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"This wasn't part of our original plan. It's just what those dim-witted Grimer assumed was happening. But it seems the effect has been even better than expected. We should definitely ask that guy for a bonus!" Cassidy smirked with satisfaction.
The truth was that the Grimer attacking the city streets had never been part of Cassidy and Butch's strategy at all. Everything had been a complete coincidence, but this unexpected development actually worked in Honda's favor, providing an unintentional boost to his agenda.
"You're the ones who injured Electabuzz too, aren't you?" Misty demanded after witnessing the scene before them.
"Indeed we are. We were quite surprised to find this Pokemon in a place like this," both Team Rocket members nodded slightly, making no attempt to deny their involvement.
Ash glanced at Electabuzz thoughtfully. The Electric-type's presence here was indeed puzzling. This kind of damp, underground environment was exactly what Grimer preferred, but it was clearly not a place where Electabuzz would choose to be. There had to be a specific reason for it to venture into such hostile territory, though now wasn't the time to investigate further.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash wasted no time launching his attack. Upon hearing the command, Pikachu immediately released a powerful bolt of electricity.
"Solrock, use Light Screen!" Cassidy responded quickly to the threat. Solrock spread its arms wide and pushed forward, instantly creating a transparent barrier of psychic energy.
The moment Thunderbolt struck the Light Screen, it exploded with tremendous force. The deafening blast echoed through the sewer tunnel as thick smoke filled the air. Through the haze, a figure could be seen rushing forward.
"Raticate, use Super Fang!" Butch called out his command.
A large Raticate burst from the smoke, its massive front teeth gleaming with bright light as it charged directly toward Pikachu with its jaws wide open.
"Geodude, use Mega Punch!" Brock joined the battle, throwing his Poke Ball. Geodude materialized instantly and swung its rocky fist with tremendous force.
BOOM!
The powerful punch sent Raticate flying backward, where it landed beside Solrock. Both Team Rocket Pokemon glared menacingly at their opponents.
"You won't succeed this time!" Misty declared firmly, her confidence bolstered by their numerical advantage.
The Grimer that had gathered around them formed a protective circle, supporting Ash and his friends. For a moment, Cassidy and Butch found themselves completely surrounded, with the situation appearing overwhelmingly against them.
However, unlike the bumbling Jessie and James, these Team Rocket operatives seemed completely unfazed by their predicament.
"It's far too early to celebrate! Solrock!" Cassidy sneered confidently, then gave her partner a knowing look.
Solrock's eyes began to glow with an intense light, and suddenly a powerful psychic field expanded outward from its body. The Grimer surrounding them were immediately caught within this magnetic influence. As Solrock's mental invasion took hold, several of the Grimer's eyes became vacant and lifeless.
"Now's our chance!" Butch shouted triumphantly.
The hypnotized Grimer turned around to face their former allies, including those Grimer still unaffected by the psychic attack, as well as Ash and his companions.
"What's happening?!" Misty exclaimed in shock and confusion.
"They've been hypnotized!" Ash immediately recognized the problem. Solrock was using Hypnosis to control the Poison-type Pokemon.
Although Solrock possessed the ability to control opponents through hypnosis, its power had obvious limitations. It couldn't control every Grimer simultaneously, and it was unable to affect Ash and Pikachu, whose mental fortitude proved too strong. However, by controlling the majority of the Grimer, Team Rocket had managed to reverse their disadvantage in one decisive move.
"Grimer, grimer!"
The hypnotized Grimer immediately launched their attack. A coordinated Sludge offensive erupted from multiple directions, with countless mud projectiles flying toward everyone in an overwhelming barrage.
The sheer scope and intensity of the assault left everyone stunned. The range and number of attacks were simply too vast, and the continuous nature of the bombardment meant that conventional defensive moves wouldn't be sufficient to block everything.
"Electa-buzz!"
But at that critical moment, Electabuzz, who had been leaning on Ash for support, suddenly broke free and rushed forward. Opening its arms wide, the Electric-type began to glow with radiant energy before forming a semicircular green protective barrier that enveloped everyone inside.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Electabuzz used Protect to shield them from the relentless mud attacks coming from all directions. The constant sound of impacts filled the air as Electabuzz gritted its teeth, struggling to maintain the defensive barrier.
Its injuries hadn't healed from the previous battle, and its stamina had been nearly depleted from the recent fighting. The brave Pokemon was operating purely on willpower at this point.
Ash's expression grew concerned as he watched Electabuzz's struggle. This couldn't continue much longer. Misty and Brock shared his worry as they witnessed the Electric-type's deteriorating condition.
"Don't push yourself so hard!" Ash called out to Electabuzz, his voice filled with genuine concern.
In its current state, there wasn't much the injured Pokemon could realistically accomplish, but given their desperate situation, Ash couldn't think of a better solution. With so many Grimer under enemy control, launching continuous attacks without pause, there was no opportunity to mount a counteroffensive.
Once Electabuzz's energy was completely exhausted, attacks would rain down from every direction, making evasion impossible. Even if Electabuzz's physical strength could somehow endure, it was questionable whether the protective barrier could withstand such an intense and sustained assault.
"Electa... buzz!"
Electabuzz continued to grit its teeth and hold on despite hearing Ash's worried voice, but it couldn't maintain the defense much longer. The light of the protective shield began to flicker ominously, and it was obvious that Electabuzz's strength was beginning to fail.
"What should we do, Ash?" Misty asked, panic creeping into her voice.
Ash's brow was furrowed in concentration as his mind raced through possible strategies. If only he had a Psychic-type Pokemon of his own, he might be able to counter Solrock's hypnotic control. Unfortunately, he didn't have any Psychic-types in his current team. Misty did have Psyduck, but that Pokemon could only use its psychic abilities when it developed a severe headache.
"I'll have to rely on you!" Ash reached for Charizard's Poke Ball, hoping the Fire-type's overwhelming power could suppress the controlled Grimer through sheer force.
Just as he was about to throw the Poke Ball, something unusual caught his attention. Pikachu, who was perched on Ash's shoulder, also noticed the strange phenomenon and looked toward Ash's backpack, which had begun emitting a brilliant golden light.
"Pika pika?"
"Ash! Look behind you!" Misty suddenly exclaimed, her voice filled with amazement.
Ash paused and turned around to see his backpack glowing with an intense saffron-colored radiance that seemed to pulse with mysterious energy.