"In a display of sportsmanship, the challenger and Champion shook hands cheerfully and returned to their respective positions in Trainer Square! Meanwhile, let's review the rules of this match!"
As for the rules,
Each side would use six Pokémon in a full six-on-six battle.
· Both sides could switch Pokémon.
In that respect, it wasn't all that different from the preliminary league.
However, there was also a major change from the preliminaries.
"Next, item usage! Trainers are prohibited from using items themselves, but each Pokémon may carry one item it can use on its own-in other words, a held item! Also, no duplicate items are allowed!"
That was it. That was the big difference from the matches leading up to the finals!
This rule had been implemented starting with the Elite Four round robin. Of course, since items were merely "permitted," there was no obligation to use them, but as far as I was concerned, the wait was finally over. There was no way I wouldn't use them. How you used held items could shift a battle dramatically in your favor, and above all, things were finally getting interesting!
"With the introduction of status moves and the six-Pokémon preview before choosing three, this tournament has tested trainers' strategy and ability to read their opponents at an unprecedented level. Now, these items have accelerated that trend even further. Enough talk! I can't wait to see what sophisticated strategies unfold in this battle!"
By then, we had returned to Trainer Square too. With tension and excitement coursing through me, I gripped the Poké Ball containing my first Pokémon.
"Now, are you ready?"
The referee checked that Miss Baina and I were in position before addressing us.
"The battle between challenger Yuto and Champion Master Cynthia will now begin! Both sides, send your