"Who else but me could be the strongest Trainer!"
Such confidence! Such commanding confidence! Drake's heart stirred. A kindred spirit—this had to be a man of imposing bearing!
A flicker of surprise crossed Fantina's eyes. Koga, on the other hand, frowned. For some reason, that voice sounded off to him.
Just as he felt that something was very wrong with the Mihara before him.
Under everyone's gaze, a purple-haired girl walked out with a red Tyranitar.
Mihara immediately checked the information in her hand and confirmed that this was indeed someone who had received an invitation. She nodded and was about to make an introduction when she heard her master's command.
"Eliminate the unstable element."
She paused, then said calmly, "Before you decide the winner, let us first ask a Trainer who was not invited to leave."
Oh no!
Alarm bells immediately rang in Ritchie's mind. He bolted out of a corner, only to see four Malamar appear around him. Powerful waves of hypnosis swept over him a moment later.
He could barely manage to cry out, "Celebi, save Celebi..."
Thud.
Ritchie and Rain collapsed at the same time. The four Malamar surrounded them, and their figures flickered before disappearing from the spot.
Drake, who had been about to step forward, stopped in his tracks. Beside him, Koga nodded thoughtfully.
He had noticed someone following them long ago, but had paid it no mind. Now it seemed this place really was suspicious.
"So you took control of my friend the same way, didn't you?!"
Fantina and her Misdreavus stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the other party. "The strongest Trainer, catching a legendary Pokémon—all of this was your scheme, wasn't it!"
Mihara remained calm. Or rather, Darkrai, who had now prepared everything and regained control of her body, remained calm.