The main arena was buzzing with excitement.
Mega Mawile's overwhelming strength thrilled every spectator who had high hopes for her.
The headliner really was something else!
The Mawile Fan Club held their phones high, wishing they could rush onto the field for a closer shot.
Partly, it was because they loved Mawile.
But Bei Lingyin, the club president, had also generously organized an event for members to document Mawile's matches.
Anyone who posted match footage on PokéVoice would receive a material reward, and the top ten would have a chance to receive officially made thank-you merchandise.
That meant all kinds of goods Porygon made with a 3D printer at Mawile's request.
Fans who couldn't make it to the venue were beside themselves with regret.
Of course.
None of that had anything to do with Batlthas.
He needed to calm the anxiety brought on by this desperate battle and accept that he was headed for a crushing defeat.
How many years had it been since he'd taken a beating like this?
Since earning the title of Battle Mountain Master and reaching the summit of Battle Mountain, he'd suffered the occasional loss, but those had been understandable.
"Hiss... Hah..."
Batlthas quietly steadied himself.
The match wasn't over yet.
It wasn't as though he had no chance at all. The question was whether he could seize it.
Whether his Pokémon could seize it!
"I'm counting on you!"
Batlthas's voice was low.
Bang!
Light fell into the forest.
A stag beetle appeared, with thornlike curved horns, a mouth like a black hole, and thick, powerful arms.
Batlthas didn't hesitate.
He pulled out his Mega Evolution Ring. "Let's go!"
A mysterious halo and a translucent purple sphere enveloped Pinsir.
Its curved horns grew longer and thicker in the white light, jagged spikes spreading like branches.