Strongest Lottery System in Pokémon World

Chapter 15: Ghastly

"Stop pretending. I've already figured you out, Ghastly!"

The eerie ghost floating toward Marcel froze mid-drift. It hovered there for a moment, as if considering its next move, before resuming its slow approach, feigning ignorance with a mischievous expression.

Kakakah, I don't know what you're talking about, was what its expression seemed to convey.

Marcel watched the act with a twitch of his lips. You're persistent, I'll give you that.

"You don't think I'm just guessing, do you?" Marcel said, crossing his arms. "What other ghost makes weird noises like that and hovers like you do? None. It's obviously you, Ghastly."

At those words, the ghost could no longer maintain its charade. The distorted, menacing form shimmered briefly before condensing into its true shape: a Ghastly.

The Pokémon's dark, gaseous body was wreathed in thick, purple mist. Its gleaming, oversized eyes and sharp, grinning fangs exuded a mischievous charm. Under the dim light of the forest, Ghastly's eerie presence stood out. Yet more than fear, it gave off the aura of a playful trickster.

"Finally showing your true self, huh?" Marcel remarked, smirking as he examined the Pokémon.

Ghastly floated closer, its smile widening. The purple gas surrounding it thickened, and it widened its eyes for dramatic effect, staring directly into Marcel's. It opened its mouth, baring its pointed fangs in a mock display of menace.

It was clearly hoping to see fear on Marcel's face. But Ghastly was destined to be disappointed.

Marcel simply tilted his head and rubbed his chin, unfazed. "Hmm. A bit larger than the standard Ghastly, richer gas density, and your eyes… They're full of determination. Looks like you're in great shape."

Instead of reacting with fear, Marcel calmly appraised Ghastly's appearance and condition.

"Kah!"

Ghastly's laughter cut short, and its expression turned to one of outrage. As an intelligent Pokémon that often toyed with passersby, it fully understood human speech. Marcel's cool response was a sharp contrast to the terror it expected.

The ghost Pokémon released a burst of cold air, its body radiating an even more menacing aura.

However, none of this fazed Marcel. If anything, he found Ghastly's antics amusing.

"Are you really trying to scare me?" Marcel chuckled, shaking his head. "Sorry, but you'll have to try harder. To me, you're more cute than scary."

Ghastly let out an irritated screech, clearly unamused.

Marcel reached into his pocket and tossed a Premier Ball into the air, catching it smoothly. "Let's settle this with a battle. If you lose, you'll become my Pokémon. Deal?"

Ghastly froze, then narrowed its eyes.

Marcel could see the defiance in its gaze. This was a proud Pokémon that wouldn't back down from a challenge. That fighting spirit only made Marcel more eager to capture it.

"Good," Marcel said, smiling. "Metagross, let's do this!"

With a flash of light, Metagross appeared, its metallic body gleaming under the faint moonlight. Its imposing presence was enough to startle a few wild Pokémon nearby, causing rustles in the surrounding foliage.

Ghastly, who had been brimming with confidence moments earlier, faltered. Its laughter stopped, replaced by a wary silence.

But that hesitation didn't last long. With an angry screech, it spread a dense, purple fog—poisonous gas meant to engulf its foe.

Marcel chuckled at the move. "Looks like you don't know much about type matchups, do you? Poison moves against a Psychic and Steel-type? Not your best idea."

With a snap of his fingers, he commanded, "Metagross, block it!"

Metagross's telekinetic powers activated, forming an invisible barrier that stopped the toxic gas in its tracks, preventing it from getting even an inch closer.

Seeing its attack fail, Ghastly hissed in frustration. Before it could try something new, Marcel gave another command.

"Metagross, use Psychic!"

Metagross's body glowed as it unleashed a wave of psychic energy, tearing through the poisonous mist and slamming directly into Ghastly. The impact sent the ghost spinning, its high-pitched screech echoing through the forest.

"Kaah!"

Determined not to go down without a fight, Ghastly retaliated, forming a Shadow Ball between its gaseous hands and hurling it toward Metagross.

"Oh? You've already mastered Shadow Ball?" Marcel muttered, impressed. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"

"Metagross, Comet Punch!"

Metagross's massive, steel arm swung forward with immense force, colliding with the incoming Shadow Ball. The resulting explosion sent waves of dust and debris into the air, forcing Marcel to shield his eyes.

When the dust cleared, Marcel caught sight of Ghastly, clearly rattled and drifting erratically. The force of the blast had disrupted its gaseous body, leaving it visibly weakened.

And yet, instead of pressing the attack, Ghastly began floating away. It was trying to escape.

"Oh, no you don't," Marcel said firmly. "Metagross, stop it!"

At his command, Metagross activated its telekinetic powers again, freezing Ghastly in mid-air.

"Kah!" Ghastly squirmed and thrashed, but the difference in power was too great. No matter how it struggled, it couldn't break free.

"Knock it out, Metagross!"

Metagross's Psychic attack struck Ghastly squarely, leaving it dazed. Seeing his chance, Marcel threw the Premier Ball.

The ball sailed through the air, absorbing Ghastly's form in a flash of red light before falling to the ground.

It wobbled once. Twice.

Then it clicked shut.

Marcel bent down to pick up the ball, a satisfied smile on his face. "Welcome to the team, Ghastly."

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Marcel's Pokémon:

1. Bulbasaur

[Seed Pokémon.]

[Grass and Poison Type.]

[Bulbasaur can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger.]

[{Bulbasaur} → Ivysaur → Venusaur]

2. Metagross

[Iron Leg Pokémon.]

[Steel and Psychic Type.]

[Metagross has four brains in total. Combined, the four brains can breeze through difficult calculations faster than a supercomputer. This Pokémon can float in the air by tucking in its four legs.]

[Beldum → Metang → {Metagross}]

3. Eevee

[Evolution Pokémon.]

[Normal Type.]

[Eevee has an unstable genetic makeup that suddenly mutates due to the environment in which it lives. Radiation from various stones or causes this Pokémon to evolve.]

[{Eevee} → ???]

4. Ghastly

[Gas Pokémon]

[Ghost and Poison Type]

[Ghastly is largely composed of gaseous matter. When exposed to a strong wind, the gaseous body quickly dwindles away. Groups of this Pokémon cluster under the eaves of houses to escape the ravages of wind.]

Marcel's Skills and Abilities:

1. Pokémon Breeding Knowledge (Elementary)

Marcel's Items:

1. Metal Coat

[An item that allows specific Pokémon to evolve.]

[When held by a Steel-type Pokémon, will increase the power of its Steel-type Moves.]

[Held by: Metagross]