Chapter Summaries

The grand final of the Eastern and Western Hemisphere Elite Four Challenge began as Yong and Miss Diantha prepared to battle in a durable, mixed-terrain arena. After they sent out their first Pokémon, flames erupted and a hawk cried out, leaving the opening matchup just revealed.

• Yong learned that the final’s battlefield had been reinforced to withstand greater impact and pressure, partly because of the damage his battles had caused.
• The host introduced Yong and Miss Diantha as the finalists, and the crowd cheered for both Trainers.
• The host announced a six-on-six battle, allowing each competitor to use the bond phenomenon, Mega Evolution, and a Z-Move once.
• Diantha and Yong exchanged greetings, then agreed to give the final everything they had.
• Yong and Diantha threw their Pokémon Balls, and their first Pokémon emerged amid bright light, flames, and a hawk’s cry.

Yong’s Volcarona battled Diantha’s Hawlucha, which used its speed and Fighting Origin to overpower Volcarona in their opening exchange. As Hawlucha charged with Brave Bird, Yong ordered Volcarona to counter with String Shot.

• Diantha sent out her level 73 Hawlucha, and the referee began its battle against Yong’s Volcarona.
• Hawlucha used Swords Dance while Yong ordered Volcarona to attack with Fire Spin.
• Hawlucha escaped the flames with Detect and struck Volcarona with Aerial Ace.
• Volcarona met Hawlucha’s attack with Fiery Dance, but Hawlucha pushed through the flames and knocked Volcarona away.
• Diantha ordered Hawlucha to pursue Volcarona with Brave Bird, and Yong countered by calling for String Shot.

Yong's Volcarona used its powerful String Shot to trap Hawlucha and then drove it into the ground with Psychic. Hawlucha was knocked unconscious, leaving Volcarona standing after an exhausting battle.

• Volcarona recovered enough stamina under the sunlight to ensnare Hawlucha in Commanding Class String Shot and strike it with Air Slash.
• Diantha ordered Hawlucha to endure the attack and use Feather Assault to cut through the silk and launch back into the sky.
• Yong used Silk Thread Control and Spider Web Interception to bind Hawlucha again as it dived toward Volcarona.
• Volcarona used Psychic to slam the silk-wrapped Hawlucha into the battlefield, knocking it unconscious.

Yong's Volcarona defeated Diantha's Hawlucha, giving him the first round, before Diantha sent out her powerful level 77 Tyrantrum. Tyrantrum trapped Volcarona in a sandstorm and attacked with Rock Slide and Rock Tomb as Yong ordered Volcarona to fill the battlefield with fire and gather it using Psychic.

• Yong's Volcarona used String Shot to overcome Hawlucha, and Diantha recalled her defeated Pokémon.
• Yong checked that Volcarona could continue, and Diantha sent out her Tyrantrum for the next round.
• The referee started the battle between Tyrantrum and Volcarona, and Yong ordered Calm Mind while Diantha countered with Rock Slide.
• Volcarona used silk threads to swing between the rocks, but Diantha had Tyrantrum create a Sandstorm and launch Rock Tomb under its cover.
• Yong ordered Volcarona to fill the battlefield with fire and gather it together with Psychic.

Yong’s Volcarona and Diantha’s Tyrantrum struck each other with their strongest attacks, but Tyrantrum survived and won the round. Both trainers switched Pokémon, and Yong sent Tyranitar against Diantha’s Aurorus as the next battle began.

• Volcarona’s fireball and Tyrantrum’s stone-needle barrage overwhelmed each other, leaving both Pokémon badly injured and down.
• Tyrantrum rose first, and the referee declared Volcarona unable to battle; Yong recalled Volcarona, which leveled up after the match.
• Diantha recalled Tyrantrum to preserve it using the match’s permitted switch, and she and Yong prepared their next Pokémon.
• Yong sent out Tyranitar, while Diantha chose Aurorus, a level 73 Rock- and Ice-type Pokémon with Ice Origin Power.
• After the referee began the round, Yong ordered Tyranitar to use Dragon Dance and then High Horsepower, and Tyranitar charged at Aurorus through the sandstorm.

Yong’s Tyranitar overwhelmed Diantha’s Aurorus with its combined rock and earth origin powers, then defeated it with a super-effective Iron Head. Tyranitar roared in triumph as its sandstorm swept away Aurorus’s aurora and the clouds.

• Diantha ordered Aurorus to use Earth Power, but Tyranitar smashed through the stone walls with its combined rock and earth origin powers.
• Tyranitar charged into Aurorus and knocked it down, then followed up with Brick Break.
• Aurorus summoned an aurora and used Iron Defense to soften Tyranitar’s Brick Break, then counterattacked with Iron Head.
• Tyranitar caught Aurorus by the neck, slowed its movements with the sandstorm, and struck its head with Iron Head.
• Aurorus fainted, and Tyranitar roared as its sandstorm scattered the aurora and dark clouds.

Yong’s Tyranitar defeated Diantha’s Aurorus, and the commentators discussed the unusual purity of its Dark-type energy. Diantha then sent out her powerful Gardevoir, whose pressure and psychic field transformed the battlefield, leaving Yong eager to test Tyranitar against it.

• Tyranitar defeated Aurorus with Iron Head, and the referee declared it the winner.
• Professor Sycamore and Professor Oak discussed Tyranitar’s exceptional physique and its unusually pure destructive evil intent.
• Yong praised Diantha’s defensive insight, and Diantha remarked on Tyranitar’s terrifying destructive power.
• Diantha sent out Gardevoir, whose psychic field restrained the sandstorm and swept sand toward Tyranitar.
• Tyranitar answered with its evil-intent mode, and Yong chose to keep it in battle against Gardevoir.

Yong’s Tyranitar received the Yveltal Dark Law Fragment and began to glimpse its destructive power, then faced Diantha’s Gardevoir in battle. Their opening attacks collided with enough force to shake the arena, leaving Tyranitar struggling against Gardevoir’s strength.

• Yong chose the Yveltal Dark Law Fragment, which gave Tyranitar an early glimpse of Yveltal’s destruction power.
• Tyranitar resolved to forge its own path and sought a powerful opponent who could challenge it on the mental plane.
• The referee began the match between Tyranitar and Diantha’s Gardevoir.
• Diantha ordered Gardevoir to use Calm Mind and Dazzling Gleam, and Yong answered with Tyranitar’s Hyper Beam.
• Tyranitar’s malice-infused Hyper Beam collided with Gardevoir’s radiant attack, and the resulting blast shook the arena.
• Wallace judged Gardevoir formidable even among veteran Elite Four Pokémon, while Cynthia said Yong’s Pokémon still needed time to catch up with his aces.

Yong’s Tyranitar broke free from Gardevoir’s powerful Moonlit Radiance and Moonblast, then Yong began Mega Evolution as the battle continued.

• Diantha’s Gardevoir used Teleport to evade Tyranitar’s Dark Pulse and attacked with Moonlit Radiance and Moonblast.
• Gardevoir’s attacks overwhelmed Tyranitar and forced it to collapse, but Tyranitar stood back up and broke free of Confusion.
• Tyranitar unleashed its power, restoring the sandstorm and showing that it could withstand Gardevoir’s attacks.
• Yong raised a pendant and called for Tyranitar to Mega Evolve.

Yong and Diantha both Mega Evolved Tyranitar and Gardevoir, then launched a fierce battle between their transformed Pokémon. Mega Tyranitar countered Mega Gardevoir’s attacks and struck as it reappeared from Teleport.

• Yong Mega Evolved Tyranitar, revealing Mega Tyranitar to the tournament spectators.
• Diantha Mega Evolved Gardevoir, and the two Mega-Evolved Pokémon faced off on the battlefield.
• Yong and Diantha ordered Mega Tyranitar to use Hyper Beam and Mega Gardevoir to use Energy Ball, and the attacks collided in a series of explosions.
• Mega Tyranitar charged through the blasts and fired Hyper Beam, but Mega Gardevoir blocked it with a psychic barrier.
• Diantha had Mega Gardevoir dodge with Teleport and attack with Dazzling Gleam, but Mega Tyranitar sensed its return and countered with Shadow Claw.

Yong’s Mega Tyranitar fought Diantha’s Mega Gardevoir in a grueling battle but was defeated by Moonblast after both Pokémon unleashed their full strength. Tyranitar lost consciousness, and Mega Gardevoir was declared the winner.

• Mega Tyranitar tore through Mega Gardevoir’s Dazzling Gleam, and their attacks caused a massive explosion across the battlefield.
• Yong ordered Mega Tyranitar to use Heavy Slam, while Diantha had Mega Gardevoir restrain it with psychic power and gather strength for Moonblast.
• Mega Gardevoir unleashed Moonblast, and Mega Tyranitar charged through the attack with all its remaining strength.
• The battlefield’s turmoil subsided to reveal Mega Tyranitar unconscious and Mega Gardevoir still standing, though its psychic barrier had vanished and its Psychic Field was unstable.
• The referee declared Gardevoir the winner, and Yong received training points and experience as several of Tyranitar’s move proficiencies increased.

After Diantha’s Mega Gardevoir defeated Tyranitar, the battle was tied, though Yong had used fewer Pokémon. Yong sent out Swampert as his third Pokémon, leaving Diantha and Gardevoir facing one of his formidable aces.

• Diantha’s Mega Gardevoir defeated Tyranitar, tying the battle while leaving Yong with a numbers advantage.
• Professor Oak and Professor Sycamore discussed the unusual malice surrounding Tyranitar, and President Charles Goodshow said true power depended on mastering one’s opportunities.
• Yong told Diantha he intended to win the tournament and challenged her to see how far Gardevoir could go.
• Yong sent out Swampert, whose arrival shook the battlefield and filled the arena with pressure and humidity.
• A Xing and Jun Rong recognized Swampert and recalled their past battles against it.

Yong’s Swampert overwhelmed Diantha’s Gardevoir in the opening exchange, breaking free of its Psychic restraint and crashing into it with a devastating Liquidation. Gardevoir was sent to the ground, leaving the battle’s outcome uncertain.

• The referee began the match between Yong’s Swampert and Diantha’s Gardevoir.
• Yong ordered Swampert to attack first with Liquidation, and it charged through the field’s water veil.
• Diantha told Gardevoir to use Psychic, which bound Swampert and stopped its advance.
• Yong urged Swampert to break through, and Swampert used its force domain power to escape Gardevoir’s Confusion.
• Swampert struck Gardevoir, shattered its psychic shield, and slammed it into the ground.

Yong’s Swampert overwhelmed Diantha’s Gardevoir with its attacks, and Gardevoir was finally buried beneath rubble after Swampert landed a powerful Mega Punch. The battle’s outcome remained unstated.

• Yong ordered Swampert to use Bulldoze, but Gardevoir recovered with Diantha’s encouragement and Teleported out of its path.
• Gardevoir used Life Dew to heal herself, but Swampert detected her position and trapped her under its oppressive presence.
• Yong commanded Swampert to finish the battle with Mega Punch, empowered by Force Domain Power.
• Swampert struck Gardevoir with its Mega Punch, hurling her into the battlefield’s edge and burying her beneath rubble.

Swampert defeated Diantha’s Gardevoir, giving Yong a strong lead in their battle. Diantha sent out Gourgeist as her next Pokémon, and Yong studied its abilities and eerie reputation.

• Swampert defeated Gardevoir, and the referee declared Yong the winner of the exchange.
• Yong thanked Swampert, whose victory earned training points and increased the proficiency of its moves.
• Diantha regained her composure, praised Swampert’s strength, and recalled Gardevoir.
• Diantha sent out her level 73 Gourgeist, while Yong examined the Ghost- and Grass-type Pokémon.

Diantha sent out Gourgeist, whose Grass Origin-powered attacks put Swampert under pressure as it dodged Seed Bomb and endured Shadow Sneak. Yong ordered Swampert to meet Gourgeist’s Energy Ball head-on with Liquidation, leaving their clash unresolved.

• Caitlin told Cynthia that Diantha seemed to have been paying attention to Yong for a long time, and Cynthia scolded her for neglecting her training.
• The referee started Gourgeist’s battle against Swampert, and Diantha ordered Gourgeist to attack with Seed Bomb.
• Yong commanded Swampert to dodge through the barrage and close in with Ice Punch, but Gourgeist escaped by merging with its shadow and struck Swampert with Shadow Sneak.
• Diantha ordered Gourgeist to follow up with Energy Ball, and Yong told Swampert to meet the attack with Liquidation.

Yong's Swampert and Diantha's Gourgeist knocked each other out when Gourgeist used Destiny Bond to counter Swampert's overwhelming attack. Diantha sent out Goodra as her final Pokémon, and Yong prepared a Heavy Ball while declaring that he would show her his utmost respect.

• Swampert overwhelmed Gourgeist with its water power, but Diantha ordered Gourgeist to use Destiny Bond.
• Gourgeist was knocked out, and Destiny Bond caused Swampert to fall as well, making their battle a draw.
• The host announced that the score was three to four, leaving Diantha with only her final Pokémon while Yong retained the advantage.
• Diantha sent out her Goodra, which possessed Dragon-origin power and the force domain ability Earthbound mucus.
• Yong told Diantha that he respected her and raised a Heavy Ball, surprising her.

Yong sent out his colossal Steelix, whose overwhelming presence stunned the arena and shook Diantha’s confidence. Diantha steadied herself and encouraged Goodra to face the giant Pokémon, leaving both sides poised to continue the battle.

• Cynthia watched Yong with anticipation and hoped he would challenge the Champion at his strongest.
• Yong sent out a more than twenty-meter-long Steelix, shaking the arena and overwhelming Diantha with its presence.
• The spectators, Professor Oak, and Olivia reacted with shock and awe at Steelix’s enormous size.
• Diantha recognized Steelix as Yong’s ace but rallied herself and refused to give up.
• Diantha encouraged Goodra, and Goodra overcame its fear and stepped forward to face Steelix.

Yong gave Steelix the Ultimate Steel Origin, and the two continued their pursuit of the path to the ultimate. In the opening clash against Diantha’s Goodra, Steelix’s Iron Tail overwhelmed Goodra’s Outrage, leaving the battlefield in ruins as the dust settled.

• Steelix absorbed the Ultimate Steel Origin and glimpsed the path to the ultimate, while Yong recognized their shared pursuit of strength.
• The referee began Steelix’s battle against Goodra, and Yong told Diantha that Steelix’s first strike recalled the beginning of their growth together.
• Yong ordered Steelix to use Iron Tail, and Diantha commanded Goodra to answer with Outrage.
• Steelix’s Iron Tail shattered Goodra’s force domain and struck the phantom dragon, unleashing a massive explosion and shock wave.
• Steelix returned calmly to Yong’s side after the dust settled, while the battlefield lay torn apart.

Steelix defeated Diantha’s Goodra with a single Iron Tail, and the stadium crowd gave Yong the title “Rock Solid Sovereign.” Diantha accepted that she had found a new goal to pursue, while Yong and Steelix welcomed the title.

• Steelix’s Iron Tail struck Goodra into a crater, and the referee declared Goodra unable to battle and Steelix the winner.
• The spectators celebrated Steelix’s victory and praised Yong’s growing strength.
• A spectator proposed calling Yong the “Rock Solid Sovereign,” and the crowd enthusiastically adopted the title.
• Yong asked Steelix what it thought of the title, and Steelix approved; Yong said he liked it too.
• Diantha watched Yong and Steelix and decided that having a new goal to chase made the trip worthwhile.