Resentment

Just like when they arrived, Yuga and his group had a smooth journey back. However, as they were about to exit the Petalburg Forest, Yuga suddenly noticed two people engaged in battle. One was an elderly person, while the other was a young woman, and both were using Ghost-type Pokémon.

Yuga recognized both of these individuals. One was Phoebe, the current Ghost-type Elite Four who had recently visited the Verdanturf Gym. The other was Bridges, the former Ghost-type Elite Four.

Yuga couldn't understand why these two were in conflict. Phoebe had succeeded Bridges as one of the Elite Four, and both held the title of Ghost-type Elite Four. There should have been no reason for them to be at odds.

Could it be that Phoebe's claim of coming to Verdanturf Town for a reason was actually related to Bridges?

The reason Yuga knew Bridges was due to his connection to Cécilia, who entrusted Yuga with the task of resolving certain matters before her passing.

Bridges was a ruthless character who would stop at nothing to climb the ranks. His actions included killing his wife and daughter, which was truly horrifying.

What made it even scarier was that Bridges had a perfect public image – high status, a good upbringing, a mild temperament, devoted to his family, and harmonious family relationships.

Everyone outside saw him as an outstanding person, which was truly terrifying.

Moreover, after the death of Cécilia's mother, Bridges took a long time (for the sake of his perfect persona) before marrying his second wife and having a son. His son had even married and had grandchildren.

This was probably what people meant when they said that a curse could last for a thousand years. Bridges was inherently wicked, yet his family life was blissful and happy.

In recent years, Bridges and his wife gave off the impression of a harmonious, model couple.

However, Yuga wondered if Bridges' wife, son, and grandchildren were aware of the dark secrets he had hidden.

Phoebe's Pokémon was a Drifblim, and she skillfully used the move Ominous Wind.

Although Ominous Wind was only an intermediate-level move, it displayed power no less than an advanced move in the hands of Drifblim.

Bridges' Pokémon was a Sableye, and it had undergone Mega Evolution.

Bridges came from a prestigious family with a long lineage, so having a Mega Evolution Stone was not surprising.

After Mega Evolving, Sableye's large red gem became its natural shield, making it impervious to Ominous Wind, no matter how skillfully Drifblim used it.

Ghost-type Pokémon were known for their abilities to disrupt and debuff opponents, but Mega Sableye possessed the ability "Magic Bounce," which rendered Drifblim's Ominous Wind ineffective.

Mega Sableye's strength far exceeded that of Drifblim, and soon, Drifblim was unable to hold its ground.

The Power Gem of Mega Sableye formed a yellow column of light, sending Drifblim flying.

As Drifblim was injured, Phoebe also coughed up a large amount of blood, indicating that she was seriously hurt.

As a fellow Ghost-type Pokémon trainer, Yuga understood why Phoebe was injured.

Phoebe must have formed a mental link with Drifblim, allowing her to control it more freely, but at the cost of making her more vulnerable to backlash.

Such mental links were more common among Psychic-type trainers, but some special Ghost-type trainers could achieve the same. Many Ghost-type Pokémon were skilled in using psychic powers.

Phoebe's possession of special abilities was widely known among the members of the Verdanturf League.

While Yuga was contemplating whether to intervene, Gengar and Mismagius had already rushed out and landed in front of Phoebe and Drifblim. Together, they blocked the impending attacks from Mega Sableye.

Bridges and his Mega Sableye had intended to deliver a fatal blow, and if it hadn't been for Mismagius and Gengar's interference, Mega Sableye's Shadow Claw would have been merciless.

Due to the mental backlash, Phoebe had an excruciating headache. She covered her head and looked in amazement at Gengar and Mismagius, who had suddenly appeared and saved her from Bridges and his Mega Sableye.

Though she had endured this backlash, Phoebe now realized just how formidable this old man was.

Sometimes, being older could be an advantage, and she realized that she was still too young.

Seeing Mismagius and Gengar intervene without hesitation, Yuga could only shake his head in helplessness. He knew that his two Pokémon would not be able to calm down when they see Bridges.

Yuga wasn't as angry about his Pokémon taking action without his command in this situation. First of all, Pokémon were partners of trainers, not just tools for battle, and they had the right to act independently.

At least, that's how Yuga saw it in his case.

Furthermore, these were originally Cécilia's Pokémon. It was natural for them to want to avenge their former trainer, given the circumstances. Yuga understood that.

He appreciated Pokémon who were loyal to their trainers, even after they were gone.

For example, Gardevoir (male) had always been at odds with Yuga, but as long as it didn't cause trouble in the Ecopark, Yuga was tolerant of its behavior.

Besides, this Gardevoir was not unreasonable.

It understood that its former trainer had been in the wrong, so despite its occasional disagreements with Yuga, it hadn't done anything out of line and hadn't sought revenge on him.

Yuga considered this to be quite good.

Gengar and Mismagius were in a similar situation.

Although Cécilia had been ruthless and even unkind, once she became a Ghost Realm Specter, Gengar and Mismagius had stayed by her side.

Yuga was sometimes a bit melodramatic, but he wasn't the type to hold grudges against his Pokémon. He believed that since they were now his Pokémon, they should forget their previous trainer.

If it had been Vivillon, Yuga would certainly have thought differently, but in the case of Gengar and Mismagius, he didn't mind.

After all, no matter how ruthless Cécilia was, she had never thought of harming Gengar and Mismagius. Even in the case of Dusknoir, it was an accident.

Cécilia had wanted to escape the Ghost Realm and needed many Ghost-type Pokémon as sacrifices. The Specter in the Ghost Realm was sacrificed because she couldn't bear to sacrifice those Ghost-type Pokémon.

This was also why Mu Ya was born.

Cécilia was wicked, but she had never thought of harming Gengar and Mismagius. Even if she was ruthless, she considered them her support.

So, even though Gengar and Mismagius were loyal to Cécilia, Yuga didn't hold it against them.

Changing positions, if Yuga were in Cécilia's place, he wouldn't want his Pokémon to easily forget him either.

Moreover, Bridges not only killed Cécilia but also indirectly caused the death of Mu Ya, which was indirectly killed the Dusknoir.

Bridges was the root cause of Cécilia's tragedy and the beginning of all these evils.

One of Gengar's companions, Chandelure, also died at Bridges' hands.

So, it was entirely natural for Gengar and Mismagius to hate Bridges.