Chapter Summaries

Old Man Qian worried when Mark failed to return from Clear Stream Forest and prepared to search for him himself. Mark’s Butterfree arrived with a captured Thunderclap Gang member and the unconscious Little Sun Teacher, then relayed that Mark was safe and would return in a few days.

• Old Man Qian grew worried about Mark and Little Sun Teacher when neither returned from Clear Stream Forest.
• Old Man Qian asked Ranger A Kang to search for Mark, but A Kang refused because night searches were forbidden and Bounty Hunter Nightingale was already pursuing the gang.
• Old Man Qian decided to enter the forest himself, but a giant Butterfree landed at his home with a bound Thunderclap Gang member.
• Old Man Qian recognized Butterfree as Mark’s Pokemon and found Miss Gothitelle and the unconscious Little Sun Teacher on its back.
• Miss Gothitelle told Old Man Qian that Mark was training and would return in a few days, while Butterfree had been diligently training and enjoyed Moomoo Milk.

Old Man Qian questioned Butterfree about Mark’s message and discovered its extraordinary Psychic abilities. After Butterfree quickly learned Teleport, Old Man Qian continued trying to learn what had happened to Little Sun Teacher and her Pokemon.

• Butterfree told Old Man Qian that Mark had asked it to deliver Little Sun Teacher and an unconscious Thunderclap Gang member, while the Moomoo Milk praise came from Butterfree and Caterpie.
• Old Man Qian learned Butterfree was not yet Mark’s Pokemon and realized it could communicate through Telekinesis with unusual ease.
• Old Man Qian used a Teleport Disk Learning Device to help Butterfree learn Teleport.
• Miss Gothitelle told Old Man Qian that Little Sun Teacher’s Alakazam was unconscious and that the Pokemon Recovery Devices had not been taken, but claimed not to know what had happened to Mark or Lei Meng.
• Butterfree quickly mastered Teleport and demonstrated that it could use the move repeatedly with almost no delay, astonishing Old Man Qian.

Sun Ting woke in Clear Stream Village after Lei Meng defeated her and Alakazam, then recounted the incident to Old Man Qian. The stolen equipment was recovered and the Thunderclap Gang members were arrested, but Lei Meng remained missing—until he woke bound in Mark’s camp and saw his Electivire beside him.

• Butterfree returned to Caterpie and its Trainer after drinking Moomoo Milk at Old Man Qian’s courtyard.
• Sun Ting woke under Miss Gothitelle’s watch and told Old Man Qian how Lei Meng had ambushed and defeated her and Alakazam.
• The Rock Gym and Pokemon League Branch questioned Sun Ting, then escorted her back two hours later; she said she would leave in three days.
• The stolen equipment was recovered, twenty-four Thunderclap Gang members were jailed, and Old Man Qian learned that Nightingale was supposedly pursuing Lei Meng beyond Xia’s borders.
• Lei Meng woke bound and suspended in Mark’s camp, saw his Electivire nearby, and silently urged it to attack Mark.
• Electivire shook its head nervously instead of attacking, warning Lei Meng not to act rashly.

Mark questioned Lei Meng about his lightning ability and demanded the Pokemon in his storage capsule, but refused to promise to release him. When Lei Meng tried to use Thunder Resonance to escape, Electivire obeyed Mark instead and resumed roasting Rabbit Meat.

• Mark explained that Electivire's electrotherapy had helped heal Lei Meng's facial injuries, then revealed he had captured Lei Meng in retaliation for the Thunderclap Gang's attack on Clear Stream Village.
• Lei Meng offered Mark thirty million and his belongings in exchange for freedom, but Mark refused the money and demanded the Pokemon in Lei Meng's storage capsule.
• Caterpie showed off a shoulder bag made from Lei Meng's clothes and handed Mark two Pokeballs from the capsule.
• Lei Meng agreed to give Mark the Magnet Pokemon and Charjabug, while warning that the Magnet Pokemon would require the Thunderclap Gang's magnetic field reagent to control.
• Mark noticed a Magnemite with an unusual extra pair of screws, then refused to release Lei Meng after accepting the Pokemon.
• Lei Meng ordered Electivire to use Thunder Resonance, but Mark stopped the attack with a touch, and Electivire returned to roasting Rabbit Meat at Mark's side.

Mark subdued Lei Meng after his attempted sneak attack, while Caterpie learned Thunder Network by sensing Lei Meng’s electrotherapy. Mark fed and treated Lei Meng and Electivire, then joined Caterpie in another Combat Training session that left Electivire collapsed and Lei Meng shouting threats.

• Lei Meng attacked Mark with Thunder Headbutt, but Mark knocked him unconscious and had Electivire treat his injuries with electrotherapy.
• Caterpie comprehended Thunder Network while sensing the electrotherapy and tested the move before collecting Charjabug and Magnemite’s Pokeballs to show off.
• Mark fed Lei Meng and applied healing medicine to Electivire, while Caterpie helped and urged Electivire to recover for more Combat Training.
• An hour and a half later, Mark joined Caterpie in training Electivire, and Electivire collapsed after thirty-five minutes as Lei Meng shouted threats and curses.

Mark and Caterpie trained against Lei Meng and Electivire for seven days, but their opponents eventually lost all fighting spirit, causing the experience gains to stop. Mark learned about Special Ability Resonance, the changing methods of strengthening Pokémon, and the world’s strength rankings from Lei Meng, leaving the training plan failed but Lei Meng close to reformation.

• Mark and Caterpie repeatedly battled Electivire while Lei Meng encouraged it, and Electivire used Thunder Resonance before losing each round.
• For seven days, Mark and Caterpie continued their high-intensity Combat Training, raising Mark’s Experience Bar to 86%.
• Lei Meng and Electivire lost their fighting spirit, and Lei Meng’s two Magnezone soon stopped resisting as well, ending the experience gains.
• Mark learned from Lei Meng about Special Ability Resonance, emerging power-enhancing technologies, and the methods used to advance Pokémon through the strength ranks.
• Mark learned that Veteran-level Pokémon could create an Energy Cycle, while Master-level Pokémon broke through their species’ limits.

After learning how Totem Pokémon could struggle to reach Veteran-level, Mark realized Caterpie and Butterfree needed to build their Energy Cycles before their Genetic Limits broke further. He planned to adjust their training and point allocation, hoping Return to Simplicity would help Caterpie become Veteran-level.

• Mark learned from Lei Meng that breaking the Genetic Limit could make Totem Pokémon powerful early but hinder their ability to establish a Veteran-level Energy Cycle.
• Mark used Lei Meng’s yellow Pokemon Index to research Totem Pokémon and power tiers, then learned Lei Meng had fabricated much of his story about Titan Caterpie, though the Progenitor Laboratory injection was real.
• When Mark asked about Thunder Resonance, Lei Meng collapsed into a self-isolated state, while Electivire trembled and shook its head.
• Mark told Caterpie that it and Butterfree needed to comprehend the Energy Cycle quickly to avoid their Genetic Limits breaking further and blocking their progress to Veteran-level.
• Mark planned to improve his Robust Health talent next, have Caterpie train alongside him in the Dream World, and later allocate points to Caterpie’s Tackle in hopes of achieving Return to Simplicity and Veteran-level.

Mark prepared Charjabug for evolution by charging it and obtained two Thunder Stones, while Old Man Qian's letter updated him on the resolved gang matter and Hack Pokemon Academy's exam. After reflecting on Uncle Qian Three's advice, Mark asked Butterfree if it would become his Pokemon.

• Mark left Lei Meng unrestrained as a final test of whether he could recover, then went to check on Charjabug.
• Mark and Caterpie greeted Charjabug, and Electivire charged it until it could take no more electricity.
• Butterfree returned with a backpack containing Moomoo Milk, two Thunder Stones, and a letter from Old Man Qian.
• Mark read that the Thunderclap Gang matter was settled and learned that Hack Pokemon Academy's Trainer exam would include wilderness survival.
• Mark opened the black box, took out its Pokeball, and asked Butterfree to become his Pokemon.

Mark caught Butterfree as his Pokémon, and the celebration triggered Charjabug’s evolution. After Charjabug’s Battery Ability spread a vast Thunder Magnetic Field and two Thunder Stones shattered into it, Charjabug evolved into a Vikavolt Aircraft.

• Butterfree agreed to become Mark’s Pokémon and entered a Poké Ball, then emerged to celebrate with the Caterpie and perform a Quiver Dance influenced by Nature Dance.
• Caterpie celebrated Butterfree’s joining the team, and Charjabug joined in from the large pit.
• Charjabug’s Battery Ability activated, expanding its Thunder Magnetic Field to nearly eighty meters and helping Butterfree learn Thunder Network.
• The Magnet Pokémon rose into the air and formed a vast Thunder Network around Charjabug.
• Mark took out a Thunder Stone, but two Thunder Stones shattered in the magnetic field and their lightning struck Charjabug, which evolved into a Vikavolt Aircraft.

Mark discovered that Vikavolt Aircraft’s evolution had given it a magnetic seat made from Magnemite, then tested riding and controlling it in flight. The chapter left Mark flying with Vikavolt Aircraft and learning how to steer it.

• Vikavolt Aircraft demonstrated that it could fly using both wing power and electromagnetic force.
• Mark found the unusual four-screw Magnemite above Vikavolt Aircraft’s wings and learned that his earlier musings about adding a seat had inspired its evolution.
• Mark tested the magnetic seat with Magnemite and discovered that the special Magnemite stayed stable while others slid off.
• Mark flipped Magnemite so its eye faced downward, mounted Vikavolt Aircraft, and found the seat surprisingly comfortable.
• Mark rode Vikavolt Aircraft and learned to steer, accelerate, and tilt it by gripping its head and shifting his weight.

Mark tested the Vikavolt Aircraft and discovered that Butterfree had become one of his spirits, gaining Strategist Butterfree and powerful telekinetic communication abilities. After seeing Butterfree demonstrate Solar Beam and Rain Dance, Mark prepared to move on to the next stage of his plan.

• Mark tested the Vikavolt Aircraft and found that Vikavolt could meet his commuting needs, while Caterpie and Butterfree joyfully took turns riding it.
• Mark checked his Trainer Panel and found Butterfree listed as one of his spirits with the Strategist Butterfree ability and several modified moves.
• Mark learned that Butterfree's Telekinesis enabled Mind Whisper and Consciousness Connection, explaining how easily it communicated with him.
• Mark asked Butterfree about Solar Beam and Rain Dance, and Butterfree demonstrated both moves.
• Mark called the Pokémon back after watching them play and decided to begin the next step of his plan now that Charjabug had evolved.

Mark returned to Clear Stream Village with his newly evolved, oversized Vikavolt and an unconscious Thunderclap Gang officer, Lei Meng. Old Man Qian learned that Thunder Stones and electrical support had helped Charjabug evolve, then realized Lei Meng and his Electivire seemed too timid to be genuine troublemakers.

• Old Man Qian read about an international student exchange program and wondered whether Mark might apply to Hack Pokemon Academy.
• Mark arrived at Old Man Qian's home riding his evolved Vikavolt, surprising Old Man Qian with how quickly Charjabug had evolved.
• Mark explained that Magnet Pokemon, Lei Meng's Electivire, and Old Man Qian's Thunder Stones had helped power the evolution.
• Mark revealed that the bald man lying beneath Vikavolt was Lei Meng, a Thunderclap Gang officer who had collapsed after being surrounded by Caterpie.
• Mark took Lei Meng's Poké Ball and released his Electivire, whose timid manner led Old Man Qian to suspect both it and Lei Meng were not suited to fighting.

Mark and Old Man Qian decided to give Lei Meng a chance by erasing his memories and starting him over in Clear Stream Village. Old Man Qian named him John and began creating a new identity for him, while Mark suggested choosing a job that would keep him away from Caterpies.

• Old Man Qian and Mark agreed that Lei Meng should atone for his crimes in Clear Stream Village instead of being handed to the Pokemon Alliance.
• Old Man Qian retrieved an Amnesia Potion and Hypnosis Gun, and Electivire and two Magnezone promised not to tell their master about his past.
• Old Man Qian named Lei Meng John and explained how to dose and use the Amnesia Potion before administering ten marks and hypnotizing him.
• Old Man Qian suggested that John work at the Caterpie Breeding Base, but Mark recommended the Tomato Garden or an electrician's job because John had reacted badly to Caterpies.

Mark helped Old Man Qian alter John’s memories and warned him that John might still suffer from Caterpie Phobia. After John awakened with a fabricated past, seeing Caterpie triggered the phobia and made him collapse again.

• Old Man Qian changed John’s hypnotic memories so he believed he had left the Caterpie Breeding Base to work at the Tomato Garden and occasionally as an electrician.
• Mark explained John’s severe Caterpie Phobia, and Old Man Qian confirmed that Electivire also had milder symptoms.
• Caterpie greeted Old Man Qian, showed off its shoulder bag, and continued studying spatial coordinates to earn a Great Ball.
• Old Man Qian told Mark to keep the Magnet Pokemon, conceal the Thunderclap Gang markings, and released Butterfree after asking about the letter.
• John awoke believing he was a villager helped by Qian Fugui, but Caterpie’s approach triggered his phobia and caused him to collapse and foam at the mouth.

Mark returned to the village and arranged secluded training for Caterpie to learn Protect and Detect while he studied Veteran-level Energy Cycle. Old Man Qian prepared training for Wimpod and explained that all Pokémon could learn Protect, prompting Mark to wonder whether people could learn it too.

• Mark tested John with ordinary Caterpie, confirmed John's phobia had worsened, and learned from Old Man Qian that John and Lin Erniu were among many people whose memories Old Man Qian had erased.
• Mark planned to train with Caterpie at Old Man Qian's home for more than twenty days, and he and Old Man Qian settled John in Mark's empty house.
• Old Man Qian released Machamp to teach Mark's Pokémon move techniques, then brought in a saltwater vat for Wimpod's training based on Doctor Locke's advice.
• Old Man Qian told Mark that Protect was a versatile move that any Pokémon could learn, while Mark imitated Machamp alongside Caterpie and Butterfree.

Mark and his Pokémon trained against Machamp for days to understand its Protect and Detect techniques, while Wimpod watched and grew eager to learn. Mark's Experience Bar filled, and he spent his new point on Robust Health.

• Mark explained to Old Man Qian that he wanted to study Protect through sparring, then placed Wimpod in a water tank so it could begin training.
• With Old Man Qian's approval, Mark, Caterpie, Butterfree, and Vikavolt attacked Machamp, which effortlessly neutralized their moves with Protect and Detect.
• Wimpod watched Machamp's defense intently, while Old Man Qian felt inspired to resume training with his Pokémon.
• Mark and his Pokémon continued sparring through the night and into the next two days, and Vikavolt trained by flying with bags of sand tied to its feet.
• Mark filled his Experience Bar, gained a New Point, and tapped the plus sign beside his Robust Health talent on the Trainer Panel.

In the Dream World, Mark trained his body for eighty-three years, developing extraordinary strength, speed, reflexes, and breath control. He ultimately saw signs of aging and accepted that he had failed to overcome his body's limits before the dream shattered.

• Mark began training with Caterpie and Butterfree after realizing his physical weakness, but the Nature Dance no longer granted him Forest's Gift in the Dream World.
• Mark practiced Body Strengthening Gymnastics, used Electroweb to stimulate his body, and trained alongside Wimpod.
• After three years, Mark's body had grown massively muscular, but he shifted to studying and refining his training methods when his progress stalled.
• Mark trained for another three years until his weight returned to normal, while his speed and reflexes improved and he developed exceptional breath control.
• After eighty-three years, Mark found a silver hair in his reflection and concluded that age had begun to weaken him and that he had failed to surpass his body's limits.
• The Dream World shattered around Mark.

Mark woke from the Stat Point Dream World after decades of training, having failed to improve his strength before age weakened him. Back in the courtyard, he reunited with his Pokémon, learned how they had trained in his absence, and checked their gains before overwhelming hunger interrupted him.

• Mark woke in the courtyard and recalled that his body had declined with age before he could improve his strength further.
• Mark found that Vikavolt and Four-Screw Magnemite had entered the Dream World, and Vikavolt described getting lost while training in the forest.
• Wimpod emerged from the water vat and told Mark it had spent decades training alone after he forgot to bring it along.
• Mark comforted Wimpod and discovered that it had learned Protect with a Water Defense modifier.
• Mark reviewed Caterpie and Butterfree's training gains, then opened his own panel and saw his Super Robust Health and Martial Arts Master talents.
• Mark felt an intense hunger and pounced on the food prepared nearby.

Du Wei and Ling Lan searched for Lei Meng near Clear Stream Village and planned to attack the Three Mountains Town prison, while a Ghost-type trainer decided to investigate the village himself. Mark One and his Pokémon followed the spying figures to Boulder Pile, where his severe hunger continued and a bug appeared on his Trainer Panel.

• Du Wei and Ling Lan observed Clear Stream Village and discussed the Thunderclap Plan, Lei Meng’s disappearance, and the departure of Zhao Meisha and the Alliance patrols.
• Du Wei ordered a surprise attack on the Three Mountains Town prison and told Ling Lan to keep watching near Clear Stream Village before they flew away.
• A silver-haired Ghost-type trainer appeared at Boulder Pile with Gengar and three Chandelure, overheard the conversation, and vanished to investigate the courtyard Du Wei had watched.
• Mark One and Caterpie reached Boulder Pile after sensing that someone had spied on Old Man Qian’s home, with Vikavolt and Butterfree arriving soon after.
• Mark One ate Mangua Fruit Jerky but remained intensely hungry, and a bug appeared on his Trainer Panel.

Mark investigated the Boulder Pile, where Geodude confirmed that a terrifying human had recently appeared, while his Trainer Panel continued glitching after his stat allocation. As Mark gathered food before returning to Old Man Qian’s home, Ghost Man attacked the courtyard and triggered a confrontation with Machamp and Old Man Qian’s Blaziken and Infernape.

• Mark found that his Trainer Panel lagged and displayed garbled characters as his Experience Bar repeatedly reset while he and his Pokémon ate.
• Caterpie sensed a wild Geodude hiding as a stone, and Geodude said that a frightening human had recently visited the Boulder Pile.
• Mark gave up trying to learn where the human had gone and decided to return to Uncle Qian Three’s home to cultivate.
• Mark mounted Vikavolt, comforted it, and asked Caterpie and Butterfree to find food before they returned.
• Ghost Man entered Old Man Qian’s courtyard and used Gengar’s Black Gaze on Machamp, but Machamp broke free as Blaziken and Infernape rushed out to fight.