"Are you sure you are a suitable leader for this Gym?" Juan said, looking down upon the previous Champion.
"I was once Champion of the region, Master. Of course I am!" Wallace shouted, outstretching his hand as if to make a point.
"Ah, but you do realise, you are quite incompetent - beaten by an eleven year old."
"Brendan was a strong trainer! He beat Master, didn't he?"
Juan chuckled, a curled hand raised to hide his lips.
"No." He shook his head. "My job is only to test a trainer's worth, not to completely crush their team. When they win against me, it means not they have surpassed me. It means they are eligible to compete in the league."
He brought his hands down from his lips to point at the caped man, his expression unreadable.
"You, however, are the Champion. Your job is to go all out, to defend your title."
"You must also remember," Juan stepped down from the podium to put a hand on Wallace's shoulder. "The only reason I'm not after the Champion's seat, is that I don't enjoy the spotlight. We both know..."
Wallace gulped. He knew what Juan was going to say, he knew it was right. At that very second, all hope of reclaiming his gym, gone.
"I'm stronger than you."