Xia Yan VS Cynthia

After the semifinals ended, a light rain fell.

By the time Ash and the others arrived at the villa where Xia Yan and the rest were staying, the rain had just cleared, and the sunset clouds glowing in the west looked like a ripe apple.

On the villa lawn.

Xia Yan and the others were tending to their Pokémon.

Xia Yan and Cynthia in particular were doing their best to adjust their respective Pokémon to peak condition.

At that moment, Gladion walked in, pulling the timid Lillie along.

Ash, Gary, Delia, and Nanami followed behind them.

Ash had his eyes wide open.

He looked around like he had never seen the world before.

Gary, on the other hand, seemed far more mature than someone his age should have been.

His eyes were fixed only on Xia Yan, who was crouching on the ground, and the Pokémon around him.

He had followed Professor Oak since childhood, studying and observing all kinds of Pokémon.

He had even begun helping Professor Oak organize research materials.

So, he could vaguely tell just how outstanding Xia Yan's Pokémon were.

"Teacher, we brought them back," Gladion said as he walked up to Xia Yan.

Actually, Xia Yan had noticed them the moment they came in.

He had simply remained silent, wanting to see what kind of "Ember" young Gladion and Ash would produce.

The result naturally left him somewhat "disappointed." Gladion could not even be bothered to acknowledge Ash.

In that regard, he was rather similar to Gary.

Both of them came from extremely privileged backgrounds, and instinctively ignored someone as dense as Ash.

Who could have guessed that Ash would eventually become the most accomplished of the three?

Of course, by accomplishment, he only meant competing in Pokémon League tournaments.

"Good. You worked hard, Gladion.