Recaps

Shen Qi arrived in Sinnoh to join Li Ke’s research expedition to find Qwilfish with traces of an ancient bloodline near Lake Valor. Despite the researchers’ doubts about the expedition, the team set out for the reserve, where the rough journey began to make some members carsick.

• Shen Qi flew from Saffron City to Nohara City and called Zinnia after reaching the Lakefront Hotel.
• Shen Qi met Li Ke, Hinako, and ten researchers at the Seven Stars Restaurant, where the researchers questioned Li Ke’s decision to trust Shen Qi’s unsupported claim.
• Li Ke and Shen Qi agreed to begin the expedition promptly, and the researchers received their assignments.
• The expedition left the Lakefront Hotel the next day in five Off-Road Vehicles and turned onto a rough wilderness trail toward Lake Valor.
• Several researchers became carsick from the bumpy ride, while their colleagues tried to distract them by pointing out wild Girafarig.

Shen Qi and the Pewter Science Museum researchers reached Lake Valor and began surveying it for Qwilfish with the potential to evolve into Overqwil. Shen Qi captured a Qwilfish in a Capture Net and started testing its type energy.

• Shen Qi and the researchers trekked through Lake Valor’s hot, insect-filled forest while recording type energy data.
• After reaching the lake, Shen Qi offered to help Li Ke’s team search for Qwilfish and agreed to work from a kayak.
• Li Ke explained the survey plan, safety precautions, and the expected schedule for testing Lake Valor and Lake Acuity.
• Shen Qi used Pokémon Rations to lure a Qwilfish into a Capture Net, then attached probes to measure its energy chakras.

After weeks of fruitless surveying at Lake Valor, Li Ke joined Shen Qi on a smaller expedition to Lake Acuity, while Zinnia began checking Stantler nearby. Shen Qi spoke with Florges and sensed their relationship was about to change, as Florges continued to wonder why communicating with him felt different from the other Pokémon.

• After two unsuccessful survey cycles at Lake Valor, the researchers suggested that Li Ke and Shen Qi continue to Lake Acuity without the rest of the team, and Li Ke agreed to accompany Shen Qi.
• Li Ke recalled that Shen Qi had supported him when others mocked his flying Skeleton Fossil hypothesis, and said he would stand by Shen Qi in return.
• Shen Qi, Li Ke, and Hinako traveled from Nohara City to Snowpoint City, where Shen Qi explained that Zinnia had received testing equipment and was already surveying Stantler near Lake Acuity.
• The group reached a Ranger Union cabin beside Lake Acuity, and Hinako warmed herself by the fireplace while Shen Qi went outside.
• Shen Qi told Florges that their relationship might soon enter its next stage, while Florges reflected on her delayed replies to him and her humanlike habits.

Shen Qi and Florges grew closer at Lake Acuity, but Officer Jenny interrupted them and took Shen Qi to the Security Bureau. The expedition continued with no findings and morale declining, until Lisia called and asked Shen Qi to take her to Lake Acuity.

• Florges told Shen Qi that she thought he preferred spending time with Pokémon over dating young women, and Shen Qi explained his way of building a close bond with Pokémon.
• Shen Qi and Florges embraced beside Lake Acuity, but Officer Jenny arrived looking for poachers and took Shen Qi away.
• Shen Qi returned the next morning and resumed searching for Stantler with Li Ke and Hinako, while Zinnia’s separate tests also yielded no results.
• The researchers had found no leads at either lake, and Shen Qi worried that the expedition’s lack of progress was wearing down the team’s morale.
• Lisia called Shen Qi from Sinnoh, heard about the research, and asked him to take her to Lake Acuity.

Lisia joined Shen Qi and the others at Lake Acuity, where she detected traces suggesting someone had been watching them. As they tracked the unknown person through the cedar forest, Hinako also reported being followed, and a scream followed by an avalanche erupted nearby.

• Lisia joined Shen Qi's research expedition at Lake Acuity after Li Ke agreed to let her come.
• On her third day, Lisia sensed traces of type energy in the Cedar Forest Area, and Shen Qi found footprints behind a cedar.
• Lisia tracked residual Ice-type energy deeper into the forest while Shen Qi checked in with Li Ke over the Walkie-Talkie.
• Li Ke reported that Hinako had found signs of someone following her, so he turned back to find her while Shen Qi and Lisia continued tracking.
• As evening fell, Shen Qi and Lisia heard a piercing scream, followed by a thunderous rumble that revealed an avalanche.

Shen Qi and Lisia escaped an avalanche but lost their supplies and their way back in the dark. They sheltered in a Secret Base for the night, where Lisia told Shen Qi that Druddigon might have caught a cold.

• Lisia used Abra's Teleport to take Shen Qi and their Pokémon away from the avalanche.
• Shen Qi and Lisia crossed Lake Acuity with Dewott and watched the avalanche bury the Snow Cedar Forest.
• With their supplies buried and the radio broken, Shen Qi relied on Golett and Druddigon to find a suitable place for a Secret Base.
• Lisia's Quagsire and Dodo opened a stone Secret Base, and Shen Qi and Lisia sheltered inside.
• Lisia told Shen Qi that Druddigon was unwell and might have caught a cold.

Shen Qi and Lisia escaped the blizzard with help from Ranger Pokémon, then learned that poachers were likely behind the deliberately triggered avalanche. The Pewter Science Museum researchers decided to end the failed expedition, while Shen Qi noticed Dewott was unwell.

• Shen Qi and Lisia left their shelter and found Ranger Lapras and Delibird, who rescued them and carried them to the Lake Acuity camp.
• Shen Qi told Officer Jenny and the others that suspicious tracks had led him and Lisia into the avalanche, and the group suspected poachers linked to an earlier injured Snorunt.
• Senior researchers scolded Li Ke and warned Shen Qi to stop directing the investigation, while Hinako became tearful.
• The veteran researcher called off the expedition and said Lisia's sick Pokémon needed an examination in Snowpoint City.
• Shen Qi checked on Druddigon and found him recovered, but Dewott remained listless with unstable energy; he went to Lisia's room and heard her call out.

Shen Qi recognized that Dewott’s strange energy fluctuations meant he was evolving into a Hisuian Samurott, and he persuaded Lisia to wait rather than evacuate him from Lake Acuity. After Dewott evolved safely, Shen Qi left the decision about publishing the findings to Lisia.

• Lisia told Shen Qi that Dewott’s condition was worsening and that Dark-type energy was appearing alongside his Water-type energy.
• Shen Qi identified the change as a likely evolution into Hisuian Samurott and warned Lisia that leaving Lake Acuity could endanger Dewott.
• Despite the researchers’ objections, Lisia trusted Shen Qi and decided to wait three minutes before moving Dewott.
• Dewott evolved into a Water- and Dark-type Hisuian Samurott, confirming Shen Qi’s prediction.
• Shen Qi explained that Dewott needed Lake Acuity’s resonance to evolve safely, then told Li Ke that Lisia could decide whether the Pewter Science Museum published the findings.

Shen Qi and Lisia presented the discovery of Hisuian Samurott at a press conference, where Shen Qi also offered information on other Hisui Pokémon in exchange for extracting energy from the Red Orb and Blue Orb. Afterward, he continued his partnership with Li Ke and prepared to take his Pokémon out while Florges’s script neared completion.

• Lisia reassured Samurott that she would not abandon him and entrusted Shen Qi with deciding how to publish the research.
• Shen Qi chose to publish the findings through the Pewter Science Museum and told Li Ke that Samurott had not yet mastered the lost move Ceaseless Edge.
• At a press conference, Li Ke announced the discovery of Hisuian Samurott, and Shen Qi invited reporters to see him at Jubilife City’s September festival.
• Shen Qi offered information about other Hisui Pokémon in exchange for extracting Super-Ancient Energy from the Red Orb and Blue Orb, promising the orbs would be returned.
• Shen Qi told Li Ke to continue researching Overqwil and Wyrdeer, then declined Lisia’s invitation to get barbecue so he could take his Pokémon out and finish Florges’s nearly complete script.

At Lake Acuity, Shen Qi used the rewards from Golett’s completed script to unlock his Rock- and Flying-type potential, which gave him skeletal wings and new possible type combinations. Florges’s script then reached 100%, granting Shen Qi an Ultimate Key Stone, though Florges herself could not use it for Mega Evolution.

• Shen Qi received the fourth-stage rewards for Golett’s “Stone Bone Longing” script, including the Type Potential item.
• Shen Qi used Type Potential on Golett and found that he could activate Rock- and Flying-type energy alongside his Ground and Ghost types.
• Golett’s new Flying typing manifested as skeletal wings, but he could only hop when he tried to fly.
• Shen Qi completed Florges’s script and received rewards that included an Ultimate Key Stone.
• Shen Qi realized the Key Stone could help Lopunny or another Pokémon Mega Evolve, but Florges could not use it.

Shen Qi learned that the Final Key Stone required energy from every type and a large amount of Mental Power, while Florges's fully revealed condition showed how extensively it had trained. After a Pokémon Trainer named Li Shisan brought both Ancient Orbs to Lake Acuity, Shen Qi prepared to meet him with Zinnia.

• Shen Qi discovered that the inactive Final Key Stone could not be used until he entered the Mega Evolution World Line, and he reassured Florges that they would seek a way forward together.
• Shen Qi decided to wait for Zinnia to cross worlds before testing whether he was qualified, while he and Zinnia awaited news about the Red and Blue Orbs.
• Li Ke called Shen Qi and said that Li Shisan, who possessed both orbs, was flying from Pokémon Town to Lake Acuity with a temporary entry permit from Candice.
• Shen Qi told Zinnia that the orb holder was arriving, then saw a young man in a white trench coat standing outside the cabin and calling for someone.

Li Shisan brought the Red and Blue Orbs to Shen Qi, and Zinnia confirmed they were genuine before extracting their super-ancient energy. Shen Qi grew suspicious of Li Shisan’s unusual knowledge, but the group later welcomed him at a feast at Lake Acuity.

• Li Shisan met Shen Qi and presented the Red and Blue Orbs, briefly mistaking a Flame Orb for one of them.
• Zinnia verified the orbs as genuine, and Shen Qi told Li Shisan that she planned to use their energy to save her ancient tribe.
• Li Shisan questioned Shen Qi about unknown Hisui Pokémon and Zinnia’s origins, prompting Shen Qi to suspect he was a knowledgeable Pokémon player.
• Shen Qi and Li Shisan added each other as friends and discovered they both knew Wen Jiu from Pokémon Paradise.
• Li Ke arrived with food, and the group shared a feast with Li Shisan and his Pokémon; Chansey went outside to talk with Shuckle.

Shen Qi prepared to cross into another world with Zinnia, but a Tulip Squad ambush interrupted the preparations at Lake Acuity. After fighting off the attackers and realizing his captured Poké Balls were empty, Shen Qi remained wounded and outnumbered as the enemies pressed the attack.

• Zinnia gave Shen Qi six Strange Balls and told him to accompany her to a place on Mt. Coronet to pray for the Space God's power.
• As Zinnia entered the mountain, a hidden attacker wounded Shen Qi, and the Tulip Squad seized the Luxury Balls he had set aside.
• Shen Qi escaped into the forest with Chansey and used his Pokémon to ambush the attackers, defeating one Trainer and knocking out Sharpedo.
• The Tulip Squad discovered the stolen Poké Balls were empty, while Shen Qi identified them by their petal-shaped weapon and suspected their silence meant something was wrong.

While fleeing the Tulip Squad, Shen Qi empowered Dodo’s Normal-type attacks and fought back, but Chansey’s desire to protect him led her to learn Protect and evolve into Blissey. Blissey charged into the battle, and Shen Qi recalled her as the pursuit continued.

• Shen Qi escaped through Snow Cedar Forest after Lilligant used Protect, while the Tulip Squad pursued him and he noted that two freed Liepard had abandoned their trainer.
• Shen Qi used Type Potential on Dodo, giving him Normal + Normal typing and strengthening his Tri Attack.
• Shen Qi and Dodo ambushed the pursuing Liepard, knocking out two; a Tulip Squad member unmasked as Cai Xia.
• Chansey remembered Shuckle’s advice about protecting what mattered and learned Protect as she shielded Shen Qi from concealed weapons.
• Chansey evolved into Blissey, charged toward Houndoom behind Protect, and raised Brick Break before Shen Qi recalled her.

Shen Qi escaped the Tulip Squad’s attack and reached Zinnia at the Spacetime Rift, where he learned that she could not return without losing the power needed for their crossing. As the passage stabilized, Zinnia explained that Shen Qi might arrive in a different place—or at the location where his counterpart had died—in the Mega Evolution World Line.

• The Tulip Squad’s explosives blasted Shen Qi through the snow, but he recalled his Pokémon and followed the Strange Balls toward Zinnia using [Jet Energy].
• Shen Qi suspected Hinako was a Tulip Squad member who had helped control the Pewter Science Museum and realized Li Shisan was in grave danger from Domino’s group.
• Shen Qi reached Zinnia beside the Spacetime Rift and told her about the Tulip Squad’s attack, but she refused to abandon their crossing because doing so would exhaust the crystal’s divine power.
• Zinnia warned Shen Qi that returning to help might be too late to save Li Shisan, and Shen Qi accepted that he would have to become stronger and avenge him later.
• Zinnia explained that Shen Qi might encounter another version of himself in the Mega Evolution World Line, be sent somewhere else, or arrive where his counterpart had died; Shen Qi agreed to protect his Pokémon and proceed.

Shen Qi crossed into the Mega Evolution World Line and found the remains of the version of himself who had died there. After identifying the place as Ruins Valley, he flew up from the ravine and began to consider how his counterpart had met his end.

• Shen Qi landed painfully in the new world while keeping his six Pokémon linked through the Strange Balls, then found a human skeleton beneath him.
• Shen Qi released Blissey, Dodo, and Lilligant; Lilligant identified nearby Grass-type Pokémon, and Shen Qi soothed the frightened Bellsprout and Oddish.
• Shen Qi reassured Blissey that her warning had helped him survive the Tulip Squad’s hidden-weapon attack, then woke after Blissey knocked him unconscious with her eggs.
• Shen Qi comforted Golett and examined the remains, finding broken bones, climbing gear, ruined supplies, and keys matching his own.
• Shen Qi used Magnet Rise and Jet Energy to reach the top of the cliff, discovered he was deep inside Ruins Valley, and wondered whether his counterpart had gone there to train.

Shen Qi returned to his home in the Mega Evolution World Line, cleaned it, and discovered that the [Final Key Stone] was activating and Blissey's Emotional Script had been completed. After using the ten targeted draws to stock up on items and improve Blissey's 'Protect,' he rested and prepared to draw a [Skill Card], leaving his next plans unresolved.

• Shen Qi flew from Ruins Valley to his Farmhouse Courtyard, found the gate rusted shut, climbed over the wall, and cleaned the house with his Pokémon.
• Shen Qi checked the Game Interface and saw that the [Final Key Stone] was over 20% activated and Blissey's "Crazy Quack-Soft Strength" Expansion Pack had been completed.
• Shen Qi used the ten targeted draws to obtain three [Script Detectors], four [Memory Images], two [Skill Proficiency Card 1]s, and one [Skill Proficiency Card 2].
• Shen Qi used a [Skill Proficiency Card 1] to raise Blissey's 'Protect' proficiency from 7% to 13%.
• The next morning, Shen Qi recovered at home while Blissey washed his clothes, and he prepared to draw a [Skill Card].

Shen Qi drew the Dark Move Shadow Hold, tested it on Lopunny, and experienced its excited-state side effect before Officer Jenny found him. At the Island 6 Security Bureau, he identified himself as Shen Qi, missing and presumed dead for three years, and an Officer Jenny who knew him recognized him.

• Shen Qi used a Skill Card and drew Shadow Hold, a move that prevented opponents from switching Pokémon.
• Shen Qi tested Shadow Hold on Lopunny, creating a black band around her thigh and triggering an excited state that sharpened his perception.
• Shen Qi canceled the move and tried to examine where it had affected Lopunny, but Officer Jenny arrived and caught them.
• At the Island 6 Security Bureau, Shen Qi told Officer Jenny who he was and learned he had been presumed dead since disappearing three years earlier.
• An Officer Jenny from Island 5 arrived, recognized Shen Qi from his graduation, and called his name.

After Officer Jenny confirmed Shen Qi’s identity, he explained his three years in Ruins Valley and was released from the Detention Room. He learned that Wude had kept open his chance to take the Fighting Dojo’s entrance assessment, and asked Officer Jenny about replacing his identity card.

• Officer Jenny confirmed Shen Qi’s identity through his fingerprints and accepted his explanation for surviving in Ruins Valley with his Pokémon partners.
• Shen Qi demonstrated his catching Style Technique, accidentally banding Stoutland and both Officer Jennys’ thighs, and was sent to the Detention Room.
• Officer Jenny told Shen Qi that a powerful Trainer had noticed him at Kumquat High School and had reserved an assessment opportunity for him.
• Shen Qi mistakenly thought Lorelei had chosen him, then learned that Wude of the Fighting Dojo had invited him to take its entrance assessment.
• Officer Jenny contacted Wude, who agreed to keep Shen Qi’s assessment eligibility, and Shen Qi asked how to replace his identity card.

Shen Qi replaced his documents and phone, reunited with Island 6 neighbors, and traveled to Saffron City to pursue his chance at the Fighting Dojo. There, he discovered his [Final Key Stone] was charged but still unusable, while Lilligant longed to see Maractus in the shantytowns outside the city.

• Shen Qi replaced his bank card, found only around 2,000 b in his account, and bought a secondhand phone after Island 6 neighbors welcomed him back.
• Shen Qi told Dev and the neighbors he planned to go to the Fighting Dojo, and they gave him 50 b each as a customary blessing despite his protests.
• Shen Qi traveled toward Saffron City and tried to contact Zinnia, but her phone was switched off and she had no social media account linked to her number.
• Shen Qi arrived at a bus station outside Saffron City and learned that [Final Key Stone] had finished activating, though it still needed charging and a suitable Pokémon to use.
• Lilligant looked toward the shantytowns outside Saffron City, missing Maractus, whom she had not seen since before Shen Qi's journey.

Shen Qi and Lilligant searched for Maractus in the Mega Evolution World Line and instead met Imite, who invited them home. There, they learned Maractus was ill and that Imite was supporting the household, while an unknown benefactor secretly left them fruit each week.

• Shen Qi agreed to help Lilligant look for Maractus, but they could not find her home in the altered Island 6 Market.
• Shen Qi and Lilligant encountered Imite training with Dodrio and Ditto near Route 7, and Imite invited them to her home.
• Imite introduced her Pokémon, including Medicham, and told Shen Qi that her Maractus, Shaling, was ill and resting.
• Imite explained that someone left fruit outside her home every week, and Shen Qi realized Cacturne was secretly helping her.
• Imite asked Shen Qi where he planned to make a living in Saffron City and warned him not to stay if he had arrived unprepared.

Shen Qi went to the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City to take the admission assessment, while thinking about the Pokémon he had owned before. The chapter ended as he asked how to qualify for the dojo’s highest-level student benefits and prepared to demonstrate his abilities.

• Shen Qi left Imite and traveled to the Fighting Dojo for an assessment arranged through Wude.
• On the way, Shen Qi recalled that his native counterpart had owned Pidgeotto, Mime Jr., and Wingull, and that only Pidgeotto’s current whereabouts were known.
• Shen Qi registered at the Fighting Dojo using temporary identification and met Wude and the current Gym Leader, Xinyan.
• Wude warned Shen Qi that a poor assessment score would mean standard tuition, while high scores could bring reduced fees or full support.
• Shen Qi asked what was required to earn the highest-level student benefits, and Xinyan told him to show what he could do.

Shen Qi fought a Fighting Dojo coach under T Tournament rules and defeated him with Porygon, Florges, and his own combat techniques. His victory stunned the instructors, who learned he had grown much stronger since Wude first met him.

• Nobuhiko arranged a practice battle between Shen Qi and a Fighting Dojo coach, giving Shen Qi extra Pokémon under the T Tournament rules.
• Shen Qi sent out Porygon, used Magnet Rise and Jet Energy to evade Hitmonchan’s Fake Out, and then brought out Florges to help fight the coach.
• Porygon paralyzed Hitmonchan with Thunder Wave and recovered its barrier points while Shen Qi used Jet Energy and Protect to withstand the coach’s attacks.
• Florges tripped the coach with Grass Knot, lowering his barrier points below the defeat threshold just as the Infinity Energy Bell rang.
• Shen Qi celebrated his win, and Wude told Nobuhiko that Shen Qi had once only owned a Mime Jr. and a Wingull.

Shen Qi joined the Fighting Dojo, where Wude offered to train him and urged him to help defeat Sabrina and make the dojo Saffron City's top Badge-awarding institution. Determined to grow stronger before returning to face the Tulip Squad, Shen Qi used his stored item energy to recharge special training items and unlocked the ability to sense Ice-type energy.

• Shen Qi impressed Wude and Xinyan by defeating a coach, and Wude offered to instruct him personally.
• Wude set the goal of surpassing the Saffron Gym and defeating Sabrina, while Shen Qi doubted the dojo's odds and tried to avoid being made responsible for the ambition.
• Wude and Xinyan welcomed Shen Qi with a barbecue outing and a trip to the bathhouse, leaving his [Love Savings Bank] 86% charged.
• Shen Qi decided to use the [Love Savings Bank] to recharge his [Physique Card] and [Energy Comprehension Cards] so he could grow stronger before confronting the Tulip Squad.
• Shen Qi used [Energy Comprehension Card 2] and gained the ability to sense Ice-type energy, then prepared to use [Energy Comprehension Card 1].

Shen Qi began intensive training at the Fighting Dojo and asked Wude to focus on helping his Lopunny master Mega Evolution. Wude asked whether Shen Qi wanted to pursue Dynamax or Mega Evolution, leaving him to choose a direction in a world rich in the energy that enabled Mega Evolution.

• Shen Qi used a Physique Card and met the Shiny Machamp who prepared breakfast at the Fighting Dojo.
• Shen Qi completed an energy chakra stability test and demanding physical and energy-load training under Wude.
• Shen Qi defended Golett's mixed energy chakras, saying they could eventually become an advantage.
• Shen Qi told Wude he wanted to train Lopunny to master Mega Evolution.
• Wude asked Shen Qi to choose between developing Lopunny for Dynamax or Mega Evolution.