After the Storm

The rain's really comin' down.

They're sayin' this storm's gonna make landfall tonight.

Listen up, lads! Nobody goes near the stormy seas! Got it?!

The next morning...

Looks like this area was also hit by last night's storm.

I wonder if there's any damage.

Oh?

Is that...a Pokémon? It looks hurt.

Hold on a moment. I'll give you a Potion!

How's that? Feel better?

Hehe... I'm so glad!

A few days later...

So you're lookin' after it for now?

Yep! It seems to have taken a liking to me.

A Mythical Pokémon cozyin' up to ya... Pretty gnarly!

Y'know, Manaphy shows up in an old sea legend.

Apparently, it has some kinda wondrous power!

Wondrous...power?

Yeah! They say it can bond with any kind of Pokémon!

Wow... You're really amazing, huh, Manaphy!

Akari!

How's Manaphy doing?

I think it's a sea Pokémon, but little by little, it's been adjusting to life on land.

I want to return it to sea as soon as possible, but not while it's still recovering.

Yeah. It's hard to be patient, but it looks like waiting is your best bet for now.

Not being able to help a Pokémon is frustrating, though.

'Specially since Manaphy normally lives in the ocean.

But it looks relaxed with you, Akari!

I'm happy to be with you, too, Manaphy!

This might just work out.

Besides...

Wh-whoa! Would you please just calm down already?!

...Arezu's still dealing with that Basculegion.

Arezu! Are you all right?

Oh! Hey, everyone!

Hahaha... This is pretty embarrassing.

Man, I've never seen THAT Pokémon before!

It looks pretty similar to Basculin, though.

I found him while investigating a space-time distortion with Mai and the others.

He was rampaging all over the place, so I caught him before he could hurt anyone.

Now he won't listen to anything I say.

Maybe he's upset he got left behind here on Pasio.

That could certainly be part of it, but...

I remember something Mr. Professor said about Basculegion.

Mr. Professor... You mean Professor Laventon? From Hisui?

Yeah.

Basculegion is a Pokémon clad in the souls of its comrades that perished before making it upstream. Their rage controls its heart.

At least, that's what people say.

Looks like my Zoroark picked up on something, too.

Maybe Basculegion's rage is like Zoroark's bitterness.

He could be shouldering the frustration of his lost friends.

That's a pretty tough Pokémon to handle!

Is Manaphy worried about Basculegion, too?

Um, Arezu...

What if we and Manaphy made fun memories for Basculegion here on Pasio?

Huh?

If we do that, his anger might subside!

You've got a point.

OK, let's do it! I might as well try everything!

Then there's no time to waste! Let's get started!

Why not coordinate your outfits to match your Pokémon?

It's how we bonded with ours. I did it with Zoroark!

Coordinated outfits... Not a bad idea!

Yeah! Let's go find something to wear!

These outfits should be perfect!

Yeah! They match you both really well!

What do you think, Manaphy?

Hahaha! Looks like someone's happy!

How about you, Basculegion?

H-hey! Where are you going?!

This might take longer than we thought.

Is it still uncomfortable being on land?

You'll be all healed up soon. Hang in there, OK?

When it first arrived, Manaphy wanted to return to the sea right away, didn't it?

Yes. It's not used to land, so it seemed a little disoriented.

It's good to be wary like that, to keep yourself safe.

But if you summon the courage to take the first step, you can enter a vast new world.

I've been there. That's why I want to show Manaphy how fun this world is.

I hope I can get that feeling across, even just a little.

I think Manaphy understands!

Think about it. By coming on land, it met you, Akari!

You're right!

I'll be by your side, so let's do our best, Manaphy!

No matter how much you rage, I won't give up on you!

Basculegion... I won't stop until you accept me and Pasio into your heart!

At this point, it's just a battle of attrition.

Hey, don't you think you're bein' a bit stubborn?

Why're you pushin' yourself so hard?

Arezu... You're scared of repeating your mistakes, aren't you.

Mistakes?

Yeah. Back in Hisui...

I was so focused on trying to solve things alone, I ended up causing trouble.

Back then, I was impatient. I didn't know how to properly care for a Pokémon.

That's why I want to get it right this time!

I see...

Looks like you're already puttin' those thoughts into practice, then!

Huh?

You're relyin' on your friends now!

Yeah! As your clan leader, I've always got your back, Arezu!

I'm cheerin' you on too! I know you two can meet each other halfway!

You guys... Thank you!

Basculegion! You're upset because you carry your fallen friends' rage, right?

I know it hurts, and I can't bring back those you've lost.

But I can be a new friend!

I hope things work out between you and Basculegion, Arezu.

I'll also do my best to help heal Manaphy's injuries and return it to the sea!

Akari... Does that mean you and Manaphy won't...

What's the matter with you, Basculegion?!

Is there nothing I can do to quell your rage?!

Please just stop already!

If you keep this up, you'll only hurt yourself!

I don't want to see you suffer anymore!

It doesn't look like she's getting through to him.

But Arezu's trying so hard to connect.

All right, Basculegion. If words won't do the trick...

I'll hit you with my emotions head-on!

Go, Lilligant! Lend me your strength!

Please understand!

I don't want to battle you either!

Is there really no way for them to bond?

Bond...?

That's enough, Arezu!

At this rate, you'll hurt yourself!

Let us help you!

Wait!

Let's use Manaphy's power!

What do you mean?

I'll explain later! Take it away, Manaphy!

Now! Arezu!

I don't know what you just did, but thank you!

Basculegion! Please calm down!

He relaxed?!

Whoa, whoa. What WAS that?

Apparently, Manaphy has a wondrous power that lets it bond with any kind of Pokémon.

So I thought if Manaphy used its power, Arezu's feelings might reach Basculegion!

We got to witness a legend of the sea right before our eyes... Wicked!

Basculegion... You won't rampage anymore, will you?

Don't worry! Your hard-fought efforts paid off.

Even as he was controlled by rage, your voice broke through the noise, Arezu!

Right on! A new sync pair is born!

I guess so. Glad you came around, Basculegion!

Let's stick together! I won't let you be lonely anymore!

That's great, Arezu! Congratulations!

... ... ...

Manaphy's all better now.

It seems it can swim just fine, so it's time I returned it to the sea.

I know you've been saying that from the start, Akari.

But are you really going to just...part ways?

Manaphy has been wanting to go back. It wouldn't be right for me to stop it.

... ... ...

I prepared for this.

I knew from the beginning we wouldn't be partners.

But you and Manaphy seem to enjoy each other's company!

I'm sure you could...

There's another reason we can't form a sync pair.

Manaphy is a Pokémon from this era, but I come from Hisui.

Oh...

... ... ...

Whenever I look at Manaphy, I think of Rei.

Rei also came to Hisui from somewhere else.

If he ever regains his memories and chooses to return to where he belongs...

I've decided I'll smile as we part ways.

So that's why you and Manaphy can't be partners, Akari?

Yes.

It'd be different if our situation were like yours and Basculegion's.

The same goes for Rei.

Even if his memories were to return, I hope he'd stay with the Galaxy Expedition Team.

... ... ...

But that's selfish. It wouldn't be fair to him!

That's why I can't tell Rei or Manaphy I want them to stay forever.

I respect how you feel, Akari.

No matter how nice a plan sounds, having someone else decide your future isn't necessarily a good thing.

But Akari, by your logic, isn't the decision up to them?

He's right! We don't know how things will turn out!

Oh...

Manaphy went out to sea...

I knew it.

That's where it belongs, after all.

A few days later...

... ... ...

Manaphy?! But why?

Congratulations, Akari!

Rei?!

Uh, congratulations for what?

The truth is, I heard about Manaphy from everyone.

At first, I planned to watch from the sidelines.

But it seems Manaphy was searching for you, Akari.

Huh?

Apparently, it just went out to play in the water for a little while!

Manaphy... You came back?

I knew in my heart you and Manaphy could be a sync pair, Akari!

But you and I...we're...

Even though you come from different places and times, you care for one another.

Huh?

It doesn't matter that you're different species.

And you don't need any special powers.

As long as you two wish to be together...

you'll always find a way to have a heart-to-heart bond!

Rei...

Now, let's celebrate! We've got some new members to welcome into our Hisui group!

We made lots of potato mochi!

Yeah, get over here! The party can't start without our guests of honor!

All right!

Let's go, Manaphy!