The Top Champion's Insight

...And that concludes our tour of Pasio. What do you think, Chairwoman?

It's absolutely fantastic!

I'd say it's an ideal place for sync pairs to hone their strength, skills, and talent.

Hahaha! But of course!

With me as their king, my subjects work night and day to innovate and...

What was that?

It sounded like a Tyranitar.

Please excuse me for a moment.

H-hey!

Don't worry, our agenda will proceed as planned.

I thought so...

What a wonderful display of talent.

...?

I saw your training just now. You've raised your Pokémon extremely well.

Who are you, lady?

Oh, I'm sorry. I haven't introduced myself, have I?

I am Geeta, chairwoman of the Paldea region's Pokémon League.

I am also the Top Champion, the highest-ranking of all Champion Rank Trainers.

What's that supposed to mean?

In the Paldea region, we have more than one Champion.

Anyone who passes the Champion Assessment can earn the title of Champion.

But as for the ultimate judgment of who among the aspiring Champions has what it takes...

That duty falls to me, the Top Champion.

Oh?

I will also be the judge for the next round of the upcoming Neo Champion Stadium.

I was surprised to learn of an assessment challenge so much like the one we hold in Paldea.

It allows young, up-and-coming talent to compete with each other...

and in doing so, lead one another to greater heights. This system for finding Neo Champions is a marvelous thing, really.

Hmph. That has nothing to do with me.

Oh, you don't want to participate? That's a shame.

Back in Paldea, I met Trainers with rare talent, just like you.

You have within you a shine that's similar to what I saw in those young and talented Trainers.

I think you'd do quite well, honestly.

So basically...you want to make me a Neo Champion?

Well...that, of course, depends on you.

I am utterly incapable of holding back when it comes to Pokémon battles.

It won't be easy to meet my judging criteria.

Well, aren't you confident.

I don't care about titles like "Neo Champion"...

But I'm starting to think I wouldn't mind taking a big shot like you down a notch or two.

Oh, really? You're very welcome to try.

May I ask your name?

... ... ...

I'm the guy who's going to be the world's greatest Pokémon Trainer.

A few days later...

I am hereby informing you all of the next Neo Champion Stadium!

This time, a new judge will be joining us...

Geeta, the Top Champion of Paldea!

It's a pleasure to meet you, everyone. I'm Geeta.

I spend my time at the Paldea Pokémon League seeking out new talent...

And I am very grateful for this opportunity to do so here on Pasio, as well.

Now, as you all may already know, the Neo Champion Stadium is a special competition...

held to decide who on Pasio can become an example for everyone to measure up against.

But no matter how blessed you are with talent, it won't shine beautifully unless it is polished... much like a gemstone.

With that in mind, allow me explain the judging criteria for the next Neo Champion Stadium!

I am looking for "honed talent!"

The rules of this Neo Champion Stadium are quite simple, really...

All you have to do is defeat a Champion of your choice in a one-on-one battle!

This is a prime opportunity to face off against the Champions who reign over each Pokémon League and battle them with everything you've got!

I hope everyone can show off the results of their day-to-day efforts to hone their skills!

Of course, you are more than welcome to choose me as your opponent.

Here on Pasio, our future Champions will blossom one after another.

I look forward to that from the bottom of my heart.

If we want battles that'll fully display the skills of our challengers...

that will depend on how much we, the Champions, can draw those skills out.

So it's not just the quality of the challengers that's being tested here, is it?

A Champion is someone who guides challengers with kindness.

Personally, I don't think there should be a single shred of doubt in the duty or strength of a Champion.

I see... You're quite strict.

Hey, Silver!

You were really focused on the screens just now... Are you going to give it a go?

Yeah, I am.

I see! Then you'll be taking another step towards achieving your dream!

But it's a pretty tall order, asking you to beat a Champion...

It sounds like you can choose your opponent... Who were you thinking of, ?

That's a given.

The person I need to beat is the Champion of the Indigo Plateau...

Lance!

And, well... There may be another person I've got in mind...

I already know which Pokémon I want to battle with.

It'll be this guy.

Don't tell me you forgot?

Wait... That Tyranitar hatched from the Egg I gave you back then?

I see! Wow, it really grew!

Why are you battling with Tyranitar instead of one of the Pokémon you usually battle with?

... ... ...

Because I'll have the advantage if I use tactics I haven't used before on Lance.

I'll beat him this time, for sure!

Do show us, and all of Pasio, you and Tyranitar fighting gallantly together!

Yeah, we'll be watching you until the end.

We've got high hopes for you.

Hmph. Whatever.

You'll regret giving me that Pokémon Egg...

after you see me and Tyranitar shake things up in the tournament!

On the day of the Neo Champion Stadium...

The moment of destiny for Silver and Lance finally arrived...

(Now then, Silver... Let me observe your talent.)

I've been waiting so long to battle you like this...

Today's the day I finally surpass you!

Tyranitar...?

Yeah. He's got all the strength I need to beat you.

You don't have a clue how we'll battle, do you?

(So rather than thinking about his relationship with his Pokémon, he's focusing on winning?)

(I thought that maybe he'd changed since coming to Pasio, but it seems he still has a ways to go.)

And now, Silver and Champion Lance...

Let the battle begin!

Crush them, Tyranitar!

(He's avoiding tactics he's shown me before... That in itself isn't a bad idea.)

(However!)

I, Lance the dragon master, won't be taken down so easily!

Tsk!

(If his opponent was an average Trainer, the battle would have been over after that first attack. But he's up against the best of the best...)

(Silver...is this as far as your talent will take you?)

Too bad, Silver.

I really thought that you understood what I told you back in Johto...

I'm sure there must be Pokémon that you've developed a deep bond with on your journey...

Why aren't you battling with them?

If you thought you could beat me just because you have a powerful new Pokémon, you made a huge mistake.

Let me say this...

You still don't have enough love and trust in your Pokémon.

Until you understand that...

Don't underestimate us.

Beating you...and becoming the world's strongest...

is OUR dream! All of ours!

I knew from the very start that it wouldn't be easy to beat you...

But right now, it's not just me and Tyranitar who're battling!

(I see...)

(So that Tyranitar is actually battling on behalf of his other Pokémon...)

Tsk... You've been like this ever since we met.

You're always standing in my way, like a big, dense wall!

I've had enough!

Today's the day I tear that wall down!

Me and my Pokémon...

We'll show you our power...as a sync pair!

Tyranitar, you, !

Hmph. Kinda late to start getting serious!

Well, Lance? Hard to tell who's gonna win now, huh?

Indeed... My apologies.

It seems I underestimated you and your Pokémon.

If you've truly learned to trust and love your Pokémon...

then you're starting to look like my biggest, strongest opponent yet!

There's no need for words now.

We will battle to determine which of us is stronger.

I, Lance the dragon master, won't be taken down so easily!

No way we're losing, we're going to surpass you!

Let's do this!

Sorry... I really wanted to bring all of you to the battle today...

But Tyranitar and I are fighting for you, too!

Tyranitar, you...

You're our dream.

...Well done.

Thanks, Dragonite. You fought hard.

Congratulations, Silver.

You've won!

We finally did it...

After all that, we finally got one win... Give me a break.

Silver did it!

He finally made his dream come true!

Yup! But he's still not done yet!

His path will continue...

Keep on running until you reach the end of all your dreams, Silver!

It's time to announce the results of the Neo Champion Stadium.

One Trainer who battled against Champion Lance tenaciously continues to hone himself and his opponents to shine ever brighter.

This is the potential I see in his future.

I now present...

Neo Champion Silver!

A Champion is a role model and a source of inspiration for others aiming for the top.

From now on, I want you to guide other Trainers.

This young talent will continue to hone himself against a multitude of rivals.

May your future shine brightly, Neo Champion Silver.

Hey, don't think I'm gonna let you end this just yet.

Now that I'm done with Lance, you're next, Geeta.

Oh? Well, well...

My partner's been nagging me for more battles.

And like I said earlier...

I wouldn't mind bringing a big shot like you down a notch or two.

Very well. I'll take you on, then.

W-wait a second... Geeta?!

As I myself said earlier, I am utterly incapable of holding back when it comes to Pokémon battles.

Do keep that in mind.

Bring it on! The stronger you are, the more fun we'll have taking you down!

Let's do this, Tyranitar!