The Plan

"Odd..." Nuzleaf mumbled.
"What is?" Ian asked, sinking his teeth into an apple.
"These ghost rumors have been causing quite a stir around the village lately."
"Maybe it was because of what happened to Watchog yesterday."
Ian and Nuzleaf were sitting at the table and eating breakfast, the mudfish Pokemon had grown fond of this habit, it was one of the few times he would get to talk with Nuzleaf, for he had dungeons to explore.
"I honestly doubt that was the case." Nuzleaf said, sipping his cup of warm tea.
"Same here, there's always a logical reason behind everything."
"Good morning Ian!"
"Looks like Patience is here already." Nuzleaf said.
"Yep." Ian said as he finished his breakfast, got his bag and headed for the door, waving the wily Pokemon goodbye before leaving the house. He saw the fire fox Pokemon, smiling happily at him.
"You seem awfully happy." He said.
"Hehe! Today just feels like a good day! I can feel it!"
"Well, that's good to know." Ian said, patting Patience in the head. "Let's get going then, we got some explorations to-"
"Guys! Guys!"
The two Pokemon turned to see Goomy, Deerling and Espurr running towards them.
"Oh hey Goomy, Deerling and Espurr." Patience greeted. "What seems to be the problem?"
"There seems to be something going on at the plaza." Goomy said.
"We're not sure what seems to be the problem though." Espurr said.
"That's why we're going to go find out. Come on let's go!" Deerling ordered.
Ian and Patience nodded and tagged along with their classmates, heading to the village plaza.
----"He... He just disappeared! When I ran outside after I heard him scream... He was... He was...!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH MISS AUDINO." Magnezone said. "THERE'S NO NEED FOR YOU TO CONTINUE. WE WILL CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION IMMEDIATELY."
Ian, Patience, Goomy and Deerling pushed through the crowd to see Audino, being questioned by Sheriff Magnezone. They noticed Pancham and Shelmet were there as well.
"What's going on here?" Ian asked.
"It's terrible!" Audino exclaimed. "Mr Farfetch'd has gone missing!"
"WHAT?!" Goomy shouted. Deerling shortly after.
"Wh-what happened?!" Patience nervously asked.
"Me and Mr Farfetch'd were doing our night duties over at the school, when he told me he wasn't feeling well, so he went outside. But a few seconds later I heard him scream! Worried, I ran outside to check on him, but Mr Farfetch'd was nowhere to be found..."
The students stood still in shock, unsure on how to respond.
"Oh dear, this is terrible." Audino said.
"Do you think... He was abducted by the ghosts...?!" Raticate stated.
"GHOSTS?!" Roselia yelled. Taking everyone by surprise.
"CITIZENS, PLEASE REMAIN CALM!" Officer Magnemite ordered. "THERE ARE NO "GHOSTS" HAUNTING THE VILLAGE."
"PRECISELY." Magnezone agreed. "NOW PLEASE, LEAVE THIS TO THE AUTHORITIES AND CONTINUE ON WITH YOUR DAYS, THANK YOU."
With that, the crowd started dispersing, returning to their daily routine. Leaving only the children of Serene Village.
"Well that's not good." Ian said. "Where do you think Farfetch'd went?"
"What if he really WAS taken by ghosts?!" Goomy said, nervously shaking.
"I'm not one to jump to conclusions." Espurr said. "There must have been a logical reason behind this."
"Hey!"
The five turned around to see Pancham, who called them.
"Meeting. Big tree by the hill. Now." Was all he said, as he and Shelmet left.
The rest, confused as to where this was going, reluctantly followed after the panda Pokemon.
----"What's the meaning of this Pancham?" Deerling demanded.
"This ghost shenanigan has been going on for too long." Pancham said.
"Well, it's only been going for a few-"
"That's besides the point! So, I got a plan."
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this..." Ian said.
Pancham ignored the mudfish Pokemon's comment and continued.
"We, are going to get to the bottom of this mystery, and find out what happened to Mr Fafetche'd, by going to the school tonight!"
"WHAT?!" The rest exclaimed in shock.
"You're insane!" Patience said.
"What's the matter Patience? Are you a scaredy Delcatty?" Pancham said.
The fire fox Pokemon didn't reply.
"I'm up for it." Espurr said, surprising the rest of the students.
"See? Espurr knows what's up." Pancham said.
"Uh... Is this really necessary, Pancham?" Shelmet reluctantly asked.
"Shelmet." He said. "Don't tell me that YOU'RE scared as well?"
"Wh-what?! No!" He denied. "I'm just saying that maybe there's another way!"
"Humph."
Ian, like the rest of the students, wasn't sure about this plan. Sure, he wants to get to the bottom of this mystery. He keeps telling himself that this wasn't the work of ghosts but merely someone taking a prank too far.
Now, he's not so sure anymore.
"So, who's up for it?" Pancham asked.
Everyone remained silent, until Deerling decided to speak.
"I'll go."
"Me too." Shelmet said.
"Uh... I'm in as well!" Goomy said.
"Screw it, I'll go." Ian said.
Patience wanted to back out from this, but couldn't find the courage to do so.
"And Scaredy Patience?" Pancham asked, awaiting the fire fox's reply.
"I'll go!" She said, immediately regretting her decision.
"Then it's settled, we'll sneak out of our home at night and head for school." Pancham said.
"Um, what if we get caught?" Shelmet asked. "You DO realize we're not allowed to go outside after dark?"
"Then don't get caught! Simple as that. If there aren't any further questions, this meeting is over. Let's solve this mystery once and for all!"
No one else cheered Pancham on, leaving him in an awkward position. Coughing, he and Shelmet left. Eventually the rest of the class started dispersing, getting ready for "adventure" that awaits them. Leaving only Ian and Patience at the tree.
"I didn't sign up for this..." Ian mumbled. "Come on Patience, we've got some preparations to-"
"Wait Ian!" Patience called. "Could you hear me out for a bit?"
"What is it?"
Patience inched closer to the mudfish Pokemon, Ian could have sworn he noticed her expression changed for a split second.
An expression of happiness
"I... have a confession to make-"
"You're afraid of ghosts?"
"So you knew?" She breathed a sigh of relief. "That makes things easier then."
"I knew it the moment I noticed your mood changed with the mention of ghosts." Ian stated.
"Yeah... It's just that, ghosts are my weakest point, just the thought of it gives me the shivers." She turned looked up at the clear blue sky and gave out a loud sigh.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Patience." He said. "Fear gets the better of us all, it's what makes us hu- I mean Pokemon. It helps us differentiate threats, friend or foe. Fear keeps us alive." He placed his hands over Patience's shoulder looking her in the eye. "And it's up to you whether you're going to face it head on, or run away like a coward."
Patience placed Ian's hand down, and let off a small chuckle.
"You really do know how to give someone a pep talk to someone huh Ian?"
"I aim to please." Ian said. "Now come on, let's head back home."
Patience nodded and follow after Ian. He was right, sulking about it wasn't going to help her, she is going to have to face the music.
It's going to be a long night.