Chapter Summaries

Yong, Cynthia, and Qingcao left the Great Desert Region after visiting Flygon's family and arrived in Petalburg City during its Doll Festival. Cynthia joined the Doll Goddess Contest and won after her Champion presence ended the battle early.

• Cynthia found the desert ruins' inscriptions too weathered to read and planned to show her rubbings to Professor Carolina.
• Yong and Cynthia enjoyed the sunshine with Flygon's family, then left them food and departed the Great Desert Region; a Bronzor drifted toward the ruins.
• Yong took Cynthia to Petalburg City's Doll Festival, where she dressed in a decorated black kimono and joined the festivities.
• Cynthia entered the Doll Goddess Contest and battled with Qingcao's Steelix against a girl with Pikachu.
• Mr. Norman declared Cynthia the winner after her Champion demeanor intimidated her opponent into fleeing.

After winning a full set of Doll Festival dolls, Cynthia, Yong, and Qingcao accepted Mr. Norman’s invitation to stay at the Petalburg Gym. Their conversation turned to the Pokémon World Championships and Hoenn’s lack of high-level battles, and Yong assured Norman that a suitable platform would eventually come.

• Cynthia, Yong, and Qingcao carried their festival prizes to the Petalburg Gym after Mr. Norman invited them to stay.
• Yong asked Mr. Norman about joining the Hoenn League reserve roster, and Norman said he had declined because he preferred being a Gym Leader.
• Cynthia and Mr. Norman discussed how League reforms and Trainer Schools had created more opportunities for new Trainers.
• Mr. Norman asked Yong about the Pokémon World Championships and explained that Hoenn lacked high-point battle events for Gym Leaders.
• Yong predicted that Hoenn would eventually gain a suitable battle platform, and Norman said he hoped to battle Yong properly.

Yong traveled with Cynthia and Qingcao toward Swampert’s home on Route 103, where Swampert returned to his colony while they camped nearby. After hearing Cynthia lament that Garchomp could not find his way home, Yong promised to help her search for the place where Garchomp came from.

• At breakfast, Yong introduced Qingcao to Norman’s family, and May asked whether Yong was stronger than her father.
• Yong, Cynthia, and Qingcao left Petalburg Gym and traveled toward Route 103, where Qingcao gained experience battling challengers and wild Pokémon.
• Cynthia caught a Ralts that used Confusion to block their path.
• At the beach near Oldale Town, Yong released Swampert and sent him to his colony with supplies, asking him to bring back any young Pokémon who wanted to live with humans and had the leader’s approval.
• Yong and Qingcao set up camp while Cynthia cleared the ground, and Yong told her how he and Swampert had met and built their bond.
• Cynthia said she wished she could visit Garchomp’s home, but neither she nor Garchomp knew where it was, and Yong promised to help her look.

Yong and Cynthia trained their Pokémon on Route 103, where Cynthia revealed her level-50 Eevee and challenged Yong to a practice match. After Eevee lost to Excadrill, the group settled in for dinner, but a figure emerged from the darkness near their camp.

• Cynthia trained Ralts while Qingcao followed Yong's plan with Steelix and Golett, and Yong had Aerodactyl battle Volcarona.
• Cynthia revealed her level-50 Eevee and explained that it had refused to evolve into Jolteon.
• Yong told Cynthia that Eevee might have undiscovered evolution paths, and she realized it could be part of his research.
• Cynthia sent Eevee to battle Yong's Excadrill, which defeated it with its superior strength and defense.
• Yong, Cynthia, Qingcao, and their Pokémon ate dinner together at camp as the beach grew quiet.
• A figure leaped out of the darkness and approached the camp.

Swampert returned from his colony with a young Mudkip for Qingcao, and Yong and Qingcao later traveled back to Kalos while Cynthia headed to Sinnoh. In Shalour City, Korrina caught up with Yong and triggered a scheduled one-on-one battle, leaving Hawlucha facing Yong’s chosen Pokémon.

• Swampert returned with a young Mudkip, and he told Yong that new Swampert had grown up in his colony so it no longer needed his protection.
• Yong and Qingcao left for Kalos while Cynthia boarded an airship to Sinnoh, where she planned to begin her next task.
• After their airship crossed a storm, Yong and Qingcao arrived in Shalour City, where Korrina raced after them and demanded a battle.
• Yong agreed to one battle on the condition that Korrina let him leave afterward, but their Pokédexes registered it as a scheduled Pokémon World Championships match.
• Korrina sent out Hawlucha as the one-on-one battle began.

Shiyan Yong defeated Korrina in an official battle, earning his first Pokémon World Championships ranking. He left with his ranking displayed and set his sights on taking first place in the Gym Ranking Tournament.

• Korrina challenged Shiyan Yong with her level 63 Hawlucha, and Yong sent out Excadrill.
• Excadrill used Dig and Rapid Spin with Crush Claw to overcome Hawlucha's Flying Press and win the battle.
• The Rotom Drone awarded Shiyan Yong a win and ten points, placing him at rank 60001.
• Shiyan Yong urged Korrina to prepare for the Gym Ranking Tournament and said he was aiming for first place, restoring her enthusiasm.
• Excadrill gained training points, experience, and move proficiency, and Shiyan Yong left with Qingcao on Aerodactyl.

Yong returned to the Rock Solid Gym, promoted Qingcao to an Elite Class Trainer candidate, and reunited with the Gym’s Pokémon and Ace Trainers. He arranged coverage for his upcoming trip to Unova and declared that the Gym would aim to take first place in the Gym Ranking Tournament.

• Yong returned to Laverre City with Qingcao and assigned him to oversee the Intermediate Battlefield for a week as an Elite Class Trainer candidate.
• Yong reunited with Gliscor, Kleavor, and the other Gym Pokémon, while Boldore remained at the mine.
• Yong met Doba, who said his Steelix had grown larger after special training, and learned that Siebold was on duty at the Intermediate Battlefield.
• Yong settled Grant and Doba’s argument over how strictly to judge challengers and asked them to help run the Gym while he was away.
• Yong told Grant and Doba that he would travel alone to Unova after the week and announced that the Rock Solid Gym would pursue first place in the Gym Ranking Tournament.

Yong decided to travel to the Unova Region to meet Huchen and bring Volcarona, leaving the Rock Solid Gym under Doba and the others’ care. Meanwhile, Scott established Battle Frontiers in Kanto and Hoenn and sent Yong an invitation, but Yong was already on his way to Unova.

• Yong defeated a bespectacled boy’s Grovyle with Onix and urged the shaken challenger to consider whether becoming a Trainer suited him.
• Qingcao told Yong that Huchen had called and sent repeated messages asking him to bring Volcarona to Unova for the Fire God Festival preparations.
• Yong decided to visit Unova himself and spent the following days training his Pokémon and preparing research reports.
• When Doba, Grant, and Siebold returned, they arranged for Doba to oversee the Final Battlefield while the others rotated through the Intermediate Battlefield during Yong’s absence.
• Scott established Battle Frontiers in Kanto and Hoenn, then sent an invitation to the Rock Solid Gym while Yong was already aboard an airship bound for Unova.

Yong returned to Unova and met with the Enjo Clan, whose members hoped his Volcarona would mate with Norika’s shiny Volcarona. The two Pokémon began courting in the villa’s backyard, leaving the clan delighted by how quickly they bonded.

• Ahe welcomed Yong to Unova and explained that the Enjo Clan had no suitable Larvesta for this year’s Fire God Festival, so they hoped to find a mate for Norika’s shiny Volcarona.
• Yong reunited with Enjo Norio, Enjo Dadi, Huchen, and Norika at the Courtyard Villa, where the elders thanked him for his Volcarona’s role in the clan’s plans.
• Norika asked Yong to stay so their Volcarona could spend time together and eventually mate and produce offspring, and Yong agreed.
• Yong and Norika released their Volcarona in the backyard, and the two Pokémon immediately began courting with dances, delighting everyone watching.

Yong and the Enjo Clan waited as his Volcarona began gestating an egg, then Kofu contacted him with news of a possible expedition to ruins connected to Reshiram. Yong agreed to meet Kofu in Opelucid City in a week, leaving the Volcarona’s egg and the legendary Pokémon’s disappearance as open concerns.

• After nearly half a month at the volcano, Yong and the others found his Volcarona cocooned in fire as its gestation began, and Norika said it would eventually lay a Pokémon Egg.
• Enjo Norio and Yan Shang Dadi visited, asked the clan members to guard the Lava Cave, and spoke with Yong and the others before leaving.
• Kofu contacted Yong from Opelucid City and invited him to join an expedition to ruins where Reshiram was supposedly sealed.
• Kofu explained that Dragon Village had received no news of Reshiram for over ten years, while Zekrom had been unusually active near Chargestone Cave.
• Yong agreed to meet Kofu in Opelucid City in a week and told him he was staying with the Enjo Clan in Nimbasa City.

Yong and the Enjo Clan witnessed Volcarona lay a Pokémon Egg after an exhausting process, giving the clan hope for its future. As Volcarona recovered beside her mate and Egg, Yong waited at camp for the Evil-Sacrificing Grass and prepared to leave with Kofu.

• Yong received a message from Cynthia about Muren Under the Moon's gift, the Evil-Sacrificing Grass, and looked forward to its arrival.
• Volcarona completed her dance and produced a Pokémon Egg with a scarlet shell and six brown spots.
• Huchen thanked Yong for helping the Enjo Clan, and Yong told him their friendship and the Fire God Festival had made the opportunity possible.
• Yong gave Volcarona Supreme Fire Stones to help her recover and let her remain with her mate and Egg.
• Yong called Kofu to confirm their plans, then waited at camp as Volcarona recovered and Enjo Norio and Yan Shang Dadi arrived to see the Egg.

Yong returned to the Enjo Clan’s grounds with the Pokémon Egg and opened Cynthia’s package, only to discover that the supposed Evil-Sacrificing Grass was a dangerous Nightmare Grass. Darkrai awoke, explained the plant’s power, and took it to restore its remaining strength, promising Yong it would return.

• Yong and Norika calmed their Volcarona, then traveled with Huchen and the others to the Enjo Clan’s grounds while Huchen carried the Pokémon Egg.
• Yong opened the package Cynthia had forwarded and found a strange plant he believed was Evil-Sacrificing Grass.
• The Nightmare Grass clouded Yong’s perception and nearly drew him into a nightmare, but Darkrai’s voice snapped him out of it.
• Darkrai emerged from Yong’s shadow and explained that the plant fed on negative emotions and had been infused with an obsession aimed at Yong.
• Darkrai told Yong the Nightmare Grass could restore its lost essence, and Yong willingly gave it the plant.
• Darkrai took the Nightmare Grass into Yong’s shadow and promised to return once it had fully recovered.

Yong prepared his team and flew toward Opelucid City, where Kofu met with Drayden before setting out on a mission connected to Reshiram and a mysterious tower. Iris, a young Dragon Village heir, stayed behind with Drayden after falling asleep on Hydreigon.

• Yong left the Enjo Clan, changed his team at the Pokémon Center, and flew north from Nimbasa City on Aerodactyl.
• At the Opelucid Gym, Iris tugged at Hydreigon and climbed onto its back, while the usually ill-tempered Pokémon patiently protected her.
• Drayden questioned Iris about leaving the Dragon Village again, and Kofu explained that she had followed him to the Gym.
• Kofu told Drayden he was leaving to investigate a tower where Reshiram's whereabouts had been unknown for about ten years.
• Iris fell asleep on Hydreigon, and Drayden and Kofu exchanged amused smiles.

Yong met Kofu in Opelucid City and learned that Dragon Village planned to investigate Dragonspiral Tower after losing contact with Reshiram. Interested in the tower and the missing Legendary Pokémon, Yong agreed to join the expedition, and Kofu brought him to meet the Opelucid Gym Leader.

• Yong arrived in Opelucid City and met Kofu at the Pokémon Center.
• Kofu explained that Dragon Village intended to explore Dragonspiral Tower because Reshiram had stopped responding to the clan’s prayers while Zekrom had become unusually active.
• Yong agreed to join Kofu’s expedition to the tower, suspecting that Reshiram’s disappearance was connected to events he remembered from his previous life.
• Kofu took Yong to the Opelucid Gym, where its Gym Leader had invited him to meet.

Yong accepted Drayden’s challenge to a one-on-one battle at the Opelucid Gym and sent out his powerful Tyranitar. Tyranitar overwhelmed Druddigon with a single Dragon Claw, leaving Drayden’s Pokémon motionless in the wrecked arena.

• Drayden challenged Yong to a one-Pokémon battle, and Yong agreed.
• Drayden chose Druddigon while Yong summoned his Level 72 Tyranitar, whose sandstorm stunned everyone present.
• Drayden ordered Druddigon to use Outrage, and it charged Tyranitar through the sandstorm.
• Yong commanded Tyranitar to use Dragon Claw, and Tyranitar struck Druddigon down and buried it in rubble.

Yong defeated Drayden’s Druddigon with Tyranitar, passed the Dragon Village test, and headed with Kofu toward Dragonspiral Tower. Meanwhile, Muren Under the Moon considered an offer from a powerful organization as Yong and Kofu arrived in Icirrus City.

• Yong’s Tyranitar defeated Drayden’s Druddigon, impressing Kofu and Drayden with its Elite Four-level strength.
• Drayden declared that Yong and Kofu had passed the test, and Iris promised to challenge Yong someday.
• Yong and Kofu left Opelucid City the next morning and flew toward Icirrus City to reach Dragonspiral Tower.
• At his estate, Muren Under the Moon heard that Yong was heading for the tower and was asked to join an organization; he raised his glass and toasted to a beautiful world.
• Yong and Kofu landed in Icirrus City, then checked their route and set off toward the forest north of the city.

Yong and Kofu entered the Icirrus Wetlands, where Forest Ranger Team members questioned them about their purpose. Parker told them how poachers had once targeted Keldeo and how Virizion and Terrakion had rescued it, while the Swords of Justice remained hidden deep in the forest.

• Yong and Kofu took a detour into the Icirrus Wetlands because Mienshao and Beartic occupied the northern gate.
• Lisa stopped Yong and Kofu, checked their Pokédexes, and demanded to know why they were in the area.
• Parker apologized for Lisa's suspicion and explained that a fire caused by poachers had injured Keldeo and cost Lisa her partner.
• Parker said Virizion and Terrakion had saved Keldeo and driven off the poachers, then warned Yong and Kofu to respect the Pokémon's home.
• Yong and Kofu continued toward the forest, while three Pokémon watching Keldeo sensed humans entering and one volunteered to investigate.

Yong and Kofu encountered a hostile Autumn Form Sawsbuck in the forest, then used Swampert and food to earn the herd’s trust. The chapter ended with Deerling approaching the boys and an unseen figure watching from the treetops.

• Sawsbuck attacked Yong and Kofu with Headbutt and prepared an Energy Ball, forcing Yong to send out Swampert.
• Swampert caught and crushed Sawsbuck’s Energy Ball, giving Yong and Kofu a chance to reassure it.
• Yong offered Pokémon Food and Berries, and Swampert carried food toward the wary Sawsbuck.
• Sawsbuck accepted the food, called its herd out of hiding, and let Yong pet a Winter Form Sawsbuck.
• Deerling approached Yong and Kofu to eat, while an unknown figure watched from high in the trees.

Yong and Kofu reached Dragonspiral Tower after crossing a forest where an unseen presence watched them, then fought off aggressive Basculin on the approach. The chapter left them at the tower entrance, while suspicious figures and a threatening Pokémon remained hidden in the forest.

• Kofu told Yong that a Guardian watched over the forest, and the two continued along a trail toward Dragonspiral Tower.
• As Yong and Kofu shared food with young Pokémon, the forest grew warmer and the feeling of being watched faded.
• Yong and Kofu emerged at a still, unfrozen lake and saw the ancient Dragonspiral Tower rising from its waters.
• Yong sensed that something was different behind them, while hidden human figures and a grayish-brown Pokémon watched from the forest.
• Basculin attacked Yong and Kofu on the floating bridge, but Swampert drove them back and carried both of them to the tower entrance.

Yong and Kofu entered Dragonspiral Tower in search of answers, while the tower reacted to Yong’s arrival with a burst of strange flames. N and Ghetsis moved their plans forward around the white dragon, with Ghetsis raising a toast to Team Plasma’s new world.

• Yong and Kofu approached Dragonspiral Tower, reflected on the legends of the Tao Trio, and entered together.
• A ghastly white flame appeared in an unknown space at the tower’s summit, then erupted into red-gold lightning as Yong entered.
• N spoke with Zekrom about the white dragon’s call and questioned whether war between humans and Pokémon was inevitable.
• A member of the Dark Trinity told N that two outsiders matching the intelligence had reached Dragonspiral Tower, and N summoned a foxlike Pokémon.
• Ghetsis told the Seven Sages that Team Plasma needed to locate the white dragon and proposed a toast to the new world.