Chapter Summaries

Tetsuya defeated Falkner’s final Pokémon, Skarmory, by exploiting Sunny Day’s heat and earned the Zephyr Badge. After the battle, Sutian asked Tetsuya whether he knew about the abandoned Dark Cave, leaving their next discussion to begin there.

• Sutian recalled Skarmory after Pidgeot lost, and Falkner sent out his own Skarmory to face Tetsuya’s Pidgeot.
• Tetsuya’s Pidgeot used Agility, Quick Attack, Roost, and Double Team to withstand Falkner’s tactics and return safely to the air.
• Tetsuya had Pidgeot use Sunny Day, then Sand Attack and Air Cutter, as the heat made Skarmory increasingly agitated and exhausted.
• Sutian declared Tetsuya the winner of the Gym challenge and awarded him the Zephyr Badge.
• Falkner questioned Tetsuya about the battle on their way to the Treatment Room, and Tetsuya suggested he ask Sutian for advice.
• Sutian asked Tetsuya whether he knew about the abandoned Dark Cave, and Tetsuya recognized it as Dark Tunnel.

Tetsuya accepted Sutian’s mission to rescue Trainers trapped in Dark Cave, where Dunsparce nests had turned the passage into a maze. Sutian warned that predictable tidal floods would make the rescue time-sensitive, and Tetsuya left to prepare.

• Sutian explained that Dunsparce had built intricate underground nests in Dark Cave, leaving many Trainers lost inside.
• Tetsuya offered to rescue the missing Trainers, but Sutian warned him that Dark Cave flooded at regular times because of tidal fluctuations.
• Sutian told Tetsuya to enter after the evening tide and cautioned that he might need to escape before the next flood began at three in the morning.
• Tetsuya agreed to the mission, settled its reward with Sutian, and left to prepare.
• Sutian hoped the trapped Trainers had supplies and shelter, then called Clair.

Tetsuya searched Dark Cave for missing Trainers, finding several human corpses marked by scorch damage. He uncovered a frightened Sableye and had Blaziken question it about other Pokémon in the caves.

• Tetsuya entered Dark Cave with Ampharos, Blaziken, and Gigalith and searched for the lost Trainers, using Gigalith to listen underground.
• Tetsuya found a human skeleton and a damaged Poke Ball fragment, then followed signs that led him to higher, drier ground.
• Tetsuya discovered five more human corpses, all bearing scorch marks, and suspected a Ghost-type Pokémon was responsible.
• Tetsuya used Gigalith’s Gravity to expose a hiding Sableye in a cave-wall crack.
• Tetsuya had Blaziken communicate with the frightened Sableye and ask what other Pokémon lived nearby.

Tetsuya identified a Litwick as the Ghost-type Pokemon stalking Dark Cave and realized it was killing trapped Trainers to consume their Life Energy. After finding the remains of a recent victim, he resolved to locate the survivors and stop Litwick.

• Tetsuya deduced that a Sableye had encountered a Litwick and learned that the Ghost-type Pokemon could not be tracked unless it came close.
• Tetsuya took eight Rock Gems from Sableye and left it Dark-type Pokemon food in exchange.
• Tetsuya continued searching Dark Cave with Ampharos, Blaziken, and Gigalith as the night wore on.
• Tetsuya found a charred pile beside a shattered Pokémon Watch and scattered Poke Balls and concluded that Litwick had recently killed another Trainer.
• Tetsuya gathered the victim's belongings and ashes as evidence and vowed to stop Litwick from killing again.

Tetsuya hunted down and killed the Litwick that had murdered Trainers in the Underground Cave, then found Black Glasses among its remains. He regrouped with a survivor and prepared to wait out the approaching flood while searching for the remaining missing people.

• Tetsuya followed Gigalith’s detection of battle traces and found Litwick absorbing Life Energy from another victim.
• Tetsuya had Ampharos expose Litwick with Odor Sleuth and paralyze it with Thunder Wave, then ordered Gigalith to kill it with Stone Edge.
• Litwick’s death left behind Black Glasses, which Tetsuya collected before gathering the victim’s remains.
• Tetsuya returned to the first survivor and told him that, besides himself, only two of the four missing people were probably still alive.
• Tetsuya led the survivor to a high, safe spot to prepare for the approaching flood, and the survivor offered him food and water.

Tetsuya shared food and conversation with Youri, the missing Elite Trainer he had rescued from Dark Cave, and learned about his family and plans to leave training behind. Youri insisted on giving Tetsuya a strange black object, hinting that it was connected to Blackthorn City's Dragon's Den.

• Tetsuya and Youri ate together while Youri described spending nearly twenty days lost in the maze and explained how he had survived.
• Youri asked Tetsuya to sign a poster for his seven children, and Tetsuya wrote them a message wishing the Weekday Siblings luck.
• Youri told Tetsuya that he planned to stop exploring for money and use his connections to start a small business for his family's future.
• Youri offered Tetsuya a strange black object as thanks for saving him, and Tetsuya refused because he had only completed a mission.
• Youri urged Tetsuya to accept the object and mentioned Blackthorn City's Dragon's Den, prompting Tetsuya to recognize its significance.

Tetsuya explained the Dragon's Den's entry rules as Youri gave him a token for the Ascension Ceremony. After the flood receded, Tetsuya had accepted the token and offered Youri a contact who could help him sell it.

• Tetsuya explained that outsiders could enter the Dragon's Den through Blackthorn City residency, an enormous contribution, or a top-ten finish in the Ascension Ceremony.
• Youri gave Tetsuya his black Ascension Ceremony token, explaining that he no longer needed it and wanted Tetsuya to accept it as a favor.
• Tetsuya accepted the token and gave Youri a friend's contact information to help him sell it.
• The flood gradually receded.

Tetsuya and Blaziken found and rescued Jin Nan, the last missing survivor in Dark Cave, then led him, Ichima, and Youri safely back to Violet City. After the survivors received medical care, Tetsuya told Sutian that Litwick might indicate ruins near the city, then rested at the Gym.

• Tetsuya refused to stop searching despite Ichima's pleas, and Blaziken found Jin Nan unconscious beside his Granbull.
• Blaziken knocked Granbull away, and Tetsuya had Gigalith carry Jin Nan and his Pokémon through the maze.
• Jin Nan woke during the journey, thanked his rescuers, and recalled Granbull into its Poke Ball.
• Tetsuya guided the group out of Dark Cave, where Sutian arranged medical care for the survivors and thanked Tetsuya for the rescue.
• Tetsuya told Sutian that Litwick might point to ruins near Violet City, and Sutian agreed to search the area.
• Sutian offered Tetsuya dinner and a guest room at Violet City Gym, where Tetsuya fell asleep after the long search.

After helping with the Dark Cave rescue, Tetsuya discussed his reward and learned about developing Ninetales's tail abilities while receiving advice from Sutian. He later exchanged training data with Cynthia, learned that Jin Nan wanted to repay him, and began planning a trip for the next day.

• Falkner explained that the television station's grim warning about Dark Cave was meant to deter curious trainers, and Sutian assigned Falkner to work there.
• Sutian let Tetsuya choose among equivalent rewards, and Tetsuya requested an Ice Gem and Snowball Apricorns for the Alolan Vulpix egg he was preparing to hatch.
• Sutian told Tetsuya about a Ninetales whose tails developed the abilities of hardness and softness, then gave him advice about Pidgeot's Air Slash as Falkner listened.
• Tetsuya sent Cynthia his latest Togetic training data, and Cynthia told him that Jin Nan, her former neighbor, wanted to repay him for saving him.
• Caitlin entered Cynthia's room using Psychic powers, prompting Cynthia to scold her for not knocking, while Tetsuya ended his evening by planning a trip for the next day.

Tetsuya traveled through the wilderness, where he passed up an ordinary Gligar and unknowingly helped a Gligar enthusiast catch it. After noticing another person following him, he had Blaziken confront the pursuer and heard the man making calculations about Blaziken’s speed.

• Tetsuya walked past an ordinary Gligar, and Blaziken kicked it unconscious before Tetsuya continued on his way.
• A young man dressed like a Gligar fed the fallen Gligar Oran Berries and persuaded it to become his partner, naming himself Gligar Man.
• Tetsuya revealed he had been watching the young man and continued toward a river, where he noticed someone hiding nearby.
• Tetsuya ordered Blaziken to bring the hidden pursuer over, and the man sent out Scyther to attack.
• Blaziken evaded Scyther’s Fury Cutter, while the pursuer muttered calculations about Blaziken’s speed and Tetsuya realized he had come prepared.

Tetsuya defeated Masamune and his data-focused battle strategy, then encountered Anko on the road in Johto. Anko explained that she had come to teach at her family’s Pokemon Ninja School and dreaded being assigned to its Beauty Department again.

• Tetsuya had Blaziken beat Masamune after catching him following Tetsuya through the wilderness, and Masamune claimed he had only wanted to test Tetsuya’s strength.
• Tetsuya recognized Masamune from the anime and dismissed his data-based predictions before leaving as Masamune sent out an Elite Level Quagsire.
• Tetsuya met Anko, who appeared from a tree in a cloud of smoke and said she was not studying under her brother Koga.
• Anko told Tetsuya that her family still ran a Pokemon Ninja School in Mahogany Town and periodically sent someone to teach there.
• Anko explained that she disliked teaching the Beauty Department, which covered beauty and weight loss, and preferred teaching Pokemon moves or battle tactics.

Tetsuya arrived at the Route 32 rest area and visited the Pidgey Shop to ask Sutian's Pidgeot to help his Pidgeot pursue a Champion-level breakthrough. While waiting, he learned how the shop bred and trained its messenger Pokemon, then heard that Olivine Ranch had come to arrange a delivery.

• Anko said she disliked making Disguise Masks and invited Tetsuya to visit the Ninja Academy before leaving.
• Tetsuya reached the Route 32 rest area and headed to the Pidgey Shop, whose headquarters operated under the Violet City Gym's protection.
• Genjiro told Tetsuya that Sutian's Pidgeot was training new employees and explained the shop's demanding messenger-Pidgey breeding program.
• An employee announced that Olivine Ranch wanted the Pidgey Shop to deliver a shipment, and Genjiro asked Ranch Owner Ailian to come discuss it.
• Tetsuya recognized Olivine Ranch as his next destination and Ampharos's hometown.

Tetsuya waited at the Pidgey Shop while Genjiro negotiated a wool-transport deal with Ailian, then met Sutian’s Pidgeot to seek advice on helping his own Pidgeot reach Champion. Sutian’s Pidgeot took Tetsuya’s Pidgeot flying to train, while Tetsuya went to visit Amphy at Olivine Ranch.

• Ailian negotiated with Genjiro over the cost of transporting Olivine Ranch’s electrically charged Mareep wool, and they settled on a price.
• Ailian told Tetsuya that Amphy wanted to meet him at Olivine Ranch, and Tetsuya agreed to go after seeing Sutian’s Pidgeot.
• Sutian’s Pidgeot returned to the Pidgey Shop, sulked about Sutian’s absence, and agreed to examine Tetsuya’s Pidgeot.
• Tetsuya released his Pidgeot, and Sutian’s Pidgeot led it into the sky to teach it about flying faster and more freely.
• Genjiro offered to watch for the two Pidgeot while Tetsuya headed to Olivine Ranch to meet Amphy.

Tetsuya visited Olivine Ranch, where Gym Leader Amphy inspected his Shiny Ampharos and revealed its connection to her Ampharos, Guang'er. Amphy approved of Tetsuya as its Trainer and arranged for Guang'er to train it, then invited Tetsuya to dinner.

• Amphy emerged from the Mareep flock, and Guang'er removed the Static clinging to her.
• Amphy recognized Tetsuya as Asuka's Junior Apprentice Brother and asked to see his Shiny Ampharos.
• Amphy revealed that Guang'er was the Shiny Ampharos's ancestor and that Shiny Ampharos descended from Guang'er.
• After learning Ampharos was nearing Quasi-Elite Four, Amphy praised its bond with Tetsuya and offered to let Guang'er mentor it.
• Amphy invited Tetsuya to Olivine Ranch's restaurant, where he discovered she had eaten an enormous amount of food.

Tetsuya shared a meal with Amphy, met her Steel-type Pokémon, and helped groom their teams. On his way back, he learned that Ampharos had reached Level 50 (Quasi-Elite Four), strengthening his hopes for the Johto Silver Conference.

• Amphy and Tetsuya discussed how Steel-type specialization could help Olivine Gym attract Trainers and improve its standing.
• After dinner, Amphy invited Tetsuya to an open space, where they released their Pokémon and she introduced Steelix Nai'er, Empoleon Xi'er, and Magnezone An'er.
• Amphy groomed Steelix while Tetsuya cleaned his Pokémon, including Gigalith, and ordered Blaziken to stop trying to challenge the stronger Pokémon.
• Tetsuya left Amphy to finish grooming her team and returned toward Pidgey Shop to check on Pidgeot.
• Tetsuya checked Zero's panel and saw that Ampharos had advanced from Level 49 (elite) to Level 50 (Quasi-Elite Four), then set his sights on winning the Johto Silver Conference.

After Ampharos and Pidgeot made progress through training and guidance, Tetsuya traveled from the Route 32 rest stop toward Azalea Town. He learned about the town’s reverence for Slowpoke and spotted a familiar figure as he arrived.

• Tetsuya saw that Pidgeot remained at level 59 despite its insight, then told Pidgeot and Ampharos to share what they had learned the next day.
• Ampharos trained to improve its control after breaking through to Quasi-Elite Four, while Tetsuya considered how to develop the power in the orb on its forehead.
• Pidgeot practiced blending into the wind and improved its speed, though it repeatedly lost its balance.
• Tetsuya said goodbye to Genjiro, Amphy, and the others, then traveled from the Route 32 rest stop to Azalea Town.
• Tetsuya recalled the legend of a Slowpoke saving Azalea Town from drought and noticed a familiar figure flash past a street corner.

Tetsuya reported a Team Rocket sighting in Azalea Town, then visited Mr. Steel to request handmade Poke Balls. At Mr. Steel’s workshop, he met Gym Leader Bugsy, whose strength had earned him a reputation as a potential Elite Four member.

• Tetsuya spotted a Team Rocket member and reported him to Officer Jenny, who increased the town’s vigilance.
• Tetsuya left the Police Station and chose to visit Mr. Steel before going to the Gym.
• Mr. Steel recognized Tetsuya through Oak and Oji, welcomed him inside, and took the bag of Apricorns for his Poke Ball request.
• Tetsuya followed Mr. Steel to the workshop and found Gym Leader Bugsy working beside the furnace.
• Tetsuya greeted Bugsy, whom he knew was considered a strong candidate for the Johto Elite Four.

Tetsuya met Bugsy and Mr. Steel in Azalea Town, where Bugsy commissioned a custom tool for catching Bug-type Pokemon. Seeing a business opportunity in the Bug Catching Net, Tetsuya persuaded Bugsy and Kurt to consider promoting it and arranged to join Bugsy on his trip to Back Mountain.

• Bugsy explained why Bug-type Pokemon were underestimated and described his custom capture-net design to Tetsuya.
• Mr. Steel criticized Bugsy's claims about the net's usefulness while finishing the tool.
• Bugsy invited Tetsuya to challenge the Azalea Gym the day after tomorrow because the Gym would be closed while he went to Back Mountain.
• Mr. Steel completed the Bug Catching Net, and Bugsy excitedly tested it.
• Tetsuya proposed promoting the net to attract more Bug-type trainers, and Kurt approved discussing the idea.
• Tetsuya asked to accompany Bugsy to Back Mountain the next day to test the net, and Bugsy agreed.

Tetsuya arranged for Kurt to make his Apricorns into Apricorn Balls, then learned that Team Rocket had appeared in Azalea Town. Bugsy coordinated a police response after investigators found the Rocket members near Slowpoke Well and Back Mountain, while two intruders continued plotting at Back Mountain.

• Kurt told Tetsuya that making his Apricorn Balls would take about three days, and Tetsuya declined Bugsy’s offer to learn the craft because he wanted to focus on training.
• Bugsy left Tetsuya to discuss the Team Rocket investigation with Officer Jenny and the other officers.
• Bugsy learned that Tetsuya had reported a Rocket member and that investigators had found signs of Rocket activity near Slowpoke Well and Back Mountain.
• Bugsy ordered officers to contain the news, defend Slowpoke Well, search Back Mountain, and monitor the situation.
• At Back Mountain, two Rocket members discussed acting without authorization, exploiting Slowpoke, and fleeing after completing their job; the fat member ate some Slowpoke Tail the thin member had stolen.

Tetsuya explored the forest near Azalea Town in search of rare Abra and Ralts, while Team Magma prepared a charcoal theft and arranged to create a distraction. The chapter left Tetsuya heading toward the wilderness Pokémon Center where the Psychic Pokémon lived.

• Fat Member and Thin Member planned to steal charcoal from an old man at an extinct volcano, with Thin Member tasked to knock him out and Fat Member to create a disturbance in Azalea Town.
• Hokage of Team Magma ordered his subordinates to follow their plan and called Thousand Faces to cause unrest in Azalea Town within two hours.
• Thousand Faces agreed to delay her work in Johto and considered leaving Team Magma after using the organization as cover.
• Tetsuya told Bugsy that he was exploring the Back Mountain and asked where Abra and Ralts lived, but Bugsy could not tell him.
• Tetsuya used his map to head toward the wilderness Pokémon Center northeast of Ilex Forest, where the League protected the Abra and Ralts populations.