Psybeam missed its target, while Annihilape kept weaving around the field. Within seconds, it had closed the distance to Alakazam, launching a powerful punch!
A shadowy black fist surged from Annihilape's hand, striking directly at Alakazam's face.
"Protect!" Annihilape's speed took Gary by surprise. This kind of speed isn't something a Professional Senior Level can typically achieve, but Gary had gotten somewhat used to the fact that Ash's Pokemon are particularly special.
Psybeam was just a feint move; he hadn't expected it to achieve much. Thus, as Annihilape counterattacked, Gary had already thought of his defensive measures.
Alakazam did not lower the spoons crossed in front of it but continued to channel energy. A verdant green barrier spread out in front of it!
"Bang!" Annihilape's Rage Fist collided with the barrier, and it was sent flying back. Such a close-combat attack hitting Protect is like a normal person punching indestructible steel—not only does it not harm the steel, but it also inflicts some recoil damage on oneself.
The onlookers widened their eyes at the sight of Annihilape using Rage Fist, because Ash had mentioned that mastering Rage Fist was key to Primeape's evolution!
Many even took out their cameras or Pokedexes, intending to record the scene so that, in the future, should they capture a Primeape, they could teach it based on the recording.
However, the power of Rage Fist seemed underwhelming. Even though the Protect barrier obscured its effect on Alakazam, some Trainers could estimate a move's damage level as it was executed.
If we categorize moves into Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Peak levels, then moves like Explosion and Hyper Beam are top-tier. Fire Blast and Flare Blitz are big ultimate moves at the Advanced level, and moves from Water Pulse to Surf are Intermediate skills.
Further down are Basic skills like Quick Attack.
The levels here only differentiate the damage of skills and don't account for special effects. Otherwise, a skill like Quick Attack wouldn't be considered Basic. Despite its low damage, its first-strike advantage and evasion utility, combined with its ease of learning, make it an undisputed divine skill!
Annihilape's Rage Fist is perhaps just slightly stronger than Quick Attack, indicating this Primeape-specific skill isn't quite up to par.
"Alakazam, Reflect!" As Annihilape was repelled, Gary didn't recklessly continue attacking and instead opted for wall defense.
The Reflect move halves the damage of physical attacks and can affect subsequent Pokemon, making it a very troublesome skill for Pokemon that rely on physical attacks.
On the other side, when Ash saw Primeape's Rage Fist being deflected, he wasn't overly concerned. If Gary couldn't even handle this move, he wouldn't be Gary.
"Annihilape, Phantom Force!" Before evolving, Annihilape had already inherited Gengar's true legacy. Don't be fooled by its recent evolution; it had already mastered many Ghost Type moves, including the divine-level Phantom Force!
Protect is ineffective against Phantom Force, although Reflect can reduce its damage.
As soon as Ash's words fell, Annihilape vanished into the ground, and Gary immediately tensed up, keeping a close watch on Alakazam's surroundings.
"Use meditation!" It's unclear where the opponent will strike from, and with no visible target on the field, enhancing one's strength is the best choice.
Alakazam closed its eyes and began to meditate. As its mind cleared, Alakazam's spiritual power increased, boosting its defense against Special Attacks.
The next moment, Annihilape suddenly appeared behind Alakazam, its Ghost Type energy-infused body slamming harshly into Alakazam!
"Bang!" Meditating Alakazam was sent flying, tumbling several times across the ground before finally coming to a stop.
Annihilape looked on, clearly stunned. Was its attack so weak? The Phantom Force only managed to knock the golden-furred fox less than ten meters away.
"Don't worry; it's the effect of Reflect. Continue using Rage Fist!" Ash guessed Annihilape's thoughts. Reflect was a move Annihilape had encountered for the first time. After all, when practicing with its own squad, they rarely used transformative moves and instead engaged in direct combat, occasionally seizing the opportunity to use Protect.
Therefore, it was normal for Annihilape not to understand Reflect's effect. What it needed to do now was relentlessly attack, not giving Alakazam any chance to breathe!
At Ash's words, Annihilape swiftly cast aside its confusion, thrusting its foot onto the ground and surging forward. Its shadowy figure streaked across the arena, and in the blink of an eye, it reached the fallen Alakazam, its fist launching fiercely!
"Protect!" Gary's voice rang out just in time. Alakazam, lying on its back, immediately raised its spoons, conjuring a vibrant green barrier in front of it.
"Bang!!" Once again, Rage Fist was blocked by Alakazam, but this time, Annihilape wasn't sent flying. Instead, it pressed its Rage Fist determinedly against the Protect barrier, seemingly trying to break through it.
"Trying to break Protect? That's interesting. If it were Ash's Pikachu, maybe, but in your case, that's laughable. Alakazam, use Psychic!" Gary sneered at Annihilape's audacity.
If Pikachu were here, I might call it Teacher Dapi, but who are you? Dream on if you think you can break through an equivalent level Protect!
"Brick Break!" Ash's command rang out almost simultaneously with Gary's. As Alakazam's eyes glowed blue, Annihilape's fist transformed into a palm, slashing fiercely downward!
"Bang!" The sound of shattering echoed, but it wasn't the Protect barrier breaking, it was Reflect!
The Brick Break move can shatter wall-type moves like Light Screen and Reflect, rendering Reflect ineffective without waiting for its duration to end.
Also, while using Brick Break, Alakazam's Protect faded away. When Protect is attacked, it stands firm in front of its user, dissolving only when the attack ceases.
Therefore, when Annihilape withdrew its punch, Protect vanished, and Brick Break could harm Alakazam!
"Bang!!" Without the Reflect's protection, Alakazam was struck in the chest, where its two spoons were clutched, and the spoons bent under the strike, sending Alakazam stumbling backward.
But Alakazam managed to use Psychic, hitting Primeape soundly. Psychic has two attack modes: one controls the target with a large amount of energy, then continuously channels psychic power inside, causing damage.
The other mode bombards the target with immense spiritual power, ignoring control effects to deal massive damage.
And Alakazam used the second mode!
The formidable power injected into Annihilape caused severe damage, and both were flung backward almost simultaneously, skidding dozens of meters before stopping in front of their respective Trainers.
"Alakazam, are you alright?"
"Annihilape, can you still go on?"
With encouragement from both Gary and Ash, Annihilape and Alakazam struggled to their feet. That Brick Break had only dealt half its usual damage to Alakazam since it was a Fighting Type move, while Alakazam's Psychic was highly effective against Annihilape. Moreover, Alakazam had meditated once, so Annihilape was clearly more injured.