The Busy Family's Breakdown

Scottie met Palmer in town, and they were talking...

when suddenly...

*thud*

What's this all about?!

What the...

Huh? Ah!

If it isn't Barry! I see you're full of energy, as always!

Wha, ?! Dad!

I-I'm in a hurry! I'll see you later!

H-hey! Barry!

Hmm...

Seems like Barry's been avoiding me lately...

Nothing comes to mind...

Not at all! We've been on good terms since I came to Pasio.

But he's been acting different...

Perhaps I did something that upset him without me realizing.

A few days passed since Barry and Palmer bumped into each other in town.

Scottie was training with Barry, Norman, and Brendan.

Hmm, you're all starting to look tired.

Let's end our training for today.

I-I'm still fine!

I can handle it, no problem! Let's keep going a bit longer!

It's important to push yourself, but you also need to rest.

Yeah! You won't improve if you rush things!

M-maybe you're right...but that's not the point!

Is there a reason you're in such a hurry?

Huh?!

Er...well... No, no reason!

I mean, everyone wants to get stronger, right?

Wha, ?! Er, well...

Wha, ?! N-no! Dad has nothing to do with it!

It seems like something happened between you and Palmer.

Did you two have a fight?

No, of course not!

Ugh... Fine! I'll explain!

The other day, I met Daddy, I mean, Dad...

And at the time, I was so excited, I said I'd gotten stronger than him!

That made him super happy, so we battled together on the same team so I could show him what I can do...

But I just stood there and watched as he overwhelmed our opponents.

It was like I couldn't keep up.

I felt like I was seeing the true strength of "the strongest of the Frontier Brains."

I really thought I'd gotten stronger during my adventures in Sinnoh and my training on Pasio...

Barry...

So I want to make sure what I said comes true...

by training a lot, and getting stronger as quickly as possible!

I'm afraid of disappointing my dad, so I can't face him until I've gotten stronger.

I see. That explains it.

I kinda get how you feel, Barry!

I always want to get stronger so that I live up to my dad's expectations!

Hehe! I knew you'd understand, Brendan!

I know how you feel, too.

But I don't think Palmer will ever be disappointed in you.

R-really? Dad can be pretty strict sometimes...

Actually, no!

I won't face my dad until I'M satisfied with how strong I am!

You're very stubborn, just like someone I know.

If you behave like that, Palmer will just worry about you.

You're one of the Frontier Brains...

Indeed, I'm Argenta, the Hall Matron. Nice to meet you all.

*chuckle* Thank you! You're sure full of energy!

Are you trembling with excitement? You must be confident in your skills.

I'm Norman, a Gym Leader in Hoenn. This is my son...

I'm Brendan! Nice to meet you, Argenta!

*chuckle* Likewise!

Y-you're a Frontier Brain, like my dad? What's a Frontier Brain doing here?!

Palmer was acting weird, so I wanted to help him out a little.

I came to check on you because I thought something must've happened between you two.

So Barry...do you really have that little confidence in your strength?

Well...compared to my dad, I'm nothing yet.

Why compare yourself to him?

Your strength and shine are yours alone.

Well...

Even Frontier Brains have different strengths.

A Trainer who can bring out the power of any Pokémon...

A Trainer who good fortune follows.

A Trainer who's committed to his master...

There's a place where everyone can shine. That goes for any and every kind of Pokémon, too.

And I think the Battle Frontier is proof of that.

Palmer is one of the strongest Frontier Brains.

It's true he can be strict.

But he doesn't look down on the other Frontier Brains.

Which means we can continue to praise each other and raise each other's potential.

Given that you're his son, you of all people should understand Palmer best, wouldn't you say?

Hmm, his son...

Yeah, of course I know him well!

My dad treats all Trainers equally, regardless of their strength!

Exactly.

Which is why you should show him your OWN strength, unique to you, right now!

Argenta...

Hehe, you may be right.

Hehe! Thanks, Scottie!

Yeah...

This is the only time I can show him who I am right now!

I still lack experience, but...

I want to show my dad the results of my training!

Yeah! Give it your all, Barry!

Palmer would want to see how much you've grown!

Yeah, and he'll be delighted to battle his own son.

Parents always love seeing how their kids have grown.

OK! I've decided!

I'm gonna show my dad everything I've got! Thanks, everyone!

It seems he's figured things out.

I've already involved myself, so we might as well see how it goes.

So that's why!

Sorry for avoiding you, Dad!

Hahahaha! Well that explains it!

You're your own person, Barry.

You don't need to compare yourself to me or copy how I battle.

You should find your own strength, and keep on improving!

As expected, Palmer doesn't seem to mind!

Yeah, that's what it's like to be a father.

*sigh* I was worried I'd done something wrong.

It seems it's all settled.

Did you give Barry some advice?

Sorry for causing trouble.

Oh, it was nothing.

I had an idea! I want you to see me as I am now!

So, I'll show you what I couldn't do during our team battle before!

Scottie! Brendan! You ready?!

Let's show Dad our strength!

Yeah, bring it on! Such confidence!

Well, things certainly turned around quick!

But we won't say no, of course!

Right, Scottie?

Then maybe we should lend you our strength, Palmer.

This should be a fun battle!

Indeed.

Here I come, Dad!

I'll show you everything I've got!

Come on, then, Barry!

Show me the bond you've built with your Pokémon.

Show me the skill you've acquired as a Trainer!