Chapter 185: Arcanine vs. Haunter

A Surprising Choice

"If Gary is using Arcanine, then using Wartortle should be an easy win."

Misty stood beside Brock, her arms crossed as she analyzed the battle.

The moment Gary sent out Arcanine, Misty felt relieved.

Water had a natural advantage over Fire.

Brock nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, against a Fire-type like Arcanine, Wartortle would be the best choice."

But just as they were expecting Wartortle—

"Haunter, it's your turn!"

Ash threw his Poké Ball into the air, and with a burst of white light—

A shadowy figure with a mischievous grin appeared on the battlefield.

"Haunter?!"

Misty's eyes widened in shock.

Why wasn't Ash using Wartortle?

Even Brock looked momentarily surprised.

The dark, ghostly shape of Haunter floated opposite Arcanine, its glowing eyes twinkling with amusement.

Gary's confident smirk faltered for just a second as he studied Ash.

Was this a random choice?

Or had Ash thought this through?

Misty's confusion deepened.

"Why is he using Haunter?"

"Wartortle is the better option!"

But Brock's eyes widened in realization.

Then, he chuckled.

"I see what Ash is doing."

Misty turned to him. "What do you mean?"

"Misty, you might not have realized it, but Arcanine can learn a very powerful move."

Misty blinked. "A powerful move?"

Brock nodded.

"Extreme Speed."

Misty's eyes widened. "Oh!"

"Most Arcanine inherit Extreme Speed when they evolve," Brock explained.

"And Extreme Speed is a Normal-type move."

As soon as Brock finished speaking, Misty understood everything.

"That's why he sent out Haunter!"

A wide smile spread across her face.

Ghost-types were immune to Normal-type moves.

By choosing Haunter instead of Wartortle, Ash had completely neutralized one of Arcanine's strongest attacks.

She looked at Ash with even more admiration.

His decision-making was too sharp!

---

The Battle Begins

Gary, now slightly annoyed, crossed his arms.

"Can we get started already?"

He shot a glance at Brock, clearly impatient.

Brock realized he had been lost in thought, analyzing Ash's strategy.

"Right! Sorry!"

Clearing his throat, he raised his hand.

"The battle—begins!"

Arcanine let out a massive roar, its powerful sound waves rippling through the air.

The shockwave passed through Haunter, who remained completely unfazed, still grinning eerily.

If not for the blue flicker of flames surrounding its body, indicating that Arcanine's Intimidate ability had worked, one might think Haunter hadn't been affected at all.

Gary wasted no time.

"Arcanine, use Crunch!"

Haunter's grin widened.

Even Ash smirked knowingly.

He was waiting for this.

Arcanine charged forward, its powerful legs kicking up dust.

As it ran, dark energy surged around its jaws, forming large, ominous fangs.

Crunch was a Dark-type move—super effective against Ghost-types.

A direct hit would be devastating.

But Ash wasn't worried.

"Haunter, dodge it!"

Just as Arcanine lunged—

Haunter vanished.

---

A Shadow's Game

The battlefield fell silent for a moment.

Arcanine landed where Haunter had been, its jaws snapping at empty air.

Misty's breath caught. "It disappeared?!"

Gary narrowed his eyes.

"Where—?"

Then—

"Behind you!"

Brock had barely spoken when—

Haunter reappeared right above Arcanine!

Its sinister grin loomed in the air, eyes gleaming mischievously.

"Haunter, use Hypnosis!" Ash commanded.

Before Arcanine could react—

Haunter's eyes glowed deep purple.

A pulse of strange, hypnotic waves spread outward—

Arcanine's eyes blinked, its steps slowing.

Misty gasped.

"It's working!"

Gary gritted his teeth.

"Arcanine, snap out of it!"

But it was too late.

The mighty Arcanine staggered, its eyes growing heavy.

Then—

THUD.

It collapsed, completely asleep.

---

Seizing the Moment

Ash grinned.

"Now's our chance!"

Brock nodded in approval. "Perfect timing!"

Misty cheered. "Ash, finish it off!"

Gary clenched his fists.

"Tch… this isn't over!"

But Ash wasn't about to waste this opportunity.

"Haunter, use Dream Eater!"

Haunter's shadowy form drifted forward, its eerie glow intensifying.

Purple energy seeped out of Arcanine's body, drawn into Haunter's grasp.

The attack drained Arcanine's strength—while restoring Haunter's own energy.

Gary's expression darkened.

This was bad.

Arcanine was asleep, vulnerable, and losing energy fast.

Gary took a deep breath.

"Alright, fine. If I can't wake you up… I'll force you awake!"

Misty blinked. "Force it awake?"

Gary smirked.

"Arcanine, use Sleep Talk!"

Brock's eyes widened. "Oh no—!"

Arcanine, still asleep, suddenly moved!

Its eyes remained shut, but its body reacted instinctively, muscles tensing.

Then—

It attacked!

---

A Desperate Comeback

Arcanine's jaws snapped forward—

Haunter barely had time to phase backward, but it wasn't fast enough.

A sudden burst of flames erupted from Arcanine's mouth—

Flamethrower!

"Haunter, get out of there!"

Ash's warning came just in time.

Haunter twisted away, avoiding a direct hit—

But the flames still licked at its shadowy form, sending it reeling back.

Misty winced.

"That was close!"

Brock nodded.

"That's the danger of Sleep Talk… even if the Pokémon is asleep, it can still fight back."

Ash gritted his teeth.

"Alright, Haunter—let's end this now!"

Haunter floated back into position, its eyes gleaming once more.

"Use Shadow Ball!"

A dark sphere of crackling ghostly energy formed between Haunter's hands.

Gary acted fast.

"Arcanine, Sleep Talk again!"

But this time—

Nothing happened.

Arcanine's body remained still.

Misty gasped.

"Sleep Talk didn't work?!"

Brock nodded.

"It's risky. Sleep Talk picks a random move… and sometimes, nothing happens."

Gary's face fell.

Ash's smirk widened.

"Haunter—FIRE!"

The Shadow Ball launched forward at full speed.

Arcanine, still asleep, couldn't dodge.

The attack hit full force—

A powerful explosion of energy erupted across the battlefield—

When the dust cleared—

Arcanine lay motionless.

Its chest rose and fell heavily, but it didn't move.

Brock stepped forward.

"Arcanine is unable to battle!"

He raised his hand.

"Haunter wins!"

---

Victory and Respect

Misty cheered. "You did it, Ash!"

Ash grinned, raising a fist in triumph.

Haunter cackled happily, floating around Ash in victory.

Gary recalled Arcanine, his expression unreadable.

Then, after a moment, he smirked.

"Hmph. Not bad, Ash."

Ash nodded.

"Told you I'd win."

Gary chuckled.

"Yeah, yeah… but don't get cocky."

His eyes burned with renewed determination.

"Because next time—I'm not holding back."

Ash's grin widened.

"Good. I wouldn't want it any other way."

To Be Continued…