The gap between the King-level and the Champion level was like the difference between heaven and earth—it was not something that could be easily crossed.
If a King-level Pokémon had around 150 points of stamina, then a Champion-level Pokémon would possess roughly 300 points. The difference in endurance and power alone was enormous.
"What… what kind of skill is that?"
Morty stared in shock.
"It's a little like Counter and Mirror Coat, and somewhat similar to Safeguard, but it's completely different. And it can even block B-rank attacks."
Gardevoir's God's Finger made Morty feel as though an insurmountable chasm had suddenly appeared between his Haunter and Ash's Pokémon.
"Aura Pillar."
A column of pure white Aura suddenly erupted from the ground beneath Haunter, shooting upward and striking the Ghost-type Pokémon floating in the air.
The attack carried power comparable to a B+ rank move, but its greatest advantage was its concealment. The attack appeared almost instantly, making it nearly impossible to evade.
"Haunter—!"
After being struck by the Aura Pillar, Haunter let out a painful cry. Combined with the earlier damage from Kirlia's Psycho Cut, Haunter was now covered in injuries.
"The final move… Black Particles."
As soon as Ash finished speaking, Gardevoir gently waved her right hand toward Haunter.
Black energy particles suddenly condensed into several disc-shaped mirrors and shot toward Haunter.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Ghaaaah!!!"
"Haunter!"
The overlapping triple attack of Gardevoir's Black Particles instantly overwhelmed Haunter, causing it to lose its ability to battle.
Morty had no time to react before the result was already decided.
Although the gap between King-level and Champion-level Pokémon was large, King-level Pokémon could at least put up a fight against Champions.
But against Ash's Champion-peak Gardevoir, Haunter didn't even have the chance to respond before being defeated.
"Haunter is unable to battle. Gardevoir wins."
"Gym Leader, please send out your next Pokémon."
After Haunter lost its ability to fight, the referee raised the flag and announced the result.
"Haunter, you did well. Return."
Morty recalled Haunter, then took out another Poké Ball.
"Now it's your turn… Gengar."
He threw the Poké Ball onto the battlefield.
"Gengaaaar!"
A powerful Gengar appeared on the arena. Its aura was extremely impressive—clearly a quasi-Champion level Pokémon. Morty had obviously trained it with great care.
"My Gengar is very strong."
"Gengar, show them your power! Use Night Shade after stealth!"
Seeing his ace Pokémon appear, Morty regained some confidence.
Stealth and invisibility were completely different concepts.
Invisibility only made the body transparent—skills could still be used while invisible.
Stealth, however, meant merging completely with the environment, making the Pokémon nearly impossible to detect.
"Gengar!"
The moment it heard Morty's command, Gengar disappeared from everyone's sight.
Immediately afterward, Night Shade attacks began raining down from the air toward Gardevoir.
As mentioned before, Night Shade was a technique that inflicted heavy damage on the opponent while also draining the user's energy.
However, Gengar had just entered the battle and still possessed abundant stamina. Meanwhile, although Gardevoir had evolved, she had taken some damage before evolving, so her stamina might already be slightly reduced.
Morty was gambling.
If Gardevoir's stamina dropped below Gengar's, then the outcome of this battle might still change.
Moreover, Night Shade was a guaranteed-hit move.
"You're thinking too simply."
Ash spoke calmly.
"Night Shade may be a guaranteed-hit move, but it can't break through absolute defense."
"It seems you've forgotten the technique Gardevoir just used—God's Finger."
Ash's words caused Morty's expression to change drastically.
The incoming Night Shades were continuously absorbed by the white mirror forming at the tip of Gardevoir's fingers.
Each attack was swallowed by the mirror surface and then shattered into nothingness.
No matter how many Night Shades Gengar launched, the result remained the same.
Every attack was completely neutralized by God's Finger.
"It's over."
"Gardevoir… show him your strongest technique."
"Use Sunshine."
As soon as Ash gave the command, Gardevoir raised both arms above her head.
A vast surge of blue psychic energy gathered high in the sky, forming a radiant sphere that resembled a miniature sun.
The sphere began shining brilliantly, and soon the entire battlefield was illuminated by its dazzling blue light.
"Gengar!!"
Seeing this terrifying power gathering overhead, Morty shouted in alarm.
But it was already too late.
"Gengaaaaar!!!"
Under the all-encompassing sunlight-like blast, Gengar was struck directly.
With no blind spots and overwhelming destructive power, the attack instantly drained Gengar's strength.
Gengar collapsed onto the battlefield.
This was an SS+ rank technique.
Even Pokémon of the same level had nearly a 30% chance of being instantly incapacitated by this attack.
Let alone a quasi-Champion level Gengar.
"Gengar is unable to battle. Gardevoir wins. The winner of the Gym battle is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."
The battle had ended in less than a minute. Even the Gym referee, who was a senior student of the Gym Leader, had been stunned by the overwhelming display of power. It took him several seconds before he finally announced the result of the match.
"So strong…"
"Master's Gardevoir is unbelievably powerful."
"When a Psychic-type Pokémon reaches the Champion level, its strength becomes this terrifying. Especially that last self-created move—it was impossible to defend against."
Unconsciously, Emiya Shirō's forehead was covered with cold sweat.
He had been completely shaken by Gardevoir's final attack. Leaving aside the sheer range of the move, the destructive power alone was enough to shock everyone present.
"Ash… I lost."
Morty let out a quiet sigh.
"You truly deserve to be called Kanto's strongest Champion trainer. I believe that even if you challenged the Champions of other regions—like Jhoto—it would be very difficult for anyone to defeat you."
After recalling the unconscious Gengar, Morty took a blue badge from his pocket.
"This is the Phantom Badge."
"It is proof that you defeated the Ecruteak Gym. Congratulations."
He handed the badge to Ash with a respectful expression.
(End of Chapter)
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