A Glorious Gambit: Part 1

All right, listen! We're through puttin' up with you!

We're sick of your big, risky gambits and your all-or-nothing battle style! We're done bein' on your team!

You still wanna tackle the PML? Sure, have fun... on your own!

... ... ...

You've got me wrong. All-or-nothing games aren't my style.

Every card in the deck has the potential to bring home a win. All I do is show them the way.

I've never withdrawn from any battles.

But, well, what's a player to do when they don't have a single card to play?

I think it's about time I cut my losses.

See what's next out there for ol' Grimsley...

I sincerely hope you're not thinking about leaving Pasio.

It's far too soon for you to even consider that!

Are you really going to give up here? Let all that power of yours go to waste?

Hello there, Will. Karen.

What business could a couple of Indigo Elite Four members possibly have with me?

I'll cut to the chase, then.

Why don't you join our team, Grimsley?

... ... ...

Your battle style speaks to me.

The way you relentlessly pursue victory, no matter who your opponent is or what obstacles appear in your path...

There aren't many Trainers out there who have your resolve.

Truly skilled Trainers should try to win with the Pokémon they love best.

Once the battle actually begins, though, that can be easier said than done.

We're on the cusp of qualifying for the finals. But if we want to keep our winning streak once we're in, we'll need you.

Who better than a thrill seeker to channel our yearning for victory and swing the odds in our favor?

Please, Grimsley! Be our trump card!

... ... ...

The winner takes everything, and there's nothing left for the loser.

That's been the philosophy guiding all my battles up till now, and that's not about to change.

In the heat of the moment, I could choose to make a move, believing it would win us the battle...

but the cost of that choice would be that your dear partner Pokémon get hurt.

Are you sure you can stand here in front of your partners and tell me that's all right?

I'm not going to answer that question.

... ... ...

Or should I say, do I even need to answer?

What?

Think of the ceaseless training and effort I put in just so I could climb high enough to finally join the Elite Four!

I traveled the world, training every waking hour for days on end...

I didn't do all that just to have you doubt the unwavering strength I've gained from all that experience!

I won't even let you get to the point where you have to consider hurting my partner to win!

... ... ...

Didn't I just say that truly skilled Trainers try their hardest to win?

That's because we want to win alongside the Pokémon we love best, no matter what we have to endure!

My partner and I are one wild, tough pair... even more so than we look!

We never pass up a chance to improve, and we never stop fighting to win, either!

So come scale this peak with us, Grimsley!

All right. Then...I'll take you on.

Ol' Grimsley is going to flip a coin. Heads, you two win and I join your team.

Tails, you lose and we forget about all this talk.

What?!

Oh my. After all that, you're going to leave it all to chance?

Heh. No need to worry.

Those who give up on themselves can never claim victory.

But for those who don't give up, anything is possible...

All right. Time for round four of the finals... Looks like we're going up against Will and Karen's team.

Heh heh! We've been watching your battles, you know.

You've fought tremendously, especially when you went toe-to-toe with Elesa's team!

You battled so bravely, even the audience was inspired to rise up and fight back against Team Break.

An impressive feat, I must admit!

What a nice, sincere answer. No doubt that attitude of yours is how you managed to motivate all those sync pairs to take a stand.

I see you know the importance of being humble.

I'm glad it turned out OK, but I sure hope we never have to battle in chaos like that again.

Yeah. When I see people and Pokémon in trouble, I can't stop myself from rushing in and helping them out.

That shouldn't be a problem. From what I hear, they've tightened up security for the event.

So you kids can keep your eyes on the battle right in front of you.

That being said, if any trouble does break out, I, for one, plan to sit tight and stay out of it.

Staying out of things is a real talent of yours, Nanu...

Still, it's reassuring to know that there will be more security. Thanks for telling us.

Heh heh. It seems you're every bit as tough to pin down as I've heard, Nanu.

Oh? And where'd you hear that, boy?

From a man I think you might know.

Hehe. Speak of the devil, it looks like he's finally shown up.

Well, hello again, Scottie and [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="his" F="her" ] teammates.

Whoa! Grimsley?

You teamed up with Will and Karen?

Well, after some twists and turns, yes.

Looks like I was right when I said we'd be fighting on opposing teams the next time we meet, huh, Nanu?

Look at you, Grimsley...

Got yourself some snazzy new duds since I last saw you, huh? And a snazzy new partner, to boot.

Why, yes. Allow me to introduce you to Sharpedo.

I realized a more aggressive fighting style would help me bring out the best plays for this team.

It seems the sheer thrill of my new style really inspired the designer of these sygna suits, and... well, the outfit clearly speaks for itself.

Isn't Sharpedo supposed to be so ferocious that it's called the bully of the se...

Eeek!

Oops! Sorry about that! He's a bit of a wild one.

But his fearlessness more than makes up for it. He doesn't mind taking a few licks if it means winning the battle.

Scottie, Nanu... Victory is calling me.

My team and I are going to take the entire PML!

Heh.

Gotta say, you look a lot happier now than when you were teamed up with me.

Well, what say you, [EN:Gen Ref="255" M="boy" F="girl" ]?

Feel up to taking this team down?

Now you're talking. Sounds like it's time for this jaded old man to muster up the same youthful energy.

Now you're talking. Sounds like it's time for this jaded old man to muster up the same youthful energy.

Don't take it too serious, now!

I'm putting everything on the line in this battle.

Let the game begin!