"Please don't mind what just happened, miss. We can begin now."
Mamen casually stomped Gengar back into his shadow. Gengar popped out of another shadow clutching his head, wailing dramatically.
Caitlin's sharp eyes even caught a bright red lump swelling on the ghost's head.
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Caitlin tilted her head. Are Ghost-type Gengars usually… this lively?
And this one was gray-black — not the usual purple.
An alternate-colored Gengar. Interesting.
"Please," she said with a graceful, composed smile, raising her right hand toward Mamen.
Elegance radiated off her — the unmistakable pride of an aristocratic lady.
The two of them took their positions on opposite ends of the training field.
"Even if this is only a practice match, I should ask — you seem to specialize in Psychic-types, miss?"
"That's correct. Do you have any thoughts on that?" Caitlin admitted it openly. She had a particular affection for Psychic-type Pokémon — perhaps because she herself was psychic. Psychic Pokémon resonated with her in a unique way.
"It's not exactly an opinion, but… this special training is the right move."
Mamen grinned and tossed out his Poké Ball.
"My partner is this one!"
With a low, eerie wail, a deep-violet Pokémon floated in front of him.
It looked like it wore a witch's hat, golden eyes glinting beneath the brim. Its lower body resembled a hollow doll, unsettling in an indescribable way.
"Mismagius."
Caitlin recognized it instantly — Ghost-type, the evolved form of Misdreavus.
No wonder he said this match was "perfect." Ghost types counter Psychic types — and this Mismagius looked far from ordinary.
Even its calm gaze sent shivers crawling along her skin. Her instincts were never wrong.
"As expected, you're a strong Ghost-type trainer, Mr. Mamen?" Her eyes sparkled — she had almost let his earlier antics fool her into thinking he was just fooling around.
"I have some insight into Ghost, Dark, and Poison types," he replied with a gentle smile.
"If you specialize in Psychic-types, then Ghost-types are obstacles you must face sooner or later. Today, I'll show you how Ghost-type battles are really fought."
His smile slowly curled into something… wicked. Caitlin's brows tightened.
"And a friendly reminder — even if this is just practice, you really shouldn't use that Kirlia."
Because from Mamen's perspective, Kirlia was simply too weak for this session.
Why is it always these weird types…?
Ghost, Dark, Poison — all with bad reputations. People even had biases that "evil-hearted trainers" favored them.
Like… the criminal organizations in every region.
"Metagross!"
Caitlin pushed those thoughts aside and decisively sent out her strongest partner.
"Mi—taaa!"
With a metallic hum, Metagross floated to her side, ready for battle.
"Ladies first. Miss, please make the opening move," Mamen said pleasantly.
"Then we won't hold back! Metagross!"
She swung her arm.
"Use Bullet Punch and close in!"
Metagross's claws gleamed steel-gray as it charged at Mismagius at high speed — a priority Steel-type move.
"A reckless opening. Charging in before understanding your opponent is not the mark of a qualified trainer."
Mamen commented calmly, not telling Mismagius to dodge.
Caitlin pressed her lips together, irked yet unable to deny it.
Metagross reached Mismagius in a blink, claws swinging down.
"Will-O-Wisp."
Blue-white flames bloomed around Mismagius.
"Wait—! Metagross!" Caitlin's face tightened.
Too late — the Bullet Punch was already mid-swing.
Bam, bam, bam!
Metagross struck repeatedly, but the ghostly flames also sank into Metagross's body.
Mismagius endured the blows without flinching, its twisted grin growing more chilling.
The flames ignited — Metagross cried out in pain.
Burned.
Caitlin clenched her teeth. Burn wasn't frightening because of damage — but because it harshly lowered physical attack.
A terrible status for a physically powerful Pokémon like Metagross.
"It's fine. Metagross's special attack is strong too. Next—"
She forced herself to breathe. Metagross's ability, Clear Body, protected from stat-drops — but couldn't block status-induced reductions.
Even so, Metagross was nearly a perfect all-rounder aside from speed. Its special attack was far above the average Pokémon's.
But—
"Curse."
Caitlin's pupils shrank.
While Metagross writhed in the burn's flames, Mismagius burst into manic laughter. A gray, decaying nail appeared, aimed at its own chest.
Ding—ding—ding!
The sound made her scalp prickle. Mismagius hammered the nail into its body.
Its face twisted between agony and sick pleasure, making Caitlin's skin crawl.
What kind of Pokémon is this?!
Ghost-type Curse was a move where the user harmed itself to curse the opponent — but it wasn't supposed to look this… horrifying.
And now Metagross was both burned and cursed.
How was she supposed to fight like this?
Caitlin's breathing quickened. Her dress and hair began lifting in the rising psychic wind. Her eyes glowed with unstable psychic light.
"Hm? Losing control already?"
Mamen noticed immediately and watched her with interest.
He pulled out his phone, switching to video.
Classic: Pokémon loses → trainer starts going berserk.
Worried he might get caught in the crossfire? Not at all.
If anything, he was curious — between Caitlin and Sabrina, who was stronger?