Chapter Summaries

Cynthia and Kaim left the ruins after growing closer, then returned to Mio City and spent the evening with Krona and Aina. Kaim went to help prepare dinner while Cynthia followed, and Aina remarked that he was a good match for her.

• Cynthia teased Kaim about his seriousness, then thanked him for bringing her to the ruins as they left hand in hand.
• Cynthia and Kaim walked through Kannagi Town together, unaware that residents thought she had brought her son-in-law home.
• Back in Mio City, Kaim offered to help Krona prepare dinner, and Cynthia joked with them about her improving cooking skills.
• Cynthia hugged Kaim and admitted she would feel jealous if he became too friendly with Krona.
• Cynthia followed Kaim toward the kitchen and told Aina that she had been barred from helping; Aina praised Kaim and said he was a good match for Cynthia.

Cynthia’s family teased her about marrying Kaim, and dinner strengthened their admiration for his cooking and helpfulness. Later, Krona joined Cynthia for a bath and asked what she loved about Kaim, leaving Cynthia about to explain.

• Aina and Cynthia watched Kaim and Krona cook together while Kuroko settled on Cynthia’s lap.
• Aina teased Cynthia about making Kaim her son-in-law, flustering Cynthia and embarrassing Kaim.
• Cynthia’s grandfather returned, and the family praised Kaim’s cooking over dinner and again called him a desirable son-in-law.
• Krona joined Cynthia in the bath with Leafeon and explained she wanted time to talk with her sister.
• Krona asked Cynthia what she liked about Kaim, and Cynthia began to answer while stroking Leafeon.

Cynthia told Krona that she loved Kaim because he believed in her, while Aina tested whether Kaim could accept Cynthia’s unknown parentage and stand by her. Kaim promised to stay with Cynthia, and the chapter ended with Cynthia asking what he thought about her family and hometown.

• Cynthia explained to Krona that Kaim’s unwavering trust in her was what she loved about him.
• Aina invited Kaim to play shogi and asked whether he could build a happy life with Cynthia despite her not knowing her parents.
• Kaim said he wanted to stay beside Cynthia through any difficulties because he loved her for who she was.
• Aina asked Kaim to take good care of Cynthia and joked about meeting their great-grandchild; Kaim left flustered.
• Cynthia asked Kaim what he thought about her family and hometown as they lay awake together.

Kaim and Cynthia shared what they loved about each other before attending a research conference in Celestic Town, where Cynthia’s mentor Professor Rowan revealed that he was reviewing Kaim’s paper. Kaim was left eager to hear Rowan’s assessment of his work.

• Cynthia told Kaim she loved how he trusted her, and Kaim said he loved how she believed in and supported him.
• Cynthia joined Kaim under the covers with Little Black, and the three of them fell asleep together.
• At the conference, Kaim reflected on how much he still had to learn after hearing the researchers’ presentations.
• Professor Rowan, Cynthia’s mentor, met Kaim and praised him after learning he was Cynthia’s assistant.
• Rowan revealed that he was one of the reviewers of Kaim’s unpublished paper.

Professor Rowan praised Kaim’s thesis and gave Cynthia and Kaim Key Stones and Mega Stones, allowing them to prepare for Mega Evolution. The gifts strengthened Cynthia’s resolve to win the upcoming Champion Tournament with Kaim’s support.

• Rowan praised Kaim’s thesis on the Regigigas myth and offered to discuss his research further.
• Rowan gave Cynthia two Key Stones and Mega Stones for Garchomp and Lucario, which he had found in Kalos.
• Rowan entrusted one Key Stone to Kaim, while Kaim declined the Lucario Mega Stone so Cynthia could use it.
• Cynthia said she would aim to become Champion and told Kaim his support was essential.
• Cynthia and Kaim watched the stones glitter in the sunlight as her resolve to win the Champion Tournament grew firmer.

Cynthia and Kaim arrived at Indigo Plateau for the Kanto League tournament, where Cynthia looked forward to facing the strongest Trainers. After meeting Champion Lance, Kaim reaffirmed that his role was to support Cynthia as she pursued the summit.

• Cynthia and Kaim reached Indigo Plateau and discussed the tournament draw and Cynthia’s hopes of battling the other Champions.
• Lance introduced himself to Cynthia, and they exchanged greetings while expressing their eagerness to battle.
• Lance examined Kaim’s Pokémon, praised his training and bond with them, and asked why he chose to be a supporter rather than pursue the summit himself.
• Kaim told Lance that supporting Cynthia was his goal, and Lance invited him to enjoy a battle if they met in the tournament.
• After Lance left, Cynthia praised Kaim for being recognized as a fine Trainer, and Kaim reflected on helping her reach the summit.

Cynthia attended the tournament’s opening meeting and renewed her resolve before catching up with Iris and Diantha. She met Kaim in the corridor, and the group left together as Diantha asked to hear about Cynthia and Kaim’s relationship.

• Cynthia and Kaim arrived at the Indigo Plateau, where the tournament’s contestants gathered for the opening ceremony meeting.
• After the meeting, Iris greeted Cynthia and vowed to give the tournament her best and settle her unfinished battle with Cynthia.
• Cynthia called Kaim and headed toward him, but Diantha stopped her and the two Champions caught up.
• Cynthia and Diantha found Kaim with Lucario, and Diantha praised his improved skills and his support for Cynthia.
• Diantha asked to hear about Cynthia and Kaim’s relationship, and Cynthia led them away together while Kaim followed.

Cynthia helped the lost Leon reach the Champions’ meeting point just in time for the opening ceremony at Indigo Plateau. The ceremony introduced the tournament’s Champions, ending with the arrival of Redo and Pikachu.

• Cynthia found Leon lost in a corridor and guided him to the meeting point, where the other Champions had gathered.
• Leon thanked Cynthia and said he expected to face her in battle, and Cynthia agreed she would fight with everything she had.
• The opening ceremony began at Indigo Plateau with a speech celebrating the tournament and its trophy.
• Lance, Steven, Mikuri, Cynthia, Iris, Diantha, and Leon entered the stadium with their Pokémon as the announcer introduced them.
• Redo appeared with Pikachu on his shoulder, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

The championship tournament’s bracket placed Cynthia against Steven in the first round, and Cynthia reviewed his team before their match. Kaim admitted that he wanted both Cynthia and his best friend Steven to win, leaving Cynthia to reassure him as the match approached.

• Red’s overwhelming ambition swept through the Stadium as the championship tournament began.
• The players drew lots, and the bracket set Red against Iris, Mikuri against Gary, Leon against Karnet, and Cynthia against Steven.
• Cynthia and Steven welcomed their first-round match and agreed they looked forward to battling the next day.
• Cynthia reviewed Steven’s registered Pokémon with Kaim, who confessed he felt torn between supporting her and wanting his best friend Daigo to win.
• Kaim recalled meeting Daigo at the Stadium and telling him he wanted to watch both Daigo and Cynthia win.

Cynthia faced Steven in the first-round match between the Sinnoh and Hoenn Champions, with both determined to win. Steven’s Aerial Armament defeated Cynthia’s Bullet Seed, and Cynthia sent out her unregistered Porygon-Z as the battle continued.

• Daigo and Kaim discussed their hopes for the match before Daigo left, promising to win while Kaim predicted Cynthia would triumph.
• Cynthia watched Leon defeat Diantha, then prepared to battle Steven with Kaim’s support and her newly mastered Mega Evolution.
• Cynthia and Steven exchanged declarations of their determination before the first-round match began.
• Steven’s Aerial Armament burned and struck Cynthia’s Bullet Seed with a boosted Brave Bird, leaving Bullet Seed unable to battle.
• Cynthia sent out her unregistered Porygon-Z, which used Double Team to evade Aerial Armament’s Drill Beak and counterattacked.

Cynthia’s Polygon Z defeated Skarmory, then battled Steven’s Boss Aggron using Reflect, paralysis, and clever maneuvers. The chapter ended with Polygon Z and Boss Aggron trading powerful attacks as dust obscured the battlefield.

• Cynthia used Reflect to blunt Skarmory’s physical attacks, then Polygon Z defeated it with Thunderbolt.
• Cynthia explained that Polygon Z had been prepared to counter Skarmory, while Steven sent out Boss Aggron.
• Polygon Z used shattered rocks to ambush Boss Aggron with Thunderbolt, paralyzing it, then dodged its Earthquake by using Shadow Ball to lift itself.
• Boss Aggron bombarded Polygon Z with rocks and charged, but Polygon Z lured it close and struck it with Thunderbolt.
• Boss Aggron retaliated with Stone Edge, launching Polygon Z into the air, and Polygon Z answered with Shadow Ball as dust filled the battlefield.

Cynthia used Porygon-Z to defeat Daigo’s Aggron and weaken his Aerodactyl, Peter, before sending out Garchomp. She manipulated the sandstorm and battlefield obstacles to conceal Garchomp, leaving it poised to attack Peter.

• Daigo’s Aggron lost to Cynthia’s Porygon-Z, which had used Double Team and Reflect to overcome its physical attacks.
• Daigo sent out Aerodactyl Peter, whose Sandstorm helped it defeat Porygon-Z after Porygon-Z landed a final damaging attack.
• Cynthia sent out Garchomp, and Peter attacked it with Iron Head and Stone Edge while Garchomp countered with Dragon Claw and Dragon Pulse.
• Cynthia used the sandstorm and rocks to hide Garchomp from Peter, then brought it within striking distance before Daigo could react.

Daigo’s Aerodactyl defeated Cynthia’s badly wounded Garchomp after Garchomp survived Stone Edge and Ice Fang with help from a Yache Berry, then knocked Aerodactyl out with Dragon Rush. Cynthia sent out Milotic against Daigo’s Armaldo, and their battle continued amid the Sandstorm.

• Daigo’s Aerodactyl struck Garchomp with Stone Edge and Ice Fang, but Garchomp’s Yache Berry weakened the Ice-type attack and let him endure the damage.
• Garchomp grabbed Aerodactyl and slammed it into the ground with Dragon Rush, knocking Peter out.
• Cynthia recalled her injured Garchomp, and Daigo sent out Armaldo against her Milotic.
• Armaldo and Milotic exchanged attacks, and Milotic took heavy damage from Stone Edge, the Sandstorm, and its burn.

Steven and Cynthia’s battle ended in a double knockout between Armaldo and Milotic, leaving Cynthia to send out Togekiss against Steven’s Nidoran. Nidoran’s Light Screen blunted Togekiss’s special attacks, but Togekiss maneuvered behind the scattered rocks and rose overhead.

• Steven’s Armaldo and Cynthia’s Milotic traded attacks until Stone Edge and Hydro Pump collided, knocking both Pokémon out.
• Cynthia sent out Togekiss, and Steven answered with Nidoran.
• Nidoran used Light Screen to reduce the damage from Togekiss’s special attacks.
• Togekiss dodged Nidoran’s Ice Beam and used Air Slash, Magical Leaf, and Aura Sphere, but Light Screen and type resistance limited its damage.
• Nidoran used Rock Imprison, and Togekiss flew behind the scattered rocks and rose high overhead.

Shirona and Daigo’s battle reached its final Pokémon, with both trainers Mega-Evolving their aces. Mega Lucario began dueling Mega Metagross, and the chapter left their final clash underway.

• Togekiss and Nidoran both fell after Togekiss struck Nidoran with Hyper Beam, leaving Shirona with two Pokémon and Daigo with one.
• Daigo Mega-Evolved Metagross, which defeated Cynthia’s exhausted Garchomp with Zen Headbutt.
• Cynthia sent out Lucario and revealed her Key Stone, Mega-Evolving Lucario for the first time in the match.
• Mega Lucario parried Mega Metagross’s Hammer Arm attacks and countered with Dark Pulse and Meteor Mash.

Cynthia’s Lucario battled Steven’s Metagross in a fierce match that showcased both Pokémon’s techniques and tactics. Lucario defeated Metagross with Blaze Kick, leaving Cynthia the winner as Kaim and his Pokémon watched and learned.

• Lucario countered Metagross’s Meteor Mash with Aura bullets, but Metagross shattered them and pressed him with Bullet Punch.
• Metagross used Earthquake, Thunder Punch, and Hammer Arm, while Lucario endured the attacks and countered with Dark Pulse and Power-Up Punch.
• Lucario struck Metagross with Close Combat, and Metagross answered with a close-range Earthquake.
• Lucario used Extreme Speed to evade Earthquake, slowed to deflect Metagross’s predicted Hammer Arm, and followed with Blaze Kick.
• Metagross caught Lucario’s Blaze Kick but collapsed from exhaustion, and Cynthia was declared the winner.

Cynthia studied Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard while recovering from her battle with Steven, then went to find Kaim as he cared for her Pokémon. In the basement, Kaim met Sonia, who was searching for Leon.

• Cynthia reviewed Leon’s battle against Diantha and considered how Milotic and Garchomp could counter his Pokémon, especially Gigantamax Charizard.
• Kaim told Cynthia that her Pokémon had recovered and warned her not to stay too long in the bath; she then entered his tablet’s password using her birthday and went to see him.
• Kaim collected Cynthia’s Pokémon and eased their lingering mental fatigue by polishing Mikage’s Trapezoid Stone and massaging Togekiss.
• Sonia entered the basement field looking for Leon, learned that Kaim was a supporter too, and introduced herself as Leon’s supporter.

Kaim met Sonia, Leon’s former rival and current guide, and invited her to share what she knew about Leon with Cynthia before their battle. Cynthia arrived, and their conversation revealed that Leon had a terrible sense of direction while Cynthia was hopeless at tidying.

• Sonia introduced herself to Kaim as Leon’s supporter and explained that she had brought him to the stadium because he often got lost.
• Sonia described her past Gym Challenge and League rivalry with Leon and said she was glad he was still battling, though she had lost track of him after he left the Pokémon Center.
• Kaim invited Sonia to stay and tell Cynthia about Leon as a person, and Sonia agreed after he explained that it could make their battle more enjoyable.
• Sonia met Kaim’s and Cynthia’s Pokémon, which crowded around and mobbed Kaim while she watched them affectionately.
• Cynthia arrived, greeted Sonia, and learned from her that Leon could not find the stadium on his own.
• Kaim told Sonia that Cynthia was terrible at tidying, embarrassing Cynthia as she admitted it was true.

Cynthia and Kaim learned from Sonia how Galar particles and Rose’s device allowed Dynamax to be used outside Galar, then met Mikuri in the lobby. Mikuri prepared to face Red the next day, while Cynthia hoped to advance far enough to battle him herself.

• Cynthia asked Sonia how Dynamax could be used in Kanto, and Sonia explained that Rose’s device stored and transported Galar particles.
• Sonia revealed that Professor Magnolia was her grandmother and that she was studying to become a researcher before Leon called her back to the Stadium entrance.
• Sonia gave Cynthia and Kaim her contact details and left, after which Cynthia teased Kaim about stopping to talk with her.
• Cynthia and Kaim met Mikuri in the lobby, and he praised Cynthia’s victory over Steven and Kaim’s support.
• Mikuri said he would battle Red the next day, and Cynthia said she hoped to advance far enough to face him before they returned to their room.

Cynthia met Leon before their Championship battle and agreed to make it their best match. After watching Red defeat Mikuri, she faced Leon in the tournament’s second-round final, where their opening Pokémon’s first attacks collided.

• Cynthia woke refreshed after Kaim’s massage and tea, then went for an early walk and met Leon outside the Stadium.
• Cynthia and Leon introduced themselves, praised each other’s Pokémon and discussed their excitement for their battle.
• Red defeated Mikuri after Mega Charizard Y knocked out Milotic, securing his place in the final.
• Cynthia and Leon entered the arena, exchanged words about testing their strength on the world stage and began their battle.
• Leon sent out Aegislash while Cynthia sent out Mikage, and their opening attacks collided in an explosion.