Chapter 619: True and False Haunter

On the large screen.

The circular frames beside Erika's portrait, representing Electabuzz and Treecko, had gone completely dark.

Below them, the frames bearing the portraits of Psyduck and Ditto still glowed; further below were two frames yet to display any Pokémon.

On the other side.

Only two circular frames beside Baimu's portrait were lit, the remaining four remained blank and unknown.

The stark difference between them left online viewers of the livestream astonished, frantically sending comments and interacting with each other.

'Erika tried her best, but Baimu's Pokémon are terrifying.'

'Why can't my Psyduck learn so many moves!'

'Mewtwo is so beautiful~ I want to watch it battle again~'

'Isn't Baimu's Haunter's color different from normal ones?'

'Wahhh… Erika-kun, wahhh…'

'Mewtwo is number one! Please, Baimu! Send out Young Lady right away!'

'Above! I'm also a hardcore fan of Young Lady, the Gyarados!'

'Hardcore fan +1'

The comment section began flooding with meaningless spam.

Miss Liuqi's gaze finally tore away from her phone screen and turned toward the massive battlefield, whispering: 'A perfect copy of Ditto… Haunter, you must push harder!'

She liked this chubby, mischievous creature, but based on what she'd seen so far, she suspected that the Shiny Haunter might rank last in Baimu's entire team in battle prowess.

It might barely surpass the Dracovish, and even fall short of Galarian Corsola.

This had nothing to do with potential.

Simply because Baimu had trained it for too short a time.

And Erika wasn't like previous challengers—her strategies were endlessly inventive; it was uncertain whether Haunter could outlast its own copy.

In the battlefield.

Erika's eyes swiftly scanned the Pokédex, confirming through her Ditto which moves Haunter possessed.

'No wonder it's Baimu's Pokémon—its learned moves cover every possible angle; this gives me much greater confidence.'

He nodded silently, then fixed his solemn gaze on the Shiny Haunter across from him and gave a decisive order: 'Dark Void!'

He hadn't wanted to send out Ditto so soon, but after losing two Pokémon in a row, if he didn't reclaim the momentum and rhythm now, even revealing his hidden cards would hardly turn defeat into victory.

Target Haunter—restore morale!

'Guh!'

Ditto let out a piercing cry, its eyes glowing with eerie black light, shooting out thick beams like searchlights.

But the opposing Haunter didn't freeze—it had already moved forward at Baimu's command, launching its attack.

'Strange Light!'

A chaotic, nauseating bolt of crimson energy shot from Haunter's blood-red eyes, striking first against the incoming black beams!

Hum!

Amid a strange, eerie sound, the two collided violently!

Though a transformation move, it had turned into a fierce clash of force—two identical Haunters now locked in midair, evenly matched.

But this wasn't a true energy duel; energy transmission had its limits.

With a loud boom, a choking white cloud exploded at the point of collision; when it cleared, the two Haunters stared at each other—miraculously, evenly matched.

'Neither move can overcome the other! Ditto's transformation is flawless! What will be the outcome of this battle?'

The commentator's spirits lifted.

He loved unpredictable battles like this—two Pokémon fighting tooth and nail, neither yielding, often producing spectacular fights!

'Curse!'

'Use Curse!'

Both Haunters moved simultaneously again, their blood-red eyes glowing as the shadows behind them swelled into massive, grotesque ghostly figures that lunged at each other!

In an instant.

The two ghostly figures collided and fought in an utterly bizarre manner, ultimately gaining no advantage over each other before exploding into gray smoke and returning into their respective Haunters.

The commentator mused: 'This is Ditto's greatest trait—using your own power against you. How many Pokémon can easily defeat themselves?'

'Perfect! Keep fighting at this pace!'

Erika's face lit up with a smile again as he loudly cheered on Ditto, who responded with a loud cry.

'…'

Baimu frowned slightly; Haunter's gaze turned hostile.

Ditto was already an extremely rare Pokémon; one that could perfectly utilize transformation was exceedingly rare. Erika had never used it in previous gym challenges, so this was the first time Baimu had ever faced one.

He hadn't expected it to be this troublesome!

But soon his frown slowly eased.

'Don't panic. Remember what I told you before? When facing this kind of opponent, go all out with offense! Use your full strength!'

He shouted loudly: 'Dark Pulse!'

Seeing Baimu give the order, Erika, though unable to hear the move's name, understood that Baimu had abandoned transformation moves and chosen offense.

If probing with transformation moves didn't work, finish with attack moves—after this long, wouldn't he know that?

'Sludge Bomb!'

'Guh!'

Ditto responded, its hands glowing with sludge-like energy orbs, purple electricity crackling across them; moments later, a barrage of sludge missiles shot forward!

Once again, it collided with the countless black-ring-formed beams spewed from the opposing Gengar's open mouth!

Boom!

The third clash of moves!

The commentator no longer offered special pointers — he knew such a stalemate wouldn't last long; even if Ilima wanted both sides to keep beam-dueling, All Baimu would certainly not allow it.

Without a doubt.

This was correct.

All Baimu gazed at the enormous smoke cloud in midair over the field; the gale carrying sand and dust brushed his face, yet he seemed utterly unaware. Seeing the two Pokémon standing on their respective sides looking slightly weary, the corner of his mouth curled up.

Guessed right!

Compared to the Ditto at full condition, the Gengar that had been bombed by Stealth Rock was at a physical disadvantage; continuing to brute-force clash would only make things worse—

If only physical stats were being discussed.

In the current match he clearly held the upper hand, and the battle's tempo was firmly in his grasp. Moreover, Gengar had just taken down an opponent and its momentum was exceptionally high — Ditto on par with it?

Just paper stats!

The factors to consider in actual battle far exceed what Transform can copy!

The fact that its own-type Sludge Bomb failed to surpass the Dark-type Dark Pulse is enough to show that Gengar's current condition has granted it an extraordinary boost!

While this fellow still has that momentum, press the attack in one go!

He waved his hand and shouted: "Shadow Ball!"

"Hehehehe—"

Gengar giggled and tilted its body slightly; countless deep-purple energy wisps in the air, like wailing vengeful spirits, gathered into the gaps between its two claws, forming a twisted, pseudo-spherical dark energy orb.

It violently shoved the energy orb forward, hurling it at Ditto just like a fighting-game character firing a projectile!

Hmm~

The fluctuation of Ghost-type energy made the air tremble, emitting a slightly shrill, eerie sound.

How could Ditto dare to stand idle? Under Ilima's command it too condensed a dark energy orb of roughly the same size, and pushed it forward with all its might!

In an instant.

The two energy orbs collided with a thunderous crash, triggering a terrifying explosion whose firelight and smoke covered nearly half the field!

Boom!

Sand and stones flew!

The audience felt a sudden jolt in their hearts, gazing in astonishment at the dust-churning field. The destructive power the Pokémon displayed brought them no fear — instead, it thrilled them immensely.

Once the smoke cleared, the audience looked at the field and immediately noticed that the positions of the two Gengars had shifted slightly.

Ilima's Gengar still maintained its floating posture, while All Baimu's Gengar had dropped onto the ice, panting heavily as if a great deal of stamina had been drained.

The commentator said in surprise: "The Shadow Ball clash is over! The real Gengar actually couldn't beat Ditto? What on earth— wait!"

Ilima's and All Baimu's expressions were each captured and projected onto screens elsewhere; the audience could now clearly see the solemn look on the former's face and the calm on the latter's.

Why were they making those expressions?

Could it be that the two Gengars had swapped positions in that explosion?

Which one is which?!

Murmurs erupted in the stands; because Ditto's Transform was too flawless, the two Gengars were identical from head to toe.

Perhaps no one except the two battling trainers could tell which was which?

Fortunately, as a commentator who had called countless matches, his eyes were extremely sharp and his memory exceptionally outstanding; from the smallest clues he tracked down the wounds left on Gengar by Stealth Rock.

He quickly gave the audience the answer: the two had indeed swapped positions.

The audience erupted in uproar.

On the field.

Ilima was inwardly anxious; Ditto had copied all of Gengar's physical stats, but failed to copy its spirit.

After defeating Komala with Sludge Bomb, Gengar's momentum had grown tremendously and its condition was superb — it had even performed at what seemed a level beyond its original strength.

Even if Ditto could wield one hundred percent of Gengar's power, facing the latter it was still at a disadvantage.

Facts speak louder than words.

In the Shadow Ball clash just now, Ditto fell a step short of Gengar, to the point that in the explosion it was knocked down onto the ice — clearly it had the advantage in stamina, yet who would have thought it would lose in such an unexpected area.

Lose one step, lose every step.

Ilima had planned to use Ditto's stamina advantage to suppress Gengar, but he hadn't expected the opponent's actual strength to exceed its physical strength!

This wasn't his first time encountering such a thing; Ditto's Transform was far from perfect, but this was absolutely the most frustrating instance for him.

He had to take down Gengar!

Ilima recalled the moves he had thought of earlier and decided to be reckless this once.

In the distance.

All Baimu squinted and saw the determined look on the pink-haired boy's face, and said softly: "Good, he's starting to get anxious."

He exchanged a glance with the Gengar facing this way, and gave it a thumbs-up.

"Hehehehe!"

Gengar was thrilled, its momentum surging higher and higher.

Holding the advantage, they needed no gambling strategy — only steady, aggressive offense; they weren't anxious, so Ilima naturally would be.

Having taken down zero of the opponent's Pokémon before reaching the mid-match break — who wouldn't be anxious?

The upcoming battle only required guarding against Destiny Bond.

The two trainers faced each other from afar — one composed and unhurried, the other with a stern gaze.

Both issued their commands.

"Use Shadow Ball again!"

"Sucker Punch!"

All Baimu's Gengar before Eilima raised both claws high, and at his command summoned a second twisted orb of dark energy, striking a slam-dunk pose as it hurled itself toward the panting Ditto on the ice!

"Geng!"

Suddenly.

Ditto vanished at an even swifter speed, then reappeared like smoke mysteriously at Gengar's flank, a layer of blood-colored energy forming a savage beast-claw on its plump paw, slashing viciously!

Whoosh!

A vicious wind howled!

【Sucker Punch】 — when the opponent uses an attacking move, it can strike back at a faster speed! Paired with the Ghost type's uncanny ability to appear and disappear, it truly feels like teleportation, chilling to the heart!

But before the blood-colored claw could land, Gengar abruptly spun around and bared a savage grin at Ditto, actually opening its huge mouth wide and biting down on Ditto's paw.

At the same time.

The Shadow Ball that had seemed to fly toward the ice had in fact only left one hand — when Gengar spun quickly, its other claw had already violently yanked the Shadow Ball back!

It swung it like a kettlebell, slamming the Shadow Ball into the startled Ditto!

Boom!

Deep purple energy flames raged wildly!

Gengar was sent flying backward by the blast's gust, cackling smugly.

A fake Ghost playing peekaboo in front of a real Ghost?

Showing off a broadsword before Lord Guan!

And Ditto fell from the smoke, crashing heavily onto the ice, looking rather wretched.

Eilima shouted: "Hold on, Ditto! You can do it!"

The commentator cried out: "It hit! Gengar deliberately tanked the Sucker Punch! Ditto took the Shadow Ball! Can it still keep going?"

The words had barely fallen.

On the ice, Ditto struggled to its feet at Eilima's call.

All Baimu and Gengar were both surprised — Ghost type is super effective against Ghost type, how could a mere Ditto take that much punishment?

But before he could give another order.

Thud.

Ditto wobbled and collapsed, light shining as it reverted to its original form, its eyes covered by the swirly spirals of unconsciousness.

"Mee..."

Eilima's excited expression froze, the word 【Destiny Bond】 he had on his tongue swallowed back, leaving him silent for a moment.

The referee raised his flag and shouted: "Ditto is unable to battle! Gengar wins!"

The commentator sighed: "What a pity! Contestant Eilima grew a little too eager at the end, giving Contestant All Baimu and Gengar an opening. Well then, let's take a five-minute halftime break!"

Ding!

On the big screen, the timer stopped.

All Baimu welcomed back the jubilant Gengar, soothing softly: "Great job! Two opponents down! Keep it up!"

"Geng geng~"

Gengar was immensely proud, legs together and little paws raised, giving a comical salute.

Two fierce battles had actually taken a certain toll on its stamina — Ditto's Sucker Punch hadn't been entirely without effect.

But for Gengar, it was all worth it.

It prepared to keep pushing, aiming to take down the remaining three opponents as well!

Across the way.

Eilima recalled Ditto, murmured a few words of comfort, then glanced at the scoreboard — the two lit circles beside All Baimu's portrait, with four unlit circles, weighed on him heavily.

This opponent was simply too strong — even stronger than back during the Gym battle.

At least in those 3v3s, he'd had a chance to take down one or two of All Baimu's Pokémon, but now he couldn't even take a single one.

"I'll still have to trouble you all."

He muttered to himself, touching the bracelet on his wrist inlaid with glass beads, and the strange watch-like band on his sleeve.