The interactions in the open space of the shrine were drawing to a close.
A small number of Trainers had already reached a tacit understanding with their desired Ghost-type Pokémon; these were the lucky ones.
As for the unlucky ones who failed, they had already begun to pack their bags with a faint sense of regret.
The snack saucer in Ash's hand was also gradually bottoming out. A few bold Gastly and Drifloon even dared to get close enough to his fingertips to take food, but in the end, none of them showed any sign of wanting to follow him and leave.
How should one put it?
This was simply something that couldn't be helped.
Let's put it this way...
Those Trainers who successfully attracted Ghost-type Pokémon all looked relatively gloomy in temperament. Ash, on the other hand, was obviously too cheerful.
He just didn't get along with these baby Ghost-type Pokémon.
If they were older... then they would probably prefer a type like Ash.
"As expected, your aura is still too dazzling..." Brock rubbed his chin.
This was also within expectations.
No matter how talented a Trainer is, it is impossible to be compatible with all Pokémon.
Pokémon are individuals with self-awareness, possessing biases in personality, behavior, and so on.
And Ash's aura, for these Ghost-type babies... was obviously too oppressive.
Gwah... it's the sun!
"It's rare to see Ash actually fail at something," Misty also sighed with some emotion.
She had thought Ash was going to go unparalleled all the way to the Indigo League and win the championship.
"To gain is my luck; to lose is my fate," Ash was also very open-minded about it.
Some things could not be forced.
Or rather, being able to talk to this Thousand-Year Gastly could already be considered a great success.
Right in this seemingly peaceful atmosphere of farewell, on the roof of the ancient shrine where no one was paying attention.
A petite figure was sitting quietly, swinging her legs.
It was none other than "Mengmeng," who had served as a guide for Ash and Misty.
Her overly clear eyes were currently staring unblinkingly at the black-haired youth below.
Suddenly.
An aged voice, carrying a lazy smile that only she could hear, rang directly in her consciousness:
"How about it, Little Mengmeng? After watching for so many days, haven't you decided yet?"
Theoretically speaking, the temple festival was for newborn Ghost-type Pokémon to find Trainers.
But in reality, if slightly older Ghost-type Pokémon wanted to leave, that was also allowed.
There were no strict rules restricting this aspect.
To put it plainly, the main purpose was the temple festival; everything else was just incidental.
Mengmeng did not look back, only pouting slightly, her voice responding weakly directly in her heart:
"Leader... is the human world outside really as interesting as you say?"
"Whether it's interesting or boring, it doesn't count if this old man says it; you have to go see for yourself." The Thousand-Year Gastly's voice carried a trace of imperceptible guidance.
"However... if you really want to go out for a walk, this old man suggests you might as well consider that kid down there." This wasn't because the Thousand-Year Gastly wanted to curry favor with Professor Oak.
Okay, he couldn't deny there was an element of that.
But the main issue was that Ash carried the aura of Sea King Dragonite and Order God Zygarde.
Every era has the trendsetters of that era.
The Thousand-Year Gastly was quite optimistic about Ash.
Mengmeng's gaze turned to Ash again, carrying a bit of scrutiny: "Leader... thinks highly of him?"
"Heh..." The Gastly's voice dragged on, carrying a kind of certainty born from weathering the vicissitudes of life.
"That kid is a bit interesting."
"He's stained with the aura of 'Big Guys' that shouldn't be touched at his age, yet his heart isn't bad, and his ability is pretty good too."
It paused, its tone becoming slightly more serious: "Chaotic times are coming... Little Mengmeng."
"The old guys in the sea aren't too peaceful, and the troubles on land are increasing... One must always place a few more bets on the future."
"This kid is worth investing in."
The Thousand-Year Gastly didn't hide anything; instead, it frankly spoke its thoughts.
There were many guys in this world stirring up trouble—the Thousand-Year Gastly knew this very well.
It wasn't just the restless ones among humans; there were also restless guys among Pokémon, such as Malamar.
Even the League was very clear that the future situation would inevitably become more and more chaotic.
But... they couldn't manage it.
The world was too big, and the League's power was limited.
There were even contradictions in concepts and standpoints within the League itself... the kind where one couldn't even say who was right or wrong.
Mengmeng fell silent for a moment, watching Ash seriously bid farewell to the last approaching Duskull, his eyes clear and frank.
She sighed softly, her voice full of conflict: "But... I'm still a bit reluctant to separate from everyone... And, if he has no candidates, it seems like I'm pitiful... as if nobody wanted me so I went with him..."
"That's easy to handle!" The Gastly's voice instantly became sneaky, carrying the cunning of an old urchin.
"This old man guarantees you, absolutely, absolutely no 'one' will choose him!"
"You will absolutely be the only one!"
"How about it?"
"Now you don't have any psychological burden, right?"
For the Thousand-Year Gastly, wanting to provide a way out was still very easy.
This entire area was shrouded in his illusion techniques.
As long as he wished it.
For the vast majority of humans and Pokémon, what they heard and saw would be decided by him.
Mengmeng was stunned for a moment.
Then she reacted.
She couldn't help but burst into laughter, revealing two small, sharp tiger teeth: "Leader! You're cheating!"
"How is this called cheating?" The Gastly's voice was self-righteous. "This is called focusing on economic development as the center, implementing macro-control and resource allocation!"
"Besides, that kid looks like he has a constitution that attracts the affection of 'Big Guys' at first glance."
"If you follow him, maybe you'll encounter even more interesting things in the future. Isn't that better than staying in this small place scaring tourists?"
Having lived for so many years, the greatest skill the Thousand-Year Gastly had learned should be shamelessness.
What use is face!
We Ghost-type Pokémon aren't humans!
We will absolutely not suffer for the sake of face!
Back then, if he hadn't been shameless enough, he would have almost been beaten to death by Professor Oak.
That time, Agatha and Oak had really fought with real fire, to the point that they still look like they will never interact with each other until death.
Well... Professor Oak actually didn't care that much.
But Elite Four Agatha had indeed become increasingly extreme.
It was unknown if this was due to being influenced by spending too much time with Ghost-type Pokémon.
Mengmeng's gaze fell back onto Ash.
This time, the hesitation in her eyes was gradually replaced by a kind of bright curiosity and determination.
She looked at the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, which was also looking around curiously, and looked at the light in the boy's eyes that, while seemingly holding a trace of regret, remained bright.
"...Alright." She nodded gently, as if she had finally made up her mind. "If... if really no 'one' chooses him."
"Heh, it's settled!" The Gastly's voice carried the satisfaction of a successful scheme as it quietly faded away.
Below.
Ash was just preparing to turn around and regroup with his companions.
Just then.
The air in front of him distorted slightly, like a water surface into which a pebble had been thrown.
Under the surprised gazes of the surrounding Trainers, that little girl "Mengmeng," wearing a cute kimono and holding a Misdreavus doll, appeared out of thin air in front of Ash.
Mengmeng had a little bit of shyness on her face, yet she boldly raised her head to look at him.
Her body seemed even more hazy under the moonlight than usual, emitting a faint fluorescence.
"Big Brother," Mengmeng's voice remained soft and thin, yet it traveled clearly into Ash's ears.
She blinked her large eyes, which flickered with a cunning and expectant light: "I heard you are going to many, many interesting places?"
"Can you take me along with you?"
_____
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