Chapter Summaries

Yong battled and caught a promising female Trapinch, who accepted him and joined his Pokémon team. After she said goodbye to her companions and met Steelix and Aron, Yong settled beneath a low hill to rest and prepare food while planning to train and search for the trip’s other target.

• Yong sent Marshtomp to battle the brave female Trapinch and had him defeat her with Superpower.
• Yong caught Trapinch, and she accepted him as her partner.
• Trapinch said goodbye to the two Trapinch she had been traveling with, while Yong promised they would visit again.
• Yong introduced Trapinch to Steelix and Aron, and the Pokémon welcomed her to the team.
• Yong chose a sheltered spot beneath a low hill as a base and prepared food for his Pokémon.

Yong assessed his Pokémon’s strengths and assigned each a training routine at their desert camp. After they began training, he headed through a canyon passage to search for another Pokémon he hoped to catch.

• Yong reviewed his team’s strengths and potential, including Trapinch’s need for training and Aron’s eventual evolution.
• Yong assigned Steelix to battle lone opponents using only Rock- and Ground-type moves, while Marshtomp trained in a sandstorm.
• Yong told Aron to improve its moves and eat iron ore, and set Trapinch to build strength and defense by dragging rocks while wearing Marshtomp’s Macho Brace.
• Steelix burrowed away, Marshtomp helped Trapinch and trained on the mountain summit, and Aron practiced Metal Claw against the rock face.
• Yong asked Trapinch whether she had seen a Pokémon he drew in the sand, then left through the canyon passage to explore and search for another Pokémon.

Yong ended his desert training and set out north for Longevity Town, but he unknowingly walked into a powerful sandstorm surrounding the mysterious Mirage Tower. The tower appeared and swallowed him, leaving his fate unknown.

• Yong returned to camp and focused on training his Pokémon, and Steelix reached Lv31 while Aron reached Lv23.
• Yong ended the training session, said goodbye to the two Trapinch, and headed north toward Longevity Town.
• A huge sandstorm formed elsewhere in the desert, and a twelve-meter stone tower appeared within it.
• Yong walked into the storm, recognized the structure as the Mirage Tower, and tried to flee.
• The tower's shadow engulfed Yong, and he vanished as the storm subsided.

Yong woke inside the Mirage Tower, where he and his Pokémon fought a Sandslash and two Sandshrew with strange red eyes. After defeating them, Yong was ambushed by his own distorted shadow, and a mechanical cry sounded from the entrance.

• Bronzor woke Yong by dropping a stone on his forehead, then followed him as he climbed through the tower.
• Yong explored the second floor and was attacked by a Sandslash and two Sandshrew that burst from rubble.
• Yong ordered Marshtomp, Trapinch, and Aron to fight, and they defeated the three Pokémon.
• Yong's shadow twisted and attacked him and his companions, while Trapinch cried a warning.
• A mechanical-sounding cry came from the second-floor entrance.

Yong and Bronzor confronted the sealed Spiritomb beneath the bronze statue in Mirage Tower. After their combined opening attacks caused a violent explosion, Bronzor and Spiritomb remained in the air, and Yong prepared his team to support Bronzor.

• A mysterious attack destroyed the shadow lunging at Yong, and Spiritomb began to emerge from an Odd Keystone beneath the bronze statue.
• Bronzor appeared, confirmed it had saved Yong, and faced Spiritomb, whom Yong recognized as a powerful sealed Pokémon.
• Yong scanned Bronzor and realized that it was also a formidable Pokémon, then promised to support its fight against Spiritomb.
• Bronzor attacked Spiritomb with Shadow Ball while Yong ordered Steelix, Marshtomp, Aron, and Trapinch to use Rock Slide and Sand Attack.
• Spiritomb's energy engulfed the incoming moves, but Bronzor's Shadow Ball overwhelmed his defense and triggered an explosion that threw Yong and the Pokémon back.
• Yong checked that his team was safe and told them to focus on supporting Bronzor as the battle continued.

Yong and his Pokémon defeated Spiritomb and freed the souls trapped by its resentment. Bronzor restored itself to its original form as Bronzong, gave Yong a one-use way to leave Mirage Tower, and faded away.

• Bronzor and Spiritomb clashed while Yong’s Pokémon attacked, and Yong realized the battle’s psychic interference threatened everyone.
• Yong had Steelix lift the bronze statue, drawing Spiritomb away from Bronzor and into the path of a coordinated attack.
• Yong used the damaged Contract Stone to pull Spiritomb into it, releasing the Pokémon souls it had controlled.
• Bronzor cleansed the bronze statue, revealed it was Bronzong, and reunited with its evolved form.
• Bronzong gave Yong a disc that could let him leave Mirage Tower once, communicated with the group through Telepathy, and faded away.

After Bronzong disappeared, Yong explored the Mirage Tower’s third floor and collected its ancient fossils, but a powerful creature attacked him on the fourth floor and forced him to escape using the stone disc. He reached the desert safely and camped with his Pokémon, while elsewhere an enormous winged figure sensed a disturbance in a special space and then withdrew.

• Yong received the rewards from his Pokémon’s consecutive battles, and Marshtomp’s Water Gun reached mastery level.
• Yong explored the third floor, found many ancient fossils, and packed them all into his backpack.
• A mysterious creature on the fourth floor attacked Yong with flames and a roar, so he crushed the disc and teleported away.
• Yong arrived in the desert, rested with his Pokémon, and vowed to return when he was stronger.
• An enormous figure in a special space sensed a disturbance, flew toward a node, and retreated after the tremors faded.

After surviving the desert, Yong encountered and caught a Baltoy, then followed a cliff to a road leading out of the desert. He left the harsh sands behind and continued toward the next town with his new companion and a hard stone.

• Yong woke refreshed, fed Steelix and his other Pokémon, and set off north through the desert.
• As Yong neared the desert’s edge, he spotted a Baltoy carrying a hard stone and challenged it to a battle.
• Baltoy attacked Marshtomp with Confusion and Rapid Spin, but Marshtomp broke free and defeated it with Water Gun.
• Yong caught Baltoy in a Luxury Ball, promised Marshtomp a feast, and packed the hard stone.
• Yong followed the cliff to a broad road, left the desert, and admired the greenery and fresh air.

After emerging from the desert, Yong rested at a hut on Route 113 and chose to travel toward Lavaridge Town by way of Fiery Path. He reached the cave with Aron and Trapinch after training against wild Pokémon along the road.

• Yong met an elderly woman and her Oddish at the Temporary Hut, where he changed clothes, drank tea, and rested.
• The elderly woman told Yong he was on Route 113 and explained the paths to Fiery Path, Fallarbor Town, and Longevity Town.
• Yong decided to head toward Lavaridge Town first, partly so he could discuss the fossils with his dad.
• Yong followed the road toward Mt. Chimney while Aron and Trapinch battled wild Pokémon and gained experience.
• Aron defeated a Cutiefly with Rock Slide, and Yong arrived at the entrance to Fiery Path.

Yong and his Pokémon explored the Fiery Path, where Baltoy sensed a hollow behind a stone wall. A hostile Torkoal smashed through the wall during its attack, revealing an opening that Yong planned to investigate.

• Baltoy defeated a Koffing with Confusion and Psybeam as Yong traveled through the Fiery Path.
• Baltoy detected something unusual behind a stone wall, and Yong released Marshtomp to investigate.
• A male Torkoal ambushed Yong, Baltoy, and Marshtomp with a burst of flame.
• Marshtomp countered with Water Gun, but Torkoal grazed it with Flame Wheel and burned it.
• Torkoal crashed through the wall and disappeared into the newly revealed opening, and Yong treated Marshtomp's burn.

Yong found a Pokémon egg and a high-quality Fire Stone deep inside Mt. Chimney, then hurried toward Lavaridge Town to protect them. He reached the cable car station at the foot of the mountain and joined the queue with Baltoy.

• Baltoy carried Yong into a hidden cavern, where Yong discovered a Pokémon egg resting in a volcanic rock hollow.
• A mysterious roar disrupted Yong’s attempt to scan the egg, and Baltoy lifted it from its nest and gave it to him.
• Baltoy unearthed a high-quality Fire Stone that supplied energy to the egg, and Yong decided to take both with him.
• Yong left the cavern with Baltoy, Aron, and Trapinch, then raced through the Fiery Path toward Lavaridge Town.
• Yong crossed Route 112 and Jagged Pass, reached the cable car station, and joined the queue while Baltoy guarded the egg and Fire Stone.

Yong traveled toward Lavaridge Town with a Pokémon egg and defeated two men who tried to steal it. After Aron and Baltoy leveled up, he reached the town and hurried toward its Pokémon Center.

• Yong left the cable car and hurried down Mt. Chimney toward Lavaridge Town, carrying the Pokémon egg.
• Two men who had followed Yong demanded the egg, then sent Mightyena and Golbat to attack him.
• Yong had Baltoy face Golbat and Aron battle Mightyena; Baltoy knocked Golbat out, and Aron defeated Mightyena with Head Smash.
• The men fled, and the system announced that Aron and Baltoy had leveled up to Lv25 and Lv26.
• Yong continued into Lavaridge Town and ran toward the Pokémon Center.

Yong recovered his Pokémon in Lavaridge Town, told Shiyan Toru about the fossils and his new Pokémon, and prepared for a Fire-type Gym challenge. After buying an incubator and TMs, he fed his team and stayed with Steelix in the Pokémon Center’s backyard.

• Yong called Shiyan Toru, admitted he had traveled through the Great Desert, and told him about the fossils, Trapinch, and Baltoy.
• Shiyan Toru agreed to contact President Stone about the fossils and send Yong supplies, while warning him to keep the fossils secret.
• Yong bought an incubator and care supplies for the Pokémon egg, then purchased TMs to improve Aron and Trapinch’s moves.
• Yong planned to lead with Baltoy and keep Marshtomp as his anchor for the upcoming Fire-type Gym battle.
• Yong fed his Pokémon in his room, then brought Steelix its meal and Primordial Stone Milk in the backyard.

Marshtomp secretly trained Rock Storm with Steelix overnight while Yong slept, then Yong began teaching Aron and Trapinch new moves. A few peaceful days of training passed before Nurse Joy told Yong that someone had called for him.

• Yong left Steelix resting in the courtyard and went to bed while Aron and Trapinch played, Baltoy watched, and Marshtomp disappeared.
• Marshtomp asked Steelix to help it refine Rock Storm, and Steelix took it underground to a secluded training spot.
• Marshtomp returned before dawn and pretended it had never left, while Baltoy witnessed its return.
• Yong found Steelix training its energy control and left the Pokémon Egg in its care before heading out with Aron, Trapinch, and Marshtomp.
• Yong used TMs to teach Aron and Trapinch new moves, then had them begin practicing and learning from their teammates.
• After several peaceful days of training, Nurse Joy told Yong that someone had called for him.

Yong learned that the Devon Corporation would help revive his ancient fossils, then met its representative, Hoenn Champion Steven Stone, who arrived in Lavaridge Town. Steven sent his Shiny Metagross to take Yong’s Steelix away for training, leaving Yong to accompany Steven to his room to inspect the fossils.

• Nurse Joy told Yong that his father had called, and Yong spoke with his parents by video phone.
• Shiyan Toru told Yong that President Stone had agreed to test the fossils with Devon Corporation’s revival technology and that a representative would bring steel and ore to Lavaridge Town.
• A Devon Corporation helicopter landed at the Pokémon Center, and Yong recognized its visitor as Steven Stone, the Hoenn Champion.
• Steven greeted Yong warmly, praised his Steelix, and asked to see the ancient fossils.
• Steven summoned his Shiny Metagross and ordered him to take Steelix somewhere secluded for training; Steven and Yong then headed inside.

Steven examined Yong’s fossils and promised that Devon Corporation would try to revive them, then gave him supplies and a mysterious stone that Yong recognized as a Mega Stone. Steven left after urging Yong to reach the top of the podium, leaving Yong wondering why he had mentioned Sinnoh and Kanto.

• Steven studied Yong’s fossils and said Devon’s revival technology could successfully bring back Pokémon, promising Yong first choice of any Rock- or Ground-types.
• Steven gave Yong two Space Backpacks containing steel, ores, and earth core marrow fluid, along with a shimmering stone that Yong recognized as a likely Steel-type Mega Stone.
• Steven packed the fossils and said he would contact Yong after Devon had studied them.
• Steven summoned Metagross and Steelix, encouraged Yong to reach the top of the podium, and departed by helicopter for Rustboro City.
• Yong wondered whether Steven expected him to win the Ever Grande Conference and why he had mentioned Sinnoh and Kanto.

Yong prepared to challenge Lavaridge Gym after checking in with his mother and arranging care for his Pokémon Egg. He met Gym Leader Mura and Flannery, answered their questions, and began a three-on-three battle for the Badge.

• Yong told his mother that he had delivered the fossils to Mr. Steven and received supplies, then learned his family could provide more resources for his Pokémon.
• After retrieving Steelix and packing his supplies, Yong left the Pokémon Center and entrusted his Pokémon Egg to Nurse Joy.
• Yong reached Lavaridge Gym and found that Mura, rather than Flannery, was its Gym Leader.
• Yong answered Flannery's questions about his Badges, Pokémon training, and type matchups, prompting Mura to accept his challenge.
• Flannery explained the three-on-three battle rules, and the Gym battle between Yong and Mura began.

Mura challenged Yong to a battle, and Numel defeated Baltoy after using boosted fire attacks. Yong then sent out Marshtomp to face Numel, leaving Mura and Flannery eager to see its strength.

• Mura sent out his Numel, and Yong chose Baltoy instead of Marshtomp.
• Numel used Focus Energy and Sunny Day while Baltoy boosted its defenses with Cosmic Power and tried to interrupt with Psybeam.
• Numel's boosted Flame Wheel overcame Baltoy's Extrasensory, leaving Baltoy unable to battle.
• Mura said Wattson had praised Marshtomp's talent and combination move, and Flannery challenged Yong's claim that Marshtomp could use it.
• Yong sent out Marshtomp, and Mura began the next battle by ordering Numel to use Focus Energy.

Yong's Marshtomp defeated Mura's Numel and Torkoal, gaining experience and leveling up after the second battle. Poisoned but determined to continue, Marshtomp stayed on the field as Mura prepared his next challenge.

• Numel used a powerful combination attack, but Marshtomp countered with Surf and defeated it.
• Flannery declared Numel unable to battle, and Marshtomp learned Muddy Water after the victory.
• Mura sent out Torkoal, a familiar opponent Marshtomp had encountered in the Fiery Path, and it began the battle by using Clear Smog.
• Marshtomp dodged the poisonous mist with Dig and struck Torkoal with Superpower after countering its attacks.
• Marshtomp defeated Torkoal and leveled up to Lv26, but it was poisoned; it refused to leave the battlefield, and Yong agreed to let it continue.

Yong’s Marshtomp fought Mura’s Combusken in a fierce Gym battle that ended with both Pokémon unable to battle, giving Yong the victory. Afterward, Flannery accepted Mura’s offer to train her strictly, while Yong looked forward to improving Marshtomp’s unfinished Rock Storm.

• Mura sent out his Speed Boost Combusken after Marshtomp defeated Torkoal.
• Combusken boosted her stats and speed, dodged Marshtomp’s attacks, and pressed it with a rapid assault while poison drained its stamina.
• Marshtomp used Earthquake and Rock Storm to fill the battlefield with stone pillars, then Torrent-powered water and flying rocks trapped Combusken.
• Combusken broke through the rocks with Flame Charge, but Marshtomp’s wave and final strike shattered her defenses, leaving both Pokémon unable to battle.
• Flannery declared Yong the winner, and Yong gave Marshtomp an Antidote before handing it and Baltoy to Chansey for care.
• Flannery agreed to train strictly with Mura, while Yong checked his Training Points and anticipated completing Marshtomp’s Rock Storm.