Chapter Summaries

Yong and Cynthia’s Pokémon tested their Force Domains in a fierce battle, with Swampert eventually catching Togekiss and shattering it inside a Rock Storm. The battle’s outcome remained unclear as the chapter ended amid the explosion.

• Yong told Swampert to attack Togekiss with Mega Punch, and Swampert’s Force Domain overwhelmed Togekiss and knocked it into the field.
• Yong ordered Rock Slide, but Togekiss dodged every rock, and Cynthia revealed its Serene Grace-based Force Domain.
• Togekiss used Extreme Speed to strike Swampert repeatedly, then launched Shattering Illumination: Sky Piercer.
• Yong ordered Swampert to use Rock Storm, and it raised a pillar of rock through Togekiss’s wind blades.
• Swampert endured the cutting winds, caught Togekiss on its third attempt, and smashed the stone pillar apart in a burst of energy.

Swampert defeated Cynthia’s Togekiss in the first round, and Yong sent out Aggron against her Milotic for the second. Milotic’s force domain began eroding Yong and Aggron’s will to fight as Cynthia ordered Bulldoze.

• Swampert won after Togekiss was knocked unconscious, despite taking heavy damage in their clash.
• Yong recalled Swampert and sent out Aggron, while Cynthia chose Milotic for the second round.
• Yong and Cynthia recognized that both Pokémon had grown stronger since their previous encounters.
• Milotic spread her Clear Qi Aura across the field, weakening Yong and Aggron’s desire to battle.
• Cynthia ordered Milotic to use Bulldoze as Yong struggled against the force domain’s effects.

Yong’s Aggron fought Cynthia’s Milotic but lost after being trapped in a powerful whirlpool of Surf. Yong recognized Aggron’s weak battle composure and sent Swampert out to face Milotic next.

• Milotic’s attacks dazed Aggron, but Yong steadied it through their heart-to-heart connection and Aggron unleashed a Force Domain.
• Aggron endured Milotic’s Hydro Pump and struck through its Double Team copies with Hyper Beam, while Milotic used Bulldoze and Surf to evade and counterattack.
• Milotic trapped Aggron in a massive whirlpool, cutting it off from Yong’s commands and exhausting it with repeated waves.
• Professor Carolina declared Aggron unable to battle, and Yong recalled it after noting that its losing streak continued.
• Yong resolved that this would be Aggron’s last loss and sent Swampert out to battle Milotic.

Yong’s Swampert defeated Cynthia’s Milotic in a muddy battle of strength, though both Pokémon were exhausted. Cynthia and Yong agreed that challenging battles helped them grow, then sent out their final Pokémon for the next match.

• Milotic opened with Disarming Voice, but Swampert interrupted it with Screech and struck with Hammer Arm.
• Milotic blocked Swampert’s attack and countered with Ice Beam, but Swampert pushed through the cold and tried to seize Milotic’s tail.
• Milotic wrapped around Swampert with Bind, but Swampert broke free and overpowered Milotic in a contest of strength.
• Swampert swung Milotic by its tail and slammed it into the ground, knocking it unconscious and winning the battle.
• Swampert leveled up to Lv58, and Cynthia and Yong sent out their final Pokémon, with Cynthia calling forth Garchomp.

Yong and Cynthia began a battle between Steelix and Garchomp, whose immense strength and auras impressed Cynthia and Professor Carolina. After their first clash, Garchomp hovered above the ruined battlefield while Steelix stood below, ready to continue.

• Garchomp arrived with a powerful display, and Yong sent out Steelix, whose imposing presence made Cynthia marvel at its strength.
• Professor Carolina began the match, and Cynthia and Yong ordered Garchomp to use Dragon Claw and Steelix to use Iron Tail.
• Garchomp braced against Steelix's tail, then knocked it aside and struck Steelix with repeated Slashes.
• Yong commanded Breaking Swipe, and Steelix swept its tail across the battlefield, forcing Cynthia to order Garchomp to retreat.
• Garchomp emerged from the dust and hovered above the devastated field as Steelix watched her from below.

Yong’s Steelix fought Cynthia’s Garchomp in a fierce clash of powerful attacks, but both Pokémon fell after their final collision. Professor Carolina declared Garchomp the winner, while Yong recalled Steelix to protect it and resolved to train harder.

• Cynthia ordered Garchomp to use Dragon Rush, and Yong countered with Steelix’s Headlong Take Down.
• Garchomp and Steelix collided in midair, and Steelix landed first after resisting Garchomp’s battle frenzy.
• Cynthia sent Garchomp charging with Giga Impact, and Yong ordered Steelix to answer with its own full-power Giga Impact.
• The Pokémon collided in a storm of black and red energy, then both began falling from the sky.
• Yong recalled Steelix before it hit the ground, and Professor Carolina declared Garchomp the winner.
• Yong received training points and experience, and Steelix gained proficiency in Iron Tail, Double-Edge, and Giga Impact.

After Yong and Cynthia tied in their battle, they recovered and spent several days together in Celestic Town before Yong left for Veilstone City. Meanwhile, Reggie and Akemi discussed Yong’s expected arrival, Reggie’s newly evolved Electivire, and Paul’s new Murkrow.

• Yong and Cynthia agreed to call their battle a draw, and Professor Carolina praised them before sending them to rest.
• Professor Carolina’s ancient Hisui medicine healed their Pokémon, and time together eased tensions between Swampert and Milotic and between Steelix and Garchomp.
• Yong explored Celestic Town with Cynthia, then said goodbye to her and Professor Carolina and rode Aerodactyl toward Veilstone City.
• Akemi scolded Reggie for relaxing at the Pokémon Day Care, and Reggie explained that his Electabuzz had evolved into Electivire using an Electirizer.
• Reggie told Akemi that he had given Paul a Murkrow after Paul asked for a Flying-type Pokémon.

Yong arrived in Veilstone City, arranged for a Protector to be sent there for Rhydon, and unexpectedly reunited with Xiao Yi at a fountain plaza. After Xiao Yi heard that Cynthia had returned to Celestic Town, he hurried off, leaving Yong to continue toward the department store.

• Yong reached Veilstone City and exchanged his Pokémon at the Pokémon Center, bringing Aggron, Aerodactyl, Larvesta, Pupitar, Excadrill, and Rhydon with him.
• Yong arranged with Uncle Zhibian to send Rhydon's Protector to Veilstone City so Rhydon could evolve.
• Yong stopped at the fountain plaza and recognized Xiao Yi, the painter he had met outside Pastoria City, alongside his Samurott.
• Yong and Xiao Yi talked about their travels, and Xiao Yi showed Yong his landscape paintings and said he had earned four Badges.
• When Yong told Xiao Yi that Cynthia had returned to Celestic Town, Xiao Yi thanked him and hurried away with Samurott.
• Yong left the plaza and continued toward the Veilstone Department Store.

Yong arrived in Veilstone City, bought several TMs, and reunited with Reggie and Akemi at her Pokémon Day Care. Reggie invited Yong to stay at his house, while Paul’s arrival interrupted their reunion.

• Yong purchased Sunny Day, Rain Dance, and Swords Dance TMs, along with other supplies, at Veilstone City's department store.
• Yong visited Reggie's family's Pokémon Day Care, met young Paul, and left after learning Reggie was not there.
• Yong found Akemi's Pokémon Day Care, where he reunited with Akemi and Reggie.
• Yong told Reggie and Akemi about his recent adventures, including his battles and training.
• Paul arrived and interrupted their conversation, and Reggie invited Yong to stay at his house for the night.

Yong visited Veilstone Gym to challenge Maylene and learned he would have to fight through the Gym’s defenders to reach her. The chapter ended with him entering the first ring as Trainers watched eagerly.

• Reggie showed Yong that his Electabuzz had evolved into a level 55 Electivire after using an Electirizer.
• Yong told Reggie he planned to challenge the Gym the next day and visit the Battle Zone afterward.
• Yong and Reggie arrived at Veilstone Gym, where Jiro explained that challengers had to fight their way through the rings to reach Maylene.
• Jiro cleared the rings and left one defender in each as Yong stepped into the first ring.

Yong defeated three of Maylene’s disciples in one-sided Gym battles, using Pupitar to beat two Machoke and Excadrill to defeat Medicham. Maylene challenged Yong to a full-strength battle, and both prepared to fight.

• Shiro sent out a level 42 Machoke, but Yong’s Pupitar defeated it with Iron Head and reached level 41.
• Yong’s Pupitar defeated Butch’s level 45 Machoke despite its Fighting-type advantage.
• Yong sent out Excadrill against Ichiro’s level 48 Medicham and won with a combination of moves.
• Maylene reprimanded her disciples for underestimating their opponents and doubled their training.
• Maylene greeted Yong enthusiastically and challenged him to a battle, asking Jiro to referee.

Yong and Maylene began their two-Pokémon Gym match, pitting Rhydon against Heracross in a clash of strength. Rhydon trapped Heracross with rocks and struck it with Fire Punch, but Heracross endured the blow and launched a Counter at Rhydon.

• Jiro refereed Yong and Maylene’s two-Pokémon match, and Maylene sent out Heracross as her first Pokémon.
• Yong chose Rhydon, and the two Pokémon traded Brick Break, Hammer Arm, and Horn Attack in a powerful opening clash.
• Yong ordered Rhydon to use Rock Tomb, but Heracross smashed the rocks aside while Rhydon closed in.
• Rhydon used Fire Punch and swept rocks with its tail to block Heracross’s escape, while Maylene ordered Heracross to endure the attack.
• Heracross survived the Fire Punch and, on Maylene’s command, charged down at Rhydon with Counter.

Yong’s Rhydon defeated Maylene’s Heracross in a brutal final clash, but Maylene then sent out her powerful Infernape. The chapter ended with Jiro revealing that Infernape wielded a Force Domain and wondering whether Yong understood its power.

• Heracross and Rhydon traded devastating attacks, and Yong praised Maylene’s training after Heracross endured Rhydon’s Counter despite its burn.
• Yong and Maylene ordered their Pokémon into a final charge, and Rhydon knocked Heracross unconscious.
• Jiro declared Rhydon the winner, and Yong recalled it after congratulating it on the victory.
• Maylene praised Heracross, then sent out her level 52 Infernape, which possessed the Force Domain skill blaze aura.
• Jiro recognized that Infernape commanded a domain and wondered whether Yong understood the power of a Force Domain.

Yong’s Aggron battled Maylene’s Infernape, enduring powerful Fighting-type attacks before countering with High Horsepower. Aggron remained standing over the defeated Infernape, leaving Maylene impressed by his resilience.

• Yong sent out Aggron, whose imposing presence surprised Jiro and drew Maylene’s anticipation.
• Yong ordered Aggron to use Earth Power, but Infernape dodged and attacked with Flame Wheel.
• Aggron countered the Flame Wheel with Hydro Pump, and Infernape emerged from the steam to land Mach Punch and Close Combat.
• Yong told Aggron to grab Infernape, then use High Horsepower against the ground while holding him.
• Aggron smashed Infernape into the battlefield, then stood over him as Maylene marveled that he had endured two Fighting-type attacks.

Yong defeated Maylene’s Infernape with Aggron in a hard-fought Veilstone Gym battle and earned the Cobble Badge. He left with two badges still to collect, setting his sights on Sunyshore City and Volkner.

• Maylene’s Infernape rose with Blaze and charged Aggron with Flare Blitz, while Yong ordered Aggron to use High Horsepower.
• Infernape and Aggron collided in a final clash that sent both Pokémon crashing down.
• Infernape fell unconscious first, and Jiro declared Aggron the winner.
• Yong recalled Aggron, accepted the Cobble Badge from Maylene, and added it to his badge case.
• Maylene and Jiro discussed Yong’s next challenge at Sunyshore City, and Yong said he looked forward to facing Volkner.

Yong helped Reggie regain his confidence through battles in Veilstone City, and the two discussed their plans for the future. As Yong prepared to leave for Sunyshore City, Xiao Yi vowed to meet him at the Pokémon League, while Cynthia headed to the Temple to focus on training.

• Yong and Reggie battled in the Four Seasons House courtyard, helping Reggie reconnect with his Pokémon and recover from his defeat by Cynthia.
• Reggie reassured Paul that he would work hard and challenge Cynthia again, and Yong urged him to learn to accept defeat.
• Yong planned to leave for Sunyshore City and pursue the Battle Zone, while Reggie said he intended to travel to Kanto for the Indigo Plateau Conference and visit Professor Oak.
• Yong left the Four Seasons House, passed the Galactic Veilstone Building, and later learned his package from home had still not arrived, so he asked Reggie to forward it when it came.
• Xiao Yi left the Historical Research Institute determined to face Yong at the Pokémon League Conference and flew away on Staraptor.
• Professor Carolina told Cynthia to train at the Temple until she broke through the Elite Four level, and Cynthia agreed to go.

Yong visited Lake Valor, fed the wild Pokémon, and quietly greeted the hidden Azelf before flying on to Sunyshore City. There, Gym Leader Volkner rejected a young challenger and lamented the lack of capable Trainers.

• Yong flew southeast from Veilstone City toward Lake Valor and learned about the lake, Azelf, and its role in Sinnoh.
• Yong fed two Wooper and enjoyed watching the wild Pokémon along Lake Valor’s shore.
• After something tapped his shoulder, Yong left Pokémon Food and Berries for the unseen Azelf, said goodbye, and departed on Aerodactyl.
• At Sunyshore Gym, Volkner told a young challenger that his fundamentals were poor and that he needed to train more.
• Volkner criticized the challenger for not bringing a Rock-type or Ground-type Pokémon, then sighed that no decent challengers had appeared lately.

Yong arrived in Sunyshore City to prepare for his seventh Gym challenge and learned that his Pokémon Egg was close to hatching. On the beach, the egg began to glow as a strangely familiar man watched beside him.

• Yong browsed Sunyshore City's sticker market and left without finding a Kleavor sticker, though a shopkeeper promised to make some.
• Yong explored the city's elevated walkways, checked his Pokémon into the Center, and called his mother, who told him supplies were on the way and that Kofu had asked about him.
• Yong collected his Pokémon and went to the beach to warm up before challenging Volkner, mindful of the Gym Leader's strength.
• Yong's egg began hatching, and a red-haired man in sunglasses approached and quietly watched as the egg's light grew brighter.

Yong’s Pokémon Egg hatched into a female Gligar, who bonded with Yong and Larvesta. After meeting Flint in Sunyshore City, Yong introduced Gligar to his other Pokémon and began training with them by the coast.

• The Pokémon Egg absorbed the light and hatched into a female Gligar with Sand Veil, Cross Poison, and Agility.
• Gligar opened her eyes, nestled against Yong, and sought comfort beside Larvesta when Flint’s excitement frightened them.
• Flint introduced himself to Yong as a Fire-type Trainer from Sunyshore City and praised Larvesta before learning Yong planned to challenge the Gym.
• Yong found a clearing by the bay, brought out his Pokémon, and introduced Gligar to the team as their new companion.
• Yong and his Pokémon began their day’s training near the lighthouse.

Yong chose Sunyshore Gym’s direct challenge route by displaying all six of his badges, then faced Gym Trainer Mikey in a one-on-one battle. As Yong sent out Pupitar against Mikey’s Raichu, Volkner and Flint watched from the Final Battlefield, where Flint praised Yong’s potential.

• Yong considered the Gym’s two challenge routes and displayed all six of his badges to select the direct route.
• The Gym’s system directed Yong to the battlefield, where he met Gym Trainer Mikey.
• Mikey explained that Yong had to defeat him in a one-on-one match to reach the final room.
• Yong and Mikey sent out Pupitar and Raichu, respectively, and Mikey acknowledged Pupitar’s type advantage.
• Flint recognized Yong on the overhead screen and told Volkner that Yong seemed like a promising youngster.