Thursday, February 26th.
Eterna City.
Professor Oak once wrote in his moirs:
"A city of fading mories, where ancient ruins whisper forgotten histories."
The air here felt heavy with ti. Industries had gradually shifted elsewhere, leaving behind two landmarks—the Eterna Museum and an herbal dicine shop.
Gardenia grew up in this city and eventually beca its Gym Leader.
Her favorite pasti? Exploring haunted houses in Eterna Forest… despite her crippling fear of ghosts.
But the thrill kept her coming back.
Sunlight filtered through towering evergreens as a tomboyish girl in a crop top and shorts stood trembling before a vine-choked mansion.
Rustling sounds surrounded her.
Gulp.
Gardenia swallowed hard, reaching a shaky hand toward the thorn-covered door—
"AAAAH, I CAN'T DO IT!!"
Her scream sent a flock of Starly fleeing from the trees.
"Geeen-gaaar…"
A haunting cry echoed behind her.
Gardenia froze. Cold sweat dripped down her back as legs turned to jelly.
Sothing poked her spine.
She whimpered, turning slowly—
Only to et a grotesque face: stretched grin, lolling tongue, and bulging eyes.
"!!!" Gardenia collapsed, elbows scraping dirt, legs clamped together, face ghostly pale.
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／" Gengar cheerfully yanked her upright.
"G-Gengar?!" she stamred, dazed.
"Gengar!" It hopped excitedly, flashing a peace sign by its eye.
Gardenia gulped, shifting her gaze—
And locked eyes with a man whose beauty transcended gender.
Had the Pokémon world a "Most Handso" ranking, he'd easily clinch top three.
"Enough scaring people, Gengar."
Natsu sighed apologetically. "My apologies for startling you."
Gardenia blinked rapidly before bowing.
"N-Natsu-sensei! I should've welcod you properly!"
"You know ?" Natsu raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? I'm Gardenia! From the chat group!" She looked ready to cry.
"Oh, you!"
Natsu smacked his forehead in realization.
"Thank you rember," Gardenia exhaled, smiling weakly.
"Let's walk and talk."
Natsu nodded, though puzzled.
When did Gardenia join the group?
The forest humd with silence, broken only by Misdreavus's distant giggles.
Gardenia glanced back at the eerie mansion, shuddering.
"They say ghosts live there…"
She whispered, "I've wanted to explore it since childhood."
"But even now… I can't muster the courage." Her shoulders slumped.
Natsu humd, stepping on a twig.
CRACK.
"Eeek! What was that?!" Gardenia squeaked.
"Ghosts."
Natsu's face darkened as shadowy tendrils swirled behind him.
Gardenia's eyes rolled back—
"WAIT, JUST KIDDING!"
He frantically signaled Gengar to cut the special effects.
Oops.
In panic, Natsu accidentally activated Aura of Ripple.
Dammit! (ﾉ°Д°)ﾉ
"Mmm…"
Gardenia felt a warm energy soothe her nerves like a full-body massage. Blushing, she waved her hands.
"N-no harm done!"
Natsu and Gengar exchanged glances.
This girl had an odd connection to ghosts—almost like a living "background character" aura.
The Pokémon world's supernatural side was weird.
Ghosts at Old Chateau, nine-tailed foxes in ancient manors…
No wonder Gardenia's presence felt so muted.
"Phoebe from Hoenn's Elite Four communes with spirits too…"
Natsu mused, marveling at this world's absurd blend:
Mysticism, sci-tech, ancient Pokémon, and teorite apocalypses.
Could Ash punch a teor to dust with his plot armor?
"Too ridiculous," Natsu coughed.
"Pardon?" Gardenia tilted her head.
"Nothing. That mansion's trouble—best avoided."
"You've heard the rumors too?!" Her eyes sparkled.
Natsu shrugged.
In Diamond/Pearl, the place was haunted.
Beyond Rotom's antics…
There might literally be a ghostly girl in red.
Ash would handle it later—his "immortal protagonist" physique made it trivial.
"It's… complicated."
Natsu rubbed his temple. "I've got business at the museum. Don't go ghost-hunting."
"Okay…" Gardenia sighed wistfully.
As they left the forest, sothing watched from a mossy window—
A little girl wiped her brow in relief.
Thank goodness they're gone.
Aura of Ripple Rainbow Wing that Gengar?
If they'd entered—
I'd be dead for real!
Exchanging glances with Rotom, she faded into the shadows.
Better lay low for a while…
...
Sunlight bathed Eterna City's aged buildings as they exited the forest.
Natsu smirked, thinking of tonight's plans with Cynthia.
Perfect. No disasters this ti!
"For ?" Gardenia gaped as Gengar offered a soda.
"Gengar! [](￣▽￣)*"
"Thanks! Your pockets hold items too? Amazing!"
"Gengar~ ︿(￣︶￣)︿"
Gardenia giggled.
Maybe ghosts aren't all scary…
Natsu side-eyed Gengar.
Since when are you this smooth?!
"Oh!"
Gardenia suddenly rummaged through her shorts.
"You're challenging the Sinnoh League, right?"
She handed Gengar a jade-green badge.
"Then you'll need this—the Forest Badge!"
A system prompt flashed before Natsu:
[Forest Badge]
An emblem of antiquity and vitality, crafted from erald. (Still fetches a decent price if sold to ore collectors.)
Natsu: ???
Is Sinnoh just made of money?
Wait—that wasn't the point.
He facepald.
How did I glitch into getting a badge?!
Turning back, he saw Gardenia handing Gengar a USB drive.
"This holds Grass Knot, my signature move! It pairs with the badge!"
"Gengar! (≧▽≦)?"
Trainer will love this gift!
Natsu's soul left his body.
Disaster had struck after all…
His Sirfetch'd adored Grass-type moves—despite being unable to learn them.
The ntal image of it tripping foes with its leek was too vivid.
Now he'd need Grass Stones or Miracle Seeds…
Sighing, Natsu pulled out his notebook.
February 26th, Thursday…
"Who do I bla for this?"
He glanced at Gardenia—her "background NPC" aura made her too forgettable.
Might as well pick soone morable.
Pen hovering, he wrote decisively:
Gold.
This grudge is etched in stone, Natsu swears it!
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