225. Little Girl In The Jungle

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"Okay, Devileon, let me see what new tricks you've learned!" Ash called out enthusiastically.

After leaving Maiden's Peak, Ash and his friends continued their journey. Maiden's Peak was close to their next destination: Saffron City.

Shortly after departing, the group entered a dense forest. According to the map, once they passed through it, they would reach Saffron City, home to the fourth Gym. However, because Ash had asked Professor Oak to analyze the behavior of his Devileon, their departure was delayed. As a result, they couldn't make it through the forest before nightfall and decided to set up camp. Brock started cooking while Misty helped, and Ash released his Devileon.

"Let's see what you've got!" Ash encouraged. 

The Devileon nodded sharply and sprang into action. It floated upward, defying gravity like a drifting balloon. Ash was momentarily surprised, but it made sense—most Ghost-type Pokémon were capable of floating without the need for wings.

Suddenly, a dark purple light flashed across the Pokémon's body. It darted forward at an incredible speed, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Pikachu, watching from the sidelines, widened its eyes in astonishment, while Ash's expression grew serious.

**Boom!** 

Out of nowhere, a burst of dark purple energy lit up the sky. The Devileon reappeared on the other side of the clearing, cloaked in the same energy. It rammed into a large tree with immense force, snapping the trunk cleanly in two. The purple light dissipated as the Pokémon floated back to Ash, landing calmly in front of him.

"This move... could it be Phantom Force?" Ash murmured, uncertain. He'd learned a lot about Pokémon moves since coming to this world, but there were still techniques he hadn't fully mastered.

He crouched to examine the Pokémon closer. "Phantom Force is a unique Ghost-type move, right? It's similar to Dig, letting the user vanish and reappear for a surprise attack. But because it's a Ghost-type move, it's even harder to counter."

Ash thought back to his previous life, comparing this real-world phenomenon to the animated battles he once knew. In the early days of the anime, Pokémon battles relied heavily on physical combat rather than advanced techniques. Over time, new moves were introduced, but here in this world, everything seemed to exist all at once—there were no gradual updates or limitations.

This realization had struck Ash when he first started his journey. Reality was far more complex than any animation could depict. There were even abilities and moves that researchers hadn't discovered yet, making every encounter an opportunity to learn.

"Phantom Force," Ash repeated, still in awe. The move reminded him of Shadow Force, Giratina's signature technique. While Phantom Force was powerful, Shadow Force, exclusive to Giratina, was in a league of its own.

Hearing Ash's explanation, the Devileon nodded in agreement, confirming his guess. 

"That's incredible! You've really gotten stronger," Ash said warmly, kneeling to stroke the Pokémon's head. It responded with a pleased hum. Not only had it evolved, but it had also mastered new moves like Confuse Ray and Phantom Force. 

"With you on the team, I'm ready for anything!" Ash added confidently. The upcoming battle against Sabrina, the formidable Psychic Gym Leader, no longer seemed as daunting.

"Booy!" 

The Devileon responded enthusiastically. Originally, Eevee had a competitive personality, and even after evolving, its combative spirit remained intact. 

"Ash, it's time to eat," Misty called out, walking over from a short distance away. She gestured for him to join them. 

"Okay, got it," Ash replied. He looked at the Devileon and Pikachu. 

"Alright, let's head back and eat!" 

As he finished speaking, Ash turned with Pikachu and the Devileon to follow Misty back to camp. However, just as they were about to leave, a strange voice echoed through the forest. 

"Come and play with me!" 

The sound was eerie, almost like a chime. Everyone—Ash, Misty, Pikachu, and the Devileon—stopped in their tracks and turned toward the source of the voice. Ahead, they saw a small figure. 

A girl, dressed in a pristine white dress and wearing a matching sun hat, stood motionless. She held a white ball in her hands, and the wide brim of her hat cast a shadow over her face, obscuring her eyes. Only the faint smile on her lips was visible. 

"Huh? Why is there a child here?" Misty exclaimed, staring at the girl in confusion. "Little sister, are you lost?" 

Her concern deepened as she scanned the surroundings. This forest wasn't a safe place for a child to wander alone. If there was a child here, perhaps they were close to a nearby settlement. 

"Shall we play together?" the girl said again, her tone soft yet chilling. 

"Little sister, it's dangerous to play in the forest! Where's your family? Let us help you find them, okay?" Misty said gently as she took a step toward the girl. 

"Don't go!" Ash suddenly called out, his voice sharp and serious. 

Misty froze mid-step, startled by Ash's tone. She turned to him, confused. His expression was tense, as though he were preparing for a confrontation. 

"Ash, what's wrong? She's just a child," Misty said. 

At that moment, the Devileon let out a low growl. Its posture shifted, body crouching defensively, sharp fangs visible. Its eyes gleamed red, fixed on the girl as though sensing a threat. 

"Devileon? Ash? What's going on?" Misty asked, glancing between the two. 

Ash didn't respond immediately, his instincts screaming that something was very wrong. He stared at the girl, her smile unmoving, the eerie atmosphere around her thickening with every second.