Chapter Summaries

Yushu and Staraptor defeated Ritchie’s Sudowoodo despite its Rock-type advantage, leaving Ritchie to send out Bibarel as his final Pokémon. Ritchie explained that Bibarel had been his first Pokémon, caught as a Bidoof while he was fishing.

• Ritchie concluded that Yushu was an experienced Trainer because he had competed in a League Conference.
• Ritchie sent out Sudowoodo, and Yushu kept Staraptor in the battle despite its type disadvantage.
• Staraptor dodged Sudowoodo’s Rock attacks, then used Close Combat and Air Slash to defeat it.
• Ritchie sent out Bibarel as his final Pokémon and explained that he had caught it as a Bidoof while fishing.
• Yushu reflected that many Trainers from ordinary families had to find their own way to obtain a first Pokémon.

Yushu and Ritchie continued their battle, where Staraptor and Bibarel knocked each other down with their final attacks, but Staraptor could not get back up and Yushu lost. Ritchie then told Yushu about an upcoming town tournament sponsored by Devon Corporation, and Yushu considered entering for its prizes.

• Ritchie had Bibarel boost its Attack with Swords Dance, then use Headbutt, Aqua Tail, and Rollout against Yushu's increasingly tired Staraptor.
• Yushu had Staraptor dodge and counter Bibarel's attacks, but Bibarel's Water Gun slowed Staraptor and soaked its feathers.
• Yushu ordered Staraptor to feint with Aerial Ace and then strike with Brave Bird, while Ritchie countered with Aqua Tail; both Pokémon fell, but Staraptor could not rise again.
• Ritchie told Yushu about the town's upcoming tournament, its prizes, and Devon Corporation's sponsorship.
• Yushu became interested in the prizes and said he might enter, while Ritchie joked that he would have to aim for second or third place.

Yushu and Kaixin entered Solaceon Town’s sponsored Pokémon battle tournament, where they learned about its prizes and sponsors before drawing their match assignments. Yushu drew the fourth match and Kaixin the sixth as the first battle was about to begin.

• Yushu arrived at the crowded tournament with Kaixin, who explained that Devon Corporation sponsored the event to promote battling and scout rookie Trainers.
• Kaixin told Yushu she had entered too, and joked that she might let him win to make later bargaining easier.
• Kurokawa joined them and revealed that he had sponsored Poké Balls, but he did not know what Pokémon was inside the tournament’s rare egg.
• Mayor Zongping welcomed the crowd and announced that the tournament would begin after contestants drew their match assignments.
• Yushu drew the fourth match and Kaixin drew the sixth, then they went to watch the first battle.

Naoto defeated Matsuri after his Spearow chased her Caterpie around the field, while Ritchie won his match against a middle-aged man’s Mothim. Yushu was called up for his battle against Tiedou, a burly young man with dyed red hair.

• Naoto’s Spearow overwhelmed Matsuri’s Caterpie, and Matsuri recalled it before Spearow could catch it, giving Naoto the win.
• A traveling Trainer’s Beedrill defeated a local middle-aged man’s Raticate with a series of fast attacks.
• Ritchie used Murkrow’s Haze to hide its position, then defeated the opponent’s Mothim with two Night Slashes.
• Zongping was surprised when Yushu took the stage, since he thought Yushu had decided not to become a Trainer.
• Yushu faced Tiedou, a burly young man wearing a black leather jacket with flashy red hair.

Yushu entered a tournament and defeated Tiedou’s Machoke with his powerful Miltank, astonishing the crowd. He then watched the remaining matches and took an interest in Riley, whose Riolu suggested that Riley was the current Aura Guardian.

• Tiedou mocked Yushu and sent out his mid Advanced Stage Machoke, while Yushu chose Miltank despite the spectators’ doubts.
• Miltank used Defense Curl to withstand Machoke’s Cross Chop without moving.
• Miltank’s Rollout overwhelmed Machoke even after it used Bulk Up and tried Submission, forcing Tiedou to recall it and ask how Yushu had raised Miltank.
• Yushu gave Tiedou a casual answer, then watched several more tournament battles.
• Yushu noticed Riley’s mid Advanced Stage Riolu fighting a Tangrowth and concluded that Riley was likely the current Aura Guardian.

Riley defeated Tangrowth by anticipating its moves and using Riolu’s speed and attacks. Yushu then watched Kaixin’s Chatot taunt Daisuke’s Dodrio into losing its composure and taking a decisive barrage, leaving the match’s official result unannounced.

• Riolu dodged Tangrowth’s Vine Whip and Sleep Powder, then struck it with Force Palm until it could no longer battle.
• Mayor Zongping declared Riley the winner, and Yushu took the tournament more seriously after seeing Riley’s skill.
• Kaixin sent out her mid-Elite-stage Chatot to face Daisuke’s Dodrio, and Kurokawa described Chatot as sharp-tongued.
• Chatot mocked Dodrio as it dodged Tri Attack and Drill Peck, making Dodrio furious and disrupting its coordination.
• Dodrio tripped over itself while its heads argued, and Chatot struck it with Hyper Voice and Air Slash, leaving it dazed.

Yushu advanced to the tournament’s next round by defeating Sayuri’s Flaaffy with Miltank’s Rollout. Afterward, Kaixin’s Chatot mentally broke its opponent, a Victreebel, until its trainer conceded.

• Ritchie’s Bibarel defeated a Beedrill with one Aqua Tail, and Riley’s Riolu beat a Croagunk with a combo.
• Yushu sent out Miltank against Sayuri’s Flaaffy, which attacked with Electro Ball.
• Miltank smashed through Electro Ball and Cotton Spore with Rollout, then flattened Flaaffy to win the match.
• Sayuri recalled Flaaffy, held back her tears, and vowed to return for revenge against Yushu.
• Kaixin’s Chatot taunted a Victreebel until it lost its composure and ignored its trainer’s commands, forcing the middle-aged trainer to concede.

Yushu’s Miltank defeated Kaixin’s Chatot by enduring its attacks, healing with Milk Drink, and finishing it with Body Slam. The second semifinal began with Ritchie’s Bibarel and Riley’s Riolu trading attacks, leaving their match unresolved.

• Kaixin’s Chatot taunted Miltank and attacked with Air Slash, but Miltank used Defense Curl and Rock Slide to hold its ground.
• Yushu’s Miltank recovered with Milk Drink, then blocked Chatot’s Steel Wing, grabbed it, and knocked it out with Body Slam.
• Kaixin complained that Miltank was unfairly strong, and Yushu promised to treat her to extra cheese.
• Ritchie and Riley began their semifinal with Bibarel facing Riolu, and Bibarel boosted its Attack with Swords Dance.
• Riley’s Riolu dodged Bibarel’s Rollout twice, then clashed with its Aqua Tail and Metal Claw against Bibarel’s Headbutt.

Riley defeated Ritchie in the semifinal, then Riolu faced Yushu's Miltank in the final. Riolu dodged Miltank's attacks and boosted its strength, but Miltank's defense and relentless Rollout left Riley under pressure as the battle continued.

• Riley had Riolu counter Bibarel's Double-Edge with Circle Throw, then defeat it with Force Palm to win the semifinal.
• Zongping began the final between Riley's Riolu and Yushu's Miltank as the crowd watched.
• Riolu dodged Miltank's Rollout and escaped Rock Tomb using Vacuum Wave's recoil, while Yushu tried to trap it in midair.
• Riley used Swords Dance while Yushu had Miltank recover with Milk Drink, then ordered Riolu to attack with Vacuum Waves and Force Palm.
• Miltank endured Riolu's boosted Force Palm and continued rolling toward it as Riley tried to begin a second Swords Dance.

Yushu won the tournament and received a Ralts egg, then returned to his ranch with Riley planning to visit the next day. After learning about the egg, Uxie claimed its knowledge was vast, prompting Yushu to wonder whether it had more treasures hidden away.

• Yushu defeated Riley's Riolu with Miltank's Rollout and won the tournament, while Ritchie's Murkrow lost to Kaixin's Chatot.
• Yushu received the tournament prize, a healthy Ralts egg, and Nurse Joy explained how to care for it.
• Ritchie left town to continue challenging Gyms, and Riley arranged to visit Yushu's ranch the next day.
• Yushu secured the incubator at his ranch, where Uxie recognized the egg as a Ralts and discussed Gardevoir's popularity.
• Yushu asked Uxie whether it had more treasures hidden away.

Yushu received Uxie’s blessing for the Ralts egg, which improved its psychic aptitude. The next morning, Riley visited the ranch and watched Luxray battle Riolu, impressed by how Yushu used farmwork to train Pokémon.

• Yushu realized Uxie had no more Plates, but Uxie returned to bless the Ralts egg with Mystical Power.
• Uxie’s blessing gave the hatching Ralts enhanced psychic aptitude and greater affinity for mental energy.
• Yushu told Uxie to rest, and Uxie floated off toward his room.
• The next morning, Yushu was making Pokéblocks when he heard Luxray battling Riley’s Riolu outside.
• Luxray struck Riolu with Wild Charge, and Riolu countered with Force Palm before being knocked back.
• Riley recalled seeing Torterra use Razor Leaf to weed the Berry orchard and realized Yushu’s farmwork also trained Pokémon’s move control.

Riley discovered that Yushu’s Pokémon were far stronger and more organized than ordinary farm workers, then sampled Yushu’s excellent Pokéblocks and urged him to take the Breeder exam. Riley planned to rest in Solaceon Town before training on Iron Island.

• Riley and Riolu fought Yushu’s Luxray, while Staraptor, Vespiquen, and Combee surrounded them until Yushu called everyone off.
• Yushu treated Riolu’s electrical burns with Potion, and Riley became more convinced that Yushu was secretly training Pokémon.
• Riley tried a fresh Pokéblock from Yushu’s Berry machine and was amazed by its quality.
• Riley explained the Breeder exam and its benefits, prompting Yushu to decide to take it for the possible discounts.
• Riley told Yushu he planned to rest in Solaceon Town and then head to Iron Island to train.

Riley invited Yushu to explore Iron Island with him, tempting Yushu with the chance to find natural Metal Coats. Since the ranch kept him busy, Yushu began arranging to hire help and then checked on Vespiquen’s honey production.

• Riley explained that Iron Island held dangerous ruins and invited Yushu to team up for an exploration lasting up to a week.
• Riley told Yushu that natural Metal Coats could be found deep inside Iron Island, and Yushu became interested but worried about leaving the ranch unattended.
• Yushu decided to recruit reliable help through referrals and messaged Mayor Zongping and Kaixin for candidates.
• Mayor Zongping agreed to ask around, while Kaixin arranged for a woman to meet Yushu at the ranch the next day.
• Yushu visited the apiary, where Vespiquen was directing the Combee as they carried nectar into the hive, and asked how the honey was coming along.

Yushu watched Vespiquen and the Combee harvest honey, but its powerful fragrance attracted a hungry Ursaring that tried to steal it. Vespiquen and the Combee drove Ursaring away, leaving the honey safe.

• Vespiquen showed Yushu the freshly produced honey, and he praised its rich, floral sweetness.
• The honey’s fragrance attracted wild Pokémon, while an Ursaring emerged from the woods and approached the hive to steal it.
• Ursaring knocked aside several Combee, so Vespiquen ordered the swarm to attack it with Bug Buzz.
• When Ursaring charged a Hyper Beam, Vespiquen and the Combee combined their strength to block it with Struggle Bug.
• Vespiquen shattered the barrier to strike Ursaring with energy fragments, then hit it with Air Slash until it fled.

Yushu fed hungry wild Pokémon, then sold Kurokawa a jar of Vespiquen’s Honey for five hundred per jin. After Kaixin called to say her recommended visitor had arrived at the ranch, Yushu hurried back to meet her.

• Yushu offered Honey-coated Berries to the wild Pokémon, and they gathered to eat.
• Yushu called Kurokawa and offered to sell him Vespiquen’s first batch of Honey.
• Yushu rode Luxray to Kurokawa’s shop, where Kurokawa sampled the Honey and agreed to buy it for five hundred per jin.
• Kaixin told Yushu that her recommended visitor was waiting at the ranch entrance, and Yushu rode Luxray back.

Yushu met Aili, a prospective ranch employee from a family with ties to Alamos Town, and learned that she was a Breeder. Mayor Zongping also introduced Shuren, a former Eterna Gym apprentice who hoped to help care for the ranch’s Berry plants.

• Yushu met Aili at the ranch entrance and learned that Kaixin had recommended her for the job.
• Aili told Yushu her family came from Alamos Town and mentioned her younger cousin Alice, prompting Yushu to connect her family to the town’s Darkrai legend.
• Zongping brought Naoto and his older brother Shuren to meet Yushu, and Shuren offered his plant-care skills.
• Shuren explained that he had left his Trainer ambitions behind after struggling in battles and had learned Berry care under Gardenia at the Eterna Gym.
• Aili announced that she was a Breeder, surprising Zongping and Shuren.

Yushu hired Aili and Shuren to work at Freewill Ranch and arranged their duties and pay. He then met Riley at the Pokémon Center and agreed to join him on Iron Island in a month, after Riley completed an initial survey.

• Aili explained that she was preparing for the Breeder exam, and Yushu hired her to help care for the ranch Pokémon.
• Yushu showed Aili and Shuren around Freewill Ranch, assigned their work, and set their hours and starting monthly wage at 5,000 Alliance Currency.
• After Zongping left, Yushu sent Aili and Shuren to familiarize themselves with the ranch and rode Luxray to the Pokémon Center.
• Yushu met Riley, who agreed to meet him on Iron Island in a month after surveying its outskirts.
• Riley told Yushu to prepare essential supplies for their expedition, and Yushu agreed.

Yushu welcomed Aili and Shuren on their first day at work, showing them his carefully developed feed formula and Torterra’s unusual method of tending the Berry orchard. He then cooked an impressive lunch for them, leaving Uxie tempted to ask for a special meal too.

• Aili and Shuren arrived at Yushu’s house early, catching him in his pajamas before he washed up and let them in.
• Yushu showed Aili his self-developed feed formula, which impressed her with its precise Berry powder and Pokéblock crumb ratios.
• Yushu demonstrated how Torterra used Grassy Terrain and Razor Leaf to nourish the orchard and cut down weeds.
• Yushu rejected Shuren’s plum rice balls and cooked four dishes and soup for Aili and Shuren.
• Aili praised Yushu’s cooking, while Uxie watched and considered asking him for a special meal.

Yushu's Pokémon Egg hatched into an exceptionally gifted Ralts, which bonded with him and fell asleep in his arms. Afterward, Yushu told Aili and Shuren that he had won the Ralts Egg as the first-place prize in a recent competition, surprising them with how valuable this year's reward was.

• Yushu, Aili, and Shuren watched the Pokémon Egg crack open and hatch into a Ralts blessed by Uxie.
• Ralts chose Yushu, rubbed its horn against his hand, and eagerly ate the soft Pokéblocks he had prepared.
• Ralts used Teleport to settle into Yushu's arms, then fell asleep and was placed in its prepared bed.
• Aili asked Yushu where he had gotten the Ralts Egg, and Shuren joined in asking about it.
• Yushu said he had won the Egg as first prize in a competition, and Aili was shocked that the annual contest's reward had improved so much.

Aili and Shuren challenged Yushu to a two-on-one battle, hoping to win the chance to cuddle Ralts. Rotom overwhelmed their Pokémon, and the chapter left Eevee fleeing a possessed lawn mower while Dunsparce escaped underground.

• Aili challenged Yushu with her Eevee, and Shuren joined after Aili tempted him with the chance to cuddle Ralts.
• Yushu sent out Elite Stage Rotom to face Aili's Eevee and Shuren's Dunsparce.
• Eevee attacked Rotom with Normal-type moves, but Rotom blocked the attacks and possessed a lawn mower.
• Rotom chased Eevee around with the mower while Aili panicked, and Shuren revealed that Dunsparce had escaped using Dig.