What happens when you combine the Anticipation ability with the heart of an actor and psychokinetic support? How does that play out in a haunted house?
The Control Room
Backstage, Owen and the others watched a Tyrogue rolling on the ground in a panic. Its trainer, a girl with long hair, jumped to her feet in distress.
"Don't worry, it's likely been targeted by the Dusclops that loves creating fire illusions," Ms. Ghost said with a light chuckle. "Did your Tyrogue not master the move Foresight?"
Typically, students come to the Magic City University Haunted House to temper their Pokémon's resistance to the eerie abilities of Ghost-types.
Whether it's Odor Sleuth, Foresight, or other methods of tracking ghosts, the haunted house is the ultimate training ground.
Theoretically, Tyrogue should be able to handle this, but seeing it fall so early was a poor showing. Its trainer looked incredibly embarrassed.
"That move... it doesn't have much power, so I didn't have it practice much."
"Take it as a lesson," Ms. Ghost shook her head. Another rookie trainer chasing offensive power while ignoring status and utility moves. There were far too many like her.
In comparison, the group led by Director Qi was performing well. The screen shifted to Liden's Ivysaur. As it walked, it released Sweet Scent, inhaling its own aroma to soothe its fear.
When a Gastly descended from the ceiling to use Hypnosis, Ivysaur merely wobbled for a second before the refreshing scent snapped it back to clarity.
Sweet Scent usually dazed others, but for the producer itself, it acted as a stimulant. This was its counter-strategy against illusions.
The other rookies cheered and pointed at the screen, while Liden wore a look of immense pride.
"Not bad," Ms. Ghost nodded. "But the difficulty is progressive. Withstanding one Hypnosis doesn't mean it'll survive what's next."
"Ah! My Vulpix!" a male trainer cried out. On screen, a tiny Vulpix was spinning in circles in a room. Even though there were two clear exits, it couldn't find its way out, as if trapped by a "Ghost Wall" illusion.
Je-je-je... Beside the Vulpix, a Sableye watched with gemstone eyes.
Flash! A terrifying shadow loomed over Sableye as it blocked Vulpix's path, forcing the fox to bump into it. The cold touch sent a shiver through Vulpix, and as its consciousness cleared for a split second, Sableye let out a piercing Astonish. Vulpix broke into a cold sweat and fainted instantly.
"Vulpix should have psychic talent... to be scared unconscious by a basic Astonish..."
Owen blinked. Watching the others either succeed or fail, he felt a growing knot in his stomach. He hadn't seen a single frame of Eevee or Magnemite yet.
Did something happen? Eevee has Anticipation and has seen enough horror movies to have a iron will. Magnemite's mental power is top-tier here, so it should resist illusions easily...
The "Big Problem"
Time passed. Of the original eleven, only five remained. The eliminated trainers sat dejectedly, their confidence shattered.
"Student Liden's Ivysaur has covered about one-tenth of the path. It's currently the furthest," Ms. Ghost announced. "Next, the ghosts will step up their scaring techniques. Let's see how long you last."
One-tenth? Everyone was shocked. Ivysaur had already survived three ambushes and was only 10% of the way through?
Owen was truly baffled now. Where are they?
"Where's your Eevee?" Liden asked from beside him. He felt like he might finally win this time.
"Yeah, where is my Eevee?" Owen scratched his head and turned to Ms. Ghost. "Excuse me... the screen hasn't shown my Pokémon once since the start. Is there a technical glitch?"
"Hmm?" Ms. Ghost looked at Owen, remembering he was the one with two Pokémon.
"It is strange. I haven't seen them either," Director Qi noted. "Call the monitoring staff."
Just as they were about to call, the door to the backstage area burst open. A staff member, drenched in sweat, rushed in.
"Did an Eevee and a Magnemite get let in from here? There's a big problem! Who's their trainer?"
"What happened?" Owen asked, his heart racing.
"It's a mess! Those two Pokémon have zero intention of 'clearing' the house. I don't know what's going on, but they're currently... having a chat with the staff?"
The monitor operator looked utterly lost. He hit a button on his remote, and the screen flickered to a new view.
A two-armed floating head and a headless, long-haired monster appeared on screen, currently engaged in a passionate "discussion" with a Misdreavus.
Director Qi, Ms. Ghost, Owen, and the other rookies: "???"
The staff member continued, "Look. It seems the Misdreavus hiding in that room was actually scared out of hiding by those two. Then the three of them just started... communicating. A Shuppet from next door even came over to visit a moment ago."
"What the hell??" Liden couldn't process this. Scaring the ghost staff? And where did that hair on Eevee come from? Was that creepy head actually Magnemite?
He looked at Owen. Your Pokémon are freaks. No, wait—you're the freak!
"This..." Owen's head throbbed. Eevee, what kind of trouble are you making now?
Just as Owen was about to ask them to bring his Pokémon out, something happened on screen that left him stunned.
In the video, the Misdreavus conjured a small Shadow Ball. Following the ghost's guidance, Eevee began to concentrate deeply.
The environment of the haunted house—thick with emotions and Ghost energy—provided the perfect catalyst. The condensation of energy that Eevee had failed to master outside suddenly clicked into place under Misdreavus's tutelage.
Eevee smiled. Clearing the house? Impossible. I'm never clearing this place. Being in here feels like being home. Every Pokémon in here is a genius; they teach me moves, I love it here.
Flash!
A Shadow Ball formed, then dissipated. Eevee nodded with satisfaction, sharing some of her "Core Theories of Method Acting" with the Misdreavus. The ghost looked delighted and happily opened a side door, pointing out a shortcut for Eevee and Magnemite to continue their "tour."
Owen scratched his head. "Uh... maybe we should let them stay in a bit longer?"
Who knows? Maybe Eevee and Magnemite could learn something from the next ghost, too.
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