Recaps

Tong Hua and his Pokémon found the Blue Crystal beneath an underground ice lake, where its guardian Lucario demanded they prove their strength in battle. As Riolu and Tong Hua discovered their Auras were identical, they joined minds and shared each other’s memories.

• Tong Hua and his Pokémon crossed the frozen lake and found the Blue Crystal, where a Lucario statue awakened and challenged them to prove their Aura through battle.
• Lucario attacked Riolu, and Tong Hua’s team fought back; the Celebi’s attempt to take the crystal failed against its Aura barrier.
• Riolu immobilized Lucario with a Pause Orb, but the effect quickly ended, and Lucario drove back Steenee and Purrloin while condemning their reliance on outside power.
• Lucario sensed that Tong Hua and Riolu shared an identical Aura, and the two began hearing each other’s thoughts and feeling each other’s pain.
• Tong Hua and Riolu touched hands and paws, merging their minds and sharing the memories of their two worlds.

Tong Hua and Riolu shared their memories, and Lucario gave them the Blue Crystal before joining their fight against Team Dim Sun. After Ai Shi escaped and the grunts were arrested, Tong Hua discovered that his new Aura let him understand Pokémon, a skill Seven said could earn him special recruitment as a Ranger.

• Tong Hua and Riolu exchanged memories and recognized that they had both come from other worlds.
• Lucario judged their bond worthy of the Prince's Tears, gave them the Blue Crystal, and joined them to fight Team Dim Sun.
• Ai Shi fled the indoor battlefield while Seven and He Fu defeated and arrested the remaining Team Dim Sun grunts.
• Tong Hua returned with Lucario and the Blue Crystal, then showed Seven and He Fu that he could understand Pokémon through Aura.
• Seven said Tong Hua's ability could earn him special recruitment as a Ranger, and the group left Almia Ancient City with the arrested grunts.

After returning to Ranger Union Headquarters, Tong Hua learned that the three crystals could purify the Dark Crystal and agreed to use his Invisibility in the operation against Team Dim Sun. Riolu shared hope for saving the future with the others, while Tong Hua and Lucario prepared for the confrontation the next day.

• Grotle counted the days until Tong Hua returned as Tong Hua's group arrived at Headquarters with Team Dim Sun grunts in custody.
• Professor Xinyuan and Chairwoman Xiaocui planned to act against Team Dim Sun once the Chief Pokémon Rangers returned, and Tong Hua handed over the Blue Crystal.
• Riolu told Lucario about his world and encouraged Celebi by saying they could save the future and find Grovyle.
• Lucario and Tong Hua visited the rooftop crystals, where Lucario recalled that Cresselia and Heatran had guarded the other two.
• Professor Xinyuan confirmed the three crystals had to touch the Dark Crystal simultaneously and asked Tong Hua to use his Invisibility in the operation.

Tong Hua cooked breakfast for the Rangers and Pokémon, then joined a briefing on the plan to stop Angel Company from using the Dark Crystal to control Pokémon across Almia. The team launched Operation Light, with Tong Hua tasked with rescuing the hostages and bringing the three crystals to the Dark Crystal.

• Riolu woke up and found Tong Hua and Lucario cooking pancakes for the Rangers and Pokémon.
• Lucario praised Tong Hua’s pancakes, and the food refreshed those who ate it.
• Professor Xinyuan and Chairwoman Xiaocui revealed that Angel Company had transformed its building into Angel Tower to control Pokémon using the Dark Crystal.
• Professor Xinyuan assigned He Fu to lead the aerial assault and Seven to lead the ground team, while Tong Hua was tasked with rescuing the hostages and bringing the three crystals to the Dark Crystal.
• Professor Xinyuan named the mission Operation Light, and the operation began.

The International Police and Pokémon Rangers launched an assault on Angel Tower after learning Team Dim Sun was working with Xerosic, but the building’s traps split the forces and Ai Shi attacked with three Mega-Evolved Pokémon. Tong Hua’s group divided between searching for Yizhi below and advancing toward the tower’s upper floors.

• International Police officers evacuated Angel Company employees, and Looker and Emma arrived after disrupting a Team Dim Sun base and cruise ship in Harbor Town.
• The Rangers and International Police breached Angel Tower, where a trap split the lobby with barriers, sound devices, smoke, and sealed exits.
• Ai Shi appeared with Mega Froslass, Mega Abomasnow, and Mega Glalie, forcing Seven and the assault team to battle while breaking the barriers.
• Tong Hua’s group used Lucario and Riolu’s senses to find the emergency stairs and split up to investigate upstairs and downstairs.
• Looker and Emma led a team toward the basement to search for Yizhi, while Tong Hua and the remaining team began climbing the tower.

Looker’s squad stormed Xerosic’s underground control room, where Emma fought Mega Malamar and helped free the researchers from hypnosis. After Yizhi shut down the control system and the team defeated Crobat, they headed upstairs to support the others.

• Looker’s squad reached the underground control room and found Xerosic, Yizhi, and the other researchers under Mega Malamar’s control.
• Looker ordered the team to attack the control consoles, but Mega Malamar blocked their shots and struck back with Psychic.
• Emma used her E Combat Suit to dodge Mega Malamar’s attacks and land a punch that weakened his control over the researchers.
• Mega Ampharos struck Mega Malamar with Thunder, and Emma knocked him out of Mega Evolution, sending him into Xerosic.
• Riolu warned Emma of Crobat’s sneak attack, while Looker and Yizhi stayed behind as the others withdrew with Xerosic and the researchers.
• Yizhi destroyed the underground control system, and Looker, Emma, and their Pokémon hurried toward the tower’s upper floors.

Tong Hua and the International Police fought Rong Yan’s forces on Angel Tower’s fifth floor, while Tong Hua used a stolen Key Stone to draw Emboar away from the stairs. After the battle, Huang Mo retreated to the sixth floor, and Tong Hua’s group pursued him toward the tower’s top.

• Rong Yan attacked the International Police with Magmortar and Infernape, while Tong Hua slipped toward the stairs and found Emboar blocking the way.
• Mega Ampharos and other reinforcements joined the fight, and Purrloin stole Rong Yan’s Key Stone so Steenee and Delibird could lure Emboar away.
• Tong Hua raced for the sixth floor, but Huang Mo arrived and blocked the stairs as his Electric-type Pokémon joined the battle.
• Steenee helped Lucario defeat Infernape, and the combined forces knocked out Magmortar, Emboar, and Electivire while protecting the International Police.
• Huang Mo retreated to the sixth floor, Rong Yan was subdued, and Tong Hua’s group advanced toward the top of the tower.

Tong Hua reached Angel Tower’s summit and disrupted Pluck Hall’s attempt to charge the Dark Crystal while Rangers attacked the tower and Team Dim Sun’s forces were arrested. When the sixth floor fell and the protective barrier shattered, Tong Hua leaped toward the Dark Crystal with three crystals in hand.

• Tong Hua found Pluck Hall and Huiler charging the Dark Crystal, whose energy had corrupted Pluck’s family for generations.
• Tong Hua waited in hiding with Minccino and Purrloin, planning to use three crystals once the barrier fell, while the sixth-floor battle and the crackdown outside continued.
• The International Police commander learned that Team Dim Sun had cut power across northern Almia and ordered emergency power supplies for essential services.
• He Fu and another Chief Pokémon Ranger sent their Staraptor to attack the summit’s defenses, but automatic turrets forced them to retreat.
• Tong Hua secretly tampered with the summit console, causing the charging progress to fall and distracting Pluck and Dusknoir.
• The sixth floor fell and the barrier shattered, so Tong Hua leaped toward the Dark Crystal with the three crystals as Pluck and Huiler noticed him.

Tong Hua and his Pokémon purified the Dark Crystal, freeing Darkrai and restoring the Light Crystal, and Operation Light ended in success. The Almia Union honored Tong Hua and his companions with the title Friend of the Almia Union and a promise to grant one just request, which they chose to save for a shared wish to go home.

• Tong Hua, Minccino, and Purrloin joined the three crystals with the Dark Crystal, purifying it and freeing Darkrai from its corruption.
• International Police officers and Rangers reached the tower, took Pluck Hall and Huiler into custody, and watched Darkrai return to Pluck’s shadow.
• Tong Hua and his companions celebrated Operation Light’s success, and the restored Light Crystal was left in Angel Tower as a historical landmark.
• Looker escorted Tong Hua’s group to Headquarters, where Chairwoman Xiaocui granted them the permanent title Friend of the Almia Union and promised to fulfill one just request.
• Tong Hua and his companions agreed to share the promised favor and told Chairwoman Xiaocui their wish was to go home.

Tong Hua returned to Fairy Tale Ranch with Riolu, Lucario, Ampharos, and the others after the crisis in Almia. Ampharos planned to investigate Arceus and Dark Dialga, while the reunited ranch residents celebrated their safe return over dinner.

• Ampharos asked Tong Hua what he knew about Arceus and Dark Dialga, and Tong Hua described the Arceus statue at Destiny Tower.
• Ampharos said he would have an Exploration Team investigate and promised Tong Hua they would meet again after finding Grovyle and restoring Celebi's power.
• Tong Hua and the others arrived at Fairy Tale Ranch, where the Pokémon gathered around him and celebrated his return.
• Minccino recounted how Tong Hua and his companions restored the Light Crystal and saved Almia, impressing the ranch Pokémon.
• Tong Hua served a celebratory dinner, and Riolu and Lucario enjoyed his cooking.

Fairy Tale Ranch and Happy Dessert House reopened, and Riolu challenged Tong Hua to a cooking contest to prove himself. The contest ended in a draw that brought Riolu closer to the ranch, just as Looker and Emma arrived.

• Riolu challenged Tong Hua to a cooking showdown while Lucario wavered between exploring the world and staying for the food.
• Tong Hua used his new Creative Craft skill to make Molten Surprise Pastry Boxes, which the Pokémon eagerly tasted.
• Riolu presented beautiful Berry Tarts, and Tong Hua praised his technique and called the contest a draw.
• Riolu's resentment faded, and he accepted his place at Fairy Tale Ranch as the Pokémon prepared the Dessert Shop to open.
• Looker and Emma arrived at the ranch.

Tong Hua said goodbye to Looker and Emma after they completed their mission in Almia, then returned to running Fairy Tale Ranch and Happy Dessert House. As the news reported Team Dim Sun’s defeat, Tong Hua considered finding Ampharos an Evolution Stone, while Steenee’s exploration team sensed that something good might happen.

• Looker and Emma thanked Tong Hua for helping resolve the Team Dim Sun incident and promised to keep his secrets out of official records.
• Looker and Emma prepared to leave Almia, gave Tong Hua Looker’s contact information, bought pastries, and said goodbye.
• Tong Hua reopened Happy Dessert House and returned to baking with his Pokémon companions as Ampharos and Pink Celebi watched the news with Riolu and Lucario.
• The news reported Pluck Hall’s arrest, the Ranger Union’s takeover of Angel Company, and showed Tong Hua in a group photo from Operation Light.
• Tong Hua discussed finding Ampharos an Evolution Stone so it could Mega Evolve with the Key Stone, while Steenee led her exploration team across West Hill, expecting something good to happen.

Buneary led Steenee, Smoliv, and the green Celebi to an injured Grovyle, whom they treated before his friends arrived. The pink Celebi learned that the three Time Gears he had been carrying were missing.

• Buneary reunited with Smoliv, Steenee, and the green Celebi, then led them to her family’s cave.
• The Lopunny showed them Grovyle, who had arrived through a Spacetime Passage and was gravely injured.
• The green Celebi treated Grovyle with Life Dew and Heal Bell while Steenee ran to fetch his friends and Smoliv helped.
• Ampharos, Riolu, and the pink Celebi arrived, and the pink Celebi tearfully apologized to the unconscious Grovyle.
• Buneary and the Lopunny explained that they had found Grovyle on a beach, but had found no other objects with him.
• Riolu asked about three glowing green gears, and the pink Celebi realized the Time Gears were missing.

Ampharos, Riolu, Steenee, and Smoliv searched the coast for the missing Time Gears after they vanished near the beach. Ampharos traced the currents to the Wailord Sea, where the search continued.

• Ampharos and Riolu rushed out to search for the Time Gears, and Steenee and Smoliv followed them.
• At Fairy Tale Ranch, Tong Hua learned through Telepathy that Pelipper had overeaten and nearly swallowed a Bellsprout during a delivery.
• Tong Hua noticed Steenee and Smoliv were missing, while the three Milcery remained weak and needed their Sweet Scent.
• Ampharos and Riolu ran the wrong way, so Steenee led the group through forest trails to the coast.
• The four Pokémon searched the bay, and Ampharos, Riolu, and Steenee then searched underwater while Smoliv waited on shore.
• Ampharos used the currents and Grovyle's wash-up location to lead Riolu and Steenee toward the Wailord Sea.

Ampharos, Riolu, and Steenee found three Time Gears in the Wailord Sea, then were swept into the mouth of a giant Wailord and carried through the sky back toward home. They returned to the beach with all five Time Gears and the full team assembled, leaving only Celebi’s recovery before they could attempt to save the world.

• Riolu sensed the three Time Gears drifting into deeper water, and Ampharos, Riolu, and Steenee followed their trail beneath the surface.
• Ampharos used Flash to guide the team through the dark depths, and the three Pokémon retrieved the Time Gears.
• The seabed began shaking, and Riolu realized the team was inside a gigantic creature’s mouth.
• A giant Wailord expelled Ampharos, Riolu, Steenee, and the Time Gears, then rose into the sky and carried them toward Chicory Village and Fairy Tale Ranch.
• Wailord descended near shore and returned the team to the beach, where Smoliv greeted them; the team now had all five Time Gears and awaited Celebi’s recovery.

Grovyle woke after being rescued, and Ampharos and the others returned the lost Time Gears. At Fairy Tale Ranch, Grovyle began recovering among his companions and the Pokémon who had saved him.

• Grovyle woke in the cave and apologized to Pink Celebi for losing the three Time Gears, while she worried over his injuries.
• Green Celebi reassured Grovyle that Ampharos, Riolu, Steenee, and Smoliv were searching for the gears, and they returned with all three undamaged.
• Ampharos carried the recovering Grovyle back to Fairy Tale Ranch with Buneary and the Lopunny, who had rescued him.
• Tong Hua welcomed Grovyle to the ranch and checked his condition while Pink Celebi cared for him.
• Tong Hua invited Buneary and the Lopunny to lunch, and Grovyle began recovering as the group settled in at the ranch.

Tong Hua learned that Pink Celebi could not regain her power to travel through time and space, and he said a dish might help if they found an exceptionally special ingredient. Riolu brought out the five Time Gears as a possible ingredient, leaving Tong Hua and the others shocked as he reached toward them.

• Tong Hua served a vegetarian lunch to the Buneary and Lopunny who had saved Grovyle, while Minccino scolded Purrloin for her messy eating.
• Grovyle ate Tong Hua’s cooking and fell asleep, while Ampharos recalled Mawile and vowed that they had to return to save the world.
• Riolu asked Tong Hua to make a dish that could restore Pink Celebi’s ability to travel through time and space.
• Tong Hua explained that such a dish would need an exceptionally special core ingredient.
• Riolu brought out the five Time Gears and offered them as ingredients, and Tong Hua reached toward them despite everyone’s astonishment.

Tong Hua considered how the Time Gear might restore Pink Celebi’s power, but no one knew how to use it safely or repair Temporal Tower afterward. He decided to raise his Cook level in hopes of unlocking a suitable recipe, and began an intensive cooking grind.

• Tong Hua discovered that the Time Gear was an S Grade material usable in many crafts, but the Recipe Pokédex showed no recipes for it.
• Lucario suggested that Pink Celebi draw power from the Time Gear, but Pink Celebi worried that doing so could prevent Temporal Tower’s repair and admitted she did not know how to absorb its energy.
• Steenee recalled a similar gear in Windwinding Forest, and green Celebi explained that it was her own limited creation and that only Dialga could freely control time.
• Tong Hua reassured Pink Celebi and Riolu, then realized he might need to raise his Cook level to make a dish with the Time Gear and unlock its recipe.
• Tong Hua prepared experience, motivation, and inspiration boosts and began baking batches of treats, while Delibird repeatedly went shopping as their ingredients ran low.

Tong Hua welcomed Grovyle back to consciousness and served a restorative dinner for the reunited team at Fairy Tale Ranch. Grovyle learned that Riolu expected them to save their world, accepted that they would stay temporarily, and ended the evening resolved to prepare for the fight ahead.

• Tong Hua greeted Grovyle after he woke and reassured him when his leaf blades tore the bedsheet.
• Riolu told Grovyle that Celebi had lost her ability to travel through time and space, then shared memories showing how they could save their world.
• Grovyle regained hope but insisted the team should build their strength and not take their world's suffering lightly.
• Ampharos and Lucario encouraged Grovyle to explore their temporary home, and Grovyle agreed to avoid causing Tong Hua trouble and offered to mend the torn bedding.
• Tong Hua served restorative B-Rank dishes at a dinner celebrating the team's reunion, and Grovyle and Pink Celebi recalled their past meals together.

After reaching Cook level 40, Tong Hua unlocked Levequests and accepted a commission for Rolanberry Cheesecakes, hoping to earn a large reward by making them at high quality. He let Minccino and the others help with the baking while Riolu, Grovyle, Ampharos, Pink Celebi, and Lucario went to train in Wind-Circling Forest.

• Grovyle settled into life at Fairy Tale Ranch, training diligently and taking over many chores, while Minccino found himself with more free time.
• Tong Hua reached Cook level 40 and unlocked the Levequest system, whose shared allowance replenished every seven days.
• Tong Hua accepted a level 40 commission to provide three Rolanberry Cheesecakes for a visiting Chief Pokémon Ranger.
• Tong Hua paused to feed the hungry Pokémon, then told Riolu, Ampharos, and Grovyle they could take the afternoon off from helping him.
• Tong Hua began making cheesecake with Minccino and the others as Riolu and Grovyle led Ampharos, Pink Celebi, and Lucario to Wind-Circling Forest.

The Pokémon Exploration Team met Tangrowth at Waterfall Pool and persuaded him to show them Green Celebi’s homemade Time Gear. They discovered it was a finely made wooden gear with an unusual, possibly living Aura, but Tangrowth could not explain how it had been made.

• Grovyle, Riolu, Ampharos, Lucario, and the Celebis visited Waterfall Pool, where they encountered Tangrowth hiding beneath the water.
• Ampharos and the others asked Tangrowth to show them Green Celebi’s homemade Time Gear, and he agreed after Pink Celebi offered to speak up for him.
• Tangrowth retrieved the wooden gear from his Treehouse, and Ampharos observed that it resembled a Time Gear but was not genuine.
• Lucario sensed that the wooden gear had an unusual Aura that seemed to breathe like a living thing.
• Tangrowth recalled that Green Celebi had brought the box home a few days before leaving Wind-Circling Forest, but he did not know when or how she made the gear.

Tong Hua and the Pokémon made Rolanberry Cheesecake for a levequest, and the dish earned a B-Rank quality. When Tong Hua submitted it, the quest consumed the cheesecake from everyone’s bowls and rewarded him with experience, League Coins, and Herba Mystica.

• Tong Hua had Purrloin slice strawberries and asked Minccino, Steenee, and Delibird to help prepare strawberry sauce and cheese.
• Tong Hua dried the strawberry slices in the oven, assembled the cheesecake, and completed a Quality B Rolanberry Cheesecake.
• Tong Hua and the Pokémon tasted the cheesecake while he opened the levequest panel and pressed Complete.
• The cheesecake vanished from the Pokémon’s bowls when the quest submitted it, leaving Minccino and Steenee bewildered.
• Tong Hua received 600,000 experience, 60,000 League Coins, and three Herba Mystica, and his level rose.

Tong Hua received three A Grade Herba Mystica and tested his new Tricks of the Trade skill, which instantly produced a D Grade dish. Meanwhile, Green Celebi stopped the Pokémon from investigating her living Time Gear, leaving its secrets unexplained for now.

• Tong Hua stored the three A Grade Herba Mystica bottles and discovered his new skill could instantly complete recipes of D Grade quality or below, but consumed energy and granted no experience.
• Tong Hua used Tricks of the Trade to make a Berry Salad and confirmed it tasted like one made by hand.
• Green Celebi went to Tangrowth’s Treehouse after sensing that someone had opened the box containing the homemade Time Gear again.
• Ampharos, Lucario, Pink Celebi, and Tangrowth speculated about the Time Gear’s origins until Green Celebi arrived and stopped Tangrowth from revealing what it was made from.
• Green Celebi explained that the Time Gear’s secrets could not yet be disclosed, and the Pokémon agreed to stop investigating before returning to Fairy Tale Ranch to try Tong Hua’s new dessert.

Tong Hua visited Grandpa Yang at Sunshine Ranch and collected a set of seven high-quality Sweets for the Milcery’s evolutions. On the way home, he reassured Smoliv and Nacli that they did not need to rush their own evolutions.

• Tong Hua traveled to Sunshine Ranch with Orthworm, Steenee, Smoliv, and Nacli to visit Grandpa Yang.
• Grandpa Yang welcomed Tong Hua and his Pokémon, who greeted him warmly.
• Grandpa Yang gave Tong Hua seven B-Rank Sweet Accessories imported from the Galar Region for evolving Milcery.
• Grandpa Yang advised Tong Hua to respect each Milcery’s wishes about its evolution, and Tong Hua agreed to prepare a special ceremony.
• Smoliv and Nacli resolved to work hard to evolve, but Tong Hua reassured them that they could grow at their own pace and were valued members of Fairy Tale Ranch.

Tong Hua helped three Milcery choose their Alcremie forms and Sweets, then watched Ruby and Caramel evolve at the ranch. Rainbow still needed to wait until dusk, leaving everyone eager for the final evolution.

• Tong Hua showed the three Milcery a chart of Alcremie forms, and they chose Ruby Cream, Caramel Cream, and Rainbow Swirl.
• Tong Hua explained their evolution requirements, named the Milcery Ruby, Caramel, and Rainbow, and helped them select Sweets.
• The ranch Pokémon gathered to cheer as Ruby spun counterclockwise and Caramel spun clockwise, evolving into Alcremie.
• Ruby and Caramel shared cream-decorated Berries with Tong Hua and the other Pokémon, who enjoyed their calming sweetness.
• Tong Hua and the ranch Pokémon waited for dusk so Rainbow could begin evolving.