Cole and his group visited HorrorLand, a sprawling haunted house complex featuring various themed venues.
The attractions included haunted houses based on real events — where victims became vengeful spirits — as well as historical recreations, fairy tale adaptations, Ghost-type Pokémon performances, and high-tech projection shows. Each one was designed to be frighteningly realistic.
Cole had no interest in the technology-based houses; he only wanted to experience the ones featuring Ghost-type Pokémon.
After paying admission, a staff member guided the group to the Ghost-type Pokémon haunted house. Being moderately popular among the venues, the line was short, and they quickly got their turn.
Inside, they entered a castle's main hall. Dim lighting cast flickering shadows across a blood-red carpet, creating an eerie atmosphere.
The carpet was stained with dark spots resembling dried blood. Oil paintings lined the walls — portraits of men and women who, according to the attraction's story, were the castle's former owners.
Surprisingly, among their group, Brionne showed the most fear — not the two Espurrs. It sat trembling on Cole's leg while trying to maintain a brave face.
Whoosh~~~
A cold wind suddenly swept through the hall, rattling doors and windows, making curtains flutter wildly and the atmosphere even more terrifying.
"Brio~ Brionne~" — Ahhh... Cole, look quickly, that person's eyes just moved!
Brionne frantically patted Cole's thigh while screaming.
With his thigh growing sore from the patting, Cole lifted the little pop star away and examined the painting it pointed to.
"What moved?" Cole asked, puzzled, then turned to the other Pokémon, "Did you all see anything?"
Daisy, Hatterene, and the Espurr siblings all shook their heads.
"See? It was just your imagination." He said with a shrug.
Cole knew it wasn't just Brionne's imagination — Ghost-type Pokémon were likely playing tricks — but he kept quiet.
He enjoyed teasing it too much.
Daisy had also seen the eyes move in the painting and had used its Psychic Powers to detect the Shuppet hiding behind it, but chose to stay silent.
Mother and son were clearly on the same wavelength when it came to playfully teasing Brionne.
Was it really just my imagination? Brionne wondered nervously, clinging closer to Cole.
"Alright, let's keep going forward, we should head up to the second floor next."
"Garde~"
Daisy nodded.
Cole led the Pokémon up the red-carpeted spiral staircase.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from below, making Brionne leap into Cole's arms.
"Bri!!!" — Ahhh, it's happening again!
Looking down, they saw only a painting had fallen from the wall in the wind.
Cole patted Brionne's belly, "Look how scared you got — was that really necessary?"
Brionne shook its head vigorously while gripping his shoulders tightly, refusing to let go. Cole had no choice but to carry it — fortunately, it wasn't heavy.
Daisy glanced at Brionne, wondering if the little girl was deliberately taking advantage of her precious trainer.
If Brionne knew what she was thinking, it would have protested its innocence — its simple mind wasn't capable of such scheming.
With Brionne trembling the whole way, they finally reached the castle's second floor. This level was even darker than the first. As they emerged from the stairs, they faced a long corridor that ended in pitch darkness — they couldn't see what lay ahead at all.
Brionne thought it saw a shadow flash by — whether real or imagined — and clung even tighter to Cole.
Brionne: ノ(＞Д＜)ノ!! Begone, spirits!
Bang~ Bang~ Bang~
Suddenly, a row of wall-mounted candles lit up, their dim light barely illuminating the corridor.
With his heightened Psychic Powers, Cole quickly realized these weren't ordinary candles — they were disguised Litwick. He wondered how the haunted house's owner had acquired so many of these rare Ghost-type Pokémon.
"Alright, we can go now." Cole said to everyone.
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While the group explored the haunted house, a meeting was taking place in a castle at the complex's center.
"The quality of fear emotions from the haunted house has been declining lately. My darlings are getting restless." Said a woman sitting behind a desk, legs crossed, leaning back in her chair.
This was Margaret, the haunted house's owner. She had wavy light brown hair and wore a black leather bodysuit that accentuated her figure.
"Kekekeke..."
A gloomy-looking Froslass floated out from behind her chair, cackling eerily.
The temperature dropped several degrees at Froslass's appearance, making the suited man in the office shiver. He was in his early twenties, with naturally curly black hair past his shoulders, and his eyes showed deep respect for Margaret.
"Lady Margaret, shall we release those two Pokémon? They've been growing more unstable lately, nearly losing their sanity — we might as well put them to use." The suited man suggested.
Margaret pondered for a moment, "That's not a bad idea. Those two are quite strong — I hope they can give me some surprises."
"They won't disappoint you, my lady." The suited man said.
Margaret nodded with satisfaction, "Very well, Brady, I'll leave this matter to you."
"Yes, my lady, please rest assured." Brady bowed respectfully before leaving the office.
After he left, Margaret smiled and pulled Froslass close, "Little Snow, you'll soon get to taste more delicious fear. Looking forward to it?"
"Fros~ Fros~"
Froslass hugged her happily at these words.
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Meanwhile, Cole's group emerged from the haunted house, with Brionne collapsed on the ground, completely drained.
Cole said with amusement, "It was all just Ghost-type Pokémon putting on a show. I don't know why you were so scared — you're not afraid of Gastly and the others at home!"
"Bri~ Brio~" — That's different! And you all ganged up to trick me — that's too much!
Brionne looked angry.
"Alright, I'm sorry, I was wrong. I won't do it again, please forgive me." Cole bowed apologetically to Brionne.
Brionne finally caught his breath and lifted his chin high: Well, seeing as you're so sincere, I suppose I could forgive you.
"So, shall we go to the next venue?" Cole suddenly asked.
"Bri~ Bri~" — Ahhh, Cole, are you doing this on purpose!
Brionne frantically chased after him, trying to hit him while he ran away.
"Hahaha..."
Due to Brionne's firm protests, they didn't end up going to another haunted house. The group sat down on a street bench instead.
"Would you like something to drink? I remember there's a famous bubble tea shop nearby." Cole asked everyone.
"Garde~" — I want some!
Daisy raised her hand.
"Bri~ Bri~" — Me too, I want some!
Brionne said eagerly.
"Hatte~ Hatte~" — I'll have one too.
Hatterene joined in.
"Okay, what would you like?" Cole asked.
The Pokémon placed their orders one by one, with Hatterene ordering for the Espurr siblings.
"Alright, you all rest here. I'll be right back." He said, heading toward the bubble tea shop.
"Bri~" — I'm coming too!
Brionne hurriedly waddled after him.
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Meanwhile, a Murkrow carrying two Poké Balls flew slowly toward the city center.
In a nearby alley, not far from where Daisy and the others were resting, it landed. After glancing around to ensure no one was watching, it opened the two Poké Balls.
With twin flashes of red light, a massive Steelix and a smoking Coalossal materialized on the street.
"Roar~"
"Coal~"
The two Pokémon burst from the alley with furious roars, rampaging through the streets. Their enormous size left several buildings destroyed in their wake.
"Ahhh!!!"
"What's happening? Where did these Pokémon come from?"
"Whose Pokémon are causing this destruction?"
The street quickly descended into chaos.
Something was clearly wrong with these Pokémon — their eyes glowed blood-red, their expressions frenzied and filled with destructive rage.
"Splat Splat Splat..."
Coalossal shot out streams of scalding tar, spraying wildly across the street. Building surfaces melted from the intense heat. Pedestrians who couldn't dodge in time were burned by the splashing tar.
"Ahhh..."
"Run, run!"
"Help, somebody help!"
Cries of anguish filled the street.
Meanwhile, Steelix raised its massive tail and slammed it into a building — with a thunderous crash, half the structure crumbled instantly. It struck the ground next, creating deep cracks and leaving a massive crater.
"Trainers, where are the trainers? Help us subdue these Pokémon!"
Several trainers rushed forward, throwing their Poké Balls. Razor Leaf, Water Gun, Thunderbolt, and other colorful moves launched toward the rampaging Pokémon.
But they had underestimated Steelix and Coalossal's strength — their attacks not only failed but enraged the Pokémon further.
"Roar~"
Steelix unleashed a silver beam that swept across the area, engulfing all Pokémon in its path.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the wake of continuous explosions, many Pokémon fell, unable to battle after this single attack.
Only Steelix's relatively weak special attack and poor compatibility with Flash Cannon prevented worse casualties among the Pokémon and trainers.
Coalossal joined the fray, thick black smoke pouring from its body as its rocks glowed red-hot with flames. It launched burning rocks in all directions, demolishing buildings and igniting fires everywhere.
The police and fire department of Coumarine were notified immediately, but before they could reach the scene, a group of twisted-looking Houndour and Houndoom blocked their path. These Pokémon showed the same crazed condition as Steelix and Coalossal.
Officer Jenny's brow furrowed when she saw these Pokémon, as if recognizing something. She turned to her subordinates and commanded:
"Make this quick!"
A major battle broke out.
Meanwhile, the situation with Steelix and Coalossal grew worse. Their overwhelming power and complete irrationality had defeated many trainers who tried to stop them.
Soon the two Pokémon tired of merely destroying buildings. Upon noticing each other, they were instantly consumed by battle rage.
Boom!
They collided at lightning speed, their impact creating a devastating shockwave.
At that moment, Cole had walked far in his search for the bubble tea shop. He had just received his drinks when he heard the distant explosions. Looking up, he saw two massive Pokémon wreaking havoc.
"This is bad!"
Remembering Daisy and Hatterene were in that area, he broke into a run.
"Bri~"
Brionne tossed aside its bubble tea and waddled after him.
Daisy's group found themselves dangerously close to the battle. A nearby building crumbled under Steelix's impact, sending debris flying everywhere.
"Ahhh!!!"
Screams pierced the air.
A piece of debris hurtled toward Hatterene, but the Espurr siblings acted quickly, using their combined Psychic Powers to stop the stone mid-flight.
Yet the falling debris was endless. A massive chunk of building plummeted toward a mother and child below.
Horrified at the sight, Daisy instinctively used its Psychic Power to suspend the enormous piece.
"Garde~ Garde~" — Hurry and get away!
She shouted at the mother and child.
Paralyzed with shock, the mother and child stood motionless until they heard Daisy's cry. Then they finally fled to safety.
The chunk of building was massive — Daisy's face reddened with the effort of holding it aloft. Only when the mother and child had run well clear did she carefully lower the debris to an empty spot.
✲✲✲
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