were sealed.
• Qingyu predicted Larry would send out Oricorio and switched to Maushold, whose ten-hit Population Bomb knocked Oricorio out.
• Qingyu brought Talonflame back onto the field, where it faced Staraptor and received another Intimidate.
• Larry used Staraptor’s Flying Gem-boosted Brave Bird, but Talonflame endured the hit with more than half its health remaining.
• Qingyu used Bulk Up and then Gale Wings-boosted Roost to reveal Talonflame’s bulky strategy, and Larry realized he had been drawn into a trap.

Qingyu defeated Paldea Elite Four member Larry in an online battle, reached Great Ball rank, and drew the League’s attention with his Talonflame strategy. After Larry recommended him to Geeta, Geeta and Rika prepared to watch the match recording.

• Qingyu’s Talonflame defeated Larry’s remaining Pokémon, giving Qingyu a 6-1 victory and promotion to Great Ball rank.
• Larry checked Azure Feather’s profile, discovered Qingyu was the eighteen-year-old Sunshine Gym Leader, and reviewed his League records.
• Larry called Geeta and recommended that she pay special attention to Qingyu, promising to send her the battle recording.
• Geeta told Rika that Larry had also recommended Qingyu, and Rika agreed to watch their match recording with her.

Geeta and Rika watched Azure Feather outmaneuver Larry and recognized him as a promising Paldean Trainer. After Qingyu’s stream earned enough growth points to unlock the Daily Shop, he bought a golden Efficiency-Boosting Pill.

• Geeta and Rika watched Azure Feather’s recording and saw him defeat Larry by predicting his tactics and using Talonflame to sweep five Pokémon.
• Rika recognized Azure Feather as the tutorial streamer from Poké TV, and Geeta decided Rika should assess him in a few days.
• Qingyu ended his stream, earned 817 growth points, and saw that his growing rewards came from adding more Paldea-related content.
• Qingyu unlocked the Daily Shop after surpassing 1,000 total growth points and revealed its four daily items.
• Qingyu bought the Efficiency-Boosting Pill for 900 growth points, wondering if it could help Pokémon training.