The chapter opens on Route 4, where Dango and Maylin have returned day after day for three straight days of nonstop battles. All of Dango's Pokémon are going head-to-head against all of Maylin's, wings beating, claws flashing, sparks flying. Dango and Maylin call out their commands in rapid succession—but when the dust settles, Maylin's team is exhausted and battered, while Dango's only bear a handful of small, minor scratches.
Afterwards, Maylin kneels beside her fallen partners, dousing them with Potions and healing sprays. Frustration boils over—she throws her arms up and shouts aloud, wondering how Dango's Pokémon can be so much stronger than hers.
She understands that Dango trained his Pokémon, sure—but is the gap in strength really that wide? That's when our hero shakes his head, not with smugness, but with quiet certainty. He explains that raw power isn't everything in a battle. It's the bond between trainer and Pokémon that makes the difference—and as she can see, that's where Maylin is falling short.
Maylin stares at him, confused. What is he even talking about? She and her Pokémon are great friends. Dango doesn't deny it—he nods and admits that, yes, her bond with Drillbur is strong. But the others? They're not companions yet. They're more like acquaintances.
Maylin scoffs, calling Dango's claims ridiculous. But Dango doesn't argue. He just slings his bag over his shoulder and starts to return his Pokémon—except Axew, who remains by his side. Before walking off, Dango gives her a final word: she needs to build a better relationship with her Pokémon. And with that, he walks away, leaving Maylin standing in silence.
Maylin stands still for a moment, lost in thought as she tries to figure out her next move. Behind her, Drillbur spots a berry on the ground and happily goes to take a bite, only for Tyrogue to snatch it at the last second. Calmly munching on the berry, Tyrogue looks unbothered, but Drillbur's eyes flare with anger.
With an angry growl, Drillbur charges after him, circling around Maylin's sleeping Pinsir. The ruckus stirs the Bug-type awake, its eyes snapping open just in time to see the two smaller Pokémon racing by. With an irritated grunt, Pinsir rises—and now, both Drillbur and Tyrogue are running in panic as they're chased by the towering, annoyed Pinsir.
Maylin spins around, eyes wide with disbelief, shouting for them to stop. The Pokémon freeze for a brief moment, then bolt off again, clearly ignoring her. Stunned by their disobedience, Maylin yells louder, but the trio barrels past her, knocking her to the ground.
Cut to a few minutes later: Maylin sits in the grass, leaves tangled in her hair and dirt smudged on her face. Somehow, she's managed to settle her Pokémon—Drillbur, Tyrogue, and Pinsir sit in front of her, still a bit tense but no longer chasing each other.
She exhales deeply, brushing herself off, wondering how on earth she's supposed to get through Pinsir and Tyrogue. Lost in thought, Maylin leans too far back and tumbles over. Drillbur playfully copies her, Tyrogue facepalms, and Pinsir just ignores the whole scene.
After pondering for a long time, Maylin decides to return to Mt. Moon. She recalls her Pokémon into their Poké Balls and begins her journey back. Along the way, she passes the familiar sight—the Mega Punch and Mega Kick duo still locked in their endless argument.
Arriving at the cave entrance, Maylin steps inside and follows the winding path. She faces several trainers, winning some battles and losing others. Deeper into the cave, she discovers a woman seated in meditation in an isolated alcove. Believing she's a fellow trainer, Maylin steps forward and asks for a battle.
The woman, annoyed at being interrupted, simply replies no and returns to her meditation. After some earnest pleading, however, she finally agrees. During the battle, Maylin's team falls one by one, suffering a harsh defeat at the hands of the composed woman and her graceful Espeon.
Woman: "Your Pokémon are strong and have great potential, but you, as a trainer, still have much to work on."
With that, the woman resumes her meditation as though nothing happened. Maylin tends to her defeated Pokémon with Potions.
Maylin: "You're so strong."
Woman: (meditating) "I sense the feelings of your Pokémon, and many of them don't truly respect you."
Maylin: "What?"
The woman calmly explains that she can feel the bond—or lack thereof—between trainer and Pokémon. Maylin, surprised by the woman's confidence, is reminded of Dango's earlier words.
Maylin notices the clear difference in experience and asks the woman if she can train her. The woman quickly responds with a firm no, much to Maylin's dismay. Curious, Maylin presses for a reason, and the woman simply replies that Maylin seems annoying.
Frustrated, Maylin shouts silently in her head that the woman is creepy. Laughing aloud at the claim that the woman can feel Pokémon's feelings, Maylin mockingly asks if she's some kind of psychic. Without showing any emotion, the woman calmly agrees, leaving Maylin confused.
Glancing at her phone, Maylin notices it's getting late and asks if the woman will be here the next day. The woman doesn't say a word. Undeterred, Maylin tells her she'll be back—after getting her name. The woman finally reveals herself as Dina.
Maylin leaves, and by the time she arrives back in the city, night has already fallen. Entering the Pokémon Centre, she spots Dango locked in a heated battle with some guy and his Pikachu. With a final command, Dango lands the finishing blow and wins. As the other trainer walks off, Dango turns and spots her.
He rushes over, saying he's been looking all over for her. Maylin laughs at this, raising an eyebrow and asking if he really missed her that much. Dango blushes, looking flustered. Maylin catches on immediately and teases him with a smirk, causing our hero to snap back, telling her to shut up.
Inside our heroes' rented room, Maylin tells Dango about the woman she met—Dina—and how she's going to train under her. Dango finds this great news, admitting he was getting tired of trying to do it all himself. Still, he wonders aloud if this Dina is actually a better trainer than him.
Cut to the next day. Maylin arrives back at the same quiet spot in Mt. Moon. Sure enough, Dina is still seated, deep in meditation. Maylin calls out to her, loud enough to break her focus.
Opening her eyes slowly, Dina regards Maylin calmly and asks why she's returned. Maylin pumps her fists and announces that she's here for training. But Dina shakes her head, reminding her that she never promised her anything. She returns to her meditation without another word.
But Maylin walks forward, determined, saying she's not leaving. The moment she steps too close, Dina's eyes snap open—now glowing with a faint purple light. Without moving a muscle, she sends Maylin flying back with an unseen force.
Getting up, Maylin is shocked to see her float, noting Dina's psychic ability. Maylin asks the woman what she can do to become her student. Dina, in deep thought, gives an answer: if Maylin can find a Moon Stone, she'll gladly take her as a student. Maylin opts to do so, asking where this stone is.
Dina tells the girl that she doesn't know, and Maylin herself has searched the entirety of Mt. Moon, and she has two days to do so. Also, Maylin can't get any outside help except from her Pokémon.
Dina expects her to leave, only for Maylin, nervous yet eager, to send out all her Pokémon, agreeing to the terms. Maylin left to search, her Pokémon following behind. Seeing this, Dina shows a small smile before returning to her calm, stoic self.
To Be Continued!