Chapter Summaries

Diantha and the Gym Leaders continued fighting as Legendary Pokémon devastated Kalos. At Prism Tower, Xiao Yan and Silver fought the helmet-controlled Ho-Oh alongside Malva and her Mega Houndoom, then split up to face the two Fire-types.

• Diantha Mega Evolved Gardevoir, inspiring the Gym Leaders elsewhere to fight back against Team Flare.
• Xiao Yan and Silver sent out Dragonite and Lucario and battled Ho-Oh, trying to remove its helmet.
• Malva arrived with Mega Houndoom, turning the fight into a two-on-two battle.
• Xiao Yan used Rain Dance and Pokéblocks to support Dragonite and Lucario after Mega Houndoom poisoned and injured them.
• Xiao Yan sent Dragonite to draw Ho-Oh away while Silver stayed behind to handle Mega Houndoom.

Ash returned to Pallet Town still haunted by the accident that killed Charizard and convinced he was no longer worthy of being a Pokémon Trainer. After reuniting with Pidgeot and speaking with Professor Oak, Ash remained unsure of his future, but considered visiting old friends.

• At Kanto Airport, Ash encountered Jessie, James, and Meowth, who said Team Rocket had become executives and was working with the Aether Foundation to help Pokémon.
• On the bus to Viridian City, Ash dreamed about Charizard’s death in Orre and recalled releasing his Pokémon, discarding his badges, and cutting off contact with his friends.
• Back in Pallet Town, Ash received a letter from Serena, who had moved to Celadon City and asked him to visit, but he decided not to go.
• On Route 1, Ash intervened when two Shuttle Corps members attacked a girl and tried to take her Eevee; Pidgeot appeared and defeated their Scolipede.
• Ash recognized Pidgeot, who wanted to travel with him again, but Ash said he was no longer a Trainer; Professor Oak then invited Ash and Pidgeot to visit his lab.

Ash exposed Professor Oak’s role in the Shuttle Corps’ experiments on Eevee, then renewed his resolve to pursue his dream and set out again. After defeating Samurai in Viridian Forest, Ash reached Pewter City hoping to see Brock.

• Professor Oak revealed that he had joined the Shuttle Corps and used experimental devices to create Rock Eevee and Dragon Eevee, then attacked Ash with them.
• Lance arrived and tried to arrest Professor Oak, who escaped on Flying Eevee; Lance gave Ash an egg, and Ash set out with Pidgeot and Pikachu.
• Ash passed through Viridian City and met Samurai in Viridian Forest, where he accepted a battle with Pidgeot against Samurai’s Pincerblade Beetle.
• Samurai Mega Evolved Pincerblade Beetle, but Ash used Twister to stir up weeds and obscure its vision before Pidgeot knocked it out with Double-Edge.
• Ash told Samurai about the past ten years and the events at Professor Oak’s Laboratory, then continued to Pewter City to look for Brock.

Ash reunited with Jiro at the Pewter Gym, where their battle ended in a draw and Jiro awarded Ash the Pewter Badge. On the way to Cerulean City, Ash entered Moonview Mountain and confronted Professor Oak, who revealed his experiment on the Clefairy and began ordering Haunter to possess a newly evolved Clefable.

• Ash visited Brock's house, then learned from Jiro at the Pewter Gym that Brock had become a Pokémon Doctor and returned to town three days earlier.
• Ash challenged Jiro, and Pikachu defeated Rhyperior before Armaldo knocked Pikachu out.
• Ash sent out Pidgeot, whose battle with Armaldo ended in a double knockout, and Jiro gave Ash the Pewter Badge.
• Ash headed toward Cerulean City, defeated two Shuttle Corps guards at Moonview Mountain, and followed signs of battle into the cave.
• Ash found Professor Oak with hostile, purple Clefairy, and Oak evolved one of them into a purple Clefable using a Dusk Stone.
• Professor Oak summoned Haunter and ordered it to possess the Clefable.

Ash escaped Professor Oak and the Shuttle Corps after a newly hatched Swablu blocked a powerful attack, then went to Cerulean City to reunite with Misty. Their reunion was interrupted when Officer Jenny was dragged into a lake, where Ash and Misty discovered Ultra Space and learned that the Ultra Beasts were human-experiment hybrids.

• Haunter possessed Clefable and caused it to evolve into a powerful winged form, which defeated Pikachu and Pidgeot before Swablu hatched and blocked its attacks.
• Ash escaped when an unknown Pokémon fired a Hyper Beam, while Professor Oak recalled Audino and spoke privately with Lance; Brock later treated injured wild Pokémon in Moonview Mountain.
• At the Cerulean Pokémon Center, Ash learned from Nurse Joy that Pokémon were being transferred to Bill, then disguised himself and went to challenge Misty's gym.
• Officer Jenny interrupted the gym match to seek Misty's help with missing citizens, but an unidentified Pokémon dragged her into the lake before she could finish explaining.
• Ash and Misty rode Gyarados through a secret passage into Ultra Space, where the unidentified Pokémon revealed that the Ultra Beasts were humans fused with experimental subjects.

Ash and Misty discovered that the Ultra Beasts were transformed humans who had abducted Cerulean City’s residents to draw help to them, and Ash promised to find a way to restore them. Misty stayed to lead the Cerulean Gym, while Ash reunited with Brock and learned Bill was upgrading the Pokémon transfer system in Johto before the two headed to Vermilion City.

• The Ultra Beasts explained that they had once been humans and had abducted Cerulean City’s residents to test whether Ash and Misty could help them.
• Misty used Starmie’s Hydro Pump to hit every hostage, and Lokodifrog safely brought the residents and Officer Jenny to the surface.
• Ash promised to find a way to change the Ultra Beasts back, but Misty chose to stay in Cerulean City as its Gym Leader and gave Ash the Cerulean Badge.
• Ash said goodbye to Misty, met Brock on the way to White Capeland, and agreed to travel with him against the Shuttle Corps.
• At Bill’s lighthouse, Ash and Brock learned Bill had gone to Johto to upgrade the Pokémon transfer system, then set off for Vermilion City so Ash could challenge Lt. Surge.

Ash and Brock were turned away from Vermilion City during its lockdown, then traveled to Celadon City, where Ash won a Pokémon battle event and reunited with Serena. Ash challenged Erika at the Celadon Gym, and the chapter ended with Pidgeot damaging Tangrowth.

• Ash and Brock found Vermilion City under lockdown and left after guards refused to explain the incident; Professor Oak and Gary watched them, revealing they had put something inside the city for Team Rocket.
• Ash and Brock reached Celadon City, stocked up at the Department Store, and entered its Pokémon battle tournament.
• Ash defeated Brock's Blissey with Pikachu, won Charmander as the grand prize, and Brock received a Technical Machine as runner-up.
• Ash spotted Serena but avoided her, then reunited with her at the Celadon Gym; after their argument, Serena agreed to travel with him again and arranged to meet the next morning.
• Ash challenged Erika for a Rainbow Badge, sending Charmander against Tangrowth before switching to Pidgeot, whose Whirlwind turned Tangrowth's Stun Spore back on it and whose Wing Attack dealt heavy damage.

Ash won Erika’s Rainbow Badge after Charmander evolved into Charmeleon, then joined Brock and Serena to investigate the sealed-off Vermilion City. After Serena was abducted by the Shuttle Corps, Ash followed anonymous messages into the deserted city and aboard a ghostly cruise ship, where he found the person waiting for him.

• Ash’s Pikachu and Erika’s Vileplume knocked each other out, and Charmander evolved into Charmeleon and defeated Tangrowth, earning Ash the Rainbow Badge.
• Serena hosted Ash and Brock for dinner, and the three decided to investigate the sealed-off Vermilion City after questioning the news report.
• Ash and Brock found Serena missing and received an anonymous message showing her tied up beside a masked Shuttle Corps member.
• Ash rushed toward Vermilion City, while Brock stayed behind to hold off the suited guards as Ash ran inside.
• Ash followed the anonymous messages to the pier and boarded a deserted cruise ship, where he opened the captain’s cabin and recognized the person inside.

After Alain warned Ash that the Shuttle Corps’ mysterious ore could destroy the world, Ash rescued Serena and Vermilion City returned to normal. The group headed toward the Safari Zone, where Ash was injured in a Pokémon Race and Serena’s mother gave him Gogoat so they could continue their journey.

• Alain told Ash that the ore’s power had caused the crisis in Vermilion City, revealed Serena was in the cruise ship’s cargo hold, and disappeared with the ore; Ash rescued Serena as the city returned to normal.
• After the group confirmed Vermilion City was safe, Ash, Serena, and Brock paused their Gym challenges and traveled toward the Safari Zone, where Miss Kanko invited them to a Pokémon Race.
• At the race, Ash rode Serena’s Gogoat while Serena entered on Rhyhorn, Brock rode Steelix, and Kanko and Dorio competed on Rapidash and Dodrio.
• A wild Gothita ran onto the final straightaway, causing Serena’s Rhyhorn to collide with Gogoat; Ash was injured while shielding Serena, and Dorio admitted he had arranged the incident.
• Kanko won the race, and Serena’s mother gave Gogoat to Ash so the group could continue toward the Safari Zone despite his injured legs.

Ash caught Dragonair after the Pokémon rescued him from a lake, then became lost with Brock and Serena while searching for the Fuchsia Gym. Gary ambushed them and overwhelmed Ash’s team with Porygon-Z before Mr. Koga’s Voltorb intervened, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Ash accidentally caught twenty-nine Tauros and chased a Dunsparce into a lake, where Dragonair rescued them both.
• Ash recognized Dragonair as the Pokémon that had saved him ten years earlier and caught him after learning his children were grown.
• Ash, Brock, and Serena continued toward the Fuchsia Gym but got lost in the forest and stopped for a picnic.
• Gary appeared and challenged Ash, defeating Gogoat, Charmeleon, and Pikachu with Electivire and Porygon-Z.
• Brock and Serena joined Ash with Steelix and Braixen, but Porygon-Z’s Fairy Barrier reflected attacks from Steelix and Dragonair.
• Mr. Koga’s Voltorb used Self-Destruct to interrupt the battle, and Koga ordered everyone to retreat.

Ash lost his rematch with Mr. Koga, but received the Soul Badge and set out for Saffron City with Serena. On Christmas Eve, Ash and Serena independently chose tickets to the same Christmas ball as gifts for each other, and they prepared their outfits for the event.

• Ash challenged Mr. Koga with Swablu and Pidgeot, but Venomoth and Crobat defeated both Pokémon.
• Mr. Koga gave Ash the Soul Badge despite his loss and wished him luck against the Shuttle Corps.
• Ash, Serena, and Brock reached Saffron City, where Brock left for Pewter City to celebrate Christmas with his family.
• Ash and Serena agreed to choose gifts for each other, then separately decided to give each other tickets and formalwear rentals for the Christmas ball.
• Ash and Serena revealed their matching gifts and gave the extra tickets to a couple.
• Ash and Serena visited the formalwear shop, where Serena helped Ash choose an outfit before trying on her own.

Ash and Serena became a couple during the Christmas Ball, and Ash reunited with Rotom before earning the Saffron Badge. After Olivia revealed unusual Unown shaped like Arabic numerals, Ash’s group headed for Vermilion City to continue their Gym challenges and investigate the Shuttle Corps.

• Serena won Couple Bracelets at the Christmas Ball, and Ash put one on so they could become a couple.
• Ash and Serena told Brock they were together, then planned to visit Ash’s mother after he earned eight badges.
• Ash contacted Professor Kukui, learned Rotom had been returned to him, and reactivated Rotom in his Pokédex.
• Ash defeated Calis’s Hypnosis Beast with Dragonair and received the Saffron Badge.
• Olivia returned from investigating the Shuttle Corps and showed Ash photos of Unown shaped like Arabic numerals.
• Ash’s group left for Vermilion City to challenge more Gyms and gather information about the Shuttle Corps.

Ash and Brock visited the Pokémon Ping-Pong Training Center in Vermilion City, where Ambipom rejoined their journey, and Ash defeated Lt. Surge to earn the Thunder Badge. On the boat to Cinnabar Island, Brock heard a woman calling for help because her Seviper was choking on an apple.

• Brock, Ash, and Serena visited the Pokémon Ping-Pong Training Center and reunited with Ambipom, now its head instructor and a champion with Mr. O.
• Ambipom chose to travel with Ash and Brock until they found Dawn, and Mr. O entrusted her to Ash's care.
• Ash challenged Lt. Surge, whose Raichu lost to Pikachu, and returned to the Gym to collect the Thunder Badge he had forgotten.
• Ash and his companions boarded a boat to Cinnabar Island, where Ash and Serena fell asleep while Brock explored the ship.
• Brock heard a woman call for help because her Seviper was choking on an apple, and he went to help as a Pokémon doctor.

Brock rescued Lucy’s Seviper, and Lucy joined Ash’s group as they traveled to Cinnabar Island. There, Ash reunited with his long-lost Infernape, learned why Blaine had taken it in, and received its forgiveness.

• Brock removed an apple from Seviper’s throat, and Lucy agreed to travel with Brock, Ash, and Serena.
• Ash’s group arrived on Cinnabar Island and learned that Blaine’s Gym had never been rebuilt and Blaine had disappeared.
• Lucy used her inn reservation to give the group a place to stay, while Blaine and Infernape waited for Ash outside.
• Blaine revealed that he had taken in Ash’s abandoned Infernape, which attacked Ash and Charmeleon out of anger over being left behind.
• Ash stood in front of Infernape’s Flare Blitz, and Blaine stopped the attack before it hit him.
• Blaine confessed that he had staged the Shuttle Corps disguise to help Infernape confront Ash, and Infernape forgave Ash and rejoined him.

Ash and his companions visited the protected Seafoam Islands, where Bishas attacked with Dark Legendary Birds and sought to capture Articuno. After Infernape defeated Thunder Bird, Lucy fought Bishas’s Fire Bird, but Articuno intervened with a powerful Blizzard, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Ash, Serena, Brock, and Lucy reached the Seafoam Islands, where Officer Jenny explained the strict rules and security put in place to protect Articuno.
• Bishas invaded the islands on Thunder Bird and revealed that he worked for the Shuttle Corps and had been ordered to capture the Legendary Birds.
• Ash sent Infernape to battle Thunder Bird; after Blaze activated, Infernape defeated it with a powerful Flare Blitz, then collapsed from exhaustion.
• Bishas brought out Fire Bird, and Lucy sent Milotic to battle it as the two Pokémon exchanged Hydro Pump and Solar Beam.
• Articuno appeared overhead and unleashed a Blizzard that nearly froze Milotic and weakened Fire Bird’s flames.

The narrator received Articuno and its Primal Orb from the Amesini after Primal Articuno defeated Bishas's Fire Bird, then returned to Vermilion City. On the way toward Viridian City, the group became lost in a suspiciously altered Diglett Tunnel, and Serena began feeling unwell.

• Primal Articuno used Sheer Cold to defeat Bishas's Fire Bird, forcing Bishas to escape on Hydreigon.
• The Amesini elder explained the Legendary Birds' origins and Primal Reversion, then entrusted Articuno and its Primal Orb to the narrator.
• The narrator promised to rescue Thunder Bird and Fire Bird and find their Primal Orbs, then stored Articuno and withdrew Swablu at the Pokémon Center.
• Brock led the group into Diglett Tunnel, where they realized its passages had been deliberately changed and split into pairs to search for the exit.
• The narrator and Serena explored the left passage, and the narrator noticed Serena looked pale and asked if she was all right.

Ash, Serena, and Brock were trapped in Diglett's Cave, where Shuttle Corps leader Mina used Gastly and a Confusion Amplifier to make Ash's Pokémon fight each other. Paul rescued them, and after recovering in the hospital, Ash reunited with his friends and Pokémon in Pewter City.

• Brock sent Lucy to Pewter City for help while he went back into Diglett's Cave to search for Ash and Serena.
• Ash carried the exhausted Serena down hidden stairs, where her intuition led him to enter the password 1225 and open a secret base filled with captive Diglett and Dugtrio.
• Brock collapsed at the base, and Mina revealed that Gastly had manipulated Brock and Serena into harming themselves and guiding Ash to her.
• Mina activated a Confusion Amplifier, forcing Ash's Pokémon to battle one another until Paul arrived and used his Pokémon to destroy the device and rescue them.
• Ash woke in the hospital and learned that Serena and Brock were safe, while Lucy was caring for his Pokémon at the Pokémon Center.
• After several days, Ash, Serena, and Brock were discharged and reunited with Lucy and the Pokémon in Pewter City.

Ash challenged Giovanni at the Viridian Gym and won a fierce battle, earning the Green Badge and a lead about a power at Team Rocket’s base in the Sevii Islands. With seven Kanto Badges, Ash and his friends set out to find a place to earn his final Badge.

• Ash and his friends returned to Diglett’s Cave, saw that its ecosystem had recovered, and continued to Viridian City.
• Ash discovered that Giovanni had returned as Viridian Gym Leader, and they began a three-on-three battle with Machamp, Pidgeot, Swablu, and Nidoqueen.
• Swablu learned Ice-type Hidden Power and defeated Nidoqueen, then Giovanni’s Mega Kangaskhan knocked Swablu out with Fake Out.
• Ash’s Infernape used Dig to evade Earthquake and defeated Mega Kangaskhan and her child with a pair of Mach Punches.
• Giovanni awarded Ash the Green Badge and invited him to visit Team Rocket’s base in the Sevii Islands, where he could find a helpful power.

Ash and his companions explored Lavender Town’s Pokémon Tower to retrieve Mr. Fuji’s flute, where a ghostly apparition revealed Charizard’s grave and Agatha sent Ash onward alone. On the top floor, the White Ghost Hand forced Ash into a one-on-one battle, leaving Charmeleon to face a Charizard.

• Ash and his companions met Mr. Fuji, who asked them to find his flute on the top floor of the eastern Pokémon Tower.
• A ghostly form emerged from a gravestone on the second floor, then vanished and revealed an inscription marking Charizard’s grave with Ash as its trainer.
• Agatha gave Ash viewing goggles and took Serena, Brock, and Lucy away, telling them that Ash had to face his fate alone.
• Using the goggles, Ash saw ghostly Pokémon as he climbed to the top floor, where the White Ghost Hand pushed him toward Mr. Fuji’s flute.
• The White Ghost Hand revealed itself as a rotting corpse, demanded a one-on-one battle, and sent out Charizard while requiring Ash to use only Charmeleon.

Ash freed Charizard’s soul in Pokémon Tower and learned from Agatha how lingering attachments kept Pokémon souls from being reincarnated. After receiving Mr. Fuji’s Poké Flute, Ash and his friends reached Stone Town to challenge Taichi’s Gym, where Minccino defeated Swablu in the opening battle.

• Charizard stopped attacking Charmeleon, revealed himself as the departed Charizard’s soul, and helped Charmeleon evolve into Charizard before disappearing.
• Agatha explained that Pokémon with unresolved attachments could not be reincarnated and that lingering wild Pokémon souls could eventually become Ghost-type Pokémon.
• Mr. Fuji gave Ash the Poké Flute, and Ash continued his journey with Serena, Brock, and Lucy toward the final Badge.
• In Stone Town, Ash reunited with Taichi, who was now the Gym Leader alongside his brothers, and accepted a three-on-three challenge.
• Taichi’s Minccino used Last Resort to defeat Ash’s Swablu, prompting Ash to send out Charizard.