Until Next We Battle

Th-this is ridiculous...

This is NOT happening! Unbelievable! It's pure nonsense! How could I lose?!

Not once...but twice! That pest in the red hat was one thing, but to be beaten by...by a bunch of amateurs...

My commands were more precise, my Pokémon was stronger... I had the upper hand in practically every way! How...how did this happen?!

How in the world did I loooooose?!

Young master...

Master Lear...

Lear... You're extremely powerful, there's no doubt about that. Your skills as a Trainer might even surpass Scottie's.

But [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="he" F="she" ] has a few things that you don't.

[EN:Gen Ref="255" M="He" F="She" ] has the capacity to have FUN in a Pokémon battle...and real friendship...and, most importantly, a real bond with [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="his" F="her" ] Pokémon.

How...how can stupid things like that make a difference to who wins and who loses? It doesn't make sense!

I just had a thought...

Lear, you can't use sync moves, can you?

?!

What? Wait, now that you mention it... I didn't see him use any sync moves in either battle!

Sync stones are what turn the bond between Trainers and Pokémon into power.

If Lear can't use sync moves, then that means...

Stone, shmone! Master Lear's been crushin' it battle after battle for a long time without having to use one.

Exactly! The young master's worked harder than anyone else to get to where he is now and to become the ultimate victor.

He can win without using sync moves, and without help from anyone else!

And you two are OK with that?

Huh?

Lear doesn't depend on anyone but himself. He fights for himself and nobody else, and you two just watch from the sidelines.

Don't you think that's a little...sad?

I-I...

It is a liiittle lonely...

Lear, you have friends who care about you. Friends who have stuck with you all this time.

All you have to do is reach out a hand...

Silence!

None of that is of any use to me! With my skill and unrivaled discipline when it comes to training, there's nothing I can't do!

That goes for the PML, too! I and I alone will crush every last incompetent weakling in the running!

That's why I founded this entire tournament in the first place, to prove that the power of one man is stronger than any stupid bond!

And yet...

... ... ...

Lear...

Maybe we should just give him some space for now...

Come on, team. Let's go.

Hm? What's wrong, Scottie? Aren't you coming?

Scottie...

Scottie...

... ... ...

You really have grown a lot, haven't you?

Let's fight as hard as we can in the finals, team! I want another chance at battling against Lear!

Let's head back.

... ... ...

What a bother. But still...

... ... ...

Awww, cheer up, Master Lear.

It's making me sad to see you all down in the dumps like this. Where'd all o' your arrogant laughter go?

... ... ...

Young master...

Your father, the king, made you a promise. If the PML is a success here on Pasio, he'll name you as the heir to his throne.

His highness won't go back on his word just because you lost a Pokémon battle... That's not gonna happen.

I think you'll be a great king someday, one who's worthy of succeeding your father on the throne.

Have a little faith, young master...

... ... ...

Young master?

Huh? Why would the royal manor be calling at a time like this?

This is Sawyer speaking. Apologies, but now is not a good...

Wh-what?! Are you sure?! How could security let this happen?!

Sawyer? What's going on?!

We've got an emergency, young master! I just got word that some thieves have entered the royal manor, and...

they've taken it, sir!

N-no... You can't be serious!