Cynthia

Cynthia in Diamond and Pearl
Cynthia
Species	Human
Affiliation	Elite Four
Hair color	Blonde
Eye color	Gray
Relatives	Grandparents Sister
Debut	Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl Versions

Cynthia is a supporting character and the Sinnoh Elite Four champion who was first featured in Pokémon: Diamond, Pearl and Platinum Versions. She uses Pokémon of varied types.

Background

Cynthia was a trainer whose grandparents and sister lived in Celestic Town, but Cynthia's own home remains unknown. At one point she traveled with a Pokédex from Professor Rowan and became champion of the Pokémon League by defeating the Elite Four after going on various adventures with her Pokémon, described as having happened "a long while" ago. She worked as an archeologist.

Diamond/Pearl/Platinum

In Diamond, Pearl and Platinum, she was traveling throughout Sinnoh to research the myths of ancient Sinnoh due to wanting to know how people and Pokémon interacted in the olden days (and possibly due to knowing something about Team Galactic's plans).

She first met Lucas/Dawn at Eterna City. She recognized them as Rowan's latest Pokédex-bearing trainer and introduced herself to them as well as giving them HM 01: Cut and, in Platinum, a Togepi egg. When the trainer meets her by the Verity Lakefront after defeating Crasher Wake, she speaks to them about the legendary mirage Pokémon and gives them a SecretPotion for the Psyducks on Route 210, additionally asking Lucas/Dawn to deliver an Old Charm to her grandmother as a favor. Reminiscing on her own adventures, she then expressed her wish that Lucas/Dawn would get to meet all types of Pokémon and learn the secrets of the mirage Pokémon.

Cynthia next appeared to Lucas/Dawn at Hearthome City after they completed the gym challenge there, apparently having trouble tracking them down, in order to thank them for completing the favor for her. She mused about how she had initially believed that Team Galactic were just eccentric freaks but since then have come to think they may pose some real threat. Cynthia then referred Lucas/Dawn to Canalave City's library and went off on her way. In Platinum, Cynthia would also come to Lucas/Dawn and Mt. Coronet once Cyrus summons Giratina and accompanies him into the Distortion World. After Lucas/Dawn faced Giratina, Cynthia expressed believing that was destined but still wishing that she could have been the one to face Giratina. She also professed the importance of the human spirit to Cyrus, although the message did not reach him.

In all three versions Lucas/Dawn met her next at the Pokémon League HQ, when they battled her for the championship. She thanked them for Mt. Coronet and noted they had overcome personal weaknesses and various challenges to get so far, and Cynthia could feel the trainer's learned power emanating from them. Cynthia was defeated, at which point she praised the trainer's passion and calculated coolness, believing that they could overcome anything. After a brief reunion with Professor Rowan, Cynthia led Lucas/Dawn to be registered in the Hall of Fame as the new champion of Sinnoh.

In Platinum, Cynthia would then appear before Lucas/Dawn at the Celestic Ruins and explain her long-winded theory about an alternative explanation of the theory that the cave painting that was apparently about Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf summoning either Dialga or Palkia at the Spear Pillar, thinking that the painting instead involved Dialga, Palkia and Giratina summoning another more powerful Pokémon- the original Pokémon (later to be known as Arceus). Cynthia would also visit the player's villa on random days or after the player purchases a piano.

HeartGold/SoulSilver

She also appeared in HeartGold and SoulSilver for a special event (although it is uncertain whether this takes place before or after the events of Diamond/Pearl/Platinum). She visited the Sinjoh Ruins and when Gold/Lyra arrived with Arceus, she was impressed and could sense a strong energy emanating from their Pokéballs, similar to that of Dialga, Palkia and Giratina. She then guided Gold/Lyra to the Mystri Stage, where the trainer's Arceus gave life to either a Dialga, Palkia or Giratina of their own. Cynthia realized that they have witnessed the one moment no one has ever seen before, that of a Pokémon egg being born; she went on to compare the world to an egg and wondered if Arceus was trying to teach them why new life is considered sacred. At this point, Gold was returned to Johto by the same mysterious force that brought him to the ruins in the first place (caused by Arceus's powers combining with that of the Unown).

Black/White

She later traveled to Unova in Pokémon: Black and White Versions in order to investigate the Abyssal Ruins and satiate her curiosity. Cynthia had at some point befriended Caitlin of Unova's Elite Four (and always beat her in battles), and Caitlin let Cynthia stay at her villa in Undella Town. Caitlin apparently had villas like that all over the world, all of which Cynthia was welcome at. When Hilbert/Hilda visited, Cynthia noted their striking resemblance to Lucas/Dawn, particularly in their intense eyes. Cynthia offered them a battle to get to know each other better. She noted the Pokémon radiating in their Pokéballs, wondering if Hilbert/Hilda was the reason and who they were. When she was defeated, Cynthia felt her expectations had been surpassed and confirmed that they reminded her of Lucas/Dawn. Cynthia then departed due to having plenty of things to investigate back in Sinnoh, but she looked forward to meeting Hilbert/Hilda again.

Cynthia returned to the villa every spring and summer as those were her favorite seasons to visit Unova. She could be rebattled by Hilbert/Hilda, and she was also visited by gym leaders and Elite Four members such as Lenora (whom she knew from sharing archeological research), Elesa, Skyla, Shauntal and Caitlin.

Pokémon Roster

Cynthia uses the following Pokémon for the Elite Four challenge in Diamond, Pearl and Platinum:

• Spiritomb
• Lucario
• Gastrodon (Diamond/Pearl only)/Togekiss (Platinum only)
• Milotic
• Roserade
• Garchomp

In Black and White, she uses the following roster:

• Spiritomb
• Milotic
• Braviary
• Lucario
• Eelektross
• Garchomp

Other Appearances

• Cynthia has appeared in several episodes of the Pokémon anime. She was shown defeating Paul with ease in one episode and helping to stop Team Galactic from stealing the Lustrous Orb in another episode. Cynthia also helped in the big battle against Team Galactic later on. She has also been seen in smaller appearances battling Elite Four members such as Aaron, Lucian and Flint. One of her last full appearances during the Sinnoh episodes was when she was shown as one of the people overseeing the Sinnoh Conference. Cynthia has also made cameo appearances in the opening/closing credits of the twelfth and thirteen anime movies, being seen battling Palmer in one instance.

Trivia

• Although she originally appeared to be a native of Sinnoh (Celestic in particular), in Platinum at the player's villa she claims that the location of her home as well as its region is a secret. This implies she is actually not from Sinnoh, and her having to stay at someone else's villa in Unova implies that is not her home region either.
• She is notable as the second champion character to note the similarity between player characters, with Steven Stone having made a similar yet vaguer statement about Gold/Lyra in HeartGold/SoulSilver.
• Cynthia is notable in that she has appeared in every color version game to be released since her introduction (which currently amounts to seven).
• Her actual home is apparently messy.