Chapter Summaries

Cynthia’s Kommo-o survived Baxcalibur’s Icicle Spear by using Iron Defense, then gained a powerful offensive boost from its Weakness Policy and knocked out Hassel’s Dragapult. Hassel sent out Duraludon to face Kommo-o as Cynthia gained the advantage.

• Kommo-o completed Iron Defense just before Baxcalibur’s Icicle Spear struck, then endured the first hits and dodged the rest.
• Cynthia ordered Kommo-o to use Body Press, but Hassel recalled Baxcalibur and sent out Dragapult, whose Ghost typing let it avoid the attack.
• Cynthia had Kommo-o use Dragon Claw at close range, and the boosted attack knocked Dragapult out in one hit.
• Qingyu explained that Baxcalibur’s super-effective attack had activated Kommo-o’s Weakness Policy, raising both its Attack and Special Attack.
• Hassel sent out Duraludon to challenge Kommo-o head-on.

Qingyu’s Weakness Policy strategy for Cynthia drew attention from Trainers, and he discussed the upcoming final while Lance and Drake prepared for their semifinal. As the match began, Clair suspected Lance was hiding a trump card, though Qingyu dismissed the possibility.

• Cynthia’s concealed Weakness Policy let Kommo-o nearly sweep her opponent, prompting livestream viewers to reconsider how they used held items.
• Caitlin asked Qingyu whether he had taught Cynthia the setup, and he admitted he had offered her a little advice.
• Cynthia asked Qingyu whether she would face Lance or Drake in the final, and he said the match could go either way depending on preparation.
• Qingyu worried that his Gym’s Battle Court might need a professional maintenance team as challengers began using more powerful moves.
• Lance and Drake stepped onto the repaired court, and Qingyu noted that both appeared to be in good form.
• Clair recognized Lance’s expression as a sign that he had a trump card, while Qingyu dismissed his apparent amusement as his own imagination.

Lance and Drake began their semifinal battle, with Drake’s Flygon using Supersonic to pressure Lance’s first Dragonite into switching out. Drake then boosted Flygon with Dragon Dance, but Lance responded with Encore, trapping Flygon in its move as the battle continued.

• Lance took a deep breath and prepared to use a new strategy in the semifinal against Drake.
• Drake sent out Flygon, while Lance opened with Dragonite, which attacked with Ice Punch.
• Flygon evaded Dragonite’s attacks and used Supersonic to leave it close to confusion.
• Lance recalled his first Dragonite and sent out a fiercer second one, while Drake’s plan forced the switch.
• Drake ordered Flygon to use Dragon Dance, and Lance’s Dragonite countered with Encore.

Lance used Encore and a White Herb to defeat Drake’s Salamence and advance toward the Dragon-type Masters Tournament final. Cynthia said she wanted to face Lance in the final, while Qingyu’s livestream viewers teased him about his closeness with her.

• Lance used Encore to trap Drake’s Flygon in Dragon Dance, forcing Drake to withdraw it.
• Lance’s Dragonite used a White Herb to recover from Salamence’s Intimidate, then knocked Salamence out with Ice Punch after a Dragon Dance boost.
• Cynthia told Qingyu she wanted to face Lance in the final and vowed to win the tournament.
• Qingyu redirected the livestream camera toward the battle court as viewers teased him about Cynthia, while Cynthia smiled and Caitlin sighed.

Lance defeated Drake 3-0 in the Dragon-type Masters Tournament semifinals, while Qingyu accurately predicted Lance’s tactics from the stands. After the battle, Clair wondered whether learning Qingyu’s approach could make her stronger.

• Drake sent out Clefable after Dragonite knocked out Salamence, hoping its Fairy typing and Unaware would counter Lance’s Dragonite.
• Qingyu and Lance both predicted Dragonite would use Iron Head, which struck Clefable twice and knocked it out despite its Recover.
• Drake sent out Flygon, but Lance’s Dragonite knocked it out with Ice Punch to complete a 3-0 victory.
• Clair reflected on Lance’s tactical advantage and wondered whether adopting Qingyu’s way of thinking could help her improve.

After returning from the semifinals, Qingyu watched over newborn Bagon at the Sunshine Gym and discussed the tournament final and their upcoming trip with Cynthia. As Eevee showed signs of nearing evolution and Riolu continued training, Qingyu considered whether Bagon could soon join his battling team.

• Milotic greeted Cynthia and the others at the gym, while newborn Bagon bumped into Qingyu and tried to leap toward the sky after he lifted it.
• Qingyu caught Bagon before it hit the ground and resolved to let the little Pokémon develop before encouraging its risky attempts to fly.
• Cynthia told Qingyu she planned to rely on Garchomp’s strength in the final and reminded him to return to Sinnoh with her for New Year and visit Kitakami.
• Qingyu reminded Eevee about Kitakami’s scenery, and Eevee’s brief glow suggested that evolution was approaching.
• Riolu returned from training with Lucario and Garchomp after reaching eighty percent mastery of Unseen Fist, while Qingyu wondered whether Bagon would soon be ready to battle.

Qingyu attended the Dragon-type Masters Tournament final between Cynthia and Lance, bringing his Pokémon and livestreaming commentary that attracted a huge audience. As the battle was about to begin, Red, Blue, Professor Oak, and Raihan watched from the stands.

• Qingyu arrived at the packed Mesagoza arena and released his Pokémon to watch the final.
• Clair noticed Miraidon, while Riolu stopped Bagon from tumbling over the stands and Caitlin cuddled Eevee with Confusion.
• Qingyu started a livestream, and its audience quickly grew to more than a million viewers.
• Red watched Qingyu's stream, and Professor Oak praised Qingyu's battle tactics to Red and Blue.
• Raihan recognized Professor Oak and wondered whether Red and Blue might carry on Kanto's legacy.
• Cynthia and Lance entered the Battle Court as the crowd cheered and the final was about to begin.

Cynthia and Lance began the Masters Tournament final with Garchomp and Dragonite, and Cynthia used Sand Veil and a sandstorm to counter Dragonite’s Ice Punch threat. Lance tried to clear the storm and boost Dragonite’s speed with Tailwind, but Garchomp appeared poised to strike.

• Qingyu told the livestream chat that the final’s outcome mattered less than the two competitors’ performances, then revealed that he was born in Sinnoh and planned to vacation there and in Kitakami.
• Cynthia and Lance sent out Garchomp and Dragonite as their opening Pokémon.
• Lance ordered Dragonite to use Ice Punch, but Cynthia had Garchomp dodge and create a sandstorm.
• Qingyu explained that Cynthia had switched Garchomp’s ability to Sand Veil, letting it move through the storm while the blowing gravel stripped away Dragonite’s Multiscale protection.
• Lance used Tailwind to push back the sandstorm and increase Dragonite’s speed, but he saw Garchomp’s crimson eyes and realized his response had come too late.

Cynthia’s Garchomp defeated Lance’s Dragonite by using Sand Veil, Swords Dance, and Scale Shot to overcome Tailwind before finishing it with Outrage. With the score at 1–0, Lance sent out Tyranitar against Cynthia’s Kommo-o, leaving him in a difficult matchup.

• Cynthia’s Garchomp used Sand Veil to evade Dragonite and gain a Swords Dance boost, then used Scale Shot to shed weight and keep pace with Dragonite under Tailwind.
• Lance ordered Dragonite to use Haze, but Cynthia had Garchomp charge in with Outrage before the mist could turn the fight around.
• Garchomp knocked Dragonite unconscious, then ate a Lum Berry to recover from Outrage’s confusion.
• Cynthia and Lance recalled their Pokémon, and the score became 1–0 in Cynthia’s favor.
• Lance sent Tyranitar back onto the field, and Cynthia sent out Kommo-o to face it.

Cynthia defeated Lance in the Mesagoza Dragon-type Masters Tournament final after their Pokémon exchanged Focus Sashes and Tyranitar’s sandstorm helped wear down Kommo-o. Garchomp brought the battle to an end, and Cynthia was announced as the tournament champion.

• Lance sent out Tyranitar against Cynthia’s Kommo-o, and Tyranitar survived Close Combat with a Focus Sash before landing an Ice Punch that Kommo-o also endured with its own sash.
• Tyranitar fell to the sandstorm, then Glaceon used Ice Shard to defeat it and put Cynthia ahead 2-1.
• Lance sent out Dragonite, which badly wounded Glaceon with Fire Blast but was defeated by Cynthia’s Garchomp and its Outrage.
• Iono announced Cynthia as the winner after all three of Lance’s Pokémon were unable to battle.
• Red reflected on the limits of his strength, while Blue vowed to win the championship for Kanto someday.

Cynthia entered the Type Masters Tournament’s Hall of Fame and revealed that a friend had recommended the Jangmo-o she raised for the competition, hinting at a close relationship with Qingyu. As Qingyu reacted to his viewers’ jokes about leaving Paldea, a Shiny Rayquaza appeared over Mesagoza and seemed to have come for him.

• Cynthia recorded her Pokémon in the League’s Hall of Fame after winning the Type Masters Tournament.
• Cynthia told reporters she had raised Kommo-o on a friend’s recommendation, then refused to identify the friend or explain their relationship.
• Caitlin noticed Cynthia’s private gesture toward Qingyu and felt jealous, though she kept her emotions under control.
• Qingyu’s livestream viewers speculated that he might move to Sinnoh, and he reassured them that he was only visiting for New Year’s.
• A Shiny Rayquaza appeared among the clouds, roared at Qingyu, and seemed to have come specifically for him.

Rayquaza descended over Mesagoza and presented Qingyu with a Mega Stone after noticing Bagon’s longing to fly. Its public gift left the tournament crowd and livestream viewers speculating about Qingyu’s connection to the Legendary Pokémon.

• Rayquaza roared above Mesagoza, prompting Lance to recognize it and Professor Oak to worry about what its appearance might signify.
• Rayquaza descended to the Battle Court, and Qingyu, Riolu, Eevee, and Miraidon reacted to its overwhelming presence.
• Rayquaza focused on Bagon as the little Pokémon yearned to fly freely when it grew up.
• Rayquaza sent Qingyu a Mega Stone marked with red and blue streaks, which Qingyu recognized as Salamence’s Mega Stone.
• Spectators and livestream viewers watched Qingyu receive the gift and joked that Rayquaza had made a public deal with him.

After Rayquaza gave Qingyu a radiant Salamence Evolution stone, Drake explained its unusual power and advised Qingyu to let Bagon wear it. The Mesagoza Dragon-type Masters Tournament ended, Qingyu went viral as “The Man Favored by Rayquaza,” and he prepared to return to Sinnoh.

• Rayquaza gave Qingyu a Salamence Evolution stone and flew away, while Drake explained that it seemed to retain Rayquaza’s energy and could help Bagon grow.
• Qingyu agreed to let Bagon wear the stone despite worrying that it might make the energetic Pokémon even more troublesome.
• Drake praised Bagon and invited Qingyu to visit Hoenn for a friendly match once Bagon evolved into Salamence.
• The Mesagoza Dragon-type Masters Tournament concluded, and livestream footage of Qingyu with Rayquaza made him famous across the internet.
• Qingyu packed his bags to return to Sinnoh.

On Qingyu and Cynthia’s last morning in Paldea, Qingyu failed to make edible Berry porridge before preparing for their afternoon flight to Sinnoh. Before they left, he gave Bagon a pendant set with Rayquaza’s Evolution stone, but Bagon tried to eat it.

• Qingyu’s Berry porridge frightened Eevee and Miraidon away, so he served Cynthia sandwiches and miso soup instead.
• Cynthia asked about their afternoon flight, and Qingyu said they would head to Mesagoza after breakfast.
• Qingyu gave Bagon Moomoo Milk and explained that he wanted it to wear Rayquaza’s Evolution stone from infancy.
• Bagon recognized the pendant, opened its mouth to swallow it, and Qingyu quickly retrieved the stone.

Qingyu prepared to leave Paldea for a visit to Sinnoh, reassuring Nemona that he would return to lead a Gym next year. After Arven gave him Sour Herba Mystica and his quest advanced, Qingyu boarded a flight with Cynthia while Naranja Academy students gathered to say goodbye.

• Qingyu reassured Nemona that he would return to Paldea and encouraged her to train for next year's Victory Road.
• Arven gave Qingyu Sour Herba Mystica that he and Nemona had found after defeating the Titan Bombirdier, advancing Qingyu's quest and earning him Mind Sketch Paper.
• Qingyu and Cynthia arrived at the airport, where Okamoto and other Naranja Academy students waved goodbye and asked him to come back.
• Qingyu joked that he would give the students extra lessons before next year's Victory Road, then waved to them.

On a flight with Cynthia, Qingyu met Professor Oak and the young Red and Blue, who challenged him to future battles. He gave the boys his Pokémon Breeding Notes, impressing them with their expertise, while Qingyu remained unaware of their growing admiration.

• Qingyu and Cynthia ran into Professor Oak aboard their flight to Sinnoh.
• Qingyu recognized Red and Blue, and Red praised his Exhibition Match performance before asking to battle him someday.
• Blue introduced himself and declared that he would become Kanto's Champion and face Qingyu and Cynthia at the Masters Tournament.
• Qingyu advised Red and Blue to stay attentive to their Pokémon and gave them a worn copy of his Breeding Notes.
• Professor Oak and the boys read the notes and were astonished by Qingyu's detailed knowledge of Kanto Pokémon.

Qingyu returned to Sinnoh with Cynthia and reached Celestic Town, where Professor Carolina welcomed him back. The group gathered at the Historical Research Institute for a large meal, with their Pokémon joining them.

• Cynthia drove Qingyu from Jubilife City toward Celestic Town in Caitlin's car, and Qingyu agreed to get access to it once he earned his driver's license.
• Qingyu and Cynthia arrived in Celestic Town, where Professor Carolina greeted Qingyu and urged him to call her Grandma again.
• Professor Carolina served a generous meal and invited Qingyu to let his Pokémon out so the institute could feed them.
• Cynthia released her Garchomp-led team, and Qingyu released Eevee, Riolu, Bagon, and Miraidon.
• Professor Carolina checked Eevee and greeted Qingyu's other Pokémon before inviting everyone to eat.

Qingyu turned down Cynthia’s invitation to stay in Celestic Town, insisting he needed to keep building his career in Paldea, though she persuaded him to enjoy the rest of their vacation. That night, Eevee realized home meant being with Qingyu and began evolving, leaving him startled awake as the glow returned while it rested on his chest.

• Qingyu told Cynthia he could not stay in Celestic Town because he needed to work toward becoming known in Paldea, and she urged him to relax during their vacation.
• Eevee wandered to the window and reflected that Celestic Town felt less like home than being beside Qingyu.
• Eevee’s feelings awakened an evolutionary glow, but it faded as Eevee wondered what it wanted to become.
• Eevee settled on Qingyu’s chest, and the evolutionary glow flared again, waking him as he realized Eevee was evolving.

Qingyu woke to find Eevee had evolved into Sylveon and gave her magical drawing paper to celebrate. By Christmas Eve, Sylveon had used it to paint an imposing, incomplete image of the Black Rayquaza, leaving Qingyu surprised and curious about what she might create next.

• Qingyu discovered that Eevee had evolved into Sylveon, and she reacted coyly when he told her she was too heavy to lie on his chest.
• Qingyu checked Sylveon's information, noted her maxed friendship, and realized she could control her four ribbons like arms.
• Qingyu gave Sylveon Mind Sketch Paper, and she decided to paint the Black Rayquaza she had seen in the sky.
• On Christmas Eve, Qingyu found Sylveon's painting of a black Rayquaza with golden energy, but the figure had only a lower half.

After Sylveon evolved, Qingyu had his Pokémon examined and learned more about their unusual strength and condition. He gave Miraidon a bitter Sour Herba Mystica drink, which restored some of its strength.

• Cynthia admired the newly evolved Sylveon, took it onto her lap, and asked Qingyu to let her send Caitlin a picture.
• Professor Carolina and her team examined Qingyu's Pokémon, including Sylveon, the recovering Miraidon, and the newly hatched Bagon.
• Qingyu considered cooking Sour Herba Mystica for Sylveon but gave up because he could not cook.
• The examinations showed that Sylveon had grown much stronger, Riolu was holding back its evolution, Miraidon's physical injuries had healed, and Bagon had strong potential but remained weak.
• Qingyu gave Miraidon a drink mixed with Sour Herba Mystica, and Miraidon found it horribly bitter but regained some strength.