Pokemon : Rewind

Haunter couldn't believe what had just happened. The attack it was certain would secure victory had failed.

Ash, equally shocked, stood frozen for a moment. He hadn't expected Gary to find a weakness in the attack's timing, seize the fleeting opportunity, and direct Umbreon to escape.

"Unbelievable! Gary's Umbreon managed to dodge Haunter's Shadow Ball, even when it was part of the Secret Skill: Aerial Ace! What an incredible feat!" the commentator exclaimed, and the crowd erupted into murmurs of amazement.

As Umbreon landed gracefully on the battlefield, Gary seized the moment. "Umbreon, use Dark Pulse! Let's finish this now!"

Umbreon, nourished by the brief healing from Moonlight, had regained enough strength to act. 

Its body glowed faintly as it summoned it's Dark-type energy. Though its recovery had been interrupted, the rejuvenation was sufficient to condense its attack.

A wave of irregular, circular beams burst forth from Umbreon, spiraling toward Haunter with incredible speed.

"Haunter, activate Phantom Force! Dodge it now!" Ash commanded, his mind racing to keep up. He knew that if Haunter took the hit, it would be over.

However, Haunter, still shaken by the unexpected failure of its attack, hesitated. This was the first time since mastering Aerial Ace that an opponent had evaded its assault.

Haunter finally reacted and began opening the dimensional portal for Phantom Force. But the delay was costly. 

Before it could vanish, Umbreon's Dark Pulse struck it with devastating force.

"Boom!" The battlefield trembled as Haunter was blasted backward, the force of the Dark Pulse closing the portal it had barely managed to open.

Haunter tumbled across the ground, sliding over ten meters before coming to a stop. Its body lay still, unconscious.

"Haunter is unable to battle! Umbreon wins!" the referee declared, his tone tinged with astonishment. The crowd erupted, their cheers echoing through the stadium.

Gary clenched his fists in triumph. "Well done, Umbreon!" he called out, his voice betraying his excitement.

"Umbreoooon!" Umbreon let out a victorious cry, its confidence surging. It could feel itself growing stronger, as though it had broken through to a new level.

The commentator's voice boomed through the speakers. "Unbelievable! Haunter, who had mastered the elusive Secret Skill: Aerial Ace, has been defeated by Gary's Umbreon! This is what the semi-finals are all about—pure determination and skill!"

Indigo Stadium fell silent for a moment before erupting into thunderous applause and cheers. The audience, overwhelmed by the intense battle, couldn't contain their excitement any longer.

In the stands, Misty and Brock exchanged surprised glances. "I've seen Aerial Ace countless times, but this is the first time I've ever seen someone evade it," Brock said, his voice filled with admiration.

"Gary's come a long way," Misty added, watching the battlefield with wide eyes.

Professor Oak, usually composed, was shouting in excitement alongside the rest of the crowd. 

Beside him, Delia smiled warmly but kept her eyes fixed on Ash, her expression tinged with motherly concern.

Ash, meanwhile, remained calm. He retrieved Haunter's Poké Ball and recalled the unconscious Pokémon. "You did great, Haunter. Take a good rest," he said softly.

Placing the Poké Ball back on his belt, Ash turned his focus back to Gary and Umbreon. His mind was clear despite the loss. 

It wasn't a flaw in Aerial Ace, he thought. The flaw was Haunter's impatience. Gary capitalized on it perfectly.

"Gary, you've gotten much stronger," Ash admitted aloud, his voice steady. "But let's see if you can handle this!"

Ash reached for another Poké Ball. With a powerful toss, he called out his next Pokémon. "Pidgeot, I choose you!"

A burst of white light filled the arena as Pidgeot emerged, soaring majestically into the air. Its wings spread wide, and it let out a piercing cry, surveying the battlefield with sharp, predatory eyes.

"Pidgeot, the original master of Aerial Ace! Can Gary and Umbreon crack this one too?" the commentator shouted as the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch.

Gary's eyes narrowed, his confidence unshaken. "Even if it's Pidgeot, I'll find a way to counter it!" he declared.

Ash smirked. "We'll see about that. Pidgeot, use Air Slash!"

Pidgeot flapped its powerful wings, sending razor-sharp energy blades hurtling toward Umbreon. The attack ripped through the air, leaving trails of turbulence in its wake.

Gary, however, had already anticipated this. "Umbreon, return!" he shouted, quickly recalling Umbreon into its Poké Ball. 

The red beam of light enveloped the Pokémon just as the Air Slash struck the ground where it had been standing, carving a deep, meter-long trench.

Gary wasted no time. He immediately sent out his second Pokémon. "Rhydon, you're up!"

The Poké Ball burst open, and a massive grey Pokémon materialised on the battlefield. Rhydon's imposing form stood tall, its drill-like horn gleaming under the stadium lights. Its rock-like armour and powerful tail exuded raw strength.

"Rhydon, the Drill Pokémon!" the commentator announced. "With its Rock and Ground typing, will it have an advantage against Ash's Pidgeot?"

Ash studied Rhydon carefully, while Gary's confidence grew. "Even if it's Pidgeot, I'll crack its Aerial Ace just like before," Gary thought, determination burning in his eyes.

The battle was far from over, and both trainers knew this was only the beginning.

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