Chapter Summaries

Ash sent out Grovyle for the final match against Gary, but Gary’s Lairon defeated it and secured the battle. Ash vowed to beat Gary next time, while Gary left the laboratory with Rosa and Hilda.

• Ash sent out Grovyle after losing his first two matches, and Gary chose Lairon as his final Pokémon.
• Grovyle’s Leafage and Leaf Blade failed to damage Lairon after it repeatedly used Iron Defense.
• Lairon struck Grovyle with Iron Head, then broke apart its Energy Ball with Metal Claw.
• Gary ordered Stone Edge, and Lairon used Earthquake to stop Grovyle from dodging the falling rocks.
• Professor Oak declared Grovyle unable to battle and named Gary the winner.
• Ash promised to defeat Gary next time, and Gary left Professor Birch’s laboratory with Rosa and Hilda.

Gary gave Rosa and Hilda Mega Stones as gifts while the three traveled toward Fortree City. They accepted the gifts and continued on their journey.

• Gary remembered he had forgotten something while traveling with Rosa and Hilda.
• Gary gave Rosa and Hilda boxes containing a Key Stone, an Aggron Mega Stone for Rosa, and a Steelix Mega Stone for Hilda.
• Rosa and Hilda thanked Gary with kisses, and Rosa whispered something that left him satisfied.
• Gary explained the stones and suggested they decorate them when they reached the next town.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda continued toward Fortree City.

Gary, Rosa, and Hilda learned about Kuji Town’s Double Battle Tournament and registered to compete, hoping to gain experience and win a rare Pokémon Egg. After they left the registration counter, an unfamiliar person asked whether they had entered the tournament.

• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda overheard trainers discussing Kuji Town’s Double Battle Tournament and went to the Pokémon Center to ask Nurse Joy about it.
• Nurse Joy explained the tournament’s Double Battle rules, its requirement of at least two Gym Badges, and its secret rare Pokémon Egg prize.
• Rosa, Hilda, and Gary each registered for the tournament, which was scheduled for the morning after tomorrow.
• Rosa declared that she intended to win as Gary and Hilda teased her about the competition.
• An unfamiliar person asked Gary, Rosa, and Hilda whether they had registered for the tournament.

Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Tetsuya met in Kuji Town before entering its Double Battle Tournament. All four won their groups and advanced to the Semifinals, where the revealed pairings left them stunned.

• Gary and the girls met Tetsuya at the Pokémon Center, and they learned he had also registered for the tournament.
• Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Tetsuya chatted together before parting after an hour or two.
• Gary and the girls arrived at the tournament venue on the morning of the competition and greeted Tetsuya.
• The sixty-four contestants competed in four groups, with Gary, Rosa, Hilda, and Tetsuya each winning their group.
• The semifinal matchups appeared on the large screen, and the four contestants stared at them in disbelief.

Gary and Tetsuya began their Semifinals battle, with Gary using Pupitar and Lairon against Tetsuya’s Meowth and Grovyle. Gary trapped Tetsuya’s Pokémon in a Sandstorm and left them facing Dark Pulse and Earth Power as they struggled to recover.

• Rosa and Hilda learned they would face each other in the Semifinals and vowed to win their rematch.
• Tetsuya and Gary met in the first Semifinal match, with each allowed two Pokémon.
• Tetsuya sent out Meowth and Grovyle, while Gary chose Pupitar and Lairon.
• Meowth’s Fake Out struck Pupitar, but Pupitar’s defenses reduced the impact.
• Gary used Pupitar to create a Sandstorm, then ordered Stone Edge and Lairon’s Metal Sound to overwhelm and bury Meowth and Grovyle.
• Pupitar and Lairon targeted the recovering Pokémon with Dark Pulse and Earth Power.

Rosa and Hilda began their tournament match, with Hilda gaining the upper hand through her Pokémon’s type advantages and tactical moves. The battle was left in progress after Absol vanished from Rosa’s sight.

• Gary defeated Tetsuya when Pupitar and Lairon knocked out Meowth and Grovyle, securing his place in the finals.
• Rosa and Hilda entered the battlefield, and Gary predicted that Hilda would win because her Absol and Steelix had favorable matchups.
• Rosa opened the battle with Beautifly and Lairon attacking Hilda’s Steelix and Absol.
• Hilda’s Absol used Swords Dance to clear Beautifly’s Stun Spore and boost its Attack, while Steelix and Lairon’s Stone Edge attacks clashed.
• Beautifly struck at Absol with Silver Wind, but Absol evaded it with Odor Sleuth.
• Hilda had Absol and Steelix use Double Team; after Rosa’s attacks cleared the illusions, she realized Absol had disappeared.

Hilda defeated Rosa to reach the Double Battle Tournament final, where she faced Gary the next day. Gary and Hilda traded attacks with their Pokémon, and neither side had gained the advantage when the chapter ended.

• Hilda's Absol struck Rosa's Beautifly with Psycho Cut, then Steelix knocked out Rosa's Lairon with Dragon Pulse, securing Hilda's place in the final.
• Gary and Hilda entered the battlefield the next day as Rosa and Tetsuya watched from the stands.
• Gary and Hilda sent out Pupitar and Lairon, and Absol and Steelix, respectively, to begin the final.
• Pupitar's Rock Slide was blocked by Steelix, while Lairon stopped Absol's Razor Wind, leaving the first exchange even.
• Gary ordered Pupitar and Lairon to use Iron Defense, and Hilda countered with Steelix's Dragon Pulse and Absol's Hidden Power.
• Lairon shattered Absol's Hidden Power with Iron Head, and Hilda came up with a new idea.

Gary defeated Hilda in the Double Battle Tournament final, winning the Kuji Town championship and a Pokémon Egg. After the awards, Gary, Rosa, and Hilda left town to continue their journey through Hoenn.

• Hilda's Absol used Quick Attack to ambush Gary's Pokémon, but Pupitar endured its Psycho Cut and knocked it out with High Horsepower.
• Gary's Lairon protected Pupitar from Steelix's Rock Throw, then joined Pupitar in attacking Steelix until it collapsed.
• The referee declared Pupitar and Lairon the winners, and the announcer named Gary the tournament champion.
• Rosa applauded the final match, while Tetsuya left the stands and vowed to face Gary again at the Ever Grande Conference.
• Gary received a Pokémon Egg, and Hilda and Rosa received prize money for placing second and third.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda left Kuji Town to continue their journey through Hoenn.

Gary, Rosa, and Hilda traveled to Fortree City after the Double Battle Tournament, joking about Gary’s Pokémon Egg along the way. They arrived at the treetop city and planned to challenge its Gym the next day.

• After leaving Kuji Town, Rosa and Hilda assumed Gary was upset because he did not know what Pokémon would hatch from his Egg, but he laughed at their guesses.
• Rosa chased Gary through the forest after he teased her, and he earned her forgiveness by taking her shopping for free.
• Gary explained that Fortree City’s homes stood in trees because of the region’s heavy rains and its residents’ love of nature.
• Gary led Rosa and Hilda to the Pokémon Center to rest before challenging the Fortree Gym the next day, promising they could explore the city afterward.

Rosa hurried Gary and Hilda to the Fortree Gym so they could finish their challenges before the Feather Carnival. Gary began his three-on-three Gym battle against Winona, who sent out her first Pokémon.

• Rosa rushed Gary and Hilda through breakfast after learning that Fortree City would soon hold a Feather Carnival.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda climbed the long stairs to the Fortree Gym and met Gym Leader Winona.
• Winona led the three challengers to the Gym’s open-air battle arena, where Gary was chosen to battle first.
• The referee announced the three-Pokémon battle rules, and Rosa cheered Gary on from the sidelines.
• Winona threw out her first Poké Ball to begin the battle.

Gary began his Gym battle against Winona and defeated her Pelipper with Electabuzz before sending out Pupitar against Altaria. Pupitar trapped Altaria in a Sandstorm and boosted its strength with Dragon Dance, leaving the battle poised for Gary’s next attack.

• Winona sent out Pelipper, and Gary chose Electabuzz to face it.
• Electabuzz endured Pelipper’s Steel Wing, grabbed it, and knocked it out with a point-blank Thunderbolt.
• Winona sent out Altaria while Gary chose Pupitar for the next battle.
• Pupitar clashed with Altaria’s Dragon Pulse, then filled the field with a Sandstorm that harassed Altaria.
• Pupitar used Dragon Dance and dodged Altaria’s Dragon Pulse as Gary prepared to attack.

Gary’s Pupitar defeated Winona’s Altaria, leaving her with one Pokémon. Winona sent out her Shiny Swellow, and Gary chose Aerodactyl for their final battle, which began as he gave it its first command.

• Gary’s Pupitar used Screech to interrupt Altaria’s dodging, then struck it with Rock Slide and Hyper Beam, knocking it out.
• The referee declared Pupitar the winner, leaving Winona with her final Pokémon.
• Winona sent out her Shiny Swellow, surprising Rosa and Hilda.
• Gary recalled Pupitar and sent out Aerodactyl, which had recently returned from Professor Oak’s lab.
• Gary and Winona exchanged remarks about their rare Pokémon, then prepared to begin the final battle.
• Gary commanded Aerodactyl to take the field.

Gary defeated Winona’s Shiny Swellow, and Rosa and Hilda also won their Gym battles, earning all three Feather Badges. The friends left Fortree Gym with six badges each and two more needed to qualify for the Ever Grande Conference.

• Gary’s Aerodactyl defeated Winona’s Shiny Swellow with Giga Impact, giving Gary the victory.
• Rosa took Gary’s place and began her battle against Winona with Unfezant facing Skarmory.
• Rosa and Hilda also defeated Winona, leaving her with three consecutive losses.
• Winona gave Gary, Rosa, and Hilda their Feather Badges after their victories.
• Rosa celebrated having six badges as the three friends headed back to the Pokémon Center.

Gary delayed going to Fortree City's Feather Carnival so Electabuzz could evolve into Electivire, then joined Rosa and Hilda at the crowded festival. There, they met Winona and Ash, who had not yet challenged the Fortree Gym.

• Gary told Rosa and Hilda that Electabuzz was about to evolve, and Hilda explained she had seen an Electirizer delivered to him.
• With Rosa and Hilda's help, Gary evolved Electabuzz into a level 45 Electivire through a Link Trade.
• Gary, Rosa, and Hilda went to the Feather Carnival, where Rosa led them from stall to stall as they shopped.
• Rosa spotted Winona arriving on a Skarmory with a child, and Gary suggested they go over to meet her.
• Gary's group met Ash, May, and two others with Winona, and Ash said he had put off challenging the Fortree Gym for the carnival.
• Gary told the dejected Ash to enjoy the carnival first and challenge the Gym later.

After Ash won the Feather Badge, Gary convinced him and the others to visit LaRousse City before Lilycove City by appealing to their interests. The two groups set off together, while Gary wondered if someone he was waiting for would soon arrive.

• Ash's BUG Swellow defeated Winona's Shiny Swellow, earning Ash the Feather Badge, and Gary congratulated him.
• Brock and May said they planned to go to Lilycove City for the upcoming Contest, while Max expressed interest in LaRousse City.
• Gary explained that LaRousse City was a famous high-tech city near Lilycove City.
• Rosa and Hilda persuaded May with the promise of delicious food, and Gary got Ash interested by mentioning the city's Battle Tower and Double Battle Competitions.
• Gary's group joined Ash's group and left for LaRousse City, where Gary hoped to meet someone soon.

Gary, Ash, and their companions arrived in LaRousse City and received city passes from a guide robot. Ash got swept away by an automated walkway but was rescued by a passing boy’s Blaziken, while Team Rocket also reached the city.

• Rosa, Ash, May, Max, and Hilda admired LaRousse City after arriving with Gary and Brock.
• Jessie, James, and Meowth arrived in their Magikarp Submarine and vowed to capture Pikachu to earn promotions.
• A guide robot photographed Gary and the others, verified their identities, and issued them LaRousse City passes.
• May disliked the frightened photo printed on her pass but accepted that it could not be changed.
• Ash stepped onto an automated walkway and struggled against its direction until a boy’s Blaziken helped him return to the group.
• Gary thanked the boy and asked him who he was.

Gary and his companions met Arlon, Shota, and Hitomi while heading to LaRousse City's Battle Tower. Ash registered for a battle, and Gary's group found seats just as Arlon and Shota entered the arena with their opponents.

• Shota introduced himself and asked about the girls, while Gary clarified that Rosa and Hilda were his girlfriends and May rejected Shota's interest.
• Arlon invited Gary's group to travel with him to the Battle Tower, and Ash asked to battle Arlon's Blaziken.
• Hitomi challenged Arlon to settle their rivalry, while Max stopped Brock from approaching her inappropriately.
• At the Battle Tower, Ash registered for a battle, while Gary chose to watch from the stands.
• Gary's group found seats and saw Arlon and Shota take their places in the arena as their opponents arrived.

Gary watched Ash lose his first Battle Tower match, then teamed up with Hitomi to battle Rosa and Hilda. Gary’s Shiny Metagross overwhelmed their Elite Four Candidate-level Pokémon, leaving Rosa sulking afterward.

• Ash borrowed Torkoal for Shota and battled Arlon and Shota, but Pikachu and Torkoal were quickly defeated by Blaziken and Blastoise.
• Brock, May, and Max left to check on Ash while Rosa challenged Gary to a battle with Hilda.
• Gary invited Hitomi to team up with him, and they registered to battle Rosa and Hilda.
• Rosa and Hilda sent out Serperior and Emboar, while Hitomi sent out Metagross and Gary sent out his Shiny Metagross.
• Gary’s Shiny Metagross defeated Serperior and Emboar, and Rosa refused to speak to Gary for nearly an hour.

Gary and the others saw a mysterious purple aurora over LaRousse City, which Gary recognized as connected to Deoxys with Purple Core. Later, Shota joined the group to share Pokémon Cookies and asked to introduce them to a friend.

• Rosa admired the purple aurora, while Gary warned that it was no ordinary aurora and Hitomi noted that auroras were normally seen only near the poles.
• An orange figure darted around LaRousse City, generating auroras as it searched for something; Gary would have recognized it as Deoxys with Purple Core.
• Arlon teased Ash on the Pokémon Center balcony, and Ash challenged him to battle at the Battle Tower the next day.
• Shota brought Pokémon Cookies for everyone, and the group released their Pokémon to share the treats and play together.
• Shota asked Gary how he trained his Blastoise, and Gary shared some training advice.
• Shota asked if they were friends, and after Ash agreed, Shota said he wanted to introduce everyone to another friend.

Gary and his companions visited Shota’s friend, the Green Core Deoxys, at LaRousse City’s Botanical Garden while the Purple Core Deoxys drew Rayquaza to the city and trapped its residents. After fending off Deoxys’s clones and escaping through the garden’s emergency passage, they encountered someone unexpected at the back entrance.

• Shota led Gary and the others to the Botanical Garden, where he introduced them to his friend, the Green Core Deoxys.
• Rayquaza pursued the Purple Core Deoxys to LaRousse City, but Deoxys shielded the city and captured residents and electronic devices in a spherical building.
• The Purple Core Deoxys attacked Gary and the others at the Botanical Garden, and Gary used Arcanine’s Flamethrower to destroy clones and save May and Shota.
• Gary, Ash, Arlon, and Shota held off the clones while Shota, Rosa, Hilda, and the others opened the emergency passage.
• Gary and the others escaped through the passage and found someone unexpected at the Botanical Garden’s back entrance.