Willpower against willpower, the beginning of Alola's crisis

As Charizard fell to Marshadow, the stands erupted.

This was Red, the reigning world champion, yet he had been driven down to his last Pokémon, while the newcomer Xingye still had four!

"You can do it!"

Everyone from Alola was thrilled. The champion of the Alola League, established just a year ago, had already achieved such results at the world tournament. The Alola Region's future looked bright indeed.

This was the kind of match everyone wanted to see. Both competitors were hugely popular League champions, and both had shown off their strength to the fullest. It was nothing like the absurd, frustrating spectacle of getting steamrolled by a nobody in the first match.

Having used up all his switches, Xingye could only leave the exhausted Marshadow in to keep fighting.

"Can you keep going?"

"Mar!"

Marshadow nodded, watching Red recall Charizard. There was no grimness on Red's face despite his disadvantage. Instead, he only grew more excited. Even battling Leon had never felt like this!

"One against four, and he hasn't even used his battle gimmick yet. This really is... but this is exactly the kind of battle I wanted!"

"I choose you!"

Smiling, Red threw his final Poké Ball. A flash of red light revealed his signature Pokémon, Pikachu, and cheers instantly rose from the crowd.

"Pika!"

Such was Pikachu's overwhelming popularity. In the presence of that little yellow mouse, every other Pokémon seemed to lose its luster.

"Finally!"

Xingye shouted with a grin. This was the Pokémon he had wanted to battle most. Ever since seeing the strength of Ash's Pikachu, he had wondered just how powerful Red's Pikachu truly was. Now was the perfect time to find out!

Marshadow immediately vanished, closing in with Shadow Force. Yet the instant space broke open, Pikachu had already noticed...

No...