Of course.
Paralysis didn't just mean its legs—it meant its entire body.
Its whole frame was stiff, unable to move freely.
It couldn't move easily, nor could it attack properly.
When it did manage to move, it was sluggish.
When it attacked, the intervals were so long that follow-ups were nearly impossible.
"Gengar, use Hypnosis!" Yozora commanded again.
At this moment, Flygon was paralyzed, unable to act. Letting Gengar follow up with consecutive Shadow Balls would easily finish the fight.
But…
Yozora was connected to his Gengar through spirit. He knew that Gengar was eyeing Flygon's life energy with great hunger…
To Gengar, why defeat it in just two blows, when it could savor that delicious energy instead?
As a trainer, how could Yozora deny such a small request?Especially since this wasn't an official League battle—just a casual duel.
"Jie jie jie…"
Gengar let out an excited chuckle. From its eyes radiated waves of purple energy, enveloping Flygon.
In an instant, Flygon fell into a dreamscape. Around it stretched a beautiful, peaceful world…
Sunlight poured down, warming the soft, sunlit grass below.
Unable to resist, Flygon slowly descended, lying down upon the ground. Its eyelids grew heavy, on the verge of slumber.
"Not good!"
Ryūnan's face was stricken with panic as he shouted:"Flygon, wake up! Use Sand Tomb!"
The command was given.
But within the dreamscape, Flygon heard Ryūnan's voice as gentle and soothing—telling it to rest.
So, it obediently closed its eyes and drifted into deep sleep, even starting to snore.
"Damn it!" Ryūnan's face darkened.
Half-asleep, Flygon couldn't be awakened. Now that it was in deep sleep, waking it would be even harder!
"Use Dream Eater!" Gengar licked its lips, gazing at the powerful, slumbering Flygon. Feeling the vigorous pulse of its life energy, Gengar's fingers twitched eagerly.
It stretched out its spectral hands and tore forth a massive stream of purple life force from Flygon's body.
Like a colossal strand of violet ramen, as thick as a barrel.
Already two meters long, and Gengar plopped down gleefully, devouring it like noodles—yet the flow never ceased.
As expected of a Lord-tier Flygon—its life force was overflowing!
By devouring this life energy, Gengar replenished its stamina.
But in truth, it hadn't used much at all. Against Gyarados earlier, it had won effortlessly. It had barely consumed any energy.
On top of that, feeding on Flygon's vitality directly strengthened its own life force.
Once that force reached a certain threshold, its power level would rise.
This was Gengar's way: devour enough, and it could rapidly grow stronger.
Of course…
This wasn't unique to Gengar. Nearly all Ghost-types could do the same.
That was why people often called them "spirits" or "phantoms." The name was no coincidence.
Even Yozora's Aegislash shared this nature.
It was said that the silk-like ribbons of Aegislash were its true body. By latching onto humans or Pokémon, it could drain their life force.
But Yozora's Gengar had mastered Dream Eater, making the process far faster and more efficient.
…
As Gengar feasted, Flygon's complexion grew pale. Its body trembled as though caught in a nightmare, cold sweat pouring down its face.
"Come back, Flygon!" Ryūnan shouted several times, but his partner remained lost in sleep. He had no choice but to recall it into its Poké Ball.
But that solved nothing.
Flygon remained asleep. The next time it came out, it would likely still be slumbering.
"That Gengar… it's too troublesome."
Ryūnan's heart sank. "It's not just its level and raw power. The worst part is—it can vanish at will!"
It felt like facing a monster.
At that moment, he suddenly thought of his Arcanine.
If it were here, its sharp nose could track Gengar no matter how it hid.
Unfortunately, he hadn't brought it. And truthfully, even if he had… it wouldn't help much.
His Arcanine was only at Commander-tier, barely scratching the surface.
By normal standards, that was impressive. But against Gengar? No chance.
"To counter invisibility… aside from scent, there's hearing—and Aura." Ryūnan muttered.
Yes, Aura.
Aura wasn't exclusive to Aura Guardians. Many Pokémon could wield it too.
The most famous, of course, was Lucario—the Aura Pokémon. Practically born as an Aura Guardian, wielding Aura from the very start.
As for hearing…
That was unreliable. If Gengar vanished and stayed still, there'd be no sound to catch.
Too passive.
"Wait—sound waves!" Ryūnan's eyes lit up.
Some Pokémon could release sonar-like waves. If those waves were obstructed, that would reveal Gengar's location.
"Flygon had Supersonic… I should have used it," Ryūnan sighed inwardly. "And Sand Tomb too."
Sand Tomb could whip up a sandstorm. Its vast reach would keep battering the opponent.
Even if its power wasn't great, constant pressure would force Gengar out of hiding.
"In the end, the problem is that Gengar is simply too strong. Not just its invisibility—its speed as well. My Flygon couldn't even react!"
After a moment's thought, Ryūnan finally released his fifth Pokémon.
Dragonair.
"Dragonair? He's already sending it out as his fifth? Could it be… he still has a stronger ace hidden away?"
"Unbelievable. No wonder he's a core disciple of the Blackthorn Clan. So many rare and powerful Pokémon at his disposal!"
"What's the point? Honestly, that kid's the real monster. His Gengar just crushed a Gyarados and a Flygon like it was nothing!" The crowd erupted with chatter.
At first, most spectators had placed their hopes on Ryūnan.
But now, the tide had turned.
Compared to Ryūnan, Yozora clearly held the advantage.
…
…
(End of Chapter)