Chapter Summaries

Yong planned to leave the Rock Solid Gym for a while, while Cynthia returned from the ruins and told Professor Carolina she had decided to pursue her goal of seeing history as it truly was. Before departing, Yong reassigned Gym duties, prepared Qingcao's Onix to evolve, and asked him to choose a second Pokémon.

• Yong decided he would travel after completing his Stage Two objectives because he disliked being tied to one place.
• Cynthia returned from the ruins, told Professor Carolina she had made up her mind, and vowed to stand at the very top so she could see history as it truly was.
• Yong assigned Grant to the Final Battlefield and Qingcao to the intermediate battlefield while he prepared to travel; Grant later realized Steelix's group also lacked battle experience and shouted after Yong.
• Yong told Qingcao that his Onix was ready to evolve and presented him with a lightweight Metal Coat to improve Steelix's agility.
• Yong asked Qingcao to choose a second Pokémon from the ones he had selected or the Pokémon available from Miss Siebold and Grant.

Yong left the Rock Solid Gym to travel through Kalos, planning to visit Professor Sycamore in Anistar City for Mega Evolution research material before returning to Hoenn. He arrived at the Pokémon Emotion Research Institute and waited for the Professor while considering writing a research paper.

• Qingcao asked Yong for a Mudkip, and Yong agreed to take him along when he left while assigning him to oversee the Intermediate Battlefield.
• Yong left Grant in charge of the Final Battlefield and departed the Gym with Swampert, Aerodactyl, Larvesta, and Excadrill.
• Korrina defeated a challenger with Hawlucha, then left Shunsuke responsible for the Shalour Gym so she could pursue her training and compete in the Gym Ranking Tournament.
• Yong flew northeast toward Anistar City, considering a detour to the haunted marsh in search of Golett while carrying out Drake's request to collect Mega Evolution material from Professor Sycamore.
• Yong reached Anistar City, visited the Pokémon Emotion Research Institute, and introduced himself to assistant researcher Kojima, who went to inform Professor Sycamore.

Shiyan Yong met Professor Sycamore in Kalos and discussed Mega Evolution, their research, and the Pokémon League. Sycamore explained that he supported the League because it could improve life and foster harmonious coexistence between humans and Pokémon.

• Kojima escorted Shiyan Yong to meet Professor Sycamore after the researchers recognized Yong's discoveries and achievements.
• Kojima praised Yong's bond with Swampert and suggested that emotional resonance enabled both Mega Evolution and Yong's unique bond phenomenon.
• Professor Sycamore welcomed Yong, showed him his collection of Mega Stones, and praised Yong's Mega Evolution research.
• Yong asked Professor Sycamore what he thought of people from outside Kalos, and Sycamore said he saw only humans and Pokémon, not outsiders.
• Professor Sycamore explained that he supported the Pokémon League because it could improve living conditions and advance harmonious coexistence between humans and Pokémon.

Professor Sycamore praised Yong’s research knowledge but accepted his decision to focus on battling, then gave him a Mega Stone and documents for Mr. Drake. Before Yong left the Emotion Research Institute, Sycamore also provided a map marking a possible Golett location in the Ghost Marsh.

• Professor Sycamore praised Yong’s knowledge of Mega Stones and offered to share his Mega Evolution research, but Yong chose to pursue training with his Pokémon instead.
• Professor Sycamore invited Yong to choose a Mega Stone, and Yong took Garchomp’s Mega Stone as a gift.
• Professor Sycamore gave Yong a sealed envelope of documents to deliver to Mr. Drake in Hoenn.
• Yong asked about Golett in the Ghost Marsh, and Professor Sycamore said he had seen them there in the past.
• Professor Sycamore had Kojima bring Yong a field map of the Ghost Marsh, which marked Golett near a set of shattered ruins.

Yong searched the Ghost Swamp with Larvesta and discovered that a dead tree and nearby shrubs were actually Ghost-type Pokémon hiding from him. Larvesta’s Flamethrower revealed a Phantump, Pumpkaboo, and Trevenant, leaving Yong facing the injured group.

• Yong flew east from Anistar City toward the Ghost Swamp, then landed when the eerie chill grew too strong.
• Yong found that his Pokédex could not function and followed Larvesta’s warning as they searched the marsh for ruins.
• Yong realized a dead tree and nearby shrubs were keeping pace with him, and Larvesta prepared to attack.
• Yong ordered Larvesta to use Flamethrower, setting the hidden Pokémon ablaze and forcing them to reveal themselves.
• Yong recognized the fleeing Phantump, Pumpkaboo, and Trevenant and remarked that he had stumbled upon a Halloween party.

Yong and Larvesta defeated Trevenant and the Ghost-type Pokémon that had followed them, then treated their injuries and made peace with them. Trevenant gave Yong a high-grade Dusk Stone and pointed him east toward the Ghost Marsh, so Yong continued deeper into the marshland.

• Larvesta's Flamethrower knocked out the Phantump and Pumpkaboo and left Trevenant barely conscious.
• Yong apologized and used Burn Heal and Super Potions to treat Trevenant and the other Pokémon.
• Trevenant gave Yong a high-grade Dusk Stone, and Yong repaid it with Pokémon Food.
• Yong asked Trevenant about Golett, Golurk, and crumbling ruins, and Trevenant pointed east.
• Yong checked Professor Sycamore's map, identified the direction of the Ghost Marsh, and continued onward with Larvesta.

Yong found the ancient ruins and discovered a Golurk and a Golett within its Gray Fog domain. He challenged Golurk to a battle, hoping to catch it and make it his partner.

• Yong followed a trail of broken stones through the swamp and entered the ruins as gray mist appeared.
• Yong found Golurk and Golett walking through the ruins’ plaza and recognized Golurk’s ability to conceal auras and track living creatures.
• Yong approached Golurk with Larvesta and challenged it to a battle, offering partnership if he won.
• Golurk pushed Golett aside and took a fighting stance as Yong brought out a Luxury Ball.

Yong caught Golurk after Swampert stopped its powerful attack and defeated it, then Golett chose to join them as well. With both Pokémon in hand and the gray mist clearing, Yong prepared to leave with Larvesta.

• Yong sent out Swampert to battle Golurk while Larvesta watched from his arms.
• Golurk launched a powerful High Horsepower attack from the sky, but Swampert stopped it with its bare arms and flipped Golurk onto the ground.
• Yong caught Golurk in a Luxury Ball after its rune-like eyes began to flicker.
• Golett asked to come with Yong, and Yong agreed, allowing it to enter a Pokémon Ball.
• Yong celebrated catching Golett as Larvesta puffed out a tiny flame.

After catching Golurk and Golett, Yong traveled with Qingcao to Sinnoh as the regional Leagues strengthened and Cynthia announced a challenge for the Champion’s seat. Yong and Qingcao arrived in Sunyshore City, where they prepared to cross Victory Road toward Lily of the Valley Island, and the chapter left them on the verge of meeting Cynthia again.

• Yong caught Gastly’s interest as he and Larvesta returned through the woods, then rode Aerodactyl toward Coumarine City for the night.
• The regional Leagues filled Elite Four positions, including Bruno and Lorelei in Kanto, Sidney and Pheobe in Hoenn, and Flint and Aaron in Sinnoh.
• Cynthia bypassed the Elite Four Challenge and issued a challenge for the Sinnoh Champion’s seat, startling the Pokémon League.
• Yong traveled to Sinnoh with Qingcao, who reflected on his uncertain origins and said he was happy at Rock Solid Gym.
• Yong and Qingcao landed in Sunyshore City and looked toward Victory Road, with a few days remaining before Cynthia’s challenge.
• Near Pallet Town, two boys fought over a battered Pokémon Ball while a mother Kangaskhan rescued a young Pichu nearby.

Yong read a newspaper report about Cynthia’s Champion Challenge and explained to Qingcao how Elite Four-level strength was measured. He assured Qingcao that he was still strong, though he had important unfinished business in Kalos.

• Yong read an account of Cynthia’s Champion Challenge, which required her to defeat all four Sinnoh Elite Four members in succession.
• Yong suspected Bertha had helped publicize the challenge to draw attention to the Sinnoh League.
• Qingcao asked Yong about the newspaper’s descriptions of Elite Four-level Pokémon, and Yong explained that level was only one measure of strength.
• Yong told Qingcao that Trainers and their Pokémon grew stronger together, then assured him he was strong now, too.
• Yong said he still had important business to finish in Kalos and hinted he could make waves like Cynthia if it were done.

Yong reunited with Cynthia and Caitlin in Sunyshore City before Cynthia’s Champion challenge. Caitlin asked Yong to help her find a Mega Stone for Gallade, and he agreed before the group went to get food.

• Caitlin arrived in Sunyshore City and reunited with Yong, who introduced her to his apprentice Qingcao.
• Caitlin said she and Cynthia had arranged to meet, and Cynthia soon arrived, ready for her Champion challenge.
• Cynthia and Yong exchanged friendly challenges, while Caitlin announced she planned to pursue her own Elite Four challenge afterward.
• Cynthia thanked Yong for a gift that could help Garchomp grow stronger, prompting Caitlin to ask about Mega Stones.
• Caitlin revealed her team and asked Yong to find a Mega Stone for Gallade, and he agreed to help.
• Cynthia suggested they get something to eat, saying she was hungry.

As Cynthia prepared to compete for the Sinnoh Champion’s seat, Yong and Caitlin arrived on Lily of the Valley Island and encountered Muren Under the Moon, who offered compensation for his Family’s past offense. Cynthia secured a share of the rare Evil-Sacrificing Grass for Yong, then offered it as a gift in return.

• Steven and several regional Elite Four members watched representatives arrive for the Sinnoh League event, including Muren Under the Moon.
• Cynthia, Caitlin, Yong, and Qingcao reached Lily of the Valley Island, where Caitlin asked Yong whether he would represent the Eastern Hemisphere or Kalos in a future competition; Yong said he would let time decide.
• Muren Under the Moon apologized to Yong on behalf of Under the Moon and offered compensation for the Family’s previous offense.
• Cynthia asked Muren to give Yong an additional share of Under the Moon’s Evil-Sacrificing Grass, and Muren agreed to send it to Celestic Town.
• Cynthia explained that the grass let Under the Moon control the Origin of Evil and offered to make Yong’s share her gift in return.

Cynthia began her Champion Challenge against Sinnoh Elite Four member Flint, defeating his Houndoom and Raging Blaze with Togekiss. Flint had lost his first two Pokémon as the challenge continued.

• Cynthia and her friends arrived at Sinnoh League headquarters, where Inspectors verified the challenger’s Pokémon before the private Champion Challenge began.
• Bertha Grandmother opened the two-day challenge, and Cynthia faced Flint as the first Elite Four opponent.
• Flint sent out his level 67 Houndoom, but Cynthia’s airborne Togekiss avoided its attacks and defeated it with Aura Sphere and Water Pulse.
• Flint’s Raging Blaze used Sunny Day and powerful Fire- and Electric-type attacks, while Togekiss countered with repeated strikes and ultimately knocked it out with Water Pulse.

Cynthia continued her dominant battle against Flint, defeating his Togekiss and Ninetales before sending out her Elite Four-level Milotic. Flint answered Milotic’s overwhelming Surf with a blazing Pokémon whose identity remained unrevealed as the chapter ended.

• Cynthia’s Togekiss defeated Flint’s second Pokémon, but Ninetales pinned it with Confusion and knocked it out with Solar Beam.
• Cynthia sent out Milotic, whose clear qi aura weakened Ninetales before a powerful Surf swept it away and left it unconscious.
• Flint recalled Ninetales and threw a red-hot Pokémon Ball, unleashing a sea of flames as a figure emerged from the fire.

Cynthia’s Milotic faced Flint’s Infernape in a battle of opposing force domains. Infernape’s flames eventually suppressed Milotic’s water-based domain and struck it, but Cynthia ordered Milotic to use Bind as the steam obscured the outcome.

• Caitlin and Yong assessed Infernape’s powerful suppression-type force domain, while Yong explained the force domain categories to Qingcao.
• Cynthia’s Milotic and Flint’s Infernape clashed with Hydro Pump and Flamethrower, then Infernape charged in with Mach Punch.
• Milotic used Serpentine Sway and Aqua Tail to evade and block Infernape’s punches, but Infernape overwhelmed its tail with Flame Charge.
• Milotic unleashed Surf, forcing Infernape back, and recovered stamina with Aqua Ring as the waves advanced again.
• Flint ordered Flare Blitz, and Infernape’s blazing force domain suppressed Milotic’s Pure Qi Domain before its attack struck Milotic.
• As steam obscured the battlefield, Cynthia ordered Milotic to use Bind.

Cynthia’s Milotic defeated Flint’s Infernape, and her Spiritomb then overcame Rapidash and Arcanine. Cynthia won the Champion Challenge with only Togekiss lost, leaving the match with a commanding opening for her.

• Milotic bound Infernape and finished it with Surf, earning Cynthia the victory over Flint’s ace.
• Flint sent out Rapidash, and Cynthia recalled Milotic and chose Spiritomb.
• Spiritomb froze Rapidash’s Flare Blitz and defeated it with a combination of attacks.
• Flint sent out Arcanine, but Spiritomb overcame its speed and fire attacks before defeating it.
• Cynthia won the battle after losing only Togekiss.

After resting from her battle with Flint, Cynthia faced the newly appointed Bug-type Elite Four member Aaron in the afternoon. Aaron opened with Scizor, and Cynthia sent out Togekiss as their battle began.

• Cynthia, Yong, and Caitlin waited in the medical room lobby while her Pokémon recovered, and Yong warned her not to underestimate Aaron's Bug-type team.
• Cynthia said she would focus on enjoying the battle and giving it everything she had, then collected her Pokémon and went to the arena.
• Cynthia greeted Aaron, who had once supported her and Yong outside Eterna City, and Aaron praised their progress before challenging her.
• Aaron sent out his powerful Scizor, and Yong recognized its Technician ability and admired its strength.
• Cynthia sent out Togekiss, and the referee announced the start of the battle between Scizor and Togekiss.

Cynthia defeated Aaron’s Scizor with Togekiss’s Heat Wave, then used Lucario to overcome Drapion. Cynthia kept the momentum and brought Togekiss back as Aaron sent out Yanmega.

• Scizor’s Agility and Bullet Punch nearly caught Togekiss, but Cynthia used Extreme Speed, Aura Sphere, and Heat Wave to defeat it.
• Aaron sent out Drapion to counter Togekiss, but Cynthia recalled Togekiss and chose Lucario.
• Lucario used Quick Attack, Agility, and Aura Sphere to pressure Drapion, then broke through its defenses with Bulldoze and defeated it with an Origin Power-infused Aura Sphere.
• Cynthia recalled Lucario and sent out Togekiss again, while Aaron sent out Yanmega.

Aaron revealed Yanmega as a Bug King whose strength had grown to rival the Sinnoh Elite Four, and it opened its battle against Cynthia’s Togekiss with a devastating Sonic Boom. Cynthia realized the championship challenge had reached its toughest fight.

• Cynthia recognized Yanmega as a Bug King, and Aaron explained its exceptional potential and his devotion to raising it.
• Yong examined Yanmega’s strength and noted its second-stage Force Domain and mastery of Origin Power, while wondering when Darkrai would wake.
• Flint, Lucian, and Bertha discussed Aaron’s dedication to Yanmega and agreed that he might now be the strongest member of the Sinnoh Elite Four.
• The battle began, and Cynthia ordered Togekiss to use Heat Wave while Aaron commanded Yanmega to use Sonic Boom.
• Yanmega’s shock waves erased Heat Wave and struck Togekiss, sending it plunging toward the ground as Cynthia recognized the challenge’s toughest battle had begun.

Cynthia sent out her longtime partner Garchomp, revealing its formidable strength as it faced Aaron’s Yanmega. Aaron opened the battle with a barrage of Air Slashes, and Garchomp braced to block them as explosions filled the field.

• Cynthia recalled Togekiss and sent out Garchomp, declaring her trust in her partner.
• Charles Goodshow, Professor Carolina, Steven, Qingcao, and Yong reacted to Garchomp’s arrival and strength.
• Yong recognized that Garchomp had reached level 77 and gained new force-domain and origin powers.
• Aaron began the battle by ordering Yanmega to use Speed Boost and Air Slash.
• Yanmega spread across the battlefield, formed an energy web, and launched Air Slashes from every direction.
• Cynthia ordered Garchomp to block the incoming attacks, and the blades engulfed it in smoke and explosions.