Chapter Summaries

Yong arrived in Sunyshore City to register for the Lily of the Valley Conference, where Nurse Joy confirmed him as a seeded contestant. She also informed him of two new rules that would shape the tournament.

• Yong flew into Sunyshore City on Aerodactyl and joined the crowds gathering ahead of the conference.
• Yong registered at the Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy confirmed his eight Badges and seeded status as the previous Ever Grande Conference champion and a Frontier Brain.
• Nurse Joy told Yong that upgraded battlefields would allow powerful moves that could damage the arena.
• Nurse Joy explained that only the conference winner would earn the right to challenge the Elite Four, rather than the top four contestants.
• Yong welcomed the battlefield change and reflected that familiar figures were beginning to enter the spotlight.

Yong set out from Sunyshore City and entered Sinnoh’s Victory Road with Larvesta, preparing to face the cave’s trials. After reaching a river, they drove off another Floatzel that had attacked them, then continued deeper into the cave.

• Yong boarded a ferry from Sunyshore City and traveled toward Victory Road with Rhyperior, Metagross, Pupitar, Larvesta, Boldore, and Gligar.
• Yong entered Victory Road and continued through its branching cave passages as other Trainers gradually disappeared from sight.
• Yong released Larvesta to light the dark passage and asked it to help him proceed.
• Yong reached a riverbank, where a Floatzel attacked him with a jet of water.
• Larvesta struck the Floatzel with Flamethrower, forcing it to leap into the river and flee, and Yong continued onward.

Yong battled and defeated a Golem with Larvesta on the second level of Victory Road, then emerged on Lily of the Valley Island as preparations for the Sinnoh League Conference filled the island. The chapter ended with Yong looking toward the waterfall and buildings and announcing that he had finally made it out.

• Yong reached a passage to Victory Road's second level and encountered stronger, more aggressive wild Pokémon.
• Yong sent Larvesta against a level 48 Golem, which attacked by rolling toward them.
• Larvesta layered String Shot over Golem until it was immobilized, then defeated it with Solar Beam.
• The chapter outlined the Lily of the Valley Conference's qualification process, preliminaries, and tournament format as crowds arrived on the island.
• Yong emerged from the cave onto Lily of the Valley Island and saw the waterfall and buildings ahead.

Yong arrived at the Lily of the Valley Conference and entered the preliminaries, where contestants battled for sixty-four places in the opening rounds. After watching Xiao Yi win easily with Beartic, Yong was called to his first match against contestant 121.

• Yong reached the contestants' village after passing the Pokémon League's information checks and rested with Larvesta.
• The preliminaries began with one-on-one, single-elimination battles using Pokémon around levels 35 to 45, and Yong received contestant number 098.
• Yong watched contestants battle across the Battle Park's four fields as the competition narrowed toward sixty-four places.
• Xiao Yi sent out his Beartic against contestant 44's Weepinbell and won decisively with a barrage of Ice-type moves.
• Yong was summoned to field two to face contestant 121 in his first preliminary match.

Yong defeated Corsola with Kleavor in one hit and won both of his preliminary matches, securing a place in the main tournament. That evening, President Charles Goodshow and Lucian unexpectedly visited Yong in his room.

• Yong sent out Kleavor against Player No. 121's Corsola and defeated it with Quick Attack and X-Scissor.
• Xiao Yi watched Yong's match and resolved to test the strength of the Trainer Cynthia had praised.
• Yong won his second preliminary match and secured a place in the main tournament, while Xiao Yi had to wait another day for his next match.
• After the first day of preliminaries ended, President Charles Goodshow and Lucian arrived at Yong's room as unexpected visitors.

After advancing to the Lily of the Valley Conference main tournament, Shiyan Yong served as its final torchbearer and lit the Sacred Fire at the opening ceremony. The conference officially began beneath Moltres’s flame.

• Shiyan Yong and the other hidden-strength competitors, including Xiao Yi, advanced to the main tournament as the preliminaries ended.
• After Damaranch and Lucian offered him the torchbearer role along with benefits for the Ishida family, Yong agreed to carry the Sacred Fire.
• Yong ran through the crowds to the Final Venue and climbed the Sacred Fire Platform as the competitors and spectators assembled.
• The announcer introduced Damaranch, Lucian, Yota, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, Professor Carolina, and other guests at the opening ceremony.
• Yong lit the fuse with the sacred flame, and a towering blaze shaped like Moltres rose as Charles Goodshow called on the Trainers to fight fairly and leave no regrets.

The Sinnoh League Lily of the Valley Conference began with new rules allowing destructive moves and reserving an Elite Four challenge for the champion alone. Yong drew Naoki in the preliminaries, and their three-on-three battle opened with Heracross facing Excadrill.

• Lucian announced the conference’s upgraded battlefields and new champion-only Elite Four challenge before declaring the tournament open.
• Yong met Xiao Yi in the Lounge, where Xiao Yi asked about Cynthia and Mega Evolution and said he still hoped to battle Yong.
• The pairings sent Yong and Naoki to the Third Venue for a Grass Field preliminary match.
• Yong and Naoki each sent out their first Pokémon, Heracross and Excadrill, and the referee began the battle.

Yong’s Excadrill defeated Naoki’s Heracross by using Sandstorm to conceal its attacks and finish with Hyper Beam. Naoki sent out Magneton for the next round, and the battle began with Excadrill still in excellent condition.

• Yong ordered Excadrill to use Swords Dance, while Naoki sent Heracross in with Pin Missile.
• Excadrill blocked the needles with Rapid Spin, raised a Sandstorm, and used its speed in the storm to strike Heracross with Crush Claw.
• Yong ordered Hyper Beam, which hit Heracross and left it unable to battle; Excadrill won the first round and earned Training Points and move proficiency.
• Naoki recalled Heracross and sent out Magneton, whose Steel typing protected it from the Sandstorm’s stamina drain.
• The referee started the Excadrill-versus-Magneton round, and Yong kept Excadrill in the battle.

Yong recalled Excadrill and sent out Pupitar, which seized control of the sandstorm and overwhelmed Naoki’s Magneton. Pupitar dragged Magneton from the sky and struck it with High Horsepower, leaving the match decided in Yong’s favor.

• Magneton dodged Excadrill’s Drill Run and countered with Tri Attack, but Excadrill evaded the attack with Dig.
• Yong recalled Excadrill and sent out Pupitar, which greatly intensified and controlled the sandstorm.
• Naoki ordered Magneton to keep dodging and use Tri Attack, but Pupitar endured the attack without being harmed.
• Pupitar used the sandstorm to trap Magneton and pull it down, then launched itself upward with High Horsepower.
• Magneton’s Protect failed to stop Pupitar’s direct strike, and Magneton crashed onto the field as the crowd cheered Yong.

Yong’s Pupitar defeated Naoki’s Magneton, giving Yong a second consecutive win and leveling up. Naoki sent out his final Pokémon, a massive Mamoswine, to face Pupitar as the last round began.

• Pupitar overwhelmed Magneton in the sandstorm, and the referee declared Yong the winner; Pupitar gained experience and reached Lv. 51.
• The competitors watched Pupitar’s victory while Naoki recalled Magneton and resolved to keep fighting for his grandmother.
• Naoki sent out his Lv. 50 Mamoswine, whose size, Thick Fat ability, and keen sense of smell helped counter the sandstorm.
• The referee started the final round between Mamoswine and Pupitar as the sandstorm began to fade.

Yong defeated Naoki after Pupitar broke free from Mamoswine’s icy trap and countered its charge with Iron Head. Yong advanced to the next round, and he and Naoki parted on friendly terms.

• Yong ordered Pupitar to use Sand Tomb across the battlefield, but Naoki had Mamoswine freeze the quicksand with Icy Wind and charge with Double-Edge.
• Pupitar shattered the ice, propelled itself with bursts of air, and struck Mamoswine’s front legs with Iron Head, making it tumble.
• Yong had Pupitar repeatedly attack with Iron Head until Mamoswine was knocked unconscious.
• The referee declared Pupitar the winner and announced that Yong advanced after all three of Naoki’s Pokémon were unable to battle.
• Yong praised Naoki and shook his hand, and Naoki promised to keep training for another chance to challenge him.

Yong watched Yota Ishu and Xiao Yi win their preliminary matches as the first day of the tournament ended. He returned to the competitors' village, with another round still to come before he could reach the top sixteen.

• Yong returned to the Lounge, where Xiao Yi asked about his lineup and declared that he wanted to challenge Yong and then Cynthia.
• Yota Ishu, an heir to the Yishu Family and one of the People of the Water, defeated his opponent with Lapras on the Water Field.
• Yota's Lapras froze the field to defeat Breloom, then froze Lanturn underwater and used Bulldoze to knock it out; Yota's opponent's Sudowoodo sealed the match.
• Xiao Yi used Staraptor and Stoutland to defeat his opponent, whose final Pokémon was Elekid.
• After the first day of preliminaries ended, Yong said goodbye to Xiao Yi and returned to the competitors' village.

During the Fireworks Festival, Yota Ishu told Yong he hoped to face him in the Pokémon League Conference and experience his mega evolution. After the first preliminary round ended, Yong drew Yūno Yūjirō for his second-round match and was startled by his opponent’s pink tank top.

• Yota Ishu approached Yong at the festival and said he wanted to advance far enough to battle him.
• Yong told Yota that Steelix and Swampert would not compete, but hinted that another of his Pokémon could mega evolve.
• The first preliminary round ended, leaving thirty-two competitors to fight in the second round.
• Yong watched Canghui defeat Vileplume with Typhlosion and discussed the strong Fire-type trainer with Xiao Yi.
• The draw paired Yong against Yūno Yūjirō at Venue Three on the Rock Field, and Yong noticed Yūjirō wore a pink tank top.

Yong’s Excadrill defeated Yuujirou’s Jigglypuff in the tournament’s first round by using Dig and collapsing the rocky field into quicksand. Yuujirou sent out his next Pokémon as the match continued.

• Yuujirou opened the battle with Jigglypuff’s Charm and Sing, but Excadrill avoided the gaze and silenced her song with Metal Sound.
• Jigglypuff hit Excadrill with Water Pulse, but he recovered and returned underground with Dig.
• Excadrill hollowed out the field and turned it into quicksand, trapping Jigglypuff before striking her with Metal Claw.
• Excadrill emerged with the unconscious Jigglypuff, and the referee declared him the winner; his Dig proficiency advanced to Control Class.
• Yuujirou recalled Jigglypuff and sent out his second Pokémon.

Yong’s Excadrill battled Yuujirou’s Slowbro, winning control of the weather and charging through Surf despite the type disadvantage. The chapter ended as Excadrill emerged from the wave and Yong ordered it to use Shadow Claw against Slowbro’s Body Press.

• Yuujirou sent out Slowbro, and Yong ordered Excadrill to use Swords Dance.
• Yuujirou tried to summon rain with Rain Dance, but Excadrill’s faster Sandstorm took control of the weather.
• Yuujirou had Slowbro use Withdraw to defend against Excadrill’s Rapid Spin, then ordered Surf to wash away the quicksand.
• Yong directed Excadrill to charge through Surf with Rapid Spin, using skills it had practiced while training in the ocean.
• Yuujirou ordered Slowbro to ride the wave and attack with Body Press, but Excadrill broke through the water and Yong called for Shadow Claw.

Yong’s Excadrill defeated Yuujirou’s Slowbro after surviving Earthquake and striking it with Shadow Claw. Yuujirou then brought out his third Pokémon, and both trainers sent out their next partners as the third round began.

• Excadrill survived the clash with Slowbro, leaving Slowbro in worse condition after their attacks collided.
• Yuujirou ordered Slowbro to use Earthquake, shaking the field and forcing Excadrill to evade across the rocks.
• Yong told Excadrill to charge through with Rapid Spin and Shadow Claw, knocking Slowbro through a rock wall.
• The referee declared Slowbro unable to battle, and Excadrill gained experience, improved its move proficiency, and reached Lv49.
• Yuujirou said Yong was the second person his age to make him get serious, then challenged him to a third round.
• Yuujirou and Yong each sent out a Pokémon, beginning the third round.

Yuujirou sent out a Ditto with the Hidden Ability Imposter, which transformed into a Pupitar and battled Yong’s Pupitar. As Ditto charged with Outrage, Yong ordered his Pupitar to bury itself and repeatedly use Iron Defense, then hinted that Yuujirou had underestimated his specialty.

• Yuujirou’s Ditto transformed into an identical Pupitar, confusing Yong’s Pupitar until Yong warned it that its opponent was a Ditto.
• The referee began the battle, and Yuujirou’s Ditto and Yong’s Pupitar collided with Iron Head before matching each other’s High Horsepower.
• Yuujirou ordered Ditto to use Outrage, and it charged at Yong’s Pupitar with a raging aura.
• Yong told his Pupitar to sink into the ground and repeatedly use Iron Defense, then said Yuujirou did not know what he was best at.

Yong defeated Yuujirou to advance to the Top 16, then recognized Anabel among the contestants as she faced Yota Ishu. He reflected on her future and the mystery of whether she had already traveled through an Ultra Wormhole.

• Yuujirou's Ditto used Outrage and became confused, but Pupitar emerged from the crater and knocked it out with Payback.
• The referee declared Yong the winner after all three of Yuujirou's Pokémon were unable to battle, advancing Yong to the Top 16.
• Yuujirou admitted he had focused too much on Yong's Pokémon's attack power, then promised to make Ditto stronger for their next match.
• Yong returned to his lounge, where Xiao Yi praised his victory, and watched the remaining matches on the big screen.
• Yong recognized Yota Ishu's opponent, Anabel, and recalled that she would become the Battle Tower Tycoon and an International Police officer.

Anabel defeated Yota Ishu with Snorlax, whose unusual aura Yong recognized as the lingering influence of Ultra Beasts. After leaving the Lounge, Yong met Anabel by the sea and learned that she had lost her memories after an injury and that Looker would not explain what happened.

• Anabel's Snorlax defeated Yota Ishu's Milotic with Thunder Punch and Ice Punch, eliminating Yota in the round of 32.
• Yong recognized that Snorlax's power came from an Ultra Beast aura rather than a force domain and wondered whether Anabel had recently passed through an Ultra Wormhole.
• Yota returned to the Lounge, acknowledged Yong, and left as Xiao Yi remarked on Anabel's strength.
• Yong left the Lounge and went to the cliffs by the sea to relax before the next round.
• Anabel met Yong and said her head injury had damaged her memory, Snorlax had changed, and Looker would not tell her why she had been hurt.

Yong spoke with Anabel about her lost memories and the Alola Region, then returned to the competitors' village with her and Xiao Yi. After reaching the Pokémon League Conference's top sixteen, he resolved to keep improving his team and pursue his future goals.

• Yong realized Anabel's connection to Looker and the Guzzlord incident, then asked whether she knew of Alola.
• Anabel recognized Yong's description of the Southern Four Islands and recalled visiting Melemele Island before Looker took her to Sinnoh.
• Yong and Anabel chatted until the afternoon matches ended, then returned to the competitors' village and met Xiao Yi.
• Xiao Yi said he had narrowly won his match and warned Yong and Anabel that the next matches would take place at the Final Venue.
• Back in his room, Yong planned to prepare his Pokémon, travel to Kalos, strengthen his team, and eventually challenge the Elite Four.