Recaps

Xinhai and his companions visited Thousand Herbs Hall in Lavaridge Town to buy emergency potions, but the shop's popular Vitality Recovery Potions sold out before their turn. Xinhai decided to go inside and see whether the shop had other useful potions.

• Xinhai and his companions left the hot spring inn early and headed to Thousand Herbs Hall to buy supplies.
• Xinhai joined the long queue and met Kai, who explained the potions' reputation, limited daily stock, and purchase limit.
• Kai warned Xinhai that Lavaridge Gym's Fire-type Trainers fought with fierce, direct attacks.
• The shop opened, and Trainers ahead of Xinhai bought the day's supply of Vitality Recovery Potions.
• The shop owner announced that the Vitality Recovery Potions had sold out, so Xinhai comforted Eevee and suggested looking at the other potions.

After the Vitality Recovery Potion sold out, Xinhai bought several other potions at Thousand Herbs Hall, including Heart-Calming Spirit-Soothing Water for Gardevoir. He left with Eevee and Gardevoir to explore Lavaridge Town and planned to return early the next morning to try for the sold-out potion.

• Kai bought Vitality Supplement and Rapid-Healing Wound Salve before leaving Thousand Herbs Hall.
• Xinhai entered the shop and learned from the woman that Heart-Calming Spirit-Soothing Water could help relieve mental fatigue and stabilize energy.
• After smelling a sample, Xinhai bought five bottles of Heart-Calming Spirit-Soothing Water and three each of Vitality Supplement, Rapid-Healing Wound Salve, and Blood-Activating Bruise-Relief Salve for ninety-one thousand League Coin.
• Xinhai left the shop with Eevee and Gardevoir and decided to explore Lavaridge Town.
• Gardevoir suggested returning early the next day for the Vitality Recovery Potion, and Xinhai agreed as long as it would not affect the Gym Battle that afternoon.

Xinhai, Eevee, and Gardevoir explored Lavaridge Town and stopped at Fragrant Herb House after Eevee noticed its many scents. The shopkeeper explained the sachets’ ingredients and effects, then went to find options for traveling Trainers and Pokémon that needed help resting.

• Eevee tried a spicy Tamato Berry that Xinhai bought from a roadside vendor, then drank cooling Berry juice Gardevoir floated over.
• Eevee noticed the fragrances drifting from Fragrant Herb House, so Xinhai entered the shop with Eevee and Gardevoir.
• Eevee sniffed several sachets, and the shopkeeper explained that their different ingredients created sweet, refreshing, or calming scents.
• Gardevoir observed that the sachets had practical effects beyond smelling pleasant, prompting Xinhai to ask for ones suited to traveling Trainers and Pokémon.
• The shopkeeper fetched several darker sachets and began introducing them.

Xinhai bought herbal sachets from Fragrant Herb House in Lavaridge Town, then returned to the Pokémon Center with Eevee and Gardevoir to escape the midday heat. He distributed the sachets among his Pokémon and hung one by the bed, leaving the group resting comfortably in their room.

• Xinhai listened as the aunt explained the effects of the Calming, Aromatic, Refreshing, and Insect-Repelling Sachets, while Eevee and Gardevoir shared their preferences.
• Xinhai bought three Insect-Repelling Sachets, three Aromatic Sachets, and two each of the Refreshing and Calming Sachets for eight thousand League Coins.
• Xinhai left Fragrant Herb House with Eevee and Gardevoir and decided to return to the Pokémon Center because Lavaridge Town had grown hot.
• Xinhai released his other companions in his room and gave them water and Berry drinks while they rested in the cool air.
• Xinhai tied Calming Sachets on Gardevoir and Blaziken, Aromatic Sachets on Eevee, Mightyena, and Linoone, and placed sachets near Sandile and Feebas.
• Xinhai hung an Insect-Repelling Sachet above the bed to keep insects away.

Xinhai spent a restful day with his partners before setting up indoor training to keep them in shape. Blaziken practiced the Eagle Claw Technique with an iron jar nearing its limit, while the others worked on their own exercises.

• Eevee asked Xinhai for its Soothe Bell and plushie, then happily played with them before settling down to rest.
• Xinhai prepared lunch for his partners, and they ate together before he and Gardevoir cleaned up.
• Xinhai fitted Blaziken, Linoone, Mightyena, and Sandile with weighted vests and had Blaziken continue practicing the Eagle Claw Technique with its worn iron jar.
• Xinhai noticed Gardevoir could now control dozens of Mind Beads for complex Go exercises and planned to ask Xiao Luo to send another set.
• Eevee practiced Confusion and Calm Mind, Linoone and Mightyena trained their biting moves, Sandile practiced Dragon type Dance and other attacks, and Feebas trained its Compressed Water Gun in the bathtub.

Xinhai and his partners finished their training and rested, then woke before dawn to prepare for their planned trip to buy a precious potion. He left the Pokémon Center with Eevee and Gardevoir as Lavaridge Town was still dark.

• Xinhai ended the afternoon training, and he and Gardevoir made dinner before the partners settled in for the night.
• Xinhai woke at 4:18, washed up with Gardevoir, Blaziken, Mightyena, and Linoone, then prepared breakfast.
• Gardevoir and Xinhai woke Eevee, which hurried to wash up after remembering their mission to buy a precious potion.
• Xinhai and his partners ate breakfast, then he recalled everyone except Eevee and Gardevoir into their Poké Balls.
• Xinhai left the Pokémon Center carrying Eevee and accompanied by Gardevoir, heading into the quiet streets of Lavaridge Town.

Xinhai returned to Thousand Herbs Hall at dawn and successfully bought three Vitality Recovery Potions. Afterward, he and his Pokémon enjoyed breakfast in Lavaridge Town before heading back to the Pokémon Center.

• Xinhai waited in line outside Thousand Herbs Hall with Eevee and Gardevoir as the town woke up.
• When the shop opened, Xinhai bought three Vitality Recovery Potions for ninety thousand League Coins.
• Xinhai stored the potions in his Spatial Backpack and left the shop with Eevee and Gardevoir relieved and excited.
• Xinhai and his Pokémon stopped at a busy breakfast stall and ordered local dishes.
• Eevee burned her tongue on hot Berry porridge, so Xinhai cooled a spoonful for her and promised to make porridge for her and Gardevoir another time.

Xinhai studied Lavaridge Gym’s Sunny Day strategy and planned to meet its Fire-type offense head-on rather than contest the weather. He chose Eevee, Sandile, and Blaziken to battle that afternoon, as the team prepared to leave for the Gym.

• After breakfast, Xinhai returned with his partners to the Pokémon Center and stored his Vitality Recovery Potions safely.
• Xinhai watched recordings of Lavaridge Gym battles and identified Sunny Day, speed, and Fire-type pressure as the Gym’s core strategy.
• Xinhai rejected using Sandstorm to counter Sunny Day because it would fade quickly without a team built to maintain it.
• Xinhai decided Blaziken could exploit the sunlight with boosted Fire-type moves and Speed Boost to attack head-on.
• At eleven thirty, Xinhai announced that Eevee, Sandile, and Blaziken would take part in the afternoon’s Gym Battle.

Xinhai arrived at Lavaridge Gym and began a three-on-three battle against its Leader, the former Fire-type Elite Mura. Mura opened with an Elite-level Torkoal, whose Drought ability turned the arena scorching hot as it prepared to attack Eevee.

• Xinhai encouraged Eevee, Blaziken, and Sandile before heading to Lavaridge Gym with Eevee.
• After waiting, Xinhai entered the arena and discovered that Mura would personally lead his Gym battle, while Flannery watched from the stands.
• The referee announced a three-on-three match, and Xinhai chose Eevee to face Mura's Torkoal.
• Torkoal activated Drought, filling the arena with intense sunlight and heat, and Mura ordered it to use Smog.

Xinhai and Eevee battled Mura’s Torkoal, using quick maneuvers and a risky combination of Shadow Balls to overcome its powerful fire attacks. Torkoal was knocked out, and Mura had to choose his next Pokémon.

• Eevee dodged Torkoal’s Smog with Quick Attack and struck it with Swift, but Torkoal’s shell took little damage.
• Eevee used Double Team to evade Torkoal’s Flame Wheel, then dug underground as Mura ordered Earthquake.
• Eevee emerged during Torkoal’s stomp and hit it with Shadow Ball, sending it flying.
• Torkoal used Flame Wheel to counter Eevee’s Quick Attack, but Xinhai had Eevee create a Substitute and launch two Shadow Balls.
• The Shadow Balls collided and exploded, defeating Torkoal; the referee declared it unable to battle and asked Mura to switch Pokémon.

Xinhai switched from Eevee to Blaziken to face Mura’s Magcargo in a blistering arena. Blaziken broke through Magcargo’s magma vortex and tracked it beneath the magma pool, then hurled a rock slab at its hidden position.

• Mura sent out Magcargo, whose extreme heat turned the arena floor into a pool of magma.
• Xinhai recalled overheated Eevee and sent out Blaziken to battle Magcargo.
• Mura ordered Magcargo to attack with Magma Vortex, and Xinhai told Blaziken to break through it with Flare Blitz.
• Blaziken tore through the vortex and charged at Magcargo, but Magcargo used Acid Armor to disappear into the magma pool.
• Blaziken spotted Magcargo moving beneath the magma, broke up the weakened arena floor, and hurled a Rock Tomb slab at its position.

Xinhai and Blaziken battled Mura and Magcargo around a lava pool, using precise attacks and Flying-type energy to counter Magcargo’s power. Blaziken knocked Magcargo down, and Mura recognized the beginnings of a distinctive battle style as Xinhai launched another attack.

• Blaziken struck Magcargo with a boulder and repeated Vacuum Waves, steadily weakening it as Mura ordered Shell Smash.
• Magcargo used Smog to engulf Blaziken, but Blaziken charged through the smoke with Blaze Kick and struck its Protect barrier.
• Magcargo pursued Blaziken with Lava Crush, but Blaziken used Flying-type energy to turn in midair and fire a compressed Flamethrower.
• Blaziken’s Flamethrower halted Magcargo and sent it crashing beside the lava pool, while Blaziken landed steadily.
• Mura studied Blaziken’s precise movements and suspected Xinhai had developed an emerging battle style, as Xinhai and Blaziken began another attack.

Xinhai’s Blaziken defeated Mura’s Magcargo with Firelight Jump Kick, leaving Mura to send out his final Pokémon, Magmar. Xinhai recalled Blaziken and sent Sandile into the ongoing Gym battle, where Sandile dodged Magmar’s Flamethrower with Dig.

• Xinhai ordered Blaziken to use Firelight Jump Kick against Magcargo.
• Blaziken pierced Magcargo’s attempted Molten Flame Charge and slammed it into the arena Barrier, knocking it out.
• Mura acknowledged his lapse in focus, then sent out his final Pokémon, Magmar.
• Xinhai recalled the fatigued Blaziken and sent Sandile to battle Magmar.
• Mura ordered Magmar to use Flamethrower, but Sandile dug underground to evade it.
• Mura commanded Magmar to stomp the ground with Stomping Tantrum to force Sandile out.

Xinhai’s Sandile defeated Mura’s Magmar in a hard-fought Gym battle using Dig, Sand Tomb, Sandstorm, and Rock Slide. The referee declared Xinhai Bai Mu the winner, and his Pokémon celebrated as Sandile collapsed from exhaustion.

• Sandile dodged Magmar’s attacks with Dig and Sand Tomb, then used a sand tornado to interrupt Magmar’s Stomping Tantrum and strike with Sucker Punch.
• Magmar trapped Sandile underground with Stomping Tantrum’s shockwave, but Sandile transformed the battlefield into quicksand and pulled Magmar off balance.
• Xinhai ordered Sandile to use Sandstorm and Rock Slide, and the falling rocks battered Magmar until it could no longer battle.
• The referee declared Xinhai Bai Mu the winner, while Eevee and Blaziken congratulated Sandile.

Xinhai defeated Mura and earned the Heat Badge, then discussed Blaziken’s developing airflow-based techniques with the Gym Leader. Mura praised Xinhai’s potential and asked whether he would accept an investment from Lavaridge Gym.

• Xinhai treated Sandile after the battle, and Mura praised the bond and teamwork between Xinhai and his Pokémon.
• Mura awarded Xinhai the Heat Badge as his fifth badge and encouraged him to keep pursuing his goals.
• Mura brought Xinhai and his Pokémon into the Gym’s internal passage, where they met his granddaughter Flannery, who enthusiastically praised the battle.
• Mura recognized that Blaziken’s final attack and aerial control used airflow, and Xinhai confirmed that he was exploring ways to guide Blaziken’s movement with Flying-type energy.
• Mura advised Xinhai to keep airflow as a supporting technique rather than the foundation of Blaziken’s fighting style.
• Mura asked Xinhai whether he would accept an investment from Lavaridge Gym.

Gym Leader Mura explained the League’s founding and how growing internal corruption led the creator to halt expansion and establish the Gym system. His account left Xinhai understanding that the Gyms he had challenged were part of the League’s response to being parasitized.

• Mura offered to invest in Xinhai and said he would coordinate with Rustboro Gym, the Joy family, and Dewford Gym.
• Xinhai worried that accepting Lavaridge Gym’s investment would entangle him in factional struggles, and Mura assured him the Gyms would avoid irreconcilable conflict for decades.
• Xinhai called their shared camp the “Merit Faction,” and Mura angrily rejected the label before explaining that people used it to divide the League from ordinary citizens.
• Mura recounted how the League’s founders from Trainer families, martial arts families, medical and law-enforcement families, and other groups united to end disorder, paying heavy sacrifices along the way.
• Mura explained that expanding influence brought internal self-interest and outdated privileges, prompting the creator to declare that the League had been parasitized.
• Mura said the creator halted further expansion, recalled top Trainers, and established the Gym system in Kanto and Hoenn, helping Xinhai connect the League’s history to the Gyms he had challenged.

Gym Leader Mura explained that the League’s Gyms were built to defend its founding ideals, restrain corruption, and guide promising Trainers. Xinhai accepted the expectations placed on him and vowed to grow stronger with his partners to protect what mattered.

• Mura explained to Xinhai and Flannery how Gym Leaders served as powerful regional checks on local schemers and helped preserve the League’s ideals.
• Mura told Xinhai that the Joy family and several Gyms valued his character and hoped he would carry the League’s founding principles into the future.
• Xinhai reflected on the people and partners he cherished and decided he had no reason to reject Mura’s expectations.
• Xinhai accepted Mura’s trust and promised to remember his original purpose as a Trainer and use his strength to protect what deserved protection.
• Eevee and Blaziken showed their support beside Xinhai, and Mura warmly praised his resolve while Flannery smiled with shared understanding.

Xinhai accepted Grandpa Mura’s investment offer and arranged to train at the Lavaridge Gym while recovering before entering Mt. Chimney. After reflecting on the League’s history, he realized it stood at a delicate and important turning point.

• Grandpa Mura assured Xinhai that the investment agreement would not impose harsh restrictions, then asked him to call him Grandpa Mura.
• Flannery escorted Xinhai from the Gym and invited him to train there, where its Sunlight Room and Lava Room could help his Pokémon.
• Xinhai agreed to return for a proper battle with Flannery and planned to rest his Pokémon before signing the agreement and heading into Mt. Chimney.
• Back at the Pokémon Center, Xinhai pondered Grandpa Mura’s explanation of the League, and Gardevoir comforted him with her support.
• Xinhai concluded that the League faced a severe, delicate historical turning point.

Xinhai worried that the League’s founding ideals would be threatened as its old guard passed away and corrupt factions gained influence. Encouraged by his companions, he resolved to focus on growing stronger, and the next morning they headed to Lavaridge Gym to train.

• Xinhai considered the League’s approaching generational transition and feared its original ideals could be lost within twenty years.
• He weighed becoming a Legendary-level trainer or gathering trustworthy future leaders, but recognized the difficulty of both plans.
• Blaziken, Gardevoir, Eevee, and the others reassured Xinhai, easing his worries.
• Xinhai decided that he and his companions would focus on improving their strength and face future crises one step at a time.
• After resting, Xinhai and his companions completed their morning routine and went to Lavaridge Gym to train.

Xinhai explored Lavaridge Gym’s Sunlight Room, where an artificial Little Sun created ideal conditions for Sunny Day training. He and Flannery reached the canyon training area, with Gardevoir easing the heat for their group.

• Flannery led Xinhai into the Sunlight Room and explained its extreme heat and sunlight-simulating equipment.
• Xinhai let Eevee enter the room despite the heat and released Blaziken, Gardevoir, and Linoone to train there.
• Flannery explained how the Solar Energy Focusing Converter powered the Little Sun and helped Pokémon learn sun-related moves.
• Xinhai followed Flannery toward the canyon area to see the Gym’s Pokémon training there.
• As Eevee and Gardevoir struggled with the heat, Gardevoir used precise Psychic-type control to make the group more comfortable.

Xinhai and Flannery visited the Lavaridge Gym’s Sunlight Room, where powerful Fire-type Pokémon trained beneath Little Suns. After Old Coal and Little Flame agreed to guide Xinhai’s partners, Xinhai left them supplies and safety instructions before Flannery led him to see other training rooms.

• Flannery showed Xinhai the Sunlight Room’s core area and introduced the senior students’ Pokémon and their training methods.
• Xinhai shared Oran Berry water with Flannery and his Pokémon as they endured the intense heat.
• Flannery brought Old Coal and Little Flame to meet Xinhai, and they agreed to teach his partners skills such as Sunny Day and Solar Beam.
• Xinhai gave Gardevoir water, a navigator, and instructions to keep the group safe during training.
• Xinhai and Flannery left the core area, and Flannery led him toward the Lava Simulation Room and other training facilities.

Xinhai toured Lavaridge Gym’s specialized training rooms with Flannery, then accepted her challenge to a one-on-one battle. Their match began with Flannery’s Rapidash charging at Xinhai’s Mightyena, which disappeared underground in response.

• Xinhai recalled the overheated Eevee and continued touring Lavaridge Gym’s training facilities with Flannery.
• Flannery invited Xinhai to battle, and he accepted, choosing Mightyena while his other Pokémon trained or rested.
• Flannery sent out Rapidash, and Xinhai sent out Mightyena for their one-on-one practice match.
• Flannery ordered Rapidash to use Flame Charge, while Xinhai had Mightyena use Howl to raise its Attack.
• Flannery commanded Rapidash to attack with Flame Wheel, and Xinhai ordered Mightyena to use Dig, making it vanish underground.

Xinhai and Flannery’s Pokémon fought through a rapid exchange of feints, doubles, and attacks. The chapter ended with Mightyena biting Rapidash’s left foreleg despite Flannery ordering it to dodge.

• Mightyena burst from the ground and fired a Shadow Ball at Rapidash, but Flannery had Rapidash use Bounce to evade it.
• Flannery sent Rapidash charging at Mightyena with Flame Charge and Double Team, while Xinhai used Mightyena’s Double Team to evade the pincer attack and countered with Dark Pulse.
• Rapidash protected itself from Dark Pulse, and Mightyena rushed through the smoke with Sucker Punch as Flannery countered with Flame Wheel.
• Mightyena and Rapidash collided, and both slid back from the impact.
• Xinhai ordered Mightyena to use Crunch, and its fangs caught Rapidash’s left foreleg despite Flannery’s Agility command.

Xinhai defeated Flannery in a friendly battle after Mightyena wounded Rapidash, and the two Trainers took their injured Pokémon to Lavaridge Gym’s treatment room. Flannery learned about Xinhai’s Telepathy-based training and vowed to keep helping Rapidash master Morning Sun before challenging him again.

• Rapidash unleashed a final Fire Spin after Mightyena bit its leg, but Mightyena dodged and Flannery recalled Rapidash, conceding the match to Xinhai.
• Xinhai treated Mightyena’s burns and fangs, then Flannery brought both Pokémon to the Gym’s treatment room for care.
• Flannery praised Xinhai’s coordination with Mightyena, and Xinhai explained how Gardevoir’s Telepathy and Skill Swap had helped him develop that understanding.
• Flannery said Rapidash had not mastered Morning Sun because it struggled to convert Solar Energy into Life Energy, and Xinhai encouraged her to keep training.
• Flannery vowed Rapidash would master Morning Sun and promised to challenge Xinhai again, and he agreed to another match.

Xinhai and Flannery checked on their recovering Pokémon before visiting the Sunlight Room, where Blaziken, Gardevoir, and Linoone trained with guidance from Torkoal and Ninetales. Gardevoir and Blaziken made progress sensing Solar Energy, and the group prepared to pause for lunch as Linoone returned.

• Xinhai and Flannery received Poké Balls containing their recovering Mightyena and Rapidash, then headed to the Sunlight Room.
• Xinhai found Blaziken learning to sense Solar Energy with Torkoal's guidance, while Gardevoir trained with Ninetales and Linoone practiced at the canyon's edge.
• Gardevoir finished her sensory training and told Xinhai that Little Flame's help had made it less draining than expected.
• Xinhai called Blaziken and Linoone back for lunch, and Blaziken thanked Old Coal before rejoining him.
• Blaziken told Xinhai it could sense and draw out a trace of Solar Energy but was still far from forming Sunny Day.
• Linoone rushed back from the sandy area as Xinhai and the others prepared to break for lunch.