The Quarterfinals: Part 1

Lady Caitlin, it appears that this is indeed the location indicated on the map.

But it seems Lady Cynthia has yet to arrive.

And yet SHE is the one who called us out here. This is revealing her lack of punctuality, I see.

*yawn*

My, what a yawn that was. Are you perhaps low on sleep?

I have been getting quite enough sleep. That yawn was due to boredom.

I thought that an event as big as the PML would provide lovely battles with the strongest sync pairs...

but I can count on a single hand the number of satisfying battles I've had.

You must forgive me if I yawn once or twice.

Haha. I believe your standards for a superb battle are ever so slightly too high, Lady Caitlin.

That having been said, with a Trainer as strong as Lady Cynthia on our team, I suppose such a thing is unavoidable.

Well, in that respect, I guess you could say we made a mistake in our team selection.

Besides, with Cynthia, I've yet to...

Sorry to keep you two waiting.

Forgive me. It took a while to get changed.

If I'm not mistaken, that outfit is...

Yes, it's my sygna suit. It was designed based on my Kommo-o.

For our upcoming match with Scottie, I've decided to wear my sygna suit and battle with Kommo-o.

I wanted to have a Pokémon battle with you two to test out this change and make any final adjustments.

Our upcoming match? Correct me if I'm wrong...

but didn't you say just a few days ago that you planned to wait until you had further time to train Kommo-o before battling with him in the PML?

Yes. But I've changed my mind.

Thanks to his daily training with Garchomp, Kommo-o has rapidly gotten stronger.

Just like Scottie's team, which becomes more powerful with each victory.

Scottie and Kommo-o have both grown so much stronger on Pasio. It seemed fitting to battle with Kommo-o in the quarterfinals.

With Kommo-o and me at our current power...

we'll win for sure!

In tomorrow's battle, Kommo-o and I will show the world what we're made of!

... ... ...

You sure do hold that team, no, Scottie, in high regard, don't you?

But never mind that. Let's get this practice battle over with, shall we?

Lady Caitlin...

... ... ...

I know I asked you for this battle, Caitlin, but I also have another request.

Could you please give it everything you've got?

What?

I've been watching you closely ever since we formed this team.

You have undoubtedly become stronger, and I want to test your newfound strength in a serious battle.

Because you're my teammate, my friend, and...

my rival!

Me? You consider me your rival?

Why wouldn't I? Don't tell me you don't feel the same way.

My, how good you are at motivating others. Perhaps you have some psychic powers as well.

I'm pleased that you value me so highly, but haven't you forgotten?

I have never once won a battle against you.

You're right. You haven't.

Not yet, anyway. Right?

Hmph, you really are a good motivator. Very well.

Here we go, Reuniclus! Let's go all out from the start!

I swear I will beat you this time, Cynthia!

I beg your pardon, Lady Caitlin...

but it seems as if you have lost control of your emotions, like you did so often in the past.

I don't care! No, rather, I am daring to let my emotions run free right now!

So that I may win this battle with elegance!

Here we go, Cynthia!

Give me everything you've got, Caitlin!

The quarterfinals are finally under way. I see we're on a new stage, too.

That's right. And our opponent is...

So, this day has finally come, Scottie...

I could tell there was something special about you the first time we met.

I wouldn't have expected anything less than to see you here in the quarterfinals.

Let's give it our all so we can have the best battle possible!

That's a nice, straightforward response. I'm truly looking forward to our battle.

Hehe. That's some spirit you've got there. You're getting me all fired up, too.

U-um, Cynthia, I've never seen you in that outfit or with that Kommo-o behind you.

Did you change your partner Pokémon this far into the competition?!

Yes. This is Kommo-o's first battle here.

Truth be told, I didn't actually intend to bring him out for this battle. I just couldn't restrain myself any longer.

Lady Cynthia says she thinks of herself not as a Champion but as another challenger here on Pasio.

It seems she never intended to win here with a conservative tactic like battling with Garchomp for every match.

That having been said, Kommo-o's strength is on par with Garchomp's.

I can guarantee that.

I believe you. I can sense Kommo-o's fighting spirit all the way over here.

But, you know...

we have plenty of fighting spirit ourselves!

Hehe. You all really are outstanding!

All right. Shall we begin?

... ... ...

... ... ...

Then I guess there's no more need for words!

My heart's pounding!

I'll give this battle everything I've got!