Chapter Summaries

Yong and Heross traded a challenge before the round of sixteen, where Carmilla, A Kun, Kuan, Kong, and Heross revealed powerful Pokémon and advanced. Yong then took the stage to face Kofu on an Ice Field.

• Heross called Yong his prey and promised to meet him in the final, and Yong eagerly accepted the challenge.
• Yong reviewed the contestants' strengths, then took his Pokémon to a quiet coast to rest and prepare for the next matches.
• Carmilla used Salamence to defeat Yusuke and advance to the top eight.
• A Kun and Kuan revealed Blaziken and Milotic to secure their victories, while Kong relied on a powerful Kangaskhan to advance.
• Heross crushed his opponent with three Pokémon, and Yong then headed to the arena for his match against Kofu on an Ice Field.

Yong faced Kofu in the final match of the finals’ second round, sending out Rhydon against Kofu’s Emboar. Their battle escalated into a head-on collision between Rhydon’s Blade Take Down and Emboar’s Rampage, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Kofu opened the match with his Emboar, and Yong answered with Rhydon.
• Rhydon and Emboar tied in a Tackle contest, then Emboar caught Rhydon’s Hammer Arm and struck him with Arm Thrust.
• Emboar used Take Down, but Rhydon braced with Iron Defense and countered with Blade Take Down.
• Kofu commanded Emboar to use Rampage as Rhydon charged, and the two Pokémon collided in a violent explosion.

Yong’s Rhydon and Kofu’s Emboar knocked each other out, making their round a draw. Yong sent out Tyrantrum against Kofu’s Gigalith, and the battle continued amid a sandstorm as Tyrantrum rushed to close the distance.

• Emboar and Rhydon collapsed after their clash, and the referee declared the match a draw.
• Yong sent out Tyrantrum, and Kofu answered with Gigalith, whose Sand Force ability strengthened her Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves in a sandstorm.
• Kofu had Gigalith create a Sandstorm and lay Stealth Rock while Yong ordered Tyrantrum to use Dragon Dance and charge.
• Gigalith used Sand Tomb to obstruct Tyrantrum, but Tyrantrum used Rock Slide as stepping stones to cross the quicksand.
• Kofu ordered Power Gem as Tyrantrum approached, and Yong countered by commanding Dragon Claw.

Yong’s Tyrantrum lost to Kofu’s Gigalith, so Yong sent out Flygon and fought back by taking control of the sandstorm. Flygon struck Gigalith with Solar Beam, but Gigalith endured the attack and countered with a Power Gem that sent Flygon crashing down.

• Gigalith trapped Tyrantrum in quicksand, struck it with Power Gem and Earth Power, and won the first battle.
• Yong recalled Tyrantrum and sent out Flygon, which used its speed and Ground-type immunity to avoid Gigalith’s attacks.
• Flygon took control of the sandstorm, dodged Gigalith’s Rock Slide, and confused it with Supersonic.
• Flygon charged and fired Solar Beam, but Gigalith endured the hit and used Power Gem to blast Flygon out of the sky.

Yong’s Flygon defeated Kofu’s Gigalith, but Kofu’s Drapion caught it with Triple Ripping and forced Yong to concede the round. The battle stood poised to continue with Kofu holding the advantage.

• Flygon recovered enough to use Supersonic and Giga Drain, knocking out Kofu’s Gigalith.
• Flygon learned Air Slash after winning the official battle, while Wallace and President Damaranch discussed a possible exchange between the eastern and western hemispheres.
• Kofu sent out Drapion, which covered the field with Toxic Spikes and countered Flygon’s attacks.
• Drapion evaded Flygon’s U-turn, seized it with its tail, and struck it with Triple Ripping.
• Yong conceded the round after Drapion’s attack left Flygon shrieking in pain.

Yong sent Aggron out for the second half of his battle with Kofu, where Aggron decisively defeated Drapion and learned High Horsepower. Kofu then sent out another Pokémon, whose identity was not yet revealed.

• Kofu gave Yong a special Antidote for Flygon, and Yong treated it before leaving his injured Pokémon with Nurse Joy.
• Yong returned for the second half on the Grass Field and sent out Aggron, which was unaffected by Drapion's Toxic Spikes.
• Aggron charged through Drapion's Brick Break with Smart Strike, then used Bulldoze to knock it out before it could Dig.
• Wallace told President Charles Goodshow that Aggron and Swampert were among Yong's main Pokémon, while the officials discussed Yong and Cynthia.
• Aggron gained experience, learned High Horsepower, and Yong raised the move's proficiency to proficient.
• Kofu recalled Drapion and sent out a new Pokémon with a mane of red and yellow tufts.

Yong’s Aggron defeated Kofu’s Pyroar in their official battle, leaving Kofu with two Pokémon and Yong with three. Kofu then sent out his first partner, Hydreigon.

• Kofu sent out Pyroar, and the announcer identified it as a Normal- and Fire-type Pokémon from Kalos.
• Kofu ordered Pyroar to use Fire Spin and Flare Blitz, but Yong had Aggron counter with Rock Slide and Hydro Pump.
• Aggron struck Pyroar with High Horsepower, creating a crater in the battlefield and knocking Pyroar out.
• The referee declared Aggron the winner, and Aggron gained training points and move proficiency.
• Kofu recalled Pyroar, said he would fight with everything he had, and sent out his first partner, Hydreigon.

Yong recalled Aggron and sent out Swampert to face Kofu’s level 55 Hydreigon, whose Hatred Aura briefly disrupted Swampert. Swampert struck back with Waterfall, but Hydreigon dodged his Hammer Arm and punished him with Crunch; Yong then sent Swampert charging in with Waterfall again.

• Yong recognized Kofu’s Hydreigon as a powerful Unovan pseudo-legendary and recalled Aggron, sending out Swampert instead.
• Hydreigon’s Hatred Aura overwhelmed Swampert with negative feelings until Swampert unleashed his own Force Domain and cleared his mind.
• Yong ordered Swampert to use Work Up and Waterfall, and Swampert surged toward Hydreigon inside a massive wave.
• Kofu had Hydreigon counter with Tri Attack, which tore apart Swampert’s wave, but Swampert leapt clear and attacked with Hammer Arm.
• Hydreigon used Crunch to make Swampert’s strike miss, then bit his arm and hurled him into the rubble.
• Yong saw that Swampert remained strong despite his injury and ordered him to charge Hydreigon again with Waterfall.

Yong and Swampert faced Kofu and Hydreigon in a punishing battle, until their trust in each other awakened the Bond Phenomenon. Swampert emerged transformed and ready to continue the fight.

• Swampert met Hydreigon's Crunch with Superpower, and the clash blasted both Pokémon backward, leaving Swampert with a badly injured arm.
• Kofu sent Hydreigon charging with Dragon Rush, while Yong ordered Swampert to counter with Liquidation.
• As Hydreigon overwhelmed Swampert, Yong and Swampert shared their faith and emotions, awakening the Bond Phenomenon.
• Blue light transformed Swampert, changing its appearance and prompting the officials and spectators to marvel at the unexplained phenomenon.
• Yong felt a deeper connection with Swampert, and a system message announced that Swampert had activated Bond Phenomenon in torrent mode.

Yong’s transformed Swampert briefly wielded power approaching the Elite Four’s level, but exhausted itself after attacking Hydreigon and lost the battle. Yong then sent out his enormous Steelix, which faced Kofu’s weakened Hydreigon as the next match began.

• Yong’s Swampert used Waterfall and Ice Punch with its newly awakened power, freezing and shattering Hydreigon’s Dark Pulse before striking it from the sky.
• Swampert’s power drained away after roughly one and a half attacks, and the referee declared it unable to battle, giving Hydreigon the win.
• Yong sent out a huge, glossy black Steelix, surprising Kofu, the spectators, and the observers in the private box.
• The referee began the Steelix-versus-Hydreigon match, and Steelix’s imposing presence forced Hydreigon to fly lower.
• Hydreigon recovered from the ice and roared defiantly at Steelix as the two Pokémon prepared to fight.

Yong's Steelix defeated Kofu's Hydreigon after overpowering its attacks and winning their clash of ultimate moves. Kofu recalled Hydreigon and sent out his final Pokémon.

• Kofu ordered Hydreigon to use Dragon Dance, but Yong's Steelix struck first with Iron Tail and knocked it from the sky with Double-Edge.
• Hydreigon recovered and used Tri Attack, but Steelix countered with Dragon Breath, and their ranged attacks exploded in midair.
• Kofu ordered Hydreigon to use Dragon Rush at full power, and Yong answered with Steelix's Giga Impact.
• Steelix survived the collision while Hydreigon fell unconscious, giving Steelix the victory.
• Steelix gained experience, leveled up to Lv52, and learned Stone Edge; Kofu recalled Hydreigon and threw his last Pokémon Ball.

Yong defeated Kofu and advanced to the Ever Grande Conference top eight, then recovered from the bond phenomenon’s effects before the final day began. Carmilla defeated Kuan in the first quarterfinal and advanced to the semifinals.

• Yong defeated Kofu’s Luxray with Steelix, advanced to the next round, and went straight to sleep after giving his Pokémon to Nurse Joy.
• Kofu told his attendant to take him to Kalos instead of returning to Unova.
• Yong woke tired but ready for the top-eight matches, and the conference’s final day began.
• Carmilla used Altaria, Lapras, and Salamence to overcome Kuan’s Starmie, Walrein, Sharpedo, Probopass, Milotic, Crawdaunt, and Skarmory.
• Carmilla defeated Kuan, who left the battlefield without returning to the lounge.

Kong lost to Heross’s Charizard in the second match, and Yong then faced Hechuan’s Xatu on the Water Field. Yong’s Rhydon gained control of the opening exchange, but the battle was still underway.

• Heross’s Charizard defeated Kong’s Vigoroth, Exploud, and Swellow, and Kong left the venue after losing.
• Heross returned to the lounge, where he sneered at Yong before Yong went to begin his match against Hechuan.
• Hechuan sent out his level 46 Xatu, and Yong chose Rhydon to battle it.
• Xatu used Future Sight and Teleport before boosting itself with Calm Mind, while Rhydon attacked with Rock Slide and Rock Blast.
• Rhydon’s repeated Rock Blast attacks seized control of the battle against Xatu.

Yong’s Rhydon defeated Hechuan’s Xatu by exploiting its dwindling stamina and forcing it into a carefully planned position. Hechuan then sent out Wobbuffet, and Yong prepared to test the Pokémon’s counterattacks.

• Yong calmed Rhydon and had him use Protect against Xatu’s simultaneous Future Sight and Psychic, then ordered Rock Slide.
• Xatu used Teleport to escape the boulder, but Rhydon emerged from the water and broke the pillar beneath it, leaving Xatu to fall toward Crunch.
• Xatu’s Teleport failed, and Rhydon bit it before both Pokémon fell into the water; the referee declared Xatu unable to battle and Rhydon the winner.
• Hechuan sent out his level 40 Wobbuffet, whose counterattacking moves and Shadow Tag ability Yong examined.
• Yong decided to test Wobbuffet and ordered Rhydon to charge in with Crunch.

Yong defeated Hechuan’s Rhydon, then used Swampert’s overwhelming power and a fusion technique to trap Wobbuffet in a stone pillar. The battle remained unresolved as Swampert drained the arena’s water and turned the Water Field into a Rock Field.

• Hechuan’s Wobbuffet used Counter and Encore to force Rhydon to repeat Crunch until Rhydon could no longer battle.
• Hechuan praised Wobbuffet and claimed Cynthia had gone easy on Yong, prompting Yong to send out Swampert.
• Swampert unleashed its Force Domain and charged at Wobbuffet with Waterfall as Hechuan ordered Destiny Bond.
• Yong directed Swampert to destroy Wobbuffet’s stone pillar, then Swampert caught Wobbuffet by the tail and dragged it underwater.
• Swampert’s Rock Storm created a fusion technique that trapped Wobbuffet in a towering rock pillar, leaving Counter and Mirror Coat useless.
• Swampert drained the arena’s water into a fissure, changing the Water Field into a Rock Field.

Yong defeated Hechuan to secure a place in the final four, while A Kun beat Xiao Tian and joined Carmilla and Heross in the semifinals. During the two-hour break, A Kun vowed to face Yong in the finals, though Yong remained wary of the other semifinalists.

• Yong's Swampert defeated Hechuan's Wobbuffet and Girafarig, then swept through Slowbro, Exeggutor, Jynx, and Solrock to win their quarterfinal battle.
• A Kun defeated Xiao Tian in their match, with Glalie and Tropius overcoming Xiao Tian's Pokémon.
• Carmilla, Heross, A Kun, and Yong were announced as the Ever Grande Conference's final four, and the competitors received a two-hour break.
• Yong went to the Dining Hall after leaving Rhydon and Swampert with Nurse Joy to recover.
• A Kun told Yong he would not hold back if they met and declared he would see him in the finals; Yong questioned whether A Kun was underestimating Carmilla and Heross.

The Mirage Tower reappeared in the Great Desert Region, where a flame-covered Pokémon escaped its chains before another Pokémon made the tower vanish. At the Ever Grande Conference, Yong drew Carmilla in the semifinals and prepared to battle her with a Pokémon that emerged from the grass.

• The Mirage Tower returned to the desert, and a white, flame-covered Pokémon broke through its top while bound in black chains.
• An enormous Pokémon appeared in the sky, froze the area, then used its power to make the Mirage Tower disappear.
• In Unova, a young girl prayed to the Power of the Void.
• Yong, Carmilla, A Kun, and Heross learned that Yong would face Carmilla in the semifinals on the Grass Field.
• President Stone agreed to contribute TMs as rewards, and Wallace learned that Yong had saved his Elite Tournament contribution points.
• As Carmilla prepared to send out her Pokémon, a bright light appeared in the grass across from her, and the earth began to tremble.

Yong entered his battle against Carmilla with Steelix, which overwhelmed her Wigglytuff and battered Altaria. Altaria attempted to recover with Rest, but Sleep Talk activated as Steelix charged with Ice Fang, leaving the result of the exchange unresolved.

• Yong changed his plan and chose Steelix to face Carmilla.
• Carmilla sent out Wigglytuff, but Steelix knocked her unconscious with one Iron Tail and won the first match.
• Carmilla sent out Altaria, and Steelix battered it with Sandstorm and Dragon Tail.
• Carmilla ordered Altaria to use Fire Spin and Rest, but Steelix charged through the flames with Ice Fang.
• Carmilla gambled on Sleep Talk, and white light appeared on Altaria's beak as the move activated.

Yong’s Steelix defeated Carmilla’s Altaria, then faced her Salamence in a battle of Dragon-type attacks and brute force. Steelix endured Flamethrower and Dragon Rush, restrained Salamence with its tail, and caught him in Ice Fang as the chapter ended.

• Steelix froze Carmilla’s sleeping Altaria with Ice Fang and won, earning Training Points and increased move proficiency.
• Carmilla sent out her level 51 Salamence, whose Intimidate pressured Steelix as the next battle began.
• Carmilla ordered Salamence to use Sunny Day, empowering his Flamethrower and intensifying the sandstorm.
• Salamence overpowered Steelix’s Dragon Breath, then followed with Dragon Rush while Steelix remained amid the flames.
• Steelix survived the attacks, wrapped its tail around Salamence to restrain him, and bit his neck with Ice Fang.

Yong’s Steelix defeated Carmilla’s Salamence with Fallen Star Dust, a powerful move that engulfed and then shattered Salamence’s Dragon Roar. After the battle, League officials praised Yong’s Pokémon, while President Stone revealed that Steven had gone silent inside the Old Chateau amid growing trouble at the Forbidden Grounds.

• Carmilla’s Salamence broke free from Steelix and used Dragon Dance to dodge Rock Slide while boosting its power and speed.
• Salamence unleashed Dragon Roar, but Yong ordered Steelix to use Fallen Star Dust, which trapped Salamence’s attack and body inside a hovering stone sphere.
• Steelix shattered the sphere from within, and the referee declared Salamence unable to battle, giving Steelix the win.
• Yong learned that Steelix had gained training points and experience, but was too exhausted to continue battling.
• Wallace, Damaranch, Glacia, and President Stone discussed Yong’s talent and the power his Steelix and Swampert had reached.
• President Stone said Steven had not contacted him since entering the Old Chateau, as League leaders warned that unrest at the Forbidden Grounds was consuming their resources.