Chapter Summaries

Serena won the first day of the Rhyhorn Racing competition by saving her Rhyhorn’s stamina for a final sprint. She received the Soothe Bell prize and celebrated with Gary, Rosa, and Hilda.

• Serena cheered on Gary, Rosa, and Hilda before the race, while Rosa and Hilda challenged each other to compete for the championship.
• The organizers divided the many contestants into groups, with a Soothe Bell awarded to each day’s winner.
• Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena raced in the final group, and Gary initially overtook Rosa and Hilda to take the lead.
• Serena kept pace while conserving her Rhyhorn’s energy, then passed Gary, Rosa, and Hilda on the final stretch.
• Serena crossed the finish line first and received the Soothe Bell as the first day’s champion.

Gary and his companions visited Professor Sycamore’s laboratory in Lumiose City, where they met Alain, the professor’s former assistant. Alain challenged Gary to a battle, and Professor Sycamore led them to a secluded field to begin.

• Hilda, Rosa, Serena, and Gary agreed to visit Professor Sycamore’s laboratory in Lumiose City.
• Professor Sycamore introduced Alain as his former assistant and a Kalos League challenger.
• Alain recognized Gary, Hilda, and Rosa and challenged Gary to a battle.
• Gary accepted Alain’s challenge and said he needed to switch out his Pokémon first.
• Professor Sycamore led everyone to a secluded outdoor field, where Gary and Alain faced off to begin their battle.

Gary began a three-on-three battle against Alain, whose Metagross was quickly defeated by Gary’s Red Gyarados. Alain sent out Tyranitar next, and Gary boosted Red Gyarados with Dragon Dance as Tyranitar attacked.

• Professor Sycamore set the battle as a three-on-three match with free switching.
• Alain sent out his level 59 Metagross, and Gary answered with his level 73 Red Gyarados.
• Red Gyarados countered Metagross’s attacks, then defeated it with Surf and Flamethrower.
• Alain sent out his level 58 Tyranitar, and Gary had Red Gyarados use Dragon Dance.
• Tyranitar launched Dark Pulse, but Red Gyarados completed Dragon Dance and responded to the attack.

Gary defeated Alain’s Tyranitar with Red Gyarados, then sent out Gardevoir to face Alain’s Charizard. Gardevoir overpowered Charizard’s Flamethrower, but Charizard dodged the follow-up Psybeam, leaving Gary’s attack unfinished.

• Gary’s Red Gyarados blocked Tyranitar’s Dark Pulse, pressured it with Hydro Pump, and used Rain Dance to clear Alain’s Sandstorm.
• Red Gyarados avoided Tyranitar’s Rock Slide and defeated it with Dragon Ascent after breaking through its Dark Pulse.
• Professor Sycamore declared Tyranitar unable to battle, and Alain sent out his level 63 Charizard as his final Pokémon.
• Gary recalled Red Gyarados and sent out his level 71 Gardevoir to battle Charizard.
• Gardevoir’s Psybeam overpowered Charizard’s Flamethrower, but Charizard dodged the beam by flying into the air.

Alain’s Charizard and Gary’s Gardevoir continued their battle, with both Pokémon Mega Evolving. After Gardevoir overwhelmed Charizard with a series of attacks, Charizard stood back up, leaving the match unresolved.

• Gary ordered Gardevoir to bombard Charizard with Shadow Balls, and a surprise hit knocked Charizard from the sky.
• Alain Mega Evolved Charizard into Mega Charizard X, and Charizard attacked Gardevoir with Flamethrower and Dragon Claw.
• Gary Mega Evolved Gardevoir, who redirected Charizard’s attacks and countered with Psyshock, Light Screen, Shadow Ball, and Moonblast.
• Gardevoir’s Moonblast sent Charizard rolling across the field, but Charizard slowly got back to his feet.
• Alain praised Charizard as he stood again, while Gary and Gardevoir watched quietly.

Gary defeated Alain in a battle, and Alain left after promising to challenge him again. Professor Sycamore invited Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena to his research lab, where they planned to eat and stay the night.

• Gary's Gardevoir defeated Alain's Charizard, and Professor Sycamore declared Gary the winner.
• Alain recalled Charizard, challenged Gary to a rematch, and left despite Professor Sycamore asking him to stay.
• Rosa, Hilda, and Serena discussed why Alain seemed difficult to like, and Gary described him as cold, distant, and as if he were hiding something.
• Professor Sycamore said Alain had not contacted him in a long time and had visited on short notice.
• Professor Sycamore invited Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena to his research lab for a meal and an overnight stay, and they accepted.

Serena accepted Archie's challenge to her first Pokémon battle after Gary, Rosa, and Hilda encouraged her. Her Fennekin faced Archie's stronger Chespin, and the battle began with both Pokémon dodging attacks.

• Rosa praised Professor Sycamore's dinner, and Serena shared her homemade Poké Puffs with Rosa, Hilda, and Gary.
• Archie approached the group seeking a battle with a rookie Trainer, and Serena agreed after Gary and the others encouraged her.
• Serena sent out Fennekin against Archie's level 13 Chespin, while Gary noted Fennekin was level 10.
• Fennekin dodged Chespin's Vine Whip and countered with Ember, but Chespin leapt over the attack.
• Archie called for Chespin to act while it was still in the air.

Serena’s first battle ended in defeat when Archie’s Chespin knocked out Fennekin, but Gary healed Fennekin and it recovered. Serena remained unsure about becoming a Trainer, yet asked Gary, Rosa, and Hilda to teach her how to battle.

• Archie’s Chespin defeated Serena’s Fennekin with Pin Missile and Rollout, and Gary declared Chespin the winner.
• Serena hurried to Fennekin, and Gary treated its injuries with Heal Spray until it woke up.
• Archie praised the battle and left after Serena promised she would try to win next time.
• Rosa and Hilda asked Serena how the battle felt, and Serena admitted she was unsure about becoming a Trainer but disliked losing.
• Serena asked Gary, Rosa, and Hilda to teach her how to battle, and Gary agreed.

Serena defeated an Oddish, treated it, and let it return to the wild before Gary and the others continued through the forest. During afternoon tea, an injured Ralts suddenly appeared and, after initially trying to flee, accepted Serena’s care.

• Serena defeated an Oddish with Fennekin, healed it, and gave it Pokéblocks, but chose not to catch it because it seemed to value its freedom.
• Gary and the others resumed their journey and stopped by a stream to enjoy afternoon tea and Serena’s Poké Puffs.
• A Ralts appeared on their picnic mat and began eating Poké Puffs, surprising Serena, Rosa, and Hilda.
• Serena noticed Ralts’s injuries and approached with Heal Spray, but Ralts fell while trying to escape.
• Ralts realized Serena meant it no harm and relaxed as the Heal Spray healed its injuries.

Gary and his companions discovered that poacher Akui had injured Ralts and wanted to reclaim it as merchandise. When they refused, Akui surrounded them with his gang, and both sides prepared to battle.

• Gary concluded that people had caused Ralts's injuries, and Hilda and Rosa identified poachers as the likely culprits.
• Akui arrived with his Houndoom, admitted he had injured Ralts, and demanded that the group return it to him.
• Serena refused to hand Ralts over, and Akui threatened to seize their Pokémon as well.
• Akui summoned several poachers to surround the group, while Gary said they would turn the gang over to Officer Jenny.
• Gary took on Akui, while Rosa and Hilda fought the other poachers with Serena staying beside Hilda.

Gary defeated Akui’s Houndoom with Garchomp, then faced Akui’s Malamar in a new battle. Garchomp and Malamar traded attacks, and the chapter ended as Gary called for Garchomp to seize an opening.

• Akui ordered Houndoom to attack Gary, but Garchomp blocked its Flamethrower and Gary refused to hand it over.
• Garchomp overpowered Houndoom’s Dark Pulse, then defeated it with Dragon Ascent after dodging its Crunch.
• Gary taunted Akui into continuing the fight, and Akui sent out his level 59 Malamar.
• Malamar stopped and redirected Garchomp’s Flamethrower with Psychic, but Garchomp blocked it with Rock Tomb and broke the wall into rocks.
• Malamar shattered Garchomp’s Rock Slide with Psycho Cut, and Gary called for Garchomp to act.

Gary defeated Akui’s Malamar and captured the poachers with help from the others. Serena invited Ralts to become her Pokémon, and after the police arrested the poachers, the group received a reward.

• Gary’s Garchomp defeated Akui’s Malamar, and Gary subdued Akui and confiscated his Pokémon.
• Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena tied up the other poachers after Sang’s attacks defeated them.
• Serena invited Ralts to become her Pokémon, and Ralts willingly entered her Poké Ball.
• Officer Jenny arrived and arrested Akui’s group, while Gary and the others received a considerable reward.

Gary and his companions decided to visit Kalos’s Battle Castle, where trainers earned Noble Titles through Pokémon battles, and reunited with Viola, who was heading there to battle Valerie. Viola led them to the castle and offered to introduce them to Valerie and help arrange their next Gym Challenge.

• Serena showed Gary, Rosa, and Hilda an article about the Battle Castle, and Gary explained its battles and Noble Titles.
• Gary agreed to visit the Battle Castle after Rosa, Hilda, and Serena expressed interest.
• Viola arrived and revealed that she was going to the Battle Castle to battle Valerie, the Laverre Gym Leader.
• Viola invited Gary and the others to accompany her and offered to introduce them to Valerie and help arrange their Gym Challenge.
• Viola explained the Battle Castle’s history and led the group inside.

Viola brought Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena to the Battle Castle, where they registered for its Debut Matches and learned how its battles and Noble Titles worked. Yikong went to prepare their matches while the group waited in the salon.

• Viola learned from Yikong that Grand Duke Chakuro had not arrived yet because of other matters.
• Yikong welcomed Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena, recognized their reputations, and agreed to arrange their Battle Castle matches.
• Viola asked whether enough Trainers had registered to ensure her friends would not be matched against one another, and Yikong reassured her.
• Yikong showed the group the castle and explained that victories earned Noble Titles, starting with Baron after a Debut Match win.
• Yikong led them to the salon and left to prepare their Debut Matches.

Gary debuted at the Battle Castle against Ayi, whose Litleo battled his Treecko for the Baron title. Treecko dodged Litleo’s attacks and struck back, and the match remained underway as Litleo prepared to use Fire Spin.

• Butler Yikong announced Gary and Ayi’s debut match, with the winner earning the title of Baron.
• Ayi sent out her Level 18 Litleo, and Gary answered with his Level 18 Treecko.
• Treecko dodged Litleo’s Ember and Tackle, then hit it with Pound and Leafage.
• Litleo burned away Treecko’s Leafage with Flamethrower, but Treecko evaded the attack and avoided Flame Charge before hitting Litleo with another Pound.
• Ayi ordered Litleo to use Fire Spin, but something unexpected happened before it could release the flames.

Gary defeated Ayi in a Battle Castle match and earned the Baron Noble Title, then Rosa, Hilda, and Serena each won their own matches to claim the same title. Serena celebrated by leaping into Gary’s arms, while an unknown figure appeared behind Viola and addressed her.

• Treecko’s Leech Seed weakened Ayi’s Litleo, allowing Gary’s Treecko to defeat it with Quick Attack and Fury Swipes.
• Ayi confessed that she wanted to be Gary’s girlfriend, but Gary rejected her and accepted the Baron’s cloak.
• Rosa teased Gary about Ayi’s confession, and he reassured Rosa, Hilda, and Serena that he only liked them.
• Rosa and Hilda defeated their opponents and earned the Baron Noble Title at Battle Castle.
• Serena also won her match, earned the Baron Noble Title, and excitedly threw herself into Gary’s arms.
• An unknown figure appeared behind Viola and asked whether she agreed that the young people were excellent.

Viola reunited with Valerie at Battle Castle, where the two Gym Leaders battled in an exhibition match that Valerie won. Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena then spent two more days competing before leaving to continue their journey through Kalos.

• Valerie arrived and reunited with Viola, then met Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena.
• Valerie invited Gary, Rosa, and Hilda to challenge him at Laverre Gym, their next stop in Kalos.
• Viola and Valerie battled at Battle Castle, where Valerie and his Onix defeated Viola and her Sliggoo.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda won enough battles over two days to reach the rank of viscount, while Serena gained experience from a mix of wins and losses.
• Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena left Battle Castle and resumed their journey through the Kalos Region.

Gary, Rosa, and Hilda encouraged Serena to create a Pokémon Short Film after watching the weekly rankings, and they helped her film and upload her debut video. The chapter ended with Serena waiting nervously to see how the cooking video would fare.

• Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena watched the Pokémon Short Film rankings, where Ai'er and Fennekin took first place.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda encouraged Serena to make her own film, and Serena agreed to debut with Fennekin and Ralts.
• Gary and the others filmed Serena in a Fennekin costume, but Gary kept the video for himself instead of releasing it.
• Serena and her Pokémon filmed a cooking video in a rented kitchen, which Gary and the others chose as her debut film.
• Gary uploaded the edited cooking video, and he reassured Serena as she waited anxiously for the results.

After filming a Pokémon Short Film, Gary encouraged Serena to consider becoming a Pokémon Performer like Ai'er, the Kalos Queen. Serena agreed to prepare for the path and wait until she watched a Pokémon Showcase in person before deciding.

• Gary asked Serena how she had felt about filming the short film and what she thought of Ai'er.
• Gary explained that he was helping Serena find a goal and described Ai'er as a Pokémon Performer and the current Kalos Queen.
• Gary explained Pokémon Performers, Showcases, and the titles awarded to their winners, while Hilda asked about eligibility restrictions.
• Gary showed Serena, Rosa, and Hilda videos of Pokémon Showcases, and Serena watched with growing interest.
• Gary advised Serena to prepare to become a Pokémon Performer and decide after seeing a Showcase in person, and Serena agreed.

Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Serena visited Cianwood City and explored its famous aquarium, where they discovered a Golden Magikarp statue. Aquarium director Rudan revealed that he was trying to fish up the legendary gold and began explaining its story.

• Gary and the girls arrived in Cianwood City, enjoyed the beach, and decided to visit the Cianwood Aquarium.
• The group explored the aquarium’s Water-type Pokémon exhibits and went out onto its terrace.
• Rosa, Hilda, and Serena noticed a Golden Magikarp statue and asked Gary why it was there.
• Gary identified the nearby fisherman as Rudan, the aquarium’s director, and the group went to ask him about the statue.
• Rudan said he was trying to fish up the gold and began telling them its legend.