"Sorry to make you laugh, miss. Don't mind what just happened. Shall we begin?"
Damian stomped Gengar back into the shadow. Gengar popped out of another shadow, clutching its head and howling theatrically.
With sharp eyes, Caitlin even spotted a big, bright-red bump on Gengar's head.
(Confused Black Guy.jpg)
Caitlin tilted her head. Are Ghost-type Pokémon like Gengar always this… "lively"?
Also, this Gengar was gray-black. If she remembered right, a normal Gengar should be purple.
A shiny Gengar! Interesting.
"Please."
Caitlin's thoughts raced. A poised, proper smile touched her delicate features as she extended her right hand and gestured to Damian.
Refined. Very refined. The air of a noble young lady radiated off her.
They took their places at the trainers' marks on the training ground, facing each other from afar.
"It's just a spar, but I'll ask anyway—you specialize in Psychic-types, right?"
"Correct. Any insights, sir?"
Caitlin admitted it directly. She did love Psychic-type Pokémon—perhaps because she herself was psychic.
Her senses for Psychic-types were especially keen.
"Not so much insights, but this special training setup is spot-on."
Damian grinned and flicked the Poké Ball in his hand.
"My pick is this one!"
With a low, haunting hum, a deep-violet Pokémon floated before Damian.
It looked like it wore a witch's hat; golden eyes glimmered beneath the brim. Its lower half was like a paper doll—hollow inside—evoking an uncanny vibe.
"Mismagius."
Caitlin recognized it instantly—the Ghost-type Mismagius, evolved from Misdreavus.
No wonder he said the "special training" was right. Ghost counters Psychic—and this Mismagius looked anything but ordinary.
Just its silent gaze made Caitlin's skin prickle with goosebumps. That was no illusion.
As a powerful psychic, Caitlin trusted her senses.
"So you're a pretty strong Ghost-type Trainer, sir?" Caitlin's eyes sparkled—she'd almost been "fooled" by the earlier silliness.
She'd nearly thought this boy was just here to clown around.
"I've got a bit of a knack for Dark, Poison, and Ghost." Damian smiled back.
"Since you specialize in Psychic, Ghost is a hurdle you can't ignore. Today, let me show you how Ghost-types fight."
Damian's smile turned sly, and Caitlin's brows pinched tighter.
"Friendly tip: even for a spar, you'd better not use that Kirlia."
Because in Damian's eyes, Kirlia was way too weak to matter here.
Why are they all such creepy types?
Caitlin blinked. Among all types, Dark, Poison, and Ghost didn't have the best reputations.
There was even a prejudice that most users of those types had… questionable hearts.
Like the various regions' evil organizations—they loved those three types.
"Metagross!"
Caitlin shook off the thought and decisively sent out her strongest Pokémon—Metagross.
"Metagross~!"
With a metallic hum, Metagross floated before Caitlin, braced for battle.
"Ladies first. Miss, you can take the opening move." Damian smiled, unruffled.
"Then we won't be polite! Metagross!"
Caitlin swept her right arm forward.
"Bullet Punch—close the gap!"
Metagross's foreclaws gleamed with steely light as it dashed at Mismagius.
A Steel-type priority move—Bullet Punch!
"Reckless. Charging in blind against an unknown opponent isn't what a qualified Trainer does."
Damian remarked coolly, not telling Mismagius to dodge.
"?" Caitlin pressed her lips together, frown deepening.
Such blunt critique annoyed her—but she couldn't argue.
Boosted by priority, Metagross closed in fast. Its massive claws hammered toward Mismagius.
"Will-O-Wisp."
Damian ordered, unfazed.
Ghostly blue flames bloomed around Mismagius.
"Wait! Metagross!" Caitlin's face paled slightly.
Too late. Metagross's Bullet Punch was already swinging; there was no pulling back.
Bang, bang, bang!
Bullet Punch pounded Mismagius, but those ghost-blue flames also found their mark on Metagross.
Mismagius took the hits, seemingly unfazed by pain, its crooked smile chilling to the bone.
The Will-O-Wisp sank into Metagross. A heartbeat later, fierce flames flared across its body; Metagross let out a pained metallic groan.
A Fire-type status move—once it lands, the opponent is guaranteed to be Burned!
Caitlin bit her lip, her expression turning grim.
The worst part of Burn is the debuff: physical attack gets sharply cut!
For a physical powerhouse like Metagross, that's brutal.
"It's fine. Metagross's special attack is strong too. Next…"
Caitlin steadied her breathing. Her Metagross's ability was Clear Body—immune to things like Intimidate.
But a status debuff like Burn still applies.
Still, no problem. Metagross is a near-hexagon pseudo-legendary! Aside from mediocre speed, it's almost perfect.
Its special attack outstrips most Pokémon, too!
But…
"Curse."
Damian gave the next order.
Caitlin's pupils constricted.
While Metagross writhed under the Burn, Mismagius split into a wide, evil grin, laughter sharp and grating.
A nail, reeking of ashen decay, materialized—aimed at Mismagius's own chest.
Ting—ting—ting!
The hair-raising clang rang out as the cursed spike drove itself into Mismagius bit by bit.
Mismagius shut its eyes; agony twisted its face—yet there was a mad, eerie pleasure in it, making Caitlin's skin crawl.
What kind of Pokémon is this?!
Caitlin pressed her lips tight. Ghost-type Curse is a move that afflicts the opponent by harming yourself.
But for a Ghost-type to use Curse is supposed to be excruciating—this isn't how it should look!
And…
Burned and Cursed—how was her Metagross supposed to fight now?
Caitlin's chest rose and fell fast.
Her emotions spiked. Her dress and golden hair stirred without wind. The psychic-blue glow in her eyes began to flicker.
"Hm? Losing control already?"
Damian noticed the shift and studied the psychic girl with keen interest.
As if remembering something, he quickly pulled out his phone, opened the camera, and started recording.
Classic: when the Pokémon can't win, the Trainer goes berserk.
Worried she'd lash out and hurt him? Don't be ridiculous.
What he was really curious about was this—between Caitlin and Sabrina, whose Psychic was stronger?