After returning to the Pokémon Center, Liu Qing handed his two Pokémon to Nurse Joy for treatment. He had not been waiting long when he saw a sporting event being advertised on television. Defense Town, the town closest to Snowpoint City, was about to hold its Snowfield Sports event. While he was listening to the report, Candice, a Pokémon Trainer from Snowpoint City, happened to walk in. Seeing him watching television, she came over and asked, "Liu Qing, are you interested in this sport too?"
"Yeah!" Liu Qing glanced back at Candice, then returned his attention to the report. "This event tests not only the coordination between Trainers and Pokémon and the Pokémon's abilities, but also places considerable demands on the Trainers themselves. It's quite a challenge! So if I get the chance, I'd like to give it a try!"
"I agree!" Candice nodded, then said, "I'm taking part too, so that makes us rivals!"
"But... isn't the event tomorrow? Can we get to Defense Town from here in time?" Liu Qing asked hesitantly.
"What's the problem?!" Candice said casually. "I travel between Snowpoint City and Defense Town all the time, so I know a shortcut. It only takes a few hours to get there!"
"Really? Then I definitely can't miss this!" Liu Qing said with a wry smile.
"Then once our Pokémon have recovered, I'll take you there!" As she spoke, Candice handed the Pokémon that had just lost their battles to Nurse Joy for treatment as well.
Liu Qing's two Pokémon were not badly injured and were healed quickly. After waiting for Candice to collect her Poké Balls, the two rode her newly evolved Mamoswine straight toward Defense Town. They crossed mountains and ridges, following rough trails the entire way, but just as Candice had said, they reached