At this critical moment, Poliwhirl arrived just in time, stepping in front of Haunter to block the Hydro Pump attack.
Although Lunatone and Solrock had augmented the Hydro Pump with psychic power, which caused Poliwhirl some damage, Poliwhirl's Water Absorb ability healed these injuries. As a result, the attack only pushed Poliwhirl back a few steps.
The battlefield was once again at a stalemate, with both sides looking for an opening to strike.
"Lunatone, use Psychic to hold Poliwhirl."
"Solrock, target Haunter."
Tate and Liza quickly regrouped and launched a new round of attacks.
Upon receiving the command, Lunatone's eyes glowed blue, unleashing a powerful psychic force that lifted Poliwhirl into the air. Poliwhirl struggled to break free from Lunatone's grip.
Seeing Poliwhirl restrained, Haunter launched a Shadow Ball at Lunatone, hoping to divert its attention and free Poliwhirl.
However, Solrock anticipated this and used its psychic power to block the Shadow Ball, putting Rex in a disadvantageous position.
If Poliwhirl wasn't freed soon, the weaker Haunter might be defeated by Solrock.
"Poliwhirl, use Hypnosis."
"Haunter, use Confuse Ray."
Following Rex's command, Poliwhirl stopped struggling and used the counterclockwise swirl on its belly to hypnotize Lunatone. Meanwhile, Haunter fired a Confuse Ray at Solrock to prevent it from attacking Poliwhirl.
Hypnosis is a psychic-type move that induces sleep using mental energy, but it's less effective against Pokémon with strong mental defenses like Lunatone. Rex's goal was to distract Lunatone and weaken its grip on Poliwhirl.
As expected, Lunatone, staring at Poliwhirl's belly swirl, felt a wave of drowsiness and diverted some of its mental energy to stay awake, thereby loosening its hold on Poliwhirl.
Seizing the opportunity, Poliwhirl broke free and unleashed a powerful Hydro Pump at Solrock.
Solrock, focused on defending against Haunter's Confuse Ray, noticed the Hydro Pump too late and hastily erected a Light Screen to block the attack. The hastily formed Light Screen shattered after a few seconds, and the Hydro Pump hit Solrock, sending it flying.
The Light Screen reduced the Hydro Pump's damage, but Solrock still sustained significant injuries without being completely knocked out.
"Lunatone, use Ice Beam."
"Solrock, use Psychic."
Tate and Liza knew they couldn't drag the battle out any longer and switched their attack targets, ordering Lunatone to use Ice Beam on Haunter and Solrock to restrain Poliwhirl with Psychic.
Despite Solrock's injuries, it managed to temporarily hold Poliwhirl with its psychic power. If they could defeat Haunter, they could still turn the tide.
Lunatone's Ice Beam swept towards Haunter, freezing everything in its path. Rex felt the temperature drop noticeably in the arena.
With rain still falling, a thin layer of ice formed on the battlefield from the stray ice-type energy.
"Haunter, use Destiny Bond."
Following Rex's command, Haunter stopped dodging, squinted its eyes, and shot a dark energy beam that linked it to Lunatone.
Rex knew that Haunter was outmatched by Lunatone, so a one-for-one trade was advantageous for him.
"Lunatone, stop."
Realizing Rex's plan, Liza quickly ordered Lunatone to cease its attack, but it was too late. The Ice Beam hit Haunter, encasing it in ice.
Simultaneously, Lunatone let out a cry and fell to the ground, unable to fight any longer.
"Tate, it's up to you now."
Liza recalled Lunatone and spoke to her brother.
Now it was Poliwhirl versus Solrock, but Solrock, already injured, faced a fresh Poliwhirl, putting Tate at a disadvantage.
"Great job, Haunter."
Rex also recalled Haunter, apologizing to its Pokéball.
Using Destiny Bond reflected Rex's acknowledgment of his limitations. He wouldn't have employed such a desperate strategy if he had been stronger.
"Poliwhirl, break free and use your strongest Hydro Pump."
Rex commanded Poliwhirl, still held by Solrock's psychic power.
Poliwhirl broke free and fired a powerful Hydro Pump at Solrock.
"Solrock, use Hyper Beam to counter."
Tate ordered, knowing this was the final clash.
Solrock, despite being weakened, gathered its energy and fired a Hyper Beam at the incoming Hydro Pump.
The two attacks collided and neutralized each other, but the Hydro Pump gradually pushed closer to Solrock, indicating Poliwhirl's advantage.
Solrock, unable to sustain the Hyper Beam, was hit by the Hydro Pump and smashed into the wall behind it.
"Solrock is unable to battle. The winner is Rex from Fallarbor Town. Congratulations on your victory."
Ray announced after checking Solrock, signaling Rex's win.
"Congratulations, Rex. This was a brilliant battle. Here is your Mind Badge."
Tate and Liza admired Rex's strategy and awarded him the badge.
"Rex, you're amazing. I think you're even stronger than Ash."
Max exclaimed, inspired by Rex's tactical approach.
"Rex, you're powerful, but I won't lose to you."
Ash declared confidently.
To Ash, no matter the opponent, he never backed down.
(Chapter End)