Chapter 36: 36. Chapter 36: The So-called Draw and Voluntariness

Chapter 36: The So-Called Draw and Voluntary Submission

Facing the whistling incoming attack, that strange gust of wind blew again, scattering all the flying needles.

Xia You asked curiously, "What kind of move is that?"

"Jie jie~" Gastly said smugly, "In the long years I've lived, I haven't just learned human language. I have plenty of abilities like this!"

As it spoke, as if to show off, it actually transformed its appearance into an Electabuzz!

"I say..." Xia You couldn't help but complain, "Isn't this breaking the rules of strength!? Besides, isn't transformation Ditto's ability? Why can you do it too?"

Glancing at Kirlia, perhaps it was Kirlia's previous act of saving its master that had given Gastly a slight sense of affirmation toward Xia You.

It canceled the transformation and said, "Actually, this is just hypnosis. However, my hypnosis no longer requires putting someone to sleep to influence the real world!"

Xia You frowned.

Is it really that strong!?

Feeling the sensation of the wind brushing against his cheeks—real and distinct—there was no way this looked like something hypnosis could achieve.

However, this Gastly was extraordinary; it truly could not be viewed by conventional logic.

"Electabuzz, use Thunder Fang!"

Electricity crackled between Electabuzz's sharp teeth as it lunged toward Gastly at extreme speed.

However, just as Electabuzz's attack was about to touch Gastly, Gastly's body seemed to be scattered by the wind, vanishing entirely!

"Jie jie!"

When Gastly reappeared, it had unknowingly arrived beside Electabuzz. In a teasing manner, it extended its long, large tongue and gave Electabuzz a heavy lick.

Electabuzz shuddered violently and tried to jump away, but it fell into a paralyzed state, unable to move.

"Ah, the taste of electricity."

Gastly laughed loudly and condensed a Shadow Ball once more, striking Electabuzz.

Upon receiving this hit, Electabuzz collapsed directly to the ground, unconscious.

A one-hit KO?

Was the level difference just too great...

Returning Electabuzz to its ball, Xia You looked down at Kirlia.

"It's your turn."

Kirlia nodded and walked up to Gastly.

"Do you intend to use attrition to exhaust my stamina through consecutive battles?" Gastly said. "But I think you understand, right? Psychic-type Pokémon can't beat me."

"Of course I know that." Xia You pulled several other Poké Balls from his waist and threw them all into the field. "So I don't plan on letting it fight alone. Everyone, go all at once!"

Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander appeared one after another, standing alongside Kirlia.

"What? So it's a gang attack," Gastly curled its lip, though its tone showed no sign of being bothered.

"It can't be helped," Xia You smiled. "The battle with Electabuzz just now made me truly realize your strength. If I used conventional methods, how could I ever catch you!"

Hearing Xia You's words, Gastly fell silent for a moment before asking, "Why are you so obsessed with catching powerful Pokémon? Is participating in the Pokémon League really that important to you?"

"How should I put it..." Xia You thought for a moment. "Life is full of joys and sorrows. While the Pokémon League isn't everything in life, it is both a dream and a part of what I pursue. Why, don't you have a goal you want to chase?"

"Dreams? Goals?" Gastly murmured.

As a Pokémon that loved mischief, its daily pleasure throughout its many years of life had been playing pranks on others and living happily; it had never thought about such illusory questions.

Seeing Gastly lost in thought, Xia You's eyes lit up.

A weakness!

"Kirlia, use Magical Leaf!"

At Xia You's command, glowing green Magical Leaves swept toward Gastly.

"Hey, hey, ambushing at a time like this is too despicable!"

Gastly hurriedly dodged the attack, but just as the words left its mouth, a Water Gun sprayed from the side.

"That's not being despicable, that's being decisive!" Xia You shouted loudly. "Charmander, use Ember!"

The Water Gun grazed Gastly's body, and just as it stabilized itself, a large burst of embers rushed toward its face.

"What's the difference!?" Gastly's body vanished, and when it reappeared, caught off guard, it was struck by a Leaf Blade.

Being hit by successive moves left Gastly looking somewhat disheveled, which also made it determined to stop holding back.

Ripples of light waves emanated from Gastly's body, enveloping all the Pokémon on the field.

Xia You's heart sank. He had no way to deal with this move for the time being, so he could only grit his teeth and shout, "Charmander, quickly use Smokescreen!"

A large cloud of black smoke erupted from Charmander's mouth, instantly filling a large portion of the area.

"Trying to use Smokescreen to affect my vision and lower the accuracy of my hypnosis?" Gastly gave a wicked laugh. "A good idea, but far too naive!"

As it spoke, Gastly concentrated. In the next second, the light waves accelerated visibly and became more dense. Changing from a single-target move to an area-of-effect attack, it caused all of Xia You's Pokémon to fall into a deep sleep in just a brief moment.

At this point, Xia You was truly helpless.

Gastly slowly floated upward, looking down at the thick black smoke below, and launched its final attack.

Clumps of pink gas flew out from the bodies of Xia You's Pokémon and entered Gastly's body. As Gastly's eyes suddenly widened, those Pokémon collapsed as if they had suffered a mental attack.

Dream Eater, activated!

Dream Eater, a Psychic-type move, consumes dreams to attack, dealing significant damage while restoring half of the damage dealt to the opponent's HP.

As the black curtain slowly dissipated, Xia You looked at the fallen Pokémon, who had completely lost their ability to fight, and let out a deep sigh.

This Gastly was far, far stronger than its peers. Even when dealing with Zapdos before, Xia You had never felt as powerless as he did today.

Returning them one by one into their Poké Balls, Xia You said despondently, "I lost."

Gastly slowly flew in front of Xia You, studying him closely.

"No, you haven't lost yet."

Its gaze shifted toward the Poké Ball containing Zapdos, and it smiled. "Don't you still have a Legendary Pokémon? So how can this be called a loss! Besides, I've also exhausted a lot of energy. Since you don't intend to send out Zapdos to fight me, why don't we call this battle a draw?"

"Eh?" Xia You was stunned; he hadn't expected Gastly to say such a thing.

Gastly continued, "Your character suits my taste. Although I don't have any dreams for the time being, I do want to leave this place and travel around to see the world. Winning the Pokémon League and becoming the champion is indeed a good choice."

Xia You looked at it, a surge of joy in his heart. "What do you mean by that?"

Gastly grinned widely.

"It means I have acknowledged you. Now, bring out your Poké Ball. I am willing to be your Pokémon and help you realize your dream!"

(End of Chapter)