Sato released all his Pokémon at once, filling the entire room, but also perfectly blocking the incoming Ghost-type Pokémon.
While they held the line, Sato took the chance to evaluate the enemy. Leading the charge were a Low Pseudo-Elite Four level Gengar and Mismagius, along with a Mid level Sableye.
The rest were all Elite-level Ghost-types. Just those visible numbered more than twenty... and more were coming.
This fight wasn't going to be easy!
"Umbreon, protect Gengar. Make sure no one disturbs it!"
"Ariados, Cacturne. You two work together to hold off the Elite-level Pokémon. No need to fight back, just hold them off!"
Umbreon nodded. As the team's most defense-oriented Pokémon, it wasn't surprising it was given this role.
Cacturne and Ariados, old partners, stepped forward. Cotton Spore and Electroweb flew out together, blocking most of the Ghost-type horde.
"Sharpedo, Mega Evolution!"
Brilliant light burst forth as Sharpedo instantly Mega Evolved, charging toward the enemy in full combat mode.
But that wasn't all. Sato gave a third command...
'Dark Energy: Power Amplification.'
Dark Energy surged into the Key Stone, which acted as a conduit, channeling the energy directly into Zoroark.
Zoroark's entire body turned jet black, its aura spiking wildly as it reached Mid Pseudo-Elite Four level.
Combined with Sharpedo at the Low Pseudo-Elite Four level, Sato was confident that with their type advantage, they could hold off the enemy's three strongest Pokémon.
Moreover, Sato had only used Dark Energy to amplify one Pokémon, and with Mega Evolution applied to another, the strain on his body remained manageable. He could keep fighting.
On the enemy's side, Sableye charged forward with Gengar and Mismagius, only to stop dead when they realized Sharpedo and Zoroark had suddenly grown just as strong as them.
They were dumbfounded.
"Zoroark, Night Daze and Sucker Punch! Sharpedo, Crunch!"
There were few moves better than Night Daze when it came to dominating in group battles.
The wave of energy expanded like a swelling balloon. Any Ghost-type Pokémon in its path was blasted outward.
Some enemies had already gotten close to Sato, but a single Night Daze sent them all flying back to square one.
With enough space to move freely, Zoroark and Sharpedo took the initiative, dragging Sableye and its allies far from Gengar to reduce interference.
Umbreon stood calmly beneath Gengar, blood-red eyes glowing faintly as it tracked every movement of the Ghost-types nearby, like the ultimate bodyguard.
Cacturne and Ariados had also taken up positions. Cotton Spores floated everywhere, guided carefully to avoid hitting allies.
Paired with Ariados's paralyzing, poisonous webs, it became nearly impossible for the Elite-level Ghost-types to break through.
After briefly confirming that Umbreon, Cacturne, and Ariados had the situation under control, Sato focused his full attention on Zoroark and Sharpedo.
After all, they were facing three Pseudo-Elite Four level Pokémon. Even in a two-on-three match, caution was essential to avoid unexpected defeat.
The battle raged on. Every Pokémon present was locked in action... except one.
So many things had happened that Sato hadn't had a chance to think about it. He had practically forgotten about it.
When he and Gengar were pulled into the painting, Ralts had somehow remained behind.
The moment Sato vanished, Ralts panicked. It had already imagined itself being overwhelmed again by chaotic energy.
But before it could feel anger or grief, Gengar suddenly reappeared. Then the painting began to crack and dissolve.
Within seconds, Sato reemerged as well.
Ralts sensed the strange energy leaking from the painting and wanted to absorb it too... but without Sato, it couldn't muster any strength.
Now that Sato had returned, and all his actions clearly favored Gengar absorbing that special energy...
Ralts quietly walked over to Sato's side, refusing to even glance at Gengar above.
'If... if I were one of Sato's partners too, maybe...'
Ralts froze in shock, and shook its head violently.
What was it thinking?
Everything it had suffered was Sato's fault. How could it possibly become his partner?
Ralts clenched its tiny fists. It would rather starve or be destroyed by its own energy than become Sato's partner!
Sato, who had completely forgotten about Ralts, obviously had no idea what the little girl was thinking.
Right now, he was focused entirely on commanding Zoroark and Sharpedo, keeping Sableye and the others pinned in place, unable to advance.
Finally, Mismagius, having failed to coordinate with Gengar, was struck hard by one of Zoroark's Dark Pulse attacks, taking serious damage to the eyes.
"Sharpedo, finish Mismagius with Crunch! Zoroark, cover with Night Daze!"
Mega Sharpedo didn't even need to open its mouth for a biting move. The blades on either side of its snout, cloaked in dark energy, were its deadliest weapons.
They sliced clean through Mismagius before it could even scream. It was knocked out instantly.
Sato relaxed. The most important task now was waiting for Gengar to finish absorbing the special energy; not wiping out all the Ghost-type Pokémon.
He ordered Zoroark and Sharpedo to ease up, not wanting Sableye and the others to panic and retaliate recklessly.
At that moment, Gengar clearly entered its final phase. Only a small corner of the painting remained.
Roughly ten seconds later, when the entire painting vanished, Gengar slowly opened its golden eyes.
Outwardly, Gengar looked the same. But from Sato's Dark Energy, he could sense that Gengar's Ghost-type potential was growing at an astonishing rate.
Previously, Gengar already possessed a dual Ghost + Poison Pseudo-Elite Four level potential; something quite rare.
And now, after just a few seconds, Sato could clearly feel that Gengar's Ghost-type potential had reached the Elite Four level!
He didn't know if it was his imagination, but it felt like Gengar's Ghost-type potential was still continuing to grow.