What Steven Is Looking For

I'm sure a lot of you have been looking forward to this moment.

On Pasio, sync pairs who set an example for others to measure up against are given an honorary title.

We call them Neo Champions! And I hereby announce that the next competition to become one begins now!

This time, I, Steven, Champion of the Hoenn region, will be head judge.

I'll start by announcing the judging criteria.

What I'm looking for is...

people, Pokémon, and nature, coexisting!

As you all know, Pasio is an artificial island. However...

Some people here have been searching for ways we can all survive in this world and live together in harmony.

Through their hard work, Pasio can have beautiful nature created by the hands of people.

And so, as Champion of Hoenn, a land full of nature...

I hope to find someone who can lead us in making a kinder world!

Traveling through this nature on Pasio... Has it awoken something inside you?

I want you to come at us, the judges, with all that you've learned!

So this time, we're changing up the judging. Instead of basing everything on Pokémon battles...

Are you participating in the Neo Champion Stadium, May?

Yup! I thought what Steven said was wonderful, so I decided to join!

Heheh, same!

There can be more than one Neo Champion, so let's both aim to win!

Yeah, let's do our best!

The judging is a little different this time, though.

One of the criteria is how one spends their time on Pasio, right?

Yup, that's right.

It'd be pretty straightforward if all we had to do was win a bunch of Pokémon battles.

Hmm. People, Pokémon, and nature, coexisting...

I know it's important, but how do we demonstrate it?

We probably can't just show our strong bonds with our Pokémon.

But as Steven said, we're from Hoenn, a land rich in nature!

I'm sure we can come up with something!

W-we're in trouble!

Hm? I wonder what's going on.

It doesn't sound good.

G-Groudon and Kyogre are going berserk again!

What?!

Groudon and Kyogre?!

Are Team Aqua and Team Magma at it again?!

No, they called a truce, so that can't be it.

Let's go see!

Right!

Maxie! Archie!

We heard Groudon and Kyogre were going berserk, so we...

Wait, whaaat?! There's more of them?!

We hurried over too after we heard.

Seems they got lost and wandered over here from somewhere!

Their power's unbelievable! Even our Kyogre and Groudon are gettin' pushed around!

Sorry to ask, but could you two lend us a hand?

Of course!

I'll help, too!

Steven!

Ready, Rayquaza?

OK! Mega Evolution!

Huh?!

I-impossible... Is that, ?!

That can't be...

Come on... You gotta be kidding me!

There they go...

That Groudon and Kyogre...

Yeah, I can't believe they can undergo Primal Reversion!

Super-ancient Pokémon and their true forms...

It seems those two possess incredible natural power deep within.

That power must be stronger than our Groudon and Kyogre's.

Yeah. I hate to admit it, but you're right!

Sheesh! What's going on? We even had Mega-Evolved Rayquaza on our side!

It's true Rayquaza has the power to pacify super-ancient Pokémon.

But once those two Pokémon are in their primal states, they possess immeasurable natural energy.

Battling them without collateral damage to Pasio is near impossible.

I have an idea!

What if we get help from Zinnia and her Rayquaza?

Unfortunately, she's declined.

Huh?! Why?

But she battled with us last time!

Her usual reason. We "need some imagination."

But if she's letting us handle this on our own...

I don't think it's as dangerous as that giant meteor was.

Then I guess we'll have to deal with those two ourselves.

Sounds about right.

But we shouldn't provoke them, so only those used to dealing with Groudon and Kyogre should handle this.

Yeah! We gotta find 'em quick and keep 'em safe!

If they're found by people who use Pokémon for evil, we're in trouble!

Yeah, you're right!

... ... ...

Um...Maxie! Archie! I have a request!

Could you teach us more about Groudon and Kyogre?

Hm?

I wanna learn more about them, like their biology, weaknesses, Primal Reversion, and stuff.

The more we know, the better our odds of finding a way to tame them!

Me too!

If we both learn, it'll better our chances!

Bwahahahahahaha!

I dig your grit, you scamps!

Team Aqua can teach you all you need to know about Kyogre!

It's important to be open to learning, no matter the topic.

But we don't have much time. If we want to be efficient, we should divvy things up.

Thanks, you two!

All right, I'll take Groudon and go with Maxie and Team Magma.

And I'll take Kyogre and form a study group with Team Aqua!

... ... ...

In order to stop Groudon and Kyogre...

Brendan started studying Groudon's biology and the way it battles, with help from Team Magma!

And so...

The effects of Groudon's natural power are all recorded in these documents. Specifically...

Gahhh. So much to memorize.

You child!

Be thankful Leader Maxie is teaching you all this! Listen up and study hard!

Y-yes, sir!

Our leader's talks are always so fun. ♪

(It's tough keeping up with these lectures...)

(But I think I'm getting closer to understanding Groudon, May!)

Meanwhile, May and Team Aqua...

All right, ya little scamp!

If you're gonna face a strong opponent, you gotta toughen up!

Oh ho! My bro's right!

First, we gotta bulk up that flimsy-as-a-Gorebyss body of yours! So let's start with strength training!

Whaaa, ?

What in the world are they doing?

P-please... I can't move anymore...

Sorry you had to deal with those fools.

I'm sure you didn't come here for strength training.

Ahaha... I guess I just went with it 'cause they were so enthusiastic.

It helped clear your mind, though, right?

Oh, yeah... I guess it did.

Stop by my room later.

I've a lot of documents on Kyogre.

Th-thank you, Shelly!

(I'm starting to understand what kind of Pokémon Kyogre is, Brendan!)

(And I've even built some muscle, too!)

A few days later...

By the looks of you two...

I'd say you've come up with something!

Groudon and Kyogre's powers are strengthened by nature!

So first, we should lure them somewhere they can't use their powers well!

Then you and Mega Rayquaza can step in and help!

I see... If we do that, we might be able to limit their strength.

I'm impressed, you two!

All right! Just you wait, Groudon and Kyogre!

Let's work as a team and give it our all!

With help from Team Magma, Team Aqua, and Rayquaza, we've led them here, somewhere grassy.

Where there's no magma or ocean to pull power from.

All's going to plan so far.

Yeah!

Let the battle begin! Let's do this!

Yup!

Rayquaza! You and I will support them!

OK! Our attacks are working!

Looks like they can't use their powers as well here, just as we thought!

But I don't know how much longer we can keep this up.

Sorry, Pasio! Bear with us just a bit longer!

Oh no! Swampert!

Thanks, Sceptile!

I'll leave the rest to you, Latios!

We're going in too, Latias!

We won't give up!

People, Pokémon, and nature... By borrowing all the powers of this world...

we're gonna stop you two!

We're so close! Let's go, May!

Right on!

Go!

Now's our chance, Brendan!

OK!

Go! Poké Ball!

W-we did it!

Phew...

Now we can all rest easy...Groudon and Kyogre... Even all of Pasio!

Yeah... My heart was pounding!

Bwahahahahahaha! You scamps did it!

Not only did you stop their rampage, but you also successfully caught them.

Great job, you two!

... ... ...

After observing Pasio these past few days...

I've found some sync pairs I'd like to nominate as Neo Champions for this round.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

A few days later...

I'd like you all to congratulate...

the new Neo Champions!

As they tried to stop a Groudon and Kyogre that appeared on Pasio from going out of control...

they demonstrated teamwork by relying on Team Aqua and Team Magma!

Moreover, they successfully caught Groudon and Kyogre by using the power of nature and working together with Pokémon!

People, Pokémon, and nature... They showed us a world where all can work together and support each other.

That's exactly what I hoped to see in a Neo Champion. They're truly amazing!

Brendan!

May!

From now on, I hope you'll continue to be an example for us all, and a model of coexistence with your Groudon and Kyogre!

*sigh*

There're too many things happening to us these days.

Yeah, but...

it was fun, despite all the challenges!

Even all that strength training I did with Team Aqua is now a fond memory!

Strength training?! What do you mean?

Hehe! I look a little stronger now, don't I?

Hey, May...

Come to think of it, we still haven't put our research to the test.

Groudon or Kyogre, which one is stronger?

Yeah, you're right!

Let's battle!