Chapter 152: Battling Sabrina – Hypno’s Power

"It's Ash! Ash, come on! You have to win!"

In the stands, Misty stood up abruptly as soon as Ash entered the battle hall and stepped onto the battlefield. Her voice echoed through the vast space, breaking the eerie silence. Although Sabrina's reputation sent chills down her spine, seeing Ash standing there with unwavering determination helped Misty overcome her fear. She clenched her fists and shouted louder.

Misty's voice caught everyone's attention. The trainers in the waiting area, who had been whispering nervously among themselves, turned to her in shock. Few people had the courage to raise their voices in this gym, let alone challenge Sabrina's authority with such enthusiasm.

Sabrina's cold eyes shifted toward Misty, her expression as unreadable as ever. For a moment, a ripple of curiosity flashed in her gaze, but she made no move to attack or react aggressively. Instead, she turned her attention back to Ash, now standing before her on the battlefield.

Unlike the others who came before him, this boy's eyes remained calm—completely devoid of fear. Sabrina observed him with great interest. It was rare for challengers to look at her this way. The only other person who had ever been unshaken by her presence was Agatha of the Elite Four, a woman who had once stood in her way and challenged her strength.

"Interesting..." Sabrina murmured softly, stepping forward from her seat toward the battlefield.

The referee, dressed in a standard gym uniform, glanced between Ash and Sabrina before raising his hand to announce the start of the match.

"This will be a three-on-three Gym Battle between the challenger Ash and Gym Leader Sabrina. The challenger may switch Pokémon at any time, but the battle will end when all Pokémon on either side are unable to continue."

With that, the battle was officially underway.

Sabrina did not move a muscle. Instead, a Poké Ball floated out from behind her, surrounded by a faint purple glow. The ball snapped open mid-air, releasing a bright beam of light that materialized into a humanoid Pokémon with yellow skin, a bushy white mane around its neck, and a pendulum in its hand.

"Hypno!"

Ash narrowed his eyes. Hypno was a Psychic-type Pokémon known for its strong hypnotic abilities and mind-altering powers.

Hypno

Type: Psychic

Category: Hypnosis Pokémon

Ability: Insomnia or Forewarn (Hidden Ability: Inner Focus)

Strength: Elite-level

"Forewarn..." Ash muttered under his breath. If Hypno has this ability, it will know the strongest move my Pokémon have.

His first instinct was to send Pikachu into battle, but he hesitated. Hypno was powerful, but Ash doubted it was Sabrina's strongest Pokémon. It wouldn't be wise to reveal his trump card right away. He needed to test the waters first.

"Wartortle, I choose you!"

Ash threw a Poké Ball into the air, and in a flash of white light, Wartortle appeared on the battlefield.

"Wartortle!" The Water-type Pokémon landed firmly, its sharp eyes locking onto Hypno.

"Pikachu, Pika!" Pikachu cheered from the sidelines, trying to encourage its teammate.

As soon as Wartortle entered the battle, Hypno's Forewarn ability activated. Its eyes gleamed with a strange glow, flickering between shades of blue and purple. A second later, Hypno nodded slightly, as if it had just gained some hidden knowledge. Sabrina, linked to Hypno through her psychic abilities, instantly became aware of Wartortle's strongest move—Water Pulse.

In the stands, Misty and Brock watched anxiously.

"I hope Ash has a plan," Brock muttered. "Sabrina's control over her Pokémon is beyond anything we've seen before."

Misty bit her lip. "Ash always finds a way. He won't lose."

The referee raised his hand once more.

"Let the battle begin!"

Ash took the first move. "Wartortle, use Water Gun!"

"Wartortle!" Wartortle took a deep breath and shot a thin, high-pressure stream of water at Hypno. The attack moved quickly, cutting through the air in seconds.

Yet, just before the Water Gun could land, Hypno's body pulsed with a pink glow.

Psychic power activated.

The stream of water froze midair, held in place by Hypno's Confusion. Then, with a mere flick of its pendulum, Hypno redirected the attack, sending it hurling straight back at Wartortle!

"Dodge it!" Ash commanded.

Wartortle leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding its own Water Gun.

Ash clenched his fists. Hypno hadn't even waited for an order—Sabrina must have been controlling it with her telepathic abilities. Unlike normal trainers who shouted commands, she could communicate directly with her Pokémon through her mind.

"No wonder her battles seem so effortless," Ash murmured.

Sabrina watched quietly, a small smirk forming at the corner of her lips. "Is this all you have?"

Ash wasn't deterred. He needed to break through Hypno's control.

"Wartortle, use Water Pulse!"

Wartortle quickly formed a swirling ball of water in its hands and hurled it at Hypno. The attack shot forward like a cannonball.

At the same moment, Hypno's Confusion took hold of the redirected Water Gun, twisting it back around in another attack against Wartortle.

The two moves collided—Hypno's redirected Water Gun struck Wartortle in the chest, knocking it backward, while Water Pulse crashed into Hypno, sending it skidding across the battlefield.

Sabrina's cold eyes flickered slightly. "Hmph... I underestimated you."

Ash smirked. "You won't get off that easily."

The battlefield fell silent for a moment. Both Pokémon were still standing, but the fight was far from over.

Wartortle adjusted its stance, ready for the next attack, while Hypno straightened up, its pendulum swaying hypnotically.

Ash's mind raced. Hypno is tricky, but it's not invincible. If I can find the right opening...

The battle had only just begun.

To be continued...