The next day, on the outskirts of Wyndon.
The semifinals were tomorrow.
After Lucario and the others trained that morning and finished lunch at noon, Li Wei gathered them together.
Li Wei sat on the stone steps in the center of the courtyard.
Lucario, Zeraora, Diancie, and the others gathered around him.
It was rare for Li Wei to hold a pep talk like this.
After all, they would be facing Blue tomorrow.
Even the normally lively Hoopa and Victini waited quietly for Li Wei.
"Tomorrow."
Li Wei's voice broke the silence.
"It's Blue again."
At that name, Lucario, Zeraora, and Metagross could not help growing serious.
Even the usually carefree Arcanine pricked up his ears. The memories of last year remained vivid.
It had been a battle lost by a single move.
Blue's tactics had been like an airtight net, tightening step by step until the scales of victory tipped in his favor.
Lucario had struggled.
Zeraora had struggled too.
Arcanine had even defeated Blue's Arcanine.
But Blue had won in the end.
Because of that defeat, Lucario and the others had trained hard all year, all for revenge.
"Maybe it's fate."
"We've run into Blue again this year."
"Luca."
"Gah gah!"
"Cha~"
"Meta!"
Lucario, Sirfetch'd, Arcanine, Zeraora, and Metagross were all brimming with fighting spirit!
"I know. I know all of it."
Li Wei knew how desperately they wanted to win.
"I really want to win this year too."
For that purpose, Li Wei had watched plenty of recordings of Blue's matches and specifically studied him, all for this moment.
"Everyone has worked hard this year."
Li Wei's gaze swept over his main Pokémon one by one, undisguised pride in his eyes.
"Lucario's control over Aura has reached another level, Zeraora's speed..."
"Metagross's Dual Screens, strength, and study