Pokemon: Lord of Fear

Edward couldn't help but smile wryly. But he had to admit, those words were exactly what his older brother would say.

Thinking about it, it made sense. If one could stand at the pinnacle of an industry at the age of eighteen and tower over their peers, it would undoubtedly be a source of pride and confidence. If someone wasn't even a little arrogant in such a situation, they wouldn't be a young man anymore.

"Edward, have you decided on your next Pokémon?" Steven looked at his younger brother and asked seriously.

In the Stone family, while there wasn't a strict requirement for every member to become an exceptional trainer, at the very least, they needed enough strength to protect themselves. After all, as wealthy individuals in the Hoenn region, they were potential targets for certain shady organizations operating in the shadows.

Having a strong team of Pokémon was also a way to ensure personal safety, preventing others from taking advantage of an opportunity to kidnap them.

Steven wasn't too concerned about his own safety. His skills were formidable, and as Hoenn's new Champion, there were few who could pose a threat to him.

But his younger brother, Edward, was a different matter altogether.

Edward scratched his head, understanding Steven's concern. As a rich kid, he was naturally more susceptible to kidnappings. His identity wasn't much of a secret to those in the know in Hoenn, especially with the Stone Corporation being a major industry leader in the region.

If Team Magma, Team Aqua, or even Team Rocket from the Kanto region set their sights on him, it would be difficult to escape by relying solely on Mimikyu. Such a situation would also trouble his father and Steven.

"I'll seriously consider it, big brother," Edward replied solemnly. He didn't want to cause trouble for Steven or their father and knew he needed to develop some degree of self-reliance.

As for the choice of Pokémon, Edward had considered options like Lucario or Charizard. However, given the unique system he had recently acquired, he felt that Ghost-type Pokémon might be his destiny.

After all, the system's base-level reward included a candy machine exclusively for Ghost Pokémon. With that, he could enhance their potential and awaken latent abilities, transforming them into extraordinary Pokémon that surpassed their natural limits.

The idea of a Pokémon with 200 added base stat points was both thrilling and intimidating. Even an ordinary move would feel like a devastating attack.

"Once you've decided, let me or Dad know. Whatever Pokémon you want—except for Mythicals or Legendaries—we can find it for you," Steven said, ruffling Edward's hair with a smile.

He wasn't exaggerating. Whether financially or socially, as long as Edward's request wasn't overly specific or rare, Steven and their father could likely secure it for him.

"Alright," Edward nodded. He still hadn't made up his mind about the type of Pokémon he wanted. Ghost-types held a special and elusive status within the League, making them particularly difficult to encounter.

The next morning, Edward noticed that Steven was already gone by the time he got up for breakfast.

The family butler, while serving Edward his meal, casually mentioned that Steven had left late last night. It seemed the League required his attention as the new Champion, possibly due to something involving Team Aqua.

"Everyone's busy. I suppose that's a good thing," Edward muttered to himself, glancing at the empty dining table. Picking up Mimikyu, he placed it on a chair beside him so it could join him for breakfast.

The butler wasn't surprised. Their father had been the same way, often skipping breakfast due to work.

After finishing his meal, Edward brought Mimikyu to the Stone Corporation offices. The building was bustling with activity as employees worked diligently on casting and scouting locations for the film. Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly, with filming likely to begin soon.

"Boss," a young woman approached Edward hastily. She had a striking figure and features that could be described as enticing by modern standards.

"What is it?" Edward wasn't particularly concerned about her appearance. His main focus remained on the movie, as he wanted to begin filming and claim his rewards as soon as possible.

"We've found an abandoned mansion in Petalburg Forest that might be suitable for filming. Would you like to take a look?" The woman handed Edward a document, which he casually flipped through.

The file contained images of a dilapidated mansion nestled in the forest. It looked eerie and foreboding, surrounded by trees but accessible by a visible path. A lake was situated nearby.

Edward stroked his chin thoughtfully. The mansion had an intriguing aesthetic and could potentially serve as the residence of Mary Shaw or the protagonist's father. Its haunting atmosphere made it a perfect fit.

"This could work," Edward nodded. The mansion seemed ideal for filming, having been abandoned for years and likely uninhabited. It could even serve as the puppet theater for Mary Shaw's scenes if the interior was usable.

The sight of the mansion reminded Edward of something.

Back in his time playing Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, he had encountered a mansion in Petalburg Forest. It required the use of the Cut HM to access, housed several Ghost Pokémon, and even featured a storyline where Dawn, controlled by a Pokémon, fought against the protagonist.

Could this be the same mansion?

"Boss, but there are rumors of hauntings in the mansion," the young woman teased, nudging Edward playfully. Edward instinctively stepped back, but her expression quickly turned serious, as if she were merely reporting for work.

"Hauntings?" Edward's interest piqued. If this was the same mansion from the game, it would be perfect—unless there happened to be another abandoned mansion in Petalburg Forest.

"I'll send someone to investigate. Continue scouting for other locations, and how's the casting going?" Edward decided to have the butler look into the matter later.

This wasn't something worth troubling Steven over.

"We've had several talented actors audition so far," the woman replied honestly. Satisfied, Edward moved on to discuss the script with his team.

As for the young woman's subtle gestures, Edward paid them no mind.

(To be continued)