Chapter Summaries

Xia You clashed with Yanqingshui over the value of muscle training, and their argument led to a Double Battle with Bea joining Xia You. The match began with Gardevoir and Machamp facing Walrein and Hitmonchan, and their first attacks collided in a burst of water.

• Yanqingshui introduced himself as Gangjia Island’s strongest Pokémon Trainer and invited Xia You and Bea to train their muscles.
• Xia You rejected Yanqingshui’s training philosophy, and Yanqingshui challenged him to a battle.
• When Xia You hesitated because his available Pokémon were unusually powerful, Bea stepped forward to battle in his place.
• Yanqingshui proposed a Double Battle, and Xia You and Bea agreed to team up against him and a woman wearing a red ribbon.
• The teams sent out Gardevoir and Machamp against Walrein and Hitmonchan, then began fighting as Confusion and a stream of water collided beside the two Fighting types.

Xia You and Bea decisively defeated Yanqingshui’s team on Ruri Island, while Shelly and Courtney witnessed a mysterious black Pokémon attack the International Police ship bound for Slateport City. The ship was immobilized, and Anabel joined Shelly on deck as the officers responded.

• Machamp and Gardevoir overwhelmed Yanqingshui’s Hitmonchan and Walrein in the Double Battle.
• Yanqingshui admitted defeat but insisted his people would keep using the Muscle Training Method, and Xia You left with Bea and Misty.
• Shelly encountered Courtney on deck while the International Police ship continued toward Slateport City.
• A strange black Pokémon emerged through an opening in a rainbow and appeared above the ship.
• The Pokémon used psychic power to halt the ship, throwing everyone aboard into chaos before the International Police regrouped.
• Anabel reached Shelly on deck and exclaimed at the sight of the black Pokémon.

A mysterious Necrozma abducted Archie and Maxie from an International Police ship, and Xia You recognized it as a sign that Team Rainbow Rocket might be forming ahead of schedule. After explaining the danger to Misty and Bea, Xia You left his suspicions unspoken while Misty’s stories about his achievements made Bea admire him and left Misty regretting that she had praised him so much.

• Necrozma’s projection attacked Anabel’s ship, ignored the officers’ attacks, and abducted Archie and Maxie through a black hole.
• Shelly urged Anabel to contact Xia You, who had arrived at a hot spring guesthouse with Bea and Misty.
• Xia You identified Necrozma as a legendary cosmic Pokémon from another dimension and explained the threat posed by Ultra Beasts.
• Xia You suspected Archie and Maxie’s abduction meant Team Rainbow Rocket was forming early, possibly because someone had altered the future.
• Misty recounted Xia You’s achievements to Bea, who grew impressed with him, while Misty regretted that she might have found herself a romantic rival.

Xia You, Misty, and Bea shared dinner and prepared to sleep at the seaside guesthouse, but a leaking roof forced the women to move their bedding beside Xia You. Half-asleep and mistaking Bea for Erika, Xia You touched her before realizing his mistake, while Bea had already awakened and understood he was confused.

• Xia You, Misty, and Bea ate a lavish seafood dinner prepared by the elderly owner, and Xia You drank several cups of sake.
• Xia You, Misty, and Bea laid out their bedding in the guest room, but a heavy rainstorm caused water to leak onto Misty and Bea's sleeping spots.
• Misty and Bea moved their bedding beside Xia You while he slept, and Bea eventually fell asleep next to him.
• Xia You woke thirsty and, while groggy from the sake, mistook Bea for Erika and pulled her close, touching her beneath the covers.
• Xia You realized he had touched Bea and moved away, while Bea stayed still after recognizing that he had mistaken her for his girlfriend.

Xia You and Misty parted ways with Bea after leaving the island, while reporters Mary and Dai investigated the site of the Groudon and Kyogre battle. After reaching Lilycove City, Xia You learned that Kuroda had finished work on the Meteorite Key Stone, leaving him eager to see what it could do.

• Misty woke Xia You, who worried Bea had noticed his actions the previous night, while Bea continued training in silence.
• At breakfast, Bea said she planned to leave Hoenn, and Xia You and Misty watched her board a ship before setting off for Lilycove City.
• Mary and Dai searched the battle site near Mossdeep Island, finding evidence of Team Aqua, Team Magma, and the International Police, then speculated that Drake might have fought Groudon and Kyogre.
• After their investigation turned up no decisive proof, Mary and Dai left the site empty-handed.
• When Xia You arrived in Lilycove City, Kuroda called to say the Meteorite Key Stone from Sky Pillar had been processed, and Xia You wondered whether it could enhance Mega Evolution.

Xia You and Misty traveled toward Fortree City, where they met Steven exploring the Scorched Slab before continuing on to the city. The next morning, Xia You arrived at the Fortree Gym to challenge Winona, who was already expecting him.

• Xia You rearranged his Pokémon lineup at the Lilycove City Pokémon Center and arranged to meet Pheobe in Fortree City to return the Indigo and Vermilion Orbs.
• Xia You and Misty passed a Safari Zone, then encountered Steven near a cave; he explained he was searching for rare stones in the Scorched Slab.
• Xia You and Misty reached Fortree City and learned they had missed its annual Wings Festival.
• Xia You went to challenge the Fortree Gym the next morning, and a staff member welcomed him, saying Gym Leader Miss Winona had been waiting.

Xia You challenged Winona at the Fortree Gym, where their battle began high above the battlefield with Metang facing her signature Altaria. Metang gained the upper hand, but Altaria’s speed and instinctive Cotton Guard kept it from being defeated as the fight continued.

• Xia You and Misty climbed to the top of the Fortree Gym, where they met Gym Leader Winona and learned the battle would be a three-on-three match.
• Winona sent out Altaria, and Xia You chose Metang to face it.
• Altaria dodged Metang’s Confusion and unleashed a rapid barrage of Peck, but Metang’s Steel typing and defense limited the damage.
• Metang countered with Metal Claw, while Altaria evaded and attacked from a distance with Dragon Breath and Dragon Pulse.
• Confusion caught Altaria and pulled it toward the ground, but Winona had it use Dragon Pulse to create an explosion that broke its restraint.
• Xia You anticipated Winona’s plan and sent Metang in with Agility and Metal Claw, but Altaria instinctively used Cotton Guard to withstand the attack.

Xia You’s Metang defeated Winona’s Altaria and evolved into Metagross, which then also defeated Pelipper. Winona sent out her Shiny Swellow for the final round, while Xia You chose Milotic and began soaking the battlefield to improve its footing.

• Metang held Altaria aloft with Psychic until it dropped Cotton Guard, then slammed it into the ground and won the first round.
• After the victory, Metang evolved into Metagross, and Winona sent out Pelipper for the second round.
• Metagross adapted to Pelipper’s attack pattern, pinned it with its claws, and won the second round before Xia You recalled it.
• Winona sent out her Shiny Swellow for the final round, and Xia You chose Milotic.
• Milotic sprayed water across the battlefield, making the ground muddy and forming puddles as Winona recognized Xia You was shaping the terrain to his advantage.

Xia You defeated Winona with Milotic, earned the Feather Badge, and registered for the Ever Grande Conference. As he and Misty prepared to travel to the Hoenn Grand Festival, they remembered they still had to return the two Orbs to Pheobe, who appeared before them.

• Milotic used Twister to draw Swellow close, then struck it with Surf and Aqua Tail until it could no longer battle, giving Xia You the victory over Winona.
• Winona awarded Xia You the Feather Badge, completing his collection of all eight Hoenn badges.
• Xia You registered for the Ever Grande Conference at the Fortree City Pokémon Center and learned he would need to confirm his registration at the venue.
• May called Misty to invite her to the upcoming Hoenn Grand Festival, and Misty agreed to go with Xia You’s approval.
• Xia You reminded Misty that they still had to return two Orbs to Pheobe, who suddenly appeared in front of them.

Xia You and Misty reunited with Pheobe, then arrived in Slateport City for May’s Grand Festival. While exploring the festival grounds alone, Xia You ran into Lisia, who eagerly joined him on the walk back to the dorms.

• Pheobe thanked Xia You and Misty for recovering her bags and told them her grandparents had settled in and the League was rebuilding her house.
• Xia You and Misty reached Slateport City, where May prepared for the Grand Festival and Ash celebrated having collected all eight Badges.
• May learned that 64 of the 247 registered Coordinators would advance from the next day’s Preliminaries to the Main Tournament.
• Xia You wandered through Food Street with Gardevoir, spotted Jessie, James, and Meowth, and watched them panic before realizing he had ignored them.
• Xia You sorted gifts for Sabrina, Erika, and Chloe, then met a disguised Lisia, who linked arms with him and agreed to return to the dorms together.

Xia You tried to avoid upsetting Misty after Lisia linked arms with him, but his attempt to slip away only brought Lisia to Misty and sparked a confrontation. When Lisia’s manager revealed that a photo of them together had gone online as a supposed romance, Misty nearly collapsed in shock.

• Xia You arranged for Gengar to expose Lisia to a crowd so he could get away, then told Gengar to keep her safe while he went to find Misty.
• Xia You found Misty, May, and the others training with Drew and Harley, and learned Harley had come to apologize to May.
• Lisia arrived with Gengar and told Misty she had spent time strolling with Xia You, then wrapped herself around his arm and provoked Misty into grabbing his other arm.
• Xia You pulled free of the two girls and took them back to the dormitory, while May, Ash, Max, and Brock followed.
• Lisia’s manager showed them a photo of Lisia holding Xia You’s arm that had been posted online, and Misty nearly fainted at the supposed romance scandal.

May competed in the Slateport City Grand Festival Preliminaries, where her Beautifly performance earned her 88 points and put her in a strong position to advance. After Harley praised her and urged her to keep using Silver Wind, Xia You warned May that Harley seemed suspicious, and she agreed to be cautious around him.

• Misty told May she feared being separated from Xia You after her Hoenn travels ended, since he would continue to Sinnoh where Lisia could also meet him.
• Vivian opened the Grand Festival Preliminaries, and Robert earned 98 points while Drew scored 95 with Roselia.
• Harley performed with Cacturne, earning 84 points, before May was called to compete.
• May performed with Beautifly, using glittering powder and Silver Wind to earn a combined score of 88.
• Harley congratulated May and encouraged her to keep using Silver Wind, but Xia You warned her that Harley seemed to have a hidden motive, and May agreed to be on guard.

May advanced to the Grand Festival Main Tournament, and Harley tried to pressure her into practicing with him. Xia You intervened and challenged Harley to a battle, but Harley ordered Cacturne to attack him from behind as they headed to the battlefield.

• The organizers announced the top sixty-four contestants, with Robert first, a dark-blue-haired woman second, May forty-eighth, and Harley last.
• Mitsuko treated the group to a celebratory feast, and the Main Tournament was scheduled to begin on the festival’s third day.
• Harley approached May the next morning and asked to practice together, but May turned him down after Xia You’s advice.
• Xia You stepped between May and Harley, rebuked him, and challenged him to a battle after Harley threatened him.
• As Xia You walked ahead toward the battlefield, Harley released Cacturne and ordered it to strike Xia You from behind; Ash, Brock, and Max shouted a warning.

Harley’s sneak attack on Xia You failed when Gengar emerged from Xia You’s shadow and knocked out Cacturne. Harley challenged Xia You to a five-on-five battle, but his Wigglytuff lost the first match to Xia You’s Eevee.

• Gengar blocked Cacturne’s attack on Xia You and knocked Cacturne unconscious with a counterattack.
• Xia You continued to the battlefield, and Harley followed after realizing he could not escape unnoticed.
• Harley proposed a five-on-five battle with each Trainer using a different Pokémon in each match, hoping to avoid Gengar and win the overall score.
• Xia You sent out Eevee, while Harley chose Wigglytuff, assuming the unevolved Pokémon would be an easy opponent.
• Eevee evaded Wigglytuff’s attacks, interrupted its Sing with Sand Attack, and knocked it out with Take Down.
• Ash, May, Brock, Max, and Misty realized Harley did not know Xia You’s reputation and watched as he fell behind in the battle.

Xia You defeated Harley’s Wigglytuff and Manectric in two battles, and Harley fled before their agreed best-of-five contest was complete. After reassuring the others that Harley would leave May alone, Xia You joined Ash to train for the Ever Grande Conference while Misty stayed with them.

• Harley recalled Wigglytuff after losing to Eevee, then switched his second Pokémon for Manectric when Xia You sent out Milotic.
• Milotic used Safeguard, Twister, and Hydro Pump to battle Manectric despite its Electric-type advantage.
• Milotic’s Surf swept Manectric out of bounds, and its Aqua Tail knocked the Pokémon unconscious when Harley ordered it to keep fighting.
• Harley abandoned the unfinished best-of-five and hurried away, while Xia You said he had achieved his goal of stopping Harley from pestering May.
• Xia You, Ash, and Misty headed off to prepare for the Ever Grande Conference, while May, Max, and Brock went to practice for the Pokémon Contest.

The Grand Festival’s main tournament began, and May’s Skitty put on an inventive Assist-based performance that was disrupted by an unexpected Solar Beam and confusion from Petal Dance. May kept her composure and found a way to turn the mishaps into part of the show.

• Vivian introduced the five judges and explained that the sixty-four Coordinators would perform with one Pokémon, with the top thirty-two advancing to Contest Battles.
• The first contestant impressed the crowd with Ninetales, while Harley followed with Banette and earned eighty-nine points for a strange, explosive performance.
• May entered with Skitty and used Assist to borrow moves from her other Pokémon, including Silver Wind, Razor Leaf, Flamethrower, Vine Whip, String Shot, and Gust.
• Skitty unexpectedly used Solar Beam, disrupting May’s rhythm because none of her Pokémon knew the move, but May recovered and continued the performance.
• After Skitty’s Assist produced Petal Dance, it became confused and staggered around the arena, prompting laughter from the audience as May quickly considered how to handle the mishap.

May’s Skitty performance earned 79 points, but she advanced to the second round after other contestants faltered under pressure from Drew and Robert’s perfect scores. After being paired against Harley, May asked Xia You to teach her how to battle, and he agreed to help her.

• May snapped Skitty out of confusion with Double Slap, then ended her performance by creating a sparkling ice crystal with Blizzard and scored 79 points.
• Drew earned the Grand Festival’s first perfect score with Masquerain, and Robert later earned a second perfect score with his own performance.
• The first-round results placed Drew second and Harley among the qualifiers, while May scraped into thirty-second place and advanced.
• The random second-round draw paired May against Harley, and Xia You said the pairing was only a coincidence.
• That night, May visited Xia You and asked him to teach her how to battle because she considered him the strongest person she knew.
• Xia You agreed to help May and asked her to call him Xia You rather than Mr. Xia You.

Xia You gave May’s Beautifly and Bulbasaur an intensive training session to prepare them for her Grand Festival battle against Harley, building May’s confidence and improving her Pokémon’s coordination. The next day, May and Harley took the stage and released their Pokémon as their Contest Battle began.

• May asked Xia You for advice on beating Harley, and he offered to train her Pokémon with Gardevoir and Gengar.
• Xia You praised May’s choice of Beautifly and Bulbasaur, encouraged her to trust her own decisions, and helped her face the pressure of training against his powerful Pokémon.
• After more than an hour of practice, Xia You said May’s Pokémon had improved their endurance and coordination, then advised her to rest and have Nurse Joy treat them before the match.
• Misty, Ash, Brock, and Max found May and Xia You training, and May promised to win her battle against Harley.
• May and Harley released Beautifly and Bulbasaur and Cacturne and Banette, respectively, and Vivian announced the start of their Contest Battle.

May defeated Harley and Dunping to advance to the top eight of the festival, then drew her rival Drew in the quarterfinals. She began their battle with Skitty and Combusken against Drew's Roselia and Flygon, leaving Xia You to wonder why she had not chosen Bulbasaur and Beautifly.

• May's Bulbasaur and Beautifly overwhelmed Harley's Cacturne and Banette, eliminating him with more than two minutes left on the timer.
• May defeated Dunping's Swalot and Pinsir after overcoming their combined tactic, advancing to the top eight.
• Drew and Robert also won their matches, and the draw paired May with Drew in the quarterfinals.
• May appeared nervous before facing Drew, then sent out Skitty and Combusken against his Roselia and Flygon.
• Xia You questioned May's choice of Pokémon, wondering whether she had a plan or whether Bulbasaur and Beautifly needed rest.

May lost to Drew in the Grand Festival quarterfinals, and Robert went on to defeat Drew and become Champion. At the closing banquet, Misty asked May to take a walk with her, hinting that she had something important to say.

• Drew started aggressively against May, but Combusken reflected Flygon’s and Roselia’s attacks and briefly put May ahead.
• Drew increased his tempo, overwhelmed May’s defenses, and eliminated her with three seconds left on the timer.
• May’s friends congratulated her after the battle, and they watched Drew advance to the finals before Robert defeated him to win the Grand Festival.
• Misty watched Lisia perform at the festival’s closing and made a firm decision.
• At the evening banquet, Misty asked May to take a walk with her, and May agreed.