Too Late for Guidance

Yo! 'Sup?

Blue...

You been keeping up with your training?

I guess, yeah.

I haven't been losing my battles.

Is that so?

Awww! You're so cute, Hoopa!

... ... ...?

Hey. Be careful.

Huh?

Ack!

Bleh... Sand!

Hey! Cut it out!

I told you to be careful. Hoopa may look harmless, but its powers are special!

Oh, really? That's kinda hard to believe.

Hoopa has a true form, which allows it to unleash an extraordinary amount of power.

However, it appears more content to stay with Lear in its current form.

So...it's holding back the rest of its power on purpose?

No, not quite.

Hoopa seems to prefer to stay as it is now, so from a sync pair perspective, this is probably its optimal state!

If, for example, Hoopa was forced to assume its true form and battle unwillingly...

I don't think we could consider that optimal for drawing out its full potential!

Fascinating, isn't it?

(Its true form...)

(If I have to decide between being strong or doing things the right way...)

(It doesn't matter which is the real me. All I have to do is make the best decision I can.)

(Even if it means Scottie and Tina, and even everyone else on Pasio, turn against me...)

(I have to stay true to my beliefs.)

Oh, I forgot to report my research findings!

Of course. Let me hear it.

Hey, Paulo. Got a moment?

What is it?

What's your plan once you get stronger?

It seems you're in bit of a rush.

I don't want to lose the things that are important to me. When you lose, you lose everything.

That's not true, Paulo.

Of course, losing is painful, and it does involve some sacrifices. And there are some battles that you can't afford to lose.

But...

You all can speak in lofty ideals like that because you're strong.

Paulo!

I couldn't get as strong as you, so I couldn't make a difference...

I couldn't protect anyone...

That's why I can't afford to care about how I get there anymore.

That's a misconception, Paulo. In order to get stronger, you have to...

Master Lear!

We've gotten reports that Team Rocket is causing trouble in the city!

What?!

Sawyer and Rachel are on their way to take care of Team Break! We're short on staff at the moment!

I'll go.

That's what this power is for.

Paulo, stop!

Dummy...

Oh, my. It's hard to tell who's the bodyguard now, isn't it.

There's things you can gain from losing, y'know... And it's possible to get back some of the things you've lost.

But if you throw something away... It won't always come back, Paulo.

He's on my radar, too.

His eyes had the same look mine did, back when I trusted nobody but myself.

Could you look after him, Cheren?

Putting aside any personal feelings, as the ruler of Pasio, I'd find it a shame to see a Trainer like that self-destruct.

Sure. I'd be happy to, Lear.

It's kind of my fault, too. I was so caught up with rounding up villains that I didn't notice his cry for help.

Let me help, too. I've got a lot to say to that kid.

OK. Let's hurry and head after him...

What?! Team Rocket is going after Professor Bellis again?

I can handle that. Cheren, can you check on Paulo?

Wait. It might be faster if we take care of it together. We don't know what we're dealing with yet.

Also... I think hearing what you have to say will be better for Paulo, anyway.

OK. Let's take care of it nice and quick, Cheren!

Yeah!

Hoopa. You're being targeted, so you can't just aimlessly...

Hoopa?

I have nothing left. Nothing.

Found it! So that's Hoopa, eh?

Darn it! You're gonna regret this one day!

(Yes...)

(This is how it should be...)