The Royal Arena at Cameran Palace was a large, two-level venue.
Its architecture resembled an ancient Roman colosseum.
Every year, battles were held here to celebrate the annual Day of Peace and commemorate the late Aura Guardian, Sir Aaron.
Experts from all over the world came in an endless stream.
Among them were plenty of heavy hitters who had won regional Pokémon League championships.
"Come on!"
"Take him down!"
The spectators' cheers rang out nonstop from the second-floor stands. Wearing a suit of shining armor, Young Master Mao stood at the railing with Caitlin and Shauntal, watching Ash crush one opponent after another.
"Is that Pikachu really that strong?" Caitlin watched with a slight frown.
There was no other reason: Ash and Pikachu had steamrolled their way through the competition. Even when they faced a championship winner from the Unova Region, they dominated.
Ignoring type matchups, Pikachu swung Iron Tail with ferocious force-a true Behemoth Blade!
Not a single Pokémon could withstand a second hit.
Young Master Mao smiled and shook his head. "That's why I'm not entering this battle festival."
"That's strange too, though." Max looked at Gary in confusion. "According to the information I've collected, don't you love stomping weaker opponents most of all, Gary?
"And leaving all this experience unclaimed really isn't your style..."
Young Master Mao's mouth twitched. "What on earth do you spend all day researching, you little brat?"
Is it that I won't enter? I just don't fight unprepared battles. Besides, I brought my old partners. This little bit of experience really isn't worth my attention. It wouldn't even fill a gap between their teeth...
With a movie soundtrack playing, nobody could defeat Ash. Gary wasn't about to gamble on this world's corrective powers.
Letting Ash do his thing would, at most, cause a