Lilycove Town was a fairly famous old town in the Sinnoh Region. Besides its airport, it was home to the renowned Lilycove Stadium, where generations of League Champions had battled. Stone statues of Dialga and Palkia stood at the far end of the stadium entrance. After booking a flight at the airport, Liu Qing said goodbye to Ash and his companions and boarded a plane bound for Canalave City.
Canalave City was an island city formed by bridges linking many lush islands in the sea west of Jubilife City. After getting off the plane, Liu Qing took an airport bus to the city's Gym.
The foundation of the Canalave Gym was built from rock, but above it were iron plates fitted together like patches, giving the building a rugged appearance. Liu Qing walked through the entrance and found an enormous interior space and a Rock Field.
"Excuse me! I'm Liu Qing from Saffron City, and I've come to challenge the Gym!" Liu Qing called out after entering.
"Finally, another challenger?" A middle-aged man emerged from an open doorway, speaking in a gruff voice. He had reddish-brown hair and a full beard, wore a dirty old cloak, and carried a shovel. "I'm Byron, the Canalave Gym Leader. I accept your challenge!"
"The Gym battle between challenger Liu Qing and Gym Leader Byron will now begin. Each side may use three Pokémon. The match ends when all three Pokémon on either side are unable to battle. Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon!" A muscular man had stepped into the referee's position unnoticed and began announcing the rules.
"I love fossils! I love defense!" Once the referee finished, Byron swung his shovel, brimming with fighting spirit.
"Let's get started!" Liu Qing said with a calm nod.
"You certainly seem confident, but I'm like