Facing the whistling attack, the strange wind blew again, scattering all the flying needles.
Xia You asked curiously, "What kind of move is that?"
"Hehehe~" Gastly said smugly, "In my long life, I haven't just learned human language; I have many more abilities like this!"
As it spoke, as if showing off, it transformed its appearance into a Jolteon!
"I say…" Xia You couldn't help but complain, "Isn't this ridiculously strong!? And isn't transformation Ditto's ability? Why can you do it too?"
He glanced at Kirlia, perhaps its previous act of saving its Trainer made Gastly have a bit more affirmation toward Xia You.
It canceled the transformation and said, "Actually, this is just Hypnosis, but my Hypnosis no longer requires putting someone to sleep; it can already affect the real world!"
Xia You frowned.
Is it really that strong!?
Feeling the sensation of the wind blowing across his cheek, it was real and clear, and by no means did it seem like something Hypnosis could achieve.
However, this Gastly was extraordinary and certainly couldn't be viewed with common sense.
"Jolteon, use Thunder Fang!"
Electricity crackled between Jolteon's fangs, and it lunged at Gastly with extreme speed.
However, just as Jolteon's attack was about to touch Gastly, Gastly's body seemed to be scattered by the wind and vanished!
"Hehehe!"
When Gastly reappeared, it had unknowingly arrived beside Jolteon and playfully extended its long Lickitung, heavily licking Jolteon.
Jolteon shivered greatly, wanting to jump away, but it fell into a paralyzed state and couldn't move.
"Ah, the taste of electricity."
Gastly laughed and once again condensed a Shadow Ball, striking Jolteon.
With this blow, Jolteon fainted directly on the ground.
One-hit KO?
Was the level difference too great…
Recalling Jolteon, Xia You looked down at Kirlia.
"It's your turn to go out."
Kirlia nodded and walked in front of Gastly.
"Are you planning a relay battle, continuously exhausting my stamina?" Gastly said, "But I think you understand, Psychic-type Pokémon can't defeat me, you know."
"Of course I know that." Xia You took out the remaining Poké Balls from his lower back and threw them all into the field. "So I didn't plan for it to fight alone; let's all go together!"
Ivysaur, Squirtle, and Charmander appeared one after another, standing with Kirlia.
"What, so it's a group assault." Gastly pouted, but its tone showed no concern at all.
"There's nothing else we can do." Xia You chuckled, "The battle with Jolteon just now made me truly realize your strength. If I still used conventional methods, how could I possibly catch you!"
Hearing Xia You's words, Gastly was silent for a moment, then asked, "Why are you so persistent in catching powerful Pokémon? Is participating in the Pokémon League really that important to you?"
"How should I put it?" Xia You thought for a moment, "Life is full of joys and sorrows. While the Pokémon League is not all of life, it is both a dream and a part of what I pursue. What, don't you have a goal you want to pursue?"
"Dream? Goal?" Gastly murmured.
As a Pokémon that enjoys mischief, it had lived for so many years, and its daily joy was to prank others and live happily. It had never considered such abstract questions.
Seeing Gastly in thought, Xia You's eyes lit up.
A weak point!
"Kirlia, use Magical Leaf!"
At Xia You's command, green-glowing Magical Leaf swept towards Gastly.
"Hey, hey, ambushing me at this time, you're too despicable!"
Gastly hurriedly dodged the attack, but just as it spoke, a Water Gun sprayed out from the side.
"This isn't despicable; this is decisive action!" Xia You shouted, "Charmander, use Ember!"
The Water Gun grazed Gastly's body, and just as it steadied itself, a large patch of Ember rushed towards it.
"What's the difference!?" Gastly's body disappeared, and when it reappeared, caught off guard, it took another Razor Leaf attack.
Being hit by successive moves left Gastly somewhat disheveled, and at the same time, it made it determined not to hold back anymore.
Circles of light waves emanated from Gastly's body, enveloping all the Pokémon present.
Xia You's heart sank. He temporarily had no way to deal with this move and could only grit his teeth and shout, "Charmander, quickly use Smokescreen!"
A large cloud of black smoke spewed from Charmander's mouth, instantly filling a large area of the field.
"Trying to use Smokescreen to obscure my vision and thus lower the accuracy of Hypnosis?" Gastly chuckled, "A good idea, but still too naive!"
Saying that, Gastly concentrated its attention. The next second, the light waves visibly became faster and tighter, changing from targeted attacks to area attacks. In just a short moment, all of Xia You's Pokémon fell into a deep sleep.
At this point, Xia You was truly helpless.
Gastly slowly floated upwards, looking at the thick black smoke below, and launched its final attack.
Puffs of pink gas flew out from the bodies of Xia You's Pokémon and entered Gastly's body. As Gastly's eyes suddenly widened, those Pokémon, as if struck by a Psychic attack, all collapsed.
Dream Eater, activated!
Dream Eater, a Psychic-type attack move, attacks by eating dreams, dealing significant damage while restoring half of the user's HP based on the damage dealt to the opponent.
As the black curtain slowly dissipated, Xia You looked at the fallen Pokémon, completely incapacitated, and sighed deeply.
This Gastly was far, far stronger than its brethren. Even when dealing with Zapdos, Xia You had never felt as powerless as he did today.
Recalling them one by one with Poké Balls, Xia You said dejectedly, "I lost."
Gastly slowly flew in front of Xia You, examining him carefully.
"No, you haven't lost yet."
Its gaze fell on the Poké Ball containing Zapdos, and it chuckled, "Don't you still have a Legendary Pokémon? So how can this be called losing! And I've also expended a lot of energy. Since you don't plan to send out Zapdos to battle me, then let's call this battle a draw."
"Eh?" Xia You was stunned, not expecting Gastly to say such a thing.
Gastly continued, "Your character suits my taste very well. Although I don't have any dreams for now, I also want to leave this place and travel around. Winning the Pokémon tournament and becoming the Champion is indeed a good choice."
Xia You looked at it, a surge of joy in his heart: "What do you mean by that?"
Gastly grinned widely.
"It means that I have recognized you. Now, take out your Poké Ball. I am willing to be your Pokémon and help you achieve your dreams!"