"Liu Qing, I accept your challenge. I've only just taken over as the Petalburg Gym Leader, and I'd like to begin my career with a battle against someone who won consecutive championships in Kanto and Johto!" Norman did not ask how Liu Qing knew him. Instead, he named Liu Qing's achievements outright, the fire of fighting spirit burning in his eyes.
"Oh my, May, Max, your father is getting serious!" Mitsuko told her two children. Then the group headed into the Gym.
"Liu Qing, since Dad accepted your challenge, could you let me see your Gyarados? I've seen it on TV, but I still want to see it in person," Max asked on the way, looking at Liu Qing expectantly.
"Sorry, I didn't bring Gyarados with me to the Hoenn Region."
"Then which Pokémon did you bring? Glaceon? Porygon-Z? Rhyperior? Honchkrow..." Max pressed.
"Heh, I didn't bring any of those, either," Liu Qing said helplessly.
"Huh? Then what Pokémon did you bring? Dad's rule for Gym challenges is a three-on-three battle. You did bring enough Pokémon, didn't you?"
"I have enough Pokémon. As for which ones I brought, you'll see when I battle your father." As Liu Qing spoke, the group entered the battlefield.
"The Gym Challenge will now begin! Each side may use three Pokémon. The battle will end when all the Pokémon belonging to either the Gym Leader or the challenger are unable to battle. Only the challenger may switch Pokémon during the match. Begin!" The referee had arrived beside the battlefield at some point and made the announcement as soon as the two took their positions.
"Then let me see what you can do. My first Pokémon is..." Norman threw a Poké Ball. "I'm counting on you, Slakoth!"
"Slakoth, huh? I wonder how far you've managed to