"Absol, defend with Night Slash at full power!" Han Ye immediately gave the command. Just as he had said, as long as Absol could hold out through this round, everything would be over in the next!
Lucario understood how serious the situation was, too. Gathering the power of Aura Sphere, Lucario charged straight at Absol. The sickle on Absol's forehead shone black as Absol waited for Lucario to approach. Just as Lucario closed in and was about to slam the Aura Sphere forward, Absol swung the sickle in retaliation. But at that instant, Lucario leaped over the Night Slash and pressed the Aura Sphere against the back of Absol's neck. It exploded with a boom, and Absol let out a shriek before collapsing unconscious.
"Come back, Lucario!" The moment Absol went down, Liu Qing pulled out the Poké Ball he had already prepared and swiftly recalled Lucario with a beam of red light.
"Absol is unable to battle! Lucario wins!" the referee immediately announced.
"That nail-biting showdown has finally come to an end! Lucario defeated Absol and escaped the effects of Perish Song. We've now reached the most critical stage of the match. Han Ye has only one Pokémon left, Tyranitar, while Liu Qing still has two. Who will claim the final victory? Will it be Han Ye, fighting from behind, or Liu Qing, who holds the lead?" the announcer said at once.
"Consider yourself lucky. But what does recalling Lucario change? I didn't sacrifice Cacturne to set up three layers of Spikes just for show!" Han Ye seemed to have anticipated that Liu Qing would recall Lucario. He merely smiled faintly as he withdrew Absol, then said slowly to Liu Qing, "Knowing your personality, I imagine you'll keep using Lucario rather than switch to Salamence!"
"You know me well!