Leon quotes from Pokémon

Show me what you've got, rookie.

Way to go!

[noticing something is off] It can't be! [Ash is revealed to be battling without a Dynamax band] That young man! He's in a Dynamax battle without a Dynamax band!

[recalls his defeated Infernape] That's why you're the Champion. Thank you. [shakes Leon's hand. Back to training, Flint...]

Good battle. Let's do it again. [sounds a lot like Ash would say...]

Hey Leon, what's it like to be a Champion, anyways?

[a bit glum] I'm scared all the time.

Huh?

I've never lost a Pokémon battle before. And that scares me a lot. I'm scared I reached my limit and I can't grow anymore, that I can't get any stronger than I am now. [cut to a flashback of the Darkest Day arc] But when that happened...

[flashback] The sky!

[flashback] Could that be Eternatus?

[continuing the narration] I tried, but I couldn't put a scratch on Eternatus. [goes back to the present] I was frustrated but excited at the same time. There are still many in this world that are much stronger than I am. But, I'm still chasing after them! I've got a lot of work to do to grow stronger!

I was wondering who that was and it happens to be today's challenger.

Hi Raihan.

Why are you here so early?

You see, I was too excited to stay away any longer. How about you? [Well, at least Ash had arrived to his destination for his match]

The truth is, I'm already on my home turf. Of course, I'd be here early. I'd never think you'd really make this far...but this is where your journey ends because I'll win.

Well, I'm not going to lose. [Just then, there's some rustling in the bushes, where it's revealed that Leon was sleeping outside the Gym.]

[yawns] Morning Ash, Raihan.

It's Leon!

Just what are you doing sleeping there?!

Well, you know, I didn't want to be late for the battle between you two. Guess I got excited.

Huh, you too?

Take your best shot! My Pokémon will defeat everyone standing in their way.

And now, we're going to reveal the matchups for the first round! [The screen display two square panels for the members. It spins like the ones on a slot machine.] For the first match, it's Leon vs Alain! [So much for Ash having the chance to refight Alain as to make up for the mess in the Kalos League...]

Alain and Leon, huh?

And for the second match, it's Lance vs Diantha! [Odd choice of pairing since the two never interacted before and Lance did not appear in the XY series. The screen spins revealing the third pair]

In the third match, it's Cynthia vs Iris. [That makes sense since Iris did receive mentorship from Cynthia in the Black and White series]

Iris

Me and Cynthia?

Go easy on me. [The screen spins again revealing the final pair]

For the fourth match, it's Steven Stone vs Ash Ketchum. [This is to make up for the lack of interaction between the two throughout the Ruby and Sapphire and the XY series]

So, I'm battling Steven Stone.

Pikachu

Pi-ka. [He is very tough.]

So, we finally get to battle each other.

Alain

Go Charizard!

I'll continue battling with my Charizard.

Alain

It's been my dream to battle you two and defeat you! [Yeah, not happening...]

Iris

Wow, it's like an aurora!

Who knew Light Screen and Reflect, two defensive moves could be combined like that?

Alain

However, the effect of each move will still vanish over time. It's not permanent.

I think Diantha is using it as to pressure Lance. I'd say Diantha is clearly the one in control of this battle. [Oh yeah. There's a reason the writers are not letting Lance refight Leon in this match.]

It's still anyone's guess. If he wavered here, she would have beat Lance.

If Iris is a Dragon-type trainer, then why...

Alain

[as if reading Diantha's mind] ...did she bring out Excadrill? [Diantha nods in agreement]

I've heard a rumour that she actually trained with Cynthia at one point.

Alain

Which means they each know the cards the other is holding.

It could very well be changing of the guard. This should be interesting.

When it comes to Ash, good or bad matchups make no difference. His attack rhythm is excellent, too. [Diantha is really becoming a fan of Ash...]

My kind of match. I love this!

Hey, what's going on?

Pikachu's breakdancing! [Not exactly]

It's a little early for a victory dance. Use Hypnosis! [Should have watched Ash's battle against Fantina, Cynthia. Spiritomb complies using Hypnosis at Pikachu, only for it to get countered]

Spiritomb's Hypnosis move has somehow gotten caught in the Thunderbolt attack and it can't reach Pikachu.

But how? [You forgot about that tactic that Ash and Paul used in the Sinnoh League?!]

Let's finish this! [Pikachu's Thunderbolt injures Spiritomb]

It's true! Offense is the best Defense!

Cynthia! While we were in Sinnoh, we came up with the Counter Shield technique.

I remember that one! You demonstrated back in the Sinnoh League! [Oh, never mind then]

Neither have them used Dynamax or Mega Evolution.

They're not ready yet. It's exactly when to use them that will be the key to victory here.

I thought Garchomp might Mega Evolve, but...

She has something else in mind. [This makes sense because, besides Iris, Cynthia hung out with Ash more compared to the other members of the Masters Eight, meaning she knows more about how Ash battles.]

Now, we'll witness the power of the bond between Ash and Lucario.

Mega-Evolution vs Dynamax. That's what the Masters Eight Tournament is about!

It seems quite possible that Ash is evolving during this battle as well.

I agree. He's putting on quite a display of Aura power. But facing the Sinnoh Champion, she's not one you beat with power alone. [looking at you, Paul, Flint, Aaron, Lucian and others who tried that stunt and failed...]

Of course, Cynthia...[recalls Cynthia mentioning about retiring after the Masters Eight tournament to Diantha]