"Liu Qing, you really are impressive. It's been a long time since anyone pushed me this far!" After recalling Druddigon, Lance addressed Liu Qing, his fighting spirit blazing.
"To be honest, this is the first time I've been pushed this hard since becoming a Pokémon Trainer!" Liu Qing was just as eager to battle.
"Then next up is my strongest partner! Let's go, Dragonite!" Lance took out his last Poké Ball and threw it. As it opened, a Dragonite appeared on the field. More than a dozen stone slabs instantly rose from the ground and slammed together around Dragonite with a thunderous crash, sending dust billowing everywhere. But an orange arm soon "tore" through the cloud, revealing Dragonite, perfectly composed and unharmed. Though this was also a Dragonite, it differed considerably from Lance's first one in every respect. This one was far stronger.
"This is my strongest partner too! The Champion's title rides on this final battle. Salamence, I'm counting on you!" At the same time, Liu Qing took out his last Poké Ball and threw it. As it opened, Salamence appeared in midair, beating scarlet wings and fixing a gaze on the Dragonite below.
Displeasure flashed in Dragonite's eyes at the sight of Salamence looking down from above. Dragonite flapped up to the same height. Neither Pokémon made a sound, yet as their gazes met, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere spread outward, reaching across the entire venue. Every spectator involuntarily fell silent.
"This will be a battle at the pinnacle of Champion-level strength!" It was not just Liu Qing and Lance, the Trainers of Salamence and Dragonite, who sensed how powerful these two Pokémon were. Cynthia in the stands, former Champion Steven and current Champion Wallace watching from the distant Hoenn Region, and other Trainers with Champion-level strength all felt