Chapter Summaries

Qingyu introduced a Gravity Hypnosis team built around Sableye and Espathra, then accepted Galar Champion Leon’s challenge to a practice match. Leon had approached him to assess Qingyu’s strength for Chairman Rose, and the chapter ended as their double battle began with Leon’s sun and Trick Room team.

• Qingyu presented Espathra and Sableye as the core of his Gravity Hypnosis strategy, with Talonflame, Gengar, Glaceon, and Tsareena filling the remaining team slots.
• Chairman Rose explained Galar’s declining viewership to Leon and asked him to assess Qingyu’s strength before Raihan potentially challenged Paldea’s Gyms.
• Leon entered Qingyu’s livestream and challenged him to a practice match so he could judge his skills firsthand.
• Qingyu accepted Leon’s challenge, and they chose double-battle rules.
• Leon revealed a team of Charizard, Rillaboom, Rhyperior, Torkoal, Mr. Rime, and Aegislash, while Qingyu selected Sableye and Espathra as his leads.

Qingyu used Sableye and Espathra to set up a Gravity-Hypnosis strategy against Leon, then countered Leon’s Trick Room with Encore and Baton Pass. The chapter ended as Qingyu mega evolved Gengar, whose Shadow Tag threatened to prevent Leon from switching Pokémon.

• Leon analyzed Qingyu’s Hypnosis tactics and chose Rillaboom and Mr. Rime as his leads, while Qingyu sent out Sableye and Espathra.
• Qingyu used Sableye’s Fake Out to interrupt Mr. Rime and Espathra’s Protect to safely build its Speed, while Rillaboom’s Fake Out struck the barrier.
• Qingyu set up Gravity and used Espathra’s Hypnosis to put Rillaboom to sleep as Mr. Rime established Trick Room.
• Leon recalled the sleeping Rillaboom, sent out Torkoal to activate sunlight, and ordered Mr. Rime to use Hypnosis on Espathra.
• Qingyu used Encore to force Mr. Rime to repeat Trick Room, then Baton Passed Espathra’s Speed boosts to Gengar.
• Qingyu mega evolved Gengar, activating its Shadow Tag ability and threatening to trap Leon’s Pokémon.

Qingyu defeated Leon 4-0 by using Sableye’s Rain Dance to weaken Torkoal and Charizard before Mega Gengar swept the rest of Leon’s team. Leon praised Qingyu’s tactical skill, and Raihan arrived with orders to travel to Paldea, eager to battle him.

• Leon tried to counter Mega Gengar with Torkoal’s Life Orb-boosted Overheat, but Sableye used Rain Dance to weaken the attack while Gengar struck both Torkoal and Charizard with Sludge Wave.
• Gengar knocked out Torkoal and Charizard, then defeated the sleeping Rillaboom and Mr. Rime to give Qingyu a 4-0 victory over Leon.
• Qingyu reviewed Leon’s strategy and considered how a Mental Herb might have helped Mr. Rime, while reflecting on the convictions that shaped Trainers’ tactics.
• Raihan visited Leon and said Chairman Rose had sent him to Paldea to meet and battle its Gym Leaders.
• Raihan asked Leon about Qingyu’s strength, then eagerly declared that he looked forward to challenging him in person.

Qingyu used Tsareena to counter priority attacks during his livestream before Geeta visited the Sunshine Gym with rewards, assessment news, and a warning that Galar’s Raihan might challenge him. Qingyu accepted his role as a temporary Elite Four examiner and said he was confident he could beat Raihan.

• Qingyu brought Tsareena into ranked doubles battles, where Queenly Majesty stopped opponents’ priority moves and helped him win several matches.
• Qingyu ended his stream on time, then spent the following days running the Sunshine Gym and battling challengers.
• Geeta visited Qingyu and praised his tournament victory, granting the Sunshine Gym’s account top League access and enough LP to redeem a Master Ball.
• Geeta told Qingyu he would serve as a Temporary Elite Four member and first examiner during the summer Victory Road assessment, and asked him not to make it too difficult for students to pass.
• Geeta explained that Chairman Rose planned to send Raihan to Paldea to challenge its Gym Leaders, likely targeting Qingyu, and Qingyu said he expected to beat him.

Geeta explained why she had arranged for Raihan to visit Paldea and hinted that Qingyu had a way to answer his Gigantamax Duraludon. At the Sunshine Gym, Qingyu prepared for their upcoming battle by studying Dynamax and planning to outlast its limited duration.

• Rika questioned Geeta's decision to let Qingyu accept Galar's Gym challenge, and Geeta said Raihan's visit could promote Paldea and Terastallization.
• Geeta told Rika that Qingyu had proposed an interesting solution to Raihan's Gigantamax Duraludon and said Paldea should investigate Area Zero.
• Nemona found Mewtwo defeating challengers at the Sunshine Gym while Qingyu trained inside, and she went to see him.
• Qingyu explained Dynamax to Nemona and said Raihan would challenge eight Paldean Gym Leaders, with Qingyu scheduled for the final match.
• Qingyu identified Gigantamax Duraludon as Raihan's ace and planned to endure its powerful attacks until its three-minute Dynamax ended.

Qingyu prepared to face Raihan in Paldea’s final interregional Gym battle, after learning Dynamax lasted only three minutes. Raihan opened with a Sunny Day strategy and Torkoal, but Qingyu’s Sylveon endured its Eruption with boosted defenses, leaving the battle underway.

• After Larry lost to Raihan, he confirmed Dynamax lasted three minutes and wished Qingyu luck, while the Gym Leaders looked to Qingyu to prevent Paldea from losing every match.
• On April 21, the Gym Leaders resolved to train harder after Raihan’s challenge exposed their complacency, and Qingyu entered the court to face Raihan.
• Raihan chose Torkoal and a Sunny Day team, while Qingyu led with Sylveon and began by ordering Calm Mind.
• As Torkoal prepared Eruption, Sylveon ate an Apicot Berry after its fear response made it feel in a pinch, sharply increasing its special defense.
• Torkoal’s Eruption barely hurt Sylveon, which regained confidence as Qingyu relied on its boosted durability and Moonlight to outlast the attack.

Qingyu used Sylveon to disrupt Raihan’s Torkoal and force its withdrawal, then faced Raihan’s Gigantamax Duraludon with Lucario. The chapter ended as Qingyu Mega Evolved Lucario, preparing to reveal another power.

• Qingyu had Sylveon block Torkoal’s vents with Mud Bomb, causing an internal explosion that prevented it from using Clear Smog.
• Raihan recalled Torkoal and sent out Duraludon, then used Dynamax Energy to transform it into Gigantamax Duraludon.
• Qingyu recalled the frightened Sylveon after it used Baton Pass and sent out Lucario to receive its transferred energy.
• Qingyu activated his Key Stone and Mega Evolved Lucario, surprising Raihan.
• Qingyu decided Mega Evolution alone would not be enough and prepared to use another power.

Qingyu used Mega Evolution and Ghost-type Terastallization to let Lucario survive Gigantamax Duraludon's attacks and counter it. Lucario knocked Duraludon out with Final Gambit but also lost consciousness, leaving Ogerpon to face Raihan's remaining Pokémon.

• Qingyu Mega Evolved Lucario, and Raihan ordered Gigantamax Duraludon to attack with Max Knuckle.
• Lucario dodged Duraludon's first Max Knuckle by sliding behind it, then Qingyu Terastallized Lucario into a Ghost type to make it immune to Fighting attacks.
• Lucario used Counter to strike Duraludon hard, and Raihan chose Max Darkness while Qingyu ordered Lucario to use Final Gambit.
• Lucario knocked Duraludon out with its final punch but lost consciousness as well, and Qingyu recalled it.
• Qingyu sent out Wellspring Ogerpon, leaving Raihan to face it with Torkoal and Turtonator.

Qingyu defeated Raihan’s final Pokémon, Turtonator, with Ogerpon and won their exhibition battle. Geeta, Leon, and Rose then promoted Terastallization and Dynamax, while Raihan left determined to get revenge on Leon as well as Qingyu.

• Raihan sent out Torkoal, which used Yawn before Ogerpon knocked it out with Ivy Cudgel, leaving Ogerpon drowsy.
• Raihan sent out Turtonator and ordered it to defend itself, while Qingyu had Ogerpon flip it over to expose its vulnerable belly.
• Ogerpon struck Turtonator’s weak point with Ivy Cudgel, knocking it out before Ogerpon fell asleep, and Qingyu won the battle.
• Raihan congratulated Qingyu and vowed to challenge him again, while Grusha and the other Gym Leaders resolved to train harder.
• Geeta announced plans for mass-produced Tera Orbs and Terastallization in Pokémon Champions, then Leon and Rose appeared to promote Galar’s Dynamax technology.
• Raihan protested that Leon and Rose were advertising after his loss, and he gained another reason to defeat Leon.

After Leon and Raihan learned that Qingyu’s Lucario had defeated Gigantamax Duraludon with its Serious Punch, Leon asked Qingyu to advise Raihan. Qingyu tested Duraludon with an Eviolite and found evidence that it could evolve, then warned Raihan that evolving might cost it the ability to Gigantamax.

• Leon greeted Qingyu, and Raihan discovered that Qingyu and Leon already knew each other through Mustard and Lucario’s training.
• Raihan disputed Qingyu’s claim that Lucario’s decisive attack was an ordinary Final Gambit, so Qingyu named it Serious Punch.
• Leon asked Qingyu to advise Raihan, and Qingyu suggested that Raihan’s team could benefit from adding a rain strategy.
• Qingyu used an Eviolite to show Raihan and Leon that Duraludon still had the potential to evolve.
• Qingyu explained that he had studied Pokémon under Professor Carolina and warned Raihan that Duraludon might lose its Gigantamax ability if it evolved.

Qingyu arranged for Raihan’s Duraludon to evolve using newly developed composite metal from Unova. After the metal was fitted over Duraludon and melted by Torkoal’s Eruption, Duraludon began to evolve.

• Raihan agreed that Duraludon could evolve even if it lost the ability to Gigantamax, and Qingyu asked him to return the next day.
• Qingyu ordered composite metal from Steven, who sent the materials to him as a gift from the Stone family.
• Raihan arrived in Cabo Poco, and Qingyu covered Duraludon’s body with the composite metal.
• When the metal did not trigger evolution on its own, Qingyu had Raihan’s Torkoal use Eruption on Duraludon.
• The composite metal melted under the flames, and a pillar of light appeared as Duraludon began to evolve.

Duraludon evolved into Archaludon after withstanding Torkoal’s flames, and Qingyu helped Raihan investigate its new form, Ability, and Electric-type power. The chapter ended with Archaludon firing a devastating new move while Sylveon struggled to sketch it in time.

• Duraludon evolved into Archaludon, whose body could lower into a bridge-like stance.
• Qingyu identified Archaludon’s Stamina Ability by having Lucario repeatedly strike it with Bullet Punch.
• Qingyu summoned Sylveon to sketch Archaludon’s next move, and Sylveon initially mistook the request and copied its bridge stance.
• Qingyu urged Archaludon to gather the static electricity it had absorbed and release it in one burst.
• Archaludon fired a powerful Electric-type beam that blasted a hole in a distant hill, leaving Sylveon unable to sketch the fleeting attack.

Raihan discovered that Archaludon’s Electro Beam charged faster in rain and left for Naranja Academy so experts could study the new evolution. Qingyu later helped Sylveon learn Electro Beam, while Miraidon absorbed its first uncontrolled blast and reflected on Shelgon’s connection to a powerful dragon.

• Archaludon used a powerful new move, and Qingyu suggested that rain could speed up its charge; Raihan tested the idea with Goodra and named the move Electro Beam.
• Qingyu told Chairwoman Geeta about Archaludon’s discovery and asked the League to arrange professional research, then agreed to visit Medali the next day.
• Qingyu trained Sylveon to build up static electricity by rubbing its ribbons against its fur, and Sylveon released an uncontrolled Electro Beam toward Miraidon.
• Miraidon swallowed Sylveon’s attack, then settled back beside Shelgon and recalled the terrifying Guardian Dragon that had helped Shelgon evolve.

Qingyu met Larry in Medali, learned what was known about the disaster that had silenced Area Zero, and observed the crater from the sealed gate. The chapter ended when a Black Rayquaza appeared above a group of ancient and Future Paradox Pokémon.

• Qingyu met Larry at the Treasure Eatery, where his Pokémon ate so much that the restaurant ran out of ingredients.
• Larry led Qingyu toward the sealed Area Zero Gate and asked what he knew about the crater.
• Qingyu explained Area Zero’s history and learned that an investigation team of nearly a hundred people, including his parents, had vanished after unusual energy fluctuations were detected.
• Larry showed Qingyu that Area Zero’s outer reaches were eerily empty, then pointed out a cave where several Paradox Pokémon emerged together.
• A flaming meteor streaked toward the Paradox Pokémon, and Qingyu recognized the black dragon above them as Black Rayquaza.

Larry explained that Black Rayquaza had long guarded Area Zero and suppressed its Paradox Pokémon, but warned Qingyu that they might exploit Rayquaza’s exhaustion after using Draco Meteor. When Roaring Moon attacked, Qingyu and Larry battled it, and Sylveon defeated it with Blood Moon.

• Larry told Qingyu that Black Rayquaza had appeared when Professors Sada and Turo entered Area Zero and had later protected Paldea from escaping Paradox Pokémon.
• Larry warned that the Paradox Pokémon worked together to exhaust Rayquaza by sending out small groups, and Qingyu prepared to help stop them.
• Roaring Moon burst from Area Zero and attacked Larry, so Braviary and Flamigo moved to intercept it while Qingyu sent out Sylveon.
• Larry released Altaria as Roaring Moon dodged Flamigo’s Low Kick, while Qingyu ordered Sylveon to use Blood Moon.
• Sylveon’s fairy attack overwhelmed Roaring Moon, which crashed to the ground and stopped moving after several minutes.

Qingyu and Larry dealt with a Roaring Moon after Sylveon defeated it with a powerful Blood Moon attack, then watched Black Rayquaza stop several escaping Roaring Moon with Dragon Ascent. Rayquaza revealed its Mega form, inspiring Sylveon to begin sketching it in hopes of reproducing its power.

• Sylveon knocked out Roaring Moon with Blood Moon, and Qingyu explained that it had learned the unusual move through training in Kitakami.
• Larry captured the defeated Roaring Moon in a Great Ball and said it would be sent to League headquarters before it woke.
• Several more Roaring Moon emerged from Area Zero and scattered to escape, but Larry told Qingyu to leave them to Black Rayquaza.
• Black Rayquaza chased down the fleeing Roaring Moon with Dragon Ascent and defeated them.
• Rayquaza revealed its Mega form, and Sylveon excitedly took paper and a pen to sketch it.

After Sylveon painted Black Rayquaza, Qingyu decided to share the guardian’s story through his popular series and considered how to face the powerful Paradox Pokémon leader in Area Zero. Marshadow arrived to protect him and revealed that the Legendary Beasts were coming to Paldea for Ho-Oh’s first trial.

• Sylveon finished a striking painting of Black Rayquaza, and Qingyu chose to keep it at the Sunshine Gym rather than auction it.
• Larry reminded Qingyu to update his “Telling Myths” series, and Qingyu decided to share Black Rayquaza’s existence and take photos before it disappeared.
• Back at the Sunshine Gym, Qingyu reasoned that a powerful Paradox Pokémon king might be directing the groups in Area Zero and worried about whether he could defeat it.
• Marshadow emerged from Qingyu’s shadow, promised to protect him, and explained that the Legendary Beasts were coming to Paldea for Ho-Oh’s first trial.

Cynthia watched Qingyu’s new video about Rayquaza while considering whether to suspend research into the Spear Pillar Ruins. Qingyu revealed that Rayquaza had Mega Evolved in ancient times to stop Primal Groudon and Kyogre, leaving Cynthia to reconsider the role humans played in that history.

• Cynthia decided to consult Professor Carolina and put the Spear Pillar Ruins research on hold because it might provoke a crisis.
• Cynthia opened Qingyu’s new “Telling Myths” video, which described Arceus creating Groudon and Kyogre and Rayquaza first stopping their battle.
• Qingyu said a meteor awakened Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre two thousand years ago, and Rayquaza swallowed it to Mega Evolve and defeat them.
• Qingyu showed a photograph of Black Rayquaza and claimed he had witnessed it drive away the two Primal deities the day before.
• Qingyu explained that the Draconids had used Mega Evolution with Rayquaza a thousand years ago, and Cynthia noticed humans holding stones in the ancient mural.