"Up next is Group A's thirteenth match: Nan Ming from Sootopolis City versus Liu Qing from Saffron City in Kanto." After a full day of matches, it was finally Liu Qing's turn. Liu Yuan and Han Ye had arrived at the venue early and taken their seats in the stands to wait for his match to begin.
"Listen, kid, I've forgotten more than you'll ever know. Let me teach you how to battle Pokémon!" Nan Ming's heavily bearded face broke into an arrogant grin as he threw two Poké Balls. "Go, Hariyama, Nosepass!"
"Hariyama and Nosepass, huh? Not a bad team," Han Ye said, curling his lip. "Too bad their trainer's so full of himself. Liu Qing might look easygoing, but he's proud as they come. This match will probably be over in a few moves."
"Han Ye, you say my brother's proud, but aren't you the same? What heir from a prominent family isn't? If my brother didn't have his strength and status, you probably wouldn't even bother befriending him!" Liu Yuan immediately fired back when he heard Han Ye criticizing Liu Qing, leaving Han Ye with an awkward smile.
"His opponent has sent out his Pokémon. I wonder which ones Liu Qing will use!" Elsewhere in the stands, Ash, Tetsuya, and the others, who had advanced the day before, were sitting together. Brock spoke with anticipation in his voice. Meanwhile, a figure stood in the competitors' entrance tunnel: Paul, whose match would follow Liu Qing's.
Just as Han Ye had said, his opponent's arrogant words had thoroughly irritated Liu Qing. He had originally intended to take his time with the battle, but now he changed his mind. His expression instantly settled into cool composure as he took out two Poké Balls and threw them. "Slowking, Volcarona!"
"Slowking and