The next morning, Sam got up early.
He knew that today's match would be Karen versus Naoko.
Although the result had nothing to do with him directly, Sam still decided to watch the battle. That way, no matter which of them he encountered later in the Masters Tournament, he would have a better understanding of their strengths.
The arena was already packed with spectators.
Today, the second qualification spot for the Masters Tournament would be decided.
Karen stepped onto the battlefield and immediately summoned her Pokémon.
Pokémon: Murkrow
Type: Dark
Category: Darkness Pokémon
Ability: Insomnia
Hidden Ability: Prankster
Strength: Champion Beginner Level
Pokémon: Gengar
Type: Ghost/Poison
Ability: Cursed Body
Hidden Ability: None
Strength: Champion Beginner Level
Pokémon: Umbreon
Type: Dark
Category: Moonlight Pokémon
Ability: Synchronize
Hidden Ability: Psychic Power
Strength: Champion Beginner Level
Naoko then summoned her own Pokémon.
Pokémon: Flareon
Type: Fire
Category: Flame Pokémon
Ability: Flash Fire
Hidden Ability: Guts
Strength: Champion Beginner Level
Pokémon: Espeon
Type: Psychic
Category: Sun Pokémon
Ability: Synchronize
Hidden Ability: Magic Bounce
Strength: Champion Mid Level
Pokémon: Umbreon
Type: Dark
Category: Moonlight Pokémon
Ability: Synchronize
Hidden Ability: Psychic Power
Strength: Champion Beginner Level
Both sides had an Umbreon of equal strength.
That alone made the battle extremely interesting.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Karen looked at Naoko and smiled.
"You have no chance of winning."
Naoko, dressed in a kimono, returned a bright smile.
"Whether I can win or not, we'll only know when the battle is over."
Karen snorted and immediately launched the first attack.
Murkrow moved first.
Using Wing Attack, it charged directly at Flareon.
Its wings beat rapidly as it dove toward its target.
Flareon immediately unleashed Flamethrower, attempting to stop the assault.
However, Murkrow showed no intention of retreating.
The scorching flames rushed toward Murkrow—
—but were blocked before they could reach it.
The flames dissipated one after another as Murkrow continued charging forward.
It was Gengar's Reflect.
This was the true value of three-Pokémon battles.
The Pokémon supported one another.
Murkrow possessed tremendous offensive power but lacked defensive capability.
Gengar's support perfectly compensated for that weakness.
Just as Murkrow was about to strike Flareon, a smooth mirror suddenly appeared in front of Flareon.
Murkrow slammed directly into it.
Its body was immediately bounced backward.
It was Espeon's Hidden Ability, Magic Bounce.
This mirror-like barrier could reflect incoming attacks, and thanks to Espeon's Hidden Ability, it was even stronger than an ordinary Reflect.
Since Murkrow had committed to a direct charge, it was instantly sent flying.
The next moment, Naoko's Umbreon appeared beside Murkrow.
Her plan was obvious.
As long as she could eliminate Murkrow—the most aggressive member of Karen's team—the battle would become much easier.
However, Karen was a member of the Elite Four for a reason.
Karen's Umbreon immediately intercepted the attack.
The two Dark-type Pokémon collided head-on.
Equal in type, equal in strength, and using similar techniques, they knocked each other backward.
Karen smiled in satisfaction.
"You've got some skill. I thought everyone here would be weak."
If those words had been directed at most people, they might have become angry and acted recklessly.
Naoko merely smiled.
She paid no attention to the provocation.
Instead, she calmly ordered Flareon to continue attacking.
Flareon activated Fire Fang.
Flames erupted around its body as it charged toward Murkrow.
At the same time, Espeon launched Psybeam.
Two powerful attacks converged on Murkrow.
Naoko's strategy was obvious.
Focus all firepower on Murkrow, the Pokémon with the weakest defenses.
However, with Gengar supporting the team, accomplishing that goal would not be easy.
Reflect appeared once again.
The incoming attacks were blocked before they could reach their target.
Karen smiled.
"It seems a long-range battle won't work against me."
Everyone knew that Psychic-type Pokémon excelled at ranged combat.
Furthermore, Naoko's Espeon had already reached the Champion Mid Level, making it the strongest long-range attacker on the battlefield.
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