- "(In Ifrit Mountain, there is a shrine within a cavern normally overlooked by people going straight to the city at the summit. Most of the Pokemon that dwell there are entrusted with the shrine's protection. Recently, shady people and their Pokemon came and tried to force their way into to the shrine. However, we did not back down. Many of us, including me, were injured in our gambit to block off the path by collapsing the roof.)"—Incinelsh, foreshadowing the next confrontation with a certain Standard Evil Organization Squad
We take a break from Ash and his friends to see what Aaron, Jacob, and Ian are doing a little farther ahead in Aparra Village. Although Aaron is disappointed in himself for losing against Heather, it's Ian's time to shine at the Aparra Village Pokemon Contest. After navigating through an unexpectedly large crowd, they meet Zoey at the Pokemon Center, fresh off her victory in Sinnoh and ready to keep on going. She makes it known the village is holding a special "Night Contest" held outdoors. At the contest site, Ian and Zoey scout out the competition, leading a choice encounter with a heavily injured Incinelsh and a Drew, another old face.
The chapter contains the following examples:
- A Day in the Limelight: The chapter. Instead of Ash's party, we instead focus on the Dream Team. Particularly, we focus on Ian in his Pokemon Contest and Jacob's interactions with an injured Incinelsh.
- Ahem: Jacob clears this throat while Aaron and Ian are catching up with Zoey so he can be introduced to her. Ian responds by saying he should get some water for his throat.
- All of the Other Reindeer: At the Pokémon Academy of Montpelier, a prestigious school in France, Ian was one of the worst students, leading to him becoming a social outcast amongst fellow students and even some teachers.Ian: I grew up in France with my brother and sister. We studied at the Pokémon Academy of Montpelier. I did the worst, and the other students caught on. Even my homeroom teacher liked telling me how much I sucked. Then, I met my then Gastly who scared some of the suckers off. Wasn’t long before I did the same thing. When I see someone who is oblivious to suffering, think they’re all high and mighty, I like to give them an education. (manic smile) That moment when they discover their first taste of terror is pure bliss! Then, I grew addicted and made it a regular hobby.
- Catapult Nightmare: Recovering from his coma, Incinelsh dreams about the attack at Ifit Mountain's shrine and wakes up this way, forgetting how injured he is.
- Enemies Equals Greatness: A varation, "Rivals Equal Greatness". Ian isn't afraid of taking on people (read: Top Coordinators) technically out of his class. It's a gambit: defeating them might increase interest in him as well as show everyone his true capabilities, and using his own style no less.
- Famed In-Story: This chapter makes it clear Zoey is well-known for her escapades in Sinnoh. Ian outright muses how most coordinators don't win their first Grand Festival on the first try and especially not at her age.
- Snark-to-Snark Combat: Drew versus Ian and/or Zoey. It has to be read to be believed.
- Troubling Unchildlike Behavior: Ian explains to Zoey he developed his scaring habit and interest in horror way before he started his journeying in Kanto, when he was 10. He's never regretted it.
- The Unfought: Despite their interactions, Drew and Ian never settle their score.
- You Killed My Father: Incinelsh wants to make Team Hectic pay for killing his parents back at Ifrit Mountain.
