I caught a Pokémon

"Fool!" the old woman shouted, "I'm talking about beautiful women, not some greenhorn like you!"

"What?! You called me a little girl!" Xiaoxia instantly bristled; clearly, those words had hit a nerve.

Meanwhile, Xiao Gang seemed thoughtful after hearing the old woman's advice. Only Xia You, knowing that she was actually a fake form created by Gastly and was just eyeing them, smiled and didn't pay much attention to her words.

However, Xiaoxia didn't want this old woman to ruin her precious trip to the festival.

"That's utter nonsense! Alright, let's ignore her and get out of here."

With that, she pushed Xia You's back with one hand and grabbed Xiao Gang's ear with the other, then turned and left.

The festival culminates at a shrine at the edge of the town.

When Xia You and the others arrived at the shrine with the crowd, they saw an old priest ringing the bell and drum on the hour.

"Everyone, please be quiet. The treasures of the Maiden Shrine are about to be displayed!"

Beside the old priest stood a scroll, but it was covered by a white cloth, making it impossible to see what it depicted.

People surrounded the shrine, listening to the old priest continue, "This painting is a secret treasure of our Maiden Shrine, passed down for two thousand years. It is only exhibited once a year during the summer festival. Now, please enjoy it attentively, everyone!"

As he spoke, he ripped off the white cloth, revealing the entire scroll to everyone.

The image shows a woman's face, her eyes looking straight ahead, her hands placed on her chest, as if she is praying.

Although this painting is only in black and white and has no other colors, it still allows people to feel the woman's beauty and her deep sorrow.

Xiao Gang was greatly surprised, because the beautiful woman in the portrait was the same woman in the white dress he had seen at the small dock at noon!

The old priest's voice, like a narrator's, echoed in people's ears: "Two thousand years ago, there was a young couple who loved each other very much. However, because of the war, the man had to be conscripted into the army and went to sea to fight. Before leaving, he made a promise that he would return in triumph after the war was won."

And so the woman waited for many years, but in the end, the man never returned. Her endless, bitter waiting turned her into a rock, standing firm on the cliff, still waiting for her man to this day.

This is indeed a sad legend, and people's moods couldn't help but sink after hearing it.

At this moment, as if possessed, Xiao Gang suddenly asked, "Then, may I ask, where is that rock now?!"

"Huh?" The old priest was taken aback. "You don't know about Maiden Rock?"

……

Night fell over the land.

Perched atop a cliff by the sea, a wooden cabin stands alone.

As Xia You and her companions walked up the rugged mountain path to the cliff and around the wooden house, they immediately saw a stone statue of a woman sitting on a cliff face off the shore.

It is unknown how many years have passed, but the stone statue seems to have become one with the cliff.

The waves crashed against the rocks, and in the distance, the lights of the town of Maiden Gorge could be seen. Even though we were far from the town, we could still faintly hear the joyous sounds of celebrations coming from there.

And here, just like in that legend, there is only desolation.

Looking at the rock formation resembling a maiden, Xiaoxia whispered, "Do you think this rock really is what that woman turned into?"

“Who knows?” Xia You shook her head. “At least I didn’t see any traces of artificial carving.”

It was already ten o'clock at night. Suddenly, dark clouds covered the moon in the sky, and a gentle breeze blew by, bringing a cool breeze.

Following his intuition, or perhaps sensing that something was about to happen, Xia You took out two Poké Balls. With a flash of blue light, Charmander and Jolteon appeared at his feet.

The flames on Charmander's tail and the occasional electrical currents flashing across Jolteon's body not only illuminated the surroundings but also made him feel exceptionally at ease.

"There's nothing much to see here, let's go back to town."

Compared to the bustling street, Xiaoxia naturally didn't want to stay here any longer. However, she didn't expect that as soon as she turned around, she would see the door of the small house behind her slowly opening.

creak...

At first, she thought the wind had blown the door open, but the next second, a blurry figure emitting light suddenly floated out from inside.

"Ah! It's a ghost!!"

Chapter 34 Gastly

Hearing Xiaoxia's scream, Xia You and the others hurriedly turned around and saw the so-called ghost.

The ghost's shape was identical to that of the woman in the portrait. She floated in the air, her body transparent yet blurry, and slowly drifted towards them.

"I miss you so much."

The soft words came from the ghost's mouth. Xia You didn't feel anything, but Xiao Gang beside her was attracted by her beautiful appearance and was completely infatuated.

Xiao Gang said wistfully, "I miss you so much too..."

Looking at Xia You and Xiao Gang, the ghost said softly, "I've been waiting for you to come back."

As she spoke, a strange gust of wind suddenly blew by, and the next second, Xia You and Xiao Gang's bodies were uncontrollably swept up by the wind and floated towards her.

The suction force was extremely strong. Xia You instinctively reached out, trying to grab something, but there was nothing around him, nothing he could use to gain leverage. Just as he flew closer and closer, a pair of delicate hands suddenly grabbed him.

This person, of course, is Xiaoxia.

Seeing Xia Youfei leave, she no longer cared about being afraid of ghosts.

"Where are you taking them, you bastard?!"

Xiaoxia gripped Xia You's hand tightly and pulled it backward with all her might. Although she was just a girl and didn't have much strength, she refused to let go no matter how the strange wind blew.

Xia You knew that the ghost was Gastly in disguise, and with Xiaoxia's help, he had some time to react. He shouted to his two Pokémon, "Charmander, use Ember! Jolteon, use Thunder!"

A flash of fire and a bolt of lightning flew toward the ghost almost simultaneously.

Once attacked, the ghost could no longer control the strange wind. As it dodged, the suction dissipated, and Xia You and Xiao Gang fell from mid-air.

Xiaoxia subconsciously took a step forward, trying to catch Xia You, but was immediately pinned down by him. As for Xiaogang, he wasn't so lucky and fell heavily to the ground.

Fortunately, the fall helped Xiaogang regain his senses temporarily.

"What happened?" He looked around blankly. In fact, ever since he arrived at Maiden Gorge, his mind had been in a daze, as if he had been bewitched by a ghost.

On the other side, seeing that he was being obstructed, the ghost's tone changed, and he said fiercely, "You annoying guys, don't get in my way!!"

As she spoke, a group of skeletons suddenly appeared, whistling as they flew over everyone's heads.

"Oh my god! What are all these things?" Seeing this terrifying sight, Xiaoxia couldn't help but hide in Xia You's arms.

Xia You stood up and, seeing that everyone seemed to have lost their fighting spirit, shouted loudly, "Don't be afraid, everyone! It's just a Pokémon!"

As he spoke, he took out his Pokédex and pointed it at the ghost.

Pokémon Pokédex entry: "Ghost, a gaseous Pokémon of the Ghost and Poison type. It is born from poison gas, is skilled in hypnosis, enjoys playing pranks, usually hides its form, and can pass through any physical object, including walls."

Gastly!?

Ash and Misty were surprised to hear that it was just a Pokémon.

"Hehe, since we've been discovered, there's nothing we can do about it!"

The woman suddenly grinned, and her body slowly transformed, first into the old woman in the purple cloak, and finally into a 'black balloon' surrounded by purple smoke.

"Sometimes I'm a legendary beautiful woman, sometimes I'm a mysterious fortune teller! But my true identity is actually—Gastrap!!"

This black balloon is both Gastly's body and its face, with only a pair of sharp eyes and a large mouth revealing two short fangs!

"It really is a Pokémon!?" Ash exclaimed excitedly. "Alright! Let's battle with Pokémon! Pikachu, go!"

"Pikachu, Pikachu!"

"Want to battle?" Gastly grinned. "I'm in a hurry right now, so let me finish you all off in one go!"

As it spoke, ripples emanated from Gastly's body and swept towards the group.

Xia You recognized the move at a glance: "Oh no! It's hypnosis!"

Before anyone could react, they were all penetrated by the hypnotic light. Immediately, they felt a strong drowsiness, their eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and they all collapsed to the ground.

"That was easy." Gastly looked around and saw that the three humans and their Pokémon were all asleep. It said smugly, "Alright, time to get down to business!"

The strange wind blew again, enveloping Xiao Gang's body. When Gastly turned its gaze to Xia You, it suddenly saw a flash of blue light at his waist, and a Pokémon appeared beside him.

With green hair and a body like a young girl, it was Kirlia!

"Oh? You actually escaped from your Poké Ball on your own. What? Are you trying to help your trainer?" Gastly sized up Kirlia, then shook its head. "Unfortunately, your Psychic-type Pokémon are weak to my Ghost-type. You're no match for me, and everything you've done is in vain!"

Kirlia naturally knew that its type was at a disadvantage, so it did not intend to attack directly. Instead, it used its psychic powers to open all of Xia You's Poké Balls.

Instantly, blue light flashed, and all the Pokémon, including Zapdos, were released.

Gastly's gaze swept over Kirlia, Zapdos, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle in turn, then lingered on the lively Magikarp for a long time before it chuckled, "Four against one? I didn't expect this trainer to have Zapdos. He's really something!"

Zapdos proudly raised its head, showing both disdain for Gastly and the fact that Gastly's words had touched a nerve.

On the other hand, Gastly, perhaps intimidated by Zapdos's imposing presence, felt that things were indeed becoming somewhat tricky.

After hesitating for a moment, it said, "Although there is only one person and his energy is a little insufficient, since you are so protective of your trainer, I will let him go and only take this one with me."

After saying that, it took Xiao Gang and left without looking back.

When Xia You woke up, he found himself lying on the ground, and in front of him was Kirulian's worried face.

Why did you come out?

Xia You ruffled its fur and sat up. She found Ash, Misty, Charmander, Jolteon, and Pikachu lying around her, fast asleep, but Brock was nowhere to be seen.

On the other side, he saw his other Pokémon, including Zapdos.

Even Zapdos has shown up!?

Upon seeing this, Xia You pondered for a moment and immediately understood what had happened.

Chapter 35 Challenging Gastly

Xia You recalled all Pokémon except Kirlia, and gently woke up Misty and Ash.

Ash stretched lazily, clearly having slept quite well: "Is it already dawn?"

Xiaoxia rubbed her eyes, still sleepy, and said, "I think I just had a dream. I dreamt that we were attacked by ghosts."

Xia You smiled bitterly, "That wasn't a dream, it was real, and Xiao Gang has also disappeared."

"What!?" Xiaoxia and Xiaozhi were shocked, instantly snapping back to reality. "He's been kidnapped?"

After thinking about the relevant plot in the animation, Xia You nodded and said, "However, I don't think he should be in any danger, but in any case, let's find him as soon as possible."

The group looked at the wooden house in front of them and cautiously went inside, only to find it empty, with only a damp and musty smell. They had no idea how many years it had been built.

The floorboards creaked underfoot, and Xiaoxia's head popped out from behind Xia You, looking around fearfully.

"Huh? Isn't Xiaogang here?"

Xia You thought about it seriously for a moment, then said to the two of them, "Let's go back to the Maiden Shrine!"

When the group re-entered the town of Maiden Gorge, it was already midnight.

The night sky was dotted with stars. The hustle and bustle of the day had ceased, and the whole town was unusually quiet. The chilly air penetrated their clothes, causing them to shiver involuntarily.

The people who participated in the festival had long since dispersed, leaving behind only trash scattered everywhere, which would be cleaned up at dawn.

They arrived at the Maiden Shrine, opened the door, and saw Xiaogang lying on the floor, unconscious.

Apart from him, Gastly was still nowhere to be seen.

Xia You also understood that, given Gastly's unpredictable movements, finding it would be extremely difficult.

"Xiaogang, wake up!"

Xiao Zhi shook Xiao Gang vigorously until, after a long while, Xiao Gang finally woke up weakly. Even then, he was still muttering softly, "I want to see her so much..."

Xia You quickly squatted down and checked his condition.

"He has dark circles under his eyes, his clothes are disheveled, he looks listless, and he's noticeably thinner than before. It's likely that too much of his physical strength and energy has been drained away!"

Compared to the simple-minded kid Satoshi, Misty, being a girl, is more mature. Although she doesn't understand those things, she has some idea about them.

Her face flushed as she asked, "Was it made by Gastly?"

“No.” Xia You shook her head. “I think it was the real ghost that drained its energy, and Gastly was just its accomplice.”

"A real ghost?" Xiaoxia asked in surprise. "You mean that woman actually exists?"

Xia You affirmed, "Of course, otherwise Gastly wouldn't have brought Brock to a place like this."

Xiaoxia then asked, "Then why did she do that?"