[Lucian]: Flint, you really don't get it. Everything you just said is what anyone could figure out. Didn't you notice the real meaning behind it?
[Flint]: Huh? There's more to it than that?
[Lucian]: Of course! Think about it—an organization as big as Team Rocket is bound to have internal factions. Giovanni's executive, Matori, represents the violent wing—the ones who steal Pokémon and sow chaos.
[Lucian]: But the Trio—Jessie, James, and Meowth—clearly stand for the peaceful faction. I'd bet Rocket Logistics is under their control. Otherwise, how do you explain why its employees have never been seen participating in Team Rocket's criminal acts?
[Flint]: Huh~ when you put it that way, it actually makes sense.
[Lance]: So by that logic, Team Rocket's split into factions? Now that's interesting.
Of course, "split" wasn't quite accurate.
It was just that the Trio was… a bit too special.
Reading the speculations of the Sinnoh League's so-called "Mastermind," Elite Four member Lucian, Giovanni couldn't help but smirk.
Guess away, all of you. The more you speculate, the easier it is for me to stay hidden in the shadows.
Still, it was time to tone down some of Team Rocket's more blatant operations.
The Pokémon League had advanced rapidly in recent years.
If Team Rocket wanted to secure greater profits, it needed evolution.
Thus—Rocket Logistics was the organization's current priority.
Soon, their shipping network would span the entire world.
And when that day came, who would ever think to link Rocket Logistics to Team Rocket?
Meanwhile, in Silver Town…
At a small ice cream stand, Jessie, James, and Meowth shivered in dread.
The entire broadcast had gone out live—meaning their boss, Giovanni, had definitely seen it.
"Wh-what do we do, Jessie?! The boss might think we've betrayed Team Rocket!"
"What else? We earn back his favor—by catching Pikachu and presenting it to the boss as proof of our loyalty!"
"Yeah! I can already imagine the boss patting me on the head, nya~!"
Back on screen—
The Trio's departure barely caught anyone's attention.
Only one person—Cynthia—watched them go with an intrigued smile.
After Nurse Joy of Sinnoh arrived to handle the situation, Ash, [RECURRING] Chloe, and Cynthia finally left the scene together.
Under Cynthia's lead, they stopped at a cozy café in a local scenic district.
She ordered coffee and pastries for both Ash and [RECURRING] Chloe, then regarded them with a teasing look.
So many years had passed… and yet, the girl beside Ash had changed again.
Though Cynthia's expression remained calm, a trace of jealousy stirred beneath that cool surface.
Ash really is too popular for his own good…
And she could tell immediately—from [RECURRING] Chloe's glances—that the girl had feelings for him.
But then, it was Ash after all. It wasn't hard to see why.
"Ash, I heard you're competing in the World Coronation Series?" Cynthia asked, lazily stirring her coffee.
"Yeah! Just a couple days ago, I battled Korrina in Kalos and made it into the Ultra Ball tier!"
The moment he brought it up, Ash's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Oh? That's impressive," Cynthia said casually. "I'm currently ranked second among the Masters Eight."
"Eh?!"
Ash and [RECURRING] Chloe were both stunned.
They knew Cynthia was one of the Masters Eight—but didn't realize how high her standing was.
Second place.
That meant she was right behind the unbeatable Champion Leon!
That was insane.
Wasn't Lance supposed to be the runner-up from the previous season?
"For real?! Then you must have fought Leon, right?" Ash asked eagerly.
Cynthia set her spoon down and took a graceful sip of coffee.
"I did. Leon's incredibly strong. I lost that match—his Gigantamax Charizard was simply too overwhelming."
She didn't sound disappointed—more thoughtful.
Losing to Leon on his home turf in Galar was nothing to be ashamed of.
His Gigantamax Charizard truly was in a league of its own.
Still… it wasn't unwinnable.
She just hadn't been focusing entirely on battle recently—her research often took priority.
Victory, to Cynthia, was only a matter of time and effort.
"That's such a shame! I really wanted to see that match," Ash said, sighing. "Mr. Lance's battle with Leon was amazing, but… it felt like he lost too fast."
To be honest, he wanted to see Cynthia face Leon more than anyone else.
Her battle sense and tactical insight had always impressed him the most.
Cynthia smiled faintly.
"You might get your wish soon. In a few days, Leon will be battling Raihan, and I'll have a Masters Eight match of my own there as well."
"Really?!"
Ash's enthusiasm flared instantly.
"Then, Cynthia! Please—let us come with you to Galar!"
Cynthia arched an eyebrow at his sudden excitement, then let a soft laugh escape.
"Of course. I'd be happy to have you along."
Her tone carried no icy authority—only warmth, and perhaps… a hint of anticipation.
It almost felt like she'd led the conversation there on purpose.
[Caitlin]: Why do I get the feeling Cynthia's acting… different? That tone's dripping with affection.
[Wallace]: Affection? I'd say someone here's about to get heartbroken.
[Lance]: You two talking about me, huh?
[Steven]: Calm down, Lance. Everyone knows you can't beat Cynthia anyway—no shame in it.
[Drake]: Steven, that's what you call comfort?
[Diantha]: It's true, though. Among all Champions, Cynthia's at the very top. No shame in losing to her.
[Lance]: Okay now you're just rubbing it in! I did fight Leon to the finals last season, remember?!
[Alder]: Maybe you just got lucky.
[Lance]: Luck?! I'll have you know—
[Lorelei]: Sure, sure, "just a Champion," right? For Kanto's strongest Dragon Master, that should be easy."
[Professor Kukui]: Wow, what's with all the sarcasm? You Kanto folks really aren't a united front, huh?"
Lance: "…"
What could he even say?
In any other region, he could be Champion—but in Kanto?
Not with Lorelei still around.
His ace Dragonite was four-times weak to Ice.
One Aurora Beam from her Cloyster, and it was game over.
How was he supposed to win that?!
No wonder Lance looked so grim.
Five years later, he was still "just" an Elite Four member.
If things went on like this, he'd be under Lorelei's shadow forever.
No. I'll train harder. Catch more Dragon-types. That Champion title will be mine!
Back to the broadcast—
After Cynthia agreed to travel with them, Ash was practically buzzing with excitement.
If not for his current lack of main Pokémon, he'd have challenged her right then and there.
As for [RECURRING] Chloe—she was completely starstruck.
Ever since deciding to journey alongside Ash, she'd been studying Pokémon battles nonstop.
And as the world's most renowned female Trainer, Cynthia had always been her idol.
Meeting her in person only reinforced that feeling.
Cynthia wasn't just strong—she was cool.
[RECURRING] Chloe could barely contain her admiration.
"Ash, I hope to see you in the Masters Eight one day," Cynthia said warmly, finishing her coffee.
Her golden eyes sparkled with encouragement.
"You will! I'll definitely make it—and become the strongest Champion ever!" Ash replied with fiery conviction.
"Good. That's the spirit."
They chatted a while longer, Cynthia listening with growing surprise as Ash recounted his adventures—his loss in Kalos, his triumph in Alola, his battle against Professor Kukui.
Hearing that a Legendary Pokémon had appeared in that match left her astonished.
Ash's strength had clearly reached the level of the top Champions.
Even Alola, the newest League, had produced someone of his caliber.
The world was changing faster than anyone had realized.
After a few days touring Sinnoh together, Cynthia, Ash, and [RECURRING] Chloe boarded a plane bound for Wyndon City, Galar.
There, in the Wyndon Stadium, the next Masters Eight matches were set to take place.
Leon vs. Raihan.
And before that—a special exhibition match: Cynthia vs. Diantha.
The crowd was electric. Every seat filled.
Ash and [RECURRING] Chloe sat right in the front row, thanks to Cynthia's personal invitation.
"Hey, Ash… who do you think will win?" [RECURRING] Chloe asked nervously, clutching his sleeve.
She'd long since become a devoted Cynthia fan—especially after Cynthia taught her how to evolve Feebas into Milotic.
"Don't worry," Ash said confidently. "Diantha's amazing, but Cynthia won't lose."
[Diantha]: Hey! No need to downplay me that hard!
[Drasna]: Come on, Diantha, she is stronger than you—just a little.
[Flint]: Wait, did Flint just say something smart?
[Flint]: Don't doubt my instincts! I am Sinnoh's Fire-type Elite Four, after all!
[Diantha]: Keep talking, you're asking for a battle!
[Volkner]: Oh, you're in trouble now, Flint."
On screen—
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Wyndon Stadium! Today's Masters Eight ranking match features fifth-ranked Champion Diantha challenging the second-ranked Champion Cynthia!"
"This battle will be one-on-one—ending when one Pokémon can no longer fight!"
"Now, both Trainers, please take the field!"
As the host's voice echoed through the arena, Cynthia and Diantha emerged from opposite tunnels.
Even after five years, Diantha's short hair and confident aura remained as striking as ever.
"Cynthia," she said with a faint smile. "Looks like you've got a reason you can't lose this time, hmm?"
Cynthia's eyes glinted. She knew exactly what Diantha meant.
Ever since this year's tournament began, Cynthia's passion for battling had reignited.
And the reason for that was sitting right there in the front row—cheering with all his heart.
"Ash," Diantha murmured, amused.
Cynthia didn't deny it. She flicked her long golden hair back and drew a Poké Ball from her coat pocket.
"You're right," she said softly. "I do have someone I can't disappoint this time."
"Go, Garchomp!"
The Dragon-Ground Pokémon burst forth with a mighty roar—Cynthia's first and strongest partner.
"Then I won't hold back. Let's go, Gardevoir!"
Two aces—two Champions.
The crowd erupted in excitement.
"Cynthia Champion!"
"Diantha, I love you!"
Even Ash couldn't help shouting encouragement.
Hearing his voice, a faint smile tugged at Cynthia's lips.
"Garchomp, use Dragon Claw!"
"Gardevoir, Shadow Ball!"
Their commands came in unison.
Green draconic energy surged around Garchomp's claws, while twin orbs of shadow condensed in Gardevoir's hands.
The Shadow Balls flew—
colliding head-on with Garchomp's charging form!
The stadium gasped in unison.
"Diantha, are you serious right now?!"
"Stop! That's not how you use a Gardevoir!"
But on the field—neither Champion held back.
The battle between the two strongest women in the Pokémon world had truly begun.
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