"Oh no!" Maylene inwardly cried. Archen, held in Machamp's arms, let out a loud cry. A mass of sharp stones spun rapidly around Archen before shooting straight at Machamp from point-blank range. A series of sharp thuds ended in one heavy bang. Machamp screamed, released Archen, and fell from the air.
"Use Aerial Ace!" At Liu Qing's command, white streaks of light enveloped Archen, who had broken free of Machamp's grip. Archen swooped after Machamp, struck the vulnerable throat, and slammed Machamp into the battlefield with a resounding crash.
"Machamp is unable to battle!" the referee immediately announced.
"I never expected that final Seismic Toss to give my opponent a chance to turn the tables. Thank you for your hard work, Machamp!" Maylene recalled Machamp and took out her last Poké Ball. "Liu Qing, that was a wonderful battle. Here's my third Pokémon. Go, Lucario!"
"Lucario, huh!" Seeing the Lucario Maylene sent out, Liu Qing couldn't help missing his own Lucario back home. He soon composed himself, however, and asked the now-panting Archen, "Archen, can you keep battling?" Archen nodded and gave a loud cry. Understanding, Liu Qing immediately commanded, "Use DragonBreath!"
"Dodge it!" At Maylene's command, Lucario immediately shifted slightly to one side, deftly evading DragonBreath. Then, following her next command, Lucario swiftly launched an Aura Sphere to counterattack!
"Stone Edge!" Seeing the Aura Sphere speeding toward them, Liu Qing responded just as quickly. White light shone all over Archen, and two rings of sharp, rapidly spinning stones formed around Archen's body. Archen sent them flying, blasting apart the Aura Sphere before continuing toward Lucario, raining down like a shower.
"Focus Blast!" At Liu Qing's command, Archen quickly gathered an energy sphere glowing with a white halo and hurled it down at Lucario.
"Lucario, Aura Sphere!" Maylene immediately commanded.