Heart of Elegance

Did you find any good rocks, Metagross?

...Not really into it, huh?

Want to call it a day?

Hey, Champion! Out here on an adventure like me?

Hi there, Brandon.

Well, I wouldn't exactly call this an adventure.

We're just hunting for rocks like always. It's practically a daily routine.

Though now that we don't need to look for samples of sync stones ultimate anymore, it hasn't been as exciting.

Hahahaha! I see!

My daily adventures have been lacking something lately, too.

That's why I've been searching around this island every day for new adventures!

That's great! You're living up to your reputation as a legendary explorer by embracing the unknown.

By the way, Champion...

Are you preparing for the upcoming tournament everyone's been talking about?

No.

I won't be joining the tournament. Instead, I'll focus on uncovering the mysteries of the sync stones ultimate.

Oh? Why is that?

Well, ever since I came to Pasio, I've been noticing how the next generation of Trainers has been growing and changing.

Watching them has made me reflect on what I should be doing.

And I've come to realize that I need to be someone who can support their growth.

I see... That's an admirable mindset, one I've seen from you before.

But that's not enough, Steven!

Huh? It's not enough?

Indeed.

Seeing young talent seems to be shaking your confidence. Am I right?

That's not true.

I genuinely want to support the next generation of Trainers and help them grow.

I want to see people and Pokémon doing their best. Is that wrong?

No, it's not. It's wonderful to guide young talent and support their growth.

But that shouldn't stop you from going on your own adventures!

It seems like you're trying to play it safe. You're saying the right things, but isn't that you trying to make excuses?

What does your courage sensor say?!

(My own adventures... My courage...)

Adventures are passionate! Dangerous! Desperate!

Reliable and fearless Champions confront challenges headfirst! Even if they're worn down, they push through!

The next generation of Trainers and the people who know you well...

I bet they all want you to go on thrilling adventures!

...

(I was too focused on everyone else's growth because they were shining so brightly...)

(I didn't even think about my own shine.)

(Maybe I have been forgetting to work on myself and pursue my own adventures...)

I understand now, Metagross.

This is what you were trying to tell me all along, wasn't it?

Brandon, you're right.

It seems I was indeed trying to play it safe. Now that I'm aware of it, I'm somewhat disappointed in myself.

Well, I must say, I'm rather excited to see your new adventures with Metagross!

As am I.

I can't wait to see the worlds Metagross and I discover through our adventures!

Your own courage will lead you through unknown worlds...

Ahh, yes, indeed this life is grand!

Young explorer! I look forward to our next meeting!

OK then, Metagross! It's time to start our adventure!

After all, when it comes down to it...

We're just the strongest there is right now!

Centra City was abuzz with Trainers and Pokémon.

As usual, Scottie didn't have to wait long to be challenged to a battle.

This time, [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="his" F="her" ] opponents looked particularly strong.

C'mon, team! These guys are nothing to panic over. This battle's gonna be ours!

In the end, Scottie won... But [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="he" F="she" ] was surprised to find Caitlin watching the battle from nearby.

In the end, Scottie won... But [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="he" F="she" ] was surprised to find Caitlin watching the battle from nearby.

Well, fancy running into you here, Scottie. Lovely battle.

I saw you fighting out of the corner of my eye as I was walking into town, and then I found I couldn't take my eyes off of you.

I do have to point out one thing, though... You could stand to win your battles with a touch more elegance, if I had any say in the matter.

A Trainer must always remain calm and collected. We must present an image of dignity, refinement, and grace.

A Trainer must always remain calm and collected. We must present an image of dignity, refinement, and grace.

That, my dear, is elegance... Once you find peace and gain a bit of emotional leeway, you begin to see things you couldn't before.

If you wish to fully utilize your skills in battle, elegance is of the utmost importance.

Hey, you two aren't talking about fashion without ME, are you?!

I heard something about grace and elegance... Well? What's the gossip? I want to know all the juicy details!

I think you may have misheard us. I wasn't talking about fashion...

I was just teaching my dear friend here that elegance is of the utmost importance when it comes to Pokémon battling.

Gee, do you really think so? I guess I've never thought about elegance like that before... Now I'm curious!

Very well. Perhaps I can show you both how grace and elegance can elevate one's prowess in battle...

Oh, perfect! I'll watch super closely... Pokémon battling is all about focus!

Well done, both of you. That battle was quite splendid.

I just focused as hard as I could, as always! It's what I'm best at!

I don't think I would choose the word "elegant" to describe you in that battle...

but you certainly had an air of strength and toughness about you. I could feel your energy across the battlefield.

Oh wow! Yeah! You were probably feeling that Candice focus that I'm known for! Pokémon, fashion, romance... It's all about focus!

My Abomasnow's focus is always top-notch, too!

Tee-hee! It's a style that suits you and your partner very well, I think.

I used to be unable to control my own emotions or the psychic powers I possess.

Whenever I lost a battle, they would spin entirely out of control... So much so that I was once forbidden from battling at all.

All of that changed when I began interacting with Psychic-type Pokémon. They are able to manipulate their power at will, you see.

With their help, I learned to keep my negative emotions at bay. I learned how to remain calm, elegant, and at peace in any battle.

I take great pride in my elegance, but I must admit that your focus has piqued my interest quite a bit, Candice.

Well gee, I'd still love to learn more about elegance, too! Sounds like we should do a lot more battling together!

Well, Scottie? Would you say that was an elegant battle?

What about me? Did you see how focused I was?

Naturally. I do my best to make every battle as graceful and refined as an elegant dance.

I know, right?! I just kept telling myself there was no way I could lose, wished for it from the bottom of my heart!

Hey! Just wanted to say your battle just now was suuuper rad!

What's all this about elegance and focus, though? Did I miss something, or...

Well, you see...

Ahh, I think I get it now...

You want my honest opinion? After watchin' you guys battle...

I don't think elegance OR focus are what's really most important when it comes to Pokémon battling.

Well, what IS then? With enough focus, you can pretty much do whatever you set your mind to! It's the best!

I'm interested to hear what you have to say. Do go on.

Well, in MY opinion, it's gotta be the beat! The passion!

You start riffin', you build up a killer rhythm, and then BAM! You smash your opponents in the face with it!

The...beat? Not focus or elegance? Can beats be elegant?

Passionate beats... Um... You've lost me, I'm afraid.

I guess it's kinda hard to put it into words... Let's just skip 'em! C'mon! I'll make you guys FEEL what I mean instead!

I'll show you a Pokémon battle so wild it'll blow your mind!

Gahh! What's goin' on, Roxie?! You weren't supposed to lose!

*sigh* Guess I blew my chance at showin' you guys what I was talkin' about.

I wouldn't say that. It's true that we won the battle this time...

but you certainly made an impression! Your attacks were like a raging rapid, threatening to knock me down at any moment.

Caitlin's right! You were seriously impressive! I felt like we were an inch from losing through the whole thing!

Really? But what about the beat? Did you feel the BEAT?!

As a matter of fact, I believe I did feel it. And after this last battle with you, I think I finally understand...

When it comes to Pokémon battling, each and every Trainer has their own belief about what is most important, it's individual to them.

And I think that's lovely. It's our differences that make us so interesting.

I guess you've got a point. When I'm playin' music, sometimes it's less about the beat and more about just chillin' and enjoyin' myself.

Yeah! I know not everybody is as superfocused as I am...

but more often than not, it's easy to tell when somebody really cares about their Pokémon and how much battling means to them.

In other words, a Trainer should never push others to follow their own personal methods... even if they believe they are correct.

Scottie... It didn't really come up in our conversation before, but after what I witnessed today...

I would say that you seem to value kindness more than anything else when it comes to Pokémon battling.

You shine with both kindness and strength in every battle you compete in... I saw that very clearly today.

I should thank you, Scottie. For helping me learn a valuable lesson today.

You're too kind. Really, I feel as though you all have shown me an entirely new world.

Indeed. Really, I feel as though you all have shown me an entirely new world.

Something tells me I'm going to have very sweet dreams tonight, thanks to you. I can't wait to see what I dream about...