- Project Ifrit.
The Tenla Government wanted to show the world the Tenlan way. 50 long years of constant drilling, tunneling, and construction later, we achieved that goal. Welcome to Ifrit Mountain.
Visitors, you have two options. Follow the signs and take the long way, see the fruits of our labor. Or, take the lift dead ahead to get to the city on top. The choice is yours.
But, by all means, enjoy your time. Enjoy Project Ifrit.—The sign at the base of Ifrit Mountain
Ash, Misty, Brock, May, and Dawn make it to Aparra Village the morning after the night Pokemon Contest held in the previous chapter. Stopping at the Pokemon Center for Brock to restock and Winter to change into more weather-appropriate gear, everyone gets a chance to see or meet Zoey and Drew before they head out to their next destination. Drew also indirectly gives May and Dawn the next destination for a Pokemon Contest.
After that, the group finally arrives at Ifrit Mountain and see the Ifrit Project firsthand as they scour the tunnels within the dead volcano. Although it's a long and tiring trip for some of them, they make it to Ifrit City at the summit. To their surprise, the Tenla Police Ops have a more established presence than expected, making them uneasy. Nurse Joy explains they're here because of a disturbance within the mountain (the Team Hectic fiasco outlined by Incinelsh last chapter).
At that same Pokemon Center, Ash's posse re-meets with the Dream Team. Aaron confides in the absence of Ifrit City Gym Leader as well his loss over Heather.
The chapter contains the following examples:
- Breather Episode: This chapter is a noticeable break in drama and battling, instead dedicated to characterization, settling development, and interactions.
- Freudian Slip: Ash muses on his apparently missing father when Jacob brings the topic up as an aside. He quickly brushes it off, but Winter was observant enough to see oddly somber that was of Ash.
- Hidden Depths: Ian sews. Aaron watches soap operas. Ash's missing father worries him more than you expect. Winter thinks of new people as carrots so she can talk to them better. Oh, my.
- Humans Are Good: Ash believes in the inherent kindness of people.Ash: You ask me, just take it as you go. Most people are good folks, so it’s not like you have anything to worry about. Even Ian can be a nice guy.
