Chapter Summaries

Tetsuya welcomed his newly hatched Alolan Vulpix, helped it settle in with his Pokémon, and took it to choose a Poke Ball before visiting Goldenrod Gym. There, he learned about the Bug-Catching Contest at National Park and arranged to discuss the event with Kurumi and Whitney.

• Tetsuya gave Alolan Vulpix the Blue Scarf, and Togekiss nearly mistook the bundled Pokémon for ice cream.
• Tetsuya woke to find most of his Pokémon crowded onto his bed, then freed Ralts from Serperior's coils and canceled morning training.
• Tetsuya gave Alolan Vulpix and Ralts Miltank milk, and Alolan Vulpix chose a pink Love Ball and entered it with the Blue Scarf.
• Tetsuya went to Goldenrod Gym to collect Whitney's Moomoo Milk, but learned that Whitney was still asleep and waited in the reception room.
• The receptionist showed Tetsuya a poster for the National Park Bug-Catching Contest, and Kurumi called to discuss the event with him and Whitney.

Tetsuya signed a lucrative exclusive recording contract with Goldenrod Radio Tower and agreed to join Kurumi’s live Bug-Catching Contest broadcast with only three capture attempts. He began the contest at National Park by explaining how to assess a wild Cascoon, while the broadcast followed his search for a suitable Pokémon.

• Kurumi offered Tetsuya an exclusive one-year Goldenrod Radio Tower contract paying eight million per month, and he signed it.
• Kurumi planned a live broadcast of Tetsuya’s National Park adventure, and Whitney arranged for him to have only three capture attempts in the Bug-Catching Contest.
• Tetsuya joined Norman’s family for lunch, told May and Max about his adventures, and learned that Norman planned to move his family to Petalburg City the year after next.
• Tetsuya trained his Pokémon, then registered for the Bug-Catching Contest and received his three Park Balls.
• Tetsuya entered the contest after the other competitors and began the live broadcast with Kurumi, describing a Cascoon’s condition and explaining how Trainers could assess a wild Pokémon’s potential.

Tetsuya presented his wilderness survival and Pokémon analysis radio show while battling wild Pokémon in National Park. After Ampharos defeated a Paras and Parasect group and a stubborn Weedle, a Beedrill swarm pursued them, and the show staff warned Tetsuya it was approaching.

• Tetsuya explained how his wilderness knowledge and Zero’s analyses helped him assess wild Pokémon, while Kurumi supported the broadcast.
• Tetsuya sent out Ampharos to fight a group of Paras and Parasect, using Magnetic Field Manipulation, Discharge, Cotton Spore, and Thunderbolt to defeat them and collect materials.
• Tetsuya and Ampharos continued through National Park, where Tetsuya noticed the abundance of Bug-type Pokémon and hoped to find suitable ones to catch.
• After Ampharos kicked a Weedle aside twice, the battered Weedle returned with a Beedrill swarm to pursue Tetsuya.
• The show staff warned Tetsuya that the swarm was approaching from behind, and he remained confident with Ampharos beside him.

Tetsuya and Ampharos fought off a massive Beedrill swarm during the Bug-Catching Contest, then escaped before other Trainers arrived. As they continued through National Park, two fast Pokemon began circling them, leaving Tetsuya preparing for another encounter.

• A Weedle led a large Beedrill swarm to Tetsuya and Ampharos, and the Beedrill leader attacked them.
• Tetsuya ordered Ampharos to use Electric Terrain and Thunderbolt, knocking dozens of Beedrill from the sky.
• The remaining Beedrill charged, so Ampharos used Tetsuya's compressed-electricity technique to unleash another Thunderbolt and bring down the swarm.
• Tetsuya fed the exhausted Ampharos Sitrus Berries, gathered materials from the Beedrill, and left the area as other Trainers arrived and fought over the leader.
• Tetsuya sensed two fast Pokemon circling him and Ampharos, then ordered Ampharos to drive them into view.

Tetsuya and Ampharos defeated and captured a Yanmega and its Yanma offspring, whose rare Speed Boost Ability made Yanma a valuable contender for the Bug-Catching Contest. After healing them, Tetsuya persuaded Yanmega to lead him to its nest, and they reached a cave entrance.

• Tetsuya used Ampharos to ambush Yanma and Yanmega, knocking Yanma out with Thunderbolt and sending Yanmega crashing into a tree with Iron Tail.
• Tetsuya captured both Pokémon and told Kurumi that Yanma’s rare Speed Boost and Yanmega’s Elite Level could help him win the contest.
• Tetsuya released the pair after moving to a new location and healed them with Healing Spray.
• Tetsuya demanded that Yanmega lead him to its nest before he released them, and Ampharos’s threat helped convince Yanmega to agree.
• Yanmega led Tetsuya, Ampharos, and Yanma to the entrance of a small cave.

Tetsuya found a valuable Shed Shell and captured a weakened blue Pokemon in Yanmega and Yanma’s den before finishing his radio program. He submitted his three Park Balls for the Bug-Catching Contest and waited for the results, confident that Yanma and Yanmega would win.

• Tetsuya searched Yanmega’s den, found a Shed Shell and a helmet-like shell, and learned that Yanma had kept a weakened blue Pokemon as backup food.
• Tetsuya captured the blue Pokemon, fed Yanma and Yanmega berries, and recalled both Bug Pokemon into Park Balls.
• Tetsuya rejoined Kurumi’s radio program, shared advice about choosing and training Pokemon, and finished the broadcast as its ratings climbed.
• Tetsuya returned to the contest plaza and encountered Reiji, who said he would win.
• Tetsuya submitted his three Park Balls for judging, and the organizers announced that the results would be released in an hour.

Tetsuya won the Bug-Catching Contest but chose a Karrablast over the exceptional Yanma, then learned how to raise his regional Pokémon carrying limit. After releasing Karrablast, he discovered its memories of capture, cruel experiments, and eventual rescue, leaving its past and survival in National Park revealed.

• Tetsuya won the Bug-Catching Contest, took the Sun Stone, and chose Karrablast instead of Yanma as his reward.
• The National Park manager learned Tetsuya had taken Karrablast and decided to report the matter to his boss.
• Kurumi told Tetsuya he could apply to become an Honorary Citizen of Goldenrod City to raise his carrying limit, and he returned to the Pokémon Center with Karrablast.
• Tetsuya released Karrablast in a private training room, and Karrablast accepted his food after recognizing him as its rescuer.
• Karrablast recalled its colony being captured, its companions being taken away, and humans subjecting it to painful experiments.
• Karrablast remembered a righteous-voiced person rescuing it, followed by treatment at a Pokémon Center and its transfer to National Park.

Karrablast recounted how Team Plasma’s experiments strengthened it and left it separated from its colony, and Tetsuya invited it to become his partner. After Karrablast accepted, Tetsuya considered its potential as an Escavalier and planned to find a suitable Shelmet for its evolution.

• Karrablast told Tetsuya that white-clothed humans had experimented on it, moved its colony, and left it separated from its companions after Beedrill attacked.
• Tetsuya suspected Team Plasma had altered Karrablast and decided to inform Professor Oak about the experiments.
• Tetsuya offered Karrablast a place as his partner, and Karrablast agreed after seeing Blaziken demonstrate its strength.
• Karrablast chose a Friend Ball, met Tetsuya’s other Pokémon, and happily returned from its new home inside the ball.
• Tetsuya assessed Karrablast’s abilities and planned to ask Professor Oak for help finding a high-aptitude Shelmet so Karrablast could evolve into Escavalier.

After receiving his Johto Carrying Permit and Professor Oak’s support for Karrablast, Tetsuya trained his Pokémon while waiting for Alolan Vulpix to come of age. As the chapter ended, Lance called with an urgent request to investigate unexplained tremors at Charicific Valley.

• Tetsuya received his Johto Carrying Permit, and Professor Oak arranged for a Unova trainer to help with Karrablast’s Trade Evolution while reporting Team Plasma’s experiments to the Unova League.
• Tetsuya resumed training Karrablast and Ralts, and Zero revealed that Karrablast had Champion-level potential and reduced resistance to Fire-type attacks.
• Karrablast’s hard work inspired Tetsuya’s other Pokémon to train more intensely, while Alolan Vulpix waited for its coming-of-age day to begin training.
• Ralts reached Level 20 and evolved into Kirlia, while Karrablast’s strength and skills improved during their stay in Goldenrod City.
• Lance called Tetsuya late at night and asked him to investigate unexplained volcanic tremors at Charicific Valley near Route 32.

Tetsuya visited Charicific Valley after Kiko asked Lance for help investigating a rising, heating lava pool. Kiko showed him the valley’s powerful Charizard population and explained that she could not investigate the Depths herself, leaving Tetsuya to help uncover the cause.

• Lance asked Tetsuya to investigate Charicific Valley after completing his current mission, and Tetsuya agreed to arrive two days later.
• Tetsuya met Kiko and her Charizard, Liza, then flew with them and his Pokemon to Charicific Valley.
• Kiko brought Tetsuya through the valley, where he saw numerous powerful Charizard and learned that the Pokemon were protected and could not be caught without special permission.
• Kiko led Tetsuya into the Depths and showed him a lava pool that had risen and grown hotter over the past ten days.
• Kiko explained that many Charizard had moved away from the pool and that she could not reach the Depths’ residents because they did not welcome her and Liza was not strong enough to escort her.

Kiko brought Tetsuya into Charicific Valley to investigate the volcano after Lance could not help, and explained that Tetsuya would need to defeat Charizard opponents at his Pokemon’s level to earn passage deeper inside. Tetsuya accepted the challenge, and Blaziken began battling a Quasi-Elite Four Level Charizard as the Charizard’s Flamethrower clash continued.

• Kiko told Tetsuya that Lance’s Charizard had once drawn with the valley’s leader, and explained that Tetsuya could earn recognition by defeating Charizard at his Pokemon’s level.
• Tetsuya agreed to fight his way deeper into the valley with Blaziken, and Kiko led him past the Lava Pool while describing powerful Charizard she had failed to defeat.
• The Charizard gathered around Kiko and Tetsuya, and Kiko warned them that the volcano was likely developing a problem that threatened the valley’s Pokemon.
• The Claw-Scarred Charizard selected a Quasi-Elite Four Level Charizard to test Blaziken, and Tetsuya ordered Blaziken to attack with Flamethrower.
• Blaziken’s Flamethrower overpowered the opposing Charizard’s, but the Charizard increased its output rather than conceding.

Tetsuya and Blaziken defeated two Charizard in succession and faced the group’s strongest Quasi-Elite Four Level Charizard, which the Claw-Scarred Charizard identified as its successor. Blaziken began overpowering the third opponent as Tetsuya learned that two more groups stood between them and the innermost Volcano Crater.

• Tetsuya had Blaziken use Rock Slide and then a close-range electric strike to defeat the first Charizard.
• The Claw-Scarred Charizard selected a larger opponent, but Blaziken defeated it in the same decisive fashion.
• Kiko translated that the next Burly Charizard was the group’s strongest Quasi-Elite Four Level member and future successor, and the Claw-Scarred Charizard indicated that two groups remained before the innermost Volcano Crater.
• The Burly Charizard attacked with Flamethrower, but Blaziken intensified its own flames and pushed the attack back.
• The Burly Charizard took to the sky and released dense smoke as its battle with Blaziken continued.

Tetsuya and Blaziken defeated a powerful Charizard guarding the way into Charicific Valley, then healed Blaziken before proceeding deeper with Kiko. They heard more battles ahead, where a Quasi-Elite Four Level Charizard awaited its “king.”

• Charizard used Smokescreen and Solar Power against Blaziken, but Tetsuya countered its attacks and boosted Blaziken with Double Team and several stat-enhancing moves.
• Blaziken overwhelmed Charizard with Thunder Punch and Body Slam, defeating it before Kiko and the watching Charizard.
• The Claw-Scarred Charizard allowed Tetsuya and Kiko to pass, and Tetsuya exchanged a friendly gesture with it.
• Tetsuya used his Pokemon and supplies to restore Blaziken, recording the medicine costs after Kiko promised reimbursement.
• After Blaziken recovered, Tetsuya and Kiko continued deeper into Charicific Valley, where a Quasi-Elite Four Level Charizard awaited their “king.”

Tetsuya and Kiko reached Charicific Valley’s Volcano Crater and learned that the volcano’s unusual activity came from Volcano Rock trapped in a crevice. Kirlia retrieved the rock, and the Charizard leader noticed Tetsuya’s Rainbow Wing.

• Tetsuya and Blaziken defeated the enormous Charizard guarding the way, and the aged Charizard let Tetsuya and Kiko pass.
• Tetsuya treated Blaziken’s wounds while he and Kiko endured the rising heat and confirmed that the volcanic danger was growing.
• Tetsuya and Kiko met the Semi-Ancestral Charizard leader, who guided them to the crater and helped shield them from the heat.
• Kiko’s detector showed that the volcano might erupt within four or five days, and the Charizard leader revealed that trapped Volcano Rock was causing the activity.
• Tetsuya sent Kirlia into the crater, and Kirlia retrieved the Volcano Rock safely.
• The Charizard leader noticed Tetsuya’s Rainbow Wing and reacted with a nostalgic growl.

Tetsuya and Blaziken obtained a piece of Volcano Rock with the Charizard leader’s help, then left Charicific Valley after sharing a meal with Kiko and agreeing to return when Blaziken reached the peak of the Elite Four level. On the forest path, Tetsuya reunited with Nobuhiko, who explained that he had come to Johto to train and visit the Genzō Style after its Sect Master angered Master Shiba.

• The Charizard leader dove into the lava and returned with a smaller piece of Volcano Rock for Blaziken.
• Tetsuya and his companions ate at Kiko’s home, then said goodbye to her and agreed to meet again when Blaziken reached the peak of the Elite Four level.
• Tetsuya encountered Nobuhiko, who had lost his way while searching for a Pokemon in the forest.
• Nobuhiko told Tetsuya that he had come to Mt. Mortar to train and intended to visit the Genzō Style after its Sect Master sent Master Shiba an infuriating message.

Tetsuya accompanied Nobuhiko to the declining Genzō Style dojo, where Blaziken swiftly defeated Old Master Genzō’s Machamp. After Tetsuya and Nobuhiko left, Asuka realized that Tetsuya’s strength had far exceeded his expectations and decided to warn the Trainers he had asked to challenge him.

• Tetsuya and Nobuhiko discussed his unusual Pokémon and reached the dilapidated Genzō Style dojo.
• Nobuhiko challenged Old Master Genzō and nominated Tetsuya to battle in his place.
• Tetsuya’s Blaziken defeated Genzō’s Machamp, and Nobuhiko invited the dojo’s apprentices to join the Cianwood Gym.
• Chigusa vowed to challenge them after training her Hitmontop, and Tetsuya left with Nobuhiko.
• Nobuhiko reported Tetsuya’s strength to Asuka, who decided to contact the Trainers he had asked to test Tetsuya.

Tetsuya traveled through the Valley of Wind, where Pidgeot asked to train amid the unpredictable gusts in hopes of breaking through to Champion. Tetsuya agreed and began preparing a dangerous training course below a cliff.

• Tetsuya recalled his encounter with Falkner, who was surveying the suspected underground ruins with a team led by Doctor Shirley Snowdon.
• Tetsuya entered the Valley of Wind, got knocked into a rock by a sudden gust, and released Pidgeot for shelter.
• Pidgeot explained that it wanted to use the valley's winds to train, and Tetsuya agreed to support its attempt to break through to Champion.
• Tetsuya had Gigalith build a temporary shelter and search for a narrow valley with falling rocks and sharp stone pillars.
• Gigalith led Tetsuya and Pidgeot to a cliff, where Tetsuya estimated the drop below and urged Pidgeot onward.

Tetsuya trained his Pokémon in the Valley of Wind, but Pidgeot’s progress toward Champion stalled despite its growing strength. Nobuhiko arrived to help and began testing Pidgeot in battle with his newly Elite Four-level Machamp.

• Tetsuya assigned his Pokémon training suited to the Valley of Wind, and they steadily improved their skills and endurance.
• After twenty days, Tetsuya worried that Pidgeot had not advanced beyond Quasi-Elite Four despite adapting to the valley’s winds.
• Nobuhiko arrived at Asuka’s request and found Tetsuya discouraged by Pidgeot’s stalled progress.
• Nobuhiko revealed that he had become an Elite Four-level Trainer and challenged Tetsuya to a battle with Machamp.
• Machamp shattered Pidgeot’s Gust and pressed its attack, while Tetsuya ordered Pidgeot to dodge and gain altitude with Twister.

Nobuhiko helped Tetsuya realize that Pidgeot’s Champion breakthrough required him to trust their bond as deeply as Pidgeot did. Tetsuya and Pidgeot defeated Nobuhiko’s Machamp, and the chapter ended with their first successful breakthrough from Elite Four level.

• Nobuhiko told Tetsuya that a Champion breakthrough depended on the trainer and Pokemon entrusting themselves to each other.
• Tetsuya recognized Pidgeot’s feelings, ordered it to spread its wings and soar, and Pidgeot broke through to Champion.
• Tetsuya and Pidgeot used speed, Tailwind, and Double Team to evade Machamp and land repeated Flying-type attacks.
• Nobuhiko saw through Tetsuya’s feint and had Machamp catch Pidgeot with Seismic Toss, but Pidgeot escaped with Substitute and defeated Machamp with U-turn.
• Tetsuya sent out Absol and worked with his other Pokemon to help treat the injured Machamp.

Tetsuya traveled to Shiny Jade Pool to have his Pokemon examined after Pidgeot reached Elite Four Level. The checkup revealed Pidgeot’s minor old injury and various care recommendations for the team, while most of his Pokemon proved remarkably healthy.

• Tetsuya told Nobuhiko he would visit Shiny Jade Pool before meeting Morty, then cleaned up his temporary residences and headed northwest.
• Tetsuya entered Shiny Jade Pool and met Joy, who recognized him through Joy Caicai and led him to the Pokemon Center for examinations.
• Joy found a minor old Beedrill injury on Pidgeot’s right wing and recommended a powder treatment, while praising its condition after its breakthrough.
• Joy found Blaziken, Gigalith, Ampharos, and Alolan Vulpix in excellent condition, with only minor care needs for Gigalith and Ampharos.
• Joy prescribed adjustments for Serperior and treatments for Togekiss and Ralts, then noted Karrablast’s unusual attribute tolerance after learning it had been rescued from Team Plasma’s laboratory.
• After the lengthy checkup, Tetsuya thanked Joy, accepted a Chansey’s Egg from Strega, and stayed for dinner.