Chapter Summaries

Sato and his companions hurried toward Lake Acuity after recognizing Miyamoto as a threat, while Miyamoto discovered Sato’s history but abandoned plans to capture him after a call from her “Big Sis.” A week later, the exhausted group reached Lake Acuity and was challenged to a Pokemon Battle by a middle-aged man.

• Sato recognized Miyamoto as the same person who had set a trap for Delibird, and the group rushed toward Lake Acuity to avoid her.
• Miyamoto searched Team Rocket’s network and learned about Sato’s past, including his defeat of Athena three years earlier.
• Miyamoto considered capturing Sato, but a video call from her “Big Sis” distracted her and led her to leave for the Kanto Region.
• After a week of travel, Sato, Cynthia, Mark, and Musashi arrived at Lake Acuity.
• A middle-aged man greeted the group with a special gesture and challenged them to a Pokemon Battle.

Sato and Felin fought a Double Battle in which Sato’s Murkrow and Cacturne gained the upper hand against Staraptor and Abomasnow. Felin Mega Evolved Abomasnow as the battle turned against him, leaving Sato to face the powered-up Pokémon.

• Sato accepted Felin’s Double Battle challenge, and George refereed as both Trainers sent out their Pokémon.
• Felin’s Staraptor injured Cacturne with Aerial Ace, while Cacturne’s Cotton Spore slowed Staraptor and Murkrow helped the pair evade Blizzard.
• Cacturne struck Staraptor with Sucker Punch, sending it crashing into the ground, while Murkrow and Cacturne pressed their advantage against Felin’s team.
• Murkrow knocked out Staraptor as Cacturne battered Abomasnow with Sucker Punch and Drain Punch.
• Felin Mega Evolved Abomasnow, raising it to Pseudo-Elite Four Intermediate, and ordered it to use Blizzard.

Sato's Cacturne and Murkrow defeated Felin's Mega Abomasnow by repeatedly countering its Ice Crystal Storm. After the battle, both Pokémon broke through the Pseudo-Elite Four threshold, and Mark asked where Felin had gone.

• Murkrow blocked Mega Abomasnow's Ice Crystal Storm with Protect, while Cacturne used Disable to seal the move and the pair attacked with Aerial Ace and Pursuit.
• After Disable wore off, Cacturne protected itself and Murkrow with Spiky Shield as Murkrow used Taunt to prevent Abomasnow from repeating Ice Crystal Storm.
• Cacturne and Murkrow attacked again, knocking Abomasnow out and winning Sato the battle.
• Cacturne broke through to Pseudo-Elite Four Intermediate, while Murkrow also broke through to Pseudo-Elite Four Beginner.
• George and the others congratulated Sato, and Mark asked where Uncle Felin had gone.

After their Pokémon grew stronger, Sato, Mark, George, and Cynthia spent their final evening together at Lake Acuity before parting ways. Cynthia revealed her plans to become Champion, and George told them about the legendary first Pokémon Master.

• Cacturne and Murkrow broke through, bringing Sato's roster to eleven Pseudo-Elite Four-level Pokémon, and the group toured Lake Acuity together.
• At the Pokémon Center, George cooked a feast and served Cynthia an ice cream platter as the friends faced their coming separation.
• Mark invited Cynthia to visit Johto, but she said her grandmother had arranged for her to become an Alliance Investigator before pursuing the Champion title.
• Cynthia asked whether Sato wanted to become Champion, and Sato hinted that he aspired to something beyond it.
• George explained that the League's founder had surpassed Champions, stood as an equal with Legendary Pokémon, and was remembered as the only Pokémon Master, drawing Sato's attention to George's mention of his family.

After Cynthia left, Sato, George, and Mark traveled to Lilycove City, where Sato met Flint and agreed to a six-on-six battle. Their match began before a packed arena, with Rapidash facing Sharpedo.

• Sato, George, and Mark learned that Cynthia had left during the night, then Sato baited Mark into joining morning training.
• Sato, George, and Mark traveled to Lilycove City to fulfill Sato’s appointment with the Sinnoh Alliance branch.
• Flint and Volkner greeted the group at the arrivals gate, and Flint challenged Sato to a six-on-six battle.
• Sato and Flint prepared their teams at the crowded arena, where Elite Four Chikuno was also present.
• Sato sent out Sharpedo while Flint sent out Rapidash, beginning the battle.

Sato’s Sharpedo battled Flint’s Rapidash in a high-level match, using its speed and Super Fang to gain an advantage. Flint then revealed Rapidash could run atop Sharpedo’s Surf and switched its attack from Flame Charge to Wild Charge, leaving Sato facing Flint’s trump card.

• Rapidash and Sharpedo clashed with Flame Charge and Aqua Jet, then dodged each other’s Hydro Pump and charging attacks.
• Flint ordered Rapidash to use Inferno as Sato commanded Sharpedo to use Super Fang; Sharpedo pierced the flames and cut Rapidash’s stamina in half.
• Sharpedo evaded Inferno again and used Surf, raising a huge wave across the battlefield.
• Flint had Rapidash run up the wave toward Sharpedo and ordered it to use Wild Charge, seamlessly replacing its flames with electricity.

Sato’s Sharpedo defeated Flint’s Rapidash, but Flint’s Magmortar used Clear Smog to erase Sharpedo’s speed advantage and then knocked it out with Thunderbolt. Sato recalled Sharpedo and prepared to send out another Pokémon as the crowd cheered Flint’s comeback.

• Rapidash fell into Sharpedo’s Surf and was incapacitated, giving Sharpedo the win.
• Flint recalled Rapidash, praised Sato’s strength, and sent out Magmortar.
• Magmortar struck Sharpedo with Clear Smog, removing its accumulated speed boosts.
• Sato tried to evade Thunderbolt with Aqua Jet, then ordered Agility, but the lingering Clear Smog caused Agility to fail.
• Thunderbolt incapacitated Sharpedo, and Sato recalled it while promising to avenge it.

Sato’s Gengar defeated Flint’s Magmortar with Hex after a hard-fought exchange that left both Pokémon badly worn down. Flint sent out Flareon and immediately ordered it to use Roar.

• Sato sent out Gengar, and it poisoned Magmortar before striking it with Venoshock.
• Flint’s Magmortar used Sunny Day and Smokescreen, burning Gengar and keeping up the pressure despite its poison.
• Sato ordered Gengar to use Hex, and the attack knocked Magmortar out.
• Flint recalled Magmortar and sent out Flareon, then commanded it to use Roar.

Sato and Flint’s battle continued as Flareon and Krookodile fought through sand, poison, and powerful finishing moves. Both Pokémon were knocked out at the same time, leaving Flint with three Pokémon down and prompting a ten-minute halftime break.

• Flint sent out Flareon, which used Roar to force Gengar back into its Poké Ball, and Sato switched in Krookodile.
• Krookodile used Sandstorm and Sand Tomb to trap Flareon, while Flareon fought back with Flame Wheel and Clear Smog.
• Krookodile waited underground for an opening as the Sandstorm wore Flareon down, then sprang a trap beneath it.
• Flint ordered Flareon to use Last Resort, and Sato countered by ordering Krookodile to use Outrage.
• Flareon and Krookodile struck each other with their finishing moves and simultaneously lost the ability to battle, so the referee called a ten-minute halftime break.

After halftime, Flint sent out Lopunny, whose powerful Bounce and High Jump Kick badly injured Murkrow despite Murkrow escaping a direct knockout with Substitute. Sato recalled Murkrow and hinted that it was time for it to evolve.

• Flint reflected on how Sato had once been easy to beat, then vowed not to give up as the second half began.
• Sato sent out Murkrow, while Flint sent out Lopunny, and the referee restarted the match.
• Lopunny used Bounce to pursue Murkrow, but Murkrow dodged with Aerial Ace as Flint ordered High Jump Kick.
• Lopunny's kick shattered the battlefield and struck Murkrow, which survived by using Substitute before counterattacking.
• Sato noticed Murkrow was badly injured, called it back from the fight, and said it was time for it to evolve.

Sato evolved Murkrow into a massive Honchkrow with a high-quality Dusk Stone, then resumed his interrupted match against Flint. Honchkrow defeated Lopunny in a fierce exchange, though it remained barely able to stand.

• Sato gave Murkrow a pure Dusk Stone, and Murkrow evolved into a giant Honchkrow whose strength rose to Pseudo-Elite Four Intermediate.
• Sato and Flint resumed their battle, and Flint sent Lopunny into another Bounce attack.
• Honchkrow’s Heat Wave met Lopunny’s spinning Ice Punch, and both Pokémon persisted through the clash despite their exhaustion.
• Lopunny dodged Honchkrow’s Air Slash and rushed in, but Honchkrow struck it with Sucker Punch as Lopunny landed two Dizzy Punches in return.
• Lopunny fainted before landing, and the referee declared Honchkrow the winner as it struggled to remain standing.

After Flint's Steelix knocked out Honchkrow with Sandstorm, he Mega Evolved Steelix to face Sato's Cacturne. Cacturne used the storm to hide and strengthen itself, and the battle continued with Steelix finally taking a direct hit from Dark Pulse.

• Flint sent out Steelix, which used Sandstorm to interrupt Honchkrow's recall and knock it out; Sato recalled Honchkrow and sent out Cacturne.
• Flint Mega Evolved Steelix, raising its strength to Pseudo-Elite Four Peak while the crowd urged Sato to Mega Evolve Cacturne.
• Sato ordered Cacturne to attack with Dark Pulse, but Steelix blocked the hit with the steel around its neck and then used Magnet Rise.
• Cacturne used Sand Veil to hide from Steelix's Rock Slide and boosted its Special Attack twice with Nasty Plot.
• Cacturne fired a stronger Dark Pulse that destroyed Steelix's steel guard and struck it directly.

Sato’s Cacturne endured Steelix’s attacks and used Spiky Shield, Seed Bomb, and Giga Drain to counterattack and drain its stamina. When Flint sent Steelix underground with Dig, Sato had Cacturne spread Cotton Spore across the field to sense its movements.

• Flint ordered Steelix to use Earthquake, but Cacturne struck it from above with a boosted Focus Blast.
• Steelix hit Cacturne with Double-Edge, but Cacturne recovered in the Sandstorm, blocked its next charge, and countered with Seed Bomb.
• Cacturne used Giga Drain to restrain Steelix with golden vines and drain its stamina before the Sandstorm dispersed.
• Steelix broke free with Dragon Breath and dodged another Focus Blast by using Dig.
• Sato told Cacturne to fill the field with Cotton Spore so it could sense movements through ground vibrations.

Sato and Flint recalled Cacturne and Steelix after both lost their battle awareness, then sent out Tyranitar and Infernape for the final match. Tyranitar gained the upper hand in the sandstorm, but Infernape broke through its Stone Edge and was knocked off course just as it reached Tyranitar.

• Cacturne and Steelix fought fiercely until Sato and Flint recalled them, and the referee declared that both had lost their battle awareness.
• Sato sent out Tyranitar, whose Sand Stream created another sandstorm, while Flint chose Infernape as his final Pokémon.
• Tyranitar used Stone Edge to keep Infernape at a distance and suppress its close-range attacks.
• Flint ordered Infernape to charge with Flare Blitz, and it spun through Tyranitar’s Stone Edge attacks.
• The arena floor rose into a slope that sent Infernape over Tyranitar, leaving it exposed to another Stone Edge barrage as it descended.

Tyranitar defeated Flint’s Infernape in the arena after countering its attacks and grinding down its Blaze-boosted Flare Blitz. Tyranitar celebrated its victory before the cheering crowd, proud to prove how strong it had become.

• Infernape charged Tyranitar with Sky Uppercut, but Tyranitar evaded it and counterattacked with Stone Edge and Dragon Tail.
• Tyranitar kept Infernape at a distance with Rock Tomb while Infernape’s Blaze activated and Flint ordered Flare Blitz.
• Sato had Tyranitar compress Stone Edge into three stone blades, which successively slowed Infernape’s white-hot charge.
• Tyranitar used Ground Leveling to disrupt Flare Blitz, then prepared the battlefield for Earthquake.
• Tyranitar’s Earthquake left Infernape unable to battle while Tyranitar remained standing.
• Tyranitar roared in triumph as the crowd cheered and Sato smiled at its victory.

After Sato defeated Flint, Elite Four Chikuno urgently summoned them to Lilycove City's East Coast. Sato and the others rushed there, where Chikuno and League elite Trainers were watching two Pokémon battle at sea.

• Sato defeated Flint 2–0, and Flint accepted his loss before Chikuno called with an urgent request for them to come to Lilycove City's East Coast.
• Flint and Sato replaced their Pokémon, then gathered with Volkner, Mark, and George to hurry to the coast.
• Flint, Volkner, and Mark flew on Pokémon while Gengar carried Sato using a Space Barrier.
• George sent Gallade ahead with Teleport, following the others after marking Sato with its Mental Mark.
• At the East Coast, Chikuno and a group of League elite Trainers watched two Pokémon fight on the sea.

Darkrai drew Sato and Ralts into its Dream Space while battling Cresselia near Lilycove City. Darkrai recognized Ralts and questioned why she had fallen from the brink of Godhood, leaving Sato bewildered.

• Chikuno’s League forces evacuated civilians and prepared for the battle between Darkrai and Cresselia off Lilycove City’s coast.
• Sato arrived with Mark, Flint, and Volkner, and identified the two battling Legendary Pokémon as Darkrai and Cresselia.
• As Sato approached Darkrai, the Dark Power in his body fluctuated and Ralts began flickering with pain inside his backpack.
• Chikuno ordered Hippopotas to raise a Sandstorm as Darkrai approached, while Cresselia and Flint’s Charizard attacked it.
• Darkrai met Sato’s gaze and pulled him and Ralts into its Dream Space, excluding Gengar.
• Ralts awakened and spoke with Darkrai, which asked why she had fallen from a state one step short of Godhood.

Sato learned that Ralts had ruled the Underwater Cave and was close to being crowned with a divinity of sleep, which it had fled to avoid. Ralts revealed that it followed Sato because his Dark Power manifested a divinity, and Darkrai eagerly agreed to devour the Sleeping Divinity; then Ralts’s special space ended and they returned to the real world.

• Ralts explained that a divinity was a Source Imprint that could grant a Pokemon legendary status and an infinite lifespan, and that gaining one required every creature in a Private Domain to recognize its owner as king.
• Ralts told Sato that the former king of the Underwater Cave had passed it an incomplete Sleeping Divinity and fled rather than lead the cave’s Pokemon into eternal slumber.
• Ralts revealed that it had followed Sato both to escape its coming coronation and to learn why his Dark Power manifested a divinity.
• Darkrai eagerly agreed to devour the Sleeping Divinity after Ralts offered it the power, and Ralts warned that they first needed to deal with the situation outside.
• Ralts’s special space ended, returning Sato and the Pokemon to the real world.

After Darkrai and Cresselia’s battle moved away from Lilycove City, Sato agreed to stay in town before secretly heading north with Ralts and Honchkrow to meet Darkrai. He arrived at the beach and found Darkrai waiting for them.

• Darkrai dodged the group’s attacks and retreated toward the sea with Cresselia, leaving Lilycove City after their battle.
• Chikuno ordered stronger city defenses and dream inspections, then praised Sato, while Flint admitted his defeat.
• Sato and his companions stayed at the Pokémon Center, and Ralts spent the day chasing George for Sweet Milk.
• After night fell, Sato told George to check the northern beach if he had not returned by morning, then flew there with Honchkrow and Ralts.
• Ralts guided Sato to Darkrai on the beach, and Honchkrow returned to its Poké Ball after an awkward landing.

Darkrai led Sato and the others to a sealed underground cavern to devour Gardevoir’s Sleeping Divinity. With Sato and Zoroark supplying Dark Power, Darkrai’s Nightmare Divinity pulled the Sleeping Divinity apart, leaving its scattered light spots drawn toward him.

• Darkrai took Sato and Ralts to a hidden cavern lined with Energy Sealing Stones.
• Ralts evolved into Kirlia and then Dark Gardevoir, while Darkrai and Gardevoir manifested their respective divinities.
• Sato and Zoroark transmitted Dark Power to Gardevoir as Darkrai used his Nightmare Divinity to draw out the Sleeping Divinity.
• The Sleeping Divinity cracked and split into two pieces, which devolved into White Light Spots.
• Darkrai’s Nightmare Divinity pulled the White Light Spots away from Gardevoir, and he asked Sato for more Dark Power.