Chapter Summaries

Yong’s newly evolved Excadrill defeated Ahe’s Serperior, earning the right to challenge Huchen in the Central Area. Huchen agreed to a three-on-three battle and sent out a Pokémon that Yong suspected was from Unova.

• Drilbur evolved into Excadrill, learned Horn Drill, Dig, and Smart Strike, and reached level 35.
• Yong’s Excadrill countered Serperior’s attacks and defeated it with X-Scissor.
• Roark declared Yong the winner, and Yong accepted his challenge to the Central Area.
• Huchen chose a standard three-on-three battle, encouraged the defeated Ahe, and prepared to face Yong.
• Huchen sent out his first Pokémon, and Yong wondered whether it was from Unova.

Yong sent out Larvesta to battle Huchen’s Liepard, and Larvesta won after using String Shot and Bug Bite. Huchen then sent out his second Pokémon, Crustle, as Larvesta prepared for the next battle.

• Yong surprised Huchen and Ahe by revealing his Larvesta, which they recognized as a rare Pokémon from Unova.
• Huchen ordered Liepard to use Shadow Claw, but Larvesta blinded it with String Shot and swung onto its back.
• Larvesta clung to Liepard through its Agility and defeated it with two Bug Bites.
• Larvesta gained experience, improved its String Shot and Bug Bite proficiency, and reached Lv35.
• Huchen sent out Crustle for the next round, and Yong prepared Larvesta to face it.

Yong’s Larvesta unleashed Overheat against Huchen’s Crustle, losing the battle but gaining new strength and learning Solar Beam. Yong then sent out Aggron to face Crustle, prompting Roark to conclude the challenge match was no longer meaningful.

• Yong ordered Larvesta to battle Huchen’s Crustle, and the Pokémon traded attacks as Larvesta used String Shot to dodge Rock Slide and Rock Blast.
• Huchen pressed Crustle’s advantage with another Rock Slide, but Yong told Larvesta to unleash Overheat.
• Larvesta’s blazing attack engulfed the battlefield and weakened Crustle, though Larvesta fell unconscious afterward and Crustle was declared the winner.
• Yong recalled Larvesta and learned that it had gained experience, improved its move proficiency, comprehended a Force Domain, and learned Solar Beam.
• Huchen invited Yong to visit Unova, then continued the battle as Yong sent out Aggron, whose Elite Class presence drove Crustle into its shell.
• Roark sighed that the challenge match had lost its point.

Yong’s Aggron overwhelmed Huchen’s Crustle, then faced Huchen’s stronger Nidoking. As Aggron charged in with Ice Punch, the next battle began.

• Huchen sent Crustle to attack Aggron with Superpower, but Aggron knocked it out of the arena with Iron Tail.
• Roark declared Aggron the winner, and Yong praised Big White before teasing him about Larvesta mastering a force domain.
• Huchen brought out Nidoking, his level 48 ace, to face Aggron.
• Yong ordered Aggron to test Nidoking’s strength with Ice Punch, and Aggron charged forward with his fist raised.

Yong’s Aggron defeated Huchen’s resilient Nidoking in a battle for access to the Central Area. Aggron reached Lv51, while Huchen encouraged Nidoking to rest and grow stronger.

• Huchen sent Nidoking to meet Aggron’s attacks with Fire Punch and Brick Break, but Aggron’s strength and defense held firm.
• Nidoking struck Aggron with Brick Break and forced it back two steps, though the blow did little lasting damage.
• Yong ordered Aggron to charge with Double-Edge, and Nidoking used Bulldoze to disrupt its advance before Aggron rammed it and sent it flying.
• Yong’s Aggron finished the weakened Nidoking with Hydro Pump, and Roark declared Aggron the winner and awarded Yong use of the Central Area.
• Huchen reassured Nidoking after the battle, while Aggron gained training points and experience, improved its move proficiency, and reached Lv51.

Yong received the Coal Badge directly from Roark and prepared to train in Oreburgh Mine. He arranged a new team and learned that Dr. Moroboshi had sent Aerodactyl’s Gene Potion, which he chose to keep in storage until he confirmed something.

• Yong encouraged Huchen to develop his own direction and praised his Nidoking’s potential for a breakthrough.
• Roark gave Yong the Coal Badge without a Gym battle, saying Yong had already proved his strength.
• Yong decided to send Larvesta home to recover and bring Larvitar and Tyrantrum to train with his other Pokémon.
• Yong learned that Dr. Moroboshi had sent Aerodactyl’s Gene Potion and asked Uncle Zhibian to store it until further notice.
• Yong packed training supplies, bought Berries and Pokéblocks, and returned to the Pokémon Center to rest for the night.

Yong returned to Oreburgh Mine and revealed his six Pokémon, including a vastly grown Steelix, stunning the Trainers and miners. He began training with his partners and planned to take Steelix to Iron Island to pursue electromagnetic force and strengthen Falling Stars.

• Yong arrived at Oreburgh Mine, where Yuanzhi told him the Central Area's lapis lazuli was especially tough and suitable for training.
• Yong released Aggron, Tyrantrum, Rhydon, Larvitar, Excadrill, and Steelix, startling the Trainers and workers with Steelix's enormous size.
• Huchen and Ahe saw Steelix and decided that delaying Huchen's challenge against Yong had been wise.
• Yong realized Steelix had grown denser and heavier by absorbing minerals underground and enduring the earth's pressure.
• Yong prepared his six Pokémon to train and planned to visit Iron Island so Steelix could study electromagnetic force and advance Falling Stars.

Yong put his Pokémon through lapis lazuli training to improve their physical control and energy mastery. He also sent Excadrill to search for more of the strange rock, then doubled Aggron’s training after deciding Big White was the team’s only slacker.

• Yong had Steelix strike lapis lazuli using physical strength alone and challenged it to shape the rock into a perfect cube through precise control.
• Yong explained that Aggron needed to develop its Aura and mastery of Steel-type energy, then ordered Big White to train by shaping lapis lazuli without moves or energy.
• Yong sent Excadrill underground to search for more lapis lazuli along the mineral vein near the city’s outskirts.
• Yong instructed Larvitar to hone its strength on a small chunk of lapis lazuli and assigned Rhydon basic energy training under Steelix’s supervision.
• Tyrantrum broke a small piece of lapis lazuli with an ordinary bite, and Yong doubled Big White’s training load.

Yong’s Pokémon continued training near Oreburgh City, and Larvitar evolved into Pupitar after half a month of feeding on lapis lazuli. Huchen renewed his determination to challenge Yong, setting up a future battle to test their growing strength.

• Huchen won his challenge for the spot closest to the Central Area, while Ahe entered the next-best area and Yuanzhi avoided being challenged.
• Excadrill found a lapis lazuli vein that Yong named Hill Mine, and Yong’s Pokémon trained there as Rhydon underwent Heavy Rock and prepared for its next evolution.
• Aggron began gaining control of its strength, Excadrill learned Rock Smash, and Steelix and Tyrantrum pursued their own training while helping Larvitar eat lapis lazuli.
• After half a month, Larvitar evolved into Pupitar at level 35 and learned Earthquake, Stone Edge, and Iron Defense.
• Yong congratulated Pupitar and told him he could now protect him, while Huchen congratulated them and vowed to challenge Yong again.

Yong and Pupitar continued their battle streak against Huchen before Huchen invited Yong to Unova for the Fire God Festival, where Larvesta could receive Volcarona's blessing. Yong agreed to bring his Larvesta and join the ritual, and they planned to leave by airship the next morning.

• Pupitar defeated Huchen's Crustle, bringing its record against Huchen's Pokémon to thirty-two wins and eight losses and marking its tenth consecutive victory.
• Huchen told Yong that his family had learned about his Larvesta and wanted him to visit Unova for the upcoming Fire God Festival.
• Huchen explained that the festival's worshipping families brought Larvesta or Larvesta Eggs to a living, ancient Volcarona to receive its blessing, and that several families lacked Larvesta for this ritual.
• Huchen revealed that Volcarona's blessing could include a move, an energy infusion, or Sacred Fire, a Fire-type Great Secret Treasure that could break life limits and energy shackles.
• Yong agreed to bring Larvesta and participate in the ritual, and Huchen arranged for them to depart for Unova by airship the next morning.

Yong traveled with Huchen and Ahe to Unova, arriving in Nimbasa City after three days aboard Huchen's family airship. The group reached Huchen's family villa, where Yong spotted a Volcarona.

• Yong flew toward Unova with Huchen and Ahe, learning that they planned to visit the Desert Resort and Relic Castle for the Fire God Festival.
• After three days, the airship landed in Nimbasa City, where Huchen welcomed Yong to Unova.
• Yong explored the city with Huchen and Ahe, saw unfamiliar Pokémon, and learned about Nimbasa's attractions and Gym Leader Elesa.
• Huchen and Ahe took Yong by car to their family villa near Route 5 and Driftveil Drawbridge.
• Yong spotted a Volcarona beside a flower bed in the villa's courtyard and admired it.

Yong arrived at the Enjo Clan’s Nimbasa City base and learned that the family would take him and his Larvesta to the Fire God Festival ritual. Norika asked him to let his future Volcarona mate with hers in exchange for one Pokémon Egg, and Yong left the request open until his Larvesta evolved.

• Yong admired the Enjo Clan’s Volcarona and toured the clan’s mysterious villa with Huchen and Ahe.
• Enjo Norio welcomed Yong and explained that they would leave the next day for the ritual, which would take place in three days.
• Norika explained that the Fire God’s blessing could raise Larvesta’s level, teach it moves, or grant it Sacred Fire.
• Norika asked Yong to let his Larvesta mate with her Volcarona after it evolved, requesting one resulting Pokémon Egg.
• Yong said the clan could ask again when his Larvesta evolved if they had not found another Larvesta by then.
• After Yong left with Huchen and Ahe, Norika told Enjo Norio that Yong was levelheaded.

Yong watched Volcarona pass its memories and inheritance to Larvesta, bringing Larvesta into maturity and strengthening its aura. After Yong promised Norika a Volcarona offspring in return, a shiny Volcarona appeared in the darkness.

• Yong released Larvesta in the courtyard, where it met the ancient Volcarona.
• Volcarona shared its memories and inheritance with Larvesta, and Norika explained that the over-century-old Pokémon had received Energy Infusion and Skill Inheritance from the Fire God.
• Larvesta reached Lv36, entered its maturity stage, and upgraded its Incinerating aura to Heaven-incinerating aura.
• Yong promised Norika that she could choose one of Volcarona's offspring after Larvesta evolved, and Norika thanked him for supporting her clan.
• After Yong went inside, Norika spoke to Volcarona and saw a shiny Volcarona descend from the darkness.

Yong traveled with the Enjo Clan through the Great Desert Region and entered the hidden Sacred City, where the clan revered his Larvesta. Enjo Norio asked Yong and Norika to join him for the Fire God Kagura before the next day's ritual.

• Enjo Norio led Yong, Huchen, Ahe, and the Enjo clanspeople along a concealed desert route to evade treasure hunters.
• Enjo Norio and the others opened a hidden entrance beneath a dune, and the party descended into the Sacred City.
• Yong saw ancient murals resembling Larvesta before his group reunited with Norika's party in an underground chamber.
• Norika told Yong to release Larvesta, and the Enjo clanspeople bowed to it in reverence.
• Enjo Norio asked Yong and Norika to stand beside him for the Fire God Kagura.

Yong learned how the five clans’ Volcarona performed the Fire God Kagura and joined the clans in the ritual hall for Larvesta’s baptism. The clan leaders exchanged barbed remarks as the ceremony prepared to begin.

• The little old man explained that five Volcarona used Quiver Dance to ignite the temple’s five spirals while the Larvesta watched and learned.
• The Enjo Clan donned its ceremonial robes, and the little old man opened a hidden door by placing the Sky Spiral tablet into a wall mural.
• The five Sun-Stealing Remnant clans entered the pentagonal hall and assembled before the platforms bearing their clan emblems.
• Yong noticed that the Yanli Clan and Enjo Sun Clan had their own Larvesta, while the Enjo Clan, Yan Miao Clan, and Enjo Fire Clan had invited trainers who owned Larvesta.
• Yanyang Ji and Yanli Musa traded pointed remarks, and Yanhuo Dahui threatened to cut off the potion supply if anyone interfered with the baptism.
• Yanhuo Dahui teased Yanyang Ji and Yan Miao Youxiang, who rebuked him for his nonsense.

The five clan leaders used their Volcarona to light all five spirals, revealing a vast image that spiritually affected the Larvesta gathered for the baptism. Yong's Larvesta fell asleep after the awakening, and the group returned to rest before the next day's ritual, where Huchen explained his concern about his standing in the Enjo Clan.

• Yanli Musa and the other four leaders ordered their Volcarona to ignite the five spirals in succession, despite the Pokémon growing tired as the spirals absorbed their energy.
• The lit spirals sent streams of red light through the floor, forming an image of Volcarona that stirred excitement and familiarity in Yong's Larvesta and the other Larvesta.
• Norika told Yong that evolved Volcarona could no longer receive the Fire God's spiritual awakening, and the gathered Sun-Remnant People prayed before the image.
• Yong's Larvesta murmured and fell asleep, and Huchen said this meant it had earned the right to join the baptism; the group then left to prepare for the next day.
• Huchen told Yong and Ahe that Norika's Volcarona had evolved during the previous baptism and received Energy Infusion and Skill Inheritance.
• Huchen explained that, as the eldest grandson, he felt pressured to prove himself, but Norika's success had secured the Enjo Clan's line of inheritance.

Yong represented the Enjo Clan in a fire baptism, where the Fire God Volcarona granted the five Larvesta energy and began passing down stronger moves. The ritual ended with the Enjo Sun Clan’s Larvesta evolving, turning Yan Yangxu’s celebration into alarm.

• Yong and the other four Blessed Ones placed their sleeping Larvesta into the flames as a golden Volcarona appeared.
• The Fire God Volcarona sent golden flames to each Larvesta, raising their levels through Energy Infusion.
• The first two Larvesta awakened and returned to their trainers, while the clans watched the ritual continue.
• The Fire God began granting Flame Inheritance to the Yanli Clan’s Larvesta and then to the Enjo Sun Clan’s Larvesta.
• A life-filled glow appeared in the Enjo Sun Clan’s flames, and its Larvesta evolved, shocking Yan Yangxu.

During the baptism, Yong's Larvesta endured the Fire God's inheritance and absorbed its energy, while another Larvesta evolved before receiving the final bestowal. The shiny Volcarona departed, and Yong declined Yan Yangxu's offer to join the Enjo Sun Clan as the group left the hall with hopes for Larvesta's future.

• A Larvesta from the Enjo Sun Clan evolved during the baptism, disappointing Yan Yangxu, while Yong's Larvesta learned Fire Blast.
• The shiny Volcarona released the final inheritance, and Yong encouraged Larvesta as it struggled through the flames.
• The Yanli Clan's Larvesta received its inheritance first, then Yong's Larvesta endured the flames and absorbed the golden energy, gaining two golden markings.
• The shiny Volcarona left after telling everyone to go back, and Yan Yangxu offered Yong and the other outside trainers a place with the Enjo Sun Clan.
• Yong declined the offer and said he would return to Sinnoh; the old man praised Larvesta's potential, and Yong promised to contact Huchen after it evolved.
• The clans left the hall, with the Enjo Clan seeing Larvesta as their chance to rise again.

Caitlin left her villa in a bad mood, while Darach drove her toward Nimbasa City to meet Cynthia. In Nimbasa City, Huchen and Ahe took Yong to Shattered Stone Mountain, where he lured a hidden Roggenrola colony out with a whistle and megaphone.

• Caitlin complained about Cynthia ordering her around, but Darach reminded her they had to reach Nimbasa City in time for her meeting.
• Huchen and Ahe brought Yong to Shattered Stone Mountain to help him find a Pokémon, explaining that a colony of Roggenrola lived there.
• After searching the mountain without finding any Roggenrola, Yong used a whistle and megaphone to draw them out.
• More than a dozen Roggenrola stumbled toward Yong, then toppled over when he stopped the sound.

Yong caught a Roggenrola with the Gravity Egg Move after the boys helped the weakened colony recover and return underground. Back at the villa, he introduced Roggenrola to Larvesta and agreed to battle it the next day to earn its partnership.

• Yong chose a sturdy Roggenrola with Take Down, Gravity, and Autotomize, then caught it while Huchen caught another.
• Yong, Huchen, and Ahe waited until the Roggenrola recovered and safely disappeared into cracks in the ground.
• Yong returned to the Enjo Clan's villa and comforted Larvesta as it continued absorbing the Fire God's gift.
• Yong released Roggenrola and introduced it to Larvesta, but Roggenrola remained displeased about being caught.
• Yong offered to battle Roggenrola the next day to win its acceptance, then placed Pokémon food in front of it.