Picking Partners

You sure are active when you battle, Ethan!

I like to think things through during battle, so that approach would be difficult for me.

Yeah. And it's not just your Pokémon! YOU move around a lot, too!

Is there a secret to how you got all that stamina?

Actually, yeah! In Johto, we have these sporting events called Pokéathlons!

Me and my Pokémon would compete in them as Pokéathletes!

I also used to let my Pokémon out of their Poké Balls and follow me around as I explored different places.

I guess they were kind of like my partner Pokémon even back then.

If you're that fit, I bet you'd do fine against Pokémon in the Hisui region, too.

You know, this is a good opportunity to learn more about Johto. Could you tell me more about it?

I'd love to visit one day!

I'd like to hear too!

If I remember correctly, Johto's right next to Kanto, and they border each other at Tohjo Falls.

Oh, right! Didn't you say you used to live in Kanto, Elio?

The Johto region has a lot of Pokémon-related ruins and legends.

We've got loads of old, traditional buildings, and we treat Legendary Pokémon with a great deal of respect.

That Lugia of yours is one of Johto's Legendary Pokémon, right?

And for the Arceus Cup, you have to choose just one Pokémon to battle with...

I suppose that means you'll be battling with...

Yeah. I'm going with Lugia.

My bonds are strong with all my Pokémon...

But meeting Lugia kind of sums up everything I've experienced in my journey up to now.

Plus, I'm pretty sure Silver's gonna go with...

I'm going with Ho-Oh.

I'm sure Ethan's going to choose Lugia.

So we'll be battling to show everyone which Johto Legendary Pokémon is the strongest.

Ho-Oh and Lugia...

It'll be absolutely breathtaking to see those two clash in battle!

I chose you two to train against because I want to win.

You know a lot about Legendary Pokémon, so you must know how to draw out Ho-Oh's power, right?

Well, I can teach you what I know, and I can also be your training partner...

But you've got some figuring out to do.

About what?

Ho-Oh is a Legendary Pokémon that reveals itself to pure-hearted Trainers.

You should figure out why Ho-Oh chose you.

Understanding what makes your heart pure will be the key to surpassing your limits.

What makes my heart...pure?

Oh, there you are! Heya!

What're you all doing here? I didn't call you.

I called them! We all wanna help, Silver!

Don't you wanna beat Ethan?

We've got some strong opponents here.

I'd usually start by saying, "If it's a mid-air battle you want, leave it to me!"

But...I heard what kind of Trainer you are, from the elder at Sprout Tower. He said you're way too harsh on your Pokémon.

... ... ...

He's not wrong.

That's why I wanna know why Ho-Oh chose me.

You're...surprisingly honest.

But Silver's views have changed.

He's been shaped by every one of his encounters.

Silver. You and your Pokémon have bonded with each other.

And you've also bonded with your comrades. Let us test the strength of those bonds!

We're ready!

Ready, Silver?

You have to ask?

You can come at us all at once!

(I'll surpass Ethan...)

(as a pure-hearted Trainer!)