Chapter 97: O'Neill

The train carriage was brightly lit, devoid of any darkness or eerie atmosphere, yet the silent environment sent a chill down one’s spine.

“Aibo, don’t stray from me, and don’t run off like a cat if you see something strange…” Su Yi, drawing from his years of watching horror films, muttered nervously.

“Su Yi, meow, is there something inside this iron box you call a train?” Dewgrass asked, puzzled by Su Yi’s caution.

Su Yi scratched his head; it seemed Dewgrass was still unfamiliar with the traits of Ghost-type Pokémon.

Taking the opportunity, Su Yi explained the existence of Ghost-type Pokémon to Dewgrass.

“Meow?! So… there are ghosts here, meow?!” Hearing this, Dewgrass was instantly terrified, his black and white fur standing on end.

Su Yi: “…”

Aibo, I still prefer your fearless demeanor from before.

“Is anyone here? Or, is there any Pokémon?” Su Yi took a deep breath and called out loudly.

With one hand gripping a Poké Ball, he remained alert. If the carriage weren’t so cramped, making it difficult to maneuver, he would have released his companion Pokémon already.

“Come to think of it, could that human figure be the prank of a Ghost-type Pokémon?” Su Yi was starting to sense something wasn’t right.

The guiding bug drifted airily toward the next carriage.

Following the bug, Su Yi headed to the next compartment, feeling that perhaps he was the one being lured by the Ghost-type Pokémon.

Meanwhile, outside the carriage where Su Yi was, Bead was observing the suddenly appearing train in astonishment.

Strangely, though only a pane of glass separated them, neither could see the other; each saw only an empty carriage and tunnel.

“What’s going on? Why is there an unmanned train here? How did Su Yi end up in such a bizarre place?” Bead frowned.

“Could it be?! That urban legend is true?”

...

Swish!

The door to the next carriage slid open, and Su Yi stepped inside.

This was a special carriage, far more luxurious in décor than the ordinary ones. At its center was a platform, upon which sat a stone engraved with strange patterns.

“That’s…” Su Yi recognized it and moved closer to inspect.

“Meow? Is it an artwork, meow?” Dewgrass climbed onto the platform, curiously reaching out to touch it.

“Aibo!” Su Yi quickly stopped him.

“Meow?” Dewgrass looked at Su Yi in confusion.

With a serious expression, Su Yi said, “From all my years of (gaming) experience, nothing good ever comes from touching things you shouldn’t!”

A pointed rebuke to the ‘Dark Souls’ series.

Su Yi stroked his chin. “This seems to be the Keystone for Spiritomb.”

Just then, the train’s broadcast announced calmly, “The train to Gate City is departing.”

The doors closed, and the train began to move.

“So it really is headed to Gate City? What’s the deal with this train?” Su Yi exclaimed in surprise.

“Su Yi, meow! There’s something over there, meow!” Dewgrass said shakily, pointing to the glass of the next carriage door, where drifting shadows could be seen.

“That shadow feels familiar,” Su Yi said, opening the door to the next brightly lit carriage.

With a gentle, drifting sound, several Pokémon resembling purple balloons floated up from within, lazily bobbing in the air.

“They’re Drifloon, Ghost- and Flying-type Pokémon,” Su Yi said in amazement.

Drifloon had a tuft of cloud-like hair atop its head, a yellow X-shaped patch in the center of its face, and two thin strings with yellow hearts at the ends dangling below its balloon-like body.

“Meow? These are also Pokémon?” Dewgrass eyed the cute Drifloon curiously, perhaps finding Ghost-types not so frightening after all.

Su Yi grabbed Drifloon’s strings, gathering four or five at once. The Drifloon offered no resistance, simply floating gently, utterly serene.

“Aibo, turn around,” Su Yi said with a smile.

“Meow?” Not knowing what Su Yi was up to, the cat obediently turned.

Su Yi tied a bundle of Drifloon to the leather armor on Dewgrass’s back.

“Meow?!” As soon as Su Yi released the strings, Dewgrass floated upward thanks to the Drifloon’s buoyancy, crying out in surprise.

“Fun, isn’t it?” Su Yi laughed.

Cat’s new flying form!

“I’m flying, meow!”

After his initial confusion, Dewgrass became playful, paddling his paws in the air. The gentle motion made the Drifloon drift forward, and Dewgrass floated as if swimming.

“Since it’s such a rare opportunity, let’s let all the little ones have a turn,” Su Yi said, releasing his other Pokémon.

Each Pokémon was tied with a few Drifloon, and together they floated in the air.

“Jiwu~” The Burn Bug’s eyes sparkled with stars; it thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of flying.

“Lubei!” The Bear Apprentice waved its arms, a bit unaccustomed to floating in midair.

“Lucky~” Chansey imitated Dewgrass, happily swimming through the air.

“Hahaha!” Su Yi couldn’t help but laugh at the adorable sight of his companions drifting in the air.

Now, is there anyone left who can’t fly?

Groudon: You’d better not forget me!

“How did you... get onto the Ghost Train?” A timid voice interrupted the Pokémon’s play.

Su Yi paused. In the doorway to the next carriage stood a young man, dressed in athletic attire and wearing a white hollow mask.

“Onion?” Su Yi exclaimed in surprise; the masked youth before him was none other than the Ghost-type Gym Leader of the Galar region.

“Did... did you recognize me?” Onion asked shyly.

Meanwhile, the green-glowing guiding bug floated over.

“What is that?” Onion asked, a little panicked.

Su Yi withdrew the guiding bug and its container, staring at Onion as realization dawned. “So you were the human figure entering the tunnel!”

“Eh?” Onion replied, puzzled.

Su Yi explained, “I saw a child go into the tunnel, and out of concern, I followed—ending up aboard this train.”

Onion replied sheepishly, “So you were worried about me?”

“Sorry… I brought you here. This train transports Ghost-type Pokémon; they’re all good kids, you don’t need to worry about me.”

“I see,” Su Yi nodded.

Onion was a Ghost-type expert, reputed to have the ability to communicate with Ghost-type Pokémon. Shy and introverted, he preferred to spend his time in their company.

“If you need to go to Gate City, just get off normally when the train arrives. There’s nothing to worry about,” Onion said.

As Su Yi spoke, a shadow crept up from behind him and gleefully licked his back.

“Eek!” Su Yi shivered, his scalp tingling.

He spun around to see a Haunter giggling mischievously, its prank a success. Behind it, several other Ghost-type Pokémon lurked.

“Meow? Are all these Ghost-type Pokémon, meow?” Dewgrass asked curiously. A Dusknoir handed Dewgrass a gem, inviting him to join.

“What’s this?” Su Yi wondered, watching the Ghost-types encircle them and laugh merrily.

Onion whispered, “They’re inviting you to play hide-and-seek.”