A year had passed since they last met.
Wally had grown quite a bit taller.
But his overall manner and appearance had changed little; he was still thin and slight.
His skin looked somewhat pale, as though he rarely got any sun.
Beside Otsuka and the others, who were dark as Africans, he was practically glowing white.
"Baimu..."
He looked up at the young man standing above him, his eyes full of anticipation. "I'm here, just as I promised!"
To compete alongside his friend, he had trained tirelessly. Both he and his Pokémon had grown more than ever before.
Now it was time to put that growth to the test!
"It's been too long, Wally."
Baimu smiled and patted the boy's shoulder. "I'm glad you came."
With more and more familiar faces joining the tournament, the competition was growing fiercer by the day. He couldn't help hoping to see even more people he knew.
"Boss!"
"Boss, I missed you so much!"
Otsuka and the others excitedly gave him huge hugs, one after another.
The more they experienced the wider world, the better they understood why their boss had once longed so fiercely to leave Pyrite Town.
Baimu had never said it aloud.
But everyone knew Liu Ge had once given him a choice.
A chance to leave dangerous Pyrite Town behind and live a wonderful life somewhere safe.
And in the end...
Not only had he stayed and refused to abandon anyone, he had even charged to the very front to hold back the army of Shadow Pokémon.
They had survived safely to this day because he had protected them.
There was no need to keep thanking him.
All they wanted was to follow him for life and repay what he had done for them.
"Come on! Everything's ready!"
Baimu