In a real Ghost-type versus Ghost-type battle, there often wasn't any intense back-and-forth. Many times, one of the Ghost-type Pokémon would suddenly collapse while the bystanders were still completely confused.
Phoebe's commands perfectly showcased the traits of Ghost-type Pokémon. Even in a direct 1-on-1 confrontation, she wasn't at a disadvantage in the slightest.
After all, Ghost-types excel more at stealth, ambushes, and moves like Curse. It's hard for them to fully utilize their advantages in head-on battles.
While Chandelure's defeat wasn't surprising to anyone, the reason it fell still made Sato feel a deep respect. He'd only barely noticed a hint of what had happened.
Both Gengar and Chandelure specialized in Special Attacks, so the battlefield was constantly crisscrossed with silent Shadow Balls, Thunderbolts, and Flamethrowers.
Sometimes clashing, sometimes narrowly missing.
But in the midst of the frequent exchanges, Gengar, just a bit faster than its opponent, managed to force in a spare moment every so often to use another kind of move.
Spite, which reduces the number of times a move can be used during battle.
Pokémon can't use moves infinitely during battle. Not just due to stamina, but also because it depends on how much energy is stored within them.
When a Pokémon runs out of the energy stored inside its body, it can only resort to using its bare fists to fight.
Spite doesn't reduce a move's usage count by much each time, but over and over again, it adds up significantly.
So when Chandelure suddenly paused for the first time and failed to launch a Shadow Ball that should've been like second nature, Gengar seized the opening and began steadily widening the gap.
It was a meticulously calculated battle.
'It was as if every step had been planned in advance…' Sato watched Phoebe -the calmest person in the whole scene- and couldn't help but feel an intense desire to surpass her.
A Poké Ball flew toward Chandelure. In the end, Phoebe chose to catch it.
To have become a leader of its kind, Chandelure's potential was undoubtedly high. And though it had an instinctual drive to absorb vitality, if Phoebe dared to catch it, she must have a way to deal with that.
Seeing their leader captured, the Litwick and Lampent finally began to scatter and flee, but the Ghost World portal showed no signs of closing.
"Phoebe, do you have any ideas?" Ryoko hugged Lunatone, her brows slightly furrowed.
The Ghost World entrance obviously couldn't be left unchecked. Who knew what kind of chaotic things might emerge from it?
"I do have something in mind… but I'm not sure it'll work," Phoebe said hesitantly, then threw out another Poké Ball.
"Dusclops, can you shut the Ghost World entrance?"
Dusclops resembled a fortress built from gray bricks. Its red single eye revealed no hint of emotion.
Dusclops slowly waddled over to the portal. A gray-black hole suddenly opened on its belly.
In an instant, the suction from the Ghost World portal disappeared. Then the portal rapidly shrank until it was the exact same size as the hole on Dusclops's belly.
And then, Dusclops and the portal fell into a deadlock, neither could overpower the other. The two portals simply faced each other, unmoving.
With the suction gone, the others mustered up their courage and stepped closer.
Dusclops slowly rotated its large red single eye and looked toward its Trainer.
'So now what ⊙ω⊙?' "Dus!"
Just as Phoebe was at a loss, Sato's Gengar suddenly stepped forward, circling around and examining the two portals.
Then, Gengar made its move.
A soft pink glow suddenly flashed from its golden eyes and struck the area where the two energies were entangled.
The two forces began to separate like strands being peeled apart, and the point of contact was gradually filled and infused with the pink energy.
Finally, the two streams of energy were cleanly and clearly divided by Gengar's pink energy, each slowly retreating back to its respective space.
Whoosh!
At last, the Ghost World portal was shut. The wall fully returned to its original state, and Gengar withdrew its pink energy, panting heavily as it collapsed onto the ground.
This was its first time using the energy it had acquired on the Ghost Ship, and the effect far exceeded its expectations. It had actually managed to suppress the Ghost World portal.
And this was only a faint trace of energy left behind by Palkia. Just how powerful would it be in its full form?
"What is this ability!" Phoebe's eyes lit up as she looked at Sato. She considered herself to have a thorough understanding of Ghost-type Pokémon.
But now, a member of the common Gengar species had used an ability she'd never seen before, and that thrilled her beyond belief.
Phoebe had a deep thirst for knowledge when it came to anything related to Ghost-types.
"I had a bit of a lucky encounter. A normal Gengar could never comprehend something like this on its own," Sato bluntly shattered Phoebe's fantasy.
How many people could ever even encounter Palkia's power? And even if they did, could they be sure they'd benefit from it?
Sato said nothing more. In any case, he had no intention of explaining further.
Phoebe puffed up in frustration. She knew Sato's stubborn temperament, if he didn't want to say something, he really wouldn't say it.
Besides, those golden eyes of Gengar's clearly weren't something a regular ghost should have.
So even though Phoebe was still a bit unwilling, she could only give up.
Thankfully, in the next moment, her attention shifted to the newly caught Chandelure. Unexpectedly, she didn't put away the Poké Ball but handed it to Sableye instead.
"Hehe, can't let it drain my vitality. If Sableye holds it, there's no problem~" Phoebe said with a cheeky grin.
This Sableye really had something special about it. Whether it was the earlier use of Shadow Tag or now suppressing Chandelure's absorption, it clearly wasn't an ordinary Ghost-type Pokémon.
"Is it over? Then let's hurry up and go!" Mark finally couldn't hold back and urged from the side.
"Not going to consider the Litwick? You saw it too, Chandelure's final evolution is pretty strong," Joseph teased from the side.
Ryoko and Phoebe looked at Joseph and Mark in confusion, but neither of them explained.
"Let's get out of here." Sato didn't say much either. He nodded toward Mark and strode toward the mansion's exit.
"Wait for me, boss!"
Mark followed him excitedly. Joseph chuckled and tilted his head toward the two girls. "We'll explain later. It's Mark's turn now."
"His turn for what? What are you two scheming again!" Phoebe stomped her foot and hurried after them.
Ryoko was also confused, but she didn't say much either… because she suddenly realized that her identity within this group didn't seem so secret anymore.
It felt like none of them were ordinary people. And ever since she witnessed Mark's Togetic erupt with that strange power, Phoebe had clearly noticed it too.
Mark… was someone with substance.
…Someone with depth!