Chapter 147: Haunter

Ash and Brock didn't stay long on the second floor and instead headed directly to the third floor. The second floor was too crowded, making it difficult to find a suitable Gastly for Ash to capture.

The number of people on the third floor was significantly lower, but it still wasn't ideal. After scanning the area, Ash decided to move to the fourth floor. However, Brock chose to remain on the third floor.

"I think I'll stay here," Brock said. "I'm more interested in observing the Gengar evolutionary line. This floor seems like the best place for that."

With that, Ash continued alone with Pikachu, climbing the stairs to the fourth floor. Compared to the floors below, the fourth floor had even fewer people. In the visible area, there were only a dozen or so Trainers scattered around.

"The higher the floor, the stronger the Pokémon..."

Ash observed a battle between a Gastly and a Trainer. This Gastly had already reached a solid standard level and was close to breaking through to the elite level. That was already impressive for most Trainers.

After all, truly high-level Trainers wouldn't train in a place like this. They preferred to venture into the wild, battling stronger Pokémon in more challenging environments.

As Ash and Pikachu wandered the floor, they encountered several Gastly. However, these Ghost-type Pokémon didn't seem very interested in battling. Instead, they played harmless pranks on Ash and Pikachu before floating away the moment Ash tried to engage them.

"Finding the right Gastly to train isn't easy..." Ash sighed. He wasn't just looking for any Ghost-type Pokémon; he wanted one with a strong will to fight.

Thinking ahead, Ash also considered which Pokémon he would send back to Professor Oak after capturing a new one. He eventually decided on Beedrill.

His reasoning was simple: Beedrill had already fully evolved, and with proper training using the methods he had developed, its strength would continue to grow. Pikachu, on the other hand, was a permanent companion and wouldn't be sent away. His starter Pokémon were also in a crucial stage of growth, and Pidgeotto had yet to evolve fully. So, for now, Beedrill was the best candidate for transfer.

Having spent enough time on the third floor, Ash decided it was time to ascend to the fourth.

A New Challenge

The stairs leading to the fourth floor were guarded by Alliance officers. To gain access, Ash had to present his Pokédex, proving his status as a qualified Trainer.

This was because the Pokémon on the fourth floor were much stronger—most of them were at the standard level, and some had even reached elite status. For safety reasons, Trainers below a certain level weren't allowed access.

Once he was cleared, Ash stepped onto the fourth floor. The number of people here was even lower than before. Near the entrance, only a handful of Trainers could be seen battling or preparing for encounters.

Wasting no time, Ash ventured deeper into the floor, searching for the perfect Pokémon to add to his team.

"This Haunter looks promising..."

After a while, Ash found a Haunter that immediately caught his interest. Unlike the Gastly he had encountered earlier, this Haunter had already reached the elite level and was engaged in battle with another Haunter.

The fight wasn't particularly intense. Ash could tell that the Haunter he was watching had far superior combat experience and strategy, which allowed it to toy with its opponent.

Eventually, the Haunter chased off the weaker one, claiming the area as its own. Then, it turned its attention toward Ash and Pikachu, eyeing them with curiosity.

For a moment, the Ghost-type Pokémon simply floated lazily onto a tombstone and sat there, completely unbothered by Ash's presence. Its confident posture suggested that it didn't consider Ash or Pikachu a threat.

Haunter's Strength

Pokémon: Haunter

Type: Ghost/Poison

Species: Gas Pokémon

Ability: Levitate

Levitate: Grants immunity to Ground-type moves and prevents effects from Arena Trap, Toxic Spikes, Sticky Web, and similar hazards.

Strength: Elite Level

Ash smirked. "Looks like it has quite the personality... but that just makes it more interesting."

He decided to make a direct offer.

"How about a battle?" Ash proposed. "If I win, you come with me. If you win, I'll give you this."

Ash pulled out a pouch of specially prepared Pokémon food—a blend formulated by Brock, specifically designed for Ghost-type Pokémon like the Gengar evolutionary line.

Haunter glanced at Ash, then looked at the food in his hand. It sniffed the air slightly, its eyes widening in surprise.

It wasn't that Haunter had never eaten Pokémon food before. Many visitors to the Pokémon Tower would bring food as offerings to avoid angering the Ghost-type Pokémon. However, the aroma of this particular blend was different—it was far superior.

Not only that, but several nearby Gastly and Haunter were also drawn to the scent, cautiously approaching Ash out of curiosity.

After a moment of consideration, Haunter floated down from the tombstone, stopping about five meters from Ash.

"Gastly———!" it called out, accepting the challenge.

It had decided—if this Trainer could defeat it, following him might not be such a bad idea.

The Battle Begins

Ash wasted no time. "Pikachu, you're up!"

Pikachu leaped off Ash's shoulder, landing gracefully and staring Haunter down with determination. Haunter, however, remained as casual as ever, giving off an aura of effortless confidence.

Ash observed Haunter's behavior and grinned. "Trying to play it cool, huh? Let's see if you can keep that attitude."

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

Without hesitation, Pikachu launched a powerful Thunderbolt, sending a blinding bolt of electricity straight toward Haunter.

The sudden flash of light startled the surrounding Gastly and Haunter, causing them to retreat further into the shadows.

The attack struck Haunter directly, making it stiffen as electricity coursed through its body. Its confident demeanor shattered instantly.

Haunter floated back, now eyeing Pikachu with a new level of wariness. It hadn't expected such overwhelming strength.

But Ash wasn't about to let up.

"Again! Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu unleashed another blast of electricity. This time, however, Haunter was prepared.

In a blur of motion, Haunter vanished into the shadows, avoiding the attack entirely.

"Huh?!" Ash's eyes narrowed. He immediately recognized the move.

"That was Phantom Force!"

Phantom Force was a rare Ghost-type physical attack. Normally, the Gengar evolutionary line couldn't learn it naturally—it had to be acquired through a learning device.

Ash's excitement grew. "Did it learn Phantom Force through training, or was there some other special reason?"

Either way, this Haunter was full of potential.

The Final Strike

Knowing Haunter was preparing a counterattack, Ash quickly called out to Pikachu.

"Stay alert! Use Quick Attack to dodge at the first sign of movement!"

Pikachu's ears twitched as it scanned its surroundings. Suddenly, it sensed an energy shift behind it.

Without waiting for an order, Pikachu activated Quick Attack, dashing away just as Haunter reappeared and attempted a sneak attack!

"Now! Finish it with Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu pivoted mid-air, releasing another massive Thunderbolt.

Haunter, caught off guard, had no chance to escape this time.

The powerful electricity engulfed Haunter, and when the light finally faded, the Ghost-type Pokémon floated weakly, clearly exhausted.

Ash grabbed an empty Poké Ball and tossed it forward.

"Poké Ball, go!"

The ball struck Haunter, opening with a flash of light before pulling it inside.

It wobbled once... twice...

And then, with a soft ding!

Haunter was caught!