"Archen, you're up!" As Nurse Joy's voice rang out, Liu Qing flung out a Poké Ball. White light flashed, and Archen appeared on the field with its wings spread, crying out loudly.
"Weavile, stand by for battle!" Paul also tossed out a Poké Ball with a backhand throw. At his low command, Weavile appeared opposite Archen, brandishing its sharp claws with an imposing air.
This Weavile... Looking at the Weavile before him, Liu Qing recalled his battle against Paul at the Hoenn League years ago. Weavile had been among the Pokémon Paul used then, but it felt considerably stronger now!
"Then, let the battle begin!" Once images of the two Pokémon appeared on the big screen, Nurse Joy raised both flags and announced the start.
"Archen, charge!" Liu Qing folded his arms across his chest. In contrast to Paul's grave expression, he looked calm and relaxed as he issued the first command. Archen responded immediately, flapping its wings as it ran straight toward Weavile.
"What a huge opening. This Pokémon Trainer is terrible! He's wasting his chance to attack first. If I were out there..." Among the spectators, an androgynous-looking boy of about twelve or thirteen, dressed in flamboyant clothes, raised his eyebrows and sneered haughtily in an almost petulant tone. His voice sounded jarringly out of place on the otherwise quiet battlefield. Several people immediately turned to look at him, leaving the rest of his words stuck in his throat!
"Xiao Rui, stop talking!" Beside the boy stood a plainly dressed girl with ordinary features that somehow combined to give her a quietly elegant air. Shrinking under all those gazes, she secretly tugged his arm and disappeared into the crowd with him.
There really are huge openings, but when there are openings everywhere, they stop being openings! Paul assessed