Spooky Showdown

"Alright everyone, time to put on a show!" A rather attractive woman shouted out while twirling about between a horde of Ghost type Pokemon. She appeared to be in her mid to late twenties and wore a blue Alolan style dress and tank top. Two large pink flowers rested on the side of her short black hair and her feet were completely bare as she twirled about.

"Chime chime!" Several Chimecho chimed out while a gentle breeze made them sway back and forth.

"Chandelure!" The chandelier Pokemon cried out as it shot out a ghastly blue flame, the fire harmlessly levitated above the meadow and surrounded the gathered Ghost types.

"Banette!"

"Sableye!"

"Mismagius!" Several Banette and Sableye performed various dance techniques while a Mismagius shot several lightning bolts into the air, the lightning bolts resembled fireworks as they broke apart high above the field. Phoebe and her large assemble of Pokemon then began to bow as the fire faded away.

"Thank you, thank you!" Phoebe cried out.

"Wow, that was quite the beautiful display!" Marnie gasped out. After finishing their battles against Elite Four member Sidney, Ash and Marnie journeyed to Mt. Pyre so Ash could challenge the Ghost specialist to a battle. Zach, Dawn and May had gone off to Petalburg City but promised to meet back up with them later.

"Morpek!"

"That looked like a Contest technique!"

"Pika!"

A dark blush formed across Phoebe's cheeks upon realizing they had visitors. She quickly stood up and uttered out a nervous laugh while rubbing the back of her neck. "Y-You saw that...? I apologize if my technique was a bit rusty, it's been awhile but a good friend wants me to perform at their wedding so I've been practicing... here... where I'm usually alone..." She sweated.

"It looked great to me!"

"Pi Pikachu!"

"Yeah, I didn't see anything wrong with it." Marnie added on. "I thought it was pretty good."

"That's a relief to hear, th-Wait a second," Something snapped in place as Phoebe's eyes locked onto Pikachu. "A Pikachu and a boy with raven colored hair... you're Ash Ketchum!" Phoebe exclaimed with an excited expression. "Drake, Wallace and Glacia speak highly of you and mentioned that you're quite the skilled combatant so I can only assume you've come here to challenge me to a Pokemon battle!"

"You're not wrong there," Ash chuckled while nervously scratching the back of his neck upon hearing that the other Elite Four members and the former Champion spoke in such a way.

"Well it was either that or Wallace sent you here to inform me that the wedding's being moved up." Phoebe giggled out before offering Ash a brief nod. "Very well, I accept your challenge!"

"Great, I'll just-"

"Stop!" Phoebe called out as Ash reached for his Rotom Phone. "I'm not participating in the World Championship, it's just not my thing. I'm happy where I'm at and wouldn't change a thing!"

'Oh right, I forgot some of the Elite Four members share Glacia's view.' Ash thought to himself, recalling how Glacia was similarly content with her life. "Well that's fine with me, a battle's a battle. Doesn't matter to me if it's official or not!" Ash grinned.

"Pika pika!"

'You were right, Drake. He's acting precisely the way you imagined.' Phoebe smirked to herself. "Well then I believe we shall set the terms for our battle, would you like a four on four matchup or perhaps a six on six? It's been a long while since we had a challenger, we could use the workout."

"Six on six!" Ash eagerly shouted out while Marnie playfully rolled her eyes.

'I knew he'd say that.'

"Alright then," Phoebe waved towards her Ghost types who quickly began to scatter, clearing up enough space for a battle. Phoebe quickly took her place at one end of the field while Ash took his place at the other. Marnie stepped back and joined Phoebe's Ghosts on the sideline. "And you're Marnie, right? Ash's girlfriend?"

"Er-Yes, I am." Marnie was briefly taken aback by the fact that Phoebe knew who she was.

"Thought so, you don't look like a 'Zach' to me." Phoebe laughed. "Well Marnie, would you mind counting us down? We'll release our first Pokemon at the count of three, ready Ash?"

"Ready!" Ash smirked before nodding towards Pikachu. "Go join, Marnie."

"Pi!" Pikachu leaped from his shoulder and raced towards Marnie before leaping up to take his place atop her shoulder. Marnie smiled and gave his head a quick pat as she started counting.

"One, two, three... GO!"

"You're up, Banette!" Phoebe shouted. Despite there being six Banette present they seemed to know which one she was referring to as only one flew onto the battlefield.

"Banette!"

"Slowpoke, I choose you!"

"Slowpoke!" The Galarian Slowpoke cried out as it burst from it's ball.

"Shadow Ball!" Phoebe shouted out.

"Banette!" A ball of black-purple static energy began forming between Banette's hands.

"Dodge it then Yawn!" Ash shouted out.

"Slow!" Phoebe's eyes widened as Slowpoke swiftly avoided the attack, she hardly saw him move as it mostly consisted of a pink blur whisking across the field.

"I've never seen a Slowpoke move like that!" She gasped out as the Shadow Ball exploded against the ground.

"Banette!" Banette was just as shocked as his trainer though his eyes soon began to droop as Slowpoke yawned out.

"Let's put a Curse on him!" Phoebe cried out.

"Banette!" Banette cackled out as a sinister purple aura formed around Slowpoke's body.

"Slowpoke..." Slowpoke groaned out as some of his energy drained away.

"Zen Headbutt!" Ash shouted out.

"Slow...poke!" Slowpoke's head began glowing a brigth blue color as he charged across the field before slamming headfirst against his opponent!

"B-Banette..." Banette grunted out shortly before his eyes fully shut, snores soon emitted from his throat as sleep overtook him.

"Rain Dance then follow up with Surf!" Ash shouted out.

"Slow!" Rain began pouring down upon the battlefield as Slowpoke performed a stance. "Slowpoke!" He cried out as a massive wave of water formed beneath his feet, the Psychic type rode the wave across the field until it crashed down upon Banette.

"B-Banette!" Banette comically swayed back and forth as the wave hit against him but remained standing as heavy snores escaped his throat.

"Slow..." Slowpoke grunted out as more of his energy was sapped away by the curse.

"Zen Headbutt!"

"Slow... poke!" Slowpoke cried out as he headbutted his opponent.

"Banette!" Banette cried out, his eyes shot wide awake as he dropped to the ground. "Banette..." Banette groaned out, swirls formed within his eyes as he laid in a collapsed heap.

"Return." Phoebe seemingly pulled a Dusk Ball from thin air as Ash couldn't tell where she'd been keeping it, she didn't appear to be wearing a belt. "Alright Mismagius, you're up!"

"Mismagius!" The ghostly witch cried out as she flew towards the battlefield.

"That Slowpoke may be fast but I bet it can't outrun lightning, use Thunderbolt!"

"Mismagius!" Mismagius cackled out as a powerful bolt of electricity flew from her body.

"I'm not sure but now's as good a time as any to find out!" Ash eagerly shouted out. "Dodge it!"

"Slow!" Slowpoke miraculously avoided the lightning streak as he whisked across the field in a pink blur.

"Alright Slowpoke!"

"Pi Pikachu!"

The celebration didn't last long though as the curse drained away the remainder of Slowpoke's energy. "Slow..." He grunted out, swirls formed in his eyes as he collapsed against the ground.

"Slowpoke return!" Ash swiftly recalled the Psychic type while offering the ball a light smile. "You were great out there today and deserve a long rest." 'Strange, I thought that this would be enough experience to evolve him...' Ash shook off the thought as he reached for another ball. "Alright Tyranitar, I choose you!"

"TYRA!" Tyranitar roared out as he burst onto the battlefield.

"Use Dark Pulse!" Ash shouted out.

"Tyra!" Tyranitar screeched out as a black-purple energy pulse shot from his mouth, the energy beam shot across the field before exploding upon making contact with Mismagius.

"Mismagius..." The ghost grunted out.

"Power Gem!"

"Mismagius!" The red spheres along her body began glowing a bright red color before a bright red energy beam erupted out of them. The energy beam soared across the field before exploding against Tyranitar's chest!

"Tyra..." Tyranitar faintly grunted out.

"Stone Edge!"

"Tyra!" Several large jagged rocks burst from the ground and rushed towards Mismagius, the stones began forming a circle around her before closing in.

"Mis-Mismagius!" Mismagius grunted out as she was sandwiched between the jagged stones.

"Pain Split!" Phoebe shouted out.

"Mismagius!" Mismagius' eyes shot a bright purple color as a light purple aura formed around her and Tyranitar.

"T-Tyranitar!" Tyranitar grunted out, his stance weakened slightly while Mismagius appeared to be healthier than she'd been as Magius split the pain between them.

Ash lightly clenched his fists. "Use Dark Pulse!"

"TYRA!" Tyranitar roared out as a pulse of static black-purple energy shot from his mouth, the energy pulse flew across the field and exploded upon making contact with Mismagius.

"M-Mismagius..." The ghost groaned out, her eyes began rolling upwards as she fell towards the ground below.

"Return!" Phoebe retrieved another Dusk Ball and swiftly returned Mismagius to her confinement. "Alright Drifblim, you're up!" She shouted while tossing another Dusk Ball into the air.

"Drifblim!" The large purple balloon Pokemon cried out as it burst from the ball.

"Phantom Force!" Phoebe shouted out.

"Blim!" Drifblim flew into a purple portal that formed beneath her, disappearing completely as there wasn't any sign or trace of her. "Drif!" Another portal opened up behind Tyranitar and Drifblim swiftly flew out of it, hurling herself at his backside!

"Tyra!" Tyranitar roared out.

"Stay strong Tyranitar, we can do this! Use Dark Pulse!" Ash eagerly exclaimed.

"Tyran..." Another pulse of black-purple static energy shot from his mouth and flew across the field.

"Blim!" Drifblim cried out as the attack exploded against her, the balloon Pokemon already appearing to have taken a sizeable amount of damage.

'That Tyranitar is incredibly strong!' Phoebe's eyes widened while her fists lightly clenched together. 'If I'm to have any chance at winning, I have to take it down fast!'

"Phantom Force!"

"Blim!" Drifblim flew down into another portal that opened up beneath her.

"We're ready for you this time, Tyranitar keep on alert and fire off Dark Pulse when she pops back up!"

"Tyra!" Tyranitar gave his trainer a nod.

"Blim!" Drifblim flew out of a portal that formed behind Tyranitar.

"Tyra!" Tyranitar roared out as he began charging his attack.

"Explosion!" Phoebe smirked.

"Blim!" An orange light surrounded Drifblim shortly before a large explosion engulfed both her and her opponent!

"Tyranitar!" Ash cried out, concerned for his long time friend.

"Tyra..." A loud thud could be heard as Tyranitar's body hit against the ground. As the dust faded away swirls could be seen in both his and Drifblim's eyes.

"Return!" Phoebe recalled the downed Drifblim before standing in silence as she thought over her next move.

"Tyranitar return, you were great out there and deserve a long rest. We'll take it from here." Ash smiled at Tyranitar's Pokeball before placing it upon his belt.

"You're up, Chandelure!" Phoebe cried out.

"Chandelure!" Phoebe's Chandelure exclaimed while making his way to the battlefield.

"Croconaw, I choose you!" Ash shouted while tossing Croconaw's Lure Ball into the air.

"Croconaw!" Croconaw exclaimed as he burst out onto the field.

"Use Crunch!" Ash shouted out.

"Croco!" Croconaw bared his fangs as he leaped into the air. "Naw!" He cried out as he chomped down on his opponent.

"C-Chandelure..."

"Energy Ball!"

Ash clenched his fists while lightly gritting his teeth. He wasn't aware that Chandelure was capable of such an attack else he wouldn't have had Croconaw put himself into range.

"Naw!" Croconaw cried out as the green energy orb blasted him across the field.

"No problem, we'll just stick to ranged attacks. Use Hydro Pump!"

"Croco!" Croconaw cried out as a powerful geyser of water erupted from his mouth. The geyser shot across the field and shattered against Chandelure, splashing him with a large wave of water!

"Chande..."

"Curse!"

"Chandelure!" A purple aura formed around Croconaw's body as Chandelure cast a curse upon him. Croconaw then began shivering as some of his energy was drained by the unseen force.

"Croco..."

"Hydro Pump!" They were limited on attacks for the time being as Crunch put Croconaw into range while his Normal and Fighting attacks were useless against Chandelure.

"Croconaw!" Croconaw cried out as another powerful geyser erupted from his throat.

"Counter with Energy Ball!" Phoebe cried out.

"Chandelure!" Chandelure swiftly fired off a green energy orb which flew towards the incoming water blast, the two attacks met head on with the energy orb blasting through the water but not outright destroying it as the water merely went around it. Both attacks continued going towards their respective opponents before exploding against them!

"Chandelure!" Chandelure cried out as it collapsed against the ground, swirls formed within it's eyes as it laid in defeat.

"Naw..." Croconaw collapsed against the ground before slowly raising back to his feet. "Croconaw!" He uttered out a celebratory roar as a bright blue light consumed his body.

"Croconaw, you're evolving!"

"Pika pi!" Stars filled Ash and Pikachu's eyes at the sight of their friend evolving. Croconaw began escalating in height and soon stood a good foot above Ash and Marnie's heads while his muscles began expanding. His jaw expanded outwards while several sets of fangs grew inside it, the red spikes along his back grew along with the rest of his body while various cream scales shed away as a vast majority of his body was a light blue color much like he had as a Totodile.

"Feraligatr!"

"Alright Feraligatr, you finally evolved!"

"Pika!"

"Feraligatr!" The newly evolved Water starter beamed.

"Feraligatr the Big Jaw Pokemon, Feraligatr intimidates its foes by opening its huge mouth. In battle, it will kick the ground hard with its thick and powerful hind legs to charge at the foe at an incredible speed!" Ash's Rotom Phone read out as Feraligatr's data was registered.

"You're up, Dusknoir!" Phoebe shouted while tossing another Dusk Ball into the air.

'Seriously, where is she keeping those?' Ash couldn't help but silently ask as Dusknoir burst onto the battlefield.

"Noir, Dusknoir!"

"Thunder Punch!" Phoebe cried out.

"Noir!" Electricity crackled around Dusknoir's fist as he lunged forward, giving Feraligatr an electrical shock as his fist struck against him!

"F-Feraligatr!" Feraligatr cried out as electricity surged through his veins. The crocodile groaned out as he fell against the ground, swirls formed within his eyes as his tongue hung from his mouth. "Fera..."

"Feraligatr return, you were great out there and deserve a long rest. Alright Dragapult, I choose you!" Ash shouted while hurling a Pokeball towards the battlefield.

"Oh my!" Stars filled Phoebe's eyes as Dragapult burst onto the battlefield. "I've heard about this species but I've never seen one in person before, they're quite magnificent!" Phoebe gushed.

"Dragapult..." Dragapult faintly blushed upon being praised.

"Yeah, he's pretty amazing!" Ash admitted while lightly scratching the back of his neck. "Alright Dragapult, use Dragon Darts!"

"Draga!" Dragapult cried out as several Dreepy were fired out of his horns, the Dreepy flew across the field at incredible speed and began pelting Dusknoir.

"D-Dusk..." Dusknoir faintly grunted out.

"Shadow Ball!"

"Noir!" A black-purple energy ball formed between Dusknoir's hands and fired off as Dusknoir thrusted his arms outwards. The static energy ball shot across the field and struck Dragapult's chest causing the ghostly dragon to cry out.

"Draga..."

"Phantom Force!" Ash shouted out.

"Dra!" Dragapult flew into a portal that opened up beneath him and soon emerged from another portal as one appeared behind Dusknoir. "Pult!" Dragapult cried out as he lashed out, striking his opponent's backside with his tail!

"Noir!" Dusknoir grunted as he fell face first against the ground before slowly rising back up with a frustrated expression. "Dusknoir!"

"Ice Punch!"

"Noir!" Dusknoir's fist became encased in ice as he lashed out, delivering an ice cold blow to Dragapult's stomach!

"Draga...pult..." Dragapult shivered, his eyes lightly drooped downwards as he groaned out.

"Stay strong Dragapult, I've got faith in you! Use Dragon Rush!" Ash shouted out.

"Dragapult!" Dragapult's eyes began glowing bright blue while a blue aura surrounded his body. "Draga!" Dragapult rushed across the field before slamming into his opponent, knocking Dusknoir over.

"N-Noir..." Dusknoir cried out as he fell towards the ground, a swirl formed within his eye as he laid in a defeated slump.

"Alright Dragapult!"

"Pika pi!"

"Draga!" Dragapult beamed.

"Return," Phoebe swiftly recalled Dusknoir to it's ball before glancing towards her Sableye. "Alright Sableye, you're up!" Despite there being several Sableye present, they knew precisely the one she meant as only one stepped onto the field.

"Sableye!"

Phoebe then bent over and touched her ankle bracelet, revealing that a Key Stone had been embedded into it. "Alright Sableye, let's show them the power of our bond with Mega Evolution!"

"Sableye!" Sableye cried out. A bright pink light engulfed his body as he began transforming into his Mega form.

"So that's what Mega Sableye looks like." Ash commented as the light faded away, it looked roughly the same apart from the Pokemon offering a rather creepy smirk while a large red gem was held within the Mega Pokemon's arms.

"Sableye!"

"Shadow Ball!" Phoebe shouted out.

"Sableye!" Sableye cried out while firing the black-purple energy ball from his mouth.

"Pult!" Dragapult grunted out as the attack struck his chest, the ghostly dragon then uttered out a soft groan as he collapsed against the ground. "Draga..."

"Dragapult return, you were great out there and deserve a long rest." Ash swiftly returned Dragapult to his Pokeball. "Alright Gengar, I choose you!"

"Gengar!" Gengar cried out as he burst from his Pokeball.

"Shadow Punch!" Ash shouted out.

"Gengar!" A shadowy aura formed around Gengar's fist as he lashed out, smashing his fist against Sableye's gemstone which resulted in the gemstone smacking Sableye's face!

"Sableye..." The Mega Pokemon grunted out.

"Zen Headbutt!" Phoebe shouted out.

"Sableye!" Sableye held the gemstone in front of his face as he rushed forward. "Sableye!" He cried out as he slammed the gemstone against Gengar's face!

"Gengar..."

"Dazzling Gleam!" Ash exclaimed.

"Gengar!" Gengar flashed his opponent a smirk as a rainbow colored light surrounded his body, the energy quickly expanded before shooting out towards Mega Sableye!

"Sableye!" Mega Sableye cried out as the Fairy type attack knocked him off his feet.

"We're not giving up yet, Power Gem!" Phoebe shouted out.

"Sableye!" A bright red energy beam shot out of Mega Sableye's gemstone and blasted Gengar, sending the Ghost flying through the air before he landed on his backside with a light grunt.

"Gengar..." He grunted while rising back to his feet.

"Dark Pulse!" Ash shouted out.

"Gengar..." A pulse of black-purple static energy shot from Gengar's mouth and flew across the field before exploding against Mega Sableye.

"Sableye..."

"Shadow Claw!" Phoebe ordered.

"Sableye!" Mega Sableye lunged across the field, a shadowy aura formed around his claws as he lashed at his opponent.

"Gengar..." Gengar grunted out, his eyes began to droop as a tired expression formed across his face.

"Alright Gengar let's try another Dazzling Gleam!"

"Gengar!" The rainbow energy field burst from Gengar's body and shot across the field, blasting Mega Sableye off his feet as he was sent flying.

"Sableye!" Mega Sableye cried out as he flew upwards before quickly dropping like a rock due to his large gemstone. "Sableye!" He grunted out as he crashed against the ground, a dust cloud swiftly formed up but soon faded away to reveal his defeated form.

"Sableye..." He groaned out as the pink light surrounded him, reverting him back to his standard form.

"Alright Gengar, you did it!"

"Pika pi!"

"Gengar!" Gengar grinned.

Phoebe returned Sableye to his ball and uttered out a brief sigh before forming a light smile as she looked up towards her opponent. "That was a great battle, Ash. Wallace and the others were right, I'm sure that you'll become quite the powerful trainer someday!"

"Battling you was great practice, if I want to defeat Steven then I've got to make sure that I'm strong enough to take on his Elite Four!"

"Pika pi!"

"Heh, well good luck challenging him before the Master Class Tournament." Phoebe smirked. "Steven's gone off the grid and has a massive queue of challengers."

"Well if that's the case then I'll simply wait and battle him at the Tournament!" Ash grinned.

"Good luck with that, I'm sure that it won't be easy." Phoebe giggled while retrieving a small object which she soon held out to him, revealing a light purple Mega Stone. "I'd like you to have this as a reward for beating me, it's Gengarite. It'll allow your Gengar to unleash his full potential, I can tell you don't have one else you'd have likely used it against me." She laughed.

Ash and Gengar's eyes lit up as Phoebe offered up the Mega Stone. "T-Thank you so much, we promise to take good care of it!"

"Gengar!" Gengar eagerly cried out. He couldn't wait to experience Mega Evolution!

"Lati..." Latios snored as he peacefully slept in his nest on Eon Island. It had been quite some time since Team Rocket invaded his island and he'd been scouting it out for weeks to ensure that it was safe to return. Today was the day he finally deemed it to be safe and returned to his old nest, he missed his sister and thought that returning to their old home would help fill the void. He thought about tracking her down to join up with her trainer but had quickly shaken the idea away, Ash was a great trainer but he didn't think they'd work well together especially with the power difference him and his sister likely had by now.

"Crobat..." A Crobat silently descended upon the island, allowing for it's passenger to drop down. Gloria faintly grunted out as her rear hit the ground, her armor greatly reduced the damage and ensured nothing would be broken but it still hurt. Gloria swiftly recalled Crobat while the black Greninja and an Inteleon rose from the ocean and silently made their way to shore.

Gloria gave the two a look before looking towards the center of the island with a cocky expression. "That Dragon will be mine..."

"Meta..." A Metagross slowly descended on the opposite end of the island. Shade stood atop Metagross while a sinister smirk formed across his face.

"Still asleep, perfect! That Latios will be mine!"

Oh wow, this story's had a kick in popularity recently. Thank you SO much for all the favs/follows, kudos/bookmarks, etc. It really means a lot, I honestly thought it'd be the opposite given a rather controversial thing occurred in the last chapter so it was honestly a relief to see. The story officially has six more bookmarks than any of my other work on Archive and although that number was rather small to begin with it still brought me great joy to see it break one of my records! :)

Croconaw finally evolved! I've been wanting to do that for awhile, just had to find the right time and not make it his next appearance. Ash also earned Gengarite, I'm sure Phoebe owns a Gengar but I felt it unnecessary to have one show up since Allister had one and Ash will be facing off against Agatha before long so might as well let other Ghosts appear and get attention! As for why I had Phoebe give it to him instead of Agatha? You'll see.

Ash's next opponent will be Glacia