Chapter Summaries

Xia You helped Makomo search the ruined institute for Musharna, which had vanished in an explosion years earlier. Mewtwo found Musharna trapped in another space and brought it back, reuniting it with Makomo.

• Makomo explained that she believed Musharna had survived the explosion and been carried into another space.
• Xia You questioned Makomo’s search methods and released Mewtwo to scan the ruins for abnormalities.
• Mewtwo found and tore open a spatial rift, releasing a dangerous cloud of dream energy.
• Makomo identified the dream energy as Musharna’s power, and Mewtwo dispersed enough of the mist for them to approach the rift.
• They saw Musharna asleep in the other half of the ruined institute, and Mewtwo used Confusion to bring it through before the rift closed.
• Musharna awoke, recognized Makomo, and Makomo embraced her long-lost partner in tears.

Xia You rescued Musharna from the subspace where it had been trapped since the research institute explosion, reuniting it with Makomo. He and his companions arrived in Striaton City with Makomo, where Musharna received a clean bill of health and they met Makomo’s younger sister, Songlu.

• Musharna reunited with Makomo, who thanked Xia You for rescuing it from the subspace created during the explosion.
• Makomo offered to guide and host Xia You, Dawn, and Cheryl in Striaton City, and they accepted.
• On the way to the city, Xia You claimed he was the strongest Trainer in the world, while Dawn discussed dreams and Pokémon with Makomo.
• At the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy examined Musharna and found it healthy aside from weakness and lingering mental fatigue.
• Makomo brought Xia You, Dawn, and Cheryl to her apartment, where they met her younger sister Songlu, who eagerly asked to watch their Gym challenge and Pokémon Contest.

Xia You and his companions shared dinner with researchers Makomo and Songlu, then learned that Elesa was holding a fashion show in Striaton City and agreed to attend after Dawn’s Contest. The next morning, they took the sisters to the Striaton Gym, where Xia You explained its three Gym Leaders and restaurant, and they entered to find it filled mostly with young women.

• Makomo cooked dinner for Xia You, Dawn, Cheryl, and Songlu, who eagerly asked about their travels, battles, and Contests.
• Dawn spotted Elesa’s poster at the Pokémon Center and persuaded Xia You to stay in Striaton City for Elesa’s fashion show after the Contest.
• Makomo and Songlu arrived early the next morning, excited to watch a Gym battle, and joined Xia You and his companions for breakfast.
• Xia You explained that Striaton Gym was run by Cilan, Burg, and Cress and also operated as a restaurant, while Songlu described the role of Pokémon Connoisseurs.
• Xia You led the group into the Striaton Gym, where they discovered a warm, elegant restaurant crowded mostly with young women.

Xia You challenged the Striaton Gym and insisted on battling all three Gym Leaders, Cilan, Burg, and Cress, in a six-on-six match. The brothers accepted and sent out their usual Pokémon before Xia You could ask them to use their strongest.

• Xia You entered the Striaton Restaurant and Gym and asked Burg for a Gym battle.
• Burg introduced Cilan and Cress, and Xia You requested a six-on-six battle against all three brothers.
• The brothers accepted, made a theatrical entrance, and opened the wall to reveal the Battle Field as their fans cheered.
• Xia You entered the Battle Field while the restaurant's fans changed into cheerleading outfits and gathered in the stands.
• Cilan, Burg, and Cress released Pansage, Simisear, and Panpour as their opening Pokémon.

Xia You’s newly caught Snivy defeated Cress’s Panpour in the first Striaton Gym battle, then used Attract to bring down Burg’s Simisear as well. The chapter ended with Snivy having beaten two of the three brothers’ Pokémon, while the challenge continued.

• Xia You sent out Snivy to face Cress’s Panpour in the first Gym match.
• Snivy dodged Panpour’s Scald and Water Gun attacks, then defeated it with Vine Whip and Magical Leaf.
• Burg replaced Cress and sent out Simisear, while Xia You kept Snivy in the battle despite its type disadvantage.
• Xia You had Snivy dodge Simisear’s attacks, use Attract, and follow with a short combo that defeated it.

Xia You’s Snivy defeated Burg’s Simisear, then fought Cilan’s Pansage to a double knockout, while Xia You’s Tyranitar swept the brothers’ remaining Pokémon. Cilan awarded Xia You the Trio Badge after the brothers recognized how decisively they had lost.

• Snivy defeated Burg’s Simisear, giving Xia You two wins in a row against the brothers.
• Cilan sent out Pansage, and Snivy battled it despite its fatigue from the previous matches.
• With Xia You’s guidance, Snivy turned the fight around, but it and Pansage knocked each other out.
• Cilan, Burg, and Cress sent out Maractus, Darmanitan, and Slowking, and Tyranitar defeated all three.
• Cilan presented Xia You with the Trio Badge after the brothers accepted their defeat.

After earning his badge, Xia You left the Gym with his companions, and Makomo and Songlu discussed what they thought of the battle. At the Pokémon Center, Dawn practiced her Contest performance, introducing Makomo to the art of Pokémon Contests.

• Xia You collected his badge and left the Gym, while Cilan, Burg, and Cress watched him go and reflected on their defeat.
• Dawn asked Makomo and Songlu what they thought of the battle, and both praised Xia You and his Pokémon for their strength.
• Songlu teased Makomo about admiring Xia You, but Xia You changed the subject and invited Makomo to watch Dawn practice.
• Songlu stayed behind to work, while Makomo went with Xia You and the others to the Pokémon Center.
• Dawn practiced a performance with Piplup's bubbles and Pachirisu's Electro Balls, and Makomo admired the display as Xia You explained the appeal of Pokémon Contests.

Dawn revealed Xia You’s achievements to Makomo while she practiced, leaving Makomo awed by his record as a four-time Pokémon League Champion. At Caitlin’s Estate, Caitlin confronted Cynthia about her repeated warnings concerning Xia You, suspecting that jealousy lay behind them.

• Makomo praised Dawn’s battle skills, and Cheryl explained that Dawn had placed runner-up in the Sinnoh Grand Festival.
• Dawn told Makomo that Xia You had won the Pokémon League Conferences in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, astonishing her.
• Xia You redirected Dawn to her practice, advising her to smooth her combinations and improve Pachirisu’s Electro Ball precision.
• Caitlin suspected Cynthia had come to keep her away from Xia You and wondered whether her friend was acting out of jealousy.
• Caitlin asked Cynthia why she seemed so concerned about Xia You, and Cynthia denied it while claiming she was protecting a dear friend.

Caitlin persuaded Cynthia to go with her to Striaton City, while Xia You and his companions attended the Striaton Pokémon Contest to cheer for Dawn. As the contest began, Makomo reflected on whether she would have chosen a different life if she could start over.

• Caitlin used Elesa's fashion show in Striaton City to persuade Cynthia to leave the house with her.
• The next morning, Xia You, Cheryl, Makomo, and Songlu accompanied Dawn to the Striaton Contest Hall.
• Dawn entered through the Contestant Entrance to prepare, and her friends wished her luck.
• Makomo told Xia You that traveling and watching competitions had introduced her to a new world, and she wondered whether she should have chosen a different path.
• The host announced that the Striaton Pokémon Contest had officially begun.

Dawn won her second Unova Ribbon Medal at the Pokémon Contest, inspiring Makomo to wonder what she was missing by staying at the research institute. As the group headed out to celebrate, Dawn thought she saw someone who looked like Cynthia.

• Makomo watched Dawn advance to the Battle Evaluation after her performance with Piplup and Pachirisu earned her third place.
• Dawn defeated her Throh-using opponent and swept through the remaining battles to win the Contest and her second Unova Ribbon Medal.
• Makomo reflected that research could not provide the experience of battle and began wanting to travel herself.
• The group decided to celebrate Dawn's victory at a local restaurant.
• Dawn glimpsed a blonde woman at an intersection and told Cheryl she thought the woman looked like Miss Cynthia.

Xia You and his companions discussed Dawn’s possible sighting of Cynthia and looked forward to seeing Elesa at a fashion show in Striaton City. At the venue, Xia You met Elesa in disguise, and she left him with an autograph before hurrying away.

• Dawn said she had spotted Cynthia, and Xia You suspected Cynthia had followed him to Unova to keep an eye on him.
• Makomo and Songlu talked about Elesa’s fame and beauty, and the group anticipated seeing her at the fashion show.
• Xia You and his companions arrived at the crowded Striaton City fashion show venue the next day.
• Xia You caught a masked woman when she stumbled in the corridor and recognized her as Elesa after her cap fell off.
• Elesa gave Xia You an autograph and asked him to keep her presence secret before she left.

Xia You and his companions watched Elesa’s fashion show, then failed to reach her backstage because of the crowd. As they turned to leave, they encountered Cynthia and Caitlin, and Dawn recognized Cynthia.

• Xia You returned to his seat with Elesa’s autograph hidden in his pocket.
• Elesa dazzled the audience as the fashion show’s finale, and the show ended to loud applause.
• Songlu and Dawn persuaded the others to wait backstage for a chance to meet Elesa, but the crowded entrance and security guards kept them out.
• Songlu and Dawn gave up and turned to leave as Cynthia and Caitlin approached along a quieter passage.
• Xia You recognized Cynthia and Caitlin, and Dawn excitedly called out to Cynthia.

Cynthia and Caitlin secretly joined Xia You and the others backstage after Elesa’s Fashion Show, where Caitlin eagerly greeted Xia You and Cynthia questioned why he had come. Songlu said the group wanted Elesa’s autograph, prompting jealousy from Caitlin and teasing from Cynthia, while Xia You denied wanting one.

• Cynthia quietly told Dawn to keep her voice down because she and Caitlin had come secretly.
• Cheryl introduced Cynthia and Caitlin to Makomo and Songlu, and Songlu excitedly asked Caitlin for an autograph.
• Cynthia teased Xia You about seeking a fan meet-and-greet after the Fashion Show and asked why he was there.
• Caitlin hurried to greet Xia You, and Cynthia stepped between them before asking him why he had come to watch Elesa.
• Songlu said they were going to get Elesa’s autograph, making Caitlin jealous, while Xia You insisted he was only tagging along.

Xia You tried to avoid meeting Elesa again after running into her in the hallway, but Cynthia and the others brought Elesa out from backstage. Elesa recognized Xia You despite his disguise, leaving Cynthia and Caitlin suspicious about why he had hidden his face.

• Cynthia invited Dawn, Songlu, Makomo, and Xia You to meet Elesa, but Xia You refused and waited outside.
• Caitlin led the others backstage, where they met Elesa and got autographs and photos.
• When the group returned with Elesa, Xia You disguised himself with a hat, sunglasses, a mask, and a different-looking outfit.
• Caitlin began introducing Xia You to Elesa, but Elesa recognized him as the fan she had met in the hallway and asked whether they were all together.

Elesa revealed that she had met Xia You before, prompting Cynthia and the others to question his connection to her. At lunch, Elesa challenged Cynthia to explain her interest in Xia You, asking whether she was his lover or an ex-girlfriend who still had feelings for him.

• Elesa recognized Xia You and revealed that he had met her before and received her autograph.
• Cynthia, Caitlin, Cheryl, and Dawn reacted with surprise, while Xia You dropped his disguise without showing embarrassment.
• Cheryl suggested that the group go to eat, and Cynthia agreed so she could keep an eye on Xia You and speak with Makomo and Elesa.
• The group went to a revolving restaurant, where Cynthia deliberately sat far from Xia You and pulled Caitlin beside her.
• Cynthia teased Xia You about dining with his idol, and Elesa asked whether Cynthia was his lover or an ex-girlfriend who still had feelings for him.

Cynthia and Elesa traded pointed remarks over Cynthia’s concern for Xia You until he clarified that he and Cynthia were close friends. After lunch, Xia You and his companions prepared to leave to meet Ash, parting from Cynthia, Caitlin, and Elesa with an agreement to meet again.

• Elesa suggested Cynthia still had feelings for Xia You, prompting Cynthia to deny it and accuse Elesa of making baseless assumptions.
• Elesa challenged Cynthia’s concern as controlling, and their argument escalated until Xia You intervened.
• Xia You told Cynthia to stop and assured Elesa that he and Cynthia were close friends who joked with each other.
• After lunch, Xia You told Cheryl and Dawn they would collect their luggage and set out to meet Ash, who was arriving in Unova the next day.
• Caitlin accepted Xia You’s departure, Cynthia turned away rather than say goodbye, and Elesa shook Xia You’s hand as they parted.

Xia You, Cheryl, and Dawn agreed to travel east to Nuvema Town with Makomo, who was eager to join them and learn about their journey. Back at the restaurant, Elesa challenged Cynthia to a Pokémon battle, and Cynthia accepted.

• Makomo asked Xia You if he was still heading east, and he confirmed that he was going to Nuvema Town.
• Makomo explained that she was also going there to visit Professor Juniper and asked to travel with Xia You, Cheryl, and Dawn; they agreed.
• Makomo hurried home with Songlu to pack while Xia You and the others went to the Pokémon Center to retrieve their luggage and wait.
• After Xia You and the others left, Elesa said goodbye to Caitlin and confronted Cynthia about her reservations regarding Elesa's interactions with Xia You.
• Elesa challenged Cynthia to a battle, and Cynthia accepted.

Elesa and Cynthia began a full six-on-six battle at a riverside field, while Xia You explained to Dawn and Cheryl how he had accidentally received Elesa’s autograph. The chapter left the battle underway, with Cynthia’s Garchomp facing Elesa’s Zebstrika.

• Elesa challenged Cynthia to a full six-on-six battle, and Caitlin reluctantly agreed to referee.
• Elesa sent out Zebstrika, and Cynthia answered with her powerful Garchomp, which had a type advantage.
• As the battle began, Xia You, Cheryl, and Dawn returned to the Pokémon Center and waited for Makomo.
• Dawn asked Xia You how he had met Elesa, and he explained that she had mistaken him for a fan and given him an autograph.
• Dawn and Cheryl realized Cynthia had likely misunderstood the autograph and become angry over it.

Xia You left Striaton City with Cheryl, Dawn, and Makomo, then accepted a Pokémon Championships ranking battle on the road. He sent out his unique Crystal Steelix to begin honing its abilities, leaving Makomo amazed by the Pokémon.

• Makomo joined Xia You, Cheryl, and Dawn as they set out from Striaton City toward Nuvema Town.
• Makomo shared her excitement about traveling on foot with Pokémon Trainer companions and asked the others to call her by her name.
• Xia You accepted a Rotom battle match against a Trainer ranked a few hundred places above him.
• Xia You released Crystal Steelix, planning to use it in Ranking Battles to sharpen its strength.
• Dawn explained Crystal Steelix’s rarity and importance to Xia You, while Makomo stared at it in amazement.

Xia You’s Crystal Steelix easily defeated a Trainer’s Gothitelle and Emboar, impressing Makomo with its strength. After hearing how Xia You caught it, Makomo considered traveling, but hesitated because she worried about leaving Songlu behind.

• Xia You’s Crystal Steelix defeated Gothitelle and Emboar in two attacks each, and his opponent left after losing.
• Makomo cautiously approached Crystal Steelix and touched its cool, hard surface after Xia You reassured her it was safe.
• Xia You told Makomo, Dawn, and Cheryl how he had encountered and caught Crystal Steelix on Mandarin Island.
• Dawn encouraged Makomo to travel, but Makomo hesitated because she was worried about leaving Songlu alone.
• Dawn urged Makomo to be brave and take the step toward traveling.