An Unknown Intruder

I can see why Wally introduced you to me. You're quite skilled.

Florian, was it?

You said you're from Paldea. I've met a few other prominent Trainers from there, as well.

Oh, like Nemona and Juliana? They're my friends!

Ugh, Nemona...

Ever since I met her, it's been nothing but "Battle me! Battle me!" nonstop.

Ahahaha! Sounds like you two have been battling a lot!

Hatterene?

Is that a Gallade? It looks kinda different, though.

Excuse me! Who do you think you are?

You'll regret challenging me and Hatterene to a battle!

What a hassle... We were finally able to calm it down.

What an odd Pokémon...

It looks a bit like Gardevoir and Gallade, but it's neither.

I knew it...

Do you know what it is, Florian?

That's probably Iron Valiant!

I think it's a Paradox Pokémon that came from the future, just like my Miraidon!

A Pokémon from the future?!

Yup! It's similar to something that was listed in an expedition journal.

So...I'm pretty sure that's what it is.

Nemona also had a Paradox Pokémon. If I recall, it was called Scream Tail.

Then...that Pokémon came from the past, and this one came from the future?

A Pokémon from the future! How fascinating!

Oh, Bede! You're here too.

Well...yes, I am.

Do they know each other?

Seems so. But it's a weird vibe.

In any case, you must be Florian!

Huh? Yeah, that's me.

I've been looking for you!

I'd like to hear more about Pokémon from the future. I hear their bodies are like machines!

I thought maybe they could give me some ideas on supplying energy that'll last for generations!

What perfect timing! I wasn't expecting to meet a Pokémon like this!

Impressive... Pokémon from the future certainly look different!

Apparently that's not just because Pokémon themselves changed.

Many people think technology might've played a part in how Iron Valiant and others look!

I see! Technology of the future sure is something!

Now I'm even more curious! What powers them?

... ... ...

Does this Pokémon belong to anyone?

Um... Well, Bede caught it, so...

Oh! So it's Bede's, is it?

If you wouldn't mind, would you give me that Pokémon, for the future's sake?

...For the future?

I'm afraid my answer's no.

Chairman Rose...

From the moment you arrived, you've talked about energy and whatnot. Not once did you call Iron Valiant by its name.

There's no way I can leave it with someone who only sees it as a Pokémon from the future.

Won't you just cast it aside the moment it doesn't meet your expectations? Like you did with me?

... ... ...

I won't allow myself or my Pokémon...

to be treated as mere tools for your convenience.

... ... ...

Understood.

I apologize for not being more considerate of you and your Pokémon.

However, now that I've a lead on how to supply energy a thousand years into the future, I can't give up just yet.

Nothing will come of us butting heads, so here's a proposal.

Soon, I'll be hosting a tournament featuring Pokémon battles.

Bede, if you can show me you can draw out all of Iron Valiant's power...

then I'll accept you two being a sync pair is the best path for it.

However, if you can't...

you'll have to accept it's best for Iron Valiant to work by my side, for the future's sake.

Deal?

OK. Deal.

Iron Valiant and I will show you how much stronger we'll grow!

Bede trained hard with Florian and Wally to prepare for the tournament.

You two seem a bit concerned about that run-in with Chairman Rose.

...Yeah, you can say that.

You were acting a little different than usual.

Chairman Rose...

He took me in when I had nobody and taught me how to live as a Pokémon Trainer.

He was my benefactor, so I strove to be useful to him...

But I wasn't the only Trainer he had high hopes for.

And I could tell when he started to lose interest in me.

I suspect I didn't meet his expectations.

Eventually, an incident I caused made him lose whatever faith in me he had left.

To be fair, I had it coming.

No way...

Perhaps that's why I reacted how I did.

The way he looked at Iron Valiant was how he looked at me.

Are you hoping to prove him wrong about you?

I do feel that way, to some extent...

But right now, I just want to bond with Iron Valiant and take our next step as a sync pair.

Others may see it as some unknown future Pokémon...

But to me, it's just a Pokémon like Hatterene and my other partners. None of them is better than the others.

I'll show our strength as a sync pair at the tournament, to leave no doubt Iron Valiant's my partner Pokémon.

That's the spirit!

I'll see if I can dig up more info on Iron Valiant! Maybe it could help!

Challenger Bede.

Scoping out the competition, Oleana?

I came to see if you were planning to harm Chairman Rose, but it sounds like there was no need.

In the past...

Chairman Rose wouldn't have agreed to a compromise.

...Indeed.

Furthermore, you chose to battle, rather than run away.

You aren't acting on my orders, and you aren't doing this for the chairman's sake.

Whether you or Chairman Rose ends up with Iron Valiant...

That's the future you've chosen.

I look forward to seeing how this pans out.

Be sure you won't have any regrets.

Of course I won't.

I'll show you a match that'll go down in Pasio history!

On the day of the tournament...

I can't control what others think of me...

But I CAN control what kind of person I am.

From now on, only I decide how I live!

Let me see your potential as a sync pair!

What a fantastic battle, both of you!

I can't believe it. You truly do have a strong bond and incredible talent, Bede.

You've grown much stronger and reliable since we first met, and since your Gym Challenge.

As promised, Iron Valiant is yours.

Chairman Rose...

It's for the best, for the future's sake.

I look forward to your success as a sync pair!

Please do.

Hey, hey!

Bede, that Pokémon of yours is super rare, right?!

Where'd it come from?! How'd you become partners?! Tell me about it!

Ugh! Shush! I'm having a moment here!

Iron Valiant is a Paradox Pokémon from the future!

The FUTURE?! So they're not just from the past?!

That's AMAZING! Let's have another battle! C'mon!

No, thank you!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot!

I learned something new about Iron Valiant!

I found this piece of info in a paranormal magazine.

According to one theory, Iron Valiant is a robot created by a scientist who wanted to make the most powerful Pokémon of all.

I'm not sure how to feel about that.

Yeah, especially if it was in a paranormal magazine.

Well, regardless of the article's authenticity...

I do plan on granting the scientist's wish. We WILL become the most powerful sync pair of all.

Great! And when you do...

We can all have more Pokémon battles!

The magazine will need to add a final line to that article.

"Iron Valiant is the trusty partner of the most elite Trainer to ever grace Galar...

"The one and only Bede!"