"Since the Three Legendary Beasts have set such ridiculous standards, my own criteria shouldn't be too low. Otherwise, I'll look weak in comparison," Marshadow mused, drifting through the dark sub-dimension.
"My standard for passing will be simple: defeat me in a head-on battle. But first, I'll hide in the shadows. I'll slip into the shadow of the Hero's Pokémon and siphon its strength."
With that thought, Marshadow submerged into the darkness. Guided by the unique resonance of the Rainbow Wing, it sped toward Feng Che's location.
The Sixteen-Winged Assassin
"Mt. Tensei is massive. Finding Marshadow actively would be like looking for a needle in a haystack," Feng Che thought as he hiked. "Better to let it come to me."
He paused in a quiet grove. "By the way, Ditto, here's a powerful Poison-type for you. Absorb it."
Feng Che retrieved a specialized stasis pod from his ring. Inside lay the Eight-Winged Crobat, floating in nutrient solution. Ditto's pink form rippled, expanding to envelop the entire pod. Within the gelatinous mass, the modified bat was dissolved and assimilated.
Ditto had unlocked a terrifying new form: the Sixteen-Winged Crobat. A peak-level, hyper-speed assassin.
The Pure Heaven Lab-Rats
In another part of Mt. Tensei, Maki looked at the three individuals beside her with visible apprehension. These were "Artificial Ability Users"—monsters created through Dr. Shaka's twisted experiments.
To her left was Taki, a youth with golden hair and two thick, obsidian dragon horns protruding from his skull. He possessed a synthetic Dragon Force, allowing him to command Dragon-types with absolute authority. His pupils were slitted and gold, radiating a faint, oppressive draconic aura. Currently, he was lazily napping against an ancient tree.
Pacing nearby was a girl with sea-green hair named Zhi. Countless vines snaked around her limbs, exuding a fresh, grassy fragrance. Wild Grass-types gathered around her like subjects to a queen; flowers bloomed wherever her feet touched the soil. She wore a dress woven from living plants and possessed the Power of Viridian Leaf, capable of instant healing and summoning massive Grassy Terrains.
To Maki's right stood Wei, a rotund youth hidden under a heavy cloak. A miniature dark cloud hovered over his head, constantly raining down on him. His skin was perpetually wet, yet he seemed perfectly comfortable. Every step he took left puddles on the dry earth.
These three were the results of Shaka's human experimentation—implanting Pokémon cellular tissue into human hosts to grant them supernatural powers. They held the powers of the Dragon, the Forest, and the Weather.
However, their weaknesses were glaring. Because of the foreign DNA, their personalities were warped. Taki was volatile and greedy—a classic dragon, he would only listen if he heard the clink of gold. Zhi was timid, but if provoked, a secondary, hyper-aggressive personality would emerge, sprouting toxic thorns. Wei was vacant and dull, likely a side effect of the Octillery cells used in his creation; his only joy was dragging prey into deep water to watch them drown.
These three haven't been infused with Sky Miasma yet, but their bodies are already a burden, Maki thought bitterly. Every time they use their powers, it accelerates their cellular division. Humans have a finite number of divisions. Once they hit the limit, they'll simply drop dead.
Shaka had intended to come personally, but a rebellion on the island housing the Sky Miasma had forced him to divert. He had sent these "Masterpieces" instead, with strict orders for Maki to facilitate Feng Che's execution.
I've finally found my sister, Ryuki, Maki mused, glancing at her laptop. She was sent to that same island as a 'Servant of the God.' If this mission fails, Shaka will kill me anyway. I need to prepare to defect.
The "New Species"
Marshadow flickered through the shadows of the forest floor, eventually peeking out from behind an ancient cedar. It immediately spotted Feng Che and the floating Ditto.
Marshadow: So that's the Hero.
Marshadow: But wait... why is the Rainbow Wing on a pink blob? And why does that blob also have Lugia's Silver Wing?
Marshadow scratched its helmeted head in confusion.
Marshadow: No wonder the aura felt weird. But what is that thing? Is it a new species of Muk? I thought Muk had bigger eyes. These are just... dots.
Marshadow felt its head throb. Complex thinking always gave it a migraine.
Feng Che, listening to the telepathic internal monologue, suddenly burst out laughing.
Ditto: Is my Trainer having a stroke?
Ditto: Just walking along and then... HA! Scared the slime out of me.
Feng Che looked at the "New Species of Muk" in front of him, saw Ditto's innocent, bewildered expression, and laughed even harder.
Ditto: Yep. He's officially lost it.
Marshadow: I was going to hide in the human's shadow to find a crack in his heart. But the Rainbow Wing hasn't changed color, so he's probably pure enough.
Marshadow: Besides, there's a very powerful Gengar living in his shadow. If I go in there, I'll get into a fight and ruin the surprise. I'll just possess his Pokémon instead.
Marshadow: This pink thing looks weak. I'll hitch a ride in its shadow and steal its abilities. I'll have the upper hand when the duel starts.
With a ripple, Marshadow slipped into Ditto's shadow. Ditto felt a sudden, inexplicable chill. It looked around suspiciously, but saw nothing but the trees.
Feng Che knows Marshadow is "hitching a ride." Should he pretend not to notice and lead it toward the Rainbow Altar, or should he have Gengar initiate a "Shadow War" right now to capture the proctor early?