Chapter 48: New Year and the Journey Home (Two Chapters in One)

To help Yaya overcome its fear of water, Hu Yang brought it to the lake near the Scorching Trail. Because the area was so close to Chimney Mountain, the temperature here wasn't as low as outside; not only was the lake unfrozen, but wisps of mist even drifted up from its surface.

"Rorili..." The grass-type Toxic Rose clearly didn't like this environment.

"It is a bit hot," Hu Yang said, glancing around, and spotted several Magma Larvae behind a pile of rocks.

They were soft-bodied spirits shaped like snails, entirely red, with a pair of yellow eyes and flame-shaped antennae on their heads, and droplet-like appendages hanging from the sides of their mouths.

To be honest, Magma Larvae that haven't evolved into Magcargo really do look like red slugs in real life...

"Do you want to go back into your Poké Ball?" Hu Yang asked, turning his gaze back.

Toxic Rose hesitated, looked at the timid Yaya, and shook its head.

Hu Yang smiled and said, "Hang in there a bit longer."

"Rorili!" Toxic Rose beamed happily.

"Yaya..." Yaya stared at the bottomless lake and showed signs of wanting to retreat.

Hu Yang took off his shoes, rolled up his pants, and sat at the edge of the shore. The lake water instantly submerged his calves, reaching up to his knees.

"Can you tell me why you're so afraid of water?" Hu Yang picked Yaya up and set it on his lap, asking gently.

"Yaya..."

Gengar translated beside them:

"It says that before, it and a companion tried to retrieve a berry that had fallen into the water. Its companion failed to hold onto it, and it fell in, getting swept away by the current..."

Hu Yang: "..."

He looked down at Yaya’s little arms—so small and short, who could it possibly hold onto...

"Could you try again? River water isn’t as scary as you think," Hu Yang coaxed softly.

Since he’d lured this Yaya away, he was determined to take responsibility for it.

"Yaya..." Yaya hesitated, but in the end, nodded.

Seeing this, Hu Yang grasped its arm and slowly eased its short legs into the water.

At first, things were fine; Yaya wasn't too flustered. But when the water reached its chest, it grew anxious.

The fear buried deep in its mind began to spread. Yaya’s claws tightened, and it suddenly began to struggle wildly.

Water splashed everywhere.

Hu Yang held it firmly and soothed it, "Calm down, Yaya!"

"I’m holding you. I haven’t let go!"

"Yaya..."

Perhaps because it didn’t experience the river water flooding its nostrils, or perhaps because of Hu Yang’s words, Yaya gradually calmed down.

"Do you feel it? I’m holding you," Hu Yang said softly, clutching its little paw.

"Yaya..." Tears welled up in Yaya’s eyes as it squeezed back with the same strength.

At that moment, Hu Yang noticed Yaya’s affection had suddenly soared to 90.

Pokémon truly are pure-hearted creatures.

A bit of kindness, however small, earns their complete trust—they’ll give you everything.

Hu Yang was quietly moved. Looking at Yaya, he smiled and asked:

"See? Not as scary as you imagined, right?"

Yaya looked down at the water, watching the ripples blur its reflection.

"Yaya?"

Yaya patted the water with its other claw.

It realized... it really wasn’t that frightening after all.

Hu Yang asked, "Want to try on your own?"

Yaya nodded hesitantly.

Seeing this, Hu Yang slowly released his hold. Suddenly losing support, Yaya panicked, lost its balance, and gulped down a mouthful of water.

Hu Yang: "..."

He quickly fished Yaya out.

Yaya coughed up water, looking embarrassed.

"Rorili!" Seeing this, Toxic Rose was genuinely happy for it.

Toxic Rose had a gentle nature and disliked fighting—just like Yaya.

Recalling how Toxic Rose had helped fetch milk for it the night before, Yaya nudged its head over and called out warmly, "Yaya~"

Hu Yang watched the scene with delight; as a trainer, he naturally hoped all his Pokémon would get along.

Yet, why did he always feel like he was raising children?

Hu Yang looked at Yaya, lost in thought.

...

Never mind, no need to overthink. Once they got back to Petalburg, he’d start strict training with Yaya.

As for Toxic Rose...

It seemed to love the kind of self-expressive contests like the Grand Festival.

Hu Yang began pondering the feasibility of entering it in a Contest.

He had considered pursuing the path of a Coordinator before.

That path, if one became famous, could make you a celebrity—and very wealthy.

But now, since he could restock at Meteor Falls if he ran out of money, the need wasn’t as pressing.

...

Still...

He recalled the look on Toxic Rose's face while watching a Contest.

Well, since it liked them, he’d take it to one for fun in the future!

...

Once the plan was set, Hu Yang led his Pokémon back to Lavaridge Town.

Time slipped by unnoticed, and soon, the calendar turned from League Year 208 to 209.

On New Year’s Day, to celebrate the coming year, Lavaridge Town held a grand fireworks festival.

Hu Yang stood with his Pokémon at the second-floor window of the hot spring inn, gazing at the sky.

Fireworks bloomed across the night, dazzling and magnificent.

Everyone present, except for Hu Yang, was witnessing such a scene for the first time.

Even the Ancient Moon Bird quietly raised its head to watch.

It was the Pokémon’s first New Year, and also Hu Yang’s first in this world.

After the show, Hu Yang returned with an armful of food.

He and his Pokémon gathered around a table laden with delicacies, each one filled with happiness.

Well, everyone except for a certain Gengar, whose heart brimmed with resentment.

Gengar wanted to eat so badly it clamped its mouth shut to keep drool from escaping.

Hu Yang: "..."

Memories from his previous life surfaced, and he asked, "You’re in a soul state now, aren’t you?"

Gengar nodded, half understanding.

Seemed so, right? A soul...

"So, can you take over someone else’s soul and body?" Hu Yang pressed on.

Gengar was startled, then shook its head.

Hu Yang was a bit disappointed: "Alright, never mind then."

Gengar was confused: "What do you mean?"

Hu Yang explained, "I mean, you could use my body to eat, then switch back when you’re full."

Gengar thought Hu Yang was being awfully trusting. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll hurt you?"

Hu Yang countered, "Would you?"

With a thought, Gengar’s stats appeared in his mind:

[Species: Resentful Gengar ♂]
Type: Ghost, Poison
Ability: Cursed Body
Base Stats: 520 (HP: 60, Attack: 65, Defense: 60, Sp. Atk: 150, Sp. Def: 75, Speed: 110)
Known Moves: Hypnosis, Grudge, Mean Look, Night Shade, Confuse Ray, Sucker Punch, Shadow Ball, Dream Eater, Dark Pulse, Hex, Nightmare
Current Mood: ???
Body State: Spiritualization (A special state resulting from death with regrets, different from ordinary Ghost-types; cannot touch the real world, nor be touched.)
Friendship: 100 (It enjoys following you and will go anywhere by your side)

Gengar really wouldn’t—but it didn’t want to admit it, nor did it want to drool in public, so it turned and retreated into its orb.

Hu Yang’s brow furrowed slightly.

Gengar’s state didn’t seem like a normal death.

He pulled out the Ho-Oh feather from his bag.

So.

The question arose: could Ho-Oh’s power resurrect Gengar?

But finding Ho-Oh was incredibly difficult now.

And Mt. Azure was far away in Kanto, and Ho-Oh was still roaming the world. Even if he managed to summon it there, it might not appear instantly.

After some thought, Hu Yang decided to return to Petalburg City first.

He remembered that last time, the Totem Gengar had seemed to glance at this Gengar.

Maybe he could learn something from it.

...

After the New Year, Hu Yang took the cable car back to Fallarbor Town, and from there boarded a ferry to Rustboro City.

This return journey wasn’t as thrilling as the one before.

No storms, no Ho-Oh.

Hu Yang and the Ancient Moon Bird watched the sky from the deck for two days, but didn’t catch a glimpse of the photographer, which left him a bit disappointed.

At last, on a radiant day, the ferry arrived safely in Rustboro.

Seeing the streets plastered with photos of Steven, Hu Yang realized—

Steven must have defeated the Elite Four and become the Hoenn Champion.

That was quick...

No one was happier about Steven’s victory than Mr. Stone, president of the Devon Corporation.

Those photos and ads—clearly his handiwork.

Hu Yang didn’t pay it much mind.

Though he’d run into Steven once before, they were still strangers.

They hadn’t even exchanged names, only contact details.

When Hu Yang went to catch the bus back to Petalburg, he found the Petalburg Woods still closed off.

Hu Yang: "..."

As expected, the Hoenn League still hadn’t resolved the manor incident?

But then, with so many hostile Ghost-types, it was understandable.

Half an hour later.

When the bus reached Petalburg, Hu Yang got off and headed straight for the Pokémon School.

From a distance, he spotted Lijia.

Opposite her stood a handsome man with silver-blue hair.

"Hey, Lijia!" Hu Yang called, carrying his bags.

"You’re back?" Lijia greeted. "Happy New Year!"

The man turned at her words and was momentarily surprised to see Hu Yang.

Steven instinctively glanced at the bags in Hu Yang’s hands.

Hu Yang couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless.

Steven couldn’t possibly think he’d stuffed his bags full of rocks again, could he?

Steven greeted him. "Are you a student here?"

Hu Yang replied, "No, I’m a teacher."

Lijia explained to Hu Yang, "Mr. Steven is here investigating the Ghost Pokémon incidents in the forest."

And to Steven, "Mr. Steven, this is one of our teachers."

Hu Yang echoed her, "Hello, Mr. Steven."

Steven: "..."

Having carried so much, Hu Yang’s arms were sore. He wanted to drop his bags at the dorm first, so he nodded at Lijia, indicating the parcels, "New Year’s gifts—come get them later!"

He’d brought back specialty Lava Biscuits from Lavaridge for everyone, now that he had some money to spare.

Lijia smiled, "Alright."

With that, Hu Yang left.

Steven watched him go, recalling what Phoebe had said, and suddenly asked, "Was he the teacher who saw the manor last time?"

Lijia nodded, "Yes, and it was Mr. Yang who dispelled those Ghost Pokémon illusions."

Steven nodded gravely. "I understand."

Without any stones nearby, Steven always seemed serious. This time, as the new Champion, he’d been tasked with investigating the Petalburg Woods manor incident.

Having asked his questions, Steven returned to the police station.

Phoebe asked, "Any progress?"

Steven frowned and shook his head, then abruptly asked, "Your Pokémon can’t break through the illusions in the forest?"

Phoebe’s expression turned serious as well. She shook her head.

She’d been practically living in Petalburg Woods, searching for traces of the manor, but every attempt had failed.

"That area is shrouded by a powerful force," Phoebe said heavily. "The being behind it is far stronger than my Pokémon. Clearly, it doesn’t want us to find the manor."

Steven sighed, "...I see."

He hadn’t even had time to study the stones he’d brought back from Meteor Falls...

"Wait a minute," Steven suddenly thought of something they’d overlooked.

Phoebe blinked, "What?"

Steven said, "That rift."

...

Having been unoccupied for a while, the dorm was covered in dust.

Hu Yang put on gloves and started cleaning with his Pokémon.

But in reality, he was the only one actually working.

"You two, go play somewhere else!" he scolded, watching Yaya stomp muddy footprints across the floor he hadn’t mopped yet—his head throbbing.

"Toxic Rose, take it to wash its feet!" he directed while busying himself.

"Yaya!" Yaya looked at the trail of little footprints behind it, a shy smile on its face.

Wild Pokémon were used to rolling in the dirt outside and hadn’t noticed.

"Rorili..." Toxic Rose, having lived here a while, obediently waited by the door as soon as it entered.

It took Yaya outside to rinse its feet with the hose.

Since the entryway hadn’t been mopped, the two Pokémon didn’t dare come in, and called for Hu Yang from outside.

He came over, carried them inside, set them on the clean desk, and continued mopping.

Yaya and Toxic Rose sat on the edge of the desk, swinging their little legs, silly grins on their faces, thoroughly content.

Gengar: "..."

Two little fools...