"Come back, Slowking. You did well. Get some rest now." Liu Qing recalled Slowking, then looked at Dushe. "You really are strong, but this is as far as you go."
"Oh? Anyone can talk big," Dushe replied dismissively.
"Heh, I know you don't believe me. I only started carrying Slowking with me to train a little over a month before the Whirl Islands Tournament began, yet we still made it this far." Liu Qing took out a Poké Ball, his gaze sharpening. "Now let me show you my ace. Go, Gyarados!"
"Roar!" Amid a roar that echoed across the entire arena and a scattering of golden particles, the Red Gyarados's enormous upper body burst out of the water. Gyarados loomed over Crawdaunt, looking down as waves of intimidating pressure rolled outward. An oppressive weight settled over the arena. For a moment, every spectator seemed to forget how to speak, awestruck by that massive body and the deep-red scales glittering in the sunlight.
The Announcer's voice rang out over the speakers. "Liu Qing's second Pokémon is Gyarados—and a Shiny Gyarados at that! According to our records, Liu Qing's Gyarados achieved outstanding results at the Indigo League Conference. As one of his main team members, Gyarados helped him defeat many powerful opponents. How will Dushe deal with such a formidable Gyarados?"
"That's incredible. I never felt this kind of pressure just watching the Indigo League Conference. I really wonder how strong his other powerful Pokémon, Salamence, is now," Brock marveled.
"Pikachu, we really have some strong opponents in the Johto League this time," Ash said, his fighting spirit blazing. Pikachu answered with cries of "Pika, pika!"
"This is the Water-type Pokémon I've always dreamed of!" As Misty gazed at Gyarados, she seemed to forget her painful childhood memories entirely, her eyes turning