Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Hydreigon shook its heads, attempting to steady itself.

The impact from Dragon Pulse had inflicted significant damage, but rather than retreating, it only fueled the dragon's ferocity.

"Raaaargh!"

The central head let out an ear-splitting roar as the entire body began to glow with a faint red hue.

Work Up!

As the original, Hydreigon couldn't afford to lose out to its mimic.

Under normal circumstances, most trainers would order their Pokémon to interrupt such a move immediately.

But Luo Yuan was no ordinary trainer.

Instead of attacking, he had Ditto, still transformed as Hydreigon, begin to dance midair.

Dragon Dance.

The shiny Hydreigon twirled gracefully, a mystical energy enveloping its entire body. Its speed surged, making its movements even sharper.

Now, both Pokémon were in the air, buffing themselves with no immediate confrontation.

At first glance, the scene appeared calm.

But even the least knowledgeable spectator could feel the tension brewing beneath the surface.

The two Hydreigon glared at each other, each preparing for the inevitable clash.

While both sides continued raising their stats, Jun grew visibly uneasy.

"This can't go on…"

Although the power-ups seemed balanced, Jun knew the situation was anything but.

Despite Ditto mimicking Hydreigon, it remained fundamentally weaker in terms of stamina.

By escalating the power of their attacks, the margin for error decreased, which actually worked in Ditto's favor given its inherent disadvantages.

Realizing this, Jun finally understood why Luo Yuan hadn't interrupted Hydreigon earlier.

The revelation gave him a newfound respect for Luo Yuan's ability to control the flow of battle, but he knew he had to act quickly.

"Hydreigon, Dragon Pulse!"

Boosted by Work Up, Hydreigon's attack power had grown significantly.

"Raaaargh!"

A terrifying beam of energy rippled from Hydreigon's central mouth, hurtling toward Ditto.

Luo Yuan barely needed to glance at it to know the attack would deal devastating damage.

If it connected, Ditto would be down for the count.

But Luo Yuan remained calm.

By this point, Ditto's Dragon Dance buffs had pushed its speed to a new level.

With a single beat of its wings, Ditto disappeared from sight.

Whoosh!

A sharp sound split the air as the beam passed harmlessly through empty space.

"Don't let it escape!" Jun shouted, his voice tight with urgency.

But Luo Yuan's psychic link allowed him to issue commands to Ditto instantaneously, akin to a seamless 5G connection.

In comparison, Jun's shouted instructions were akin to using a megaphone—clunky, slow, and prone to interference.

"Ditto, Boomburst!"

Luo Yuan's voice echoed through Ditto's mind.

The shiny Hydreigon let out a piercing, deafening roar.

The shockwaves rolled across the battlefield, enveloping Jun's Hydreigon in an overwhelming cacophony.

The sound waves not only inflicted damage but disrupted Jun's ability to command his Pokémon effectively.

Accustomed to relying on vocal cues, Jun suddenly found himself without a way to guide his Hydreigon.

"Roar!"

Jun's Hydreigon growled in frustration, attempting to react on its own.

Meanwhile, the commentator's voice cut through the din.

"Luo Yuan's Ditto has employed a sound-based strategy, severing the connection between Jun and his Hydreigon! This is a remarkable tactic, and once again, we see Luo Yuan's Pokémon executing commands flawlessly. How does he do it?"

The audience buzzed with curiosity, captivated by Luo Yuan's ability to dominate the battlefield.

Even Giovanni, watching from the sidelines, observed the match with a faint smile.

Unlike the audience, Giovanni knew the secret: Luo Yuan's psychic abilities allowed him to synchronize perfectly with his Pokémon.

In Pokémon battles, tactics extended beyond raw power or type advantages.

They involved reading opponents, adapting strategies, and leveraging every available resource—even psychological warfare.

As a former Rocket, Luo Yuan excelled in this regard.

Victory seemed inevitable.

"Giovanni, you seem to be in a good mood," Professor Oak remarked, noticing the faint smile on Giovanni's face.

Oak's comment drew the attention of everyone around them, including the Elite Four members.

Giovanni's expression stiffened slightly.

Can't a guy smile without being interrogated? he thought irritably.

Still, his composure remained intact as he gestured toward the battlefield.

"The match is about to end."

The battle raged on, with Ditto's Boomburst sapping Hydreigon's strength minute by minute.

The noise overwhelmed the three-headed dragon, leaving it disoriented and struggling to stay airborne.

Sensing Hydreigon's frustration, Ditto seized the opportunity.

"Ditto, finish this."

First, it unleashed a Dragon Breath, locking Hydreigon into position.

Then, golden energy radiated from Ditto-Hydreigon's body, forming the silhouette of a massive dragon.

Outrage.

With breathtaking speed, Ditto-Hydreigon soared upward before folding its wings and diving straight down.

The energy surrounding it intensified, creating a glowing streak across the sky.

Boom!

The impact was earth-shaking.

The collision sent shockwaves rippling through the air as the immense energy transferred from Ditto to Hydreigon in a devastating blow.

Caught off guard, Hydreigon hurtled toward the ground like a meteor.

Crash!

The dragon's massive body slammed into the arena floor, sending tremors through the battlefield.

Hovering above, Ditto-Hydreigon flapped its wings, gazing down at its fallen foe.

A gust of wind cleared the dust, revealing Hydreigon lying unconscious in the center of the crater.

"Hydreigon is unable to battle. Ditto wins!" the referee declared.