"Now then, the Gym battle will begin. Each side may use three Pokémon. During the battle, only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon. The match ends when either side has all three of their Pokémon unable to battle."
"The challenger will make the first move. Let the battle begin!"
According to the rules, Gym Leader Morty had to send out the first Pokémon.
"Go, Gastly!"
The translucent Gastly floated in and out of sight, letting out an eerie laugh.
Ash smiled faintly. This was exactly what he had expected.
"Then, you're up, Noctowl!"
The golden Noctowl spread its wings as it flew onto the field, its sharp eyes sweeping across the arena.
In the spectator stands, Misty and Brock exchanged puzzled glances.
Logically, a Noctowl with Foresight should have been saved until a critical moment.
There was only one possible explanation.
Ash had absolute confidence in both Ralts and Alakazam.
"Noctowl, use Foresight!"
"Gastly, dodge!"
A crimson glow shot from Noctowl's eyes, but Gastly vanished before it could be revealed. The attack had clearly missed.
"Even if it's invisible, it can't escape this battlefield," Ash said calmly. "Noctowl, use Foresight over the entire field!"
"Gastly, use Lick!"
Although Gastly's position was finally exposed, its long tongue lashed toward Noctowl. If that attack landed, there was a high chance of causing paralysis.
"Dodge, then use Confusion!"
With a flap of its wings, Noctowl neatly avoided the incoming tongue. Its distinctive V shaped brows glowed with blue psychic energy, striking Gastly directly. The attack was super effective.
"Now, finish it with Brave Bird!"
Blue flames engulfed Noctowl's body as it hurled itself straight at Gastly. The tremendous impact sent Gastly crashing to the ground, unable to continue battling.
"Gastly is unable to battle! Noctowl wins!"
"Return, Gastly."
"Come back, Noctowl."
Both trainers recalled their Pokémon at the same time.
Watching this, Brock nodded thoughtfully.
"Ash recalled Noctowl to prevent the recoil from Brave Bird from affecting the rest of the battle."
Morty nodded in approval.
"Using the arena itself to force Gastly out of hiding... that was an excellent strategy. But how will you deal with this one?"
"Go, Haunter!"
As Gastly's evolved form, Haunter's greatest advantage was its ability to separate its body from its floating hands. It could use a wider variety of physical attacks while becoming even more unpredictable.
"I've prepared for that too. Ralts, I choose you!"
The moment Ash finished speaking, the Ralts perched atop his head hopped gracefully onto the battlefield.
Though small in stature, the determination burning in her eyes rivaled that of any opponent.
"Ralts, this is your very first battle. Show them what you can do!"
"Ralts!"
"Oh? You're using a Psychic type against my Ghost type?" As the Gym Leader, Morty was naturally familiar with Ralts and recognized her Psychic typing immediately.
"That's right. I hope you won't be too surprised."
As soon as the battle began, Haunter disappeared into invisibility once again.
"Ralts, use Calm Mind!"
Seeing Ralts standing perfectly still, Morty knew she was boosting her abilities and immediately tried to stop her.
"Haunter, use Hypnosis!"
"Ralts, use Safeguard!"
Hidden in the darkness, Haunter's eyes glowed red. In response, Ralts raised both hands, and a shimmering protective barrier enveloped her body.
Hypnosis had no effect.
"It actually blocked it? Haunter, use Confuse Ray!"
"Ralts, use Psybeam!"
Confuse Ray and Psybeam struck each other head on.
Although Ralts was briefly affected by confusion, the boost from Calm Mind allowed her to recover quickly. Haunter, however, wasn't nearly as fortunate.
"Ralts, use Flash!"
A brilliant burst of white light erupted from Ralts, illuminating the entire battlefield. Haunter instinctively shut its eyes, but in doing so accidentally revealed its location.
"Now, Shadow Ball!"
Ralts formed a Shadow Ball between her hands and hurled it at Haunter.
The attack struck squarely, knocking Haunter out instantly.
"Haunter is unable to battle! Ralts wins!"
"Great job, Ralts!"
Amid the cheers of the crowd, Ralts' body began to glow with the light of evolution.
When the light faded, a graceful Kirlia stood proudly on the battlefield, her elegant bangs swaying gently in the breeze.
"Ash, I never expected you to defeat me using a Psychic type," Morty said as he recalled Haunter. "You've forced me to fight with everything I've got. I think you already know what's coming next."
"Go, Gengar!"
"Perfect. I have just the right opponent for it. Alakazam, I choose you!"
Gengar versus Alakazam.
The ultimate clash between Ghost and Psychic types.
"Give it everything you've got! Gengar, Shadow Ball!"
"Alakazam, use Psybeam!"
Shadow Ball and Psybeam collided head on, erupting into a massive explosion.
The two powerful attacks crashed together, producing a deafening roar.
As the smoke cleared, Gengar had vanished.
"Alakazam, use Calm Mind!"
"Trying to power up again? Gengar, Shadow Punch!"
Gengar suddenly emerged behind Alakazam and landed a Shadow Punch.
The hit connected.
But it struck only a Substitute.
The real Alakazam stood some distance away, calmly continuing its meditation.
Morty's eyes narrowed.
"A Substitute strategy?"
"Realizing it now is already too late!" Ash pointed forward decisively. "Alakazam, Psychic Noise!"
Empowered by Calm Mind, Psychic Noise exploded with overwhelming force, blasting Gengar across the battlefield.
"Gengar, get up! Use Night Shade!"
"Alakazam, Teleport to dodge, then use Future Sight!"
"What? Future Sight?!"
As a Ghost type specialist, Morty knew exactly how devastating Future Sight would be against Gengar.
Alakazam instantly Teleported out of harm's way. A beam of psychic energy shot into the sky before disappearing into the void.
The countdown to inevitable judgment had begun.
"Gengar, use Night Shade again!"
"Alakazam, use Psycho Cut!"
The two powerful attacks collided, throwing up another cloud of smoke.
Both Alakazam and Gengar disappeared from sight.
Then came a loud bang.
Gengar's Shadow Punch slammed into Alakazam's Reflect.
"Alakazam, push it back!"
With a surge of psychic power, Alakazam forced Gengar backward several steps.
At that very moment, the delayed psychic force of Future Sight descended upon Gengar.
The devastating attack struck true, leaving Gengar unable to battle.
"Gengar is unable to battle! Alakazam wins!"
"The winner of this Gym battle is the challenger from Pallet Town, Ash!"
"Yes! Ash won!"
"Pika!"
After recalling Gengar, Morty walked over to Ash.
"Ash, that was the most exhilarating battle I've ever experienced. Your tactics and the strength of your Pokémon have both earned my respect."
"This is proof that you've defeated me. The Fog Badge!"
As he spoke, Morty handed the badge to Ash.
Ash accepted it with a smile.
"All right! I got the Fog Badge!"
As they left the Gym, the setting sun bathed everything in golden light.
Ash turned back for one last look at the ancient building. The badge in his hand shimmered brilliantly beneath the evening glow.
With four badges now in hand, he had taken another major step toward the Johto League.
And new adventures would always be waiting just beyond the horizon.
...
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