"Lucky~!"
"Roarrrr~!"
Facing the sliding Machamp charging straight toward them and the Blastoise firing Water Guns from the shoulder cannons mounted on its shell, Gyarados and Chansey reacted immediately after receiving their trainers' commands.
...
"Blastoise!"
"Cover Machamp's advance!"
"Use Withdraw and then Rapid Spin!"
Refusing to give up, Daizumi immediately adjusted tactics.
"Hideo!"
"Continue the assault!"
"Machamp, use Revenge and charge again!"
The move Revenge was a fascinating choice.
After taking damage, the move allowed the user to retaliate with double power on the next turn.
It was essentially the same defensive-counterattack concept Ash had designed for Gyarados.
More importantly, the timing was excellent.
If Gyarados chose not to attack, Machamp would successfully close the distance.
But if Gyarados attacked again, it would trigger a devastating double-powered Revenge.
Either way, Gyarados seemed trapped in a dilemma.
Advance or retreat.
Attack or defend.
Neither option appeared ideal.
But battle rarely left time for prolonged thinking.
Victory often depended on a trainer's instincts, experience, and ability to improvise.
Fortunately, Ash excelled in all three.
What looked like an impossible dilemma to most people revealed a third path in his eyes almost instantly.
"Valor, don't rush."
"Wait until it gets closer."
Ash calmly nodded toward Gyarados.
"Roar..."
Gyarados understood immediately.