Chapter 20 Gengar’s Story

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Gengar sat there, contemplating the situation, his ghostly features cast in an eerie half-light.

"You're not strong enough," he finally said, his voice carrying a spectral weight. "You need to grow, get stronger. Then, maybe I'll tell you."

Hu Yang, bewildered, responded, "Does that mean you're not going to tell me anything now?"

Gengar observed the confusion on Hu Yang's face. Misinterpreting it as concern about the mysterious treasure, he attempted to reassure him. "No need to worry. I'm not like those deceitful humans."

As Gengar spoke these words, his once-cheerful smile faded, replaced by a malevolent aura that radiated spite and darkness.

Hu Yang, not particularly concerned about the treasure, probed further. "Can I refuse your request?"

Gengar's countenance twisted into a wicked grin. "If you refuse," he hissed, "I'll consume you. As for the bead, don't think you can just get rid of it. I'm bound to you ever since you took it from that person. Sooner or later, it's going to be us together."

Unfazed, Hu Yang inquired, "What if I decide to give the bead to someone else?"

Gengar's tone turned ice-cold. "I'll devour you before that ever happens."

Perplexed but undaunted, Hu Yang pressed on, "Why didn't you harm the person who had the orb before me? Why choose me?"

Gengar replied matter-of-factly, "When the orb came into your possession, I was only just regaining consciousness."

Hu Yang, acknowledging the reasonableness of this explanation, finally agreed, "Alright, I see your point. So, what do you need from me?"

Gengar's demeanor shifted to a grave seriousness, a dark purple aura enveloping him as he spoke.

Hu Yang could feel the raw, formidable power emanating from Gengar. Recalling their previous conversation, he hesitated, "But before we discuss this, perhaps we should get to know each other a bit better."

Gengar's eyes narrowed as he fell into contemplative silence.

Hu Yang ventured further, "You were sealed in that orb. May I ask why?"

Gengar's eyes flickered with a chilling gleam as he spat out, "It was those wretched humans."

He continued, "You need not concern yourself with such matters. Focus on your own responsibilities."

Hu Yang, sensing there was more to the story, probed again, "Are you saying you don't want me to seek vengeance for you, or do you wish to be released from that orb? And if so, how can we release you? Must we break the orb?"

Upon hearing these words, Gengar's face contorted in an expression of stark terror.

Hu Yang realized something was amiss. Typically, if one wished to release a sealed entity, breaking the seal from the outside world was the straightforward solution. Gengar possessed tremendous strength, capable of taking on countless Budews. In theory, he could take revenge by himself, making his request puzzling. Gengar, however, gave no answer, merely brushing off the question with a surly attitude.

With school hours ending, Hu Yang left Gengar at home and departed with Budew and Cramorant.

Upon returning home in the afternoon, he noticed the absence of Gengar's silhouette in the bedroom, although the mysterious orb remained steadfast on the desk.

Soon, Gengar returned from outside and presented his initial request to Hu Yang, a playful gleam in his eyes.

"Bring me a treat, sweet and cool in flavor, and I'll reveal the treasure's secret," Gengar said, gesturing animatedly.

Hu Yang was stunned, contemplating the sweet and cool treat Gengar desired. After a moment, he asked, "Ice cream?"

Gengar hesitated before confirming, "Yes, that's it."

Perplexed, Hu Yang inquired, "Do you want to eat it?"

Gengar responded awkwardly, "I don't really want to."

Hu Yang couldn't help but smirk and then took Budew with him. Though winter was approaching, there were still a few ice cream vendors outside.

As he walked with Gengar hovering beside him, Hu Yang wondered aloud, "No one can see you, right?"

Gengar, with a hint of pride, declared, "Let's see if anyone can see us!"

At the ice cream stand, Hu Yang purchased three ice creams: one for himself, one for Budew, and one for Gengar. He extended the ice cream towards Gengar, who eagerly reached out to accept it. Just as Hu Yang released the treat, it passed through Gengar's ghostly hand and fell to the ground with a dull thud.

The fresh white ice cream was now tainted with dust and dirt, slowly seeping into the cracks between the cobblestones.

Gengar stared down at his ghostly hands with a bewildered expression.

Hu Yang was taken aback for a moment. He reached out his hand toward Gengar, but it simply passed through his spectral figure.

The term "Spirit Physique" from Gengar's data resurfaced in Hu Yang's mind, and a chilling realization struck him.

"We need to talk," he finally said.

On their way back home, Gengar remained quiet, seemingly lost in thought.

They sat down on the sofa, and Hu Yang addressed the question that had been lingering since their peculiar encounter: "You're not alive anymore, are you?"

From Gengar's appearance, it seemed he was oblivious to his own state. Ghost-type Pokémon possessed the unique ability to pass through solid objects but could choose to interact with them when they wished. Given this, Gengar's request for ice cream seemed rather curious.

Hu Yang pondered further, "What happens to Ghost-type Pokémon when they pass on? Do they become... ghosts?"

Gengar's response was far from usual. "Your situation is far from typical," he replied. "Opportunities come with risks. You seem to possess a deep understanding of your own abilities and likely prefer not to get involved."

Gengar's apparent confusion raised more questions. "I don't know," he admitted. "All I remember is being sealed inside this treasure pearl. My instincts tell me that if the treasure pearl is shattered, I will disappear as well."

Hu Yang probed deeper, seeking answers. "Who are 'they'?"

Gengar's response was brief but revealing. "Humans."

Hu Yang then asked, "Did you harm them?"

Gengar shook his head. "No, but they believed I brought misfortune and diseases to humanity. They considered me an evil spirit."

Hu Yang couldn't help but be reminded of the dark history he had uncovered in the library. In an era where the world was still divided into tribes and kingdoms, humans and Pokémon were often in conflict. Humans had previously regarded Pokémon as malevolent creatures, leading to hunting and warfare. The tales of the past had made it clear that many Pokémon had suffered greatly during those times, and many humans had lost their lives due to their encounters with these creatures.

Listening to Gengar's tragic story, Hu Yang couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sadness and empathy. The Alliance had only been established for a little over 200 years, and the time before that was a chaotic era filled with ignorance and feudalism. Pokémon like Gengar had endured immense suffering during this time.

Hu Yang was now faced with a bewildering blend of emotions, as he tried to navigate the intricacies of his new partnership with the enigmatic Gengar.

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