XxxxX
The fog was thicker now, curling around the trees like ghostly vines. The forest had been unsettling before, but as I approached the Old Chateau, it felt as if the air itself had turned against me. Each step closer sent a shiver crawling down my spine. The broken branches and scorched trees lining the path hinted at battles fought here recently.
As the chateau came into view, I paused to take it in. The building loomed like a giant, its weathered exterior draped in shadows. Windows were cracked, some shattered entirely, and the roof sagged under decades of decay. The sight of it made my stomach twist, it just felt… Wrong.
At the base of the crumbling stone steps, a cluster of vehicles sat in disarray—quads, a battered jeep, and a small van outfitted with a large cage. Discarded gear littered the ground around them: frayed ropes, empty Poké Balls, and a torn map sketched roughly on yellowed paper.
I bent down, scooping up some of the empty Poké Balls because, hey, it never hurts to have extras. As I unfolded the torn map, I squinted at the rough sketch it contained. After a moment of studying it, I realized it depicted the chateau—specifically the upper floors, drawn with hasty lines and messy details I couldn't make out.
"What do poachers want with this place, there isn't anything her-" pausing myself as I realised, there was too something poachers would want here, a really cool something, "Rotom. That's gotta be why they're here… but it still doesn't explain why all the Pokémon have been going ballistic in the forest."
Taking a moment to try and piece together the limited info I had, several theories formed in my mind. One, these fucking poachers were doing something to the Pokémon in the forest to drive out people so they could capture Rotom easier. Two, they fucked with a strong Pokémon in the forest and that's driven the rest into some sort of panicked frenzy. Finally option three, since everything seems to be emanating from this chateau, and it looks haunted as all hell, some ghost Pokémon are doing something to the Pokémon in the forest to try and drive out the poachers.
Taking a deep breath, I folded the map and tucked it into my bag. Whatever the reason behind the chaos, it was up to me to find out. "Alright," I muttered, steadying myself, "let's see what's inside."
The old stone steps creaked ominously under my weight, the sound amplified by the eerie silence that enveloped the area. Pushing open the heavy double doors, I was greeted by the oppressive chill of the chateau's interior. The air was damp, and the faint scent of decay lingered. Shadows danced across the walls as if alive, cast by flickering light from deeper within.
"Of course, it has to look straight out of a horror movie," I muttered under my breath. Nova's Poké Ball twitched slightly at my belt, a small reminder that I wasn't entirely alone.
I paused for a moment, fingers brushing against the PokéBalls on my belt as I steadied myself. Something about the air here felt heavier, as though the walls themselves were pressing in. A different PokéBall twitched, Grotle's, but I hesitated. I didn't think it best to send her out unless I had to fight off any ghost types, but even then Aria might do better in an enclosed space like this, and Nova's out for now, this place looks a little too flammable for my liking…
The main hall stretched out before me, eerily vast and incredibly dark. A grand staircase dominated the entryway, leading to the upper floors where the portion of map I had marked the layout. Broken furniture and tattered curtains lined the walls, and faint scuff marks streaked across the floor. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from somewhere above, shattering the silence and sending a chill down my spine.
"Right. Definitely goddamn haunted… Rowan I swear if you don't give me one mission where I don't have to deal with this shit…" I whispered, my voice barely audible. I considered turning back for a fleeting moment, but curiosity and a sense of responsibility pushed me forward. If the poachers were up there, I couldn't just leave them to take that poor Rotom.
As I made my way toward the staircase, I felt a faint, almost imperceptible static charge in the air. The sensation grew stronger with each step, and I couldn't help but wonder if I was heading closer to the Rotom. But the deeper I went, the more that feeling turned ominous, less staticky and more… angered.
A cold draft swept past me, carrying with it the faintest whisper of something—something that sounded like a echoed giggle. My breath hitched, and I froze.
"What was that?" I muttered under my breath, glancing around for any sign of movement. Grotle's Poké Ball twitched again on my belt, almost as if it was responding to the unsettling atmosphere. I resisted the urge to send her out—it wasn't the right time yet.
A sudden slam from behind made me whip around, heart hammering. The heavy double doors I had just walked through were now shut tight. I took a hesitant step back toward them, grasping the cold metal handles and giving them a firm tug. Nothing. They didn't budge.
"Oh… isn't that just, Lovely…" I muttered, my voice cracking slightly. I yanked again, harder this time, but the doors might as well have been welded shut. A chill crept down my spine, and I took a shaky breath, glancing back toward the empty hallway.
This place wasn't going to let me leave until it got what it wanted…
My stomach churned at the thought, and for a moment, I couldn't help but think how much I hated horror movies, and sadly I prove the stereotype… my dumbass entered the obviously haunted building…
Arlo would have smacked me for this… after laughing his ass off.
Still, there was no point in standing around and sulking. The doors weren't opening, and as much as I wanted to rush in and take those poachers down, I couldn't just charge in blindly. If I wanted this to work, I needed a plan. First things first: figuring out why the Pokémon in the forest were going berserk. Whatever was happening in this chateau had to be the cause, be it the poachers or something else, and I was going to get to the bottom of it.
I also needed to figure out how many poachers were here and what kind of Pokémon they had. A direct fight could turn ugly fast if I wasn't prepared.
"Alright," I muttered, tucking the map back into my bag. "First things first, recon. Then we plan."
I crept up the staircase cautiously, each step groaning under my weight like it might collapse beneath me. The faint flicker of light I had seen earlier when I came in made me figure this must be where the larger amount of poachers would be.
As I reached the top, the flickering light dimmed momentarily, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement. I turned sharply toward the corridor on my left, heart pounding. A figure slipped into the shadows, moving quickly and silently. It was small, almost childlike, and wearing what looked like a pink dress.
"What the hell was that?" I whispered to myself, frozen in place for a moment. My grip tightened on Nova's PokéBall, but I didn't release him. Whatever that was, it wasn't one of the poachers.
I stood there, staring into the shadowy corridor for what felt like an eternity. The faint sound of a giggle drifted back toward me, eerily similar to the one I'd heard downstairs. The girl—or whatever it was—was gone, but the sensation of being watched lingered.
Shaking off the chill running down my spine, I decided to focus on the task at hand. Creeping cautiously down the hallway, I made a point to check each door I passed. I wasn't exactly military-trained, but I knew enough about clearing corners to make sure I didn't get ambushed. The first room I peeked into was empty, save for a few overturned chairs and a broken dresser. Dust hung heavy in the air, making me stifle a sneeze.
"Nothing," I muttered under my breath, quietly shutting the door before moving on.
The next room was darker, with only a faint beam of light filtering through a cracked window. I could make out the shape of a few stacked crates in the corner, but nothing else seemed out of place. Still, the oppressive weight of the air made me uneasy, and I backed out quickly.
As I approached the third door, I hesitated. Faint scuff marks on the floor outside it told me someone had been here recently. My heart pounded as I nudged the door open, peering inside. This room was larger than the others, with what looked like storage racks lining the walls. My eyes scanned the room for movement, but it was eerily still.
I stepped inside cautiously, my hand brushing against the PokéBalls on my belt again. Just as I reached the center of the room, the sound of a low creak behind me made my stomach drop. I spun around, ready to defend myself, but the door had merely swung shut behind me, as if caught by a draft.
"Get a grip, Rusk," I whispered to myself, my voice shaking slightly. My eyes darted around the room in a frantic search for any sign of movement. The shadows seemed to stretch unnaturally across the walls, twisting and shifting like they were alive.
I edged toward one of the corners, heart hammering, and scanned the room again. The storage racks loomed like giant walls, their darkened outlines casting strange shapes across the floor. My breathing quickened as the oppressive weight in the air pressed down harder, and I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay focused.
"Alright," I muttered, more to steady my nerves than anything, "Nothing's jumped out yet. Just keep it together-"
Before I could finish the thought, a sudden blur of purple darted out from behind one of the storage racks. My breath caught in my throat as a dark, looming shape began to form. At first, it was nothing more than shadows pooling unnaturally in the corner, but then it began to rise, twisting and contorting into a monstrous figure. Its jagged edges flickered like broken static, and its hollow eyes burned with malice.
I froze, every instinct screaming at me to run, but my feet refused to move. The shadow surged forward, its form shifting with each step, claws stretching impossibly long as it lunged. Panic scrambled my thoughts, and my hand darted to my belt. My fingers fumbled, grabbing the first PokéBall I touched, and I hurled it forward without thinking.
Light burst into the room, and Grotle emerged with a heavy thud, her sharp eyes immediately locking onto the distorted shadow. For a moment, I couldn't move, watching as the shadow monster twisted and writhed unnaturally, claws scraping against the floor in a sound that made my teeth ache. Grotle's growl snapped me out of my trance, her sturdy frame radiating calm determination as she stepped forward to confront the looming figure.
The Gastly's laughter rose in pitch, echoing unnaturally as the shadow lunged. Grotle didn't flinch. She charged forward, her glowing jaws snapping shut around the monster's shifting form with the ominous dark glow of dark-type energy. The impact sent a shockwave around the room, and the illusion shattered like fragile glass, fragments of darkness scattering and dissolving into nothingness.
The room fell silent save for the faint, panicked huffing of the Gastly as it reappeared, floating above the wreckage of its illusion. Its wicked grin had faded, replaced by wide eyes. Grotle snorted, pawing at the ground in challenge, her fierce gaze locked onto the now-cowering ghost.
The room fell silent save for the faint, panicked huffing of the Gastly as it reappeared, floating above the wreckage of its illusion. Its wicked grin had faded, replaced by wide, uncertain eyes that darted around the room frantically. Without warning, it zipped downward, disappearing through the floor with a faint wail.
Grotle stomped down at the spot where Gastly vanished, her powerful limbs cracking the wooden floorboards and sending splinters flying. I flinched at the sudden burst of noise, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
"Good job, girl," I murmured, stepping forward to rub her head in thanks. Her rumbling growl softened at the gesture, and she nuzzled against my hand briefly. "I didn't mean to send you out, but… I'm very glad I did."
My breath caught as I heard voices—not far, low, and gravelly, drifting faintly through the heavy silence of the hallway. The sharp sound of splintered wood and Grotle's heavy stomp must've carried further than I realized. I stepped cautiously toward the door, peeking out into the hallway. I couldn't make out every word, but they weren't far from the room I was in.
"Did you hear that?" one voice asked, masculine and slow.
"Yeah," another replied this one higher pitched, probably a kid or a teenager. "Sounded like it came from one of the side rooms. Probably just another damn ghost, but we should check anyway."
Their footsteps were faint but growing louder, heading in my direction. I pulled back from the door, heart racing, and crouched beside Grotle.
My mind raced as I weighed my options. Running wasn't an option—they'd hear me and follow. Fighting wasn't much better; I didn't know how many there were or what Pokémon they had. And hiding? Well, the room was bare enough that there weren't many places for that either.
Each plan I considered felt worse than the last. Their voices grew clearer as they checked the nearby rooms one by one, the creak of doors opening and shutting sending jolts of panic through me.
"Nothing in here," one of them said, his tone irritated. "This better not be another wild goose chase."
"Shut up and keep looking," the other snapped. "That sound came from this direction. We're close."
Just as their footsteps reached the door to my room, a deafening crash echoed from downstairs. Both voices paused.
"What the hell was that?" one of them barked.
"Downstairs. Come on," the other ordered, his voice fading as they retreated back toward the noise.
I let out a shaky breath, the tension in my chest easing slightly. Grotle glanced up at me, her sharp eyes steady, and I gave her a grateful pat. "Looks like we've got some breathing room."
Still crouched, I crept back to the door and carefully peeked out into the hallway. My heart skipped a beat as I caught sight of the two poachers descending the staircase, their voices still audible, though faint.
"Whatever made that noise, it's gotta be down there," one of them grumbled.
"Yeah, and if it's that damn Rotom again, I'm done chasing it and getting zapped." the other replied, frustration and anger laced in his voice.
As their footsteps faded, I began to push myself up to leave the room. Just as I took a cautious step, a sudden jolt of electricity struck me, making me jump and nearly cry out in shock. I spun around, heart pounding, only to come face-to-face with a grinning Rotom hovering in the air. Its mischievous eyes sparked with energy as it let out a playful buzz.
"Oh, come on!" I hissed, rubbing my arm where the jolt had hit. "Was that really necessary?" Rotom zapped the air again lightly, almost as if laughing, and zipped around the room, darting between the broken shelves and storage racks with reckless abandon. Grotle growled low, but I held up a hand to stop her from attacking.
"Alright, I get it. You're funny," I muttered, narrowing my eyes at the hovering ghost. "But now's not the time for jokes. Those people there, they are very, very bad people who want to capture you, they are not good people. They do horrible things to the Pokémon they catch and sell them."
Rotom didn't seem to care. It buzzed sharply, sending another jolt of electricity that made me jump back with a yelp. "Alright, I get it, you've got a strange sense of humor!" I hissed, clutching my arm where the shock had landed.
Before I could say another word, Rotom zipped off, its form disappearing into an old outlet on the wall. Sparks crackled faintly as the room plunged into a momentary silence, leaving me staring after it with equal parts frustration and disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, shaking my head. Grotle let out a low rumble, her gaze fixed on the outlet as if expecting Rotom to pop back out at any second. "Guess we've got a lead," I added, straightening up. "Come on, girl, let's see where our little troublemaker went."
I stepped cautiously back into the hallway, the oppressive silence pressing in on me again. The static charge from Rotom's escape lingered in the air, prickling against my skin. I decided to head further down the hall, moving toward the faint light I'd noticed earlier spilling from a door at the far end.
As I approached, the light grew steadier, casting long, uneven shadows across the wooden floor. The door was slightly ajar, and the faint scent of old paper and leather wafted through. My heart raced as I nudged it open, revealing what looked like a study. Shelves lined with books and faded documents covered the walls, and a massive desk dominated the center of the room, cluttered with items that seemed untouched for decades.
I took a hesitant step inside, the floor creaking beneath me. That's when I saw him. Standing by one of the bookshelves, posture straight and expression calm, was a man dressed in an old-fashioned uniform reminiscent of another era. For a moment, I thought he might be someone who had simply wandered in—until he turned, his translucent form shimmering faintly in the dim light.
"You… are not one of them," he said, voice soft but resonating with authority. He adjusted his gloves with meticulous care. "Why have you come here?"
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "I… I'm trying to stop them," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. "Professor Rowan sent me to investigate why the wild Pokémon in the forest are going berserk. It didn't take long to figure out the poachers are behind it."
He studied me for a long moment, his gaze solemn. I continued, my words firm with conviction. "And… I've dealt with people like them before. The way they treat Pokémon—hurting them, selling them off—I can't just stand by. I'm going to make sure they don't get what they want."
He let out a quiet sigh, his form flickering. "Very well," he said softly. "I believe you. But if you are to understand the chaos that has befallen this place, you must know the truth of what happened here."
Turning away, he let his fingertips drift along the spines of the books as though reaching back through time. "This chateau was once filled with laughter. A family lived here: two devoted parents, their young daughter, and a Pokémon they cherished like their own child. It was a creature of singular beauty and grace, loved wholeheartedly and protected fiercely."
He paused, voice thick with sorrow. "One fateful evening, the parents departed for a gala, leaving the girl and her Pokémon at home. The night should have passed quietly—her laughter echoing in the hall, the creature by her side, and a simple meal warming in the kitchen. But fate had other plans."
His form shimmered, as if battered by invisible winds of memory. "A stranger arrived at the door, presenting himself as a researcher intrigued by the rumors of a rare Pokémon within these walls. He seemed earnest, knowledgeable—and oh so kind. And so he was granted entry."
His voice tightened, each word a confession. "It was a trick. He was no researcher, but a thief. With ruthless swiftness, he revealed his nature, rendering his host helpless. In the chaos, the simple supper that had been left unattended in the oven began to burn. Within moments, flames took hold, racing along dry timbers and old wallpaper, devouring the chateau from within."
He closed his eyes, voice trembling with regret. "The girl's cries pierced the smoke-choked halls. Her Pokémon fought to protect her, but the heat, the flames, and the collapsing beams were too fierce. By the time the intruder fled—cursing his failure to find what he sought—the family and their protector were already trapped. They never escaped those flames."
The silence that followed was profound, the air in the study growing colder, heavier. At last, he turned to face me fully, his eyes filled with centuries of regret. "The chaos in the forest stems from her fear and sorrow. Her spirit clings to the memory of that night, lashing out to protect what little remains. Her emotions ripple through the wild Pokémon, driving them to attack anything she perceives as a threat."
I took a careful breath. "So… how do I stop this?" I asked quietly.
His expression softened. "You must show her there is no threat, that you seek to protect what little is left, the rare Pokémon that lives here. But take heed—she will not trust easily. She has been deceived before."
For a moment, he seemed distant, as though he could see through the walls into the past. Then he turned back to me, and there was bitterness in his voice. "I know this tale in all its grim detail because I lived it. I was the one who believed the stranger's lies. I was the one who stepped away, leaving the meal unattended long enough for it to catch aflame. My failures allowed the blaze to spread, sealed the fate of the family, and doomed us all."
He lowered his gaze, his tone now a hollow whisper. "I was their butler—entrusted with their home, their comfort, their safety. Instead, I delivered them to disaster. Now I linger here, neither living nor at peace, bound to these halls and this sorrow. It is my punishment for the folly of my trust, my weakness, and my failure."
I took a step closer, hands raised palms-out, trying to show I meant no harm. "Listen," I said softly. "I'm sorry for what happened. But you can't blame yourself. No one could have known what that man planned. You did what anyone would do—trusted a guest who claimed to have an honest purpose."
The ghost's eyes flickered as if recalling countless nights of remorse. The corners of his mouth drew tight, a slight tremor running through his form. "You speak kindly," he said at last, voice echoing faintly in the stillness. "But what difference does it make now?"
I swallowed, choosing my words carefully. "You couldn't have foreseen what would happen. How could you? You were just trying to carry on as they would have wanted—offering hospitality and preparing dinner…"
He stiffened at the mention of supper, his form growing momentarily sharper as if lit from within by some inner anguish. "Hospitality," he repeated, almost spitting the word. "I know what I did. I did not demand proof of his purpose, nor ask him to return when the family could greet him properly. I simply let him in, so eager to be of service. And I left the meal unattended." His tone was hollow and self-condemning. "It was my negligence that fanned the flames."
My heart sank as I watched him struggle with centuries of blame. He was not a creature given to tears, yet his grief was palpable in every quiver of light that passed through him. "If you had known the truth, you never would have opened that door. You never would have allowed him in," I said gently, though I sensed my words would do little to ease his burden.
"You speak of knowledge as if it matters," the ghost whispered. "Ignorance is no shield against consequence. I may not have started the fire myself, but I opened the door to the one who caused it. I walked away from that kitchen when I should have been vigilant. I failed them." He raised his eyes to meet mine, and I felt the weight of his despair. "Whether by intention or by error, I am the reason they perished. That is why I remain here, bound to these halls."
As his final words lingered in the air, the butler's form began to fade, his translucent figure growing dimmer. "Do what I could not," he said softly, his voice echoing faintly. "Protect what remains of this place. Do not let history repeat itself."
And then he was gone, leaving me alone in the cold, silent study.
The weight of his story hung heavy on me as I stepped out into the hallway. My hands clenched into fists as anger swelled in my chest. The poachers—their actions here—were forcing these spirits to relive their pain, their very deaths. The fear and anguish radiating from the ghostly girl were driving the forest's Pokémon into chaos, and these bastards had the gall to break into this place, to exploit its sorrow for their own gain.
I could hear distant voices again, rough and irritated, coming from the lower floors. My jaw tightened. They weren't going to get away with this. Not here. Not after everything that had already been taken from this place.
With renewed determination, I moved back into the hall, my steps careful and quiet. A flicker of movement caught my eye down the opposite corridor. I turned sharply, catching a fleeting glimpse of a small figure in a pink dress disappearing around a corner once more.
"Wait!" I called out, my voice echoing through the hallway. I broke into a cautious jog, Grotle close on my heels. The figure was unmistakable—the girl from before, the ghost the butler had spoken of. "Please, I just want to talk!"
As I rounded the corner, I froze. The corridor stretched out before me, dimly lit by the same unnatural glow that seemed to suffuse the entire chateau. She stood at the far end, her back to me, the pink dress swaying gently as though caught in an unseen breeze.
I took a tentative step forward. "It's okay," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I'm not here to hurt you. I know what happened. The butler told me everything. I just want to help."
She turned slightly, her face obscured by shadow, but before I could see her clearly, the air around me grew heavy. A cold laugh echoed from the walls, and I spun around as a Haunter materialized from the darkness, its wide grins and flickering form sending a chill down my spine.
The girl darted further into the chateau, her form fading into the shadows. "Wait!" I shouted, but the Haunter surged forward, blocking my path. Its glowing eyes narrowed as it let out a menacing cackle.
Grotle growled low, stepping protectively in front of me. "Alright, girl," I muttered, reaching for another Poké Ball. My fingers curled around one, and I tossed it forward with a sharp flick. Light burst from the ball, materializing into Aria, her spindly legs hitting the ground with precision. She clicked her mandibles, her eyes locking onto the Haunter with a determined gleam. "Let's clear the way and catch up to her."
The laughter of the Haunter echoed, sharp and grating, as more of them emerged from the shadows. My pulse quickened as I counted three of them now, their wide grins and flickering forms making it hard to focus. The air hummed with static, raising goosebumps on my skin.
"Grotle, stay close! Aria, cover the left one!" I barked, my voice steady.
Grotle growled again, her feet scraping against the warped floorboards as she crouched low, ready for the next move. Aria clicked her mandibles in response to my command, her sharp eyes narrowing as she darted left, her lithe body barely fitting through the narrow space.
The Haunter on the left lunged toward her, its jagged grin widening as it charged a Shadow Ball. Aria leapt forward, dodging the attack as it exploded against the wall in a burst of dark energy. She retaliated instantly, her stinger glowing a vivid purple as she struck with Poison Jab. The ghost let out a screeching wail, its flickering form shuddering before darting back into the shadows.
"Good hit, Aria!" I called, my voice echoing against the narrow walls.
To my right, Grotle charged forward, releasing a flurry of Razor Leaf at the center Haunter. The leaves sliced through the air, forcing it to phase out momentarily to dodge the onslaught. The Haunter to the right, however, had used the opening to launch another Shadow Ball, this time aimed straight at Grotle.
"Protect!" I shouted, as my heart skipped a beat.
Green light erupted around Grotle, forming a bright barrier that absorbed the attack with a loud thud. The Haunter hissed, its grin faltering as it drifted higher, searching for an opening.
The hallway was too tight. Grotle's bulk already filled most of the space, her wide frame leaving little room for me to maneuver, let alone send out another Pokémon. Aria's nimbleness made her invaluable here, but even she seemed to have trouble navigating around Grotle.
I gritted my teeth. "This is bad," I muttered under my breath, my eyes darting to the two remaining Haunter. "I can't send out anyone else without turning this into a pileup…"
The Haunter to the right disappeared into the shadows again, reemerging behind Grotle. Its glowing hands reached out, aiming for a sucker punch to her exposed flank.
"Aria, String Shot!" I called.
Without hesitation, Aria launched a web, tangling the Haunter just as its claws were about to make contact. Grotle turned with a growl, opening her maw, and unleashing a devastating Crunch onto the immobilized ghost as she tossed it away. The attack sending the Haunter flying backward, its form flickering wildly as it let out an eerie wail.
"Grotle, finish it with Energy Ball!" I shouted.
She growled low, gathering a glowing green sphere of energy at the center of her jaws before firing it directly at the trapped Haunter. The ghost screeched one last time before dissolving into the air, the remnants of its energy scattering like smoke.
One down. Two to go.
"Aria, stay on the left!" I barked, wiping sweat from my brow. The air was heavy, a static permeated the air making it hard to focus.
The remaining two ghosts began circling us, their laughter grating against my nerves. They darted in and out of the shadows, their movements erratic. My grip tightening on Grotle's Poké Ball as I debated on what to do next.
Just then, the air crackled sharply. A sudden jolt of electricity surged through the hall, making my hair stand on end. My head snapped around, and there it was—Rotom, hovering midair, its mischievous grin as wide as ever.
"Not now!" I hissed through gritted teeth.
Rotom, oblivious to the chaos, sent a playful zap my way, hitting me square in the shoulder. I yelped, stumbling backward as the ghosts turned their attention to the sudden newcomer.
Before I could yell to stop it, Rotom zipped around the hall, buzzing with energy as it darted between the Haunter. It shocked one with a sharp burst of electricity, causing it to shriek and phase out, reappearing further down the hall. With an almost mocking laugh, Rotom buzzed in a tight circle before taking off to the right, leaving a faint trail of sparks in its wake.
"Rotom!" I shouted, but it was already gone.
The Haunter regrouped, their attention snapping back to me and my team. They looked angrier now, their grins sharp and malicious. I could feel Grotle tense beside me, her growl deep and threatening. Aria clicked her mandibles, ready to strike again.
I glanced down the hall where Rotom had gone, then back toward the intersection where I'd last seen the ghost girl. The two corridors stretched out in opposite directions, and my stomach twisted as the realization hit me.
Rotom had gone one way, the girl the other.
"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, my mind racing. The girl needed me to help her find peace—that much was clear. But Rotom… if the poachers got their hands on it, I didn't even want to think about what they'd do.
"Alright, you two," I said, turning back to Grotle and Aria. "Let's finish this."
"Gro-Tle!" "Ari-Ari-DOS!" my partners cried out in response as the Haunter launched another Shadow Ball, but Grotle was ready. She bit into it with another crunch, the dark energy fizzling out harmlessly. Aria darted forward, her stinger glowing as she struck the second Haunter dead-on. It let out a final screech before disappearing into the shadows, leaving only one opponent.
"Grotle, Energy Ball!" I shouted.
With a roar, she fired the glowing green sphere at the last Haunter. It hit home, sending the ghost spiraling backward. The Haunter flickered and twisted, letting out a furious wail before it, too, faded into nothingness.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, leaning against the wall for support. The hallway was silent now, save for the faint hum of static lingering in the air.
"Good job," I murmured, giving Grotle a grateful pat and nodding toward Aria, who clicked her mandibles softly in response. "Now… which way do we go?"
The question hung in the air, heavier than I wanted to admit. I stood at the intersection, my eyes darted between the two corridors. Rotom's electric trail still sparked faintly to the right, while the left pulled at me with that same faint, chill. My jaw tightened as I weighed the options.
"Alright," I muttered under my breath, trying to reason it out. "The mission… my job is to figure out what's causing the Pokémon in the forest to go berserk. The ghost girl seems tied to that—her distress is messing with the wild Pokémon. But…"
I turned my gaze to the right, following the faint crackle of static in the air. "If Rotom falls into those poachers' hands… they'll use it for whatever nasty plans Galactic's cooking up. And if I know anything about Galactic—which I do, thanks to playing Platinum—nothing good will come of them getting a Pokémon like Rotom."
I rubbed the back of my neck, frustration bubbling in my chest. "So what do I do?" I muttered, pacing slightly despite the cramped hallway. "If I leave Rotom, they could grab it. But if I don't deal with the ghost girl, the forest is going to keep going haywire. And let's not forget the part where I'm somehow supposed to stop all this by myself."
Grotle let out a low rumble, shifting slightly to look between the two corridors as though she shared my unease. Aria clicked her mandibles, her sharp gaze fixed on me, waiting for a decision.
"Damn it," I muttered, clenching my fists. "Why can't this ever be simple?"
As if on cue, a PokéBall on my belt began to wiggle faintly. I froze, glancing down in confusion as the movement grew stronger. Before I could even react, the ball snapped open in a burst of light, and Rukia appeared in the cramped hallway. Her shimmering coat gleamed faintly in the dim light as she shook herself out, letting out a sharp cry.
"Rukia, what are you doing?!" I hissed, my voice sharp with surprise. The hallway already felt tight with Grotle and Aria taking up most of the space, and now Rukia's fluffy form was crowding things even more.
But she didn't seem to care. "Vul! Vul-Vul-Piiiiix!" she cried, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity I hadn't seen since we dealt with the poachers last time.
"What?" I said, blinking at her in confusion. "What are you—"
She cried out again, louder this time, and motioned with her nose toward the right hallway where Rotom had disappeared. Then she turned and pointed toward the left corridor, letting out another urgent "Vulpix!"
My heart skipped a beat as the faint hum of my aura stirred in my chest. It wasn't strong—just a whisper, a feeling—but it was enough to make me pause. Rukia's emotions were clear, even if her words weren't. A wave of determination and reassurance radiated from her, filling the air like a steadying pulse.
"You…" I began, staring at her as realization dawned. "You want me to follow Rotom, don't you? While you go after the ghost girl?"
She nodded sharply, her expression fierce as she cried out again. "Vul-Piiiixxx!"
"Rukia, no." My voice was firm, but my chest tightened at the thought. "You can't go off alone. I don't know what's waiting down there, and it's dangerous—"
She cut me off with a sharp bark, stamping her tiny paws on the ground. Another surge of emotion swept through me, and I could feel the sheer conviction behind her stance. She wasn't asking me—she was telling me. Trust her. Let her go.
My fists clenched as doubt gnawed at me. "Rukia, I…" I hesitated, glancing between her and the hallways again. Every instinct told me not to let her go alone, but the steady pulse of determination I felt from her had me slowly warming up to the idea.
"Alright," I said quietly, my voice cracking slightly. "Alright. I trust you, but I'm sending Aster with you, I don't know how many poachers are here but you are not going alone."
Her ears perked up at my words, and she let out a soft cry, her gaze steady and confident. "Vul-Piiiix!"
Reaching for Aster's PokéBall and calling her out, "Come on out Aster, I need you to go with Rukia and help her track the ghost of a girl down and help calm her alright?" a bright light coalesced into my beautiful bird as she flew out of the ball, flapping in place a short ways down the corridor.
I knelt down, resting a hand lightly on her head. "But you'd better be careful," I muttered, my voice low. "And if anything happens, you come back. Got it? You too Aster, I need you both to be safe. I'm trusting you two with this."
She nuzzled against my hand briefly before turning sharply and bounding toward the left corridor, her silvery tail swaying as she disappeared into the shadows.
For a moment, I stayed frozen, the faint hum of her confidence still lingering in my chest. Then I straightened, turning toward the right hallway where Rotom's trail still crackled faintly in the air.
"Alright, Rotom," I muttered, my voice firm as I started forward. "You'd better be grateful I'm coming to help."
XxxxX
That's Ch 18 folks! And dare I say we have quite the scenario going on! Ghosts are afoot and the dastardly poachers aren't far behind!
Now, what do you think of the chapter so far?
Chapter question time! If you could create a single gimmick, what would it be? Personally I liked where they went with the idea of Terastilization, but the execution was awful, it has to recharge, it's a ring-pop looking crown, instead of a crystallised Pokémon that would have looked amazing.