"It's true that it's a Pokémon specializing in Psychic-type attacks. Even at A+ power, it only managed to deal double damage to you. For an average Pokémon, that would've easily been triple the damage."
Ralts and Murkrow were roughly equal in level. Under normal circumstances, a basic Psychic-type move wouldn't inflict any meaningful damage on a Dark-type like Murkrow. But if Ralts were already at a Gym Leader level, or even Champion tier, the story would be very different.
Even with clear type advantages or disadvantages, level difference remains critical. Champion-level strength and Elite-level strength are worlds apart. Even a pure Dark-type will still take damage from a Psychic attack when the opponent's power vastly surpasses its own.
Dark-types simply resist Psychic techniques far better than others. When levels differ greatly, Psychic-type damage on Dark-types can drop to half or even less—classic attribute suppression.
"Go! Poké Ball!"
Even though Ralts only dealt double damage this time, combined with earlier wear-and-tear, Murkrow's stamina had finally reached the perfect point for capture.
Ding!—Ding!—Ding!
The Poké Ball shook repeatedly before stopping with a crisp ding. Ash officially captured Murkrow.
"Ralts, great job today. Go rest inside your Poké Ball."
After retrieving Murkrow's ball, Ash turned to the panting Ralts before returning it to its Poké Ball as well.
"I really didn't expect your released psychic aura to inflict damage on an opponent of the same level."
After the battle ended, Sabrina finally regained her composure.
Ash nodded. "It's actually easy to understand. When psychic power is released externally, it takes physical form. If others can see it, that means it has genuinely manifested. Once it manifests, it can naturally create physical impact."
"But there are drawbacks," he continued. "Releasing psychic power requires extreme mental control. Once manifested, it loses the surprise element of invisible Psychic-type moves. Since the opponent can see it, they can dodge it."
"And even when manifested, it's still fundamentally psychic energy. For opponents who resist it, the damage is still low—often half its original power. That's why it isn't a common technique."
Sabrina listened carefully as Ash explained the strengths and weaknesses of psychic manifestation. To be honest, mastering psychic control was incredibly difficult. Even now, Sabrina herself couldn't fully manifest psychic power.
Ash could only do it because of his Sharingan. As for Ralts, Ash had trained its mental control since it hatched. Otherwise, psychic release would have been impossible for years.
After capturing Murkrow, Ash and Sabrina traveled to a wide grassy field outside the next city. He planned to train his Pokémon here.
"Murkrow, I'll be counting on you."
Ash gently patted the small crow's head. He was very satisfied with this new partner.
"Kwaa~!" Murkrow chirped, delighted. Following a strong Trainer was a blessing for any Pokémon—and Ash never lacked resources. His Pokémon could always be raised to their full potential.
"Training them is fine, but none of my current methods fit all three of them…"
Ash sighed as he looked at his small team.
Murkrow could undergo aerial combat drills.
Ralts needed psychic control training.
But Eevee… Eevee was the problem.
Eevee's evolution path was still undecided. Ash originally wanted to evolve it into an Espeon, but now that he had Ralts, that plan was discarded.
"The jutsu of—Shadow Clone Technique."
Ash formed the hand seals, creating two clones. Sabrina blinked, shocked.
"Ash, what are you doing? Why are there two of you?!"
Ash grinned confidently.
[Shadow Clone Technique Activated]
"This is one of my abilities. The Shadow Clone Technique lets me create multiple copies of myself, each with about thirty percent of my real strength."
Ash explained calmly. He didn't use Shadow Clones often, so Sabrina naturally hadn't seen much of it.
"I'm warning you now—don't let your clones touch me. Otherwise, I won't be responsible for what I do."
Sabrina eyed Ash's clones warily, her expression sharp.
Ash sighed. "Relax. I have no desire to betray myself with my own clone. Besides, my Shadow Clones are completely obedient. You don't need to worry."
One of the clones stepped forward.
"Original body, I'll take Ralts for training first."
"And I'll handle Murkrow," the other clone added before heading off.
The two clones each chose a Pokémon and moved to separate corners of the field to begin their drills.
Ralts' training focused heavily on mental fortitude. Under Ash's instructions, the clone repeatedly cast illusions at Ralts. Over time, resistance toward these illusions would naturally improve, and so would its psychic capacity.
Murkrow's training was simpler—aerial drills, much like how one would train a vulture: controlled dives, flight endurance, and precision maneuvers.
But the real problem was Eevee.
"Sabrina… which evolution do you think would suit my Eevee best?"
While Ralts and Murkrow were busy with their exercises, Ash turned to her. Eevee stared up at Sabrina with big watery eyes, clearly hoping for guidance.
Eevee desperately wanted to grow stronger. Ever since Ash caught it in Kanto, it had made progress—but compared to partners like Charizard, it still felt far behind.
Ash noticed Eevee's posture and gently patted its head.