Chapter 298: Umbreon
Despite its incomplete integration, Ash employed it effectively, leveraging Haunter's unique abilities to confuse and pressure opponents.
Ghost-type energy surged as a dark, swirling portal opened behind Haunter, emitting an eerie, mocking laughter.
With a sly grin, Haunter retreated into the black void and vanished from sight.
"Stay alert, Umbreon," Gary called out firmly. His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, unwilling to let his guard down for even a second.
Having meticulously studied Ash's previous battles, Gary understood just how formidable Haunter could be.
Despite having a type advantage, Gary knew victory wouldn't come easily—caution was paramount.
Umbreon, with its ruby-red eyes glinting, remained vigilant. Its gaze darted across the arena, scanning for any sign of Haunter's reappearance.
Suddenly, a dark portal spiraled open above Umbreon's head. Haunter burst forth, its hands crackling with ghostly energy as it swiftly formed a Shadow Ball and hurled it downward at Umbreon!
"Above you, Umbreon! Use Snarl!" Gary reacted instantly, issuing a counter-command.
Umbreon opened its mouth wide, releasing a massive, pulsating roar infused with Dark-type energy.
The brown soundwave expanded rapidly outward, colliding with the descending Shadow Ball.
For a brief moment, the two moves clashed in a dazzling standoff. While Shadow Ball packed raw power, Snarl's type advantage proved decisive.
The shadowy orb shattered under the force of the soundwave, which continued surging upward toward Haunter.
Haunter, unfazed, retreated quickly. The ghostly Pokémon hovered effortlessly in the air, keeping a safe distance as the energy wave dissipated mere centimeters from its body.
Haunter's control over its movements and its ability to evade such attacks was nothing short of masterful.
"Impressive," Gary muttered, momentarily caught off guard by Haunter's precision. He clenched his fists, his excitement mounting. This battle was shaping up to be anything but ordinary.
"Umbreon, let's seize the momentum! Use Dark Pulse!" Gary switched from defense to offense, determined to take control of the battle.
Umbreon's body glowed faintly as Dark-type energy gathered in its mouth. With a sudden burst, it released the energy in a spiraling beam, the attack hurtling toward Haunter like a dark comet.
"Haunter, Shadow Strike!" Ash called out calmly, directing Haunter to repeat its earlier tactic.
With a mischievous laugh, Haunter vanished into another swirling portal just before Dark Pulse could connect.
The attack passed harmlessly through the space where Haunter had been moments earlier, dissipating into the air.
The battlefield reset as both sides braced for the next phase. Gary and Umbreon stood ready, their eyes scanning the arena, while Haunter remained hidden within its alternate dimension.
The ghostly Pokémon could now linger in the void for extended periods, with its record reaching up to forty seconds.
When Haunter finally emerged, it launched another Shadow Ball directly at Umbreon. However, Gary was prepared.
"Umbreon, counter with Dark Pulse!"
The two attacks collided once more, but this time, Dark Pulse overpowered Shadow Ball, shattering it and continuing toward Haunter.
"Dodge, Haunter!" Ash shouted, his tone sharp.
Haunter attempted to evade, but it was slightly too slow. While the main attack missed, the residual energy grazed Haunter, eliciting a grimace of pain.
Its usual mischievous grin faded momentarily as it retreated back to Ash's side, its gaze fixed on Umbreon.
"Now's our chance! Umbreon, use Quick Attack and follow it with Confuse Ray!" Gary commanded, refusing to let Haunter recover.
Umbreon's body glowed faintly with white energy as it launched forward like a streak of black lightning. It moved with incredible speed, leaving a shimmering trail behind it as it closed the distance to Haunter.
Ash, however, smiled knowingly. "You've fallen for it... Haunter, Secret Skill—Aerial Ace: Shadow Force!"
Haunter's grin returned, wider and more sinister than before. It vanished into another dark portal, leaving Umbreon to skid to a halt mid-attack.
The sudden disappearance forced Umbreon to overshoot its target, and its momentum made it difficult to regain balance immediately.
Gary's expression darkened. "Umbreon, stay sharp! It's coming back any second now!"
Just as he spoke, three dark portals appeared simultaneously—one above Umbreon, one to its left, and one to its right.
From each portal, a Haunter emerged, all holding crackling Shadow Balls in their hands.
"This is incredible!" the commentator exclaimed. "Ash has combined Shadow Force with a modified Aerial Ace technique, creating a triple assault that overwhelms the opponent from multiple angles!"
The audience watched in stunned silence as the three Haunters unleashed their Shadow Balls simultaneously. Umbreon, caught in the crossfire, had no room to evade.
"Umbreon, use Dark Pulse!" Gary shouted desperately, clenching his fists as he willed his Pokémon to counter the overwhelming attack.
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