Pokémon: Above the Top

"I've heard that Reverend Mingguang of Ecruteak City is known for his generosity. I never expected to be fortunate enough to receive such selfless help. Thank you."

Sato clasped his hands together, his expression blank.

Was this some sort of favor to be repaid? Did they really take him for a naïve child?

"You are someone with fate. It is only natural to offer assistance," Reverend Mingguang responded with a serene expression, seemingly unaware of Sato's perfunctory tone.

On the other hand, Morty's expression wasn't as pleasant.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going. Leader Morty, please take good care of Duskull. After all, it has Pseudo-Elite Four potential."

Sato locked eyes with Morty as he spoke, then turned without hesitation and walked down the stairs, leaving the Burned Tower.

Behind him, Reverend Mingguang remained silent, his hands still pressed together in prayer.

Gengar, who had been following quietly behind, gently tugged on Sato's sleeve as they neared the Pokémon Center. Its golden eyes flickered with worry and guilt, as if asking whether it had caused trouble.

"This has nothing to do with you. We take whatever benefits come our way—there's no reason to refuse. Focus on adapting to your new body."

Gengar nodded rapidly, its usual mischievous grin absent. Instead, it wore a rare expression of seriousness and determination.

Over the next few days, Sato avoided the Ecruteak Gym entirely. Morty was too much of a schemer, and Sato had no time for his games.

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Inside a private training area at the Pokémon Center, he observed Gengar battling against Zoroark. The power boost from evolution was undeniable.

Gengar had leaped from Elite-Junior to Elite-Intermediate, with significant improvements in every stat—there was simply no comparison to its time as a Haunter.

First, Gengar had learned Destiny Bond and awakened a new inherited move during evolution—Clear Smog. Both were highly valuable moves, useful in attrition battles and multi-opponent fights.

Additionally, Gengar's Levitate ability had been replaced with Cursed Body, which granted a chance to disable an opponent's move upon being struck.

While Levitate was gone, Gengar's gaseous body still allowed it to hover freely. After all, there was a saying in the Pokémon world:

"If a Pokémon tries hard enough… it can fly!"

Now, in battle against Zoroark, Gengar had reached a truly competitive level. With its enhanced stats, it was no longer at a disadvantage—if anything, it was starting to push back!

"That's enough!"

Noticing that both Pokémon were nearing exhaustion, Sato called off the match.

Zoroark immediately collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily, while Gengar floated down, closing its golden eyes and sitting cross-legged in meditation.

The mischievous and reckless Haunter seemed to have vanished overnight, replaced by a Gengar that was composed, reserved, and wise.

Or rather, Gengar now exuded a hint of…

Sage serenity?

Seeing traces of enlightenment in a Ghost Pokémon was unsettling. Sato shook off the bizarre thought—maybe he'd just been around too many monks lately.

"Hey, Sato, that little monk came looking for you again!"

Nurse Joy suddenly opened the door, poking her head in with an exasperated expression.

Sato wrinkled his nose. Ever since Haunter's evolution, a young monk from the Bell Tower had been coming to invite him over every single day.

Having brushed them off long enough, and seeing that Gengar had stabilized, he finally decided to go and see what they wanted.

"Sato, my master said I absolutely must…"

The young monk had bright, clear eyes and delicate features—so much so that it was no wonder Nurse Joy found him difficult to turn away.

With a face like that, it was hard to say no.

Sato interrupted, "I'll visit Reverend Mingguang tomorrow. If there's nothing else, you can head back now."

"Ah! Okay, thank you! I'll go tell my master right away!"

The young monk bowed to Nurse Joy, received a head pat from her—which made his face flush red—then quickly ran off.

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The next day, Sato prepared himself and arrived early at the entrance of the Bell Tower.

Unlike the Burned Tower, the Bell Tower was meticulously maintained. Sato didn't spot a single missing tile or a patch of peeling paint.

"Sato, please come in!"

The young monk greeted him cheerfully and led him inside, but as soon as they entered, his demeanor became solemn.

As they ascended, Sato noticed many monks engaged in ascetic practices on each floor. Their robes varied in color, clearly denoting their ranks—simple yet effective.

Soon, they reached the top floor. A row of elderly monks sat in perfect formation, and at the very front stood an enormous gilded statue of Ho-Oh!

Sato spotted Reverend Mingguang at the head of the group, further confirming his high status.

Before he could dwell on it, the monks concluded their chanting. Most of them silently left, making the grand hall feel empty in an instant.

The young monk looked like he wanted to leave as well, but Reverend Mingguang called him to stay.

Sato stepped forward and directly asked, "Reverend Mingguang, why did you summon me?"

"You have a connection with the Bell Tower," Mingguang replied with a serene expression. "I simply wished to speak with you privately—there's no need to be so wary."

Since he was already here, Sato saw no reason to be polite. He sat cross-legged, arms folded, and gave the monk a look that said, Alright, let's hear it.

Reverend Mingguang motioned for the young monk to sit beside him, then began speaking.

"For generations, the monks of the Bell Tower have served the sacred beast, Ho-Oh, acting as its emissaries among humans. Through this bond, we have been granted certain extraordinary abilities."

"However, a century ago, those with malice in their hearts took advantage of our moment of negligence. They set fire to the old Bell Tower, enraging Ho-Oh, which then departed—never to return."

"Though we rebuilt the Bell Tower even more magnificently than before, Ho-Oh has never descended upon us again. Thus, our mission shifted—from serving Ho-Oh to seeking it."

Sato remained unmoved, both outwardly and inwardly.

Why would humans serve a Legendary Pokémon?

Who exactly were these 'malicious people'?

Those were the real questions that interested him.

"In recent years, we have tirelessly searched for Ho-Oh. Though we have yet to succeed, we have found clues."

Reverend Mingguang retrieved a wooden box and carefully opened it. Inside, a shimmering, multi-colored feather glowed faintly.

"This is the Rainbow Feather—one of Ho-Oh's fallen plumes."

Standing up, the reverend slowly brought the Rainbow Feather closer to Sato. And then—the feather began to glow even brighter!

As Mingguang pulled the feather away, its radiance dimmed accordingly.

"We have been searching for those who can elicit a reaction from the Rainbow Feather. When we find them, we entrust them with carrying it at all times."

"And then?"

For the first time, Sato's curiosity was piqued.

Was this tiny feather really supposed to summon Ho-Oh?