Illusion Confusion

With most of the day spent training and getting to know their Pokémon, our heroes came to a forest where it was already getting dark. "Are you sure this the way to the next town," Yugi asked as he was looking through the map.

"Why, certainly," Joey replied. "I'm as sure as I am right."

Kaiba tightened his eyes. "In that case, we're definitely lost."

"Not really," said Emily. "I've seen this happen all the time. Travelers cut through forests and find themselves in reach of town. Sure, it's dark and we'll likely come across some Pokémon, but we'll have to cross sooner or later."

"I think we've gone far enough for one day," said Kaiba. "We should stop and set up camp."

"I agree, but better in the woods than out in the open," said Joey. So they agreed to walk through the forest as far as they could.

They had barely made it to the middle of the woods and already, night had fallen, making it darker than ever. Now they knew for sure they wouldn't be able to see where they would be going if they kept walking. So they stopped and set down their supplies and began setting up camp. "We're going to stop here?" Kaiba asked nervously. He wasn't used to camping out in the open and away from civilization.

"Only for a while," Emily told him.

"Just long enough to lose our minds," said Joey. "Creepy things happen in forests at night. I've seen it happen. Creatures lurk in bushes, eyes glow when they're looking at you, and eerie noises are made to keep you awake." And just like that, an eerie sound was heard in the wind. The heroes tried not to let it torment them. Joey gathered branches and rocks to build a fire and Yugi gathered water. They hoped the light of the flame would drive off any enemies.

Joey made some warm chowder from the ingredients he brought from home and some additional resources he brought before he and his friends left New Bark Town. For dessert, Emily shared some of the brownies she made back home. When everyone finished eating, they cleaned up and decided to unroll their sleeping bags. But before they could even change clothes, the same eerie sound they heard before was heard again and got louder. The flames suddenly went out and it got dark again. To everyone's horror, the trees had faces like the kind in scary movies.

Emily tossed a Pokéball and called on Shade to help. If he wasn't afraid of the dark, then surely he would have no problem with the horrors of the night. Shade tried to keep it together, but he was beginning to sweat. Sensing an enemy in the trees, he began tackling them. When he did, a little Pokémon came out of one of the trees. It was Hoothoot, an owl Pokémon. They were known for being able to stand on one leg. The Hoothoot used its Foresight to stop the horrors and set everything back to normal. The trees no longer had faces.

Joey finally stopped shaking. "Uhh, what just happened?"

"We were tricked," said Kaiba. "Everything that happened was no more than an illusion."

"I guess it was a good thing this Hoothoot showed up when it did," said Yugi. "If it weren't for him, we would have been tormented and scared all night." Then he got an idea. "Hey, Hoothoot, my friends and I appreciate you helping us." The owl Pokémon cooed kindly. Shade even apologized for being carried away. He didn't mean to disturb Hoothoot. He was only trying to protect his friends. Hoothoot understood and forgave Shade. "Hoothoot, we're kind of lost," Yugi was saying. "Do you think you could help us?"

This wasn't something Hoothoot wasn't used to. He and the rest of his flock had often seen unfortunate trainers like Yugi and his friends come to the forest lost and confused. Nonetheless, he agreed to help the new travelers get through the forest. So Hoothoot perched himself on Yugi's shoulder as a way of saying 'yes'. So everyone packed up and began walking again. Emily decided to keep Shade out of his Pokéball for a while. Perhaps walking through the forest at night would help him get stronger.

Along the way, more illusions began to occur. Shade wanted another chance to fight, but Emily told him to settle down and be patient. When Hoothoot used Foresight again, the illusions were revealed to be ghost Pokémon causing pranks. They were Haunter and Gengar. They were the ones making the trees look like they had faces and making wisps floating around. Now that they were exposed, the heroes could contend with them in a new way. Shade and Hoothoot were ready. Hoothoot used Confusion and Shade charged and tackled them. Normally, normal-type attacks have no effect on ghost-type Pokémon, but Hoothoot's Foresight made them have some effect. To finish them off, Shade used Bite to deal more damage. Haunter and Gengar get the message and decide not to torment them anymore.

Amazed with their bravery, the heroes cheer for Hoothoot and Shade. Hoothoot perched himself on Yugi's arm and rubbed himself against his face. Shade leapt into Emily's arms and squealed cheerfully. As if that wasn't enough, Shade started glowing. There was only one explanation for this: he was evolving. He grew larger and his fur turned black with yellow rings and his eyes turned red. Shade had now evolved into Umbreon. It was an excellent surprise. It was because he fought for his friends that it was possible for him to evolve. And now that he was an Umbreon, the rings on his body would glow and light the way. The trip through the forest just got easier for the heroes.

When they finally made it out of the woods, day started to break. "Thanks for your help, Hoothoot," Yugi said gratefully. "We couldn't have gotten out of there without your help." Hoothoot cooed and rubbed himself against Yugi.

Kaiba chuckled. "Looks like Hoothoot is really fond of you, Yugi."

Joey got an idea. "You should capture it; make it part of your team."

That sounded like a great idea, but Yugi wanted Hoothoot's opinion. "Hoothoot, would you like to come with me?" In answer, Hoothoot chirped happily. So it was decided. Yugi held out a Pokéball and gently tapped Hoothoot with it. The ball rotated a few times, then the center glowed, signaling that the capture was a success. "All right! I've got a Hoothoot!" Yugi cheered, raising his Pokéball in the air. His friends cheered with him. This was one of the most exciting events on their journey. First Shade evolves and Yugi gets a new friend. This night's adventure called for a special tune. On the way, they began singing.

Together, wherever we go

In battle, we learn and we grow

Yugi sighed and sang, Courage when we're put to the test

Desire to be the very best

And good friends to share in the magic journey

With power when we need to be strong

And comfort when the struggle is long

We hold on to all that we know is true

It's always what me make it

We see our chance and we take it

We know the road is long, so don't delay

To be a Pokémon master, we train

Together they sang the chorus. Forever and everywhere we go

We offer the best of what we know

Where hand-in-hand, we walk as one

No battles lost, two battles won

Together with the Pokémon, we claim

The spirit of the game!

The spirit of the game, Yugi sang by himself.

Emily took her turn and sang, The challenge is everywhere

For you and me if we only dare

To hold on to all that we know is true

You're for me and I'm for you

Always hold on through and through

We know what we must do

To be a Pokémon master, we train.

After they all repeat the chorus, Emily continues and sings, We try, we aim high, and we reach for the sky

Altogether, everyone sang, Together, wherever we go, in battle, we learn and we grow!

The heroes continue singing and they continue their journey. They knew there would be danger along the way, but there would also be fun. In many ways, they were on a mission, but it was also like a game.