"Nosepass, use Zap Cannon to break free!"
"Not a chance! Slowking, Power Gem!" Liu Qing called coldly.
As Nosepass began gathering energy for Zap Cannon, the water left over from Water Pulse evaporated completely. But just then, Slowking fired Power Gem. The pale yellow beam struck the Zap Cannon that had just formed but had yet to be released. The two energies collided with a boom, exploding right in front of Nosepass. Unable to withstand a blast at practically point-blank range, Nosepass fell to the ground, unable to battle.
"Nosepass is unable to battle! Slowking wins!" the referee announced. "The overall winner is Liu Qing from Saffron City!"
"That was a wonderful battle!" After a moment of surprise, Roxanne recalled Nosepass and walked over to Liu Qing. "You only saw Nosepass fire Zap Cannon once, yet you noticed that it takes a little time to use the move. On top of that, it had to evaporate the energy left over from Water Pulse, which gave Slowking the chance to use Power Gem first. And earlier, when you used Protect so quickly after blowing away the sand to block Zap Cannon, you must have already anticipated that I would seize the chance to attack! Haha, it seems I lost to you both in terms of our Pokémon and our judgment as Trainers. This Stone Badge is yours now, as proof that you defeated the Rustboro Gym." As she spoke, she took out a golden badge and handed it to Liu Qing. He quickly accepted it and thanked her, then left the Rustboro Gym with Liu Yuan and returned to the Rustboro Contest Hall.
"Big brother, I want to train on my own for the next few days," Liu Yuan suddenly said after they returned to their room.
"Oh?" Liu Qing gave