Chapter Summaries

Yong and Cynthia trained with Z-Moves on Akala Island, then received gifts from Molayne and began their journey home. At Hoenn League headquarters, Drake complained about Yong’s long absence as the League leaders discussed their plans and interests in Alola.

• Yong gave Rockium Z to Aggron and Cynthia gave Waterium Z to Milotic, and both pairs trained to control their new Z-Moves.
• After half a month of training, Molayne visited with Sophocles and gave Yong an Alolan Sandshrew and Cynthia an Alolan Vulpix.
• Yong and Cynthia said goodbye to Lusamine and their friends on Akala Island, then boarded a ship bound for Kalos.
• At Hoenn League headquarters, Drake berated Steven over Yong’s absence and the work left undone while Yong was away.
• Glacia, Sidney, Steven, and Drake discussed Ultra Beasts, Alola’s energy field, Z-Crystals, and the League’s interests in Alola, then agreed to wait for Yong’s return.

Yong traveled to Celadon City to watch his disciple Qingcao prepare for a Gym Challenge against Erika. After seeing Qingcao arrive at the Gym with Miyuki, Yong revealed himself to Erika, leaving her surprised by his visit.

• Yong learned that Qingcao had earned the Pewter and Cerulean Gym badges and reached Celadon City, then flew to Kanto to see him.
• Qingcao discussed his upcoming challenge against Erika with Miyuki, who encouraged him despite his less experienced Pokémon.
• Yong watched Qingcao and Miyuki leave the Pokémon Center for the Celadon Gym, then paid for his ice cream and left.
• Erika learned that Yong had arrived at the Gym, assigned a Gym Apprentice to oversee the preliminary challenge, and went to meet him.
• Erika greeted Yong at the training grounds as he apologized for arriving unannounced.

Yong met with Erika in Celadon City and asked for her help with an undisclosed matter. Meanwhile, Qingcao and Miyuki arrived at the Celadon Gym, where Qingcao prepared to challenge Erika.

• Erika asked Yong why he had returned to Celadon City, and he explained that he needed her help.
• Yong reflected on Iris’s stronger team and on how his influence had changed the futures of Iris and Cynthia.
• Miyuki admired the plants at the Celadon Gym and looked forward to meeting Erika, whom she greatly admired.
• Ona led Qingcao and Miyuki through the Gym’s botanical gardens to the battlefield, where Erika awaited them.
• Qingcao introduced himself to Erika and formally challenged the Celadon Gym.

Qingcao challenged Erika at the Celadon Gym, where she recognized his connection to the Rock Solid Gym and prepared a formal battle. The two sent out Golett and Gloom to begin the two-Pokémon match.

• Miyuki told Erika that Qingcao was the challenger and asked to watch as her fan; Erika welcomed her to the sidelines.
• Erika transformed the battlefield into a Grass Field and arranged for a Pokémon League referee, surprising the Gym Apprentices.
• Erika revealed that Qingcao was the Rock Solid Lord's disciple and asked him to show his strength; Qingcao promised to give the battle his all.
• The referee announced that Qingcao and Erika would each use two Pokémon, with a Badge at stake, and started the match.
• Qingcao sent out Golett, while Erika sent out Gloom, whose foul stench spread across the field without bothering Golett.

Qingcao used Golett to overcome Erika’s Gloom in a battle, countering its Grass-type attacks with Phantom Force and successive Fire Punches. As Gloom was knocked out, Yong hinted that Qingcao would face a new challenge next.

• Gloom used Stench, but Golett was unaffected, so Erika switched to Grassy Terrain and Growth.
• Gloom used Petal Blizzard to halt Golett’s Fire Punch, then struck with Moonblast.
• Qingcao ordered Golett to use Phantom Force, letting it evade Moonblast and appear behind Gloom.
• Erika tried to make Gloom use Encore and Petal Blizzard, but Qingcao had Golett attack with successive Fire Punches.
• Golett knocked Gloom out, and Yong hinted that Qingcao’s next challenge was coming.

Qingcao’s Golett defeated Erika’s Gloom, but Venusaur trapped it and drained its energy. As Golett faced defeat, it evolved into Golurk, leaving the battle still underway.

• Golett defeated Erika’s Gloom with a surprise attack, and Erika sent out Venusaur for the second round.
• Qingcao ordered Golett to use Ice Punch, but Venusaur caught it with Vine Whip.
• Erika had Venusaur use Giga Drain while Golett struggled in the vines.
• Golett erupted in evolutionary light and transformed into Golurk.
• Qingcao celebrated Golurk’s evolution as the battle continued.

Qingcao won the Celadon Gym challenge after Golurk evolved in battle and Steelix defeated Erika’s Venusaur, earning the Rainbow Badge. He then reunited with his teacher Yong, who praised his progress and asked about his traveling companion, Miyuki.

• Qingcao’s Golurk evolved during its battle with Erika’s Venusaur, but Venusaur defeated it with Energy Ball.
• Qingcao sent out Steelix, which overcame Venusaur with attacks including Gyro Ball, Ice Fang, Dig, and Sand Tomb.
• Erika awarded Qingcao the Rainbow Badge and told him that someone was waiting to see him.
• Qingcao and Miyuki went to the Gym’s Lounge, where Qingcao joyfully reunited with his teacher Yong.
• Yong praised Qingcao’s progress and asked whether Miyuki was his traveling companion.

Yong met Miyuki of the Grass Clan and learned that the clan had lost contact with Celebi, whom he hoped might help Bronzor recover. He gave Qingcao an Alolan Sandshrew and a Wimpod to raise, leaving Qingcao responsible for their growth.

• Miyuki nervously introduced herself to Yong, who reassured her and asked about the Grass Clan and Celebi.
• Miyuki said the clan had not heard from Celebi for a long time, and Yong decided to wait for another chance to meet it.
• Yong offered to help Miyuki if the Grass Clan encountered problems as it joined the Pokémon League.
• Yong gave Qingcao two Pokémon from Alola, an Alolan Sandshrew and a timid Wimpod.
• Qingcao accepted responsibility for raising both Pokémon, and Wimpod grew comfortable enough to enter his arms.

Yong said goodbye to Erika and flew to Mount Miacha, where his Rock Solid Research Institute had established a reserve for Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon. The chapter showed the growing habitats and colonies there, as Yong returned to oversee the reserve.

• Yong told Erika he was heading to Mount Miacha to visit his uncle, then flew away on Aerodactyl.
• Yong’s reserve contained a Giant Onix colony whose Pokémon displayed ancestral traits, and the institute limited the annual distribution of their Eggs.
• Yong kept Steelix and Giant Onix near the Stone Plate while Terrakion guarded its cave, and Stakataka stood watch at the entrance.
• Yong had moved an Aggron colony from Ever Grande Tunnel and brought Pokémon from other regions to populate habitats across Mount Miacha.
• Swampert established a colony in a marsh, where she and Yong had produced young under the institute’s care.

Yong visited the Rock Solid Research Institute with Kofu, approved Kofu’s plan to catch a Giant Onix, and declined an invitation to the Indigo Plateau Conference. He said he would attend next year to see whether history had changed as events in Pallet Town approached.

• Yong and Kofu looked over the Rock Solid Research Institute and discussed the researchers’ work.
• Kofu said he wanted to study the Giant Onix colony, and Yong agreed to let him catch a Giant Onix when he was ready.
• Kofu showed Yong an invitation to the Indigo Plateau Conference, but Yong declined to attend this year.
• Yong told Kofu to inform the Kanto League that he would attend next year as a special guest.
• Yong reflected that the next year would bring a turning point and wondered whether the course of history had deviated.

Shiyan Yong reunited with Hoenn’s League leaders and explained how the Island Guardians and tribal traditions shaped Alola’s access to Z-Power. He proposed trading his information for a complete set of Z-Rings and Z-Crystals, ending with a threat to secure them alongside Sinnoh if other Leagues objected.

• Drake and the other League leaders confronted Shiyan Yong about leaving Hoenn without notice, and Yong assured them he would remain Hoenn’s Champion.
• Glacia summarized what Yong and Cynthia had learned about Alola, including the Ultra Wormholes, the Aether Foundation, and the value of Z-Crystals and Z-Rings.
• Yong explained that the Island Guardians controlled Z-Power and that tribes required newcomers to earn approval through the Island Challenge.
• Yong proposed giving the Pokémon League Alola-related information in exchange for a complete set of Z-Rings and Z-Crystals for Hoenn.
• Drake warned that other Leagues might resist giving up their share, and Yong said Hoenn would join forces with Sinnoh to obtain the items if necessary.

Yong watched the Alola League take shape as the Pokémon League and regional Leagues divided the gains from Alola’s entry, while he secured Z-Rings and Z-Crystals for Hoenn. A year later, after Ash began his journey with Pikachu, Yong and his Pokémon prepared to challenge Giovanni, who had been waiting for him.

• Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh pressed for a share of the benefits from Alola joining the Pokémon League, while Unova and Kalos gained from new trade routes.
• The Alola League was established, with Olivia as its only Elite Four member, the Aether Foundation continuing its research, and Professor Kukui invited to distribute starter Pokémon.
• Yong obtained Z-Rings and Z-Crystals for Hoenn’s League members and spent the year traveling between Hoenn and Kanto while researching a mysterious force field.
• Ash received a Pikachu in Pallet Town and entered Viridian Forest as Yong watched from a cliff.
• Yong gathered Steelix, Swampert, Aggron, Tyranitar, Metagross, and Volcarona to challenge their final opponent, and Giovanni welcomed his arrival.