"Hello everybody! Welcome to the Wallace Cup here in the Sinnoh Region! I'm your host, Bai'an!"
The Pokémon Contest host stood in the center of the semi-open-air stage in a pink puffball dress, waving to the crowd.
Thunderous applause and cheers instantly erupted from the packed venue.
"Ooh~ So this is the Wallace Cup. This is really nerve-racking." Dawn clenched her fists, trembling a little as she spoke.
"It's like that the first time." Sitting beside Dawn, May patiently reassured her, "Actually, once you step onto the stage, you'll naturally put your whole heart into it. You can do it."
"Yeah, thank you, Hoenn Dancer!" Dawn nodded, touched.
"Don't call me by such an embarrassing title." May couldn't help blushing as she scratched her head.
As a Coordinator who had debuted a year ago, entered two Grand Festivals, and placed well in both, May had earned some fame of her own.
Brock was in bliss again today. He glanced at Jasmine, who sat on Ash's other side, then at the beautiful host Bai'an onstage.
"I'm so torn!" Brock clenched his fist. "Which one should I ask out?"
Brendan draped an arm around Brock's shoulders and sighed. "Trust me, neither of them is within your reach. Better think about what we're having for dinner..."
"Next should be the grand entrance of the three head judges!" Jasmine sat up straight and reminded them with some anticipation.
Lorelei leaned elegantly back in her seat, propping her chin on one hand as she watched the center of the stage.
"Next, let's welcome the Wallace Cup's master-level head judges for their grand entrance!"
The spotlights converged on the center of the venue. First to appear was the heart and soul of the competition, Wallace!
Splash~ In front of the semi-open-air stage, glittering spray rose from