Chapter Summaries

Yong defeated Brawly, earned the Knuckle Badge, and received a new system talent after reaching four badges. As Yong cared for his Pokémon at home, an unseen figure watched him, while Palkia broke into another space and battled a dark figure.

• Aerodactyl won its battle against Brawly, improved its move proficiency, and learned Dragon Claw.
• Brawly awarded Yong the Knuckle Badge and said he would see him at the Elite Tournament; Yong set off for Petalburg City to challenge Mr. Norman.
• The system granted Yong the talent Immovable as a Mountain when he left Dewford Gym.
• A tiny white figure followed Yong’s car and watched him care for his Pokémon, while Baltoy sensed something in the sky.
• Palkia tore through space, fought a dark figure with Spacial Rend, and left it breathing faintly after a burst of white light.

As Yong traveled by ferry from Dewford Town to Petalburg City, he accepted John Doe’s challenge and revealed Marshtomp’s tremendous strength. The ferry reached Petalburg City after Marshtomp defeated John Doe’s Poliwrath.

• Yong left home with Steelix and his Pokémon and boarded a ferry from Dewford Town to Petalburg City.
• John Doe challenged Yong to a one-on-one Pokémon battle, and Yong chose Marshtomp.
• Marshtomp’s Rock Smash overpowered Poliwrath’s Dynamic Punch and sent him flying backward.
• John Doe ordered Poliwrath to use Brick Break, but Marshtomp defeated him with Superpower.
• Yong saw that the ferry had arrived at Petalburg City’s harbor.

Yong chose the Petalburg Gym’s Power room, where Ace Trainer Saori challenged him to a one-on-one battle. Marshtomp pinned Saori’s Zangoose and landed a powerful Mega Punch, leaving the outcome unclear.

• Yong placed his four Badges in the Gym’s pedestal and let Marshtomp choose the Power room.
• Yong met Saori, an Ace Trainer, who announced a one-on-one battle and sent out her level 34 Zangoose.
• Yong ordered Marshtomp to use Surf, but Zangoose froze the wave with Ice Punch and dodged Rock Slide with Agility.
• Zangoose used Quick Attack and Fury Cutter across the ice, so Marshtomp shattered the battlefield to remove his footing.
• Marshtomp struck Zangoose with Mega Punch through Protect, then pinned him as Saori ordered Night Slash.
• Marshtomp endured Zangoose’s slashes and brought down a full-power Mega Punch, smashing the ground around them.

Yong cleared the Room of Recovery by defeating Kazuma’s Linoone with Aron, whose formidable defense overcame Linoone’s Extreme Speed and Berry recovery. He stood ready to continue through the Gym.

• Marshtomp reached Lv35 after Yong defeated Saori’s Zangoose, and Saori directed him to the next stage and pointed out the healing machine.
• Yong chose the Room of Recovery, where guardian Kazuma challenged him with a Lv36 Linoone.
• Linoone used Extreme Speed to strike Aron, but Aron’s armor let it withstand the attack and return to the field.
• Aron held its ground with Iron Defense and countered with Head Smash, while Linoone used Substitute and ate Berries to recover.
• Yong had Aron evade Linoone’s next Extreme Speed with Tackle, then finish it with Superpower.

Yong entered the One-Hit KO Room and battled Ace Trainer Naoki’s Ditto, which transformed into Trapinch and copied its moves. After their Pokémon traded powerful attacks, Yong’s Trapinch defeated Ditto with Dragon Claw.

• Yong chose the One-Hit KO Room after passing the Recovery Room and met Ace Trainer Naoki.
• Naoki sent out a level 36 Ditto, which transformed into Yong’s Trapinch and copied its moves.
• Yong and Naoki’s transformed Trapinch clashed with Sand Tomb, Dig, Crunch, Bulldoze, and Earth Power.
• Yong ordered Dragon Claw during the swirling sand, and Trapinch stood victorious over the fainted Ditto.

Yong entered the Petalburg Gym’s final arena and began his three-on-three battle against Gym Leader Norman. Marshtomp gained the upper hand against Norman’s Ambipom and appeared to knock it out.

• Trapinch defeated Naoki’s Ditto, gained experience, and reached Lv33 as Naoki praised Yong’s battle and sent him onward.
• Yong entered the final room, retrieved Marshtomp and Aron, and met Norman in the arena.
• The referee announced a three-Pokémon match, and Norman sent out his Lv34 Ambipom while Yong chose Marshtomp.
• Marshtomp boosted its strength and attacked with Muddy Water and Rock Slide, but Ambipom used Agility and Bounce to evade and strike with Dual Chop.
• Marshtomp grabbed Ambipom after covering its face with Muddy Water, then slammed it into the ground with Superpower until it lay sprawled and dazed.

Yong’s Marshtomp defeated Norman’s Ambipom, then fought Norman’s Vigoroth in a brutal contest of strength. The chapter ended as their final attacks, Throat Chop and Superpower, collided.

• Marshtomp defeated Ambipom, earning training points and experience, and Norman praised Yong’s response.
• Norman sent out his level 35 Vigoroth, and Yong kept Marshtomp in the battle.
• Marshtomp and Vigoroth boosted their strength with Work Up and Bulk Up, then traded powerful close-range blows.
• Vigoroth used Drain Punch while Marshtomp used Double-Edge; both Pokémon fell but managed to rise again, with Marshtomp in better condition.
• Yong and Norman agreed to settle the battle with one final strike, ordering Throat Chop and Superpower respectively.
• Vigoroth and Marshtomp charged at each other, and their attacks collided in a burst of energy.

Marshtomp and Vigoroth drew their battle, and Norman awarded Yong the Petalburg Gym Badge regardless of the next result before offering him a higher-level match. Yong sent out Steelix against Norman’s powerful Slaking, and Steelix’s Head Smash struck with enough force to wreck the battlefield.

• Marshtomp and Vigoroth both became unable to battle, resulting in a draw, and Marshtomp reached level 36.
• Norman praised Yong, promised him the Petalburg Gym Badge, and invited him to face a stronger opponent.
• Norman sent out his level 52 Slaking, the ace of his second team.
• Yong chose Steelix as his strongest Pokémon and told it to focus on proving its strength against Slaking.
• Steelix unleashed a full-power Head Smash, striking Slaking and shattering the battlefield.

Yong and Steelix faced Norman’s Slaking, whose overwhelming Feral Ape Aura nearly broke their resolve. Yong and Steelix overcame their fear long enough to attack, but Slaking defeated Steelix, leaving Yong determined to keep improving.

• Norman praised Steelix’s strength, and Yong explained that he had chosen Onix for their bond and vowed to reach the pinnacle together.
• Slaking rose from the rubble and unleashed its Feral Ape Aura, leaving Yong and Steelix overwhelmed by fear.
• Remembering their shared past, Yong found his resolve and encouraged Steelix to fight through the aura.
• Steelix answered with Head Smash, but Slaking countered with Hammer Arm and knocked it into the rubble.
• Norman recalled the yawning Slaking, praised Yong’s potential, and Yong recalled Steelix as the system began speaking in his mind.

Yong earned the Balance Badge after Steelix lost to Norman, then resumed his journey with Marshtomp while sensing someone secretly following him. Elsewhere, Team Magma planned to obtain a meteorite and locate the Red Orb, as a powerful Pokémon slept in a sealed space atop a distant tower; Yong and Marshtomp finally reached Route 103.

• Yong accepted the Balance Badge from Norman after Steelix lost the Gym challenge and gained new strength.
• Yong left Petalburg City with Marshtomp, noticed the feeling of being watched, and continued along Route 102 as a small creature secretly followed him.
• Maxie learned that Dr. Soranus possessed the meteorite and agreed to help him retrieve a letter from Sea Mauville in exchange for it.
• Maxie ordered Team Magma to speed up translating the ancient script so they could find the Red Orb and pursue their plan to turn the seas into land.
• A huge dragon-like Pokémon slept amid meteorites in a sealed space atop a distant tower, its breaths warping the space around it.
• Yong and Marshtomp returned to Route 103, where Yong had once caught Mudkip.

Yong brought Marshtomp back to its family’s hidden hollow, where the returning Pokémon reunited with its relatives and met its imposing Swampert parent. After Swampert took Marshtomp deeper into the marsh, Yong decided to wait nearby and focus on training Aron, whose excess stored energy had delayed its evolution.

• Yong followed Marshtomp through a stone forest to the hollow where its Mudkip and Marshtomp family lived.
• Yong shared Pokémon food and Pokéblocks with the group, and the family gradually accepted him.
• A Swampert emerged, spoke with Marshtomp, then seized it and carried it into the depths of the pools.
• Yong stayed nearby for a few days, leaving food for the family and setting up camp beside the eastern part of Petalburg Woods.
• Yong planned targeted training for Aron after realizing that its excess energy from eating ore and stone treasures had held back its evolution.

Yong assigned Steelix, Trapinch, Baltoy, and Aerodactyl focused training, then pushed Aron into a punishing routine to help it grow strong enough to challenge Aggron. As the team trained by the shore, Aron gained a Training Point and improved its Iron Head proficiency.

• Yong fed his Pokémon and assigned Steelix to practice powerful charges, Trapinch to build its Dragon-type energy, and Baltoy and Aerodactyl to train together.
• Yong told Aron it was the team's weakest member and threatened to send it back to Aggron, prompting Aron to vow to defeat its father.
• Yong increased Aron's forced-training load to 120 kg and led it into the sea to practice standing firm and using Iron Head against the waves.
• Aron repeatedly fell to the waves but kept getting up as Yong urged it to use Head Smash with more power.
• Steelix, Trapinch, Baltoy, and Aerodactyl continued their own training while the system reported that Aron gained a Training Point and improved its Iron Head proficiency.

Yong discovered that an unseen Pokémon had ambushed Aerodactyl during training, leaving it furious and searching for its attacker. As Baltoy searched the area, Steelix challenged Aerodactyl to bring it down, while the hidden culprit watched from above.

• Yong visited the Mudkip colony, but Swampert did not appear, so he returned to camp and joined Aron’s seaside training.
• Aerodactyl and Baltoy trained in the air until an unseen Pokémon struck Aerodactyl with an Energy Ball, enraging it.
• Baltoy told Yong that Aerodactyl had been ambushed, and Yong sent Baltoy to search for the hidden Pokémon.
• The culprit, a tiny Pokémon concealed in an energy shield above Aerodactyl, admitted to itself that it had thrown the Energy Ball out of curiosity.
• Yong called Steelix to force Aerodactyl down, and Steelix used Rock Slide and Iron Tail to fend off its attacks.

Yong's Aerodactyl went berserk and attacked Steelix until Mew appeared and calmed it with a sleep-inducing power. Mew vanished after sensing Yong's system, leaving him intrigued and hoping to befriend it as he returned to camp with Aerodactyl.

• Aerodactyl charged Steelix with Iron Head, but Steelix struck it with its tail and restrained it while enduring its Dragon Breath.
• Yong tried to calm Aerodactyl, but Baltoy returned and drew his attention to a tiny Pokémon that appeared beside Aerodactyl.
• Mew soothed Aerodactyl with pink energy, and Yong recognized it and greeted it by name.
• Yong's system failed to identify Mew, which raised an energy barrier, sensed something probing it, and vanished.
• Yong treated Aerodactyl, decided he would rather earn Mew's friendship than try to catch it, and returned to camp while Mew watched him from afar.

Yong’s Pokémon trained hard, and Aron evolved into Lairon after battling Marshtomp. Just as Yong celebrated Lairon’s evolution, Marshtomp learned two powerful moves, prompting Yong and the others to hurry deeper into the hollow.

• Steelix learned High Horsepower, Trapinch learned Solar Beam, and Baltoy reached level 33 during training.
• Yong spent more time comforting Aerodactyl and helping it adjust to the modern world.
• Yong began Aron’s combat training against Marshtomp, then took command when their first battle stalled.
• After repeated battles helped Aron master its strength, it evolved into Lairon at level 36 and learned three new moves.
• Marshtomp learned Hydro Pump and Dynamic Punch, and Yong followed the Pokémon deeper into the hollow.

Yong watched Marshtomp evolve into Swampert, who became the strongest member of his team and returned with him to camp. After Swampert and Lairon began training to adjust to their evolved forms, Yong prepared a celebratory dinner and sent Aerodactyl to call everyone back.

• Marshtomp evolved into a Level 39 Swampert, learning Hammer Arm and improving his Mega Punch proficiency.
• Swampert exchanged a proud farewell with the Swampert leader, then carried Yong out of the hollow as they thanked the leader.
• Back at camp, Yong released Lairon and ordered both newly evolved Pokémon to spar and practice controlling their new strength.
• Yong prepared dinner and gave Aerodactyl a piece of meat before asking him to call everyone back for a celebration.
• Aerodactyl flew toward the coast to summon the others as night fell.

Yong arrived in Slateport City and bought items and TMs to strengthen his Pokémon and develop a Trick Room strategy. After his companions learned the moves and ate, he prepared to cross the ocean and pursue his final three Badges.

• Yong and Baltoy defeated a Pelipper on Slateport City's southern shore, and Yong left the girl Potions and food before heading into town.
• Yong bought a Metal Coat, Soft Sand, a Limber Spoon, and a Power Headband at Full Focus, along with TMs including Trick Room, Self-Destruct, and Ally Switch for Baltoy.
• Yong spent 2.3 million on moves and 750,000 on items, then left his Pokémon with Nurse Joy and called home to reassure his family.
• Yong gave his Pokémon their new items and TMs at the Pokémon Center, and they successfully absorbed the Psychic Imprints.
• Yong fed his Pokémon and planned to cross the ocean to earn his final three Badges.

Team Magma raided Kusunoji Shipyard, and Courtney learned that Director Kusunoji had gone to the Cactus at Sea Mauville before escaping a League assault. The next morning, Yong left the ruined shipyard and headed for a cruise ship, as a pink figure flashed across the sky.

• Team Magma captured the shipyard staff, and Courtney pressured Matsumoto into revealing that Director Kusunoji was investigating the Cactus on Route 108.
• Courtney told her Boss about the Cactus at Sea Mauville, then ordered her team to flee when Investigators stormed the headquarters.
• Courtney battled Investigator Shiratori amid explosions as Team Magma escaped the building.
• Yong watched the battle from afar with Baltoy's Confusion, but League Investigators kept him from getting involved.
• The next morning, Yong abandoned his plan to visit Director Kusunoji and hurried toward a cruise ship bound across the sea.

Yong traveled through Hoenn’s lush eastern continent to Fortree City, where he arrived at the Gym to challenge Winona. After climbing to the Rooftop Battlefield for the monthly Bird Festival, he introduced himself to Winona as she prepared for their battle.

• Yong and Baltoy left the main road and used Confusion to float over thick shrubs on the way to Fortree City.
• Yong crossed Fortree’s rope ladders between tree houses and found the Gym at the center of town.
• Xiaojing welcomed Yong and explained that Winona was holding her battles on the Rooftop Battlefield for the monthly Bird Festival.
• Yong climbed the Gym’s long staircase, took an elevator to the challenger’s platform, and met Winona.
• Winona introduced herself and her Flying-type Pokémon, and Yong announced himself as her challenger.

Yong’s Baltoy defeated Winona’s Swellow by using Trick Room to turn the speed-based battle in its favor. Winona sent out Altaria for the second round, and the battle was about to begin.

• Xiaojing announced the Gym battle rules, and Winona sent out her level 36 Swellow against Yong’s Baltoy.
• Swellow used Quick Attack, Double Team, and Aerial Ace, but Baltoy weathered the hit and set up Trick Room.
• Baltoy trapped Swellow with Confusion and struck her with Rock Slide, defeating her despite Winona’s Protect command.
• Winona recalled Swellow and sent out Altaria, whose Dragon Dance and Draco Meteor impressed Yong.
• Xiaojing announced the start of Altaria’s battle against Baltoy.