Chapter Summaries

Yong lost the first Battle Factory round after his low-level Croagunk was overwhelmed by Tucker’s Combusken, though Croagunk poisoned it before being knocked out. Tucker explained that Yong had received the facility’s most favorable rules as his first challenge, and the second round began with Tucker’s low-level Slugma facing Yong’s powerful-looking Pokémon.

• Yong sent Croagunk against Tucker’s Combusken, and Combusken used its speed and attacks to overpower it.
• Croagunk was knocked out after poisoning Combusken, giving Tucker the first-round win.
• Tucker told Yong that the Battle Factory had given him its lowest-tier rules because it was his first challenge, while later facilities would offer no preferential treatment or choices.
• Tucker and Yong began the second, Fire-type round, and Tucker’s Pokémon was revealed as a level 16 Slugma.
• Yong sent out a Pokémon whose heavy landing and imposing presence suggested it was powerful.

Yong won the second round after drawing a much stronger Camerupt, then faced Tucker’s Snorlax in the Normal-type challenge with a rare Blissey. Blissey blessed Yong, agreed to battle for him, and left him ready to begin the evenly matched fight.

• Yong drew a level 42 Camerupt, and Tucker conceded the second round, earning Yong five points.
• Tucker began the Normal-type challenge and drew a level 48 Snorlax.
• Yong drew a rare Blissey, surprising him and Kofu.
• Blissey sensed Yong’s pure heart, blessed him, and gave him new insight.
• Blissey agreed to battle Snorlax, and Tucker started the match.

Yong and Tucker battled with Blissey and Snorlax in a match that allowed unrestricted move usage. Blissey endured Snorlax’s attacks and repeatedly healed itself, leaving Tucker’s Pokémon struggling to make headway.

• Tucker opened with Snorlax’s Belly Drum and Hammer Arm, but Yong used Blissey’s Charm to weaken Snorlax’s resolve.
• Blissey struck Snorlax with Disarming Voice while Snorlax built power with Stockpile, then evaded its Body Slam with Defense Curl.
• Blissey used Soft-Boiled to recover, and Snorlax answered with Giga Impact, but Blissey escaped the attack with Substitute.
• Tucker interrupted Blissey’s next healing attempt with Hyper Beam, breaking its Protect before it could form and sending it rolling across the battlefield.
• Blissey got back up, and Yong had it use Soft-Boiled and Life Dew while Snorlax was immobilized after Hyper Beam.

Yong used Blissey’s stamina and Heal Bell to overcome Tucker’s Snorlax and win the first stage of the Battle Zone challenge. Tucker praised Yong’s handling of Blissey but questioned how he had learned to counter Yawn with Heal Bell.

• Tucker ordered Snorlax to use Yawn, while Yong had Blissey answer with Sing, putting Snorlax to sleep as Blissey grew drowsy.
• Yong had Blissey use Heal Bell to clear her sleepiness, then attack Snorlax with Brick Break as it used Sleep Talk to unleash Thrash.
• Yong ordered Blissey to use Double-Edge, and Snorlax’s Sleep Talk produced Thunder Punch, which Blissey drove back into Snorlax and knocked it out.
• The referee declared Blissey the winner, and Kofu and Scott congratulated Yong for clearing the first stage.
• Tucker praised Yong’s skill with Blissey, then questioned whether Nurse Joy had really taught him to use Heal Bell against Yawn.

Yong received the Silver Commemorative Print and ten Battle Points after passing the Battle Factory's trial, then chose the Battle Stage as his next challenge. He met its Frontier Brain, Argenta, and suspected her cheerful manner was an act.

• Tucker congratulated Yong, gave him the Silver Commemorative Print, a stamp case, and ten Battle Points, and warned him that future challenges would be harder.
• Yong decided to save his Battle Points and declared that he would collect every print.
• Yong chose the Battle Stage, and Scott reminded him that he would receive no more special treatment.
• Yong, Scott, and Kofu arrived at the lavishly decorated Battle Stage, which resembled a theater.
• Argenta greeted the group, noted that Kofu could not challenge again yet, and learned that Yong had already passed the Battle Factory trial.
• Yong introduced himself to Argenta and suspected that her playful delight was a performance.

Yong visited the Battle Stage and learned the two sets of rules for its Silver Print challenge. He chose the single-Pokémon format and was about to select his Pokémon and draw types for the first five battles.

• Argenta welcomed Yong, Scott, and Kofu, then sent Yong backstage to learn the Battle Stage rules.
• Katsuya explained that Yong had to clear ten tiers of battles before he could face Argenta.
• Katsuya described the two rule sets: battles with restricted moves and types, or battles using one Pokémon against randomly selected types.
• Yong chose the single-Pokémon rule set and learned that any Pokémon level thirty or above was eligible.
• Katsuya showed Yong the type-drawing machine and asked him to choose his Pokémon.

Yong chose his level 61 Swampert for the Battle Stage, prompting Katsuya to raise the challenge difficulty and increase the rewards. Yong began the ten-round challenge and drew the types for the first three rounds.

• Yong selected Swampert, and Katsuya discovered it was level 61 and considered it Gym Class strength.
• Katsuya adjusted the challenge rules, raising the opponents’ levels and adding extra Pokémon to each round.
• Yong declined to choose opponent types as compensation, and Katsuya explained the points and silver print rewards.
• Yong pressed the selection button six times and drew Rock, Water, Fire, Electric, Fighting, and Fire types for the first three rounds.
• Yong took Swampert’s Pokémon Ball and headed toward the Battle Stage.

Yong began the Battle Stage’s endurance challenge, where his Swampert defeated Cheng Zhi’s Golem with a single Hammer Arm. Swampert then broke through Golduck’s Confusion and charged into it, leaving the battle against Cheng Zhi unfinished.

• Yong entered the Battle Stage and met Cheng Zhi, the lead trainer for the first round.
• Cheng Zhi sent out his level 40 Golem, and Yong answered with Swampert.
• Swampert struck Golem’s Rollout with Hammer Arm and knocked it out in one hit.
• Cheng Zhi sent out his level 40 Golduck, and Yong ordered Swampert to attack with Liquidation.
• Golduck tried to restrain Swampert with Confusion, but Swampert broke free and charged into it.

Yong’s Swampert continued through the Battle Stage, defeating Cheng Zhi’s Golduck and Shimen’s Flareon with single attacks before facing Shimen’s Jolteon. Swampert trapped the field with Sand Tomb and closed in on Jolteon, with Bulldoze about to strike.

• Swampert knocked out Cheng Zhi’s Golduck with Liquidation, and Yong declined to restore Swampert’s stamina.
• Shimen sent out his level 45 Flareon, which Swampert defeated with Hydro Pump.
• Kofu and Scott discussed Swampert’s consecutive one-hit victories and the challenge’s endurance rules.
• Shimen sent out Jolteon, and Yong ordered Swampert to use Sand Tomb across the battlefield.
• Jolteon used Quick Attack to escape the sand and rush toward Swampert, but Swampert appeared in front of it as Yong called for Bulldoze.

Yong and Swampert advanced to the third round after Swampert defeated Shimen's Jolteon, then faced Huajian and his powerful Throh. Their opening attacks collided in a clash of water and Fighting-type energy, leaving the match unresolved.

• Swampert knocked out Shimen's Jolteon and won its fourth consecutive battle, while Yong declined another rest.
• Yong met Huajian, the lead trainer for the third round, and learned that his Pokémon was a Level 50 Throh.
• Huajian had Throh use Full Boost, but Throh sensed Swampert's powerful aura and began to lose confidence.
• Yong sent Swampert charging with Liquidation, and Huajian ordered Throh to counter with Brick Break.
• Swampert and Throh's attacks collided in a burst of water and energy that showered the stage.

Yong’s Swampert defeated Hanama’s Throh with a powerful Mega Punch infused with a Force Domain, leaving half the battlefield wrecked. Hanama then sent out his level 50 Rapidash as Yong prepared for the final battle of the first three rounds.

• Swampert caught Throh’s Mega Punch and held it in place.
• Yong ordered Swampert to unleash its own Mega Punch, using a Force Domain to pin Throh before blasting it into the wall.
• The referee declared Throh unable to battle, and Yong discussed Swampert’s stamina and prolonged-battle strength with it.
• Hanama praised Yong’s Swampert and sent out his level 50 Rapidash as his second Pokémon.

Yong and Swampert defeated Huajian and Rapidash, completing the first three challenge rounds. After returning to Katsuya for Swampert’s recovery, Yong discovered a hidden area behind a moving wall.

• Yong ordered Swampert to defeat Rapidash with Hydro Pump after their attacks collided in a clash of fire and water.
• The referee declared Rapidash unable to battle, and Yong earned Training Points and increased move proficiency for Swampert.
• Yong requested Swampert’s recovery and returned to the preparation room, where Katsuya praised its performance.
• Katsuya took Swampert’s Poké Ball for treatment and revealed a glass-partitioned area behind a sliding wall.

Yong drew the types for the remaining rounds, then began round four against Akiya and her Sceptile. Swampert and Sceptile ended the chapter locked in an evenly matched close-range battle.

• Chansey treated Swampert in the Medical Laboratory while Yong drew Grass and Flying types for round four and Ground and Dragon types for the final round.
• Yong returned to the repaired arena, where Kofu and Mr. Scott cheered him on before Akiya introduced herself as round four's guardian.
• Akiya sent out her level 55 Sceptile, and Yong faced it with his recovered Swampert.
• Yong interrupted Sceptile's attempt to boost its strength with Work Up and Swords Dance by ordering Swampert to use Rock Slide.
• Sceptile dodged Earth Power and countered with Bullet Seed while Swampert advanced through the rocks and prepared Ice Punch.
• Sceptile and Swampert clashed in midair with Leaf Blade and Ice Punch, trading super-effective blows without either gaining the upper hand.

Yong defeated Akiya’s Sceptile with Swampert’s Supersonic and Ice Punch, then faced Akiya’s female Unfezant in the next round. As the challenge continued, Muren Under the Moon revealed his anticipation of meeting Yong, who sent Swampert back out to battle Unfezant.

• Yong used Swampert’s Supersonic to confuse Sceptile, then knocked it out with a fully charged Ice Punch.
• Swampert won the official battle, gained training points and experience, and leveled up to Lv62.
• Scott urged Yong to take the upcoming matches seriously, while Kofu remarked that the Battle Stage felt different from the Battle Factory.
• Muren Under the Moon told Argenta he had been waiting to face Yong, the youngest-ever Pokémon League tournament champion.
• Akiya sent out her female Unfezant for the second round, and Yong brought Swampert back onto the stage.

Yong’s Swampert battled Akiya’s Unfezant, enduring its powerful attacks and trapping it despite suffering heavy damage. As Swampert’s recovery became evident, Muren Under the Moon grew intent on discovering the source of its resilience, while Yong ordered an Ice Punch.

• Yong had Swampert use Rock Throw, but Akiya’s Unfezant dodged with Agility, climbed higher, and strengthened itself with Focus Energy.
• Unfezant used Gust to try to lift Swampert, but Swampert held its ground and broke free before landing more Rock Throws that damaged its wings.
• When Swampert launched Rock Slide, Akiya had Unfezant evade it with Night Slash and strike Swampert in the chest, knocking it down.
• Akiya ordered Unfezant to finish Swampert, but Yong’s Icy Wind slowed its dive, and Swampert grabbed Unfezant’s leg through the resulting storm of impacts.
• Kofu and Scott observed Swampert’s exceptional defense and gradual recovery, while Muren Under the Moon became determined to learn the secret behind its abilities.
• Yong ordered Swampert to use Ice Punch.

Yong defeated Akiya’s Unfezant with Swampert and advanced to the final round of the Battle Stage, where Junzhi introduced a level-60 Torterra as his first opponent. Yong suspected the battle was a deliberate provocation and began the match determined to answer it.

• Swampert knocked out Unfezant with Ice Punch, giving Yong his fourth consecutive victory and earning training points and move proficiency.
• Yong asked Mr. Katsuya whether Argenta had trained the Battle Stage’s lead Trainers, and Katsuya remarked that she had changed quite a lot.
• After Swampert recovered, Yong returned to the stage and met Junzhi, the final-round lead Trainer, who praised Yong’s Ever Grande Conference victory.
• Junzhi sent out a massive level-60 Torterra, and Yong recognized that the opponent lacked the traits needed to reach Elite Four level.
• Yong sent Swampert out to face Torterra, and the referee started their battle.

Yong accused Junzhi of holding back and unleashed Swampert’s full power against Torterra. After Swampert defeated Torterra with a crushing Ice Punch, Argenta left Muren Under the Moon’s private box, leaving the conflict over the match’s rules unresolved.

• Yong accused Junzhi of pretending to fight, while Scott reassured Kofu that the League would investigate any improper interference.
• Muren Under the Moon recognized that rule changes could become illegal interference and ordered Argenta to ensure the remaining battles proceeded smoothly.
• Yong ordered Swampert to use Rock Slide, causing the ground beneath Torterra to rupture and collapse.
• Swampert struck Torterra with Ice Punch and froze him, but Torterra remained conscious.
• Yong ordered a second Ice Punch, which shattered the ice and drove Torterra’s head into the frozen ground, leaving the stage silent.

Yong faced Junzhi in the final round as Junzhi revealed Haxorus and fought with an intensity unlike before. Their Pokémon clashed in a fierce battle, and Swampert was badly struck by Haxorus’s Dragon Claw as the fight continued.

• After Swampert defeated Torterra, Junzhi challenged Yong to the final round and insisted the battle would prove his ability as a Trainer.
• Argenta arrived and warned Junzhi, but let him continue after he refused to follow her instructions.
• Junzhi sent out his Haxorus, whose Rivalry ability and Force Domain gave it a powerful fighting aura.
• Yong ordered Swampert to attack with Ice Beam and Ice Punch while Haxorus countered with Dragon Pulse and Brick Break.
• Swampert landed an Ice Punch, but Haxorus endured the damage and struck Swampert with Dragon Claw, sending it sliding backward with two deep gashes across its chest.

Yong and Swampert defeated Junzhi and Haxorus in a grueling battle, but the aftermath revealed that Junzhi felt trapped by powerful factions. Muren Under the Moon approached Yong and hinted that he knew about Steel Stone’s protection.

• Haxorus broke through Swampert’s Icy Wind with Giga Impact, but Swampert endured the blow and struck back with Ice Punch while Haxorus was immobilized by recoil.
• Swampert and Haxorus exchanged final Ice Punch and Dragon Claw attacks, then struggled to rise; Haxorus collapsed from its accumulated Ice-type injuries, giving Swampert the win.
• Muren Under the Moon left the arena and ordered someone in the shadowed corridor not to let a person leave because he wanted to talk with him.
• Yong praised his exhausted Swampert and recalled it, then asked Junzhi why he let powerful families control his fate.
• Argenta explained that most geniuses belonged to major factions and that Yong could preserve his independence partly because Steel Stone protected him.
• Muren Under the Moon approached Yong and remarked that even he had Steel Stone’s protection.

Muren Under the Moon invited Shiyan Yong to join Under the Moon and demanded his Pokémon training methods, revealing that he had arranged their meeting and warned Team Galactic. Kofu identified himself as being from Dragon Village, leaving Muren Under the Moon startled.

• Muren Under the Moon invited Yong to join Under the Moon, but Yong refused.
• Muren Under the Moon claimed he had arranged the meeting and told Scott that he had protected him from opposition within his family.
• Scott denied conspiring with Muren Under the Moon, and Yong said he believed Scott before demanding to know the real reason for the meeting.
• Muren Under the Moon demanded Yong’s methods for training Pokémon resistances and improving their recovery, and said he had warned Team Galactic to ensure they could meet.
• Kofu mocked Muren Under the Moon and revealed that he came from Dragon Village.