A perfect match!
Poor Little Cucumber was about to lose points again.
Baimu ignored Ash's envious voice and asked, "Do you have anything else planned?"
"No idea. If they give me a match, I'll battle!"
Ash grinned. He had a feeling he and Nemona would get along.
They entered the venue.
Korrina was waiting at the entrance. There was no trace of the disappointment she had shown after losing to Ash. Beaming, she said, "Let's have a good match, Champion!"
"You too," Baimu said. "After our last battle, I forgot to ask you for something."
Korrina looked puzzled. "Something? What?"
"A Gym Badge, of course, Gym Leader Korrina of Shalour City."
"Hahaha!"
Korrina planted her hands on her hips, suddenly fired up. "Bring it on, challenger!"
The two entered the field.
The spectators had been waiting eagerly. The moment they saw the pair, thunderous cheers erupted.
"Korrina! You can do it! Don't lose to him!"
"Korrina, I love you!"
"Champion! Look over here, Champion!"
Shalour City was Korrina's home turf, so the locals' cheers were naturally loud.
But Baimu was every bit as popular.
His earlier battles had already won over plenty of battle enthusiasts.
Many short clips from the venue had passed a thousand likes on PokéVoice. In the Pokémon World, those were a thousand genuine likes, without a single one padded.
They took their positions.
The Rotom Drone entered and read out the rules.
The commentator declared with boundless energy, "Our next match pits the lively and lovable evolution warrior Korrina against Champion Baimu from Orre! Let's cheer them both on!"
The battlefield was a Grass Field.
Several lush bushes dotted the level grassland, large enough to conceal small Pokémon.
"Both sides, send out your first Pokémon."
At the Rotom Drone's command, Poké Balls flew from both sides.