Expert League Dialogue

Before first league battle

 After winning first league battle

 Before second league battle

* *Marko*: I hear you're mading quite a name for yourself in the Monster League...
* *Marko*:: Why anyone would want to call themselves the successor of that criminal is beyond me, but whatever.
* *Marko*:: Your background makes no difference! I'll crush your team all the same!

After winning second league battle

* *Marko*: I could care less about his successor, but I have much respect for Hector himself.
* *Marko*:: He had an affair with the Empress, right? The man had a lot of guts to hit on the Emperor's wife!

End of day

* *Randolph*: Welcome home! Take a seat, you're just in time for dinner.
* --Randolph's usually jolly mood quickly changes when you ask whether your uncle had an affair with the Empress.
* *Randolph*:: Of course not! Where in the world did you get that idea!?
* *Randolph*:: ...Admittedly, they were very close. Many suspected something was going on....
* *Randolph*:: But no way! Hector wasn't the kind of person who would do something like that! He was a man of utmost goodness and virtue.
* *Randolph*:: He was kind to everyone, especially his monsters. He treated them like family.
* *Randolph*:: A man like that would never have an affair, or... murder a father and daughter in cold blood....... right?

Start of next day

* *Randolph*: Good morning! Breakfast will be ready soon. Take a look at this envelope. It's addressed to you.
* *Randolph*:: It has the seal of the Trainer Alliance. It's probably important.
* *Letter*:: "Dear Trainer,"
* *Letter*:: "His Majesty, Emperor Leonitus XXVI wishes to watch a Monster League battle, and your next match has been chosen."
* *Letter*:: "Joining His Majesty will be His Majesty's Regent and Mother, Her Highness Dowager Empress Isabel."
* *Letter*:: "This highest honor is usually only reserved for members of the Grand Four and the Grand Champion."
* *Letter*:: "Consider yourself blessed to have been selected for this rare exception."
* *Letter*:: "You are to behave with the upmost reverence and gratitude. Be prepared to deliver the best fight of your career."
* *Letter*:: You are representing not only your team, but the entirety of the Monster Leagues before His Majesty. Do not disappoint him."
* *Letter*:: For this special match, you will be fighting in the Grand Imperial Arena instead of Auvar Arena."
* *Letter*:: "We expect the best from you,
* --The Verosian Trainer Alliance"
* *Randolph*:: You're going to fight before His Majesty in the Grand Imperial Arena? Now that doesn't happen every day!
* *Randolph*:: For most trainers, this would be the opportunity of a lifetime. In your case, however, it's hard to tell.
* *Randolph*:: Make it a good fight. Considering who you are, you'll need to go out of your way to get His Majesty to like you....

Before third league battle

* --The Grand Imperial Arena is vast, dwarfing the other buildings in the Imperial district.
* --Waiting for you in the arena is Leigen, a doctor for monsters whom you've fought in the tryouts.
* *Leigen*:: Hello there. I was looking forward to fighting you in a league match, though I never expected it would take place here!
* *Leigen*:: I wonder why His Majesty chose our match for his viewing. There are plenty of trainers better than us in the upper leagues...
* --Just then, the referee enters and halts your conversation.
* --He instructs you to get down on one knee and lower your head in reverence for the special guest.
* --The Emperor enters the arena, lead by a middle-aged woman and accompanied by countless guards.
* --His Majesty sits on a throne-like seat in the front row. The woman sits to his left.
* *Referee*:: As you wish, Your Highness.
* *Referee*:: Trainers, please summon and ready your monsters.
* *Referee*:: Ready? FIGHT!

After winning third league battle

* --The Emperor claps, and the sound echoes throughout the Stadium. He whispers something into his mother's ear.
* *Empress Isabel*:: His Majesty was quite entertained by this battle, and he praises both teams.
* *Empress Isabel*:: He was especially impressed with you, young trainer. You ought to feel honored.
* *Empress Isabel*:: ...Upon learning your ranch had belonged to Hector Finnegan, neither of us were eager to see this match today.
* *Empress Isabel*:: As you certainly are aware, Hector Finnegan was the assassin of His Majesty's father... and sister.
* *Empress Isabel*:: Our opinion of you was dismal, to say the least. However, seeing you and your team in action has changed our minds.
* *Empress Isabel*:: Now, both of us wish to see your achievements eclipse the infamy of your ranch!
* *Empress Isabel*:: May you continue to succeed in the leagues, trainer. His Majesty is eager to see just how powerful your monsters will become.....
* --With the humblest words you can muster, you thank the Emperor and the Dowager Empress for the kind words. His Majesty smiles.
* --The special guests rise from their seats, and the Dowager Empress leads the young Emperor and his entourage out of the arena.
* *Leigen*:: Whew, we can finally breathe again!
* *Leigen*:: Though I guess my nervousness was nothing compared to yours. You might have done better if it weren't for today's spectators.
* *Leigen*:: ...So it was you who inherited Hector's ranch?
* *Leigen*:: You must be the reason why His Majesty wanted to see this match. Perhaps he wished to judge Hector's successor for himself.
* *Leigen*:: I fought against Hector once. He was an incredible trainer! My team didn't stand a chance!
* *Leigen*:: He seemed like a friendly fellow, though. I remember being shocked when I heard of what he had done...
* *Leigen*:: The whole thing sounded really fishy to me. I couldn't help but imagine someone else was the culprit, framing Hector to gain power.
* *Leigen*:: ......Speaking of power, Her Highness appears to hold a lot of sway over His Majesty, doesn't she?
* *Leigen*:: Maybe the rumor is true, she is the real power behind the throne... Perhaps--
* *Referee*:: Trainer, please keep your crass conjectures about His Majesty and Her Highness to yourself!
* *Referee*:: If I hear anything of that sort again, I will have to report it to--
* *Leigen*:: Oh no, look at the time. I have an appointment after this. I must be going. Farewell!
* *Referee*:: ...I hope he understands such comments are a risk not only to himself, but also to the continued existence of the Monster Leagues.
* *Referee*::This goes for you too, young trainer. Be careful of what you say about His Majesty or Her Highness.
* *Referee*:: The Imperial Court is by far our largest sponsor. The Leagues only exist because they allow it....

After rankings screen

* *Randolph*: Welcome home! So, what was it like to battle in front of His Majesty?
* --You tell Randolph that the Emperor seemed to really enjoy the battle.
* *Randolph*:: Of course! Throughout history, the Emperors of Verosia have been staunch supporters of the sport.
* *Randolph*:: In fact, the Monster Leagues are said to have been created by the very first Emperor, Leonitus Gaius Veros I.
* *Randolph*:: ......Although, it is suprising that our current Emperor likes watching monster battles. After all, his father and sister were supposedly slain by a trainer and his team of monsters...

Before fourth league battle

* *Azara*: Beritus Argvel has held his title for nearly ten years...
* *Azara*:: I think it's high time we had a new Grand Champion... like me!

After winning fourth league battle

* *Azara*: Okay, maybe the new Grand Champion won't be me.
* *Azara*:: But Beritus himself has proclaimed that he wants to give up his title. How hard could it be to take it from him?

After rankings screen

* --As you stroll through downtown Othlon on your way back from a league match, someone brushes past you.
* *Boy*:: Heh heh! --It only takes a split second to realize your wallet has been swiped, but the culprit is already quite distant.
* --You run after him as fast as you can.
* --The pickpocket ducks around a corner, and, in pursuit, you almost bump into someone.
* *Beritus*:: Careful! Are you alright?
* --You stare doumbfounded at the face of Beritus Argvel, the Grand Champion himself.
* *Beritus*:: ......Is something on my face?
* --Coming to your senses, you quickly apologize and continue your chase.
* *Beritus*:: .........
* --Glancing over your shoulder, you see Beritus staring at you intently.
* *Boy*:: Oh, crap!
* --To his misfortune, the route chosen by the pickpocket turns out to be a dead end. You close in on him.
* *Boy*:: Ha! The sucker fell for it!
* *????*:: Excellent work, boy.
* --You hear voices and footsteps from behind.
* --The trainers Jansen and Garvus, joined by several other shady individuals, are blocking your path out of the alley.
* *Jansen*:: It's been a while, trainer of Team Finnegan! What's the matter? Were you not expecting to see us again?
* *Garvus*:: We had the pickpocket lure you into this dead end. You're trapped!
* *Boy*:: Hey, I did as you asked. Can I have one of your monsters now?
* *Jansen*::: Don't be ridiculous. Why would I give one of my monsters to a brat like you?
* *Boy*:: But... but you promised!
* *Jansen*:: I promised nothing. Did you really believe a professional trainer like me would give a monster to some little rascal?
* *Jansen*:: That wallet will be your payment. Now scram before we punish you alongside this insolent trainer.
* --Jansen turns to you and chuckles to himself.
* *Jansen*:: I hear you're now in the Expert League. Congratulations!
* *Garvus*:: You just had a league match, right? How was it? I hope it was good, because it's going to be your last...
* --Jansen, Garvus, and the others pull out their Capture Cards, reading to unleash their monsters on you.
* --With your monsters already tired from a league match, your chances of victory seem slim.
* *Garvus*:: It's just not fair, you know. You're the successor to the worst traitor in the Empire's history...
* *Garvus*:: Why should you be allowed to go on to the Expert League, while we get kicked out just for playing a bit unfair?
* *Jansen*:: So we're here to make things right, by forcing you into an early retirement. Say your prayers, trainer!
* *????*:: ...Stop right there.
* *Garvus*:: What!?
* *Beritus*:: You want to harm this trainer? You'll have to get through me and my monsters first.
* *Jansen*:: W-w-what!? But you're... you're... Beritus Argvel! What's the Grand Champion doing here!?
* *Boy*:: The Grand Champion? Really!? Wow!
* *Beritus*:: ...I have zero tolerance for scum like you, trying to crush superior talent rather than strive to surpass it.
* *Beritus*:: If you want to spend your early retirement in one piece, I suggest you all scram.
* *Beritus*:: ...And if I hear even a rumor that you're harassing this trainer again... I have two words for you: "dragon food".
* --Jansen, Garvus, and their cronies scamper away in fear. You thank Beritus.
* *Beritus*:: I am expecting great things from you, Hector's successor. I cannot afford to have your current career cut short by scum like them.
* *Beritus*:: Continue improving yourself and your monsters. You still have a long way to go to rival Hector in his heyday.
* *Beritus*:: I will be waiting for you......
* --Beritus walks out of the back alley, leaving you with the pickpocket, who is just standing there, stunned.
* *Boy*:: ...Wow, that was the real Beritus Argvel...
* *Boy*:: Oh! Uh, um...I'm sorry for stealing your wallet!
* --The boy hands it back to you. Surprisingly, the contents are undisturbed.
* *Boy*:: You're a league trainer, right? I always dreamed of knowing someone in the Monster Leagues.
* *Boy*:: I'm your new biggest fan! Can I have your autograph? Pretty please!

Before fifth league battle

 After winning fifth league battle