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

Chapter 93 The End of the Poisonous Peach, Old Shadows and New Paths

In the dead of night in Beishang Township, Guishan Mountain lay silent like a giant beast.

In front of the gate of the Snow-Covered Mansion, Zhang Jianying, Albert, Danyu, and Egui, who had put the Green Grass Mask back on, briefly gathered.

"Are you sure we don't need to request assistance from Interpol?"

Albert finally confirmed, his gaze sweeping over EvilPoke, "After all, the opponent is a Mythical Pokémon, and its abilities are unknown."

Zhang Jianying shook his head and patted the little guy's head. Egui Peng subconsciously wanted to dodge, but only shrank his neck and didn't actually avoid it.

"It's here."

Zhang Jianying said, "Adding ourselves and our respective partners, that's enough. Too many people might alert the enemy. To avoid any unforeseen complications, a swift and decisive victory is best."

Albert, seeing Ergui's eager expression as he gripped the large stick, finally nodded. "Understood. Then we'll act as investigators and local assistants. Miss Danyu, please stay close to us and be careful."

Danyu clenched her fists, her eyes resolute: "I'm going! It's part of the history of our Beishang Township. I must witness its end with my own eyes, and I must do my part to make up for what our ancestors failed to do."

Without further hesitation, the three of them and their Pokémon quietly disappeared into the thick darkness of Ghost Mountain.

The mountain road was rugged.

Led by Erguilan, they avoided unnecessary detours and headed straight for a place deep in the mountains known as the "Ghost Mountain Cave".

Along the way, Zhang Jianying would occasionally stop, his gaze sweeping over a certain spot in the darkness.

His waveguide perception is more acute than the naked eye, allowing him to detect certain residual traces of energy.

That was a trace of poisonous aura that dissipated when Tao Dailang moved.

This confirms that they were on the right track.

About an hour later, a natural cave surrounded by jagged rocks came into view.

The cave entrance was deep and dark, with cold wind blowing out from inside.

This is Ghost Mountain Cave, the legendary abode of "ghosts," and also the former "home" of the Evil Spirit and its trainer.

The cave was not completely dark.

Moss, emitting a faint phosphorescence, grows in some crevices of the rock face, providing barely visible light.

The purplish-black, unsettling residual toxic energy in the air became increasingly apparent.

They moved quietly and went deeper inside.

The cave was wider than I had imagined, with few side passages, and the main passage led to a relatively open hall.

Right there, they spotted their target.

In the center of the cave, several glowing mineral stones provided a light source.

A dark purple, peach-shaped figure was hovering in mid-air with its back to them.

Several thin, venomous tentacles extended from the sides of its split, peach-shaped body.

The ends of three of the tendrils were wrapped with masks of red, blue, and gray.

Tao Dailang seemed to be gesturing to the empty rock face.

Clearly, it is looking for the last mask it believes should be here.

Zhang Jianying opened the data view and glanced at Tao Dailang's information.

【Taojilang】

Gender: Genderless

[Attributes: Poison + Ghost]

【Special Ability: Poison Puppet (When Momoshiro is poisoned by a move, he will also become confused)】

[Skills: Self-Regeneration, Deadly Poison, Vicious Chains, Shadow Ball, Misfortune Never Comes Alone]

[Status: Recovering, but lacking energy.]

[Note: Dominate Pokémon by creating Poison Sticky Rice to control people and Pokémon, and enhance their abilities.]

Seemingly sensing the undisguised anger and gaze from behind, Momoya stopped moving.

It slowly turned around.

The peach-pit-shaped "face" had no obvious features, but everyone could feel a greedy, mocking, and cold gaze sweeping over them before finally fixing itself on the Eguilan wearing the green grass mask.

"Bonnie!!!"

When enemies meet, their eyes are filled with intense hatred!

A century of pent-up hatred erupted like a volcano. The grass-type energy on the body of the Egui surging wildly, and the [Thorn Vine Staff] instantly condensed. It took a step forward and was about to charge!

"etc!"

Zhang Jianying spoke up, and at the same time, he acted even faster!

With a flick of his wrist, two Poké Balls opened almost simultaneously! "Gengar, Gardevoir, [Black Gaze]!"

"Genga!"

"Sanai!"

Gengar leaped out of the shadows with a snarl, its eyes gleaming with an eerie light!

Gardevoir acted almost simultaneously, its crimson eyes radiating an invisible shackle of psychic power!

Two black gazes precisely enveloped Momotaro!

A flash of light appeared around Tao Dailang and then disappeared.

This means that for some time to come, it will be unable to escape the battlefield by conventional means!

Just as he was about to charge, E Guipeng suddenly stopped in his tracks, turning back in astonishment to look at Zhang Jianying: "???"

"So you've blocked all your escape route?" Albert pushed up his glasses, which were about to slip off, and his lips twitched slightly. "So direct?"

Zhang Jianying stared at the targeted Tao Dailang and sneered, "What's the point of talking about martial ethics when dealing with this kind of villain who hides behind the scenes, manipulating people's hearts and stirring up tragedies? Are you suggesting we bow down and say 'Please guide me'?"

"Bonnie!"

Ergui instantly understood and wholeheartedly agreed!

A spark of even greater excitement ignited in Xingxing's eyes! A century-old feud, the culprit, will be settled here today!

It waited no longer, and a sharp light that enhanced its attack rose from its body—[Sword Dance]!

Immediately afterwards, his figure transformed into a streak of green lightning, accelerating with a [Lightning Flash], and wielding the brightly shining [Thorn Vine Staff], smashing it down fiercely towards Momotaro!

Despite the fierce attack from the evil spirit, Tao Dailang did not seem to be flustered.

It let out a strange "chirp" laugh, neither dodging nor avoiding, letting the wooden stick wrapped with powerful grass-type energy slam heavily onto its dark purple "peach shell"!

boom!

With a muffled thud, Tao Dailang's body swayed slightly, but that was all.

Its Poison and Ghost typing combination provides perfect resistance to Grass-type attacks. Furthermore, as a Mythical Pokémon, it already possesses excellent physical defense and immense HP.

After taking the blow head-on, Tao Dailang even deliberately swayed his body, and an even more piercing laugh came from the crack.

Several tentacles twitched, and purplish-black poisonous energy rapidly condensed, transforming into several [Evil Poison Chains] that shimmered with an ominous luster, biting like venomous snakes at the Egui Peng, whose old power was exhausted and whose new power had not yet been generated!

The evil creature hurriedly jumped back to dodge, swinging its [Thorn Vine Staff] to block, but was still grazed by a chain. A burning pain and numbness immediately shot through its body, causing it to pause slightly.

At the same time, another chain lashed mercilessly at the Evil Barrier.

"Gengar, stop it!"

"Genga~"

Gengar grinned wickedly, conjuring a modified version of the [Nightmare] armor on its body. It grabbed Momotaro's [Poison Chains], and the poison on the chains slowly corroded the armor formed from Ghost-type energy.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Tao Dailang's body emitted a rich white light of life—[Self-Regeneration]!

The slight marks from being struck by the Fiend [Thorn Vine Staff] vanished instantly, and his condition returned to normal!

It even leisurely swayed slightly in place, its crack opening and closing, emitting a provocative "chirp" sound.

"This guy—"

Albert frowned, even his usually calm demeanor was somewhat provoked by this vicious provocation. "Thunder Beast—"

"Don't rush." ​​Zhang Jianying stopped him, but her gaze fell on the slightly fluctuating Egui Peng. "Little guy, would you like to follow my orders for now? Let's play with it together."

Egui was already agitated by the thwarted attack and the opponent's taunts, and was taken aback when he heard this.

It turned its head, looking into Zhang Jianying's calm yet all-knowing eyes, then glanced at Gengar beside it, its large tongue flailing wildly as it sucked up the strange toxins from the chains—

It recalled his back as he stood in front of it during the festival, and his gentle smile as he handed back the mask.

"Bonnie!"

It nodded vigorously and slammed the stick heavily on the ground, indicating its complete trust.

"very good."

Zhang Jianying's lips curled into a knowing smile. He first whispered to Gengar, "Gengar, [Taunt] ready, seal its transformation move."

"And—stop licking! You're putting everything in your mouth, what if you get a stomachache?"

"Genga~"

Upon hearing this, Gengar chuckled awkwardly and quickly sucked on the few remaining drops of poison on the chains.

它脸上露出比桃歹郎更欠揍的坏笑，丢掉手中被它舔的黯淡无光的锁链，对着桃歹郎勾了勾手指，做了个极其嚣张的鬼脸。

The mockery on Tao Dailang's peach-pit-like face abruptly stopped, and several veins on his forehead seemed to bulge out with the naked eye.

「（# dishes）」

It hates it when someone is more arrogant than it!

Ignoring the enraged Tao Dailang, Zhang Jianying released the Ice Goose again, "Little penguin, it's your turn. Give that bastard a [Water Immersion]!"

"Iceman!"

The Ice Goose was full of energy. With a flap of its small wings, it hopped twice on the spot, and a stream of water containing special power splashed precisely onto Tao Dailang!

There was no harm done, but Tao Dailang's body was instantly covered by a layer of water light!

Its dark purple peach shell seemed to have lightened in color.

More importantly, it clearly sensed that its poison attribute, which it relied on to resist grass-type attacks, was temporarily overridden at this moment!

Attribute change!

Poison + Ghost → Pure Water!

Tao Dailang's swaying body froze, and the crack in his skin could no longer emit a mocking sound.

It sensed its own vulnerability and suddenly felt a little panicked.

Are you still laughing?

Zhang Jianying asked slowly, "Why aren't you smiling? Are you just naturally averse to smiling?"

He turned to the elusive, star-like figure whose eyes shone like searchlights: "One more time with the [Sword Dance]!"

"Bonnie—!!"

Without hesitation, Ergui unleashed [Sword Dance] once more, further increasing its attack power!

It sensed it! The troublesome resistance from that nasty thing opposite it had vanished!

The [Thorn Vine Staff] in his hand hummed with the surge of fighting spirit and power, and grass-type energy boiled and wrapped around the staff!

"Now."

Zhang Jianying waved his hand, "Full power [Thorn Vine Staff]!"

Erguilan stomped his foot, and the ground cracked!

Like an arrow released from a bow, the [Thorn Vine Staff] drew a dazzling green trajectory in the air, carrying the power of a century of grudges and the current extreme enhancement, and without any fancy moves, it slammed into the Grass-type Momoyarou, who was powerless to resist!

This time, the sound was no longer a muffled thud, but a near-explosive roar!

"Chirp!!!"

Tao Dailang let out a shrill scream as his dark purple body was slammed into the rock wall behind him, embedding itself deeply. Spiderweb-like cracks spread out from the center of the wall!

The tendrils that had been holding the three masks loosened weakly, and the masks clattered to the ground.

It struggled, trying to muster its energy, but Gengar's [Taunt] light flashed at the opportune moment, interrupting any attempt to recover or change. Gardevoir's [Psychic] acted like shackles, further suppressing its movements.

Tao Dailang struggled, but his strength grew weaker and weaker. Finally, under another fierce blow from E Guipeng's Thorn Vine Staff, he reluctantly began to spin around in circles.

Zhang Jianying looked at the unconscious Tao Dailang and stroked his chin.

Tsk tsk—

The [Thorn Staff] has an attack bonus of +4, a STAB bonus, and type advantage. This strike has a power of "2.9 Cap Force". How can you withstand it!

Tao Dailang was embedded in the rock wall, and the light emanating from his body quickly dimmed. Finally, the unsettling purple color completely disappeared.

The crack closed, and the whole body curled up, turning into an ordinary-looking, even somewhat shriveled, dark purple peach.

It fell to the ground with a "thud" and remained motionless.

"Genga!"

Gengar trotted over excitedly, grabbed the "immortal peach," and curiously poked it.

Won.

Ergui gripped the Thorn Vine Staff, standing still, his chest heaving violently, but not from exhaustion.

The great revenge has been achieved, the sworn enemy has been vanquished, and the three masks are right at my feet.

The expected ecstasy did not materialize; instead, a sense of bewilderment filled my heart.

The hatred and goals that had sustained it for so long suddenly vanished. It felt as if a large chunk had been ripped out of its heart.

Danyu stepped forward, squatted down in front of it, and said softly, "Little one, it's over. You're free now, and you'll never be bound by the nightmares of the past again. You can come to the village anytime; this is your home too."

Looking into the girl's sincere eyes, Erguipeng shook his head firmly.

Beneath the green grass mask came a low sob.

Here lie too many painful memories: the cold cave where he was lost, the fear of being misunderstood and driven away—

For it, Beishang Township is ultimately a place of sorrow.

Zhang Jianying picked up the three masks from the ground, walked to the Eguilan, and handed them over.

Ergui looked at the mask, then looked up at him, his eyes unreadable.

It took the three masks, held them in its arms, then turned and walked towards a deeper corner of the cave.

Zhang Jianying, Albert, and Danyu exchanged a glance and tacitly agreed not to follow too closely, but to stay at a distance in the main cave hall, giving it its own space.

Deep inside the cave, the conditions are even more rudimentary than outside, yet traces of past human habitation can still be faintly discerned.

In the deepest corner, against the rock wall, there is a small, simply built mound of stones.

There was no tombstone, only a relatively smooth stone standing in front, with a roughly human-shaped outline and a smiley face symbol drawn on it by long-faded and indistinct carvings.

That was carved little by little back then.

Erguilan walked to the small grave and gently placed the three masks in his arms, along with the green grass mask on his own face, carefully in front of the stone that served as the "tombstone".

The four masks stood side by side, radiating a faint glow in the dim light.

It knelt down, stretched out its little hand, and gently stroked the rough and blurred marks on the stone.

"Bonito—"

Egui spoke in a low voice, very soft and intermittent, like the sobbing wind in the mountains, or like the patter of rain on leaves.

The rotten peach was knocked down, and the mask was retrieved. Some villagers knew the truth and apologized.

Several different people helped me today, and one of them reminded me of you.

"Bonnie-oh—"

I miss you so much.

Tears streamed down her face, falling onto the cold ground and leaving dark stains.

A century of loneliness, grievances, longing, and the emptiness and relief of finally getting revenge all mixed together, turning into silent tears.

Through my teary eyes, the blurry carvings on the stone seemed to tremble slightly.

In a daze, it seemed to see that familiar figure again, sitting on that stone slab, facing it with the same warm smile as in its memory.

It was as if it were saying, "You've worked hard, little one. Take good care of yourself from now on."

"Boo-ni-oh--"

The groaning creature reached out its hand, only to touch the cold rocks and air.

The illusion vanished.

But that comfort, seemingly from a distant time, truly remained in my heart.

It knelt before the tomb, hugging its knees, burying its face in its arms, its shoulders shrugging slightly.

This time, it was no longer a suppressed lament, but more like a long farewell, and a weeping that had been suppressed for hundreds of years.

In the distance, Zhang Jianying and the other two waited quietly.

Albert whispered to Zhang Jianying, "I'll contact headquarters and request the highest level of containment measures for that peach. This mythical Pokémon that caused a historic disaster must be handled properly."

Zhang Jianying nodded, but the light remained fixed on the small green figure deep inside.

After an unknown amount of time, Erguipeng finally stopped crying. It raised its head and wiped its face with its little hands.

Then, it carefully put away the four masks, one by one.

The green grass mask was worn on its face, while the red, blue, and gray masks were magically "stored" behind its green cloak-like back, transforming into three decorative buttons of different colors with restrained radiance on the cloak.

It stood up, took one last look at the small grave and stones, then turned and walked towards Zhang Jianying and the others.

My steps were no longer heavy, as if I had shed something and felt a sense of relief.

It walked up to Zhang Jianying, looked up, and starry-eyed at him through the mask.

Zhang Jianying crouched down to its eye level and asked softly, "What are your plans next?"

Ergui glanced at him, then at Albert and Danyu beside him, and finally, turned his gaze to the deep night sky outside the cave and shook his head.

It doesn't know.

This is a place of sorrow, and the road ahead is shrouded in uncertainty.

Zhang Jianying smiled, reached out and rubbed its head. This time, Eguilan didn't dodge.

"If you haven't decided where to go yet—"

He paused, then said gently, "How about we travel together?"

Egui's body trembled slightly. His starry eyes widened abruptly.

Looking at Egui Peng's bewildered eyes, Zhang Jianying was pondering how to coax this little cutie into joining the team (crossed out).

However, Ergui's next move startled him slightly.

The little guy didn't respond to his invitation immediately.

Instead, it took a small step back and turned around.

She gazed silently at the tombstone for a while, her expression hidden behind the green grass mask.

Then, it suddenly turned around!

It was no longer the sad or confused state it had been before.

Its feet were firmly apart, its left hand stretched forward, and its right hand pulled back, gripping the [Thorn Vine Staff] diagonally pointing to the ground, with energy beginning to flow subtly over it.

It has adopted a clear stance of challenging us!

"Bonnie!"

Erguilan's voice was clear and firm.

Through the mask, her starry eyes were fixed on Zhang Jianying without blinking, without the slightest hesitation or wavering, only pure focus and a desire to prove herself.

Zhang Jianying silently gazed at the Egui, who was poised to attack. Through the waveguide, he sensed the surging torrent of emotions emanating from the Egui.

The little guy wanted to prove that it was capable of fighting for him and would never let the tragedy repeat itself!

This little Pokémon, after traversing hundreds of years of misunderstanding and loneliness, chose to respond to his invitation in the most solemn way, to build a brand new bond.

It won't let water go; it will gamble everything.

Zhang Jianying's expression also became focused and solemn.

He won't let anyone off the hook.

Giving it our all is the best way to respond to this sentiment.