Chapter Summaries

Ash's Pikachu was defeated by Gary's Garchomp, so Ash sent out Charizard to face Gary's Tyranitar. Both Pokémon Mega Evolved and began a fierce battle, which ended with Tyranitar driving Charizard back and Gary preparing to press its advantage.

• Gary's Garchomp defeated Ash's Pikachu with Dragon Breath, and Ash had Nurse Joy treat Pikachu.
• Ash sent out Charizard, and Gary answered with Tyranitar.
• Ash and Gary Mega Evolved Charizard and Tyranitar into Mega Charizard Y and Mega Tyranitar.
• Ash's Charizard attacked with Flamethrower, but Gary's Tyranitar tore through it with Dragon Claw and completed Dragon Dance despite taking damage.
• Gary's Tyranitar used Rock Slide, and the Pokémon traded Dragon Claws until Tyranitar forced Charizard back; Gary then called for its next move.

Gary defeated Ash in the Aspertia Tournament quarterfinals and advanced to the final four, while Virgil also won his semifinal and joined Gary in the finals. The two trainers prepared to face each other for the championship.

• Gary had Tyranitar seize Charizard and knock it out with Hyper Beam, winning their quarterfinal match.
• Ash accepted his loss to Gary and vowed to grow stronger, while Gary advanced to the final four.
• Virgil defeated his quarterfinal opponent, and Gary and Virgil each won their semifinal against an unknown trainer.
• Ash and his friends discussed the upcoming final between Gary and Virgil, who shook hands and agreed to face one another.

Gary and Virgil began the Aspertia Tournament final, with Gary’s Naganadel defeating Virgil’s Jolteon and Flareon. Virgil remained determined and sent out his third Pokémon.

• Takemitsu introduced Gary and Virgil as the finalists, and they sent out Naganadel and Jolteon.
• Gary used Toxic Spikes to poison Jolteon, then Naganadel defeated it with Dragon Breath and Dragon Pulse.
• Virgil sent out Flareon, which was poisoned by Toxic Spikes and dodged Naganadel’s Thunderbolt by using Dig.
• Virgil had Flareon use Fire Spin underground, but Gary countered with Venoshock, and Naganadel defeated Flareon.
• Virgil recalled Flareon and sent out his third Pokémon.

Gary defeated Virgil’s Umbreon with Naganadel, then sent out Charizard against Espeon. The chapter ended with Gary declaring that Virgil’s Three-Move Combo was spent and that his side would take the initiative.

• Virgil sent out Umbreon, but Gary’s Naganadel overwhelmed it with Venoshock and Thunderbolt, leaving Virgil with three Pokémon defeated.
• Gary recalled Naganadel and sent out Charizard, while Virgil chose Espeon as his next Pokémon.
• Espeon dodged Charizard’s Flamethrower, then used Psychic to redirect the attack back at Charizard.
• Charizard took Espeon’s redirected Flamethrower without harm, and Gary said Virgil’s Three-Move Combo was spent.

Gary’s Charizard defeated Virgil’s Espeon and Leafeon, leaving Virgil with one Pokémon for the rest of their battle. Virgil accepted that Gary was stronger but vowed not to give up.

• Gary ordered Charizard to use Flare Blitz, knocking Espeon unconscious and winning the match between them.
• Virgil praised Espeon, admitted he was no match for Gary, and sent out Leafeon.
• Leafeon used Razor Leaf, Sunny Day, and Solar Beam, but Charizard blocked its attacks and strengthened itself with Dragon Dance.
• Virgil sent Leafeon forward with Energy Ball and Double-Edge, but Charizard’s Wing Attack defeated it.
• Virgil recalled Leafeon and brought out his final Pokémon.

Gary defeated Virgil’s Eevee to win the Aspertia Tournament undefeated. After receiving the champion’s trophy, he again refused Alder’s invitation to become Unova League Champion, and the tournament ended with fireworks.

• Virgil sent out his Champion-potential Eevee, but Charizard countered its attacks and struck it with Dragon Tail when it emerged from Dig.
• Gary ordered Charizard to finish the battle with Flamethrower, and the referee declared Eevee unable to battle.
• Takemitsu announced Gary as the tournament champion, and spectators applauded his victory.
• Gary, Virgil, and the runner-up received trophies from Alder at the closing ceremony.
• Alder invited Gary to become Unova League Champion, but Gary refused, and the tournament ended with fireworks.

Iris challenged Gary to a three-on-three battle to understand the gap between them, and Gary accepted. The battle began the next morning, with Iris's Excadrill and Gary's Lucario trading attacks without either gaining an advantage.

• Ash admired Gary's Champion's trophy and vowed to defeat him someday, while Gary promised to wait for the challenge.
• Iris asked Gary to battle her, and he agreed to fight the next morning.
• Cilan refereed the three-on-three battle as Iris sent out Excadrill and Gary chose Lucario.
• Excadrill's Rock Slide was countered by Lucario's Bone Rush, and the Pokémon later clashed with Metal Claw and the energy bone club before retreating without a clear winner.

Gary’s Lucario defeated Iris’s Excadrill and Axew in succession, leaving Iris to send out Dragonite as her final Pokémon. Gary recalled Lucario and prepared to use another Pokémon.

• Iris ordered Excadrill to attack, but Lucario dodged its moves and defeated it with a rapid series of strikes.
• Iris sent out Axew, whose Dragon Pulse and Dragon Breath were stopped by Lucario before Lucario knocked it down with Meteor Mash and finished it with Ice Punch.
• Iris sent out Dragonite as her last Pokémon after Axew lost consciousness.
• Gary recalled Lucario after its two consecutive battles and switched to another Poké Ball.

Gary’s Garchomp defeated Iris’s Dragonite in their battle. Iris accepted Gary’s encouragement and vowed to keep working toward becoming a Dragon Master.

• Gary sent out Garchomp to face Iris’s Dragonite, and the two Pokémon exchanged Hydro Pump, Dragon Pulse, Earth Power, and Agility.
• Dragonite used Dragon Ascent, but Garchomp blocked it with Protect and retaliated with Dragon Pulse, knocking Dragonite down.
• Garchomp powered up with Swords Dance and dodged Dragonite’s angry Dragon Pulse before raining Draco Meteor down on it.
• After Dragonite dodged the meteors, Garchomp struck it with Dragon Ascent and Dragon Pulse, leaving it unable to battle.
• Iris recalled Dragonite, accepted Gary’s encouragement, and promised to keep working toward becoming a Dragon Master.

After several days at home in Aspertia City, Gary told Rosa and Hilda that Professor Oak had arranged for them to receive guidance from an old friend, a Trainer who had reached the pinnacle of the Trainer's path. The three friends left Unova by plane after saying goodbye to Rosa's and Hilda's mothers.

• Rosa's mother scolded Rosa for lounging around while Gary and Hilda helped with chores, but Hilda's mother Tate persuaded her to let Rosa rest.
• Gary told the mothers that Professor Oak had asked him, Rosa, and Hilda to visit an old friend for guidance on their Trainer paths.
• Gary reassured the mothers that they had plenty of time before they needed to leave, and the three friends spent several more days at home.
• Rosa's and Hilda's mothers accompanied the three friends to Castelia City's International Airport and urged them to take care of themselves.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda boarded a plane out of the Unova Region, while their mothers watched them depart.

Gary, Rosa, and Hilda arrived in Wyndon to visit Mustard, Leon’s former teacher and a past Galar Champion. After resting overnight, they set out for the Isle of Armor, while a suited man learned of their destination.

• Gary told Rosa and Hilda that Mustard had trained Leon and once served as Galar Champion.
• The group collected Professor Oak’s gift of treasured Maple Wine from Wyndon’s Pokémon Center.
• Gary decided they would rest in Wyndon before traveling to the Isle of Armor, where Mustard lived.
• After a night’s rest, Gary, Rosa, and Hilda departed for the Isle of Armor.
• A businesswoman reported Gary’s arrival and departure to a suited man, who reacted strangely when he heard the group was headed for the Isle of Armor.

Gary, Rosa, and Hilda arrived at Master Mustard’s dojo on the Isle of Armor, where they found him gaming and delivered wine from Old Man Oak. Mustard welcomed them as his new students and told them training would begin the next day.

• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda visited Mustard’s dojo and learned that its disciples trained mainly under senior students.
• A dojo disciple led them to Mustard, whom they found playing a video game before he finished and joined them for tea.
• Gary delivered several bottles of wine from Old Man Oak, delighting Mustard, who said the three would stay and train with him.
• Mustard asked them to call him Master and told them to rest that day because their training would begin the next day.

Master Mustard began assessing Gary, Rosa, and Hilda through battles before their training, and Gary faced Mustard’s Mienshao with Lucario. The battle left Lucario battered but still fighting as Gary prepared his next command.

• Mustard explained that he would assess the three trainers through battle, and Gary volunteered to go first.
• Mustard sent out his level 58 Mienshao, while Gary chose Lucario and earned Mustard’s praise for raising it well.
• Gary and Mustard traded orders as Lucario and Mienshao clashed with Aura Sphere, Focus Punch, Close Combat, and Iron Defense.
• Lucario used Agility and Dynamic Punch to send Mienshao flying, but Mienshao dodged a follow-up Aura Sphere and struck Lucario with High Jump Kick.
• Gary told Mustard not to underestimate them as Lucario panted from the blow, then began giving it another command.

Gary impressed Mustard by defeating Mienshao with Lucario, and Mustard began tailored special training for Gary, Rosa, and Hilda on the Isle of Armor. Their training was interrupted when a senior disciple arrived at the dojo and asked to see Mustard, then showed interest in the new trainees.

• Gary had Lucario use Counter to defeat Mustard's Mienshao, and Mustard praised Gary's battle and compared his potential favorably to Leon's.
• Rosa and Hilda each battled Mustard, after which he praised all three trainers and announced he would train them intensively.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda transferred their Pokémon from Oak Pokémon Research Lab and began tailored training in Pokémon skills and battle command.
• After several weeks, the three trainees praised their progress, but Mustard called them back to their next exercise.
• A senior disciple arrived at the Martial Arts Dojo on a red figure, asked where Mustard was, and reacted with interest when told he was training the new junior members.

After a day of special training, Gary, Rosa, and Hilda met Leon, Mustard’s former student and the Galar Champion, at the dojo. Mustard asked Leon to help him with something the next day, leaving Gary to suspect what the task might be.

• Mustard praised Gary, Rosa, and Hilda for their training and reviewed the areas they needed to improve.
• Leon arrived at the dojo to visit Mustard, and Mustard introduced the three as Leon’s junior disciples.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda introduced themselves to Leon, who recognized their achievements in Alliance Conference championships.
• Mustard asked Leon to help him with an unspecified task the next day, and Leon agreed.
• Gary guessed what Mustard’s plan might be before Rosa called him to dinner.

Mustard arranged battles between Leon and Gary, Rosa, and Hilda to give the younger Trainers experience. Leon’s first match against Gary began with Charizard facing Darkrai, and the two Pokémon were still evenly matched as the battle continued.

• Mustard explained that Leon would battle Gary and the other two, then chose Gary to go first.
• Mustard told Leon to send out his Charizard, and Gary answered with his Level 86 Darkrai.
• Gary ordered Darkrai to use Calm Mind, while Leon told Charizard to attack with Flamethrower; Darkrai dodged and countered with Shadow Ball.
• Charizard shattered Darkrai’s Shadow Ball with Dragon Claw, and the Pokémon clashed in midair with Dragon Claw and Shadow Claw.
• Leon praised Gary’s strength, and Gary prepared to give Darkrai its next command.

Gary and Leon’s battle ended with Charizard defeating Darkrai, and Mustard reminded Gary to learn from the mistake that cost him the match. Mustard then called Rosa forward to battle Leon.

• Gary had Darkrai retreat and use Phantom Force to ambush Charizard with Dark Pulse, but Charizard recovered and continued fighting.
• Gary and Leon traded attacks until Darkrai’s Phantom Force ambush was countered by Charizard’s Dragon Tail.
• Charizard struck Darkrai with Blast Burn, leaving it unable to battle and giving Leon the victory.
• Gary accepted Mustard’s advice to remember the battle, and Leon praised his skill.
• Mustard called Rosa to face Leon, and Rosa sent out Serperior to begin their battle.

Gary, Rosa, and Hilda finished a month of special training under Mustard after losing their battles against Leon. Mustard declared their apprenticeship complete and invited them back the next day to receive gifts.

• Leon defeated Hilda's Emboar with Dragapult's Dragon Ascent, completing his victories over Gary, Rosa, and Hilda.
• Mustard encouraged the three disciples to aim to defeat Leon someday, then told them to review their battles after training.
• Over the following month, Gary, Rosa, and Hilda continued training under Mustard and made clear progress.
• After they completed their tasks, Mustard announced that their special training and apprenticeship had ended.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda thanked Mustard, promised to make names for themselves, and learned that he had gifts for them the next day.

Mustard gave Rosa a Duraludon and Hilda a Dreepy as graduation gifts, and both earned their Pokémon’s approval. He then revealed a bear-like Pokémon for Gary, which Gary recognized with disbelief.

• Rosa, Gary, and Hilda speculated about the gift Mustard had promised them.
• Mustard gave Rosa a male Duraludon and Hilda a male Dreepy, explaining that each had to approve of its new Trainer.
• Rosa and Hilda quickly won the approval of their assigned Pokémon and thanked Mustard.
• Rosa asked whether Gary would receive a gift, and Mustard assured her that he had another Pokémon for him.
• Mustard called a bear-like Pokémon from the grass, and Gary stared at it in disbelief as it fixed its fighting spirit on him.

Mustard offered Gary the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu, and Gary earned its trust after learning it admired his Lucario. Kubfu willingly joined Gary, who promised to train it to surpass Lucario.

• Rosa and Hilda used Gary’s Pokédex to discover that Kubfu was a Fighting-type Legendary Pokémon.
• Mustard explained that he could no longer train Kubfu and told Gary to earn its approval himself.
• Kubfu challenged Gary to show his strength, but became excited when Gary sent out Lucario.
• Mustard revealed that Kubfu had secretly watched Gary train and admired Lucario.
• Kubfu told Gary it wanted to follow him and grow stronger than Lucario, and Gary agreed to train it.
• Kubfu willingly entered Gary’s Poké Ball, and Mustard entrusted it to Gary.