"..."
Su Feng twitched. So Dusknoir thought he'd die just because he could understand Ghost-types?
"But I've always understood Pokémon speech!" he snapped, deciding to come clean.
[Oh. Cool. (No reaction)]
[My roommate owes me 100 bucks now.]
[Wow. Feng-ge talks to Pokémon. (monotone)]
[If you said you were a Pokémon in disguise, that might shock me.]
Su Feng: "..."
Why is the chat so blasé about this?!
Dusknoir, however, reacted more strongly.
Hmm!? (You understand all Pokémon!?)
"..."
Hmm! (No way! Prove it!)
Su Feng sighed, patting Combusken. "Combusken, give me a math problem."
"Tor. (916,112 divided by 8?)"
Su Feng: "..."
Where did my sweet, innocent Torchic go?!
Pulling out his phone calculator, he answered flatly, "114,514!"
Hmm!? (HOLY ARCEUS!?)
Dusknoir's eyes bulged. Understanding Ghost-types? Maybe a death omen. But Fire-Fighting types doing algebra?!
Hmm. (My bad. Misunderstanding. All my fault!)
It rushed to help Su Feng up. If it accidentally reaped a living soul, its flawless career would be ruined!
Su Feng shoved it away. "Apologies don't fix things. Where are the cops when you need them?"
Hmm? (Since when do cops patrol the spirit realm?)
"Cough—it's a metaphor!"
Hmm… (Right… sure.)
Worried Su Feng might tattle to the afterlife HR, Dusknoir fished a round stone from its belly.
Hmm. (Take this. Don't hold a grudge.)
"A rock? Seriously?"
Then he saw it—a black-and-red gem swirling with energy.
"A… Mega Evolution Stone?!"
Dusknoir nodded. Hmm. (Gengar's, specifically.)
It had kept the stone for a friend who'd abandoned it. Seeing Gengar's spirit reminded Dusknoir of that old comrade.
"Psh, grudges? We're practically family!" Su Feng grinned, snatching the stone.
[Classic Feng-ge face turn.]
[Looks like a marble. Fancy marble.]
[If Feng-ge wants it, it's OP. BUY STONKS!]
Gengar poked the stone, sensing a strange connection.
"Don't worry—it's yours." Su Feng patted her, already imagining Mega Gengar's power.
Dusknoir: "..."
Wipe the drool. Please.
Hmm. (Since you're not dying, I'll show you the exit.)
Su Feng beamed. "You're a real one, Dusknoir."
The path to the exit was eerily quiet—no Ghost-types dared approach under Dusknoir's glare.
But…
"Why is the exit a women's restroom?!"
Hmm. (Found it like this. Not my style.)
Su Feng grimaced. Walking out here would be social suicide.
"Thanks for everything, Dusknoir. Really."
Hmm. (Just don't snitch about the… misunderstanding.)
"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?"
Dusknoir gave a thumbs-up. This kid gets it.
Seeing Su Feng hesitate, Dusknoir shrugged—then swatted him, Gengar, and Combusken through the restroom door.
Poof!
They reappeared on a deserted beach, coconut trees swaying behind them.
Su Feng clutched his head. "Where the hell are we now?!"