Chapter Summaries

Lorelei’s Dewgong and Jynx defeated three of A Xing’s Pokémon in the ice-arena match, while the spectators discussed the balance of power between the Pokémon League and ancient clans. A Xing sent out Probopass, and Lorelei’s Jynx launched a powerful Focus Punch as the battle continued.

• Wallace, Steven, and Drake discussed the League’s need to challenge the influence of powerful families and strengthen its top-level forces.
• Lorelei’s Dewgong defeated A Xing’s Corsola with Sheer Cold after the ice arena hindered Corsola’s movement.
• A Xing’s Medicham used psychic attacks to defeat Dewgong, but Lorelei’s Jynx put Medicham to sleep and beat it with Ice Punches.
• Lorelei’s Jynx overcame A Xing’s Altaria by using Blizzard, Ice Shard, and Ice Beam to freeze its wings.
• A Xing sent out Probopass, and Lorelei ordered Jynx to use Rain Dance followed by Focus Punch.

A Xing lost to Lorelei after Lorelei’s Slowbro and Cloyster overcame her team, leaving Yong to represent Hoenn in the final matchup against Fu Pang. Yong took the water battlefield calmly as Fu Pang opened with Floatzel.

• A Xing’s Probopass defeated Jynx with Zap Cannon and Power Gem, but Lorelei’s Slowbro used Dig and Earthquake to knock it out.
• Lorelei’s Cloyster defeated A Xing’s Gyarados with Shell Smash, Icicle Spear, Ice Shard, and Rock Blast, then overcame her Dragonair as well.
• Yong encouraged the dejected A Xing before taking the field for the final match against Fu Pang on a water battlefield.
• Steven, Wallace, Drake, Roxanne, Brawly, and Wattson watched Yong with anticipation as Fu Pang joked around before the battle.
• Fu Pang sent out Floatzel and remarked that he had heard Yong’s Pokémon were all Rock and Ground types.

Yong sent out Swampert against Fu Pang’s Floatzel and revealed the perfected Rock Storm, which devastated the battlefield and left Floatzel lost among the ruins. The spectators and officials reacted to Swampert’s power as Yong prepared to see whether Floatzel had survived the attack.

• Yong sent out Swampert, and Fu Pang ordered Floatzel to use Rock Tomb before sending it underwater when the attack failed.
• Yong told Swampert to unleash Rock Storm, combining its Water, Rock, and Ground energy into a powerful attack that hurled Floatzel skyward and shattered the battlefield.
• Swampert followed with a ground-shaking strike that split the arena and sent rubble toward the stands, so Will used Gardevoir’s Confusion to protect the spectators.
• Roxanne recognized Rock Storm as a Fusion Technique, while Wattson and Brawly praised Yong and Swampert’s progress, and Wallace realized Yong had held back when they battled.
• Yong confirmed that Rock Storm had become proficient and complete, then wondered where Floatzel had landed among the ruins.

Yong’s Swampert defeated Fu Pang’s Floatzel with a devastating blow, then faced Abomasnow on a newly selected Rock Field. Swampert’s resilience let him withstand Abomasnow’s powerful attacks, and the battle continued after both Pokémon landed heavy blows.

• Swampert defeated Floatzel, and Yong revealed him beneath the ruined field before Fu Pang recalled him.
• The damaged field forced Yong and Fu Pang to move to Battlefield 9, where the draw selected a Rock Field.
• Fu Pang sent out Abomasnow and opened with Blizzard, but Swampert charged through it and struck with Mega Punch.
• Swampert and Abomasnow traded Wood Hammers, and Swampert’s strength and durability overcame Abomasnow’s type advantage.
• Yong ordered Swampert to use Hammer Arm, and both Pokémon struck each other with heavy attacks; Abomasnow fell to his knees while Swampert flew into a rock.

Yong's Swampert defeated Fu Pang's Abomasnow with Double-Edge, then faced Fu Pang's final Pokémon, Feraligatr. Swampert overpowered Feraligatr's Superpower and slammed him into the ground, leaving their battle ongoing.

• Fu Pang's Abomasnow struggled to withstand Swampert's Rock Storm, and Yong ordered Swampert to finish the match with Double-Edge.
• Swampert's attack knocked Abomasnow into the railing and left him motionless, earning Swampert 300 Training Points and increased move proficiency.
• Fu Pang apologized to Abomasnow, recalled him, and sent out Feraligatr for the next battle.
• Fu Pang ordered Feraligatr to use Superpower against Swampert, and the two Pokémon grappled without either yielding.
• When Fu Pang called for Crunch, Yong had Swampert seize Feraligatr and use Superpower to throw him hard onto the ground.

Yong’s Swampert defeated Fu Pang’s Feraligatr after countering its Waterfall with Superpower, securing his third consecutive win and reaching level 48. Fu Pang sent out Carnivine next, leaving Swampert to face another opponent.

• Fu Pang ordered Feraligatr to use Work Up and Dragon Claw, but Swampert blocked its attacks with Brick Break and seized it.
• Feraligatr struck Swampert with Waterfall, but Swampert held on and slammed it into the battlefield with Superpower.
• The referee declared Feraligatr unable to battle, and Swampert earned training points, experience, and a level increase to 48.
• Fu Pang sent out Carnivine as his next Pokémon, and Yong recognized it as a Grass type.

Yong’s Swampert fought Fu Pang’s Carnivine, but Carnivine’s Stockpile and Payback strategy finally defeated him. As Fu Pang relaxed after the win, Yong reached for another Pokémon Ball.

• Yong ordered Swampert to attack Carnivine, but her Grass Knot tripped him and she began building power with Stockpile.
• Swampert escaped Grass Knot and Stun Spore, but Carnivine trapped him in Leaf Tornado and struck him with a powerful Payback.
• Swampert charged with Liquidation and Ice Punch, while Carnivine used Grass Knot and another Payback to send him crashing down.
• Yong recalled Swampert, and the referee declared Carnivine the winner.
• Fu Pang relaxed after finally defeating Swampert, while Yong reached for a different Pokémon Ball.

Yong sent out Aggron for its first battle and defeated Fu Pang’s Carnivine with a single Ice Punch. Fu Pang then prepared to continue the match with his last Pokémon, Magmar.

• Yong abandoned his original plan and sent out his newly evolved Aggron, whose enormous size stunned the spectators.
• Roxanne praised Aggron’s strength and defenses, while Steven left before the battle ended, saying the outcome was already decided.
• Fu Pang ordered Carnivine to use Grass Knot, but its vines snapped when they failed to move Aggron.
• Yong commanded Aggron to use Ice Punch, and the attack struck Carnivine before it could fire Hyper Beam, leaving it frozen and unable to battle.
• Aggron won the match and gained training points and experience, while Bruno realized Yong had two Pokémon at elite class.
• Fu Pang accepted the loss and sent out his final Pokémon, Magmar, determined to give the battle everything he had.

Yong defeated Fu Pang’s Magmar with Aggron and advanced to the semifinals. Drake announced that the next round would take place the following day, and the four finalists were revealed as Lorelei, Bruno, Yong, and Cynthia.

• Fu Pang sent out Magmar and used Sunny Day, but Yong ordered Aggron to attack with Rock Slide.
• Magmar used Great Eruption to endure Aggron’s Hydro Pump, though the move exhausted his stored energy.
• Yong had Aggron strike Magmar with another Hydro Pump, and Fu Pang conceded the battle.
• The referee declared Aggron the winner, and Yong advanced to the next round.
• Drake announced that the next round would take place tomorrow and told the contestants they could rest at the venue.
• The four semifinalists were identified as Lorelei from Kanto, Bruno from Johto, Yong from Hoenn, and Cynthia from Sinnoh.

After reaching the semifinals, Yong learned that he and the other three semifinalists had been named Elite Four candidates, allowing them to challenge an Elite Four member directly. The first semifinal match was set as Lorelei versus Cynthia.

• Yong reflected on reaching the semifinals alongside Lorelei, Bruno, and Cynthia, then fell asleep.
• Two shadowy figures discussed preparations for an undisclosed plan on the coast, while Wallace and Milotic later arrived there.
• Yong joined the other semifinalists and Drake, and they went to the arena to meet Steven and the spectators, including Lance in an Investigator uniform.
• Steven announced that all four semifinalists had become Elite Four candidates and could challenge an Elite Four member without winning a League tournament.
• The match draw paired Lorelei with Cynthia on a Grass field, and Yong and Bruno left the battlefield.

Lorelei and Cynthia battled in an intense match, trading Pokémon and strategies until both stood tied with one healthy Pokémon apiece. Cynthia’s second Spiritomb defeated Slowbro, leaving Lorelei with only a badly weakened Mamoswine against it.

• Lorelei and Cynthia opened with Dewgong and Roserade, and Roserade defeated Dewgong with repeated Solar Beams.
• Lorelei sent out Jynx, which defeated Roserade with Psychic attacks and sleep-inducing singing.
• Cynthia’s first Spiritomb burned Mamoswine before falling, and Lucario then defeated the weakened Mamoswine and Jynx.
• Lorelei sent out Slowbro, which used Trick Room and other moves to defeat Lucario.
• Cynthia revealed a second Spiritomb, which outlasted Trick Room and defeated Slowbro with Dark Pulse.

Cynthia defeated Lorelei in a fierce tournament battle, though their final Pokémon knocked each other out with Sheer Cold and Destiny Bond. Cynthia advanced with one Pokémon remaining, and Yong and Bruno prepared to begin their match on the Rock Field.

• Lorelei sent out Lapras, but Cynthia's Milotic defeated it with Disarming Voice and Twister.
• Lorelei's Cloyster confused Milotic and knocked it out, but Cynthia's Spiritomb defeated Cloyster with Psychic and Dark-type attacks.
• Lorelei sent out Mamoswine, which used Sheer Cold to freeze Spiritomb, while Spiritomb used Destiny Bond to knock Mamoswine out as well.
• The referee declared Cynthia the winner because she had one Pokémon remaining, and she and Lorelei left for the Medical Center together.
• Yong and Bruno prepared to face each other in the second match on the Rock Field.

Yong faced Bruno in the tournament and revealed a Force Domain powerful enough to hold off Bruno’s. He opened with Claydol, which knocked out Bruno’s Hitmonlee in one blow, leaving Bruno stunned.

• Yong and Bruno exchanged challenges and unleashed their Force Domains, astonishing the Elite Four, Gym Leaders, and contestants watching.
• Bruno sent out Hitmonlee, while Yong chose Claydol, whose improved psychic power and moves impressed Bruno.
• Bruno boosted Hitmonlee with Full Boost and ordered it to attack, but Claydol used Cosmic Power and Confusion to slam it into the field.
• Bruno used Mind’s Eye and sent Hitmonlee charging with Close Combat, but Yong countered with Trick Room and Extrasensory.
• Claydol’s Extrasensory struck Hitmonlee first and knocked it out, leaving Bruno staring in disbelief as Yong wondered if he had overdone it.

Yong’s Claydol defeated Bruno’s Hitmonlee and then fought Bruno’s Steelix and Hitmonchan. After a punishing clash with Hitmonchan, Claydol was left immobilized, and Hitmonchan struck it with Drain Punch and Ice Punch.

• Yong’s Claydol defeated Bruno’s Hitmonlee almost instantly, giving Yong new confidence in his strength.
• Bruno sent out Steelix, which used Autotomize and Dragon Breath, but Claydol evaded the attack with Teleport and used Power Trick.
• Bruno set Stealth Rock, recalled Steelix, and sent out Hitmonchan, which used Detect and Mach Punch against Claydol.
• Yong had Claydol use Rapid Spin, and Hitmonchan countered with Meteor Mash, leaving both Pokémon battered after their collision.
• Bruno spotted Claydol’s immobility after Rapid Spin and ordered Hitmonchan to land Drain Punch and Ice Punch.

Yong sent Aerodactyl against Bruno’s Poliwrath, but Poliwrath used Hypnosis to put Aerodactyl to sleep before Yong recalled him. As an angry roar sounded across the battlefield, a blue Pokémon appeared, leaving the spectators eager to see Yong’s next choice.

• Yong sent out Aerodactyl, while Bruno chose Poliwrath as his third Pokémon.
• Bruno’s Poliwrath summoned rain, and Aerodactyl used Agility and Double Team to evade Poliwrath’s leap and counter with Wing Attack.
• Poliwrath used Water Gun to launch itself above Aerodactyl, but Aerodactyl pursued it with Agility and Wing Attack.
• Bruno ordered Hypnosis, distracting Aerodactyl and making him fall asleep before he could use Dragon Breath.
• Yong recalled Aerodactyl before Poliwrath could hit him with Ice Punch, and the spectators discussed Aerodactyl’s difficulty adjusting to modern battles.
• An angry roar sounded as a blue Pokémon appeared on the battlefield.

Yong’s Swampert defeated Bruno’s Poliwrath with a single Mega Punch, leaving Bruno to send out his level 49 Machamp. The battle between Swampert and Machamp began with both Pokémon charging into a clash.

• Yong sent Swampert against Bruno’s fully boosted Poliwrath.
• Swampert’s Mega Punch overwhelmed Poliwrath, and the referee declared Swampert the winner.
• Bruno recalled Poliwrath and sent out his Machamp, which possessed a force domain and a Fusion Technique.
• Machamp’s warrior’s aura pressured the arena, but Swampert resisted it with its own force domain.
• Yong and Bruno simultaneously ordered Hammer Arm and Brick Break, and Swampert and Machamp collided.

Yong’s Swampert fought Bruno’s Machamp in a punishing battle, but ultimately lost after the two Pokémon exchanged powerful final attacks. Yong praised Swampert and sensed that his long-silent Luxury Ball had stirred; he told Bruno the battle had only just begun.

• Machamp used Close Combat to hurl Swampert into the rocks, but Swampert recovered quickly and caught Machamp’s foot.
• Swampert used Counter to slam Machamp into the ground, then attacked with Mega Punch before Machamp blocked it with Protect.
• Machamp used Vital Throw repeatedly, leaving Swampert barely able to stand despite its remarkable defense.
• Bruno ordered Machamp to use Close Combat while Yong called for one final Mega Punch, and Machamp won the clash as Swampert fell unconscious.
• Yong praised Swampert, recalled it, and noticed the Luxury Ball at his waist trembling before telling Bruno that the battle had only just begun.

Yong revealed his enormous Steelix as his true trump card against Bruno, stunning the audience and Elite Four. Steelix unleashed his Mountainous Force and struck at Machamp with Iron Tail, leaving the battle's outcome unresolved.

• Steven told Wallace that Swampert was strong but not Yong's real trump card, and Drake recalled that Swampert had not been Yong's first Pokémon.
• Yong sent out his nineteen-meter Steelix, whose landing shattered the Rock Field and stunned the spectators.
• Yong revealed that Steelix had learned Giga Impact and mastered the Fallen Star Dust fusion technique.
• Bruno ordered Machamp to get behind Steelix and use Low Kick, hoping to exploit Steelix's size.
• Yong commanded Steelix to use Iron Tail, and its Mountainous Force pinned Machamp to the ground before Steelix's tail came crashing down toward him.

Yong’s Steelix defeated Bruno’s Machamp and Steelix with overwhelming strength and control. Bruno sent out Lucario for the final round, and Yong recognized the Pokémon’s unique aura ability as the battle began.

• Yong’s Steelix struck Bruno’s Machamp with Iron Tail, winning the battle and earning training points and experience.
• Bertha and Will admired Yong’s Steelix, while Bruno sent out his own Steelix to face it.
• Yong’s Steelix used Fire Fang and its reach to overwhelm Bruno’s Steelix, winning with another decisive attack.
• Bruno admitted he had misjudged Yong’s strength, then sent out his level 50 Lucario for the final round.
• Yong noted Lucario’s Fighting/Steel typing and learned that it could sense opponents’ thoughts and movements through aura.

Bruno and Lucario unleashed their strongest attack against Yong and Steelix, but Steelix countered with Giga Impact and devastated the venue. The explosion left the arena in chaos, with the outcome of the battle unresolved.

• Bruno had Lucario use Swords Dance and repeatedly fire Aura Spheres at Steelix, but Steelix barely reacted.
• Bruno boosted Lucario again with Swords Dance and Agility, then ordered Vacuum Wave as their final attack.
• Steelix sensed Lucario's intent to strike back, and Yong ordered him to use Giga Impact.
• Steelix overwhelmed Lucario and slammed him into the ground, causing a massive explosion that wrecked much of the venue.
• Yong stared at the destruction and wondered why Steelix had gone all out.