"Of course! You're very welcome!" Ash responded almost without hesitation.
A brilliant smile blossomed on his face as he nodded vigorously at Mengmeng.
Being acknowledged is always something to be happy about.
Ghost-type Pokémon are considered an extremely powerful type among the many Pokémon types.
If one ignores individual specificities and considers purely type differences, then the Ghost-type, Psychic-type, and Dragon-type are the crème de la crème.
The Ghost and Psychic types are too comprehensive, with a particularly wide range of adaptability.
The Dragon-type, on the other hand, makes the Pokémon itself exceptionally capable in combat.
...In this regard, the difference from the games is even greater.
According to the graduation thesis of a certain unknown graduate student at the Pokémon Academy:
There are a total of 18 attributes.
First Tier: Psychic, Dragon, Ghost.
Second Tier: Rock, Steel, Fairy, Dark.
Third Tier: Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Ice.
Fourth Tier: Normal, Bug, Fighting, Flying, Ground, Poison.
That is roughly the situation.
The First Tier: Extremely strong combat power, versatile abilities, and absolute dominance.
The Second Tier: Powerful resistances, strong applicability, and a high overall baseline of strength.
The Third Tier: Most have decent strength, but they are still ordinary and easily countered or restrained.
The Fourth Tier: Too common; apart from individual exceptions, they generally lack highlights and their overall intensity is weak.
...However, this kind of research conclusion doesn't have much of a market... even the academic schools don't dare to publicize it overly much.
After all.
The strong are generally beyond standard specifications.
Who dares to say that Lorelei or Bruno are weak?
Moreover, Samuel Oak's ace is a Kangaskhan... that is a peak that no one has surpassed yet.
Kangaskhan is Normal-type.
So, this research only studies the attributes themselves and does not involve other categories.
It evaluates the general part of the attributes, without considering unique individuals.
If unique individuals were considered, then some guys would be too outrageous.
Professor Oak's Kangaskhan, Giovanni's Beedrill, Pryce's Delibird and Swinub... oh, and Ash's Pikachu.
To be honest, on the day this research conclusion came out, everyone was suspecting whether Professor Oak would take that guy out.
Or perhaps everyone was betting on how long that graduate student would live.
Doing this kind of research that offends people makes it very easy to get sacked and beaten to death.
The story that finally circulated was that after hearing it, Professor Oak cursed uncharacteristically:
"Stupid, ignorant fool... no need to pay attention to it, just delay his graduation."
Thus, everyone treated this research conclusion as a joke.
Evaluation: It has some reference value, but not much.
As for whether Professor Oak really didn't care, or if he wanted to sweep this matter under the rug... that's not important.
Anyway, since Professor Oak had already handled it, no one would go looking for trouble.
Delayed graduation is better than being dead, right?
In the end, even this person's name, appearance, age, and gender were all erased.
The true identity of the person who published this paper was known only to a few in the end and did not spread.
From this perspective, Professor Oak banning his thesis research... was likely to protect this person.
After all, on one hand, this statement went too much against the mainstream argument.
On the other hand, this statement also offended the strong trainers too much.
But one point cannot be denied.
Considering it from most angles:
The Psychic-type and Ghost-type are indeed very convenient in terms of adaptability.
The Dragon-type really has a very high ceiling.
Of course, this is just theory.
When it comes to final implementation, it still depends on what level each Pokémon Trainer can achieve.
Upon hearing Ash's affirmative reply.
A sweet smile of relief and happiness also appeared on Mengmeng's face.
Immediately afterward, under the surprised gazes of the surrounding Trainers and the watchful eyes of Ash's trio, her figure began to become blurry and transparent.
Like a reflection in water, she slowly dissipated, finally vanishing completely into the air.
However, this was not the most noteworthy thing.
What attracted the most attention was that the "Misdreavus doll" she had been holding in her arms, which looked exquisitely crafted and even a bit too realistic, seemed to be injected with life under the moonlight.
Those red eyes suddenly lit up with a spirited and cunning brilliance.
The Misdreavus's body floated up lightly, letting out a crisp "Muma~" laughter like a bell, and flew happily around the surprised Ash once.
"So... so you are the real body?!" Misty's eyes widened, suddenly realizing the truth.
She had been holding her real body in her arms pretending it was a toy the whole time?!
"Muma~!"
Misdreavus, or rather, this was the real "Mengmeng".
It nodded its little head, which looked like thick curly hair, triumphantly, seeming proud of the success of its little trick.
This could be considered its prank-loving nature.
Ash looked at this agile and cute Misdreavus, the surprise in his eyes intensifying.
He immediately took an empty Poké Ball from his waist and handed it solemnly to Misdreavus: "Come on, Mengmeng, please take care of me from now on!"
"Mu!" Misdreavus restrained its playful attitude, its expression becoming serious.
Its forehead gently and solemnly touched the button in the center of the Poké Ball.
Ding—
A red light shot out, enveloping Misdreavus's petite body, and successfully drew it into the ball.
The Poké Ball shook slightly in Ash's hand, then with a soft click, it completely stabilized.
Capture, successful!
Just then, the [Pokémon Master Achievement System], which usually had little presence, finally reacted again.
A semi-transparent interface quietly emerged in Ash's peripheral vision:
[Captured New Pokémon: Misdreavus]
[Nickname: Mengmeng]
[Personality: Lonely]
[Level: 30]
[Ability: Levitate]
[Moves: Growl LV10, Psywave LV5, Astonish LV4, Mean Look LV3, Psybeam LV3, Confuse Ray LV2, Power Gem LV1, Mystical Fire LV1, Protect LV1, Substitute LV1, Hex LV1, Will-O-Wisp LV1, Pain Split LV1, Payback LV1, Shadow Ball LV1, Perish Song LV1, Spite LV1]
Looking at this long, luxurious list of skills...
Ash couldn't help but say, "Whoa... Mengmeng is too amazing~"
He joyfully held Mengmeng's Poké Ball up to his eyes, as if he could see the figure of his new partner clearly through the red and white shell.
"That's great, Ash!" Misty felt happy for him from the bottom of her heart.
"A Ghost-type partner very much worth looking forward to." Brock also nodded in approval with a smile. "It seems the snacks prepared over these past few days weren't in vain."
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu also jumped onto Ash's shoulder, curiously tapping the new Poké Ball with its paw to express welcome.
Seeing that Ash had successfully captured that agile Misdreavus, the other Trainers around them couldn't help but reveal envy in their eyes, but there was more of a sense of understanding and relief.
The interactions over these past few days made them understand that fate with these little Ghost-type guys could not be forced.
What's more, Ash wasn't the only one who successfully gained a partner; several lucky ones among them had also received recognition.
Seeing that Brock and Misty beside Ash hadn't gained anything, they felt inwardly that this result seemed a bit more "balanced".
After all, with three people coming and only one succeeding, the success rate was just 33.3%.
Although among everyone present, this was considered a high probability... but luck, well, that's just how it is.
The crowd began to gradually disperse.
With feelings of satisfaction or slight regret, people walked in twos and threes along the stone steps toward the brightly lit Pokémon Center at the foot of the mountain, preparing to end this trip to Maiden's Rock.
However, just as Ash and the other two were preparing to turn and leave.
An aged voice carrying a smile clearly spoke, as if ringing directly in their minds: "Hey, three little guys, wait a moment."
The three paused in their steps and looked back in astonishment.
They saw the air not far in front of them ripple like water waves, and the figure of that Thousand-Year Gastly slowly emerged, still with that round appearance and cunning smile.
It floated there, its whole body emitting a faint gloomy glow, perfectly merging with the night color.
At the same time, the Poké Ball belonging to Misdreavus at Ash's waist opened automatically.
A red light flashed.
"Mengmeng" flew out lightly, rubbing affectionately against Gastly's mist-like body, emitting tiny "Muma" sounds.
"Senior, is there anything else you want to say?" Ash looked at the returning Thousand-Year Gastly with some surprise.
"Gya gya~" The Gastly let out its signature laugh.
Its gaze shifted between Ash and Misdreavus, its tone rarely taking on a trace of elder-like gentleness...
"Kid, this child Mengmeng is entrusted to you."
Saying so.
A small piece of stone, deep and dark like the darkest night sky, separated from its mist-like body—it was precisely an extremely high-quality Dusk Stone.
This Dusk Stone slowly floated in front of Ash.
"Here, take this," Gastly said.
"In case this little one thinks things through one day and is willing to evolve, use this."
"It saves you from having to look for one when the time comes, and it can be considered a dowry from this old man to her... ah no, a parting gift!"
One could only say a leopard can't change its spots?
Emm.
The old thing is still improper with his words even at a time like this.
Insisting on forcefully ruining the atmosphere.
Ash took the Dusk Stone: "I understand... I will definitely respect Mengmeng's own wishes, and I will also make good use of this stone."
"Muma..." Misdreavus flew to Gastly's side, circling it a few times, its voice holding obvious reluctance as it rubbed its little head against Gastly.
"Alright, alright, don't do this mushy stuff." Gastly shook its body seemingly impatiently, but a trace of imperceptible softness flashed in those large white eyes.
"Once you're out seeing the world, just don't forget to come back and visit this old man occasionally."
"Go quickly, go quickly, if you dawdle any longer the sky will be bright!"
After finishing speaking, its figure began to slowly fade, like ink blending into the night, and finally, with a strange gya gya laugh, it completely vanished.
Misdreavus stayed in place for a moment.
She gazed in the direction where Gastly had disappeared, then pulled herself together and flew back to Ash's shoulder.
Together with Pikachu on the left and right, she let out a soft "Mu" sound, as if saying "I'm ready".
However, compared to Pikachu being over 60.
Misdreavus was much lighter, but also had about 10.
Considering Ash was also carrying a backpack... probably also around 150.
One could only say it was fortunate that Ash had multiple Badges strengthening his physical stamina, otherwise, he really couldn't have handled it.
"Hehe~~" Brock and Misty laughed.
Ash put away the Dusk Stone carefully, then revealed a warm smile to the new partner on his shoulder: "Mn, let's go, Mengmeng."
_____
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