Chapter Summaries

Tetsuya followed Pidgeot to a forest cave and encountered an unknown giant bear Pokemon that appeared to be related to Teddiursa. After Tetsuya and Pidgeot defeated it, Professor Oak asked him to investigate the cave, and Tetsuya prepared to catch the bear and Teddiursa.

• Tetsuya resumed his journey toward Ecruteak City after leaving Shiny Jade Pool, and Pidgeot returned with a gray stone it had found.
• Pidgeot described a huge, unfamiliar bear Pokemon, so Tetsuya flew north with it to find the Pokemon.
• Tetsuya found the bear Pokemon near a cave with a Teddiursa, then directed Pidgeot to battle it and used Blaziken to check that it still had stamina.
• Kirlia stopped Teddiursa from attacking Tetsuya, and Professor Oak identified the bear as a possible undiscovered evolution related to Teddiursa and Ursaring.
• Tetsuya agreed to catch the bear for his Second Team and asked Professor Oak to arrange an exchange for Teddiursa; he then threw Poke Balls at both Pokemon.

Tetsuya reached Ecruteak City with an Unknown Bear Pokemon and the stones and samples he had found in its cave. Professor Oak examined the Pokemon, identified it as an Ursaring evolution, and began outlining the conditions it might need to evolve.

• Tetsuya explored the Unknown Pokemon’s cave with Blaziken, collected four gray stones, and recorded samples of the cave’s soil and swamp water.
• Tetsuya flew to Ecruteak City with Pidgeot and declined a local man’s offer to buy a treasure-hunting machine.
• Professor Oak hurried Tetsuya to the Pokemon Center’s battle field, where Dragonite subdued the Unknown Pokemon for examination.
• Professor Oak concluded that the Unknown Pokemon was an evolved form of Ursaring with Ground and Normal types and superior defense and stamina.
• Professor Oak proposed that evolution required a Peat Block, nighttime, and possibly a location rich in Moonlight Power.

Tetsuya proposed that Eevee could evolve through affection and the time of day, prompting Professor Oak to recognize a new research hypothesis. The next morning, Tetsuya and Blaziken entered the Burned Tower to explore how its history might help Blaziken understand flame, where Gastly and Haunter ambushed them and Blaziken fought back.

• Tetsuya suggested Eevee might evolve through its bond with its Trainer and the power of the sun or moon, and Professor Oak enthusiastically accepted the idea as a revolutionary hypothesis.
• Professor Oak agreed to stay in Ecruteak City overnight, and he later advised Tetsuya to take Blaziken to the Burned Tower to experience the destruction and rebirth of flame.
• Tetsuya and Blaziken entered the Burned Tower the next morning and climbed through its dark, cold, ruined levels.
• Gastly and Haunter surrounded Tetsuya and Blaziken with illusory flames, but Tetsuya used Ampharos's Odor Sleuth to reveal them.
• Tetsuya ordered Blaziken to attack carefully, and Blaziken's small fireballs sent the Ghost-type Pokemon flying before it began striking them with Fire Punch.

Tetsuya explored the Burned Tower with Ampharos and Blaziken, where the Rainbow Wing awakened the Clear Bells and led him to a hidden cache of Sacred Ash. The ash vanished into a strange flame, and Blaziken discovered that anything touching it disappeared.

• Tetsuya and his Pokémon climbed through the Burned Tower, but Blaziken found nothing meaningful in the ruins.
• The Rainbow Wing made Clear Bells ring, and Morty recognized Tetsuya as Ho-Oh’s chosen Trainer and set out to invite him to Ecruteak Gym.
• The Rainbow Wing floated to a pile of charred wood, where Tetsuya uncovered silver-gray Sacred Ash.
• As Tetsuya reached for the ash, it vanished into a sudden flame, leaving him frustrated and confused.
• Blaziken tested the flame with a charred plank, which disappeared on contact.

Tetsuya learned that the flame in the Burned Tower was Ho-Oh’s Sacred Fire and let Pidgeot undergo its power. Pidgeot endured the flames as its body grew stronger, then lost consciousness after glimpsing Ho-Oh’s image moving on the tower wall.

• Morty arrived in the darkness, and Tetsuya ordered Ampharos to attack before recognizing the Ecruteak Gym Leader.
• Morty explained that the flame was true Sacred Fire, ignited by Ho-Oh’s power, and that records said it could let a Pokémon be reborn through nirvana.
• Tetsuya considered using the flame, but Blaziken urged him to let Pidgeot try it instead.
• Tetsuya released Pidgeot, which touched the Sacred Fire with its wing and became enveloped in red light and flames.
• Pidgeot endured intense pain as its body grew stronger, then saw what seemed to be Ho-Oh moving on the Burned Tower wall before its consciousness faded.

Tetsuya watched Pidgeot absorb Ho-Oh’s Sacred Fire and emerge transformed into an Elite Four-level Pokemon with Champion potential. He left Burned Tower with Morty and met the Three Sages at the Ecruteak Gym, where they asked when Ho-Oh would return.

• Tetsuya worried as Pidgeot’s Aura stopped changing, then watched it transform from an egg-like shape into Pidgey and Pidgeotto before Sacred Fire flared into White Light.
• Pidgeot emerged much larger and changed in appearance, and the Zero Panel showed it had reached level 66, gained Champion potential, and learned Sacred Fire, which remained Imprisoned.
• Tetsuya caught the dimmed Rainbow Wing, while Morty prayed and then escorted him from Burned Tower as curious Trainers entered and were frightened by the Ghost Pokemon.
• Morty brought Tetsuya to the Ecruteak Gym, where Mao Jie, Taizong, and Yongquan bowed to him as Ho-Oh’s Emissary.
• Mao Jie asked when Ho-Oh would return, and Tetsuya said he did not know because he had never seen Ho-Oh’s true form.

Tetsuya challenged Morty for Ecruteak Gym’s Phantom Badge and battled him before a group of local students. Alolan Vulpix and Gastly traded tactics in the hail, and the chapter ended with Alolan Vulpix waking from Hypnosis just as Gastly moved in to use Lick.

• The Three Sages left after Yongquan instructed Morty to treat Tetsuya well, and Morty offered him a Gym Battle for the Phantom Badge.
• Morty invited students to watch the battle, and the referee announced a three-on-three match between Morty and Tetsuya.
• Morty sent out a level sixteen Gastly, while Tetsuya chose Alolan Vulpix, whose Hail and Snow Cloak helped it vanish from sight.
• Tetsuya used the hail to help Alolan Vulpix locate Gastly, then had it dodge Will-O-Wisp with Dig and use Disable to seal the move.
• Gastly used Hypnosis while Alolan Vulpix was focused on Disable, then approached the sleeping Pokémon with Lick.
• Tetsuya called out that Alolan Vulpix’s fur would get messy, and it woke just as Gastly’s long tongue loomed over it.

Tetsuya defeated Morty’s Gastly and Haunter with Alolan Vulpix and an unusually powerful Karrablast. Morty sent out Gengar for the final battle, and Tetsuya brought in Kirlia before announcing that he would erase Morty’s advantage.

• Alolan Vulpix defeated Gastly with Ice Shard and Icy Wind, then complained to Tetsuya about Gastly’s behavior.
• Tetsuya sent out Karrablast against Morty’s Haunter, which dodged Acid Spray and attacked with Night Shade and Shadow Punch.
• Karrablast endured Haunter’s evasive tactics, then struck with Night Slash, Knock Off, and Fury Cutter to defeat it despite taking Fire Punch.
• Tetsuya recalled Karrablast and sent out Kirlia as Morty brought out his final Pokemon, Gengar.
• Tetsuya said he still needed to erase Morty’s advantage before the battle began.

Tetsuya’s Kirlia evolved into Gallade, and Tetsuya tested Gallade against Morty’s Gengar. The battle continued with Gallade predicting Gengar’s Phantom Force and landing a Psycho Cut.

• Tetsuya gave Kirlia a Dawn Stone, and Kirlia evolved into Gallade.
• Tetsuya and Morty discussed Gallade’s strengths, including its broad move pool and reputation as a Martial God.
• Tetsuya ordered Gallade to attack Gengar with Teleport and Night Slash, but Gengar restrained Gallade with Mean Look and shadow control.
• Tetsuya directed Gallade to pull Gengar in with Confusion and use Hypnosis, but Morty countered with Phantom Force.
• Tetsuya told Gallade to predict Gengar’s route and use Psycho Cut, and Gallade struck Gengar as it reappeared.

Tetsuya defeated Morty’s three Absol and earned Ecruteak Gym’s Phantom Badge. After Morty introduced him to the five performers of the Dance of Succession, Tetsuya left the Gym with Alolan Vulpix clutching the Badge.

• Gallade finished off Gengar with Confusion, and the referee declared Tetsuya the winner after all three of Morty’s Absol lost their combat capability.
• Morty congratulated Tetsuya and asked about Karrablast’s unusual origins, so Tetsuya explained its connection to Team Plasma.
• Morty introduced Satsuki, Momoko, Tamao, Koume, and Sakura, the five sisters who would perform Ecruteak City’s Dance of Succession.
• The sisters asked Tetsuya about his Pokémon and Eevee’s evolutions, and he suggested Eevee could suit their performances.
• Morty returned with the Phantom Badge, and Tetsuya handed it to Alolan Vulpix before leaving Ecruteak Gym.

After receiving several messages, Tetsuya left Ecruteak City for the Pokemon Ninja Academy and reunited with Suicune in the forest. Entei and Raikou confirmed Pidgeot was safe after absorbing Sacred Fire, gave Tetsuya gifts, and Suicune revealed it had thrown his pursuer into the water.

• Tetsuya received news that the Bug Catching Net was launching across Kanto and Johto, learned Cynthia's Togetic had evolved into Togekiss, and agreed to help Professor Elm with a marine research institute.
• Professor Oak told Tetsuya that a Trainer in Unova would help Karrablast evolve if Tetsuya passed a test at the Pokemon Ninja Academy the next morning, so Tetsuya set out early.
• Thousand Faces followed Tetsuya through the forest, hoping to claim the bounty on him and obtain the Rainbow Wing.
• Tetsuya encountered Suicune, Entei, and Raikou, who explained that Ho-Oh had chosen him but that he was not yet the Rainbow Hero.
• Suicune checked Pidgeot and confirmed it was safe as long as Tetsuya remained its Trainer, while Entei and Raikou gave him a Flame Orb and Electric Seeds.
• Suicune told Entei that it had thrown the spying Thousand Faces into the water.

Tetsuya visited the Pokemon Ninjutsu Academy, where he learned that Lord Chen would test the students in Alder’s place. After settling in for the night, he and his Pokemon discovered that an unnatural snowfall had covered the academy, and he found the park director watching the sky.

• Tetsuya considered how to use Entei’s Flame Orb and the Electric Seed, while the Alolan Vulpix moved from his arms to his shoulder to escape the heat.
• At the academy, Tetsuya apologized for entering the examination area and defeating the students, and the park director and Anko explained the incident to him.
• The park director told Tetsuya that Lord Chen, the League’s Fighting Type Chief Instructor, would test the students in Alder’s place, and Tetsuya recognized Chen from their previous meeting.
• Anko teased Tetsuya about his strength and the League’s suspicion that he possessed Aura, while Tetsuya remained unaware of their assessment.
• Tetsuya went to sleep in the academy’s wooden dormitory, but dark clouds, cold wind, and snow appeared overnight.
• Gallade noticed the sudden snow and woke Tetsuya, who went outside with his nine Pokemon and found the park director staring at the sky.

After sudden August snow blanketed the Ninja Academy, the park director told Tetsuya that Articuno on Mount Shirogane had caused it and explained that the Legendary Bird seemed to be preparing to pass on its life to a successor. As the academy began its extreme-weather training, a burly man arrived with Braviary and greeted Tetsuya.

• Tetsuya questioned the park director about the snowfall, and the old man revealed that Articuno had once saved him from an avalanche on Mount Shirogane.
• The park director explained that Articuno was revered as the Ice God and that it had protected people for centuries; auroras appeared above the snow as they spoke.
• Team Rocket members at Mount Shirogane detected that their target had returned and hurried away to support Boss Giovanni's plan.
• The park director described two ways Legendary Birds could produce a successor and said the blizzards suggested Articuno was preparing to sacrifice itself for the next generation.
• The park director called for extreme-weather training and summoned Ariados, while Anko told Tetsuya that ninjas could create their own terrain.
• A burly man with Braviary appeared atop the academy building and greeted Tetsuya.

Chen arrived to guide Tetsuya and began a full battle to assess his strength and bond with his Pokémon. Their Gallade match was interrupted when Chen noticed a roar from the distant sky and left to deal with it.

• Chen greeted Tetsuya and Anko, then gave Tetsuya the Rage Candy Bar Bruno had promised him.
• Chen proposed a full 6v6 Guidance Battle, and Tetsuya accepted despite knowing Chen was a Champion Level Trainer.
• Chen sent out Luxray to disable the academy's electronic devices while the students watched from a safe distance.
• Chen's Gallade blocked Tetsuya's Gallade from using Teleport and began guiding it through their close-range exchange.
• Chen heard a dragon's roar, said he and Gallade would handle it, and left the battle; Tetsuya's Gallade struck the ground where its opponent had stood.

Tetsuya joined Chen and Lance to discuss Team Rocket’s plan to capture Articuno on Mount Shirogane, and Chen assigned him to help stop the operation as a test. Tetsuya flew north toward the mountain, hoping Articuno would aid him.

• Tetsuya flew after Chen and his Gallade, where he encountered Lance and Dragonite.
• Lance told Chen and Tetsuya that Team Rocket was targeting Articuno on Mount Shirogane while also pursuing Zapdos and Moltres elsewhere.
• Lance explained that Lambda and Team Rocket’s other forces could use coordinated Explosions to hold back powerful Trainers like him and Cynthia.
• Chen suggested that Tetsuya join the mission as Alder’s test, and Lance agreed that Tetsuya could handle the likely squad.
• Chen returned to the Ninjutsu Academy with Tetsuya, told the park director that Gallade had chased a beautiful female Pokemon, and confirmed that Tetsuya had passed his battle test.
• The park director gave Tetsuya Never-Melt Ice, and Tetsuya flew north toward Mount Shirogane.

Team Rocket fought through Mount Shirogane’s Ice-type Pokémon as Tetsuya followed them toward Articuno. Tetsuya ambushed the guard left behind, captured him and his Raticate, then hurried onward as distant bird cries suggested he was nearing his target.

• Team Rocket’s squad defeated a tribe of Ice-type Pokémon and left Number Eight behind to collect the fallen Pokémon while the others continued toward Articuno.
• Tetsuya rested in a cave while Gallade recovered, then continued up the mountain with his Pokémon.
• Tetsuya and Gallade spotted Number Eight guarding the battlefield, and Tetsuya used Teleport to ambush him with Ampharos.
• Tetsuya knocked Number Eight unconscious, and Ampharos defeated Raticate after it charged at Tetsuya.
• Tetsuya confiscated Number Eight’s Pokémon and tied him up before heading onward; Number Eight later awoke as distant bird cries sounded through the blizzard.

Articuno attacked Team Rocket after discovering them trying to restrain it with a machine, but their Fire-type equipment and Dark Pokemon forced it to retreat. Tetsuya decided to target the machine’s core, and Blaziken teleported above it to strike.

• Articuno recognized Team Rocket as enemies and unleashed freezing attacks, encasing several of their Pokemon in ice.
• Tetsuya held back from attacking the machine while he assessed Team Rocket’s remaining strength and the fire energy protecting it.
• Team Rocket activated a Flame Domain and sent five Dark Fire-type Pokemon to attack Articuno, forcing it to retreat from the machine’s range.
• Tetsuya told Blaziken to destroy the machine’s core, and Gallade teleported Blaziken directly above it.
• Blaziken enveloped itself in flames and prepared to plunge down onto the machine.

Tetsuya’s Blaziken stole the Red Rock and battled Team Rocket’s Dark Pokémon while Articuno fought to break free of their attack. With Arbok and Crobat entering the fight, Tetsuya saw a chance to break through and ordered Blaziken to unleash Blast Burn.

• Blaziken used Flame Charge to snatch the Red Rock and destroy the Flame Domain, forcing Team Rocket to send out more Dark Pokémon.
• Team Rocket’s squad leader ordered the Fire-types to hold off Articuno and sent Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, and Machoke to attack Blaziken.
• Tetsuya directed Blaziken to dodge the three Fighting-types and counterattack while it avoided being surrounded.
• A Team Rocket member sent out Arbok and Crobat, whose attacks struck their own allies after Tetsuya maneuvered Blaziken into position.
• Tetsuya ordered Blaziken to break through with Blast Burn, and fire columns erupted around it.

Blaziken broke through to Champion Level while defeating Team Rocket’s Champion-level Dark Pokemon on the snowy mountaintop. Afterward, Tetsuya questioned Articuno about a strange square rock, and Blaziken revealed that it could absorb the rock like Charcoal.

• Tetsuya sent Blaziken into the fight against five Pokemon, and Blaziken’s flames overwhelmed them as it broke through to Champion Level.
• Blaziken used boosted attacks to defeat the Dark Hitmonlee while Serperior restrained the Team Rocket members with vines.
• Blaziken finished off the remaining opponents, and Tetsuya turned to Articuno after the battle.
• Tetsuya told Articuno that Team Rocket had tried to capture it and asked where the red square rock came from, but Articuno said it did not know.
• Tetsuya translated the rock’s Ancient Text as roughly meaning “giant,” and Blaziken said it felt able to absorb the rock like Charcoal.

Tetsuya helped Blaziken absorb an unknown Fire-type stone that strengthened its flames, then arranged the scene to conceal that he had taken it. After Articuno froze the device and asked humans to stay off Mount Shirogane for five years while it prepared to have offspring, Tetsuya brought the surviving Team Rocket members to the Pokemon Center.

• Tetsuya tested the red square stone and let Blaziken absorb it, discovering that it boosted Fire-type moves by 20%, improved flame quality, and slightly increased strength.
• Tetsuya reinstalled the stone and the Fire-type materials on the device, photographed the setup, and had Articuno freeze it to support his cover story.
• Articuno asked Tetsuya to keep humans away from the mountain’s halfway point for five years while it prepared to have the next generation of Articuno.
• Tetsuya left the mountain with the surviving Team Rocket members and his Pokemon, then delivered the captives to Miss Joy at the Pokemon Center.