- "The friends we made in Kanto and Johto.. I would do my best to keep them because those are the first bonds I've ever had, barring Mom and my Pokemon. I wouldn't let something as potentially corruptive as ambition ruin my friendships, like mine with you."—Jacob Forut, lending a helping hand to Ian
Ian Darusu is unimpressed with how the Wallace Cup turned out, and rightfully so. So, he takes a quick detour to Hearthome City to touch up on the basics. He starts catching up with an old friend, Jacob Forut, who's elsewhere in school at this time. The two have a heartfelt conversation before Jacob cuts it off to resume his studies. Ian proceeds to go see his aunt, Fantina.
This chapter contains examples of:
- A Day in the Limelight: Ian is the focus of this chapter, not Aaron, Dawn, or Ash, for a change.
- Ambition Is Evil: Ian's ambitiousness has led to make some questionable social decisions. Jacob tells him he wouldn't let something as "potentially corruptive" get in the way of his bonds.
- Chekhov's Gunman: Jacob was referred to by name in earlier chapters. He makes his first on-screen debut here.
- Cool Aunt: Fantina, Hearthome City Gym Leader and Top Coordinator, is revealed to be Ian's aunt. She offers find advice and suggestions to him to help make improvements. She even provides two Dusk Stones to evolve his Misdreavus and Murkrow.
- The Gadfly: Ian mercilessly teases Jacob.
- Heterosexual Life-Partners: Ian and Jacob must be really close to have such an honest conversation with each other like at the start.
- Hidden Depths: Ian is French note and went to school.
- The Paranoiac: Mild example. Ian's yet to reconcile with his old friend Aaron because he doesn't want his hopes and dreams getting weighed down by someone else. Jacob asks has it happened. Ian stops talking; it hasn't. He was running off pure paranoia and a few select conversations during his Hoenn journey including one with Flannery.
