Hammerlocke Stadium.
The stadium buzzed with voices.
Amid the cheers of the entire crowd,
Ash recalled Greninja, first turning down Pikachu's request to battle because he wanted to save Pikachu for Milotic.
He looked at the gleaming Starmie in the center of the field, without the slightest hesitation in his eyes.
Then Ash sent out his Hoenn powerhouse.
"Sceptile, you're up next!"
At Ash's call,
Sceptile's agile figure landed soundlessly, a twig clenched in its mouth as its sharp gaze fixed on Starmie.
"Scep~"
This was where Ash's advantage lay.
Having traveled through multiple regions and acquired Pokémon of many different types, Ash could tailor his lineup to his opponent.
This was also one of Li Wei's current advantages.
Wallace, on the other hand, specialized in Water-type Pokémon, which naturally limited his choices and team building.
"A wise choice."
Wallace nodded slightly.
"But type isn't everything. Starmie, dazzle your opponent with your light-Signal Beam!"
Li Wei and the others couldn't help commenting,
"That's supposed to be Ash's line!"
The gem at Starmie's center instantly burst with a brilliant, multicolored beam.
As a Bug-type move, Signal Beam was super effective against the Grass-type Sceptile.
Rather than traveling straight, the beam twisted toward its target as though alive, carrying waves that disrupted the mind.
A hit from Signal Beam also had a chance of causing confusion.
"Sceptile, dodge quickly!"
Sceptile darted aside with astonishing speed, and Signal Beam blasted a shallow crater where it had been standing.
"Very fast."
Wallace voiced his approval,
but his commands never stopped.
"Then use Psychic to restrict its movements!"
Invisible psychic power enveloped Sceptile like shackles the instant it landed and adjusted its stance.
The powerful psychic force seized Sceptile's body, leaving it struggling in place.
"Sceptile, break through it!"
Ash's shout seemed to infuse Sceptile