Ash's Gengar

**Ash's Gengar** is a character from the *Pokemon Journey* anime.

An abandoned Gengar who haunted the Cerise Institute for several years. After Ash defends it from Team Rocket, he managed to befriend this Gengar and capture it.

In the AWA fics, Gengar debuted in the All Worlds Alliance Missions - The Isle of Lost Light.

## **Appearance**

Gengar has a shadow-like, round-bodied frame with two large, pointed ears and short spikes lining its back. Gengar has two red eyes and a toothy, sinister smile. It has claws on its hands and stands on two short legs.

## **Personality**

Upon its debut, Gengar was rather hostile towards humans and other Pokémon. However, it is later revealed that its rogue nature was due to being abandoned by its original Trainer, for whom Gengar had waited three years to return. After it started bonding with Ash, Gengar became a much friendlier Pokémon and gained complete trust in him, though it still retained its mischievous streak.

For the majority of time, Gengar is a prankster, but is still friendly and grateful towards those who are kind to it, especially Ash. Similar to Ash's Palpitoad, Gengar shares Ash's strong love of battling and follows his commands without question. In combat, Gengar makes full use of its Ghost typing, such as being able to phase through solid objects. However, it suffers against faster opponents, like Electrode and Lucario. It can also disappear and reappear at will, hide in the shadows, and is able to decrease the temperature of its surroundings.

Gengar also hates being wrongly blamed for things, as it hits Ash with a Shadow Ball for thinking it was behind the Pokémon food shortage at the Cerise Laboratory.

## **Abilities**

Gengar is a powerhouse and isn't afraid to show it, seeking out multiple worthy opponents. It overwhelms two of Team Rocket's Dusclops with Night Shade. What's even more badass is, Gengar's tired - its dreary eyes are a sign of fatigue, not rage. Alone, bitter and never resting after being rejected years ago. As soon as it gets a brief reprieve in Ash's Pokéball it emerges out fully rejuvenated.

## **Trivia**

* Gengar is Ash's first:
	+ Official Ghost-type Pokémon, as well as the latest type that Ash has caught.
	+ Pokémon to know a Ghost-type move.
	+ Abandoned Pokémon that isn't a starter (most of them are Fire type) and is fully evolved.
	+ Pokémon to have been abandoned by its Trainer years prior to its capture.
* With Gengar's capture, Ash now officially owns or has owned at least one Pokémon of all 18 types.
* Just like Ash's Charizard as a Charmander, Gengar was told by its Trainer to stay and wait for his return but turns out that the Trainer abandoned it out of selfishness. It's also similar to Ash's Squirtle, Infernape (as Chimchar) & Pignite (as Tepig) who were also abandoned by selfish Trainers who were glad to be rid of them before Ash took them in.
	+ Gengar and Squirtle are also Generation 1 Pokémon from the Kanto region that caused mischief until they met Ash, had a change of heart upon seeing that he cared about them, and willingly joined his team. Thus they became formidable battlers under Ash's training. They also bonded with Pikachu.
* Gengar also has some things in common with Ash's Muk. Both are purple Generation I Poison types that were already fully evolved when Ash caught them near Vermilion City. They both caused trouble prior to their capture, and become very affectionate afterward.
* Prior to being captured by Ash, Gengar had noticeable wrinkles under its eyes. After joining Ash's team, the wrinkles disappear, symbolizing how it has a new life and has become a much happier Pokémon.
* Gengar is the first Pokémon in Journeys to know 4 moves upon capture.
	+ In comparison, both Dragonite and Riolu started out with only 1.
* During the end of "Best Friend... Worst Nightmare!", the moon was shown to be red, symbolizing Gengar's vengeful nature. However, in "A Chilling Curse!", the moon was shown to be a white crescent, symbolizing it now in a better mood.