Recaps

Shen Qi returned to Saffron City, learned he had passed the first two Trainer assessments, and booked his Battle Assessment. While scouting the Saffron Gym for examiners, he inspected acting Gym Leader Ni Shang’s Mandibuzz and discovered it was level 68.

• Shen Qi told Wingull he came from another world, and Wingull chose to follow him regardless of which world line they were in.
• Shen Qi scored 89 on Subject One and 84 on Subject Two, then told Wude he planned to book his Battle Assessment.
• Shen Qi registered at the Saffron Gym and waited in the lobby to inspect the Pokémon of an acting or deputy Gym Leader.
• Shen Qi used an Inspection Card on acting Gym Leader Ni Shang’s Mandibuzz, and Ni Shang noticed his interest.
• Shen Qi learned Ni Shang’s name at the front desk, returned to the Fighting Dojo, and found that her Mandibuzz was level 68.

Shen Qi assessed Ni Shang’s level 68 Mandibuzz and worried about the level gap between his team and Saffron Gym’s Pokémon. He gathered his Pokémon to plan for the Gold Badge assessment, then tested a paralysis-and-flinch strategy with Blissey and Lopunny.

• Shen Qi examined Mandibuzz’s sturdy stats, Overcoat ability, and disruptive moves, and concluded Dodo and Florges could exploit its Electric and Fairy weaknesses.
• Shen Qi compared his Pokémon’s levels with Ni Shang’s likely stronger team and decided delaying the assessment would not significantly improve his chances.
• Shen Qi called his Pokémon together to discuss battle tactics, including keeping Eviolite on Dodo and making Blissey and Dodo the main force.
• Shen Qi equipped Blissey with a Razor Fang and practiced combining Body Slam’s paralysis chance with flinching to restrict opponents’ actions.
• Lopunny repeatedly retreated during the tactics practice as her Barrier Points fell below 90%.

Shen Qi’s Wingull evolved into Pelipper, and Shen Qi explored how the new Sharing Heart item could let packaged self-only moves affect Pokémon companions. He then headed to Saffron Gym for his first battle assessment, accompanied by Wude and Azumi, who waited in the lobby.

• Wingull evolved into Pelipper after the script walkthrough reached 100%.
• Shen Qi received Sharing Heart and realized it could let Alliance Attack skills such as Egg Bomb and Stockpile affect Pokémon companions.
• Shen Qi reviewed Pelipper’s moves and praised him for his Tailwind, Wide Guard, and Stockpile.
• Shen Qi prepared to challenge a Gym for the first time after gathering information, practicing tactics, and training.
• Wude and Azumi drove Shen Qi to Saffron Gym, where Azumi planned to wait in the lobby because spectators could not enter the assessment area.

Shen Qi prepared for the Saffron Gym Badge assessment and chose Acting Gym Leader Ni Shang as his examiner. After both trainers revealed and banned Pokémon, they took their positions for a standard T-tier battle, with Shen Qi determined to test his training.

• Wude and Azumi encouraged Shen Qi before he entered the Saffron Gym practice room to review his battle plans.
• Shen Qi discovered Sabrina was present and chose the elderly Acting Gym Leader Ni Shang to examine him.
• Shen Qi and Ni Shang revealed their Pokémon lineups, and Shen Qi banned Alakazam while Ni Shang banned Golurk.
• Shen Qi and Ni Shang checked their protective equipment, exchanged greetings, and took their places on the battlefield.

Shen Qi and Dodo faced Ni Shang’s hidden Gallade, using Conversion and coordinated attacks to withstand its Sacred Sword and Psycho Cut. As Ni Shang tried to recall Gallade, Shen Qi trapped it with Shadow Hold, leaving Dodo poised to strike.

• Shen Qi and Ni Shang revealed their hidden Pokémon: Dodo was Porygon, while Ni Shang sent out Gallade.
• Dodo became a Normal/Ghost type with Conversion and survived Gallade’s Sacred Sword while Shen Qi narrowly evaded its guided splash attack.
• Dodo repeatedly hit Gallade with Shadow Ball, while Recover helped restore its Barrier Points.
• Ni Shang tried to recall Gallade after using Psycho Cut to create an opening, but Shen Qi used Shadow Hold to keep it on the field.

Shen Qi used a series of risky tactics against Ni Shang, briefly sending Mega Gengar out of bounds before losing the battle. Ni Shang reminded him that the Gym assessment measured whether he had reached upper T3-class Combat Power, not whether he could defeat the examiner.

• Gallade’s Shadow Hold drained Shen Qi’s Mental Power but left Gallade below 90% Barrier Points, forcing Ni Shang to recall him and send out Gengar.
• Shen Qi ordered Dodo to attack Ni Shang, but Gengar Mega Evolved and defeated Dodo after intercepting a Shadow Ball.
• Shen Qi used Jet Energy and Self-Destruct to catch Ni Shang, but Gengar used Ally Switch and took the blast instead.
• Shen Qi used Jet Energy to send Gengar out of bounds, making Ni Shang recall him and send out Mandibuzz.
• Ni Shang used Mandibuzz’s Whirlwind to hold Shen Qi in the air and ultimately lower his Barrier Points below 90%, ending the battle in her victory.
• Ni Shang asked why Shen Qi had tried to defeat her, and Shen Qi realized that the Badge assessment tested upper T3-class Combat Power rather than requiring him to beat the examiner.

Shen Qi passed Ni Shang’s Gold Badge assessment with a score of seventy-three, though Sabrina pointed out his inexperience with the Infinity Energy Bell. After Ni Shang and Sabrina misunderstood his tactics as romantic interest, Shen Qi left the assessment center embarrassed.

• Sabrina explained that Ni Shang’s Psychic-type energy had masked the Infinity Energy Bell, and Shen Qi had missed the battle’s shift to a 2v2 phase.
• Sabrina judged that Shen Qi had likely passed despite his mistake, and Ni Shang awarded him seventy-three points and the Gold Badge.
• Sabrina asked Ni Shang why she had scored Shen Qi higher than expected, and Ni Shang said she had awarded him sentiment points because he had hugged her.
• Ni Shang and Sabrina teased Shen Qi about supposedly liking older women, while Ni Shang offered to introduce him to her friends.
• Shen Qi insisted he liked pretty girls, thanked Ni Shang and her Pokémon, and left the assessment center in embarrassment.

After Shen Qi passed the Saffron Gym’s Gold Badge assessment, the Fighting Dojo members mistakenly thought he had failed and tried to console him at dinner. The next morning, Shen Qi learned Wude had gone for a checkup, then exchanged messages with Sayaka about his Lilligant, sensing she had something more to say.

• Shen Qi returned from the assessment, and the Fighting Dojo members assumed from his expression that he had failed.
• Xinyan tried to encourage Shen Qi at dinner, but Shen Qi revealed he had earned the Saffron Badge, leaving Wude and Xinyan furious at the misunderstanding.
• Shen Qi learned that Wude had gone to Jinfu Clinic for a checkup and reflected on the remaining time before he returned to the Normal World Line.
• Sayaka congratulated Shen Qi on his Gold Badge and asked about his normal-form Lilligant.
• Shen Qi asked Sayaka why she seemed so interested in his Lilligant.

Wude began an intensive rehabilitation plan to recover enough strength for a final battle against Sabrina, despite knowing the strain could worsen his health and that he would likely lose. Sabrina accepted his public challenge and arranged a dedicated arena in Saffron City, while Shen Qi supported Wude as he prepared.

• Wude showed Shen Qi the rehabilitation plan he had developed with the Jinfu Clinic and Fighting Dojo to prepare for challenging Sabrina.
• Wude explained that he wanted to end his competitive career with a battle against Sabrina, and Shen Qi encouraged him to give it his all.
• Wude began seven days of intensified training, with his Pokémon, while studying Sabrina's recordings and planning tactics.
• Wude publicly challenged Sabrina, and she accepted after recognizing the merits of his training and teaching.
• Sabrina moved a Winter Race battle and reserved the Saffron Gym's first battlefield for her match with Wude, drawing widespread attention.

Shen Qi met Sayaka in Celadon City so they could relax and battle, while Lilligant looked forward to facing Sayaka’s Hisuian Lilligant and the Lurantis Sisters. They began choosing Pokémon and bans, but the chapter ended before their battle started.

• Sayaka praised Shen Qi’s Lilligant and said she wanted to become strong enough not to lose to Coordinator peers such as Lisia.
• Shen Qi and Sayaka traveled to Celadon City University, where they prepared for a friendly battle.
• Lilligant asked Shen Qi not to ban the Lurantis Sisters so she could challenge them.
• Shen Qi chose Lilligant, and Sayaka chose Hisuian Lilligant as their first Pokémon.
• Sayaka banned Florges, and Shen Qi weighed whether to ban Aromatisse, Vespiquen, or Masquerain.

Shen Qi and Sayaka began their battle after Shen Qi banned Masquerain, and Sayaka’s weather strategy ran into trouble against his Lilligant and Pelipper. The chapter ended with Pelipper defeating Sayaka’s Hisuian Lilligant after Drizzle overturned Sunny Day.

• Shen Qi banned Masquerain, then declined Sayaka’s offer to accept another ban before the match began.
• Sayaka led with Lurantis, while Shen Qi sent out Lilligant, who used Quiver Dance and exchanged Grass-type attacks with Lurantis.
• Lurantis used Worry Seed to replace Lilligant’s Chlorophyll with Insomnia, then Sayaka withdrew Lurantis and sent out Vespiquen.
• Sayaka switched Vespiquen for Hisuian Lilligant, anticipating Shen Qi’s next move, but Shen Qi brought in Pelipper instead.
• Pelipper’s Drizzle replaced Sunny Day with rain, and Pelipper defeated Hisuian Lilligant with Air Slash.

Shen Qi defeated Sayaka in a Pokémon battle, then returned to Saffron City with her to watch Wude’s life-or-death match against Sabrina. As the battle approached, Shen Qi discovered that Wude had not been staying at home during his recovery period.

• Shen Qi’s Pelipper and Mega Lopunny overcame Sayaka’s team, and Sayaka conceded defeat.
• Sayaka discussed possible battle tactics with Shen Qi, then spent time confiding in her Lilligant.
• Hisuian Lilligant and the Lurantis Sisters grew jealous of Shen Qi’s closeness with the other Pokémon, and Masquerain joined in teasing him.
• After two days in Celadon City, Shen Qi and Sayaka returned to Saffron City for Wude’s upcoming battle against Sabrina.
• Shen Qi returned to his lodgings and learned from Mutt and Shuppet that Wude had not spent any nights at home during his recovery.

Shen Qi learned how Wude had been preparing for his match against Sabrina and watched the two Gym Leaders begin their high-profile battle. After the Pokémon selections and bans, Wude chose his first three battlers, leaving his final two picks undecided.

• Shen Qi learned that Wude had been recovering in the Fighting Dojo and receiving tactical advice from Xinyan and retired Gym Leaders.
• Wude met Shen Qi before the match, and Shen Qi filled the Love Savings Bank before charging the Final Key Stone entries.
• Wude and Sabrina entered the Saffron Gym arena and began the selection phase, with Wude concealing Pangoro.
• Sabrina revealed her lineup, including two Alakazam, Wobbuffet, Espeon, Gallade, Gengar, Weezing, Runerigus, and Gyarados.
• Wude banned Sabrina's Gyarados, while Sabrina unexpectedly banned Nidoking.
• Wude selected Decidueye, Blaziken, and Primeape, then hesitated over his final two Pokémon.

Wude opened his battle against Sabrina with Hitmonchan, using priority attacks and Trainer Skills to drive Gengar to the brink of defeat. Hitmonchan was burned, and Wude rushed in to try to finish Gengar with a follow-up Style Technique.

• Wude revealed that he had chosen Machamp because it wanted one last battle with him, then began the match with Hitmonchan.
• Hitmonchan struck Gengar with Bullet Punch, damaging it despite its immunity to Normal- and Fighting-type moves.
• Wude used Detect and a rushing attack to help Hitmonchan land Thunder Punch, reducing Gengar's Barrier Points to 1%.
• Sabrina's Gengar used Will-O-Wisp, burning Hitmonchan and weakening its Physical Attack.
• Gengar dodged Hitmonchan's next Thunder Punch with Acid Spray, and Wude rushed close to attack it with a Style Technique.

Wude’s coordinated attacks broke through Sabrina’s defenses, knocking out Gengar and forcing her to reveal Farigiraf and Runerigus. The battle turned against his speed-boosted Mega Blaziken when Sabrina set up Trick Room and Sandstorm.

• Wude avoided Gengar’s Destiny Bond, recalled Hitmonchan, and used the Infinity Energy Bell to launch a coordinated attack with Pangoro and Blaziken.
• Sabrina sent out Farigiraf, whose Armor Tail blocked both priority attacks, and then used Psychic to blunt Blaziken’s Flamethrower.
• Pangoro boosted its stats while Gengar used Protect, and Blaziken struck Farigiraf with Flare Blitz before Gengar was knocked out after burning Pangoro.
• Wude Mega Evolved Blaziken as Sabrina sent out Runerigus, while Pangoro kept the weakened Farigiraf at bay.
• Sabrina set up Trick Room and Sandstorm, reversing the advantage of Blaziken’s Speed Boost and threatening Farigiraf with sandstorm damage.

Wude and Sabrina’s battle turned on Runerigus’s Earthquake, Sabrina’s tactical switches, and Wude’s dwindling control over Mega Blaziken. After Sabrina used Ally Switch to redirect Decidueye’s attack, Wude and Blaziken struck back, but Runerigus blocked their blows with Protect.

• Weezing used Haze to erase the battlefield’s boosts, while Pangoro used Entrainment on Weezing before being knocked out and Wude sent out Decidueye.
• Sabrina sent out Alakazam, and Runerigus used Earthquake as Decidueye prepared Phantom Force; Wude pulled Blaziken out of range while Alakazam stayed aloft with an Air Balloon.
• Runerigus advanced on Wude as Alakazam stalled, and Blaziken used Detect to shield Wude from Earthquake while Decidueye attacked Sabrina’s side with Spirit Shackle.
• Sabrina used Ally Switch to put Runerigus in the path of Spirit Shackle and leave Alakazam in position to attack Wude with Psychic.
• Blaziken threw Wude aside and charged Alakazam with Fire Punch as Decidueye followed with Spirit Shackle, but Runerigus activated Protect and blocked both attacks.

Sabrina dismantled Wude’s advantage with Alakazam’s tricks, Toxic Spikes, and Psychic Terrain, then entered the 3v3 stage with a decisive lead. Wude launched Primeape at Sabrina’s team, where Gallade struck him with a critical Psycho Cut, leaving the unusual barrier-point display unexplained.

• Sabrina used Alakazam’s fake Psychic and repeated Ally Switches to misdirect Wude’s Pokémon while avoiding sandstorm damage with Magic Guard.
• Runerigus cursed Decidueye before being ruled out, and Weezing laid two layers of Toxic Spikes as Sabrina trapped Blaziken on the field.
• Weezing defeated Blaziken, while Decidueye succumbed to Curse, erasing Wude’s numerical advantage; Alakazam then set Psychic Terrain.
• At the start of the 3v3 stage, Sabrina sent out Gallade and restored Weezing with Rest, while Alakazam gained Speed Boost through Role Play.
• Wude used Hitmonchan’s Fire Punch to propel a Great Ball carrying Primeape toward Sabrina, and Gallade hit the still-forming Primeape with Psycho Cut.
• Primeape’s barrier display showed 86% + 0.01%, prompting the commentator to explain the strange reading.

Wude’s depleted team made a final stand against Sabrina, but Alakazam’s Power Swap and Mega Evolution secured Sabrina’s victory. The chapter left Wude and Machamp defeated after their last attack failed.

• Primeape survived Gallade’s critical hit with Focus Sash, and Anger Point maxed its Attack before it charged Sabrina with Close Combat.
• Alakazam used Power Swap to take Primeape’s boosted Attack, allowing Weezing to withstand Close Combat before Gallade eliminated Primeape.
• Wude completed Dynamax Coordination with Machamp, who used G-Max Chi Strike and then Max Darkness against Sabrina’s Pokémon.
• Sabrina ordered Alakazam to treat Machamp as a serious threat, and Alakazam Mega Evolved before answering Max Darkness with Psychic.
• Alakazam’s Psychic hit Machamp despite the type matchup because Machamp’s No Guard removed Psychic’s usual immunity, and Machamp was eliminated.

After Wude’s battle with Sabrina left him in a coma, Shen Qi returned to Saffron City and prepared to leave the Mega Evolution World, hoping Wude would wake before he went. He revisited Island 6 to say goodbye and clean his farmhouse, where Mime Jr. unexpectedly appeared, leaving Shen Qi unsure whether he could bring the Pokémon with him.

• Wude collapsed after defeating Sabrina and was rushed to intensive care, while Sabrina had medical staff ready to treat him and his Pokémon.
• Shen Qi returned from Hoenn, donated his money and training equipment to the Fighting Dojo, and told Xinyan he might never come back; he promised to wait as long as he could for Wude to wake.
• Shen Qi visited Wude’s Pokémon and comforted them by saying their Trainer would eventually wake, but he did not tell them he was leaving.
• Shen Qi went to Island 6, said goodbye to the villagers, and began cleaning his farmhouse before the Miracle Berry’s remaining time ran out.
• Mime Jr. emerged from the shed, and Shen Qi doubted he could complete the Pokémon’s difficult Emotional Script or safely bring him across to the Normal World Line.

Shen Qi said farewell to Mime Jr. and Wude before leaving the Mega Evolution World Line with his Pokémon. He returned to his original world, leaving behind the people and places he had grown attached to.

• Mime Jr. told Shen Qi that he had saved the world and asked whether he would step forward again in future crises; Shen Qi said he would help if needed.
• Shen Qi received Lisia's message and learned she had left him a gift at the Fighting Dojo.
• Shen Qi said goodbye to Mime Jr., returned to the Fighting Dojo, and waited with Wude as the Miracle Berry began to flash.
• Shen Qi visited the sleeping Wude, apologized to Lisia for missing her concert, and flew from Saffron City toward Ruins Valley.
• Shen Qi called Celebi and linked his Pokémon to his soul before they vanished together from the Mega Evolution World Line.

Shen Qi returned from the Mega Evolution World Line to the snowy slopes of Mt. Coronet and confronted the Tulip Squad while separated from Zinnia. He ambushed the pursuing members, and Lopunny struck one down as the battle began.

• Celebi returned Shen Qi and his Pokémon to the instant they had left, dropping them naked into the snow at Lake Acuity.
• Shen Qi warmed himself with Fire-type energy and sent Golurk ahead to locate Cai Xia and another Tulip Squad Member searching nearby.
• Shen Qi prepared Dodo and Lopunny for a quick attack, while Golurk drew the squad members' fire.
• Dodo attacked Cai Xia and broke through Shiftry's Protect as Blissey closed in on her.
• Shen Qi propelled Lopunny toward the other Tulip Squad Member with his detached arm and Jet Energy, and Lopunny caved in their chest with a kick.

Shen Qi defeated Cai Xia and another Tulip Squad Member, then hurried to Lake Acuity and found the cabin collapsed with no sign of survivors. He flew to Snowpoint City to summon Officer Jenny, while Li Shisan had already defeated most of the Tulip Squad at the cabin and complained that only his phone had been broken.

• Shen Qi used Florges, Golurk, and Lopunny to defeat Cai Xia and another Tulip Squad Member, leaving them severely injured in the snow.
• Shen Qi found the Tulip Squad's supplies, freed Nidorina from a Chain Ball, and took warm water and clothing before heading toward Lake Acuity.
• Shen Qi saw that the cabin had collapsed and, unable to find the Security Bureau, summoned Officer Jenny by groping Lopunny; Officer Jenny ordered his arrest.
• At the cabin, Li Shisan told Hinako that he was an ordinary gamer while Domino remained pinned to the ceiling and two Tulip Squad Members lay dead.

Shen Qi helped the Security Bureau capture the Tulip Squad members at Lake Acuity, then spent half a day in detention and asked Officer Jenny to buy him a phone. At a banquet with Li Ke, he encouraged him to keep the Pewter Science Museum running while he considered pursuing Pokémon battling.

• Shen Qi’s reinforcements arrived at Lake Acuity, where the Security Bureau found Domino and another Tulip Squad Member bound and gravely injured, along with corpses identified as members of the Matori Matrix and likely Team Rocket.
• The Security Bureau found Li Ke asleep in a cabin, and Candice learned that the Tulip Squad had recruited Matori Matrix members as backup.
• Shen Qi reflected on his time in the Mega Evolution World Line, gave a statement about the Tulip Squad, and told Officer Jenny about supplies containing Chain Balls near Mt. Coronet.
• Officer Jenny confined Shen Qi to the detention room for half a day, and he asked her to buy him a phone after she returned his belongings.
• At the Seven Stars Restaurant, Li Ke told Shen Qi he wanted to keep the Pewter Science Museum running, and Shen Qi said he might try Pokémon battling.

Shen Qi prepared to leave Sinnoh and was drawn to Sayaka’s private room after finding her invitation, where he met her Aromatisse and finally saw Sayaka in person. The chapter ended as he noticed the Petilil in her arms and realized something was wrong.

• Shen Qi told Li Ke he planned to leave Sinnoh after resting one more night, with Saffron City and Wude as his next stop.
• Shen Qi found an unsigned invitation to a private room and recognized the scent of the Lurantis Sisters.
• Shen Qi left Pelipper behind and went to Sayaka’s room with Dodo, where the Lurantis Sisters and Aromatisse playfully fussed over him.
• Sayaka arrived in a wheelchair holding a Petilil, and Shen Qi realized it was not Lilligant’s juvenile form.

Shen Qi visited Sayaka and learned how Solosis let her use prosthetic hands as she began pursuing a new life as a Co-driver. He then reunited with Wude at the Fighting Dojo, where Wude introduced his powerful Annihilape as Shen Qi considered taking up battling.

• Sayaka showed Shen Qi her Shiny Petilil and explained that his encouragement had inspired her to become a Co-driver or Driver again.
• Sayaka revealed that a Bond with Solosis and special prosthetics let her simulate having hands, and she hoped to compete on the track with Shen Qi someday.
• Shen Qi visited Wude at the Fighting Dojo and said he wanted to try battling while keeping racing as his main focus.
• Shen Qi and his Pokémon greeted Wude's Pokémon with intense affection, then Wude introduced Annihilape, his newly evolved Fighting/Ghost-type Pokémon.