Well, well. I was hoping he'd surprise you two here. You see, Paul happened to stop by yesterday, out of the blue.
Professor Oak is a preeminent figure in Pokémon research. If someone wants to know about Pokémon, he's the best to ask. Nothing strange about that.
Roar! [Let's go Gengar, you've some work to do.]
GGengar
Gengar! [Right, let's go!]
Let's all train. [Charizard, Gengar and the rest of Ash's Fire-mons comply, minus Infernape?]
Kay, buddy! [Not so fast, Ash]
You should leave it to the Pokémon. That's what this place is for.
I'll keep an eye on them! I think you and Paul have things to talk about.
Infernape, why don't you go and join them?
Infernape? Infernape! [Really? Heading off, Ash!]
Infernape, you take care of Gengar, okay?
Infernape! [Right!] [runs off and carries Professor Oak over his shoulders!]
So, Infernape does what Paul does it to do too?
Yeah, cause Paul was its trainer before I was. [Those of you who do not know about Infernape and how he played a part in Ash and Paul's vicious rivalry towards each other during Diamond and Pearl series, here's a brief recap]
Ash met Paul in the Sinnoh Region. Paul put his Chimchar through some extreme training, but when it didn't meet his expectations, he abandoned it. So, Ash welcomed Chimchar into his group. A deep friendship developed which led to Chimchar evolve all the way into Infernape.
Yeah and Infernape's gotten really strong.
Grookey-key-key. [Whoa, look at Electivire's tails!] [Electivire's twin tails are swinging back and forth gently]
[Grookey jumps off Goh's shoulders] Grookey, hang on!
[Both Pikachu and Grookey are cheering while looking at Electivire's tails. Grookey throws its stick into the air allowing Electivire to catch it with its twin tails]
Electivire. [Got it!] [Pikachu and Grookey applaud at Electivire's performance]
Electivire, go keep them busy.
Electivire. [Sure thing.]
[We see Paul's Electivire play with Pikachu and Grookey by letting the two ride on its tails, Ash's Torterra is napping with Scraggy and Palpitoad and Gible are hanging out with Goh.]
Hey Paul, didn't you want to enter the World Coronation Series?
I'm not interested in noisy crowds. [Maybe that's why Paul gave up on region league quests as well? Also, no mention of Paul facing off against Pyramid King Brandon?]
So why don't we face off now? [Paul scoffs as if to say "What are you suggesting?"] Battle with me!
Three on three and no switching out. [Nice call back to Ash and Paul's first battle, but this time this battle is less hostile. Remember, Paul had to fix his attitude after his loss against Brandon, as well as be more respectful to Ash following Paul's loss in the Sinnoh League]
One thing. You're only allowed to use Pokémon you're taking to the Masters Eight Tournament.
Excuse me? About your three Pokémon? Aren't they the same as some of the Masters Eight? Lance has a Gyarados, Cynthia has a Garchomp and Steven Stone has a Metagross. Is that just a coincidence?
[simply smiles] Professor, thanks for all your help. I'll say goodbye for now.
You're always welcome to come back here.
Thanks. If you'll excuse me. Infernape, until next time.
Infernape. [Catch you later.]
Electivire. [Right behind you.]
Paul, let's battle again! [Paul waves goodbye, knowing full well that Ash is ready for the trials ahead]
Paul said he's been officially invited to become a Gym Leader of his own Pokémon Gym.
That's why he want to learn more and more about Pokémon.
[As Ash and Goh reach the entrance of Wyndon Stadium, someone calls out to them. This is Hop. Where were you during the Darkest Day arc?]
There you are! [runs and blocks their way] You're Ash from the Kanto region, aren't you?
Okay, then I'm challenging you to a battle! Right here and now! [Really, Hop?! You are begging for trouble!]
WWooloo
Woo-loo! [Get ready!]
It's battle time! [Wooloo agrees with Hop]
I wonder if he knows you're a member of the Masters Eight.
I heard that! Of course I know. That's why I'm here! I'm gonna test just how strong you are.
Now Wooloo, Double Kick! [Wooloo charges forward]
Iron Tail! [Pikachu uses Iron Tail to knock out Wooloo...in one hit!]
A one hit win. Naturally. Now I totally see why my brother likes you.
Yeah. See, my name is Hop. Leon's my bro.
That means Leon talked to you about me! Whoa, that makes me so psyched!
But I've gotta tell you...[Ash gets confused]...I'll be the one to end Lee's winning streak! So he's not gonna lose one match before that day! [That's what you think, Hop! Many fans think that Hop should have been Ash's main rival just like in the games. However, this loss was to remind fans that Hop's rivalry with Ash would not look very convincing in the anime, since Ash is a Champion and Hop is a rookie.]
[Both Ash and Pikachu head to the dressing room where the other Masters Eight members. Just then, Iris runs along with Ash]
Hey, you're cutting it close!
Oh hey, Iris! So we're both in the Masters Eight, huh?
Right! I've been looking forward to seeing you!
Same for me! Since we've come so far...
BBoth
I've gotta win! [The other members of the Masters Eight as well as the stadium crew stare at the two. Yeah, save the energy for the tournament, you two.]
Take your best shot! My Pokémon will defeat everyone standing in their way.
AAnnouncer
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...]
[The screen spins again revealing the next matchup]
AAnnouncer
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]
AAnnouncer
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]
Go easy on me. [The screen spins again revealing the final pair]
AAnnouncer
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.
Pi-ka. [He is very tough.]
So, we finally get to battle each other.
[noticing that Ash is not backstage] Is Ash coming?
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?
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]
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.
[Leon's Rillaboom Gigantamaxes! Grookey, being excited, bangs his stick on Goh's head. Now do you understand why Ash can't have a member of the Rillaboom line of his own, fans?!]
Grookey! I'm not a drum, understand?! Stop it!
Alright! Let's all rock out to Lee's rhythm!
[Alain's Chesnaught gets defeated by Rillaboom's Acrobatics. Acrobatics is a Flying-type move and Chesnaught is 4x weak to Flying as it is a Grass and Fighting type.]
So Leon has the advantage?
Yes. Who knew Rillaboom would use Acrobatics?
