The next day, at 1 p.m.
Wyndon Stadium.
Amid the audience's cheers,
the spotlights beneath Wyndon Stadium's dome suddenly went out, leaving only a single silvery-white followspot trained on Vivian, the host.
Dressed in a yellow gown, Vivian held her microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Wyndon Stadium!"
"And welcome to everyone watching this tournament on television!"
"Here at Wyndon Stadium, we're about to witness battles at the very pinnacle!"
The sixteen people gathered in Wyndon Stadium were the strongest lineup to have fought their way through the world's Master Tier Trainers.
Behind Vivian, a massive holographic screen began cycling through the competitors' portraits.
"Now, let's welcome our competitors!"
The first to appear was Steven, impeccably dressed in a suit.
A pillar of light lit up to the left of the Competitor Tunnel.
Li Wei emerged from the Competitor Tunnel with Lucario.
"Li Wei! Li Wei! Li Wei!"
Cheers for Li Wei rang out throughout the stands.
Ash gripped the railing from his seat in the audience.
"See that, Pikachu? Next year, we'll be walking out of that tunnel!"
Arcs of electricity flickered across Pikachu's electric pouches.
"Pika-chu!"
Korrina and Dawn cheered with all their might.
"Teacher!!!"
"Son! You've got this!"
Raihan, Caitlin, Lorelei, Bruno, and the others appeared one after another as the lights swept across the stadium in a checkerboard pattern.
When Leon's cape billowed in the wind, deafening cheers erupted from the entire Galar section of the stands.
Everyone was a little surprised.
"Leon's actually the third-to-last to enter."
The penultimate entrance belonged to Blue, who slowly emerged amid the shifting light and shadows with his hands in his pockets.
After Blue appeared, everyone's gaze instinctively shifted to the final Competitor Tunnel.
Vivian's voice suddenly trembled a little.
"And our final competitor!"
All the stadium lights abruptly