Under a large, shady tree, Gastly, newly captured, hovered around Alex Carter, displaying a fawning demeanor. It seemed this spectral Pokémon had fully accepted Alex as its master.
Standing close, Alex caught a faintly sweet scent from Gastly. Surprising, considering its gaseous appearance, but much preferable to a pungent odor. As his first Pokémon, this was a relief.
"You've got a new special ability. Let's find some Pokémon to test it out," Alex encouraged Gastly.
Excited about Gastly's new ability, Alex imagined its potential. If it could truly devour other Pokémon, Gastly might become unbeatable with training.
With that in mind, Alex and Gastly ventured into the forest. They soon stumbled upon a lone Weedle, a particularly weak one with a combat power of only 3 points.
"Go ahead and use Lick," Alex instructed Gastly.
Following orders, Gastly emerged from the shadows, stealthily approaching Weedle. Its Lick skill left Weedle paralyzed with fear, its body convulsing.
"This one's too weak. Just devour it," Alex suggested.
Gastly opened its mouth wide, swallowing the Weedle. A system notification followed:
"Ding... Gastly successfully devoured Weedle, Combat Power +1."
"New skill awakened: Poison Attack."
..."This is incredible!" Alex exclaimed.
After devouring just a single Weedle, Gastly's combat power increased, and it gained a new skill. If it continued this way, the possibilities were endless.
"Keep going," Alex urged.
With newfound enthusiasm, Alex and Gastly roamed the forest, devouring three Weedle and a Caterpie, gaining 4 additional combat power points. No new skills were unlocked, though.
"Ding, six meters away, there is a Shroomish.
A Grass-type Pokémon, it resides in humid forests. When threatened, it releases highly toxic spores that can wither plants. Inhaling them causes joint pain.
Learned skills: Stun Spore, Tackle, Headbutt.
Combat Power: 12 points."
Alex's excitement soared upon hearing this. "A Shroomish with 12 combat power. Devouring this could greatly boost Gastly's power."
Under a withered old tree, amidst fallen leaves, a mushroom-like figure was visible. It was the Shroomish, feeding on decaying leaves.
"Gastly, start with Intimidate, then use Poison Attack and Lick," Alex strategized.
Gastly floated up, inflating its body intimidatingly before Shroomish. Startled, Shroomish released Stun Spore, but Gastly maintained distance, retreating into the trees.
From above, Gastly launched a Poison Attack. Although less effective against the Grass-type Shroomish, Gastly then reappeared for a surprise Lick, catching Shroomish off guard.
Paralyzed with fear, Shroomish froze, its face darkening in panic.
"Finish it off and devour it," Alex urged.
Gastly opened wide, swallowing the Shroomish.
"Ding... Gastly successfully devoured Shroomish, Combat Power +5."
"New skill awakened: Hypnosis."
Gastly's size visibly increased, its strength significantly bolstered.
"System, display its information panel," Alex requested.
Name: Gastly
Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon. Said to be born from graveyard gases, resembling a Koffing-like substance. At night, it floats like a Will-O-Wisp. Beware its gas, as it can cause unconsciousness.
Learned skills: Lick, Nightmare, Mean Look, Intimidate, Poison Attack, Hypnosis.
Special Ability: Devour.
Evolution Value: 10% (Next stage: Haunter).
Combat Power: 30 points."
..."Its growth is astonishing. With more training, Gastly will become incredibly strong... And now it has an Evolution Value. I can precisely control its evolution!" Alex marveled at the system's capabilities.
With the system, becoming the strongest Villain and doing as he pleased seemed easily within reach.
Alex continued searching for weak Pokémon in the outskirts but found that after devouring Shroomish, Gastly needed time to digest.
Learning from the system that devouring had limits, Alex realized Gastly couldn't devour endlessly and required digestion time.
"Let's head back; it's getting dark."
Recalling Gastly into its Poké Ball, Alex left the forest. His first Pokémon was captured and powerful, ready to impress his father.
Still, Alex pondered why such a formidable figure would choose a farmer's life in Pallet Town. As the mastermind behind Team Rocket, few dared challenge him in the Kanto Region.
"Never mind, my focus should be on becoming stronger and training powerful Pokémon to establish myself in this world."
You want to read advance vist my PATREON
patreon.com/Lempil
patreon.com/Lempil