Chapter Summaries

After Gary and Rosa defeated Norman for the Balance Badge, May and Ash learned about Pokémon Contests and watched the Rustboro Conference. Megumi won the contest, while May discovered an interest that set her on the path toward becoming a Coordinator.

• Max was upset to hear that Norman had lost, but Gary and Rosa reassured him that Norman had not fought at full strength.
• Megumi and Eiji explained Pokémon Contests to May and Ash after Megumi's Beautifly landed on May.
• May and Ash decided to enter the contest, but registration had filled; with Megumi's help, they received Contest Passes, and May and Max joined her as assistants for her performance.
• Gary and Rosa chose to watch the Rustboro Conference rather than compete, and the group went into the Main Venue to see the performances.
• Megumi's Beautifly defeated Eiji's Venomoth, earning Megumi her third Ribbon Medal, while May developed an interest in Pokémon Contests.

Gary and Rosa left Ash's group after the Rustboro Conference and traveled by ship to Dewford Town. They decided to enjoy a vacation there before continuing their Hoenn Gym challenges.

• Gary and Rosa said goodbye to Ash, May, and the others, and May promised to work toward earning a Ribbon Badge.
• Gary and Rosa boarded a ship near Rustboro City and reached Dewford Town earlier than expected.
• Rosa admired Dewford Town's beaches and scenery, and Gary suggested they take a vacation there.
• Gary reassured Rosa that they had plenty of time before the Ever Grande Conference, so they decided to stay and enjoy the beach.

Gary and Rosa postponed their Dewford Gym challenge after learning Brawly was away, and set out to enjoy their vacation. They found a secluded beach near Rusturf Tunnel, where they kissed and played together.

• Gary and Rosa learned that Brawly was surfing and that Dewford Gym would remain closed for two days, so they planned to return later.
• Gary and Rosa headed to a crowded beach, where Rosa caught Gary staring at women playing volleyball and pinched his waist.
• Gary told Rosa about a quiet beach near Rusturf Tunnel, and they went there instead.
• Gary and Rosa changed into their swimsuits, kissed on the beach, and then chased and played together.

Gary and Rosa met former Hoenn Champion Steven Stone while relaxing with their Pokémon on a beach near Dewford Town. After Gary explained Mega Stones and Key Stones, Steven decided to search for them.

• Gary and Rosa spent a sunny day at the beach with their Pokémon.
• Steven Stone arrived, and Gary and Rosa recognized and greeted the former Hoenn Champion.
• Gary introduced himself as Professor Oak’s grandson, and Steven grew closer to him as they discussed Pokémon.
• Steven noticed the stones on Gary’s wristband and Blastoise’s, then identified them as a Key Stone and Mega Stone.
• Gary explained what he knew about Mega Stones, including that Metagross could Mega Evolve, and Steven decided to search for Mega Stones and Key Stones.

Steven Stone thanked Gary for explaining Mega Evolution and offered him a favor, then challenged him to a battle to witness it firsthand. Gary Mega Evolved Blastoise against Steven Stone’s powerful Aggron, and Steven Stone admired the transformation as the battle began.

• Steven Stone offered to help Gary in the future, and Gary accepted his offer.
• Steven Stone challenged Gary to a battle, and Gary agreed before following him to an open field with Rosa and his Pokémon.
• Rosa kissed Gary’s cheek and went to watch as Gary and Steven Stone prepared for their one-on-one battle.
• Gary sent out Blastoise, while Steven Stone chose his Level 71 Aggron, which Gary recognized as a formidable opponent.
• Gary used his Key Stone and Blastoise’s Mega Stone to Mega Evolve Blastoise, impressing Steven Stone and Rosa.

Gary battled Steven Stone with Blastoise against Aggron, using defensive moves and a Hydro Pump to land a powerful hit. Steven then overwhelmed Blastoise with Rock Throw, burying it beneath rocks and leaving its condition uncertain.

• Gary opened the battle by having Blastoise attack Aggron with Water Gun, but Aggron shattered the stream with Metal Claw.
• Steven Stone had Aggron trap Blastoise in its claws and strike it with Hammer Arm, injuring it and sending it flying.
• Gary used Blastoise's Iron Defense and Gyro Ball to escape Rock Tomb, then had it circle Aggron and hit it with Hydro Pump.
• Steven Stone praised Blastoise's strength, then ordered Aggron to unleash Rock Throw.
• Blastoise's Rapid Spin failed to withstand the barrage, and falling rocks buried it as Gary called out to it.

After Gary lost to Steven Stone, he comforted Blastoise and thanked Steven for the battle and his guidance. Steven then offered Gary and Rosa the chance to earn the recognition of an Aron group living in Rusturf Tunnel, leading them to the Pokémon’s habitat.

• Blastoise broke free from the rocks, and Gary told it the battle was over and they had lost.
• Gary comforted Blastoise, promising they would train and battle Steven again someday, then recalled it to rest.
• Gary thanked Steven for his guidance, and Steven said he was grateful to have witnessed Mega Evolution firsthand.
• Steven asked whether Gary and Rosa wanted to catch an Aron or Lairon, explaining they would need to earn the group’s recognition.
• Steven led Gary and Rosa through Rusturf Tunnel to a broad area where a group of Aron lived.

Gary and Rosa visited the Aron colony in Rusturf Tunnel with Steven Stone and earned the chance to catch Aron by gaining their recognition. They caught a male and female Aron, then stayed to learn training advice from Steven Stone.

• Steven Stone reunited his Aggron with the female Aggron leading the Aron colony, and explained how the male had joined him while she stayed to protect the colony.
• The Aggron leader allowed Gary and Rosa to catch an Aron if they earned its recognition, and more than ten young Aron volunteered to leave.
• Gary used his system to identify two Aron with Champion-level potential and pointed Rosa toward the female one.
• Gary defeated the male Aron with Pupitar and caught it, while Rosa defeated and caught the female Aron.
• Gary sent his injured Blastoise back to Oak Pokémon Research Lab, and he and Rosa spent time with their new Aron and learned training tips from Steven Stone.

Gary and Rosa grew closer after Gary’s battle with Steven, and Gary promised to help Rosa obtain a Mega Stone. Later, Gary learned Blastoise’s injuries had mostly healed and asked Professor Oak to help it reach Elite Four Level.

• Steven Stone regretted that Gary and Rosa belonged to Kanto, then left their recruitment to Wallace and resumed excavating Strange Stones.
• Gary told Rosa he had learned from his loss to Steven and promised she would someday have a Mega Evolution of her own.
• Gary and Rosa shared an intimate moment and stayed together until evening, their affection deepening.
• Gary called Professor Oak, learned Blastoise’s injuries had mostly healed, and explained its battle with Steven.
• Gary asked Professor Oak to help Blastoise break through to Elite Four Level, and Professor Oak agreed.
• As he prepared to rest, Gary turned his attention to the reward for catching Aron.

Gary gave Aron a top-tier Metal Coat before he and Rosa went to Dewford Gym to challenge Brawly. Gary’s battle against Brawly began with Aron facing Machop, and Aron was knocked away by Machop’s Fire Punch.

• Gary opened the System gift pack and received a top-tier Metal Coat, which he gave to Aron.
• Gary and Rosa arrived at Dewford Gym and met Brawly, who agreed to their challenges.
• Gary chose to battle first, and the referee announced a two-Pokémon battle against Brawly.
• Brawly sent out Machop, and Gary sent out Aron for its first battle appearance.
• Aron used Iron Defense and Rock Throw, then charged with Iron Head, but Machop dodged and struck Aron with Fire Punch, sending it flying.

Gary defeated Brawly’s Machop with Aron and sent out Elekid to face Makuhita in the next battle. Stealth Rock struck Makuhita before it could use Fake Out, and Gary began his counterattack.

• Aron’s Substitute tricked Machop into striking a decoy, allowing the hidden Aron to hit Machop with Iron Head and set up Stealth Rock.
• Aron trapped Machop beneath rocks with Rock Tomb and knocked it out with Double-Edge, winning the first battle.
• Brawly praised Gary, then sent out his level 31 Makuhita against Gary’s level 32 Elekid.
• Stealth Rock interrupted Makuhita’s Fake Out and injured it, and Gary prepared to attack with Elekid.

Gary defeated Brawly in the Gym Challenge, and Elekid evolved into Electabuzz after the battle. Brawly awarded Gary the Knuckle Badge, and Rosa stepped forward to challenge him next.

• Gary's Elekid battled Brawly's Makuhita, and Static repeatedly paralyzed Makuhita during their clashes.
• Gary had Elekid use Charge and then land a powerful Thunderbolt, knocking Makuhita unable to battle.
• The referee declared Gary the winner, and Elekid evolved into Electabuzz.
• Brawly congratulated Gary and gave him the Knuckle Badge, which Gary placed in his Badge Case.
• Rosa stepped forward to begin her battle with Brawly.

After earning their third Badges, Gary and Rosa stayed in Dewford Town for five days of intensive training at a secluded beach. Their Pokémon grew stronger and several evolved, leaving both trainers ready to continue their journey.

• Gary and Rosa defeated Brawly and earned their third Badges, then decided to remain in Dewford Town to train their Pokémon.
• Gary agreed to spend the rest of the day exploring Dewford Town with Rosa before they began training the next morning.
• Gary and Rosa brought their Pokémon to the beach near Rusturf Tunnel and assigned them intensive training routines.
• Steven Stone visited the training ground and offered advice that helped Gary and Rosa's Pokémon improve.
• After five days, Gary's Aron evolved into Lairon, while Rosa's Aron evolved into Lairon and her Shiny Wurmple evolved into Shiny Beautifly.

After five days of training in Dewford Town, Gary and Rosa rested for a day, thanked Steven Stone, and traveled to Slateport City. They checked into a hotel and headed to its private beach, where a trainer's command caught their attention.

• Gary and Rosa credited Steven Stone's guidance for their Pokémon's progress and agreed to repay him someday.
• Gary decided they should rest another day in Dewford Town before leaving, and they said goodbye to Steven Stone.
• Gary and Rosa boarded a ship to Slateport City and arrived safely.
• Gary introduced Rosa to Slateport City, and the two went to their pre-booked hotel before heading to its private beach.
• As Gary and Rosa relaxed on the beach, they heard someone command a Roselia to use Magical Leaf.

Gary and Rosa met Drew while he trained Roselia on a beach in Slateport City, and learned he planned to enter the upcoming Slateport Contest. Drew asked to see how they battled, and Rosa accepted his challenge.

• Gary and Rosa followed the sound of Pokémon training and recognized the trainer as Drew, who was training Roselia.
• Rosa confronted Drew about disturbing their rest, and Drew apologized before they introduced themselves and made peace.
• Rosa recognized Drew as a coordinator from the way he trained Roselia, and Gary guessed he was preparing for the upcoming Slateport Contest.
• Drew said he wanted to see Gary and Rosa battle, and Rosa accepted his challenge.

Rosa defeated Drew in a one-Pokémon battle using her Shiny Beautifly against his Roselia. Drew thanked Rosa for the lesson and hurried to the Pokémon Center, while Rosa and Gary returned to their beach chairs.

• Gary volunteered to referee Rosa and Drew's battle, with each Trainer allowed one Pokémon.
• Drew sent out Roselia, and Rosa chose her Shiny Beautifly, surprising Drew.
• Roselia and Beautifly traded attacks before Rosa used Double Team, String Shot, and Psychic to bind Roselia and turn its Petal Dance against it.
• Rosa ordered Beautifly to finish Roselia with Signal Beam, and Gary declared Beautifly the winner.
• Drew thanked Rosa for what he learned and left for the Pokémon Center to treat Roselia, while Rosa and Gary returned to their beach chairs.

Rosa took Gary to the Slateport City docks to meet her best friend Hilda, a Trainer from Unova. After waiting for Hilda's ship to arrive, Rosa reunited with her in a joyful embrace.

• Rosa told Gary that Hilda was her best friend and described how they traveled together through Unova after meeting at Professor Juniper's lab.
• Rosa revealed that she had defeated Hilda in the Aspertia Tournament final, winning with her Serperior against Hilda's Emboar.
• Gary learned Hilda's ship would arrive in two hours and stayed at the docks with Rosa to wait.
• Gary held up a sign with Hilda's name as passengers disembarked from the ship arriving from Unova.
• Hilda spotted Rosa and called out to her, and the two friends ran together and embraced at the docks.

Rosa reunited with Hilda in Slateport City, and Gary welcomed her as Rosa’s boyfriend. Hilda agreed to travel with Gary and Rosa through Hoenn and challenged Gary to a battle, which they planned to hold at their hotel.

• Rosa introduced Hilda to Gary, who openly called himself Rosa’s boyfriend.
• Hilda teased Rosa about their relationship and asked whether Rosa had mentioned losing to her in the Aspertia Tournament finals.
• Gary and Rosa helped Hilda settle into their hotel suite, then took her around Slateport City.
• Hilda said she planned to challenge the Hoenn Gyms, and she agreed to travel with Gary and Rosa despite their already having three badges.
• After watching battles in Slateport City’s plaza, Hilda challenged Gary to gauge his strength, and Gary suggested they battle at their hotel.

Gary and Hilda began a three-on-three Pokémon battle at their hotel in Slateport City. Gary’s Umbreon defeated Hilda’s Zebstrika, and Hilda prepared to send out her second Pokémon.

• Gary and Hilda agreed to a three-on-three battle, with Rosa serving as referee.
• Hilda sent out her level 58 Zebstrika, and Gary chose Umbreon to face it.
• Zebstrika attacked with Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, and Thunder, but Umbreon countered with Dark Pulse, Reflect, and Dig.
• Gary had Umbreon confuse Zebstrika and overwhelm it with Shadow Ball and a full-power Dark Pulse.
• Rosa declared Zebstrika unable to battle, and Hilda recalled it before preparing her second Pokémon.

Gary sent out his Shiny Metagross against Hilda’s Excadrill and countered her sandstorm strategy before launching a powerful attack. Flash Cannon slammed Excadrill into the ground, leaving its condition unclear as Hilda called out to it.

• Hilda sent out Excadrill, and Gary recalled Umbreon and replaced it with his Level 64 Shiny Metagross.
• Hilda used Sandstorm to boost Excadrill’s speed, while Gary strengthened Metagross’s Defense with Iron Defense.
• Excadrill fired Focus Blast, but Metagross evaded it with Agility and used Rain Dance to dispel the sandstorm.
• Excadrill dug underground and attacked with Drill Peck, but Metagross used Psychic to hold it in midair.
• Gary ordered Metagross to strike the restrained Excadrill with Flash Cannon, blasting it into the ground as Hilda cried out anxiously.