[The streamer's pouring it on a bit thick.]
[hhhc, dude couldn't keep a straight face—ellipsis guy put it pretty politely.]
[For real. Didn't clock "pulling punches" at first—nice little gag though.]
[Alright then, let's see who this kid's last 'baby team' mon is.]
Charmeleon and Pikachu had already left a deep impression, and everyone was curious about Ash's final Pokémon.
Surely it wouldn't be another baby Pokémon… right?
But Ash's next move left viewers scratching their heads.
He half-squatted, poked at his own shadow with a finger, and seemed to mutter something.
"Gengar, I'm begging you—please come out and help me just this once! This battle really matters. Please!"
Hands pressed together like he was praying at a shrine, Ash appealed to the Gengar that lived in his shadow.
Outside the arena, Misty and Brock saw Ash's antics and already knew what was coming; both raised a hand to their foreheads with a sigh.
"Ugh, why's Ash trying to call Gengar out again?"
Misty shook her head, grumbled, then let out a breath.
"Yeah. Ash still can't control Gengar's power. He's being too hasty."
Brock nodded along, his half-lidded gaze fixed on Ash as he slowly shook his head.
"Huh, that kid's got a Gengar? No wonder it felt colder when we walked in—I thought I was imagining things."
Bumiao tilted her head, thoughtful.
Compared to Grey's Articuno and Zapdos, Ash catching a Gengar didn't stir much in her. Just a perfectly ordinary Gengar; it still couldn't hold a candle to those two legends.
At this point, unless Grey pulled another outrageous stunt, Bumiao didn't see herself getting shocked again.
Meanwhile, the way Ash was practically "begging" hit the livestream, and chat filled with question marks.
[???]
[Did the streamer rattle the kid that bad? Who talks to their own shadow? Is there a Pokémon in there or what?]
[Funny you say that—my friend's Gastly loves hiding in his shadow.]
[Then in this kid's case, maybe it's a Haunter?]
[Hard to say—could be a Gastly too.]
The barrage kept guessing what Ash would send out next.
"Geh-heh~" (Ah—my old familiar Trainer~ It's you, Grey. Long time no see~)
Ash's shadow writhed, and a Gengar—noticeably bigger than the one they'd seen aboard the St. Anne—poked out its head.
Spotting Grey standing not far away, its grin stretched wider and sharper.
"Geh." (Can't say no to you. I'll take this one for you—just this once.)
Gengar oozed up out of Ash's shadow, its round belly nearly scraping the floor.
"Geh." (Been eating a bit much lately—gimme a sec.)
It planted its stubby hands on its gut and gave a hard yank.
GUR-glug—
Its belly shrank a notch; it already looked much spryer.
This Gengar was one nimble purple chub!
[Pokémon: Gengar]
[Type: Ghost/Poison]
[Level: 43]
[Ability: Cursed Body]
[Moves: omitted]
Compared to when they'd last met, Gengar had jumped three levels in two weeks—obviously, it had been battling plenty.
[The kid actually has a Gengar?]
[Classic "playing Oinkologne to eat an Incineroar." You had this and made us watch baby matches first?]
[If he's got Gengar, then Lt. Surge's loss isn't exactly unjust.]
[Suddenly I get why Surge lost—kid probably sandbagged and then sent Gengar to clutch it.]
[Don't jinx it, but… yeah, could be.]
In no time, chat had spun a whole saga out of Ash and Surge's "grudge."
Whether true or not didn't matter much.
Viewers decided that's how it went—unless someone brought even wilder receipts.
"Normally the Gym Leader sends out first, but you sure were quick on the draw. Eager, aren't we?"
Grey bantered and plucked a Poké Ball from his belt, tossing it onto the field.
"Rii—oh!" (Finally—finally my turn!)
Riolu popped out, and as it landed, the Soothe Bell at its waist chimed a bright, clear note.
Ding-ling-ling~
The pleasant ring put everyone—on-site and in chat—in a better mood.
[Pokémon: Riolu]
[Type: Fighting]
[Level: 45]
[Ability: Inner Focus]
[Moves: omitted]
Riolu's growth had slowed lately, and Grey seized the chance to let it spar against Ash's Gengar.
A good bit of practice.
[So now the streamer's the one fielding a baby Pokémon, huh?]
[Why hasn't Riolu evolved yet—low friendship?]
[Wasn't this the same Riolu that fought Blaine last time? Weird it still hasn't evolved.]
Seeing Grey send out Riolu again, the chat's questions came flooding in.
Silver glanced at the barrage, raised his flag, and swung it down: "The third battle… begins!"
For Ash, this was the last shot.
"Gengar, use Shadow Ball!"
"Geh!" (Nope, not listening. I think this one's better!)
Gengar split its razor grin; its round body hovered up, fists clenching as killing frost condensed around them—fine ice crystals webbed out of the air.
An instant later, a specter wrapped in deep-freezing cold lunged straight for Riolu!
Seeing Gengar's rush, Grey didn't call for a dodge—he ordered a head-on answer: "Metal Claw."
If it had been Shadow Ball, he might've called for an evade, but for Ice Punch…
Don't blame him for not being polite!
A keen light flashed in Riolu's eyes; its forepaw plated itself in silvery steel.
It didn't yield an inch—one bounding step and it met Gengar head-on!
CLANG!
Steel energy gathered into three sharp claw-blades at Riolu's paw tip, shrieking as they tore the air.
Before the claws even landed, the slicing gale shredded all the ice crystals in their path!
Then—Riolu crashed straight into Gengar's incoming Ice Punch!
CHING-CHING!
The instant Metal Claw met Ice Punch, the Steel-type power smashed through the frost like kindling!
A bolt of pain shot up Gengar's arm; the whole limb went numb.
"Geh?!" (What the—?!)
Its crimson pupils tightened—and its whole body drifted backward fast, like a pricked balloon!
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