Field trips were supposed to be fun. At least, that was the official explanation. "Educational opportunities outside the classroom," the teachers claimed. But the reality, as far as I could tell, was a lot of walking, a little looking at dusty ruins, and an impressive amount of human enthusiasm that made me want to hide in a bush.
I adjusted my shiny blue Ditto-jacket. Ditto wiggled faintly on my shoulders, as if agreeing with my sentiment. I'd spent enough years with it to know its subtle judgments when it came to school events. Today's field trip was no exception.
"Can we hurry this up?" I muttered under my breath. "I've got better things to do than admire crumbling stone and misty paths."
Ditto transformed into a small, portable bag, dangling at my side. Practical. I could've used it as a pillow later, but for now, mobility mattered.
The class shuffled along the outskirts of Noctopolis. We were heading to a section of the city most people avoided—the ruins at the edge of the ghost-energy district. A place where the veil between this world's natural and supernatural overlapped just enough to make everyone uncomfortable.
And, naturally, I loved it.
Even from the main path, the signs of ghost activity were obvious. A faint mist drifted across the cobblestones, curling around my feet like it had a mind of its own. Gastly floated lazily through the ruins, giggling at students' startled yelps. Haunter's shadow slinked along the crumbling walls, grinning in the dim light. Misdreavus perched on a broken lamppost, eyes glowing faintly as it surveyed the scene.
"This is normal," I muttered to myself, scribbling mental notes. "Completely normal. Kids are terrified, teachers are stressed, ghosts are partying. And somehow… we're all still alive."
Ditto transformed back into a jacket just in time for a teacher to shout at a group of students who had wandered too close to a precarious ledge. I couldn't help but smirk.
I wandered slightly off the main path. Curiosity, mixed with my usual sarcastic streak, drew me toward a smaller section of the ruins. The main group was busy being lectured about "ancient Aether conduits" or whatever nonsense teachers thought would inspire awe. I, on the other hand, had a better reason to explore: something in the distance caught my eye.
A flicker of movement, too precise and deliberate to be a stray Gastly. It was small, hunched low, and watching me with wide, careful eyes.
Charcadet.
It didn't look like much at first. A small, embattled Pokémon, trying to stay unnoticed in the ruins. Its fire-tipped body flickered nervously, more for self-defense than aggression. I crouched slightly, trying to appear non-threatening. Ditto transformed into a small pillow at my feet, ready to act if needed.
"Hey there," I whispered. "Don't worry… I'm not going to hurt you."
Charcadet's head twitched, unsure if I was a predator or just another curious human. Its flickering flames dimmed slightly, not in fear, but caution. I noticed a small gash on its leg. It had obviously been hurt by something in the environment—perhaps a falling stone or careless wild Pokémon.
"Aw, great. An injured Pokémon," I muttered. "Just what I needed today."
Ditto wiggled and transformed into a small shield, blocking the edge of the crumbling path where Charcadet had been cornered. It wasn't much, but enough to prevent a stray stone from falling on the little guy.
The first interaction was tense. Charcadet hissed softly, flames flicking defensively. I kept my hands visible, slowly sitting down on the edge of the path.
"Look, I get it," I said. "You don't trust humans. Most people here probably just want to poke you with a stick or run away screaming. But I… I'm not most people."
It paused. A spark of recognition, maybe curiosity. Charcadet's flames dimmed further, flickering gently in rhythm with its breathing. Ditto nudged the shield forward, as if saying, I've got your back, tiny fiery friend.
I extended a hand slowly. No sudden movements. Just me, talking, observing, letting the Pokémon decide whether I was worth the risk.
A tense moment passed. Then, a tiny step forward. Another. Charcadet was testing me, measuring if I was safe. Its body still flickered defensively, but it wasn't running.
I smiled faintly. "Good. You're smart. I like smart."
After a few minutes of quiet observation, I noticed something else. A small wild Pokémon—a mischievous Gastly—was approaching, clearly planning to harass Charcadet.
"Oh, perfect. A test," I muttered. "And I thought my life was boring today."
Ditto transformed back into a jacket instantly, ready for action. I grabbed a stick and improvised. A gentle sweep of the stick toward the Gastly, nothing harmful, just enough to distract it. Charcadet used the opening to move to a safer spot, flames flickering brighter in defiance.
"See?" I said softly. "You're stronger than you think."
Charcadet's flames stabilized. Its gaze met mine, sharp and calculating. Something clicked. It had decided: I was not a threat. In fact, maybe I could be… useful.
I extended a small piece of fruit I had in my bag. Charcadet sniffed, then cautiously took it. Victory. A tiny, tentative trust formed.
We stayed there for a while, just observing each other. The ruins around us hummed with ghost energy—Misdreavus perched on posts, Drifloon drifting in the gentle wind, Shuppet and Banette lurking in shadows. Even Spiritomb seemed to have been mentioned in whispered stories by the children's chatter earlier, a reminder of how layered and mysterious this world really was.
I scribbled notes in my head:
Charcadet is cautious but capable of quick, intelligent action.
Ditto is indispensable as companion, shield, and comfort.
Ghost Pokémon presence is significant, but none interfere unless provoked.
A Pokémon's trust is earned, not given.
By the time the teacher's whistle blew, signaling the return to the main group, Charcadet had followed me quietly, flames flickering but calm. Ditto transformed back into a jacket on my shoulders.
I laughed softly. "Well, that's new. Looks like we've got ourselves a main partner, Ditto."
Ditto wiggled in agreement, a faint shimmer of shiny blue light reflecting in the misty ruins.
On the way back, I reflected on what had happened.
Field trips, usually a bore, could produce interesting encounters. Trust and empathy mattered more than raw strength. The world was bigger, stranger, and more alive than any game had ever shown me. Ghost Pokémon roamed freely. Mystical energy seeped from the ruins. And I had just found a Pokémon that would fight by my side.
Charcadet started to follow me quietly, flames flickering but calm, and Ditto transformed back into a jacket on my shoulders, shimmering faintly in the misty light.
I laughed softly. "Well, that's unexpected. Guess we've got ourselves another partner now, right Ditto?"
Ditto gave a quite yet perceivable quiver to show it's acknowledgement.