Sabrina didn't expect that a Poké Ball-level Trainer could react so quickly, allowing Wartortle to dodge and counterattack simultaneously. Most Poké Ball-level Trainers couldn't execute this strategy.
Although Hypno was hit by Water Pulse, its special defense was high. At the same level, it didn't suffer much damage from Water Pulse.
Sabrina, with her hands on her hips, had a glimmer of light flash in her eyes. Unconsciously, she had already issued a command to Hypno.
"Dream Eater!" With a strange smile, Hypno aroused Psychic-type energy, raised its right hand, and a pink-purple beam shot from the pendant ring on its right hand.
"Go, hit Wartortle!"
"Wartortle, dodge the attack!" Ash didn't want Wartortle to face it head-on, so he instructed Wartortle to dodge and then counterattack. "Use Water Pulse again!"
Spotting Psybeam's trajectory, Wartortle jumped to the left and simultaneously launched Water Pulse. Before landing, Water Pulse left his hand, aiming at Hypno.
Sabrina's eyes changed slightly, and Hypno seemed to have received instructions to increase energy output, enhancing its control over Psybeam!
The Psybeam, initially aimed at Wartortle's original location, adjusted its direction mid-flight, intercepting Wartortle's Water Pulse.
"Boom!" The two attacks collided, briefly stalemating before exploding. A powerful shockwave swept through the arena, pushing Wartortle and Hypno back a few steps.
Ash frowned, contemplating a winning strategy. Hypno, or rather, Psychic-types, were difficult to deal with, capable of changing attack direction mid-air.
On the other side, Sabrina didn't stop, continuously commanding Hypno to attack. Psybeam assaulted Wartortle again, attempting to expose Ash and Wartortle's weaknesses through relentless attacks.
Seeing this, Ash had no choice but to instruct Wartortle to dodge and counterattack with Water Pulse simultaneously.
He realized that Sabrina's tactical system was challenging. If Hypno were stronger and launched attacks without warning, dodging such attacks would be difficult. Sabrina was indeed a formidable Trainer who had reached the Ultra Ball level.
If Sabrina unleashed her true strength, using the Pokémon she had personally trained, Ash might not even be able to anticipate her moves.
Several consecutive collisions caused explosions to reverberate throughout the battle hall. Although it seemed like an even match, Ash knew he was being suppressed. Unless he switched his active Pokémon, he couldn't find a way to defeat Hypno.
While Ash was thinking, Sabrina was also contemplating. She initially wanted to force Ash and Wartortle to reveal their flaws through continuous attacks, but after several collisions, she found no openings.
This made Sabrina regard Ash with greater respect, but only that.
Sabrina's demeanor remained unchanged, but Hypno had already received the order. After a slight pause, it stopped using Psybeam and assumed a strange pose.
The light of Psychic-type energy shone on its body, then merged into it, and the rising red flames indicated that one of its stats had improved.
"Meditate... Is it planning a close-combat attack? Giving up the advantage of Psychic-type for a melee attack, is it a type-restraint move?" Ash immediately reacted, recognizing the move Hypno used and anticipating Sabrina's next action.
"Close combat and type restraint... Considering Hypno's movepool, that leaves only one option... Thunder Punch!" Ash's expression turned serious as he understood Sabrina's intentions.
Hypno rushed towards Wartortle. Although it hadn't made any moves yet, Ash was already on guard and wouldn't let Hypno get close.
"Wartortle, use Water Gun on the ground to create distance!" Ash commanded Wartortle, not to attack Hypno directly, but to use the Water Gun's recoil to propel himself backward and widen the distance.
Wartortle, upon receiving the order, understood Ash's intent. Having practiced this tactic daily, it knew how to execute it.
Channeling Water-type energy, Wartortle fired the Water Gun at the ground, using the water's propulsion to push himself back and increase the distance between himself and Hypno.
But at this moment, Hypno suddenly stopped, and an unfathomable smile appeared on its face...
"Dream Eater!" Psychic-type energy activated again, and the pink-purple beam shot from Hypno's pendant, aiming directly at Wartortle, who was still in mid-air and unable to change direction.
"What?!" Ash's expression changed. He hadn't expected Hypno's series of actions to be a feint, and the real attack was Psybeam. But by the time he reacted, it was too late to counter!
"Boom!" Psybeam struck Wartortle, and the pink-purple light exploded, sending Wartortle flying. He landed on the ground with a groan, having sustained significant damage.
The sudden turn of events startled the audience, and Misty stood up in worry.
However, Hypno and Sabrina's assault didn't end there. As Wartortle struggled to recover, Hypno charged towards him, its left fist crackling with electricity.
This time, it was the real Thunder Punch!
"Wartortle, get up! Use Water Pulse!" Ash clenched his right fist and yelled at Wartortle, his only option now to reveal his trump card.
"War—!" Wartortle rose, his eyes narrowing as he faced the oncoming Hypno. Water-type energy surged, forming a sphere between his hands.
Sabrina remained expressionless, observing Wartortle's actions. Hypno was less than five meters away from Wartortle. At this distance, even if Wartortle counterattacked, Hypno would have ample time to dodge and retaliate.
But Wartortle's next move surprised Sabrina.
Instead of launching the condensed Water Pulse, Wartortle slammed it onto the ground. The sphere exploded, transforming into a massive water curtain that surged forward like a tidal wave!
This was another application of Water Pulse that Ash and Wartortle had developed. Instead of concentrating power at a single point, it dispersed it over a wider area.
Although the power decreased, it made it impossible for the opponent to evade, especially at such close range!
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