Chapter Summaries

Yong and Roxanne began their Gym battle, matching Onix against Nosepass as each Pokémon showed off its formidable abilities. After Onix broke through Nosepass’s Protect with Iron Tail, Roxanne revealed her iron-sand-based Absolute Defense, leaving Yong facing a difficult challenge.

• Yong and Roxanne sent out Onix and Nosepass to begin their battle.
• Roxanne had Nosepass use magnetic fields to block Onix’s Screech and shield herself from sound-based attacks.
• Nosepass and Onix clashed with Power Gem and Dragon Breath, then Nosepass attacked while Onix dodged underground with Dig.
• Onix struck Nosepass with a powerful Iron Tail that broke through Protect and sent her flying.
• Roxanne revealed that Nosepass used magnetic iron sand to strengthen her body and unveiled her Absolute Defense style.

Yong defeated Roxanne’s Nosepass in a Gym battle and earned the Stone Badge. He left with Roxanne’s training notebook, planning to prepare for Onix’s evolution.

• Yong used Onix’s Dig and Iron Tail to wear down Nosepass’s defenses and explained how its magnetism and iron sand limited its movement.
• Roxanne countered with Power Gem, Bulldoze, and repeated Protect, while Yong kept Onix underground and saved its strength for a decisive attack.
• Onix’s final Iron Tail landed after Protect failed, defeating Nosepass and winning Yong the match.
• Yong received the Stone Badge and Roxanne’s notebook on Onix’s Serpentine Movement and Rock-type training.
• Yong thanked Roxanne, promised to work toward the Pokémon League tournament, and headed back to prepare for Onix’s evolution.

After earning the Stone Badge, Shiyan Yong unlocked the Rock Solid talent, which strengthened his Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon and reduced their type vulnerabilities. He arranged to obtain a Metal Coat for Onix and headed to the Devon Corporation after his father secured an appointment.

• Shiyan Yong unlocked the Rock Solid talent after earning his first Badge and checked his updated system information.
• Shiyan Yong called his father to ask about getting a Metal Coat for Onix, and his father arranged for him to visit the Devon Corporation.
• Shiyan Yong treated Onix and Marshtomp to a celebratory meal at the Pokémon Center.
• Shiyan Yong received his father's message confirming an afternoon appointment and collected fifty kilograms of minerals and rare stones his family had sent.
• Shiyan Yong set out for the Devon Corporation headquarters in Rustboro City.

Yong visited Mu Jin Stone at Devon Corporation, where he received rare items to help evolve and strengthen his Pokémon. After Mu Jin hinted that Yong should explore Rusturf Tunnel, a hooded man secretly released a purple potion into the breeze.

• Yong met Mu Jin Stone at Devon Corporation and learned that Mu Jin had heard about his victory over Roxanne's third-team mainstay.
• Mu Jin gave Yong an ultralight Metal Coat for Onix and Primordial Stone Milk to strengthen Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon.
• Mu Jin encouraged Yong's ambition and suggested he look for a surprise in Rusturf Tunnel.
• Yong bumped into a hooded middle-aged man, then headed toward the Pokémon Center to evolve Onix.
• The hooded man hid in an alley, uncorked a test tube of purple liquid, and let the potion spread through the breeze.

Yong prepared Onix with rare minerals, Pokémon food, Primordial Stone Milk, and a Metal Coat before transferring him home and back to trigger his evolution. Onix became a powerful, unusually large Steelix with a mysterious mutation, and Yong examined his new abilities and moves.

• Yong fed Onix rare minerals and food mixed with Primordial Stone Milk to build energy for evolution.
• Yong fitted a Metal Coat over Onix's head and transferred him to his mother, Nakamura Aoi, before she sent him back.
• Yong released Onix in the courtyard, where he evolved into an eleven-meter Steelix.
• Yong read the system's report that Steelix had gained levels, new moves, increased potential, and an unknown mutation.

After Steelix gained four new moves and showed signs of a mutation, Yong rushed into Rustboro City to help stop Poison-type Pokémon driven into a frenzy by a mysterious potion. He joined the battle as Drake confronted Dr. Anmu, the leader of the Evil Moon Organization, who claimed he could control every Pokémon.

• Steelix learned Ice Fang, Thunder Fang, Fire Fang, and Crunch after its secret-treasure-fueled evolution, and Yong confirmed that it felt well despite its new markings.
• A swarm of rampaging Poison-type Pokémon attacked Rustboro City, while Officer Jennys and Trainers struggled to protect civilians without harming the Pokémon.
• A hooded figure on a rooftop released more Rage Potion and celebrated the destruction, while a Nosepass and Mightyena ambushed the defenders.
• Yong sent out Marshtomp and Steelix to fight the rampaging Pokémon, and other Trainers began gaining ground with control moves.
• Drake arrived on Salamence and identified the rooftop figure as Dr. Anmu, leader of the Evil Moon Organization, demanding that he surrender the Rage Potion.
• Anmu revealed himself, showed another bottle of Rage Potion, and taunted Drake by claiming he could control every Pokémon; Drake urged him to stop destroying himself.

Professor Anmu unleashed Dusknoir against Drake while Rustboro City struggled against rampaging Poison-type Pokémon and the spreading black mist. Drake and Salamence held the mist back until powerful reinforcements arrived, easing the pressure on the battlefield.

• Professor Anmu summoned Dusknoir and offered it his soul, then collapsed while laughing and promising to destroy the city.
• Drake recognized Dusknoir as a powerful Pokémon from Petalburg Woods and ordered Salamence to fight it.
• Roxanne, Yong, Gym Trainers, and other Trainers defended Rustboro City from Poison-type Pokémon driven into a frenzy by Anmu’s Rage Potions.
• Drake used his Force Domain and Salamence attacked Dusknoir, which countered with a freezing, corrosive black mist.
• Salamence held the mist above the city with Hurricane as the League Investigators helped turn the ground battle around.
• A voice ordered Metagross to use Confusion and seize the targets, and Drake welcomed the arrival of the reinforcements.

Hoenn Champion Steven Stone arrived to stop the rampaging Pokémon and destroyed the powerful Dusknoir that attacked the city. He left with a person to investigate the Old Chateau, while Drake stayed behind to handle the aftermath.

• Steven restrained the rampaging Pokémon with Metagross, put them to sleep, and arranged for their owners to take them to the Pokémon Center for treatment.
• Steven sent Cradily with the Trainers to help Nurse Joy's Chansey heal their Pokémon, then joined Drake on a rooftop to confront the black mist.
• Drake explained that the Dusknoir had grown stronger and that the seals on the Old Chateau were weakening.
• Steven and Metagross overwhelmed the Dusknoir with Confusion Storm and destroyed it.
• Yong registered his information and went to the Pokémon Center, vowing to reach the pinnacle himself.
• Steven left with a person to visit the Old Chateau, while Drake and Salamence remained behind.

After leaving Rustboro City, Yong arrived at the crowded Rusturf Tunnel and learned from Takeda that Roxanne had discovered a colony of Aggron there. Excited by the prospect, Yong decided to try to catch one as his third Pokémon.

• The Pokémon League concluded its investigation into the Poison-type rampage, sent affected Pokémon to the Nature Preserve, and compensated their Trainers with new Pokémon.
• Yong left Rustboro City and continued northeast, while Steven and Metagross entered a haunted mansion deep in Petalburg Woods.
• Yong found Rusturf Tunnel crowded with Trainers searching for Pokémon after reports that someone had caught a Beldum there.
• Takeda told Yong that Roxanne had found a colony of Aggron and that Rustboro Gym Trainers had come to search for them.
• Yong decided that Aggron would be his third partner and prepared to look for one in the tunnel.

Yong searched Rusturf Tunnel for an Aggron colony and met Chengjie, a trainer who had become lost underground. Chengjie revealed he had seen a small Aron colony and offered to lead Yong to it.

• Yong released Marshtomp to help him explore the passages beneath Rusturf Tunnel.
• Yong and Marshtomp met Chengjie and Sandslash in a cavern and shared a meal with them.
• Chengjie explained that he had come to Hoenn seeking Beldum, caught a Hitmonlee, and then got lost in the tunnel.
• Yong told Chengjie he was searching for an Aggron colony so he could catch an Aron.
• Chengjie said he had seen a small Aron colony and offered to take Yong to it.

Yong and Chengjie found an Aggron family guarding a group of Aron deep in the mountain. Yong earned Aggron's approval for a challenge, and the chapter ended as he sent Steelix out to face it.

• Yong and Chengjie found several Aron and Lairon in a cavern, with a sleeping Aggron guarding them.
• Yong decided to approach Aggron and earn its approval rather than try to take an Aron without permission.
• Aggron accepted Yong's challenge, while Lunatone used telepathy to interpret Aggron's words.
• Yong sent Marshtomp to watch and called out Steelix to battle Aggron.

Yong and Steelix earned Aggron's approval by landing a powerful Iron Tail, and Yong examined Aggron's seven Aron before choosing a partner. The chapter ended just after Yong made his choice, without revealing which Aron he selected.

• Lunatone explained that Aggron had allowed Yong to approach and would judge whether Steelix could break through his defenses.
• Yong ordered Steelix to use Dig, but the attack barely scuffed Aggron, who criticized Steelix's weak control of Ground-type energy through Lunatone.
• Yong had Steelix unleash a control-level Iron Tail, which made Aggron step back in pain.
• Aggron acknowledged Yong and Steelix's strength and entrusted one of his children to Yong; the system awarded Yong 100 Training Points.
• Yong examined the seven Aron and found two with Head Smash, including one that also knew Dragon Rush, before making his choice.

Yong and Aron chose each other as partners, and Aron left its family to begin its journey with him. Lunatone teleported Yong and Chengjie near Verdanturf Town, where they arrived after walking down the mountain.

• Aron accepted Yong as its Trainer, and they formed a bond before Aron entered a Luxury Ball.
• Aron said goodbye to Aggron, and Yong recalled Aron, Steelix, and Marshtomp as he prepared to leave with Chengjie.
• Lunatone teleported Yong and Chengjie out of the cavern, then told Aggron to move its family to a more secluded habitat.
• Takeda and the Rustboro Gym Trainers arrived at the cavern and found that the Aron family had already left.
• Yong discovered that Lunatone had sent them near Verdanturf Town, and he and Chengjie walked there together.

Yong and Chengjie found an injured, possibly poisoned Machop in Verdanturf Town and gave it emergency treatment. They headed for nearby Twinleaf Town to seek help, leaving Machop in Chengjie’s care.

• Yong and Chengjie walked through Verdanturf Town and decided to continue toward Mauville City.
• The boys discovered an injured Machop surrounded by elderly residents who could not treat it.
• Chengjie examined Machop while Yong gave it an Antidote and bandaged its wounded leg.
• An elderly woman told them about Twinleaf Town, where residents knew a pressure-point treatment.
• Chengjie carried Machop as Yong and Chengjie followed the mountain path toward Twinleaf Town.

Yong and Chengjie brought the badly injured Machop to a clinic in Twinleaf Town, where Ayako examined it and began treatment. Ayako reassured them that Machop’s injuries were not too serious, and they waited as she stimulated its recovery.

• Yong and Chengjie hurried into Twinleaf Town seeking help for Machop and learned from a local man that Ayako could treat Pokémon.
• The man directed them to the Pokémon Clinic and explained that Ayako had trained under Dr. Masuda, who was away.
• Ayako welcomed Yong and Chengjie, examined Machop, and found that its earlier poisoning had caused no internal damage.
• Ayako said Machop was too weak for extensive treatment and began stimulating its acupoints to encourage natural recovery.
• Machop groaned softly during Ayako’s treatment, and Yong and Chengjie waited quietly, reassured.

Yong and Chengjie rested at Mr. Masuda’s clinic while Machop recovered, and Aihara told them about Miss Ayako’s legendary career as a Coordinator. The boys settled in for the night, with Chengjie hoping Machop would like him and planning to train Fighting-types alongside Sandslash.

• Miss Ayako treated Machop’s injured leg, then sent Yong and Chengjie out of the treatment room to rest.
• Yong and Chengjie woke that night and met Aihara, Mr. Masuda and Miss Ayako’s assistant, who offered them a guest room.
• Aihara explained that Miss Ayako had won the Grand Festival repeatedly before Wallace defeated her two years earlier.
• Aihara told the boys that Machop was recovering well and would likely move around after a few days of rest.
• Chengjie asked whether Machop would like him, then said he planned to train Fighting-types while continuing to train Sandslash.
• Yong and Chengjie ate and prepared to bring food to Steelix and the others before ending their day.

Yong and Chengjie held their first Pokémon battle, with Chengjie’s Hitmonlee defeating Aron after breaking through Protect with Feint. Miss Ayako treated Aron, while Yong waited for it to recover and left Chengjie wary of Steelix.

• Yong trained Steelix, Marshtomp, and Aron in the clinic backyard as Mr. Aihara visited and asked about Chengjie.
• Chengjie arrived with news that Machop had recovered well, then challenged Yong to a one-Pokémon battle.
• Chengjie sent out Hitmonlee, while Yong chose Aron for its first battle.
• Yong and Chengjie had Aron and Hitmonlee repeatedly use Harden and Focus Energy until Miss Ayako told them to battle properly.
• Hitmonlee struck Aron with Double Kick, evaded Metal Claw, then used Feint to break Protect before knocking Aron unconscious with Brick Break.
• Miss Ayako treated Aron, Mr. Aihara declared Hitmonlee the winner, and Chengjie declined Yong’s offer to practice against Steelix.

After Aron recovered from its first battle, Yong and Chengjie asked Machop whether it wanted to travel with them, and Machop chose to become Chengjie's partner. The boys left Verdanturf Town for Mauville City, where Yong planned to train Aron before challenging Wattson's Gym.

• Yong comforted Aron after its loss to Hitmonlee and encouraged it to train until it became stronger than its father, Aggron.
• Ayako agreed Machop could travel with the boys only if it chose to join them, so Yong, Chengjie, and Aihara went to ask Machop directly.
• Chengjie invited Machop to become his partner, and Machop accepted, promising through a strongman pose to protect him.
• After Ayako gave them care instructions, Chengjie carried Machop as he and Yong said goodbye to Ayako and Aihara and returned through Verdanturf Town.
• Chengjie invited Yong to visit his home in Mauville City, but Yong said he would train Aron at the Pokémon Center before challenging Wattson's Gym.

Yong arrived in futuristic Mauville City with Chengjie, then called his parents to reassure them and arrange iron ore for his new Aron. With his family promising supplies, Yong planned to begin intensive training while he waited for the shipment.

• Yong and Chengjie entered Mauville City and marveled at its futuristic layout and districts.
• Chengjie took Machop to his mother for treatment and left Yong at the Pokémon Center.
• Yong called his parents, who checked that he was safe after the attack on Rustboro City.
• Yong told his parents he had caught Aron and worried that he might not have enough iron ore to raise it.
• Shiyan Toru promised to send 500 kg of iron ore and some rare ores to Mauville City.

Yong began a new coastal training session with Steelix, Marshtomp, and Aron, assigning each Pokémon a tailored regimen. As the sun set, all three trained under his encouragement.

• Yong rode his Mach Bike to a secluded coast outside Mauville City and released Steelix, Marshtomp, and Aron.
• Yong instructed Steelix to practice low-power Earthquake and Sand Tomb, then build proficiency with its fang moves and Crunch while training underground.
• Yong set Marshtomp’s forced-training device to 150 kilograms and assigned it strength, Superpower, and Water-type energy training in the sea.
• Yong told Aron to practice its current moves, eat the iron ore, follow Steelix underground at night, and try to learn Rock Slide or Rock Throw.
• Yong encouraged his Pokémon as Steelix, Marshtomp, and Aron continued training on the beach into the evening.