Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

"I'll cover all the expenses for today."

"This is so much fun!"

"Please don't say I've mistreated you!"

As for how much money will be spent on Millennium Gastly?

How to cover everything?

I don't know, anyway, it was just something he said offhand.

The voice just fell.

From the crowd not far away, a little girl dressed in an exquisite cherry blossom kimono and holding a cute dream fairy doll timidly walked over.

She (it) bowed obediently to Xiaozhi and Xiaoxia, her voice soft and gentle: "Big brother, big sister... I've come to show you around the temple fair."

"Hmm~"

"I promise there won't be... um... any strange disturbances."

The little girl said very politely.

Ash and Misty exchanged a glance, knowing that this was probably another Ghost-type Pokémon transformed into a Mew, but their attitude was indeed much more respectful.

However, neither of them possesses the [See Through] skill.

I can't tell what kind of Ghost-type Pokémon this little girl is.

But that's not the point.

The key point is the reaction of this Millennium Gastly after hearing Professor Oak's name.

...Was this someone who got beaten up many years ago?

Xiaozhi and Xiaoxia thought it was very likely.

Professor Oak is now indeed a world-renowned super scholar.

However, before becoming a scholar, he was also a champion trainer in the Kanto League.

Or the kind that claims to be invincible.

Although no one dares to speak ill of Professor Oak now, considering that records about Professor Oak can be found online, and looking at what he looked like when he was young.

...They don't look like people to mess with.

"Then I'll trouble you." Ash put away his Pokédex and nodded.

"Hmph." Xiaoxia's anger subsided slightly, and she muttered to herself: He's smart to be sensible.

The Thousand-Year Gastly's presence in the air receded rapidly like a tide.

Only a barely audible, slightly resentful muttering drifted on the wind: "...Have fun...Don't be shy with me."

...How boring...If you can't beat them, you can at least avoid them...Ghostly is helpless too.

Seeing Gastly slip away so quickly, Ash smiled helplessly and took Misty's hand, who was still a little sulky: "Let's go, don't let... its good intentions go to waste."

"By the way, may I ask how we should address you?" Xiao Zhi asked the little girl in front of him.

He didn't presume to ask what type of Pokémon it was.

What is its true form...? If it's willing, it can tell; if it's not, don't force it.

After all, they weren't hostile enemies.

"You can call me 'Mengmeng'," the little girl hesitated for a moment, but finally said.

So, under the guidance of this new, unusually well-behaved "ghost-like guide".

The two people and the mouse rejoined the lively atmosphere of the temple fair.

As expected, there were no more "supernatural" unexpected disturbances during the rest of the trip.

Everyone had a great time, and Xiao Gang even saw a group of beautiful girls around him... His expression was one of pure joy.

Seeing this, Xiaozhi and Xiaoxia wisely refrained from disturbing Xiaogang.

Xiao Gang nodded when he saw Xiao Zhi and Xiao Xia.

He didn't intend to be a third wheel, so he left quietly... Anyway, there was no danger here.

……

……

(I'm considering whether to have the main character bring a Ghost-type pet along?)

(Is it a Dream Demon or a Candle Spirit?)

Chapter 83 Mengmeng: Gossiping is so exciting~

Dang Dang Dang——

The loud sound of bells echoed in all directions.

The hustle and bustle of the temple fair reached its peak at this moment, with crowds drawn to the temporary platform erected in the center of the square as if by an invisible magnet.

Now is the focus of everyone's attention.

The light from the lanterns converges here.

The area was brightly lit, yet it cast eerie shadows at the edges.

Every year at the temple fair, the story of Maiden Gorge is told again.

A little girl named "Mew," who was a Pokémon of unknown origin, gently tugged at Ash and Misty's sleeves.

Ash thought it was either a Misdreavus or a Misdreavus.

Could it be a vengeful spirit doll?

Mengmeng's slender fingers pointed to the high platform.

An old woman, dressed in elaborate and retro shrine maiden attire, with deep wrinkles on her face that could hold tree fruits, and holding an ancient bell staff, walked shakily to the center of the stage.

Her figure appeared somewhat hunched under the lamplight, yet she possessed an indescribable air of authority.

Hmm... this is the weight of a thousand years, literally.

After all, it's an old ghost that's been around for over two thousand years.

“That’s our leader in disguise,” Mengmeng said in a very low voice, with the excitement and caution of a child sharing a secret. “Every year at this time, it personally goes on stage to tell the story of the ‘waiting girl’.”

Upon hearing this, Xiaozhi and Xiaoxia couldn't help but scrutinize the "old witch" more closely.

Even though it was known to be an illusion, the lifelike expressions and the aura as if it had stepped out of the dust of history still made it difficult to distinguish between reality and fiction.

Ok.

It did not emerge from the dust of history.

For Millennium Gastly, that's not history, it's its past experiences.

Only those eyes that occasionally swept across the crowd, flashing a hint of mischievousness and understanding that were almost impossible to catch, faintly revealed its inhuman nature.

This old ghost was disguised as a serious old witch.

But it only suppresses one's true nature for a short period of time.

They'll probably slip up eventually if it goes on for a while.

While the crowd was quieting down before the story began.

Ash couldn't help but bend down and whisper in Momo's ear, asking the question that had been lingering in his mind: "Momo, before... your leader seemed to have a good relationship with Professor Oak?"

Mengmeng tilted her head, her face showing a mixture of helplessness and confusion, as if asking, "Why are you asking this?"

She (it) stole a glance at the "old witch" on the platform who was clearing her throat and preparing to speak, and then said in a low voice, "Oh dear... well... it's all Professor Oak's fault!"

Mengmeng is conflicted.

Finally, she changed her communication method.

Her voice came directly to Ash and Misty's ears; she clearly didn't want the Millennium Gastly to notice...

only……

This behavior is really too naughty, isn't it?

It perfectly matches the ghost-type's reckless and suicidal nature.

Mengmeng: That was so exciting!

She gestured with her little hands, seemingly hesitant to speak: "[The leader...it used to be very close to Granny Kikuko, one of the current Four Heavenly Kings of Kanto!]"

[I guess we're... well... like-minded old friends?]

[But later, for some reason... the leader and Professor Oak got into a fight... We don't know exactly what happened, but it was a pretty fierce fight...]

[Then, it seems that Granny Kikuko got angry, thinking that the Boss was acting too recklessly, or... maybe she had a falling out with Professor Oak? Anyway, from then on, Granny Kikuko didn't pay much attention to the Boss...]

Mengmeng only had a superficial understanding of what she said.

Clearly, she (or it) doesn't actually know the specifics; it's just spreading gossip.

You can tell from her (its) excited attitude.

Momo's little face scrunched up in a mock-serious frown, as if recounting a long-forgotten regret: [The leader is so upset! It feels like it not only lost the battle but also lost an old friend… so whenever it hears Professor Oak's name… it feels a little guilty and upset! After all, Granny Kiku is now one of the Elite Four, very powerful!]

This is a story told from Mengmeng's perspective.

As for the specific details...

Ash thinks he can ask Professor Oak sometime in the future. What could be clearer than asking the person involved?

Xiaoxia never expected that there was such a long-standing story behind this, involving the past of the current Elite Four member Kikuko and Professor Oak.

No wonder that thousand-year-old Gastly ran away faster than a shadow after hearing Professor Oak's name.

It turns out that there was both the "old grudge" of being defeated and the "new hatred" of losing friends.

Uh... compared to Ash, Misty is much simpler.

Xiaoxia actually believed the story told by this "little devil".

She's just as gullible as when Xiao Zhi tricked her out of the fishing rod.

at this time.

The "old witch" on the high platform slammed her bell-shaped staff down.

"Ding—" The crisp ringing sound seemed to have a magical power, instantly suppressing all the noise.

Her aged and melodious voice rang out as she began to tell the two-thousand-year-old legend of a young girl filled with waiting and regret.

The story was told with great emotional intensity, the voice sometimes mournful and sometimes ethereal, accompanied by the ancient shakuhachi music that seemed to come from nowhere, and the illusion of mist that quietly spread in the air, carrying a faint dampness and the scent of sandalwood, which drew everyone present into that distant era.

Ash: This must be hypnosis, right?

Considering that the temple fair itself was shrouded in illusion magic.

It seems only natural that Millennium Gastly would use hypnosis.

The story is over.

After a moment of silence, the audience erupted in enthusiastic and sustained applause and exclamations.

Many people were still immersed in the afterglow of the story, wiping the corners of their eyes.

The grand finale of the temple fair then came to an end.

The crowd began to disperse slowly, like the receding tide, heading towards the port or inn with satisfaction and感慨.

The lanterns were extinguished one by one, and the noise gradually subsided.

All that remained was a mess on the ground and the lingering aroma of food in the air, testifying to the grandeur and jubilation that had just taken place.

However, not everyone left.

Ash noticed that there were about twenty or thirty people who looked like trainers, including Brock, who had reappeared at some point and looked very satisfied.

When Xiaogang saw Xiaozhi and Xiaoxia, he nodded and waved, indicating that they should come over together.

Instead of leaving, the group tacitly headed towards the ancient shrine behind the plaza.

Their expressions were no longer relaxed as when they were playing, but rather carried a hint of anticipation and seriousness.