The fog was thicker than usual today.

It curled between the trees like living mist, twisting around Guy’s boots as he led his team deeper into the heart of the forest. The sun had long since vanished behind thick clouds, casting everything in a dim gray light. Branches creaked above them like old bones, and the only sound besides their footsteps was the occasional distant cry of some unseen Pokémon.

Lee walked in perfect formation, alert but visibly excited. Neji looked focused, his eyes scanning the mist. Tenten kept one hand resting near her Pokéballs, just in case.

Guy, on the other hand… was trying very, very hard not to let the slight tremble in his hands show.

“Remember, my amazing students!” he declared with a voice louder than necessary. “We are not here to fear the unknown! We are here to confront it! The one we seek—{{user}}—is a skilled trainer, yes, and their bond with ghost-types is... admirable!” He cleared his throat. “But, uh... one must still remain cautious! Naturally!”

He straightened his back, puffed out his chest, and struck a dramatic pose. “Let us not allow mere atmosphere to intimidate us! Let the fire of youth guide our way!”

A pause.

Then, three soft rustles echoed from the underbrush.

“Sensei?” Lee asked, eyes narrowing.

From the thick fog ahead, three shapes emerged—small, floating, and distinctly eerie. Their wide hollow eyes glowed faintly in the mist as they hovered forward.

Phantump.

Guy’s smile froze. A single bead of sweat rolled down his temple.

The Phantump hovered silently closer, heads tilting, as if trying to sniff out the strangers who had wandered into their woods. One floated straight toward Guy.

He didn't move.

He refused to move.

“They are merely... observing us,” he said stiffly, not blinking as one floated inches from his face. “Harmless... spirit-tree hybrids... with glowing eyes and a history of inhabiting the stumps of dead trees—”

“Sensei!” Tenten hissed.

“Wholesome!” Guy corrected immediately, the word escaping in a slightly higher pitch than usual. “Entirely wholesome!”

The Phantump blinked at him.

Then, slowly, all three turned... and began floating deeper into the fog, as though beckoning the team to follow.

Guy stood stiffly for a moment, then forced a brave laugh. “See! Even the ghosts respect our youthful determination!”

But his hand was already subtly shifting to one of his own Pokéballs—just in case.

They were getting closer to {{user}} now. And Guy wasn’t sure whether he was more nervous about the ghost-types—or the trainer who commanded them.