Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Returning home, Natsume's mother was busy lighting the fire to cook. Upon seeing him, she was visibly surprised.

"Mom, what's for dinner?"

Natsume casually sat down, grabbed a Bayberry from the bowl, and handed one to Haunter.

"Oh, just some simple dishes," Misuzu said, brushing off her apron before sitting next to Natsume. "How's school?"

"It's fine. Where's Dad?"

"He went to pick Berries on your Uncle's hill. He'll be back soon."

Misuzu had already noticed Haunter munching on the Bayberry but chose not to ask, simply watching it with a kind smile.

"Is this your Pokémon?"

"Yeah, just caught it."

"Let it eat more. It looks so thin."

As they chatted, Natsume's father came in, carrying a large sack over his shoulder, his eyes lighting up when he saw Natsume.

"Hey, Natsume's back!"

"Dad, how many Berries did you pick?"

Makoto, with graying temples, chuckled. "Not much, just a few from your Uncle's place."

Natsume's father used to be a teacher but couldn't adapt to the fast-paced city life, so he returned to the village to become a Village Official.

The family had a Zigzagoon, and an Oddish took care of the potted plants in the yard.

Occasionally, they would play with the neighbor's Lillipup or go fishing for Magikarp by the river. Life here had its own unique charm.

Seeing Haunter's sinister grin, Zigzagoon widened its bulging white eyes and timidly hid behind Makoto.

Makoto gave Zigzagoon a light kick and laughed. "Don't be scared, go say hello!"

Haunter mimicked a boxer, playfully throwing punches at Zigzagoon.

But Shadow Punch couldn't harm a Normal type, so Natsume let the two Pokémon play together.

"How long are you staying this time?"

"Just a couple of days. I have exams at school."

"Your Uncle said you were on TV, something about a Piplup Cup. What kind of competition was that?"

"Just a fan tournament, nothing to worry about."

After catching up with his father, Natsume learned that the forest on the hill was now mainly used for growing Berries.

Berries were profitable and sold well, but they often attracted Wild Pokémon, which was a headache for Makoto, the Village Official.

"You came at the right time. Go up the hill with your Uncle tonight."

Makoto took a puff from his pipe. "Check on the new saplings, make sure the Wild Pokémon haven't eaten them all."

Natsume asked curiously, "Are the Pokémon on the hill really that fierce?"

"Absolutely. They've already destroyed several saplings," Makoto said, clearly distressed.

"I always tell your Uncle not to use traps, but at this rate, we have no choice!"

Natsume nodded. "I'll go take a look tonight."

With Haunter's strength, dealing with a few Wild Pokémon shouldn't be a problem.

After all, the village wasn't far from town. If there were any powerful Wild Pokémon, the Association would have already taken care of it.

As the sun set, the smoke from the chimneys rose.

Natsume's mother kept serving Haunter, making Natsume feel a bit neglected.

After dinner, Natsume took Zigzagoon for a walk and brought Haunter along to tease the local kids.

But the kids were lively and soon started playing with Haunter.

"Natsume, don't take my swing!"

"Ah, I want to play on the seesaw too, Natsume, get off!"

Natsume then visited each house with Zigzagoon, collecting fruits and snacks.

By nightfall, Natsume was still munching on watermelon, his mouth never stopping.

Life in the village was simple.

And monotonous.

"Murkrow—"

A Murkrow perched on a power line, letting out a hoarse cry.

As night fell, Uncle found Natsume, and they headed up the hill together.

"Your dad told you, right?" Uncle said with a smile. "It's tough on you, coming home and having to guard the forest at night."

"It's fine, I'm used to staying up late," Natsume replied with a grin.

Uncle was followed by a snarling Poochyena, which barked nervously at Haunter.

Haunter, oblivious, pulled its mouth wide, making crazy faces.

The forest grew darker, the dense trees blocking out any light.

Uncle turned on a flashlight and sent Poochyena ahead to scout.

"Natsume, stay close. I've set up a lot of traps around here."

Uncle muttered, "I know you scholars might think it's cruel... but we have no choice. If we don't catch the thieves, we'll starve."

The Berry Orchard was the livelihood of many families in the village, but it was constantly plagued by Wild Pokémon.

Natsume hadn't investigated, so he had no say, silently following behind.

The forest echoed with the calls of partridges and low growls.

The view suddenly opened up, revealing a sparse orchard where several saplings had already been damaged.

"Darn it, not again!"

Uncle stomped his foot in frustration when a shadow darted through the bushes.

"Poochyena, go after it!"

"Poochyena!!"

[Spirit Vision check—61, success!]

It was too dark for Natsume to see clearly, just a black blur, impossible to identify.

Poochyena plunged into the bushes, and Natsume shouted, "Haunter, follow it, use Confuse Ray!"

Though it might hit Poochyena, Confuse Ray was the best option in this situation.

Haunter flew into the bushes with a sinister grin, and a eerie light suddenly illuminated the orchard, turning it as bright as day.

Natsume squinted, hearing a sharp cry from the bushes.

Uncle clenched his fist. "That brat stepped into a trap!"

They rushed forward, following a trail of blood from a broken trap.

Uncle looked puzzled. "It bit through the trap! This guy's teeth must be something else!"

"This guy can't be too big," Natsume frowned. "Uncle, stay here. Haunter and I will go after it."

If they didn't catch the thief tonight, Natsume wouldn't get a peaceful night's sleep in the village!

"Ah? Natsume, be careful!"

The forest was quiet except for the rustling of cicadas. A few plump Caterpie fell from the trees, hissing as they spun thick silk.

Natsume cautiously moved along the path, stepping on dry branches that snapped loudly.

Under the 'Eagle's Eye' effect of Spirit Vision, the green blood footprints gradually disappeared.

The last trace of blood was on the trunk of a large camphor tree.

Natsume looked up.

A sharp cry rang out as a shadow leaped down from the tree.

"Haunter, Protect!"

A thick black mist enveloped Natsume, and a barrier rose, sparking with a pale blue light!

"Confuse Ray!" Natsume squinted and shouted, "Hex!"

Black mist spread from Haunter, glowing eerily as it extended toward the shadow.

But the Pokémon easily broke through the mist, lunging at Haunter!

"Invalid? It's a Normal type!"

Natsume cursed under his breath. "Haunter, Protect!"

This was the Dark-type move "Bite." With Haunter's fragile body, it might not survive.

"Spit Gas at it!"

Haunter suddenly spewed a thick fog, causing the opponent to choke.

"Don't set the surroundings on fire, use Will-O-Wisp!"

Will-O-Wisp wasn't hot enough to ignite the ancient trees nearby, but it could light the dense Poison Gas.

"Eevee—!"

A cry of pain echoed as a blue Will-O-Wisp burst in the night, then vanished.

Thud!

The shadow fell heavily to the ground, letting out a hoarse groan.

Natsume picked up a branch and carefully approached.

"Eevee—"

Natsume used the branch to part its fur, but it snapped the branch in an instant.

At that moment, the System's Pokédex finally identified it.

Natsume stared at the Pokédex in disbelief.

He looked back at the black ball of fur, covered in burn marks.

Natsume muttered in astonishment:

"Eevee?!"

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