----
Banette had stopped moving for far too long.
Morty sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose, and waved at the ref. "Alright… enough. I forfeit this round."
The referee raised his flag. "Second round victory goes to the challenger!"
Kai snapped his fingers.
"Steelix. Spit it out."
SCHLORP!
With a snort of irritation, the massive Crystal Steelix opened its mouth and hurled Banette onto the floor like a used chew toy. The ghostly puppet bounced across the arena several times before flopping onto its back, stuffed arms spread out, no signs of consciousness.
It looked… destroyed.
But thankfully, Banette's body was more doll-like than organic. No bones to break, just cloth and curse energy. It hadn't been mortally wounded, just overwhelmed. Likely passed out from the pain.
Kai gave a slight nod as Morty knelt down and gently recalled his Pokémon with a long breath.
"You're stronger than I expected," he admitted, standing slowly. "Didn't think I'd need to pull this one out… but I guess it's time I stop holding back."
From a pocket inside his jacket, Morty withdrew a third Poké Ball—smaller, worn, but emanating a subtle tension.
"My ace."
He wound back and threw.
FLASH.
A towering, spectral figure emerged in the glow. Floating effortlessly above the ground, the Pokémon was nearly seven feet tall, jet-black with a swirling shadow-tail and arms like armored gauntlets. Its head was like a steel helmet, with a single red eye gleaming from the slit.
Its round belly bore a twisted face carved into its chest.
Dusknoir.
Kai's expression didn't change, but his hand went to his belt.
'So that's his trump card… makes sense. Dusknoir's no joke.'
He pulled out his Pokédex to double-check its stats.
> "Dusknoir. The Gripper Pokémon. Ghost-type. Said to serve as a messenger between the worlds of the living and the dead. Uses antennae on its head to receive signals from the spirit world, guiding lost souls—or stealing them prematurely."
Kai squinted at the screen.
So basically, a full-blown grim reaper…
Not exactly comforting.
He reached for Crystal Steelix's ball. "Return."
A beam of red light absorbed the behemoth back into its capsule. Just as he was considering which Pokémon to use next—
"Leave this one to me."
A voice echoed from the floor. Or more precisely, from the shadow at Kai's feet.
A wide grin stretched across the darkness. Then two glowing red eyes appeared.
"Been a while since I crushed someone in a Gym match."
"Gengar?"
Kai turned, eyebrows raised. Gengar's head emerged fully from the shadows, smirking.
"You're volunteering?"
Gengar hovered upward, arms crossed. "What can I say? I'm feeling nostalgic. Besides, I haven't seen proper action since you became Champion."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "This guy's no pushover. You sure?"
Gengar chuckled darkly. "Champion-level ghost versus Gym Leader's ghost? C'mon… you know I love an audience."
Kai grinned. "Alright. Go get 'em."
"You got it, boss."
Gengar floated to the center stage, humming to himself. "Time to stretch these legs…"
Morty blinked in disbelief.
"You're using a Gengar?"
He leaned forward, scanning the field. "Wait… did it just talk?"
Indeed, Gengar was spinning midair, casually tossing a small illusionary skull between his fingers like a coin.
"Oh, I talk plenty," Gengar said with a wink. "Hope you're not too shocked, Boi"
Morty looked back at Kai. "How…?"
Kai shrugged. "He taught himself."
"That's—unheard of!"
Gengar gave a dramatic sigh. "You'd think people never met a bilingual Pokémon before…"
"I've only ever heard of a Meowth that could speak," Morty muttered.
"Oh, yeah. That guy. Real motor mouth."
Morty, still amazed, took a hesitant step forward. "So… how long have you been able to—"
"Oh my Arceus," Gengar groaned. "Can we please skip the interview and get to the part where I pound your spooky iron-face into the floor?"
Morty paused.
"…Wow. He really does talk."
He turned back to Kai. "Would you consider… trading him?"
Kai froze.
"…Excuse me?"
Morty held up both hands. "I mean, just asking. As a fellow Ghost-type lover, I've never seen anything like him."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"No."
Gengar flashed his fangs. "That's right. I'm not some souvenir you pick up at the Poké Mart."
Morty laughed, brushing back his hair. "Fair enough. Thought I'd try."
"You ready to battle?" Gengar said, floating toward Dusknoir, "Or you gonna ask me my favorite color too?"
Morty exhaled. "No more questions."
He stepped back into position, raising a hand.
"You wanted a fight, Gengar? You've got one."
Gengar's eyes gleamed.
"Then let's make this a show."
----
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