In the woods.
A great tree toppled with a teeth-grating creak.
Mega Gallade landed on a branch on one foot, swept its cape back, and gazed into the distance.
"Gallade..."
"..."
Darkrai hovered in midair, its flowing white hair and the black strips at its shoulders waving like flames.
Directly beneath the two Pokémon, Wally and Tobias faced each other with very different expressions.
They had been at a standoff for some time. Unlike Mega Alakazam's rather strained use of Future Sight, Darkrai was matching Mega Gallade through sheer strength.
Despite being a Dark-type Pokémon, it slipped through shadows better than a Ghost-type, and its movements were even harder to track.
Keep fighting?
Wally's instincts told him other contestants were watching from hiding nearby, waiting to see who emerged from their clash.
He hadn't spent two whole years honing his skills and overcome countless hardships just to come to Orre and challenge the Mythical Pokémon Darkrai.
His long-cherished wish was to face Baimu on the grand stage!
Time to withdraw!
Wally didn't hesitate.
Once a battle began, he became exceptionally calm and serious. He could weigh the advantages and risks clearly and choose his best course.
Tobias studied his composed face and smiled faintly. "What's wrong? Done fighting? Why worry about the people spying on us?"
"..."
Wally said nothing.
Rather than talk things over with Tobias, he wanted to find a safe way out.
Teleport would do nicely.
But it took too long to prepare. Shan Ren's Mega Alakazam had escaped only because Wally and Mega Gallade had drawn Darkrai's attention.
He needed a little help from outside—
As though someone had heard his wish, a terrifying rumble of thunder came from the horizon.
Then an eerie sight gradually came into focus: milky-white shock waves mingled with earthy-yellow light.