Chapter Summaries

Sato trained Krookodile and the others, while Pupitar prepared for its final molt and evolution. Krookodile showed progress in battle, and Sato planned more specialized training for his experienced Pokémon.

• Krookodile improved its Sand Tomb and sand gliding during training with Sato.
• Skorupi broke its tail pincers attacking Pupitar, and Sato sent it to find Meganium or Chansey for healing.
• Sato told Pupitar that its next molt would bring evolution and promised to handle everything else as it became a Tyranitar.
• Houndoom defeated Krookodile in a training battle, though Sato praised Krookodile for holding out longer than before.
• Sato called Umbreon and Murkrow over for targeted training focused on developing their battle systems.

Sato and George attended the opening of Byron’s Exploration Convention on Iron Island, where Mark joined the competition despite being ostracized. The event began with Mark getting tripped in the crowd, but he immediately found a hundred-point Points Coin.

• Byron welcomed Sato and Nurse Joy to the convention platform, while George watched from the front row.
• The host explained the convention’s treasure-hunting, wilderness-surveying, and Pokémon-catching events, along with the rules for the Capture Balls and camera-equipped Magnemite.
• Nurse Joy distributed a Magnemite camera to each Participant, and Byron officially started the competition.
• Mark surged toward Iron Island with the other Participants but was tripped and left behind in the crowd.
• Mark found a hundred-point Points Coin on the beach, while another girl who had also been tripped cried beside her Mawile.

Mark entered the Iron Island Exploration Convention with Lucario and Magnemite after luckily finding a high-value Points Coin. He passed up two defeated Gravelers instead of capturing them, while the broadcast later showed Roark capturing a Steelix with Empoleon.

• Mark proudly showed off the high-value Points Coin he found by falling over, then entered Iron Island with Lucario.
• Mark told Lucario to remember their route, and the pair set out with Magnemite following them.
• Mark defeated two Gravelers with Lucario but chose not to capture them, despite spectators criticizing his decision.
• George angrily dismissed a noblewoman who disparaged Mark and praised George’s supposed steadiness.
• Roark appeared on the broadcast and captured a Steelix after Empoleon overwhelmed it.

Roark and Mark competed for the lead at the Exploration Convention as both caught several valuable Pokémon. Mark captured a Shiny Geodude worth 500 points, leaving the audience convinced he had secured the championship.

• Roark appeared at the convention and impressed the crowd by catching a Steelix, an Onix, a Golem, and a Golbat.
• Mark caught the same four Pokémon, tying Roark while keeping his advantage from the 100 Points Coins he had found earlier.
• Roark discovered an Underground Dark River, earning 150 points for finding a new area.
• Mark encountered a Shiny Geodude and successfully caught it with a Capture Ball.
• The audience fell silent as Mark's 500-point bonus made him the clear favorite to win the convention.

Mark won the Iron Island Exploration Competition with 1,448 points, far ahead of Roark, and the promised exhibition battle between Sato and Byron began afterward. The chapter ended with Krookodile and Steelix trading their first moves.

• Roark finished with 763 points, but Mark returned before the deadline and scored 1,010 points from Pokémon and 438 from Points Coins.
• Mark won first place with 1,448 points, while Roark took second, and Byron presented the awards.
• After the ceremony, George spoke with Nurse Joy, who revealed that Byron had recently been searching for Mega Evolution Stones.
• Sato and Byron began their 2v2 consecutive exhibition match, sending out Krookodile and Steelix.
• Sato ordered Krookodile to use Sand Tomb as Byron commanded Steelix to attack with Iron Tail.

Sato’s Krookodile initially overwhelmed Byron’s Steelix, but Byron revealed Steelix’s Mega Evolution and turned the battle around with a powerful Double-Edge. Krookodile was knocked unconscious, and George wondered whether Byron had another Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution.

• Krookodile caught Steelix’s Iron Tail, swung it into a Seismic Toss, and followed with Stomping Tantrum.
• Byron used Steelix’s Screech to disrupt Krookodile and the spectators, then Mega Evolved Steelix.
• Sato ordered Krookodile to use Earthquake against Mega Steelix, but Steelix moved swiftly through the air and struck with Double-Edge.
• Steelix sent Krookodile flying onto the beach, where Sato confirmed it was unconscious but not seriously injured and recalled it.
• George asked Nurse Joy whether Byron had another Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, and she said she thought not.

Sato sent out Sharpedo against Byron’s Mega Steelix and used the battle to push Sharpedo toward a breakthrough. Sharpedo defeated Steelix, and its aura began to fluctuate violently afterward.

• After Krookodile was incapacitated, Sato recalled it and sent out Sharpedo to face Byron’s Mega Steelix.
• Sato ordered Sharpedo to use Hydro Pump before Mega Evolving, explaining that Sharpedo was close to a breakthrough.
• Byron had Steelix combine Screech with Gyro Ball, disrupting Sharpedo and forcing it to rely on Substitute and Double Team.
• Sato had Sharpedo build up speed by evading Steelix’s attacks, then overwhelm it with repeated Surf and Hydro Pump.
• Sharpedo knocked Steelix out, and the referee declared Sato the exhibition match’s victor.
• Sharpedo’s aura began to fluctuate violently after the battle.

After Sharpedo broke through to the Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner rank, Sato, Mark, and George stayed on Iron Island to explore its depths. They descended to the sixth floor, where Lucario sensed danger and the group encountered an Elite Peak Mawile.

• Sharpedo defeated Steelix without Mega Evolving and reached the Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner rank, giving Sato five Pokemon at that level.
• After the Exploration Convention ended, Sato, Mark, and George stayed on Iron Island, where Mark hoped to find an opportunity for a breakthrough.
• The next morning, Mark led the group deeper into Iron Island with Reuniclus, while Lucario guided them through several floors of increasingly strong Pokemon.
• On the sixth floor, Lucario sensed danger, and Mark ordered it to fire an Aura Sphere into the darkness.
• The group saw an Elite Peak Mawile after Reuniclus illuminated the passage, and Mawile caught Reuniclus's Focus Blast in its enormous mouth.

Mark and Reuniclus defeated a Mawile using a clever Light Screen tactic, then found it guarding a Pokémon Egg and chose to leave it alone. The group descended to the seventh floor, where Lucario led them to a strange underground pool glowing faint yellow.

• Mark had Reuniclus angle Light Screen barriers to disrupt Mawile’s charge, then defeated it with Hidden Power and a spinning Focus Blast.
• Lucario tracked the fleeing Mawile to its nest, where Mark, Sato, and George discovered it protecting a Pokémon Egg and left without taking it.
• Mawile moved away with its Egg after the group departed, and Mark told Lucario not to lead them to Pokémon with babies again.
• Mark’s group descended to the seventh floor, equipped themselves for the foul air and darkness, and followed Lucario deeper underground.
• Lucario led the group to an underground pool shimmering with a faint yellow glow, startling Mark, Sato, and George.

Sato and his companions discovered a glowing pool of pure Rock-type energy that Pupitar absorbed while evolving. With help from Sato and Zoroark’s Dark Power, Pupitar became Tyranitar and emerged as the strongest member of Sato’s team.

• Sato released Pupitar, which showed a strong desire to enter the glowing pool, and Ralts explained that Sato would need to support it with Dark Power.
• Pupitar submerged itself and absorbed the pool’s pure Rock-type energy as its armor dissolved and its body grew.
• When Pupitar began evolving, Ralts told Sato to channel Dark Power into it, then brought in Zoroark to help when Sato began to be drained.
• Sato and Zoroark’s combined Dark Power helped Pupitar’s evolution pass its critical point, and the pool’s energy was nearly exhausted.
• Pupitar evolved into Tyranitar, whose aura revealed it had reached Pseudo-Elite Four High-Level and become Sato’s strongest Pokémon.
• Sato placed a hand on Tyranitar’s forehead and welcomed it as his partner.

Sato’s group explored Iron Island and found a Ground-type Energy Pool on the eighth floor, where Krookodile began absorbing energy. George and Mark suspected a Steel-type Energy Pool awaited them on the ninth floor, leaving Mark excited for Lucario’s chance to benefit.

• Sato recalled Tyranitar after it evolved, and the group continued exploring with Lucario leading them.
• The group encountered a Bronzong on the seventh floor, and Mark’s Reuniclus defeated it after a half-hour battle.
• Lucario led the group to a Ground-type Energy Pool on the eighth floor, disappointing Mark because it suited Krookodile rather than his other Pokémon.
• George suggested that the ninth floor might hold a Steel-type Energy Pool, and Lucario reluctantly confirmed the possibility.
• Sato let Krookodile enter the Ground-type Energy Pool to absorb its energy while he wondered about buying Iron Island.

Sato watched Krookodile break through to Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner after receiving help from the Rock-type Energy Pool and Dark Power. On the ninth floor of Iron Island, Sato, Mark, and George met Genma, who offered to lead Mark's Lucario to the Ascending Dragon Pool.

• Krookodile completed its breakthrough, and Sato returned it to its Poké Ball to rest and adjust to its new strength.
• George collected the remaining Ground-type energy, while Lucario indicated that the Energy Pool had likely been a one-time opportunity.
• Sato, Mark, and George descended to Iron Island's ninth floor, where Cacturne and Mark's Lucario sensed someone nearby.
• Genma emerged with his Pseudo-Elite Four Level Lucario and introduced himself to Sato, Mark, and George.
• Genma recognized Mark's Lucario and offered to take the group to the Ascending Dragon Pool, where enough energy remained to strengthen it.

Mark’s Lucario used the Steel-type Ascending Dragon Pool beneath Iron Island and broke through to Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner. After thanking Genma, the group agreed to return to Canalave City together, where Mark and Sato hoped to battle him.

• Genma explained that his Lucario had led him to the Ascending Dragon Pool and told him the opportunity depended on luck.
• Genma led Mark, Sato, and George to the Steel-type Ascending Dragon Pool, where Mark’s Lucario began its breakthrough.
• Mark’s Lucario successfully broke through to Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner, becoming the first Pokémon on Mark’s team to reach that level.
• Sato and George thanked Genma, while Mark celebrated with Lucario and challenged Sato to a battle before changing the subject.
• Sato and Mark invited Genma to return with them to Canalave City, and Genma accepted while agreeing to battle them.
• Mark ran ahead in the wrong direction, and Lucario calmly lifted him up to stop him.

Sato and his group learned about Genma’s ties to Cameran Palace before Sato’s Cacturne battled Genma’s Clawitzer. Clawitzer’s powerful ranged attacks trapped Cacturne in a stalemate, and Sato tried to turn the fight around with Sandstorm.

• On their way back from the underground, Mark learned that Genma came from Cameran Palace and decided to visit Ouludelong after his Sinnoh journey.
• After the group emerged, Genma showed Mark his Mienshao and Clawitzer, and Sato challenged Clawitzer to a battle against Cacturne.
• Clawitzer’s Mega Launcher-boosted Aura Sphere overwhelmed Cacturne’s Energy Ball, forcing Sato to use Spiky Shield.
• Sato used Seed Bomb to destroy another Aura Sphere, but Genma’s Water Pulse kept Cacturne at a distance and Clawitzer continued attacking.
• With Cacturne trapped by Clawitzer’s tactics, Sato ordered it to use Sandstorm, and Cacturne disappeared into the swirling sand.

Sato and Genma’s battle ended when Cacturne used the sandstorm to outmaneuver Clawitzer, and the group shared lunch before getting their Pokémon examined. The next morning, Mark finally battled Genma, and their Lucario clashed fiercely, both suffering setbacks.

• Sato used Cacturne’s Sand Veil to approach Clawitzer through the sandstorm and knock it back with Spiky Shield, prompting Mark to end the battle.
• Bayleef healed Clawitzer, which then used its enhanced Heal Pulse to heal Cacturne and revealed its talent for boosting pulse-based moves.
• The group ate George’s cooking, returned to Canalave City, and took their Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for examinations after their breakthroughs.
• Mark pressed Genma to battle the next morning, and their Lucario began an intense fight in the backyard.
• The Lucario traded Aura Spheres and close-range attacks, leaving Mark’s Lucario down and Genma’s Lucario staggered and paralyzed.

Mark and Lucario defeated Genma and his Lucario after Genma used Aura to synchronize with his partner in battle. Afterward, Genma gave George a Clawitzer Egg, and Sato gave Genma a Squirtle that knew Aura Sphere.

• Genma synchronized his movements with Lucario to help it evade Mark's attacks, but Mark's Lucario gradually gained the advantage.
• Mark's Lucario overwhelmed Genma's paralyzed Lucario with Close Combat and won the battle.
• Genma declined Mark's invitation to travel with the group and said he planned to visit Kanto.
• Genma gave George a Clawitzer Egg because George was interested in Pokémon that could use Heal Pulse.
• Sato gave Genma a Squirtle that had inherited Aura Sphere.

After learning how Sato had arranged George’s Pokemon Egg and his own Squirtle, the group prepared to travel to Verity Lakefront. On the way, they collected Durin Berries from a grove of Aipom, and the chapter ended as Umbreon faced two coordinated Ambipom.

• Sato explained that Genma had given George a Clawitzer Egg and that Nurse Joy had supplied the Aura Sphere Squirtle.
• Sato, Mark, and George chose Verity Lakefront as their next destination and prepared for the journey.
• The three left Canalave City and traveled through the forest, with Umbreon scouting ahead.
• Sato’s group found a Durin Berry grove and picked more than a dozen ripe berries, leaving Oran Berries and Pecha Berries for the Aipom.
• Two Ambipom attacked Umbreon and pressured it with coordinated tail strikes.
• Sato ordered Umbreon to use Double Team, and the Ambipom answered with Double Team copies before Sato called for Charm.

Sato and his companions continued through the wilderness, where Umbreon defeated Ambipom’s group with Charm and Skorupi gained battle practice. Their lunch by a river was interrupted when Mark grabbed a Shellos and a swarm of Shellos and Gastrodon attacked; the group drove them off, leaving Sato wondering how so many could have come from the small river.

• Sato’s Umbreon used Charm to expose Ambipom among its clones, and the female Ambipom knocked out her lovestruck companion before carrying him away.
• Sato told Umbreon to let two Pokémon through for Skorupi to practice against, while Ariados continued teaching Skorupi between battles.
• At lunchtime by the river, Mark grabbed a Shellos by the ear, and it stuck to his hands as it cried out.
• Sato and George spotted a crowd of Shellos and Gastrodon gathering around their meal, and the Gastrodon charged despite the Pokémon’s powerful aura.
• Sato’s group, joined by George and Mark’s Pokémon, used area attacks to defeat the Gastrodon, and Sato wondered how such a small river held so many.

Sato, George, and Mark discovered that a huge, unusually aggressive Gastrodon horde was stripping rivers of aquatic plants and driving other Water-type Pokemon away. Suspecting human involvement, they raced toward Verity Lakefront to uncover what awaited them there.

• Sato and George noticed that the river had been stripped of aquatic plants and was missing its usual Water-type Pokemon.
• The Gastrodon and Shellos regrouped in the river, forming a massive horde that devoured the remaining plants and rapidly healed their injuries.
• Sato identified that the river flowed toward Verity Lakefront, and the group decided to follow the horde downstream to investigate.
• As the group traveled, they saw native Pokemon fleeing the horde, and Mark spotted that another tributary had also been invaded.
• Sato and George suspected humans were directing the Gastrodon toward Verity Lakefront, so the group hurried there and battled through territorial Wild Pokemon on the way.

Sato, George, and Mark reached Verity Lakefront and discovered that Gastrodon and Shellos were trapping Water-type Pokemon while a dam repeatedly shocked and captured them. They held back from attacking and continued investigating so they could uncover the full operation.

• Sato suspected that someone high in the Sinnoh Alliance was behind the lack of ranger patrols and the destruction of the rivers leading to Verity Lakefront.
• Sato sent Lucario and Zoroark ahead to scout while Gengar concealed the group with a Space Barrier.
• Sato, George, and Mark saw the polluted lake crowded with dying Pokemon, and Shellos dragged a fleeing Bibarel underwater.
• The group spotted a Staraptor risking its life to rescue land-dwelling Pokemon, then found a dam that shocked and netted Pokemon from the lake.
• Sato stopped George from rushing out, and George agreed to keep investigating until they could expose everyone responsible.