Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 269: A Familiar Gengar

Rio looked at the shrine with its offerings and muttered to himself. Then he stood beside it, glancing left and right, trying to spot anything unusual. According to League records, if Celebi appeared through time, it would emerge from this very shrine. But after a long inspection, Rio found nothing out of the ordinary—no runes, no ancient script—just a shrine with a small carving of Celebi inside.

Having found the shrine but unsure what to do next, Rio sat down somewhat bored. Gengar sat beside him at first but was soon drawn to the Bug-type Pokémon living nearby. Like an old trickster, it used Psychic to tease them, sending them scrambling to find their parents. But even the parents were no match for Gengar, and they too became playthings. Before long, the grandparents showed up—and they were also defeated. Three generations of Bug-types all became Gengar’s toys.

Rio couldn’t help but laugh. It really is a cycle—beat the kid, the parents come; beat the parents, the grandparents come; beat the grandparents... well, that’s it, since Bug-types usually don’t live long enough for great-grandparents.

After sitting at the shrine for an hour or two, Rio felt hungry, and Mewtwo telepathically said it was thirsty. So Rio left with Gengar. Given the current situation, he didn’t think Celebi would appear today. If it did, the entire forest would likely show signs of change—even from the outer edge, he should be able to sense it.

Before long, Rio returned to the outer edge of Ilex Forest. Just as he passed through the giant tree, he encountered an old man in an electric wheelchair holding a Swinub. Both were surprised to see each other. Before they could exchange greetings, the old man’s wheelchair carried him into the tree passage, passing Rio by.

Rio glanced back into the darkness. That old man sure is something—venturing into Ilex Forest at his age.

Without dwelling on it, Rio left with Gengar. But the old man, having entered the giant tree, also looked back at the light behind him. "Was that... the new League Champion, Rio?" The old man was deeply shocked. "Why is he here? Could he also be after Celebi?"

His eyes grew sharp. Celebi was his—he would never let anyone take it. Passing through the giant tree, he soon reached the inner forest. His arrival was also caught on Team Rocket’s monitors. At first, they didn’t pay him much attention—people entering the inner forest was normal. But when they noticed he was heading straight for Celebi’s shrine, they grew suspicious and called Athena and Lance.

"That old man is..." Athena’s brow furrowed, then her eyes widened in recognition. "Pryce! The Mahogany Town Gym Leader—what’s he doing here? This is nearly a thousand kilometers from Mahogany Town. Could he be here for Celebi too?"

Lance’s expression darkened as well. He knew Pryce—a Gym Leader from Johto, but by far the strongest Gym Leader. Lance had briefly fought him before and found Pryce to be slightly stronger than him—clearly at an Elite Four level, maybe even a bit stronger. Now, traveling from the northernmost tip of Johto to its southernmost—he was definitely after something.

"What does he want Celebi for?"

Pryce was unaware that Team Rocket had tracked him. After reaching Celebi’s shrine, he examined the surroundings. Finally, he approached a bush nearest to the shrine and pulled a leaf from his pocket to compare with one on the bush. The leaf in his hand was a third smaller than the one on the bush.

"I was right—Celebi’s arrival is imminent."

"Good wine—high proof but no headache the next day. Drink up."

Outside Ilex Forest, Rio had found a restaurant to drink at. Coincidentally, the owner was the same old woman who had warned him earlier. She was delighted to see Rio—along with Munchlax, Gengar, and an unknown Pokémon—as they were big customers.

"Thank you, ma’am," Rio said as he received a jar of wine.

"Not at all—it’s an honor to serve the League Champion," the old woman said, having recognized him by now.

Just as she was serving Rio, an even older woman was wheeled in by a child. The old woman looked surprised. "Mom—what are you doing here?"

Mom? Rio’s eyes widened mid-pour. The old woman looked to be in her seventies or eighties—if she had a mother, that woman had to be well over a hundred.

Rio turned to look. The elderly woman spoke: "I heard the League Champion was here—this old lady just had to come see." Despite her wrinkled face, her words were still clear enough.

She noticed Rio. "So this is the League Champion—even more handsome than on TV."

Rio smiled, then looked awkwardly at the old woman, unsure how to address her mother.

"This is my mother—she’s a hundred and ten," the old woman explained.

Hundred and ten? Good heavens—she really is over a hundred. Suppressing his surprise, Rio quickly stood up. "I honestly thought you were only in your seventies or eighties," he said, following the principle that flattery always works.

"Hahaha—so the Champion is not only handsome but also sweet-tongued," the old lady laughed, clearly pleased.

Just then, Gengar interjected: "A hundred and ten? That’s nothing—Old Ghost is almost two hundred. Rio, why aren’t you this respectful to me?"

You’re a Ghost-type Pokémon—don’t compare yourself to humans. Rio rolled his eyes and ignored him. But when he looked back, he noticed the elderly woman’s gaze fixed on Gengar, a hint of shock spreading across her face.

"You said your name is Old Ghost?"