Chapter Summaries

Young Master Mao and Lorelei staged a dramatic Pokémon battle during the Silver Conference opening ceremony, followed by Wallace’s Water Illusion performance and a demonstration Contest Battle. Gary Oak defeated Wallace’s Milotic with Scizor’s lightning-fast slash, and old Damaranch officially opened the Silver Conference.

• Young Master Mao and Lorelei staged a performance battle in which Gyarados knocked Charizard down, but Charizard rose with Blaze and defeated Gyarados as the crowd cheered.
• Wallace rode Milotic onto the stage and introduced Pokémon Contests to the audience with a Water Illusion performance.
• Wallace and Gary Oak began a five-minute Contest Battle, and Gary ordered Scizor to use Swords Dance while Wallace had Milotic use Aqua Ring.
• Gary combined Scizor’s Metal Claw, Swords Dance, Focus Energy, and Agility into a swift slash that knocked Milotic out before Wallace could stop it.
• Wallace praised Gary’s technique, the two contestants shook hands, and old Damaranch officially opened the Silver Conference.

The Silver Conference preliminaries began, and Gary enjoyed a leisurely morning before heading toward the competition grounds. After arranging dinner with several friends, he went to watch Ash’s first-round match with Caitlin.

• Gary checked his schedule, dressed in an outfit from Caitlin’s brand, and headed to the central square for breakfast.
• Gary met Janine and Raven at Meowth’s stall, where they ate breakfast and discussed the conference.
• Gary invited Janine, Raven, Jasmine, Whitney, Lorelei, and Agatha to gather for dinner after his afternoon match.
• Janine left to handle security, Raven went on duty, and Lorelei told Gary that Caitlin had gone to find him.
• Caitlin appeared, greeted Gary, and accepted the breakfast he brought as they headed to watch Ash’s match.

Ash narrowly won his preliminary battle, while Gary prepared to compete in Arena A and faced the young Trainer Poni. Gary’s Hitmonlee quickly defeated Poni’s Beartic, and Poni sent out Ursaring as her next Pokémon.

• Ash’s Totodile, Phanpy, and teammates helped him scrape out a 3-2 victory in Arena B.
• Gary left Caitlin and entered Arena A, where he planned to compete with Lugia among his registered Pokémon.
• Caitlin met Erika and Whitney in the stands as they discussed Gary’s first-round opponent, Poni.
• Poni sent out Beartic against Gary’s Pidgeot, and Gary immediately switched to Hitmonlee.
• Hitmonlee dodged Beartic’s Ice Punch and knocked it out with High Jump Kick.
• Poni sent out Ursaring after Gary gently urged her to continue.

Gary won his first preliminary match against Poni, defeating her Ursaring and Pangoro without losing a Pokémon. Afterward, he learned Poni was a graduate student who had promised Erika she would place in the tournament, and he invited her to dinner to explain the loss.

• Gary’s Hitmonlee defeated Poni’s Ursaring by forcing a Focus Energy Bomb into its mouth as it charged Hyper Beam, then collapsed from exhaustion.
• Gary recalled Hitmonlee despite Poni’s protests and told her that a League battle required preparation and using every means available to win.
• Gary sent out Pidgeot, which defeated Poni’s Pangoro with Hurricane without letting it land a hit.
• The referee declared Gary the winner, three to zero, and Gary comforted Poni after learning she had promised Teacher Erika she would place in the tournament.
• Gary invited Poni to dinner with Erika, then joined Erika, Caitlin, Whitney, and his Pokémon as they left to look around the venue and buy groceries and snacks.

At the Silver Conference, Young Master Mao discussed the tournament’s strongest contestants with Brock and arranged an evening dinner for his friends and the Trio. He left Whitney and Erika to train Pokémon while Caitlin joined him for games, as Brock went shopping for the meal.

• Young Master Mao reassured Poni after her 3-0 loss, and she went to the Pokémon Center to recover her Pokémon before her afternoon match.
• Brock reported that Tyson, Longye, and Dushe were notable tournament contenders, while Young Master Mao identified Ash’s opponent as Junichi and said Ash could handle him.
• Young Master Mao invited Brock, several guests, and the Trio to dinner, then sent Brock to buy ingredients for the gathering.
• Young Master Mao assigned Whitney and Erika to train Pokémon and invited Caitlin to play games with him.
• Meowth, James, and Jessie agreed to bring cake and souvenirs to Young Master Mao’s dinner.

Gary hosted a crowded dinner at Lorelei's villa, where Agatha reassured him that she and Lorelei would support him while warning him to stay cautious. After the feast, Gary learned that Poni and her opponent had both withdrawn, sending him directly to the round of sixteen without the preliminary match he wanted.

• Gary and Brock prepared a lavish dinner at Lorelei's villa, and the guests gathered as Agatha and Lorelei arrived from work.
• Archer arrived with the Trio, and Agatha allowed him to join because Team Rocket's Johto businesses were legally registered and he worked for Gary, though she threatened him if he deceived Gary.
• Agatha told Gary she trusted him and promised that she and Lorelei would back him, while warning that he would eventually have to face the future on his own.
• Poni returned with Ash and Misty after finding them lost in the villa complex, and everyone began the dinner together.
• Erika told Gary that Poni's Ursaring had injured Ninja Asuo's Ariados, leading the committee to advance Gary directly to the round of sixteen.
• Gary learned that Poni had also withdrawn, leaving him disappointed that he would not get to compete in the preliminaries.

During the Silver Conference preliminaries, Gary watched the matches and discussed how to train his Pokémon without relying on Legendary Pokémon. After discovering that his Moltres had distracted the other trainers, he decided to spend the afternoon at the dangerous hot springs on Mt. Silver.

• Gary watched the preliminaries with Gengar while Eevee left to train the younger Pokémon, and Will advised Gary to save his Legendary Pokémon for powerful opponents.
• Archer joined Gary after Tyson won his match three to one, and he reported that Tyson's Blaziken was strong but still inconsistent.
• Gary watched Dushe use Bellossom to defeat Golem and advance with six points.
• Archer mentioned that a Moltres sighting had disrupted training at the tournament, and Gary revealed that the Moltres was his.
• Gary invited Archer along, but Archer fled to deliver packages, so Gary took Gengar to soak in the hot springs on Mt. Silver.

Gary and Ash learned that they would face each other in the Johto League Championship Tournament, and Gary provoked Ash to make sure he would battle at full strength. The story left Ash preparing for their match while Gary looked forward to unveiling his strongest lineup.

• Gary, Caitlin, and Young Master Mao waited for the Championship Tournament bracket while Gengar amused them with a maid's cap.
• Charizard trained at the hot springs on Mt. Silver, where he defeated numerous Pokémon and startled Lance into seeking training with Bruno.
• Ash met Gary and declared that he wanted to surpass him, only to learn that the bracket had paired them for their next match.
• Gary taunted Ash and promised to bring his strongest lineup, while Ash vowed to give everything he had.
• Ash left with Brock and Misty to plan for the battle, and Gary explained that he had provoked Ash so they would both fight seriously.

Gary trained with Lorelei before preparing to face Ash in the Silver Conference Championship Tournament, while Ash struggled to plan against Gary’s powerful roster. As their match approached, both rivals committed to giving it their all, and Gary waited in the competitors’ lounge determined to defeat Ash and move forward.

• Gary sparred with Lorelei on Mt. Silver, then ended the training session and hoped to push Ash to improve.
• Ash, Brock, and Misty studied Gary’s Pokémon roster and chose Ash’s available team for the match.
• The Silver Conference Championship Tournament began, and Gary met Ash at the Competitors’ Village before they headed to prepare.
• Gary rested in the competitors’ lounge, remembering that he had fallen to Ash before and resolving to defeat him this time.

Ash and Gary began their tournament match on the Rock Field, where Gary’s Venusaur defeated Ash’s Heracross after exploiting its distraction and overpowering it. Gary took the first win, leaving Ash to choose his next Pokémon.

• Ash and Gary entered the arena, and the roulette selected the Rock Field and gave Gary the first move.
• Gary sent out Venusaur, and Ash chose Heracross to counter its Grass typing and strength.
• Heracross became distracted by Venusaur’s nectar and was weakened by Sweet Scent, but Ash rallied it to meet Venusaur’s Take Down with Megahorn.
• Venusaur pushed Heracross toward the edge, bound it with Vine Whip, and slammed it into the ground with Body Slam.
• Heracross was knocked out, giving Gary the first win.

Ash and Gary battled in the Silver Conference Championship Tournament, where Gary's stronger, better-prepared team defeated Ash. Ash accepted the loss and vowed to train with his Pokémon before challenging Gary again, while Gary advanced to the top eight.

• Ash sent out Charizard, but Gary's Venusaur recovered with Synthesis before Gary's Charizard defeated Ash's Charizard with Dragon Claw and Thunder Punch.
• The crowd and Ash's supporters encouraged both trainers, and Ash and Gary resumed their battle with Snorlax and Blastoise.
• Gary's Blastoise broke free of Ash's Snorlax's Body Slam with Rapid Spin and knocked it out with a powerful Aura Sphere.
• Gary's Venusaur defeated Pikachu with Sleep Powder, Gary's Blastoise beat Squirtle with Hydro Pump, and Gary's Charizard defeated Bulbasaur with Flamethrower.
• Gary took Ash's hand after the match and urged him to return with a fully developed team; Ash promised to train and challenge him again, while Gary advanced to the top eight.

As the Silver Conference quarterfinals began, Gary studied his rivals and registered a new lineup for his match. His choice surprised Nurse Joy and left the story poised to reveal how he would use a team no one had seen before.

• Ash stayed in Johto to watch Tyson compete, but he and his friends fell silent when they saw that Gary would face Tyson in the quarterfinals.
• Gary considered the remaining competitors and reviewed forum speculation about their Pokémon and lineups while relaxing at Mt. Silver.
• Ash and Tyson studied footage of Gary's previous lineup, and Tyson identified Blastoise as a major threat to his team.
• Longye's Garchomp defeated five of Chundes's Pokémon, and Longye arrogantly refused to shake hands before claiming he would become the next Cynthia.
• Gary went to the Pokémon Center and registered Golduck, Rhyperior, Hitmonlee, Weavile, Gliscor, and Arcanine for his next match, surprising Nurse Joy.

Gary faced Tyson in the Silver Conference quarterfinals and quickly overwhelmed his opponent with Arcanine. The chapter ended with Tyson’s Pelipper knocked out in one blow, while Gary called for Tyson to send out his next Pokémon.

• The Team Rocket Trio closed their merchandise stall to cheer for Gary during his quarterfinal match against Tyson.
• Tyson sent out Kecleon, but Gary’s Arcanine found it by scent and defeated it with Flamethrower after enduring its Sucker Punch.
• Tyson brought out Pelipper, hoping its resistance to Fire-type moves would protect it from Arcanine.
• Gary ordered Arcanine to use Wild Charge and Aerial Ace, and Arcanine struck Pelipper out of the sky with one hit.
• Gary calmly urged Tyson to send out his next Pokémon.

Gary defeated Tyson 6-1 in the Silver Conference quarterfinal, using Gliscor’s entry hazards and Roar to disrupt Tyson’s team before his remaining Pokémon secured the win. The chapter ended with Gary advancing to the semifinals and posing for photos with Rhyperior.

• Gary switched Gliscor in against Tyson’s Miltank and covered the field with Toxic Spikes, Spikes, and Stealth Rock.
• Gliscor used U-turn to bring Arcanine back, and Gary had Arcanine use Roar to force Tyson’s Pokémon to switch into the hazards.
• Tyson’s Blaziken defeated Arcanine, but poison weakened Blaziken and Gary’s Hitmonlee knocked it out after a clash of powered-up kicks.
• Gary sent out Rhyperior against Tyson’s final Pokémon, Steelix, and Rhyperior knocked it down with a punch and Earthquake.
• The referee declared Gary the winner by a score of 6-1, and Gary shook Tyson’s hand before posing for media photos.

Gary encouraged Xiaohui before her quarterfinal match against Kenta, and she won with a resilient team built from Pokémon raised near her polluted village. Xiaohui claimed the last semifinal spot, joining Gary, Dushe, and Longye.

• Gary greeted Xiaohui with an awkward high five, then urged her to give the match her all and draw attention to her hometown by pursuing her goal.
• Xiaohui sent out Kingdra against Kenta's Beedrill on the Water Field, and Gary discovered that her team included Pokémon suited to polluted habitats.
• Xiaohui's Kingdra defeated Beedrill, Sudowoodo, and Girafarig before Kenta's Azumarill brought it down with Ice Punch.
• Xiaohui used Venusaur's Substitute and Toxic tactics to wear down Kenta's Azumarill and Typhlosion, then defeated Noctowl with Weezing's Explosion.
• Xiaohui defeated Kenta and secured the final semifinal place alongside Gary, Dushe, and Longye.

Gary prepared for the Silver Conference semifinal against Longye, whose Garchomp was considered the main threat. After the rivals traded insults at the stadium, Gary sent out Charizard against Longye’s Garchomp as the match began.

• Gary reviewed Longye’s Garchomp-centered lineup with his friends, while Young Master Mao considered Dragonite and Weavile as possible counters.
• After dinner, Charizard told Blastoise he would handle the ace, and Blastoise agreed to take on the remaining opponents.
• On August 13, Gary and Longye entered the packed Silver Stadium as spectators and supporters cheered them on.
• Longye insulted Gary during their attempted handshake, and Gary answered with a taunt that heightened their hostility.
• Longye sent out Garchomp, and Gary chose Charizard; the semifinal began with both Pokémon facing off.

Gary revealed Mega Evolution during his semifinal match against Longye, transforming Charizard into Mega Charizard X and overwhelming Garchomp. After the Pokémon League confirmed the new battle form was legal, Charizard defeated Garchomp and announced its return as Gary’s ace.

• Will and Bruno questioned Gary’s choice to pit Charizard against Longye’s Garchomp, while Wallace noticed Gary’s Mega Bracelet.
• Gary Mega Evolved Charizard into Mega Charizard X, leaving Longye and the crowd astonished.
• Damaranch explained that the Pokémon League had no rules forbidding Mega Evolution and allowed the match to continue.
• Charizard stopped Garchomp’s Dragon Rush with Dragon Claw, then struck it with a powerful Flamethrower that badly burned it.
• Gary ordered a final Dragon Claw, and Charizard drove Garchomp out of the field to win the exchange.

Gary's Blastoise swept Longye's remaining five Pokémon in the Silver Conference semifinals, giving Gary a 6-0 victory. Gary then brought food to the VIP box and prepared to scout Xiaohui and Dushe's match to learn who his next opponent would be.

• Gary recalled Charizard and sent out Blastoise against Longye's Floatzel, which Blastoise knocked out with a Hadoken.
• Blastoise defeated Longye's Probopass with Hydro Cannon, putting Gary ahead 3-0 at the halfway point.
• Blastoise knocked out Carnivine with Ice Punch and Toxicroak with Aura Sphere, bringing the score to 5-0.
• Blastoise defeated Tangrowth with a Rocket Headbutt and a flurry of punches, completing Gary's 6-0 sweep as Longye fainted.
• Gary praised Blastoise and promised the team extra food, then bought food and went to the VIP box to scout Xiaohui and Dushe's match.

Gary discussed using his second team in the Silver Conference final while Steven arranged for Wallace to model in a fashion show. Xiaohui lost to Dushe in the semifinals, setting up the final between Gary and Dushe the next day.

• Gary said he might use only his second team in the final, with the Sea God as his anchor, and Eevee-chan wanted a chance to battle too.
• Steven told Wallace he planned to enter the Charity Peak Challenge because he wanted to spar with Cynthia and test Gary's skill.
• Steven persuaded Wallace to model in Hoenn's autumn fashion show by promising him the formal outfits he liked.
• Dushe countered Xiaohui's strategies with a prepared team, and his Pokémon defeated hers one after another.
• Xiaohui lost 1-6 to Dushe, and the stadium screen announced Gary and Dushe as the Silver Conference finalists.

The Silver Conference finals were set between Gary from Pallet Town and Dushe from Cherry Town, as fans rallied behind their regions. Meanwhile, Young Master Mao played cards with Togetic, Gengar, and Hitmonlee and lost badly.

• The Silver Conference semifinal results set Gary and Dushe as the finalists.
• Fans rallied behind Gary and Dushe as representatives of Kanto and Johto, and organizers promoted their match as a clash of titans.
• Young Master Mao excitedly tried to beat Togetic, Gengar, and Hitmonlee at cards.
• Togetic played four threes and then a straight, leaving Young Master Mao defeated while Gengar tried not to laugh.