Chapter Summaries

Xia You’s Snowman Snorlax faced Crasher Wake’s Empoleon in a Gym battle, revealing an unusual ability as it raced across the water. The chapter ended with Brock speculating that the Pokémon’s snowman form naturally radiated cold air, letting it create ice beneath its feet.

• Crasher Wake admired Snowman Snorlax and asked Xia You what type it was, but Xia You kept its abilities secret.
• Crasher Wake started the battle by ordering Empoleon to use Hydro Pump.
• Xia You had Snowman Snorlax dodge the attack and sprint across the water toward Empoleon.
• The spectators noticed that Snowman Snorlax formed tiny ice footholds beneath its feet as it ran.
• Ash marveled at Snowman Snorlax’s precision, and Brock guessed that its body naturally radiated cold air.

Xia You’s Snowman Snorlax overwhelmed Crasher Wake’s Empoleon with its speed and Ice Punches, forcing Empoleon underwater. When Empoleon used Whirlpool to pull Snowman Snorlax into the pool, it froze the platform and vortex into a vast ice flower, leaving both Pokémon’s next moves uncertain.

• Snowman Snorlax rushed Empoleon and drove it back with rapid Ice Punches.
• Crasher Wake ordered Empoleon to dive underwater to escape the assault.
• Crasher Wake had Empoleon use Whirlpool to destabilize Snowman Snorlax’s platform and draw it into the water.
• Xia You ordered Snowman Snorlax to use Sheer Cold, freezing the platform, whirlpool, and surrounding water into an enormous ice flower.
• May and the others admired the ice formation while Ash shivered from the cold.

Xia You defeated Crasher Wake in the Pastoria Gym battle and earned his fifth Badge. After lunch, Xia You and May said goodbye to Ash and Dawn, despite sharing Hearthome City as their next destination.

• Xia You had Snowman Snorlax freeze the pool, forcing Empoleon out of the water and onto the ice.
• Snowman Snorlax rushed across the ice and knocked Empoleon into the pool wall, then defeated it with another punch.
• The referee declared Xia You the winner, and Crasher Wake gave Xia You and Ash their Fen Badges.
• Xia You, Ash, Brock, May, and Dawn ate lunch at the Gym after the battle.
• Xia You told Ash and Dawn that he and May would leave ahead of them, then said goodbye.

Xia You and May left Dawn behind and flew toward the next Gym, while Cynthia brought Cheryl to her grandmother’s institute in Celestic Town. Cheryl secretly delayed Xia You’s arrival so she could try to improve his relationship with Cynthia before he came to rescue her.

• Dawn said goodbye to Xia You, who flew away with May on Charizard.
• Cynthia returned to Celestic Town with Cheryl and took her to stay at Professor Carolina’s institute.
• Cheryl told Cynthia that Xia You had finished challenging the Pastoria Gym and would take a few days to arrive.
• After Cynthia left, Cheryl checked her conversation with Xia You and revealed that she had asked him not to come yet.
• Cheryl planned to use the extra time to guide Xia You and Cynthia toward a better relationship.

After Cheryl asked Xia You to wait a few days before visiting her, Xia You and May set off toward Hearthome City to challenge a Gym. While they stopped for lunch in a forest, they unexpectedly encountered Gary, who was surprised to find Xia You eating instant noodles.

• Xia You told May that Cheryl wanted him to wait a few days, so he changed course and decided to focus on his next Gym battle.
• Xia You and May chose not to wait for Ash and his group and walked together toward Hearthome City.
• Xia You and May cooked a simple lunch beside a stream after entering a forest.
• Gary unexpectedly appeared and teased Xia You about eating instant noodles despite winning Conferences in three regions.
• Xia You introduced May to Gary and explained that she had traveled with Ash before becoming his traveling companion.

Xia You and May encountered Gary, who had left Pokémon battles to pursue research, before continuing toward Hearthome City. Meanwhile, Cynthia questioned Cheryl about her relationship with Xia You, and Cheryl warned that she had little influence over him.

• Xia You and May met Gary, who said he was researching archaeology in Sinnoh and had already seen his friend in Pastoria City.
• Gary praised Xia You's tournament record and said he would watch him compete, then declined Xia You's offer to share lunch and left.
• Xia You told May that Gary's talent made his choice to pursue research feel like a shame, and they resumed their journey toward Hearthome City.
• Cynthia questioned Cheryl about how she had met Xia You while they ate lunch in the Celestic Town history museum.
• Cheryl told Cynthia that she had only recently become Xia You's woman and carried little weight compared with his other women.

Cynthia learned that Cheryl was involved with Xia You despite his other relationships, and decided to hear Cheryl's story before trying to change her mind. Meanwhile, Xia You and May reached Hearthome City, but found Fantina away from her Gym, so Xia You set out to bring her back for his sixth badge battle.

• Cynthia confronted Cheryl after learning Xia You had other women, and Cheryl admitted she could not refuse him.
• Cynthia decided to listen to Cheryl recount her moments with Xia You before trying to dissuade her.
• After spending a rainy night camping, Xia You and May traveled north and arrived in Hearthome City.
• Xia You and May visited the Hearthome Gym, where a staff member told them Fantina was away and could not battle.
• Xia You told May they would find Fantina and bring her back so he could challenge her for the Relic Badge.

Xia You and May learned that Hearthome City was preparing for a fashion show and visited its venue, where they found Fantina helping organize the event. Xia You challenged Fantina to a Gym battle, and she agreed after finishing a few tasks.

• Xia You and May learned about the upcoming Hearthome Fashion Show and went to see its venue.
• Xia You spotted Fantina at the venue speaking with a red-haired woman and brought May over to meet her.
• Xia You told Fantina that he had come to challenge her at Hearthome Gym.
• Fantina agreed to the challenge but asked Xia You to wait while she finished taking care of things.

Xia You and May waited for Fantina and learned that Paris was a respected fashion-show judge. Chloe arrived, announced she would enter as a fashion model, and tried to embarrass Paris by implying she was dating Xia You; Fantina returned and asked what had happened.

• Xia You told May that Fantina was one of Sinnoh's stronger Gym Leaders and that he looked forward to their battle.
• Paris introduced herself as a Pokémon stylist, fashion model, and judge for the Hearthome Fashion Show, and explained that Fantina was checking the Contest Hall's security before leaving that night.
• Chloe arrived and told Paris she planned to make her debut as a fashion model and surpass Paris's achievements.
• Chloe insinuated that Xia You was Paris's boyfriend, while her companions laughed at them.
• Fantina returned from the Contest Hall, noticed the tension, and asked whether something had happened.

Chloe confronted Paris at the fashion show venue, but left after Fantina appeared. Fantina then took Xia You to a park battlefield for their Gym battle, where they agreed to the rules before the match began.

• Chloe announced to Paris that she would enter the competition, then left when Fantina arrived.
• Paris explained that she and Chloe were childhood friends and rivals, then asked to watch Xia You battle Fantina.
• Fantina led Xia You and the others to an outdoor battlefield in a nearby park instead of returning to the Gym.
• Fantina explained the Gym battle rules, and Xia You and Fantina took their places as visitors gathered nearby.

Xia You challenged Fantina to a Gym battle, sending out Umbreon against her Gengar and repeatedly countering its attacks. As Fantina’s competitive spirit rose, she prepared to reveal Gengar’s true strength.

• Fantina sent out her Gengar, while Xia You stopped his own Gengar from joining the battle and chose Umbreon instead.
• Fantina started the match as May and Paris watched, with Paris hoping the battle might inspire her clothing designs.
• Xia You’s Umbreon gained the advantage by dodging Gengar’s attacks, which he anticipated because he knew Gengar’s fighting style so well.
• Fantina struggled to land a meaningful hit and wondered whether Xia You had trained with his own Gengar as a sparring partner.
• Fantina’s competitive spirit awakened, and she resolved to show Xia You her Gengar’s true strength.

Xia You defeated Fantina’s Gengar with Umbreon while Chloe and her companions arrived to watch the ongoing Gym battle. Fantina prepared to send out her next Pokémon as the onlookers gathered, and Chloe watched Xia You with curiosity.

• Fantina’s Gengar pressured Umbreon with Hypnosis, Night Shade, and Shadow Ball, but Xia You directed Umbreon to defeat it.
• Fantina praised Xia You’s battle skill and wondered about his experience, but he gave her little explanation.
• Chloe arrived with her companions, recognized Paris, and teased her by implying Xia You was her boyfriend and Fantina might be going easy on him.
• Paris warned Chloe not to say anything that might upset Fantina, while Chloe challenged Xia You’s ability and turned to watch the battle.
• Xia You glanced at Chloe and returned his attention to the battle, accustomed to spectators watching him compete.

Xia You kept Umbreon in the battle against Fantina’s Mismagius, which attacked from the air with Magical Leaf. After Umbreon endured several volleys, Xia You used the damaged ground and a cloud of dust to help Umbreon launch a surprise aerial counterattack.

• Fantina sent out Mismagius as her second Pokémon, and Xia You chose to keep Umbreon in the battle.
• Mismagius took to the air and attacked Umbreon with Magical Leaf, while May explained to Paris why Fantina avoided Ghost- and Psychic-type moves.
• Chloe rebuked Paris for calling Xia You’s Dark-type choice unfair, and May reflected on their differing attitudes toward battles.
• Xia You had Umbreon lure Mismagius into attacking one spot until the hard-packed earth cracked.
• Umbreon used Sand Attack to conceal itself, then leapt off flying clods of earth with Quick Attack and charged at Mismagius.

Xia You’s Umbreon used its speed and Bite to get Mismagius into close combat, but Fantina countered with Pain Split to equalize their stamina. Umbreon ultimately knocked Mismagius out just after Pain Split ended, though it was too exhausted to continue battling.

• Umbreon used Quick Attack to rush through the dust and bite Mismagius, exploiting its Dark-type advantage.
• Fantina ordered Mismagius to use Pain Split at point-blank range, equalizing its stamina with Umbreon’s.
• Xia You had Umbreon seize Mismagius and strike it with a close-range Dark Pulse despite the stamina drain.
• Umbreon dragged Mismagius to the ground and kept attacking until Pain Split expired.
• Umbreon knocked Mismagius out, but it was left panting and unable to battle further.

Xia You's Umbreon defeated Fantina's second Pokémon before Chimchar faced her ace, Dusknoir. Fantina sent out Dusknoir, raising the stakes as the battle continued.

• Xia You recalled Umbreon after it narrowly avoided a mutual knockout with Mismagius, and Paris and Chloe realized how skilled he was.
• Chloe teased Paris about Xia You and declared she would pursue him, while May dismissed her claim.
• Fantina acknowledged that Xia You had outplayed her and chose to send out her ace Pokémon.
• Xia You sent out Chimchar, surprising Fantina with its unevolved form.
• Fantina released Dusknoir, whose powerful aura made Xia You anticipate a more challenging battle.

Xia You and Fantina sent out Chimchar and Dusknoir for their battle, with Xia You recognizing that Fantina had brought out her ace. Chimchar kept Dusknoir at bay through Xia You’s precise commands before Fantina used Dusknoir’s hidden moves to win, leaving her exhausted and with no tricks saved for the final battle.

• Xia You pointed out that Fantina’s Dusknoir was unusually powerful, and Fantina admitted she had brought it out because his Pokémon were so strong.
• Xia You sent Chimchar into battle against Fantina’s Dusknoir.
• Chimchar used its smaller size and nimble movements to hold Dusknoir at a stalemate under Xia You’s commands.
• Fantina used Dusknoir’s previously hidden abilities and moves to find an opening and defeat Chimchar with a combo.
• Fantina felt mentally exhausted after the battle and realized Dusknoir had revealed all its trump cards before the final match.

After Chimchar lost to Fantina’s Dusknoir, Xia You sent out Frogadier for the next round of their Gym battle. Fantina and the spectators wondered what Frogadier could do, while Xia You remained confident that the advantage was his.

• Chimchar was knocked out, and Paris and Chloe praised its performance despite the loss.
• Xia You recalled Chimchar and told Fantina he accepted the strength gap, while Fantina argued that his tactics had nearly beaten her.
• Xia You sent out Frogadier as his next Pokémon, confident that his remaining team was stronger than Chimchar.
• Fantina asked where Xia You had gotten Frogadier, and he implied that he had caught it in another region.
• May identified Frogadier for Paris and Chloe as a Water-type Pokémon from the Kalos Region.
• Frogadier and Dusknoir took their positions as the next battle began.

Xia You’s Frogadier used its speed, doubles, and body foam to outmaneuver Fantina’s Dusknoir and land a heavy Water-type strike. Dusknoir remained standing, but Frogadier’s tricks had left Fantina without a clear way to turn the battle around.

• Fantina ordered Dusknoir to attack Frogadier immediately, while Xia You sent Frogadier to meet it head-on.
• Frogadier created doubles and darted around Dusknoir, striking from multiple directions with Water-type attacks.
• Fantina ordered Dusknoir to use an area attack, and Frogadier charged in as Dusknoir unleashed Night Shade.
• Frogadier blocked Dusknoir’s eye with its foam, then used Substitute to evade Night Shade.
• Dusknoir swung a Thunder Punch at Frogadier’s position, but Frogadier leaped over the attack and struck its head with a Water-powered fist.

Xia You defeated Fantina in a Gym battle and received the Relic Badge, bringing his collection to six. He left Hearthome with May, while Paris realized she had watched his Pokémon so intently that she had forgotten why she came.

• Frogadier wore down Fantina's Dusknoir and won the battle.
• Fantina congratulated Xia You, and Chloe tried to introduce herself before Xia You politely cut her off.
• Fantina awarded Xia You the Relic Badge, his sixth Badge, and asked which Gyms he planned to challenge next.
• Xia You said he would head to Canalave Gym and Snowpoint Gym, then left with May.
• Fantina and Chloe departed, while Paris realized she could only remember Xia You, Umbreon, and Frogadier from the battles.

After Xia You and May stayed overnight at a Pokémon Center, Cheryl tried to improve Cynthia’s opinion of Xia You while they waited for him in Celestic Town. Jie Zilan warned Cynthia not to become too entangled with him, though Cynthia insisted she knew where to draw the line.

• Xia You and May stayed overnight at a Pokémon Center after their battle, while Paris and Chloe independently designed outfits inspired by Xia You’s Umbreon.
• Cheryl toured the museum with Cynthia and shared stories about Xia You, hoping to soften Cynthia’s prejudice against him.
• Cynthia questioned how long Xia You would take to arrive, and Cheryl replied that he would come soon and offered to help with work.
• Jie Zilan appeared and sent Cheryl to organize the second-floor archive, then asked Cynthia what had happened between her and Xia You.
• Cynthia said she and Xia You had prejudices to settle through battle, and Jie Zilan warned her to stop getting entangled before she regretted it.