Chapter 128: Elite Four Agatha
Agatha, the Ghost-type Elite Four of the Kanto region and once a rival of Professor Oak in their younger days.
However, rather than calling her a Ghost-type master, Asahi felt she was more of a Poison-type specialist.
Golbat, Arbok, Gengar…
Her main team didn't always have Ghost-types, but they all had Poison typing.
Just like how Lance was supposedly a Dragon-type master but was actually more of a Flying-type user.
In Kanto, not only were Gym Leaders unconventional, but even the Elite Four were quite unorthodox.
By the time Asahi and Green arrived at Agatha's estate, the sky had already darkened.
Staring at the eerie mansion before them, Eevee took one look and immediately hid it's head into Asahi's arms.
Asahi didn't even need to ring the doorbell—the grand entrance before him opened automatically.
"Did Elite Four Agatha know we were coming?" Green asked in surprise.
Asahi, however, wasn't surprised. On the way here, he had already sensed multiple eyes watching them from the shadows.
It must have been Agatha's spies, discreetly monitoring Lavender Town.
[She's really cautious...]
Agatha, being of the same generation as Professor Oak, still held her position in the Elite Four at her age. It was a testament to her unique skills.
They continued inside until they reached the grand hall of the mansion.
The door behind them suddenly slammed shut, startling the Eevee in Asahi's arms.
"Kukuku..."
A strange, eerie laugh echoed from the darkness.
"Bui~"
Eevee, which had been burying its head in Asahi's embrace, let out a trembling whimper at the spine-chilling sound.
Green quickly pulled out her scanning goggles, placed them over her eyes, and scanned the surroundings. "It's Gengar. Four of them in total."
The unsettling laughter didn't stop just because Green identified them. Instead, it grew even closer.
Asahi glanced around the room, his expression unchanged. "Elite Four Agatha, I'd appreciate it if you didn't joke around like this."
"Hah, kids these days are really getting bolder."
As the voice rang out, the lights in the hall flickered on. Underneath a massive chandelier, an elderly woman dressed like a typical old lady sat in a chair, leaning on her cane. Her sharp eyes locked onto Asahi and Green as they entered.
As soon as the lights turned on, the eerie laughter ceased, and the Gengar were nowhere to be seen.
But Asahi could still sense their aura—they hadn't left; they were merely hiding in the shadows.
"So, you're Asahi? Lance and Bruno have mentioned you. You've done well," Agatha said, looking at Asahi with approval.
As the oldest member of the current Elite Four, Agatha had been in the Kanto League far longer than Lance and Bruno combined.
She naturally understood the significance of Asahi's accomplishments—discovering the Team Rocket base and exposing the traitor, Lt. Surge.
Hearing Agatha's praise, Asahi humbly replied, "You flatter me, Elite Four Agatha. I only did what little I could."
"Being overly modest can be annoying. If what you did was 'little,' then I suppose no one in the League is actually doing their job." Agatha was blunt.
"Now, tell me, what brings you to an old lady like me?"
"It's nothing too urgent. I just finished some business in Saffron City and thought I'd pay my respects, Elite Four Agatha," Asahi replied.
"Of course, there's also a small favor I'd like to ask of you."
"I'm looking for a Gengar with outstanding potential here in Lavender Town—do you know where I might find one?"
"Oh? You want to catch a Gengar?" Agatha raised an eyebrow.
As she spoke, the previously hidden Gengar began poking their heads out from the shadows, curiously observing Asahi.
Because of their ghostly nature, many trainers avoided Ghost-type Pokémon. It was rare for someone to actively seek one out.
"That's right."
"You're asking where to find a strong Gengar… If this were before, I would've told you to visit Pokémon Tower at night..."
"Before?"
Asahi caught on to her wording.
"That's right… Pokémon Tower has been temporarily sealed off," Agatha said.
"Half a month ago, Team Rocket broke into the Pokémon Tower and caused major destruction. Something unknown was triggered in the tower. Though those Rockets have all been thrown into League prison, their actions enraged the Ghost Pokémon living there."
"Seventeen people have already been attacked by wild Ghost Pokémon inside the tower, and they still haven't recovered."
"After realizing the situation, I sealed off the Pokémon Tower and stationed Pokémon to monitor Lavender Town, preventing the Ghost Pokémon from attacking civilians."
"Team Rocket again..."
No wonder he and Green had barely seen anyone on their way into town.
But this also meant that his plan to catch a Ghost-type Pokémon in Lavender Town was now in jeopardy.
Asahi furrowed his brows.
"Even you, Elite Four Agatha, can't handle the situation at Pokémon Tower?" Green asked.
Agatha's response was unexpected.
"Of course, I can."
"Then..." Green was puzzled.
If Agatha could solve the problem, why not take care of it once and for all?
Asahi, having been a ranger in the past, understood her reasoning and explained, "Because there's no need to."
"Rather than wasting energy subduing enraged Pokémon, it's often easier to just let them vent their anger. Once they calm down, negotiations become much simpler."
"A member of the Elite Four has limited energy. Pokémon Tower isn't an essential facility. As long as we keep a close watch and ensure that the Ghost Pokémon don't leave the tower to harm people, there's no real urgency."
It was a strategy he had used before as a ranger. Dealing with Pokémon that had been enraged by poachers was troublesome, so he would sometimes just wait ten days or so until they cooled off before engaging with them.
Green immediately understood.
Agatha also looked at Asahi approvingly. "You're absolutely right."
"Only half a month has passed. It's still too soon to enter the tower safely. It would be best to wait a little longer."
But I can't afford to wait...
Asahi had originally planned to capture a Gengar here before heading to Celadon City. But if he waited too long, Team Rocket might already have completed Mewtwo.
If that happened, his plans in Kanto would hinge entirely on Giovanni's whims.
Yet he also didn't want to have come to Lavender Town for nothing.
So...
"Elite Four Agatha, while waiting might be the easiest solution, keeping Pokémon Tower sealed off for so long has surely been inconvenient for trainers who wish to mourn their Pokémon."
"Let me deal with the problem at Pokémon Tower." Asahi declared with conviction.
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