"This Pokémon is called Gimmighoul. It's extremely rare. It can also use psychic-like influence to control humans and make them help it gather treasure."
"At the same time, its appearance corroborates that Ghost-type Pokémon are born from intense emotions, which points toward the origin of Pokémon themselves."
If Hikaru brought a Gimmighoul to Professor Juniper, she'd probably be able to churn out dozens of papers—the find would greatly bolster her "origin theory."
For now, though, handling Mr. Bourgeois's property took priority.
"This little guy?" Caitlin chuckled softly. "I've found something interesting."
"Do you want a coin?"
Ojō-sama used psychic power to float a gleaming ancient gold coin. Gold is imperishable; even after millennia it still dazzled the eye.
Gimmighoul's eyes went instantly wide; it bobbed its head like mad.
Big sis, you're clearly a good person—just hand me that coin!
The coin imp rose on tiptoe, performing a string of clownish little antics—like a jester from old courtly days—plainly trying to please Caitlin.
"This thing is truly greedy!" Mr. Bourgeois fumed. "Even a Pokémon must learn the preciousness of money! Taking my ancient coins without lifting a finger—those were bought at a high price, you little thief!"
"Ptui!"
Gimmighoul pulled a face and used Astonish—one of the only two moves it can learn by leveling up.
Clearly, as a Ghost-type, it intended to push "no moral baseline" to the limit!
"I'm living in your house, so your money is mine—and my coins are still mine. Yup—that's what it says."
Hikaru offered a brisk translation. The Bourgeois family was momentarily surprised that a human could understand a Pokémon—but, remembering Hikaru was a psychic, they let it slide.
There are all sorts of odd psychics out there—no big deal!
The point was: this Pokémon was unbelievably brazen!
"Damn it! You want a one-on-one? Fine—have it your way!"
Mr. Bourgeois's expression sharpened. "I trained under the legendary Karate King Zaimon—don't underestimate humans!"
He slapped down in fury—only to strike empty air, accomplishing nothing—while the coin sprite taunted him with more faces.
"Ahem—Mr. Bourgeois, don't swing at it. It's a Ghost-type; normal strikes won't work."
"At best you're generating shock force—but this body doesn't care about that either."
Before it evolves into Gholdengo, Gimmighoul's body is like some kind of liquid metal; ordinary physical blows don't do much, and even raw impact won't help. That said, the little thing doesn't have much offensive power itself.
"Hee-hee! Uwee~"
Gimmighoul flipped off Mr. Bourgeois's hand, did a few silly poses, and babbled on.
"Mm. It says it's only gathering coins—nothing personal—and that it only woke up recently."
Listening to Gimmighoul's self-introduction, Hikaru explained to the furiously helpless Mr. Bourgeois: "It's clearly an antique, yes—it's existed for a long time—just that it slept until now."
"That also matches what you said about this Pokémon's habits," Caitlin added, not forgetting Hikaru's earlier explanation. She seemed amused at a sudden thought:
"A Pokémon that hides in warehouses, item shops, and antique stores—ecologically speaking, doesn't it pair quite well with you?"
"Ah—are you planning to take it away? That would be wonderful!" Mr. Bourgeois seized on a ray of hope. "To be frank, if this little thing stays in my house it'll keep stealing my treasures. I don't know why it collects ancient coins—but I'm not ceding my antiques to a Pokémon."
"Pokémon act on impulse for reasons,"
Susan hummed, evidently entertained, and recalled lessons from school: "Either to survive, to feed, to fight, or… to evolve."
"Professor Juniper said as much when she lectured at Mistralton University."
"Exactly, Susan—this Pokémon's coin-collecting is for evolution!" Hikaru nodded, affirming her thought.
Hmm, so the young lady studies at Mistralton University? In the Pokémon world, skipping school hardly matters; theoreticians don't necessarily outperform wild-raised Trainers. Besides, Trainer academies have many specializations—one needn't become a Trainer at all.
Researcher, machinist, programmer, professor—those are perfectly proper paths too.
"My major is in Pokémon research, but I actually enjoy battling more," Susan admitted, a bit sheepish. Then, eyes sparkling at Gimmighoul, "Still, these unusual Pokémon with their own ecologies and behaviors fascinate me."
"Perhaps battling while researching is the best of both."
"If it's for evolution, then I really can't leave this Pokémon here!" Mr. Bourgeois shuddered. "The species that evolve by collecting necessary items often turn those items into parts of their bodies!"
"My ancient coins mustn't be absorbed!"
"P-tooey! P-tooey!" Gimmighoul was displeased; it slapped the chest and gabbled furiously.
Hikaru: "It says that once it evolves, all the money you lost will be paid back double."
Mr. Bourgeois shook his head. "No! Antiques aren't the same as newly minted coins! You little Pokémon don't understand the value of antiquity! I do love replicas, but they're always just substitutes for true antiques!"
"Of course—if you exchange them for a precious artwork, then we can talk!"
"Eeeh…" Gimmighoul drooped at once and could only look to Caitlin with pleading eyes.
After capering like a court clown to coax a smile out of Ojō-sama, the coin imp seemed convinced this wealthy lady could help—and redoubled its performance.
Its core goal was singular!
I, Gimmighoul, am broke. Please fund me. Thanks!
Hikaru pondered for a moment, then asked Gimmighoul:
"So long as they're gold coins, it doesn't matter which country minted them, right?"
"I've heard most of your kin appear in Paldea; outside that region you're rare."
"Now—the Sea King shaped Unova's world, but his hoards contain few ancient coins. If you need a lot of old gold, why not look in other regions?"
"That way you'd also gather ancient coins from different nations and lands. Different coins carry different meanings, no?"
In the games, the coins for Gimmighoul's evolution are called "Gimmighoul Coins," but realistically that coin is the ancient currency of Paldea.
Gimmighoul stiffened.
It had never considered such things.
World? Different countries? Different regions?
Its world was no bigger than the Seafloor Ruins. Even awakened from antiquity, the "world" it remembered covered only a fixed patch of land.
Once, it believed that was the whole of everything.
"Cool!"
Gimmighoul whistled and let out an odd laugh.
Your idea's kinda neat!
I don't really get it, but it sounds amazing!
Anyway—if there's money to be made—I can go anywhere. There's nothing left for me here. Not gonna, uh, "adopt" me, friend?
"To be honest, you could just run off with the chest, couldn't you?"
Hikaru recalled: though the Chest Form looked heavy, it was the "give me a ton of gold and I'll sprint like the wind" type. It could even leap off a watchtower with a chest full of coins and zip away.
It hadn't fled simply because it wanted to get paid!
When Hikaru produced a Poké Ball, Gimmighoul rubbed its chin.
It could feel the great power on Hikaru—like something drawn from the spirit realm—but more importantly, this Spiritwalker wasn't cold. He brimmed with positive emotion—like sunshine. Oh! Actual sunshine!
Gimmighoul's eyes went wide at the sunlight gathering in Hikaru's palm.
"Neat, right? That's also psychic power!"
"By the way—your jig is pretty funny. In the past, were you some king's court entertainer?"
Gimmighoul planted its hands on its hips.
Time to brag!
That's right—I was the King's Treasure! You could even say the whole national treasury was my hoard. Shame I got found out and booted before long.
"So… caught stealing, huh."
Gimmighoul didn't mind the jab. It was fascinated by Hikaru's "magic," rubbing its hands, eager to learn.
Between coin-trading and special sorcery, the "little old-timer" was hooked. Seeing Hikaru take out a Poké Ball, Gimmighoul mulled it over.
It wasn't familiar with such things, but while hiding in the chest it had watched the Bourgeois recover Pokémon using similar spheres.
However…
That ball's color was ugly!
"P-tooey, p-tooey!" Gimmighoul held up a palm and waved, dissatisfied.
The residence it wanted had to be a dazzling, gilded golden ball—only that befits a "treasure!"
"Gaudy gold? There is a gold-looking ball, but… you're not qualified to live in that one."
Hikaru muttered to himself about options, then—
"Use this."
Caitlin produced a black-and-gold Luxury Ball and floated it before Gimmighoul with telekinesis.
"A Luxury Ball?" Hikaru eyed the distinctive capsule.
"Mm~" Caitlin tilted her chin. "This creature seems to love vanity—then a Luxury Ball suits it best."
"Living in one is quite comfortable inside. Wild Pokémon caught in it also grow fond of their Trainer more easily."
"Cool!"
Gimmighoul patted the Luxury Ball, clearly pleased.
Not pure gold, but an elegant black-and-gold finish with an unmistakable aura of wealth—perfect!
With a pop, the Luxury Ball's switch clicked. In an instant, Gimmighoul—and its chest—were drawn inside, leaving everyone around wide-eyed.
Susan: "Eh—wasn't that chest an antique?!"
Caitlin: "Pokémon can carry items into the ball. A chest shouldn't be a problem."
Mr. Bourgeois: "Whatever the case—that thing finally left!"
Hikaru smiled. "When it evolves, the chest is part of its 'evolutionary gear.' That's Gimmighoul's peculiarity."
After evolution, that bulky chest becomes Gholdengo's golden skateboard!
'Gimmighoul, the Pokémon from the King's Treasure.'
'Met in Undella Town at Mr. Bourgeois's home.'
'Somewhat arrogant nature.'
'May like bitter flavors.'
'A touch vain.'
(End of Chapter)
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