“The Cost Of Losing”

The Chapter opens with Maylin screaming. At the Pokémon Centre, we see Maylin sitting next to Dango, his Axew at his side. Maylin rants about how, in the past four days, trying to defeat Misty, she attempted six times but couldn't even get past her first Pokémon.

Dango: "That's pretty sad. If it's that hard just to beat her first two Pokémon, imagine how I felt to deal with that Golduck."

Maylin: "Man, I don't know what to do."

Dango: "Maybe instead of using your Drillbur first, you should mix it up and stop being an idiot."

Maylin: "Like if I could just get a good idea."

Dango: "Are you really ignoring me?"

Maylin: (She closes her eyes and speaks) "I got it, I should mix it up a bit. Ain't that right, Dango?"

Dango, now standing at the door, tells her that if she doesn't fix her act and beat Misty, he'll leave her. Maylin is shocked by the response, but Dango quickly says he's only joking, though he does tell her she needs to pick up the pace before heading out.

Nurse Joy then calls her over, handing back her Pokémon. Maylin stares at her Poké Balls in thought, determined to figure out a new strategy to defeat Misty finally.

While at Bill's house, the researcher looks around quietly, mouthing a mysterious tune. Suddenly, a hidden section of the floor slides open, revealing a secret staircase. Bill descends as the floor closes smoothly behind him. In the basement, lined with towering stacks of books, Bill calls out for someone named Sugar.

Meanwhile, at Route 24, Dango is locked in battle with a young adult man and his fierce Beedrill. Using Axew, Dango lands a winning blow and pockets the man's money. The defeated man shakes his head, sighing deeply, wondering why kids these days are so skilled with Pokémon. He doubts if he made the right career choice, then does something unexpected—he sets his Beedrill free.

The Beedrill looks confused, still injured from battle, buzzing weakly as it tries to fly next to its trainer. But the man turns away. After three years together, he finally admits the truth—he hasn't won a single battle since last month. With a heavy heart, he throws away Beedrill's Poké Ball and shouts for it to leave.

Beedrill hovers in place, then slowly turns and flies off, glancing back one last time. The man walks alongside Dango in silence for a moment, the mood quiet.

He confesses he's going to return to school, maybe find a regular office job. Dango wishes the man luck, and as the man looks up at the sky, a single tear drops from his eye.

Man: "Thanks, kid. You've got a good head on your shoulders—take care of that Axew."

The man nods, offering a small wave as he walks away. Dango thought the encounter was strange, only thinking that some people just aren't meant to be trainers. Arriving at the entrance of the Gym, Dango opens the door—only for Maylin to come out. He asks if she won, and as soon as she begins stomping her feet, he gets his answer.

Minutes later, now at the Pokémon Centre, our heroes are eating lunch, and their Pokémon are enjoying their meals too. Dango, with food smeared across his face, looks annoyed as every time he takes a bite, Maylin lets out a heavy sigh. Dango asks what the problem is, and Maylin simply says she doesn't know how to beat Misty.

Nearby, their Pokémon are all eating—except Tyrouge and Elekid. Elekid is pestering Tyrouge with his iconic gestures, while the Fighting-type holds himself back from attacking. Dango asks if Maylin ever got any battle experience, to which she answers yes, if he counts him, Rose, and that one cave guy.

Dango watches Maylin eat and thinks back to the man and his Beedrill, hoping Maylin isn't like him. After they finish eating, Maylin gets up to head to the Gym, but Dango stops her. He decides she isn't ready to battle a Gym Leader yet and needs to train her Pokémon first. Maylin looks confused, wondering what Dango means by that.

A few hours later, on Route 4, our heroes are seen walking along the path. Maylin looks around, confused, and wonders aloud why they're here, of all places. Dango, full of confidence, explains that if she wants to beat Misty in a battle, she'll need to level up her Pokémon. Maylin laughs out loud, calling Dango an idiot—he must think this is just a game.

Dango strides ahead, scanning the area as he tells her to shut up. Maylin chases after, whining for him to wait up. Behind some trees, the two crouch down, their starter Pokémon close behind. They spot a Metapod resting on a tree branch. Maylin eagerly steps forward to battle it, but Dango quickly stops her.

Dango: "Ohhhh, you like easy battles, fight that!"

He points at a massive, sleeping Pinsir nestled in the shade nearby. Maylin's eyes widen in horror. She turns to him, protesting and demanding why he isn't the one fighting it. But Dango reminds her that she's the one stuck at the Gym, and Pinsir's typing makes it a perfect training match. Plus, he's already fighting the Metapod.

Maylin: "WHAT! A METAPOD!"

Dango: (In a sarcastic tone) "Yeah, he's very strong."

Maylin: "OH, YOU LITTLE PIECE OF!"

Suddenly, the ground trembles. The Pinsir hovers behind her, clearly enraged after being woken from its nap. With a furious roar, it lunges for Maylin, pincers raised. Just in time, Drillbur leaps forward, deflecting the strike with a solid Metal Claw. Maylin scrambles back and calls for Rock Slide, but Pinsir demolishes the boulders with ease and grabs Drillbur tightly in its pincers. As this unfolds, Dango quietly celebrates catching the Metapod, casually watching the chaos unfold.

Frozen for a moment, Maylin quickly returns Drillbur and throws out Tyrogue. The battle is intense, with Maylin shouting commands and Dango tossing in advice from the sidelines. Finally, with a perfectly timed Rock Smash, Pinsir stumbles and crashes to the ground, defeated.

Dango applauds and jokes about catching it, but Maylin thinks for a second, then tosses a Poké Ball. The ball shakes… and clicks. She picks it up triumphantly. Dango steps forward, expecting her to hand it over. Instead, she introduces Pinsir as her third team member. Dango groans in frustration, but admits she was the one who beat it, so it's only fair.

After spraying Pinsir with some Potions, Dango sends out his Staravia and tells Maylin they'll be sparring every day until she makes a breakthrough. Maylin looks confused, unsure what he means, but agrees anyway. With a nod, the two new rivals—Pinsir and Staravia—clash fiercely on the training ground.

Meanwhile, in Bill's basement, the researcher sits focused, tinkering with a strange phone-like gadget. Suddenly, it explodes in his face with a sharp pop, and a tiny, high-pitched laugh follows. Bill turns his gaze toward the sound—and there, floating gracefully in the air, is a mischievous Mew. Instead of showing surprise, Bill smirks and hushes the Pokémon, revealing that this playful Mew is none other than the Sugar he's been calling for.

To Be Continued!