This match carried considerable weight.
Not only were countless John fans eager to see him return to competitive battle after such a long absence, but even more of Lance's anti-fans were hoping to see him get humiliated.
As a Dark-type specialist trainer, Lance embodied all the traditional stereotypes people associated with Dark-type trainers.
Cunning, deceitful, and ruthless.
Lance's favorite activity after defeating opponents was to continue with verbal mockery, degrading their skills and spirit. If his opponent was particularly weak, he'd even employ humiliating attacks during the battle itself.
Put it this way, if Lance didn't possess Masters Eight-level strength, he would have been beaten to death in a back alley by vengeful trainers long ago.
So countless people who despised Lance were all hoping John could teach this arrogant bastard a lesson on their behalf.
As Derek ascended to the commentary booth, the opening ceremony's main stadium automatically transformed into a battle arena. The other six Masters left one by one, leaving ample space for Lance and John.
Standing at his trainer's platform, John began assessing Lance.
Ripped jeans, a black spiked leather jacket, a mohawk hairstyle, earrings, a nose piercing, a tongue stud.
While John observed Lance, Lance was also observing John. He slightly raised his head, looking down at John with eyes full of curiosity and excitement.
"Right now you're the hottest trainer in the entire world!" Lance licked his lips. "If I defeat you..."
He could already imagine countless people crying their eyes out in front of their TVs and in the stadium.
John didn't respond, simply staring at Lance silently with a trace of pity in his eyes, like someone looking at an idiot.
The smile on Lance's face immediately froze. He clenched his fists. That pitying smile was so familiar it made him furious.
The six Masters who'd left the arena hadn't gone far. Instead, they'd moved to the official viewing seats provided to observe together.
The six Masters in the VIP observation area each stood, sat, or reclined in their own way, but without exception, they were all extremely interested in the upcoming battle.
John hadn't participated in public battles for a very long time. His true current strength was unknown to everyone.
But as someone who'd defeated Magnus before, no one could help but be curious about John's combat capabilities. Now that there was such a perfect opportunity to watch John fight, how could they not pay serious attention?
"So, who does everyone think will win this exhibition match?" 'Steel Emperor' Chadri asked with a smile as soon as he sat down.
"John, will win." Magnus answered without the slightest hesitation.
Everyone's eyes immediately fell upon him.
"Why? Just because my beloved John defeated you before?" the female Master asked with a triumphant smile.
'Why? Because Entei had absolutely no power to resist against his Blaziken!'
But Magnus only thought this internally. He wouldn't share that embarrassing detail with the other Masters.
As for why she valued John so highly, no one questioned it. Because there was no need to ask, this woman was a well-known John fanatic that everyone in the world knew about, except possibly John himself!
Even her ace Pokemon was the same as John's, a Gardevoir.
The other Masters began voicing their own opinions.
Without exception, everyone believed John would win. After all, that battle against Magnus had left too deep an impression.Lance might be strong, but he was just a dark horse who'd emerged during the final Masters Eight qualification scramble. Whether his strength could match John's was highly questionable.
The worst case scenario was a 0-2 loss, while 1-2 wouldn't be much different.
Opening Ceremony Battle Arena
The referee for this match slowly walked onto the field, holding a flag in each hand. "The Masters Eight exhibition match will now begin! Trainer John versus Trainer Lance! The battle format is 4-Choose-2. When one side accumulates two Pokemon unable to battle, the match ends!"
Because this was only an exhibition match and not part of the official bracket, the rules used weren't formal either.
Official rules were 6-Choose-4, with the finals being a 6v6 full team battle.
While Lance was still deliberating his choice, John had already grabbed a Pokeball. The moment he'd learned his exhibition match opponent would be Lance, he'd already decided which Pokemon to use.
Very quickly, both trainers selected their Pokemon. They looked toward each other, then simultaneously threw their Pokeballs into the sky.
The Pokemon Lance sent out was Sableye.
Not many trainers had captured and trained this Pokemon before. Only in recent years, after Mega Evolution stone records were gradually published, did many trainers begin raising it.
The Pokemon John sent out was none other than Gengar.
Hadn't his senior, Damian, been defeated by Lance?
Then he'd use Gengar to help his teacher reclaim his dignity!
"Kekeke!" The purple blob jumped out from its Pokeball, bouncing happily. But very quickly, it noticed its master's emotions.
Instantly transforming from playful to angry, Gengar crossed its arms and glared at both Mega Sableye and Lance.
Seeing that John had sent out Gengar, Lance suddenly remembered, he'd claimed his Masters Eight position by taking it from John's senior, Damian.
"Why? Just because my beloved John defeated you before?" the female Master asked with a triumphant smile.
'Why? Because Entei had absolutely no power to resist against his Blaziken!'
But Magnus only thought this internally. He wouldn't share that embarrassing detail with the other Masters.
As for why she valued John so highly, no one questioned it. Because there was no need to ask, this woman was a well-known John fanatic that everyone in the world knew about, except possibly John himself!
Even her ace Pokemon was the same as John's, a Gardevoir.
The other Masters began voicing their own opinions.
Without exception, everyone believed John would win. After all, that battle against Magnus had left too deep an impression. Lance might be strong, but he was just a dark horse who'd emerged during the final Masters Eight qualification scramble. Whether his strength could match John's was highly questionable.
The worst case scenario was a 0-2 loss, while 1-2 wouldn't be much different.
Opening Ceremony Battle Arena
The referee for this match slowly walked onto the field, holding a flag in each hand. "The Masters Eight exhibition match will now begin! Trainer John versus Trainer Lance! The battle format is 4-Choose-2. When one side accumulates two Pokemon unable to battle, the match ends!"
Because this was only an exhibition match and not part of the official bracket, the rules used weren't formal either.
Official rules were 6-Choose-4, with the finals being a 6v6 full team battle.
While Lance was still deliberating his choice, John had already grabbed a Pokeball. The moment he'd learned his exhibition match opponent would be Lance, he'd already decided which Pokemon to use.
Very quickly, both trainers selected their Pokemon. They looked toward each other, then simultaneously threw their Pokeballs into the sky.
The Pokemon Lance sent out was Mega Sableye.
Not many trainers had captured and trained this Pokemon before. Only in recent years, after Mega Evolution stone records were gradually published, did many trainers begin raising it.
The Pokemon John sent out was none other than Gengar.
Hadn't Damian, been defeated by Lance?
Then he'd use Gengar to get revenge for his fallen senior!
"Kekeke!" The purple blob jumped out from its Pokeball, bouncing happily. But very quickly, it noticed its master's emotions.
Instantly transforming from playful to angry, Gengar crossed its arms and glared at both Mega Sableye and Lance.
Seeing that John had sent out Gengar, Lance suddenly remembered, he'd claimed his Masters Eight position by taking it from John's teacher, Damian.
"Knowing full well that I specialize in Dark-types, you still chose Gengar as your first Pokemon. So this is about reclaiming face?" Lance couldn't help but bare his teeth in a mocking grin.
The referee confirmed that both trainers and Pokemon were ready, then swung down the flags in his hands.
"Battle begin!"