Chapter Summaries

Yong returned to the institute with naturally awakened Tyrunt and Shieldon, giving Dr. Moroboshi and Dr. Annu hope for the Ancient Pokémon living on the island. Dr. Moroboshi explained the institute’s history and revealed that Steven had helped protect their research.

• Dr. Annu and Dr. Moroboshi discussed asking Yong for help because they could not risk disturbing the ancient ecosystem themselves.
• Ale announced that Yong had returned, and the researchers crowded around him and the Tyrunt and Shieldon he had brought back.
• Dr. Moroboshi led Yong and the two Pokémon to meet Dr. Annu, who welcomed Yong and gently petted Shieldon.
• Dr. Moroboshi recounted how a naturally revived Kabuto died in their care, prompting him and Dr. Annu to become more cautious in their research.
• Dr. Moroboshi explained that he and Dr. Annu had found the limestone cavern and its Ancient Pokémon ecosystem, then revealed that Steven had helped protect it from greedy outsiders.

Yong left Wailz Island after learning about the limits of artificially revived Pokémon and receiving the researchers’ promise to help Aerodactyl. As he set out to train for the Elite Tournament, Cynthia prepared Gabite to evolve and Caitlin teased her with a choice of ice cream.

• Dr. Moroboshi and Dr. Annu explained the weaknesses of artificially revived Pokémon and promised Yong a share of their genetic serum for Aerodactyl.
• Yong told the doctors what had happened to Cranidos and gave them fossils he had found in the cave.
• Yong left Tyrunt and Shieldon with the researchers for examinations and Adaptability Booster injections, then kept quiet about the eastern mountains when questioned.
• The next day, Yong officially caught Tyrunt and Shieldon and rode away from Wailz Island on Aerodactyl.
• In Sinnoh, Cynthia ended Gabite’s training and told it to stop suppressing its power and prepare to evolve.
• Caitlin brought Cynthia strawberry and vanilla ice cream, leaving her unable to choose between them.

Yong returned to Dewford Town without warning his family and reunited with his mother, Larvesta, and Lairon. He prepared to begin training his Pokémon for the upcoming tournament.

• Yong flew Aerodactyl back to Dewford Town and surprised his mother, Nakamura Aoi, at home.
• Nakamura Aoi hugged Yong, welcomed him home, and went out to buy ingredients for a feast.
• Yong greeted Larvesta and told it that proper training would begin.
• Yong visited Lairon at the abandoned mine and reunited with his much larger Pokémon.
• Yong recalled Lairon into its Pokémon Ball and decided to return home and wait for his father.

Yong returned home and learned that the Stone family and Hoenn League had offered him a Larvitar Egg as an investment in his Trainer potential. He accepted the egg while promising Shiyan Toru that his dream would come true, leaving their decision about the Stone family’s offer unresolved.

• Yong came home, cooked and ate dinner with his mother, Shiyan Toru, and Uncle Zhibian, trading teasing remarks with his father.
• Shiyan Toru brought Yong into his study and revealed a Larvitar Egg in a Pokémon Incubator.
• Shiyan Toru explained that Mr. Steven had given the egg as a reward for Yong’s selection for the Elite Tournament and that the Stone family hoped to ally with the Ishida family again.
• Shiyan Toru confessed his resentment at living in the Stone family’s shadow and said he could not accept having his family’s fate controlled by others.
• Yong asked what would happen if they refused, learned the egg would remain his either way, and left with the Incubator after promising Shiyan Toru that his dream would come true.

Yong prepared to take his Pokémon to the Secret Base for intensive training ahead of the Elite Tournament. After gathering his companions and leaving home in Uncle Zhibian’s care, he flew north of Dewford Town on Aerodactyl.

• Yong woke beside Larvesta, told his mother he needed to begin training, and set out for the Pokémon Home.
• Yong found his Pokémon gathered in the courtyard and learned from Uncle Zhibian that Lairon was asleep inside Steelix’s ore pile.
• Steelix broke apart the ore pile, and Lairon emerged before Yong gathered his companions for the trip.
• Yong left most of his Pokémon in their Pokémon Balls, then rode Aerodactyl north with Larvesta toward the Secret Base.

Yong brought his Pokémon to a wave-battered island near Dewford Town to train for the upcoming Elite Tournament and pursue breakthroughs in his strongest team members. He assigned Steelix, Swampert, Lairon, and Vibrava demanding exercises, while Larvesta remained with him as its training loomed.

• Yong set up camp on the island he and Brawly had used as a secret training base, then released his Pokémon and announced they would train there for the tournament.
• Yong sent Steelix to face progressively stronger waves without using moves unless its life was in danger.
• Yong ordered Swampert to train under deep-sea pressure, build strength, and advance its water-energy understanding toward the aura stage.
• Yong told Lairon to flatten a northern hill with Iron Head and Headbutt, then carry the rocks back as food.
• Yong directed Vibrava to cover the island with Sandstorm and focus on its energy, while warning her to improve her dragon energy and Solar Beam within seven days.
• Larvesta crawled from Yong’s shoulder into his arms, and Yong hinted that its carefree days were ending.

Yong assigned training tasks to Claydol, Aerodactyl, Rhyhorn, and Tyrunt, then encouraged Shieldon to become more independent and stronger. Shieldon chose to face its fears and went to the east coast to train with Steelix.

• Yong sent Claydol to the island’s west side to use Confusion against the strongest waves.
• Yong outfitted Aerodactyl with a Training Harness and sent him to withstand wind and waves on the east coast without using moves.
• Yong told Rhyhorn to build strength and improve Horn Attack and Take Down by running across wet sand.
• Yong sent Tyrunt to train Crunch and Poison Fang by attacking a nearby hill.
• Yong urged Shieldon to stop relying on Tyrunt, face its fear of water, and take responsibility for its own growth.
• Shieldon agreed to train and ran to the east coast, where Steelix would teach it to tread water.

Yong began Larvesta’s serious training after she endured the sandstorm and reached level 17, while continuing to coach his other Pokémon across the island. He left everyone training hard together by day, then gathering around him at night for a story.

• Larvesta reached level 17 after receiving energy from the Fire Stone, and Yong praised her resilience in the sandstorm.
• Yong started Larvesta’s training by having her practice Ember, Flame Charge, and her other moves.
• Yong coached Steelix, Swampert, Lairon, Vibrava, Claydol, Aerodactyl, Rhyhorn, Tyrunt, and Shieldon through demanding exercises to improve their strength and control.
• Yong continued guiding Larvesta as she practiced String Shot and Will-O-Wisp, praising her quick progress.
• Yong trained beside his Pokémon by day and told them a story about a Slaking with Huge Power who learned to fly and challenged Arceus at night.

During a week of intensive training on the island, Yong's Pokémon gained levels, learned new moves, and prepared for possible evolutions. He sent Aerodactyl back to Dewford Town to collect supplies and TMs, hoping to have them in time for the tournament.

• Yong sent Aerodactyl to Dewford Town to meet Uncle Zhibian and bring back supplies and TMs.
• Tyrunt reached level 38 and learned Rock Tomb and Iron Head, while Yong had it suppress its energy rather than evolve before its strength was ready.
• Shieldon reached level 30, learned Rock Polish and Swagger, and began approaching the other Pokémon; Larvesta reached level 22, learned Flame Wheel, and raised Ember to expert proficiency.
• Steelix reached Lv45, learned Heavy Slam, and had the move raised to expert proficiency; Swampert reached Lv44 and mastered the tidal aura through Liquidation.
• Lairon reached level 42 and began building momentum for its final stage before evolution, while Vibrava reached level 40 and Claydol strengthened its psychic shield through training.
• Aerodactyl learned Double Team, and Rhyhorn combined Take Down with Drill Run to create a move Yong named Blade Take Down.

Yong prepared a meal for his Pokémon and reflected on how battle practice would help them improve before his planned training partner arrived. Brawly arrived with his powerful Machamp, and he challenged Yong's team to battle, except for Tyrunt, Shieldon, and Larvesta.

• Yong fed his Pokémon and explained that they needed battle practice to improve their moves, timing, and teamwork.
• After the meal, Yong massaged his Pokémon while they waited for Aerodactyl to return.
• Aerodactyl arrived with Brawly, who rode the waves on a surfboard with Machamp and was thrown into the sea.
• Yong greeted Machamp, an old friend that had once been the strongest Machop in the Ishida family's mine, and Steelix welcomed it too.
• Brawly asked how Yong's training was going and announced that he had come to beat every one of Yong's Pokémon except Tyrunt, Shieldon, and Larvesta.

Yong began the second stage of training by having his Pokémon battle Brawly’s Machamp, and learned how aura could be combined with moves. Steelix revealed its own aura during its battle, fully entered the Elite Class, and infused Earthquake with its Mountainous Force.

• Yong assigned Steelix and his other experienced Pokémon to train by battling Machamp, while Tyrunt, Shieldon, and Larvesta watched.
• Brawly had Machamp use Focus Energy infused with Heroic Aura, overwhelming Steelix and showing Yong how aura could enhance moves.
• Brawly explained that Steelix already possessed its own aura, and that Elite Class Pokémon sought a path suited to them.
• Steelix unleashed an aura-infused Earthquake that shook the clearing and briefly restricted Machamp’s movement.
• Yong told Brawly that Steelix had understood its aura long ago, and the system confirmed Steelix had mastered Mountainous Force and reached Lv46.
• Yong chose to infuse Earthquake with Mountainous Force, advancing it to Earthquake (Aura · Proficient).

Yong continued training his Pokémon under Brawly’s guidance, improving their battle skills and refining his commands. As August drew to a close, Lairon evolved into Aggron, who learned new moves and rejoined the team ready for specialized training.

• Yong sent Swampert to battle Machamp, and Brawly assessed its strength and taught it to improve its punching technique.
• Brawly trained Yong’s Pokémon in practical battles, identifying their weaknesses while Yong recorded mistakes and adjusted their training plans.
• Steelix, Swampert, and the others steadily improved through daily training, while Yong refined his commands and developed his own battle style.
• At the end of August, Lairon awakened and evolved into Aggron, reaching level 46 and learning several moves.
• Yong raised Aggron’s Iron Tail and Double-Edge proficiency, taught him a saved TM move, and welcomed him back to the team.

Yong arrived at Izabe Island for a gathering of young trainers representing the regions and reunited with A Xing. As they discussed Team Magma’s repeated attacks on Meteor Falls, a dragon’s cry interrupted them.

• Steven and Wallace watched Pokémon Contest performances before leaving for Ever Grande City, where they planned to meet the young participants.
• Yong arrived at Rectangular Peak on Aerodactyl and waited among the gathered trainers.
• A Xing arrived on Dragonair and greeted Yong, then sat with him to share news from the past few months.
• Yong asked A Xing about the attack on Meteor Falls, and she confirmed Team Magma had repeatedly targeted the Draconids’ ancestral grounds.
• A dragon’s cry suddenly broke the silence as Yong and A Xing sat together.

Yong and A Xing traveled with Hoenn’s sixteen rookie representatives to Ever Grande City, where they admired its famous seas of flowers and Pokémon. They arrived at the League stadium and entered through the side entrance marked “Elite Tournament.”

• Drake addressed the sixteen Hoenn representatives and told them to keep their invitations as they boarded the airship for Ever Grande City.
• Yong and A Xing slept during the smooth airship journey and awoke after it landed.
• Yong, A Xing, and the other youths admired Ever Grande City’s vast flower fields, where Surskit and Grass-type Pokémon lived among the blossoms.
• The group reached the Hoenn League stadium and noticed that its side entrance, marked “Elite Tournament,” was open.
• Yong and A Xing entered through the side entrance, followed by the boy from the tree branch and the other contestants.

All four regional teams arrived in Ever Grande City for the Elite Tournament, while the League leaders discussed the shortage of Elite Four members and the competition’s role in identifying future candidates. The top four contestants would be considered for the Elite Four, and Steven and Drake left as the tournament was about to begin.

• Sinnoh’s contestants gathered in their lounge, where Oda boasted about his strength while Cynthia remained quiet.
• Yong and A Xing reached Hoenn’s lounge, and Kanto’s contestants arrived in Ever Grande City behind a respected red-haired boy.
• Blaine praised Cynthia and discussed the gifted Dragon Clan youth with Will and the other League leaders.
• Steven explained that the regions lacked Elite Four members and announced that the tournament’s top four contestants would be considered for the role.
• Steven and Drake left the conference room, signaling that the Elite Tournament was about to begin.

Steven opened the Elite Tournament and explained that its first round would pair competitors within their own regions, with each region advancing its two strongest trainers to the interregional final eight. The first matches were announced, and Yong watched Bruno face Xiaojing as the Johto battle began.

• Steven welcomed the competitors and announced the tournament’s two-round format, with the first round held within each region.
• Drake led Hoenn’s competitors to their venue, where Yong reassured A Xing and heard that the top three would receive Pokémon League rewards.
• The four venues displayed their opening pairings, and Yong went to watch Bruno face Xiaojing in Johto.
• Xiaojing taunted Bruno and sent out his level 35 Sneasel as his ace.

Bruno’s Hitmonchan overwhelmed Xiaojing’s Sneasel in one devastating blow, exposing the gap between their strength. Xiaojing sent out his second Pokémon to face Hitmonchan.

• Bruno revealed that he had reached the Aura stage and sent out his level 40 Hitmonchan.
• Xiaojing ordered Sneasel to use Agility and Double Team, but Hitmonchan used Detect to stop its attack.
• Bruno ordered Hitmonchan to strike with Power-Up Punch, knocking Sneasel unconscious and crashing it into the arena barrier.
• The referee declared Sneasel unable to battle, and Bruno told Hitmonchan to throw ten thousand punches after the match.
• Xiaojing sent out his second Pokémon to face Hitmonchan.

Xiaojing’s Shiftry pushed Bruno’s Hitmonchan to its limits with weather, recovery, and powerful attacks, but Bruno’s Pokémon won their final exchange. Hitmonchan remained standing after knocking Shiftry out.

• Bruno ordered Hitmonchan to charge with Agility, while Xiaojing used Leaf Tornado to block its approach and Hurricane to attack it in midair.
• Hitmonchan broke through Hurricane with Bullet Punch as Shiftry summoned Sunny Day, then Xiaojing sent a Solar Beam at the exhausted fighter.
• Bruno countered with Meteor Mash, and Shiftry survived the blow by using Synthesis under the sunlight.
• Bruno and Xiaojing agreed to finish the match with one final attack, ordering Close Combat and Air Slash.
• Hitmonchan pressed through Shiftry’s Air Slash and knocked it into the air with a powerful punch.

After defeating Xiaojing’s Shiftry, Bruno sent out Poliwrath to face Xiaojing’s Houndoom. Houndoom was caught in Poliwrath’s locking technique, and Bruno ordered Submission to finish the match.

• The referee declared Bruno’s Hitmonchan the winner after it defeated Xiaojing’s Shiftry.
• Xiaojing sent out Houndoom, and Bruno praised him for earning her loyalty and trust.
• Bruno sent out Poliwrath, and the referee began the next battle.
• Xiaojing used Houndoom’s Howl, while Bruno summoned rain with Poliwrath’s Rain Dance.
• Houndoom attacked with Clear Smog and Thunder Fang, but Poliwrath dodged, grabbed her, and trapped her with a locking technique.
• Bruno ordered Poliwrath to finish Houndoom with Submission.

Yong faced A Kun in the second round of the Hoenn bracket, leading with Rhyhorn against A Kun’s Bellossom. The battle began with Bellossom powering up and launching a Petal Blizzard at Rhyhorn, whose fate remained uncertain as the petals engulfed him.

• The first-round matches ended with Yuki, Bruno, A Zhu, and Kawashita advancing, and the second-round pairings were announced.
• Yong headed to the Hoenn field to battle A Kun, while Wallace, Steven, Brawly, Roxanne, and Wattson watched from the stands.
• Yong sent out Rhyhorn, and A Kun answered with his Bellossom.
• A Kun ordered Bellossom to use Growth and Quiver Dance, while Yong told Rhyhorn to fire Rock Blast beneath her feet.
• Bellossom countered with Petal Blizzard, scattering Rhyhorn’s rocks and engulfing him in a torrent of petals.