Self-combat means the Trainer voluntarily gives up command, allowing the Pokémon to fight entirely on its own instincts.
Training for this is extremely difficult, but once results are achieved, it can provide a major invisible advantage.
Many times, a Trainer's commands can't keep up with the rhythm of battle. For example, high-speed aerial combat, sudden ambushes from the opponent, or close-quarters clashes between Speed-type Pokémon.
In such cases, the Pokémon's ability to act on its own becomes incredibly important.
Having once walked through "darkness", Sato placed great emphasis on this type of training, especially for Zoroark, a master of illusion tactics, who had been drilled by Sato more than any other.
So when Volkner shouted "fight on your own!", Sato didn't feel tense at all; in fact, he was a little excited on Zoroark's behalf.
"Viree!"
At that moment, Electivire also realized that its Trainer had fallen under the opponent's illusion. From here on, it would have to fight on its own.
The next moment, Electivire charged at Zoroark without hesitation, lightning surging in both fists, it was its most practiced move: Thunder Punch!
On the other side, Zoroark maintained the illusion at the most basic level, keeping Volkner from interfering with the fight.
Seeing Electivire charging in, Zoroark revealed a strange smile.
Then it turned and ran, circling the field using Agility.
"VIREEEEEE!"
Electivire shouted in frustration but knew it couldn't catch up. It had no choice but to stop and use electromagnetic waves to sense Zoroark's position.
Then, Zoroark moved…
Rushing toward Electivire with its claws now wrapped in pitch-black Dark-type energy.
Night Slash!
BOOOOOM~
A heavy collision rang out. Electivire, fully braced, firmly took the hit.
But in the next instant, Zoroark's eyes suddenly glowed dark purple, and a massive pressure swept over Electivire.
Extrasensory!
Zoroark never intended to finish the fight in one strike. It had secretly prepared a follow-up attack.
Extrasensory landed cleanly on Electivire, launching it into the air, then leaving it to freefall.
"E-Electi!"
Mid-fall, Electivire snapped back to awareness. Seeing the ground rushing up, it broke into a cold sweat.
But it immediately activated Magnet Rise, stabilizing itself just before impact.
At that moment, Zoroark had already finished charging, Night Daze was unleashed, crashing violently toward Electivire.
Seeing the attack coming again, Electivire had no choice but to hastily use Discharge. But it barely lasted two seconds before being shattered by the Night Daze.
Wracked by the pain of a Dark-type move, Electivire despairingly realized: without Volkner's commands, it truly… wasn't doing well.
To the audience watching the battle, ever since Volkner shouted "F-FIGHT ON YOUR OWN!", both Electivire and Zoroark had remained motionless on the field.
Yet even so, the sound of colliding moves and the two Pokémon roaring at each other echoed from time to time.
Everyone understood now… again: everything they were seeing was just illusion. Only the sounds reaching their ears… were real.
Once the Illusion tactic was exposed, Zoroark stopped hiding altogether, blatantly cutting off Volkner's vision, just to force Electivire into autonomous combat.
…But was Sato really that confident that Zoroark would win in a fully autonomous fight?
Then, the battlefield suddenly fell silent. The entire scene seemed to shatter like glass, pieces falling away wildly.
The illusion had been dispelled!
The real battlefield finally appeared before everyone…
Zoroark stood quietly off to the side, without any obvious injuries.
Electivire, on the other hand, lay collapsed on the opposite side. Its two thick tails drooped limply to the ground, completely motionless.
…Several seconds passed, and the referee still hadn't declared the match result.
Even Sato couldn't help but glance at him, only to hear the referee ask hesitantly, "Trainer Sato… has Zoroark's illusion been fully dispelled?"
"..."
"Zoro~"
Zoroark shot the clueless referee a sideways glance, then took two casual steps back to Sato's side.
Some of the closer spectators could even see the referee breathe a huge sigh of relief before finally making the official announcement: "Electivire has lost the ability to battle. Zoroark is the winner, which means the victor of this match is Yuga Sato from Shadownight Town!"
"Whoa…"
A wave of murmuring rippled through the audience. This was by far the most bewildering battle they had seen…
But their excitement was undiminished.
The power of Illusion had left a deep impression. So much so that not even Sato's pseudo-legendary Tyranitar could compare.
Not to mention Tyranitar's loss this time felt unfair. It hadn't even shown its full strength before being "knocked out", which led some to think… 'Maybe pseudo-legendaries weren't all that special.'
On the field, both Trainers recalled their Pokémon and walked toward the ruined center of the battlefield.
Right hands clasped.
Eyes locked.
Volkner gave a small, crooked smile. It wasn't pretty… but Sato could see the relief and release in his eyes.
"S-Sorry… for using Explosion on your Tyranitar."
Sato shook his head. Zoroark had already paid that back. He had given Tyranitar the answer it deserved. There was no need to dwell on it.
"Sato, make sure you win it all…
You beat us, the Twin Stars of Sinnoh!"
It seemed like every defeated Trainer wanted their opponent to go all the way. That way, at least they could say they lost to the champion and hold their heads high.
"I will." Sato said, his response unusually firm.
And with that, Sato advanced to the Top 8 of the Ace Tournament!
------
After both Trainers left the field, the next match began: Ryoko versus Will.
Sato's thoughts were complicated. He honestly didn't know who to root for.
Ryoko was someone he had once traveled with, while Will was the "vice-captain" of "The Braves Fight the Evil Dragon Adventure Team…" he had taken good care of Sato back on Mt. Silver.
'Do your best… both of you…' That was all Sato could think.
The battle started quickly. Will, the Psychic specialist, sent out Mr. Mime and Starmie.
One fast, one slow -one offensive, one defensive- the combination was extremely well-coordinated.
Ryoko, a League-born Trainer, boldly sent out the starter duo: Swampert and Sceptile.
In terms of typing, Ryoko had the advantage. Swampert was only weak to Grass, and Sceptile posed a solid threat to Starmie.
But even though both used Psychic-types, Will and Caitlin had completely different styles.
Power Swap, Guard Swap, Trick Room… a series of strange Psychic-type moves left Swampert and Sceptile utterly disoriented.
In the Double Battle, Ryoko was completely defeated!
"…"