As their exchange ended, the atmosphere of the match reached a fever pitch!
The referee approached the edge of the field, a red flag in one hand and a green flag in the other! His sharp gaze swept over both Trainers, scrutinizing and authoritative!
In the stands, the chatter gradually faded. Amid the tense atmosphere, Master Wallace and Yong exchanged a glance, then hurled their Pokémon Balls almost simultaneously!
Pop!
Pop!
Two crisp snaps rang out, followed by a burst of white light!
A crystalline curtain of light spread above the pool, casting a vast, cloudlike reflection across the water.
Splash!
A streak of light shot out of the glow and plunged beneath the surface!
Spray flew everywhere!
Yong's expression tightened slightly.
His opponent had used the pool as cover, leaving him no time to identify the Pokémon.
On the other side, a Pokémon's silhouette rapidly took shape within the glow!
An instant later, it fell onto a floating platform along with the streaming light.
"Haa-roar!!!"
A low roar rang out!
Rhyperior appeared!
Master Wallace looked slightly surprised, then smiled.
"So this is your Rhyperior that isn't afraid of water?"
Yong nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Wallace! Rhyperior really isn't very afraid of water."
"What a wonderful matchup!"
Master Wallace nodded, then broke into another smile.
"But simply being unafraid of water won't be enough!"
As he finished speaking, the referee stepped forward. He studied the water, and only after confirming that he truly could not see the Pokémon hidden beneath it did he solemnly announce,
"Challenger Yong versus Master Wallace! Let the match begin!"
Under official tournament rules, Pokémon were allowed to conceal themselves as soon as they entered the field. Examples included the Gastly line, which excelled at hiding even among Ghost-type Pokémon, and the Duskull line, which made skillful