September 10, evening.
Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park.
After Red, Green, and Li Wei announced that they would enter next year's Master League,
everyone forgot about dinner for a while as they plunged into a lively discussion.
How could Ash possibly sit out something this exciting?
Ash, who had yet to win a single Pokémon League tournament, boldly declared that he would enter the Master League too.
Granted, Li Wei, who had also announced his participation, hadn't won one either...
As long as he hadn't entered, he hadn't lost!
But neither Lance, Steven, nor Lorelei saw anything wrong with that. Li Wei was strong enough.
Green shot Ash down without mercy.
"Your goal right now is to win the Lily of the Valley Conference."
At that, Cynthia had something to say.
"A Trainer named Tobias has appeared recently. He's been challenging Gyms with a Darkrai, and he hasn't lost yet."
Cynthia added, "In fact, Darkrai is the only Pokémon Tobias has used."
"Darkrai?!"
Everyone was understandably surprised.
Everyone present turned to look at Darkrai, who was floating on the terrace beside Zeraora, gazing into the distance.
Silent, playing the aloof expert.
The reason was that the Darkrai from Alamos Town was absurdly powerful, capable of holding his own against even the Temporal Dragons.
If someone like that challenged the Sinnoh League, Ash would have virtually no hope.
Hearing his name, Darkrai, who had been playing the aloof expert, looked over too.
Ash rubbed his hands together eagerly...
"What?! I get to battle a Darkrai?! That's great, Pikachu!"
Green: "..."
Whatever else could be said about Ash, he had the right attitude.
That excitement and eagerness to face a powerful opponent were good qualities too.
That was one of the reasons Green thought Ash resembled Red.
Li Wei turned to Roark and