Along the way, Ash had given Misty so many surprises and shocks that she almost forgot Ash was just a newbie Trainer.
Newbie Trainers, let alone perform like Ash, most of them during Gym battles are unaware of type matchups, don't know how to switch Pokemon, and are even more clueless about inflicting status effects. They just attack relentlessly; if the damage is enough, they win, if not, they lose.
In contrast, Ash appeared more like a mature, experienced Trainer. Misty could even see the shadow of a top Trainer in him.
Yet, Ash's current performance showed his newbie side, leaving Misty confused about whether Ash truly knew how to battle or not.
On the field—
Ash watched as Butterfree narrowly dodged the Rock Slide, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Brock also said with surprise, "To be able to dodge Rock Slide in such a situation, it seems your Butterfree has quite the impressive speed and reflexes. But the situation hasn't changed; what can Butterfree do with its Sleep Powder sealed?"
As Brock mentioned, without being able to use Sleep Powder, neither Bug Type nor Flying Type moves can significantly harm Onix.
Now Ash either needs to send out Pikachu and find a way to defeat Onix with Aura Sphere or devise a plan to stall until the Sandstorm ends, after which the slowed Onix will surely be unable to avoid Sleep Powder.
But the problem is, Brock will never let Ash stall for time; if Butterfree gets hit just once by one of Onix's moves, it's all over.
However, when Brock turned his gaze to Ash, he noticed that Ash showed no signs of dismay but was instead full of fighting spirit.
'With Sleep Powder sealed, at a level disadvantage, and with unfavorable attributes that can't deal much damage, he's still not losing spirit? Could it be that he has some secret technique?' Brock thought with a slight frown, ready to command Onix to go on the offensive.
"Butterfree, use Supersonic!" Ash's voice rang out, and invisible waves began to emanate from Butterfree.
Brock was stunned for a moment before his facial expression changed dramatically.
The move Supersonic has low accuracy, but if it hits, it causes a very annoying status effect—Confusion!
In a confused state, a Pokemon finds it difficult not only to hear the Trainer's commands but may also attack itself even if it hears them!
First Sleep Powder, then String Shot, and now Supersonic; what is this filthy Butterfree with so many annoying moves?
"Onix, quickly use Dig to avoid it!"
No matter the move, if it can't lock onto the Pokemon, it won't hit. The accuracy of Supersonic is actually very low because the range isn't broad, even if it's a skill that's hard to see, you just need to be cautious to avoid it.
But Brock had already detected Ash's Butterfree's Ability—Compound Eyes!
Under the effect of Compound Eyes, Supersonic's accuracy would increase significantly, so avoiding it with Dig was the best choice.
After receiving the command, Onix thrust its head into the ground, creating a hole with its impact, and then started burrowing in.
However, Onix's digging speed was slower than Brock had imagined.
"No, normally Onix wouldn't dig so slowly... It's because of the String Shot!" Brock suddenly noticed the silken threads clinging in the gaps of Onix's rocky body as it twisted.
Even though Butterfree's String Shot had been shaken off by Onix, the lingering threads still impeded its movements, especially with Onix's body having so many gaps. The sticky threads made the already slow Onix even slower.
So even digging during the Sandstorm was much slower than Brock expected.
"This is bad..." Seeing Onix's slow digging, Brock already sensed trouble.
At this speed, and with its body facing backward, it was bound to be hit by the opponent's Supersonic!
Sure enough, Supersonic hit the half-buried Onix precisely.
Onix, which had been digging, halted and then, as if going berserk, emerged from the hole and thrashed around wildly on the rocky field, like its brain was enduring some excruciating ordeal.
"Well done, Butterfree, return!" Seeing Supersonic hit, Ash didn't waste the confusion time and recalled Butterfree, turning his gaze to Pikachu: "I'm counting on you again, Pikachu!"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu leaped onto the field, and upon arrival, his eyes turned blue—Aura Fusion state.
For Pikachu to unleash Aura Sphere, he needed to enter this state. But with increased usage, Pikachu had grown more adept at wielding this power.
"Let's go, Pikachu, use Aura Sphere!" Ash once again mimicked the same posture as Pikachu.
Brock quickly shouted to Onix, "Onix, calm down quickly!"
However, Onix completely ignored Brock, continuing its frantic struggle on the battlefield.
The effects of confusion aren't easy to dispel; only with extreme luck could one seize a moment of clarity and hear the Trainer's command.
But now, Brock's luck was as bleak as his expression—utterly black.
Seconds later, a rounded Aura Sphere formed in Pikachu's hands, which he then launched forcefully!
"Whoosh~"
"Boom!!"
The Aura Sphere pierced through the Sandstorm, hitting the struggling Onix directly!
A loud rumble echoed across the field, sending shockwaves that scattered sand and stones beyond the arena.
Brock grit his teeth, clenching his fists, his expression grim.
He had fallen for it again!
First came Hypnosis, then Confusion. How could a newbie Trainer wield a Pokemon with so many troublesome moves?
However, there was still a chance to turn the tables. Fighting Type moves indeed have an advantage over Onix, but in the Sandstorm, Onix's Special Defense increases. One attack can be endured, and seizing this chance to retaliate is essential.
"Onix, use Rock Slide!!" Brock shouted with all his strength—this was the last chance. If this Rock Slide failed and Onix remained confused, Pikachu would surely finish it off.
In the explosion, Onix seemed to hear its Trainer's words, forming rocks all around it.
In the instant the smoke cleared, the rocks had already taken shape beside Onix!
The next moment, the rocks shot forward, and to Ash's astonishment... they hit Onix itself!
Self-destruction?