Mammon looked at the match results on the big screen and raised his eyebrows.
Mammon vs. Ash!
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"It's over!"
Misty slapped her forehead with a 'pa'.
When she saw the match results, her heart tightened.
It was so hard... so hard to get to this point!
How could it turn out like this?
"Alas, bad luck."
Brock also sighed. Everyone knew that with Selene and the other three already having their matches, Mammon was the most terrifying one in the remaining pool of contestants.
"Hoo~" Ash stared intently at Mammon's avatar on the big screen, letting out a long sigh, but his eyes grew increasingly fervent.
"Mammon~!"
Ash's tone showed no hint of regret or sighing; instead, it was filled with excitement.
His desire to battle was gradually rising!
"This is great!"
"What's so great, Ash? You can't possibly beat Mammon."
Misty couldn't help but retort.
"If you hadn't been matched with Mammon, you would have had a chance to enter the Eight Masters."
Misty felt that she once again couldn't understand Ash's thought process. With Ash's current strength, even if he were matched with Lance or Leon, he might still have a fighting chance.
So, she truly believed Ash had a chance to enter the Eight Masters.
But now, there was no doubt that the opportunity was gone.
"That kind of thing really doesn't matter, Misty."
Ash shook his head, making Misty and Brock stunned.
"Even if I relied on the matching mechanism to become a lucky 'Eight Masters,' that kind of title… actually isn't worth being happy about."
Ash's expression was firm, and his words changed from hesitant to emphatic.
"But, Ash, isn't your dream to become a 'Pokémon Master'?"
Brock hesitated. As companions who had traveled with Ash for two years, both he and Misty sincerely hoped that Ash could achieve his dream.
Ash's long-standing dream was to become a 'Pokémon Master,' and now was the closest he had ever been to that title.
As long as he could enter the 'Eight Masters,' Ash would henceforth be known as a 'Pokémon Master' by the world, rightfully so!
Even if it was by luck, Ash still defeated his opponents to advance, didn't he?
"I want to become a Pokémon Master through my own abilities, working hard with Pikachu and the others, fair and square. Otherwise, I would feel regret."
Ash slowly stood up, gazing at his and Mammon's avatars on the big screen, his eyes burning with passion.
"There are many opportunities in the World Championship, Brock, Misty. I am only seventeen years old now, but the chance to battle Mammon on such a stage might never come again."
Yes, the current Ash was very open-minded; this was not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
According to the League's announcement, the World Championship is held every two years.
For Ash, he didn't have the chance to contend for the Champion title now, but he might in the future.
However, Mammon might never participate in the World Championship again.
So, for Ash, he really wanted to battle Mammon on such a grand stage, as an opponent, just once.
Misty and Brock were stunned, their surprised eyes as if they were seeing Ash for the first time.
"Besides, we haven't even fought yet, it doesn't mean I'm bound to lose! Right, Pikachu?"
The youthful spirit was fully embodied in Ash at this moment.
"Pika~ Chu!"
The Electric Rodent, perched on Ash's shoulder, smiled with sparkling eyes and responded with equal fighting spirit.
"Let's go!"
Ash waved to Brock and Misty and jogged towards the contestant's passage.
Looking at Ash's retreating figure, Brock was lost in thought for a long time, then suddenly smiled knowingly.
"That guy, really, he's putting on an act."
Misty smiled, subconsciously muttering a complaint.
"Yes~"
Brock gazed at the running figure of the youth, his expression slightly dazed.
"Go for it, Ash!"
..."Alright! Both contestants are ready, so now, let us welcome them with a round of enthusiastic applause!"
The Sunglasses Host's booming voice began to sound.
"Mammon!"
"Ash!"
"Wo~!"
Amidst the enthusiastic cheers and applause from the entire venue, two young figures slowly emerged from the contestant's passage.
Inside the huge arena, all the spectators' gazes were focused on the two of them. Aerial cameras filmed the scene below from various angles.
However, the audience watching this match was far more than just those inside the arena.
This was a global stage, and countless people around the world were following this live broadcast.
Mammon stopped, looked at the black-haired boy with the cap opposite him, and after a long moment, couldn't help but smile.
Because he could clearly feel Ash's fervent gaze at this moment.
"The second stage of the World Championship main event is now beginning. The battling parties are Mammon and Ash from Kanto."
"The battle rules are a full 6vs6 battle. When all six Pokémon of one side lose their ability to battle, the other side wins."
"The winner advances, the loser is eliminated. Let the battle begin!"
The referee announced the battle rules and then slowly left the field.
On the big screen, a pointer representing the first or second move started to spin in the center of Mammon and Ash's avatars.
Finally, the pointer gradually settled on Mammon's side.
"Ash, how do you feel now?"
Mammon wasn't in a hurry. He took out a Poké Ball and looked at Ash.
"Fantastic!!"
Ash grinned widely; he felt great now!
Especially when he saw Mammon standing opposite him, he could even feel his whole body boiling with excitement, and his heart was pounding powerfully!
"Mammon! Come on, I want to battle you! I've been waiting for this day for a long time!"
"Me too, Ash."
Mammon returned the fervor, his smile bright and genuine.
"I've always wanted to have an all-out battle with you, Ash, especially on a stage like this."
Hearing this, Ash's expression became even more excited.
"So, bring out all your skills, and don't get defeated by me so easily."
Mammon enlarged the Poké Ball in his hand and threw it out with a backhand.
"Let me see your and your Pokémon's limits, Ash!"
"My first Pokémon will be it!"
"Marshadow! Prepare for battle!"
The Poké Ball opened in mid-air, and a white light landed.
Dark shadows spread, and the gray-black Gloomdweller Pokémon slowly rose from the shadows, its hollow orange eyes fixed on Ash.
"Is that the Marshadow from back then?"
Ash instantly recognized this Pokémon. It was the Mythical Pokémon Marshadow, which had appeared from his shadow at Mount Tensei and was later captured by Mammon.
Ash took out his pokédex and pointed it at Marshadow.
'Beep~ Marshadow, Fighting/Ghost type, Gloomdweller Pokémon. It can dive into an opponent's shadow, mimicking their movements and power, and becomes stronger than the original during the imitation process.'
"Fighting + Ghost type, huh…"
Ash thought for a moment, then decisively pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it.
"Lucario! I choose you!"
A flash of white light, and the stern Lucario slowly straightened up, its calm, sharp eyes fixed on Marshadow.
"Lucario? Why is Ash using this to battle Marshadow?"
In the stands, Gary was puzzled.
Lucario's type is Fighting/Steel, but Fighting-type attacks are ineffective against Ghost-type Marshadow, and Lucario itself is weak to Fighting-type attacks.
This was actively choosing a battle with a type disadvantage.
"Ash must have his own ideas." Blue shrugged. How could he know Ash's thoughts?
"Hahaha~ After all, it's Ash, let's just watch." Professor Oak said with a laugh.
Yes, he also came to watch the battle live.
Although Blue had been eliminated, Red and Ash both advanced. For Professor Oak, Red and Ash, whom he watched grow up and who both received their starter Pokémon from him, naturally held different significance.
But… it really was a bit short on luck.
Professor Oak looked at the two people in the arena, still feeling quite frustrated; Ash's luck was just too bad.
As for Misty and Brock, seeing Ash actively choose a reverse-type battle, they weren't surprised at all. Yes, they were used to it.
Red looked at Ash in the arena, silently.
Inside the arena.
"Isn't Lucario Mega Evolving? Is he saving the Mega Evolution slot for Charizard?"
Mammon saw that Ash had no further movements and asked with a smile.
Because Ash had two Mega Evolution slots, for Lucario and Charizard, he had used Mega Evolution for both in previous battles.
As for the Mega Evolution Stone, it was exchanged from Team Rockets.
Yes, although Ash's merits were not enough to exchange for Legendary Pokémon, they were more than sufficient for other Pokémon and items.
And it's well known that if you're going to Mega Evolve, it's best to do it at the first opportunity.
Would he really wait until halfway through the battle, when the Pokémon's condition wasn't great, to Mega Evolve?
"Ha~ You found out, Mammon."
Ash scratched his head. He was indeed planning to Mega Evolve Charizard this time, as his Charizard's strength was somewhat greater compared to Lucario.
"Then come on, Ash, let me see how you're going to deal with my Marshadow."
Mammon chuckled, his eyes also much more fervent.
He had a lot of expectations for Ash.