Challenge Flint: Part 1

My Electivire demands tough opponents.

We got some good training in right as the new year began, huh?

Guess we should get some rest. Gotta be ready for tomorrow's battles!

Eeeek!

L-lightning?!

Hm... That came from where we were just training, didn't it.

Lightning striking at the start of a new year?

Seems like a good omen to me!

It's as if the skies are celebrating with us!

My gut's telling me this year is gonna be electrifying!

Oh, Scottie.

Oh, I know that voice. Scottie, right?

Happy New Year.

Let's both have a good one.

Um, Sabrina?

If you don't mind, could we take a picture with you?

Sure. I don't mind.

I wore this outfit today as a way to start fresh in the new year.

But as you just saw, people keep approaching me, one after another.

Thank you...

This is a nice outfit, isn't it.

Thank you...

It's a little embarrassing when you say it like that.

I like to spend the start of a new year in peace and quiet...

Thus, I was hoping to find a quiet spot to calm my mind.

Aw, MAN! Why are you guys so strong?! You're on fire! You totally got us!

What's all this commotion, now?

... ... ... ... ... ...

Whew... Burnt right down to cinders...

That's the match! The winning sync pair is Volkner and Electivire!

Wow! Didja see those sparks?

What a great battle to see at the start of a new year! I'm thoroughly satisfied!

I'm glad you enjoyed the battle, but don't get too comfortable yet!

The main event is yet to come!

We're calling it the New Year's Battle Tournament, and I'm pleased to announce that it's about to start!

This tournament will consist of two-on-two battles!

The team that keeps the longest winning streak going will be declared the winners!

The New Year's Battle Tournament...

... ... ...

I see... So I'll be partnering with him.

I had a premonition. It's bound to happen.

Yes, exactly. And it will most likely become our reality.

I also foresaw something else... A premonition that something dangerous is about to happen.

At this rate, I suppose it'll be difficult to spend my time in peace and quiet after all.

But I also sense something about my partnering up with that man...

Teaming up with him is necessary to stop the danger that is about to happen.

I can't tell exactly what that danger will be, though.

Are you ready for some battles?

My partner Pokémon, Electivire, is a force of nature to be reckoned with.

Actually...don't get me started. I'll tell you another time.

So it ended up as I foresaw...

What does that mean?

Oh, it's nothing. Thank you for teaming up with me.

My partner Pokémon is Chingling. It's cute but also very reliable.

Oh, wow! New outfits and partner Pokémon for the New Year's Battle Tournament!

Fantastic! Just fantastic!

If I get some great shots of you in battle, we could use them to promote Pasio!

So go on and show me your best, you two!

Of course. If I'm participating in this tournament, I intend to win.

Yeah, that's the spirit! Let's get going, then!

We've been waiting for you!

Let's start the battle!

So a Champion is participating in this tournament, too? I guess it'll be a challenge, then!

This is going to be our first battle of the tournament.

Let's sync up and snag ourselves a win!

Yes. I'm sure we'll get used to battling together, little by little.

Also...it'd be a shame to lose while wearing such festive outfits.

Are you ready? Here we go!

They sure are tough! Looks like they've had a few battles together to work on their teamwork!

How many wins do you have so far?

Five!

And we plan to add one more with this battle!

Yeah! Sorry, but we're gonna win!

Don't think you'll take us out that easily!

We're just getting warmed up!

We were so close! But we let victory slip right through our fingers...

That was an excellent battle. Thank you!

It seems our opponents may have been a bit worn out from their previous matches.

Yeah. If we'd taken one more hit, we probably would've lost.

Your support really helped me out!

It was like you could tell beforehand what I was going to do. Is that your precognition at work?

Yes, it is.

You're usually a quiet person, but when you start to enjoy yourself in battle, you get very passionate.

That's why I tried to make sure I battled in a way that would help foster that passion.

You sure know your stuff! Let's keep battling and start a winning streak, shall we?

Sure. Let's aim for a cleaner win next time.

After that, Volkner and Sabrina battled against many sync pairs...

and steadily increased their winning streak.

We're doing a great job of keeping our winning streak going!

I can't wait to see what other combinations we can pull off with your precognition!

We might just be a good team after all!

That may be so.

Hey, you two!

Come battle us next!

Yeah! We'll show you our awesome teamwork!

So you joined the tournament, too?

Of course! It's the perfect opportunity to challenge you to a rematch!

Let us see how hot your spirit burns!

Don't let your guard down, Sabrina.

This team is gonna be hard to beat!

I have no intention of letting up. We will put our all into this battle.

What just happened?! We lost?!

... ... ... ... ... ...

Whew... We lost again...

Hahaha! Sorry about that, you two!

It's our win! Looks like we're starting off this year on the right foot!

So these two are our next opponents.

I feel like I've seen that masked Trainer somewhere before...

Hey hey, what're you doing, getting pensive when a battle's about to start?

You can't beat us if your mind's on other things!

Oh...I guess you're right.

Now's not the time to be thinking about anything other than battling!

... ... ...

Hm...

Let's get ready to rumble!

I heard your team uses some interesting tactics, so I've been looking forward to this!

Show us the strength you've forged by winning your matches up till now!

Amazing! Such power!

Look who's talking! You're shockingly strong!

That said, we're the ones who're gonna win here!

There's no way we'll lose!

Extreme conditions really test you and train you!

Let's see who comes out on top!

Hold the battle!

What's the matter? Things were just getting good.

The system that generates Pasio's energy just short-circuited! Certain parts of the island are experiencing power outages.

The generator shorted? That's not good...

You didn't have a hand in this, did you?

C'mon, don't look at me like that!

I was just battling, so there's no way I could've done anything.

I suppose you're right. But if it wasn't you, why did this happen?

Could that be the source of our problem?

Why don't we postpone this battle for now?

We should probably resolve any issues with that generator first, if it's broken.

Yes, agreed.

Yeah, I got you. I'll go check if there have been any accidents because of the power outages!

I'm planning on checking out the area where we saw that bright flash of light just now. Want to come with?

Of course. We are a team, after all.

Thanks! Then let's head out!

Oh, these Pokémon...

I see. Their electrical discharge must be why the power generator shorted!

What should we do?

Let's work together and try to calm those Pokémon down.

Raichu are usually gentle, but they turn aggressive if they have too much electricity in their bodies.

I'm sure those Magnemite are also being affected by Raichu, too.

We can have a Pokémon battle to make them discharge all that electricity!

That makes sense. I suppose you'd know best, being an Electric-type Gym Leader.

Let's show them our teamwork that we built up during the New Year's Battle Tournament!

Yes, let's!

Phew... Still not done yet?

We got them to discharge a lot of energy by battling them...

But it looks like they're still a bit on edge. Maybe it's because we cornered them.

This might take a while...

Understood. Let me help.

Watch out! It's dangerous to get too close!

It's OK. There's nothing to be afraid of.

What was that?

If we've gotten them to discharge most of their energy, all we have to do is calm them down.

Whenever I hear Chingling's bell, it soothes my soul... So I figured it would work here, too.

Oh, that makes sense. You had me worried for a second!

Now all that's left is to return these Pokémon to their Trainers.

Thank you, Chingling. You did well.

I think this was the dangerous event I foresaw. I'm glad we were able to put an end to that.

I see you've taken care of things here!

Professor Kukui!

My buddy, the Masked Royal, told me everything, so I came here as fast as I could!

The Trainers of those Pokémon will be here soon.

Hmm... The Pokémon seem to have calmed down. Looks like their heart rates are back to normal, too.

I imagine the lightning that struck last night was the reason they were so worked up.

The air around them was charged with electricity, and they probably took in too much of it.

My guess is when they tried to discharge it, it caused the power generator to short-circuit.

Also...

That Electivire of yours might have played a part in all this, too.

Electivire?

It seems some lightning clouds formed in the sky right where you two were training.

Electivire's electrical energy output is one of the best of all Electric-type Pokémon. Wild as it may sound, he may have changed the weather.

Well, that's Electivire for you! I guess that happens sometimes!

So you were the cause of this after all!

Whatever! You already solved the problem. Now, we just have to repair the power- generating system!

It'll probably take some time to repair that, right?

Yes, and it's bound to be troublesome.

Since we may have played a part in causing all of this, how about we help you fix it?

You just want to tinker with the machines, don't you!

Haha! You saw right through me!

I've been curious about how Pasio's power system was set up!

Goodness.

I know we've solved the first problem...

But I really am still concerned about that power generator...

You're still going on about that?

OK, already! If you're that intent on working on it, I'll think about it!

Really?!

Hahaha! Now that's dedication!

Volkner! Sabrina! Is everything all right?

I heard you fought a massive bolt of lightning!

Oh, that's just an exaggeration. Who told you that?

No worries, everyone!

The cause of the commotion was just a Raichu and some Magnemite.

But these two sync pairs solved the problem, no sweat!

Awesome, you two!

Yes. You showed great skill.

I can't say I'm proud that we caused problems for everyone, but...

We did make a pretty good team, didn't we?

Yes, it wasn't bad at all.

I'm actually not a huge fan of battling...but I had a lot of fun today.

I think you two might even be the winning team for the New Year's Battle Tournament!

Didn't you have a pretty big winning streak?

Well? Do you remember how many battles you won?

Uh... I stopped counting partway through.

And with all that commotion about the power going out, I completely forgot about it!

I don't remember the details, but I think it's fine as long as we all had fun!

Hm...

Oh well. It's still fantastic! Just fantastic!

*sigh*

Well... As long as everyone had fun, this tournament has been a huge success!

I suppose it'll be difficult to have a quiet start to the new year.

But somehow, all of this clamor is surprisingly calming my spirit.

I think we'll all have a great year.

OK, everyone. Gather around!

I hope we all have a wonderful new year.

I'm sure we will!

There are a lot of sync pairs here that remind me how fun it is to battle!

As long as we're here on Pasio, it's bound to be an exciting year!

Yes. Even without seeing into the future, I know that's true.