In the blink of an eye, the day of the harvest festival had arrived. Amid cheers from countless villagers and spectators who had traveled from other towns, the competition preceding the festival was finally about to begin!
"How's everyone doing lately? As long as you're in good shape, everything goes smoothly! Your host for this festival is none other than yours truly-Masked Crasher Wake!" On the raised platform in the village center, the tall, heavyset Gym Leader of Pastoria City held a microphone with his little finger sticking out and introduced himself in his booming, hearty voice. Once the cheers died down, he declared excitedly, "As always, this festival will kick off with a Great Marsh Surfing race! This time, it's an obstacle course through mountain passes and marshland. Whoever overcomes every obstacle, beats everyone else back to the finish line at the village's main gate, and strikes the festival drum hanging above it will be our champion! As for the champion's prize, look behind me..." At Crasher Wake's wave, the camera turned toward the space behind him.
"A year's supply of marshland specialties, plus a much, much, much more precious Pokémon Egg! Just what will hatch from it? Are our Pokémon Trainers and Pokémon getting impatient already? Then please come to the starting line!" As Crasher Wake spoke, the video feed switched to the rear of the village, where the race would start. On-screen, more than thirty Pokémon Trainers released their Pokémon. Some were enormous, like Snorlax and Steelix, while others were tiny, like Raticate and Dugtrio. There were also Rapidash, Rhyhorn, Sandslash, Drapion, and more.
"Liu Qing, let's see how much you managed to improve in one day of training! Let's settle this!" Looking at Liu Qing holding his reins beside him, Zuo Jie was already fired up.