As it turned out,
Ursula hadn't been bragging.
Compared with the Wallace Cup, Garchomp's ferocious aura had grown even stronger.
That made its combination of moves far more striking. In less than thirty seconds, the audience went from confusion to complete fascination.
"That performance had even more punch than last time!"
Everyone agreed with Brock.
Another high score appeared.
Baimu looked away, then down at the Shiny Gengar beside him, which was watching just as intently. The moment it noticed his gaze, it tipped its head back and gave him a brilliant crescent-moon smile.
It had come to the waiting room with Hoopa a little while ago.
After Meray forcibly dragged away one overexcited Facehugger, Shiny Gengar had decided to stay and watch the remaining performances with him.
"Hmm..."
Something about it felt different.
Whenever their eyes had met before, Shiny Gengar had grinned from ear to ear like this too. But behind that seemingly cheerful smile, there had always been a trace of caution.
As though it feared angering him and getting hurt for it.
Baimu knew Jarvis was responsible. Jarvis had controlled Pokémon through fear, leaving Shiny Gengar instinctively afraid even of its new Trainer.
And yet...
Shiny Gengar had been like that until recently. Now it was suddenly a little... strange?
Maybe it was the look in its eyes, or the way it moved.
There was less unconscious distance and an indescribable closeness instead. For a moment, it reminded him of Aggron back when it had been an Aron.
They had depended on each other to survive in harsh conditions. Big Monster had always stayed right beside him, alert to every danger, yet sometimes looked up at him like a puppy.
The look in its eyes had been remarkably like Shiny Gengar's now.
Mawile's performance?
That was