Chapter Summaries

Shen Qi trained Dodo to use Dynamax with Conversion and Max Lightning, then registered for the Saffron Gym’s Gold Badge assessment. He began preparing for the Psychic-type written and practical exams, confident in his studies but uncertain about his practical score.

• Shen Qi and Dodo tested a Dynamax tactic, using Magnet Rise and Conversion to turn Dodo Electric-type before it unleashed Max Lightning and activated Electric Terrain.
• After three days of training, Shen Qi took a half-day rest and headed to the Saffron Gym to register for the Gold Badge assessment.
• Shen Qi bought the Psychic-type exam textbooks and returned to the Fighting Dojo to study for the written and practical tests.
• Shen Qi reviewed the practical exam’s energy-control tasks and assessed his proficiency across the types related to Psychic.

Shen Qi prepared for the Saffron Gym’s written exams while Wude revealed that the International Police planned to arrest the Tulip Squad. After passing Subject One, Shen Qi used an [Analysis Card] to manage Subject Two’s energy collisions, then faced an unexpected second-stage Psychic-type skill task.

• Wude told Shen Qi that an International Police contact had hinted at an operation against the Tulip Squad, and urged him to put his guilt over Wude’s injury behind them.
• Shen Qi took Subject One at the Saffron Gym and judged that he had scored at least eighty points.
• Wude struggled with waiting for news of the Tulip Squad operation, while Shen Qi chose not to tell him that he might learn its outcome sooner.
• Shen Qi used an [Analysis Card] to stabilize his Psychic-type energy against several types during Subject Two’s first stage.
• The first stage ended, and Shen Qi discovered that the second stage required him to use Psychic-type Energy Coordination to enhance a complex Psychic-type skill.

After the Tulip Squad was captured, Shen Qi arranged for Wude to see them at the Pewter City Security Bureau. During their flight there, Wude surprised Shen Qi by announcing that he wanted to enter next year’s Pokémon World Championships.

• Shen Qi learned from Sabrina that the Tulip Squad had been captured and that he could bring Wude to see them at the Pewter City Security Bureau.
• Shen Qi went to Jinfu Clinic and told Wude about the visit, explaining that he had arranged it so Wude could see the culprits brought to justice.
• Wude embraced Shen Qi with gratitude, then packed food before they set off for Pewter City on Braviary.
• During the flight, Wude told Shen Qi that he wanted to enter next year’s Pokémon World Championships, startling him with the unexpected announcement.

Wude explained to Shen Qi that he planned to enter the Pokémon World Championships to seek a final all-out battle against Sabrina before his declining health left him weaker. At the Pewter City Security Bureau, Wude faced Domino and the captured Tulip Squad, but he kept his anger in check and told her she had gotten what she deserved.

• Wude told Shen Qi that he knew he could not advance far in the Championships, but hoped to face Sabrina before his health worsened.
• Wude explained that his condition was gradually declining and that avoiding battle would leave him with lifelong regrets.
• Shen Qi and Wude arrived at the Pewter City Security Bureau, where they met Sabrina, Blue, Lance, Looker, and Mackenzie.
• Wude greeted Sabrina, who praised Shen Qi, and Wude proudly called him the student he was proudest of.
• Wude confronted Domino and the other captured Tulip Squad members through bulletproof glass, while Sabrina and Shen Qi watched for signs he might lose control.
• Domino tried to provoke Wude, but he calmly told her that she had gotten what she deserved.

After the Tulip Squad was arrested, Wude mourned the end of his battling career but resolved to enter the Pokémon World Championships. Shen Qi told Wude he might never return to Kanto, then met Lisia and Li Yizi as they were released from the Security Bureau.

• Wude broke down crying after leaving the Underground Interrogation Room, then said he wanted one last battle and invited Sabrina to face him.
• Sabrina told Wude that a chance to battle her depended on what Shen Qi did, and Shen Qi explained that he had taken the first two subjects of the Saffron Gym Badge Exam.
• Shen Qi told Wude he was leaving Kanto before the end of the year and might never return, and the two exchanged a promise to remember the Fighting Dojo's spirit.
• Lisia and Li Yizi came out of the Security Bureau after being held during the Tulip Squad arrest operation, and Lisia explained that Li Yizi's car had struck a Tulip Squad member during a race.
• Lisia thanked Shen Qi for coming to pick her up, but he realized Wude had quietly left.

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.