Chapter 0818: Gengar Z! On This Day, I Became the Light(Two-in-One)

The solar eclipse cast its shadow, darkness swallowing the Alola Region. All four islands lay in chaos, tense and restless, as if the endless night would never break.

People stood upon the darkened fields, gazing into the distance. They heard a mighty howl and saw a towering white column of flame pierce the night—the blaze illuminating everything.

An old woman stroked her Stoutland’s fur, leaning on her cane, eyes cloudy as she recalled the Touran stories her parents once told.

Back then, Touran was a land covered in darkness, shadows everywhere, danger on every path. One Trainer suggested, “My Arcanine’s nose can seek out the light. Let’s follow.” So the people pressed onward behind Arcanine. The journey was hard—some fell, some were taken hostage. The Trainer said:

"Let’s keep going!"

Arcanine burst into flames and led the way, blazing at the front of the line like a golden sun.

It scattered the shadows with its howl, using its own blood as fuel and its heart as a torch. Arcanine raced across the Touran wilds, its life blazing, roar shattering the night and welcoming the first sunrise. In the end, it lay down beside its exhausted Trainer, and together they slept forever.

In Touran mythology, Arcanine is praised as a ‘Legendary Pokémon,’ equal or even superior to the Legendary Birds.

The elderly woman gazed through misty eyes at the distant horizon.

A band of light began to rise there—then more, and more. The sparks connected, countless Pokémon’s inner "light" merging into a raging sea of fire that illuminated all of Alola.

That wasn’t the Radiant Lord’s mercy. Not the Sun God’s radiance. Not the Moon God’s blessing.

It was the light of every Pokémon in Alola, burning from within, driving away the darkness for their home!

Even the glow of fireflies can set the plain ablaze!

"This light, gathered here, is even stronger than the Radiant Lord’s…"

Kukui stood in the glow, eyes wide with awe.

Burnet glanced sideways at him, and said,

"The solar eclipse will pass. It has to."

Her eyes glimmered. "Because every Pokémon and Trainer across Alola is shining."

On Melemele Island, Island Kahuna Hala squinted into the distance, a special Bluetooth headset in his ear, arms folded as he watched for the flames.

"We’ve pinpointed Necrozma’s location!"

"All Trainers on Melemele Island with Z-Rings are assembled!"

On Ula’ula Island, Kahuna Nanu hunched with his hands in his pockets, surveying the night. He muttered,

"Ula’ula Island—ready."

On Akala Island, Kahuna Olivia responded vigorously,

"Akala Island is ready! We’ll pass on the light with our Z-Rings next!"

On Poni Island, Kahuna Hapu looked at the fire, gave a small nod, and said,

"Let’s hope this night will pass… Poni Island is ready."

Trainers and Pokémon waited, hope flickering in their eyes, Z-Rings radiating a gentle glow.

The Z-Ring’s material, the Sparkling Stone, was originally formed from Ultra Necrozma—the Radiant Lord’s light. That’s why it could channel this power.

Even Trainers without Z-Rings still carried light—contributing hope through their prayers.

During this endless night, countless pairs of eyes fixed on the blazing pillar, awaiting its next signal.

Countless hands quietly clenched, yet felt warmth—that of their Pokémon and fellow companions.

"Ready, Pikachu?"

Ash’s eyes flashed. He crossed his arms in the pose for his Z-Move.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu stood upright, nodding with resolve.

"What we do next—"

Kiawe stood determined at Charizard's side.

"—is wait for Natsume-sensei’s command!"

Lana’s eyes glittered, her beautiful Primarina at her side.

"Let’s gather everyone’s strength—bring Necrozma recover."

Mallow smiled at her icy Tsareena.

"Snowy, we can use a Z-Move too!" Lillie said.

"Vulpix~" The white, soft Vulpix looked up and yipped, eyes shining.

At the Aether Foundation, Gladion and Lycanroc looked up silently; their Z-Rings glowed faintly.

In a hidden forest base, Team Rocket, Bewear, Mareanie, and Mimikyu all looked up at the sky, aglow with moves.

"So beautiful…" the trio sighed in unison.

"Bewear~" Bewear hugged Stufful happily.

"Let’s cheer for our executive, too." Jessie pumped her fists.

"When it comes to Z-Rings, we’ve got one too!" James grinned.

"Let’s gather Alola’s strength and put an end to the solar eclipse, nya~"

"Wobbuffet!"

Altar of the Sunne.

The Sacred Fire at last began to die down.

"Arcanine…" Arcanine let out a long, low howl. Its eyes were tired—its tail drooped.

Suddenly its tail lifted, and it looked up at Natsume.

Natsume smiled and placed a hand atop Arcanine’s head. "That’s enough, partner. Leave the rest to me and everyone else."

Arcanine—face buried in its flaxen mane—managed a goofy, tired smile, tail swishing once, then slumped, sprawling on the ground, breathing hard: "Arcanine…"

Even with the Rainbow Wing, keeping up Sacred Fire had taken everything out of it.

But the light that Alola's people sent back to Arcanine… made its power surge.

Natsume asked Victini to help heal Arcanine, then turned to the still-stunned Red and Blue Oak.

"Now it’s time for the final step—giving the light to Necrozma."

Both Red and Blue Oak’s eyes flickered; neither spoke, but both nodded solemnly.

Arcanine’s roar had made all four islands light up in turn, torches flaring on the horizon—a sight neither legend would ever forget.

"So, how are you going to do it?" Blue Oak asked, glancing at Necrozma.

Necrozma, shaped of shadow-black crystal, lay collapsed, flickering with signs of recovery—Scizor had to slap it back into unconsciousness with the back of a claw.

"By using a Z-Move as the vessel for light. We can use Z-Moves again," Natsume said.

Red looked down at his Z-Ring—sure enough, Pikachu’s Z-Crystal glowed, forming a piece of the whole light.

"For now, I’ll call this new Z-Move—"

Natsume slotted a Darkinium Z into his bracelet, ready to use Gengar’s Dark Void, and said seriously,

"Golden Healing Dark Void!"

Gather all the light of Alola, pour it into the Dark Void, and heal Necrozma!

Red and Blue Oak were stunned.

"Just kidding," Natsume smirked. "It’s just a regular Darkinium Z—only boosted by Alola’s light!"

He broke into a quick laugh, then focused.

"Gengar, I choose you!"

"Gengar~ψ(*｀ー′)ψ"

Gengar held up two mysterious spoons, crimson gaze gleaming, grinning wide.

Blue Oak, Alakazam: "..."

Natsume: "...Give the spoons back to Alakazam first, please."

"Gengar…(￣▽￣)~*"

Purple Fatty waved, and slipped the spoons back to Alakazam.

Gengar had swiped Fate’s Spoon when Alakazam wasn’t looking—objectively and subjectively, what crime is that? (5 points)

Solgaleo suddenly walked over to Natsume, its nebula-like face turning toward the Z-Ring—almost as if speaking to him.

Natsume blinked. "You want me to put the Ghostium Z in, too?"

Solgaleo nodded.

A powerful Z-Ring could hold two Z-Crystals, or one Z-Crystal plus a Key Stone.

Natsume carefully slotted in Darkinium Z and Ghostium Z, holding out his arm for Solgaleo to see.

"Alright, now what?"

Solgaleo lowered its white-maned head, gently touching the Z-Ring with its brow. Suddenly, it blazed with a blinding light, like the true sun. Natsume turned away from the glare, feeling the Z-Ring grow hot on his arm, until a completely new aura rose from it.

It was a strength unlike any Z-Move—something that belonged to Natsume alone, as if Solgaleo, the Sun God, had personally crafted it just for him.

A look of shock crossed Blue Oak’s face. "Is that…?"

"The rumor Ash talked about," Red said.

The Island Guardians and the gods of Sun and Moon are known to forge legendary Z-Crystals for their chosen Trainers and partner Pokémon—like Ash’s Pikashunium Z.

Ash’s Pikashunium Z was crafted by Tapu Koko by infusing extra energy into a regular Electricium Z.

Now, with Nebby’s help, Darkinium Z and Ghostium Z merged into one!

Solgaleo burned like a golden dawn, pouring all its light into the Z-Crystals; when it finally grew tired, it swayed, light fading as it slumped weakly to the side.

Natsume glanced down.

There, embedded in the heavy bracelet, was a Z-Crystal the world had never seen before.

It was pure purple, hard-edged, a sharp grin—Gengar’s—carved right into its core.

From the crystal pulsed a unique purple light—for Natsume and Gengar, only.

Even Natsume-sensei was left speechless. He looked up. "Nebby…"

Solgaleo nuzzled his hand, then folded its legs to the ground, copying Arcanine’s pose.

"Arcanine~凸(｀0′)凸" Arcanine huffed a friendly laugh, baring its teeth.

"Solgaleo!凸(｀0′)凸" Solgaleo rumbled low.

Red and Blue Oak made their way over.

"This Z-Crystal’s like nothing I’ve ever seen," Blue Oak admitted.

"Seems Solgaleo used its own light to help create it for you and Gengar," Red smiled.

Natsume locked eyes with Purple Fatty, and instantly sensed the crystal’s name, move, pose—all of it.

It was everything: camaraderie, rivalry, encouragement, bond.

"We’ll call it... Gengar Z!" Natsume declared.

"Gengar~ (^▽^ )" Gengar pumped a tiny fist in the air.

Gengar Z, get☆daze!

Natsume walked to the center of the Altar of the Sunne, facing Necrozma’s fallen body. Even in the dark, his gaze was bright, his coat fluttered, and his bracelet’s Z-Crystal shone with purple light.

Red light flickered. The Poké Balls opened.

Every Pokémon stood behind Natsume, eyes blazing, glaring Necrozma down.

Necrozma’s rainbow-tinged eyes flickered open. With a roar, it smashed its black crystalline palms into the ground, pushing itself up, dust swirling in the wake.

It raised its massive arms to the sky, bellowing at the shadowed solar eclipse—filled with anguish.

I devoured all the light of Alola, didn’t I?

Then where is this light coming from?!

Necrozma paused, eyes boring into the tiny Trainer before it.

"Gengar, our Z-Move—"

The black-haired young man stood before a Gengar, one hand resting on his left shoulder; Gengar mirrored him, tiny hand on its own.

The Z-Crystal flared with purple light. Natsume and Gengar moved in perfect sync. Golden aura blasted from both of them, surging and wild, flooding the Altar of the Sunne with the glow of a new day.

As he finished the Z pose, Natsume raised his right hand to the sky. His eyes hardened; he shouted,

"Max Terror!!"

"Gengar! (^▽^ )"

Gengar levitated up, forming a small black vortex over its palm. Up and up, the black hole soared into the sky, drawing golden particles from everywhere into its depths.

On Poni Island, Kommo-o roared skyward, its golden energy pouring into the growing black hole.

Red and Blue Oak locked eyes, tossing out Poké Balls as their own Pokémon looked up, sending forth their own blazing light.

Morelull in the forest, Tentacool by the coast, Marowak by the volcano, Magnemite by the observatory...

Golden particles, rising from every Pokémon, swept upward into that black hole in the sky.

The old woman in Iki Town, the four Island Kahunas, Team Rocket inside a tree hollow, Ash and his friends…

Limitless light, pouring into that black hole until, finally, it became a vast golden sphere.

Not a sun—a light even greater than the sun.

As if it was daybreak, people looked up in awe—at a light so bright it shattered the night on all four islands.

"That’s the Ultra Defense Team’s signal!"

"Oh my god, is that a Gengar up there?!"

"There’s only one truth—it’s Natsume-sensei’s Gengar!"

It was never Natsume, Arcanine, and Gengar alone.

Arcanine awakened the land; Gengar gathered the light—

It was the light of every Trainer and Pokémon in Alola.

Countless Trainers raised their hands. Countless eyes shut in prayer. Countless Pokémon sent up golden sparks.

On this day, the whole of Alola became light!

Natsume dropped his hand.

"Gengar!!! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o"

Gengar raised the golden black hole high—like a meteor, it crashed down on Necrozma’s head!

A light forged from all of Alola’s strength—

Take it, Necrozma!

Its pupils reflected the enormous golden sphere, thousands of golden particles dropping like some massive Spirit Bomb.

Necrozma’s eyes widened in terror.

BOOOOM!!!

The combined Z-Move, powered by all of Alola,

filled the Altar of the Sunne with light so bright the eclipse faded, and dawn’s light spilled over Alola.

People stared at the sunrise on the horizon, lost in wonder.

A sight so familiar—this time, it brought a deeper awe.

The solar eclipse was over…

The sun, as always, rose!

In the next instant, all four Alola Islands erupted in thunderous cheers!

"Natsume-sensei!!" The students’ eyes brimmed with tears.

"Executive!!" Team Rocket and Bewear hugged, celebrating.

"This mission…"

Anabel, radio in hand, announced the thrilling news in her usual calm tone:

"…was a total success!"

Altar of the Sunne.

Red and Blue Oak shielded their eyes, waiting to adjust to the light before looking toward Necrozma’s renewed form.

It shone with brilliant gold, four majestic wings outstretched, tail formed of pure light, blade-like projections rising from its back. Swirls of colored energy gathered at its eyes, creating beams like wings.

Even the two legends found themselves speechless.

This… was Necrozma's true form—

The Radiant Lord, Ultra Necrozma!!

The three Trainers quietly gripped their Poké Balls.

Ultra Necrozma beat its golden wings, landing before them and scanning the trio with intricate intensity.

At last, it lowered its noble head and said:

"Allow me to express my gratitude, Messenger of Transcendence."

Red and Blue Oak glanced at Natsume.

With its mind restored, Ultra Necrozma understood perfectly: Earth is Arceus’s domain.

"No need for ceremony," Natsume smiled. "You were the one who first brought light to Alola, so when the light was gone, of course its people wanted to help you. And that’s exactly what happened."

"Thank you for your trust, Messenger of Transcendence."

Ultra Necrozma added:

"As humans say, there’s a bond—between you and your Pokémon—that does not exist between humans and Ultra Beasts."

"What that truly means… I will try to find out." It paused, voice gentle: "And I am grateful."

"I believe," Natsume said, "that one day, humans and Ultra Beasts can also share a bond."

Ultra Necrozma paused, surprised and moved.

"Just like the people of Alola understood and helped you."

Natsume smiled, eyes sparkling.

"And maybe, in another world, humans and Ultra Beasts can learn to understand and coexist as well—together, under the same sky."

Hands in his pockets, coat fluttering, Natsume squinted up at the glorious sun—its light bathed the Sunne Altar, flowers and grass blossoming beneath it as the breeze rippled through green.

"Just like the humans and Pokémon of this world." Natsume said softly.

Ultra Necrozma was silent, then showed a glimmer of contentment:

"Thank you… Messenger of Transcendence."

It released golden light, flowing into Natsume, Red, and Blue Oak’s Pokémon.

Their injuries vanished, their auras grew brighter.

Arcanine, most of all, leapt up in joy, dashing in circles around Natsume: "Arcanine!"

Natsume laughed, pinching Arcanine’s cheek.

"Arcanine?" Arcanine blinked.

Then—Rubbing the Dog’s Head in Anger!

"I will remember your words," Ultra Necrozma intoned. "That humans and Ultra Beasts can understand each other—and form a bond…"

The Ultra Wormhole opened. Ultra Necrozma spread its wings, bowed once more to Natsume, then soared through the portal.

Kartana gazed up at the Ultra Wormhole and sighed with longing.

I love this world.

But as he said—my road lies in returning to my world, striving for a better tomorrow.

"At least stay until after the party."

Natsume called, "You, Nebby, Ash’s Poipole—everyone’s invited!"

Kartana was startled, then turned away and gave a small nod.

Alright. I’ll stay for one last meal.

"Gengar~" Gengar took the chance to sneak a lick at Natsume.

Natsume rubbed his cheek, smirking as he glanced at the bracelet with the embedded Gengar Z, then looked at Red and Blue Oak.

"Come on. Barbecue at my place tonight!"