A Late Arrival

... ... ...

Are you thinking about competing, too?

Hey! Why don't you join our team, Paulo? You seem pretty cool. I bet you'd be an awesome teammate!

No, thanks... I think I'll pass. I'm actually thinking of putting together my own team to enter the tournament.

You supported Scottie in the face of fearsome opponents and didn't back down. You've earned this badge.

Thank you...

I'm going to grow stronger...stronger than anyone else...

Argh! What gives? Why can't I win...

Now, now. No use crying over spilled milk. You have some real strength! I can feel it in my bones.

Hmm... I think you just need to believe in yourself more. With a bit of confidence, you could be great.

Your Rockruff was no match for our powerful Pokémon.

Weaklings like you should shut your mouths and let us do what we want!

Don't make me laugh! There's no way I'll let anyone steal Pokémon away from their Trainers!

I don't care who it is. I'll stop anyone who'd do something so terrible!

My ideal team... I thought that I'd grown so much stronger...

And I still lost?

...I just don't understand.

What is it going to take to become stronger than I am now? How do I beat [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="him" F="her" ]?

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the first ever champions of the Pokémon Masters League!

Scottie's team!

Am I...

Am I just aiming too high?

Sorry, Rockruff. I was just thinking about things.

I think I know what path I need to take, though.

I have to get strong, so strong that I won't lose to anyone!

(No matter what it takes...)

You know...

It might not be a bad idea to leave Pasio for a bit to go traveling again.

Paulo? Is that you? It's totally you, right?

Tina?!

I didn't know you were here on Pasio! I didn't see you in the PML!

Sorry, the PM what? I just got here, y'know.

Oh, really? Then I can explain. So here on Pasio...

Whaaaat?! You mean I missed out on all that fun?!

No fair, Paulo! Why didn't you bring me with you?

I mean, I don't even really know what the criteria is for coming to Pasio, either...

Oh well. So how'd you do in the PML, then?

Well...I did make it to the main tournament, but...

Really?! That's amazing, Paulo!

Huh?

I mean, you just said the strongest Trainers from around the world were all gathered here, right?

And you made it all the way to the main tournament! That's not something any old Trainer can do!

You're always so positive, Tina.

I'm so jealous! I wish I could've joined the PML, too!

Lear already announced that he's planning on holding a second PML. If you want, you can probably join that one.

Really? Then let's team up and win this thing!

Tina... Sorry, but I...

Oh. Scottie.

Hm? Is that a friend of yours?

I'll introduce you. This is Scottie.

[EN:Gen Ref="255" M="He's" F="She's" ] the leader of the team that won the first PML championship.

Whoa! No kidding?!

That's impressive! And you look about our age, too!

Scottie, this is Tina. We grew up together.

Nice to meet you, Scottie!

Oh, right. I have a favor to ask of you, Scottie.

What do you mean?

Tina just got here, so she still doesn't know much about battling as a sync pair.

I was thinking we could have a battle to show her what it's all about.

Oh, thanks! If you don't mind, that'd be super helpful!

OK! Then, here we go!

I know all your tricks! Dodge it, Rockruff!

Wha, ?!

We're not gonna lose to you! Hang in there, Rockruff!

Shoot.

I knew you were strong, but you've raised the bar again, Scottie.

You definitely won the PML because of that strength.

Hm? You only won thanks to the help of your teammates?

That's not it, though. As far as I've seen, your strength was the main factor that swayed the battle in your team's...

Why so serious, Paulo?

Wh-what's all this, all of a sudden?

You've always been like this, even when we were traveling around, aiming to be the strongest Trainers ever!

Remember how you'd always heal up my Pokémon before we battled so it'd be a fair match?

You do realize that it would've been easier for you if you didn't do that, right?

I mean...of course I'd make it fair.

And even though it looks like you have a lot on your mind right now...

Even here on Pasio, you're already helping me out!

I dunno... Maybe you can take a break from all that every once in a while.

See? Even Scottie agrees!

It's OK to have fun and just enjoy your time together with your Pokémon, y'know.

You don't have to make everything so complicated! Don't sweat the small stuff!

I...I guess you're right. Thanks.

Yeah! Why don't we do more training for this PML thing, then?

Sure, why not!

Scottie! I'll be joining the next PML, too!

I definitely won't let you win twice in a row, so you'd better be ready for us!

Now that I think about it, I guess it wasn't good to be so fixated on winning.

This time, I'll try to have more fun when I'm battling!

(Is that really what I want?)

(Even though I don't want to lose anymore?)

Uh...Paulo? You there?

Sorry. I'm fine.

Oh, I've got an idea! Why don't we get something to eat?

You two must be hungry, too! Why don't you show me all the good eats here on Pasio?

Be careful. Right now, some shady organizations are getting more active on the island.

We'll be fine! It's not like we're little kids anymore!

C'mon, let's go!

(There is one thing I'm sure of, though...)

(I can't just stand by when villains are around! And...I'm done with being weak.)