Chapter Summaries

Fang Yan and Mayor Qiyi planned a road through the forest, agreeing to clear obstructing trees and plant twice as many trees and Berry plants along the route. Fang Yan recruited Pokémon from the Day Care to help with the work and prepared supplies for them.

• Mayor Qiyi dragged Fang Yan away from breakfast to meet the construction supervisor and discuss the road project.
• The supervisor explained that trees and bushes blocked the optimal route, while taking existing paths would make the journey much longer.
• Fang Yan proposed cutting down the obstructing trees and planting twice as many trees, including Berry plants, along the road, and Mayor Qiyi approved the plan.
• When the supervisor said they lacked enough workers, Fang Yan asked the Day Care Pokémon to help, and they agreed.
• Fang Yan marked the trees and bushes to clear, asked Lilligant to organize the forest Pokémon, ordered seeds from the local seed shop, and prepared Pokéblocks and lunch.

Fang Yan and the forest Pokémon began building a road, with help from the Pokémon Day Care and residents of Twinleaf Town. As the work continued, the people and Pokémon cooperated and shared food, while Fang Yan prepared to make dinner.

• Fang Yan watched the Pokémon organize the roadwork, and Dali and Heracross uprooted trees while Pinsir persistently tried to talk to Dali.
• Dali punched Pinsir away after his chatter annoyed her, but Pinsir kept gazing at her with hearts in his eyes.
• Gothita joined the work with Confusion, and Fang Yan handed out Pokéblocks before everyone resumed building the road.
• Grandpa Muzhi arrived with Twinleaf Town residents, Pokémon, and a box of seeds, and they volunteered to help Fang Yan.
• The townspeople and Pokémon divided up the work, while the grandmothers and aunties prepared food and Gengar handed snacks to resting Pokémon and helped clear the road.

Fang Yan and the Pokémon planted seeds along the road between Twinleaf Town and Sandgem Town and around the Pokémon Day Care. After a playful rainstorm brought people and Pokémon together for dinner, Lilligant used Sunny Day, and Fang Yan imagined the bonds they had planted flourishing in the future.

• Fang Yan praised the townspeople and forest Pokémon for repairing the road, then invited everyone to plant seeds for the towns’ hopes.
• The Pokémon spread out to plant seeds, while Fang Yan and his Pokémon planted fruit trees and flowers around the Pokémon Day Care.
• During a video call, Shauna told Fang Yan she had met a Ponyta that seemed unwell and would stay with it before returning to help.
• Azumarill’s Rain Dance set off a chain of watering disputes that turned into a water fight, and Fang Yan sheltered the townspeople and construction crew at the Day Care.
• Fang Yan rang a gong to call everyone in for dinner, then handed out Pokéblocks and reminded the soaked Pokémon not to play so wildly again.
• Lilligant used Sunny Day as the rain cleared, and Fang Yan watched the sunlight fall on the road, imagining the planted seeds and the towns’ bonds growing stronger.

After the repaired road was named Day Care Road, Fang Yan told Cynthia about it and spent a quiet evening at the Pokémon Day Care. A returning Kangaskhan visited its old home with its child, met the resident Pokémon, and wandered through the grounds, ending at the forest entrance with Ninetales’s old advice on its mind.

• Fang Yan watched the crowd celebrate the repaired road, accepted its new name, and messaged Cynthia about it.
• Cynthia grew excited about visiting Day Care Road and its cherry blossoms, while Fang Yan relaxed with Vulpix and Gengar.
• Kangaskhan returned to the reopened Pokémon Day Care with the little Kangaskhan in its pouch and met Gengar outside.
• Lilligant and the other Pokémon welcomed Kangaskhan and its child inside, and Gengar and Lilligant showed Kangaskhan around the backyard.
• Kangaskhan explored the afternoon tea area, planting area, lake, and forest, meeting Dali, the Golduck and Marill families, and Vespiquen along the way.
• At the forest entrance, Kangaskhan wondered whether fences were still needed and recalled that Ninetales had been right.

Fang Yan welcomed Kangaskhan, an old companion of his great-aunt, back to the Pokémon Day Care and showed her around. Kangaskhan left with her baby, reflecting that the Day Care was no longer her home, though her child might choose to return when grown.

• Fang Yan met Kangaskhan, who had returned after hearing from Ninetales that the Pokémon Day Care had a new owner.
• Fang Yan showed Kangaskhan the Day Care and introduced its areas and Pokémon.
• Fang Yan shared lunch with Kangaskhan before she prepared to leave with her baby.
• Fang Yan gave the baby Kangaskhan a wooden tag and handed Kangaskhan a framed photo of his great-aunt.
• Kangaskhan walked down Day Care Road, telling her baby that it could return when it grew up.

Fang Yan agreed to care for a sick Trainer’s six Pokémon and have Gengar and the others train them until he could return from surgery. After his Pokémon encouraged him at their farewell, the Trainer left determined to recover and take them to the League Conference.

• Fang Yan woke from a dream and welcomed a Trainer who wanted to board his Pokémon at Gengar's Paradise.
• The Trainer explained that he was facing surgery and asked Fang Yan’s Pokémon to train his team while he was away.
• Fang Yan agreed to care for Infernape, Quagsire, Beautifly, Hippowdon, Honchkrow, and Golem, but told the Trainer to come back and explain any abandonment himself.
• The Trainer promised his Pokémon he would return after treatment and take them to the League Conference, while Infernape and the others urged him to come back.
• Lilligant and the other Pokémon gave the Trainer flowers, Honey, and encouragement as he left determined to return.

Fang Yan enjoyed a lazy day at the Pokémon Day Care while Shauna patiently befriended a sorrowful Ponyta. Ponyta left after Shauna invited it to visit her home if it needed help.

• Fang Yan lounged in the backyard, played with Pachirisu, and watched the Day Care Pokémon train and care for one another.
• Fang Yan decided to have dinner in the forest and asked Gothita and the others to prepare for the outing.
• Shauna spent time with the Pokémon on the grassland and approached Ponyta, which had gradually become more comfortable around her.
• Shauna talked with Ponyta until sunset, then told it to visit her home if anything was wrong before leaving with Chingling and Mrs. Fujino.
• Ponyta paused after watching Shauna run to her mother, then turned and left.

Fang Yan went to bring Shauna back and found her protecting a bullied Shiny Ponyta. After the Ponyta challenged the Rapidash leader to a race, she evolved into a Shiny Rapidash and won.

• Fang Yan arranged with Mrs. Fujino to pick Shauna up and set out with Gengar, Vulpix, and Luxray while the others stayed at the Pokémon Day Care.
• Shauna shielded the Shiny Ponyta from the Rapidash leader and the Ponyta that attacked her, and Luxray stepped in to protect them.
• Fang Yan arrived with Gengar, stopped the confrontation, and confronted the Rapidash leader for bullying the Shiny Ponyta.
• The Shiny Ponyta challenged the Rapidash leader to a race, and Shauna cheered her on as she fell behind.
• Inspired by Shauna’s encouragement, the Shiny Ponyta evolved into a Shiny Rapidash and crossed the finish line first.

Fang Yan, Shauna, and their Pokémon left the grassland after the shiny Rapidash chose to become Shauna’s friend rather than be caught. They rode back toward the Pokémon Day Care together, with Luxray and Gengar following.

• The shiny Rapidash relinquished its herd leadership, then knelt before Shauna, who refused Fang Yan’s Poké Ball because she considered Rapidash a friend.
• Shauna rode Rapidash across the grassland with Fang Yan, while Gengar and Luxray followed.
• Mrs. Fujino found Shauna, and Mr. and Mrs. Fujino entrusted her to Fang Yan’s care again before saying goodbye.
• Fang Yan and Shauna rode Rapidash toward the Pokémon Day Care as Gengar chased after them and Luxray used Wild Charge to keep pace.
• Shauna called for Rapidash to take them home together, and Fang Yan laughed as Rapidash and Luxray raced along the road.

Fang Yan brought Shauna and Rapidash back to the Pokémon Day Care, where the Pokémon welcomed their new companion and enjoyed dinner together. Gengar’s tiramisu-induced Gourmet Critical Hit taught it Perish Song, knocking everyone but Lilligant unconscious and leaving the Day Care asleep in chaos.

• Fang Yan returned to the Pokémon Day Care with Shauna and introduced Rapidash to Lilligant and the other Pokémon.
• Rapidash settled into the backyard, where Pinsir invited it to explore the forest with Heracross that night.
• Fang Yan answered questions about the Pokémon Day Care’s services, then prepared dinner with Gothita while Shauna played with the Pokémon.
• Fang Yan served dinner, bubble tea, and Berry tiramisu, and Gengar triggered Gourmet Critical Hits from its food.
• Gengar learned Perish Song and sang it, causing Lilligant to scatter pollen that put everyone except herself to sleep.

Fang Yan woke to an ordinary morning at the Pokémon Day Care, where he watched the Pokémon socialize, train, and play. After greeting Shauna and everyone else, he took Gengar inside as the new day began.

• Fang Yan woke beside Gengar and wondered how he had returned to bed after dinner the night before.
• Fang Yan watched Dali spar with Infernape, then join Lilligant and the others for milk tea.
• Pinsir tried to join the tea party, fled when the Pokémon glared at him, and accidentally trampled Shauna and the others’ sandcastle.
• Shauna, Chingling, Marill, Luxray, Rapidash, and the others chased and beat Pinsir before returning to their tea party.
• Fang Yan admired the busy backyard, made a rainbow by spraying water in the sunlight, and showed Gengar how to do it.
• Fang Yan greeted Shauna and the Pokémon, then took Gengar back inside.

Fang Yan learned that Lilligant had accidentally put everyone to sleep with Sleep Powder, then teased Gengar after catching him stealing breakfast. He prepared herbal tea for Shauna to deliver, and she set off for Twinleaf Town, where grateful customers filled her snack bag.

• Lilligant explained that she had accidentally put everyone to sleep with Sleep Powder and asked Gothita, Gengar, and the others to carry them to their rooms.
• Fang Yan caught Gengar eating his fried dough sticks, and Gengar admitted he had stolen them because he worried Fang Yan would not finish them.
• Fang Yan brewed and packed herbal tea, then helped Shauna bathe, dress, and get ready for deliveries.
• Shauna rode Rapidash to Twinleaf Town and introduced herself as the Pokémon Day Care's delivery girl while handing a customer her herbal tea.
• The customer and other regulars gave Shauna snacks, filling the bag Fang Yan had prepared for her.

Staravia realized that Paul's battle-focused training had become dull and chose to leave him, though it still believed he was the trainer it needed to wait for. It returned to the Pokémon Day Care, where Fang Yan and Shauna welcomed it home.

• Paul used Staravia to defeat and capture Ursaring, then released the Pokémon he considered weak.
• Staravia lost to Medicham and began to wonder whether Paul would release it, too.
• Staravia told Paul that their approaches to getting stronger were different and flew away after he broke its Poké Ball.
• Staravia returned to the Pokémon Day Care, where Fang Yan, Shauna, and the others welcomed it home.

After conquering the Battle Frontier, Ash returned to Pallet Town and lost a battle against Gary, who had grown stronger after learning from Fang Yan. Gary left for the Sinnoh Region to pursue research, and Ash decided to follow him and challenge the Sinnoh League.

• Fang Yan enjoyed the Pokémon Day Care’s growing business while Ash returned to Pallet Town and found his mother away.
• Professor Oak congratulated Ash on conquering the Battle Frontier, and Ash challenged Gary to a battle.
• Gary’s Electivire defeated Pikachu, showing how Gary’s training had strengthened his Pokémon.
• Gary told Ash about the powerful Pokémon in Sinnoh and announced that he was going there to begin his research.
• Gary left for Sinnoh with Umbreon, and Ash decided to go there too, taking only Pikachu to challenge the Sinnoh League.

Fang Yan woke from an afternoon nap to meet A Feng, a Breeding Cup third-place finisher who wanted his female Swampert and Quagsire to lay an egg for a sick child. After touring the Pokémon Day Care and seeing how welcoming it was, A Feng left the two Pokémon in Fang Yan’s care, where they were warmly received by the lake Pokémon.

• While Fang Yan slept, Gothita covered him with a blanket and served tea to Gengar, who fetched more hot water and watched cartoons with his carved beads.
• Fang Yan woke and met A Feng, who explained that he wanted his Swampert and Quagsire to produce an egg for a child who could not become a Trainer for health reasons.
• Fang Yan showed A Feng the lively Pokémon Day Care grounds, and A Feng decided to leave Swampert and Quagsire there before departing.
• Fang Yan brought Swampert and Quagsire to the lake area, where the Golduck and Azumarill families warmly welcomed them.
• Swampert jumped from the diving platform and splashed Fang Yan, who ducked behind Gengar and ran as Gengar chased him.

Fang Yan and his Pokémon discovered that a Gliscor and several Gligar had arrived at the Pokémon Day Care while fleeing attackers. Fang Yan let them stay after learning Gliscor had been protecting the Gligar, and later a familiar blonde woman returned to the backyard.

• Fang Yan shared a warm evening with Gengar, Lilligant, and Vulpix before they went to sleep.
• Gengar and Lilligant woke when Gliscor and several Gligar reached the backyard, pursued by two Gliscor and a larger group of Gligar.
• Gengar, Lilligant, Dali, and the other Pokémon knocked out the attackers and the pursued group in a barrage of moves.
• Fang Yan learned Gliscor had been hunted for saving the Gligar and allowed him and the Gligar to stay at the Pokémon Day Care.
• After the Pokémon settled in the rocky area, a blonde woman arrived in the backyard and quietly greeted the gathered Pokémon.

Fang Yan woke up sick, and his Pokémon cared for him while he recovered. He joined Cynthia and the others in the backyard, where Gengar stole Vespiquen’s Honey and was chased away.

• Fang Yan woke with a fever, took cold medicine, and asked Gengar to let him sleep.
• Gengar and Lilligant brought in a cool towel for Fang Yan, and he later woke feeling better and drank hot water.
• Fang Yan found Cynthia and the Pokémon gathered in the backyard, where Vulpix climbed into his arms to keep him warm.
• Gothita made Fang Yan drink all his herbal medicine, and Vespiquen gave him and Vulpix Honey to sweeten the bitter taste.
• Gengar snatched Vespiquen’s Honey, and Vespiquen chased it while Fang Yan and Cynthia watched.

Fang Yan spent a peaceful day with Cynthia while Vulpix worried that it could not protect or comfort him unless it grew up. After Fang Yan reassured Vulpix that it should grow only if it truly wanted to, Vulpix chose to stay small and fell asleep in his arms.

• Shauna showed Cynthia a sand sculpture, and Cynthia told Fang Yan she had arrived the previous night.
• Fang Yan told Cynthia about the Pokémon Day Care and the wild Pokémon that had become its friends.
• Vulpix wondered whether growing up would help it warm and protect Fang Yan, then left his arms to think near Rapidash.
• Fang Yan found Vulpix considering a Fire Stone and asked whether it had truly decided to grow up.
• Fang Yan reassured Vulpix that it should choose for itself and promised that he and the other Pokémon would take care of things.
• Vulpix decided it did not want to grow up yet and fell asleep in Fang Yan's embrace.

Fang Yan settled into a busy day at the Pokémon Day Care, developed a herbal remedy for Pokémon colds, and sent Shauna to Nurse Joy with a sample to test. Shauna returned with a huge fish from Grandpa Yongchang and Teddiursa, which Gengar took into the kitchen for lunch.

• Fang Yan woke refreshed, watched Cynthia and Shauna playing in the backyard, and reflected on how the Pokémon Day Care staff now handled its daily work.
• Fang Yan caught Gengar, Garchomp, and Lucario sneaking snacks in the kitchen, then sent them outside with much of his snack supply.
• Gothita demonstrated how it had brewed the herbal medicine, and Fang Yan decided to develop a measured formula and ask Nurse Joy to test it on Pokémon with colds and fevers.
• Fang Yan gave Shauna the herbal medicine to deliver to Nurse Joy, and she rode Rapidash to Twinleaf Town while Fang Yan messaged Nurse Joy with an explanation.
• Shauna returned with a large fish from Grandpa Yongchang and Teddiursa, and Gengar carried it into the kitchen after it was slapped by the fish.

Fang Yan prepared bubble milk tea ice cream and afternoon tea for Cynthia, Shauna, and the Pokémon. When he tried to join the women’s conversation, Cynthia challenged him to beat Garchomp in a battle, so Fang Yan returned to the front desk and listened to their laughter from afar.

• Cynthia asked Fang Yan for dessert, and he made bubble milk tea ice cream while she took Shauna and the others to explore the forest.
• Fang Yan served ice cream and afternoon tea to Cynthia, Shauna, and the Pokémon, giving Gengar an unusually large portion after they haggled over it.
• Fang Yan learned that Lucario had carried Pinsir away to train after Pinsir tried to chat with Dali.
• Cynthia said Fang Yan could join the women’s conversation if he defeated her, and Garchomp stood ready to fight him.
• Fang Yan claimed a customer had arrived and went to the front desk, where he worked alone while the others chatted in the backyard.