Splash~
Pssssssss…
Toxic began furiously corroding Primarina's body, and the intense pain made it furrow its brows tightly.
Yet the blue rippling Hyper Voice was actually strengthened by the stimulation.
In the next moment, Gengar was forced out of hiding by the Hyper Voice, retreating along the path of the spreading sound waves.
A Normal-type move like Hyper Voice had actually managed to deal direct damage to a Ghost-type Pokémon like Gengar!
Sato frowned, suddenly recalling that Primarina seemed to have another exclusive Hidden Ability…
Liquid Voice, which turns sound-based moves into Water-type!
Sound-based moves often covered a wide area and could even bypass Substitute to strike directly at a Pokémon's body.
And for Ghost-type Pokémon, a Water-type Hyper Voice was undoubtedly an excellent countermeasure against their invisibility.
In terms of typing, Gengar held a slight advantage with its Poison type, but Primarina could rely on its Hidden Ability to shut down a Ghost-type's crucial stealth tactics.
The first Pokémon sent out was often the result of silent strategic planning between Trainers.
At the very least, with its Fairy typing, Primarina wouldn't be at a disadvantage against the majority of Sato's Dark-type Pokémon.
And Sato choosing Gengar as his opener was clearly to guard against Siebold sending out a Pokémon that countered Dark types.
…He simply hadn't expected Primarina to also possess a trait that countered Ghost-types.
"Gengar, Venoshock."
"Primarina, Hydro Pump!"
For a Pokémon already afflicted by Poison, Venoshock posed a tremendous threat. But such a straightforward ranged attack was also easily blocked.
Without any hesitation, Siebold commanded Primarina to fire a Hydro Pump, blasting through the incoming Venoshock.
Thankfully, Gengar was agile enough; otherwise, it would've been hard to dodge the lingering force of that Hydro Pump.
Venoshock only dealt doubled damage when it hit a Poisoned target and interacted with the toxins already in their body. Otherwise, Venoshock was merely on par with Water Pulse, average in both impact and power.
Of course, neither Gengar nor Sato were in a hurry.
Toxic had already been inflicted, now stalling was the way to go. If Venoshock hit, great. If not, no big deal.
"Primarina, charge in and use Hyper Voice!"
Sure enough, Siebold began issuing close-range commands, ready to go all in on Gengar.
"Psychic, fall back as you fight!"
"Gen~"
Gengar sat cross-legged in the air, its golden eyes radiating a deep purple glow. Primarina's approach slowed clearly under the effects of Psychic.
Seizing the opportunity, Gengar had already widened the gap again!
"Priiii~"
Primarina resisted Gengar's Psychic, then turned its head and fired off a Water-type Hyper Voice toward the fleeing ghost.
Gengar weaved up and down through the air while Primarina twisted its neck, sending out clearly visible blue sound waves.
One was running, the other only needed to turn its neck; but under Psychic's pressure, even just turning its neck couldn't catch up.
"Primarina, Dazzling Gleam!"
Seeing that Gengar was still out of reach, Siebold decisively changed tactics.
Primarina instantly stopped its Hyper Voice, took two deep breaths, and then exhaled a giant pink bubble!
Pop~
With a crisp burst, Primarina unleashed Dazzling Gleam in an unusually creative fashion~
As the bright pink light exploded, Fairy-type energy spread out; so powerful that even Gengar, despite dodging at a distance, was still slightly affected.
"Gengar, fall back quickly!"
At that moment, Sato's voice suddenly came through. Without a second thought, Gengar immediately leapt backward while raising the long-withheld Spatial Barrier before itself.
Meanwhile, under the gaze of everyone present, Siebold crossed his hands over his chest, fingers spread wide as if about to perform an elaborate dance…
Next, a strange, note-shaped symbol appeared and shone brilliantly on the white Z-Ring worn around Siebold's left wrist.
Ignoring everyone's stunned expressions, Siebold spun in place once and then loudly chanted with solemn reverence.
"…Echoing voice of the waves, deliver the song of the boundless sea… Oceanic Operetta~♫[1]"
"PrIiiI~MaAaA~Riii~NaAaa~♫[2]"
As Primarina sang, a massive bubble nearly fifty meters wide began forming in midair. It shimmered with rainbow light and surged forward with the overwhelming force of a deep-sea tidal wave, crashing straight toward Gengar!
"GENGAR, BLOCK IT!"
Sato shouted loudly. Though the command wasn't specific, Gengar already understood his intent.
Golden energy burst violently from Gengar's eyes. Sitting cross-legged in midair, its normally mischievous grin began to twitch rapidly.
"Gen~Mo~ Gen~Ha Gen~Ta… Gen~Gar…"
The Bell Tower's "exclusive" inherited power: [Chant of the Sage]!
An unseen force began to spread outward from Gengar's body. As its chanting grew louder and faster, the golden light in its eyes shone ever more intensely.
Meanwhile, Primarina's exclusive Z-Move, Oceanic Operetta, slowed down… slower… and slower…
Until finally, it came to a complete halt in midair!
---◓---
From the outer ring of the battlefield, Mark tugged at Joseph's sleeve and asked blankly, "M-Mama Joseph, I don't get this battle at all… what are they even doing?"
"…"
Joseph pursed his lips and turned toward Fitzwilliam.
Fitzwilliam could feel the eyes of Joseph, Mark, and the others locking onto him.
He twitched the corner of his mouth, then silently turned to look at their captain, Drake.
'...'
"…Don't talk. Just watch quietly."
"Oh…"
Everyone turned back in disappointment, thinking, 'so even "Elite Four" Drake doesn't know what's going on…?'
"Elite Four" Drake: What can I do? I'm just as confused!
Siebold's move was the Z-Move Oceanic Operetta… that much Drake could understand. But… 'WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS SATO'S GENGAR DOING?
Laser Eyes?'
More than ten seconds later, both Gengar and Primarina began trembling uncontrollably, clearly unable to sustain such immense energy consumption any longer.
BOOOM!
At last, the gigantic rainbow bubble exploded in the sky. The terrifying energy, like crashing ocean waves, surged outward indiscriminately, striking both Pokémon at once.
Blinding blue light engulfed the entire battlefield, lasting more than ten seconds before it finally faded away.
The referee, standing atop Magnezone, flew over to both Pokémon and examined them briefly before quickly raising his flag.
"Primarina has lost the ability to battle. Gengar wins. Trainer Siebold, please send out your next Pokémon!"
As the referee announced the result, both sides of the spectators stood dumbfounded, completely unable to understand how the winner had been decided.
Even Siebold himself couldn't figure it out…
How could Gengar have remained conscious after enduring a Z-Move of such terrifying power?
But winners were winners. Siebold said nothing further, quietly recalling Primarina back into its Poké Ball.
Sato, however, knew the truth clearly…
The only reason Gengar hadn't fallen was that it had instinctively cast Spatial Barrier, which had absorbed most of the Z-Move's destructive force.
In the next moment, Siebold had already sent out his second Pokémon.
Kanto's starter…
Blastoise!
[1] Check "Ida and Primarina’s Oceanic Operetta" on YT
[2] Check "Lana and Primarina's Oceanic Operetta" on YT