Ghost Trial and a New Addition to the Team
The journey to Acerolas trial sight was a long way. Running into Trainers can be quite exhausting after awhile. Along the way, she ran into Hapu and her trusty Mudsdale. She handed her a Mudsdale Pager as a Thank you gift from when she was back in Akala Island. Yes, when she and Hapu fought against the Team Skull Grunts. Hapu's Mudsdale approached her and gave her a gentle nudge on her cheek. Bethany stroked Mudsdale's muzzle then faced Hapu, thanking her for the pager.
The Mudsdale Pager came in handy, after going through the many rocky slopes up to the mountain. This meant that she would avoid the majority of Trainers and took a well-needed stop to feed her team some Poké beans: Brionne (female), Mudsdale (male), Salazzle (female), Wimpod (male), and Tsareena (female). They were all relieved to be out of their Poké Balls for awhile and spend some quality time with their Trainer.
Bethany continued her trek up the mountain, riding on the Mudsdale Pager. Since Wimpod is barely out of its Poké ball, she decided to keep him out for the time being. Wimpod was having a blast, letting out a happy chitter.
She finally reached up to Route 13. As she walked, Hau came sprinting pass her. He startled her so bad that all the color of her face drained, and her pale skin became even paler!
The energetic boy apologized but she only waved him off and telling him it was all right. He soon talked about Sophocles trial about how he might've gotten stronger. Hau then mentioned how she passed the trial with ease and gave her a Max Potion.
Suddenly, Gladion spoke which was directed at Hau about how he never keeps his mouth shut. Well, that's not exactly what he said but you get the idea. He tells them about Team Skull searching for a Pokémon called Cosmog and asking if they knew anything. Hau was quick to deny it, yet somehow Gladion knew; stating that Cosmog isn't a strong Pokémon, to begin with, but has the capability to summon a Pokémon so strong it's terrifying. She was confused when hearing him say: "If something like that happened, it would be a disaster for Alola…"
She promised him that they will do whatever it takes to protect Cosmog even though she was a little lost. He said nothing and walked away, yet she could've sworn her mumbled something about how he didn't understand how they found out about Cosmog. Hau questioned Gladion but didn't receive an answer and expressed his concern about Cosmog and Lillie's well being.
. . . . . .
A downpour came down at the Tapu village. It's a good thing she brought an umbrella! She met up with Hau at the PMC (Pokémon Center), offering him to come with her and to avoid getting soaked from head to toe. He then began to express his excitement about the Pokémon League.
During his rambling, Phyco and Soliera appeared talking about the village where The Blinding One, Necrozma, battled the islands deities. Telling them about their stories of their ancestors abusing Necrozma, in its fury took their light away from their world and how it is contained for now. They even asked them if they had learned anything new that might help them later on.
After that, Both Hau and Bethany now made their way towards the Aether House on Route 15. Entering the Aether House, they were greeted by two young children and their Yungoos, itching for a Battle and to protect their home while Acerola was away. They battled the young kids and won.
The young boy looked up at her. "I tried really hard! I am a kid, you know!" she smiled down at the boy.
"You did great! I'm really impressed." This caused the young boy to perk up.
"Phew… so I won, yeah? Then why's this little fellow still gnawing on me?" Hau glanced over to Bethany with a desperate look on his face. He was mouthing his words, asking for her help but she only waved him off.
Acerola then came in and made sure her presence was known by a sing-song voice. "I'm ba-a-ack, everybody! ~" Her right hand hovering over her mouth. "Ha Ha Ha! Looks like I finished up my shopping spree right on time! You've already met everyone?"
Bethany smiled; a tiny sweatdrop appeared on the side of her head while Hau responded with a shrug.
"Oh yeah, we met them all right… In battle anyway." Hau said. "But… Hey, where's Lillie?"
"I left her with Hapu. They should be here soon." Acerola said, walking pass Bethany before turning around. "So why don't we get those trials done first? You did know I'm the captain, right?"
Hau was certainly taken back by this, but not her. Bethany approached Acerola asking her where the trial will be and told her it will be at the abandoned supermarket. She nods and turns to Hau, bidding him farewell for now, and then exited the building. She didn't expect to see Lillie standing outside and was shooing off a Team Skull grunt, who claimed to take whatever was in her bag.
Bethany dashed down the set of stairs and was now standing in-between them. She waved off the grunt telling him to kindly leave but he just couldn't take no for an answer. He challenged her to a Battle to which he lost and ran off.
Lillie thanked her and told her how the whole incident happened after Nebby tried to come out of its bag. Bethany laughed as Nebby poked its head out of the bag. Lillie zipped the bag shut and proceeded to give her five Luxury Balls, stating that she had bought them without thinking.
Acerola came running down the stairs and offered Lillie to rest at the Aether House, the blonde was very thankful for this. The purple haired girl ran a couple feet away before turning around; telling Bethany to follow her towards the trial site then sprinted off.
. . . . . .
She now stood before the abandoned supermarket, just the air around the place felt eerie. Wimpod was trembling; she could literally feel her shoulder shaking as well. She comforted him in every way she could.
Acerola, who had been standing right before her, guided her up the steps and proceeded to explain what kind of trial it is. Inside the building is filled with many Ghost-type Pokémon, which was quite obvious but she kept it to herself. Acerola then asks her to investigate the abandoned site, using her Poké Finder to take photos of the Ghost-type Pokémon making mischief inside. Plus, she has to take a photo of the Totem Pokémon who happens to be a trickster and loves to play hide-and-seek… and mess around… grea-a-at.
Once she stepped inside the building and all kinds of paranormal activity happened. The conveyor belt turning on by itself when it's clear that there it doesn't have any signs of electricity in the building, and a Pikachu running away from her. A shopping cart shaking violently on its own, seeing the same Pikachu running across the collapsed shelves, and levitating stuffed Pokémon. At some point, Wimpod hid inside her small, but roomy backpack not wanting to see any further of the building.
She turned managing to catch a glimpse of the Pikachu running into a back room. But as she approached the door Acerola appeared staring blankly at the door before her.
"…Who are you?" Acerola asked.
Bethany looked over her shoulder then back to Acerola… or is she? "Um… Acerola?"
She shook her head. "Oh… Never mind that." Something is not right here.
"Looks like you're done with the trial, right? We should hurry up and leave this place." Yeah, something is definitely not right here.
"I'm not done yet, you of all people should know that." Bethany affirmed, but this 'Acerola' was not having it.
"This place is dangerous. You should give up on your trial and get out."
"I'm not leaving."
"I told you to get out."
"No."
"Get out."
"No!" Bethany yelled at the fake Acerola who then lost it.
"Get out. Get out! Get OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!"
Ohh, light bulb! Bethany took out her Rotom and asked it to take a photo of the fake Acerola - *SNAP* - The apparition disappeared from where it once stood.
A relieving sigh escaped her lips but right as she did that the lock on the door clicked open. This made her jump back from fright, and her Rotom was kind enough to snap a photo of that moment. She gave it a glare before it disappeared inside her backpack.
Bethany walked over to the door and opened it, stepping into a narrow room filled with drawings, posters, and pictures on the walls. She couldn't get this shaky feeling off and felt that someone or something was watching her. A pair of eyes sizing her up from somewhere, suddenly her Poké Finder fired up all on its own.
All right, this is giving her the heebie-jeebies.
She looked around the room through the Poké Finder, curiously inspecting the photos on the wall. There was one thing that they all had in common, it was all Pikachu related. She just pictured herself in one of those tense and nerve-wracking moments that happen in like… every horror movie ever with the eerie soundtrack playing in the background.
There was a sound echoing throughout the small room she was in and she was certain that it belonged to a Pokémon. This is the part she hates the most in horror films when they slowly turn around and find something horrific… or their untimely and unexpected death. Well, she did just that. Slowly turning around to face the door, but there was nothing there. That was until she heard the Pokémons cry coming from below.
She looked down and was now staring right at this new Pokémon which in some way resembled a lot like Pikachu. The only difference between this Pokémon was that it had a cloth covering its body with a Pikachu face drawn on it with what appeared to be crayons, along with a fake Pikachu tail.
What… is this really the scary moment she was anticipating? This little cutie is the most adorable thing she had ever laid eyes on! Without any hesitation, she snapped a photo of this cute Pokémon. Its appearance flickered, revealing that it was the random Pikachu she saw earlier.
"Seeeeee meee?!"
. . . . . .
She exited the building, a wide smile on her face. Acerola welcomed her back. "All right! Let me check your pictures right away." Her Rotom came out of her bag, hovering in front of Acerola.
"Now let's see how you did…" Acerola inspects the picture and smiled in delight. "Yup! That's Mimikyu all right! It's pretty hard to catch it on film, so this is a really great attempt! Which means..."
Acerola handed Bethany the Ghostium Z, then proceeded to show her the movement. "And since you passed my trial, Bethany, you now have my permission to catch Pokémon in the trial site. So, in that building there. Here you go!" she handed Bethany a couple of Dusk Balls. "It's not a bad idea to have some Ghost-type Pokémon on your team!"
Bethany turned to glance over to the building. "Actually, I've already considered in adding one to my team."
Acerola was delighted to hear this. "Really? That's great!"
"Say, Acerola…?" Acerola hummed. "There was a room in the back of the building, you were there and when I entered the room my Poké Finder started up on its own during my trial."
Acerola perked up at this, and then covered her mouth with her hand. "Oooh, cut it out, Bethany! You're trying to scare me, huh? You'll have to come up with something a bit more believable than that! I was here the whole time, and there's not even a room in the back of that shop, for starters! How gullible do you think I am?"
Bethany looked over to Acerola, noticing her wide expression. "Brrr! I feel like I'm getting chicken skin…Like a chill going through me for some reason…"
Acerola walked away, but Bethany couldn't help but feel like someone had been watching them. A soft creak came from behind, turning her head; she caught a glimpse of a Mimikyu's ear before it retreated back inside. The door to the build was left halfway opened and Bethany made her way inside.
*patter* - - *patter* - - *patter*
She passed the conveyor belt until abruptly stopping where she saw a glimpse of Mimikyu walking behind the fallen boxes before her. Bethany called out its name.
"Mimikyu?" the Pokémon's footsteps stopped, almost like it was surprised to be called by its name.
Walking further down the path and stopping where the stuffed dolls were. She could hear something approach her from behind, turning around she glanced down at Mimikyu. It cried out to her: Mi! Mi! And then it stared steadily at her way.
A smile graced her lips as she gently picked up the Mimikyu in her arms without the slightest hint of fear for it. This caught Mimikyu by total surprise and responded by nuzzling up against her. She let out a soft laugh and watched Mimikyu jump down from her arms as it guided her to the back of the shop. She followed and was once again inside the small room but this time stood two Pokémon: to her left was a Pikachu and on her right was Mimikyu.
'It wants a decision from me?' She mentally said to herself. 'Well, the answer is obvious!'
She chose Mimikyu and it let out a happy cry before disappearing. It left something behind for her, a Mimikium Z. Never had she seen a Z-crystal like this one, it must be extremely rare then.
Bethany walked out of the room and stood there other a slight frown on her face. Wimpod came out from her backpack nudging her neck in a comforting way. She looked over at him, smiling softly.
*Patter* - - *Patter* - - *Patter*
Her mood perked up and then peeks her head out from the corner of the shelves. There stood the same Mimikyu staring up at her expectantly. She walked over to it and crouched down to its eye level, outstretching her hand to it. Mimikyu, curiously, moved closer to her hand then nuzzled on it longingly.
"People are always judging a Pokémon when hearing rumors about them. Not even giving them a second chance to prove themselves that they mean no harm." Bethany smiled warmly. "You're a sweet Pokémon and you deserve to be loved and accepted." she pulled out a Poké Ball from her backpack as it hovered above Mimikyu's head.
"What do you say? Will you be a part of my team, Mimikyu?"
Mimikyu looked like it was on the verge of tears, not sad tears, and happy tears. It moved closer to the Poké ball bumping its head on the button, disappearing inside. There were no shakes like it would normally do, it was an immediate catch.
Deep inside her, she was certain that Mimikyu had already chosen her to be her Trainer when she first stepped into the building. She couldn't have been more grateful.