"That's why I think we should find a way to catch this Gengar quickly and try to save it."
"Otherwise, if this keeps up, never mind what will happen to the townspeople, this unstable Gengar might even end up hurting others."
Taking out part of the file, Gu Yuan explained to Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny the danger Gengar posed.
Nodding, Officer Jenny made her decision. For the safety of the residents, she would capture Gengar.
But she also understood how powerful it was. If it truly went berserk, even with Nurse Joy's help, they might not be able to subdue it.
Thinking for a moment, Officer Jenny got an idea.
"I understand. Thank you for the information. Without it, more people could have been hurt."
"Gu Yuan, as an officer, I'm asking for your cooperation in this operation. Will you help us?"
"Of course. This is my duty as a League Trainer."
Without hesitation, Gu Yuan agreed.
It wasn't out of justice, though. He wanted to see just how strong a Ghost-type Pokémon could become through this kind of power increase.
The key point was that people like Officer Jenny would definitely report this matter to the League.
By then, his name would be noticed again.
Including his previous victory in the tournament, where Charizard had demonstrated Flamethrower with expert-level mastery, more people would begin paying attention to him.
When the Mizutani family made their counterattack, the resulting chaos would only give him more chances.
"Alright, thank you for your help."
"For safety's sake, we'll act tonight. We'll try to capture Gengar in one strike. Afterward, I'll have the League handle the matter."
"No problem. I'll stay in the Pokémon Center. Just give me your orders anytime."
Officer Jenny appreciated Gu Yuan's attitude.
Then, she discussed the details of the operation with Nurse Joy and Gu Yuan, and the three began waiting patiently for nightfall.
***
Night came, and Gengar approached the town again.
At this moment, Gengar felt hollow and restless. It couldn't wait to frighten people again. Only when hearing their screams did it feel satisfied.
But Gengar was mistaken. What it enjoyed wasn't the thrill of scaring people, but the unconscious satisfaction of absorbing their spirit and life force in the process.
At first, it had only liked to scare others. But ever since it had accidentally tasted that sweetness, it couldn't stop itself anymore.
Entering the town, Gengar looked toward the Pokémon Center.
Last time, that was where it had been stopped, and also where it had been hurt.
Especially that Charizard and its Trainer, Gengar wanted nothing more than to kill them.
But now wasn't the time. Its first priority was to feed.
Choosing a nearby house, Gengar began its hunt.
As screams echoed, Officer Jenny was notified immediately. She sent the message to Nurse Joy and Gu Yuan.
Soon, when Gengar emerged from the third house, it saw Officer Jenny and Arcanine arriving.
"Arcanine, use Flamethrower!"
Scorching flames burst forth, rushing straight toward Gengar.
Still hungry, Gengar didn't want to fight. It instinctively turned invisible and slipped away.
"Charizard, use Flamethrower!"
Just as Gengar was about to disappear, a wave of fire rained down, trapping it in the blaze.
Seeing Charizard's precision, Officer Jenny realized it had remarkable mastery of Flamethrower, but this wasn't the time to ask.
"Chansey, use Dazzling Gleam!"
"Sylveon, use Helping Hand in turns, and use Yawn when you find an opening!"
Command after command echoed. Seeing itself surrounded again, the red light in Gengar's eyes flared fiercely.
Dark energy gathered, forming not the normal Night Shade, but power Gengar forced out by burning its own life, trying to push its strength further.
At this point, Gengar was at Senior Rank, but its power already surpassed the limits of an ordinary Senior Rank Pokémon.
Swinging its shadowy claws, Gengar's target was clear: Gu Yuan's Charizard.
"Charizard, fly higher. Use Fire Blast to keep it occupied."
"Officer Jenny, Nurse Joy, take this chance to attack from both sides!"
Flapping its wings, Charizard rose and unleashed intense fire toward Gengar.
Empowered by Helping Hand, the Fire Blast was extremely powerful and managed to suppress Gengar's charge.
Seizing the moment, Chansey and Arcanine unleashed their boosted attacks, striking Gengar's dark form.
"Charizard, keep attacking with Fire Blast! Don't let it catch its breath!"
As Gengar turned to retaliate, Gu Yuan immediately ordered Charizard to intensify its assault.
A wave of searing heat rolled out, drawing Gengar's rage once again.
It slashed furiously, but couldn't break through the wall of flames.
The continued attacks from Arcanine and Chansey made its anger boil. Soon, fury devoured the last of its reason.
Now, Gengar wanted only more power.
A moment later, its shadow expanded again. Even with Charizard and Arcanine's constant Fire-type attacks, the surrounding air grew cold.
"Charizard, mix Fire Blast with Flame Charge, focus on close-range combat but don't get too close!"
Knowing Gengar could drain life from humans and Pokémon alike, Gu Yuan kept Charizard at a distance.
To relieve Charizard's pressure, both Arcanine and Chansey launched desperate attacks, trying to take Gengar down fast.
Sylveon did the same, repeatedly using Helping Hand, but Yawn no longer affected Gengar in this state.
Fortunately, before the battle began, Officer Jenny had already ordered all townspeople to stay inside. Otherwise, the casualties could have been disastrous.
Just when Gu Yuan and the others thought they had stabilized the situation, Gengar suddenly roared in fury.
Its shadowy form expanded again, becoming even more solid.
With one swing, it shattered the attacks from Arcanine and Chansey.
Then it dashed straight through Charizard's Fire Blast, charging right at it.
Its claw struck hard, sending Charizard flying backward.
"Kadabra, use Ally Switch, then Teleport!"
Seeing Gengar going in for another strike, Gu Yuan commanded immediately.
In an instant, Kadabra swapped Charizard's position and teleported it to safety, but Gengar wasn't done. It lunged again, relentless.
Though Gengar's power was terrifying now, Gu Yuan knew this was its final burst. They only needed to stall for time.
But even he wasn't sure if they could hold out until the end.