Team Skull Represent!

Yo, Scottie! Got a second? Sure you do!

Sorry you got dragged into this.

Would you mind tagging along for this training of his?

Come on! I'll beat you down and beat you down some more!

Looks like Golisopod's about to use First Impression! It works only when the user's just entered a battle, but it deals massive damage!

Watch out, Lunatone! Dodge it!

You can get crushed with the rest of 'em! Go, Golisopod!

Hah, that's a good one! You can get crushed with the rest of 'em! Go, Golisopod!

Oh, no you don't! Salamence, go!

Well, we fought hard, but victory eluded us this time. Liza and Scottie, are you all right?

I'm fine! I can still fight!

Mr. Guzma, can we have a rema...

No way! You ain't worth the time!

Fighting you's a waste of a beatdown!

A bunch of boulders would make a better opponent than you!

That's enough! Both of you!

Liza, I can't fault your enthusiasm, but you can't go charging into battles so recklessly.

As for you, Guzma...

Why can't you get a sentence out without being so menacing?

Shut up! That's just how big bad Guzma is! If you don't like it, stay out of my business!

Oh, honestly, I've just about had it with you.

Tell me, Liza, why all this rush to get stronger, anyway?

'Cause...I made a promise with my brother, Tate.

We agreed we'd both work to stand on our own two feet.

If I want to get to that point, I have to become stronger. Strong enough to fight on my own...

If that's your goal, then fighting like you did just now won't get you far.

Plumeria? What're you doing here?

How sweet. Nice to see you, too. I was just passing through and heard a commotion, so I thought I'd come see what's up.

And what should I find but you bullying this little girl.

You oughta be ashamed, picking on weaker people like that. What kind of look is that for the leader of Team Skull?

Huh? What do you mean by "weaker people?!"

They've got one of the Hoenn Elite Four with 'em! That's supposed to be "weak?"

Oh, wow. You're with the Hoenn Elite Four, huh, old-timer?

But the little girl's another story, isn't she?

Hey! I-I'm no weakling! I'm a Gym Leader in Hoenn!

I mean...when I'm with Tate I am, anyway...

Guh! Wipe that pitiful look off your face!

Do you wanna get stronger or not?

I do... I do want to!

Then quit whimpering!

I swear. That's our boss, delicate as a hammer.

Still, he's got a point.

If you wanna change, you'd better face your goal head-on, or you'll miss out on the important stuff.

You're right! Thanks, Mr. Guzma! Thanks, Ms. Plumeria!

Heh! Save your thanks, kid!

Hey, you there! Face me in battle!

Hey, Plumeria and Scottie! Gimme a hand here!

I think I know what you've got in mind. Time for a Pokémon battle, right?

You got that right! If you wanna be strong, first you better see what strength looks like!

And if you wanna see strength, big bad Guzma's your boy! I'll beat you down, then beat you down some more!

Liza watched Guzma and the others battle again and again, hoping it would help her grow stronger.

So! What do you think of the might of big bad Guzma and Golisopod?

Look who's talking, Scottie. You weren't so bad yourself.

I'll admit it, Scottie, you can destroy with the best of 'em!

That was so, so cool! Amazing!

How do I become that strong?!

Do I just have to wait until I'm grown-up?

Or is there some kind of trick to it?

Grrr! I just want to be strong like you and the others, Mr. Guzma!

Oh! I know! Take me as your apprentice!

Huh? No way! Completely outta the question!

Awww! How come?!

I-I don't take apprentices, kid. Personal policy.

Personal policy, huh? First I've heard of it.

Shut up! You keep outta this!

Look, no apprentices for me! End of story!

If you wanna get stronger, use your own power to do something about it!

Awww. But I was really hoping you'd teach me.

Why not make an exception just this once?

Y'know, she may be different in a lot of key ways, but...

she kind of reminds me of our cute numskulls back home. It wouldn't feel right to just leave her in the lurch, would it?

... ... ...

Listen up, kid.

I'll say it one last time, big bad Guzma doesn't take apprentices...

But this time, and this time only, I guess I wouldn't mind...not refusing you.

Just can't give a simple yes, can you?

Keep it to yourself!

So what's it gonna be? It's now or never! You gonna watch me do my thing or not?

Yes, please! I'm glad to have even one chance. Thank you so much!

Ngh!

Sheesh!

Hmm. Seems like pure and simple gratitude knocks him off-balance.

Isn't this nice, Liza? But I wonder... How exactly is this training going to work?

Shut it! I'll tell you how it'll work: beatdowns and more beatdowns!

Now watch carefully. I'll give you one more look at big bad Guzma's brand of destruction!

You gotta learn the trick to it with your own two eyes!

Here goes! Look alive, Plumeria and Scottie. Time for some full-blast destruction!

Yeah yeah, Salazzle and I have already followed you this far. We might as well keep goin' till you're satisfied.

You're up first, Drake! Hope you're ready for us!

Well, that suits me fine. But weren't you the victor when we battled just minutes ago?

Oh, c'mon! You think beating someone who was busy protecting a kid counts as a win?

I wanna be able to say I beat down one of the Hoenn Elite Four fair and square!

Wah ha ha!

I see, I see. Well then, see what you make of Drake, the Dragon master of the Hoenn Elite Four!

Well? That oughta be enough watching to start picking up a knack for destruction!

... ... ...

For real?! What don't you get about it?

You big dummy. What good is just watching?

Tell me, Liza. Do you know the difference between how you battle and how we battle?

I'm sorry... I don't.

How about you, Scottie? Any thoughts?

Clicked...perfectly?

You, me, and Guzma did?

Well, that idea's both nice and troubling.

More spirited destruction, huh?

Heh. You hit the nail on the head!

There ain't nobody who can match me when it comes to destructive spirit!

Hey! Kid!

Y-yes, sir!

If watching won't cut it, better try it for yourself! Get ready for a battle with big bad Guzma!

Yes, sir! Th-thank you, sir!

So! How come you keep losing? Find the answer yet, kid?

Because I just can't pull myself together!

I know I need to be able to stand on my own two feet without Tate...

but maybe I just can't cut it without him after all?

Gaaah! Come on, that ain't it!

Now listen good, kid! Is it your brother's fault you're not strong?

No! The only person keeping you from winning is you!

You convinced yourself you're a certain way, and you shut yourself up in your own shell because of it!

Hold on now, Guzma...

Now you've gotta break that shell for yourself! Be the one to smash it wide open!

I'm weak...because I shut myself inside my shell?

I just convinced myself of something...

I convinced myself that without Tate, I have to be able to stand all on my own!

Yeah, Scottie... I'm fine now!

I sure did!

Mr. Guzma! Let's battle again!

All better now, are we, Liza?

Yes, I'm all right! And I won't go down so easily this time!

Heh! If we're doing this, we're doing it right. You better bring some destruction yourself!

Yes! I'm ready to get destroyed, full blast!

Uh, that doesn't sound like quite the right attitude.

But hey, if you're ready, then bring it!

Very well. Then as an Elite Four member, allow me to see this battle through.

Now fix your heart straight and true! Victory's yours if you can reach out and seize it!

Well, we lost...but it was fun anyway!

Indeed. That was one mighty-fine battle.

Thanks, Mr. Guzma and Ms. Plumeria! You too, Scottie!

Don't mention it. We got a good battle out of it, so it was a good deal for us, too.

Right, Guzma?

Feh. I didn't get to beat you down as bad as I really meant to.

Hehe. Thank you!

Hmm. I suspect I know what held Liza back from beating Guzma the first time.

She may have been too caught up trying to figure out what her place was in team battles and how she should fight.

All her life, she's been fighting side by side with her twin brother.

Exactly. She's always fought side by side with her twin brother.

They worked so well as a team, they didn't even need to talk, and Liza could fight the way that felt natural.

With her brother gone, she was all alone. She couldn't find a natural-feeling way to fight.

So she couldn't find the strength she normally...

Nah. That ain't it.

Here on Pasio, we battle three-on-three, which means you're never fighting alone.

She's used to fighting with her brother, so she oughta be a natural at working with other sync pairs.

But she couldn't see the people by her side!

She thought she was alone, so she was convinced she couldn't cut it...even though this style of battling was practically made for her!

That's what I mean when I say she built her own shell!

But that battle just now was different. She started believing in her teammates and focusing on bringing the beatdown!

So basically, she quit sweating the small stuff and fought without doubts eating at her.

But besides, you've got someone right nearby that understands you pretty well, right, Liza?

What? But Tate's not here...

Oh, c'mon. What about your partner?

O-oh, of course! I'm sorry, Lunatone...

I bet Lunatone wants to be a source of support for you, too, not just the other way around.

Don't forget that!

You're right!

Good. You gonna be all right now?

Well, I taught her, so how could she not be?

Hehe. I'm glad to have such a kind mentor!

Buh?! Who you callin', I'm nobody's mentor... let alone a "kind" one!

I've learned so much from your wise mentorship! I'll make sure to treasure your teachings!

And I'll keep this destructive spirit alive!

Well, isn't that nice, oh wise mentor?

Wise and kind mentor, at that!

Shut up, shut up, shut up! All of you!

I told you, big bad Guzma takes no apprentices!

Hey, shut up! You ain't my apprentice! Quit taking advantage of my distraction!

Yo! There you are!

What're you just standing there for? Yeesh. Not too reliable, are ya?

Today you'll get a crash course in beatdowns, straight from the master himself, me!

Here's your task. It's simple: smash all these rocks!

Gather all your strength, smash right through 'em, and keep moving forward!

Your task's simple: smash all these rocks!

Gather all your strength, smash right through 'em, and keep moving forward!

Huh? What's goin' on here?

H-help meee!

Heh! Want to free our little hostage? Well, I think we can work out a deal...if you hand over your Pokémon!

Now that's playing dirty!

Good luck getting through Machamp's mighty boulder barricade! It won't break easily!

A boulder barricade, huh? Well, this oughta be good!

It's just begging to be smashed! Go for it, Golisopod!

How'd they break through so quickly?!

All right, punks! What flavor of beatdown will it be today?

Eeek! N-no, spare us! We're sorry! We messed up bad!

Really? Giving up already? Flimsy buncha punks, ain'tcha?

Or so we'd like you to think!

Wha, ?! You were back there, too? Grrr! You tricked me into letting my guard down!

Wh-whoa! You can't just attack out of nowhere... that's cheating!

Like you're one to talk!

Grrr! No dice!

Well, you punks sure went and did it now. Hope you're ready for full-blast Guzma!

N-nooo! We're sorry! We'll back down, for real this time!

Hey, uh...thanks for saving me!

Hmph! Don't bother thanking us, kid. You just happened to be right in our smashing path.

Hey! What's the holdup? This ain't the time for standing around slack-jawed!

Let's go, Scottie! Time to bust some rocks...and some Team Break heads!

Huh? What's your problem? Looking to get in my way and catch a beatdown?

Meh. After today, at least I know you ain't the type to just stand around flat-footed.

I thought about trying to cram in some more training, but ya know...I'm feelin' done! Let's call it a day.

See ya round, Scottie. I'll give you a shout next time I'm feeling up to it!

Oh, it's you, Scottie. Fancy meeting you here.

I heard they've got some pretty tasty cocoa at a café just past here.

I was just on my way to try it. How's that sound?

Feel free to tag along, if you want.

Wow. They've got a good range of shops here, huh?

With this many options, it's easy to get distracted from what you came for.

Wow. They've got a good range of shops here, huh?

With this many options, it's easy to get distracted from what you came for.

Welcome! Care to try a sample of our lovely face cream, ma'am?

Hmm. Yeah, I guess it couldn't hurt.

What's up, Scottie? You want to try it, too?

Or do you have a problem with me looking at skin care stuff?

How did you like that cream, ma'am?

It was pretty nice, I guess.

Aren't Stufful cute? They're like stuffed toys!

Yeah, so what if I do?

They're fine. I wouldn't say "a lot."

Still...Stufful sure are cute.

It's too bad they don't like being touched.

Waaahhh!

Geez, you've got some lungs on you. What're you so upset about?

Waaah! Where'd everyone gooo? Where are they?

Uh-oh. Are you lost?

I can't find theeem! Where's the Pokémon Center?

Ah. So you'll be able to find who you're looking for if we get you to the Pokémon Center?

*sigh* Well, we can't just leave you here, can we? Come on, let's bring you back.

Ah! They're here!

Thanks for bringing me back here, lady!

Just try not to get lost again, all right?

Tch. Cute, little troublemaker...

*sigh* It's fine. We can always try to go for cocoa some other time.

*sigh* I'm good. We'll try to go again sometime soon.

Oh well. We got a pretty fun walk out of it, right, Scottie?

Anyway, see you around.