"Great job, Archen!" Liu Qing praised with a smile.
"Thanks for your hard work, Bellossom!" Gardenia took out a Poké Ball and recalled Bellossom, then turned to Liu Qing. "I never expected Solar Beam to end up causing our defeat. But Archen shouldn't be able to move now, right? Go, Torterra! Leaf Storm!"
At Gardenia's command, Torterra emerged from its Poké Ball and immediately roared. The little tree on its shell shone emerald green, and countless leaves rose into a fierce whirlwind that instantly struck the immobilized Archen. But Archen spread its broad wings and rode the gale high into the air, dissipating some of the attack's power. Gardenia gritted her teeth at the sight.
"Stone Edge!" Calculating how long Archen needed to recover, Liu Qing immediately gave the command. Archen roared, its whole body shining white as two streams of sharp, rapidly spinning stones formed around it. They deflected the remaining force of Leaf Storm, then rained down on Torterra. Under the repeated blows, Torterra's face twisted in pain.
"Hang in there, Torterra!" Gardenia immediately encouraged it. Hearing her, Torterra mustered its determination and stubbornly endured the attack.
"Your defense is impressive, but how about this? Archen, Focus Blast!" Liu Qing had to admire Torterra's formidable defense. Most Pokémon would have been screaming under Stone Edge's assault, rather than holding on as Torterra had. Archen immediately opened its mouth and fired a Focus Blast straight at Torterra's head. It exploded with a boom, drawing a pained roar from Torterra. Liu Qing seized the opening. "Archen, Aerial Ace!"
"Now! Wood Hammer!" After patiently waiting until this moment, Gardenia finally saw her chance and gave the command.
"So you planned to rely on Torterra's defense to weather the opening attacks, then find a chance to strike at close range!" Liu Qing