Sandgem Town.
On the bustling street, a stray Meowth was rummaging through a trash can when it suddenly felt the temperature around it drop significantly. Its fur stood on end as it looked ahead in terror.
A figure floated in the air, its crimson eyes showing black vertical pupils.
Its mouth seemed zipped shut with a yellow zipper, and it was staring at the Meowth.
The Meowth dropped the food in its paws and bolted.
The figure in the alley watched the Meowth flee in panic, hiding in the shadows, its gaze fixed straight ahead into the distance.
Then it vanished.
At this moment, Lucas was starting a new, wonderful day.
The work in the backyard had been completely handed over to Paul, and the matters of the Twinleaf Town shop were handled by Gothitelle and the others. All he needed to do was lie in his armchair, watch cartoons with Gengar, and quietly wait for customers to arrive.
The morning was uneventful, but around noon, Professor Rowan called.
"Hello, Lucas."
Professor Rowan's voice came through the phone, getting straight to the point.
"Have there been any strange paranormal phenomena on your side recently?"
Lucas was taken aback.
What paranormal phenomena?
"Specifically————"
"In Sandgem Town these past few days, people's homes have been experiencing unexplained power outages, or they've felt a sudden chill and then caught inexplicable colds or fevers. This morning, the Research Institute's power also went out for no reason. I suspect it's the work of some Ghost-type Pokémon."
Professor Rowan voiced his suspicion, "But it's probably just passing through, so I called to let you know. Keep an eye out; it might head your way or toward Twinleaf Town."
"A Ghost-type Pokémon?"
Lucas nodded, then continued, "Alright, Professor Rowan, I'll have Gengar keep an eye out. If I find out what Pokémon it is, I'll report back to you and try to figure out its purpose. I'll also notify Officer Jenny in Twinleaf Town so they can take precautions."
Professor Rowan nodded and hung up.
Lucas kept guessing what Ghost-type Pokémon it could be. Most Ghost-type Pokémon can create paranormal phenomena, making it hard to pinpoint.
"Gengar, go call Misdreavus over too."
Gengar nodded and floated out of the backyard.
Since becoming familiar with Gengar, Misdreavus had been following it around. When Gengar wasn't in the backyard, it would play pranks on its own.
Though it often got scolded for it.
Soon, Misdreavus followed Gengar back. Lucas looked at them and briefly explained what Professor Rowan had said, asking them to stay alert around the Breeding House these next few days and report any anomalies.
For Ghost-type Pokémon, finding others of their kind shouldn't be too difficult.
Gengar and Misdreavus nodded.
Though Misdreavus was playful like Gengar, it would still take Lucas's tasks seriously.
After instructing Gengar and Misdreavus, Lucas called Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy to inform them as well.
Nina had left a few days ago due to work.
Lucas knew she'd been exhausted lately and planned to make her more delicious food as compensation next time she visited.
After notifying everyone, Lucas lay back in his armchair, petting his small fish.
Gengar had just tossed a candy bean into its mouth when it floated up, looking at the ceiling.
Seeming to notice something, it passed straight through the ceiling.
Misdreavus also returned from the backyard.
Following Gengar.
Lucas was puzzled.
No way? Right after we talked about it?
Passing through the ceiling, Gengar saw a doll-like Pokémon hiding there, seemingly surprised Gengar had spotted it.
"Gengar?!"
What are you doing here?
Gengar's eyes filled with vigilance, its hands already gathering Ghost-type energy, gradually forming a Shadow Ball.
"Hala?"
Are you his ace Pokémon?
Hearing the Pokémon's question, Gengar's hostility vanished instantly.
It recognized the tone from when Ninetales and Kangaskhan had spoken before.
"Gengar?"
Are you also here to visit home?
Gengar grinned widely, showing a friendly smile.
The Pokémon nodded gently.
Then Misdreavus arrived behind Gengar, timidly asking.
Boss, who is this?
"Gengar"
Senior.
After saying this, Gengar passed through the ceiling back to Lucas, gesturing for him to look up.
Lucas looked up and saw a Banette.
So it's a Banette—the legendary abandoned doll that became a Pokémon due to resentment.
No wonder people were getting inexplicable fevers; it must be due to the Banette's resentful energy.
Just as he was about to ask why Banette had come, its introduction popped up.
[Banette]
[Gender: Male]
[Type: Ghost]
[Ability: Frisk]
[Moves Known: Night Shade, Spite, Will-O-Wisp, Shadow Sneak, Hex, Curse, Shadow Ball, Phantom Force, Poltergeist, Confuse Ray, Thief, Payback, Nasty Plot, Trick, Taunt, Shadow Claw, Dark Pulse, Thunder Wave, Thunder, Trick Room, Throat Chop]
[Mood: Happy]
[Condition: Excited]
[Friendliness: 90 (You are her descendant)]
[Introduction: An abandoned doll that became a Pokémon due to accidental resentment. After becoming a Pokémon, it started playing pranks everywhere, causing panic until it met Grandma. She opened her arms, embraced it, purified its resentment, and brought it back to the Breeding House, making it a member. Now, after hearing from Ninetales that the Breeding House has reopened under her descendant, it crossed mountains and rivers to return home—for a visit.]
Lucas's first thought was admiration for its moveset.
What a powerful Banette—probably on par with Ninetales, right?
Then he looked at the introduction.
Another senior returning for a visit?
Lucas stood up, smiling at Banette.
"Welcome back for a visit, Banette. I'm Lucas, her descendant and the current owner of this Breeding House."
Banette stared at Lucas, seeing a familiar face in his features.
Banette smiled.
"Hala~"
Hello.
After Lucas introduced Gengar, Lilligant, and the others to Banette, it told him to go rest.
Then it asked Gengar to show it around the Breeding House's backyard again.
Gengar gave Lucas a thumbs-up, then happily passed through the wall to the backyard.
Watching Banette leave, Lucas lay down but got up again from the chair. With an elder back home, they'd have a feast tonight.
Following Gengar and Misdreavus to the backyard, Banette found it different from what it remembered.
The old backyard also had many Pokémon playing and roughhousing, but now it was clearly more organized, with each area well-planned and many new facilities added.
Glancing at Paul practicing with Pokémon, Banette nodded and continued following Gengar toward the Forest Area.
"Hala?"
Why is the fence here dismantled?
"Gengar—"
Because the Breeding House and the forest have become very good friends, the fence isn't needed anymore. Breeding House Pokémon can go to the forest whenever they want, and forest Pokémon can come to the Breeding House.
"Hala?"
Friends?
Gengar explained everything to Banette, who nodded repeatedly.
"Hala."
So that's how it is.
"Bee?"
Vespiquen flew over, glanced at Banette, and asked curiously.
"Gengar"
A senior from our Breeding House.
Vespiquen looked at Banette and greeted it warmly.
After bidding farewell to Vespiquen, Banette followed Gengar back to the Breeding House.
Lucas happened to be sitting in his chair, on the phone with Professor Rowan.
"You're saying it was caused by a Banette?"
Professor Rowan on the screen inquired.
Banette's power source is Curses, so if it's this Pokémon, that matches up.
"But why did it go to the Breeding House? Is something wrong?"
Lucas glanced at Gengar and Banette emerging from behind the counter and said, "Actually, it was a partner from my Grandma's time. This time, it's back—to visit family, I guess."
Professor Rowan nodded, "I see, that's good. Then this matter is settled. I'll explain to Officer Jenny and the others later, and you'll need to explain to Twinleaf Town."
Lucas hummed in agreement. After hanging up, he called Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy in Twinleaf Town separately to explain.
After the calls, Lucas looked at Banette and said with a smile, "If you're not in a hurry to leave, stay for dinner?"
Banette looked at Lucas and nodded gently.
Lucas stood up from the chair, stretched his waist, and headed to the kitchen.
Paul came to the kitchen, asking about Banette.
"About it—I took over this Breeding House from my Grandma, so often, some of her family or friends, upon hearing I've reopened it, come back to visit. Just treat it as an elder of our Breeding House."
Lucas put on an apron and explained.
Paul nodded, asking if Lucas needed help.
Lucas shook his head, asking Lilligant to call Mime Jr. back from next door.
Gengar could keep Banette company; he and Mime Jr. would handle tonight's dinner.
As Lucas tied an apron on Mime Jr., another text popped up.
[Guest from the Sea: A visitor has arrived at Twinleaf Town's harbor. You might want to check it out.]
Lucas was stunned. A Guest from the Sea?
Could it be Lugia? No, if it were Lugia, it would have come straight to the Breeding House to find him.
Lucas thought for a moment but couldn't figure it out. Checking the time, he could make it if he went now.
He told Mime Jr., took off his apron, and walked out.
...
Power Stones PLZZZZZ
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