Chapter Summaries

Ye Qing and the other Trainers fought to survive as Mamoswine and other wild Pokémon devastated the battlefield. The Silver Guard Corps unleashed a coordinated Earthquake that broke the wild Pokémon army’s advance, but Kyurem severely wounded Lucario and launched another attack, leaving Ye Qing to send Gardevoir to help.

• Ye Qing ordered Gardevoir to carry him into the air as a wild attacker triggered a devastating Earthquake that knocked out Lairon and injured Trainers and Pokémon nearby.
• Ye Qing used Infernape and Haunter to fight Mamoswine, while Infernape struck her eye and Haunter afflicted her with Curse.
• Ye Qing saw a wounded Trainer fleeing after a Sneasel severed his arm, as battles and injuries spread across the field.
• The Silver Guard Corps’ Mamoswine unleashed Earthquake together, devastating the wild Pokémon army and causing some survivors to flee.
• Kyurem blasted Lucario with Dragon Rage, severely wounding her, then targeted her again with Dragon Pulse as Su Yiqin ordered her Pokémon to protect everyone.
• Ye Qing, caught within the incoming attack’s range, ordered Gardevoir to help Lucario.

Kyurem broke through the defenders’ desperate resistance and froze most of the battlefield while advancing on Ice and Snow Town. As Ye Qing struggled against a berserk Mamoswine, Kyurem suddenly targeted him and charged with inexplicable fury.

• Haunter redirected Kyurem’s Dragon Pulse through two Cryogonal, shattering the defenders’ Protect barriers and forcing Ye Qing and Su Yiqin to recall their Pokémon.
• The Guard Corps and Zhang Sisi used Mamoswine and their Pokémon to slow Kyurem while Articuno and Mega Abomasnow fought to contain it.
• Kyurem unleashed Glaciate, freezing most of the Trainers and Pokémon and enclosing Ice and Snow Town within a towering ice wall.
• Ye Qing fought a Mamoswine that refused to release Infernape, while Zhang Tuzhen returned and urged him to run.
• Kyurem spotted Ye Qing and charged directly at him, apparently driven by a sudden, inexplicable rage.

Kyurem attacked Ye Qing and overwhelmed the defenders, but the Marks around Ye Qing shielded him from its grip. As Kyurem prepared to swallow him, Infernape erupted in flames and struggled to break free of the ice.

• Kyurem charged Ye Qing, hurled Avalugg into Haunter, froze Haunter and Infernape, and drove back Zhang Sisi and the other defenders.
• Kyurem captured Ye Qing while Glaciate sealed the town, and Ye Qing insulted it and invoked his big brother.
• Ye Qing's Marks formed a pink barrier around him, and Kyurem sensed unfamiliar auras alongside Mew's.
• Infernape's fury ignited crimson flames as he tried to burn through Kyurem's ice, and Zhang Sisi urged Articuno to help him.

Infernape broke free from the ice and awakened a powerful transformation through his bond with Ye Qing, striking Kyurem and rescuing his trainer. The blow only left a mark on Kyurem, who struggled out of the crater as Infernape fled with Ye Qing.

• Articuno shattered the ice around Infernape with an Ice Shard, and Infernape burst free to try to save Ye Qing.
• Kyurem swatted Infernape aside and repeatedly tossed Ye Qing into the air, taunting them both.
• Ye Qing urged Infernape to rise, and their synchronized heartbeats triggered Infernape’s transformation into a flame-robed, lava-armored form wielding a fiery staff.
• Infernape struck Kyurem on the head with an enormous staff, creating a crater and sending nearby wild Pokémon flying.
• Infernape rescued Ye Qing and fled, while Kyurem climbed from the crater with a red mark on his forehead.

Ye Qing and Infernape survived Kyurem’s attack when Ho-Oh and the Pokémon League arrived and forced the Legendary Pokémon to retreat. Ho-Oh healed the injured, then turned its attention to Infernape’s mysterious bond transformation.

• Infernape collapsed after using his bond-form strike, and Ye Qing fed him Pokéblocks while Su Yiqin and others treated the injured pair.
• Kyurem charged at Ye Qing and the others, while Zhang Sisi wondered why the Pokémon League reinforcements had not appeared.
• Ho-Oh arrived above Ice and Snow Town, and Dragon Tamer confronted Kyurem with the treaty between them.
• Ho-Oh and Kyurem exchanged attacks, then Kyurem withdrew rather than fight with Ho-Oh present.
• Ho-Oh spread healing light over the injured Pokémon and people, then studied Infernape’s unusual transformation.

Ho-Oh blessed Infernape after Kyurem’s defeat, but Ye Qing found that the blessing had not changed Infernape’s potential. As the Pokémon League arrived to manage the aftermath, the Dragon Tamer warned Ye Qing that others might target him over Infernape’s transformation and offered him a ride out.

• Ho-Oh bestowed a golden Sacred Fire blessing on Infernape, and Ye Qing found that it appeared in Infernape’s held item field without changing his potential.
• After Ho-Oh departed, Ye Qing sent his Pokémon to rest and joined Su Yiqin as the crowd celebrated Kyurem’s retreat and League transport planes arrived.
• Zhang Sisi agreed to Su Yiqin’s family investing in Ice and Snow Town because Lucario had helped defend it.
• The Dragon Tamer asked Ye Qing about Infernape’s transformation, and Ye Qing said he did not know what had caused it.
• The Dragon Tamer warned Ye Qing that people might target him to obtain whatever had strengthened Infernape and offered to take him away on his transport plane.

Ye Qing wondered why Infernape had achieved the Bond Phenomenon and learned from Lucario that aura from the marks left by Mewtwo and Mew might have influenced him. After receiving rewards for helping Ice and Snow Town, he slept on the League transport plane and woke after it arrived home, wondering how Aerodactyl was doing.

• Ye Qing reasoned that Ash’s aura might explain the Bond Phenomenon, and Lucario sensed aura around Ye Qing’s wrist marks from Mewtwo and Mew.
• Ye Qing checked his team’s progress and learned Haunter had reached level 32.
• Su Yiqin told Ye Qing that the Elite Four member had approved development of Ice and Snow Town, and Zhang Tuzhen gave them photographs of Ho-Oh.
• The Dragon Tamer thanked Ye Qing and Su Yiqin with two Earthquake TMs and two Protect TMs before leaving Zhang Sisi with reconstruction teams.
• Ye Qing slept during the flight and woke when the transport plane reached his home, then wondered how Aerodactyl was doing.

Ye Qing returned to Shanhai City, visited his family and the research institute, and found Aerodactyl content to stay there rather than travel with him. Wang Yao showed Ye Qing his research on whether Caterpie could evolve into Rayquaza, then led him to a desk where a green light left him stunned.

• Ye Qing arrived at the research institute, slept, then teleported home with Gardevoir to see Ye Mom and release his Pokémon.
• Ye Qing learned from Auntie Wang that Wang Yao had received an estate as a reward for his contribution to the battle.
• Wang Yao showed Ye Qing his research documents on the possibility of Caterpie evolving into Rayquaza.
• Ye Qing visited Aerodactyl and found him overweight, unwilling to leave the institute, and enjoying the company of a Swanna.
• Wang Yao led Ye Qing to his private laboratory, where Ye Qing saw something on the desk that stunned him.

Ye Qing reviewed Wang Yao’s research on Caterpie evolving into Rayquaza and emotional evolution, then advised him to focus on the more feasible topic. After resting at home, Ye Qing set out for Iron Fist City with Infernape and rented a Zebstrika for the journey.

• Wang Yao showed Ye Qing a rare Totem Caterpie and research arguing that Caterpie might evolve into Rayquaza.
• Wang Yao explained that Professor Qian had taken him as a student and shared information about Mewtwo’s creation.
• Wang Yao presented his research on Pokémon evolving through emotion, and Ye Qing recommended that he prioritize it over the Caterpie and Rayquaza theory.
• Ye Qing left home for Iron Fist City, hoping to train Infernape and improve their Bond Phenomenon.
• Ye Qing rented a Zebstrika in Shanhai City after deciding not to fly and asking the rental owner what to do if it became unruly.

Ye Qing crossed Green Vine Forest toward Fighting City, teaching new TMs and training his Pokémon along the way. After Gabite accidentally struck a Heracross with a vine, its trainer arrived, but Heracross and Infernape appeared ready to fight.

• Ye Qing left Clear Water Town with Infernape leading Zebstrika, and a week later entered Green Vine Forest after sending Zebstrika home.
• Ye Qing taught Protect to Gabite and Earthquake to Lairon, then released Gabite and Gardevoir to clear a path through the vines.
• Gabite practiced spitting vines, and Infernape joined him; one vine hit a Heracross, which charged and knocked Gabite into a tree.
• Ye Qing stopped Infernape and apologized when the shy young trainer accompanying Heracross and his Gardevoir arrived.
• Heracross challenged Infernape, who raised his palm and prepared to face him.

Ye Qing and Wangchen battled with Infernape and Heracross, whose fierce exchange escalated after Heracross was burned and his Guts Ability increased his power. The Pokémon ended the chapter panting after clashing with Megahorn and Focus Punch, while the trainers were driven back by the collision.

• Ye Qing challenged the shy Wangchen to a battle, and Wangchen sent Heracross against Ye Qing's Infernape.
• Heracross used Double Team and Aerial Ace, but Wangchen spotted how to evade Infernape's Counter Shield.
• Heracross split Infernape's Flamethrower and resisted Mach Punch before Ye Qing interrupted his Seismic Toss with a slap and countered with Fire Punch.
• Heracross was burned, activating Guts, and Wangchen ordered Close Combat as Ye Qing chose to meet him head-on with Infernape.
• Infernape and Heracross traded powerful blows before clashing with Focus Punch and Megahorn, forcing Ye Qing and Wangchen backward.

Ye Qing ended his spar with Wangchen and continued toward Iron Fist City, training his Pokémon along the way. In a narrow gorge, his group was ambushed by a swarm of spiders, and Lairon was quickly ensnared in their silk.

• Ye Qing and Wangchen stopped their spar, then agreed to settle things at a Fighting-type tournament in Iron Fist City.
• Ye Qing trained Lairon, Gabite, and Haunter before skirting a mountain and entering a narrow gorge with his Pokémon.
• Haunter, Gabite, and Lairon defeated an Ariados, but the commotion seemed to awaken other wild Pokémon nearby.
• Gardevoir sensed hostility surrounding the group, and over a hundred strands of spider silk shot at them from the forest.
• Infernape burned away much of the silk, Gabite escaped by using Dig, and Lairon was wrapped up in the attack.

Ye Qing and his Pokémon fought off a swarm of Ariados and Spinarak before escaping deeper into the caves. They settled in a new cave, where Ye Qing promised Lairon meteorite iron and Infernape began teaching Gabite Iron Tail.

• Gabite created a Sandstorm while Infernape freed Lairon and fought the Ariados and Spinarak, using Fire Spin to defeat many of them.
• Gabite charged into the battle but hurt his tail when an Ariados stabbed it, then retaliated with Dragon Rage.
• Ye Qing had Gardevoir teleport the group away from the routed swarm and create a cave with Secret Power.
• Lairon asked Ye Qing for meteorite iron, and Ye Qing promised to get him enough in Iron Fist City.
• Ye Qing texted Wang Yao to ask Professor Qian for ten pieces of meteorite iron, while Infernape showed Gabite how to use Iron Tail.

Ye Qing arrived in Iron Fist City, where street battles were commonplace, after Gabite practiced Iron Tail and Lairon received comfort from Gardevoir and Haunter. A local Trainer challenged Ye Qing to a battle, and Ye Qing reluctantly accepted.

• Gabite practiced Iron Tail while Infernape praised his progress, and Gardevoir and Haunter helped Lairon feel better about his place on the team.
• Ye Qing and his Pokémon reached Iron Fist City, collected the Meteorite Iron, and saw Hitmonlee and Machoke fight in the street.
• A local young man challenged Ye Qing to a battle, citing Iron Fist City's custom that visiting Trainers accept a local challenge.
• Ye Qing agreed to the battle after realizing he could not refuse and deciding it would give Infernape useful experience.

Ye Qing battled Li Zifan’s Swampert in Fighting City, wagering an Evolution Stone against a Dusk Stone. Infernape gained the upper hand, and the fight was left hanging as it blocked Swampert’s powerful Hammer Arm with Protect.

• Ye Qing and Li Zifan agreed to wager an Evolution Stone against a Dusk Stone before sending out Infernape and Swampert.
• Li Zifan ordered Swampert to attack with Double Team and Hammer Arm, but Infernape used Bulk Up and Quick Guard to block the strike, then countered with Mach Punch.
• Swampert rammed Infernape with Take Down, but Infernape recovered and braced for another charge.
• Infernape used its speed, Fake Out, and a trip to interrupt Swampert’s Double-Edge, then struck with Focus Punch and Mach Punch while defending against Swampert’s counterattacks.
• Ye Qing unexpectedly told Infernape to use Protect, and its barrier held against Swampert’s Hammer Arm.

Ye Qing and Infernape defeated Li Zifan and Swampert after a string of successful Protects and a decisive Fire Punch, earning a promise that Li Zifan would obtain a Dusk Stone by the next day. As Ye Qing watched, Wangchen then challenged another Trainer and Heracross quickly defeated Primeape.

• Infernape blocked Swampert's Hammer Arm three times with Protect, then struck with Mach Punch when the fourth Protect failed and Waterfall hit him.
• Ye Qing ordered Double Team and Fire Punch, and Infernape broke through Swampert's Protect, burned him, and knocked him into the fountain.
• Li Zifan conceded, promised to get Ye Qing a Dusk Stone by the next day, and hurried to take Swampert to the Pokémon Center.
• Ye Qing encountered Wangchen among the challengers and watched him send Heracross against a young Trainer's Primeape.
• Heracross launched Primeape with Megahorn and slammed him into the ground with Seismic Toss, quickly ending the fight.

Ye Qing learned about Iron Fist City's unusual Fighting-type Gym rules and went out late at night with Li Zifan after receiving the Dusk Stone. They encountered Wangchen's drunken Gardevoir before reaching the Gym, where Li Zifan told Ye Qing about an upcoming Battle Ring tournament.

• Ye Qing read about the Gym's joint Trainer-and-Pokémon battles and decided to visit the next day without checking the Gym Leader's information.
• Li Zifan arrived after ten at night with the Dusk Stone and persuaded Ye Qing to go out with him.
• Ye Qing and Li Zifan encountered Wangchen's drunk Gardevoir, who rejected Wangchen's attempt to calm her and drank from her bottle before he recalled her.
• Ye Qing and Li Zifan reached the crowded Fighting-type Gym and learned that the visitors had come to watch its weekly Pokémon boxing event.
• Li Zifan offered to bring Ye Qing to a larger Battle Ring tournament the day after tomorrow.

Ye Qing arrived at the Fighting-type Gym and watched Lion brutally defeat a challenger before accepting Lion’s challenge without protective gear. He prepared to fight alongside Infernape, and the battle was about to begin.

• Ye Qing and Li Zifan entered the Gym, where Li Zifan left to attend a training class.
• Ye Qing watched Machamp defeat Poliwrath while Lion knocked out the opposing Trainer, making him reconsider challenging the Gym Leader.
• Lion invited Ye Qing to challenge him, and Ye Qing accepted despite Lion warning that one punch could kill him.
• Ye Qing refused protective gear and released Gardevoir, Milotic, and Infernape to prepare for the fight.
• Ye Qing and Infernape took their positions as the spectators cheered and the battle rings lit up.

Ye Qing and Infernape faced Lion and Machamp in a brutal Fighting-type Gym battle that tested the bond between Trainer and Pokémon. As Lion forced Ye Qing to endure the pain his Pokémon suffered, Infernape fought back and finally wounded Machamp, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Lion explained that the Gym battle would test the courage and trust between Trainers and Pokémon, and the referee started the match without allowing commands.
• Infernape used Fake Out and Mach Punch to stagger Machamp, while Ye Qing struck Lion and discovered how little his punch affected him.
• Machamp caught Infernape and slammed him into the ground, while Lion punched Ye Qing in the abdomen and explained that Trainers did not feel the pain their Pokémon endured.
• Machamp used his hearing to find the real Infernape among his copies, then slammed him down again as Lion knocked Ye Qing to the ground with a punch.
• Ye Qing got back up, and Infernape attacked Machamp with repeated Mach Punches before switching to Fury Swipes and cutting bloody streaks across Machamp's face.

Ye Qing and Infernape lost their Gym battle against Lion and Machamp, but Ye Qing resolved to train and challenge them again. Later, he found a viral photo of Infernape’s fiery transformation and was relieved that it did not reveal his identity.

• Ye Qing and Infernape attacked Lion and Machamp, but Machamp slammed Infernape down while Lion overwhelmed Ye Qing.
• Machamp stopped Infernape’s transformation and kicked him away, while Lion threw Ye Qing aside and defeated him.
• Gardevoir treated Ye Qing, and Lion recognized him as the trainer Zhang Sisi had mentioned before Ye Qing teleported away with his Pokémon.
• Ye Qing encouraged Infernape, decided to return to the Gym the next day, and realized the battle had revealed another opening for the Bond Phenomenon.
• Ye Qing saw a trending photo of Infernape blazing beside Kyurem and felt relieved that the blurry image did not expose his face.