Chapter Summaries

Sato’s Murkrow defeated A San’s Medicham, and Gengar then beat A San’s Machamp with a combination of Hypnosis, Dream Eater, Psychic, and Substitute. After the victory, Gengar broke through to Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner, leaving Sato to celebrate its advancement.

• Murkrow defeated Medicham, and A San sent out Machamp, which had reached Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner.
• Sato recalled Murkrow and sent out Gengar as the spectators who had been frightened by it returned to the stands.
• Gengar used Hypnosis on Machamp after it activated Foresight, then repeatedly drained its stamina with Dream Eater while Substitute blocked its Sleep Talk attacks.
• Machamp woke and used Dynamic Punch, but Gengar disrupted it with Psychic and defeated it.
• Gengar broke through to Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner, and Sato congratulated it.

Sato defeated Veilstone Gym Leader A San, who feared the loss of his Gym and its future for his granddaughter, A Li. After Sato clarified that he had no authority to abolish the Gym, rumors and conflicting League statements stirred controversy, but Sato left Veilstone City to continue his journey.

• A San forfeited his match against Sato and left the arena, while A Li asked Sato whether her grandfather would lose Veilstone Gym.
• Sato told A Li he had no authority to shut down the Gym, and she went to find A San with Reiji and the others.
• Sato contacted Elite Four Chikuno, who confirmed that A San had only imagined the Gym would be abolished.
• Two conflicting stories about Sato appeared through official Sinnoh Alliance channels, prompting speculation about conflict within the Pokémon League.
• Chikuno called Sato after contentious League meetings, but learned from Nurse Joy that he had already left Veilstone City.
• Sato and his companions restocked their supplies and departed Veilstone City for their next destination.

Sato’s group reached Valor City and reunited with his old friend Wallace, who greeted him with an extravagant display that drew the attention of fans and cameras. Wallace invited them to dinner, leaving Sato worried that their encounter would become headline news.

• Reuniclus defeated a group of Carnivine as Sato’s group traveled toward Valor Lakefront, while Mark continued taking on wild Pokémon to improve his strength.
• Sato, Mark, and George arrived in Valor City and headed to the Seven-Star Hotel to find Wallace.
• Wallace approached Sato flirtatiously and lifted his chin, causing his fans to scream and then fall silent at his gesture.
• Sato bent Wallace’s finger backward until Wallace begged him to stop, then threatened him for acting flamboyantly.
• Wallace quickly changed his demeanor, invited Sato’s group to a lavish dinner, and led them away as Sato worried that cameras had captured the scene.

Sato reunited with the flamboyant Wallace, who invited him and his companions to a Performance Battle he had organized. Sato and Mark agreed to participate, and Wallace arranged for them to perform just before his own finale.

• Wallace welcomed Sato, Mark, and George to the Seven-Star Hotel and invited them to see his competition the next morning.
• Sato read news about himself from Veilstone City overnight and arrived with Wallace at the competition venue the next day.
• Wallace explained that the Performance Battle showcased Pokémon abilities developed through training, and Sato recognized it as an early form of the future Pokémon Contests.
• Sato and Mark agreed to compete, while George chose to watch from the audience.
• Wallace registered Sato and Mark for the third-to-last and second-to-last slots because he planned to perform last.

Sato watched the Performance Contest to work out what audiences liked, then hurried into a training room to prepare an act that could outshine Wallace. Mark also practiced with Reuniclus and was called to perform first, intending to bring Sato along so he could watch Mark win.

• Wallace assigned Sato the second-to-last performance slot and gave Sato and Mark keys to training rooms.
• Sato watched the opening acts and several more performances, noticing that varied acts drew cheers while displays of Pokémon abilities were less common.
• Sato figured out Wallace's pattern for ordering strong and weak acts, then shut himself in a training room to cram for his performance.
• Mark practiced with Reuniclus and grew confident that he could beat Sato in the Performance Contest.
• A staff member called Mark to get ready, and Mark asked to bring Sato from the neighboring training room so Sato could watch him perform.

Mark performed with Reuniclus in the Performance Competition, impressing the audience with a series of elaborate Psychic- and Fire-powered effects. After receiving acclaim and praise from Sato, Mark grew confident before Sato took the stage.

• The host mocked Mark as a newcomer, but Mark took the stage and summoned Reuniclus, whom he called Qiuqiu.
• Mark had Qiuqiu spread Psywave across the venue dome, then set the energy alight with thirty-two Fire-type Hidden Power spheres.
• Qiuqiu gathered the flames into an orb, drilled inside it under Safeguard, and emerged unharmed as the flames turned purple.
• The audience gave Mark and Qiuqiu a standing ovation, and the host apologized for mocking Mark and praised him as a Performance Trainer.
• Sato told Mark the cheers were for him and Qiuqiu as a team, then headed to the stage after Mark joked that Sato would lose to him.

Sato performed with Sharpedo, using water, ice, and fire moves to create a spectacular dragon-shaped display that stunned the audience. George started the applause, while Mark watched from the waiting area and lamented becoming Sato’s foil again.

• Sato sent Sharpedo onto the stage and began tracing shapes through the air with Aqua Jet.
• Sato had Sharpedo dive toward the ground, then use Whirlpool and Waterfall to turn its near-crash into a soaring wave.
• Sharpedo spun its Waterfall into a Water Tornado and froze it into an Ice Tornado with Ice Beam.
• Sato ordered Sharpedo to use Hidden Power: Fire, creating flames inside the icy, watery tornado before it exploded into ice, snow, and embers.
• George started the applause, the crowd erupted into cheers, and Mark regretted once again serving as Sato’s foil.

Sato realized Wallace had invited him and Mark to the Performance Competition to promote the event and use their popularity, so he left before Wallace's performance. Wallace later hurried to the hotel to apologize after understanding that Sato had seen through his intentions.

• Wallace offered Sato and Mark more chances to become Performance Trainers, but they stayed silent and refused his attempts to pull them aside.
• Sato told Wallace they could talk after the competition and left the venue with Mark and George.
• Wallace explained to the other Performance Trainers that Sato and Mark were his friends, then began his performance after they had left.
• George said Viridian Power had warned him that Wallace's intentions were not pure, and Sato decided the group would enjoy the hotel's services on Wallace's tab.
• After finishing the competition's aftermath, Wallace rushed to the hotel to apologize to Sato and the others.

Wallace tried to make amends with Sato by offering him a talented shiny Skorupi, but Sato refused it and challenged Wallace to a Pokémon battle instead. Wallace accepted, and the group left to rest before their match the next morning.

• Wallace joined Sato and the others for massages at the hotel before remembering why he had come.
• Wallace offered Sato a crimson shiny Skorupi with exceptional talent, hoping he would take it as compensation.
• Sato refused the Skorupi because it was not his and because Wallace had not personally apologized.
• Sato challenged Wallace to battle the next morning and said he would not pursue what had happened before.
• Sato left with Mark and George, explaining that he wanted to focus on helping his Pokémon grow stronger.

Sato challenged Wallace again, and Zoroark used Sato’s special ability to rise from Elite Peak to Pseudo-Elite Four High-Level. The battle remained evenly matched as Wallace exploited Walrein’s control of the icy terrain, leaving Zoroark trapped in Encore and facing Sheer Cold.

• Wallace and Sato began a one-on-one battle, with Wallace sending out Pseudo-Elite Four High-Level Walrein and Sato choosing Zoroark.
• Sato used Dark Power Amplification, allowing Zoroark to reach Pseudo-Elite Four High-Level before it unleashed Dark Burst against Walrein’s Blizzard in a draw.
• Zoroark dodged Walrein’s Heavy Slam with Sucker Punch and tried to counter the freezing field with Flamethrower, but Walrein maintained its speed on the ice.
• Wallace used Encore after Zoroark attempted Nasty Plot, forcing it to repeat Aerial Ace while Walrein attacked with Blizzard.
• Wallace ordered Walrein to use Sheer Cold to change the terrain, forcing Zoroark to keep dodging with Aerial Ace.

Sato and Zoroark defeated Wallace’s Walrein with a massive Dark Burst Ball, destroying the battle arena in the process. After the battle, Zoroark broke through consecutively and reached Pseudo-Elite Four Intermediate.

• Zoroark endured Walrein’s escalating Ice Balls while using Nasty Plot three times, following Sato’s plan to boost its power.
• Sato ordered Zoroark to counter Walrein’s fourth Ice Ball with Dark Burst Ball, which engulfed Walrein and exploded.
• The blast shook the ground outside the Seven-Star Hotel, where a frightened girl was abandoned by her boyfriend and accepted a drink with a down-and-out uncle.
• Sato surveyed the ruined battle arena as the smoke cleared and saw Zoroark’s aura continue to decline unusually slowly.
• Zoroark’s aura stabilized at Pseudo-Elite Four Intermediate after consecutive breakthroughs, delighting Sato.

After Sato defeated Wallace again, George confronted Wallace about neglecting his training and explained that Sato considered him a valued rival. Sato left with his newly strengthened Zoroark, while Wallace faced arena repair costs and Sato considered Mark’s suggestion to ask him for Skorupi.

• Sato defeated Wallace’s Walrein, and George warned Wallace to recall it before its injuries became life-threatening.
• George told Wallace that Sato valued him as a rival alongside Lance and Steven Stone, then criticized him for neglecting his training to hold the Performance Contest.
• George said he had spoken up because he did not want Sato too disappointed, then treated Zoroark after it woke.
• Sato thanked Wallace for his hospitality, said he hoped not to hear about another scandal, and left after Wallace vowed not to be used as a stepping stone again.
• Wallace learned he would have to pay for the damage to the battle arena, while Mark suggested Sato ask Wallace for Skorupi.

Sato accepted the Shiny Skorupi Wallace left for him and set out with Mark and George for Pastoria City. After releasing Skorupi by the lakeside, Sato introduced it to Ariados, who eagerly prepared to train her new little brother.

• Sato decided he wanted to accept the Skorupi, but learned Wallace had already left for closed training in Hoenn.
• Wallace's Butler gave Sato the Net Ball containing Skorupi, and Sato accepted it and thanked Wallace.
• Sato, Mark, and George left Valor City and headed south toward Pastoria City.
• Sato released Skorupi by the lakeside, but the sleepy Pokémon ignored him and then tried to attack him.
• Sato summoned Ariados and told her to train Skorupi, who stared up at the enormous spider in confusion.

Sato tried to help Ariados train the newly acquired Shiny Skorupi, whose distrust and inability to use spider webs made the lesson difficult. As Sato, George, and Mark traveled toward Pastoria City, they encountered signs of a violent threat at sea, where an injured Lapras group hid from a passing Three-masted Sailboat.

• Ariados demonstrated her web attacks to Skorupi, but Skorupi could only spit Poison Stings and could not learn String Shot.
• Sato explained that Skorupi should focus on its own attack moves and urged Ariados to train it gradually while giving it time to trust them.
• Sato and George set out for Pastoria City with Mark, whose Lucario guided the group using Aura.
• Three days later, the group neared the sea, where a wounded Lapras group spotted a distant black dot and dove underwater.
• A Three-masted Sailboat arrived, and after the water erupted and small Water-type Pokemon floated dead to the surface, it inspected the area and sailed away.

Sato, Mark, and George’s beach vacation was interrupted when a poaching ship approached a grieving group of Lapras. Sato attacked the ship while George and Mark stayed to help the injured Pokémon, and the chapter ended as Sato ordered Ariados to unleash Toxic Hell against the poachers.

• Mark’s Lapras rushed toward a group of mourning Lapras after an explosion sounded offshore, and George sensed that many Pokémon had died.
• George went to communicate with the Lapras and help the injured Pokémon while Sato rode Sharpedo toward the approaching poaching ship.
• Sato boarded the ship and sent Zoroark, Ariados, and Weavile to attack its crew.
• Sato discovered that the twelve poachers had several Pseudo-Elite Four-level Pokémon, including Toxicroak, Tangrowth, and Carnivine.
• Sato ordered Zoroark and Weavile to retreat and commanded Ariados to spray poison across its webbed territory.

Sato used the poachers’ sailboat to test Ariados’s ability to combine toxins, unleashing Toxic Hell while his other Pokémon protected him. Ariados poisoned nearly everyone aboard, including the Pseudo-Elite Four Toxicroak, and asked Sato for praise.

• Sato explained that he had held Ariados back for three years so it could learn to fuse different toxins into Toxic Hell.
• Sato and his Pokémon trapped the poachers aboard their damaged sailboat while Ariados spread poison across the deck.
• The poachers regrouped and charged, so Sato ordered his Pokémon to retreat behind Ariados.
• Ariados combined the toxins into poisonous gas, while Gengar’s Space Barrier shielded Sato’s group and Zoroark forced escaping enemies back inside.
• After two minutes, Ariados stopped controlling the poison and dragged Toxicroak’s poisoned body to Sato.

Sato and his Pokémon destroyed the poachers’ ship, then returned to find a crowd threatening to seize the injured Lapras. As Mark tried to protect the herd, Sato ordered Gengar to use Hypnosis to stop the greedy crowd.

• Ariados poisoned every poacher aboard their ship, and Sato ordered Zoroark and Gengar to tow the vessel ashore without harming nearby sea life.
• Sato had Ariados gather its poison, then burned the poachers’ ship after making sure no one remained aboard.
• Sato returned to the beach, where George was treating the Lapras herd and Mark was confronting a Trainer who had caught one of them.
• The Trainer urged the crowd to take Lapras for themselves, and several people supported him despite the herd’s trust in George and Mark.
• Fearing the crowd would overwhelm Mark and seize the Lapras, Sato quietly ordered Gengar to use Hypnosis.

Sato stopped a Trainer from keeping a captured Lapras and helped George and Mark treat the injured Lapras herd. After Officer Jenny arrived and challenged his account, Sato used his Sinnoh Alliance authority to send her to investigate the poaching shipwreck, then teased the still-annoyed Mark.

• Sato intimidated the beach crowd and forced the Trainer who had caught Lapras to release it back to the herd.
• The Lapras rejoined its companions, who had been receiving treatment from George and his Healing Squad.
• Officer Jenny arrived to investigate the poaching ship and questioned the people at the beach.
• Mark rebuked Officer Jenny for interrupting the Lapras treatment, and she prepared to arrest him.
• Sato showed Officer Jenny his Gym Assessor credentials, ordered her not to disturb their work, and sent her east to investigate.
• After Officer Jenny rode away, Sato teased Mark, who remained angry with him.

Sato trained Skorupi to use Acupressure, testing how the move boosted its abilities and planning a future combat style for its evolution, Drapion. Skorupi continued its painful daily practice while Sato collected data for a possible future exchange with A-Ryu.

• A week after Sato destroyed the poaching ship, he and his companions stayed on the beach while George and Mark cared for the injured Lapras herd.
• Sato tested Skorupi's Acupressure training, directing it to jab an acupoint and then run to check whether its speed increased.
• Sato compared Skorupi and Ariados, deciding that Ariados's best tactics were Compound Toxic and Multiple Sticky Webs, while Drapion would suit the Poison Kill Sniper Style.
• Sato identified Skorupi's Sniper Ability and its potential to use Acupressure to boost different abilities, and he began recording data on the move's five boosting acupoints.
• Sato planned to seek out A-Ryu, whose future ace Drapion could control Acupressure's boosts, and Skorupi returned to practice under Ariados's watch.

Mark said goodbye to Lapras after it chose to lead the Lapras herd, leaving him devastated. By evening, Mark returned with Togekiss and a blue Pokemon Egg, excitedly announcing that he had a new Pokemon.

• Sato and George discussed whether Mark should let Lapras leave to become leader of the Lapras herd.
• After two days of caring for the herd, Mark accepted Lapras's decision and watched it depart with the others.
• Mark walked away in grief with Arbok while Sato secretly sent Gengar to protect him.
• Mark failed to return to the hotel, so Sato and George waited and kept his dinner warm.
• Mark arrived on Togekiss holding a translucent blue Pokemon Egg and told Sato he had a new Pokemon.