Farfetch'd gazed at the pond, looking at his reflection. He personally felt like a failure with his techniques.

Today, the Wild Duck Pokémon had partook in two matches with his 'sensei' as he viewed Ash. The duck was exceptional in his battle against a Gurdurr, managing to destroy the girder that the muscular Pokémon used.

He was listening to his 'sensei' for the first half of the battle before doing his own thing. The duck managed to win through his own techniques and secure his 'sensei' a higher placement in the tournament he was partaking in.

Then came the second match.

The Gallade was quick and struck fast. Farfetch'd wasn't tired from the earlier bout as he wanted a challenge. The 'sensei' of Gallade ordered a False Swipe that knocked him out. While he was unable to battle

'He seems dejected.' Kubfu voiced to his trainer. Ash had spent the night at Cerise's Lab and brought his Pokémon out after his recent adventure with Goh.

Ash sighed, "Yeah. I've had a few Pokémon who sometimes don't take loss easy. Once there was Pikachu against Lt. Surge's Raichu, Charizard against a Poliwrath, Sceptile when he was a Treecko against Jessie's Seviper, Infernape against Paul's Electivire," he shuddered, remembering how much it took for him and his team to defeat the Veilstone trainer in a six-on-six battle.

Kubfu eyed his teammate, 'One loss cannot make one too dejected to continue.' As a warrior himself, he too had come across a few defeats in his time. Way before he left for the Isle of Armor, training in the mountains with his litter before coming of age, the Wushu Pokémon suffered some defeats at the hands of wild Pokémon.

He was upset at the loss, thinking since he is a descendant from the first Urshifus he was unbeatable but the real world hit him hard. His Urshifu mentor explained how a loss is a learning experience.

'A loss can be a learning experience. The duck will be able to rise from defeat to become a better warrior. I know he can do it.' Kubfu concluded before walking over to the leek wielding bird.

Ash scratched his chin in thought, "I suppose you are right. Farfetch'd needs to learn to get back up. And next time, we'll show that Rinto guy that we can be Leek Masters!" he declared. Ketchum saw the Wushu Pokémon walking towards the Wild Duck Pokémon and decided to sit back.

'Hello, Leek user,' Kubfu greeted with a traditional bow.

(PokéSpeech enabled)

Farfetch'd turned to see the cub, "Oh. Sup?"

"I see you are upset."

The duck immediately tried to deny it, "Wha-!? Me? Upset? You are mistaken. I am not."

"It is alright to lose."

The duck rolled his eyes, "I didn't lose."

"You did," Kubfu relented, "And it is okay."

The duck denied the accusation, "I am not upset and I did not lose. Is that all?"

Kubfu sighed, knowing this is harder than he thought. The duck was more adamant about denying his defeat rather than come to the terms he can learn from it.

"A loss is salvageable. You can learn more from it."

"Why would I?" the duck interjected, "I don't need to learn anything. I honed my techniques to my finest. There is nothing that needs to change."

"Really?" Kubfu said, "Then tell me how you defeated Gurdurr." The cub learned about the incident through his 'sensei'.

"Through brute strength," the duck said, "Like how I have done many times."

"Now the Gallade."

"Brute strength like before."

"Yes, but there is a difference between your methods."

Farfetch'd rose an eyebrow, "How so?"

"The Gurdurr line are known for brute strength, placing them in the Strength class, like you seem to expertise in. You managed to win through the same way and from what I've heard, you favor a good fight," Kubfu lectured.

Farfetch'd puffed up with pride at that mention, "That's right. I managed to break his weapon too."

"Now the Gallade," Kubfu continued, "More equipped with speed and specialized in the Blade class. Like a noble warrior. Not to mention the warrior himself is a Psychic/Fighting-type."

"Your point being?" Farfetch'd asked, annoyed by the Legendary's lecture.

I'm just saying, brute force doesn't always guarantee victory."

"That loss against the Blade was a fluke at best," Farfetch'd claimed. "I was just tired."

Kubfu raised an eyebrow before shaking his head, "Tell me something. When you battled the Gurdurr, how did you defeat him?"

"I was able to beat him with brute strength."

"And the Blade?"

"I used brute strength again. What about it?" Farfetch'd rolled his eyes.

"Did you listen to 'Sensei'?"

"Why would I have listened to 'Sensei' when I can just win through my own method?"

Kufbu shook his head again. "If you can win through your own method, why did you join Ash in the first place?"

The Wild Duck Pokémon was not quick on the response. Truth to be told, he had forgotten why he joined Ash before replying, "I wanted to become a Leek Master."

"And?"

"And what?"

"What's more after you become a Leek Master?"

Farfetch'd didn't make another quick reply. "I.. dunno."

"So, what's more?"

The duck looked down. "I… never considered what to do more than just become a Leek Master. It's all I've ever wanted."

"And do you think you could do it by yourself?"

Farfetch'd shook his head. "I thought I could but when Ash challenged me and won, I had some sort of respect towards him. I guess I just lost it after not being in battles."

Kubfu nodded. "So, you used to respect Ash. Why not anymore?"

"I guess… it's just I used to do things my own way so I never took into consideration about how a trainer can help me."

"'Sensei' helps all kinds of Pokémon. Heck, he's even helped Legendaries and Mythicals before so I'm sure he's been helping you become a Leek Master."

Farfetch'd nodded, remembering how the last few days have been. Kubfu began describing a few stories he heard from the other legendaries and mythical Pokémon from when Ash helped them.

(PokéSpeech disabled)

Ash watched his Pokémon go back and forth. While he couldn't understand what the duck had said, he knew that Kubfu was lecturing the duck to become better. The Wushu Pokémon was taking liberty to explain that one loss doesn't have to put a damper on your spirit.

Leaving his Pokémon, he was about to go to sleep when he heard faint traces of galloping.

'Man, this place is massive. Maybe I should have had Hoopa send me directly to him instead.'

Ash perked up at the voice, able to deduce it was another Legendary or Mythical. He peeked around a bush to see a familiar equine.

"Keldeo!"

The Swords of Justice protege turned around to see the Chosen One. 'Ash! Greet to see you again!' The Colt Pokémon ran over and was given a hug.

"How did you get in here?" Ash immediately asked.

'Hoopa's rings!' The horse said, 'They are quite helpful when you live in a region far away.'

"Then how did Hoopa know where to send you?"

Keldeo began to look sheepish, 'Well… Arceus has been monitoring you since the rewards have begun. So, I guess Hoopa knows too.'

Ash nodded along, a little embarrassed that the God of all Pokémon was watching his every move since the gift giving.

"So, let me guess," Ash said, "You're here to give me a gift?"

'I sure am!' The protege admitted with a smile.

"Well, what is it?"

'I would like to join your team!'

A normal trainer would have dropped their jaws in shock by the offer. Ash, however, wasn't exactly a 'normal' trainer. "Are you sure about that? What about the Swords of Justice?"

'Well, since you have been traveling, my training is technically complete.' Keldeo explained, 'Plus you taught me to take action for my mistakes and be brave. It's thanks to you, Iris, and Cilan that I managed to face Kyurem after my first match. Even though I lost, I earned respect from Kyurem and became an official member of the Swords of Justice.'

Ash smiled upon hearing that. He was glad that Keldeo managed to become a Sword of Justice and now he wants to become his Pokémon. "Well then, let's make it official!" Ash pulled out a spare Pokéball and the colt pressed against it. He turned to energy and the Pokéball instantly clicked. The Stream Sword reappeared before shaking his head.

'I guess that will have to be something to get used to.'

"Yeah, Latios and Latias said the same thing," Ash chuckled to himself. "Maybe you should get to know the team too."

'Who do you have on hand?' Keldeo asked.

Ash pulled out his on-hand Pokémon: Boldore, Pignite, Staraptor, Unfezant, Torterra, Torkoal, Dragonite, Lucario, Primeape, Noivern, Hawlucha, Heracross, Noctowl, Stampede the Tauros leader, Tyranitar, and of course, Farfetch'd and Kubfu. Pikachu had ran off to sleep for now.

Pignite and Boldore recognized the Colt Pokémon and gave a small wave. The equine greeted them back as the rest of Ash's Pokémon got affiliated with the protege.

Kubfu and Farfetch'd came over and saw Keldeo mingling with the others. 'Ah! Keldeo!'

The colt saw the cub, 'Kubfu!' The two Fighting types ran over and shook paws and hoof. 'Good to see you again!'

'You as well.'

'How's your training going?'

'Well, I have been doing exceptional and I have recently become Ash's Pokémon.'

'That's great! I joined Ash's team just now!'

'Excellent. We will now have many more chances to spar!'

Farfetch'd quacked and made the Wushu Pokémon introduce him. 'Oh right. Farfetch'd this is the swashbuckling Stream Sword: Keldeo!' Keldeo looked embarrassed at the title.

The Wild Duck Pokémon began to assess the Colt Pokémon. A warrior of the Sword, nonetheless and a rare one. He thought back to his battles today. Despite how his latest one went, he was confident in his ability.

"Far! Far!"

Both Legendaries stared at the duck's declaration. 'You want a battle?"

The duck cracked a confident smile. "Far… fetch'd!"

Kubfu facepalmed. 'Farfetch'd, this is a Mythical warrior who specializes in the art of the Sword. Why would you challenge…' The Wushu Pokémon's mind began to realize why. Farfetch'd wanted to be stronger and he believes a battle with a Mythical is the key. But Kubfu had another idea: perhaps there would be something more to this battle.

'What's the harm in a little fencing?' Keldeo shrugged and readied his horn as Farfetch'd brandished his leek.

Ash picked up on the squabble and realized. "Oh, Farfetch'd wants to have a battle?"

'More or less,' Kubfu informed.

"Alright then!" Ash ran over to his side with Farfetch'd and Keldeo prepared himself.

Both combatants shared a look, the duck's with a cocky look and the colt's with a stoic one. Keldeo remembers that look, it reminded him of his first battle with Kyruem.

Overconfident and cocky, thinking he could take on the Legendary Wuji Dragon. It led to his downfall, cost him the Swords of Justice getting frozen, and being chased by Boundary Pokémon to chase him across Unova. It was only when he told the truth and sacrificed himself, Keldeo earned Kyreum's respect.

Hopefully, he could teach the Wild Duck Pokémon some humility and what it means to be in sync.

Keldeo pawed the ground before firing an chakra-powered orb.

"Brutal Swing!" Farfetch'd swung his newly pink-covered leek and batted the Focus Blast away. "Night Slash!" The duck sprinted with a now darkened leek and slashed at the colt.

Keldeo was quick to parry it with his horn, a faint aura as his attack increased.

"Wait, what happened?" Ash said.

The musketeer's horn grew long and silver quickly, winning the lock up before explaining, 'Justified. My ability. When I'm hit with Dark-type moves, my attack increases."

That information nearly floored Ash. He never experienced this kind of ability before and Farfetch'd had two Dark-type moves. So, Ash called for a different move, "Fury Cutter!"

The Wild Duck Pokémon, however, ignored his trainer's command and went for a Brutal Swing. The attack had the same effect as Night Slash, so the Colt Pokémon gained another boost. As a result, the Stream Sword fired a gushing torrent of water that soaked the duck back.

Farfetch'd got up, steady and slow, and quacked with determination. "Farfetch'd, this time use Fury Cutter!"

The Wild Duck Pokémon mentally agreed for now and rushed with a red leak that swiped nonstop.

Keldeo parried with quick precision, blocking every strike the duck made. Farfetch'd began to become more ruthless and strike with strength instead of tactics.

'He's stubborn.' Keldeo thought. 'He wants to be stronger but doesn't want to listen.' The Colt Pokémon threw him off before his horn grew with a blue shine.

"Farfetch'd, use Focus Energy then Fury Cutter again!" The Wild Duck Pokémon didn't register what Ash said and rushed with another Night Slash.

"Farfetch'd, no!" Ash shouted.

The duck was about to strike when Keldeo's horn slashed the duck and effectively knocked him out.

'Sorry about that.' Keldeo apologized. 'I suppose our fight is over.'

Farfetch'd struggled to get up before quacking angrily.

"Farfetch'd… what's got into you?" Ash questioned as Farfetch'd didn't look his trainer in the eye.

'This reminds me of when I challenged Kyurem the first time.' Keldeo said. 'I felt confident in my ability and ended up losing the fight.'

'He wants to be a strong Leek Master. But he is caught up in strength than in sync with his 'Sensei'.'

Ash looked at the duck and remembered how this happened before. Multiple times. Charizard, Infernape, Lycanroc, Incineroar when he was a Litten and Torracat, Hawlucha, and especially Greninja to name a few. He was no stranger to this belief.

Ash took a deep breath and got to Farfetch'd level. "Farfetch'd, I know what you are going through. You want to be strong and you think you don't need a trainer to succeed. And I've seen some wild Pokémon achieve that, being strong and independent. However, when Pokémon are with trainers, being in sync is crucial. I've been through this many times."

"Car…" Lucario nodded as he remembered some of his battles when he was out of sync.

"But I can help you…" Ash declared. "If you are willing to accept me."

Farfetch'd thought about what Ash had said. Hearing the constant mentions of synchronization was true to him. He had always thought Ash was holding him back but his trainer…

Was willing to work with him to become better. It was his choice to be caught by him and he could have walked out whenever he wanted. Ash kept trying to help and he kept denying it.

It wasn't Ash's fault. It was his.

He thought about only battling worthy opponents. And he had been humbled twice today. One by trainer with the Blade Pokémon and a member of the Sword of Justice. Both battles ended with advice. And it was true.

He wanted it to change.

"Far…" The duck apologized.

"What did he say?" Ash asked the Legendaries.

'He says sorry for not recognizing or respecting you.'

'And he wishes to start anew and start working with you.'

Ash smiled at that. "I look forward to it." He flashed a thumbs up and the Wild Duck Pokémon had a confident look.

A/N: More of a Farfetch'd-centered chapter. Figured Keldeo could help since he had the same attitude in some way.

I like to think that Fighting-types of their own martial arts or styles in combat.

No flames.