Pokemon: Lord of Fear

The buzz surrounding Dead Silence remained sky-high. As the premiere screenings concluded, professional reviews flooded the internet.

"This is a groundbreaking horror film that redefines its niche genre." — Kanto Entertainment"

From its chilling tones to awe-inspiring sound design, what details of Dead Silence might you have missed?" — Unova Daily"

Kalos Champion Diantha's career pivot: a bold step broadening her horizons." — Carlos Daily Review

"*Dead Silence: A horror film in disguise, examining familial ethics!" — The Sun Times

"Wait, what? A film about family ethics? Did I direct that?" Edward set his phone aside, overwhelmed. He felt like he might fail a quiz titled Dead Silence Knowledge Challenge—despite being the writer and director.

These critics clearly had next-level analysis skills.

One review particularly stood out:

"What do the two jawless wives symbolize? This brilliantly reflects the protagonist's inner conflict about familial obligations and career ambitions. If only he had a MaxWell A2z smartphone to consult its AI assistant for guidance!"

Edward chuckled and noted the source: Gold Star Experts Watch Movies.

"Experts indeed," he mused. "Their comprehension skills are beyond ordinary, and they even slipped in a product plug. Old pros."

As Edward laughed at the absurdity, a message popped up on his phone. It was a congratulatory note from Diantha herself, praising the success of the film. Edward replied politely, only to receive a follow-up question:

"Director Edward, could I audition for your future projects?"

Edward scratched his head. Was Diantha eyeing the title of "Queen of Horror"? Though, given her career history—ranging from action to drama, and even rom-coms—it seemed more like she was chasing versatility, striving not to be typecast.

"I'll be sure to invite you for auditions when the time comes," Edward replied courteously.

His next project was already forming in his mind. Inspired by another classic, he envisioned adapting One Missed Call, a terrifying tale of eerie phone calls foretelling death.

But there was no rush. Edward planned to refine the script and adapt it to local tastes. Moreover, releasing another horror film so soon after Dead Silence might desensitize the audience, diluting the scare factor.

Before he could dwell further, an energetic voice called out:

"Edward!"

Startled, Edward turned to see his elder brother Steven striding in with a grin. Steven, ever the enthusiast, gave Edward's shoulder a hearty pat—so hearty that Edward winced in pain.

"You're not still working, are you? Let's celebrate properly!"

Steven, a steel-type Pokémon trainer and geology fanatic, had immense physical strength. Edward had once witnessed him nonchalantly lift a hefty Metang out of his excavation site—a Pokémon that weighed over 220 pounds!

"Brother, don't you have League matters to attend to?" Edward asked, massaging his shoulder.

"You're my brother, aren't you?" Steven retorted with a carefree laugh, far removed from his public image as a composed League Champion.

Their father, Joseph, joined them for dinner at a high-end restaurant in Rustboro City, making it feel like a family reunion. Over the meal, Joseph beamed with pride.

"Do you know your movie's box office numbers, Edward?"

Edward shook his head. While he knew the film was a hit, he hadn't checked the figures yet.

"Your debut film is on track to break 100 million Pokédollars in its first day," Joseph revealed.

Stunned, Edward did a quick mental calculation. That meant over three million tickets sold—an impressive feat.

The warmth of family, coupled with the success of his film, filled Edward with gratitude and determination for his next project.

(To be continued...)