Chapter 206: "Gardevoir" (So Exhausting...)

Chapter 206: "Gardevoir" (So Exhausting...)

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Inside the Monitoring Room.

One of the screens displayed a scene where Emma and her Gardevoir radiated a powerful Master-level aura.

Some of the weaker Ghost Pokémon, drawn by the Spirit Stone's energy, couldn't resist and tried to rush in.

But within moments, they were sent flying by Gardevoir's powerful Psychic.

Under such an overwhelming presence—

The remaining Ghost Pokémon hesitated, lingering around the room, looking for an opportunity.

On another screen, Damon and his Tangrowth were handling the situation differently.

A thick purple mist surrounded their space.

This toxic barrier kept most Ghost Pokémon at bay.

The few that dared to charge through were swiftly knocked away by Gallade.

Compared to those two—

Hikaru's situation seemed much more difficult.

Any Ghost Pokémon outside boldly attacked the psychic barriers set up by Latias and Gardevoir.

Watching all three screens, Hikaru's battle appeared to be the messiest.

Most of the Damnson Clan members who had previously taken on this challenge already knew how to deal with it properly—

So their strategies were rather boring to watch.

Some would simply unleash their aura, scaring the ghosts away.

Others used attacks Ghost-types hated most—like Poison!

But Hikaru's gentler approach intrigued the elders.

Instead of attacking—

He was merely using psychic power to control the Ghost Pokémon and throw them out one by one.

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"This kid is way too soft when handling Ghost Pokémon."

One of the elders chuckled as he watched Hikaru's tactics.

Unlike other Pokémon, Ghost-types—especially those in spiritual forms—had extremely resilient life forces.

Unless one deliberately attacked with excessive force, their spirit forms wouldn't be destroyed.

The elderly woman who had first called Hikaru over adjusted her glasses and commented:

"He really is being too gentle... The Damnson Clan's method is quite effective, after all."

"But, I like this kid's personality... However—"

She turned to the elderly matron of the Ghost Gym, known as Granny.

"Granny, the kid you favor might not even make it through this challenge."

---

The trial lasted for three days.

And with each passing day, stronger Ghost Pokémon would be drawn to the Spirit Stone.

Since the energy scent it emitted grew more potent over time—

On Day One, only Common-tier Ghost Pokémon would arrive.

On Day Two, Elite-tier Pokémon might show up.

By Day Three, they could be facing Gym-Leader or even Lord-tier Ghost Pokémon.

If a Peak Master-level Trevenant appeared—

The Spirit Stone would be completely drained in moments.

They had once watched a poor challenger experience this exact fate—

And they had laughed about it for days.

---

But looking at the three challengers right now—

Hikaru still had the highest amount of energy remaining in his Spirit Stone.

Emma and Damon, in order to conserve their Pokémon's stamina, had allowed some Ghost Pokémon to drain a bit of energy from their stones.

A Gengar floated out from Granny's shadow, grinning widely as it stared at Hikaru's screen.

Seeing his strategy, Granny chuckled:

"Let's just wait and see... This kid might end up having the easiest time of all three."

"Hmm?"

---

Inside Hikaru's Room.

Since Latias and Gardevoir had started flinging Ghost Pokémon away—

The invaders had become somewhat less aggressive.

But they still attempted to push through the psychic barriers.

By now, it was almost midnight.

Latias was holding up well.

But Gardevoir—who had been maintaining the psychic barrier non-stop—was beginning to struggle.

Her breath came in short gasps.

Hikaru checked the time—

It was 4:00 AM.

That meant at least two more hours until sunrise.

Judging by Latias and Gardevoir's condition—

They could definitely make it through the first night.

But what about the second and third nights...?

Hikaru turned toward the Spirit Stone behind him.

It was obvious now—

The rampant energy leakage was what kept attracting more and more Ghost Pokémon.

He needed to find a way to contain it.

Unfortunately, the stone had been fixed in place and was being monitored.

Otherwise, Hikaru would have just stored it in his system space.

Now...

Wait.

A thought struck him.

He remembered that Lucas' Lucario could move around completely undetectable.

Even his own Aura Sense couldn't pick up on it.

Was it possible that Aura had concealing properties?

---

"Guess I'll have to test it out."

Hikaru picked up the Spirit Stone.

Its energy was already leaking out in wisps, even though the Ghost Pokémon outside were blocked by the barrier.

It was almost as if the Spirit Stone wanted to be drained.

Hikaru took a deep breath—

Then wrapped the entire stone in Aura Energy.

---

Immediately—

The Ghost Pokémon outside grew restless.

They could sense that the delicious energy they had been drawn to...

Was fading away.

The Spirit Stone's aura was being sealed off!

Now, Hikaru understood something:

The stone wasn't just passively attracting Ghost Pokémon.

It was deliberately releasing its energy, almost as if it had been altered to do so.

It wasn't just the Pokémon chasing the energy—

The stone itself was calling for them.

A mutual attraction.

---

But now, Hikaru had completely sealed it within his Aura.

"It worked!"

Watching the Ghost Pokémon outside grow confused and begin to scatter, Hikaru grinned.

Solving this problem on Night One meant that the next two nights would be a breeze.

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"Garde... Gardevoir..."

With the Ghost Pokémon finally retreating, Gardevoir let out a deep sigh.

"So... tired..."

Meanwhile, Latias—who had overcome her fear—

Didn't seem affected at all, despite maintaining the psychic wall for hours.

The only remaining Ghost Pokémon were one or two stubborn stragglers.

But they were quickly dealt with by Latias.

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"You both worked hard..."

Seeing Gardevoir's exhausted yet grateful expression, Hikaru chuckled.

He pulled out a few recovery-type energy cubes.

Gardevoir happily accepted them and floated closer to him alongside Latias.

"Gardevoir..." (So exhausting...)

She whined playfully as she nibbled on her energy cube.

Hikaru chuckled and patted her head.

"Don't worry. The next few days should be much easier."

Though Gardevoir had been exhausted—

She was secretly happy.

This trial meant she could stay outside with Hikaru all day.

If only there weren't those annoying cameras watching them…

That would have made it perfect!

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