Before we start, I would like to point out a few changes made. First, Team Shadowsteal only has 6 members- Shadow, Spectra, Doodle, Phantom, Gemma, and Wisp. Second, please note that while this is told in the PMD world, this does not include events from the games.

The teams I mentioned in the Teams chapter are important. Keep an eye out for them.

I have finished this story on another site. Updates will not be quick nor slow. I thank you all for your time you have spent to read this. Enjoy the story!

Shadow sighed as a Throh glared at him and his team. The Throh folded his arms.

"No Ghost-types. That's the rule."

Spectra shoved her face in his. "We got letters saying this is where we stay. So move aside."

The Throh stood his ground. "You ain't coming in!"

"Calm down, Brick," a Fletchinder called from above. "I got confirmation from Xenia. They're allowed."

The Throh huffed and let Shadow and his team pass. Spectra smirked at him as she passed.

Inside, the guild was very large. Shops were packed on every side, not looking unlike a bazaar. Signs were everywhere, advertising shops as well as requests and notices.

"Hey! You there!"

Shadow sighed and turned as a Leavanny came running over. "Yes?"

"You're new, right?"
"Yes."

"You're needed in the Academy right away. It's the big building in the distance."

The Leavanny pointed to a large building looming in the distance. Shadow turned towards his team.

"Come on. Try not to attract too much attention."

"Too late," Doodle muttered. A group of small children has gathered around the team of ghosts, staring in a mixture of awe and disgust.

A Treecko poked Shadow. "Hi, mister! You look strong! Will you battle me?"

Spectra threw the Gengar a look. He was probably the strongest out of all of them. He would most likely send this Treecko to the hospital.

Shadow knew this as well. He gave the small gecko a sad smile. "Sorry. I'm too strong."

"Humble, aren't you?" Spectra muttered.

"If you want, you can battle Spectra."

The Wood Gecko Pokemon turned to stare at the Mismagius. She sighed.

"Fine. I'll go easy on you."

"No, do your worst! Skarmory says I should be ready to become a real explorer soon! This could be my final assessment!"

As if on cue, a Skarmory landed on a fence nearby. He nodded. "If this Mismagius agrees, I guess it can be your final assessment."

"She already agreed," Shadow piped up.

"Reluctantly," Spectra muttered.

"Well, that makes it way easier. Usually, we have to convince outsiders with a meal for final assessments."

"Hey, hey, hey! No battles in the Square! We know how Omega gets whenever he battles!" a Crustle shouted.

The Skarmory rolled his eyes. "Yet again, your reputation ruins us. Come on, all of you. We'll battle at the Academy's field."

"This is the final assessment for Omega the Treecko. This will be a 1v1 battle between Omega of the Academy and Spectra of Team Shadowsteal. The assessment will end when one Pokemon has fainted. Moves should be aimed to only harm. Got it?"

Both Pokemon nodded.

"GO!"

Spectra gave Omega a smile. "Go ahead."

He gave a nod and rushed at Spectra. She smirked and dodged. The smirk on her face grew larger.

"Why is she so happy?" a Froakie asked.

"She used Nasty Plot," Phantom replied.

The Froakie tilted his head to one side. "What's that?"

"It raises the user's Special Attack by 2," a watching Tepig explained.

"Come on," Spectra taunted, beckoning the Treecko forwards. He growled and leaped at the Mismagius. She dodged once more and let out a pink burst of light. Omega dug underground. Spectra sighed, floating aimlessly as she waited.

Omega burst from the ground. He hit Spectra with a black fist, knocking her down.

"That was smart," a Pidgey commented.

Doodle nodded. "Yes. Even though Levitate prevents ground attacks, the following pursuit gave him a chance."

Spectra rose from the ground and was promptly met with another pursuit. She shook herself and charged up a shadow ball. She fired it a moment later. Omega dug under the ground to avoid it once more.

Spectra's eyes flashed. She shot a shadow ball into the hole. A small explosion sounded a moment later. Omega was blown out of the ground. He recovered in mid-air and angled himself towards Spectra, his fist glowing with a green light. The Mismagius let out another Dazzling Gleam. Omega punched through it with pursuit and hit Spectra with Mega Drain. The Mismagius dropped to the ground.

The referee, a Marowak, held up his bone. "Spectra is unable to battle, which means the challenger wins!"

The crowd exploded, rushing onto the field to congratulate the Treecko. Omega walked over to Spectra, who was up and dusting herself off.

"That was well fought," she said, smiling. "You'll make a great explorer."

Omega blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "T-thanks."

The Skarmory from earlier walked up. "Omega, since you passed your final assessment, this means you've graduated from the Academy. I'll go get Vijaya and Sinika."

He disappeared inside the building. He returned a moment later with a Chimchar and Murkrow.

"The Chimchar is Vijaya, and the Murkrow is Sinika," the Froakie told Shadow. "They're with Omega."

"What's going on?" the Chimchar asked.

"Omega passed his final assessment. Since all three of you have graduated, you can now form your team."

Both Pokemon perked up upon hearing this.

"Really?" Sinika asked excitedly.

"Yeah. I'll tell Tsareena right away."

The Skarmory flew away. The new team was chatting excitedly.

Omega broke away from his companions and approached Spectra. He gave her a smile.
"Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you."

The Mismagius chuckled. "Thank you for giving me an exciting battle. And here I thought it was gonna be an easy win."

The Treecko smiled and turned to his teammates. "Let's go do a request."

The new team walked away.

Shadow sighed. "We should be heading out as well." He turned to the Skarmory. "It was a pleasure."

The Skarmory chuckled. "You as well. Just a word of advice- try to avoid the townsfolk. They don't take kindly to Ghost-types roaming the area. They know you're here so you're not completely invisible, but I'd stick to the shadows."

Shadow nodded and turned to leave. His team followed, pinned by the gazes of watching students.

"Did you hear the Worldwide Guild Competition is soon?" Doodle asked Spectra. Shadow perked up but continued walking.

"Yes, I did. Why?"

"What is it?"

"It's a competition in which teams from different guilds around the world compete in somewhat dangerous tasks," Phantom piped up.

"What's the point, though?" Wisp asked timidly.

"Fame. Money. Glory. The three things all teams want."

Shadow whirled around. "We're entering!"

"What do you mean? We can't enter!" Spectra protested.

"Why not?"

"We're a team of Ghost-types. We're hated everywhere."

"Do we even qualify?" Doodle asked. He held up a flyer. "Requirements: confirmed team of no more than seven Pokemon, more than three types present in the team, no Ghost-types are to be present at the event."

He put the flyer down and gave Shadow a look. "We can't compete. We don't qualify."

Shadow took the flyer. "We do. We're a confirmed team. One rule down. There's six of us- me, you, Spectra, Phantom, Gemma, and Wisp. Second rule down. We have more than three types present- Poison, Dark, Fire, Ghost, and Fairy. Third rule down. Now, while we are Ghost-types, the other types some of us have justify our Ghost-typing. After all, the flyer never specified what types of our typing isn't allowed. It never specified whether pure Ghost-types or part Ghost-types weren't allowed."

"Fair point," Doodle admitted.

"So, it's official? We're signing up?" Wisp asked.

Shadow nodded. "Yep. We're entering this competition."