Cheren's Intervention

Hey, Sawyer, are you suuure this is a good idea?

I know Cheren said to, like, keep our distance from Master Lear, but I dunno...

Well, he had a point. We do tend to be a little indulgent with the young master.

So if Cheren says a little separation is what's best for the young master...

I don't think we have much choice but to believe him.

But, like, come on...

Ngh. I hope he's all right...

Gaaah! I can't stand it! Young master, it's killing me to leave you like this! But I've gotta stand firm for your sake!

Heeey! No fair! Here I was trying to be patient!

Master Leeear! Just so you know, I'm way more worried about you than Sawyer is!

No, you're not! My care for the young master runs waaay deeper than yours and you know it!

Young master! I believe in you! I know you'll become worthy of the crown!

Did you hear something? I thought I heard some yelling coming from outside...

If you're that concerned, why don't you turn back around and go see for yourself? I'm sick of you following me around!

No can do. Especially since Rachel and Sawyer aren't around to keep an eye on you.

Not to mention, as I'm sure you've noticed...

Team Break's Pokémon seem to be growing stronger and stronger as we go.

Fool! It doesn't matter how strong they are, I'm more than enough to handle them!

I never needed you in the first place! That goes for Rachel and Sawyer, too!

So you keep saying, Lear...

Lear! So you finally show your big, ugly mug!

Are you happy now that you've trashed our hideout?!

Well, your fun stops now! The boss got a brawny new Pokémon, and it's gonna wreck you!

Heh heh! You better prepare yourselves... we're mightier than ever before!

Hmph. Big words from a pipsqueak running on borrowed power.

You stay out of it! I'll take this trash out myself!

As you wish.

That kind of talk's why you grind my gears, Lear! But this time, we're gonna make you grind to a halt!

Guh! You put up a real fight for a pipsqueak.

But too bad, victory's mine!

What? I-I lost?!

Ngggh...

Hey, numskulls! How come you didn't follow my orders?

Huh?!

B-but we did what you said, boss...

Can it! Both of you, can it! I only lost 'cause you two bozos held me back!

Hey, Lear! Next time, it'll just be you versus me, and you'll be goin' down! Don't you forget that!

Hmph! What a pathetic battle. I can't stand looking at those losers!

Is that how Team Break's behavior made you feel?

Obviously! That guy was strutting around all high and mighty and couldn't even face up to the fact that he lost!

That's nothing if not pathetic!

Fair enough. Then you ought to know...

that's exactly what you look like to everyone else.

What did you say?!

I saw plenty of parallels between you and that Team Break leader.

How did you describe him? "Strutting around all high and mighty and couldn't even face up to the fact that he lost"?

I'm afraid that fits you to a tee.

Shut up! I'm nothing like those vermin. They just scurry around in packs and get up to no good!

The resemblance doesn't stop there, I'm afraid.

You're also completely oblivious to how those around you help you out, Lear.

Those around me? What are you talking about?

Well, look at how the Team Break leader was yelling at his flunkies.

But they were actually doing a decent job supporting him in that battle.

Perhaps their support was the reason why this battle was a lot harder than you expected.

Wha, ?!

Up until now, you've always had Rachel and Sawyer to help you out when you took on a really tough opponent.

But they're not with you now.

Are you feeling the emptiness where those two used to stand at your side, Lear?

Ngh!

You're wrong! I've gotten to where I am by doing everything myself...

and that's not about to change now!

I'll stick with the only partner I can trust, myself!

And I'll become the strongest king there is, all on my own!

... ... ...

Fine, then let me be blunt. As long as you keep ignoring those who want to help you...

you'll never be fit to be a king.

I...

... ... ...

It's been a long, long time since anyone dared insult me so brazenly.

You and I will battle right here, right now! I'm going to crush you so completely, you'll never dare open that upstart mouth at me again!

Don't forget, you're dealing with the man who will become the strongest king of all!

All right, then. I'm dying to see what the "strongest king of all" is made of.

Let's go, Stoutland! Let him see our strength!

Don't you fail me, Donphan! Put them in their place!

... ... ...

Looks to me like this battle is finished.

I-impossible... How can this be?

I lost? I lost...again?

And to you, of all people?!

Let's get one thing straight before you go any further. Your Pokémon isn't at fault here. Donphan fought very well.

Especially for a solitary Pokémon that was going up against a sync pair.

... ... ...

Listen to me, Lear.

There's a pair of heroes I've met who both earned the recognition of Legendary Pokémon.

They saw the world very differently, but one thing they had in common was the strength of their beliefs.

One believed firmly in the bonds between Pokémon and people...

while the other believed he had to change the world for Pokémon because they were his friends and he didn't want them to get hurt.

Those firm beliefs earned them the recognition of the Legendary Pokémon, and the heroes both grew strong enough to defeat their region's Champion.

They also drove back an evil man who sought to rule over both humans and Pokémon.

Let me tell you something, Lear.

Desperately grasping for power isn't kingly.

What you need is a caring spirit, for people and Pokémon alike.

... ... ...

I know it might be difficult to see now, but you've got to let go of this fixation on becoming the strongest one around.

Once you do, I know you'll be able to change for the better. And more than that...

you'll see what truly matters.

... ... ...

What truly matters, huh...

Rachel... Sawyer...

And...

Hey, listen up! This is Team Break! Can you hear me, Lear?

What?!

Where's that voice coming from?

I hope you're proud of yourself, trampling all over our hideout!

Not to mention, our surprise attack was a total bust. Things aren't going so great for us.

So, here's a little proposal. Why don't you and I settle this once and for all?

Huh? What's this?

I've sent a location to your Poryphone. Meet me there, alone!

We're gonna have a Pokémon battle. If you win, we'll give Hoopa back to you!

And if you lose... Heh heh heh! Wouldn't you just love to know?

You'll return Hoopa?

Do you think we're going to just waltz into your exceedingly obvious trap?

Oho, am I hearing a no? You sure that's how you want to play it? Don't forget, as long as we have Hoopa, we can do whatever we want...

I thought you needed the PML to be a success for you to become the king, Lear! Or do you not want the crown anymore?

The crown...

Lear, no!

Bahahaha! See you soon, Lear!

... ... ...

Don't do this, Lear. You know it's a trap!

... ... ...

Lear, listen to me...

Quiet.

Wha, ?!

I'm going to be king! If I can just do that, then there'll be no need for me to change!

Just you wait, Team Break!

Lear! Stop!