After trading Volcarona for Gyarados, Liu Qing changed the challenge rules to double battles, just like those in Mossdeep City. With the Sootopolis Gym's reputation, the Pokémon Trainers who came to challenge it all had at least five Badges, making his days as the acting Gym Leader quite eventful.
A week passed in the blink of an eye. With no challengers that noon, Liu Qing went to the Manor's training grounds to watch Wallace coach Liu Yuan in Pokémon Contest techniques. He had barely begun watching when thick, dark clouds swept in from the northwest. At first, Liu Qing thought a torrential downpour was coming, but then the aura within him reacted violently, making him frown.
"Big brother, these clouds feel so oppressive. It feels like something's about to happen." Wallace and Liu Yuan had stopped training by then, and both looked up at the churning clouds, which seemed ready to crush the entire town.
"What incredible power!" Liu Qing said gravely as he sensed the energy within the clouds. "These clouds didn't form naturally. A Pokémon's move or Ability caused them."
"What? How is that possible? Even Rain Dance couldn't create storm clouds like these!" Liu Yuan exclaimed in shock.
"No, an ordinary Pokémon certainly couldn't. But a legend has long circulated in Hoenn. Kyogre created the oceans, and Groudon created the land. Kyogre's appearance brings torrential rain, fierce winds, and towering waves, while Groudon's appearance brings blazing sunshine..." Wallace recounted Hoenn's ancient legend as though murmuring in a dream.
"Could Kyogre have appeared?" Liu Yuan asked incredulously. He knew Kyogre was a Super Legendary Pokémon, an existence even an Elite Four Champion could not match.
"Sir, if it really is Kyogre, I don't want to miss this opportunity." Liu Qing was already running toward his room as he