The Masked Man Who Hates Ideals

Flash back to the moment before Barry and Selene claimed victory in their spectacular debut as heroes...

So, this is Pasio...

The so-called utopia for people and Pokémon!

You! You're...

Brycen-Man?!

I'll destroy this utopia and make it my own!

Go, my Pokémon! Destroy! Destroy it all!

Eeeeek!

Stop right there!

Huh? Who said that?!

I won't allow you to disturb the peace on this island!

If you wish to sever the bonds of all the sync pairs here, you'll have to face me first!

Arrgh! You dare stand in my way?!

You're pretty good, brave knight!

Despite that, however...you will get down on your knees before me when I end you with my dark, secret arts!

My dark, secret arts enter! Take them and be gone!

Hyah!

Arrgh...

You braved my secret arts?!

Fine! Victory is yours...for now!

Annnd...cut!

Phew! Good job, everyone.

Watching professional actors perform up close is amazing!

*chuckle* Thank you.

You were incredible too, Brycen!

No wonder you're the marquee star of Pokéstar Studios, Brycen!

Your acting had even more depth than the last time we worked together!

Why, thank you.

Oh, right! Rosa, you costarred with Brycen before as the Riolu Girl, didn't you?

Yup! "Brycen-Man" was the first Pokéstar Studios movie I appeared in.

He was so in character, even back then, that you'd never guess how cool and collected he actually is!

I've heard that Brycen-Man is a popular villain in Unova.

... ... ...

What's wrong, Brycen?

Oh, my apologies. I was reflecting on my earlier performance...

I'm wondering if there's a way to captivate audiences even more through my acting.

W-wow, you're so dedicated...

Even I think your acting is top-notch, Brycen...

Is there a reason why you're thinking about this now?

Not too long ago...

I met a young man here on Pasio.

He was trying to figure out his path forward in life.

My intent was to give him some advice, but...

I was also deeply inspired by his youthful passion, and his drive to keep moving forward without limiting his potential.

He made me feel that I should reevaluate my path forward as an actor.

I know that feeling.

I'm often inspired and energized when I interact with younger generations.

Let's both put our best effort into our acting so that we can always shine on screen!

Thank you, Diantha.

I appreciate the three of you coming out today to join me.

I may ask you to act with me again sometime, if that's all right with you.

Of course! I'd love to!

Yeah! You can call on us any time!

I look forward to acting with you again too, Brycen!

All things considered...

Brycen-Man is just one character. No matter how much I refine my acting, there's only so much I can do with him.

Should I challenge myself and explore other roles?

No, maybe not...we're always short on villains...

If only there were another villain with the charisma to stand alongside Brycen-Man. I'm sure audiences would enjoy that...

Perhaps I could be of some assistance.

Sabrina?!

A few days later...

Ohohoho!

I am Bellelba, queen of the Land of Enchantment! I'll give you a nice, generous serving of pain!

Mwahaha! Let me see if you can defeat my powered-up Zoroark!

We won't give up, even if there are two of you!

Keldeo and I will stop your evil deeds!

Hmph! What an annoying goody two-shoes!

Fine! I'll just extract your life energy!

(Sabrina sure can act!)

(But...)

Wow, Sabrina! Your Bellelba was just as impressive as Brycen-Man!

Mhm...

When did you learn how to act like that?!

Sabrina! Could we talk for a bit?

Sure...?

Considering that was your Pasio acting debut, Sabrina, I must say I'm pleasantly surprised by how well you can act!

But I also noticed that you seemed worried about something.

If something's troubling you, would you like to talk about it with us?

You two are truly perceptive.

...As a psychic, I have the power to see the future.

However, what I can't see is how my own future will unfold if I devote myself to acting.

And while I enjoy acting, I'm honestly quite worried as whether I should continue it...

What if it limits my potential and growth as a Pokémon Trainer or Gym Leader?

Or, if I try to do both, am I even capable of making it work? I can't stop thinking about it...

... ... ...

I see...

So, even a psychic like yourself still worries about the future, just like us.

Or perhaps your worries are much bigger than ours...

Personally, I want you to experience the joys of acting!

You've found a path for yourself where you can truly shine. It would be such a shame if you did not see where it takes you!

I agree with Diantha.

Diantha... Brycen...

Oh, I know!

If you're not able to see your own future...

I know a famous fortune teller from the Kalos region. Why don't we ask her to divine your future?

Sabrina and the others arrived at Olympia's fortune-telling hall.

What lies before you remains unforeseeable. Such is your concern.

To see the future of others is my calling.

Surely you must know, the future is not shaped by one's power alone.

And future foretold is not necessarily future for certain.

Yes, that's true. It's impossible to truly see the future in its entirety.

Indeed, the future is not fixed, it can change, and it can be changed too.

Its course can diverge based on one's choices made and effort exerted.

But the future is shaped by something greater still...

Yes... I speak of bonds.

Bonds?

People, Pokémon... Your encounters with them are what shape your future.

The stars alone did not lead you here, the bonds you've formed played their part, too.

Such bonds can be formed in a Pokémon battle.

Recall the path you've walked thus far, and the path forward shall be made clear.

My path thus far...

No matter what happens, Sabrina, you'll have my full support in your acting career.

Right now, what's most important...

is what you, the present you, want to do.

Your acting was fantastic, and if you pursued it as a career, I don't think that would close any doors to you as a Trainer, either.

Furthermore, I can clearly see your future...

and it's one in which you become a brilliant, successful actor!

... ... ...

Thank you, everyone. I've made up my mind.

As a Pokémon Trainer, as a Gym Leader...

and even as Bellelba, I'm going to give my all!

Hey! Got a moment?

We wanted to ask Brycen-Man and Bellelba for a favor...

A few days later...

Ohohoho! Just try and take a step closer, if you dare!

With my magic, I can easily turn this child into a chair...or even a table!

H-Help!

What a dirty, underhanded...

Ohohoho... I feel just grand!

Get them, Swoobat!

Gah!

You cheaters! So that's the way you do things, huh?!

Hmph... Bellelba! Stop using such unnecessary tactics!

We can squash them without resorting to such measures!

You're tarnishing the reputation of my darkest path!

Hmph! Boastful talk for one who constantly loses to his opponents!

You mustn't allow your pride to interfere with claiming what you desire!

I care not what methods I must use...so long as I stand victorious in the end.

Argh...

In any event...with this, Pasio is now OURS!

I'll make sure to extract every last drop of life energy from all the sync pairs!

It's true, we may have lost... However, !

There are other heroes on Pasio who will carry on our legacy!

If you think you'll get away with this, you've got another thing coming!

Hah! Spoken like a sore loser!

Mwahahaha! Interesting!

I'll crush those so-called heroes with my dark, secret arts!

M...Master!

No way! The Masked Royal and Crasher Wake actually lost?!

This is a challenge from those villains... What're you gonna do?

There's only one thing TO do!

We'll take them on, fair and square!

The day of the battle has come!

Ohohoho! I'll deliver unto you pain most exquisite!

Now, who shall be my lovely hostage today?

Bellelba! We don't need any dirty tricks to defeat these pipsqueaks!

Don't even try it!

If you're just gonna stand around flapping your jaws, we'll go first!

Mwahahaha! Fine by me! Come at us!

My evil Pokémon will bring you to your knees!

*sigh* Very well. Do as you like.

In the end, you'll all become my loyal servants anyway!

Not if we stop you! Come on, Scizor!

My, my. What a lively little child you are.

I believe I'll extract YOUR life energy first!

Hyah! This one's for my master!

Mwahaha! Your talents are wasted being a hero of justice!

Why don't you quit being a hero and join me as my underling?

Heck no!

The bond I share with Heracross makes me stronger than ever!

Scizor and I are gonna crush your evil ambitions!

Hmph. Show-offs, the both of you.

Don't think you're the only ones who have a bond with their partner Pokémon!

Take this, the bonds of EVIL!

We're not gonna lose to you!

With our finishing moves, victory will be ours!

Arrrgh! I'll remember this!

The Masked Man will always return, no matter how many times he's defeated!

Heheh! And no matter how many times you come back, we'll always be here to take you on!

That's what being a hero's all about!

What an amazing battle!

Heroes are always cool, but I think I might be a fan of those villains now, too!

Yeah! Brycen-Man and Bellelba were so cool!

Man! Those villains were super intimidating!

Yeah. Playing a villain might be way harder than playing a hero!

Villains are very important, they present challenges to heroes to help them grow.

When villains are done right, they make the heroes shine even brighter.

Yeah, absolutely!

Let's get the heroes and villains working together to pump up everyone on Pasio!

And as for you two!

That was a huge production, and you both put on brilliant performances!

It's all thanks to everyone here.

Really, I should be thanking you, Sabrina.

Your decision shined a bright light on Brycen-Man's future, not just yours.

Thank you, Brycen.

We appreciate you helping us out, especially on such short notice!

It was a great opportunity to let the rookie heroes grow!

Yeah!

You two are excellent villains, which is exactly what we need!

*chuckle*

What is it, Sabrina?

Just now, I think I caught a glimpse...

of a very entertaining future!