Chapter Summaries

Yushu introduced the newly awakened Ralts to the ranch Pokémon, who welcomed and doted on it. The ranch grew livelier as Ralts played with them, while Staraptor felt neglected.

• Rotom defeated Aili's Eevee while Shuren watched, and Aili crouched down in frustration.
• Ralts woke up and wandered outside, where Staraptor approached it before Yushu scolded the bird and sent it to gather everyone.
• The ranch Pokémon met Ralts, and Miltank gave it milk while Torterra let it play on its shell.
• Ralts used Teleport to climb onto Luxray and ride it, and Luxray's wagging tail revealed its fondness for the little Pokémon.
• Vespiquen sent Combee to give Ralts Honey, while Staraptor wondered why nobody cared about its injuries.

As Yushu prepared his Pokémon for the trip to Iron Island, he discovered that they had devised their own training plans, with Uxie helping Rotom pursue a way to transform without physical appliances. Yushu then focused on creating individualized food formulas for each Pokémon, leaving Aili impressed by his expertise.

• Staraptor began rapidly practicing Tailwind, while Luxray trained to focus its Discharge into precise, powerful beams.
• Miltank developed a Rollout and Body Slam combination, and Torterra improved its Ingrain to reach deep underground without moving.
• Uxie taught Rotom to study the energy structures of five appliances so it could eventually transform into their forms without possessing machines.
• Yushu used the Eye of Detection's suggestions to design a specialized food formula for each Pokémon.
• Aili praised Yushu's detailed formulas, and he told her she could learn to make them by reading more.

Yushu arrived on Iron Island and joined Riley, whose Lucario had evolved after a month of battling the island’s Wild Pokémon. As they explored a mine tunnel filled with powerful territorial Pokémon, an Onix attacked Yushu.

• Yushu stepped off the ferry onto Iron Island and met Riley and his newly evolved Lucario.
• Riley explained that Iron Island’s ore-eating Wild Pokémon were aggressive, especially deeper in the mines.
• Yushu and Riley passed statues of Dialga and Palkia at a stone gateway, while Uxie grumbled about the Lake Guardians being overlooked.
• Riley led Yushu into a tunnel where Onix, Magneton, and Steelix watched them as intruders.
• An Onix charged from the side and opened its mouth to bite Yushu.

Riley and Yushu fought a group of wild Onix, Magneton, and Steelix, with Lucario and Miltank battling the stronger opponents. As Miltank dodged one Steelix repeatedly and built up speed with Rollout, it waited for an opening to strike.

• Riley's Lucario defeated an Onix with Metal Claw and Aura Sphere as more wild Pokémon surrounded them.
• Yushu sent out Miltank, which knocked an Onix aside with Rollout and blocked the Magneton's Flash Cannons with Rock Tomb.
• Lucario destroyed the attacking Magneton with Aura Sphere while the two Steelix struck back, forcing Riley and Yushu to split them up.
• Miltank was overpowered by a Steelix but healed its injuries and restored its stamina by drinking milk.
• Yushu had Miltank dodge the Steelix's repeated attacks, letting it maintain Rollout and build up power until the Steelix grew tired.

Yushu and Riley defeated the Steelix they encountered, then a much stronger Steelix leader appeared and attacked them. They began a difficult battle against it, with the chapter ending as Lucario struggled to withstand its powerful Iron Tail.

• Yushu's Miltank defeated one Steelix with a powerful Rollout, and Riley's Lucario defeated another with Bone Rush and a point-blank Aura Sphere.
• Riley observed that Steelix were unusually common in the passage, suggesting something had drawn them there.
• A late Gym stage Steelix emerged and was identified as the leader, prompting Yushu and Riley to face it together with Miltank and Lucario.
• The Steelix leader blocked their opening attacks, used Autotomize to increase its speed, and knocked Lucario backward with Iron Tail.

Yushu and Riley defeated Steelix in a long four-on-one battle and explored his cavern den. Yushu found two Mega Stones among the discarded ore and kept their identity to himself.

• Yushu and Riley coordinated Miltank, Lucario, Torterra, and Machamp to wear down Steelix and knock him unconscious with Frenzy Plant, Body Slam, and a powerful Aura Sphere.
• Yushu considered catching Steelix, but Riley warned that the proud wild Pokémon would not obey unless Yushu defeated him one-on-one, so Yushu moved on.
• Yushu and Riley found a naturally formed Metal Coat in Steelix's den, and Riley split it in half for them to share.
• Yushu discovered two faintly glowing stones among discarded ore and recognized them as Mega Stones, while Riley dismissed them as ordinary ore.

Yushu and Riley explored Iron Island, where Yushu found two Mega Stones and trained his Pokémon against wild ones. They discovered a Team Galactic camp in a cavern and decided to retreat and alert Officer Jenny.

• Yushu found Mega Stones for Steelix and Metagross but no Key Stone.
• Yushu and Riley continued through Iron Island, battling wild Pokémon while Yushu gave his Pokémon combat practice.
• Riley sensed people ahead with Aura, and the pair crept toward a cavern.
• Yushu and Riley saw Team Galactic members setting up a camp with equipment.
• Yushu decided that he and Riley should retreat and notify Officer Jenny.

Yushu and Riley fought their way through Team Galactic's pursuit on Iron Island and called Officer Jenny for backup. As they reached the exit, Mars blocked their escape and sent out her powerful Purugly.

• Golbat spotted Yushu and Riley, alerting Team Galactic and forcing them to flee through the tunnels.
• Yushu and Riley defeated the grunts' Mightyena and Golbat with Lucario, Luxray, Vespiquen, and Machamp.
• Riley called Officer Jenny and reported Team Galactic's secret operation on Iron Island.
• Yushu and Riley attacked their pursuers to cover their escape, then encountered Mars at the exit.
• Mars revealed her Purugly, which Yushu recognized as an early Quasi-Elite Four opponent.

Yushu and Riley confronted Team Galactic commander Mars, whose Purugly overwhelmed Riley’s Lucario. Yushu tried to help Riley escape while concealing the still-invisible Uxie, and Vespiquen’s Combee intercepted Purugly’s attack as Riley flew for the exit.

• Mars revealed herself as a Team Galactic commander and had Purugly defeat Riley’s Lucario in three moves.
• Yushu decided to stall Mars while Riley sought help, keeping Uxie’s presence secret.
• Yushu sent out Vespiquen, whose Combee attacked Purugly with a coordinated barrage of Air Slashes.
• Riley escaped toward the exit on Skarmory while Yushu and Vespiquen intercepted Purugly’s Shadow Ball aimed at him.

Yushu used the Cloud Bee Formation to channel the Combee’s energy into Vespiquen, letting her fight Mars’s Purugly on equal terms. After Vespiquen damaged Purugly, Mars realized the formation could not last much longer, leaving Yushu’s bluff exposed.

• Mars ordered Purugly to attack with Thunderbolt, breaking the Combee’s shield and knocking several of them down.
• Yushu had Vespiquen arrange the Combee into the Cloud Bee Formation, which combined their Helping Hand energy and raised Vespiquen’s strength to near Purugly’s level.
• Vespiquen struck back with Pin Missile, Bug Buzz, and Power Gem, forcing Mars to focus on the battle instead of Riley’s escape.
• Vespiquen’s maximum-size Air Slash split Purugly’s Shadow Ball and slashed Purugly across the chest.
• Yushu tried to persuade Mars to let him go, but she saw through his bluff and pointed out that the Cloud Bee Formation could not last much longer.

Yushu used Uxie’s psychic power to defeat Mars and her Pokémon, turning the battle against Team Galactic. Riley returned to the mine with Officer Jenny and Lucian, where they found Yushu already tying up Mars and the defeated Galactic members.

• Mars sent out Bronzor and coordinated its Gyro Ball with Purugly’s Shadow Claw to break Vespiquen’s defense.
• Yushu called on Uxie, which restrained Mars, Bronzor, and Purugly with Psychic.
• Uxie knocked out Bronzor and Purugly with Mystical Power, while the remaining Team Galactic members panicked.
• Riley returned to Iron Island with Officer Jenny, several police officers, and Lucian, the Psychic-type Elite Four member.
• The group found Yushu tying up Mars and the defeated Team Galactic members, and Yushu asked Riley to help secure her.

After Team Galactic was defeated, Yushu and Riley dealt with the police and the reward, while Lucian discovered Yushu’s unusually gifted Ralts had trouble evolving. Lucian brought out his Medicham to guide Ralts, leaving it poised to begin training.

• Yushu claimed that an unknown expert had defeated Team Galactic, while bound Mars recognized Lucian as the attacker who had pinned her down with Confusion.
• Officer Jenny arrested the Team Galactic members and told Yushu that capturing commander Mars earned a 100,000 Alliance Currency bounty; Riley gave Yushu his share.
• Lucian sensed psychic energy and asked Yushu whether he had a Psychic-type Pokémon, so Yushu released Ralts.
• Lucian judged Ralts exceptionally gifted and explained that its unusually strong psychic energy meant it needed guidance before evolving.
• Lucian summoned his mid-Elite Four-level Medicham and asked it to guide Ralts, and Medicham began meditating.

Ralts evolved into Kirlia with Lucian and Medicham’s help after Lucian used a Psychic Gem as a catalyst. After Lucian and Officer Jenny left with the captured Team Galactic members, Yushu and Riley resolved to grow stronger, while Cyrus met with Saturn and Jupiter at Galaxy Team Headquarters.

• Medicham guided Ralts into meditation, and Lucian used a Psychic Gem to help it evolve into Kirlia.
• Yushu steadied Kirlia and thanked Lucian, who told him Kirlia might one day surpass him.
• Officer Jenny reported that Mars and the other Team Galactic members had been secured, and she and Lucian departed with them.
• Riley apologized to Yushu for bringing him into danger, and they agreed to train on Iron Island to become stronger.
• Cyrus sat at Galaxy Team Headquarters as Saturn and Jupiter stood before him.

Cyrus learned that Lucian had captured Mars and ordered Saturn to arrange her release while Team Galactic kept a low profile. After a month of intense training on Iron Island, Yushu’s Pokémon had reached Gym Level, and he returned to Solaceon Town after running out of Pokéblocks and receiving Aili’s increasingly frustrated messages.

• Saturn told Cyrus that the Pokémon League had captured Mars, and Jupiter explained that Lucian had encountered her while inspecting Canalave City.
• Cyrus ordered Saturn to arrange Mars’s release and warned Jupiter that Cynthia and her Garchomp were far stronger than she assumed.
• A month later, Yushu defeated a Steelix during his training on Iron Island, where his Pokémon had advanced to Gym Level.
• Yushu decided to return to Solaceon Town because Aili was demanding his return and he had run out of Pokéblocks.
• Yushu said goodbye to Riley and boarded a ship for Canalave City.

Yushu returned to Freewill Ranch after a month away, rewarded Aili and Shuren for keeping the ranch running, and spent the night making Pokéblocks. The next morning, Kaixin brought Gardenia to visit, and Yushu recognized the Eterna Gym Leader from a past battle.

• Yushu returned to the ranch and gave Aili and Shuren ten thousand Alliance Currency each and three days of paid leave.
• Yushu inspected the ranch, found it well maintained but low on Pokéblocks, and spent the night making more.
• Aili teased Yushu the next morning, and Shuren told him that Kaixin was coming with someone.
• Kaixin arrived with Gardenia, whom Yushu recognized as the Gym Leader who had defeated all three of his Pokémon with Turtwig.
• Gardenia remembered Yushu and Shuren because they had lost to her, but did not remember Aili's photo with her.

Gardenia visited Yushu’s ranch with Kaixin to order Pokéblocks, but her Grass-type obsession led her to enthusiastically paw at Torterra before challenging Yushu to a battle. Yushu accepted and sent out Kirlia against Gardenia’s Cherubi, and their battle was still underway when Cherubi prepared Solar Beam.

• Kaixin explained that Gardenia had come to Solaceon Town to visit and order Pokéblocks, and Yushu offered her priority supply.
• Gardenia rushed over to hug and rub her face against Torterra, who recognized her from their earlier battle and recoiled in alarm.
• After inspecting Torterra, Gardenia challenged Yushu, and he accepted so he could redeem himself for his earlier loss to her.
• Gardenia sent out Cherubi, while Yushu chose Kirlia to battle it.
• Cherubi used Sunny Day and Leech Seed, but Kirlia reflected the seeds with Psychic and countered Magical Leaf with Psybeam.
• Gardenia ordered Cherubi to use Solar Beam as the battle continued.

Yushu’s Kirlia defeated Gardenia’s Cherubi by using Psychic to block sunlight and interrupt Solar Beam, then faced her powerful, speed-focused Turtwig. With Kirlia tiring from dodging, Yushu chose to build its strength with Calm Mind, leaving it exposed as Turtwig unleashed Leaf Storm.

• Yushu had Kirlia use Psychic to sweep up leaves and dust, blocking sunlight and slowing Cherubi’s Solar Beam.
• Kirlia pinned Cherubi with Psychic and knocked it out with Psybeam, winning the first battle.
• Gardenia sent out her Turtwig, which struck Kirlia with Tackle and overwhelmed its Psybeam with Leaf Storm.
• Yushu had Kirlia use Calm Mind despite Gardenia’s Tackle, and Kirlia continued meditating after taking the hit.
• Gardenia ordered Turtwig to attack the meditating Kirlia with Leaf Storm.

Yushu defeated Gardenia’s Turtwig with Kirlia, then sent out Torterra to face her stronger Roserade. The battle continued as Torterra endured Roserade’s attacks, with neither Pokémon yet defeated.

• Kirlia redirected Turtwig’s Leaf Storm with Psychic and knocked Turtwig out, winning the match against it.
• Yushu recalled Kirlia, which nearly collapsed from exertion, while Gardenia acknowledged his skill and brought out Roserade.
• Yushu chose Torterra for the next match, and Gardenia got distracted by her urge to approach it before Roserade snapped her back to attention with Vine Whip.
• Torterra used Ingrain as Roserade’s sunny-weather Weather Ball struck, then blocked the Fire-type attack with Wood Hammer.
• Torterra took Roserade’s Petal Blizzard head-on and used Curse to boost its defense and strength.
• Roserade pressed its attack with Power Whip, but Torterra endured the barrage.

Yushu defeated Gardenia’s Roserade with Torterra after enduring her attacks through Curse and Synthesis. After the battle, Gardenia sampled Yushu’s specially made Grass-type Pokéblocks and was impressed by Cherubi’s delighted reaction.

• Torterra survived Roserade’s attacks and defeated her in a clash between Weather Ball and Frenzy Plant.
• Kaixin announced Torterra’s victory, and Gardenia praised Yushu for how much he had changed.
• Yushu took Gardenia and the others to the ranch room where he made Pokéblocks.
• Gardenia gave one of Yushu’s Grass-type Pokéblocks to Cherubi, who devoured it with obvious delight.
• Yushu explained some of the Pokéblock’s ingredients but kept the full recipe secret.

Yushu agreed to sell Gardenia more Pokéblocks and learned that her friend Maylene, a Fighting-type Trainer from Veilstone City, wanted to try them. When Maylene arrived the next morning, she demanded a battle before they could talk or eat.

• Gardenia praised Yushu's Pokéblocks and offered to introduce him to customers in exchange for a twenty percent discount.
• Gardenia contacted her friend Maylene, who lived in Veilstone City and was known for her intense love of fighting.
• Gardenia brought Maylene to meet Yushu the next morning while he was feeding his Pokémon.
• Maylene introduced herself and immediately challenged Yushu to a match, refusing his offer of coffee and cookies.