The main purpose of coming to the secret realm this time was for Metang, with Mimikyu being secondary.
However, Mimikyu's training wouldn't be neglected. In particular, Nathan focused on fear-based training for it.
Ghost-type Pokémon were inherently frightening and excelled at confusing opponents' minds. Moves like Scary Face and Screech could be used to devastating effect, even if they didn't cause direct damage.
Don't underestimate these kinds of moves—they could easily catch an opponent off guard.
That was also why Nathan had Mimikyu watching horror movies regularly.
As these thoughts lingered in his mind, the night deepened.
Nathan stretched a little, freshened up, added some dry wood to the campfire, and finally returned to the tent, drifting into a deep sleep.
It was only after Nathan fell asleep that a shadowy figure slowly drifted out from the forest. Staring at the tent, it seemed a bit hesitant… as if debating whether to enter…
…
The next day.
With the break of dawn, soft sunlight poured down, casting a golden hue across the ground. The sky was blue with drifting clouds, and the gentle breeze made it clear—it was going to be a great day.
"This one's good, really good. It almost scared me too!"
"Q~"
"That music—rewind a bit. I want to hear it again… hisss... such a vibe."
"Q~Q!"
"Jejeje, I love this music. It feels like it would be amazing for scaring people."
"No, no, no. You're doing it wrong. If we're going to scare people, we need to do to things at once, you know? We need to use our moves and make scary sounds at the same time. That's how you truly spook humans and Pokémon alike."
"Watch—I'll show you."
Half-asleep, Nathan seemed to hear voices next to him—an ongoing conversation, almost like someone talking to Mimikyu.
He thought he was imagining things.
But the next moment—
A piercingly shrill and terrifying sound erupted, like something straight out of a horror movie—specifically that one he once watched called Insidious.
It sent chills down his spine.
Suddenly jolted awake, Nathan sat bolt upright in shock.
"What the hell was that?!"
Hearing something like that first thing in the morning wiped all traces of sleep from his mind. He looked utterly dumbfounded.
But when he turned to his side, things only got weirder.
Mimikyu was clutching his phone, a horror film playing on it. One of its ears was wearing an earbud, and it was curiously looking at Nathan.
Next to Mimikyu, another figure was squatting—also with a startled expression on his face.
It was an old man with white hair and a face full of wrinkles. The tent's zipper was shut tight, yet this old man had somehow gotten inside without opening or damaging anything. Now, he was rubbing his nose awkwardly, clearly embarrassed.
"Uh, good morning, Trainer… I, uh… I'm…"
"Are you a human or a Pokémon?" Nathan cut in, staring at him with confusion. The zipper was closed from the inside. There was no sign of it being opened. How did this old guy get in?
And he didn't seem to have any Poké Balls on him either—not very trainer-like.
"Cough… I'm a Pokémon," the old man replied, clearly embarrassed.
"A Pokémon?" Nathan repeated in surprise.
"You're probably wondering why I look human, right? That's just an illusion. Not very hard to do," the old man said.
As he spoke, black mist swirled around his body. In the next instant, he transformed into a massive, jet-black Gengar. There was a grin on its face—one that looked eerie and unsettling.
Dark mist continued to radiate from its body, and its aura was frightening. Nathan couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "You—you're that Ghost-type Pokémon from this secret realm?!"
"Jejeje, looks like you've heard of me," Gengar said with a nod.
The moment it revealed its true form, the temperature inside the tent dropped noticeably. Fortunately, Nathan could tell it wasn't hostile.
Otherwise, Volcarona would've already come out of its Poké Ball.
"Then how did you get into my tent?" Nathan asked. "And just now, I could've sworn I heard you talking to Mimikyu?"
"Cough… about that…" Gengar looked even more embarrassed and said, "I sensed there was something special about you, so I sneaked in while you were asleep. But then I saw this little guy watching something on that human thing you call a 'phone'... watching a so-called 'movie'…"
"And then?" Nathan asked, even more puzzled.
"Well, I got curious and started chatting with the little guy. And then… I got hooked…"
Cough.
Hearing that, Nathan's eyes widened in disbelief.
He clearly remembered that this Ghost-type in the secret realm had supposedly lived for over a thousand years… and now it was hooked on horror films?
"So earlier, you and Mimikyu were…?"
"We were discussing," Gengar said proudly. "Talking about the best way to scare people effectively."
"Q~"
Mimikyu nodded, confirming the story.
The corner of Nathan's mouth twitched. After a moment, he scratched his head and said, "So, why did you come looking for me?"
"Of course I have a reason!" Gengar's eyes lit up. "Well, originally I had one thing to ask, but now I've got two."
"Can you get me one of those 'phone' things?"
His face filled with longing as he said, "That phone of yours is amazing! So many interesting videos. If I had one, I wouldn't be bored anymore. You don't know what it's like in this secret realm. It's either scaring Pokémon or sleeping—that's it. I'm bored out of my mind."
"And who knows when I'll ever get out of this place…"
Hearing this, Nathan's mouth twitched again. Then he asked, "And… the second thing?"
"Jeje, well, the second thing's not really important. I just sensed some powerful energy on you and got curious, so I came over to check it out," Gengar said with a cheeky smile, floating around the tent.
From his earlier human disguise, he really came off like a mischievous old man.
But Nathan understood the real reason Gengar came.
It was because of the Mark.
"That mark… seems like powerful Pokémon can sense it," Nathan murmured inwardly.
The Metagross from before, Calyrex, and now this Gengar—they'd all sensed the mark on him.
He couldn't help but worry—would every powerful Pokémon he encountered start seeking him out?
What if someday it was a Tyranitar...
Would it stomp him into paste?
And if he entered a danger zone filled with strong Pokémon…
Wouldn't he get mobbed?
The thought alone gave Nathan a headache.
"Jeje, I won't ask for the phone for free. If you help me get one, I'll give you something in return," Gengar said with a grin.
"In return?" Nathan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of reward?"
"You humans are always after resources, right? I'll give you some of that," Gengar offered.
"Resources?"
Nathan thought for a moment. The resources in this secret realm were Light Clay and White Herb. Light Clay extended the duration of Light Screen and Reflect, while White Herb was a one-time use item that restored lowered stats.
Useful items for most people, but not particularly valuable to Nathan.
Then something clicked in his mind, and his eyes lit up. "I'm not too interested in the resources here. But I did hear you mention do two things at the same time? …"
"Hehe, that's right." Gengar grinned proudly. "I can use creepy, scary movements and make horrifying sounds at the same time! That skill earned me the admiration of plenty of my peers back in the day."
"Then how about this—train Mimikyu for me?" Nathan asked.
This Gengar was clearly strong. Nathan figured that any Pokémon capable of sensing the Mark had to be powerful.
And Ghost-types were usually smart. If Gengar could act as Mimikyu's temporary mentor, it might help Mimikyu learn a lot.
"You want me to teach this little guy how to multitask?" Gengar asked, blinking.
"Can you?" Nathan asked.
"I can, but…" Gengar frowned slightly, "It's not easy. Depends on talent, you know? Not every Pokémon is as gifted as I am."
"Q~"
Mimikyu chirped, as if to say it had talent too.
Nathan chuckled. "No worries. As long as you're willing to teach, that's enough—even if it doesn't work out. Also, I'd like you to teach Mimikyu better energy control."
"And… how about a battle with me?" he added.
"Battle too?" Gengar looked reluctant. "That sounds like a pain…"
Nathan raised a finger and said slowly, "One hundred horror movies."
Gengar's eyes sparkled. Without hesitation, he said, "Deal!"
"Haha, then let's go. Fight me first—I want to see what you're capable of," Nathan said eagerly, getting up.
This Gengar was incredibly strong—possibly even at Champion level.
Nathan had never fought a Champion-tier Pokémon before, and he was excited.
He also wanted to know if his Volcarona could hold its own against a powerhouse like that.
...
Mountainous Region.
It took Nathan half a day to find a suitable battlefield.
"Let's go, then."
Gengar's voice was low, his eerie grin still present. But perhaps due to the upcoming battle, black mist began to surge from his body, and his pupils turned blood red. His aura exploded.
It was a chilling, terrifying presence.
Stronger than even Volcarona's aura.
The moment it burst forth, the nearby wild Pokémon scattered in fear.
"Definitely stronger than Elite-Tier… probably Champion tier," Nathan thought, heart pounding.
But he still smiled, lips curling upward. "Volcarona, come on out!"
Buzz.
A flash of light appeared.