Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

“Probably so.” Xiao Gang nodded, his gentle smile returning. “But don’t worry, they don’t seem to have any ill intentions. They’re just enjoying the festival atmosphere and having fun with everyone.”

"Let's go," Ash said, his enthusiasm rising. "Now that we're here, let's enjoy this 'human and ghost celebration' at the festival!"

"Maybe we'll even run into that 'legendary' girl." Ash looked at the girl rock in the distance, which became increasingly mysterious in the twilight.

Ash remembers that in the original story, Gastly disguised itself as a ghost girl?

But at the end of the film, the ghost girl seems to reappear?

In short, these are all baffling situations.

But since it has been confirmed that this Ghost-type Pokémon is not hostile, and the League has confirmed the situation here, this festival has continued for two thousand years.

That means that in 99% of cases there is no danger.

Everyone should just relax and have some fun.

The three figures gradually blended into the brightly lit and bustling temple fair street.

How much of the beauty and splendor of this temple fair was actually Gastly's illusion magic?

This illusion technique can even make people perceive things exactly like reality.

After all, this is an old ghost that has lived for at least 2000 years.

Chapter 79: All Female Ghosts? I, Xiao Gang, am absolutely thrilled!

As the sun completely sank below the horizon, night fell gently over Maiden Gorge, like a soft velvet blanket.

The temple fair at the dock was only just beginning.

One by one, the colorful lanterns lit up, like stars scattered on the ground, illuminating the street with dazzling lights.

More and more stalls appeared, and they left without a trace.

It was like it suddenly appeared out of nowhere...

However, very few people noticed this; it was mostly trainers.

Ordinary tourists can only enjoy the fun.

Since these trainers came, they must know something about the situation, but no one deliberately exposed it.

In short, with the increase in the number of people, the already lively temple fair became even more lively.

The aroma of food, the music of games, and the laughter of people blended together even more enthusiastically, creating a symphony of summer night life full of warmth and joy.

It's clear that the Thousand-Year Gastly really meant no harm.

When people hold temple fairs, it's just a temple fair.

Even other Ghost-type Pokémon, under its control, cannot harbor any ill intentions.

...Offending such an ancient ghost can truly lead to a gruesome death.

To be able to live for a thousand years and still have this kind of fun every day... if it were an incompetent piece of trash, it would have died long ago.

Therefore, this Gastly is definitely a top-tier player, managing to keep the Ghost-type Pokémon here in perfect order.

Ash, Misty, and Brock were completely immersed in this joyous atmosphere... they had been cooped up on the ship for days and were going stir-crazy.

"Wow! This fried noodles is so delicious!" Xiaoxia held a plate of sizzling fried noodles with rich sauce, her eyes squinting as she ate.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu hugged a candied apple almost as big as its head, happily licking it with its little tongue, its tail tip wagging joyfully.

Xiao Zhi stood in front of a shooting game stall, his movements steady, and with a few "bangs," he accurately shot down the target.

The result was that Xiaoxia won a huge Magikarp doll, which made the stall owner turn pale.

This means we're losing money right from the start.

The boss decided to increase the difficulty level later to recoup the costs.

"Hahaha—thank you, Xiaozhi~" Xiaoxia was quite happy, hugging the doll.

When the two of them had a great time, they turned around.

"Huh? Where's Brock?" Ash noticed that Brock was gone.

"He just saw a pretty girl and chased after her... Hmph..." Xiaoxia said, sounding a little annoyed. "He knew it was a Ghost-type Pokémon in disguise, but he still went after it... Be careful he doesn't get sucked dry."

"That can't be true..." Ash was also speechless.

Even if Maszek says it's safe here.

Even if you are young, skilled, and daring.

Even if these Ghost-type Pokémon are not malicious.

But we still need to be wary.

Ghost-type Pokémon have different physical characteristics and values ​​than humans.

Most trainers pay extra attention to this when interacting with Pokémon.

Besides Pokémon like Eevee and Pikachu, which are very suitable as pets, there are also Pokémon that are not suitable as pets.

For example:

Whether it's a three-ton Gyarados or a 30-ton Onix... if they get carried away and start acting cute with their trainer.

Uh... maybe the trainer will become Trainer-chan.

No malice does not mean no danger.

"We can't control him, let him be..." Xiaoxia still had confidence in Xiaogang in this regard.

"Oh dear... I hope nothing bad happens." That was all Ash could say.

However, normally nothing should happen.

Xiao Gang is just a bit unreliable at times, but he's actually quite dependable.

And beneath this clamor...

An invisible yet ancient consciousness quietly awakened.

It originates from the shadow of the oldest willow tree next to the temple, flowing out slowly like a pervasive night mist.

This Gastly, which had lived for two thousand years, sensed an extremely faint, yet extraordinary, trace of power.

That was the surging power of the deep-sea overlord and the coldness of the arbiter of order.

These two completely different powers actually appeared in several teenagers at the same time?

"Three strange kids?"

"Interesting...really interesting..."

The ancient Gastly whispered in its heart.

A mischievous impulse was completely aroused. "Let me give these special guests a proper 'entertainment'."

Although I could sense that there were abnormal lingering auras on Ash, Misty, and Brock, something was clearly wrong.

But the Millennium Gastly didn't take it seriously.

This, ironically, became the reason that attracted its attention.

Xiao Gang was the first to be targeted.

A black-haired "girl" with a gentle demeanor, reminiscent of a Yamato Nadeshiko, appeared quietly beside him, her voice so soft it could melt water: "Brother, could you help me catch some goldfish?"

The goldfish here are all juveniles and are very small.

In this world, there are Pokémon of enormous size, and naturally, there are also Pokémon of tiny size.

"I always fail..." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with admiration and a hint of shyness, perfectly capturing Xiao Gang's aesthetic.

Xiao Gang turned around, a gentle smile habitually appearing on his face.

However, a knowing glint flashed in his narrowed eyes.

Is this a Ghost-type Pokémon?

Damn it!!

I'm even more excited!!

He took the paper net and skillfully scooped up the goldfish, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"That faint fragrance in her hair, carrying the scent of dew, is it imitating the scent of the night-blooming cereus by the cemetery?"

"Very thoughtful."

"But next time, perhaps we could try using more vibrant gardenias, which would be more suitable for the festival atmosphere?"

Excited, Xiao Gang offered a suggestion that excited him as well.

The smile on the "yukata girl's" face froze for a moment, then her cheeks flushed slightly, like a child whose trick had been seen through.

Although it was an illusion, it acted as if it were real.

It hesitantly accepted the goldfish bowl and whispered, "Thank you."

This one is clearly not an old ghost... it should be a newbie ghost?

"...Don't be nervous, let's play together~"

Xiao Gang kept teasing the girl.

He did not back down after recognizing the other party's true identity; on the contrary, he became even more interested.

While skillfully scooping up one goldfish after another, Xiao Gang deliberately lowered his voice to appear gentle and magnetic.

He offered precise and elegant commentary on the details of the illusion of the "yokuta girl".

Who says you can't beat Pokémon?

Xiao Gang, it's me~

We must create miracles!

"Is the curve of your hairstyle imitating the 'floating boat bun' that was popular among noble girls three hundred years ago?"

"It's so retro and elegant."

"However, the swaying of the sleeves seemed a little too deliberate... Ah, of course, this only added to the endearing clumsiness."

"And the sound of the wooden clogs stepping on the stone slabs is simulated so well, with varying degrees of intensity and speed, that it is almost indistinguishable from the sound of a real person."

"But...it seems a little lacking in the realism of a girl's weight? Perhaps we could adjust the sound effects a bit more?"

Seeing the awkwardness of the Ghost-type Pokémon disguised as a girl in a yukata, Brock stopped hiding it and started to speak frankly.

This is unlike when you encounter beautiful young women in real life, where you have to be careful about the impact of your approach so as not to turn it into sexual harassment.

It's different for these Ghost-type Pokémon.

Xiao Gang can now speak freely and express his thoughts without reservation.

...Uh...maybe it's because Ash's habit of talking nonsense has ruined his mind?

Xiao Gang: ??

My years of fantasies and mental rehearsals are finally coming to fruition!

I, Xiao Gang, am absolutely thrilled!

Chapter 80 Ghostly Girls

The "youko-clad girl" went from being stiff at first to being completely stunned as she listened, her face flushing more and more, whether from embarrassment or annoyance, it was hard to tell.

It seemed that it had never encountered such a "guest" before.

Not only are they not afraid of it, but they also regard it as a fellow enthusiast with whom they can explore the "art of role-playing" in depth.

I used to scare customers away whenever I accidentally revealed something...

What made it even more difficult to resist was that Brock's "appreciation" seemed to attract other "girls" who were actually Ghost-type Pokémon in the vicinity.

They curiously gathered around.

With their big, innocent or charming eyes blinking, they listened to Xiaogang talk about everything from hair accessories and clothing patterns to gait and demeanor, and even started asking questions all at once.

"Then... what about mine?" A "girl" wearing red furisode pushed forward, her voice filled with anticipation.

Xiao Gang pushed up his non-existent glasses, his eyes piercing: "Red suits you very well... or rather, it suits the temperament of this illusion you chose, passionate as fire. But perhaps the shade of rouge could be a little more orange-toned, to better blend into the glow of the festival lanterns and make your skin appear more translucent."