Chapter Summaries

Grandmother explained Meteor Village’s origins and gave Yong two Meteorite Shards in exchange for his promise to help the Remnants if they faced annihilation. As A Xing took Yong to the Ancient People Altar for a cleansing, Grandmother wondered whether he was the person they needed and called him a variable.

• Grandmother told Yong that ancient Pokémon and three powerful orbs transformed Meteor Falls, allowing the Remnants’ ancestors to settle there after fleeing an invasion from another space.
• Grandmother gave Yong the two remaining pure Meteorite Shards, which could strengthen the potential of Pokémon such as Steelix, in return for his promise to aid the Remnants if they faced annihilation.
• Yong accepted the promise, and Grandmother sent A Xing to lead him to the Ancestral Land for a meteorite energy cleansing and a tour.
• After Yong and A Xing left, Grandmother spoke to an unseen presence, questioned whether Yong was the right person, and called him a variable when the symbols on the wall rearranged.
• A Xing carried Yong to the Ancient People Altar on Dragonair and Salamence, while Yong wondered about the orbs and the symbols.

Yong and A Xing brought the Meteorite Shards to an altar in the Ancestral Land, where their energy enveloped Yong’s six Pokémon in cocoons to improve their constitutions. As the energy faded, Yong stayed to watch over them and pondered the many mysteries of Meteor Village.

• Yong recognized the altar’s markings as resembling Unown, but kept his thoughts to himself.
• A Xing instructed Yong to place the Meteorite Shards on the altar and release his Pokémon, then had them gather around the pool.
• The altar released energy from the Meteorite Shards, putting Steelix and the other five Pokémon to sleep and surrounding them with gray energy.
• A Xing offered to show Yong around the Ancestral Land, but he refused and stayed beside his Pokémon while she fell asleep nearby.
• The energy gradually faded into the Pokémon, though they remained asleep, and Yong wondered about the altar and the cavern’s remarkable glowing orbs.

After Yong’s Pokémon absorbed the meteorite energy and gained levels, A Xing explained that the energy would improve their potential. The next morning, Yong left Meteor Village for Rustboro City after promising A Xing that he and Steelix would be ready for a rematch.

• Yong’s Steelix, Marshtomp, Aron, Trapinch, Baltoy, and Larvesta leveled up after absorbing the meteorite energy, and A Xing reassured him that it had no side effects.
• A Xing took Yong to a guest room, where he wondered what future crisis Grandmother had prepared for by giving him one of her people’s treasures, then fell asleep.
• Yong woke early and told A Xing he needed to leave for Rustboro City, and she agreed to guide him out of Meteor Village.
• At the fork in the passage, A Xing gave Yong directions to Rustboro City and challenged him to a future battle, saying Dragonair would beat Steelix next time.
• Yong promised that he and Steelix would keep getting stronger, then parted from A Xing as she resolved to meet him again on a bigger stage.

Yong emerged from Meteor Falls and returned to Rustboro City, where he planned to train his Pokémon before visiting the Devon Corporation. Steven revealed that the corporation had revived three Pokémon from ancient fossils and led Yong to meet them so he could choose one.

• Yong followed A Xing's directions through Meteor Falls and emerged on the southern side of the mountain with Marshtomp.
• Yong booked a room at the Pokémon Center and planned several days of training to help his Pokémon consolidate their recent strength gains.
• Yong visited the Devon Corporation and found Steven waiting for him in President Stone's office.
• Steven told Yong that the corporation had revived three Pokémon from eight ancient fossils that retained biological activity.
• Steven led Yong through security to the underground fossil laboratory, where Yong eagerly anticipated meeting the revived Pokémon.

Yong visited the research institute to choose a partner among three Pokémon revived from fossils. After inspecting Kabuto and Tyrunt, he became captivated by Aerodactyl, whose choice he had yet to make.

• Steven warned Yong that the revived Pokémon were ill-tempered, and Yong entered the institute confidently.
• Yong found Kabuto in one compartment and considered its abilities, but felt disappointed by its limited potential.
• Yong inspected Tyrunt and admired its strength and Poison Fang, thinking he would choose it if there were no third Pokémon.
• Yong saw Aerodactyl in the upper enclosure and decided it was the Pokémon he wanted.

Yong chose Aerodactyl as the Pokémon he wanted to recruit and battled him with Steelix to earn his approval. Steelix overwhelmed Aerodactyl, leaving him badly injured on the collapsed metal floor.

• Yong chose Aerodactyl over Tyrunt, valuing his strength, speed, and ability to fly with a rider.
• Steven opened the room for a battle, and Yong sent out Steelix to face Aerodactyl.
• Steelix struck Aerodactyl with Iron Tail, but Aerodactyl countered with Dragon Breath and Crunch.
• Aerodactyl dodged Steelix's Ice Fang and charged again, prompting Steelix to meet him with Head Smash.
• Yong ordered Steelix to finish the fight with Iron Tail, slamming Aerodactyl into the metal floor and leaving him crying out in pain.

Yong captured Aerodactyl after Steelix defeated it, then told Steven he planned to challenge the Dewford and Petalburg Gyms. Steven explained that the Elite Tournament was meant to address the Pokémon League’s decline and revealed that a gifted girl from the Temple Family had emerged in Sinnoh.

• Yong used Steelix to weaken Aerodactyl, captured it, and resolved to help it regain its former strength.
• Yong told Steven he planned to return to Dewford Town for a Gym challenge before facing Norman in Petalburg City.
• Yong asked Steven why he had organized the Elite Tournament, and Steven criticized the Pokémon League as outdated and conservative.
• Steven explained that he and Drake had initiated the tournament with participants from Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Kanto.
• Steven told Yong that a gifted young girl from the Temple Family had emerged in Sinnoh, prompting Yong to recall the family’s role in guarding the Garchomp lineage and its ancient heritage.

Steven told Yong about several powerful rookie Trainers from other regions who would compete in the Elite Tournament, including Cynthia and Lance. Yong realized that future Elite Four members were starting their journeys alongside him and looked forward to testing himself against them, while Steven hinted Hoenn had a trump card.

• Yong recognized Cynthia as the Temple Family heir after Steven described her as a gifted thirteen-year-old who had already won Sinnoh’s Lily of the Valley Conference.
• Steven explained that Lance had returned to the Dragon Clan and was allowed to enter the tournament as a rookie Trainer with only one Pokémon he already owned.
• Steven described a strong young Ice-type Trainer from the Orange Islands and a twenty-year-old Fighting-type Trainer from Johto who had only just registered with the League.
• Yong identified the two rookies as future Kanto Elite Four members Lorelei and Bruno and grew excited about competing alongside such powerful Trainers.
• Steven said Hoenn had impressive rookies of its own and hinted that the region had a trump card.

Yong received six top-grade Fire Stones from Steven and caught Aerodactyl, then set out to train his completed main team near Rustboro City. Meanwhile, signs of a mysterious change appeared in Meteor Village, Dr. Fuji discovered a fossil connected to Mew, and Professor Oak encountered Pikachu as Ash and Gary’s rivalry began.

• Steven gave Yong six top-grade Fire Stones after learning that he had caught Larvesta, and Yong left eager for the Elite Tournament.
• Yong returned to the Pokémon Center, arranged for Steelix and Aerodactyl to recover, and learned that his family’s next shipment of supplies had already been sent.
• In Meteor Village, symbols vanished from the altar and papyrus as a dark line appeared across the three gems; Grandmother murmured about destiny and a variable.
• Dr. Fuji found a fossil containing a tiny strand of fur while people in black uniforms marked with an R guarded the cave, and Mew noticed the discovery from a distant tree.
• Professor Oak fed a trapped Pikachu an apple at his laboratory, then heard Ash and Gary arguing nearby.
• Yong camped on the coast south of Rustboro City, released his Pokémon to roam, and began preparing lunch.

Yong organized training for his Pokémon, helping each focus on its strengths while using Primordial Stone Milk and other resources to support their growth. As his partners trained and Aerodactyl began to acknowledge him, Yong resolved to face powerful trainers without backing down.

• Yong assigned Steelix impact training with Aerodactyl, while Aerodactyl used their battles to regain control and strength.
• Yong guided Marshtomp, Aron, Trapinch, and Baltoy through their respective strength, water, move, and psychic training.
• Yong began basic move training with level 8 Larvesta and planned to use a top-grade Fire Stone to help it grow.
• Yong planned to give Earth Core Marrow Fluid and Primordial Stone Milk to more of his Pokémon as they became ready.
• Aron repeatedly returned to the sea after waves swept it ashore, while Trapinch practiced Sandstorm and Dragon Claw and Baltoy formed a psychic barrier.
• Yong watched his partners train and vowed to battle Cynthia, Lance, Lorelei, and Bruno without backing down.

Yong spent nearly half a month training his Pokémon through battles on the beach, helping Aerodactyl recover its strength and grow closer to him. After his team gained levels and learned new moves, Yong treated them to a feast and prepared to leave.

• Yong had Aerodactyl defeat a trainer's Camerupt in battle, earning training points and improving several moves.
• Yong battled trainers on the beach over the following days, and his constant challenges earned him the nickname "Battle Maniac."
• Yong's Pokémon completed nearly half a month of training, gaining levels and learning moves including Body Press, Ice Punch, and Earth Power.
• Yong returned to camp, treated his Pokémon's injuries, and prepared a lavish meal before setting off the next day.

Yong traveled through Petalburg Woods on his way home, revisiting Breloom and the Shroomish colony before continuing toward Petalburg City. He planned to return Larvesta to his mother, challenge the Dewford Gym, and later visit Fortree City to obtain a flying-riding certificate.

• Yong decided to take Larvesta home so his mother could care for the newly hatched Pokémon, which brought him over the six-Pokémon limit.
• Yong visited Breloom and the Shroomish colony in Petalburg Woods, shared Pokémon food with them, and spent time playing with the little ones.
• Yong continued through the woods, where Larvesta bravely battled Bug Catchers and defeated a Wurmple after landing a hit with its sixth Ember.
• Yong reached Petalburg City before nightfall and stayed at the Pokémon Center because ferries to Dewford Town did not run at night.
• Yong planned to challenge the Dewford Gym, leave Larvesta at home until it settled in, and eventually travel to Fortree City for a Flying-type riding certificate.

Yong returned to Dewford Town with Larvesta after months away and learned that his family's business had expanded and prepared habitats for their Pokémon. He reunited with his mother at the Ishida Family Pokémon Cottage, leaving his changed home behind him.

• Yong watched Mantyke and Magikarp from the ferry and told Larvesta about his family as they approached Dewford Town.
• Yong reunited with Uncle Zhibian, who explained that the family had discovered new ore deposits and that his mother had built habitats for their Pokémon.
• Yong noticed new buildings near Granite Cave and asked whether the new workers' backgrounds had been checked; Zhibian assured him they had been screened.
• Yong arrived at the family grounds and found the old house transformed into the Ishida Family Pokémon Cottage, with a villa nearby.
• Yong's mother hurried out to embrace him, and he told her he was home.

Yong returned home and reunited with his mother and father, introducing his Pokémon companions and recounting his travels. After a warm family dinner, he planned to visit the mine and leave again after challenging the Dewford Gym.

• Nakamura Aoi welcomed Yong home, then greeted Larvesta and admired Yong’s Pokémon companions.
• Yong entrusted Steelix and the other Pokémon, along with his remaining ore, to Zhibian’s care.
• Yong spent the afternoon telling Nakamura Aoi about his journey, including what had happened in Rustboro City.
• Shiyan Toru returned home, teased Yong, and learned that Yong planned to stay for a few days before challenging the Dewford Gym.
• Yong and his parents shared dinner as he told more travel stories and joked with Shiyan Toru.

Yong finally left home after a day of rest and went to challenge the Dewford Gym, bringing Marshtomp, Baltoy, and Aerodactyl. He bypassed the Gym’s familiar trials and met Kofu, who sent out Machoke to begin their battle.

• Yong chose Marshtomp, Baltoy, and Aerodactyl for his Gym challenge and left his other Pokémon to train under Steelix.
• Yong traveled to Dewford Town and entered the Dewford Gym, whose dark interior and hidden paths he knew from childhood.
• Yong found the concealed mechanism beneath a stone wall and pushed through it to reach the final battlefield.
• Yong reunited with Kofu, his former karate instructor, and said he had already earned three Badges.
• Kofu warned Yong not to be arrogant, then sent out Machoke to start the battle.

Yong and Marshtomp defeated Kofu’s Machoke in a hard-fought battle, earning the right to proceed. Kofu revealed the door to the Gym Leader, who welcomed Yong as he entered.

• Kofu started a one-on-one battle between Machoke and Yong’s Marshtomp.
• Machoke and Marshtomp traded powerful Fighting-type attacks in a close contest of strength.
• Yong ordered Marshtomp to use Surf and Double-Edge, knocking Machoke down and defeating it.
• Kofu accepted the loss and showed Yong the door to the Gym Leader.
• Yong recalled Marshtomp, entered the room, and was greeted by the Gym Leader.

Yong faced Brawly in a three-on-three Gym battle and opened with Baltoy against Brawly’s Hariyama. Baltoy defeated Hariyama but was left unable to continue, leaving the battle tied to the remaining Pokémon on each side.

• Yong greeted Brawly at the Dewford Gym, and the referee announced their three-Pokémon battle.
• Brawly sent out Hariyama, and Yong chose Baltoy as his first Pokémon.
• Brawly boosted Hariyama with Growth while Yong used Cosmic Power and Power Swap to prepare Baltoy.
• Hariyama broke free of Baltoy’s Extrasensory restraint with Belly Drum and struck Baltoy with Arm Thrust.
• Baltoy’s Zen Headbutt collided with Hariyama’s attack, knocking Hariyama out while Baltoy descended to the ground, exhausted.
• Baltoy earned battle experience, advanced to level 32, and raised Extrasensory to expert proficiency.

Yong’s Marshtomp defeated Brawly’s Hitmonchan in a hard-fought battle, securing Yong’s second straight win. Brawly praised Marshtomp’s talent, while the Pokémon remained standing but tired from the final clash.

• The referee declared Brawly’s Hariyama unable to battle, giving Baltoy the win, and Brawly sent out Hitmonchan.
• Yong sent out Marshtomp, and both trainers boosted their Pokémon’s stats before Hitmonchan attacked with Agility and Mach Punch.
• Marshtomp endured Hitmonchan’s punches, caught both arms, and used Superpower and Drain Punch to damage Hitmonchan and disable his left arm.
• Brawly revealed that he knew Steven from guiding him through Granite Cave, then ordered Hitmonchan to use Mega Punch.
• Yong ordered Marshtomp to meet Mega Punch with Double-Edge, and Marshtomp’s charge sent Hitmonchan crashing into rubble.
• The referee declared Hitmonchan unable to battle, and Brawly praised Marshtomp as Yong celebrated his partner’s win.

Yong’s Marshtomp battled Brawly’s Lucario in a fierce exchange of water, aura, and rock attacks. Lucario unleashed the powerful Wave Burst Fusion Technique, defeating Marshtomp and leaving Yong to recall him.

• Brawly sent out his level 35 Lucario to face Yong’s Marshtomp.
• Marshtomp’s Surf met Lucario’s Bullet Punch, and the Pokémon clashed before Lucario struck back with Aura Sphere.
• Yong ordered Marshtomp to use Rock Storm against Lucario’s Aura Sphere.
• Lucario used Wave Burst to shatter Marshtomp’s Rock Storm and knock him out.
• Yong recalled Marshtomp and watched Lucario land on the battlefield.

Yong sent Aerodactyl into its first official battle against Brawly’s Lucario, and the two Pokémon fought through a fierce exchange of attacks. Aerodactyl triggered a flinch with Iron Head and finished Lucario with Wing Attack, leaving Yong the winner.

• After Marshtomp lost to Brawly’s Lucario, Yong praised Lucario and sent out Aerodactyl for the final battle.
• Brawly ordered Lucario to use Aura Sphere, and Yong countered with Aerodactyl’s Dragon Pulse, causing both attacks to explode in midair.
• Aerodactyl drove Lucario backward with Wing Attack, while Lucario countered with Ice Punch and later charged with Mega Punch.
• Aerodactyl met Lucario’s Mega Punch with Iron Head, and the impact knocked both Pokémon away.
• Brawly urged Lucario to stand and use Aura Sphere, but Aerodactyl’s Wing Attack flinched Lucario and knocked it out.
• The referee declared Yong the winner, and Yong praised Aerodactyl as it roared overhead.