Is "Hypnosis" Legit?

Is "Hypnosis" Legit?

Drake, the current head of Hoenn Region's Elite Four, specialized in Dragon-type Pokémon. He was a true Dragon-type Elite Four member.

As Jing He left the Pokémon Center and headed toward Lavaridge Gym, he reviewed everything he knew about Drake.

He had known all of that in his previous life. After coming to the Pokémon World, he had also learned online that Drake was not only the head of the Hoenn League's Elite Four, but also in charge of the Hoenn League's investigator division, wielding tremendous authority.

Investigators! Wataru, whom Jing He knew well, was an investigator for the Kanto League and would also become the Johto League's Dragon-type Elite Four member in the future—scratch that, a "Dragon"-type Elite Four member.

For the Camerupt incident to draw Drake's attention, it undoubtedly meant that what lay behind it might have a greater impact than Jing He had anticipated.

"Koujie?"

Gastly, hiding in Jing He's clothes, seemed to sense the heaviness in his heart and could not help asking.

"It's nothing."

But Jing He obviously would not burden Gastly with troubles that Pokémon did not need to bear. There would be no point in telling it, and besides, nothing had been confirmed yet. It was only his speculation.

In his view, Gastly already worked hard enough training every day and occasionally battling. As its trainer, he could not pile every bit of pressure onto it as well.

In fact.

If Gastly did not like training or battling, Jing He would not force it.

Even if it did not train, supporting a Gastly was still no burden to him.

"Oh, right. We'll be meeting another very formidable Elite Four member later, so behave yourself," Jing He reminded it.

"Koujie?"

Another Elite Four member? The scene of Mula and Flannery "arguing" surfaced in Gastly's mind.

Were Elite Four members really that powerful? At the same time, Jing He made up his mind. With something this troublesome, he would help if he could. If not, he would distance himself as soon as possible, lest the coming tide smash a tiny trainer like him dead against the shore.

Soon.

They arrived at Lavaridge Gym once more.

Quite a few police cars were parked outside the grand entrance of red tiles, white bricks, and dark red pillars.

"Officer Jenny." Jing He ran into Officer Jenny as soon as he entered and politely greeted her.

Officer Jenny was studying a report in her hands with a stern expression. A Growlithe sat obediently beside her. Hearing Jing He's voice, she looked up, her expression softening slightly as she nodded.

"Teacher Jing He, you're here."

As she spoke, her gaze shifted toward a corner of the gym courtyard.

There stood the massive Camerupt, along with two elderly men.

One of them was naturally Mula, the Gym Leader of Lavaridge Gym.

The other wore a white captain's hat and a broad black captain's coat, its collar standing high and its hem reaching his feet.

It was Drake!

Under Officer Jenny's lead, the two approached the corner.

Their arrival was quickly noticed.

Mula introduced them with a smile. "Drake, this is Teacher Jing He. Teacher Jing He, this is Drake—Elite Four Drake."

Bzz—

Jing He immediately felt a sharp gaze shoot out from beneath the brim of the hat.

It held the resilience of someone who had weathered countless storms without falling, along with a trace of scrutiny.

But it quickly returned to normal.

Jing He's expression did not change. He nodded in greeting. "Gym Leader Mula. Elite Four Drake."

Gastly, however, stiffened ever so slightly inside his clothes.

"Koujie."

Good grief, this old man had something to him.

"Hahaha—"

Drake laughed heartily. His voice was slightly hoarse, but full of vigor. "I heard you and that Mu Jin fellow's son dealt with the trouble together? Not bad, not bad."

"And Flannery and Roxanne," Mula added from the side.

Drake shot him a sidelong look. "Don't speak. You're an Elite Four member."

"This Old One has retired!"

"You're still an Elite Four member! And as the Gym Leader of Lavaridge Gym, you failed to notice the abnormalities on Mt. Chimney and had a few youngsters clean up after you! I'll tell Poni to deduct points from Lavaridge Gym's performance evaluation this year!"

Mula glared back at him.

"Deduct performance points? Have Poni come tell me that himself!"

"I'll deduct them when I get back!"

"You—"

Watching the two start arguing at the slightest disagreement, black lines appeared on Jing He's forehead as he looked toward Officer Jenny.

Officer Jenny also wore a helpless expression.

Otherwise, why had she been standing so far away earlier?

"Snort!!"

Perhaps because Mula and Drake's argument had grown too loud, the Camerupt, which had never been very settled to begin with, gradually became agitated. Its four legs stomped uneasily back and forth, while faint flames reignited atop the volcano on its back.

At the same time, Camerupt's Pokédex entry appeared before Jing He again.

Camerupt

Type: Fire-type, Ground-type

Ability: Magma Armor

Moves: Rock Slide, Fissure, Eruption, Growl, Tackle, Ember, Focus Energy, Bulldoze, Lava Plume, Amnesia, Smog, Earth Power, Take Down

Mood: Uneasy, in pain (It wants to go home. It misses its family.)

Status: Weak (There is something abnormal about its body. It may never fully recover.)

Friendship: -20 (Although it does not remember you, it clearly has no favorable impression of you.)

"Snort!"

Heat began rising from Camerupt's body.

Yet Mula and Drake, standing in front of it, showed no intention of stopping their bickering. They even seemed to be ignoring Camerupt's agitation altogether.

Seeing Camerupt about to attack, Jing He sighed softly.

"Gastly."

"Koujie!"

Black mist flew out from his clothes, and Gastly appeared before Camerupt with a strange laugh.

The two Pokémon met each other's eyes as Gastly used Hypnosis.

Camerupt's movements gradually slowed, and Jing He stepped forward as well.

He placed one hand on Camerupt's neck and the other on its head, whispering by its ear.

It was a picture. Dusk, with warm breezes smudging the last rays of sunset, evening clouds scattered like red silk, the twilight hues of the grassland carrying a comfortable laziness, accompanied by the soft hums of Camerupt and Numel.

Camerupt gradually calmed down.

It closed its eyes.

A faint, satisfied smile appeared at the corner of its mouth.

The arguing at its side had already stopped. Drake and the others watched Jing He release Camerupt, each wearing a different expression.

Satisfied, Gastly turned around and saw Salamence, its wings crimson and its killing intent chilling! Typhlosion, its arms folded and flames roaring around it! They stood on either side of Gastly and Jing He, sweeping Gastly, Jing He, and Camerupt with scrutinizing eyes.

"Koujie?! d(д)"

Gastly looked utterly horrified.

These two... no, these two esteemed figures... could they be... Elite Four members?!

Expressionless, Jing He picked up the stunned Gastly and walked past the two "great deities" to one side.

"K-Koujie?"

Gastly quietly swallowed and asked in a hushed voice.

That scared the life out of me. Jing He, aren't you afraid?

Jing He glanced at it and raised one hand halfway.

His palm was trembling slightly.

"Not bad. I heard you're a Pokémon Psychology specialist? You really do have a knack for it."

Looking at the now extremely calm Camerupt, Drake could not help praising him before asking:

"But... is your 'Hypnosis' legit?"

It was his first time seeing a Pokémon hit by Hypnosis actually smile. And that smile gave him an indescribably comforting feeling.

"Koujie!"

Before Jing He could speak, Gastly jumped out first.

What do you mean, legit? What kind of question is that?

Is there even such a thing as legitimate Hypnosis?

Hm? The first part was fine, but as Jing He listened to the latter part, something started to feel off. He shoved Gastly behind him.

"Ahem, sorry, Elite Four Drake. Actually, we already told Gym Leader Mula everything that needed to be said that day. What else would you like to know?" Jing He asked directly.

"I think you probably know that there are actually more Pokémon like this Camerupt. But we still haven't found a good way to deal with them, so I was wondering whether you could also handle the rest of them—"

"I refuse."

Before Drake could finish, Jing He rejected him without hesitation.

"Elite Four Drake, you know this matter isn't simple. Calming a rampaging Pokémon is far from as easy as it looks. Gastly and I are only ordinary trainer and Pokémon. It's not that we don't want to help, but our energy is really—"

"Koujie, koujie!"

Gastly nodded along emphatically, its head bobbing like a pounding pestle.

It was exhausting, okay? And those Pokémon were all so fierce.

"Ten thousand League Credit per Pokémon."

"Deal."

"Koujie?! Σ(дlll)"

H-Huh?