Pokemon battling at Indigo Plateau exemplifies several virtues revered by the League. Trainers and masters alike show Honor, Skill, Respect, and Trust through competition. These traits have been displayed during the League throughout decades past. Competition here at Indigo Plateau is virtually imbued with honor and dignity. However, the savagery and cold romance of war have not been forgotten. Trainers and masters wear their own symbolic face paint in allusion to wars centuries ago. Each competitor also has his own flag—an emblem of a warrior’s individuality and pride. These two facets of battle unimaginably heighten the intensity and ferocity of the battle, while adding a quiet sense of ancient dignity. Honor and Skill have their place here.

Because of a recent tragedy, the safety of League competition has been reevaluated. The League Board has elected to install new shielding technology to protect all seating areas. We assure you, something like the Charizard Incident will never be repeated. The federal government has recognized the inherent danger in being a competition spectator and has therefore granted the League funds to adequately protect our crowds. The shielding is a barrier of high technology carbon/plastic polymer fibers. It’s absolutely transparent and allows for the transfer only of gases and sound. While that means the competitor can hear the crowd cheer, the audience can still smell toxic gas attacks… Watching shielded matches is no different than battles of years past.

Respect and Trust are the final virtues of League competition. A trainer or master’s friends who trust him completely join him on the battlefield. Unprotected by the shielding, they must be entirely confident in his skills. Nothing protects them from a stray Thunderbolt or Ice Beam. More than this, their presence shows profound respect for their companion. This is the true spirit of the League.