"Use Withdraw, then Rollout in place to counter Horn Drill's force," Red commanded calmly.
Omastar retreated completely into its shell for maximum protection, significantly boosting its defensive capabilities. With already excellent physical defense combined with its Shell Armor ability, Seaking's Horn Drill couldn't achieve any meaningful effect.
The curled-up Omastar spun frantically in place, using the hard spikes on its shell to deflect Seaking's drilling horn, transforming defense into offense and neutralizing the attack entirely.
"Remarkable battle tactics from Lord Red! He turned danger into opportunity in mere seconds, converting a disadvantage into an advantage. I give Lord Red the highest praise for his tactical genius!" The announcer shouted with unbridled excitement.
The audience erupted, hoisting Red's fan signs high and cheering thunderously.
Seeing Naoto's shocked expression, Red explained calmly, "I don't believe in passive defense. Active offense is my battle philosophy. Be careful, Naoto."
During Naoto's brief moment of distraction, Red issued another command.
"Omastar, extend your tentacles and bind Seaking."
Emerging from its shell, Omastar immediately stretched its multiple tentacles, executing Bind on Seaking's vulnerable position.
Omastar skillfully used its appendages to restrict Seaking's mobility completely, ignoring the Water-type's desperate thrashing.
The more Seaking struggled, the tighter Omastar constricted, until Seaking finally resigned itself to stillness, narrowly avoiding unconsciousness from the crushing pressure.
"There's no escape now," Naoto murmured, already recognizing Seaking's inevitable fate.
"Stone Edge at close range."
Sharp stone blades materialized around Omastar once more, striking every vulnerable point on Seaking's restrained body.
After the devastating barrage concluded, Omastar hurled Seaking forcefully onto the opposite platform.
The impact reverberated throughout the arena as Seaking collapsed with its eyes rolled back, completely unable to continue.
"Seaking is unable to battle."
The referee habitually raised the red flag, announcing the round's result.
Honestly, the referee rather enjoyed officiating Red's matches—they concluded quickly, allowing him to rest sooner. A disguised benefit of the job.
"Truly impressive, Lord Red. My Seaking couldn't land a single significant attack," Naoto sighed, recalling his fainted partner.
Then he forcefully threw another Poké Ball with renewed determination. "I'm counting on you, Lapras!"
Lapras materialized with its distinctive gray shell, immediately swimming joyfully across the Water venue's surface, clearly delighted by the aquatic battlefield.
"Contestant Naoto has deployed the Water- and Ice-type Lapras! What exceptional strength will this elegant Pokémon display? Let's find out!" the announcer declared.
After the battle bell rang, Red and Naoto simultaneously commanded Water Gun.
Omastar released several Water Guns from multiple tentacles, converging them into a single massive water column.
Lapras opened its mouth wide, spraying a violent torrent to meet the approaching assault head-on.
After a brief contest, Lapras was overpowered first, struck directly by the overwhelming water column.
Yet neither Naoto nor Lapras reacted to the impact, as if Omastar's Water Gun couldn't inflict any damage whatsoever.
As expected... this Lapras has the Water Absorb ability, Red thought, instantly analyzing the situation.
Seeing Lapras display a satisfied smile, Red confirmed his hypothesis.
"I can't hide anything from Lord Red. This Lapras is my trump card, specifically designed to counter Water-type opponents," Naoto acknowledged modestly.
But that won't help much against Omastar.
Although Water-type moves were now ineffective against Lapras, the Transport Pokémon also possessed Ice typing—meaning Rock-type moves would deal double super-effective damage.
Rock-type moves happened to be one of Omastar's specialties. A Lapras with Water Absorb actually posed minimal threat.
Naoto clearly realized this too, quickly issuing an offensive command.
"Lapras, use Water Pulse!"
Water rapidly coalesced around Lapras's mouth, forming a sphere crackling with vibrational energy.
Lapras launched the Water Pulse from its jaws, sending it hurtling toward Omastar.
"Omastar, Rock Blast," Red stated calmly.
Omastar extended multiple tentacles, creating hardened rocks and launching them forward to intercept the incoming Water Pulse.
After firing two consecutive Rock Blasts, Lapras's Water Pulse finally dissolved into useless streams, cascading back into the venue's pool.
But Omastar's Rock Blast offensive hadn't concluded. It fired two additional hardened projectiles that struck Lapras's body directly, dealing excellent double super-effective damage.
Due to the doubled effectiveness, Lapras began panting heavily, its stamina clearly affected.
As a predator, Omastar had no intention of allowing Lapras any respite. It immediately executed Stone Edge, manipulating razor-sharp stone blades toward the vulnerable Lapras.
"Omastar, truly a predator from prehistoric times, refuses to give its prey any breathing room. It plans to eliminate this threat immediately. The killing intent it radiates made even me shudder involuntarily," the announcer observed with renewed admiration for Red, who could tame such a terrifying, carnivorous, ancient Pokémon so effectively.
If someone offered Omastar to the announcer, he wouldn't accept even under threat of violence. He feared becoming the ancient Pokémon's meal within days.
"Lapras, quickly use Ice Beam to freeze those Stone Edges!" Naoto commanded urgently, desperate to prevent further devastating damage.
Lapras opened its mouth and released frigid air. The Ice Beam completely froze the incoming Stone Edge projectiles mid-flight, transforming them into ice sculptures that plummeted harmlessly to the pool's bottom.