"Ladies and gentleman's, welcome to the second semi-final match of the first ever Ghost Clash on the Mt. Pyre!" The announcer of the matches shouted from his box near the top of the stadium. "Earlier today, we have all enjoyed watching many different trainers compete in the preliminary round; then after that we watched four quarter-final matches of the tournament, and after that, the first semi-final match! Now is the time for the second semi-final match, which I'm sure we will enjoy just as much as the ones before! In the second semi-final match of the day, the competitors are May and Valerie! Both of them have won their quarter-final matches with relative ease, and are now going to battle for the spot in the final match and a chance to win the first Ghost Clash!'
May walked onto one side of the battlefield while she looked ahead of herself at her opponent. She had to admit that Valerie gave her the creeps with her look. The girl was around 15 years old, with long black hair and a purple ribbon above her forehead. She wears long gray, black and a little bit of purple, dress. Long white socks and a grayish sandals. The thing about her is that she has gray eyes with black swirls, and a smile which looks a little bit insane. It those eyes and that smirk which makes Valerie look creepy and make everyone weary of her… not that she seems to mind. At least that's what May noticed.
As May stound on one side of the battlefield, waiting for the referee to start the match; she thought about everything that happened earlier in the day. She was able to pass the preliminary round by defeating (barely) a Chandelure, before she caught it. It was a very tough battle for May and Sableye, but they were able to win the match, which allowed May to catch a Pokemon which was of high level and form and made her one of the eight trainers who passed into the quarter-finals.
After she was pronounced as one of the quarter-finalists, May along with the other seven trainers were informed that the quarter-final matches will be held right away, starting at four o'clock with the first quarter-final match.
Right after that announcement, May was shocked to see how many people have approached Ash and started asking him about what has happened on the mountain. Being in the dark and not knowing what happened, May asked. She was quite surprised when she learned that Ash has run into a Legendary Pokemon in a cave at the top of the Mt. Pyre, and actually had a battle against it. It also wasn't just about any Pokemon, but a Legendary Ghost Type Pokemon called, Spectrier.
Seeing that Pokemon, was a big deal for all the people who were watching the tournament. A Spectrier is a Pokemon which is native to the Galar Region and has never, NEVER… been seen outside of the Galar Region. The fact that there was one in Hoenn Region was a big deal for everyone.
Then there is a fact that Ash battled against it using another Galar Pokemon, a Dragon/Ghost Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon Dragapult. Then, there is a fact that Ash and his Dragapult put-up a great battle against a Legendary Pokemon to the point that they injured it to some extent and almost won. Unfortunately, Dragapult lost in the end, but Ash wasn't sad about that, and the people who were watching a Legendary Pokemon battle, were more than happy themselves. The same goes for the tournament organizers, especially Phoebe, who was over the moon ever since she saw Spectrier… even though she only saw it on the big screen and not right in front of her.
Because of that battle and because of who he was, Ash was very popular with the people, so he spent all the time before and after his battle; meeting other trainers, tournament organizers, as well as signing a bunch of autographs and taking a pictures with the kids who wanted to have a picture of him with them.
May was actually amused by this, and wondered if she will one day be as popular as Ash. She knew that she will have to go a long way before she is even close to that fame.
Even though he has lost the battle against the Spectrier, Ash has earned the respect of the Legendary Pokemon, along with all the other Ghost Type Pokemon in that cave; which is why they have all agreed that one of them should come with Ash and achieve greatness, as they are all sure that Ash will make whichever Pokemon comes with him, great and powerful.
May's thoughts were interrupted when she heard the referee tell her and Valerie to reveal their Pokemon for the battle. May went and released her Sableye, which is her only choice for the tournament. She can't use her newly caught Chandelure, just like the other seven trainers can't use the Pokemon they caught earlier today.
Valerie also released her Pokemon. May remembered that Valerie has used Banette in her quarter-final battle, and has heard that she has also used Banette in the preliminaries. This time, Valerie send out a Mismagius, much to May's shock as she wasn't expecting that Pokemon.
Thinking about it though, May understood that after the preliminary round and the quarter-final round, Valerie's Banette must be tired, which is why she is using a new Pokemon. May would have done the same if she could, but her Sableye was her only Ghost Type Pokemon at the start of the tournament, which is why she has no other option but to go with him all the way until the end. May had a feeling though that, the end is near. She doesn't think that her Sableye will be able to win a third battle in a raw against another strong Pokemon after the Chandelure and Gengar.
Seeing that both trainers have chosen their Pokemon, the referee started the match. "BEGIN!"
Valerie started the battle by telling her Mismagius to use Confuse Ray. May told her Sableye to use Protect, as it couldn't dodge an attack like that. The defensive move was able to save Sableye from being confused, before May told him to use Shadow Ball.
Sableye formed a black orb in front of his mouth and fired it at Mismagius, who was hit and sent crushing into the ground.
Mismagius stood up quickly though, and Valerie told her to use Magical Leaf, which made Mismagius start spinning its body around and release a glowing green leaves from its body which went at Sableye, who was hit by them, dealing him damage.
Sableye got up before May told him to use Night Slash. Sableye's eyes glowed red and he fired two black beams outlined in dark red at Mismagius. Mismagius dodged the attack though, and fired a Shadow Ball, which hit Sableye, and caused an explosion which enveloped Sableye.
Sableye again managed to get up, but he was tired and slightly injured. The battles from before, have already tired him out to the point that he doesn't have the energy to go all out. Still, he will not give up, and will try his best, even if he loses in the end.
Sableye used Dark Pulse, which hit Mismagius, and caused her quite a bit of damage, as she is week against Dark Type attacks, unlike Sableye, who doesn't have weakness against the attacks he was hit by, though they still cause damage, and with the added tiredness, Sableye is at the disadvantage.
Again, Mismagius stood back up and floated in the air. Valerie then told her Pokemon to use Mystical Fire. Mismagius flew in circle, creating a ring on fire in front of her. Then, while standing behind the ring, the fire from the ring converged into a ball of fire in front of Mismagius, which was then sent at Sableye in a form of a stream of fire.
May has seen Serena's Delphox use this move and knew that it will be trouble for her Sableye if he was hit. So, she told him to use Protect to defend himself from the stream of fire.
Sableye created a barrier around himself just in time to stop the fire from hitting him, and most likely defeating him, as he and May doubt that Sableye would be able to get up after being hit by such a powerful attack.
The explosion of fire surrounded Sableye, but he was safe behind the barrier, and decided to wait until the fire settled down. Unfortunately for him and May, Valerie had other plans. She told her Mismagius to use Phantom Force. Mismagius created a purple portal beneath itself, before she sank into the darkness. A second later, she appeared inside the barrier behind Sableye, much to his and May's shock, before she hit Sableye making him crush into his own barrier.
Once the fire settled down, and by the time Sableye was able to get back on his feet, Mismagius was already back on her side of the field, and was looking at its nearly defeated opponent.
Sableye was barely standing on his legs, breathing hard and trying not to collapse as he knows that if he does, that's it for him in this match. He was tired, injured and on his last leg. He wishes that he can try and pull at least one last attack, but unfortunately, as he was thinking about it while looking at Mismagius… Sableye lost his consciousness while standing on his legs and with is eyes opened.
Seeing that Sableye hasn't moved for over 10 seconds, the referee took a better look at the Pokemon and realized that even though Sableye was standing and had his eyes opened, he was unconscious.
"Sableye is unable to continue," the referee announced! "The winner is Mismagius and the match goes to Valerie!"
The crowd roared in cheers for the good battle and for both trainers as they are the ones who gave them that battle.
Valerie smirked that creepy smile of hers, before she recalled her Mismagius and looked at May, who wasn't smiling. She was sad that she has lost, and couldn't get to the finals, but at the same time, she was satisfied with what she has done in this tournament. She wanted to learn about the Ghost Types, and she did. She wanted to catch another Ghost Types, and she did. She expected to get at least to the semi-finals, and she did. All in all, she has nothing to be ashamed of, but still in the back of her mind, she feels that she could have won her battle if she had only done something different.
May sighed, before she recalled her Sableye. She looked at the Poke Ball, and smiled. Sableye has gone a long way from a Pokemon who lived in a cave and messed with people who went there, to a Pokemon who was able to go against three very powerful Ghost Type Pokemon in a span of a few hours, and defeat two of them before he lost to a third. And even when he lost, he lost standing on his own legs, and didn't fall down. May was very impressed and proud of her Pokemon, and she was sure that many others have a great deal of respect for her Pokemon after they watched all three of his battles and the defeat where he didn't fall on his back.
"And that's it ladies and gentleman," the announcer shouted! "May has lost in the semi-final and will have to comfort herself with the fact that at the very first ever, Ghost Clash, she was able to get among the four best trainers among the hundreds of others! As for Valerie! A Ghost Type specialist moves to the final match where she will face off against Ash Ketchum!
XXX
May walked outside of the stadium and went toward the small group of trees which were not far from the stadium. She set down under one of the trees and sighed.
She really didn't like losing. She never did, but after she finally decided what she wants to do, and after all the training that she has done in the last few months, the desire to not lose, grew even more than it already was. As such, she feels really bad now, even though she knows that she has done her best, just like her Pokemon and the only reason she lost is because her opponents Pokemon was in a better physical state then her own, as Sableye has already had battles today while Valerie's Mismagius, didn't.
May set under the tree for several minutes, contemplating on everything, from the way her battle went, to how she could have done it differently, all the way to how she can do things in the future in order to become better Ghost Type Trainer. The same goes for her desire to become a great Rock Type specialist. She knew that she has made her job harder by deciding to focus on two types of Pokemon rather than just one type, but she still thinks it's better than to focus on all types, like Ash is doing.
Thinking of Ash, May remembered that he, Serena and Max were on the bleachers watching her match. She should have gone to meet with them after her match, but she wanted to be alone for a while… at least until the final battle starts in about an hour and in that battle Ash will face against Valerie to see who the better trainer is and to see who will become the winner of the first ever Ghost Clash. May is sure that Ash will win. Valerie is good trainer and her Mismagius is a strong Pokemon, but she doesn't see her defeating Ash and his Dusclops. Dusclops is quite a bit stronger than her Sableye, and that's when Sableye is at his full power and not weakened from the battles. As such, May us 100% sure that Ash will win and then have a chance to battle against Phoebe.
May sighed. "I wish I can have a chance to battle against Phoebe," May said to herself. "It would be a great chance for my Sableye to improve even more."
May set there for almost an hour, before she decided to go to the stadium and watch Ash's match. Even though she won't be battling, she wants to cheer for Ash, and on top of that, this battle will be a great opportunity to see how Ash will battle against Valeri, and for May to see what she could have done better in order to defeat a Ghost Type Specialist.
XXX
After May lost and left the battlefield, Ash, Serena and Max wondered if she will come to them or she will go somewhere to be alone. Seeing that she didn't come to them even though she knew where on the bleachers they were, they realized that she will most likely want to be alone for a while.
Ash got up from his chair, and left the stadium going down to one of the rooms in that stadium where he will have to wait for the start of his battle. Valerie will also be in one of the rooms, though it will be a different room and not in the same with Ash.
While Ash left; Serena and Max stayed behind, as there is no need to leave since the final match starts in less than an hour. They were also expecting May to arrive before the match starts, as they just don't see her missing Ash's match no matter how bad she feels because she lost in the semi-finals.
Almost an hour later, May showed up to the same seat where Ash used to be seating and watching her match. At that time, it was almost eight o'clock in the evening, and the night has already started to fall, though there was still some day light left.
The final match will start at exactly eight o'clock, and by the time it finishes, it will already be dark, so the stadium reflectors were already on, so that the battlefield would be covered in light and everyone will be able to have a good view, and not obscured by the nights darkness.
"Where have you been?" Max asked his sister after she set next to Serena's left side, while he was seating on her right.
"I just wanted some alone-time to think about my loss," May replied.
"Are you ok?" Serena asked.
"I'm fine," May said with a small smile. "I just don't like losing, and I feel like I could have defeated Valerie if only my Sableye was not that tired of if I have just done somethings else during a battle. Made some move differently than I did. Maybe I would have won then."
"There is no point in questioning yourself," Serena said. "You lost. Get over it. Everyone loses some time, but only the best learn from that loss. The others quit. In which of the two groups are you, May? Are you a winner who learns from her losses, or are you a looser who will quit after one lost match?"
May looked at Serena with surprise on her face. She wasn't expecting those words and those questions, but she had to admit that they are good questions. What is she? A winner, or a looser.
There was no need for May to think of this too much. She was a winner. She will learn from her loss and get better so that in the future she won't lose again.
May smiled at Serena before she thanked her. She feels better now.
Serena smiled back, happy that May has seemingly gotten over her loss, and she will use this loss to get better so she won't lose again.
The two girls and Max then looked toward the battlefield, where Ash and Valerie have already entered and stood on their positions, ready to start their battle.
A minute later as the clock has reach eight, the referee has started the match.
XXX
The battle between Ash and Valerie lasted all of 5 minutes. It's all it took for Ash's Dusclops to wipe the floor with Valerie's Mismagius, much to the creepy girls shock. The rest of the crowed were just as shocked by how fast Ash has defeated his opponent in the final match. It wasn't even close to look like a final match. Ash has dominated it and with several moves, he has ended it all, with his Dusclops not being hit even once.
After the final match was finished, a podium was raised on the middle of the battlefield, where the two finalists, along with the two semi-finalists were given the rewards. There is no match for the third place, which is why both trainers who lost in the semi-finals - which are May and a girl called Jessica - are given rewards.
Jessica is a girl around 17 years of age, with long brown hair and green eyes. She wears a long-sleeved top with denim shorts. Overall, she is a very beautiful girl. One of the best looking girls Ash has ever seen. (She is, sort of, based on the 'beauty' from the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer. The cloths are different though, and there is no hat)
Right now, Ash is standing on the middle of the podium, which is above the rest of the podium, signifying his first place, while the others are below him. On his right side stood Valerie, who finished second, while on Ash's left side stood May and Jessica.
"Congratulations on the win, Ash," Phoebe said to Ash as she was standing on the podium in front of Ash. She was wearing a big smile on his face, while shaking Ash's hand. "I hope we will have a nice battle tomorrow."
"I hope so as well." Ash said, smiling back.
Phebe nodded, before she moved to Jessica and May. "Since we don't have a match for the third place - at least not this year - that means that both of you are considered to be the third place,' Phoebe said to the two girls, who nodded. "As such, you both get a third place prize." Next to Phebe stood a man. He was one of the organizers of the tournament and he is the one who along with Phebe will present the best four trainers with their prizes. He was currently holding a red pillow, on which there were two black and purple stones. Phebe picked up the stones, before she presented them to May and Jessica.
"As a third place in this year's Ghost Clash, I preset May and Jessica with a Dusk Stone, which will help them in evolving some Ghost Type Pokemon in the future." Phoebe said as she held the two stones in both of her hands, one for May and one for Jessica. The two girls took the stones with smiles on their face before they both looked at it. The prize isn't that big, but it's still a prize, and it means that they won't have to buy a Dusk Stone in the future if they ever need one.
May and Jessica thanked Phebe. Phoebe nodded, before she looked at Valerie. "For the second place of this year's Ghost Clash, Valerie, you are awarded a…" Phebe took Valerie's rewards from the pillow held by the organizer, and presented them to Valeri. "A Dusk Stone along with a Ripper Cloth. With this, you can evolve several Ghost Type Pokemon, along with a Dusclops in a Dusknoir, if you were ever to catch one."
Valerie took the two items before she bowed to Phebe and thanked her.
Finally, Phebe moved back in front of Ash, to five him his reward. "Ash Ketchum," Phebe spoke. "As the winner of the first ever, Ghost Clash, I, Phoebe of the Hoenn Elite Four award you with a Key Stone." Phebe took the stone from the pillow, and presented it to Ash, who looked at it with raised eyebrows, while the three girls next to him gasped when they heard what Ash got. The crowd gasped at the same time, as they also didn't believe that Ash was given a Key Stone for a win in a 'just formed' tournament.
Ash took the small multicolored orb and looked at it in interest. He has already seen the Key Stone, and since they are all the same there was nothing special about this one. He was curious about it though. He never needed one because he has two Pokemon which have Mega Evolved on their own, but now that he has a Key Stone, he wonders what he should do with it, as she still believes that he doesn't need it.
"Do you already have a Key Stone or a Mega Stone, Ash?" Phebe asked Ash, making him look at her.
"No," Ash said. "I don't have either, and I'm really not interested in having them."
"I bet," Phebe said. "I have seen some of you past battles, Ash. I have seen that two of your Pokemon were able to permanently Mega Evolve all on their own and without a Key Stone and a Mega Stone, so I understand that you are not interested in a Key Stone. I have to ask though. How did their do it? How did your Pokemon Mega evolve like that?"
"I have no idea." Ash's reply shocked Phebe and everyone else who were listening. "I really don't. Even though it has been several years since then, I have never manage to figure out how were my Lucario and Pidgeot capable of Mega Evolving like that."
"I see," Phebe sighed. "I really hoped to learn this from the moment I first saw it. I thought that this will be my chance when I saw that you are participating in the tournament… but I guess I was wrong."
Ash looked at her and saw that she was really disappointed. She seems to have really wanted to know. He sighed. "I promise that if I find out one day… I will tell you." Ash said to Phoebe, much to her surprise, which turned into satisfaction.
"Thanks, Ash," she said. "It would mean a lot to me if you do tell me. I would love to see if my Pokemon could do the same thing."
Ash waved off her thanks, only smiling at her.
After that, Phoebe addressed the crowd and said that the tournament if officially over, but that tomorrow at 11 in the morning, there will be a match between her and Ash. She said that whoever wants to watch the match are welcome to come and see in person the battle between a member of the Hoenn Elite Four, against a young trainer who has won Indigo League, Orange Island league and the Silver Conference, while also defeating the Kanto Elite Four and only lost against Kanto Champion, Blue Oak.
The crowd was ecstatic to hear all of this, as some of them didn't know who Ash was. Now they do know though, and can't wait to watch his battle against Phoebe and see what he can do. They did see his battle against Spectrier though, and are sure that if that is how he battles and if he uses a Pokemon as powerful as his Dragapult, then he will have a big chance to win against Phoebe.
After May, Jessica, and Valerie walked away, leaving Ash and Phoebe behind, Ash decided to ask her something. "Hey, Phoebe," Ash called, getting her attention. "In our battle tomorrow. Am I required to use one of the two Pokemon I registered for the tournament, or can I use another one?"
Phoebe raised her eyebrows at the question, before she responded a few seconds later. "Actually, you can use any Pokemon you want. The Pokemon you registered you could use in the tournament and no other, but the tournament is over, and our match is more of an exhibition, even though you will be given a reward if you defeat me."
Ash smiled at that. "Well then, I have a perfect Pokemon to battle against you," he said. "I planned to use Dragapult to battle against you, but since he had that battle against Spectrier, I think that I should better use another Pokemon, and let Dragapult rest. That was his toughest battle ever."
Phoebe smirked. "Well then, I can't wait to see which Pokemon you chose to battle against me," she said. "I'm sure that whichever you chose though, it will be one hell of an opponent."
Ash smirked back. "You have no idea." He said before he walked away, leaving behind a very interested Phoebe.
XXX
"Hey Ash, what did you talk about with Phoebe earlier?" Serena asked, as she, Ash, May and Max were camping out next to the forest.
"I wanted to know if I have to use Dusclops or Dragapult in our battle, or if I can use some other Pokemon." Ash replied.
"Why," May asked? "Didn't you plan to use Dragapult against her?"
"I did," Ash said. "But since Dragapult had a really tough battle against Spectrier, I plan to let him rest, and use another Pokemon instead."
"Which one do you plan to use?" Max asked.
"I'll keep that a secret until tomorrow," Ash said with a smile, making the others frown. "It's one of my older Pokemon and none of you have seen him fighting so far, so this will be a chance for you to see a great battle between two Elite Four Level Pokemon."
"So it's an Elite Four level Pokemon, ha," Serena questioned?
"Yes." Ash confirmed.
"I almost thought that you will use that Chandelure which you caught today." May said.
Ash shock his head. "No," he said. "He is new and has a long road ahead of him before he reaches the Elite Four Level. The Pokemon I plan to use is even stronger then Dragapult, and you have seen how strong Dragapult is."
"I think I know which Pokemon you plan to use," Serena commented, making the others look at her. "It's not that hard to guess. I've seen all of your Pokemon, even though I haven't seen all of them fight."
"Well, if you know keep it to yourself," Ash said. "May and Max don't know, so let them think about it and try to guess until tomorrow."
"You are terrible, Ash." May pouted.
"I don't know about that." Ash smiled.
XXX
The next morning, after he woke up and before his battle against Phoebe, Ash called Professor Oak, using his Pokedex and had him transfer him the Pokemon he plans to use in the battle against Phoebe. Ash has also returned his Dragapult, as he doesn't need him in the team any longer and plans to let him rest for a few days, before he is sure that Dragapult will restart his training with Ash's other Pokemon.
Another thing that Ash did that morning was that he has given his Dusclops a Ripper Cloth, so that he can evolve into a Dusknoir. Ash has decided this before the tournament and since Dusclops has proven that he is ready, Ash went with his decision. From now on, Ash will also increase his newly evolved Dusknoir's training, so that he can progress as much as possible. It is also a good thing that Ash has caught a Chandelure in the cave yesterday, and he can train both of his Ghost Pokemon at the same time, and in nearly the same way.
Speaking of Chandelure, even though Ash has lost against Spectrier, the Legendary Ghost Pokemon as well as the other Ghost's in the cave were impressed with Ash's battle style, as well as the power and skill of his Pokemon, so they have agreed to let him catch one of the Pokemon from the group of Ghost Types. The only condition was that he won't be able to choose and that the Pokemon will have to choose to join Ash's team. There were several Pokemon which wanted to join Ash, but in the end after their spoke in between themselves, it was decided that Chandelure will come with Ash. It was the same Chandelure which appeared in front of Ash and his Dusclops when they first entered the cave, and as such it's one of the strongest Pokemon from the cave.
Ash was happy with his newly caught Pokemon and his powers, which he can feel, even though he hasn't seen the Pokemon fight just yet. Catching this Pokemon was also enough for Ash to be one of the eight trainers who advanced into the quarter-finals. The fact that everyone has seen Ash's battle against Spectrier, also helped in making a decision to let Ash progress into the quarter-finals.
After he switched his Pokemon, and after his Dusclops evolved, Ash returned to where Serena, May and Max were having a small breakfast. He joined them at it, while telling them what he has done while he was gone. May and Max said how they wished to have seen his Dusclops evolve, but are going to get satisfied when they see which Pokemon he has chosen to battle against Phoebe.
Once the breakfast was finished, the four of them went to the stadium, where Ash will proceeded to the waiting area to wait for the start of the exhibition battle against Phoebe, while Serena, May and Max went to seat on their seats.
From there, they waited for a while for the match to start, as they have arrived very early.
XXX
Ash and Phoebe stood on the battlefield, ready to start their exhibition battle. The stadium they were on was full with the people from all over the Hoenn Region who have come to witness the battle between two Elite Four trainers, which is something that doesn't happen that often, regardless of how many Elite Four Members there are in the World.
The rules for the match were simple. It's one-on-one battle, and the winner is the last Pokemon standing.
Once both were told the rules - not that there was really a need for that - the referee told them to release their Pokemon. Ash and Phoebe went at the same time, as per the rules, and both threw their Pokemon Balls in the air, from which the two Pokemon came out and stood/floated on the battlefield.
From Phoebe's Poke ball, came Dusknoir, while from Ash's came out a Gengar. The two Pokemon stood/floated in front of their trainers, just waiting for the referee to start the battle, so they can show what they can do, especially Gengar, who hasn't been in a real battle since Ash was traveling through Kanto Region over two years ago.
"BEGIN!" The referee shouted when he saw that both trainers and their Pokemon were ready.
Ash started the battle first by telling his Gengar to use Night Slash. Gengar fired purple energy waves from his eyes right away, but before they could hit Dusknoir, it countered Gengar's attack with a Shadow Ball. The two attacks clashed at the middle of the field, causing an explosion.
Ash didn't want to wait, so he told Gengar to go in with Ice Punch, making Gengar's right fist become surrounded in icy blue energy. Phoebe also countered this with her Dusknoir using a Thunder Punch, where its left fist was glowing yellow and was surrounded by sparks of electricity. The two Pokemon flew at each other before their fists clashed causing another explosion, though this one was smaller. A shockwave from the fist-clash spread around the battlefield and pushed both Pokemon from each other.
Phoebe then went and told her Dusknoir to use a Shadow Punch. Dusknoir's hands become surrounded in a shadowy aura, before it reached its arms out. Two shadowy fists in the shape of Dusknoir's fists shot out of Dusknoir's fists, while still being connected to its fists with a gray trail. The attack hit Gengar, sending him flying backwards and causing some damage, but not that much.
Ash returned the favor by having his Gengar use Dazzling Gleam, which hit Dusknoir, dealing damage, though again, not too heavy damage.
So far, and from then on, in the next few attacks, the two Pokemon were about equal, with neither gaining advantage nor landing many hits. The battle has dragged out, and it looks like in the end it could end up the winner being the Pokemon with more endurance, which should mean that Gengar will win, because of how much Ash has trained him and the amount of endurance he has.
Again, the two trainers restarted the battle, and while Ash told his Gengar to use Ice Punch, Phoebe again countered it with Thunder Punch. Then Gengar tried a Shadow Ball, but Dusknoir countered with its own Shadow Ball. Shadow Punch from Dusknoir was stopped by Gengar's Protect.
This went on for a few more moves, before the two Pokemon grew really tired and ready to keel over. They aren't hurt, but they were tired from the use of so many moves. The fact that neither has landed any major hit, makes them both grow angry at themselves and each other, which causes them a mental fatigue, on top of the physical one.
"Are you all right, Gengar?" Ash asked his Pokemon, who turned around and looked at Ash, while panting from exhaustion.
Gengar nodded at Ash, telling him that he is fine. "You don't look fine," Ash said back. "You look tired."
Gengar growled at Ash. "I'm not tired," Gengar said! "I will win this battle!"
"Will you?" Ash questioned.
"I will!" Gengar confirmed.
"Well then," Ash spoke before his eyes suddenly glowed yellow, though he didn't notice it. Gengar did notice it though, and was curious. "Show me that you can win this."
Gengar nodded at Ash, before he turned away from him and toward his opponent. Suddenly, Gengar's eyes glowed yellow, just like Ash's.
XXX
Far away from Ash and his currently battle, a Pokemon was seating in the shadows of a forest, away from everyone and everything. That Pokemon was seemingly meditating, before in an instant, its eyes opened and glowed yellow. A moment later, the glow stopped and the Pokémon's eyes were closed once again.
This has all happened just seconds before Ash's and then Gengar's eyes glowed.
XXX
Right after Gengar's eyes glowed, Gengar's whole body started to glow as well, before the light spread around the battlefield.
Everyone watching this were shocked at what they were seeing, as they have never seen something like this. This if obviously an evolution and all those currently watching the battle have seen a Pokemon evolving at least once in their lives. The thing is, Gengar is a Pokemon in its final form. It can't evolve any more, unless it's a Mega Evolution, and none of them have seen Ash and Gengar use Key Stone and Mega Stone to trigger the evolution. Thus, they are all wondering. What the hell is going on?
The light surrounded Gengar for over half-a-minute, before it finally died down. Once it did, and everyone could see Gengar, they all gasped. Instead of a regular Gengar standing there, a Mega Gengar in all of its glory was half-sank into the ground.
"UNBELIVABLE," the announcer shouted when he saw this! "Ash's Gengar has just suddenly Mega Evolved without a Key Stone and a Mega Stone! This is something that shouldn't' be possible, and yet, this is the third time that has happened to Ash Ketchum and his Pokemon! First it was a Lucario, and then a Pidgeot! Now, a Gengar! It makes you wonder, how is this possible? Why is this only happening to Ash's Pokemon? How is he doing it? Many questions are out there, and yet, no answers! Hopefully, we might get some answers here and now!"
Phoebe looked at Mega Gengar with stars in her eyes. She couldn't believe that she has just witnessed a Mega Evolution without a Mega and a Key Stone. She always thought that it was impossible until she first heard about Ash and about his Lucario and Pidgeot. She wondered how that was possible, and she wanted to ask him ever since, but she never had a chance. Yesterday though, after Ash won the Ghost Clash, she asked him and he said that he doesn't know. This left Phoebe disappointed, but she believes Ash as she doesn't believe that he is a liar and is sure that he would have told her if her knew.
Now though, seeing that Ash's Gengar Mega Evolved in the middle of the battle against her, she has to question herself if Ash might have lied to her, because the time in which Ash's Gengar has Mega Evolved, while he was tired from the battle against her Dusknoir, is a little bit… questionable.
Since they were in the middle of the battle, Phoebe didn't want to interrupt it to ask Ash about what happened, so she decided to ask him about it after the battle. For some reason though, the moment she saw the look on Ash's face, she wasn't so sure that he will be able to tell her what happened.
Ash looked at his Mega Gengar in wonder. He truly has no idea what happened and how this keeps happening. He has no idea why his Pokemon keep Mega Evolving, though to be frank, it hasn't happened in over two years.
Ash has been thinking about it for a long time. He even spoke with Red, Riley and Urahara about it, but none of them were able to come up with some reason for Ash's Pokemon to be able to Mega Evolve on their own, and then stay in that form forever.
All four of them know that the only Pokemon in the world who can Mega Evolve by itself, is Rayquaza. In it's case though, it's necessary for Rayquaza to know a Dragon Ascent, for it to Mega Evolve, and even when it does Mega Evolve, Rayquaza does return to its normal form eventually. Ash's Pokemon don't return in their normal forms though, which is super strange.
Ash thought about everything he knew of the Mega Evolution. He even though about what he has learned from Celebi who told him that there is a reason for the Mega Evolutions, but that he will have to discover it by himself. That was a while ago, and he still hasn't learned why his Pokemon can do it.
One thing he does know though, is that the reason for the Mega Evolution of his Pokemon has nothing to do with Rayquaza, because he has never met that Pokemon and he has no connection to it.
Ash saw that Phoebe is about to restart the battle, so he decided to focus on that for now, and later he will think about his Gengar's new form and the reason behind it.
"Dusknoir, use Shadow Ball!" Phoebe said.
"Dodge, and use Psychic!" Ash countered.
Dusknoir shot the Shadow Ball at Gengar, but all Gengar did was completely sink into the ground, making the attack miss him. Gengar then appeared from underground behind Dusknoir, before his eyes glowed light purple. Dusknoir become outlined in a light purple aura, before Gengar used his mind to lift Dusknoir into the air, and then slam it back into the ground. He did this again, and again, and again, until Dusknoir was almost buried into the ground with the Ghost Type Pokemon not being able to do anything to get away from the Ghost/Poison Mega Evolved Pokemon.
"Finish it with Night Shade." Ash said calmly, seeing that this battle is pretty much finished. Gengar fired two purple energy waves from his eyes, which hit the downed Dusknoir, causing an explosion to engulf Phoebe's Pokemon.
A minute later, the dust cleared, showing Dusknoir to be lying in the crater, passed out.
"Dusknoir is unable to continue," the referee said! "The winner is Mega Gengar and the match goes to Ash Ketchum!"
"And there you have it folks," the announcer shouted! "The match which was completely even from the very start, has suddenly been turned into Ash's favor right after his Gengar Mega Evolved, and decimated Phoebe's Dusknoir! How did he do this, we will probably never know, but Ash has given us a chance to watch one of the better battles in a while and has proven that he is a great trainer with a bright future in front of him!"
Mega Gengar turned to Ash and looked at him with a smug look on his face. "I told you that I'll win." Gengar said in a perfect human voice, making Ash raise his eyebrows, not at the fact that Gengar is speaking, but because he was messing with him. Everyone else though… they all had their jaws drop of the ground when they heard Mega Gengar speak human language.
XXX
The end of the battle led to Ash being presented the reward for defeating Phoebe. The reward ended up being a Mega Stone, which goes perfectly with the Key Stone that Ash got as the winner of the Ghost Clash. Phoebe said that that was the plan from the start of the tournament, because a Key Stone has no use without a Mega Stone, while at the same time someone who can defeat an Elite Four member, deserves a Mega Stone for that win, and for the future use.
From there on, Ash had to spend a lot of time speaking with all the interested people who all wanted to know about his Mega Gengar, about how it evolved, and how he can speak human language.
Ash admitted that he has no idea why his Pokemon can Mega Evolve like this and speak human language, but he will find out one day because he is just as curious as everyone else. Ash was really surprised when Phoebe mentioned that just before Gengar Mega Evolved, Ash's eyes glowed yellow then Gengar's eyes glowed yellow and then Gengar evolved. Ash was surprise by this because he didn't think that this has happened before, and he wonders why it happened now, and why the change. Then again, he doesn't really know if this has happened last time, as he wasn't paying attention and no one has said anything to him. For all he knew, this is nothing new.
After hours of speaking with many different people, Ash was finally let to go and rest for the rest of the day. He has decided that this day is lost, and that tomorrow, he and the others will leave the Mt. Pyre and head to Lilycove City, where they will spend at least a week, since the Swap Meet won't happen until the next Saturday, while today is Sunday.