A Free-Spirited Dragon Master

Hey, Kieran. How goes Pasio Academy?

Little by little, I've been making new friends.

It's all thanks to everyone's help...including you two!

Glad we could help!

No! That's just not right!

Was that Lacey?

Aw, c'mon. Let me copy your assignment!

Drayton?!

Drayton! When did you arrive on Pasio?!

Yo, ex-Champ! Fancy running into you here!

I told you to stop calling me that...

Bullying a friend even after they ask you to stop? That's just not right!

OK, OK...

Do you know him, Kieran?

Yeah...

Drayton's a member of Blueberry Academy's League Club, just like me and Lacey.

Heh heh! Yeah! I'm tight with these two!

You're always saying whatever you like...

You just showed up here on Pasio all of a sudden, but all you're doing is slacking off...

What I do is kinda my choice, though. Aren't I free to do what I like?

If you're here on Pasio, we WOULD like you to represent the BB League Elite Four!

If he's part of the Elite Four, does that mean he can battle as well as you and Kieran?

Yes, he's good at battling. JUST battling.

He was the strongest of the League Club, until Kieran became Champion.

Wow! He must be good, then!

When you think about it...

It really is impressive that Juliana became the BB League Champion with such stiff competition.

Oh, right. If Kieran's the ex-Champion, that means...

Ugh...

Ah! Sorry, sorry!

My bad! That was really insensitive.

No, it's OK. It's true. You don't have to walk on eggshells...

Would you please stop calling him "ex-Champion" already?

Don't you know how Kieran feels about it, Drayton?

Heh heh. Why should I. I'm just indulgin' in some well-earned payback here.

You're so mean. Aren't you an ex-Champion too?

Sure am! Ex-Champ, right here!

Hey, Drayton!

'Sup, buddy? If you're here on Pasio, then...

Why, if it isn't young Drayton!

Gwuh! Mr. Hassel?! This ain't something I wanna deal with...

Lacey isn't letting me copy her assignment either, so I'm gonna split!

Be seein' ya!

If he's not gonna study, why is he even at Pasio Academy?

I'm pretty sure Drayton just wants to battle everyone.

I think I understand that now.

Yeah. You may be right.

I came in and wrecked a place he treasured.

I don't think he'll ever forgive me for that.

You two seem to have a history.

Would you like to share what happened?

So, after all that, the League Club no longer had the fun atmosphere Drayton wanted.

I see. So there were still hard feelings, even after Kieran was no longer Champion?

Um... Actually, I don't think Drayton was angry at Kieran.

Huh? But...

He seemed sad when you took a break from Blueberry Academy.

I heard him say, "I thought we'd have patched things up by now, but I guess things ain't that simple."

He...said that?

So...

I don't think Drayton wanted you to leave, Kieran.

But you did return to Blueberry Academy and the League Club.

Drayton's probably just messing with you 'cause he's glad to hang out with you again.

But I'm sure he still feels a little sour about losing!

... ... ...

Hmmm...

I wonder what young Drayton's grandfather would say in this situation.

Drayton's grandpa... He's a Gym Leader, right?

Yup. Drayden, from Unova's Opelucid City Gym.

We know each other, as fellow Dragon-type users.

Wow. He's got some impressive family.

My daddy once said Drayden's a powerful man who trains by wrestling Pokémon!

Really? Like, literally? Impressive at that age.

Indeed. Even though Drayden's mayor of Opelucid City, he trains daily, without fail.

He's a powerhouse with such mental strength, they call him the Spartan mayor!

Anyhow, if the two of you are enrolled in Pasio Academy, that makes you my students!

As a teacher, I can't turn a blind eye to a rift between friends.

Mr. Hassel...

It may feel awkward to face each other and talk things out...

But the easy way wouldn't be right.

Above all, wouldn't it be better if everyone got along?

I think so!

I don't like what my relationship with Drayton has become, either.

But...

Kieran.

I know it can be scary, having to face someone you've wronged.

But if you don't, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!

Yeah!

He's a good friend of yours from the same club, right? You can still patch things up!

...Yeah!

Thanks, you two. I'll... I'll do it!

I want to make it right with Drayton, and be friends again!

You have my full support!

Facing it with optimism... I think that would be a fine idea!

Let's think of ways to restore their friendship!

A few days later...

We'll be holding an academy-wide tournament to crown the strongest tag team!

Here are the rules! First, everyone will pair up by drawing lots.

Then, we'll have a tag battle tournament!

We're randomizing the pairs, since being with folks you know might give an unfair advantage!

Thus, we're evening the playing field!

Oooh, sweet!

What fun would it be if you just cheesed your way through with a partner you know like the back of your hand?

(Excellent! All according to plan!)

(I knew Drayton would like it. It's just like his Elite Trial, after all!)

All right! Let's draw lots!

That's all the pairs! Did everyone find their partner?

Let's see... My tag battle partner is...

H-hey, Drayton...

Yo, ex-Champ! You're my partner? I can take it easy, then.

But it looks like you're raring to go.

That's a sygna suit, right?

Y-yeah... I figured I'd wear something different for this tournament...

Is that so? Guess I can expect great things from you, then.

What?! You're gonna rig it so I'm paired with Drayton?

Isn't that cheating?

I'll turn a blind eye. It's to help you both!

(After all that, I HAVE to make this work!)

Thus, the academy tag team tournament began!

Despite the real reason for the tournament, the participants still had fun battling.

It's almost our turn. Ready, Archaludon?

Good to know I can rely on you, buddy.

Which Pokémon are you battling with today, ex-Champ?

This one.

Furret, huh. It's been a while.

Y-yeah...

If you want to show Drayton you've changed...

maybe you could battle with a partner Pokémon you've known a long time?

That narrows it down to either Hydrapple or...

Wait, no. It should be this guy.

Oh! Furret!

You battled a lot together back in Kitakami.

Yeah... But I removed him from my team when I took on the BB League.

So if I wanna show I can enjoy battling again...

Furret's the best choice.

That's brilliant!

Hehehe! Glad to be battling with you again, Furret!

All righty, then... I'm countin' on ya, ex-Champ!

Uh-huh! I... I got this! Let's go, Furret!

Get 'em, Furret! You got this, ex-Champ!

(Drayton... He's still not motivated...)

(Although it looks like he's having fun.)

Phew... We won, somehow...

Good stuff. Keep up the good work, team!

(I don't think this'll fix the rift between us...)

(Will Drayton ever forgive me?)

The tournament continued until it reached the final match.

I look forward to the battle, you two.

Getting this far is an accomplishment.

(But it looks like they still haven't mended their friendship.)

I'll admit, you both are talented!

But we come from families of prestigious dragon masters!

There's no way you'll beat us!

I figured as much. Looks like this one won't be easy.

I face you not as a teacher but as a dragon with a trial for you two to overcome!

If you don't work together, you'll never best our strength!

I'm a Dragon-type user too, so I can tell Mr. Hassel's serious.

This is gonna be tough.

... ... ...!

He also has the dragon masters' blood running through his veins!

When we Dragon-type users compete, something boils within us!

(It's just like Mr. Hassel said!)

(Now that Drayton's serious, this is my chance to match his energy!)

Let's not let this drag on! Begin!

Mr. Hassel sure is strong! I can't take him.

... ... ...

Drayton.

Hm?

Let's win! Together! Against Mr. Hassel!

Tell me something...

Do you say that because you're afraid we'll lose?

No... It's OK if we lose, in the end.

But Furret's here...and so are you, Drayton...

So I wanna enjoy this battle! And I hope we win!

I see...

I feel exactly the same.

Huh?

Like I said...

I'm counting on you, Kieran.

OK!

These feelings never change... And I'll put them all into Terastallizing right here, right now!

Ice type?! That's pretty nifty!

Hehehe! Actually...

I hoped to use this against you if you ever came to Pasio.

I didn't expect to use it in a tag team with you!

Amazing! Glad you're on my side!

Right, then. Let's wrap it up, shall we?

Yeah!

Let's give it our all, Furret!

Now watch this dragon's blood boil! Archaludon!

(Thank you, Hassel.)

(Drayton... You've found some good friends.)

A few days later...

Yo yo yo, ex-Champ!

Man, I thought we made some progress...

Hm? What's wrong, ex-Champ? Eat something weird?

Oh, yeah! Hey, ex-Champ, think you could take some notes for me in this afternoon's lecture?

I'll bring you some snacks later in exchange!

*sigh* Sheesh...

Hey, Kieran!

We came to ask if you wanted to hang out. You busy?

Ah, sorry! Gotta go!

Heh heh. Glad he's having fun.

(He's changed since coming here.)

(I guess it's kind of a drag, but...)

(If I wanna beat him, maybe putting in more effort wouldn't be so bad.)