Pokémon: Ash's New Journey

"Harley, I told you, this time, the winner of the Pokémon Contest will definitely be me!"

"Snorlax!"

May pumped her fist in triumph, directing her confident declaration at Harley, who wore his signature green hat. He glared back at her, his frustration boiling over. But there was nothing he could do—he had lost once again. Begrudgingly, he recalled his Octillery back into its Poké Ball.

The Pokémon Contest in Wisteria Town had officially come to an end, and May had emerged victorious!

"Now, let's give the warmest applause to the Pokémon Coordinators and their wonderful Pokémon for bringing us such incredible performances!" Lilian announced enthusiastically. "This Wisteria Ribbon goes to you, Miss May!"

Lilian handed the Wisteria Ribbon to May, who beamed with pride.

The contest's conclusion marked a significant milestone for May—this was her third ribbon! She was now halfway to qualifying for the Grand Festival.

Departure from Wisteria Town

After leaving the Wisteria town, Ash, May, and Misty boarded a passenger ship to continue their journey. Their next destination was Maiden's Peak, known for its mystique and rich legends.

Aboard the ship, Ash decided it was time to share his plans.

"Ash, are you seriously planning to confront that thousand-year-old Gastly?" Misty asked, her face showing a mix of concern and disbelief. "Isn't that too dangerous?"

Misty had encountered the Gastly before, and the memory was fresh in her mind. It was a powerful and ancient ghost-type Pokémon, known for its ability to hypnotize and protect the spirit of a maiden it had been guarding for centuries.

"Don't worry, Misty," Ash replied, feeding Pikachu a treat. "My other Pokémon might not stand a chance against it, but I have one that can handle the situation."

Misty and May exchanged curious glances before exclaiming in unison, "Mewtwo?"

Ash nodded. "That's right. Mewtwo. It's incredibly powerful and has been looking for ways to stay busy. It's even been helping Ralts and Kirlia refine their psychic abilities lately."

He explained that unlocking Haunter's potential would likely require a substantial amount of Gastly's power. If Gastly resisted or became aggressive, Mewtwo was more than capable of keeping it in check.

The group spent several days aboard the ship. During this time, Ash grew closer to Misty and May, their camaraderie deepening as they shared meals, stories, and laughter.

"Too bad Brock isn't here," Ash remarked one evening as they ate. "I miss his cooking. The food on this ship isn't bad, but it's nothing compared to what Brock makes."

May and Misty both agreed, expressing their longing for Brock's culinary skills.

Ash smirked to himself, silently promising to surprise them with his own cooking someday.

Arrival at Maiden's Peak

Finally, the ship reached its destination.

"Dear passengers, we've arrived at the port city near Maiden's Peak…" the ship's intercom announced.

Ash stood on the deck, gazing at the distant cliffs where the famous Maiden's statue stood.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu excitedly pointed toward the cliffs, recognizing the landmark.

As they disembarked, Ash turned to May and Misty. "You two should explore the city and enjoy the festival here. It's lively, and the shrine festivities are a must-see. Meanwhile, I'll head to the forest to meet Gastly. I'll make sure to keep the battle away from the city to avoid any unnecessary trouble."

May and Misty nodded, albeit reluctantly.

"Ash, you and Mewtwo—and Pikachu—please be careful," May said softly.

Misty added, "We'll wait for you. Just promise you'll come back safely."

Smiling warmly, Ash hugged both of them. Then, catching them off guard, he leaned in and gave each of them a quick kiss on the cheek before running off with a mischievous laugh.

"Haha! See you later!"

"Pikachu!"

The two girls stood frozen, their faces turning bright red.

The Thousand-Year Gastly

Ash and Pikachu trekked to the cliffs overlooking Maiden's Peak. The Maiden's statue stood tall and solemn, its features weathered by time yet still strikingly beautiful.

"Haunter, come out," Ash said, releasing his ghost-type Pokémon from its Poké Ball. "Trust me, we'll solve the issue with your body soon."

As Haunter appeared, the energy emanating from it seemed to resonate with the area. Within moments, the thousand-year-old Gastly emerged from the statue, its form materializing like a shadow taking shape.

"You," the Gastly said, its voice echoing eerily. "You were here over a year ago. And now, you've returned, bringing with you such a peculiar Haunter."

Ash wasn't surprised by Gastly's ability to speak—it was ancient and undoubtedly powerful. Its gaze lingered on Haunter, sensing its unique condition.

"Gastly, can you help resolve the issue with Haunter's body?" Ash asked directly.

"Pika!" Pikachu chimed in, its cheeks sparking with anticipation.

The Gastly's expression shifted, a sly grin forming on its ghostly face. "I could help," it said, "but why should I? Resolving such a matter would require a considerable amount of my power."

It chuckled darkly. "However, I do enjoy a challenge. If you can defeat me in a battle, I'll assist you."

Ash had anticipated this. Without hesitation, he reached for a Poké Ball and responded confidently:

"Perfect. Let's battle!"

He released Mewtwo, whose towering form and intense psychic energy immediately commanded respect.

The thousand-year-old Gastly's grin widened, its excitement palpable. This was going to be a battle to remember.

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