"Stop pretending! I've already recognized you, Gastly!"
Hearing Nozomi's voice, the ghostly form floating toward him stiffened ever so slightly, a micro-pause that almost went unnoticed. Then, pretending as if it heard nothing, it drifted closer, wearing an expression that said, I don't know what you're talking about.
Nozomi watched this nonchalant ghost approaching him and tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Thick-skinned, indeed!
He spoke aloud, "You don't think I'm testing you, do you? Apart from a Gastly pretending to be a ghost, which other ghost would make that cackling sound?"
At these words, Gastly finally lost its composure. The human in front of it had actually recognized it!
Whoosh!
The air twisted violently, and the terrifying ghostly figure instantly transformed into Gastly's true form.
A black body made of an unknown substance, shrouded in purple mist, eyes wide and piercing, two sharp fangs peeking from its mouth.
Under the night sky, Gastly exuded a chilling and mysterious aura.
Once revealed, it let out a maniacal laugh, creeping toward Nozomi with an evil grin.
Purple gas swirled around its form as it fixed its eyes on Nozomi, its gaze filled with malevolence. Its mouth opened wide, deliberately exposing both sharp fangs!
It stared intently, hoping to see fear in Nozomi's expression.
But it was destined to be disappointed.
Nozomi calmly analyzed the Gastly before him. "Bigger than a standard Gastly, thick gas around its body, eyes full of fighting spirit… looks like it's well-developed."
Apparently, Nozomi wasn't the slightest bit intimidated. He even had time to notice Gastly's growth!
"Cackle!"
Gastly, a highly intelligent Pokémon, had spent years frightening passersby for fun and clearly understood human speech.
Hearing Nozomi's words, it erupted in anger, letting off a cold aura.
Yet its appearance did nothing to intimidate Nozomi.
To someone raised on ghost Pokémon horror stories, Gastly would be terrifying—but to Nozomi, a traveler from another world, Gastly was not only harmless but had an oddly cute pair of eyes!
As for its aura… Nozomi was already feeling a little warm from traveling for so long.
"Getting angry over that?" Nozomi chuckled.
He tossed a Great Ball in his hand. "Let's have a battle, Gastly! If you lose, how about becoming my Pokémon?"
The thought of capturing this Gastly had crossed his mind.
Since it hadn't attacked a human on sight, it clearly didn't hate humans—training it would be easier. Its size, bigger than average, indicated strong potential and breeding value. And since this Gastly had practically come to him, Nozomi felt it would be hard to justify passing it up.
"Cackle!"
Gastly understood Nozomi's words and immediately flared up in rage.
From Gastly's perspective, this human was not afraid of it and even wanted to capture it—a truly unforgivable offense!
"Caa—!"
It cried out, and the purple gas around its body thickened, spreading over a large area.
It intended to teach this human a lesson! Show him that it wasn't to be trifled with!
"I like your eyes. Go, Metagross!"
Among Nozomi's three Pokémon, Eevee only knew simple moves like Tackle, Tail Whip, Leer, and Quick Attack.
Bulbasaur was slightly better, knowing moves like Seed Bomb, Razor Leaf, and Vine Whip—physical attacks, though, which were useless against a non-corporeal Gastly.
So Nozomi sent out Metagross.
Though Psychic-type Metagross was weak against Gastly's Ghost-type, it resisted Gastly's Poison-type attacks—making it the best choice.
"Vrrrr—!"
Metagross's entrance was as stunning as ever. Its massive size and fierce aura startled several nearby wild Pokémon from their slumber.
The Gastly, just about to pounce, trembled at the sight of Metagross.
Its voice caught in its throat, and fear flashed across its eyes.
It seemed to say, "This… is terrifying!"
But the panic lasted only a few seconds before shame flooded in.
A ghost Pokémon, supposed to terrify others, had been scared itself!
Gastly regrouped, ready to show Nozomi its true power.
"Heh-heh—!"
It let out two sinister laughs and a cloud of toxic gas spread toward Nozomi and Metagross.
Nozomi laughed upon seeing this.
Clearly, this Gastly was uncultured. If it understood type matchups even a little, it wouldn't waste a Poison-type attack on a Psychic-type Metagross.
Snapping his fingers, Nozomi commanded, "Metagross, block that gas!"
Metagross nodded, using its psychic power to erect a wall in front of it, stopping the toxic cloud in its tracks.
Seeing its attack fail, Gastly fumed.
Before it could launch another strike, Metagross went on the offensive.
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!"
The psychic waves tore through the gas, hitting Gastly directly.
Unprepared, Gastly let out a painful scream.
"Heh—!"
A Shadow Ball formed before Gastly and shot toward Metagross.
"Still knows Shadow Ball?"
Nozomi grinned. His opinion of this Gastly was rising.
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!"
Metagross swung its steel arms, tearing through the air with a shriek, striking the incoming Shadow Ball.
Boom!
The Shadow Ball exploded.
The shockwave sent sand flying, forcing Nozomi to shield his eyes.
The gust also disrupted Gastly's gaseous body—a strong threat from the air alone.
As the dust settled, Nozomi spotted Gastly preparing to flee.
"Metagross, grab it!"
If Gastly escaped, all the previous effort would be wasted.
Metagross immediately used its psychic power to restrain Gastly.
"Caa—!"
Gastly struggled fiercely, but the level difference was too great; it couldn't break free.
"Knock it out, Metagross!"
Metagross delivered a heavy psychic blow, and Nozomi threw a Poké Ball.