There's Something Off About My Pokémon. [22]

"Since you're here, why not show yourself?" The old man's voice remained calm and unhurried, as if he wasn't the one who had just executed that precise and powerful move.

A ghost-type Pokémon with a purple body and a witch-hat-like head emerged from the darkness. Its amber eyes glinted as it gazed at the old man with a mocking expression. It was a Mismagius.

Beside the Mismagius, a man in a cloak, wearing a metal mask, stepped out from the shadows. His voice, distorted by the mask, added an extra layer of mystery. "Long time no see, old friend."

"No need for pleasantries. Why are you here?" The old man slowly stood up, his hand resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"There's no need to be so aggressive." The man appeared relaxed as he casually approached the old man and took a seat, letting out a sigh. "Can't we just talk like normal friends?"

"If by 'catching up,' you mean having your Gengar hide in my shadow, then no thanks," the old man replied with a faint smile. "After all these years, you're still as cowardly as ever."

The man snorted and waved his hand. A black Gengar emerged from the old man's shadow, grinning mischievously. It made an exaggerated face behind the old man, then opened its enormous mouth wide, pretending to swallow the old man's head whole. But the old man merely passed through Gengar's spectral form, causing the Gengar to burst into fits of ghostly laughter, rolling around in the shadows.

"Enough, come back, Gengar," the masked man said with a frown.

Gengar pouted, looking pitiful as it floated back to its master's side, where Mismagius gave it a disapproving glance. Tears welled up in Gengar's eyes, but they were stained with blood, giving the spectacle a grotesque twist.

"I know you've been tracking the movements of Team Galactic in recent years," the man said, breaking the silence. "I'll admit, the smuggling ring in Yulin is part of Team Galactic's operations."

The old man's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "If you know I'm investigating Team Galactic, you should also know there's nothing left for us to discuss."

"Not necessarily," the masked man said, a twisted smile spreading across the visible part of his face. "As they say, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. This time, it all depends on whether you're tempted."

The old man closed his eyes, his voice calm and steady. "At my age, and being blind, what could possibly tempt me?"

The masked man chuckled lightly. "I wonder if you've heard about the upcoming U20 tournament in Jiang City?"

"Oh, so Team Galactic has stooped so low that they're targeting kids now?" the old man sneered. "Are you telling me that the 'interests' you speak of are about stealing Pokémon from children?"

"Of course not!" The masked man seemed amused by the old man's words, bursting into exaggerated laughter. "Hahaha, you're still as sharp-tongued as ever. Do I look like the kind of villain who'd steal candy from a baby?"

The masked man's face suddenly grew serious, his expression cold and calculating. "The real issue," he said, his eyes gleaming with intent, "is that the Armed Division of the Pokémon Association will also be sending their operatives to the tournament." His voice dropped to a sinister whisper. "With all the military power of Zhejiang Province gathered in Jiang City, the information I seek will naturally flow there, following the Armed Division."

The old man's expression remained impassive. "What kind of information could possibly elude Team Galactic?"

The masked man's face twisted as though an old wound had been reopened, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Suicune," he growled.

---

Back at his grandfather's house, Lu Cheng's grandfather was closely observing the newly caught Treecko, stroking his chin with a puzzled expression.

"What's wrong, Grandpa?" Lu Cheng asked, noticing his grandfather's confusion. Trying to ease his concern, Lu Cheng added, "Don't worry, Grandpa. Feeding Treecko shouldn't be too expensive. I checked online, and Grass-type Pokémon food isn't that pricey... I think."

"It's not that," Grandpa said, waving his hand dismissively as he continued to scratch his head. "Hmm, the way this Treecko moves looks so familiar, but I just can't put my finger on it."

Grandpa paced back and forth around Treecko, muttering to himself, making the little Pokémon visibly nervous.

"What are you mumbling about, Grandpa?" Lu Cheng asked.

"Oh, I was talking about the way it holds its sword," Grandpa finally replied, gesturing toward the branch Treecko was holding. "If you can even call that thing a sword."

Indeed, the broken, ragged branch in Treecko's hand was barely worthy of being called a "sword," yet Treecko held it with a sense of pride and reverence.

"Treecko, can you show Grandpa that move, the 'Slash' from last time?" Lu Cheng suggested, hoping that a demonstration might clear up his grandfather's confusion.

Treecko nodded, turning its focus to the training dummy in the center of the yard. Holding its breath, it concentrated its energy. Even Vulpix, curious, peeked its head out from Lu Cheng's backpack, where it had made itself comfortable.

With a burst of speed from Quick Attack, Treecko dashed forward, raising its branch in a fluid motion. It sliced through the air with a sharp whooshing sound, striking the dummy with precision. The impact tore open the dummy's abdomen, revealing the straw inside.

"Hmm, it's really too similar," Grandpa muttered, scratching his head in disbelief. "But no, this doesn't make sense. How could a wild Treecko know these moves, especially this Treecko...?"

"Grandpa, what are you talking about?" Lu Cheng pressed.

"It's nothing," Grandpa said, shaking his head. "This Treecko's movements remind me of an old friend of mine. Just train it well, Chengcheng. Don't let such a promising Pokémon go to waste."

Lu Cheng nodded firmly. How could he possibly neglect Treecko? It was a Pokémon he had fought so hard to catch, nearly lost, and finally won over.

However, with Treecko now on his team, Lu Cheng's expenses had increased. He had to feed it, buy new berries, and cut back on his own spending just to make ends meet. The struggle of raising rare Pokémon was real.

Lu Cheng couldn't help but feel a bit envious of his friend A Le. At least A Le's Wingull could fish for its own food! A single trip to the coast with Wingull, and the little bird would solve its own meal problems, dining on Magikarp or Staryu—no cost to A Le whatsoever.

During the week he spent in the countryside, Lu Cheng trained with Treecko and Vulpix, battling wild Pokémon and gathering berries. Despite his limited resources, he focused on making the most of what he had. Before he knew it, it was time to return to school.

As he waved goodbye to his grandfather, Lu Cheng sighed all the way back, wondering how he could scrape together enough funds to sustain both his Pokémon. With two rare Pokémon now by his side, he felt the weight of responsibility more than ever.

---

If you spot any mistakes let me know so I can fix them.

Read up to Chapter 51! [P@treon.com/WiseTL]