Although a powerful move like Hyper Beam did not take as long to charge as Solar Beam, it still needed more time than a Flying-type STAB move like Air Slash. Thus, just as Swellow finished gathering energy, the rapidly spinning, sky-blue Air Slash struck it. Swellow's pupils widened in fear, and the Hyper Beam it had been about to fire was interrupted.
"Swellow, snap out of it!" Realizing things had gone wrong, Winona hurriedly shouted.
My gamble paid off! Togekiss's Serene Grace raises Air Slash's secondary effect chance to sixty percent. It didn't work the first time, but the second didn't let me down! Delighted, Liu Qing immediately commanded, "Togekiss, Shock Wave!"
Blue electricity gathered and instantly engulfed Swellow. It reacted with the unfired Hyper Beam and erupted in a thunderous explosion. Togekiss hurriedly flapped its wings and flew clear of the blast, while Swellow lost consciousness and crashed to the ground.
"Swellow is unable to battle, so the winner is Liu Qing from Saffron City," Sega announced.
Winona stood stunned for a moment, then took a deep breath and recalled Swellow with a smile. After lowering her platform, she approached Liu Qing. "Congratulations, Liu Qing. This is the White Feather Badge, proof that you've beaten the Fortree Gym. Please accept it!" With that, she handed him a badge shaped like a wing.
"Thank you!" Liu Qing accepted the badge and placed it in his Badge Case.
"So you've already collected eight badges. That means you've qualified for the Pokémon League Conference!" Winona said as she looked at Liu Qing. "This year's conference will be held in Ever Grande City in just under three months. I hope you do well!"
"Yes," Liu Qing replied solemnly. "I'll definitely win the Pokémon League championship!"
"Hehe, I'm looking forward to seeing you win