Challenge Pasio's Trainers: Part 1

One day, Professor Oak came across some Trainers who were looking down in the dumps.

Those Trainers are beginners, if I remember correctly.

Ahhh... I lost again...

Can training like this make me as strong as Red?

Maybe I'm not training my Pokémon correctly...

Hm...

They seem to be struggling because they set their goals too high.

For new Trainers, setting goals too high can be counterproductive.

I wonder if there's anything I could do to help Trainers like them who are just starting out...

I know!

The Neo Champion Stadium will be held soon.

I'd like you three to participate in it.

That's the tournament to decide Pasio's Neo Champion, an example for everyone else to measure up against...right?

You want us to be the judges or something? I'm not gonna go easy on them, you know!

Actually, I'd like you all to join as challengers, not judges!

... ... ...!

We're the challengers?!

I'm not trying to be cocky, but...are you sure we're allowed to participate?

You three are already an example for a lot of sync pairs.

But for this Neo Champion Stadium, participants will be judged on their "exemplary leadership," at Professor Oak's request.

I'd like you all to find new potential within yourselves by coaching new Trainers.

After all, Neo Champions aren't chosen solely for their strength!

That's true...

Here are the regulations for this round.

Each participant will be teamed up with two beginner Trainers.

You'll guide them in battle as team leaders, and show us your ability to help them grow!

On top of that, there will be a written exam to test their Pokémon knowledge!

It's important to know about the Pokémon you're battling alongside!

I've entrusted you all with a Pokédex, so I'm sure your Pokémon knowledge is sound.

It shouldn't be too hard to pass on that knowledge to younger Trainers, right?

Hah, of course not!

Well, this gives us a bit of a challenge, then, doesn't it.

Yeah! As Lance said, I think it will open up new possibilities for us!

... ... ...!

Oh yeah! I have a suggestion for you two.

What do you think of forming sync pairs with those three?

I was inspired when I saw everyone from Galar battling...

And if we form sync pairs with Pokémon we haven't before, they can grow alongside the Trainers we're coaching!

I don't mind. What about you, Red?

... ... ...!

It's decided, then.

Let's compete to see which of the three of us is best!

All right, you two!

You better be ready, 'cause I'm gonna train you up good!

Yes, please!

Um... Are these our training partners?

Yep, that's them.

Nice to meet you. Let's give it our best today.

You two are lucky you get to train with the most elite Trainer of all. Me!

Haha... He's like that, but hopefully you'll all get along.

But all three of them are Neo Champions!

They're pretty strong for you two, but don't worry!

Once you've a few pointers from me, you'll definitely beat them.

Now then, let's get studying!

I'm ready!

Question for you two! What do you think is important for a Pokémon Trainer?

Umm... Being good at battling?

Knowledge of Pokémon moves and matchups?

You're both half correct!

The most important thing for a Pokémon Trainer is...

your love of Pokémon!

I love the warmth you give off, Moltres. You're the absolute best!

For starters, you have to get up close to your Pokémon to understand them!

Now it's your turn! Let's get to know your partner Pokémon even better!

By being friends with your partner, you can learn things about them that aren't in the Pokédex.

And sometimes that lets you battle in new ways!

Yo, Leaf! Training going all right?

It's almost scary how smooth mine is going!

Same here! My teammates are quick learners, so they're doing great!

By the way, I wonder how Red's doing...

Yeah. He doesn't talk much, does he.

He seemed all in, but I've never seen him teach others.

Maybe we should go check on him?

Yeah... I kinda have a bad feeling...

When the two arrived, they saw...

Ahhhhhh!

We give up! We told you, we surrender!

... ... ...!

Red relentlessly beating the new Trainers...

... ... ...!

Oof...

*wheeze* *cough*

Are you two OK?

I see Red challenged you to an all-out battle, huh.

Y-yeah...

I'll give you a Potion so you can heal your Pokémon.

Hey, aren't you being a bit rough, Red?

You haven't forgotten what we're being judged on, have you?

... ... ...?

You're saying that's the reason you're doing this? Are you serious?

Your teammates won't keep up with you if you carry on like this.

Well, don't go overboard with the tough love, Red.

Just make sure your teammates don't run away before the judging, OK?

... ... ...

W-we're already going again?!

*sigh* I gotta leave now, too.

Don't push them too hard, all right?

... ... ...!

Eeeeeek!

One day, with the Neo Champion Stadium fast approaching...

Ahhh...

Don't be so nervous! Have confidence in yourself!

Both of you have already beaten a team of three Neo Champions!

B-but...we lost way more times than we won...

Just the thought of holding you back is...

I wonder if I'll be able to battle properly...

If you keep worrying, you won't be able to show what you've got! C'mon, let's have fun!

O-OK...

(They should have the skills, but...)

(It's gonna come down to whether they can show them during the assessment.)

Meanwhile...

Oh, look! Champions!

Yay! What an opportunity!

Red, we're gonna ask to battle them!

... ... ...!

... ... ...

On the day of the Neo Champion Stadium assessment...

The first test, the test of Pokémon knowledge... had been completed...

Impressive! I'm surprised everyone did so well!

But...

I can see Leaf's team has a deep knowledge of Pokémon, and love of them.

Yes. To truly understand Pokémon, it's important to have love, not just knowledge.

That's why Leaf's team scored the highest on the Pokémon knowledge test!

Yay! We did it!

And who better to share the joy with than our partner Pokémon!

There, there!

Love and trust in your Pokémon...

I didn't think we did too bad, but I guess we can't beat Leaf, huh.

After that was a practical test, on Pokémon battling.

The three teams led by Red, Blue, and Leaf kept winning without difficulty.

Then, Blue's team and Leaf's team clashed in the semifinals!

This is it!

Ahhh!

I'm sorry, Leaf...

Don't worry! You all did so well!

That was amazing, Blue.

You trained your team so well in such short time!

I'd expect no less from the Gym Leader of Viridian City!

Hehe, of course!

Now then, next up is...

I'm not losing to you this time, Red!

Let's show them the results of our training, you two!

Y-yes, sir!

We'll be sure to win for you, Blue!

Whoa, they look strong as well!

I can't wait to see what our battle is like!

... ... ...!

Not bad! How about this?

Gah!

I-I won't lose!

Whoa!

Hehe, nice attack! But...

I'll get you back with this! Here I come!

Gahhh!

All right! We did it!

Ah, I get it...

I-I'm sorry, Blue...

No, I'm the one who should apologize.

Huh?

Ahhh!

... ... ...!

I didn't want to accept it, but...there are things I can improve on.

Red.

You were right again.

What?!

You coach just fine, Blue!

Thanks...

But it's true I failed to teach you something.

How to enjoy battling.

Because I kept on teaching you to win, I made you afraid to lose.

Oh...

That's why Red was going at them at full strength.

So they could battle anyone without being afraid to lose.

Of course. If a new Trainer lost to Red over and over again...

They wouldn't care if they lost to anyone!

All they'd care about is the joy of battling!

"Let's enjoy battling together" may be a simple message...but it's very you, Red.

... ... ...

Now, it's time to announce the Neo Champions for this round!

The first is Leaf, who taught how important it is to not only have knowledge of Pokémon but love them, too!

And that deep knowledge was on full display during battle!

But most importantly, to become a first-class Trainer, you have to love Pokémon.

And the second is Blue!

Blue's team scored well on both tests, written and practical.

Seeing that, the other judges all praised your coaching.

Such leadership is worthy of a Neo Champion title!

Blue... That was amazing!

And the last is Red!

It's hard to train a person to enjoy battling no matter the outcome!

But you did so impressively! Your teammates' eyes were strong, sturdy, and unafraid to lose!

The same eyes you had the day you beat me on the Indigo Plateau!

Although your methods were a little rough!

Thank you, everyone!

Thanks to you all, we learned so much!

We'll keep on getting stronger, and one day, we'll be like you...

No, that's not good enough.

You'll never make it to the top if you're always following in someone's footsteps!

That's right. I want each of you to find your own strengths!

Then, one day, you can try to take us down!

And when you do...

... ... ... Let's have a fun battle!