Purple poison energy coursed throughout Lapras's body, eroding its vitality/stamina. Lapras began to show intermittent trembling.
Rainwater pounded against Lapras's body, and the wounds on its neck began to show clear signs of healing.
It was Water Absorb!
A terrifying Ability, especially on a Pokémon with as much stamina as Lapras. It was practically tailor-made for it.
When struck by Water-type moves, it would not take damage but instead recover vitality/stamina. In actual combat, this Ability was extremely useful. Rain from Rain Dance, or even using Water-type moves on itself, could all restore vitality/stamina. If the damage dealt to Lapras was slower than its recovery speed, then there would be no meaning in continuing the battle.
If it were in the ocean, Lapras could replenish its "HP" by absorbing Water-type energy from the sea itself. That would place it in an almost unbeatable position. If he ever wanted to "operate" at sea in the future, a Lapras with Water Absorb would be indispensable.
Fortunately, Lapras was poisoned now, so there was still a chance to fight.
"Lapras, use Water Pulse on yourself!"
Seeing that the rainwater's recovery effect on Lapras was not very obvious, Lorelei prepared to use the energy of Water Pulse to increase the recovery speed.
Lapras lifted its neck and sprayed a ball of water into the sky, which then fell directly onto its own body.
Tetsuya's gaze was sharp. He had already been prepared.
"Haunter, fire Sludge Bomb into the Water Pulse."
Upon hearing Tetsuya's command, Lorelei inwardly cried out that this was bad. Pryce nodded, surprised that Tetsuya could come up with such a response.
At the moment Water Pulse struck Lapras's body, Haunter had already fired three Sludge Bombs, merging them into the Water Pulse.
The corner of Tetsuya's mouth lifted slightly.
The energy of Water Pulse and the poison of Sludge Bomb all seeped into Lapras's body.
Although its condition recovered to a certain extent, Lapras, which was already in a poisoned state, was injected with even more toxins. It had now completely entered Badly Poison status.
Purple poison raged within Lapras's body. Under Badly Poison status, Lapras's condition began to drain rapidly, and the recovery effect of the rain had become negligible.
Lorelei, who had intended to use Water Pulse to recover, instead achieved the opposite effect.
At this moment, sweat poured down Lorelei's face. Large beads of sweat flowing down her cheeks and neck...
In contrast, Tetsuya still maintained a calm expression.
'This could not be dragged out any longer…'
Lorelei gritted her teeth. "Lapras, use Surf."
'It actually knew Surf?'
Tetsuya could not help but frown. As expected of a member of a great family. Lapras had even learned such a high-level move.
Lapras let out a hoarse roar. Powerful Water-type energy gathered around its body. In an instant, Lapras was lifted by rushing water. In the blink of an eye, it became a towering wave. Lapras rode the crest, driving the surging waters as they surged toward Haunter.
The massive wave almost filled the entire battlefield. Haunter had nowhere to evade.
With just this one move, it was enough to make Haunter lose its ability to battle!
He had not expected Lorelei's Lapras to have such strong control of Water-type energy. The power of Surf could vary greatly, entirely depending on the Pokémon's own control over Water-type energy.
Ordinary Water-type Pokémon could not even use Surf properly on non-water battlefields. Even if they managed to use Surf, the gathered Water-type energy would be too little to display much power at all.
However, for Lapras to be able to gather such a towering wave was truly terrifying. Such a Surf move would be no weaker even out on the open sea.
Against such a large-scale move, Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, and Dark Pulse would all be ineffective.
Once Surf engulfed Haunter, there would be only one outcome…
"Use Psychic to support Night Shade and block it."
This was the only way to barely withstand such a powerful Surf.
Under Haunter's control, the black veil rapidly shrouded the crest of the wave, wrapping Lapras within it as well, but it still could not completely stop the momentum of Surf.
Haunter's eyes were completely dyed blood-red as its psychic power was fully unleashed, barely managing to restrain the wave of Surf.
Although Lapras had stamina recovery from Surf, under the dual assault of Badly Poison and Night Shade, it was still losing it. From time to time, Lapras's cries of pain could be heard within Night Shade.
Haunter's psychic power was already fully deployed, pushing its body into overload. The pressure brought by such a powerful Surf made it difficult for Haunter to even breathe.
At this moment, Lorelei and Tetsuya could be said to have both gone all out, their eyes tightly fixed on Lapras and Haunter on the battlefield.
Pryce knew very well that if not for Lorelei's Lapras having far superior inherent capability compared to Haunter, and possessing a special control of Water-type energy, then purely in terms of battle ability, Lorelei was still a step behind Tetsuya.
If the Swinub Pryce had given Tetsuya had undergone some training based on its potential, combined with Tetsuya's battle level, Lorelei would likely have already lost today and would not be stuck in the current deadlock.
"Come out, Delibird. Use Blizzard to separate them."
Pryce threw a Poké Ball. A vigorous Delibird flapped its wings, and Blizzard was actually cleaved by Delibird into a frigid current, instantly forcing Surf and Night Shade apart.
Lapras and Haunter both fell down.
At this moment, Pryce said, "That's enough. If this continues, Lapras and Haunter will both be severely injured. Your strength, among your peers, is absolutely outstanding!"
By then, Tetsuya and Lorelei had already recalled Haunter and Lapras respectively.
"Alright, I should be going. I must reach the League Headquarters today," Pryce said.
"Stay for lunch. No matter how rushed you are, you can't skip a meal. I specially bought plenty of ingredients," Sheila said as she finished speaking and headed toward the kitchen.
Pryce could not refuse Sheila's kindness and could only stay a little longer.
Pryce, Tetsuya, and Lorelei sat at the dining table waiting.....
"I actually have a suggestion," Tetsuya said.
Pryce looked at Tetsuya with a puzzled gaze.
"You could actually have Sheila apply to become the Gym Leader of Mahogany Town. First, with the identity of a Gym Leader, ordinary people would not dare to act against her. Second, at the very least, you would have another Gym Leader supporting you. For the sake of economic development, Mahogany Town would also definitely give full support."
Tetsuya put forward his view. Having Sheila become the Gym Leader of Mahogany Gym would also be of great benefit to him. He could no longer learn much at Ecruteak Gym, but he also could not stay too close to Pryce. The only way was to approach things through Sheila.
Most importantly, from Sheila's tone just now, she still very much hoped that Pryce would pass his Ice-type Pokémon knowledge to Tetsuya.