[Alain stares at the destruction of Lumiose City. He punches the ground in anger and frustration.]
Alain
Mairin. Chespin. Is this the reason I had all those battles? All of them FOR THIS?!
[Note: The whole purpose of Alain's victory at the Kalos League was to show an example of pyrrhic victory- winning at a terrible price. Alain may have been the better battler than Ash, but he was not a better person due to bringing destruction to Kalos.]
[Alain is talking to Lysandre atop the Prism Tower]
Alain
Lysandre, you said it yourself. You had to be strong to protect the world. Is this what you meant by that?
You speak of the power to protect. Just what do you want to protect in the first place? A tomorrow that is worse than today?
Alain
[Growls]
TFTeam Flare Grunt
[on a speaker] All preparations are complete.
[Then, the two men watch as Ash and his Pokémon, who are trapped in some sort of restraining device, are lifted to a higher part of the tower, which surprises Alain. Meanwhile, down on the ground, Blaziken Mask, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie have reached the Prism Tower]
BMBlaziken Mask
First we secure the entrance. Use Flamethrower!
BBlaziken
Blay! [A Dark Pulse attack stops its Flamethrower attack]
BMBlaziken Mask
Blaziken!
[The camera pans up to Bryony and Aliana who are standing on a vine]
AAliana
We can't allow that.
AAliana
Sorry, but there's no way you're gonna pass us.
BBryony
This area is off-limits to outsiders.
[This makes everyone cross. Meanwhile, up on Prism Tower, Ash has began waking up]
Huh? [Discovers that he has been captured] What am I doing like this? [Struggles to break free, but to no avail. He then looks down at his Greninja, who is just waking up] Greninja! [Sees the rest of his team, who have awakened] Pikachu! Are all of you okay?
Hello, Ash. [Ash looks down at him]
Lysandre! Alain, what's going on? Let us go!
Forgive me for your regrettably rough treatment, but we can't release you.
[Ash and Pikachu see Zygarde]
Zygarde! [to Alain] Alain! What's this about?!
[Alain is still silent]
You see, Ash, you may be one of the chosen ones.
[Alain summons his Charizard again into battle after his Malamar lost. They sure love the Charizard mirror match, don't they?]
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...]
[Diantha uses a Light Screen and Reflect combo]
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.
[Outside Wyndon Stadium, Iris, Steven and Alain are heading back to their home regions...]
Your next opponent is Cynthia. Still, with Pikachu and your other Pokémon, you can win. I believe in you, Ash.
Alain
I'm certain you can do it. [That's the best interaction between Ash and Alain you can do in Journeys, writers?!]
Can't wait for you to tell me all about it!
And that's what I am gonna do! [Pikachu exclaims in agreement]