Chapter Summaries

On the eve of his Pokémon journey, Gary prepared to pursue his goal of becoming the world’s strongest Champion with a Ditto Eevee by his side. He chose Charmander as his starter and received a system that offered tools and rewards for his journey.

• Gary recalled his past life and resolved to become an undefeated Champion rather than pursue research.
• Gary arranged to take the Eevee Research Institute’s Ditto Eevee, Test Subject No. 003, as his partner.
• Professor Oak wished Gary luck, and Gary prepared for his first day as a Trainer.
• Gary chose Charmander from the three starter Pokémon, surprising Professor Oak.
• The Strongest Champion System activated and gave Gary an Appraisal Eye, two move upgrade cards, and a potential reset card.

Gary received his Trainer gear and a mysterious pendant from Professor Oak, then challenged Xiao Ye to a practice battle after she collected her starter Pokémon. The battle began with Gary’s Charmander attacking Xiao Ye’s Bulbasaur while she searched her Pokédex for guidance.

• Professor Oak gave Gary five Poké Balls, a Pokédex, and a purple crystal pendant, which he said was a good-luck charm.
• Gary received a system mission to win three consecutive battles against Trainers setting off that day.
• Xiao Ye arrived to collect her Pokémon, and Gary invited her to have a practice battle.
• Xiao Ye sent out Bulbasaur, while Gary introduced himself to Charmander, who accepted him as its Trainer.
• Gary ordered Charmander to attack Bulbasaur, and Xiao Ye struggled to give a command before scanning Bulbasaur with her Pokédex.

Xiao Ye lost her first battle to Gary, who later used a Potential Reset Card to raise Charmander’s potential to God-level. As Gary prepared for the next starter to arrive, Xiao Chen rushed in just in time to claim the last Pokémon.

• Xiao Ye ordered Bulbasaur to use Growl, and Gary’s Charmander defeated it with Ember.
• Xiao Ye thanked Gary for his advice and went to have Bulbasaur healed while Gary fed Charmander.
• Gary introduced Eevee and Charmander, and the two Pokémon shared food and became friends.
• Gary used a Potential Reset Card on Charmander, raising its potential from Gym-level to God-level.
• Xiao Chen arrived at Professor Oak’s lab, and Professor Oak told him that only one starter Pokémon remained.

Gary defeated Xiao Chen's unruly Squirtle with Charmander and waited for the late-arriving Ash. Professor Oak revealed that all three starter Pokémon had already been taken, then hinted he had one more Pokémon for Ash despite a problem with it.

• Xiao Chen sent Squirtle to battle Gary's Charmander, but Squirtle ignored commands and was defeated after Gary lowered its Attack with Growl.
• Gary encouraged Xiao Chen to earn Squirtle's respect, and Xiao Chen left hoping to meet Gary again at the Indigo League.
• Gary waited for Ash, who arrived five hours late, and teased him before sending him to Professor Oak.
• Ash found the Poké Balls containing Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur empty, then collapsed in despair.
• Professor Oak said he had one more Pokémon but warned that it had a problem, and Ash eagerly agreed to take it.

Gary and Ash received their first Pokémon, and Gary’s Eevee defeated Ash’s Pikachu in their first battle. Ash was left facing an embarrassing send-off, while Gary fled Professor Oak’s lab to begin his journey.

• Professor Oak introduced Pikachu, and Ash got shocked after hugging him; Gary’s Eevee stopped Pikachu with Sand Attack.
• Gary pointed out Ash was barefoot and in pajamas, then agreed to Pikachu’s challenge and led everyone to the backyard.
• Pikachu attacked Gary after Eevee dug underground, so Eevee burst out and defeated Pikachu with Quick Attack and a follow-up star attack.
• Gary stopped Eevee from continuing the fight, and Professor Oak assured Ash that Pikachu would recover with food and rest.
• Ash’s mother and the neighbors arrived for a send-off, and Gary kicked Ash outside in his pajamas before fleeing the lab to avoid his twelve ex-girlfriends.

Gary trained Charmander and Eevee in Viridian Forest, where he encountered a hungry, weakened Scyther with exceptional potential. He challenged Scyther to a battle with Charmander, leaving its recruitment undecided.

• Gary received a mission to raise his team's average level to 18 and own at least three Pokémon before challenging his first Gym.
• Gary used two Move Upgrade Cards to upgrade Charmander's Ember to Flamethrower and Claw Attack to Dragon Claw.
• Gary lured Bug-type Pokémon with honey and trained Charmander until its level rose from 10 to 14.
• Gary discovered a hungry Scyther with Elite Four-to-Champion-level potential and offered it food in exchange for joining him.
• Scyther refused to submit for food, so Gary sent Charmander to battle it.

Gary defeated and captured a hungry Scyther near Viridian Forest, then reached Viridian City and learned that a Pokémon Thief Gang had arrived. He checked the Viridian Gym, recovered his Pokémon, and called Professor Oak to report that he was safe.

• Gary used Charmander’s Smokescreen and a spark to ignite the cloud, then met Scyther’s final attack with Dragon Claw, leaving both Pokémon knocked out.
• Gary captured Scyther and walked to Viridian City, where Officer Jenny confirmed his identity and warned him about a Pokémon Thief Gang.
• Gary visited the Viridian Gym but decided Giovanni’s powerful Pokémon were beyond his current ability.
• Gary registered his Pokémon for Express Recovery and called Professor Oak, who was making instant noodles in a beaker.

Gary visited the Cerise Laboratory after Professor Oak told him that Cerise had observed a mysterious silver Pokémon, and he confirmed it was Lugia. After Gary drove off a Team Rocket squad, the Cerise family prepared to relocate while Chloe ran after him.

• Gary learned that Ash and Pikachu had arrived at the Pokémon Center, reassured Ash while Pikachu received emergency treatment, and then headed to the Cerise Laboratory.
• Team Rocket attacked Cerise’s home and demanded his research data, while Cerise protected Chloe, Sōta, and Miss Yoshino.
• Gary and Scyther knocked down three Team Rocket grunts, forcing their squad leader to retreat with Weezing.
• Cerise showed Gary surveillance footage, and Gary identified the silver Pokémon as Lugia and confirmed Cerise’s ocean-current hypothesis.
• Cerise decided to move his family to a laboratory in Vermilion City, and Chloe ran after Gary as he left for Pewter City.

Gary continued toward Pewter City after declining Chloe’s request to travel with him, then camped in Viridian Forest and defeated a samurai boy’s Pinsir. Chloe resolved to learn more about Pokémon and find her own direction, while Gary resumed his journey with Eevee and Charmander.

• Gary told Chloe to focus on becoming who she wanted to be, and Chloe gave him a silver crescent-shaped feather before heading home.
• Chloe watched Lugia fly over the sea, then told Professor Cerise she wanted to learn more about Pokémon.
• Gary camped in Viridian Forest, where Scyther trained to make Focus Energy instinctive while Eevee and Charmander rested.
• Gary and his Pokémon continued through the forest, and Charmander defeated several food-stealing Rattata with Dragon Claw.
• A samurai boy challenged Gary, whose Charmander knocked out the boy’s level 14 Pinsir with one Flamethrower.
• Gary advised the samurai boy to battle a wider range of opponents, but the boy decided to keep ambushing Trainers from Pallet Town.

Gary registered for the Indigo League and challenged Brock at the Pewter Gym. Eevee defeated Brock’s Onix, and Gary sent out Charmander for the second half of the battle.

• Gary met Uncle Brock outside Pewter City and learned that Brock had taken over the Pewter Gym while handling family responsibilities.
• Gary registered for the Indigo League at the Pokémon Center, healed his Pokémon, and headed to the Pewter Gym.
• Brock accepted Gary’s two-on-two challenge and sent out Onix, while Gary chose Eevee.
• Eevee dodged Onix’s Tackle and struck it with Bullet Seed and Sand Attack before Gary used Water Gun against Onix’s Dig.
• Eevee finished the water-soaked Onix with Thunderbolt, and Gary sent out Charmander to begin the second half.

Gary defeated Brock at the Pewter Gym, earned his first Badge, and watched Charmander evolve into Charmeleon. At the Pewter City Science Museum, he met Diyuan, who gave him a piece of Mysterious Amber that might contain Aerodactyl.

• Gary's Charmander defeated Brock's Geodude with Flamethrower and evolved into Charmeleon.
• Brock presented Gary with the Deep Gray Boulder Badge, completing his first Gym quest.
• Gary visited the Pewter City Science Museum and discussed fossils with Diyuan, a former student of Professor Oak.
• Diyuan invited Gary to see a fossil revival project in Johto and gave him a piece of Mysterious Amber.
• Diyuan told a researcher he had no regrets about giving Gary the amber because of his gratitude to Professor Oak.

After battling and catching Nidorino and Nidoran♀, Gary changed his plans and headed deeper into Mt. Moon to find a valuable Moon Stone for their future evolutions. He and Charmeleon began exploring toward the summit.

• Gary crossed Mt. Moon's trail with Eevee, Charmeleon, and Scyther, battling wild Pokémon and stopping to eat beside a spring.
• Nidoran♂ challenged Gary's Pokémon for food, and Charmeleon defeated him while Nidoran♀ pleaded for the fight to stop.
• Nidoran♂ evolved into Nidorino during the battle, then Gary defeated and caught him.
• Nidoran♀ willingly joined Gary after he promised to give her and Nidorino a home.
• Gary set off through Mt. Moon's caves with Charmeleon, aiming to find two valuable fragments from an enormous Moon Stone near the summit.

Gary discovered Team Rocket’s experiments in Mt. Moon and battled their drug-enhanced Rhydon until Lorelei rescued him. Afterward, he freed the captured Pokémon and followed Clefairy deeper into the cave to search for a Moon Stone.

• Gary overheard Dr. Namba and Team Rocket members leaving Mt. Moon, then found their squad guarding cages of captured Pokémon.
• The squad leader forcibly evolved a Rhyhorn into a frenzied Rhydon and sent it to attack Gary.
• Gary’s Pokémon fought Rhydon while Scyther attacked the Team Rocket members, but the battle left Gary’s team struggling to hold on.
• Lorelei arrived and froze Rhydon with Ice Beam, then learned Gary had defeated the remaining Team Rocket members.
• Gary caught Rhydon for a Pokémon Center examination and freed the caged Pokémon, following Clefairy deeper into the cave.

Gary received two Moon Stones from Clefairy’s family and traveled with Lorelei to Cerulean City, where Rhydon began recovering from his forced evolution. The next morning, Gary introduced Rhydon to his Pokémon and decided to stay in town while Rhydon remained under observation.

• Clefairy’s parents thanked Gary for saving their child by giving him two Moon Stones, and Gary shared his homemade Pokémon Food with them.
• Gary and Lorelei walked together to Cerulean City, discussing Alola’s Pokémon and customs and considering a future trip there.
• Gary brought Rhydon to the Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy said the forced evolution had depleted Rhydon’s reserves and prescribed a year of supplements.
• The next morning, Rhydon struggled to get up, and Gary promised to help him recover before introducing him to the rest of his team.
• Gary decided that he and his Pokémon would stay in Cerulean City for two days while Rhydon remained under observation.

Gary trained at the Pokémon Center, discharged Rhydon, and challenged the Cerulean Gym, where he quickly defeated Sakura’s Goldeen and earned the Cascade Badge. He stayed to watch the Three Beautiful Sisters’ water ballet as Ash and Brock tried to get into the show.

• Gary won his thirty-seventh consecutive battle at the Pokémon Center, with Nidorina defeating a Youngster’s Weepinbell.
• Gary collected money from two men who had been taking bets, then fed Rhydon his supplements and prepared for the Gym challenge.
• Rhydon was discharged the next morning, and Gary went to the Cerulean Gym, where he encountered Ash and Brock outside the water ballet show.
• Gary went backstage and challenged Sakura, who agreed to a one-on-one match despite her sisters’ complaints that Misty was absent.
• Gary sent out Eevee, whose Thunderbolt knocked Sakura’s Goldeen out in the pool, earning Gary the Cascade Badge.
• Sakura invited Gary to watch the water ballet, and he stayed while the three sisters went to prepare.

Gary agreed to teach at Rainbow University during an academic exchange on Pokémon evolution and promised Lorelei he would attend her upcoming six-on-six battle against Bruno. He continued toward the coast, collected his Cerulean Gym rewards, and turned away from the Bulbasaur he remembered finding nearby.

• Gary sent Nidorina and Nidorino to Professor Oak's Laboratory so they could train before evolving.
• Professor Monet asked Gary to represent Rainbow University at an evolution research exchange after Dr. Lu Ren was questioned over his mentor Dr. Namba's Team Rocket ties, and Gary agreed to arrive a week early for a doctoral scholar's fee.
• Lorelei invited Gary to watch her six-on-six Elite Four Challenge against Bruno in Vermilion City, and Gary promised to cheer her on.
• Gary received a Water Pulse Technical Disk and 50 Achievement Points as rewards for his Cerulean Gym battle.
• Gary avoided the route where Ash's Bulbasaur would appear and sent Scyther ahead to cut through the grass toward the coast.

Gary caught an injured Growlithe while traveling to Bill’s Lighthouse, then helped Bill return to his human body after an experiment had swapped him with a Krabby. The chapter ended with Bill asking Gary what he wanted in exchange for keeping the mishap secret.

• Gary found a badly injured Growlithe, treated his wounds, and caught him after Growlithe agreed to join him.
• Gary and Eevee reached Bill’s Lighthouse, where they discovered Bill had accidentally swapped bodies with a Krabby.
• Bill raced into his laboratory in Krabby form and explained how to use the body-swapping machine.
• Gary operated Bill’s Poké Ball Transport Device and restored Bill to his human body.
• Bill asked Gary not to tell anyone about the accident, and Gary hinted that he expected something in return.

Gary and his Pokémon enjoyed breakfast at Bill’s lighthouse before relaxing and training at the beach. Rhydon revealed he could use Surf, Scyther improved his Cut, and Gary prepared to continue toward Vermilion City and his next Gym.

• Gary served breakfast and premium Pokémon Food to his team, and Growlithe affectionately embraced him after tasting the meal.
• Bill complained about the food and milk Gary’s team had eaten, then threw Gary outside before letting him back in for breakfast.
• Gary took his Pokémon to the beach and told them they would leave for Vermilion City after lunch.
• Rhydon swam into the sea and rode a wave toward shore using Surf, while Scyther cut through the wave with a powerful slash.
• Charmeleon and Growlithe practiced Flamethrower together as Gary praised his Pokémon and brushed a sand-covered Eevee.

Gary arrived in Vermilion City to visit Lorelei before the Masters Challenge, where she was preparing to face Bruno. After inspecting her Pokémon, Gary offered Lorelei a new strategy built around Starmie’s Minimize, and began explaining it at her villa.

• Gary reached Lorelei’s seaside villa in Vermilion City and met her Slowbro and Eevee at the gate.
• Lorelei took Gary to the beach, where he met her Pokémon and learned she would battle Bruno at Vermilion City’s Battle Tower.
• Lorelei said she was concerned about facing Bruno after months without an official match against him.
• Gary used Appraisal on Lorelei’s team and noticed that her Starmie knew Minimize.
• Gary offered Lorelei a strategy to use against Bruno, then began describing a combination of Minimize, Substitute, Protect, and Toxic.

Gary attended the Masters Tournament in Vermilion City to watch Lorelei face Bruno, settling into a VIP box with his Pokémon before the match began. Lorelei and Bruno entered the battlefield, and the battle was about to start.

• Gary and Lorelei arrived early at the Vermilion City Battle Tower, where Lorelei gave him a VIP pass before entering through the competitors' entrance.
• Gary settled into the VIP box, ordered black tea, and released his Pokémon to watch the Elite Four battle.
• Bruno entered the arena, and Gary recognized him while joking about his unusual choice to wear a shirt.
• Lt. Surge spoke with Gary in the neighboring VIP box, and Gary explained that Lorelei had invited him.
• Lorelei entered to louder cheers than Bruno, exchanged confident remarks with him, and the referee started the match.