Chapter 121: Shadow Battle Strategy

The sun peeked through the canopy, flickering like a lazy flame over the forest floor. 

I leaned against the tree, arms crossed, the bark rough against my back. 

Silence stretched across the clearing, broken only by the faint crunch of leaves under the wild Growlithe's paws. 

It hadn't noticed me yet—perfect.

"Shadow, what do you think?" I asked, though my lips didn't move. 

I didn't need to; telepathy was useful like that.

Sitting comfortably on my head, Shadow flicked his ears lazily. 

His voice seeped into my mind, smooth and calculated. "He's ripe for the taking. A good catch for a warm-up. Teach him all the moves you want after this. You're special, after all. Could throw level 50 moves on a level 25 like it's nothing."

My smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Let's go, then."

A second of silence passed before my Gengar materialized at my side, his form twisting in and out of shadow like smoke curling through the morning light. 

The Growlithe sniffed around, oblivious. 

My heart hammered a steady rhythm, anticipation pulsing with each beat.

"Shadow Punch."

Gengar moved instantly, his fist emerging from the shadows like a sudden storm, aimed right for Growlithe's ribs. 

But the little mutt had sharp instincts. It leaped back just as flames burst from its jaws.

Growlithe's teeth snapped where Gengar's arm had been, but they closed on air. 

Its eyes widened, realizing too late that physical attacks wouldn't touch a ghost.

"Shadow Ball."

Gengar didn't hesitate. 

A dark orb crackled in his hand, pure ghost energy coiling as he hurled it straight for the fire-type. 

The earth exploded where the ball hit, scattering leaves into the wind as Growlithe darted out of the way, just barely. 

Its eyes narrowed, anger flaring now.

A low growl rumbled from its throat. It braced itself, fur on end, the fiery glow around its body intensifying. 

It wasn't running; this was its turf. 

Small flames spat from Growlithe's mouth, lighting up the clearing. Gengar grinned wider. 

The flames kissed his cursed form, doing little more than flickering against his shadowy body. 

This thing wasn't going to be a problem. 

"Confuse Ray."

Gengar's eyes gleamed with sickly light, his form moving too fast for the fire-type to keep up. 

A beam of chaotic energy lanced toward Growlithe, warping the very air between them. 

The canine barked in surprise, legs buckling under it as the world twisted in its vision.

It shook its head, snapping wildly at nothing, trying to get a grip. 

But its movements were erratic now, lunging at shadows, crashing into a tree with a loud thud. 

Pitiful.

Then it found its footing. 

Its eyes locked onto mine—focused.

The Growlithe's cry echoed through the trees, a primal, desperate sound. It reverberated in the air, and for a moment, Gengar wavered. 

Just a moment.

the Growlithe growled, eyes flashing dangerously. 

I felt the shift in the air, the fire-type's predatory gaze slicing through Gengar's defenses. 

Gengar stood still, his usual wide grin still plastered on his face, but I could feel his energy slip. 

His guard had dropped. 

I tensed, sharp focus returning to me. "Lick."

Gengar moved like lightning, his spectral tongue whipping out with a ghostly shimmer. 

The paralysis hit instantly. 

Growlithe's legs stiffened, its body trembling as its muscles froze. It struggled to move, the heat from its body flaring in desperation.

But this thing wasn't done yet. 

The fire inside it burned hotter, its Flash Fire ability kicking in, flames surging around its body in a burst of heat. 

Gengar stepped back, just enough to avoid getting burned, but the Growlithe stood its ground, flames dancing in its eyes.

"Shadow Claw."

Gengar lunged forward, claws crackling with dark energy. 

Growlithe, despite its paralysis, reacted purely on instinct. Flames burst from its maw, intercepting the claws with a desperate Ember. 

Fire met shadow, clashing in a violent burst that sent smoke spiraling into the air.

I didn't blink. "Night Shade."

The world seemed to darken. 

Gengar melted into the shadows, disappearing completely. 

Growlithe blinked, confused, head whipping side to side. 

It never saw Gengar reappear behind it, eyes gleaming with eerie, ghostly light. 

The blast of energy struck Growlithe in the back, the hit solid. 

A yelp cut through the clearing. The Growlithe's movements slowed to a crawl, its energy spent, legs shaking under its weight. 

The paralysis gripped it hard now. It wouldn't be moving again anytime soon.

My hand slid into my pocket, fingers wrapping around a Pokéball. The cool metal felt familiar against my skin, a small reassurance. 

With a flick of my wrist, the ball sailed through the air, glinting red and white as it spun. 

It hit the Growlithe dead center, snapping shut with a solid click. The ball wobbled once. 

Twice. 

Then stilled.

Silence blanketed the forest again, broken only by the soft breeze rustling through the leaves.

I pushed off the tree, dusting off my hands as I straightened. Gengar drifted over to me, his form still hovering in and out of shadow.

"Nice work," I muttered.

Gengar just nodded, his grin never fading. 

The Pokéball vanished from my belt in a flash of light, sent off to Professor Oak's lab automatically.

"Rest up," I said. "We've got work to do." I could feel the tension in the air again. 

Today wasn't over yet.

Gengar returned to his ball in a shimmer of light, and I turned deeper into the forest. 

Shadow shifted on my head, already half asleep.

"Next stop," I murmured to myself, eyes scanning the path ahead. "Dratini's turn." 

And with that, I walked into the woods.