Diantha quotes from Pokémon

[inside her mind] He really cares about his Pokémon. Ash is a very passionate trainer. [In other words, she does see a lot of potential in Ash based on his passion]

Now comes checkmate! Moonblast! [Mega Gardevoir complies knocking Lance's Dragonite out.]

That Cynthia, using a Pokémon no one predicted. She now controls the field.

That's right! You're a keeper! [gets down on one knee...oh no, not again!] Won't you please take care of my brother?

Take care?

I told you to stop this!

You see, my brother is a bit shy, so I thought it be good if he married a dependable woman like you.

Me? Marry your brother?

It was a joke.

I wasn't joking! [Uhh...Diantha doesn't have romantic feelings for Clemont]

Excuse me, Diantha? Please have a Pokémon battle with me?

Huh, you?

Serena

Ash! You must know that Diantha doesn't get much private time and here you are bothering her this way!

Yeah, but...I want to be a Pokémon Master so having a battle with you will be awesome because you're the Champion! Please?

Alright. I usually turn down unofficial battle requests, but you shared your chocolate cake with me. Just this once.

You take care of Ash, and I'll take care of this!

Right!

Don't you dare underestimate my Gardevoir! Now Gardevoir, full power!

[noticing that Ash is not backstage] Is Ash coming?

Iris

Uh...no. Ash said he was watching the matches with Goh. He wants to experience all the stadium excitement firsthand.

That does sound like him.

And you didn't wanna watch from the stands with him?

Iris

Oh, actually...I wanted to ask a favor of both of you. Can we take a selfie? You don't mind, do you? [takes out her Rotom Phone]

I'd be delighted.

Of course, dear.

So Steven, I hear that you know Alain fairly well.

We met while searching for rare stones. You know, I hope it doesn't overwhelm him to suddenly be matched against Leon.

The time has come! Trainers of the Kanto region! [We see Ritchie from the original series make a cameo watching the show. Wonder what he's been up to all this time?] Trainers of the Johto region! [We see Jackson/Vincent, Marina and Jimmy also watching the game as well.] All of you just watch me battle. And you, Diantha, as a Dragon Master, I ask of you to bring only your best to battle my Dragon brigade.

And of course, you're right. The thing that connects us all is our Pokémon and battling itself, I too have a request to all the trainers of the Kalos region. [Shauna, Tierno, Trevor and Sawyer are also watching.] As I stand here, your dreams and ambitions are with me and so, Lance, I very much am looking forward to seeing how you and your Pokémon shine like the stars!

So, shall we begin?

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.

Let me tell you. The thing is I am considered the most powerful trainer in the Hoenn region but that's not nearly enough for me. The Pokémon World Coronation Series: it is only when I dominate this event that I can say I am truly the strongest and the best! [We see multiple cameos from the Generation III anime: Professor Birch, Drew, Harley, Katie, Morrison, Tyson (keep in mind that Tyson won the Hoenn League but failed to become Hoenn Champion as Steven is Hoenn Champion), Janet, Vito, Kain, Jimmy, and Kelly]

I've never seen Steven this fired up before. [Alain nods in agreement]

And the same for us!

Pikachu

Pika!

For all the people who cheered me on up until now. [We see Chloe, Professor Cerise, Ren, Chrysa, and Mimey watch the show] For all of my Pokémon, I will win this for sure! [We see Delia, Professor Oak, Tracey, and Ash's reserves.]

I'll cheer for you.

Thanks, Diantha. I promise that I won't let you down.

If anyone breaks Leon's unbeaten streak, it's got to be you.

But no pressure, right? I've decided something.

What's that?

Once this tournament is over, I'm going to retire from battling. [This hints that a lot of challengers who fought Cynthia stood no chance against her. Little did Cynthia realize, someone might stand a chance and overpower her...]

Huh? You're retiring?

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!

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]