Chapter Summaries

Xia You defeated Nana decisively, while Ash learned that he and Gary would face each other before the winner met Xia You. After Xia You greeted Professor Oak and Delia, he joked about Oak’s closeness to Ash’s mother, and Erika told him to stop.

• Xia You sent out Gardevoir against Nana’s Pidgey and won the round, giving him a two-to-zero lead.
• Xia You went on to defeat Nana’s remaining Pokémon, winning five rounds in a row.
• Brock pointed out that Xia You would face whoever won the upcoming Ash-versus-Gary match, and Ash checked the tournament bracket.
• Delia and Professor Oak arrived to cheer Ash on, and Professor Oak urged Ash and Gary to push their limits against Xia You.
• Xia You and Erika met Ash, Delia, and Professor Oak after the match, and Xia You joked to Erika that Professor Oak was pursuing Delia.
• Erika rebuked Xia You and told him to stop joking about Professor Oak and Delia.

Xia You and Erika watched Ash and Gary face off in the Championship Tournament’s Rock Field. Gary took an early lead by knocking out Ash’s Tauros, and the battle continued with Heracross facing Gary’s Magmar.

• Xia You and Erika watched the announcer introduce Ash and Gary as longtime friends and rivals from Pallet Town.
• The tournament selected the Rock Field, and Ash drew the second move, leaving Gary to send out his Pokémon first.
• Gary’s Nidoqueen defeated Ash’s Tauros with a Hyper Beam, drawing a shocked reaction from the audience.
• Ash sent out Heracross, and Gary switched Nidoqueen for Magmar, which had a type advantage over Heracross.

Xia You and Erika watched Ash and Gary’s battle, where Gary’s Blastoise built a strong lead before Ash’s Snorlax turned the match around. The chapter ended with Xia You explaining that Professor Oak had raised Ash’s Pokémon at his laboratory and treated them better than Gary’s.

• Heracross recovered from Magmar’s flames and defeated it with Megahorn, tying Ash and Gary’s score at one apiece.
• Gary’s Blastoise defeated Heracross, Muk, and Bayleef in succession, giving Gary a commanding lead.
• After the intermission, Ash’s Snorlax knocked out Gary’s Arcanine with Hyper Beam and defeated Nidoqueen with Ice Punch.
• Xia You told Erika that Professor Oak had cared for Ash’s Pokémon at his laboratory and favored them even more than Gary’s.

Ash overcame Gary’s early advantage by bringing out Charizard, which defeated Scizor and Golem before using Ash’s steam strategy to beat Blastoise. After Ash advanced to the quarterfinals, Xia You waited for him in the lobby and planned to study his lineup.

• Ash sent out Charizard, which quickly defeated Gary’s Scizor and then knocked out Golem with Dragon Rage.
• Gary sent out Blastoise as his final Pokémon, and it used Hydro Pump to keep Charizard at a distance.
• Ash had Charizard heat the battlefield, and Blastoise’s water created steam that let Charizard approach unseen and seize its claws.
• Charizard carried Blastoise into the air and slammed it to the ground with Seismic Toss, winning Ash the battle and sending him to the quarterfinals.
• Xia You criticized Gary’s failure to have Blastoise use Withdraw and waited in the lobby for Ash to return.

After Ash defeated Gary and advanced to the quarterfinals, Xia You prepared to face him while watching Kenta defeat Marina and advance as well. Xia You and Ash began their full six-on-six quarterfinal battle on the Rock Field, with Xia You taking the first turn.

• Ash returned to the dormitory after defeating Gary, and Xia You congratulated him before they agreed to give their upcoming match their all.
• Xia You treated Ash, Kenta, Marina, Professor Oak, and the others to a celebratory meal, then watched Ash leave to find Gary and reflected that Gary might turn to scientific research.
• Xia You and Erika studied Ash, Dushe, and other possible opponents while watching the next round of matches.
• Kenta overcame his hesitation, defeated Marina's Feraligatr with Typhlosion, and advanced; Tyson also won, setting up Kenta versus Tyson in the quarterfinals.
• Xia You and Ash met at Silver Stadium the next morning, drew the Rock Field, and Xia You won the first move as their quarterfinal began.

Xia You’s Gardevoir defeated Ash’s Donphan by pushing it out of bounds, giving Xia You the first battle. Ash sent out his Shiny Noctowl against Xia You’s Jolteon, but Jolteon’s agility and the rocky terrain kept Noctowl from landing an attack.

• Xia You sent out Gardevoir, while Ash chose Donphan to counter it.
• Gardevoir evaded Donphan’s attacks and used Psychic to knock it out of bounds, winning the first battle for Xia You.
• Ash sent out his Shiny Noctowl, and Xia You answered with Jolteon.
• Jolteon dodged Noctowl’s dives across the rocky field, leaving Delia worried and Professor Oak urging her to believe in Ash.

Ash’s Charizard defeated Xia You’s Dragonite after a fierce aerial and ground battle, ending Xia You’s undefeated run from the Indigo Conference through the Silver Conference. Ash’s Noctowl had been paralyzed earlier, leaving the match’s outcome to Charizard’s victory.

• Noctowl dodged Jolteon’s Electroweb and landed an Air Slash, but Jolteon used Agility and Thunder Fang to paralyze him.
• Ash recalled Noctowl and sent out Charizard, while Xia You replaced Jolteon with Dragonite.
• Charizard and Dragonite clashed with matching Dragon Tails before their Trainers directed them to use Flamethrower and Dragon Rage.
• The battle moved between the field and the sky as both Pokémon took heavy damage, but Dragonite began to tire.
• Charizard defeated Dragonite with Flamethrower, shattering Xia You’s undefeated record.

Xia You sent Jolteon against Ash’s exhausted Charizard, then chose Crystal Steelix to face Snorlax. The battle continued with Crystal Steelix burrowing underground, leaving Ash unsure how Snorlax could counter it.

• Xia You sent Jolteon out, and it quickly knocked out Ash’s weakened Charizard with Electroweb.
• Ash sent Snorlax into battle, and Xia You recalled Jolteon before choosing Crystal Steelix over Tyranitar.
• Crystal Steelix charged Snorlax and drove it through rocks toward the boundary, but Snorlax stopped just short of being pushed out.
• Snorlax dodged Crystal Steelix’s bite and struck with Mega Punch, but Crystal Steelix burrowed underground to avoid the attack.
• Ash recognized Crystal Steelix’s Dig from his earlier battle against Drake’s Onix and wondered whether he should switch Pokémon.

Xia You’s Crystal Steelix defeated Ash’s Snorlax, giving him a three-Pokémon lead at the halfway break. After the match resumed, Blastoise beat Ash’s Shiny Noctowl, and Ash sent out Bayleef to face Xia You’s final Pokémon, Scizor.

• Crystal Steelix trapped Snorlax in Bind and knocked it unconscious, giving Xia You the win in their battle.
• During the five-minute break, Brock and Misty encouraged Ash, who returned to the field more determined.
• Ash sent out his Shiny Noctowl, and Xia You surprised him by choosing Blastoise.
• Blastoise’s Hydro Pump brought Noctowl down, and its Tackle and Bite finished the battle.
• Ash sent out Bayleef, and Xia You answered with his final Pokémon, Scizor.

Ash’s Pikachu battled Xia You’s Scizor to a draw, but Xia You defeated Ash with Gardevoir and advanced to the semifinals. After Ash accepted his loss and promised to challenge Xia You again, Xia You watched Kenta face Tyson, who took an early advantage.

• Ash recalled Bayleef after Scizor overwhelmed it and sent out Pikachu as his final Pokémon.
• Pikachu and Scizor fought fiercely, then knocked each other out with simultaneous Quick Attacks, resulting in a draw.
• Ash sent his injured Bayleef back into battle, but Xia You defeated it with Gardevoir and advanced to the semifinals.
• Xia You congratulated Ash after their match, and Ash vowed to grow stronger and challenge him again in Hoenn.
• Xia You and Erika celebrated before Xia You treated his Pokémon and watched Delia and Professor Oak leave with Ash’s companions.
• Kenta battled Tyson, and Tyson gained an early advantage as Kenta struggled against his Blaziken.

Tyson defeated Kenta with his Hoenn Pokémon Blaziken, then advanced to face Xia You in the Silver Conference semifinals. On the Ice Field, Tyson sent out Kecleon, but Xia You recognized its invisibility and spotted the marking that gave away its position.

• Tyson's Blaziken defeated Kenta's Typhlosion, and Tyson went on to beat Kenta's remaining Pokémon.
• Kenta warned Xia You that Tyson and his Blaziken were strong before leaving with Marina.
• After the other Round of 16 matches, the League promoted Xia You and Dushe as likely semifinal rivals, while Xia You completed promotional appearances and prepared for his battle.
• Xia You and Tyson entered the Ice Field for their semifinal, and Tyson won the draw to send out the first Pokémon.
• Tyson sent out Kecleon, but Xia You identified it as a Normal-type from Hoenn and warned Tyranitar about its invisibility and tongue.
• Kecleon disappeared against the ice, but Xia You spotted the red marking on its belly that remained visible.

Xia You won all three battles in the first half against Tyson, defeating Kecleon, Houndoom, and Miltank. During the break, Gengar asked Xia You to let it battle in the second half, leaving Ash and the others surprised.

• Tyranitar used Earthquake to disrupt Kecleon's speed, then defeated it with Hyper Beam.
• Xia You sent Jolteon against Houndoom and used water on the field to conduct Discharge, letting Jolteon finish Houndoom with Double Kick.
• Crystal Steelix defeated Tyson's Miltank, giving Xia You a 3–0 lead at halftime.
• Tyson sat nervously during the break while Xia You rested calmly and considered Blaziken Tyson's main threat.
• Gengar emerged from Xia You's shadow and asked to battle in the second half, promising to go easy on Tyson's Pokémon.
• Ash and the others noticed Gengar whispering to Xia You and realized something was happening.

Tyson sent out Swellow to face Xia You's Gengar, who toyed with it before defeating it with Hypnosis. Tyson was left with only two Pokémon and feared elimination, while Gengar returned to Xia You's side with no intention of battling again.

• Tyson abandoned his plan to use Hypno and sent out Swellow against Xia You's Gengar.
• Gengar transformed into a net and caught Swellow, then released it after teasing it.
• Gengar vanished into his shadow, struck Swellow with a flyswatter, and provoked it into using Brave Bird.
• Gengar intensified Hypnosis, causing Swellow to lose consciousness and crash into the ice.
• Gengar returned to Xia You, leaving Tyson worried that his elimination was drawing near.

Xia You’s Crystal Steelix defeated Tyson’s fifth Pokémon, Linoone, leaving Tyson’s Blaziken to face Xia You’s Gardevoir in the decisive battle. Gardevoir gained the upper hand, but Blaziken’s Blaze ability activated, and Tyson called for a final Flare Blitz as the chapter ended.

• Xia You sent out Crystal Steelix, which defeated Tyson’s Linoone with little difficulty.
• Tyson sent out his ace Blaziken, and Xia You recalled Crystal Steelix and chose Gardevoir.
• Blaziken attacked with Flamethrower and Fire Punch, but Gardevoir blocked the flames and used Teleport to evade the close-range strike.
• Tyson anticipated Gardevoir’s Teleport and sent Blaziken in with Quick Attack, but Gardevoir hit it with Psybeam and lifted it with Confusion before slamming it into the ground.
• Blaziken got back up with its Blaze ability activated, and Tyson ordered it to use Flare Blitz.

Xia You defeated Tyson’s Blaziken and became the first finalist, then watched Dushe’s match against Yamashita. After Yamashita’s Magcargo caused two early losses, Dushe recovered and won the match, setting up the final against Xia You.

• Gardevoir defeated Tyson’s Blaziken with Dazzling Gleam and Psychic, giving Xia You an overwhelming victory and a place in the finals.
• Tyson congratulated Xia You after the match, and Xia You reunited with Ash, Misty, Brock, and Erika before they went to lunch.
• Xia You and his friends watched Dushe face Yamashita on the Grass Field, where Yamashita’s Magcargo defeated Dushe’s Exeggutor and took the first battle.
• Magcargo set the Grass Field ablaze and severely burned Dushe’s Ampharos, forcing the medical team to rush it to the aid station and giving Yamashita a 2-0 lead.
• Dushe stopped underestimating Yamashita, sent out his strongest lineup, and won the remaining battles to advance to the finals against Xia You.

Xia You prepared for the Silver Conference final against Dushe, while friends and the Ecruteak Five gathered in Silver Town to support him. On the day of the final, the Water Field was selected, and Dushe opened the battle by sending out Rhyhorn.

• Xia You welcomed Professor Elm and his family and the Ecruteak Five to a dinner in Silver Town, where Xiaoyu challenged the others for cheering for him instead of Johto contestant Dushe.
• After dinner, Erika told Xia You that Xiaoyu admired him and was trying to get his attention, but Xia You decided to keep his distance from her.
• Xia You brought Erika, Ash, Misty, Brock, Professor Elm's family, and the Ecruteak Five to watch the final from the stadium lounge because they could not get tickets.
• Xia You and Dushe met at the Silver Stadium final, and the draw selected the Water Field and gave Xia You the second move.
• Dushe began the battle by sending out his powerful Rhyhorn.

Xia You’s Crystal Steelix defeated Dushe’s Rhyhorn despite being knocked into the Water Field’s pool, then Blastoise faced Dushe’s Golduck. The opening exchange ended with both Water-type Pokémon entering the water to continue the battle.

• Dushe sent Rhyhorn against Xia You’s Crystal Steelix, but Steelix held firm against Rhyhorn’s charge and struck it with Iron Tail.
• Dushe used Earthquake to destabilize Crystal Steelix, then Rhyhorn charged and knocked it into the pool.
• Crystal Steelix swam back to shore, coiled around Rhyhorn, and squeezed it until the referee declared it unable to battle.
• Dushe sent out Golduck, and Xia You answered with Blastoise on the Water Field.
• Golduck lifted Blastoise with Confusion and slammed it into the ground, but Blastoise withdrew into its shell and endured the attack.
• Xia You sent Blastoise into the water, and Dushe had Golduck follow so they could continue battling there.

Xia You defeated Dushe in the Silver Conference final, using Blastoise and Dragonite to secure the first two rounds before Scizor, Tyranitar, and Gardevoir won the remaining battles. He claimed his second consecutive championship and received the trophy, while Pokémon League President Charles Goodshow congratulated him uneasily.

• Blastoise defeated Dushe's Golduck by creating an underwater vortex that launched it into the air, giving Xia You a second-round victory.
• Dushe sent out his undefeated ace Rapidash, and Xia You chose Dragonite; after a fierce fight, both Pokémon fell, leaving the score unchanged.
• After the interval, Dushe's Quagsire, Hitmontop, and Marowak fought cautiously, but Xia You defeated all three with Scizor, Tyranitar, and Gardevoir to win the match.
• The crowd celebrated as the announcer declared Xia You the Silver Conference champion, his second consecutive championship after the Indigo Conference.
• Charles Goodshow awarded Xia You a gold medal and trophy, and Xia You promised to keep working toward another championship, unsettling the League president.

After celebrating his Silver Conference victory, Xia You left Silver Town with Erika, Ash, Misty, and Brock. They reached Agno Village, where Miku and her grandmother Towa hosted them and warned them about the Forest of Mystery; Xia You recognized the place from a movie and suspected he might meet Celebi there.

• Xia You took a group photo with his championship Pokémon and celebrated his victory at a feast, where the Biker Gang got him drunk.
• Erika told Xia You that Professor Ivy's family, Xiaojuan, Meisha, and Masha had gone home, while Ash and the others were waiting to leave.
• Xia You and Erika departed Silver Town with Ash, Misty, and Brock, and Misty reminded Xia You that she planned to travel with him in Hoenn after visiting her sisters.
• The group reached Agno Village, where Miku invited them to stay with her and Towa, who warned them not to move if they heard the Forest of Mystery's voice.
• Xia You recognized Agno Village as the place from a movie involving Ash, Celebi, and a young Oak, then showed Misty the GS Ball and said he expected to use it soon.

Xia You and the others found a boy who had appeared in the Forest of Mystery and learned from Towa that he had traveled forty years through time. The boy, Yukinari, revealed that Celebi was injured and being hunted, so the group set out to find it and followed Pikachu to a forest clearing.

• Xia You, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Erika entered the Forest of Mystery and saw Celebi’s blue-green light sweep through the trees.
• The group found an unconscious boy beside an altar, brought him to Agno Village, and learned from Towa that he was the child who had disappeared forty years earlier.
• Towa returned the boy’s old notebook to him, and he realized that he had traveled through time and cried out for Celebi.
• Yukinari explained that Celebi was hurt and being hunted, so Ash, Misty, Brock, Xia You, and Erika agreed to help him find it.
• The group returned to the forest, followed Pikachu to a clearing, and spotted wild Pokémon gathered around a tree hollow.