The Meaning of Strength

Chapter 4
The Meaning of Strength

第４章
強くなることの意味

Chapter 4
The Meaning of Growing Strong

Info

Date released	April 30, 2025
Story arc	Arceus Arc

Other

Featured sync pairs

Arc Suit Alder & Volcarona

The Meaning of Strength (Japanese: 強くなることの意味 The Meaning of Growing Strong) is the fourth chapter of the Arceus Arc in Pokémon Masters EX. It focuses on Alder as he teaches his grandson, Benga, what it truly means to have strength.

It was released all at once on April 30, 2025.

Plot

A Challenge from Benga

In the forest, Alder is musing on recent events with his Volcarona. He recalls Benga's infuriation with Lance over the latter seeing the former as a challenger and not an equal, acknowledging that Benga's words apply to him as well. He agrees that if someone loses the will to grow stronger, they will be unable to protect those who need them; those in a position to help others in particular must demonstrate stellar strength. Lance was able to overcome this by defeating Benga, N proved his love for Pokémon by rechallenging the Unova League, and even Hilbert, who fought N to protect the world from his ideals. He questions if he himself has that kind of strength to help others understand the meaning of living with Pokémon, resolving to become stronger.

Benga arrives to request his grandfather to train him and his own Volcarona. Alder notes Benga seems particularly motivated, and the latter reveals he's going to try and awaken his arc suit, much to Alder's surprise. Benga says he was motivated by Lance awakening his own arc suit, wanting to show everyone his bond with Volcarona. Alder asks if that's what his Volcarona wants, which Benga claims so. Despite Alder's doubts, he nonetheless agrees to train Benga.

Alder's Thoughts

That night, Alder and his Volcarona meet up with Lance to discuss Benga. Alder admits that when he first heard Benga's declaration, his first thought was that "I don't want to lose to him". While a desire to win is natural for any Trainer, Alder wonders if the fact that his opponent was his own grandson is why he feels particularly strong about winning. Lance agrees with Alder, saying that Benga was the one who made him recognise his true feelings. Alder says Benga's deep connection to his Pokémon, stemming from his natural talent, is what makes him strong. That said, he also acknowledges that, in addition to being influenced by the many strong Trainers found on Pasio, Benga is still young, and is currently barreling ahead in pursuit of strength without understanding it. Alder recalls how, in his youth, he was also relentless in pursuing strength, until the death of his first partner Pokémon and his realisation that one's strength will someday inevitably change. He says that Trainers must also understand what the Pokémon beside them truly want, and if both of them focus only on strength and lose sight of each other, they won't know what those needs are. Alder admits that he couldn't bring himself to tell Benga to slow down, at least not with his current strength. Lance muses that it's difficult to both have righteous power and to teach others its true meaning, whether Benga can become the Trainer who truly walks toward the future with Pokémon depends on what he goes through now; Alder, in turn, asks for his Volcarona's opinion.

Later, Alder finds Benga and his Volcarona training with Iris and her Haxorus. Iris is taken aback by Benga wanting to continue training with Alder, noting that they've just battled and he should take a break. Benga declines, claiming he needs to do more for Arceus to accept him, a claim his Volcarona enthusiastically agrees with. Seeing this, Alder declares that, while it's important to train hard and push one's limits, Benga has lost sight of the true meaning of it.

Actions over Words

Benga is aghast at Alder's declaration. He protests that there are many strong Trainers on Pasio unlike those he met, and he doesn't want to lose to them. He declares that he needs Arceus to accept him so that he can aim for the top. Alder counters by asking Benga why it's important to reach the top, as well as what he'll do after Arceus accepts him, something Benga admits he doesn't know. Benga brings up how Lance went through so much to awaken his arc suit, and questions Alder if he's not following the latter's teachings correctly. Alder instead suggests that Lance's Dragonite and his Volcarona might think differently, to which Benga says Volcarona shares his thoughts and he isn't pushing him too hard. Seeing how his words aren't getting his point across, Alder decides to awaken his own arc suit with his own Volcarona, much to the shock of Iris and Benga, to demonstrate his teachings through actions instead. Benga accepts the challenge of competing with his grandfather over who's stronger and can awaken their arc suit first at the Arceus Cup.

A few days later, Benga is training with Nemona & Geeta in the Battle Villa. Geeta praises Benga's strength and talent to be just as impressive as his grandfather, while Nemona suggests his skills could outmatch Alder. Geeta notes that strength can manifest in different ways; for instance, Alder has the most experience out of all the Trainers currently on Pasio who are or once were Pokémon Champions, which is not something easily comparable to younger Trainers like themselves. Not understanding Geeta, Benga asks her to simply battle him.

Meanwhile, Alder is going around Pasio, continuing to teach people about the importance of being with Pokémon as usual. A Youngster and Preschooler ask Alder who is stronger: him or a Neo Champion. After a moment's thought, he asks Cheren to assist him.

What Is Strength?

The group of kids, as well as Bianca, watch as Cheren and his Tornadus battle against Alder and his Volcarona. Bianca notes that Cheren battles with incredible energy while keeping in sync with his Pokémon; Alder, meanwhile, relies on experience to adapt instantly and choose the best tactics with ease, with his Volcarona appearing to be content in following his lead. After the battle, Alder explains that while an opponent such as Cheren's Tornadus, a Legendary Pokémon belonging to a Neo Champion, would normally be difficult to beat, one can have a real chance of winning if they truly understand their partner Pokémon and bring out its full strength. He admits that even he doesn't know who's stronger between him or Cheren, and encourages the kids to think carefully about strength. Cheren notes that younger Trainers like him can never surpass the years of experience Alder has under his belt no matter how much they hone their skills. Bianca in turns hopes that they can stay together with their Pokemon, like Alder, even as they grow older.

That night, Alder is approached by Brycen and Marshal, having heard that Alder is going to battle Benga at the Arceus Cup, Alder admits that though he felt he needed to guide Benga through his actions, he was also inspired by seeing how much stronger Trainers on Pasio have grown, resolving to move forward to teach others the meaning of strength. Brycen brings up how Alder made the decision to relinquish his Champion title to Iris for the sake of the next generation, and Marshal agrees that she has become a Champion that Unova is proud of. Marshal, in turn, trusts that Alder is making the right decision this time as well. When Alder worries that he won't know the results until he tries, Marshal brings up how Alder told him that worrying can destroy potential, much to the latter's amusement. With the mood lightened, Marshal requests the honour of sparring with Alder one last time before the tournament.

At the stadium on the day of the Arceus Cup, Alder asks Benga whether he noticed any signs of his arc suit being awakened. Benga claims he'll definitely awaken it during this battle, a statement Alder takes as proof that Benga's bond isn't strong enough yet for Arceus to recognise. After a brief staredown, both grandfather and grandson send out their Volcarona to start the battle.

Your Spirit Lives On

Both Volcarona are battling with everything they have. Benga notes he's been through a lot with Volcarona, and thus won't lose to Alder. His Volcarona unleashes a relentless barrage of powerful Bug-type moves that Alder's Volcarona dodges before striking. Benga's Volcarona endures the attacks and retaliates with another move that sends Alder's Volcarona skidding back.

On the sidelines, Brycen, Marshal and Cheren watch the battle. They observe that despite their relation, Benga and Alder have very different battle styles: Benga relies on strong, hard-hitting moves to power through opponents; Alder instead limits incoming damage as he observes the situation, allowing him to change tactics. Despite Alder's Volcarona seemingly in trouble, they recognise that it's not the one being cornered.

Just as Benga orders a finishing blow, Benga's Volcarona suddenly finds itself unable to move, leaving it wide open to an attack by Alder's Volcarona. While Benga is baffled by this turn of events, Cheren understands the situation: much like during his own battle, Alder had been whittling down his opponent's stamina.

Alder tells Benga that, just because he gets stronger doesn't mean his Pokemon does as well. He declares he will show Benga what it truly means to walk toward the future together with Pokémon, causing his sync stone ultimate to glow. Alder is soon shown wearing an arc suit, much to Benga's momentary shock. With a powerful sync move, Alder's Volcarona finishes off Benga's, rendering himself the victor.

Benga is stunned by his loss, but manages to calm down enough to recognise that the strength of Alder and his Volcarona was somehow different to his. Alder explains that though both of them had trained rigorously with their Pokemon, Benga only wanted to prove his strength and made some rash decisions. Alder asks Benga once more why it's so important for him to reach the top, what he plans to do after Arceus accepts him, and more importantly, why he wants to get stronger with his Volcarona. In the absence of Benga's answer, Alder says Pokémon tend to follow their Trainer's wishes, and sometimes they push themselves too hard; thus, as Trainers, they need to recognise when that happens. Alder explains that part of the reason why he wanted to awaken his arc suit is to have the strength to keep talented Trainers like Benga from going offtrack, and his Volcarona similarly saw a younger member of his species push itself too hard and wanted to help. Benga apologises to his Volcarona for not treating it as he should, and requests Alder to continue teaching him more, before running off. Alder congratulates his Volcarona on a well-earned victory, and silently thanks his former partner Pokémon as well, promising its spirit will always live on with them.

That night, Alder and his Volcarona remain at the Champion Stadium, where N and his Zoroark approach. Alder recalls that though he lost to him before, the two had never met in the Arceus Cup. Now that they both have awakened their arc suits, Alder challenges N to a battle, which N accepts.

Area info

Area name	Unlock condition	Completion rewards
A Challenge from Benga	Available from start	Gems ×10 Challenge Benga
Alder's Thoughts	Complete Challenge Benga	Gems ×10 Challenge Iris
Actions over Words	Complete Challenge Iris	Gems ×10 Challenge Cheren
What Is Strength?	Complete Challenge Cheren	Gems ×10 Challenge Marshal
Your Spirit Lives On	Complete Challenge Marshal	Gems ×10

Battles

Name	Difficulty	Trainer	Pokémon	First-Time Rewards	Completion Rewards
Challenge Benga	Normal	Benga	Volcarona Weakness:	Gems ×30 Alder's Thoughts	900 coins
Challenge Iris	Normal	Iris	Haxorus Weakness:	Gems ×30 Action over Words	900 coins
Challenge Cheren	Normal	Cheren Champion	Tornadus Weakness:	Gems ×30 What Is Strength?	2,400 coins
Challenge Marshal	Normal	Marshal	Conkeldurr Weakness:	Gems ×30 Your Spirit Lives On	2,400 coins

Gallery

Artwork of Chapter 4

Music

Situation	Song key	Song name	Arrangement
In menu	No. 00004	Adventure Awaits!	Unknown
During battle (Challenge Benga) What Is Strength? After Alder and Benga send out their Volcarona Your Spirit Lives On From start	No. 05006	Battle! (Alder) (Pokémon Masters EX Version)	Haruki Yamada (ATTIC INC.)
During battle (Challenge Iris)	No. 05003	Battle! (Unova Gym Leader) (Pokémon Masters EX Version)	Haruki Yamada (ATTIC INC.)
During battle (Challenge Cheren) What Is Strength? From start	No. 05032	Battle! (Unova Neo Champion 2) (Pokémon Masters EX Version)	Unknown
During battle (Challenge Marshal)	No. 05004	Battle! (Unova Elite Four) (Pokémon Masters EX Version)	Haruki Yamada (ATTIC INC.)
A Challenge from Benga From start	No. 00019	A Melancholy Moment	Unknown
A Challenge from Benga When Benga appears Alder's Thoughts When Alder finds Benga and Iris battling Actions over Words After Alder commits to awakening his arc suit	No. 00008	Out for a Stroll	Unknown
Alder's Thoughts As Alder talks to Lance about Benga Your Spirit Lives On After Benga calms down after losing	No. 00013	A Somber Moment	Unknown
Alder's Thoughts When Alder claims Benga is losing his way Actions over Words From start	No. 00014	Lurking Threat	Unknown
Actions over Words While Benga and Nemona battle	No. 09001	Battle! (Nemona) (Pokémon Masters EX Version)	Unknown
Actions over Words After Benga and Nemona battle	No. 00025	Battle Villa	Unknown
Actions over Words While Benga and Geeta battle	No. 09004	Battle! (Geeta) (Pokémon Masters EX Version)	Unknown
Actions over Words While Alder teaches with Cheren and Bianca What Is Strength? After Alder and Cheren battle	No. 00007	Fun with Friends	Unknown
What Is Strength? When Brycen and Marshal meet with Alder before the Arceus Cup	No. 05019	An Unwavering Heart (Pokémon Masters EX Version)	Unknown
What Is Strength? On the day of the Arceus Cup	No. 00002	Pokémon Masters EX Main Theme	Unknown
Your Spirit Lives On When Alder awakens his arc suit	No. 05036	Glorious Battle! (Alder) (Pokémon Masters EX Version)	Unknown
Song names without a song key listed are unofficial, as they have not been added to the Jukebox.

Script

In other languages

Chapter 4

The Meaning of Strength

This article is part of Project Sidegames, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Sidegames.