"Actually, there's one way Milotic could learn Hypnosis—through egg moves passed down from its parents. Red's Milotic probably mastered Hypnosis during its Feebas stage," Gary analyzed thoughtfully, answering everyone's confusion.
The others nodded in understanding. Ash also nodded along, though he didn't really comprehend what happened—nodding seemed like the appropriate response anyway.
The Hail weather blanketing the Ice venue gradually dissipated, as if foreshadowing the sleeping Dewgong's inevitable fate.
"There's no hope now," Ryosuke admitted helplessly. Since he couldn't wake Dewgong no matter how desperately he shouted, he chose to accept defeat, no longer wasting his breath.
"Milotic, deliver the finishing blow—use Hydro Pump," Red stated calmly.
Milotic opened its mouth and violently discharged massive volumes of water. The torrent rapidly coalesced into a thick, pressurized column, striking Dewgong directly as it lay unconscious on the ice surface.
Hydro Pump's tremendous impact jolted Dewgong from its dream state. The agonized Sea Lion Pokémon clutched the wound on its chest, only to discover its entire body being propelled backward uncontrollably. In its panic, Dewgong crashed through the ice pillar behind it, becoming buried beneath cascading ice blocks from above.
Under the combined assault of two devastating impact forces, Dewgong finally collapsed on the ice surface with eyes rolled back, completely unable to continue battling.
"Dewgong is unable to battle!"
The referee raised the red flag high and announced the result.
"Lord Red's trained Milotic possesses truly extraordinary capabilities! It cleverly employed Hypnosis to incapacitate Dewgong, then decisively unleashed the devastating Hydro Pump for a knockout blow. What Pokémon will contestant Ryosuke deploy next to challenge Lord Red's Milotic? Let's find out!" the announcer proclaimed enthusiastically.
"You're every bit as formidable as the rumors suggest, Lord Red—the second-seed contestant. Your overwhelming strength makes this increasingly thrilling. I accept Dewgong's defeat completely, but my next Pokémon won't be so easily overcome!"
Ryosuke withdrew his Poké Ball to recall the fainted Dewgong before throwing another ball to release his next combatant.
"I'm counting on you, Jynx!"
White light burst forth, revealing Jynx wearing a flowing red dress that concealed its feet, complemented by white arms and purple hands.
Jynx possessed a distinctive purple face, vibrant pink lips, saucer-shaped eyes, and long flowing blonde hair—a humanoid Pokémon remarkably resembling a person.
"What Pokémon is that?" Ash asked, withdrawing his Pokédex to analyze Jynx's information. The device responded with its characteristic mechanical voice.
"Jynx, the Human Shape Pokémon. Type: Ice and Psychic. Although its vocalizations resemble human language, researchers have yet to decipher what exactly it's communicating."
"Contestant Ryosuke's second Pokémon is the rare Jynx! What special capabilities does this Jynx possess? Judging by Ryosuke's confident expression, Jynx clearly has mastered some mysterious ability to counter Milotic," the announcer speculated curiously.
Another hidden ability? This Ryosuke has exceptional luck, Red thought, observing Jynx's slightly parched exterior skin. He immediately deduced Jynx possessed the hidden ability Dry Skin.
Milotic regarded Jynx ahead with mild curiosity, but after noticing the Human Shape Pokémon's intense, unblinking stare, couldn't help but frown uncomfortably.
"Jynx, use Mean Look immediately!"
The instant the match bell rang, Ryosuke commanded first, fearing Red might recall Milotic and deploy a replacement Pokémon.
Before everyone's eyes, Jynx's gaze released an eerie black luminescence as it fixed Milotic with an unrelenting Mean Look, making the Tender Pokémon feel distinctly uncomfortable and vaguely sensing something amiss.
"Looks like switching Pokémon isn't an option now," Red observed calmly, displaying no tension whatsoever about the restrictive situation.
"Mean Look? The move doesn't seem to have any visible effect," Ash said, confused, prompting his companions to clarify.
"Mean Look is a Normal-type move that prevents the target from escaping. Pokémon affected by this status cannot be switched out. Importantly, Mean Look never misses," Leaf explained patiently.
Despite being unable to deploy its preferred Water-type attacks against Jynx effectively, Milotic's expression betrayed no panic. It remained as composed as Red behind it, as if Jynx's capabilities posed no significant threat.
During the brief tense standoff, the impatient Ryosuke decisively opted for proactive aggression.
"Jynx, use Powder Snow!"
Jynx slowly parted its lips, releasing frigid powder snow that drifted toward Milotic, attempting to freeze the Tender Pokémon in place.
"Dodge," Red commanded evenly.
Milotic refused to grant Jynx any advantage. It swung its powerful tail forcefully, striking the thick ice surface to harness the impact force and launch itself airborne. The leaping Milotic gazed down at Jynx below, effortlessly evading the incoming Powder Snow before gracefully landing on a nearby ice pillar, observing Jynx's next offensive maneuver.
"Jynx, continue with Powder Snow—sweep across the area!" Ryosuke commanded, attempting to maintain pressure.
"The same tactic won't succeed twice. Milotic, use Scald to neutralize the Powder Snow," Red stated confidently.
As Jynx opened its mouth to release the frigid Powder Snow assault, Milotic simultaneously parted its jaws, spraying scalding water directly at the incoming frozen attack.
The frigid Powder Snow melted upon contact with the boiling water, generating thick steam that obscured visibility within moments.
"The advantage returns to Lord Red once again! Who could have anticipated Lord Red's Milotic had mastered Scald, successfully countering Jynx's Powder Snow offensive!" the announcer declared.
"Jynx, evade quickly!" Ryosuke shouted anxiously, not expecting Milotic to possess Scald in its arsenal.
Witnessing the scalding water approaching rapidly, Jynx fearfully scrambled to dodge, terrified of being struck by the boiling liquid.
Although Jynx could theoretically absorb Water-type damage through its Dry Skin ability and convert it to stamina recovery, boiling water clearly presented far greater risks.
"Quite rational," Red observed with slight amusement.
Despite Scald being classified as a Water-type move, it carried a 30% probability of inflicting burn status on the target. Clearly, neither Ryosuke nor Jynx dared gamble on those odds—the potential consequences were simply too severe.