The little incident involving Ash soon blew over. That afternoon, the third match for Group I on Field C was about to begin. Liu Qing and the opposing Pokémon Trainer, Xiaoxin, had taken their positions, watching as the pointer on the big screen gradually stopped on red.
"Liu Qing from Saffron City will move first, while Xiaoxin from Cianwood City will move second," the commentator announced over the speakers.
"Begin!" The referee raised his flag.
"Go, Rhyperior!" Liu Qing sent out his first Pokémon.
"Roar!" With a mighty bellow, Rhyperior's enormous body appeared on the field.
"What an imposing presence." Xiao Xin was startled by Rhyperior's sudden display of power, but quickly recovered. "I've never encountered this Pokémon before, but it's clearly bulky. It probably isn't fast. In that case, I'll win with speed."
"Go, Skarmory!" After a moment's thought, Xiaoxin took out a Poké Ball and threw it.
"Liu Qing's first Pokémon is Rhyperior, the Final Evolution of Rhyhorn. Xiao Xin has sent out Skarmory!" the Announcer explained to the audience.
"Rhyperior, Stone Edge!" Liu Qing ordered at once.
At the command, countless sharp stones rapidly formed around Rhyperior and shot toward Skarmory.
"Skarmory, dodge with Agility, then use Spikes!" Xiao Xin hurriedly shouted as Stone Edge hurtled closer.
With a sharp whoosh, Skarmory darted aside, evading the attack before scattering Spikes across Liu Qing's side of the field.
"Skarmory has laid down Spikes! Now, any Pokémon Liu Qing switches in will take damage from them!" the Announcer said.
"What a waste of effort. My brother won't switch Pokémon recklessly. Even if he does, he has Honchkrow, which can fly, and Porygon-Z, which floats in the air!" Liu Yuan's lips curled with disdain.
"Skarmory, Swift!" This time, Xiaoxin ordered an attack.
Skarmory opened its beak, firing countless orange-yellow, five-pointed