After recalling his unconscious Metagross, Tetsuya thought for quite a while and was just about to take out a new Poké Ball when he saw Xia You recall Dragonite on the other side as well.
Huh?
He's switching Pokémon too?
This was already the second time in this match that Xia You had voluntarily withdrawn his Pokémon while holding the advantage.
Seeing this, although he did not know why Xia You would do so, Tetsuya hesitated before returning the Poké Ball in his hand to his waist pouch and choosing another one.
His previous choice had been the best counter to Dragonite among the Pokémon he had brought. Now that Dragonite had been recalled as well, he would be facing another unknown battle, so there was no point in targeting Dragonite before it took the field again.
At the referee's signal, the two released their Pokémon simultaneously once more.
As two flashes of blue light shone at the same time, the lineup for their third round was revealed.
Xia You's Pokémon was his Scizor, while a Shiftry appeared before Tetsuya on the other half of the field.
Scizor needed no introduction; they knew him very well. Ash and the others in the stands gave him only a brief glance before turning their attention to Shiftry.
Most of Shiftry's body was brown, and a long, shaggy white mane covered most of his face. He had pointed ears, a long, narrow nose, and a wide mouth with perpetually clenched teeth. His eyes were a murky yellow, and in appearance, he resembled a little old man with long, trailing white hair wearing wooden clogs!
Unfamiliar with him, Ash took out his Pokédex and pointed it at Shiftry.
The Pokédex soon responded, and Misty, May, and the others beside Ash turned their curious gazes