Thursday, February 26th.
Eterna City.
Professor Oak once wrote in his memoirs:
"A city of fading memories, where ancient ruins whisper forgotten histories."
The air here felt heavy with time. Industries had gradually shifted elsewhere, leaving behind two landmarks—the Eterna Museum and an herbal medicine shop.
Gardenia grew up in this city and eventually became its Gym Leader.
Her favorite pastime? Exploring haunted houses in Eterna Forest… despite her crippling fear of ghosts.
But the thrill kept her coming back.
Sunlight filtered through towering evergreens as a tomboyish girl in a crop top and shorts stood trembling before a vine-choked mansion.
Rustling sounds surrounded her.
Gulp.
Gardenia swallowed hard, reaching a shaky hand toward the thorn-covered door—
"AAAAH, I CAN'T DO IT!!"
Her scream sent a flock of Starly fleeing from the trees.
"Geeen-gaaar…"
A haunting cry echoed behind her.
Gardenia froze. Cold sweat dripped down her back as legs turned to jelly.
Something poked her spine.
She whimpered, turning slowly—
Only to meet a grotesque face: stretched grin, lolling tongue, and bulging eyes.
"!!!" Gardenia collapsed, elbows scraping dirt, legs clamped together, face ghostly pale.
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／" Gengar cheerfully yanked her upright.
"G-Gengar?!" she stammered, dazed.
"Gengar!" It hopped excitedly, flashing a peace sign by its eye.
Gardenia gulped, shifting her gaze—
And locked eyes with a man whose beauty transcended gender.
Had the Pokémon world a "Most Handsome" ranking, he'd easily clinch top three.
"Enough scaring people, Gengar."
Natsume sighed apologetically. "My apologies for startling you."
Gardenia blinked rapidly before bowing.
"N-Natsume-sensei! I should've welcomed you properly!"
"You know me?" Natsume raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? I'm Gardenia! From the chat group!" She looked ready to cry.
"Oh, you!"
Natsume smacked his forehead in realization.
"Thank you remember," Gardenia exhaled, smiling weakly.
"Let's walk and talk."
Natsume nodded, though puzzled.
When did Gardenia join the group?
The forest hummed with silence, broken only by Misdreavus's distant giggles.
Gardenia glanced back at the eerie mansion, shuddering.
"They say ghosts live there…"
She whispered, "I've wanted to explore it since childhood."
"But even now… I can't muster the courage." Her shoulders slumped.
Natsume hummed, stepping on a twig.
CRACK.
"Eeek! What was that?!" Gardenia squeaked.
"Ghosts."
Natsume's face darkened as shadowy tendrils swirled behind him.
Gardenia's eyes rolled back—
"WAIT, JUST KIDDING!"
He frantically signaled Gengar to cut the special effects.
Oops.
In panic, Natsume accidentally activated Aura of Ripple.
Dammit! (ﾉ°Д°)ﾉ
"Mmm…"
Gardenia felt a warm energy soothe her nerves like a full-body massage. Blushing, she waved her hands.
"N-no harm done!"
Natsume and Gengar exchanged glances.
This girl had an odd connection to ghosts—almost like a living "background character" aura.
The Pokémon world's supernatural side was weird.
Ghosts at Old Chateau, nine-tailed foxes in ancient manors…
No wonder Gardenia's presence felt so muted.
"Phoebe from Hoenn's Elite Four communes with spirits too…"
Natsume mused, marveling at this world's absurd blend:
Mysticism, sci-tech, ancient Pokémon, and meteorite apocalypses.
Could Ash punch a meteor to dust with his plot armor?
"Too ridiculous," Natsume coughed.
"Pardon?" Gardenia tilted her head.
"Nothing. That mansion's trouble—best avoided."
"You've heard the rumors too?!" Her eyes sparkled.
Natsume shrugged.
In Diamond/Pearl, the place was haunted.
Beyond Rotom's antics…
There might literally be a ghostly girl in red.
Ash would handle it later—his "immortal protagonist" physique made it trivial.
"It's… complicated."
Natsume rubbed his temple. "I've got business at the museum. Don't go ghost-hunting."
"Okay…" Gardenia sighed wistfully.
As they left the forest, something watched from a mossy window—
A little girl wiped her brow in relief.
Thank goodness they're gone.
Aura of Ripple + Rainbow Wing + that Gengar?
If they'd entered—
I'd be dead for real!
Exchanging glances with Rotom, she faded into the shadows.
Better lay low for a while…
...
Sunlight bathed Eterna City's aged buildings as they exited the forest.
Natsume smirked, thinking of tonight's plans with Cynthia.
Perfect. No disasters this time!
"For me?" Gardenia gaped as Gengar offered a soda.
"Gengar! [](￣▽￣)*"
"Thanks! Your pockets hold items too? Amazing!"
"Gengar~ ︿(￣︶￣)︿"
Gardenia giggled.
Maybe ghosts aren't all scary…
Natsume side-eyed Gengar.
Since when are you this smooth?!
"Oh!"
Gardenia suddenly rummaged through her shorts.
"You're challenging the Sinnoh League, right?"
She handed Gengar a jade-green badge.
"Then you'll need this—the Forest Badge!"
A system prompt flashed before Natsume:
[Forest Badge]
An emblem of antiquity and vitality, crafted from emerald. (Still fetches a decent price if sold to ore collectors.)
Natsume: ???
Is Sinnoh just made of money?
Wait—that wasn't the point.
He facepalmed.
How did I glitch into getting a badge?!
Turning back, he saw Gardenia handing Gengar a USB drive.
"This holds Grass Knot, my signature move! It pairs with the badge!"
"Gengar! (≧▽≦)?"
Trainer will love this gift!
Natsume's soul left his body.
Disaster had struck after all…
His Sirfetch'd adored Grass-type moves—despite being unable to learn them.
The mental image of it tripping foes with its leek was too vivid.
Now he'd need Grass Stones or Miracle Seeds…
Sighing, Natsume pulled out his notebook.
February 26th, Thursday…
"Who do I blame for this?"
He glanced at Gardenia—her "background NPC" aura made her too forgettable.
Might as well pick someone memorable.
Pen hovering, he wrote decisively:
Gold.
This grudge is etched in stone, Natsume swears it!
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