In the corridor.
Caitlin stood with her head bowed, silent.
Cynthia faced her with a stern expression, her knitted brows putting Caitlin under immense pressure.
"You've disappointed me so much!"
The Sinnoh Champion, gentle at all times, had lost her temper for the first time in ages. Worse, the target was a longtime friend, a girl she had formed a bond with years ago.
All because Caitlin had abandoned her Pokémon in an important match, leaving it to fight alone.
That was utterly unforgivable!
She was one of Unova's Elite Four, someone countless trainers looked up to and admired.
She was supposed to set an example. Even in the most hopeless situation, she should have shown the resilience and determination expected of her.
That was the duty of the Elite Four!
Given the World Championships' reach, and how well-known Baimu and Caitlin were, who knew how many newcomers and aspiring trainers had watched that match?
Yet Caitlin had let the course of just two battles get to her and set a terrible example for trainers everywhere!
Ordinary trainers might not realize what had happened, but every World Championships battle involving a Champion or a member of the Elite Four would be picked apart afterward. Commentary videos were everywhere online.
Sooner or later, someone would notice what she had done.
It might not have an immediate effect, but eventually, some trainer would think, If even a member of the Elite Four can give up, what's wrong with me doing it?
What made a battle exciting?
Perseverance, determination, and working together!
A one-sided rout could certainly be thrilling, but what people admired most would always be a trainer and their Pokémon joining forces to defeat an enemy they seemingly couldn't beat, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat!
Cynthia had known moments