Brief summary of what goes on in these 2 chapters.
Ichiban:
Drayden agrees to Black's challenge at the gate of the Pokemon League, but warns that he doesn't have much time because the performance part of the opening ceremony is about to finish, and he needs t get back to continue hosting the event. Brav has trouble keeping up with Druddigon's speed, even after using Tail Wind, and Drayden notices that Black isn't really connecting with his Pokemon. Black admits that he isn't really at his top shape, because when Musha left, he realized the harsh truth that what he thought was a close bond between him and a childhood Pokemon actually didn't exist. This affects his view on his other childhood Pokemon, Brav. Just when Brav is losing, the front door is flung open, allowing the blizzard outside to blow in, and Caitlin arrives to share with Black what the captured Gymleaders want to say to him (via Gothitelle). Apparently the Gymleaders are safe, but are locked up in some pitch black place and they have no idea where they are. The six Gymleaders voice out their individual encouragement to Black, and Black regains his trust in his Pokemon. He gets Brav to do an Air Slash, barely scratching Druddigon, but the attack swings the gate door open again, allowing in the Blizzard once more. Druddigon gets immobilized due to the cold, and Brav takes the chance to defeat its opponent. Drayden awards Black the Legend Badge, and announces on TV that they have the 32nd participant. And so, the Tournament begins, and the 32 participants are soon halved to 16, and then 8. The last scene shows the 8 final participants: Black, Cheren, Iris, Marlon, Looker, Zinzolin, a trainer that's a cross between a Younger and PokeManiac, and also a mysterious trainer in hood and mask.
Fan:
Outside the P2 Lab, the Striaton brothers continue their fight against the Shadow Triad. Although the Triad mocks the brothers for being weak, unnecessary for the Nacrene battle, and needing 3 people to secure 1 Gym, the brothers reveal that they were in fact individually qualified as an independent Gymleader, but decided to stay in one Gym because Lenora found their combination crucial to beginning trainers, teaching them the concept of types. They also reveal that they were intentionally absent from the Nacrene Gym, because they serve as a backup to chase after the Shadow Triad. Another reason for their absence was their need to locate certain items, which were the evolutionary stones. The brothers evolve their monkeys, and continue to fight the Triad. The Musketeers arrive, and Cobalion is apparently not impressed that humans are fighting against each other again. It tells Keldeo that there are no good and bad sides to humans, but they are all selfish. But Keldeo, after observing the battle, senses an ominous feeling about the Triad, which is the same vibe it gets from the P2 Lab. It decides to cut in, and attacks the Triad as well as their Pokemon. However, it gets ambushed by Lilligant's Grass Knot, and just as the Triad attempt to catch it, the three other Musketeers interrupt. The 3 Musketeers unleash their swords on everyone (yes including the Striaton brothers), and Cobalion mentions to Keldeo that there is another hidden sword, and it needs to learn to access it with its 'resolution'. The Triad, beaten, swear that they will seek revenge when the Kami trio's Therian Forme investigation is complete, and the Striaton brothers decide to abdicate as Gymleaders.
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Indeed, this month's issues confirm that the Keldeo chapters happen between the last 2-3 pages of the current Ichiban issue. I wonder what that 'Dark Vader'-like trainer in the League is. Personally I can't think of any important character right now that needs a secret appearance. Wonder if it's someone from before (e.g. Maxie resurrected), somewhere from Unova, some original character or actually just a mysterious placeholder which the writers haven't even decided on who it is yet.
Btw, since the pictures posted by Lolipiece basically cover most of the important scenes already, I won't be rescanning them. Let me know if there are particular scenes that you want to see.
Coronis~
P.S. Eleven Pokemon left from the 5th Gen to get featured now:
Dewott, Gigalith, Krookodile, Zoroark, Reunicles, Sawsbuck, Jellicent (male), Klang, Chadelure, Haxorus, Mandibuzz
(just realized that Musharna has had an appearance already, but in the form of Black's explanation of Munna's nickname choice)
