Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Most students leave after the earlier battle, while those genuinely interested in Heiduo’s Gym strategies remain to observe and learn.
• Chong Jin is allowed to use his third Pokémon after Weavile and Raichu are weakened. Heiduo sends out Murkrow, nicknamed “Dark Little Drill Wind Crow,” whose Prankster ability has great potential despite its limited combat talent.
• Chong Jin chooses Delibird as his final Pokémon. Although Delibird has been carefully trained and taught many moves, its weak defenses and limited natural movepool make it a poor choice against Murkrow.
• Delibird opens with Icy Wind, but Murkrow uses Tailwind, then Taunt to prevent Delibird from setting up Hail or using other status moves.
• Murkrow further boosts its speed with Agility, confuses Delibird with Confuse Ray, and defeats it with three Dark Pulses.
• Heiduo ends Chong Jin’s Gym Challenge, advising him to return after earning seven Badges. He criticizes Chong Jin’s indecisive commands, visible emotions, slow reactions, lack of a complete strategy, and refusal to switch Pokémon when necessary.
• Chong Jin accepts the defeat and returns to the challengers to review what he learned.
• Heiduo begins the next battle against Mitsuo, a graduate of the academy faction who has spent six years trying to qualify for the Silver Conference.
• Because Mitsuo possesses seven Badges and is a more experienced Trainer, Heiduo chooses Level 63 Kangaskhan as his opening Pokémon rather than using his weaker team members.

Character Developments

• Heiduo continues to act as both Gym Leader and instructor. He is harsh and blunt, but his criticisms are intended to help challengers improve. He emphasizes battle review, tactical planning, decisive commands, and proper switching.
• Chong Jin gains an important lesson in the difference between merely completing a battle and earning a Gym Leader’s recognition. Though defeated, he shows maturity by treating the loss as experience and reflecting on his mistakes.
• Murkrow demonstrates significant tactical growth despite lacking natural battle talent. With Heiduo’s training, Eviolite, and carefully chosen moves, it wins through speed control, disruption, confusion, and ranged attacks rather than raw power.
• Delibird is portrayed as an unconventional but dedicated ace. Its Trainer has invested considerable effort in teaching it nine moves, though its poor natural capabilities leave it vulnerable.
• Kangaskhan is revealed to be one of Heiduo’s strongest and most dedicated Pokémon. It has trained consistently for more than two years, participated in sparring with Red, and reached Level 63. Its past abuse has left it deeply aware of the humiliation of weakness, motivating its relentless training.
• Baby Kangaskhan remains unusually small despite reaching maturity, though examinations confirm that it is healthy and stable.

Significant Themes

• Small choices shaping the future: The students’ decision to stay or leave symbolizes how seemingly minor moments may determine future success.
• Experience versus potential: Murkrow has poor natural talent but develops through persistence and training, while Chong Jin has potential but lacks the experience and discipline to use it effectively.
• The importance of battle analysis: A Trainer must review defeats honestly and identify specific weaknesses rather than simply seeking another battle.
• Strategy over brute force: Murkrow defeats Delibird by controlling speed, preventing setup, causing confusion, and attacking from a distance.
• Strength born from suffering: Kangaskhan’s painful past becomes a source of determination. Its growth reflects the idea that hardship can motivate profound improvement, though the chapter also makes clear that its suffering was exploitation.
• Recognition versus victory: Chong Jin understands that winning alone is insufficient; a Gym Challenge is also about proving one’s ability and earning the Gym Leader’s acknowledgment.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo directly confronts Chong Jin about his poor physical awareness, slow decisions, emotional reactions, and incomplete tactics.
• Chong Jin struggles between trying to secure a win and trying to earn Heiduo’s respect, ultimately accepting the battle as a learning opportunity.
• Heiduo and Murkrow share a humorous, familiar relationship: Murkrow refuses to enter battle until it receives food, treating its participation as paid work.
• Heiduo recognizes the effort behind Mitsuo’s Delibird, even while judging the Pokémon’s limitations.
• Heiduo’s relationship with Kangaskhan is more supportive and respectful. He acknowledges its dedication, compensates for its nutritional needs, and treats it as a valued member of his elite team.
• The chapter ends as Kangaskhan and its unusually small offspring roar together, preparing to face the experienced challenger Mitsuo.

Chapter Summary: “You Cheated! Two Against One!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Challenger Mitsuo, an academy-trained Ground-type specialist, sends out Rhydon against Heiduo’s Kangaskhan.
• Rhydon opens with the super-effective Hammer Arm, but Kangaskhan and its baby coordinate to disrupt the attack. Baby Kangaskhan secretly uses Sucker Punch, though Mitsuo fails to notice its involvement.
• Rhydon attempts Drill Run, but Kangaskhan interrupts it with Fake Out. Mitsuo begins assessing Kangaskhan’s offensive strength.
• Rhydon creates a Sandstorm, hoping to exploit the Ground-type advantage and gradually wear Kangaskhan down. Kangaskhan responds with Power-Up Punch, raising its Attack.
• When Rhydon tries Hammer Arm again, Kangaskhan skillfully evades and counters with an Attack-boosted Dynamic Punch, shattering Rhydon’s armor and knocking it unconscious.
• Kangaskhan defeats Mitsuo’s team three-to-one, though the battle is dangerous:
  • Nidoqueen forces Kangaskhan to endure a powerful Sludge Bomb before being defeated by Ice Punch.
  • Golem nearly defeats Kangaskhan with Rollout, but Kangaskhan uses a maximally powerful Reversal at critical stamina and exploits Golem’s double weakness to Fighting.
• Heiduo criticizes Mitsuo for being reckless, failing to observe Kangaskhan’s repeated evasions, and not using Sandstorm to create distance. Although Mitsuo is strong enough to qualify, Heiduo refuses to award him a Badge and tells him to return after improving his judgment.
• In the afternoon, another challenger battles Heiduo using the experienced Pokémon Big Boss Sparrow and Redhead Pidgeot. Unlike Mitsuo, this challenger uses careful tactics and successfully defeats both.
• Redhead defeats one opponent but falls to a fast Jolteon’s Thunderbolt. Big Boss Sparrow then defeats Jolteon with Drill Run, sacrificing itself in the process.
• Impressed by the challenger’s performance, Heiduo awards him his first Gym Badge. Mitsuo and another unsuccessful challenger, Chong Jin, react enviously.

Character Developments

• Kangaskhan demonstrates exceptional close-range combat ability, tactical movement, and endurance. Its training under Heiduo—and experience against Red’s powerful Pokémon—has significantly improved its battle instincts.
• Baby Kangaskhan proves brave and tactically useful despite being unable to use type energy. It assists its mother physically and endures a powerful Hammer Arm without being incapacitated.
• Heiduo establishes himself as a demanding Gym Leader. He values observation, adaptability, and intelligent decision-making rather than merely raw strength.
• Mitsuo is shown to be competent but overly aggressive and emotionally invested in winning. His lack of battlefield awareness prevents him from recognizing Kangaskhan’s tactics and using his own team effectively.
• Big Boss Sparrow reinforces its reputation as a formidable, experienced battler by defeating Jolteon despite being pushed to its limits.
• Redhead Pidgeot, Big Boss Sparrow’s rival and companion, displays courage and effectiveness but lacks the stamina to survive the final exchange.
• Umbreon questions Heiduo’s strict standards, highlighting the contrast between Heiduo’s expectations and the difficulty challengers face.

Significant Themes

• Battle intelligence versus brute force: Mitsuo’s Pokémon are powerful, but his failure to observe and adapt costs him the match.
• Teamwork and coordination: Kangaskhan and its baby work together seamlessly, creating openings that Mitsuo does not understand.
• Experience as a source of strength: Kangaskhan’s battles against stronger opponents have given it superior instincts and perspective.
• Adaptability and tactical awareness: Successful Trainers must respond to changing conditions, such as Sandstorm, stamina loss, and an opponent’s strategy.
• The meaning of qualification: Heiduo’s Badge is not simply a reward for having strong Pokémon; it represents the Trainer’s ability to think and battle intelligently.
• Sacrifice and perseverance: Big Boss Sparrow wins by accepting a trade with Jolteon, while Kangaskhan survives through a desperate final Reversal.

Character Interactions

• Kangaskhan and Baby Kangaskhan cooperate instinctively during battle, with the baby secretly disrupting Rhydon’s attacks.
• Heiduo analyzes Mitsuo’s mistakes and gives him direct advice to improve his observation and tactical discipline.
• Umbreon challenges Heiduo’s strict Badge standards, while Heiduo defends them by explaining that his only requirement is defeating Kangaskhan.
• Big Boss Sparrow and Redhead Pidgeot fight as close companions and rivals, with their relationship reflected in their coordinated presence and Umbreon’s enthusiastic cheering.
• Heiduo acknowledges the successful challenger’s strategy while warning that he underestimated the opponent’s determination and resilience.
• Mitsuo and Chong Jin resent the successful challenger’s victory because neither of them managed to defeat even one of Heiduo’s Pokémon.

Chapter Summary: “The Days of Slacking Off Began”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heiduo reflects on how easy it was to work as a Gym Leader. His first battle of the day ended by early afternoon because Big Boss Sparrow and Redhead were vastly more experienced than their opponents.
• The two powerful birds had risen through violent competition on Mt. Silver rather than inheriting their positions. Their survival and constant battles had made them exceptionally strong, allowing them to defeat challengers despite poor teamwork.
• Kangaskhan carries Heiduo back to camp while Umbreon and Lugia ride in her pouch. Heiduo leaves the arena’s cleanup to the staff, who are both workers and supervisors assigned by Teng Jun to monitor him.
• At dinner, Heiduo distributes wages and food to the many Pokémon who participated in the day’s battles. He has nearly thirty Pokémon under his care, forming a large, unconventional family.
• Several Pokémon are injured but recovering: Big Boss Sparrow and Redhead have badly damaged feathers, Weavile is still suffering from Hitmonlee’s attack, while Raichu saves most of his food for his mate and children. Little Drill Wind remains unharmed after defeating a Delibird through confusion.
• Heiduo plans to continue using Kangaskhan in battles, though doing so may require persuading some Pokémon to return home and compensating them for their trouble.
• Instead of conducting nighttime training, Heiduo takes the Pokémon to the beach. Many of them have never experienced the sea because they were either raised on Mt. Silver or imprisoned before he rescued them.
• The group enjoys the moonlit ocean, whale songs, and the peaceful beach. Heiduo wonders whether Pokémon might live on the moon before falling asleep in Typhlosion’s arms. The other Pokémon gather around them and sleep together.
• The following morning, Heiduo reduces his battle team to five Pokémon after sending most of the others home. The remaining group includes the Elite Four and Tyranitar’s older sister.
• Tyranitar’s older sister, a Level 58 Tyranitar, is frustrated that she cannot defeat her younger sister despite being older. She and a Level 56 Wobbuffet are selected to battle a difficult challenger who possesses six Badges.
• The arena is quickly repaired overnight using practical Pokémon-based labor. Heiduo waits for the challenger, but a group of Trainer School students arrives instead, led by a teacher. Heiduo suspects the school is taking advantage of him, though he decides not to object unless they go too far.

Character Developments

• Heiduo grows increasingly comfortable with his Gym Leader position. He recognizes that his Pokémon’s strength allows him to conserve effort, and he begins embracing a relaxed, almost managerial lifestyle.
• He also shows greater responsibility toward his Pokémon, paying them for their work, arranging food for them, considering their families, and compensating those he asks to travel or fight.
• Big Boss Sparrow and Redhead are shown to be hardened, battle-tested leaders. Despite their injuries and rivalry, they remain resilient and mutually respectful.
• Kangaskhan continues acting maternally toward Heiduo, carrying and protecting him as if he were one of her own children.
• Raichu is characterized as a devoted provider who prioritizes his family over himself.
• Tyranitar’s older sister is introduced as powerful but insecure, troubled by her inability to surpass her younger sister.
• Typhlosion reveals a gentle, protective side by tolerating Heiduo’s interruption of his sleep and keeping him warm through the night.
• The Pokémon increasingly function as a close-knit family rather than merely a battle team.

Significant Themes

• Strength earned through experience: Big Boss Sparrow and Redhead’s dominance comes from years of struggle and repeated challenges, not status or inheritance.
• The responsibilities of leadership: Heiduo’s role involves more than battling; he must manage food, wages, injuries, staffing, and the needs of a large group.
• Found family: The Pokémon come from different backgrounds but form a supportive household centered around Heiduo.
• Freedom and discovery: The beach trip gives formerly confined or isolated Pokémon the chance to experience the wider world.
• Rest versus constant training: Heiduo begins allowing himself and his Pokémon leisure, suggesting a shift away from relentless improvement toward a more balanced life.
• Respect for power and competence: The staff, supervisors, and challengers respect Heiduo because of the demonstrated strength and discipline of his Pokémon.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo jokes with Kangaskhan about treating him like her child, while she affectionately carries him and pats his back.
• Heiduo thanks Big Boss Sparrow and Redhead for battling despite their injuries; they respond calmly, showing pride and familiarity with hardship.
• Raichu’s interaction with the food illustrates his concern for his mate and children, while Heiduo accommodates the Pokémon’s different family needs.
• Heiduo and Typhlosion share a quiet, affectionate moment when Typhlosion lets him sleep in his arms and protects him from the cold.
• Big Boss Sparrow and Redhead, despite being “mortal enemies,” sleep alongside one another, emphasizing their rivalry-turned-friendship.
• Heiduo maintains a cooperative but cautious relationship with the arena staff and Trainer School, willing to be accommodating while remaining alert to possible exploitation.

Chapter Summary: “The Counter Champion Strikes Back with Counter!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two challengers arrive late for their Gym battles and find the battlefield surrounded by students eager to watch.
• Heiduo decides to conduct both scheduled matches in the morning rather than spacing them throughout the day.
• Before the first match, he tells the challenger that winning is less important than fighting with determination, humility, and resilience.
• Heiduo opens with his Shadow Tag Wobbuffet, whose primary strategies revolve around Counter and Mirror Coat.
• The challenger sends out an Alolan Raticate, a powerful Dark/Normal-type Pokémon with Hustle. Although it appears suited to counter Wobbuffet, it lacks the necessary Dark-type special or Ghost-type physical attacks.
• Raticate uses Swords Dance, hoping to defeat Wobbuffet with a Dark-type attack. Heiduo responds with Charm, repeatedly lowering its Attack and creating a stalemate.
• The challenger devises a plan using Pursuit followed by Assurance to gradually weaken Wobbuffet without triggering an immediately fatal Counter.
• The strategy fails: Wobbuffet survives Assurance and returns the damage with Counter, sending Alolan Raticate crashing underground and knocking it out.
• The challenger immediately sends out a level-59 Heracross, attempting to minimize Counter’s damage with Pin Missile.
• However, Wobbuffet had activated Destiny Bond. Heracross’s attack defeats Wobbuffet, but Destiny Bond causes Heracross to faint as well.
• The first exchange ends with both Wobbuffet and Heracross unable to battle, demonstrating Heiduo’s ability to turn apparently defensive moves into decisive traps.

Character Developments

• Heiduo: Shows confidence, patience, and deep tactical knowledge. He values a Trainer’s attitude over simple victory and uses Wobbuffet creatively rather than relying only on Counter and Mirror Coat. His appreciation for the challenger’s quick Pokémon deployment also reveals that he respects decisive action.
• The boy challenger: Begins nervous and uncertain under the pressure of the large audience but demonstrates strong battle knowledge and adaptability. He recognizes Wobbuffet’s weaknesses, develops a clever Pursuit-Assurance strategy, and quickly sends out Heracross after losing Raticate. However, his unfamiliarity with Destiny Bond becomes a costly mistake.
• The girl challenger: Remains on the sidelines, waiting for her turn and observing the battle.
• Wobbuffet: Is portrayed as disciplined, durable, and unexpectedly dangerous. Its wooden, expressionless behavior contrasts with the devastating effectiveness of its Counter and Destiny Bond tactics.

Significant Themes

• The importance of perseverance: Heiduo emphasizes that Trainers must remain humble in victory and refuse to surrender in defeat.
• Knowledge versus execution: The challenger understands how to counter Wobbuffet in theory, but lacks the exact moves needed to do so effectively.
• The danger of incomplete information: Forgetting or failing to anticipate Destiny Bond turns Heracross’s successful attack into a mutual knockout.
• Strategic patience and counterplay: Wobbuffet’s limited movepool becomes powerful through timing, defensive endurance, and punishing the opponent’s attacks.
• Pressure in public competition: The crowd unsettles the challenger, showing how psychological pressure can affect even a capable Trainer.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo bluntly cuts off the challengers’ apologies for arriving late and immediately begins the match.
• He gives the boy direct advice about the qualities expected of a true Trainer.
• The challenger and Heiduo engage in a tactical battle of anticipation: the boy attempts to bypass Counter, while Heiduo uses Charm, Counter, and Destiny Bond to dismantle each plan.
• The spectators’ murmuring adds pressure to the challenger, while Heiduo remains calm and observant.
• The chapter ends with the challenger realizing too late that his Heracross has been caught by Wobbuffet’s Destiny Bond.

Chapter Summary: “Sister on a Rampage”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter begins with spectators analyzing Heiduo’s Wobbuffet battle. Wobbuffet successfully uses Destiny Bond after enduring two super-effective attacks, demonstrating Heiduo’s skill in timing and baiting opponents.
• Heiduo sends out his final Pokémon, Tyranitar, whose arrival shocks the spectators because of its rarity and power.
• The challenger responds with a massive Hariyama, hoping its Fighting typing and physical strength will exploit Tyranitar’s quadruple weakness to Fighting attacks.
• Hariyama advances while using Force Palm, attempting to close the distance. Heiduo uses Tyranitar’s Sandstorm not only for damage but also to obscure Hariyama’s attacks and reveal its movements.
• Tyranitar maintains its distance with Stone Edge, creating stone barriers and spikes that prevent Hariyama from approaching.
• Tyranitar then uses Earthquake to destabilize Hariyama and break the existing rocks. It follows by sweeping the broken stones toward Hariyama with Rock Slide, turning the battlefield debris into repeated ranged attacks.
• Hariyama is gradually worn down and eventually defeated by another Stone Edge. The challenger loses despite having a sound overall strategy.
• Heiduo recognizes the challenger’s potential and awards him the badge, explaining that although he lacks experience, he performed well enough for the seventh badge.
• The other spectators are left questioning Heiduo’s badge standards after seeing that he rewards strong performances even when challengers fail to defeat all three of his Pokémon.

Character Developments

• Heiduo is portrayed as a highly creative and adaptable Gym Leader. He combines move effects, terrain, weather, and battlefield debris rather than relying on straightforward attacks.
• Heiduo also shows himself to be perceptive and fair-minded. He understands that the challenger’s defeat resulted from inexperience and unfamiliarity with Heiduo’s tactics, not from a fundamentally poor strategy.
• The challenger demonstrates good tactical instincts by using Hariyama’s Fighting advantage and trying to approach while attacking with Force Palm. However, he struggles to adapt once Heiduo controls the battlefield.
• Tyranitar contrasts with its intimidating appearance. Instead of fighting recklessly, it remains calm, disciplined, and cautious, carefully maintaining distance from Hariyama’s dangerous close-range attacks.
• The spectators and students gain a deeper understanding of advanced battling, particularly the practical uses of weather and physical attacks.

Significant Themes

• Battlefield control and creativity: The fight emphasizes that Pokémon battles are not just about type advantages. Terrain, visibility, distance, debris, and move interactions can determine the outcome.
• Experience versus raw power: Hariyama possesses a major type advantage, but Heiduo’s experience allows Tyranitar to avoid direct confrontation and exploit the environment.
• Adaptability: The challenger’s strategy is reasonable, but he cannot adjust quickly enough when Heiduo repeatedly changes the battle’s conditions.
• Fair judgment and merit: Heiduo’s decision to award the badge reflects his willingness to recognize effort, potential, and sound strategy rather than relying only on victory.
• Appearances versus reality: Tyranitar looks like a violent, unstoppable beast, yet its greatest strength in this battle is its restraint and tactical intelligence.

Character Interactions

• The students discuss and analyze Wobbuffet’s Destiny Bond, showing their growing respect for Heiduo’s unusual tactics.
• Heiduo and the challenger engage in a strategic contest, with Heiduo silently directing Tyranitar while the challenger desperately searches for a way to close the distance.
• After the battle, Heiduo encourages the defeated challenger instead of humiliating him, telling him that he is young and inexperienced but has no major flaws.
• The challenger reacts with surprise and gratitude when Heiduo awards him the badge, while the previously defeated challengers and surrounding students look on with envy and curiosity.

Chapter Summary: A Champion Who Had Everything in the End, Mightyena Takes the Field

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heiduo prepares for the final Gym Challenge of the day after sending Tyranitar and Wobbuffet to the staff for treatment. The last challenger is Chihaya, a Trainer who already possesses seven badges and has not challenged a Gym in nearly a year.
• Heiduo chooses Mightyena as his opening Pokémon, allowing it to display its intimidating presence and test Chihaya’s composure.
• Chihaya sends out a level-60 Breloom with Mach Punch, Sky Uppercut, and Spore as its Ability, though it lacks the move Spore.
• Mightyena counters Breloom’s priority Mach Punch with Sucker Punch, winning the speed contest. It then follows Heiduo’s precise command to evade two Force Palm shockwaves by reading the trails left in the sand.
• Chihaya briefly loses focus. Mightyena exploits the opening with Play Rough, charging directly into Breloom’s super-effective Sky Uppercut. Because the attack strikes Mightyena’s durable forehead and has already been weakened by Intimidate, it fails to stop the assault. Mightyena overwhelms Breloom and knocks it out.
• Despite Mightyena’s victory, Heiduo immediately recalls it and sends out Braviary, giving his other Pokémon a chance to fight.
• Chihaya responds with a powerful level-63 Luxray, whose Intimidate Ability matches Mightyena’s and whose presence reveals that she is substantially stronger than the previous challengers.
• Heiduo becomes genuinely interested in the match and recognizes Chihaya as a potential future Silver Conference champion.

Character Developments

• Heiduo is shown to be an observant, demanding, and highly tactical Gym Leader. He evaluates not only Pokémon strength but also a Trainer’s composure, awareness, and command ability. He also demonstrates confidence in his Pokémon and a willingness to rotate them rather than rely on one combatant.
• Mightyena has developed dramatically since Heiduo rescued it at level 44. Now level 60, it has trained seriously, reached the standard of Mt. Silver, and proves that its cheerful, submissive behavior around Heiduo does not reflect weakness. In battle, it is aggressive, durable, disciplined, and capable of executing complex tactics.
• Chihaya is revealed to be an experienced and talented Trainer with seven badges and a strong team. However, she remains vulnerable to intimidation and momentary lapses in concentration. Her early hesitation costs her the battle against Mightyena, but her level-63 Luxray shows that she has considerable potential.
• Braviary eagerly awaits its opportunity to battle and views the match as a chance to demonstrate two years of progress to Heiduo. Its usually cold, proud demeanor softens when interacting with him.
• Luxray establishes itself as a formidable opponent, matching Mightyena’s intimidating presence and suggesting that Chihaya’s team is stronger than those of the earlier challengers.

Significant Themes

• Composure and concentration: The chapter emphasizes that even a brief lapse in focus can decide a battle. Chihaya’s momentary distraction allows Heiduo and Mightyena to seize control.
• Training and growth: Mightyena’s rise from level 44 to level 60 represents sustained effort and proves that its apparent comic or submissive personality hides serious dedication.
• Using a Pokémon’s strengths intelligently: Heiduo explains that success depends on understanding a Pokémon’s body and durability. Mightyena survives a super-effective attack by relying on its strongest physical feature and immediately counterattacks.
• Trainer evaluation beyond victories: Heiduo judges challengers by their awareness, reactions, and ability to command under pressure, not simply by the number of badges they possess.
• Potential and future competition: Chihaya is presented as a promising future champion, while Heiduo’s own competitive spirit is rekindled by finally facing a worthy opponent.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo and Mightyena share a close relationship built on trust. Mightyena responds instantly to his commands and is visibly eager to prove its growth to him.
• Heiduo’s battle instructions contrast with Chihaya’s less immediate control over Breloom. When Chihaya loses focus, Breloom must act independently, leading to the failed Sky Uppercut exchange.
• Chihaya initially underestimates Mightyena’s speed and tactical ability, but quickly recognizes Heiduo’s sharp battlefield awareness after he identifies the sand trails created by Force Palm.
• Braviary’s entrance highlights its devotion to Heiduo: beneath its arrogant exterior, it seeks his approval and wants him to recognize its improvement.
• The arrival of Luxray changes the tone of the battle. Heiduo stops treating the match as routine and begins viewing Chihaya as a serious rival with the potential to win the next Silver Conference.

Chapter Summary: “You Dare Intimidate Me?!!!!!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heiduo’s Braviary faces Chihaya’s Luxray in a Gym battle.
• Luxray uses Intimidate, lowering Braviary’s Attack. However, Braviary possesses the hidden Ability Defiant, which raises its Attack sharply whenever its stats are lowered.
• The spectators and Chihaya are surprised by Braviary’s rare Ability. Chihaya realizes her attempt to weaken Braviary has instead made it more dangerous.
• Luxray uses Charge to bait Braviary into approaching, intending to trap it with an Electric attack. Heiduo sees through the strategy and has Braviary use Tailwind instead, increasing its speed and evasiveness.
• Chihaya orders Discharge, hoping to catch Braviary in a wide-range Electric attack. Heiduo counters by having Braviary use Brave Bird to pierce the attack. The two moves cancel each other’s energy, leaving both Pokémon temporarily vulnerable.
• When Luxray attempts to seize Braviary with Wild Charge, Braviary counters with Sky Drop. It grabs Luxray, carries it into the air, and crashes it into the ground.
• Braviary follows with Giga Impact, striking the already injured Luxray before it can recover.
• Luxray is knocked unconscious, giving Heiduo the victory. Chihaya is left stunned by how completely Heiduo controlled the battle.

Character Developments

• Heiduo demonstrates exceptional tactical awareness and composure. He correctly anticipates Chihaya’s traps, understands the interaction between different moves, and chains Braviary’s attacks together flawlessly.
• Chihaya shows intelligence and strategic planning but struggles to adapt once Heiduo counters her opening tactics. Although she tries to stay focused after making mistakes in the previous match, she is psychologically overwhelmed by Heiduo’s dominance.
• Braviary is revealed to have the rare Defiant Ability. Its aggressive, fearless fighting style and precise execution of Tailwind, Brave Bird, Sky Drop, and Giga Impact establish it as an exceptionally dangerous combatant.
• Luxray fights powerfully and attempts to use Charge, Discharge, and Wild Charge, but its strategies are repeatedly anticipated. It is ultimately defeated after being caught by Sky Drop and finished by Giga Impact.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge and adaptation: Abilities and move interactions can completely change the course of battle. Chihaya’s unfamiliarity with Defiant causes her intended strategy to backfire.
• Tactical superiority: Heiduo wins not simply through stronger Pokémon, but through prediction, timing, and carefully connected commands.
• The danger of overconfidence: Chihaya expects Intimidate to weaken Braviary, but the move instead strengthens it. The chapter emphasizes that no Ability is universally advantageous.
• Psychological pressure: Fighting Heiduo is portrayed as mentally crushing because opponents rarely have time to recover or retaliate.
• Aggression versus control: Braviary fights with overwhelming force, but that aggression is effective because Heiduo directs it with calm precision.

Character Interactions

• Chihaya attempts to manipulate Heiduo through Luxray’s Charge, but he recognizes the trap and refuses to engage on her terms.
• Heiduo’s commands consistently counter Chihaya’s plans, creating a one-sided battle despite Luxray’s type advantage.
• The spectators react with surprise to Braviary’s Defiant Ability and admiration—and some fear—toward Heiduo’s battle style.
• By the end, Chihaya understands firsthand why previous challengers appeared traumatized after facing Heiduo: his battles make opponents feel completely suppressed rather than merely defeated.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chihaya is reduced to her final Pokémon, while Heiduo’s Braviary remains battle-ready despite its injuries.
• Heiduo recognizes Braviary’s exceptional courage and fighting spirit, noting that it becomes more formidable the longer it battles.
• Heiduo reflects that he may have fought too seriously against Chihaya, even studying her move lists. Feeling guilty, he decides that she will receive the eighth Badge if she can recover from the loss and continue fighting properly.
• Chihaya sends out her third Pokémon: a level-60 Probopass. Its Steel/Rock typing gives it a fourfold resistance to Flying attacks, and it can control three Mini Nosepass through magnetic force.
• Probopass and the Mini Nosepass launch ranged Power Gem attacks at Braviary. Braviary relies heavily on Tailwind to evade the attacks, while Heiduo searches for a way to exploit Probopass’s limited control range and slow speed.
• Heiduo identifies an opening. Braviary grabs two Mini Nosepass with Sky Drop and carries them beyond Probopass’s roughly fifty-meter control range, disrupting its coordination.
• Braviary throws the Mini Nosepass upward, then dives at Probopass with Superpower. Probopass attempts to escape with Magnet Rise, but its low speed prevents it from dodging.
• The attack breaks through Probopass’s Sturdy ability and defeats it despite Chihaya having secretly used Iron Defense. Braviary wins, though the high-altitude impact leaves it visibly exhausted.
• The referee ends the match, giving Heiduo a successful conclusion to his first Gym battle as a Gym Leader.

Character Developments

• Heiduo: Demonstrates strong tactical awareness, patience, and confidence in Braviary. Although he has fought challengers more seriously than most Gym Leaders would, he also shows compassion and self-awareness by worrying that he was unfair to Chihaya. He deliberately avoids a reckless strategy and instead waits for a clever opening.
• Chihaya: Is shown to be a capable and perceptive Trainer who understands Probopass’s limitations and tries to compensate for them by constantly shifting which Mini Nosepass it controls. However, she becomes frustrated and self-critical after losing an advantageous position. Her final reaction shows that she recognizes her tactical mistake and wants to improve.
• Braviary: Embodies endurance, bravery, and an increasingly aggressive battle spirit. It responds immediately to Heiduo’s commands, uses its speed and aerial mobility effectively, and succeeds through perseverance despite being wounded and fatigued.
• Probopass: Displays impressive defensive strength and unusual battlefield utility through its control of the Mini Nosepass, but its slow movement and limited mental capacity for multitasking become decisive weaknesses.

Significant Themes

• Courage under pressure: Braviary’s refusal to yield, even while injured, reflects the chapter’s emphasis on fighting spirit and perseverance.
• Strategy over type advantage: Although Probopass has a major matchup advantage against Flying attacks, Heiduo wins by exploiting positioning, range, speed, and Probopass’s dependence on its Mini Nosepass.
• Experience versus potential: Chihaya is a strong young Trainer, but Heiduo’s experience allows him to recognize and create the decisive opening.
• Fairness and responsibility: Heiduo questions whether his serious approach was appropriate for a Gym Leader and considers his obligation to give challengers a fair chance.
• Self-criticism and growth: Chihaya’s anger at her own performance suggests that defeat will become a learning experience rather than simply a setback.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo silently evaluates Chihaya’s strength and worries about her mental state, while Chihaya remains focused on finding ways to overcome Braviary.
• Heiduo and Braviary display strong mutual understanding: Heiduo spots the opening, and Braviary immediately executes the Sky Drop strategy.
• Chihaya actively adapts her tactics, shifting control among the Mini Nosepass whenever Braviary finds a weakness.
• The battle ends with Chihaya recognizing that Braviary outplayed her at the crucial moment, leaving her frustrated but aware of what she needs to improve.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After defeating the final challenger, Heiduo dismisses the crowd and refuses to issue another badge to a disgruntled Trainer who already possesses seven badges. He tells the Trainer to return the following month after more training.
• The Trainer School students who witnessed the battle excitedly discuss Heiduo’s strategies, though their teacher prevents them from bothering him with questions.
• Braviary is thrilled by the intense tactical battle, which was far more stimulating than the straightforward fights it usually experienced on Mt. Silver.
• Heiduo checks Braviary for injuries after its dangerous aerial attacks. He later takes Braviary, Mightyena, and Wobbuffet to a nearby clinic for treatment. Braviary has bruises, Mightyena has only minor scrapes, and Wobbuffet is the most seriously injured, suffering scratches, bite wounds, and blast damage.
• Teng Jun informs Heiduo that videos of his Gym battles have been recorded and uploaded online, potentially increasing his fame. Heiduo considers banning recordings and using the publicity to promote Gold or Silver.
• Teng Jun then reveals that Heiduo has been appointed honorary principal of the Trainer School, with the option of taking a similar position at the neighboring Breeder School.
• Although initially reluctant, Heiduo accepts after learning that the role requires only one two-period class every half month. He considers teaching practical battle theory—or even mathematics—to the students.
• The following day, Heiduo sends his recovered Pokémon back to Mt. Silver because the unfinished Gym leaves him little time or space to entertain them.

Character Developments

• Heiduo continues to establish himself as a strict but capable Gym Leader. He refuses to indulge challengers or curious students unnecessarily, but he also responsibly checks on his Pokémon and ensures they receive professional medical care.
• He shows a growing sense of responsibility toward his new position and community by accepting the honorary principal role, despite viewing the teaching duties as inconvenient.
• Heiduo’s relationship with Braviary becomes more affectionate and familiar. He worries about its injuries and recognizes how much it enjoyed the battle, while Braviary secretly seems increasingly attached to him.
• Braviary displays an appetite for challenging, strategically complex battles rather than simple contests of endurance.
• Wobbuffet remains quiet and emotionally restrained, though Heiduo recognizes that it appreciates his praise and concern.
• Teng Jun acts as both an administrator and a concerned mentor, arranging Heiduo’s new role and urging him to take it seriously.
• Gardevoir is indirectly characterized as intellectually curious through her interest in advanced human mathematics.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility accompanying authority: Becoming a Gym Leader brings obligations beyond battling, including public duties, education, and maintaining the reputation of one’s master and institution.
• The contrast between strength and strategy: Braviary’s enjoyment of the battle highlights the value of tactical creativity over merely enduring attacks.
• Care beneath a harsh exterior: Heiduo often appears indifferent or impatient, but his medical checks and concern for his Pokémon reveal genuine care.
• Public image and fame: The unauthorized recordings raise questions about celebrity, publicity, and the consequences of becoming a well-known Trainer.
• Tradition and institutional continuity: The honorary-principal position reflects an established connection between Gym Leaders and Trainer Schools.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo dismisses the defeated seven-badge Trainer while his companions comfort him.
• Heiduo checks Braviary’s body after the battle, and Braviary reacts happily and affectionately.
• A Pokémon doctor professionally treats Braviary, Mightyena, and Wobbuffet.
• Teng Jun and Yujian contact Heiduo to discuss the online battle recordings and his appointment as honorary principal. Teng Jun jokes about the Breeder School’s female students, while Heiduo rejects the implication and focuses on his actual responsibilities.
• Heiduo reflects on Braviary’s attachment to him, while Braviary privately considers whether it would dare carry him into the sky.

Chapter Summary: The Mountain with the Strange Magnetic Field

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heiduo spends the weekend before Monday’s school assembly exploring and mapping the forests around Millennium Town and the Trainer School.
• He studies the local Pokémon populations, noting that most wild Pokémon are relatively weak and accustomed to human Trainers.
• While traveling deeper into the wilderness with Sceptile, Heiduo reflects on the geography of the Pokémon world, including the size and connections of Johto, Sinnoh, and the surrounding ocean.
• Near sunset, Heiduo discovers a mountain valley with an abnormal magnetic field. The interference disrupts his Pokémon Gear and causes Electivire’s electrical power to behave erratically.
• The mountain is large and otherwise ideal as a potential habitat for Tyranitar, but Heiduo worries that the magnetic field could negatively affect Pokémon not naturally adapted to it. He decides not to risk using the mountain without further investigation.
• He fails to find another suitable mountain before Monday and plans to return later to determine whether the magnetic field can be altered or whether a powerful Steel- or Electric-type Pokémon may be responsible.
• While flying back to town on Charizard, Heiduo is stopped by a police officer for violating the town’s low-altitude flying ban over the farm. He receives a warning ticket rather than a fine and accepts the reprimand respectfully.
• He arrives at the Trainer School, located beside the Breeder School, and is introduced to staff while students observe him with curiosity.

Character Developments

• Heiduo continues to demonstrate a practical, cautious, and investigative personality. Rather than choosing the largest mountain immediately, he prioritizes Pokémon safety and considers environmental compatibility.
• His curiosity about the world expands as he speculates about geography, legendary Pokémon, and the possible cause of the magnetic anomaly.
• Heiduo also shows humility and respect for local authority by accepting the police officer’s warning despite being a Gym Leader.
• Heiduo notices that he has been neglecting Scizor, so he brings it out instead of relying constantly on Electivire, suggesting an effort to balance his attention among his Pokémon.
• Charizard becomes anxious after being reprimanded, but Heiduo reassures it gently.
• Scizor is mildly annoyed when it realizes it was released mainly for company rather than for a specific task.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility and supervision: Trainer Schools exist not only to educate students but also to control the dangers posed by young people who command powerful Pokémon.
• Caution versus ambition: Heiduo wants to secure an excellent habitat for Tyranitar but refuses to ignore the possible dangers of the magnetic field.
• Human and Pokémon coexistence: The town’s regulations, including the ban on low-altitude flying, are designed to protect farms, Pokémon, and impressionable students.
• Exploration and discovery: The chapter emphasizes Heiduo’s interest in mapping unknown areas and understanding the world’s geography and unusual natural phenomena.
• Scale and power: Heiduo’s thoughts about Regigigas, Lugia, and Dialga highlight the immense abilities of legendary Pokémon compared with ordinary Pokémon and Trainers.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo communicates quietly with Sceptile while exploring the forest and relies on its companionship during his survey.
• He releases Electivire to examine the magnetic anomaly, observing how the field affects its normally controlled electricity.
• He comforts Charizard after the police officer’s warning and recalls it to prevent further trouble.
• Heiduo brings out Scizor, whose silent reaction reveals its awareness that it has received less attention recently.
• The police officer reprimands Heiduo for flying over the farm but softens the consequence because Heiduo is cooperative.
• At the school, Heiduo meets the bald dean of instruction and is introduced to the staff while the students watch him with interest.

Chapter Summary: “Living It Up, Huh~~~”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heiduo is brought onto the Trainer School’s field by Principal Sui Zhong, a retired Top Trainer whose partner Slowking is level 75.
• The school is introduced as a massive institution with nearly four thousand students, nine grades, internal ranking competitions, and options for early graduation or further study.
• During the school assembly, Heiduo gives an extremely brief speech announcing that he is now the school’s honorary principal. He will teach classes at the beginning and middle of each month, with only one hundred students admitted per session on a first-come, first-served basis.
• He refuses to give a long prepared speech, believing it would waste everyone’s time.
• Afterward, Heiduo discusses recording restrictions with the dean of students. The school will prohibit filming his classes, and violators may face legal consequences.
• While leaving, Heiduo is challenged by Huo Ying, a young exchange student from Unova. Heiduo refuses because he only battles opponents during official Gym Challenges.
• Huo Ying provokes him by suggesting he is afraid of losing. Other students mock Huo Ying for not realizing Heiduo’s status as a powerful Top Trainer.
• Heiduo tells Huo Ying to come back after graduating, dismissing him without engaging in battle.
• Scizor silently evaluates Huo Ying’s Pokémon and finds no threatening aura, while privately wishing to battle stronger opponents such as Red and Green.
• Heiduo reflects on the difference between his current position and that of a Champion. He values the freedom to refuse battles, act rudely, and avoid public obligations.

Character Developments

• Heiduo: Establishes himself as practical, blunt, and uninterested in ceremony or fame. He avoids unnecessary speeches, refuses casual battles, and prioritizes his own time and freedom. His thoughts reveal that he deliberately prefers being a Gym Leader or honorary principal rather than becoming a Champion, whose authority would come with restrictive responsibilities.
• Principal Sui Zhong: Presented as a capable, healthy veteran Trainer who has retired from the Pokémon Association. His quiet smile suggests approval of Heiduo’s straightforward behavior, and he appears to be calm and detached from competition.
• Scizor: Demonstrates increased strength and a new ability to sense the power of Pokémon even inside Poké Balls. It is confident enough to judge Huo Ying’s team as harmless but longs for more challenging battles.
• Huo Ying: Revealed as an ambitious but inexperienced exchange student. His attempt to provoke Heiduo stems from ignorance of Heiduo’s reputation, and he becomes embarrassed when the other students explain who Heiduo is.

Significant Themes

• Freedom versus responsibility: Heiduo sees the Champion title as a burden that limits personal freedom, while his current position allows him to act according to his own preferences.
• Reputation and public perception: The students’ reactions show how Heiduo’s recent battles and online videos have established his reputation before he even speaks.
• Respect earned through strength: Huo Ying’s challenge is treated as foolish because he lacks awareness of Heiduo’s accomplishments and power.
• Practicality over formal tradition: Heiduo rejects ceremonial speeches and unnecessary rules, favoring direct communication and efficient use of time.
• Aging and longevity: The chapter briefly considers the long lifespans and physical condition of Trainers, as well as the possibility that powerful Pokémon may be energy-based rather than ordinary biological organisms.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo and Sui Zhong: Sui Zhong introduces Heiduo and supports his appointment, while Heiduo accepts the role with little enthusiasm.
• Heiduo and the school staff: Heiduo informs the dean about recording restrictions, prompting the school to establish formal protections for his future classes.
• Heiduo and Huo Ying: Huo Ying attempts to challenge and provoke Heiduo, but Heiduo calmly refuses and tells him to return after graduation.
• Heiduo and Scizor: Their interaction is mostly indirect. Scizor evaluates potential opponents independently, while Heiduo remains unaware of Scizor’s private desire for more difficult battles.

Chapter Summary: “Trainers Must Learn to Stay Calm”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After leaving Trainer School, Heiduo searches for a mountain large enough to support a Tyranitar colony near his Gym. He searches both on foot and from the air with Garchomp but finds only unsuitable mountains.
• The one promising mountain has an unusual magnetic field. Heiduo considers whether this is caused by valuable minerals or a geological anomaly.
• He also recognizes the mountain’s potential for supporting Magnemite, Magneton, and Magnezone, imagining that it could become a source of wealth. However, he decides to investigate it more thoroughly later because he must teach at Trainer School the next day.
• Heiduo thinks about his long-term future, including eventually retiring as Gym Leader around age forty and passing the Gym to a family member, disciple, or trusted successor. He considers Silver as a possible heir, though he recognizes that such plans are distant.
• The following day, Heiduo returns to Trainer School to teach an open class. Although he expected only one hundred students, more than two hundred attend, forcing the school to remove everyone beyond the first hundred from the official class.
• The selected students demonstrate impressive discipline, standing in formation with their Pokémon and following the teachers’ instructions.
• Heiduo reorganizes the class: the first fifty students form a circle around him, while the remaining fifty stand farther away and put away their Pokémon.
• He announces that the lesson is titled “Trainers Must Learn to Stay Calm.”
• Without warning, he releases a Pokémon, causing terror among the students and ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Heiduo remains practical, ambitious, and somewhat detached. He evaluates the mountain both as a habitat for Tyranitar and as a possible economic opportunity through Magnezone production.
• His thoughts reveal a growing concern with legacy and succession. He does not want his Gym to pass to an outsider and begins considering how to preserve his family’s influence.
• Heiduo’s attitude toward teaching is reluctant but responsible. He finds crowds and social interaction troublesome, yet he takes the class seriously and prepares to give the students useful instruction.
• Umbreon continues to act as a rational companion, challenging Heiduo’s assumptions about the mountain and explaining magnetic-field phenomena to Lugia.
• Lugia is still unfamiliar with ordinary human concepts, asking what a teacher is. This highlights its sheltered or otherworldly perspective.
• The dean shows strong observational skills and recognizes that Heiduo is not arrogant so much as socially distant and easily bothered by unnecessary interaction.
• The students demonstrate discipline and eagerness to learn, with attendance far exceeding Heiduo’s expectations.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility and legacy: Heiduo begins thinking beyond his current achievements toward succession, retirement, and preserving the Gym for future generations.
• Practical ambition: The mountain is viewed not only as a natural habitat but also as a possible source of valuable Pokémon and wealth.
• Teaching and composure: The class’s central lesson is that a Trainer must remain calm, especially when confronted with unexpected or frightening situations.
• Order versus chaos: The crowded open class initially threatens to become disorderly, but the school’s discipline and Heiduo’s direct instructions restore structure.
• The future of the Pokémon world: Heiduo keeps track of Ruby’s impending move to Hoenn and the coming Ruby and Sapphire storyline, showing his awareness of major future events.

Character Interactions

• Umbreon questions Heiduo’s interpretation of his bad luck and explains possible causes of the mountain’s magnetic field.
• Umbreon explains the meaning of a teacher to Lugia through telepathy.
• Heiduo interacts briefly with the dean, instructing him to reduce the class to one hundred students. The dean follows his directions and quietly studies Heiduo’s personality.
• Heiduo gives the students clear commands, praising their discipline and efficient handling of their Pokémon.
• The chapter ends with Heiduo deliberately provoking a crisis by releasing a Pokémon without warning, apparently intending to test whether the Trainers can remain calm under pressure.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heiduo begins training a class of fifty students by releasing his exceptionally powerful Garchomp and activating its frightening, controllable aura—described as a “Fake Intimidate” produced through its mutated Outrage.
• The students and teachers panic despite Garchomp barely moving. Many freeze, collapse, or attempt to flee, while three reckless students order their Pokémon to attack.
• Garchomp effortlessly blocks the three attacks and knocks down Hitmonchan, Psyduck, and Dusknoir, though it does not seriously harm them.
• Heiduo restores order and criticizes the students’ lack of composure. He claims that only two of the fifty initially meet his standards.
• He repeats the exercise several times, instructing the students to remain calm in Garchomp’s presence. Although preparation prevents them from running away, most still struggle physically and mentally.
• After two class periods, fewer than forty percent of the students can endure the exercise successfully. Heiduo ends the lesson, disappointed that he cannot proceed to the more advanced training he had planned.
• Students outside the field remain confused by the unusual class, while those who participated leave dazed and struggle to explain that the lesson was meant to strengthen their willpower.

Character Developments

• Heiduo is shown as highly demanding, confident, and somewhat insensitive to ordinary people’s fear of overwhelming Pokémon. He views the exercise as a valuable opportunity and is frustrated that the students cannot meet his expectations.
• Garchomp demonstrates immense power and control. It can deliberately intensify or withdraw its intimidating aura and easily defeat multiple Pokémon without serious effort. Its boredom emphasizes how effortless the exercise is for it.
• The students are exposed as inexperienced and mentally unprepared. Some act cowardly, some respond recklessly, and only a small minority can remain calm. However, repeated exposure gradually improves their ability to endure the aura.
• The dean and teachers are intimidated and largely unable to challenge Heiduo’s methods, even though they recognize that the students are being pushed to their limits.
• Heiduo’s disappointment also reveals his lack of promising trainees; he had hoped to teach advanced battle concepts but finds the class unprepared.

Significant Themes

• Mental strength as a trainer’s foundation: The lesson emphasizes that courage, calmness, and composure are essential before advanced battling techniques can be learned.
• The gap between ordinary people and the powerful: The spectators cannot understand the students’ terror because they do not personally experience Garchomp’s aura.
• Training through adversity: Heiduo deliberately uses fear and pressure to force the students to confront their weaknesses.
• Generational criticism: Heiduo repeatedly mocks the students as representative of a weak, unprepared younger generation, though the chapter also suggests his expectations may be excessive.
• Power and presence: Garchomp’s aura alone is portrayed as a weapon, showing that strength is not limited to physical attacks.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo commands Garchomp to demonstrate its aura and later reins it in when it knocks down the attacking students.
• Heiduo confronts the frightened class, dismisses their excuses, and forces them to repeat the exercise.
• The students challenge Garchomp impulsively, only to be defeated and frightened into retreat.
• The outside spectators question participants about the class, but the exhausted students can offer only vague explanations.
• Heiduo later tells the dean that the students possess poor mental fortitude, while the dean is left speechless by his harsh assessment and unconventional teaching methods.

Chapter Summary: “Don’t Scare Me, I’m a Coward”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After finishing his public lecture, Heiduo investigates the mysterious mountain near his Gym, temporarily naming it Anomalous Magnet Mountain.
• He considers the mountain’s potential value as a habitat for his Tyranitar clan, but first wants to determine the cause of its unusual magnetic field and whether it contains valuable ores.
• Heiduo, Lucario, Umbreon, and Lugia attempt to scan the mountain using Aura and Psychic Power. Lucario’s normally reliable Aura detection fails, displaying only a dizzying mass of rainbow-colored distortion.
• The mountain appears unnaturally silent and empty. There are no flying Pokémon, sounds, wind, or visible movement, despite the surrounding area containing many wild Pokémon.
• Heiduo suspects that the phenomenon may not be magnetic in nature and considers possibilities involving Legendary Pokémon, Ghost-types, illusions, radiation, or dimensional anomalies.
• Lugia uses its Psychic Power to investigate and recognizes the strange distortion from the distant past. It recalls an ancient era when the sky was red, the world consisted mostly of land and water, and it encountered colorful chaos and three black holes in the sky.
• Heiduo theorizes that the mountain may be connected to cosmic radiation, the Distortion World, or the dimensions associated with Dialga and Palkia. Concerned about possible radiation exposure, he prepares to withdraw and seek professional scientific equipment and researchers.
• Before leaving, Heiduo notices a living Shieldon eating berries near the distorted area. Since Shieldon is a prehistoric Pokémon believed to have lived roughly one hundred million years ago, its presence proves that the mountain hides a major secret.
• Heiduo and Umbreon realize that this is not merely an unusual environment but potentially a hidden prehistoric zone or dimensional phenomenon. Heiduo wonders why nearby residents have never discovered it and whether previous explorers may have vanished.

Character Developments

• Heiduo begins the investigation with confidence and a practical goal—examining the mountain’s resources and suitability for Tyranitar—but becomes increasingly cautious as its supernatural qualities emerge.
• His scientific mindset leads him to analyze several explanations, including magnetic fields, illusions, radiation, and other dimensions. However, the discovery of Shieldon shifts his curiosity from cautious investigation to intense excitement.
• Lucario is unsettled by the failure of its Aura, revealing that the mountain’s anomaly is powerful enough to interfere with even a highly dependable ability.
• Lugia demonstrates its immense age and connection to the world’s ancient history. Its memories provide the first indication that the phenomenon may be primordial or linked to cosmic or dimensional forces.
• Umbreon acts as a fearful but observant companion. Its familiarity with horror stories reinforces the group’s anxiety about the unknown, though it remains attentive enough to notice Shieldon.
• Heiduo’s companions collectively show different responses to danger: Lucario is confused, Lugia is experienced and calm, and Umbreon is fearful but vigilant.

Significant Themes

• The limits of knowledge and perception: Aura and Psychic Power, normally reliable tools, fail to properly interpret the mountain, emphasizing that the phenomenon lies beyond ordinary understanding.
• Science versus the supernatural: Heiduo attempts to explain events through geology, magnetism, radiation, and dimensional theory, while the mountain’s effects resemble illusions, Legendary Pokémon abilities, or horror phenomena.
• The danger of the unknown: The mountain’s silence, distorted appearance, and possible radiation make retreat the sensible choice, even as curiosity urges Heiduo forward.
• Ancient history and lost worlds: Lugia’s memories and the living Shieldon suggest that the mountain may preserve a prehistoric era or connect to the planet’s earliest history.
• Curiosity overcoming fear: Although Heiduo repeatedly acknowledges the danger and considers leaving, the discovery of Shieldon makes the mystery too compelling to abandon.
• Human interference with nature: Heiduo initially considers adapting the mountain for his Pokémon, but the discovery forces him to recognize that the area may be an untouched, extraordinary ecosystem that should be approached carefully.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo directs Lucario to scan the mountain and uses their Aura connection to share information when both detect the same unexplained obstruction.
• Heiduo asks Umbreon and Lugia to investigate with Psychic Power after Aura proves ineffective. Lugia’s greater power makes it the group’s primary safeguard.
• Lugia shares its ancient memories with Heiduo, prompting him to speculate about cosmic radiation, the Distortion World, and Dialga and Palkia’s dimensions.
• Umbreon’s fear of horror stories contrasts with Heiduo’s analytical reasoning, though both react strongly to the appearance of Shieldon.
• Heiduo and Umbreon recognize the prehistoric Pokémon together, transforming their concern about the mountain into astonishment and excitement over its immense hidden significance.

Chapter Summary: “This Mountain Is Seriously Wrong”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lugia’s clairvoyance fails to see through a strange, multicolored barrier surrounding the mountain. The barrier resembles primordial chaos and seems to lack a normal concept of space.
• Heiduo speculates that the mountain may be connected to Ultra Space, Palkia, Dialga, or another dimension. He also wonders whether it could contain a prehistoric ecosystem or something like Mew’s World Tree.
• While observing the area from behind a boulder, Heiduo sees a Shieldon emerge from the mountain, followed by its evolved form, Bastiodon.
• Heiduo orders Lugia to capture both Pokémon so they can be questioned. After intimidating and defeating them, he communicates with them through Aura.
• Bastiodon provides vague information: the mountain appears ordinary from within, but it contains many Pokémon, including prehistoric species as well as common Pokémon such as Oddish and Pidgey.
• Heiduo concludes that the multicolored phenomenon is not an entire alternate world but a protective barrier concealing the mountain’s interior.
• Believing the interior Pokémon are unlikely to be exposed to dangerous radiation, Heiduo decides to enter. He protects himself with Aura, Umbreon’s Aurora Veil, Safeguard, and Protect, as well as Lugia’s Psychic Power.
• Bastiodon leads Heiduo into the mountain while carrying Shieldon. Crossing the boundary reveals a vibrant, noisy natural environment filled with birds, Aipom, flowing water, and other wildlife—none of which could be seen from outside.
• Heiduo discovers that the boundary is also a physical wall. It blocks him and Garchomp from exiting but allows native Pokémon to pass freely.
• Recalling Shieldon into a Poké Ball does not allow it to cross the barrier, proving that the wall recognizes individual mountain-native Pokémon rather than simply responding to their physical presence.
• Even Mega-Evolved Garchomp’s strongest Dragon Rush cannot damage the barrier. Heiduo concludes that the mountain is connected to another dimension and is likely related to Palkia.

Character Developments

• Heiduo remains curious, analytical, and increasingly reckless. Although he recognizes the potential danger, he repeatedly experiments with the barrier and ultimately enters after preparing several layers of protection.
• Lugia demonstrates both the limits of its clairvoyance and its usefulness in controlling and capturing the Bastiodon family.
• Umbreon acts cautiously and supportively, providing multiple defensive shields despite apparent concern about Heiduo’s plan.
• Bastiodon is revealed to possess only limited intelligence and cannot offer precise explanations, but it becomes an unwilling guide into the mountain.
• Shieldon is portrayed as a young, dependent Pokémon that trusts Bastiodon and becomes the key to testing the barrier’s recognition system.
• Garchomp is used as a powerful experimental tool, but even its Mega-Evolved strength proves ineffective against the wall.

Significant Themes

• The limits of knowledge and perception: Even Lugia’s clairvoyance cannot penetrate the barrier, emphasizing that the mountain exists beyond ordinary spatial understanding.
• Curiosity versus caution: Heiduo understands the risks but continues investigating, balancing scientific curiosity with increasingly dangerous behavior.
• Hidden ecosystems and protected spaces: The barrier conceals a thriving environment and protects its inhabitants from outside observation and access.
• The nature of space and dimensional boundaries: The mountain’s barrier appears to operate on visual, mental, and physical levels, reinforcing the possibility of Palkia’s involvement.
• Power versus mystery: Physical force, Psychic Power, and Mega Evolution are all insufficient to overcome the barrier, suggesting that understanding its rules is more important than attacking it.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo consults Lugia and Umbreon about the strange phenomenon, using their abilities and knowledge to form theories.
• Heiduo and Umbreon observe Shieldon together and discuss the possibility of a prehistoric habitat inside the mountain.
• Lugia captures Bastiodon and Shieldon at Heiduo’s command, after which Heiduo communicates with them through Aura.
• Bastiodon and Shieldon react with fear when seized but later guide Heiduo into the protected area.
• Heiduo repeatedly tests the barrier using himself, Shieldon, Poké Balls, Garchomp, and Mega-Evolved Garchomp, gradually discovering that it only permits native Pokémon to pass freely.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heiduo’s reckless attacks near the mountain attract several groups of prehistoric Pokémon, including Bastiodon, Shieldon, Rampardos, Cranidos, and Aerodactyl.
• Although the Pokémon initially surround him aggressively, they retreat after the Bastiodon and Shieldon communicate with them. Heiduo suspects the Bastiodon have enough authority or reputation to prevent a battle.
• Heiduo and his companions continue up the mysterious mountain. The Pokémon Gear remains useless because the area is unmapped and its compass spins due to an unusual magnetic field.
• Heiduo considers eventually reporting the mountain to the Ranger Union and potentially turning it into a protected Pokémon nature preserve, since the mountain is dangerously close to Millennium Town and would eventually attract human attention.
• He recalls Garchomp and sends out Tyranitar to test whether the mountain’s strange magnetic field affects it. He also begins considering the mountain as a possible future habitat and food source for Tyranitar and other Pokémon.
• Using Aura, Heiduo observes numerous wild Pokémon, including Magneton, Nosepass, Magnezone, and Probopass. Most are relatively weak compared with the Pokémon of Mt. Silver.
• Lugia uses Psychic abilities to investigate the mountain and detects several areas it cannot properly perceive. These locations give off powerful energy fluctuations.
• Lugia clarifies that the energy is not Life Energy like that found in Key Stones or Mega Stones, but resembles an unfamiliar energy it once encountered high in the sky.
• Heiduo theorizes that the mountain’s anomalies may be caused by meteorites rather than by Dialga, Palkia, or distorted space-time.
• The Bastiodon lead him to a huge field filled with circular mountain formations that are clearly meteorite craters, shocking Heiduo and forcing him to question all of his previous theories.

Character Developments

• Heiduo remains confident and pragmatic, recognizing that the surrounding Pokémon are not strong enough to pose a serious threat. However, his confidence shifts into uncertainty when evidence challenges his assumptions about the mountain.
• He demonstrates long-term planning by considering the welfare and territorial needs of Tyranitar, as well as the possibility of protecting the mountain’s prehistoric Pokémon through the Ranger Union.
• Heiduo also shows respect for the Ranger Union’s integrity and begins thinking beyond immediate battles toward preservation and responsible management.
• Mega Garchomp/Garchomp serves as a powerful deterrent. Its intimidating presence prevents the hostile Pokémon from attacking, even before it is recalled.
• Umbreon acts as a sarcastic, amused observer, enjoying the possibility of conflict and teasing Heiduo about the situation.
• Lugia displays exceptional Psychic ability by probing caves and detecting energy that even Heiduo’s Aura cannot interpret. Its brief surprise and concern reveal that the mountain’s energy is unusual even to a Legendary Pokémon.
• Tyranitar is introduced as a possible future resident of the mountain, though its compatibility with the environment remains to be tested.

Significant Themes

• Human responsibility toward nature: Heiduo considers whether the mountain should become a protected preserve rather than allowing uncontrolled human exploitation.
• Power and reputation among Pokémon: The hostile Pokémon retreat not simply because of force, but because the Bastiodon appear to possess social authority and influence.
• Scientific investigation versus speculation: Heiduo repeatedly forms theories about the mountain, only to revise them as new evidence appears. The chapter emphasizes the uncertainty of exploring an abnormal environment.
• Protection and coexistence: Heiduo thinks about balancing the needs of different Pokémon groups and creating habitats without driving existing inhabitants to extinction.
• The limits of knowledge: Even Aura and Lugia’s Psychic abilities cannot fully penetrate the mountain’s strange areas, suggesting that its true nature is beyond ordinary understanding.
• Legendaries and cosmic forces: The discovery of powerful non-Life Energy hints at a connection between the mountain and extraterrestrial or cosmic phenomena.

Character Interactions

• The Bastiodon and Shieldon initially flee toward their groups but later appear to communicate with the other prehistoric Pokémon, persuading them to leave Heiduo alone.
• Umbreon jokes about the Pokémon confrontation and praises the usefulness of the food Heiduo previously gave the Bastiodon.
• Heiduo and Umbreon discuss the tendency of Pokémon to become friendly after being defeated and fed.
• Heiduo consults Lugia about the mountain’s hidden regions and mysterious energy. Lugia’s superior perception provides the crucial clue that the anomalies may involve cosmic energy.
• The chapter ends with Heiduo and the Bastiodon arriving at the meteorite crater field, where the physical evidence directly challenges his earlier assumptions.

Chapter 731 Summary: Dialga’s Adamant Orb! Palkia’s Lustrous Orb!

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heiduo investigates the strange mountain anomaly with Lugia and concludes that it is not directly connected to Dialga or Palkia. Instead, the meteorites scattered throughout the mountain emit a mysterious form of Cosmic Energy.
• This energy appears to distort the mountain’s magnetic field and may explain why the area is difficult to perceive and why the surrounding space allows people to enter but prevents them from leaving.
• The meteorite field is revealed to be the natural habitat of prehistoric Pokémon such as Bastiodon, Aerodactyl, Kabuto, and Omanyte. The Pokémon do not eat the meteorites; they simply treat the area as their home.
• Heiduo and Lugia search several previously inaccessible areas of the mountain. At the summit, they discover an ancient altar resembling Spear Pillar, complete with broken, spear-like columns.
• On the altar, they find two legendary items:
  • The Adamant Orb, which strengthens Dialga’s Steel- and Dragon-type moves and can summon Dialga at Spear Pillar.
  • The Lustrous Orb, which strengthens Palkia’s Water- and Dragon-type moves and can summon Palkia at Spear Pillar.
• Lugia senses that the two Orbs are connected to the mountain’s energy system. Their power appears to suppress or contain the meteorites’ Cosmic Energy, while the Orbs themselves are protected from psychic manipulation.
• Heiduo theorizes that the Orbs created the strange spatial barrier, while the meteorites caused the abnormal magnetic field. Removing the Orbs might dissolve the barrier and release the meteorites’ energy.
• After Lugia finds no immediate danger, Heiduo prepares to remove the Orbs. He sends Garchomp to pick up the Adamant Orb while Lugia and Umbreon provide protective shields.
• Before Garchomp can touch it, black tentacles erupt from beneath the altar and restrain its claw. An unknown, distorted voice warns them to stop.

Character Developments

• Heiduo becomes more cautious and analytical as the mountain’s mysteries become increasingly dangerous. He recognizes that his earlier assumptions about Dialga and Palkia were wrong and grows frustrated with Lugia’s incomplete explanations.
• Lugia demonstrates its unusual sensory abilities, detecting the Cosmic Energy through physical sensation rather than psychic perception. However, its uncertain and delayed observations make Heiduo question its reliability.
• Garchomp acts as Heiduo’s physical proxy, agreeing to retrieve the Adamant Orb while protected by the others.
• Tyranitar remains unable to sense anything unusual about the meteorites and refuses to eat one, emphasizing the difference between the perceptions of various Pokémon.
• The appearance of the mysterious voice introduces a new intelligent presence connected to the altar or the mountain.

Significant Themes

• Limits of perception and understanding: Heiduo and Lugia perceive the same phenomena in completely different ways, making communication difficult and highlighting the limits of human and Pokémon senses.
• Ancient power and forgotten history: The replica of Spear Pillar and the legendary Orbs suggest that the mountain may have been deliberately constructed or altered by an ancient civilization.
• Containment versus release: The Orbs appear to stabilize or suppress the meteorites’ Cosmic Energy, creating a tension between maintaining the mountain’s balance and uncovering its secrets.
• Caution in the face of the unknown: Although Heiduo is eager to investigate and obtain the Orbs, the chapter repeatedly shows that every discovery may conceal a new danger.
• Mythology versus reality: Objects associated with legendary Pokémon appear in an unexpected location, forcing Heiduo to reconsider what he knows about the Pokémon world’s history.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo repeatedly questions Lugia about the Cosmic Energy, but Lugia’s alien perspective and hesitant explanations leave him dissatisfied.
• Heiduo debates the purpose of the meteorites with Tyranitar and uses Gengar’s storage space to preserve a sample for later examination.
• Heiduo theorizes with Lugia about the relationship between the Orbs, the mountain, the spatial barrier, and the meteorites.
• Before touching the Adamant Orb, Heiduo relies on Lugia and Umbreon for protection and orders Garchomp to retrieve it.
• The chapter ends with the group confronted by a mysterious unseen entity that restrains Garchomp and orders them to stop, immediately escalating the danger.

Chapter Summary: “A Startling Discovery: Individual Three! The DNA Pokémon, Deoxys”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Garchomp is unexpectedly attacked by black tentacles after using Protect. The attacker exploits the brief timing gap in Protect’s defensive barrier, revealing exceptional combat instincts.
• Garchomp breaks free, and Heiduo prioritizes protecting his Pokémon over retrieving the mysterious Orb.
• Heiduo and Lugia investigate the source of the attack. Lugia initially detects nothing unusual, but eventually discovers an unobservable area deep beneath the mountain.
• Lugia uses powerful psychic force to penetrate the hidden area and discovers an underground lake containing:
  • Ancient Pokémon such as Cradily and Armaldo.
  • Glowing plants and aurora-like energy.
  • Ancient Pokémon throwing black meteorite fragments into the lake.
  • A scarlet, oval gem at the lake’s center absorbing cosmic energy.
• Heiduo realizes the gem is likely the core of Deoxys, despite believing only two Deoxys existed. This appears to be a previously unknown “Individual Three.”
• Lugia shares its vision with Heiduo, but the psychic connection causes severe neurological pain. Umbreon uses Heal Pulse to help him recover.
• Heiduo decides to descend into the cavern and confront the damaged Deoxys core directly, reasoning that it is currently too weak to pose its full threat.
• Umbreon recognizes the danger, remembering Deoxys’s devastating power in the Pokémon Adventures storyline, and fears that the group may be walking into a deadly trap.

Character Developments

• Heiduo demonstrates quick thinking and courage. Rather than retreating from the unknown threat, he analyzes its weakness and chooses to investigate personally.
• Lugia becomes unusually serious and exertive, pushing its psychic abilities to their limit to uncover the hidden creature. Its inability to detect Deoxys at first highlights the alien’s formidable defensive psychic power.
• Garchomp proves its physical strength and loyalty by breaking the tentacles and immediately returning to Heiduo’s side.
• Umbreon acts protectively, healing Heiduo and silently assessing the danger. Its growing fear shows that it understands the potential consequences better than Heiduo may be admitting.
• Deoxys is presented as mysterious and injured but still highly dangerous. Even in a core-only state, it can conceal itself from Lugia and produce powerful tentacle attacks.

Significant Themes

• The danger of overconfidence: Heiduo initially believes the area is safe, only to discover that the group has been deceived by an enemy with superior timing and awareness.
• The limits of power and perception: Lugia’s psychic senses, normally extremely reliable, cannot initially detect Deoxys. Even Heiduo cannot safely endure Lugia’s shared vision.
• Scientific and cosmic mystery: The scarlet Deoxys core suggests an unknown variation or evolution of the species, challenging established knowledge about Deoxys’s origins and numbers.
• Risk versus curiosity: Heiduo’s desire to understand the alien Pokémon conflicts with the obvious danger of approaching it.
• Hidden life and ancient ecosystems: The underground cavern contains Ancient Pokémon and a strange ritual-like process involving meteorites and cosmic energy, suggesting a long-standing relationship between the cavern’s inhabitants and Deoxys.

Character Interactions

• Garchomp protects Heiduo by breaking free from the tentacles and returning to him.
• Heiduo questions the unseen attacker, but receives no response, deepening the mystery.
• Lugia and Heiduo cooperate to locate the hidden creature, with Lugia sharing its psychic perspective despite the physical cost to Heiduo.
• Umbreon supports Heiduo by healing him after the psychic vision overwhelms his mind.
• Heiduo dismisses Umbreon’s unspoken fear and chooses to confront Deoxys, setting up a dangerous conflict between his confidence and the Pokémon’s caution.

Chapter Summary: “Talking” with an Alien

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lugia takes control of Heiduo, Umbreon, and Garchomp and flies them into the mountain to avoid provoking Deoxys. Heiduo abandons his plan to take the two gems, recognizing that a confrontation could endanger everyone.
• They travel through underground caves and reach a hidden lake surrounded by auroras and numerous Ancient Pokémon, including Cradily, Lileep, Armaldo, and Anorith.
• The Ancient Pokémon are systematically carrying meteor fragments into the lake, while others remove fragments that have been drained of Cosmic Energy. This reveals that Deoxys has organized the area’s Pokémon into a cooperative energy-gathering effort.
• Lugia initially attempts to decipher the aurora, believing it may contain information, but fails. Heiduo then notices a possible impact site in the cavern wall and confirms that Deoxys likely crashed into the mountain there.
• Heiduo tries to communicate with Deoxys verbally, but receives no answer. His Aura cannot penetrate the intense Cosmic Energy surrounding the Core Crystal.
• Lugia successfully establishes mental contact with Deoxys and shares the information with Heiduo and Umbreon.
• Deoxys reveals that it arrived over six months earlier on a meteorite unrelated to the Grand Meteor Delta. Rayquaza attacked and ate the meteorite, forcing Deoxys—still lacking a complete body—to escape as a damaged Core Crystal.
• Deoxys found the mountain’s unusual magnetic field and meteorite-based energy, but was close to shutting down due to severe injuries. It asked the local Ancient Pokémon for help, and they voluntarily began bringing meteor fragments to sustain it.
• Deoxys also prevented Heiduo from taking the two Orbs because it sensed that doing so would harm the Pokémon living in the mountain.
• The mystery of who created the artificial Spear Pillar-like structure remains unresolved. Heiduo suspects it may have been built to cultivate or preserve Ancient Pokémon and considers asking Cynthia, an archaeologist, to investigate.

Character Developments

• Heiduo becomes more cautious and empathetic. Rather than treating Deoxys as an enemy or taking the Orbs by force, he prioritizes avoiding conflict and protecting the mountain’s Pokémon.
• Lugia demonstrates his power and versatility by controlling their bodies, forcing passage through the caves, and establishing a successful mental link with Deoxys. His initially overconfident claim about deciphering the aurora also provides comic relief.
• Umbreon remains fearful but stays involved, commenting on Lugia’s behavior and joining the mental communication.
• Deoxys is revealed not as a hostile invader but as a severely injured survivor. Its actions are motivated by survival and by a desire to protect the Ancient Pokémon dependent on the mountain’s energy.
• The Ancient Pokémon are shown to possess compassion and loyalty. They assist Deoxys for months without coercion or payment simply because it asked for help.

Significant Themes

• Communication over conflict: The group avoids fighting and seeks understanding, showing that apparent enemies may be misunderstood.
• Mutual aid and compassion: Deoxys and the Ancient Pokémon form a relationship based on voluntary cooperation rather than control or reward.
• Survival and resilience: Despite losing its body and suffering critical damage, Deoxys continues struggling to live.
• Limits of knowledge: Even powerful or informed characters such as Lugia and Heiduo do not understand the origins of the strange space or the artificial Spear Pillar.
• The simplicity of Pokémon morality: The Ancient Pokémon’s willingness to help Deoxys reflects an uncomplicated but powerful instinct to aid someone in distress.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo challenges Lugia’s unreliable confidence when Lugia claims he can interpret the aurora but admits he understands nothing.
• Heiduo attempts direct communication with Deoxys, then relies on Lugia when speech and Aura fail.
• Lugia acts as the intermediary between Heiduo, Umbreon, and Deoxys, gradually transferring Deoxys’s memories and information to them.
• Heiduo’s understanding of Deoxys changes from suspicion to sympathy once he learns its history.
• The Ancient Pokémon’s relationship with Deoxys is framed as an extended act of selfless cooperation, emphasizing trust between different species.

Chapter Summary: “Picky Deoxys”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heiduo prepares to explain the outside world to Deoxys so it will not mistake future visitors for invaders. He also intends to notify the various groups living on the mountain, since the nearby expansion of Millennium Town will eventually bring humans into contact with them.
• Because Deoxys has almost no knowledge of human society, Heiduo uses Lugia to communicate with it. Lugia transfers a massive amount of information, including memories, television programs, and internet content. The process takes nearly four days because Deoxys must slowly digest and understand unfamiliar concepts.
• The Ancient Pokémon living in the area become overly attached to Heiduo after seeing him interact peacefully with Deoxys. They repeatedly demand food, especially dog food, forcing Heiduo to stop feeding them and eventually fight them off nonlethally.
• Deoxys learns that Rayquaza’s earlier attack was not deliberate persecution but an attempt to feed it Cosmic Energy. It is willing to forgive Rayquaza, provided Rayquaza apologizes, though Heiduo fears a confrontation would end badly.
• Deoxys remains physically damaged and can barely form a weak clone. Heiduo suspects Rayquaza may have damaged its Core Crystal and begins searching for a way to help it recover.
• Heiduo theorizes that, as a DNA-based Pokémon, Deoxys might repair itself by absorbing blood. He gives it samples from himself and his Pokémon.
• Deoxys successfully absorbs Heiduo’s blood, and the cracks in its body begin to heal. It rejects the blood of most Pokémon, including Garchomp and several others, but accepts blood from Swampert and Charizard.
• The selective absorption leads Heiduo to jokingly accuse Deoxys of being “picky,” while also wondering whether his own unusual biology might explain why it accepted his blood.

Character Developments

• Heiduo demonstrates caution, responsibility, and empathy. Rather than waiting for conflict, he tries to prepare Deoxys for human society and prevent future bloodshed. He is also increasingly protective of Deoxys despite initially having no special attachment to it.
• Deoxys develops a clearer understanding of the world and shows a surprisingly forgiving and trusting personality. Unlike another Deoxys that held a long grudge against Rayquaza, this one is willing to forgive after learning the truth. Its willingness to expose its damaged Core Crystal shows how inexperienced and trusting it is.
• Lugia acts as interpreter, teacher, and intermediary. Its overly comprehensive transfer of information—including entertainment—both helps Deoxys learn and creates additional difficulties for Heiduo.
• Umbreon continues to tease Heiduo about the Ancient Pokémon’s clinginess, providing comic relief.
• The Ancient Pokémon are portrayed as socially inexperienced and trusting. Their constant demands for food reveal their sheltered environment and lack of understanding of boundaries.
• Rayquaza, though absent, is characterized as impulsive and aggressive, making Deoxys’s desire to confront it potentially dangerous.

Significant Themes

• Communication and cultural understanding: The chapter emphasizes how difficult it is to bridge radically different experiences and worldviews.
• Preparation versus reaction: Heiduo believes problems should be addressed before they become disasters, contrasting with characters who reveal or understand things gradually.
• Trust and vulnerability: Deoxys’s willingness to expose its damaged body to Heiduo reflects both its innocence and its growing trust.
• Nature versus intelligence: The Ancient Pokémon are not treated as mindless animals; their personalities, social behavior, and capacity for trust are significant.
• Identity and biology: Deoxys’s selective absorption of blood raises questions about genetics, mutation, ancestry, and Heiduo’s own unusual biological traits.
• Comedy amid danger: Serious issues such as Deoxys’s injury and potential conflict with Rayquaza are balanced by humorous situations involving food-stealing Pokémon and Deoxys’s bizarrely selective eating—or absorption—habits.

Character Interactions

• Heiduo and Lugia work together to educate Deoxys, with Lugia transmitting memories and explaining human society.
• Heiduo repeatedly deals with clingy Cradily and other Ancient Pokémon, eventually restraining them when gentler methods fail.
• Umbreon mocks Heiduo while he struggles with the Cradily, creating a lighthearted exchange.
• Deoxys learns about Rayquaza through Lugia and decides it should apologize before forgiveness is complete.
• Heiduo experiments on Deoxys with blood samples from himself and his Pokémon. The successful absorption of human, Swampert, and Charizard blood surprises him and reinforces the chapter’s central joke: Deoxys is extraordinarily selective about what it will accept.