A hundred years ago, in Dahara Town.
At the time, Dahara Town was still just a frontier settlement.
Yellow sand blew into everyone's faces, so the people here wrapped themselves tightly in headscarves.
The Six-Armed Demon God, vast enough to blot out the sun, visited this frontier town.
But Hoopa had only come for something to eat.
Unfamiliar with human rules, Hoopa simply did not know that food cost money.
"What are you doing? Pay up!"
Hoopa told the angry residents that Hoopa would make amends, then began showering them with money.
Countless gold and silver treasures piled up like mountains.
This became the most important reason Dahara Town flourished and grew into Dahara City.
After that, Hoopa granted wishes for the people who provided food and a place to stay.
But desire knew no bounds.
Especially the desire to get something for nothing.
Like a boulder rolling down a mountain, that desire gathered more and more momentum.
Gradually, some residents stopped being content with material wealth alone and began seeking excitement.
"You look pretty strong. What would happen if you fought other Pokémon? Would you win?"
Those words became the root of all the trouble.
Despite that enormous body, Hoopa had a child's temperament. How could Hoopa resist a challenge like that?
Reverse psychology worked all too well on Hoopa!
Ash asked in confusion, "Huh? Why would they do something like that?"
Steven explained, "It's just like how audiences today enjoy watching competitions."
At least modern competitions were properly regulated.
Why had underground battles once been so popular?
Steven took the opportunity to briefly explain another story.
Before Poké Balls existed, in the days of those known as Beast Tamers, there had been places much like ancient Roman arenas.
Humans and Pokémon slaughtered one another inside them, or humans