The air inside the cabin was cold and still, the flickering candle on the wooden table barely able to hold its flame. Shadows danced along the walls, twisting and curling unnaturally. In the far corner of the room, a figure drifted — her form faint and ethereal, almost blending into the shadows themselves.
Mira, the Mismagius, hovered silently, her glowing crimson eyes locked on the man peacefully sleeping in his bed. His name was Caleb — her trainer, her master… her everything. The only light in her otherwise empty world.
Mira had been with Caleb for as long as she could remember — since she was a timid little Misdreavus clinging to his side. He was the one who found her crying alone in the ruins, the one who promised to protect her when no one else would. As time passed, her affection grew... and evolved into something far deeper — something obsessive. Caleb didn't know, but Mira had always been watching, always whispering in the shadows, ensuring that no one else ever got too close.
And for a long time, it worked. Caleb never seemed to notice why some girls at the Pokémon Center suddenly "forgot" about their dinner plans with him or why their Poké Balls mysteriously vanished from their bags. If some overconfident trainer tried to get close to Caleb, Mira was always there — warping their thoughts with her spells, twisting their memories, whispering in their ears until they left him alone.
But now… someone else had appeared.
Her name was Elena — a rival trainer, powerful, beautiful, and painfully confident. Mira despised her. Ever since Caleb met her during a recent tournament, Elena had been everywhere. The way she smiled at Caleb, the way she laughed a little too loudly at his jokes, the way she casually touched his arm whenever they talked — it made Mira's blood boil.
Tonight, Mira watched as Caleb lay asleep in bed, unaware of the sinister thoughts swirling through her mind. That rival had to go.
Earlier that evening, Mira had overheard Elena inviting Caleb to meet her tomorrow morning for a "friendly training session." Friendly? Mira knew better. Elena didn't want to battle — she wanted him. She wanted to take Caleb away, to steal his warmth, his smile… the affection that Mira had spent years treasuring.
The flickering candle dimmed, and Mira's crimson eyes gleamed dangerously in the dark.
She wouldn't let that happen.
The next morning, Elena stood by the battlefield behind the Pokémon Center, confidently tossing her Poké Ball from hand to hand. Her blonde hair gleamed in the morning sun, her athletic figure framed in tight training gear that only made her look more smug.
Caleb arrived moments later, offering his usual warm smile. "Sorry I'm late," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I had a weird morning — couldn't find my shoes."
Mira, hidden within the trees just beyond the battlefield, smirked to herself. His shoes hadn't vanished — she'd simply teleported them to the roof of the Pokémon Center. It had been a small delay, but effective enough.
Elena laughed, flipping her hair. "No worries," she said, stepping closer. "I was just hoping we could… y'know, spend a little time together before we train."
Mira's grin twisted into a scowl. Time together? Not a chance.
As Caleb reached into his bag to retrieve his Poké Ball, Mira's dark aura stretched forward. Her magic crept into Elena's belongings, coiling like smoke. Elena's Poké Ball — the one she was so proud of — suddenly popped open on its own, releasing her Pokémon in a puff of smoke. The poor creature stumbled awkwardly, still half-asleep from its rest.
"W-What the—?" Elena stammered.
"Oh," Caleb chuckled awkwardly. "Guess your Pokémon's excited to battle."
"I... I didn't do that," Elena muttered, confusion flickering in her eyes.
Mira floated silently above, watching with satisfaction. Good. Let her look like a fool.
But that wasn't enough. As Elena stepped back to retrieve her ball, Mira's next spell began — a subtle illusion this time. The shadow beneath Elena's feet twisted unnaturally, and for a split second, her mind warped. To Elena's eyes, Caleb's face morphed into something unsettling — distorted, grimacing, monstrous.
Elena stumbled back with a gasp. "W-What...?" she whispered, her face paling.
"Are you okay?" Caleb asked, stepping toward her.
"Y-Yeah, yeah," Elena stammered, waving her hand. "I just… I'm not feeling so good. I should probably go."
Mira's grin widened as Elena hurried off, clutching her head in confusion. She drifted down from her hiding place, her ethereal ribbons swirling like smoke as she coiled beside Caleb's shoulder.
"Looks like it's just you and me," Caleb muttered with a chuckle. "Guess I'll train with you instead."
Mira purred quietly to herself, floating closer and nuzzling against his cheek. She wanted to stay like this forever — just the two of them. No distractions. No rivals. No threats.
But then, Caleb's voice softened. "You know... I kinda hoped Elena would stay." His smile faded slightly. "She's nice... I was hoping to ask her out sometime."
Mira froze. Her smile vanished.
No… No, no, no…
Her fingers clenched tightly, and her mind swirled with dark thoughts. Elena wasn't gone yet. She hadn't learned her lesson. But next time… Mira would make sure Elena never returned.
Because Caleb wasn't just her trainer. He was hers.
And no one else would take him away.