As he looked at the Rapidash across from him, Yong's thoughts suddenly wandered... He remembered that, like Arcanine, Rapidash was consistently voted one of the most comfortable Pokémon and best suited for riding on land...
The referee's voice rang out just then.
"Swampert versus Rapidash! Begin!"
The announcement interrupted the boy's thoughts. He snapped back to his senses and refocused.
"Swampert! Use Rock Slide!"
"La-chi!"
Loose stones rose from the stage, transforming into countless cannonballs under Swampert's control and hurtling toward its opponent!
Watching the rocks blot out the light and cut off almost every escape route for Rapidash, Huajian looked troubled, but he still shouted,
"Rapidash! Combine Flame Charge with Quick Attack and break through! Target Swampert!"
"Hreeheehee!"
With a whinny, searing flames instantly blossomed across Rapidash's body! Wild fire surged over it, turning it into a true "fire horse"!
The sudden rise in temperature set the air ablaze, creating a shimmering curtain that spread throughout the space!
Rocks came crashing in, striking Rapidash's flame-covered body with sharp clacks and explosive bursts of fire!
Unfazed by the pelting rocks, Rapidash broke into a furious gallop! It forced its way straight through the Rock Slide and charged toward Swampert!
It knows it's at a disadvantage, yet it's coming straight at us?
Yong frowned slightly and said quietly,
"Swampert! Lock down the ground with Sand Tomb!"
But Huajian reacted just as quickly.
"Rapidash! Speed up with Agility! Use Will-O-Wisp!"
A pink glow flashed and vanished, and Rapidash accelerated again! It streaked across the stage like a trail of red light! Brown energy spread over the ground in its wake, turning the arena into sinking quicksand!
Fortunately, Rapidash had sped up in time to escape Sand Tomb's restraint. It raced right up to Swampert, and several blue-green flames silently appeared in the