Chapter Summaries

Yong secured a Steelix Mega Stone, arranged for Lunatone to train Claydol, and traveled to Mt. Chimney to help Larvesta grow. He reached Fiery Path, where Larvesta eagerly absorbed the heat until its body became too hot for Yong to carry.

• Yong accepted the Steelix Mega Stone from the Aggron leader and gave the colony rare metals and ores.
• Yong asked Lunatone to guide Claydol, and Lunatone agreed to train it alongside Aggron.
• Yong collected Claydol from his family and brought it to the Aggron colony before traveling to Lavaridge Town with Aerodactyl.
• Yong bought firefire grass for Larvesta and took the cable car to Fiery Path to train it in the heat.
• Larvesta grew excited in the hot tunnels, and Yong had to let it crawl on the ground as its body became too hot to hold.

Yong trained Larvesta in Mt. Chimney to absorb Fire-type energy and unleash moves faster while the Hoenn League investigated Team Rocket’s growing activity. After a month, Yong set out for Lilycove City with Aerodactyl, planning to battle on the way to the Ever Grande Conference.

• Yong trained Larvesta in a lava cave, teaching her to burn through her energy with Fire-type moves and replenish it from the lava.
• Steven, Wallace, Drake, and Glacia connected the Evil Moon Organization, Team Rocket, and a wave of Pokémon thefts, prompting Steven to plan a trip to Kanto.
• After more than half a month of training, Larvesta learned to draw energy rapidly from lava and began sensing heat in the air.
• At the end of the month, Yong left Mt. Chimney and prepared to travel toward Lilycove City so newly evolved Rhydon could gain battle experience.
• Yong said goodbye to Zhibian, flew off on Aerodactyl, and reached Lilycove City three hours later.

Yong explored Lilycove City, stocked up on supplies and TMs, and visited Safari Paradise to look for Pokémon, especially Rock- and Ground-types. After ranger Meiyi directed him toward the preserve’s cave and rocky areas, he set off into the forest to begin searching.

• Yong landed in Lilycove City on Aerodactyl and decided to spend extra days exploring the city and Safari Paradise.
• Yong browsed the Department Store’s crowded TM floor but did not find the weather or status moves he wanted, so he bought several useful TMs and restocked his supplies.
• Yong traveled along Route 121 to Safari Paradise, paid the entrance fee, and received Safari Balls and Pokémon candy.
• Ranger Meiyi asked Yong what Pokémon he hoped to find and directed him toward the cave and rocky terrain.
• Yong thanked Meiyi and followed the right-hand path into the forest.

Yong explored the forest, befriended and caught several Pokémon for his mother, then entered a rocky cave area in search of rarer Pokémon. After learning that Phanpy and Beldum had been spotted there, he placed candy by some holes, and a Pokémon began to emerge.

• Yong greeted wild Pokémon in the forest and caught an Eevee, a Shuckle, an Exeggcute, a Budew, a Mareep, a Psyduck, and a Wooper.
• Yong reached the rocky cave area, where he spotted Geodude, Sandshrew, and Numel.
• Yong followed a narrowing tunnel underground and met Muren, who told him that Phanpy and Beldum had been sighted in the area.
• Yong placed candy outside a cluster of holes and waited with Muren as gravel clattered and a small head poked out.

Yong encountered a cautious Nidoran♂ stealing food, then spotted a powerful Drilbur and decided he wanted to catch it. After Drilbur defeated Nidoran♂ and Nidorina, Yong offered it a Ground-type Pokéblock.

• Yong scanned a wild Nidoran♂ and learned it had the Hustle ability and strong Egg Moves, but it kept snatching food and hiding in its burrow.
• Muren explained that Nidoran♂ often stole food and that a Drilbur frequently fought with it.
• Drilbur emerged from a burrow after knocking Nidoran♂ aside, and Yong scanned it and decided to catch it.
• Nidorina joined Nidoran♂, but Drilbur used Metal Claw, Slash, and Rapid Spin to defeat both Pokémon.
• Yong offered Drilbur a Ground-type Pokéblock, which immediately captivated it.

Yong caught Drilbur at Safari Paradise after winning its trust with food and promising it strong battles. He tested Drilbur against Shieldon, then welcomed it onto his team and left Safari Paradise with Drilbur and Staryu.

• Yong offered Drilbur food and a chance to explore the outside world, but Drilbur initially disappeared into its burrow.
• Drilbur returned with a leaf-woven bundle, accepted Yong’s offer, and was caught in a Safari Ball as Tsukishita Muren congratulated him.
• Yong registered his Safari Paradise catches, sent the others home, and left with Drilbur and Staryu.
• At a coastal clearing, Yong let Drilbur see the ocean and offered it a choice of battle.
• Drilbur’s Rapid Spin and Metal Claw barely affected Shieldon, so Yong explained the strength gap and asked Drilbur to become his partner.
• Drilbur agreed, entered a Luxury Ball, and Yong welcomed it to his team.

Yong traveled to Ever Grande City for the Hoenn League conference, where he reunited with Kong and renewed their promise to battle. After registering as a competitor, Yong took in the immense conference venue and looked forward to competing before a crowd.

• Yong rode Aerodactyl to Ever Grande City and joined the line to register for the conference.
• Kong recognized Yong in the queue, and the two renewed their promise to battle and caught up on their journeys.
• Yong registered with a League official and Nurse Joy, officially entering the Ever Grande Conference.
• Yong toured the competitors' area and saw the vast central venue where the conference battles would take place.

Yong attended the opening ceremony of the Ever Grande Conference, where Kiryu carried the torch and lit the sacred flame. After Damaranch urged the competitors to battle honorably, the conference began with Yong among the excited Trainers.

• Miss Carmilla ran through the cheering crowd and passed the torch to Kiryu, who carried it into the arena.
• Yong and Kong entered the arena with more than six hundred competitors and struggled to adjust to the roaring crowd.
• Kuan confronted Yong, reminded him who he was, and declared that he would win the championship and seek revenge.
• Yong spotted Jun Rong, Aren, and A Kun among the competitors, but saw no sign of A Xing or Chengjie.
• Kiryu lit the cauldron with the sacred flame, and Damaranch urged the competitors to battle fairly and honorably.

The Ever Grande Conference began as officials announced its battle rules and contestants were sent to their preliminary matches. Yong was eventually called to battlefield six, where his family watched from Dewford Town and Wallace recognized him from the VIP box.

• Glacia explained the preliminary, qualifying, and finals formats, while the chief referee, Nurse Joy, and Officer Jenny described battle rules, medical support, and security.
• Yong and Kong resolved to win all their qualifying matches rather than rely on points, then returned to the waiting room as preliminary matches began.
• Yong watched the contestants' varied battles and saw A Kun, Jun Rong, Aren, and Kong take their turns before his own name appeared in round twenty-two.
• Yong proceeded to battlefield six and faced a waiting opponent on a grass field.
• Yong's parents, Mr. Zhibian, and Brawly watched his match from Dewford Town, while Wallace recognized Yong on the big screen and began explaining who he was to Glacia.

Yong defeated Murakami’s Ponyta in the preliminaries and advanced, then spent the night at the Pokémon League complex as crowds celebrated the Pokémon Battle Festival. By the end of the chapter, Yong had fallen asleep while the festivities outside gradually quieted.

• Yong’s Tyrunt defeated Murakami’s Ponyta with Rock Slide and Ancient Power, earning Yong advancement and Training Points.
• Yong used the system to raise Rock Slide to expert level.
• Kong told Yong that Tyrunt was an extremely rare Pokémon from ancient times, and all 256 qualifying competitors were determined by the end of the twenty-fifth round.
• The host ended the preliminaries and announced that the Preliminary Tournament would begin the next day.
• Yong returned to his room and watched crowds celebrate the Pokémon Battle Festival with fireworks before falling asleep.

Kong won all three of his first-round battles and advanced, while Yong faced Katz in the Grass Field and defeated his Charmeleon with Tyrunt. The chapter ended with Tyrunt beginning to evolve.

• Kong used Vigoroth, Zangoose, and Exploud to win three hard-fought battles and advance to the finals.
• Aren lost one match against a Trainer with Gyarados and had to wait for the next round, while Carmilla won three straight battles and advanced.
• Yong entered Venue 9 to face Katz, whose opening Pokémon was a level 30 Charmeleon.
• Yong sent out Tyrunt, which endured Charmeleon's Flamethrower and defeated it with Dragon Claw and Rock Slide.
• Tyrunt began to evolve after the referee declared Charmeleon unable to battle.

Tyrunt evolved into Tyrantrum during Yong’s battle with Katz, then defeated Katz’s Vaporeon to win the match. Katz remained determined to continue, while Yong’s family watched proudly on television.

• Tyrunt evolved into Tyrantrum, reached level 42, and learned Thrash, Fire Fang, and Dragon Pulse.
• Katz sent out Vaporeon, and Yong ordered Tyrantrum to charge through its Water Gun and attack.
• Tyrantrum struck Vaporeon with Tackle, then defeated it with Crunch.
• The referee declared Tyrantrum the winner, and Katz vowed not to give up.
• Ishida's Mom, Dad, and Brawly watched Yong on television and praised his progress as a trainer.

Yong battled Katz’s level 38 Magneton with Tyrantrum and won after using Rock Tomb to slow Magneton and Fire Fang to stop its Gyro Ball. Yong advanced in the contest, while Tyrantrum gained experience and improved its move proficiency.

• Katz sent out Magneton, and Yong had Tyrantrum begin with Dragon Dance before the two Pokémon traded attacks.
• Yong directed Tyrantrum to close the distance, block Magneton’s Thunder Wave with a rock, and use Dragon Pulse to shatter the electrified rock into flying fragments.
• Tyrantrum used Rock Tomb to weigh Magneton down, then struck it with a point-blank Dragon Pulse as it tried to spin free.
• Katz ordered Magneton to use Gyro Ball, but Yong had Tyrantrum catch it in a powerful Fire Fang.
• The referee declared Magneton unable to battle and announced that Yong advanced; Yong and Katz congratulated each other before leaving the arena.

Yong advanced to the Ever Grande Conference finals with a perfect record as the Preliminary Tournament eliminated most competitors and filled the top 32. After Glacia announced that the full six-on-six Finals Bracket would begin the next day, Yong and Kong encouraged each other before retiring for the night.

• Yong congratulated Kong on advancing, and Kong wondered whether Yong's Mudkip had evolved into a powerful Swampert.
• Yong, A Kun, and Kong finished the first round undefeated, while Miss Carmilla eliminated Aren and Jun Rong and Kuan were forced to continue battling for a place in the finals.
• The remaining competitors fought through the second and third rounds, and the tournament selected 32 finalists by wins, points, and head-to-head records.
• Glacia congratulated the finalists and announced that the full six-on-six Finals Bracket would begin the next day.
• Kong asked Yong whether he was nervous, and Yong said he would give his best; Kong then said he hoped Yong would be the one to eliminate him.

The Ever Grande Conference began, and the random draw matched Yong against Kiryu in the opening six-on-six battle on a Rock Field. Kiryu confidently sent out his first Pokémon, while Yong remained calm and silent.

• President Kamaranchi welcomed the crowd and spoke about humans and Pokémon living in harmony, while Drake warned of people seeking power at peace’s expense.
• The host announced that the thirty-two contestants would compete for sixteen places under six-on-six rules, and the draw paired Yong with Kiryu.
• Kong and Jun Rong wished Yong luck before leaving for the waiting room, while Brawly reassured Yong’s mother that he was strong enough to handle the match.
• The Rock Field rose into the arena, and Kiryu told Yong he had also beaten Kaede and Minami before dismissing Town Tournaments as little competitions.
• Kiryu sent out his Pokémon with a confident smile, promising to show Yong what a main-tournament contestant could do.

Yong’s Swampert defeated Kiryu’s Swampert with a single Hammer Arm, overwhelming the arena crowd. After reassuring his disappointed partner, Yong prepared for the next match as Swampert gained experience, mastered Hammer Arm, and reached level 50.

• Kiryu sent out his level 43 Swampert, and Yong released his much larger Swampert in response.
• Kiryu ordered his Swampert to charge with Hammer Arm, and Yong’s Swampert answered with the same move.
• Kiryu’s Swampert struck Yong’s Swampert without effect, then took a counterblow that knocked it unconscious beneath the rubble.
• The referee declared Yong the winner, and Kiryu protested the defeat as the crowd cheered.
• Yong comforted Swampert over its disappointment, and it renewed its resolve to become stronger for its kind.
• Swampert earned training points, mastered Hammer Arm, reached level 50, and learned beginner-level Ice Beam.

Yong’s Swampert faced Kiryu’s Sceptile in the Rock Field, where it used its grip and Ice-type attacks to gain the upper hand despite Sceptile’s type advantage. The battle continued as Sceptile launched Energy Ball at Swampert.

• Kiryu recalled his defeated Swampert and sent out his level 47 Sceptile to face Yong’s Swampert.
• Yong ordered Ice Punch, but Sceptile dodged with Quick Attack and countered with Leaf Blade.
• Swampert caught Sceptile’s Leaf Blade and struck him with Ice Punch, then blocked Bullet Seed and attacked with Ice Beam.
• Sceptile protected himself from Ice Beam and tried Giga Drain, but Swampert threw him into the air and forced the move to miss.
• Sceptile used Double Team to evade Swampert’s Ice Beam, then Kiryu ordered Energy Ball as Swampert opened its eyes to track him.

Yong’s Swampert defeated Kiryu’s Sceptile by freezing it and then winning with Ice Punch. Kiryu sent out Exeggutor next, but Swampert’s overwhelming presence disrupted its Confusion, leaving Kiryu and the spectators stunned as the battle continued.

• Swampert froze Sceptile’s legs with Ice Beam, then struck it with Ice Punch before it could use Giga Drain.
• Sceptile failed to break free within the referee’s ten-second count, so the referee declared Swampert the winner.
• Kiryu recalled Sceptile and sent out Exeggutor as his third Pokémon against Swampert.
• Yong told Swampert to end the match quickly, and Swampert braced itself against Exeggutor’s Confusion.
• Exeggutor tried to follow Kiryu’s command to throw Swampert, but a vision of towering waves made its heads fall silent.

Yong’s Swampert overwhelmed Kiryu’s Exeggutor, leaving Kiryu to send out Magcargo for the next round. Kiryu’s emotional outburst drew criticism, and Swampert still faced a favorable matchup.

• Swampert charged through Exeggutor’s fear and knocked it into the air with a powerful attack.
• Kiryu ordered Exeggutor to use Synthesis, but Yong had Swampert land an Ice Punch that froze and defeated it.
• Yong praised Swampert, while Kiryu accused him of pretending to be a rookie and protested that he was already an intermediate Trainer.
• The referee warned Kiryu against unprofessional remarks, and Kiryu regained his composure to continue battling.
• Kiryu sent out his fourth Pokémon, Magcargo, and the referee began the next match against Swampert.

Yong’s Swampert swept Kiryu’s team, carrying Yong into the top 16. As the remaining matches concluded, A Kun, Kong, Miss Carmilla, and Kuan also advanced, while Jun Rong was eliminated by a trainer whose Metagross swept his team.

• Swampert defeated Kiryu’s Magcargo with Surf after breaking through its Fire Blast with Hydro Pump.
• Swampert defeated Kiryu’s Pidgeot and Raichu, completing a full-team sweep and advancing Yong to the top 16.
• Yong returned to the lounge, where Kong praised Swampert and vowed to challenge Yong again.
• A Kun advanced after defeating his opponent with Bellossom, Tropius, and Crawdaunt, while Kong advanced after Snorlax defeated three opponents.
• Jun Rong was eliminated when his opponent’s Metagross swept his team.
• Miss Carmilla and Kuan won their matches, bringing the first round of the finals to a close.