Chapter Summaries

Sato cured four poisoned Pokémon, then set out with Ariados and Umbreon to find opponents for training. On the way, Ariados found a broken yellow-green horn fragment, and Sato reached a Breloom colony where Ariados began battling its champion.

• Sato cured Tropius and Medicham of Toxic poisoning, while Haruna explained that the displaced Pokémon would normally be relocated and released.
• Sato asked Haruna for a Pokémon distribution map, then headed north with Ariados and Umbreon toward a Breloom colony.
• Ariados found a yellow-green rock-like fragment near the collapsed road and believed it had broken off a horn, but Sato could not identify it.
• Sato arrived at the Breloom colony and challenged the group after one Breloom won its ongoing battle.
• Sato sent Ariados to face the winning Breloom, which struck first with Mach Punch and knocked Ariados back.

Sato spent a week challenging Dewford Town’s Elite-level Pokémon, helping Umbreon and Cacturne grow while Cacturne’s Grass-type talent rose to Elite Four level. He then brought Cacturne and Umbreon to confront a powerful Golem near Stone Mountain, and their opening attack caused the ground beneath it to collapse.

• Ariados defeated the Breloom pack, and Sato went on to challenge Ursaring, Shiftry, and Hariyama before returning to rest.
• Over the following week, Sato challenged nearly every Elite-level Pokémon on Dewford Town outside Stone Cave, training Umbreon and Cacturne.
• Cacturne’s Grass-type talent increased from Pseudo-Elite Four to Elite Four level after it had consumed a Grass-type Energy Crystal.
• Sato took Cacturne and Umbreon northwest toward Stone Mountain and found an Elite Advanced Golem rolling in a clearing.
• Cacturne slowed Golem with Cotton Spore and struck it with an Energy Ball, while Golem countered with Rock Slide; the collision shook the ground and left a huge yellow-green head emerging from the collapse.

Sato discovered that the enormous Shiny Onix destroying the roads had a life-threatening wound and summoned George to treat it. As George and the others struggled to keep Onix alive, Black Gardevoir arrived and added its powerful Heal Pulse.

• Sato and Golem encountered a gigantic Shiny Onix emerging from underground, and Onix knocked Golem flying with its tail.
• Onix roared at Sato, then collapsed, revealing a severe injury that left only a narrow section holding its body together.
• Sato sent Ralts to fetch George, who arrived with Mark and began treating Onix with help from their Pokemon.
• Sato fed Onix Grassy Goat Milk while George and the Pokemon used Viridian Power, Heal Pulse, Heal Bell, and Grassy Terrain; nearby wild Pokemon watched.
• Black Gardevoir appeared and sent a powerful Heal Pulse into Onix.

George healed Onix with Viridian Power while Sato and Mark waited amid a crowd of Pokémon. After waking, Onix told George that Pokémon Hunters in Stone Cave were targeting the Aron colony, leaving Sato and the others aware of a new threat.

• George used Viridian Power, Black Crystal Sand, and the Pokémon's healing moves to mend Onix's wounds.
• Sato, George, and Mark realized that Pokémon from across Dewford Town had gathered around them without hostility.
• Onix slept for more than four hours, then woke and approached Sato, Mark, and George in turn.
• George spoke with Onix and learned that it had been injured while rescuing captured Pokémon from powerful Pokémon Hunters.
• George told Sato and the others that the Pokémon Hunters were in Stone Cave and had targeted the Aron colony.

Sato, George, and Mark infiltrated Stone Cave through a tunnel arranged by Onix and used Ralts’s psychic map to locate the five Pokemon Hunters. They planned a coordinated surprise attack to capture the hunters before they could use their firearms, and the operation began.

• Sato, George, and Mark entered Stone Cave through a tunnel dug by Sandslash and Sandshrew, with Illumise guiding them through it.
• Sato sent Gengar ahead to scout, and Gengar led the group close to the Pokemon Hunters without being detected.
• Ralts mapped the five hunters’ positions and linked the map to Sato, George, and Mark after negotiating for a case of Sweet Milk.
• Sato assigned George the two hunters on the left, Mark the two on the right, and himself the one in the middle, with Ralts handling signals.
• Sato, George, Mark, and Ralts began their surprise operation to capture the Pokemon Hunters before they could use firearms.

Sato and his companions ambushed the Pokémon Hunters in Stone Cave and defeated them, though a rampaging Golem forced Sato into a difficult fight. After the group regrouped, they freed the captured Aron as the cave shook and a familiar roar sounded.

• Sato used Ralts's Telepathy to coordinate simultaneous ambushes, and George and Mark quickly subdued the Pokémon Hunters on their sides.
• Sato rode Mega Sharpedo while dodging rocks thrown by Golem, which had gone berserk after its boss fell unconscious.
• Sato used Umbreon to protect himself as Sharpedo rushed Golem and defeated it with Hydro Pump.
• Mark bragged that he and George had finished first, while George quietly left him alone with Sato.
• George brought the captured Pokémon Hunters to Sato, and the group released the Aron from their Poké Balls as the Shiny Onix watched gratefully.

Sato and his companions captured the Pokémon Hunters and were invited by Onix to visit the island Pokémon’s hidden gathering place. After Aggron gave them Steel-type Origin Stones, Onix began presenting them with a larger collection of gifts.

• Sato handed the captured Pokémon Hunters over to Officer Jenny, who dismissed the group with thanks for their selfless assistance.
• Dugtrio relayed Onix’s invitation, and Illumise guided Sato, George, and Mark through Stone Cave to a vast open-air cavern.
• Onix showed the trio the many Pokémon under its leadership, and the Pokémon shared Berries while George distributed Pokémon food.
• Aggron apologized and thanked the trio for their help, then gave each of them a Steel-type Origin Stone.
• Onix shook its head and dropped a large assortment of items, including several Rock-type Energy Crystals, before the astonished trio.

Onix let Sato, Mark, and George each choose two valuable Pokémon items from its hoard, and they returned to the Pokémon Center with their selections. There, Officer Jenny offered them meager rewards for capturing the Pokémon Hunter gang and said she had matters to verify, leaving Sato suspicious that something more was going on.

• Onix showed Sato, Mark, and George its treasure hoard, and George identified the rare items and explained their uses.
• Onix allowed each of them to take two items; Mark chose a Toxic Sac and an Ice-type Origin Stone, Sato chose a Mossy Origin Stone and Ghost Honey Incense, and George chose a Fighting Soul and Forest Heart.
• Onix sent Illumise to guide the three out of Stone Cave, and they returned to the Pokémon Center with their items.
• Officer Jenny stopped Sato and his companions, offered them a Hard Stone and Soft Sand as rewards for helping capture the Pokémon Hunter gang, and said she wanted to verify a few matters.
• Sato judged the rewards inadequate and suspected Officer Jenny's visit was not as simple as she claimed.

After arguing with Officer Jenny over the reward, Sato suspected that Nurse Joy’s visit was a test connected to the Nurse Joy Family. He and his companions planned to travel to South Petalburg City, where Sato expected to meet an old friend.

• Sato rejected Officer Jenny’s reward and told her to investigate whether more Pokémon Hunter groups were in Dewford Town.
• Ralts demanded Sweet Milk, and Sato agreed to give it two bottles a day until the case was gone.
• Nurse Joy visited Sato, apologized for Officer Jenny, and chatted with him without asking the questions he expected.
• Sato and George concluded that Nurse Joy from Hoenn had come to test him and that Officer Jenny had been used because she was new and straightforward.
• George told Mark that they would travel to South Petalburg City, where Sato expected to visit an old friend.

Sato and his companions arrived in South Petalburg City, where they reunited with Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader. After Ralts stopped Mark and Norman with its psychic powers, Norman noticed that Ralts was Shiny.

• Sato considered the staff and facilities he would need to arrange when he became a Gym Leader, then traveled by ferry with Mark and George to South Petalburg City.
• Sato, Mark, and George accepted several spontaneous Pokémon battles on their way through the city.
• Norman rushed to greet Sato at the Pokémon Center but accidentally hugged George before inviting the group to talk.
• Mark told Norman about Sato's connection to the Nurse Joy Family and claimed Sato had become its son-in-law, so Sato used Ralts's psychic powers to stop him.
• Ralts also immobilized Norman when he tried to help Mark, then released both men after Sato told it to stop.
• Norman noticed that Ralts was Shiny.

Sato toured Norman’s newly acquired Petalburg Gym and learned how it supported local New Trainers before agreeing to battle Norman. The chapter ended as Houndoom and Snorlax began their match.

• Norman showed his envy of Sato’s Shiny Ralts before the group discussed the upcoming opening of the Petalburg Gym.
• After lunch, Norman led Sato, Mark, and George to the Gym and explained that it supported local New Trainers from struggling families.
• Sato toured the converted courtyard and inspected the Gym’s standard indoor battle arena while considering how he might organize his own Gym.
• Norman challenged Sato, and the Trainers sent out Snorlax and Houndoom.
• Norman ordered Snorlax to use Heavy Slam, while Sato commanded Houndoom to unleash Blast Burn at Snorlax.

Sato and his companions watched a close Pokémon battle in Petalburg City, where Ryoko’s Sceptile defeated Zangoose with Solar Beam. The chapter ended with Ryoko revealed as Sceptile’s Trainer.

• Sato defeated Norman’s Snorlax with Houndoom, and both Pokémon were sent to the healing machine.
• Norman invited Sato and his companions to his Gym’s opening ceremony three days later, and Mark eagerly accepted.
• Sato, Mark, and George toured Petalburg City and watched Zangoose battle Sceptile in a park.
• Zangoose’s Trainer used Flamethrower to injure Sceptile, but Sceptile charged Solar Beam and knocked Zangoose out.
• The crowd applauded as the referee declared Sceptile the winner and identified its Trainer as Ryoko.

Ryoko battled Mark in a one-on-one match at the park, and their Pokémon traded attacks as Mark broke through Torkoal’s growing advantage with Arbok’s Dig. Torkoal narrowly evaded Arbok’s follow-up Aqua Tail, leaving the battle unresolved.

• After the crowd urged Ryoko to fight again, Mark volunteered and began a one-on-one battle against her.
• Ryoko’s Torkoal countered Arbok’s Glare with Iron Defense, then used Flamethrower, Fire Spin, and Blast Burn to gain the advantage.
• Mark changed tactics and sent Arbok underground with Dig, allowing it to strike Torkoal’s belly and launch it into the air.
• Arbok followed with Aqua Tail, but Ryoko commanded Torkoal to use Rapid Spin in midair and narrowly dodge the attack.

Ryoko and Mark’s battle ended in a draw when Toxic and Fire Spin took down both Pokémon, and the group went to the Pokémon Center. After learning about one another, Ryoko agreed to battle Sato, leaving the story just as their match was about to begin.

• Toxic and Fire Spin’s lingering effects knocked out Torkoal and Arbok, ending Ryoko and Mark’s battle in a draw.
• Ryoko and Mark took their Pokémon to the Pokémon Center, where Sato, George, and Mark joined Ryoko for the trip and they chatted about Pokémon training.
• Ryoko introduced herself as a Hoenn League hopeful, while Sato said he was the reserve Gym Leader of Dark Night Gym and offered her a match.
• After lunch and a brief rest, Ryoko and Sato took their places at the Pokémon Center battle field, and Sato prepared to begin their battle.

Sato’s Cacturne dominated Ryoko’s Shiftry in a 2V2 relay battle, forcing Ryoko to bring out Blaziken. Sato switched Cacturne out and sent in Zoroark to face the Fire- and Fighting-type opponent.

• George announced the rules for the 2V2 relay battle, and Sato and Ryoko sent out Cacturne and Shiftry.
• Sato had Cacturne land Sucker Punch, then use Cotton Spore to hinder Shiftry before pressing its advantage with attacks.
• Cacturne defeated Shiftry with Pin Missile, and Ryoko recalled it and sent out Blaziken.
• Sato recalled Cacturne and sent out Zoroark to battle Blaziken.

Sato sent Zoroark into battle against Ryoko’s Blaziken and used Imprison to prevent it from using moves Zoroark also knew. Zoroark gained the advantage with its attacks, but Blaziken remained in the fight as the match continued.

• Sato reflected on how Zoroark had long served as his hidden trump card before ordering it to dodge Blaziken’s attack and use Imprison.
• Zoroark and Blaziken clashed with Aerial Ace and Sky Uppercut, matching each other in speed and power.
• Ryoko ordered Blaziken to use Flamethrower, but Imprison prevented the move, allowing Zoroark’s Extrasensory to trap Blaziken.
• Blaziken escaped Extrasensory with Flame Charge, but Zoroark immediately struck it with Dark Burst and knocked it back.
• Ryoko ordered Focus Blast, then changed Blaziken’s move to Flame Charge; Blaziken took damage from Zoroark’s Extrasensory as the match continued.

Ryoko sent Blaziken into a Brave Bird attack, and Sato let Zoroark counter with its newly condensed Dark Burst, causing a massive explosion that knocked both Pokémon down. George treated Blaziken while Ryoko and Sato checked on their partners, and Ryoko cautioned Sato about using undeveloped moves.

• Ryoko realized Zoroark lacked powerful moves and ordered Blaziken to use Brave Bird.
• Zoroark chose to meet Blaziken head-on with a giant Dark Burst, and Sato agreed to the gamble.
• The attacks collided in a massive explosion, leaving Blaziken unconscious and Zoroark injured by its own move.
• Gengar and Shedinja shielded the trainers from the blast, while George and Ryoko rushed to Blaziken and Chansey used Heal Pulse.
• George judged Blaziken's injuries non-serious, and Sato apologized as Ryoko urged him to use undeveloped moves cautiously.

After Blaziken recovered from the battle, Ryoko revealed she had come to Petalburg City on a mission. Sato attended Norman’s Gym opening ceremony, where Ryoko stepped forward as the Gym Assessor when Norman called for her.

• Nurse Joy treated Blaziken and reprimanded Sato for using an incomplete, uncontrollable move, and Sato apologized.
• Sato, George, and Mark visited Ryoko and Blaziken at the hospital, where George shared his cooking and Ryoko said she was in Petalburg City on a mission.
• Norman opened Petalburg Gym as local officials and prominent guests, including Steven Stone, Phoebe, and Drake, gathered for the ceremony.
• Norman completed the ribbon-cutting and called for the Gym Assessor, and Ryoko walked forward through the astonished crowd.

Norman’s Elite Intermediate Slakoth surprised the crowd by repelling Ryoko’s Sceptile with Blizzard and evading Bullet Seed. As Ryoko’s Sceptile and Slakoth’s Blast Burn clashed in a smoky explosion, Ryoko ordered another Leaf Storm, leaving the outcome unclear.

• Ryoko introduced herself as the Hoenn League Gym Assessor and confirmed Petalburg Gym’s 3V3 round robin rules with Norman.
• Norman sent out Slakoth against Ryoko’s Sceptile, astonishing the spectators when they realized the unevolved Pokémon had reached Elite Intermediate.
• Norman ordered Slakoth to use Blizzard, which drove Sceptile back before Slakoth returned to its lazy stance.
• Ryoko had Sceptile run around the field and fire Bullet Seed, but Slakoth effortlessly evaded every shot.
• Ryoko ordered Leaf Storm, and Norman countered with Blast Burn; after the attacks collided in an explosion, Ryoko told Sceptile to launch Leaf Storm again.

Ryoko’s battle against Norman shifted as Slakoth fell to Sceptile, but Vigoroth quickly defeated Sceptile and then Swampert. The battle left Vigoroth standing with only a sliver of stamina, having stunned the spectators with its Endure and Reversal combination.

• Ryoko’s Sceptile defeated Slakoth with a weakened Leaf Storm after Sato explained Slakoth’s pronounced strengths and weaknesses.
• Norman sent out Vigoroth, which overwhelmed Sceptile with five Fury Swipes and won.
• Ryoko sent out Swampert, which endured Vigoroth’s rapid attacks and used Water Pulse and Surf to slow and corner it.
• Norman had Vigoroth use Endure to survive Swampert’s Brick Break, then counter with Reversal.
• Vigoroth knocked out Swampert with Reversal and won with only a sliver of stamina remaining.