Chapter Summaries

Sato’s Zoroark defeated Kele’s Eelektross in the fourth defense match by exploiting Eelektross’s low speed with ranged attacks. As the fifth battle approached, Dong George selected Clay, the future Driftveil City Gym Leader, as Sato’s next opponent.

• Kele challenged Sato with Eelektross, whose Levitate ability left it without a type weakness and made it immune to Ground-type moves.
• Eelektross suppressed Zoroark in close combat, but Sato used Dark Pulse and Taunt to create distance and stop it from using Thunder Wave.
• Sato had Zoroark exploit Eelektross’s slow speed with repeated ranged attacks until Dark Burst knocked it out of the arena.
• Kele accepted his defeat, comforted Eelektross, and wished Sato luck as the defense match advanced to its fifth battle.
• Dong George announced he had chosen a Trainer for the next match, and Clay arrived at the arena.

Sato used Zoroark to defeat Clay’s Krookodile and successfully defended the Battle Club arena. After Zoroark chose to keep fighting, Sato announced that they would continue challenging.

• Sato faced Clay in a defense match, with his battle-worn Zoroark against Clay’s Krookodile.
• Sato used Zoroark’s Imprison and evasive tactics to counter Krookodile, while Clay built up its strength with Bulk Up.
• Sato boosted Zoroark with Nasty Plot and blocked Krookodile’s Earthquake with Protect before striking with Focus Blast.
• Zoroark’s rapid Focus Blast incapacitated Krookodile, securing Sato’s arena defense as the crowd applauded both Trainers.
• Sato asked Zoroark whether it wanted to continue, and after Zoroark agreed, he announced that they would keep challenging.

Sato began defending his arena in Infinite Mode, where he faced Pan Sen and his breakthrough-ready Klink. Zoroark trapped Klink with Grass Knot, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Dong George announced Infinite Mode, and a hundred eligible Trainers registered to challenge Sato.
• Sato used Dark Power Amplification to restore Zoroark’s stamina while the challengers registered.
• The roulette selected Pan Sen, whose Klink’s aura fluctuated between Elite Advanced and Elite Peak.
• Sato accepted Pan Sen’s challenge, and both Pokémon began the sixth battle by boosting their stats.
• Klink’s attacks forced Zoroark to evade, but Zoroark dodged Gear Grind and caught Klink with Grass Knot.

Sato defended his Arena Master title in Battle Club Infinite Mode, winning four matches in a row with Zoroark and reaching nine consecutive victories. With the crowd growing and Zoroark still eager to battle, Sato agreed to one last match and noticed Dong George signal someone as the next challenger was being chosen.

• Klinklang briefly pressured Sato's Zoroark, but Grass Knot trapped it long enough for repeated Focus Blasts to knock it out.
• Fran challenged Sato with Lilligant, but surrendered when Zoroark broke through Petal Dance and targeted Lilligant with Flamethrower.
• Sato won two more matches against Vanilluxe and Galvantula, bringing his streak to nine victories and earning eight thousand points.
• As the audience grew, Sato decided to have one last match, then noticed Dong George subtly signal in one direction while the next challenger was selected.

Sato’s exhausted Zoroark faced Xizi Yi’s Samurott as Dong George arranged a challenger strong enough to end Sato’s winning streak. Zoroark lost after a final clash of powerful attacks, leaving Sato with nine consecutive victories at the Battle Club.

• Dong George introduced Xizi Yi as Sato’s tenth challenger, and Xizi Yi sent out Samurott.
• Samurott cut through Zoroark’s Dark Pulse with Razor Shell and pressed its stamina-worn opponent with Aqua Tail.
• Zoroark dodged Aqua Tail and used Grass Knot to topple Samurott, but Samurott broke through Extrasensory with Hydro Pump and knocked Zoroark away.
• Sato and Xizi Yi ordered Zoroark’s Dark Burst Ball and Samurott’s Hydro Cannon to collide, wrecking the arena.
• Zoroark lost its combat capability, and Sato finished his first Battle Club match with nine consecutive victories.

After leaving the Battle Club, Sato decided to save his Mysterious Feathers as rewards for his Pokémon rather than use them immediately. During a night-market outing in Nimbasa City, Mark’s Togepi evolved into Togetic, while Sato reflected on his bond with Pichu.

• Sato left the Battle Club with four sets of Mysterious Feathers and discussed with Zoroark how to distribute them.
• Sato decided to keep the feathers and use them as rewards for companions who performed well.
• Phoebe persuaded Sato, George, Mark, and Ryoko to visit the Nimbasa City Night Market for snacks.
• Mark’s Togepi evolved into Togetic while eating ice cream, and Mark celebrated with it as the crowd applauded.
• Sato picked up Pichu, but Pichu jumped down and ran off to play with Togetic.

Sato and his companions reached the Mist Forest and camped nearby, where Phoebe’s Ghost-type Pokémon detected a hidden Yamask. The chapter ended as Sableye revealed Yamask with Foresight.

• Mark showed off Togetic before recalling it and escaping the crowd, and the group returned to the hotel.
• The next morning, Sato, Mark, Phoebe, George, and Ryoko followed Grandma Long’s map toward the Mist Forest and spotted it from a mountain in the afternoon.
• George suggested camping before entering the forest, and the group agreed to explore it the following morning.
• Sato trained Zweilous while Mark watched Togetic play and Arbok relaxed nearby.
• Phoebe detected a Ghost-type Pokémon near the camp, and Sableye revealed the hidden Yamask with Foresight.

Phoebe befriended and caught a Yamask before the group entered Mist Forest. The five trainers ventured into the foggy forest, where Ghost-type Pokémon began appearing around them.

• Phoebe calmed a frightened Yamask and won its trust by offering it Ghost-type food.
• Phoebe caught Yamask, explaining that Sato’s Potential Stimulation Stock Solution discoveries had made her confident she could improve its talent.
• Sato assessed Yamask’s Elite Level talent and considered its strengths and weaknesses while training Zweilous until nightfall.
• The next day, Sato, Phoebe, George, Ryoko, and Mark entered Mist Forest, where the fog reduced visibility and wild Ghost-type Pokémon began drifting nearby.
• The group’s Pokémon lineup discouraged wild Pokémon from attacking, while Arbok was left out of the roster.

Sato's group followed Phoebe through Mist Forest to a Dilapidated Villa, where they encountered dangerous Litwick. They used Flash to illuminate the villa and continued deeper after a Gengar reported finding a suspicious place.

• Phoebe used her ability to communicate with Ghost-type Pokemon to find a route through Mist Forest, and wild Pokemon guided the group toward a place matching their map.
• The group reached a Dilapidated Villa, where Phoebe's Sableye broke the locked entrance with Fire Punch and pushed the doors open.
• A Litwick appeared inside, prompting Sato to warn the group that its candlelight absorbed life force and to switch out Zweilous.
• Sato and Phoebe sent out Pokemon that could use Flash, lighting the villa as the group proceeded while avoiding provoking the many Litwick.
• A Gengar came out of the ground to tell Phoebe it had found a suspicious place, and Phoebe praised it.

Sato's group fought through Litwick and Lampent in the abandoned villa basement, where Phoebe's Gengar battled a powerful Chandelure. Chandelure opened a Spirit World Entrance with Inferno, and the passage began pulling the group inside.

• Phoebe's Gengar and the others fought off a swarm of Litwick and Lampent in the villa corridor.
• Sato's group chased two fleeing Lampent into the basement, where the darkness suppressed Flash.
• Chandelure and a large group of Litwick and Lampent emerged and attacked Sato's group.
• Sato, Ryoko, Mark, and George held off the horde while Phoebe's Gengar battled Chandelure.
• Chandelure blasted open a Spirit World Entrance, whose powerful pull seized Sato's group.

Mark rescued Togetic from the Spirit World Entrance, then rallied his Pokémon to strike back against the Litwick and Lampent. The trainers continued battling Chandelure’s forces as Mark’s group held its own.

• Mark grabbed Togetic as the Spirit World Entrance pulled it in, and Arbok wrapped around them and a pillar to pull them back despite a Lampent burning it with Inferno.
• Lapras and Florges helped Arbok recover, and Mark ordered Lapras, Arbok, and Togetic to attack the Ghost Pokémon.
• Togetic unleashed Aeroblast through Metronome while Lapras and Arbok combined Surf and Toxic, taking out nearly a third of the Litwick.
• Sato recalled Zoroark and sent Gengar into battle, while Ryoko and George supported their side and Phoebe directed Sableye and Gengar against Chandelure.

Phoebe defeated and captured Chandelure, but the Spirit World Entrance remained open until Sato’s Gengar used its unusual energy to force it shut. The group left the villa, while Phoebe and Ryoko realized that Mark also had hidden abilities.

• Phoebe’s Gengar used Grudge to limit Chandelure’s moves, exploited an opening, and defeated it, after which Phoebe captured Chandelure.
• Phoebe sent Dusclops to close the Spirit World Entrance, but Dusclops could only hold its opening in a stalemate.
• Sato’s Gengar used pink energy from the Ghost Ship to separate the clashing energies and close the Spirit World Entrance.
• Phoebe questioned Sato about Gengar’s ability, and he said it came from a fortuitous encounter without revealing more.
• Phoebe gave Chandelure’s Poké Ball to Sableye to restrain its Life Force absorption, and the group prepared to leave the villa.
• George hinted that it was Mark’s turn, and Phoebe and Ryoko realized Mark had secrets of his own.

Mark caught a young Solosis in the abandoned villa and named it Qiuqiu, finally gaining his fourth Pokémon. The group left the villa together, while Mark thanked Sato and George for helping him begin his journey.

• Mark spotted a small Pokémon outside the villa and invited it onto his hand.
• Sato identified the green Pokémon as a young Solosis and noted its strong potential.
• Mark nicknamed Solosis Qiuqiu and caught it in a Poké Ball while it slept.
• Mark celebrated having four Pokémon and sincerely thanked Sato and George for bringing him along.
• Sato brushed off Mark’s thanks and led the group out of the villa.

Sato and the others were ordered by Elite Four Drake to travel to Icirrus City for a sparring match tied to negotiations between the Hoenn and Unova Leagues. After a suspicious young man tried to provoke them on the way to the station, Phoebe drove him off, and Sato secretly targeted two other onlookers with his Dark Power.

• Drake ordered Sato, Phoebe, Ryoko, Mark, and their companion to reach Icirrus City and take part in the Friendly Sparring Match.
• The five packed, checked out, and set off for Icirrus City, where Drake was negotiating trade interconnection with the Unova League.
• A brown-haired young man followed the group and tried to provoke them in front of a gathering crowd.
• Phoebe confronted the young man and used her Ghost-like ability to frighten him into fleeing.
• Sato used his Dark Power on two bystanders, causing them to scream as the group continued toward the station.

Phoebe, Sato, and their companions overcame deliberate obstruction at the station and reached Icirrus City by train. Drake’s right-hand man, Qing Bei, met them and revealed that Phoebe, Sato, and Ryoko would compete in the battles.

• Phoebe and Sato pressured the station staff and leader into issuing five first-class tickets and escorting them to the fast track.
• After the group boarded, the station leader admitted they had only been ordered to agitate the ambassadors, while revealing that Sato was being targeted because he had captured a Zweilous in Dragon Village.
• Phoebe urged the group to win the competition, and George released Florges to use Aromatherapy while everyone rested on the train.
• Sato and his companions arrived in Icirrus City, where Drake’s right-hand man, Qing Bei, greeted them.
• Qing Bei said Phoebe, Sato, and Ryoko would be the three competitors, and Mark rejoiced that he would not have to battle.

Sato and his companions arrived in Icirrus City to face Unova’s three Elite Level Trainers in a 3V3 Trainer Elimination Match, whose rules could leave one side battling two opponents at once. After the groups exchanged taunts at Unova League headquarters, they headed to the arena to begin the match.

• Qing Bei led Sato and his companions from the station to the Unova League headquarters and showed them information about Lian Wu, Hua She, and Feng Lu.
• Qing Bei explained that the sparring match would begin with three simultaneous 3V3 battles, after which the surviving Pokémon would continue fighting until one side was incapacitated.
• Sato and his companions suspected Unova might use a Pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon or Mega Evolution, and Sato said he would handle any such opponent.
• Sato and his companions arrived at Unova League headquarters, where Drake and Unova officials welcomed them and they spotted their opponents.
• Phoebe and Hua She traded taunts before Drake and the others led both teams toward the battle arena.

Sato faced Feng Lu in the Unova League challenge and defeated her Swanna with Weavile. Feng Lu sent out Mandibuzz as the battle continued.

• The challengers chose their opponents: Lian Wu faced Phoebe, Hua She faced Ryoko, and Sato faced Feng Lu.
• Sato sent out Weavile while Feng Lu chose Swanna, and the three battles began at once.
• Feng Lu used Feather Dance as a smokescreen to bring Swanna close, but Weavile's Blizzard exposed and injured it.
• Weavile struck Swanna with repeated Sucker Punches after knocking it down, leaving it incapacitated.
• Feng Lu recalled Swanna for medical treatment and sent out Mandibuzz.

Sato’s Sharpedo defeated Feng Lu’s Mandibuzz after Weavile fell to Toxic, leaving Sato with the advantage in their battle. The other matches continued, with Ryoko falling behind Hua She and Phoebe facing Lian Wu’s Aura-wielding Mienshao.

• Sato’s Weavile struck Mandibuzz with Ice Punch but was poisoned by Toxic and eventually recalled.
• Sato sent out Sharpedo, which repeatedly rammed Mandibuzz’s wings with Aqua Jet before freezing and poisoning them with its fangs.
• Mandibuzz crashed to the ground and succumbed to Toxic, leaving Feng Lu with one Pokémon and Sato with a stamina advantage.
• Ryoko’s Sceptile defeated Samurott but was easily defeated by Hua She’s Volcarona, so Ryoko sent out Cacturne.
• Lian Wu’s Mienshao pressured Phoebe’s Gengar with Aura Sphere while its unstable aura seemed close to breaking through.
• Feng Lu urged Sato to continue their match, and Sato gripped the Key Stone at his chest.

Sato used Mega Evolution to defeat Feng Lu’s Braviary and won his first match, then faced Lian Wu and Hua She’s remaining Pokémon alone. Their Darmanitan entered Zen Mode, raising its strength to Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner as the battle continued.

• Feng Lu sent out Braviary, but Sato Mega Evolved Sharpedo and its power rose to Pseudo-Elite Four Intermediate.
• Sharpedo defeated Braviary with Crunch, giving Sato the first victory while he still had two combatants remaining.
• Phoebe failed to defeat Mienshao, and Ryoko’s Cacturne fell to the newly sent-out Darmanitan.
• Sato sent out Gengar to face Lian Wu’s Mienshao and Hua She’s Darmanitan, while Sharpedo supported it with Hydro Pump.
• Sharpedo’s Hydro Pump badly damaged Darmanitan, which transformed into Zen Mode and rose to Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner.

Sato’s Sharpedo and Gengar defeated Hua She and Lian Wu’s Darmanitan and Mienshao in an Elite Level match, with Mega Evolution helping Sharpedo dominate the battle. After the match, Unova’s leaders reconsidered their assumptions about the Kanto Alliance and crowded around Sato to ask about Mega Evolution.

• Sato used Sharpedo and Gengar to battle Hua She and Lian Wu’s Darmanitan and Mienshao, while Darmanitan entered Zen Mode.
• Gengar and Mienshao knocked each other out, but Sharpedo’s Hydro Pump sent the exhausted Mienshao out of the arena.
• Sharpedo overwhelmed Darmanitan, which reverted from Zen Mode and could no longer fight, ending the match in Sato’s favor.
• Unova’s leaders discussed Sato’s tournament record and recognized that the Kanto Alliance had many talented young trainers.
• The referee announced Sato’s victory, and Sharpedo left Mega Evolution as Sato and Drake’s group headed to the Pokemon Center.