The sky was clear and cloudless, and warm sunlight shone down over the entire Kumquat Colosseum.
As the clock struck ten, the announcer's impassioned voice rang out across the stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Sorry for the wait! Welcome to the latest Orange League Winner's Cup! I'm your announcer for this match. I'm sure many of you share my keen interest in this much-anticipated battle and arrived at the stadium early. After all that anxious waiting, the exciting moment we've been looking forward to is finally here!
Just like at the Indigo Conference, the Orange League had an announcer to warm up the crowd. With just a few simple remarks, he soon had the entire audience fired up!
The announcer spoke fluently for a little longer, then, judging that the time was right, adopted a serious expression. "All right, let's return to the matter at hand and turn our attention to the battlefield. First, let's give our warmest applause and cheers to the Orange League's Top Pokémon Trainer, the undefeated pride of our Orange League-Drake!"
A man wearing a black vest that left his arms bare slowly emerged from the Contestant Entrance, his expression showing a measure of determination and resolve.
The moment he appeared, cheers erupted from the stands, swelling ever louder until they seemed to form a wave of sound that made people's scalps tingle!
Once the crowd's enthusiasm had cooled a little, the announcer shouted again, "Now, next up, let's welcome the Indigo League Conference Champion-Xia You!"
Inside the Contestant Entrance, Xia You heard the announcer call his name. He took a deep breath, rose from his seat, and said softly, "It's our turn."
As soon as he finished speaking, Haunter poked his head out of the shadow beneath his feet, then floated up beside him and chuckled.