| “ | To live their lives to the fullest, people and Pokémon need the chance to throw themselves into battle against the fiercest opposition.
— Cynthia
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Cynthia, known in Japan as Shirona (シロナ), is a major character in the Pokémon franchise, having first appeared in the video game Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. As a Pokémon trainer and the Champion of the Pokémon League of the Sinnoh region, Cynthia accompanies and guides the series' protagonist in their adventures before challenging them in battle.
In the video games, Cynthia meets and takes an interest in the protagonist early on in their journey, encountering them several times and offering aid throughout their quest to explore Sinnoh and fill out their Pokédex. Travelling Sinnoh frequently due to her interest in the history and mythology of Legendary Pokémon, Cynthia learns alongside the protagonist of Team Galactic, a criminal organization whose leader is bent on recreating the universe by harnessing the power of Legendary Pokémon.
Cynthia accompanies the protagonist when they confront Team Galactic as their plan unfolds, witnessing the creation of a portal to the Distortion World, an alternate dimension inhabitated by Giratina, a powerful Legendary Pokémon that can travel through time and space. Together, they traverse the Distortion World and calm the enraged Giratina. After the conclusion of the Team Galactic dilemna, the protagonist travels to the Pokémon League, battles each of the Elite Four, and finally defeats Cynthia herself, replacing her as Champion.
In the anime, she serves a similar role, accompanying and aiding Ash Ketchum and his friends as they travel through Sinnoh and battle Team Galactic. She later travels to the Unova region and does the same against Team Rocket.
Battle vs. Margaret (by Laquearius)[]
TBW
Winner: Margaret
Expert's Opinion[]
Cynthia is a skilled, experienced, and tactically minded Trainer who is more than deserving of her title. However, she is poorly equipped to face an enemy like Margaret. Margaret can quickly swap between her Personas at a whim and command them non-verbally, making for quicker and more efficient moves. Many of Margaret's Personas lack weaknesses altogether, and as for the ones that don't, Cynthia's options for exploiting their weaknesses are limited. Furthermore, Margaret herself is a combatant, which makes for a confusing and aggressive fighting style that can counter Cynthia's wait-and-see approach. Finally, Margaret's tendency to end lengthy battles with Oberon's Megidolaon assures that the defensive nature of some of Cynthia's Pokémon will do her no good.