Recaps

Shen Qi and Florges broke the evolution seals on nearly every Flabébé in Melemele Meadow, completing their Emotional Script, then searched for stragglers. The next day, Yun Que arrived at the meadow and was stunned to see a Floette.

• Shen Qi arranged for Pelipper and Dodo to buy an Everstone for Flabébé while noticing that Dodo seemed troubled by the story of evolving beside a Trainer.
• Shen Qi and Florges broke the evolution seals across Melemele Meadow, with help from newly evolved Floette and Florges’s Eternal Flower Form.
• After they found no more Flabébé, Florges cried with relief, and Shen Qi completed the Emotional Script and used his reward to obtain Skill Proficiency Cards.
• Shen Qi and the Pokémon searched for missed Flabébé and eggs, found sixty-six Flabébé and two eggs, then searched again the next day without finding more.
• Yun Que came to Melemele Meadow to study Oricorio’s dancing and was shocked to see a Floette there.

Shen Qi witnessed Floette appearing in Melemele Meadow, where Flabébé had been unable to evolve for years, and Professor Burnet’s Flabébé evolved when they reunited. The discovery triggered an Emotional Script for Dodo, who chose to face his grief and visit Professor Akihabara’s grave with Shen Qi.

• Yun Que reported the Floette in Melemele Meadow, bringing Ilima, Hau, Mallow, the Rangers, and the Island Guard to investigate and protect the area.
• Professor Burnet rushed to the meadow and reunited with the Red Flower Flabébé she had known since high school; Flabébé evolved into Floette.
• Shen Qi received Dodo’s Emotional Script and asked whether he missed Professor Akihabara; Dodo admitted he did and agreed to face his past.
• Shen Qi promised to accompany Dodo to visit Professor Akihabara’s grave, then confiscated the two three-liter bottles of drinks Dodo had bought.
• Professor Burnet and Floette embraced as the crowd dispersed, and Shen Qi wished the meadow’s Flabébé happy futures.

Shen Qi watched the Flabébé and Floette thank him after his work in Melemele Meadow, then hurried to Seafolk Village to watch Xiao Ming’s final Island Challenge assessment against Hapu. The battle began badly for Xiao Ming, but his unexpected Double Battle choices left Hapu and the spectators unsure what he was planning.

• Thousands of Flabébé and nearly a hundred Floette bowed to thank Shen Qi and the Pokémon who had helped them in Melemele Meadow.
• Shen Qi learned that Xiao Ming had reached the final Island Challenge round and drawn Hapu as his opponent.
• Shen Qi called Gladion for help getting to Seafolk Village before Xiao Ming’s assessment began.
• Hapu’s Mudsdale defeated Xiao Ming’s Tauros with Mud Shot after its Stamina Ability made it increasingly difficult to damage.
• Xiao Ming sent out Spheal and Flame Breed Tauros for the two-on-two stage, and Spheal sprayed ice crystals at its teammate to trigger Anger Point.

Xiao Ming used Spheal’s Shed Shell to escape Sand Tomb and bring Sharpedo into his battle with Hapu, but he ultimately lost because of the level gap. After Hapu declared him the Island Challenge’s final challenger, Shen Qi and Gladion celebrated with him, where he learned that Gladion wanted racing advice because his mother would not let him race.

• Xiao Ming used Spheal to trigger Flame Breed Tauros’s Anger Point, but Hapu boosted Mudsdale’s Defense and used Krookodile’s Sand Tomb to trap Spheal.
• Xiao Ming recalled Spheal with Shed Shell and sent out Sharpedo, whose Liquidation struck Krookodile after Tauros fell to Mudsdale and Krookodile’s attacks.
• Xiao Ming sent out Dartrix, but Hapu defeated him as the level gap proved too great.
• Hapu asked Xiao Ming why he had equipped Spheal with Shed Shell, and he explained that senior Rangers had recommended it for safety in the field.
• Hapu announced that Xiao Ming had passed the Island Challenge’s final challenge.
• Shen Qi and Gladion celebrated Xiao Ming’s certificate with a banquet, where Gladion asked Shen Qi for racing advice and said his mother would not let him race.

After saying goodbye to Gladion and Xiao Ming in Alola, Shen Qi left for Kanto and began puzzling over the grayish-white Pokémon that had saved Lillie and Gladion years earlier. On the flight to Saffron City, Lilligant reminded him that registration for the Spring Race was coming soon, and Shen Qi agreed they would enter.

• Gladion approved of Shen Qi pursuing Lillie, but Xiao Ming claimed that Shen Qi liked men, leaving Gladion shocked and Shen Qi insisting the rumor was a misunderstanding.
• Shen Qi said goodbye to Gladion and Xiao Ming, agreeing to bring Little Sheep to Alola someday while Gladion returned to the Aether Foundation and Xiao Ming vowed to become a teacher.
• As Pelipper carried him away from Poni Island, Shen Qi realized the Type: Null that had saved Lillie and Gladion should not have existed in the Normal World Line and wondered where it came from.
• Deep in Poni Canyon, Absol carried an injured Pokémon to safety and wondered why someone seemed to be talking about it.
• At Hau'oli Airport, Shen Qi stopped trying to solve the mystery and flew toward Saffron City; Lilligant reminded him that Spring Race registration was approaching, and he agreed to enter.

Shen Qi brought Dodo to Macha City so he could confront his past at the Akihabara Research Institute. When they found the institute maintained but apparently under new ownership, Shen Qi took Dodo to the Security Bureau to learn who owned it.

• Shen Qi collected his three cars at the Pewter Science Museum and heard that Li Ke's team was investigating a Qwilfish's evolution into Overqwil.
• Shen Qi drove through Diglett Tunnel to Macha City, where Dodo recalled his life with Professor Akihabara.
• Shen Qi and Dodo found the Akihabara Research Institute's courtyard tidy, its old sign intact, and its electronic gate still working.
• Dodo entered the old passcode and opened the gate, but Shen Qi stopped him from entering before they learned who owned the institute.
• Shen Qi left Lilligant and Florges at a hotel and drove Dodo to the Macha City Security Bureau, where Officer Jenny asked how she could help.

Shen Qi brought Dodo back to the Akihabara Research Institute, which Nishinomori V had preserved in memory of Professor Akihabara. Dodo faced his past with his companions and found the strength to move forward.

• Shen Qi asked Officer Jenny who owned the Akihabara Research Institute and learned that Nishinomori V had bought it.
• Shen Qi called Nishinomori V, who explained that he had preserved the institute and invited Dodo to explore it.
• Shen Qi and his Pokémon set out for the institute, and Oricorio hurried after them after mistakenly thinking they had left her behind.
• Dodo led Shen Qi and the Pokémon through the institute and calmly confronted memories of Professor Akihabara.
• Shen Qi told Dodo that his growth had helped him face the past, and Dodo stood before the gravestone in the institute's backyard.

Shen Qi and Dodo found Professor Akihabara’s Upgrade and Dubious Disc, and Dodo chose to evolve into Porygon2 while leaving open the possibility of a later evolution into Porygon-Z. After settling at the institute for the night, Shen Qi learned that Blissey planned to train in Pikachu Forest and help any injured Pokémon.

• Nishinomori V told Shen Qi that Professor Akihabara had left an Upgrade and a specially modified Dubious Disc for Dodo’s evolution.
• Shen Qi and Dodo found the two items in a safe at the Akihabara Research Institute, and Dodo decided to use the Upgrade to evolve into Porygon2.
• Dodo proposed saving the Dubious Disc as a memento, but Shen Qi explained that they could use it later to evolve Elder Sister while Dodo retained Porygon2’s Eviolite advantage.
• Dodo evolved into Porygon2, and Shen Qi agreed to let him stay at the institute while the others returned to their hotel.
• Blissey woke early and told Shen Qi that she and Lopunny would train in Pikachu Forest and offer medical care to injured Pikachu.

Blissey and Lopunny encountered a male Meowstic in Pikachu Forest, and Lopunny battled him but struggled against his strength and Psychic-type moves. Meowstic then challenged Blissey, and the chapter ended as he swiftly raised Safeguard before attacking her.

• Blissey and Lopunny went for their morning run and met a boastful male Meowstic at the edge of Pikachu Forest.
• Lopunny battled Meowstic, but his physical strength, minor moves, and Psybeam overwhelmed her despite her use of Agility.
• Lopunny said Shen Qi could let her Mega Evolve, but Meowstic doubted her and dismissed Blissey as a harmless healing support Pokémon.
• Blissey accepted Meowstic's challenge and took her place to battle him one-on-one.
• Meowstic quickly activated Safeguard and prepared to attack Blissey.

Lopunny and Blissey told Shen Qi about a powerful Meowstic they had battled in Pikachu Forest, whom Blissey defeated after he injured his paw. Shen Qi identified Meowstic’s unusual attack as Expanding Force and suspected the Pokémon’s Trainer had access to recent research and considerable backing.

• Meowstic challenged Lopunny and Blissey, but Blissey overpowered him with Egg Bomb and Body Slam.
• Meowstic refused Blissey’s offer to heal his twisted paw, so Blissey knocked him unconscious with another attack.
• After waking at noon, Shen Qi heard Lopunny describe Meowstic as the King of Late-Night Snacks and considered how strong he was.
• Blissey described Meowstic’s unfamiliar Psychic-type move, and Shen Qi recognized it as Expanding Force.
• Shen Qi learned that an Expanding Force Technical Machine had recently become available and suspected Meowstic’s Trainer had considerable backing.

Shen Qi spent a peaceful picnic with his Pokémon in Pikachu Forest, where he reunited with the former Team Rocket members Butch and Cassidy, who were nearly finished with their community service. He offered to ask Pokémon High School’s principal about hiring them, then returned to the research institute and checked on the newly evolved inflatable duck.

• Shen Qi shared food with the wild Pikachu and fell asleep during his picnic with his Pokémon.
• Butch and Cassidy emerged from Pikachu Forest while working as Trainee Rangers, and Shen Qi recognized them as former Team Rocket graduates.
• Butch and Cassidy told Shen Qi their community service was nearly over and that they had no clear work prospects afterward.
• Shen Qi suggested they might teach at Pokémon High School and said he would discuss their backgrounds with Principal Gui.
• Butch and Cassidy left to finish their Ranger Union fieldwork, and Shen Qi later returned to the Akihabara Research Institute to check the inflatable duck’s unstable energy chakras.

Mime Jr. transformed into Blacephalon, and Shen Qi tested his powers and considered how his items could affect him. Before leaving Macha City for Shen Qi’s hometown, Mime Jr. met Meowstic in Pikachu Forest, who offered to escort him back and asked whether he was the King of Midnight Snacks.

• Mime Jr. transformed into Blacephalon, whose attacks did not strongly affect nearby living things without extra Ultra Infinity Energy from the [Final Key Stone].
• Shen Qi found that [Soul Resonance] could not be used on Blacephalon, but [Type Potential] could give him new type combinations.
• Mime Jr. set off before dawn through Pikachu Forest, planning to leave Macha City for Shen Qi’s hometown.
• Meowstic mistook Mime Jr. for a lost Pokémon and offered to take him home, but Mime Jr. explained he was out for a nighttime walk.
• Mime Jr. invited Meowstic to play, and Meowstic asked whether Mime Jr. was the Pokémon who had met Blissey and Lopunny as the King of Midnight Snacks.

Meowstic challenged Mime Jr. after dismissing Shen Qi as a weak trainer, but Mime Jr. transformed and defeated him. Shen Qi took the Dubious Disc safe from Macha City, then repaired the courtyard after Mime Jr. returned with the injured Meowstic, and a new emotional script appeared on his Game Interface.

• Meowstic mocked Mime Jr.'s praise of Shen Qi and accepted his challenge, intending to teach him a lesson.
• Mime Jr. transformed into a tall, clown-like form and knocked Meowstic unconscious with a Shadow Ball.
• Shen Qi took the sealed safe containing Dodo's Dubious Disc from the Akihabara Research Institute and prepared to leave Macha City.
• Mime Jr. returned with an injured Meowstic, prompting Blissey to rush outside and Shen Qi to repair the crater in the lawn.
• Meowstic woke up, watched Shen Qi repair the courtyard, and mistook a burst of phone fragments for an offensive Style Technique.
• Shen Qi put away his tools, and his Game Interface detected a Pokémon Emotional Script and asked whether to attempt a strategy.

After Meowstic woke, Shen Qi learned how he had met Mime Jr. and invited him to come along, while Meowstic secretly planned to uncover Shen Qi’s strength. The group prepared to return to Island 6, with Florges, Golurk, and Pelipper leaving for an expo and Shen Qi eyeing Oricorio as his ride.

• Meowstic woke after Blissey treated him, and Shen Qi learned that Mime Jr. had knocked him unconscious with Shadow Ball after Meowstic doubted Shen Qi was a hero.
• Meowstic secretly resolved to investigate Shen Qi’s supposed evil power, and Dodo translated that he had no Trainer and was traveling to train.
• Shen Qi invited Meowstic to come home, and Meowstic accepted while privately planning to uncover Shen Qi’s secrets and learn his method for growing stronger.
• Meowstic rejected Shen Qi’s Luxury Ball, and Shen Qi gathered the Pokémon to return to Island 6.
• Florges left for a baking and confectionery expo in Saffron City with Golurk and Pelipper, while Shen Qi planned to meet Huzang and looked to Oricorio as a possible ride.

Shen Qi and his Pokémon set out for Island 2, while Dodo adjusted to his new form and Shen Qi saved his reward draws. After Meowstic struggled through the high-speed drive and ferry ride, Shen Qi checked his Emotional Script and discovered that the Dark Night King was a hard route.

• Lilligant, Lopunny, and Oricorio rode in the Flower Crown, while Meowstic joined Shen Qi in the Little Sheep and got overwhelmed by its speed.
• Shen Qi let Dodo out to watch Macha City recede and encouraged him to grow at his own pace, though he refused to let Dodo drink unlimited beverages.
• Shen Qi saved all 10 general-purpose item draws instead of using them immediately.
• After the Little Sheep reached Fuchsia City, Shen Qi comforted the dizzy Meowstic and took him aboard the ferry to Island 2.
• Shen Qi checked Meowstic's Emotional Script and found that the Dark Night King route had hard difficulty.

Shen Qi used a Memory Image to uncover Meowstic’s dramatic dream of becoming the Dark Night King, then suspected the dream reflected real memories. As their ship prepared to dock, Meowstic’s regard for Shen Qi rose slightly, bringing conquest progress to 5%.

• Shen Qi viewed the first Memory Image drawings, which showed Espurr’s romance being shattered and him embracing darkness as the Dark Night King.
• The later drawings depicted Meowstic fighting through a war and traveling to confront the mysterious cat who had taken his love.
• The final drawing revealed that Meowstic had woken from the apparent saga as a dream, but Shen Qi doubted it was entirely fantasy because it appeared in a Memory Image.
• As the ship sounded its horn before docking, Meowstic felt a connection with Shen Qi and acknowledged him more, raising conquest progress to 5%.

Shen Qi brought the newly arrived Meowstic to his home, where Meowstic woke and mistook Shen Qi’s care and training for signs of hidden power. As Lopunny challenged Meowstic to a rematch, Meowstic agreed and grew more convinced that Shen Qi was no ordinary Trainer.

• Meowstic woke in Shen Qi’s storeroom and learned from Mime Jr. that Shen Qi had brought him home.
• Shen Qi explained that Meowstic had slept through the journey, while Meowstic privately admired Shen Qi’s driving and assumed he was hiding his strength.
• Shen Qi asked whether Meowstic could communicate telepathically, and Meowstic explained that it required strong mental power and skill.
• Lopunny challenged Meowstic to a rematch using Mega Evolution, and Meowstic eagerly accepted.
• Shen Qi fetched private Barrier Protectors, prompting Meowstic to conclude that Shen Qi was unusually capable and wealthy.

Shen Qi battled Meowstic with Mega Lopunny, then used Shadow Hold and a miraculous detached-arm technique to impress him and raise the Dark Night King script’s progress to 25%. Shen Qi realized Meowstic wanted a powerful, reliable Pokémon Trainer, then headed toward Pokémon High School while Meowstic remained stunned.

• Shen Qi had Mega Lopunny battle Meowstic, whose Reflect was shattered by her Quick Attack and whose Protect and Psyshock could not prevent his defeat.
• Mega Lopunny narrowly won before her Mega Evolution wore off, while Shen Qi wondered why the Dark Night King script’s progress had not increased.
• Meowstic tried to run toward Officer Jenny, but Shen Qi restrained him with Shadow Hold, raising the script’s progress to 17%.
• Shen Qi detached and reattached his arm while holding Meowstic, raising the script’s progress to 25% and realizing Meowstic sought a powerful, reliable Pokémon Trainer.
• Shen Qi returned Meowstic to the courtyard and left to look around Pokémon High School before his appointment with Principal Gui; Mime Jr. rubbed Meowstic’s head, and Meowstic did not resist.

Meowstic tried to learn Mime Jr.'s Divine Blessing Mode, passed out from the dangerous training, then asked Blissey to teach him how to get stronger. Meanwhile, Shen Qi met Xiao Chun's evolved Venomoth, and the chapter left him wondering why it was so familiar with him.

• Meowstic asked Mime Jr. to teach him, then tried combining several types of energy and passed out.
• Meowstic woke in the front hall and decided to learn from Blissey instead.
• Blissey offered Meowstic a therapeutic massage, and he realized too late that her smile seemed ominous.
• Shen Qi stopped feeding the Pokémon when a friendly Venomoth approached him.
• Dodo explained that Venomoth was Xiao Chun's former Venonat, which had evolved after bonding with Xiao Chun.

After Principal Gui proposed that Shen Qi try becoming Pokémon High School’s future principal, Shen Qi discussed the idea with Xiao Chun and weighed the school’s need to grow. He had already recommended Cassidy and Butch as possible teachers, and Principal Gui left the decision to him.

• After the graduation ceremony, Shen Qi asked Principal Gui for an honorary teacher title, but Principal Gui suggested he try becoming the school’s future principal instead.
• Shen Qi discussed the proposal with Xiao Chun, who agreed that Shen Qi was the best candidate to lead Pokémon High School.
• Shen Qi explained that the school needed to expand its staff and improve its teaching to compete with the Yangbeila Branch School on Shamouti Island.
• Shen Qi told Xiao Chun that he had invited Cassidy and Butch to join the staff, and Xiao Chun considered them worth evaluating.
• Shen Qi said Principal Gui would accept Cassidy and Butch if Shen Qi recommended them, and Xiao Chun observed that Shen Qi seemed prepared for the principal role already.

Shen Qi considered taking over Pokémon High School and joined Xiao Chun in learning the school’s support duties, from feeding and caring for Pokémon to helping withdrawn Pokémon adjust to people. The chapter ended with school life winding down after graduation, as Shen Qi and Xiao Chun watched a friendly beach-ball match.

• Xiao Chun suggested Shen Qi could become principal, and Shen Qi decided to test his suitability during his remaining year at Pokémon High School.
• Xiao Chun showed Shen Qi the Pokémon Living Area and explained how the school cared for 246 registered Pokémon as well as visiting wild Pokémon.
• Shen Qi helped feed the Pokémon and learned how support staff used type energy to help withdrawn Pokémon accept people and guidance.
• Shen Qi thought Cassidy and Butch could bring useful Pokémon-raising and teaching experience to the school.
• Xiao Chun and Shen Qi finished caring for the Pokémon, then watched the school’s clubs wind down as the third-year students graduated.
• Dodo and Whismur played beach ball with Lilligant, whose spike landed on her own side and gave the opposing team a point.

Shen Qi learned that Pokémon High School would face Yangbeila Branch School in a Friendly Match during spring break and decided to compete. After realizing their student lineup was weak without Qiu Yan, he resolved to ask her to join.

• Xiao Chun told Shen Qi about the Friendly Match and explained its individual and team formats.
• Shen Qi decided to enter the Friendly Match, reasoning that losing students would further threaten Pokémon High School.
• Shen Qi learned that Yangbeila Branch School had transferred students from its strong main campus, giving it a significant advantage.
• Xiao Chun listed Pokémon High School’s likely competitors and revealed that Qiu Yan had refused to participate.
• Shen Qi recognized that Qiu Yan’s absence would hurt the school’s showing and decided to talk to her.

Shen Qi asked Qiu Yan why she had declined to represent Pokémon High School in its Friendly Match against the Yangbeila Branch School, and learned she would only help the school if it showed real prospects. He proposed that he could bring in two teachers and field a promising student team, while hinting that the current first-years might be stronger than she assumed.

• Shen Qi considered possible members for Pokémon High School's Friendly Match team, including Little Reporter, whose broad Energy Perception made her promising despite her shortcomings.
• Shen Qi called Qiu Yan and learned she had declined the match because her strength came from outside the school and she did not plan to stay after graduation.
• Qiu Yan explained that Pokémon High School needed to show progress before she could persuade her family to let her teach there in the future.
• Shen Qi proposed bringing in two teachers and forming a student team that might win the Friendly Match, giving Qiu Yan a reason to see hope for the school.
• After the call, Shen Qi recalled Lilligant and Dodo and resolved not to underestimate Pokémon High School's current first-years.

Shen Qi returned home, where Meowstic cried and complained about the Pokémon surrounding him, then left to meet Koji and offer training guidance. At the start of the Friendly Match preparations, two young boys competed for Shen Qi’s attention as his fanboys.

• Meowstic rushed to Shen Qi and wailed, while Shen Qi discovered the “Dark Night King” Emotional Script had reached 25% progress.
• Shen Qi finished dinner, arranged for Blissey to accompany him to Koji’s home, and left Meowstic with Lopunny and Mime Jr.
• After Shen Qi departed, Meowstic tried to learn from Lopunny, then panicked when he remembered Mime Jr. was still there.
• Two young boys greeted Shen Qi and argued over who had spoken first.
• Shen Qi asked the boys whether they were joining Pokémon High School’s Friendly Match against Yangbeila Branch School.

Shen Qi explained why Pokémon High School needed to improve and learned that Yangbeila Branch School’s students were not as formidable as he had feared. He planned to recruit Qiu Yan for the Friendly Match, while Taichi described his three Eevee and their different evolution plans.

• Shen Qi told Koji and Taichi that Principal Gui hoped he would take over Pokémon High School, and Koji explained how outside competition could help the school avoid stagnation.
• Koji clarified that Yangbeila Branch School would send mostly first- and second-year students, and he believed he could compete with them.
• Shen Qi said Qiu Yan might refuse to help because she did not believe her strength belonged to Pokémon High School, so he wanted to show her the school had a future.
• Shen Qi reviewed Koji’s six Pokémon and Taichi’s lineup, including three unevolved Eevee.
• Taichi explained that one Eevee wanted to remain Normal-type, while the other two were preparing to evolve into Leafeon and either Flareon or Umbreon.
• Shen Qi set earning Qiu Yan’s recognition as their first training task.