How much of the stat is actually lowered, in terms of real numbers? When they say, for example: "EMPOLEON's speed was lowered harshly!"
It has Speed lowered 2 stages, how much is each of those stages?
This question explains it: http://pokemondb.net/pokebase/1400/how-much-do-stat-raising-moves-power-them-up
The second stages is x2, so "lowered harshly" means the speed would be halved the first time the move is used.
Http://i54.tinypic.com/nvqww5.png <= Screenshot of the part explaining the stages.
Source: http://www.psypokes.com/lab/stats.php