Chapter 86: Caution

"What is that…?" Misty stared at Amu in astonishment. After adjusting her glasses, a display appeared, resembling a radar scan.

"This is something Conan—cough, I mean, I asked Conan to contact Professor Agasa for me, and got it custom-made at his place!" As Shinichi's "important collaborator," it's not unreasonable for Amu to ask for a pair of glasses or a few trackers, right? The technology in this thing is truly remarkable!

In the Pokémon world, due to the fluctuations of wireless signals, some Pokémon can detect them, sometimes causing wild Pokémon to react unpredictably. As a result, signals are only unimpeded in cities, while in the wilderness, they're severely limited, and the Pokédex can only function offline.

As for satellite signals, they can only be received in cities; in the wild and even in some small towns, setting up signal stations is strictly prohibited.

It's even a hassle to launch artificial satellites in this world… Despite the more advanced technology, launching a satellite requires the express permission of Rayquaza. Reckless launches invite immediate retribution from the "Dragon of the Skies," so satellite numbers are strictly limited.

Yet Professor Agasa's mini tracking device emits an incredibly subtle signal. Among all known non-legendary Pokémon, only five can sense it, and just three will react strongly—so under most circumstances, it's very safe!

"Wait, you're tracking Aya right now? When did you…?" Misty might not be a science expert, but she at least understood that tracking someone required a transmitter.

"Yes, when Aya went off to discuss compensation for the tatami, I excused myself to the restroom. That was when I did it… Seems her ninja training still leaves something to be desired," Amu declared matter-of-factly.

At that time, Amu had simply left Casket outside the door, stretched out its shadowy hand, and stuck the tracker onto the belt Aya had left in her room. She hadn’t even entered, nor touched anything else, so Aya never noticed a thing.

Now Misty eyed Amu with deep suspicion—why put a tracker on her? Had he already guessed something at that point?

"As for the Cerise City Gym Leader… well, I’d heard some rumors. Plus, yesterday when Aya refused to go to Mt. Moon with us, her behavior was a little odd." Amu explained simply.

Once Gastly realized Amu could track Aya, its attitude changed entirely…

"Ahem, human, if you want to verify whether this Aya or Koga or whoever are truly bad people, all you need to do is beg me properly. I might consider helping you, Gastly…" Gastly still maintained its air of superiority.

"No, I’m not really interested in that. But if Gastly were to bow its head to me in gratitude, I might consider helping," Amu corrected the logic.

Gastly immediately put on an indifferent facade. "Then forget it, they're just a bunch of fools anyway…"

By then, Amu had already turned and left. Upon exiting the inn, the two released their Rhyhorns and rode off—not toward the depths of Mt. Moon, but in the opposite direction, toward the campsite.

Gastly: !

Seeing this, Misty grew uneasy. "Amu, shouldn’t we hurry to check on Aya?"

She might have seemed trusting of Koga and Aya earlier, but now, thinking there might be a problem, she couldn’t help but worry. Misty also knew Amu well—he couldn’t possibly be leaving for real. She assumed he was just trying to lure Gastly into coming to him for help.

Amu glanced around, ensuring Gastly wasn’t nearby, then whispered, "Of course we’re going to check! But right now, it’s not just about stringing Gastly along—I need to stop at the campsite first… The Pokémon Center there has a signal. I’ll notify Professor Oak about the possible developments at Mt. Moon!"

Amu’s voice carried little weight. If he went straight to the Pokémon Center and tried to "report" that Koga was up to something in the Mt. Moon reserve, no one would take him seriously.

But if Professor Oak believed him, the old man would surely be able to mobilize someone from the League!

Misty: …

"What is it?" Amu looked at her, puzzled.

"It’s nothing, you’re… really cautious," Misty remarked, unable to hide her admiration.

When it came to "hauntings," Amu could be reckless, but now… he was so careful, not at all like a young man.

Yet, even the best plans can’t account for everything—just as Amu reached the Pokémon Center, Professor Oak was busy with critical research and couldn’t take calls!

Helplessly, Amu left a message for him…

According to the automated reply, Professor Oak would be reviewing messages tonight—today was August 14th, and by Gastly’s account, "those people" would act tomorrow night… There should still be time.

After "telling the teacher," Amu and Misty immediately departed the campsite and hurried toward Mt. Moon.

No sooner had they left than Amu sensed something—

"La-lu-lu-lu—"

Suddenly, Gastly leapt out in front of Amu, made a ghastly face, and stuck out its ghostly tongue, waving it before Amu’s eyes.

Although it didn’t actually lick him, Amu’s scalp prickled and he instinctively drew back.

He wasn’t frightened, just uncomfortable with a tongue flicking back and forth in front of him.

"Well, human, since you withstood my challenge, I’ll grant you a chance for a further trial, Gastly!" Gastly, slightly embarrassed, forced itself to sound dignified.

"I’ll be hiding in your shadow from now on… If you can defeat those villains with my help, then I’ll grant you the opportunity for a third and final trial! The third round is the last, Gastly!" Gastly acted as though it were being exceedingly generous.

The truth was… it still needed Amu’s help!

But Amu nodded and agreed, so readily that Gastly was momentarily stunned.

For one, Amu had never intended to use "helping out" as leverage against Gastly; he’d only feigned indifference because he had to return to the campsite anyway. For another, since Gastly was offering a chance to capture it, Amu was even happier.

As for the so-called trial… Gastly could always refuse to acknowledge Amu’s success, couldn’t it?

If dealing with a human, such terms would be unreliable, but with a Pokémon—even a sly old Gastly—Amu trusted its word in this context.

"You really lucked out, Gastly…"

"You must be a Ghost-type trainer, right? Otherwise if I hide in your shadow… not only would your life be shortened, but I’d be uncomfortable too, Gastly!"

"Tsk tsk, your shadow is pretty decent, Gastly…"

"Hisss… but why does your shadow carry a trace of that fool Clefairy’s scent…"

Gastly kept grumbling.

As for the "Clefairy scent"… Amu figured it was because, as a Beastmaster on the Lunar Path, he carried both Ghost-type energy, which made Gastly comfortable, and Fairy-type energy, which made it feel at home…