Dusknoir: Hehe, Gengar. Now, simply transform into my nourishment!
At that exact moment, a triumphant smirk spread across Gengar's face. A violet radiance simultaneously enveloped both Gengar and Dusknoir. Because of the chaotic refraction of light from the Black Holes and Will-O-Wisps, Dusknoir failed to notice the anomaly on its own body.
Just as the titan felt certain of its victory, it suddenly found itself standing exactly where Gengar had been—right in the center of its own lethal crossfire. Gengar, now standing safely at a distance, let out a mocking cackle.
Dusknoir's smile froze. It stared in wide-eyed terror at its own incoming Will-O-Wisps and the crushing gravity of the Black Holes. Upon contact with the ghostly flames, Dusknoir was instantly engulfed in a blue-green inferno. It thrashed desperately, only to be sucked into the imploding vacuum of the Black Holes.
KABOOM!
A massive explosion rocked the Soul Lake. The shockwave sent the gathered Ghost-type Pokémon tumbling in all directions. Dark lightning and blue sparks crackled through the Spirit Realm's gray sky.
When the smoke cleared, a battered, half-dead Dusknoir fell from the air—straight into Gengar's waiting, cavernous maw. Gengar swallowed the titan whole.
Immediately, Gengar's body began to swell. Blue-green flames erupted from its skin, burning away the black electrical arcs until Gengar's entire body glowed with a ghostly teal hue.
At that moment, the petals of the Spirit Lotus fell away, and the black energy within them surged into Gengar's body. The cool essence soothed the burning pain of the transition. With a final, explosive surge of will, Gengar shattered the barrier of the Champion rank.
A gargantuan pressure erupted from Gengar, so heavy that the surrounding ghosts were pinned to the muddy ground, unable to breathe. Only the arbiter Dragapult managed to remain upright, though even it was trembling.
Gengar's New Stats
Name: Gengar (Male)
Aptitude: Legendary (Blue)
Level: 81
Type: Ghost / Poison
Abilities: Levitate
Key Moves: Hypnosis, Perish Song, Shadow Punch, Shadow Ball, Destiny Bond, Shadow Claw, Spirit Traverse (New), Black Hole (New), Will-O-Wisp (Enhanced).
Status: Newly Ascended Champion.
Evaluation: By devouring Cofagrigus and Dusknoir, it has gained rapid-fire capabilities and absolute control over Spirit Realm gates. Its power now rivals that of a Mythical Pokémon.
"How is this possible?" the Dragapult thought, its eyes wide with shock. "A newly ascended Champion is exerting this much pressure on me? I'm at the peak of the Champion rank!"
Gengar quickly retracted its aura, snatched the three Soul Crystals into its mouth, and vanished back into Feng Che's shadow to begin stabilizing its new power.
The Uninvited Guest
"Gengar is safe in your shadow," Mewtwo noted. "But it needs to rest, or its level might slip. Let's head back to the human world."
Mewtwo initiated Teleport, whisking Feng Che away. However, neither of them noticed that a tiny, exceptionally talented Dreepy had slipped into Feng Che's shadow just before the jump, drawn by the immense power Gengar had displayed.
The remaining ghosts erupted into chaos, searching for the spatial coordinates of the intruders.
"Stop," the Dragapult commanded, its face dark. "That psychic entity is long gone." Not only had it failed to stop the theft, but the clan's most promising young Dreepy was missing.
Ambush at the Mountain Base
Feng Che reappeared at the base of Mt. Pyre. Before he could take a step, two figures in Team Aqua uniforms blocked his path.
"Found you at last, God-Slayer."
It was Matt and Amber. Matt was a mountain of a man, a former wrestler who joined Aqua to repay Archie's kindness. Amber was lean and sharp, a specialist in Water-type breeding and a former sea-hunter. Both held shards of a black scale that pulsed with dark energy, pointing directly at Feng Che.
"The God of the Sea wants your head," Matt snarled. "Go, Sharpedo!"
Two Sharpedo lunged forward, their jaws snapping as they unleashed high-pressure water jets.
"Zeraora, use Plasma Fists!"
Feng Che released the Mythical thunder-cat. Zeraora blurred into a streak of gold. The sound of a thousand chirping birds filled the air as electrical discharges lit up the mountainside.
THUD. THUD.
The Sharpedo fell from the sky, bodies twitching with residual golden sparks. The massive discharge immediately alerted the elderly guardians at the summit.
"Is the enemy at the gates?" Grandpa muttered, gripping his cane. "Send a Gengar to see what's happening at the base!"
Down below, Matt sneered. "Impressive, kid. But we have the God's grace. AWAKEN, KING OF THE ABYSS!"
The black scales in their hands exploded with miasma. The dark mist swirled around the fallen Sharpedo, forcing a transformation. As the smoke cleared, two Mega Sharpedo, eyes glowing a mindless crimson, lunged toward Zeraora.