Chapter 161: Jing He vs. Nastia
Chapter 161: Jing He vs. Nastia
On the taxi to Goldenrod City.
"To run a trip just for 'Pain Split' is worth it."
Pain Split: The user and the target's HP is combined and then evenly divided.
Not only can Gastly learn this move, but so can Seel.
"Pain Split" has always been one of the moves Jing He has been looking to purchase, but it has been difficult to find a suitable seller. Even when he occasionally found one, the price was exorbitant.
Moves like "Pain Split" and "Doom Desire" are rare and highly sought after.
However, this move is particularly well-suited for Gastly and its battle style.
While Gastly already has "Dream Eater" as a recovery move, it can't always put opponents to sleep. "Pain Split" effectively fills this gap.
Moreover, Gastly can use moves like "Curse" and "Substitute" to reduce its own HP and then share the pain with the opponent, dealing damage that rivals offensive moves.
Most importantly, it makes Gastly's tactics more versatile and robust.
If Seel can learn it, it will also gain a useful recovery method.
"Before heading to New Bark Town, I need to visit Nastia in Goldenrod City."
Jing He found this somewhat troublesome.
Nastia may not have a large chest, but her heart is even smaller.
However, despite being an extremely powerful psychic, Nastia's thoughts are relatively simple.
This might be due to her awakening strong psychic abilities at a young age, which made many people around her fear her, preventing her from growing up in a normal social environment.
For example, in the original story, Blue used the "ball in the chest" tactic to deceive Nastia, dealing a psychological and physiological blow.
But during the mission to save Red, Nastia still fought alongside Blue.
After confirming that Nastia was his patient, "Psychic Girl," Jing He was even more convinced.
In summary, Nastia is a mix of good and evil.
It's not just her.
The three executives of Team Rocket, including Koga and Marshall, are the same.
When no other villains are present, they are the bad guys.
But when another villain appears, like Masked Man, they become the good guys.
This aligns with Giovanni's "Lawful Evil" philosophy.
This is also one reason why the League did not pursue the three executives after Giovanni's disappearance.
Before they knew it, the taxi had arrived in Goldenrod City.
"Gengar!"
Gengar suddenly emerged from Jing He's shadow, startling the driver.
It took Jing He a long time to convince the driver that they weren't trying to rob or skip the fare.
After getting out of the taxi, the Ice Seel in his arms laughed heartily.
Not far from where they got out, Nastia and Alakazam, sitting on a chair with one leg crossed over the other, were smiling at them.
Led by Nastia, Jing He and his team walked toward the majestic Goldenrod Gym.
In fact, Goldenrod City, the most prosperous metropolis in the Kanto region, once had two gyms.
One was Nastia's Psychic-type Gym.
The other was a Fighting-type Gym, which taught students martial arts and focused on Fighting-type Pokemon.
Given the size of Goldenrod City, it could easily support two gyms.
However, with Nastia's rise, she used her psychic powers to overpower and defeat the Fighting-type Gym's leader, Shin.
Feeling inadequate, Shin left to train on Mt. Quena, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the Fighting-type Gym.
Now, when people mention the Goldenrod Gym, they only think of Nastia's Psychic-type Gym.
This gym is also notoriously difficult to challenge in the Kanto region.
Jing He felt a bit "sorry" for the trainers in Kanto who aim to compete in the Indigo League.
Are the Kanto gyms even meant for normal people to challenge?
"I didn't expect Gastly to evolve into Gengar. It has indeed become much stronger," Nastia said, glancing at the curious Gengar.
As a powerful psychic, Nastia could sense much more than most people.
Alakazam was the same.
They entered the gym.
"So, should we cook first or challenge the gym?"
Nastia and Alakazam suddenly stopped and turned to ask.
Huh?
Challenge the gym?
When did I say that?
Jing He was taken aback.
It seems she read his confusion and slowly floated into the air, saying:
"Once you enter the gym, there's no reason not to challenge it, right?"
No.
Jing He was stunned.
You didn't say that either.
Did you just bring us in to force a challenge?
"Besides, only through battle can I better understand Gengar's condition and help it awaken its psychic abilities."
Nastia, floating in the air with one leg crossed over the other, continued.
That makes some sense.
It's not just Nastia.
Jing He also wasn't sure about Gengar's strength after its evolution.
Battle is undoubtedly the best and fastest way to gauge Gengar's improved capabilities.
Jing He looked at Gengar, who grinned confidently and nodded vigorously.
"Gengar!"
It's clear that Gengar also wants to know its current state.
Its battle lust is quite high.
"Then, let's start with the battle?" Jing He took a deep breath and said.
After all, Nastia has a habit of turning defeated opponents into dolls.
While it doesn't seem like she has this habit now—Jing He hasn't seen any dolls in the gym—it's better to be safe and start with the battle.
At least Nastia will still need to learn cooking and won't turn him into a doll.
Nastia's lips curled into a slight smile.
"Alright."
"However, let's agree on the battle rules first. Is it an unlimited battle or a regular battle?"
Jing He quickly added.
The difference here was significant.
Nas is a powerful Psychic-type user. If it were an unlimited battle where trainers could also join in, Jing He would be no match for Nas, essentially making it a two-on-one fight with Gengar.
And if he had to split his focus to protect himself, there would be no point in fighting at all.
Seemingly understanding Jing He’s thoughts, Nas lifted her chin slightly.
"Standard battle."
She huffed lightly, speaking again.
"Relax, I just want to see Gengar’s abilities. I’m not trying to kill you, and I won’t send out Alakazam."
That settled it.
"Come on."
"Gengar!"
Nas’s eyes gleamed with Psychic energy. In a fleeting moment, she seemed to sense a connection between Jing He and Gengar.
She had only seen such a bond once before, in another person.
The towering figure in a black suit.
Even now,
In a daze, Nas felt the two figures overlapping.
Shaking her head, she took a deep breath.
She landed on one side of the battlefield.
There was no need for a referee or an audience; the battle would end when one side lost the ability to fight.
Her fingers twitched, and a Poke Ball flew from her waist to her fingertips, then opened.
A flash of red light, and a humanoid Pokemon appeared on the field.
Barrier Doll!
"Barri!"
Barrier Doll, the Barrier Pokemon, has both Psychic and Fairy types.
This was Nas’s main Pokemon. While it might be slightly weaker than Alakazam, Jing He recognized it.
During the Gym challenges in the Kanto and Johto regions, Nas’s Barrier Doll had defeated the Bug-type Gym Leader, Abi, in Mahogany Town.
That Gym challenge had been a perfect demonstration of an unlimited battle, with all sorts of tactics and strategies employed.
"Gengar!"
Gengar merged into the shadows and reappeared on the battlefield.
Without a referee, the battle began with a single command.
"Gengar, Toxic."
Jing He rarely took the initiative, but this time he had no choice.
Both sides had types that could counter each other, and Barri’s likely ability, “Filter,” made Gengar relatively weaker.
[Filter: Reduces damage from super-effective moves by 25%.]
"Gengar!"
Gengar bared its teeth in a vicious grin, opening its mouth to spit out a thick, poisonous liquid.
Nas’s eyes glowed with Psychic energy, but she didn’t speak. The Barrier Doll, however, moved on its own.
This was one of the biggest challenges in battling a Psychic-type user: they could communicate telepathically, eliminating the need for verbal commands and saving time.
"Barri!"
The Barrier Doll waved its hands, and an invisible wall appeared.
Barrier!
Like glass, the “Barrier” blocked the “Toxic,” causing the thick poison to adhere to the wall.
In the games, “Barrier” only increases the user’s defense, but in reality, a strong enough “Barrier” could block everything!
This was Barrier Doll’s greatest strength, the confidence it had in controlling all opponents.
However,
Sssss—
The “Barrier” began to corrode, the intense poison creating holes.
This surprised both Nas and Barrier Doll.
What a powerful toxin!
But as the Barrier Doll continued to wave its hands, it erected another “Barrier,” completely blocking the poison’s erosion.
"Shadow Ball."
Jing He, who had seen the Barrier Doll’s Pokedex entry, frowned and spoke again.
"Gengar!"
Gengar’s crimson eyes sharpened, and it floated in the air, charged with ghostly energy. It held two “Shadow Balls” in its hands.
Boom! Boom!
The “Shadow Balls” struck the “Barrier” head-on, raising a cloud of dust.
Nas’s lips curled into a smile.
When the dust cleared, the Barrier Doll had already constructed an invisible “Room” in the battlefield at an unimaginable speed.
"Gengar, get out of there!" Jing He waved his hand.
"It’s too late!"
Nas casually twirled a lock of hair, confident.
"Barrier Doll’s ‘Trick Room’ is complete!"
"Barri!"
The Barrier Doll seemed pleased, standing outside the “Barrier” as a powerful Psychic aura emanated from it.
Psychic!
Gengar might have the power to break the “Barrier,” but during that time, it would be a sitting duck, unable to dodge the relentless attacks from Barrier Doll.
The gathered Psychic energy shot at “Gengar” like arrows.
Bang!!
"Gengar" exploded instantly!
Huh?
"Barri?"
Nas and Barrier Doll were both taken aback.
How did Gengar shatter?
At this moment, Jing He, who had been tense, suddenly smiled and said softly,
"Gengar, show Nas your giant ball."
"Gengar!!"
Suddenly,
From the shadows behind the Barrier Doll, Gengar appeared with a mischievous grin, holding a black sphere larger than itself.
Winking at the Barrier Doll.
Barrier Doll: ( Utter Shock )
When did this happen?
Nas’s brow furrowed, puzzled about how Gengar had escaped the lockdown.
But then she realized.
It was during the “Toxic” coating the “Barrier” and the “Shadow Ball” attack raising dust?
Jing He must have prepared for Gengar to leave its position at that moment?
But he didn’t give any commands!
Nas’s body stiffened as the realization hit her.
Was it Tacit Understanding?
Looking at Jing He’s confident smile again, her eyes became hazy.
It really is very similar.
Boom!!!
(End of Chapter)
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