Pokémon: I have no choice but to do this old thing?

The nights at Xinqi Lake are so quiet that you can hear the faint cracking of the thin ice.

The moonlight, like a ribbon, spilled onto the half-frozen lake, turning the glistening ice layer silvery-white.

The lights of Black Gold City in the distance are reflected in the unfrozen lake, swaying gently with the ripples, like stars sinking to the bottom of the water.

The embers of the campfire flickered in the night wind, occasionally scattering a few sparks that quickly disappeared into the cool air.

The grass turtle was fast asleep by the tent, the dew on its shell shimmering in the moonlight.

Kirlia leaned against Zhang Jianying, her sky-blue hair fluttering in the night breeze, occasionally brushing against the trainer's arm.

Zhang Jianying was gently wiping the championship trophy, her fingertips tracing the three side-by-side marks on it.

Suddenly, Kirlia raised its head, its crimson eyes gleaming faintly in the night. It gently tugged at Zhang Jianying's sleeve, gesturing for him to look outside the camp.

Following Kirlia's gaze.

Gastly hovered quietly beneath a tree covered in a thin layer of frost; tonight, it was different.

The purple mist surrounding Gastly was more solid than ever before, gleaming with a mysterious and soft glow under the moonlight.

Moonlight pierced through its translucent body, casting a shimmering purple halo on the snow. In its signature large, semi-circular eyes, the scarlet pupils shrank to two serious dots, the usual playfulness gone, replaced by an almost solemn expression.

"Jie."

It emitted a short, clear syllable, and its gaseous body began to rise and fall rhythmically. Then, it slowly raised its "hand" formed from condensed mist.

Using the mist as ink, two patterns were delicately outlined in the air—first, a detailed Poké Ball outline; then, a battle arena pattern.

After completing the two patterns, Gastly stared directly at Zhang Jianying.

It first pointed to the Poké Ball icon, then placed its misty hand on its "chest".

The mist on its round body suddenly became thicker and more active, as if a real heart was beating inside.

"You want to test whether I can subdue you through battle?"

Zhang Jianying asked softly, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Gastly bobbed up and down with all its might; its movements were somewhat comical, but its expression was exceptionally serious.

As it moved, several purple sparks burst forth from the mist, slowly drifting away into the night sky.

Then, it began to depict a scene using mist:

It first conjured up an exquisite dream demon shape, every detail of which was lifelike, even the beads on its neck shimmered in the moonlight.

Then the phantom slowly rose, and when it touched the icicles hanging on the branches, it suddenly dissipated, turning into specks of firefly light that fell down.

In the instant the phantom dissipated, Gastly's misty body dimmed noticeably for a moment.

But then, the mist condensed again, transforming in turn into the images of Zhang Jianying, Kirullian, and the Grass Turtle.

The three phantoms huddled together, and the ghost deliberately made their outlines glow slightly, making them particularly dazzling in the night.

Kirlia gently touched Zhang Jianying's arm, a telepathic connection about to be established. But Zhang Jianying slowly shook his head, rejecting Kirlia's telepathic connection, yet his gaze never left Gastly's figure; he understood everything.

This is not a simple challenge, but a naive yet sincere soul bidding farewell to the past and volunteering for the future in the only way he knows.

As the moonlight shone down, he slowly rose, his expression solemn and dignified.

"Let's battle, Gastly."

His voice was clear and firm, echoing across the silent lakeside.

"Your feelings will be conveyed through battle."

Gastly's mist surged violently, and a look of gratitude for being understood flashed in its large eyes, which then transformed into an even stronger fighting spirit.

The Turtwig, which had already woken up, remained silent. After glancing at its trainer, who was unusually reliable, it slowly walked to one side of the open space.

The grass turtle looked at the purple figure opposite it, showing no hostility, no confrontation, only respect.

The moonlight cast a silvery glow on the open space by the lake.

Gastly and Torterra stood facing each other, and in the open space between them, the puddles from the melting snow reflected the crescent moon in the sky.

The surface of Xinqi Lake suddenly became quiet, even the sound of the thin ice cracking disappeared, as if the entire lake was holding its breath, waiting for this special duel.

"Are you ready?"

Zhang Jianying asked.

Gastly's eyes suddenly lit up with a deep light, and dark red ripples of black light spread out from its center, even dimming the moonlight under the reflection of the ripples.

This is not a prank, it is a vow—tonight, we will not back down!

The grass-fed turtle understood, and the leaf markings on its carapace shimmered with a vibrant green. A dozen or so seed bombs shot out, tracing graceful arcs in the moonlight.

Gastly neither dodged nor evaded, allowing the seeds covered in Grass-type energy to penetrate its misty body, only causing a few ripples at the point of impact.

It opened its mouth and spewed out a murky mist. The purple poisonous mist presented an eerie beauty under the moonlight, which was proof of its all-out effort!

"Grass seedling turtle, use parasitic seeds."

The Grass-like Turtle let out a low growl, its leaves trembling slightly as it released several shimmering green seeds. Gastly didn't flinch, allowing the seeds to attach to its body and begin absorbing its energy.

It trembled, and the edges of its misty body began to blur, but it did not hesitate to unleash its double whammy.

The Ghost-type energy roared in the night, and a deep purple shockwave swept across the frosty grass, scattering frost flowers and grass clippings everywhere it passed.

During the fierce battle, Gastly's gaze unconsciously drifted towards the direction of Eternal Forest.

But this time, its eyes were no longer lost, nor did they show any lingering affection.

Gastly quickly withdrew its gaze, looking more firmly at the Turtwig in front of it, and then at Zhang Jianying and Kirlia standing behind it.

Its gaseous body glowed faintly in the moonlight, as if it had finally laid down some heavy burden.

Right now.

"Jehovah—!!!"

Gastly let out a long howl, and its entire body erupted with astonishing energy.

An unprecedented shadow sphere condensed in front of it, its shape not yet perfect, and the flow of energy slightly clumsy, clearly indicating that it had just mastered it.

This newly acquired skill was clearly very difficult for it; its gaseous body trembled incessantly due to the energy output, but its gaze remained resolute.

It exerted all its strength, unleashing an astonishing aura from this nascent skill. Deep purple arcs of electricity flowed across the surface of the Shadow Orb, illuminating the lakeside.

The grass turtle stood ready, its limbs firmly planted on the ground, prepared to face this final blow.

However, Gastly did something that surprised everyone.

It slammed the Shadow Ball into the air.

The energy ball roared into the night sky, exploding at its highest point and transforming into a dazzling purple star shower.

Each point of light shimmered in the moonlight, like a period at the end of a chapter in the past, or a hymn to the future.

In this dreamlike shower of stars, Gastly looked at Zhang Jianying, its large eyes filled with relief and anticipation. It revealed a clean and warm smile, and the mist around it gradually dissipated, revealing an unprecedented tranquility.

Then, with its last ounce of strength, it slowly and resolutely floated toward the Poké Ball that Zhang Jianying had prepared beforehand. In the instant before touching it, it glanced back one last time toward Eternal Forest—not with lingering affection, but with farewell. A faint, relieved smile appeared on its misty lips.

"Ding!"

A flash of red light, and Gastly vanished into the Poké Ball. The Poké Ball didn't even shake; it emitted a crisp, clear sound announcing successful capture, exceptionally distinct in the quiet night.

All was silent. Only the soft crackling of the thin ice breaking on the lake surface echoed again, providing accompaniment for this special moment.

Zhang Jianying stared blankly at the Poké Ball in his hand, his fingertips gently stroking the surface of the ball.

The Poké Ball was slightly warm in his hand, as if Gastly's burning passion was pulsating within it, and this warmth traveled through the ball into his palm.

The Turtwig waddled over and gently nuzzled his leg with its head. Kirlia floated to his side and gently placed its hand on the Poké Ball, its sky-blue hair shimmering in the night breeze against the surface of the ball.

"It said..." Kirlia's telepathic voice sounded softly, with a warm smile, "From now on, you'll have to count me in for pranks."

Zhang Jianying held the Poké Ball to his chest and softly said to the crescent moon in the sky, "Welcome home, Gastly."

The dust has settled.

A soft golden light shimmered in the heart of Xinqi Lake. A petite figure slowly rose from the lake's surface—a blue-gray body, a pink head, two tails swaying gently behind it, and a red gem in the center of its forehead gleaming warmly in the moonlight.

Its appearance did not cause a ripple, as if it were an integral part of the lake.

"Mesprit..." Zhang Jianying whispered, holding Gastly's Poké Ball.

The God of Emotions hovered above the lake, his golden eyes gently gazing at the trainers and their companions on the shore.

As its gaze swept over the Poké Ball, the ball suddenly emitted a soft pulsation, as if resonating with the legend.

An invisible emotional bond appeared in the air, connecting Gastly inside the ball with the trainer on the shore.

Emridor remained silent, emanating a divine light that gradually coalesced into a small, crimson crystal.

The crystal slowly floated to Zhang Jianying's front, hovering in the air and radiating a reassuring warmth.

The moment Zhang Jianying received the crystal, a warm feeling flowed directly into his heart:

"Genuine emotions... deserve to be treasured. This crystal of the soul is a gift to prove your genuine feelings for them."

Emredo nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his golden eyes before turning into specks of golden light and dissipating into the night, as if he had never been there.

The lake remained calm, with only the mind crystal in Zhang Jianying's hand bearing witness to what had just happened...

He looked down at the Poké Ball in his hand and suddenly felt the ball move slightly, as if Gastly had turned over inside.

The moonlight was still as bright as silk, but the Heart Lake was no longer cold. On this night, watched by the god of emotions, a wandering soul finally found its home.