Chapter Summaries

Tetsuya attended the Level 6 Breeder Assessment, where he learned more about Energy Cubes and met other candidates before the written exam began. He answered the first question as the examination got underway.

• Tetsuya registered at the Pokémon Alliance Breeding Examination Center for the Level 6 Breeder Assessment.
• Tetsuya reviewed how Energy Cubes were judged and considered how passing would let him make cubes for his Pokémon himself.
• Tetsuya met the Sanqi Boss, a level 5 Breeder attempting the Level 6 assessment for the second time, and encouraged him to stay hopeful.
• The proctor used Alakazam to inspect the candidates, then started the written exam.
• Tetsuya read the first question about Volbeat and Illumise and identified the answers as Illumise, Sweet Scent, 213, and either Illumise or Volbeat.

Tetsuya completed the Level 6 Breeder written assessment, drawing on his knowledge of Leafeon and Fossil Pokemon to answer the essay questions. He earned a perfect score and advanced to the practical assessment with the other examinees who passed.

• Tetsuya rapidly answered the written questions about Pokemon breeding, traits, and training.
• Tetsuya used his firsthand knowledge of Leafeon and Fossil Pokemon to complete the two essay questions.
• The proctor ended the two-hour assessment and announced that examinees needed a score of at least ninety to proceed.
• Tetsuya waited with the other examinees as they discussed their answers.
• The results showed Tetsuya Tamaki in first place with a score of 100, while Sanqi Boss had scored ninety-one.
• The proctor led the ninety-four passing examinees, including Tetsuya, to the practical assessment.

Tetsuya faced an unfamiliar Energy Cube-making practical in the Level 6 Breeder assessment and used observation, analysis, and repeated attempts to learn the process. With only three minutes remaining, he produced a passing Energy Cube and earned the qualification.

• The League announced that the Level 6 Breeder practical would test Energy Cube production, leaving Tetsuya worried because he had never used a Berry Blender.
• Tetsuya watched other Breeders operate the machine and studied the formula until the assessment was halfway over.
• With thirty minutes left, Tetsuya began making Energy Cubes, using his Data Summary and Zero's analysis to guide his timing and technique.
• Tetsuya's first attempt produced poor-quality cubes, so he examined the errors and continued refining his proportions, speed, and timing.
• Tetsuya's later attempt passed the testing machine with three minutes remaining, and the other Breeders praised him.

Tetsuya passed the Level 6 Breeder assessment and learned that the League had designed the Energy Cube test to challenge higher-level candidates. After declining the Rocket Group's recruitment pitch, he spoke with Koyuki about trading for a formula.

• Tetsuya passed the final operation, joining thirteen other candidates who passed the assessment.
• The Breeders explained to Tetsuya that the League had deliberately chosen Energy Cube making to test candidates' skill and raise the pass rate.
• Alliance staff updated the successful candidates' ranks and invited them to join the Rocket Group; Tetsuya politely declined, citing future research with Professor Oak or Professor Rowan.
• Tetsuya left with the other Breeders, and an Older Sister offered to add him to the Kanto Breeder League group.
• Koyuki called Tetsuya, confirmed he had passed, and asked whether they could trade the formula he had asked about.

Tetsuya arranged to trade recipes with Koyuki, discussed his Gym badges, and flew from the Breeder Assessment center to Vermilion City. Meanwhile, Team Rocket monitored his departure and began assigning new recruits to training teams, including Musashi.

• Tetsuya agreed with Koyuki to trade his simplified recipes for upgraded Energy Cube set recipes, and she planned to send him an electronic contract.
• Tetsuya told Koyuki he had six badges and planned to challenge two Gyms before preparing for the conference, then explained why he had not yet challenged Viridian Gym.
• Tetsuya rode Pidgeot away from the remote assessment center while Team Rocket personnel identified him and lifted their alert.
• Captain Kazushi ordered the outdoor training postponed, and Viper Instructor began dividing trainees into red and blue teams.
• Viper Instructor assigned Musashi to the red team with Akai as her partner.
• Tetsuya arrived in Vermilion City.

Tetsuya relaxed with his Pokémon in Vermilion City, then decided to earn money by taking missions in the forest. After an explosion nearby, Pidgeot discovered someone attacking Pokémon with an unfamiliar device, and Tetsuya set off to investigate.

• Tetsuya worried about the cost of training his Pokémon and chose to do missions in Vermilion Forest instead of challenging Vermilion Gym.
• Togepi sneaked ice cream, but Tetsuya caught it and confiscated the treat before Togepi and Servine pulled him into a playful tussle.
• Tetsuya gathered Pokémon materials during an early-morning mission and reflected on starting a breeding business to earn more money.
• An explosion sounded in the distance, and Tetsuya sent Pidgeot to scout the source.
• Pidgeot reported that someone was attacking Pokémon with an unfamiliar device, so Tetsuya went to intervene.

Tetsuya and his Pokemon attacked a poacher team that was trying to capture an exhausted Ninetales and steal its two eggs. Their ambush disrupted the poachers’ formation and gave Ninetales an opening, leaving the team reeling as the fight continued.

• Tetsuya used Pidgeot and Gigalith to locate the poachers’ Pokemon and learned that Officer Jenny would not arrive for several more minutes.
• Ninetales, wounded while protecting its two eggs in a cave, struggled against the poachers’ technology and Pokemon as their captain ordered them to intensify their attack.
• The poacher captain sent three Magneton to stop Pidgeot, but Pidgeot dodged their Thunderbolts and clashed with their Tri Attack using Hurricane.
• Tetsuya ordered Gigalith to use Rock Tomb, Blaziken to charge into the poachers, and Servine to attack with Magical Leaf.
• Ninetales struck several Pokemon with Psycho Shock while Blaziken and Servine incapacitated Graveler, throwing the poachers’ formation into chaos.

Tetsuya and his Pokémon stopped a poaching group from capturing Ninetales and restrained their leader before Officer Jenny arrived. The police team began taking custody of the poachers as Tetsuya’s rescue of Ninetales was complete.

• Tetsuya’s Pokémon and Ninetales defeated the poachers and their Pokémon.
• Servine used Grassy Terrain to heal Ninetales, which relaxed and licked Snivy.
• Pidgeot defeated the Magneton and Fearow, then recovered with help from Servine’s Grassy Terrain.
• Blaziken caught the Poaching Group Leader trying to retrieve an escape Poké Ball and disarmed him when he reached for his gun.
• Tetsuya emerged, took the poachers’ Poké Balls, and was thanked by Officer Jenny, who arrived with Arcanine and Luxray.
• Officer Jenny’s team members arrived to help take the poachers into custody.

Tetsuya helped Officer Jenny deal with the captured poachers and left the injured Ninetales to recover in a secluded place. Afterward, Yezang invited him to compete in a Double Battle event in Mint Town, and Tetsuya agreed to travel there after challenging the Vermilion Gym.

• Tetsuya handed over the collected Poké Balls, and Officer Jenny warned him to prioritize his safety during future encounters.
• A Ranger Officer Jenny used her Capture Styler to calm Ninetales and treat its wounds while the team identified the poachers as an outer branch of the Pokémon Gore Poaching Group.
• Officer Jenny's team arrested the poachers, and several officers exchanged contact information with Tetsuya before departing.
• Tetsuya instructed Ninetales to move somewhere secluded, then left with his Pokémon as Ninetales protected her unborn eggs and headed out of the cave.
• While gathering Vermilion Forest specialties, Tetsuya received Yezang's invitation to join a Double Battle Competition at Snow Appreciation Mountain in Mint Town.
• Tetsuya agreed to challenge the Vermilion Gym that afternoon and travel toward the competition the following day.

Tetsuya traveled to Mint Town after earning the Vermilion Badge, where Yezang explained the family competition tied to a mysterious ruin. The ruin’s tablet rewarded correct answers, and Tetsuya learned it was called the Truth Ruin.

• Tetsuya arrived in snowy Mint Town and met Yezang’s butler, Kouji, who drove him to Kikuno Inn.
• Tetsuya recognized the inn as Champion Kikuno’s establishment and asked Yezang why he had summoned him.
• Yezang explained that his family had discovered a ruin inhabited by Ghost Type Pokemon and containing a tablet that revealed questions when activated.
• Yezang said the tablet allowed six answers each year, so his family held an annual Double Battle Competition to decide who could try for its rewards.
• Tetsuya learned that the ruin’s name meant the Truth.

Tetsuya and Yezang discussed their upcoming Double Battle competition and practiced together, but their conflicting strategies and lack of coordination left them struggling against two bodyguards. The practice battle continued as Blaziken and Pawniard tried to exploit an opening against Machamp and Sandslash.

• Tetsuya learned that eleven teams would compete for three spots, with Pokémon restricted to ones caught within the last three years.
• Tetsuya and Yezang agreed to practice in Grandmother Kikuno's indoor battle arena, pairing Blaziken with Pawniard against Machamp and Sandslash.
• When Machamp and Sandslash used Dig, Tetsuya and Yezang gave conflicting orders, and Pawniard burrowed underground while Blaziken leapt into the air.
• The bodyguards countered Pawniard's Screech with Wide Guard and trapped Blaziken with Arena Trap, while Machamp frightened Pawniard with Scary Face.
• Blaziken broke free and rushed to help Pawniard, but Machamp seized and slammed Blaziken into the ground.
• Pawniard took advantage of Machamp's position and slashed at the joint connecting its leg.

Tetsuya and Yezang discovered that their Pokémon’s mismatched styles made them poor doubles partners, so they spent the afternoon training together before the tournament. Their coordination gradually improved, and the chapter ended as the participants were called to draw lots.

• Blaziken and Pawniard defeated Machamp and disrupted Sandslash’s sneak attack, but Blaziken’s Flamethrower also caught Pawniard in the blast.
• Tetsuya and Yezang agreed that their Pokémon and decision-making styles clashed, then set out to practice doubles battles before the tournament.
• Yezang introduced Daisuke, his cousin and another tournament entrant, to Tetsuya.
• Tetsuya and Yezang argued over their battle choices during intensive training, but gradually began to coordinate better.
• After their first day in Mint Town, the participants were told to come forward and draw lots.

Tetsuya attended a family gathering hosted by Champion Agatha and joined Yezang in a private family competition. After the older competitors forfeited or deliberately lost, Tetsuya and Yezang’s match ended without a real battle, and the group prepared to visit the ruins that afternoon.

• Tetsuya met Agatha’s relatives and friends, including Kiba Senchi and Kijiro, who eagerly asked him about Leafeon.
• Agatha greeted the young Trainers, advised Senchi and Kijiro, and warned Tetsuya not to abandon research for good like Professor Oak.
• Tetsuya drew a lot that placed him and Yezang against Daisuke, while they watched Senchi, Kijiro, and Daisuke win their matches with little effort.
• Daisuke forfeited against Tetsuya and Yezang, while Senchi and Kijiro deliberately lost their matches, bringing the family competition to an anticlimactic end.
• The group headed to eat and planned to go to the ruins that afternoon.

Tetsuya and his companions explored the Truth Ruins, where Tetsuya won a Key Stone and learned more about Mega Evolution. After Asuka explained that artificial Key Stones might be possible, Tetsuya agreed to visit Pallet Town and accept Asuka’s long-promised welcome gift.

• Tetsuya and Yezang led their group into the Truth Ruins with Dusknoir’s help, and the others took turns receiving rewards from the Stone Tablet.
• Yezang answered a question correctly and received Black Glasses, while Tetsuya won a patterned Glass Marble that he recognized as a Key Stone.
• Yezang warned his two relatives not to reveal Tetsuya’s discovery and said he would tell Grandmother about it.
• Tetsuya told Asuka about the Key Stone, and Asuka said researchers had made progress toward creating artificial ones.
• Asuka reminded Tetsuya about his welcome gift, and Tetsuya agreed to visit him in Pallet Town after challenging the last Gym along his route.

Tetsuya planned to stay in Viridian for special training before the tournament, then traveled to Oak Research Lab to meet Asuka. Asuka presented him with a pink Pokemon Egg as a meeting gift, leaving Tetsuya unsure what it was.

• Tetsuya told Asuka he would train in Viridian for more than three months and fund himself with Bounty Quests, and Asuka told him to collect his things from Oak Research Lab.
• Tetsuya reviewed his Pokemon lineup and discussed the upcoming tournament with Yezang, who said he planned to enter the Indigo Plateau Conference for the next two years.
• Tetsuya completed his final Gym challenge in Ryoma City with Blaziken and flew to Pallet Town.
• At Oak Research Lab, Hamana told Tetsuya that she was researching a Magmarizer that could evolve Magmar through trading.
• Asuka pulled Tetsuya into Gary's room and gave him a pink Pokemon Egg as a meeting gift.

Tetsuya recognized the pink, striped egg Asuka gave him as a Shiny Mareep Egg with Champion-level aptitude and accepted it after learning it came from the Olivine Gym. Gary asked for a gift too, and Tetsuya gave him a Soothe Bell before Asuka invited him to dinner and offered to assess his fighting ability afterward.

• Tetsuya identified the egg as a Shiny Mareep Egg, and Zero's scan revealed its Champion-level aptitude.
• Asuka explained that the Olivine Gym had given him the egg through its longstanding partnership with the Cianwood Gym, and Tetsuya accepted it.
• Gary asked Tetsuya for a first-meeting gift, and Tetsuya gave him a Soothe Bell.
• Gary ran off to show Ash the bell and told Asuka and Tetsuya he would eat dinner at Aunt Hanako's.
• Asuka discussed Gary's training with Tetsuya, then led him to the cafeteria and planned to assess him and his Blaziken.

Asuka tested Tetsuya and Blaziken in a guidance battle, where Machamp overwhelmed Blaziken despite its fierce attacks. Asuka ended the match and began explaining how Tetsuya could improve Blaziken’s fighting technique.

• Asuka began the guidance battle by sending out Machamp, while Tetsuya sent out Blaziken and had it use four enhancement moves.
• Blaziken charged Machamp with a powered-up Blaze Kick, but Machamp countered with Ice Punch and knocked it back.
• Asuka replaced Machamp’s damaged Machoke belt with its original belt, then invited Blaziken to attack again.
• Blaziken unleashed a practiced combo, but Machamp caught it with Machamp-style Hold and slammed it into the ground with Submission.
• Tetsuya ordered Blaziken to use Aura Sphere against Machamp’s Focus Punch, but Machamp overpowered the attack and stopped short of striking Blaziken.
• Asuka ended the battle, then explained to Tetsuya that Blaziken relied too much on move power and needed a better finishing technique; Gary followed them inside.

Tetsuya trained Servine in Viridian City while Giovanni and Doctor Fuji prepared to move Team Rocket's Mewtwo research to New Island. After defeating a Noctowl in Viridian Forest, Tetsuya received a League mission call-up.

• Tetsuya began intensive training with his Pokémon, teaching Servine move theory and assigning Blaziken to help it learn Swords Dance.
• Giovanni entered Team Rocket's underground research facility and learned from Doctor Fuji that Experiment Subject Number Two was nearing consciousness.
• Giovanni ordered the laboratory moved to New Island within three days and planned to leave under the pretense of a year-long absence.
• The embryo, secretly developing consciousness, wondered who it was and instinctively shielded its mental fluctuation.
• Tetsuya and Servine defeated a Noctowl in Viridian Forest, and Tetsuya collected its shed feathers.
• Tetsuya received a message summoning him to a League mission in Viridian Forest Area Fourteen.

Tetsuya accepted a League mission to clear a Team Rocket base in Viridian Forest and joined thirty-one other Direct Lineage Trainers under International Police officer Looker. After Croagunk uncovered the entrance, the group headed underground toward the base.

• Tetsuya accepted the mission and discovered its target was a Team Rocket base rather than a Pokemon riot.
• Tetsuya reached the gathering point, identified himself as Trainer 24, and met Looker, the operation's leader.
• Looker briefed the thirty-two assembled Trainers, saying he would handle two Quasi-Elite Four while they fought the base's other forces.
• Looker ordered Croagunk to smash a large rock, revealing an underground passage.
• Looker led the Trainers inside as they chatted about Team Rocket and the possibility of hidden technology.

The League assault force descended into Team Rocket’s Underground Research Institute and broke through the defenders, then split the battle into smaller rooms. Tetsuya entered one room with Gigalith and Servine, helped Blaziken defeat a Parasect, and heard a strange cry from outside.

• A Trainer used Porygon to open the elevator, and twenty-seven League members descended while six stayed behind to guard the entrance.
• Aggron and three other Heavy Pokemon led the League’s charge as both sides sent dozens of Pokemon into battle.
• Looker used an invisible cloth to disappear, while the League divided the fighting Pokemon among smaller rooms.
• Tetsuya entered a room with Gigalith and Servine and had Blaziken force Team Rocket to recall its Koffing before defeating Parasect with Flame Charge.
• A strange Pokemon cry came from outside the room.