Chapter Summaries

Young Master Mao trained and exercised his Pokémon before Wallace invited him to judge the Grand Festival in Slateport City. He accepted for the appearance fee, then learned he would also have to escort the Ribbon trophy aboard the Saint Prosperity.

• Young Master Mao watched Blastoise successfully combine Dragon Pulse with Focus Punch while Kartana cleared the pool’s splashes with Air Slash.
• Young Master Mao rode Galar Rapidash while walking Arcanine, then teased the exhausted Arcanine about his stamina.
• Wallace invited Young Master Mao to serve as a special guest judge at the Grand Festival, and Young Master Mao accepted for the appearance fee.
• Wallace told Young Master Mao to board the Saint Prosperity and help watch the Grand Festival’s Ribbon trophy, then hung up before he could object.
• Young Master Mao planned to eat his way through the luxury cruise ship, and Gengar accidentally paralyzed him with Lick.

Young Master Mao joined the Pokémon Contest Grand Festival committee as a judge and took charge of protecting the Ribbon Cup from Pokémon Thief Banette. His Rocket Security team quickly captured the disguised thief and brought him back alive.

• At Rustboro City's docks, Young Master Mao practiced with Gengar before meeting Contesta aboard the St. Blossoming Flower.
• Young Master Mao boarded with Rocket Security and reunited with Ash, May, and their group, while May declared she would win the Ribbon Cup.
• Officer Jenny told the committee that Pokémon Thief Banette had threatened to steal the Ribbon Cup and that the police had made no progress.
• Young Master Mao sent his Rocket Security team after Banette and instructed them to bring him back alive.
• The security team returned with the battered, captured Banette, and Young Master Mao asked whether catching him had been difficult.

At Slateport City's Grand Festival, Gary helped Jessie pursue her Coordinator dream by arranging for her to appear onstage despite her lack of Ribbons. Jessie prepared a performance under the alias Jessie Lina while James and Meowth opened a souvenir and Pokéblock stall.

• Gary met the Team Rocket Trio, gave James and Meowth a basic Pokéblock recipe, and told them to earn money without causing trouble.
• Gary encouraged Jessie to make an appearance at the Grand Festival and told her she could pursue official competition in Sinnoh after earning Ribbons.
• Gary saw that he had been appointed a judge alongside Contesta, Sukizo, Nurse Joy, and Lisia, while Ash caused a commotion with Snorunt by the sea.
• James made souvenir badges featuring popular contestants, including Gary, for the Trio's stall.
• Jessie changed into a gown and butterfly mask, borrowed Cacnea from James, and set out to perform as Jessie Lina.

The Grand Festival began with a romantic performance by Gary and Lisia that left the contestants stunned. The opening festivities continued with a special audience segment, where Gary chose Jessie and Lisia chose Brock before Vivian dragged Brock away for harassing the judge.

• Vivian announced the opening of the Grand Festival as May nervously prepared and Harley vowed to defeat her, but Kimarō warned Harley to leave May alone.
• Gary and Lisia performed a romantic number with Altaria and Gardevoir, dazzling the audience and intimidating the waiting Coordinators.
• The judges were introduced, and Contesta gave the opening address before Vivian invited audience members to join a special performance segment.
• Gary selected Jessie from the crowd, and she leaped into the performance area, delighted to be on the Grand Festival stage.
• Lisia selected Brock, who rushed to her and proposed a performance of love, but Vivian grabbed his ear and dragged him away.

Jessie performed with Cacnea at the Pokémon Contest and received mixed scores, but Gary praised her passion and encouraged her to pursue her dream. After Brock impressed the judges with Forretress, Jessie reunited with Meowth and James and resolved to try competing again in Sinnoh.

• Jessie hugged Cacnea despite its spikes, then had it use Pin Missile to create fireworks above the stage.
• The judges gave Jessie low and mixed scores, but Gary awarded her ten points and praised her performance's passion and sincerity.
• Gary encouraged Jessie and other aspiring Coordinators to keep pursuing their dreams, and the audience applauded her.
• Brock performed with Forretress and earned forty-four points, impressing the judges.
• Jessie reunited with Meowth and James, returned with them to their stall, and decided to try contests again in Sinnoh.

After the Pokémon Contest preliminaries, Gary noticed Ash’s Snorunt was struggling to control Ice Beam and helped it focus on a target. Snorunt evolved into Glalie, leaving Ash grateful to Gary for his help.

• Gary praised May’s Beautifly performance but warned her that relying on only Silver Wind would cost her in the main competition.
• Ash told Gary that his Hoenn League team consisted of Grovyle, Corphish, and Snorunt, and insisted they were working hard.
• Gary heard Ash practicing Ice Beam at night and found Snorunt repeatedly losing control of the move.
• Gary used a Pokéblock as a target and coached Snorunt to focus its Ice Beam, which froze the Pokéblock and the rock around it.
• Snorunt evolved into Glalie, and Ash thanked Gary for helping it.

Kimarō defeated Robert to advance to the Grand Festival final, where he beat Shū and won the Ribbon Cup. He thanked Young Master Mao for his guidance as reporters captured the moment.

• Shū defeated May, who left the stage to cheers after her semifinal loss.
• Kimarō used Ampharos and Breloom to defeat Robert's Milotic and Claydol, securing his place in the final against Shū.
• Kimarō's Dusknoir and Salamence overwhelmed Shū's Masquerain and Flygon, winning him the championship.
• Kimarō thanked Young Master Mao for his guidance, and reporters photographed them together as he raised the Ribbon Cup.

Gary and his companions arrived in Ever Grande City ahead of the Hoenn League, where Tyson guided them to a ramen shop before rushing off to run in the Sacred Fire relay. As the others went to watch the event, Gary headed to meet Steven at the hotel.

• Young Master Mao and the group sailed from Slateport City toward Ever Grande City, and Gary learned that Eevee needed more type origins to qualify for the move Judgment (Limited).
• After arriving, May suggested a ramen shop based on an outdated map, so Gary called on Tyson to guide everyone to its new location.
• While eating, Gary learned from Tyson that Steven wanted to discuss adaptation rights and was waiting at the Emperor Penguin Hotel.
• Tyson remembered his Sacred Fire relay duty and ran off, while Ash and the others went to watch the event.
• Gary stayed behind briefly, then headed to the hotel to meet Steven.

Young Master Mao discussed the Ever Grande Conference with Steven, who arranged for him to skip the preliminaries and tried to recruit him into the Champions Pokémon League. With the opening ceremony set for the next day, Young Master Mao arranged a dinner and battle-training gathering for friends in Ever Grande City.

• Steven asked Gary to adapt the Indigo League theme song for the conference and had A Tao register Young Master Mao, exempting him from the preliminaries.
• Steven asked Young Master Mao to join the Champions Pokémon League, but Young Master Mao refused because he wanted to continue his journey.
• Young Master Mao went for a stroll, met Brawly, and learned that Flannery was selling snacks while waiting for her conference duties to begin.
• Young Master Mao invited friends to dinner and battle training at the Emperor Penguin Hotel, and Ash asked to bring a friend.
• Young Master Mao and Eevee-chan went to buy groceries for the gathering.

Young Master Mao visited the Ever Grande Conference, bought Flannery’s leftover snacks, and joined Ash’s supporters as the preliminary rounds continued. Ash won his second match, and Brendan entered the arena for his battle against Sanyuan.

• Brock, Gary, and Young Master Mao split up to watch matches and explore the conference grounds while Ash raced ahead to the venue.
• Steven explained that Gary had received a bye, and Gary bought food before Dusknoir led him to the Rocket General Store stall.
• Young Master Mao bought all of Flannery’s remaining Hot Spring Manju and Lava Cookies, then invited her to watch matches with him.
• Young Master Mao joined Brock, May, Brendan, Tyson, and Masamune in the stands and shared Flannery’s snacks with them.
• Ash and Pikachu defeated their opponent in the second preliminary round, and Brendan went down to the field to face Sanyuan as Norman watched from home.

Gary performed with First Generation at the opening ceremony of the Hoenn League's Ever Grande Conference, then joined the competitors as the tournament officially opened. The main tournament was about to begin, with Ash, Brendan, Tyson, and Gary among the advancing trainers.

• Ash, Tyson, Masamune, Brendan, and Gary advanced from the preliminary rounds, and Tyson lit the conference's Sacred Fire.
• Gary took the stage with Golduck, Armarouge, and Gengar as First Generation and performed “I Got Pokémon!” to a roaring crowd.
• Gary ended the performance by shouting, “Born fearless, fight to the final chapter!” and received praise from Steven and Wallace.
• The main tournament competitors, Hoenn's Elite Four, Champion Steven, and chairman Damaranch entered the stadium for the opening ceremony.
• Steven encouraged the trainers to fight to the end, Damaranch gave a lengthy speech, and Gary rallied the crowd before Steven declared the Ever Grande Conference open.

Gary won the first preliminary Double Battle at the Ever Grande Conference after using Dusknoir and Aggron to overwhelm Mingqi’s Blaziken and Ninjask. He advanced from the match, while Mingqi left frustrated by the loss and Gary’s remark about Taunt.

• The preliminary rules required competitors to win three single-elimination Double Battles to reach the top thirty-two, and Gary learned that Mingqi from Sootopolis City was his first opponent.
• Mingqi prepared for the match in a formal white suit and admitted he expected to be crushed, while spectators greeted Gary enthusiastically as he entered the stadium.
• Mingqi sent out Blaziken and Ninjask, and Gary chose Dusknoir and Aggron; Dusknoir set up Trick Room while Aggron used Protect.
• Gary ordered Aggron to attack Blaziken with Earthquake and Dusknoir to hit Ninjask with Shadow Thunder Punch, knocking both Pokémon out.
• The referee declared Gary the winner, and Mingqi shook his hand before running off after Gary noted that he had not brought a Taunt user.

Gary watched Ash and Brendan win their preliminary matches, then joined them for lunch to discuss upcoming opponents and the tournament. After chatting with friends and disciples in the group chat, Gary checked the official forum for the afternoon’s match information.

• Ash defeated Matano by using defensive moves and firepower to knock out his opponent’s Pokémon.
• Gary watched Brendan use Dragonite and Swampert to defeat a Sinnoh trainer’s Sandstorm strategy.
• The VIP guests teased Gary about his battle style, and he insisted he relied on whatever methods would win efficiently.
• Brock reviewed Ash’s likely opponents, including Masamune and the tactician Jimmy, while Brendan remarked that Tyson had Champion potential.
• Gary chatted with Ritchie, Raven, Bruno, and his young disciples in the group chat before checking the afternoon match information on the official forum.

Young Master Mao defeated Hinata in the Ever Grande Conference preliminary tournament with a swift combination of Swagger, Trick Room, Gravity, and Earthquake. His overwhelming victory pleased a powerful viewer at Team Rocket headquarters, who called Mao a worthy successor.

• A packed stadium watched as Young Master Mao and the internet-famous Hinata met for their preliminary match.
• Hinata sent out Mawile and Honchkrow, while Young Master Mao chose Dusknoir and Rhyperior for his Trick Room strategy.
• Young Master Mao used Swagger to confuse and enrage Hinata’s Pokémon, then had Rhyperior advance behind Protect while Dusknoir set up Trick Room and Gravity.
• Gravity forced Honchkrow to the ground, and Rhyperior’s Earthquake knocked out both opposing Pokémon in one blow.
• At Team Rocket headquarters, a boss watched the broadcast, turned off the television, and declared that Young Master Mao was a worthy successor.

Gary enjoyed a break before the Ever Grande Conference Championship Tournament, then checked the round-of-thirty-two matchups and met Lorelei, Whitney, and Janine. He headed with them to join Ash and the others at a restaurant, where they planned to celebrate before the battles began.

• Gary lounged in his air-conditioned hotel room with his Pokémon, while Blaziken and Sceptile trained and Blastoise cultivated his aura.
• After the thirty-two contestants' matchups were posted, Gary saw that he would face a blond-haired boy, while Ash, Tyson, and Brendan each received different opponents.
• Gary told Ash and the others to go ahead to the restaurant while he went to pick up Lorelei.
• Gary met Lorelei outside the venue, where Whitney and Janine surprised him by joining her on vacation.

Gary shared a meal with friends at Lorelei’s buffet, learned why Janine and Whitney were free to travel, and returned to the hotel with Lorelei. The next morning, he faced a blond opponent in the round of thirty-two, still brimming with resentment.

• Lorelei hosted Gary, Ash, and the others at her restaurant, where the group ate at the buffet and discussed Gary’s upcoming match.
• Janine and Whitney explained that a rotating leave system let Gym Leaders travel after two Gyms lost their status following the regional merger.
• Lorelei reassured Gary that Janine and Whitney would stay at a nearby hotel, then teased him during their bath together with Slowbro present.
• At Ever Grande Stadium the next morning, Gary confronted his blond opponent with a menacing smile, while Lorelei watched from the VIP Box.

Gary won his round-of-32 match decisively, and he and his friends celebrated reaching the top 16 with a dinner party. The tournament bracket arrived during the celebration, revealing that Gary would face Tyson, Ash would face Masamune, and Brendan would face Xiaoxue.

• Gary defeated his opponent in three minutes with Sceptile, after Blaziken had overwhelmed Tropius and Azumarill.
• Brendan, Tyson, Ash, and Masamune all won their matches and advanced to the top 16 alongside Gary.
• Gary invited his friends to a dinner party at his hotel suite, where he prepared brown sugar ginger milk tea for Lorelei and shared a warm moment with her.
• Brock, Whitney, and Janine arrived early to help prepare the food, then Ash, Brendan, and the others joined the celebration.
• The tournament committee released the top-16 bracket, pairing Gary against Tyson, Ash against Masamune, and Brendan against Xiaoxue.

Gary prepared for his Ever Grande Conference round-of-sixteen match against Tyson, while Lorelei promised to attend and Steven tried to encourage Tyson. The battle began with Gary’s Blaziken facing Tyson’s Sceptile, and Gary’s feint left Tyson’s Pokémon blinded by sand.

• Young Master Mao made Lorelei breakfast before heading to his match with his Pokémon.
• Tyson asked Steven about his chances against Gary, and Steven indicated that scoring even one point would count as success.
• Gary and Tyson began their Full Battle for a place in the quarterfinals on a rock and dirt battlefield.
• Tyson sent out Sceptile, while Gary chose Blaziken, whose type advantages gave Gary a favorable matchup.
• Tyson ordered Detect in anticipation of an attack, but Gary had Blaziken use Bulk Up instead.
• Gary then called for Sand Attack, and Blaziken kicked sand into Sceptile’s eyes.

Gary’s Pokémon dominated Tyson’s team, with Armarouge’s Armor Cannon devastating Metagross and the battlefield. The referee called a halftime break after Tyson lost three Pokémon and the field became unusable, leaving Tyson startled that the match still had a second half.

• Blaziken knocked out Tyson’s Sceptile with Blaze Kick, so Tyson sent out Donphan and raised a Sandstorm.
• Gary recalled Blaziken and sent out Sceptile, who used Leaf Blade Flash to defeat Donphan with a rapid series of slashes.
• Tyson sent out his ace, Metagross, while Gary switched Sceptile for Armarouge.
• Armarouge broke free of Metagross’s Psychic and blasted through its Protect with Armor Cannon, leaving a crater in the field.
• The referee called halftime after Tyson had lost three Pokémon and the battlefield became unusable, and Tyson asked if there was still a second half.

Tyson’s team fought Gary’s three Pokémon on the Grass Field, but Shiftry, Hariyama, and Meowth were defeated. Tyson accepted the loss and vowed with Meowth to challenge Gary again.

• Tyson sent out Shiftry, but Armarouge defeated it with Aura Sphere.
• Tyson’s Hariyama caught Sceptile’s Leaf Blade Flash and countered with Seismic Toss, but Sceptile knocked it out with Solar Blade.
• Tyson sent out Meowth as Gary switched to Blaziken, and Blaziken defeated Meowth in a fierce exchange.
• Gary stopped Blaziken from striking Meowth again and told Tyson to train and challenge him in the future.
• Tyson accepted the loss through tears, and Meowth swore to make Gary answer for them.