The stands around Arena 3 in the Main Stadium were so packed that people were standing in the aisles.
Lin Hao stood in the challenger's spot, his cap pulled low. Opposite him stood Takeda Ken, a burly man with bulging arm muscles, six Poké Balls lined up at his waist, and a piercing gaze.
"Lin Hao, I've heard a lot about you," he said in a booming voice. "Perfect scores at all eight Gyms. Today, I'll see what you're made of."
Lin Hao nodded. "Go ahead."
The referee raised his flag. "Preliminary round one: number 417, Lin Hao, versus number 326, Takeda Ken. Both trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Takeda Ken threw a Poké Ball. "Go, Pinsir!"
A red flash burst out, and a massive Pinsir slammed onto the arena. Cold light glinted off its long horns. Its limbs were thick and powerful, and the entire arena trembled slightly the instant it landed.
A murmur rose from the stands. "That Pinsir is huge."
"It must be over six feet tall, right?"
Takeda Ken wore a challenging expression. "Where's your Pokémon?"
"Go." Lin Hao unhooked a Poké Ball from his waist and pressed the button with his thumb, unhurried. "Charizard, you're up." Red light swelled outward, brighter than Pinsir's had been, and the impact upon landing was heavier too.
Charizard stood in the center of the arena, wings spread. The flame on its tail shot higher, sending a wave of heat toward the stands. Several spectators in the front row leaned back instinctively.
The stands suddenly fell silent. Everyone stared wide-eyed. "That... that Charizard..."
"That presence isn't right. This definitely isn't an ordinary Charizard."
Takeda Ken stared at Charizard, swallowed, and clenched his teeth. "You can't scare me with an aura. Pinsir, Horn Attack!" Pinsir lowered its head and charged, its