The chapter opens exactly where we left off—Nidoking and Nidoqueen lunging forward, eyes wild, charging at Maylin and her team.
With no time to think, Maylin shouts a command. Pinsir rushes to intercept, slamming into Nidoking with a Tackle. At the same time, Tyrogue and Drillbur move in to hold back Nidoqueen.
Maylin keeps her distance, calling out orders, trying to coordinate—but it's clear her team is struggling against the sheer power of these evolved beasts. Pinsir and Nidoking clash in a brutal exchange—Mega Punch meeting Poison Jab in a flurry of blows. Pinsir grits his teeth, holding the line but only barely.
Meanwhile, Nidoqueen lands a devastating Poison Jab straight into Drillbur, sending him flying across the cave and crashing into a rocky wall. Maylin's eyes widen. She quickly returns Drillbur to his Poké Ball, fists clenched, her voice cracking as she yells for Tyrogue to hold on. It's a fight for survival now.
Back with Dango, now dressed in his new outfit, he and his team sat down inside the Pokémon Centre to eat. Their stomachs full and spirits lifted, they relaxed for a moment—when suddenly, a familiar voice called out to him.
Voice: "Looks like you're enjoying yourself."
Dango turned around to see Misty standing there. She asked about Maylin, wondering if she had left the city, since it had been eight days since she last tried to face her.
Dango simply shook his head. When Misty pressed for Maylin's whereabouts, Dango just smiled and said it was a surprise, much to Misty's visible annoyance.
Back at Mt. Moon, the battle rages on. Pinsir and Nidoking, both battered and bruised, refuse to back down. Pinsir lands a powerful Mega Punch, but Nidoking counters with a devastating Earthquake, splitting the ground open beneath them. The tremor traps Pinsir, locking his legs in the cracked terrain.
Seeing his teammate in danger, Tyrogue charges forward—but before he can reach them, Nidoqueen intercepts, striking him down with a fierce blow that sends him tumbling. Nidoking raises its fist for the finishing blow. Maylin, frozen, clutches her eyes shut. But the attack never lands.
A blinding Moonblast crashes into Nidoking, knocking him back. A split second later, a scorching Flamethrower hits from the side. Maylin opens her eyes in shock.
Standing between her and the raging duo are Clefable and Magmar—Rocks' Pokémon—both of them furious, their eyes locked on Nidoking and Nidoqueen. Vengeance burning.
Nidoking collapses with a heavy thud, too battered to continue the fight. Pinsir, bruised but determined, struggles to break free from the cracks holding him, but before he can, Nidoqueen turns with ruthless precision and slams him back down. Her foot crashes onto his back, pinning him firmly to the ground.
Magmar and Clefable charge in to assist, but Nidoqueen unleashes a massive Earthquake. The entire chamber shakes violently—both Pokémon are thrown back, tumbling across the rocky floor before lying still, defeated.
Across the battlefield, Tyrogue remains downed, his tiny body trembling, unable to move. The ground beneath him fractures and splits, forming a jagged sinkhole threatening to swallow him. Just in time, Maylin darts forward through the chaos, leaping over debris.
She scoops Tyrogue into her arms and stumbles back from the collapsing ground, narrowly escaping the deadly pit. Tyrogue, weak and trembling, looks up at her, his eyes wide with disbelief and gratitude. She had risked everything to save him.
But even in that moment, as dust settles and cracks rumble deeper beneath them, the fear lingers. They may have survived this blow, but Nidoqueen is still standing—and they are barely holding on.
Nidoqueen stomps down on Pinsir again and again, each blow pushing him closer to defeat. Just when it seems all hope is lost, a spark of determination lights up in Maylin's eyes. She pulls out the jar of tree sap, then quickly recalls Tyrogue.
Maylin: "PINSIR, IF YOU WIN THIS, ALL THIS TREE SAP IS YOURS!"
Pinsir's eyes lock onto the jar, his mouth watering. Fueled by sheer desire and determination, he lets out a roar and breaks free, shoving Nidoqueen off with a sudden surge of strength.
Rising to his feet, he charges forward, slamming a fierce Mega Punch directly into Nidoqueen's face, sending shockwaves through the cavern. The two clash in a brutal exchange, each unleashing their strongest moves—Poison Tail, X-Scissor, Body Slam, Vice Grip—their blows echoing off the stone walls.
But in the final moment, Pinsir manages to slip behind her. With a surge of raw power, he locks Nidoqueen in a crushing grip, lifts her high into the air, and with a powerful leap, spins downward.
The cavern shakes as they crash into the ground with a devastating Seismic Toss, the impact scattering rock and dust across the chamber. Silence follows. Then Nidoqueen slumps, unconscious. Pinsir, breathing heavily, stands victorious. Maylin rushed over to Pinsir, gently rubbing him as she handed over the entire jar of tree sap.
Just then, to everyone's surprise, Rocks stepped out from behind a rock—very much alive and watching the battle unfold. He thanked Maylin sincerely, then recalled his Pokémon and carefully gathered some of the Moon Stones nearby.
Rocks went on to explain why they were attacked in the first place: the Nidoking and Nidoqueen weren't just any Pokémon—they were the fierce guardians of the giant Moon Stone, fiercely protecting it from intruders.
Rocks prepared to leave, but before heading off, he handed Maylin an S.S. Anne ticket.
Rocks: "Here—consider it a thank you. I don't like the ocean anyway."
With a casual wave, he disappeared down the rocky path.
Maylin turned her attention back to her team. One by one, she sprayed them with Potion, gently petting each and thanking them for their courage.
Then, her gaze shifted to the fallen Nidoking and Nidoqueen. Guilt tugged at her heart. Kneeling beside them, she quietly healed the two guardians as well.
Slowly, the pair rose. Their eyes locked onto Maylin and her team, then dropped to the Moon Stone cradled in her hand.
A tense moment passed—then the Nidoking and Nidoqueen let out low, echoing roars before turning away, silently returning to their watchful posts around the giant stone.
Maylin let out a relieved sigh. Clutching the Moon Stone tightly, a grin spread across her face as she turned to find Dina.
Maylin: "You scared the hell out of me!"
Dina: "Yes, I did."
Maylin: "Well, I got the Moon Stone, sooo..."
Dina: "Yet you failed."
Maylin: "What!"
Dina explained their agreement clearly—Maylin was supposed to rely on her own team. Maylin argued that she did, but Dina countered that she actually failed because she leaned on Rocks to guide her instead.
Sadness washed over Maylin, but Dina cracked a small smirk and then looked over at Maylin's team. She clapped her hands, saying Maylin's team had changed—something that left Maylin confused.
As she glanced at her Pokémon, Maylin suddenly felt it too: no more running around, no bickering, no chaos. They were different—united, focused, and stronger than ever.
Dina: "You failed, Maylin—but in a good way. Now go and defeat Misty."
With a flash of purple in her eyes, Dina raises her hand, and in an instant, Maylin vanishes in a swirl of psychic energy.
Dina: "Good luck."
With that, she closes her eyes and returns to her meditation. Outside Mt. Moon, Maylin suddenly appears, sitting on the grass with her team around her. They all look just as puzzled as she is.
She glances at the time—it's noon. Still processing what just happened, Maylin takes a deep breath, then stands. With newfound resolve, she looks ahead. It's time to face Misty. And this time, she's ready.
She arrives at the gym, swiftly defeating the trainers inside. Then, she spots Dango and Misty standing together atop the platform, deep in conversation.
Misty notices her arrival and calls out, sending Golduck to gracefully levitate down toward her. Meanwhile, Dango and Axew remain on the platform, watching the scene unfold from above. Maylin and Dango's eyes meet briefly, a knowing smirk passing between them.
Maylin shifts her focus back to Misty, who returns the challenge with a confident glare. Without hesitation, both trainers throw out their Pokémon. Maylin sends out her Pinsir, while Misty releases her Dewott.
To Be Continued!