Chapter Summaries

After earning the Heat Badge, Yong learned that Flannery and Mura had hinted at an Elite Tournament for promising rookies, though he still did not know how he was connected to it. Elsewhere, Cynthia and Caitlin received invitations, while Lance and Lorelei reacted to theirs.

• Mura gave Yong the Heat Badge and accidentally revealed that an upcoming competition awaited him.
• Flannery told Yong she would beat him in the Elite Tournament, then left without explaining it.
• Yong returned to the Pokémon Center and fed Steelix and Marshtomp Primordial Stone Milk and ores to help them grow stronger.
• In Opelucid City, Cynthia told Caitlin she had been invited to a tournament for the strongest rookies organized by the Hoenn League.
• Lance dismissed the Elite Tournament invitation as a contest for rookies, while Lorelei complained that her invitation sounded like a boring chore.

Yong discovered that Steven’s Mega Stone was meant for Aron and continued north through Hoenn’s snowy wilderness. He and Aron fought off a hostile Snorunt, leaving the battle’s outcome unstated.

• Yong found that the Mega Stone stirred a faint connection in Aron, revealing it as an Aggron Mega Stone.
• Yong traveled north into the snowy wilderness, carrying the Pokémon egg and releasing Aron to guard him.
• A male Snorunt ambushed Yong and Aron with Icicle attacks, and Yong ordered Aron to dodge.
• Aron used Bulldoze to dispel Snorunt’s Double Team and slow him down, then struck him with Superpower.
• Aron sent Snorunt flying into the grass.

Yong and his Pokémon defeated Snorunt, but a newly evolved Lv43 Glalie appeared and attacked them in a blizzard. Yong’s team countered with a coordinated assault that battered Glalie, though the chapter ended before his defeat was confirmed.

• Aron defeated Snorunt, gained experience and proficiency, and leveled up to Lv27.
• Glalie emerged from a blizzard, and Yong recognized that its Lv43 strength made escape unrealistic.
• Yong sent out Steelix, Marshtomp, Aron, and Baltoy to fight Glalie while keeping Trapinch out of the battle.
• Glalie’s Ice Shards and Frost Breath overwhelmed their opening attacks, but the team held its defenses and Marshtomp struck back with Rock Storm.
• Yong ordered Steelix, Marshtomp, Aron, and Baltoy to attack Glalie together, and their combined blows triggered a massive explosion.

Yong and his Pokémon survived a fierce battle with Glalie by negotiating a retreat, then grew stronger before continuing across the snowy wasteland. They eventually reached Misty Mountain, near Longevity Town, with Baltoy taking a turn guarding Yong.

• Yong warned Glalie that continued fighting could leave it vulnerable to its rivals, and Glalie withdrew with Snorunt.
• Yong’s team gained experience and levels, and he spent 1,000 Training Points to raise Marshtomp’s Rock Storm proficiency to Beginner.
• Yong healed his Pokémon, recalled them to rest, and continued through the wasteland with Trapinch as his guard.
• After several days of travel and driving off wild Pokémon, Yong crossed the wasteland and entered Misty Mountain near Longevity Town, with Baltoy guarding him.

Yong encountered a Froslass haunting a mountain grave and learned that it was grieving the woman it had loved. After Yong gave it the answer it longed to hear, the Froslass found peace, and Yong set off at dawn.

• Baltoy led Yong into the woods after sensing a strange sound, where they found an old woman asking him to take her away.
• Froslass trapped Yong in a barrier and used Hypnosis to make him say yes, but Mightyena's Howl woke him, and Baltoy and Mightyena broke through.
• The cabin vanished, revealing a grave, and the old man explained that Froslass had died after the woman's death and had been luring travelers to hear her favorite word again.
• The old man and Mightyena faded away, and Yong offered to say yes; Froslass smiled and thanked him before the dawn.
• Yong sat with Baltoy until sunrise, then stood up and continued on his way.

Yong arrived in Longevity Town, entrusted his Pokémon Egg to Nurse Joy, and entered the Winter Snow Cup to help his Pokémon gain experience. He reunited with Kong and learned that first place would win an invitation to a mysterious tournament, while Steven and Drake discussed the regional rookie tournaments and Steven’s interest in Yong’s potential.

• Yong settled in at the Pokémon Center and decided to focus on battling so Marshtomp and his other Pokémon could level up and evolve.
• Yong registered for the Winter Snow Cup, which was open to young Trainers with at least three Pokémon and one Badge.
• Yong reunited with Kong, who had evolved Taillow into Swellow, and they entered the tournament venue together.
• Kong told Yong that the prizes included an invitation for first place, a mysterious Pokémon Egg for second, and a Frozen Stone for third.
• Steven and Drake discussed the rookie tournaments and the invitation to the Elite Tournament, while Steven said Yong had to follow his own path.

Yong and Kong competed in the Winter Snow Cup, watching other Trainers’ battles before Kong and Yong each took the platform. The first day’s tournament continued, leaving Yong about to face contestant number 31.

• Yong and Kong drew tournament numbers 34 and 28, then watched the Winter Snow Cup begin.
• A Xing used Dragonair to change the weather to rain and defeat Jun Rong’s Absol with repeated Thunder attacks.
• Kong defeated Da Lang’s Heracross when Swellow’s Aerial Ace exploited its fourfold weakness to Flying-type moves.
• The host called contestants 31 and 34, and Yong walked onto the platform to begin his match.

Yong defeated Xiao Ye’s Scyther with Marshtomp to advance from the round of 64, and the first day of the tournament ended. Back at the Pokémon Center, Yong fed his Pokémon and considered who would battle in the next rounds.

• Xiao Ye sent out Scyther, and Yong chose Marshtomp for their one-Pokémon match.
• Yong interrupted Scyther’s Swords Dance with Rock Slide, then had Marshtomp catch Scyther’s Slash with Superpower and knock him out with another Rock Slide.
• The referee declared Yong the winner, and Kong congratulated him before the round of 64 ended.
• Yong returned to the Pokémon Center, arranged food and ore for his Pokémon, and considered his lineup for the next day’s two-Pokémon matches.
• Yong ate with his Pokémon beneath the stars while Aron, Trapinch, Baltoy, Steelix, and Marshtomp gathered around him.

The Winter Snow Cup’s round of 32 began, and Kong advanced to the top 16 after Swellow defeated both of his opponent’s Pokémon. Yong then faced Xiao Guang, whose Slugma entered a battle against Yong’s Trapinch as the first round began.

• Yong greeted A Xing, who said she would give her all if she faced him later.
• A Xing defeated her opponent, then Kong used Swellow to defeat Victreebel and Parasect and advance to the top 16.
• Yong entered the arena to face Xiao Guang, who sent out Slugma.
• Yong chose Trapinch despite Slugma’s sleep-inducing moves, and the referee started their first-round battle.

Yong overcame Xiaoguang’s Sand Tomb and Yawn strategy by sending out Steelix, whose overwhelming Iron Tail knocked out Slugma. The battle continued with Xiaoguang’s first Pokémon defeated and Steelix taking control of the arena.

• Trapinch trapped Slugma in Sand Tomb, but Xiaoguang used Incinerate and Clear Smog to scorch the sand.
• Trapinch emerged with Dig and struck Slugma with Bulldoze, but Slugma endured with Harden and used Yawn.
• Yong recalled the soon-to-sleep Trapinch after Slugma blocked its next Bulldoze with Protect and used Rest.
• Yong sent out Steelix, which restored the arena’s rocky terrain and charged Slugma with Iron Tail.
• Slugma’s Sleep Talk produced a weak Ember, and Steelix’s Iron Tail knocked it out.

Yong’s Steelix defeated Xiaoguang’s Slugma, then his Trapinch battled Xiaoguang’s Gligar in a tactical contest of evasion and endurance. Trapinch dragged Gligar underground and won with Earthquake, advancing Yong and leveling up to Lv28.

• Steelix defeated Xiaoguang’s Slugma, and Yong sent Trapinch back onto the field.
• Xiaoguang sent out Gligar, which repeatedly attacked Trapinch with Poison Jab and Cross Poison while Trapinch countered with Dig, Sand Attack, and Rock Slide.
• Xiaoguang ordered Gligar to pursue Trapinch underground, where Trapinch blocked Cross Poison with Protect and dragged Gligar into its tunnel with Crunch.
• Yong ordered Trapinch to use Earthquake, collapsing the tunnel and knocking Gligar out despite Trapinch being poisoned.
• Yong treated Trapinch with an Antidote and left for the waiting area as Trapinch advanced to Lv28.

Yong and Kong watched the Winter Snow Cup advance to the round of sixteen, while Yong’s Pokémon egg briefly glowed but did not hatch. Yong drew number six and learned he would face the Trainer with the shiny Mankey as the tournament’s next round began.

• After the damaged arena was replaced with a larger ground-level battlefield, the remaining matches determined the top sixteen competitors.
• Yong left Steelix and Trapinch with Nurse Joy, then showed Kong his incubator and explained that he had found the egg on Mt. Chimney.
• When Yong promised to raise the Pokémon inside, the egg glowed warmly, but it stopped before hatching.
• Yong brought the incubator back to the venue, drew number six, and recognized his opponent as the boy with the shiny Mankey.
• Kong drew number three and A Xing drew number eight before the first round-of-sixteen match began.

Aren defeated two opponents with Kirlia to become the first quarterfinalist, and Kong began his match against Youluo. Youluo’s Gastly shattered Kong’s Swellow’s Hurricane with Psychic, leaving Kong stunned.

• Aren’s Kirlia defeated Beedrill and Dustox, advancing him to the quarterfinals.
• Kong entered the arena to face Youluo, who had reached the top sixteen using only Gastly.
• Kong sent out his level 30 Swellow, and Youluo answered with a powerful Gastly.
• Kong ordered Swellow to surround Gastly with Hurricane, whipping wind and snow around the battlefield.
• Youluo commanded Gastly to use Psychic, and Gastly stopped and tore apart the Hurricane, shocking Kong.

Youluo’s Gastly defeated Kong’s Swellow and Azumarill, eliminating Kong from the competition. Kong left after promising Yong they would battle at the Pokémon League tournament.

• Youluo’s Gastly trapped Swellow with Psychic, hypnotized it, and knocked it out with Dream Eater.
• Kong sent out Azumarill, who used Perish Song after Gastly’s Ice Punch struck her.
• Gastly soaked Azumarill with Psychic-reversed Water Gun, then froze the puddle beneath her to bypass Protect and defeat her before Perish Song took effect.
• The referee declared Youluo the winner, and Kong left the arena after telling Yong their battle would have to wait until the Pokémon League tournament.

Yong defeated Xiao Cong’s Shiny Mankey with Baltoy in the round of sixteen. Xiao Cong then sent out another Pokémon, leaving the next match poised to begin.

• Yong and Xiao Cong entered the arena for the sixth match of the round of sixteen, with Yong carrying his Pokémon Egg in an Incubator.
• Xiao Cong sent out his Shiny Mankey, and Yong chose Baltoy to face the Fighting-type Pokémon.
• Mankey boosted himself and attacked Baltoy, breaking through Confusion and dimming Baltoy’s psychic shield with Strength.
• Yong used Power Trick and Ancient Power to counter Mankey’s Assurance, then had Baltoy knock Mankey out with Extrasensory.
• The referee declared Baltoy the winner, and Xiao Cong sent out another Pokémon after recalling Mankey.

Yong sent Aron out against Xiaocong’s Corphish, and the two Pokémon fought in a relentless contest of strength despite Aron’s disadvantage against Water. After repeated head-on clashes, both Pokémon smiled and collapsed at the same time.

• Xiaocong sent out Corphish, and Yong recalled Baltoy and sent out Aron.
• Corphish used Swords Dance, then dodged Aron’s Headbutt and struck Aron with Slash.
• Aron endured Corphish’s Water Gun and charged through it to hit Corphish with Superpower.
• Corphish and Aron repeatedly clashed with Rock Smash and Superpower while both trainers let them fight on their own.
• After one final collision, Corphish and Aron smiled at each other and collapsed together.

Yong advanced to the quarterfinals, then hurried back to the Pokémon Center as his Pokémon Egg hatched into a Larvesta. The newborn recognized Yong and settled affectionately against him while his other Pokémon welcomed it.

• The referee declared both Corphish and Aron unable to battle, awarding Yong the victory over Xiaocong; Aron leveled up and learned Body Slam.
• Yong left the tournament venue to return to the Pokémon Center because his Pokémon Egg was close to hatching.
• Yong gathered Marshtomp, Trapinch, and Steelix to witness the hatch, and kept adding nutrient solution as the egg absorbed its remaining light and heat.
• The Pokémon Egg hatched into a Larvesta, which timidly approached Yong after he introduced it to its companions.
• Larvesta recognized Yong’s voice, nuzzled his hand, and nestled against him as Marshtomp and Trapinch welcomed it.

Yong used his system reward to nourish his newly hatched Larvesta, then entered the Winter Snow Cup quarterfinals after the tournament switched to three-on-three battles. He drew the first match against Ake and sent out Marshtomp.

• The system rewarded Yong with Advanced Cultivation Liquid for owning six Pokémon, and he mixed it with Moomoo Milk for Larvesta.
• Yong scanned Larvesta's stats, saw that she had Swarm and the egg move Overheat, and planned her future diet and care.
• Yong introduced Larvesta to Baltoy and Aron, then left her with Nurse Joy before the tournament's final day.
• The eight qualifiers drew lots for the quarterfinals, and Yong drew number one while A Xing and Youluo drew numbers three and four.
• Yong faced Ake from Bomba Island in the opening quarterfinal and sent out Marshtomp.

Yong’s Marshtomp battled Ake’s Ivysaur, using Rock Slide, Dig, and Earthquake to overcome Ivysaur’s Grass-type tactics and land several powerful blows. Ivysaur got back up, and Ake prepared to continue the fight as Yong realized the battle was becoming a drawn-out struggle.

• Ake sent out his Level 30 Ivysaur, and Yong opened with Marshtomp’s Rock Slide.
• Ivysaur shattered the boulder with Seed Bomb, then dodged Marshtomp’s underground grab with Vine Whip and attacked with a mix of powders.
• Ivysaur used Growth while Marshtomp hid underground, but Marshtomp’s Earthquake forced Ivysaur to brace himself with Vine Whip.
• Marshtomp grabbed Ivysaur’s vines, dragged him underground, and slammed him repeatedly into the field before throwing him into rubble.
• Ivysaur struggled back to his feet, and Ake encouraged him to keep battling while Yong worried that the fight would drag on.

Ake’s Ivysaur defeated Yong’s Marshtomp with a precise Vine Whip Technique, forcing Yong to concede the first round. Yong then sent out his powerful Steelix to face Ivysaur.

• Ake’s Ivysaur used Vine Whip Technique to evade Marshtomp’s attempts to defend itself and struck it repeatedly.
• Ake’s Ivysaur caught Marshtomp by its hind legs as it tried to Dig, then drained its stamina and slammed it with Seed Bomb.
• Yong recalled Marshtomp, conceding the first round, and resolved to grow stronger after recognizing his complacency.
• Yong’s mental state strengthened, and he sent out Steelix, whose furious roar and enormous size stunned the arena.
• Ake and Ivysaur faced Steelix as the announcer introduced Yong’s formidable Pokémon.