On the outskirts of Saffron City, in a forest to the east of it, stands a massive mansion. It stands unused to this day, but resists all damage and decay. Rarely people wander there, the paths and gardens overgrown and lending little access, and the few that do so, usually come in hopes of finding Ghost pokémon, or at least a thrill. But all of them leave with their expectations unmet.

Tonight, at Halloween Eve, the night of ghouls and ghosts, three young women made their way through the thick forest towards the ancient building. They were not here for a catch. In fact, they were here on invitation.

Walking ahead was a sporty-looking girl with orange hair, dressed in a white linen shirt, tight brown pants, a brown corset and high boots, topped off with a dark-blue headband, some fake jewellery and a toy saber on her belt to accessorize the costume.

Close behind her was a shorter girl, her dark hair tied into a high ponytail. She was wearing a black gothic dress, high heels and a dark grey cloak, along with fake elongated canines and some red make up mimicking a stream of blood from the corner of her lips.

Finally, walking in the back, was a tall woman in a snow-white kimono, worn a little slacked around her shoulders, her skin painted very pale, almost white, with make up, dark eyeshadow making her eyes look sunken, her lips painted purple and her hair, usually kept back with a hairband, was hanging free and purposefully messy.

Misty was the first to step out onto the clearing, the mansion in full view. She sighed and stretched out her arms, groaning softly.

"Oh, man, this better be good. She really had us walk all the way here from the party."

"So it really is here.", Janine said with amusement, a little tipsy from the drinks she had already had that night.

They spent a moment looking up at the looming building, the moonlight barely illuminating it through the foggy clouds. The wood was painted in a dark grey, some of the windows were sparingly illuminated, as if a single candle was burning on the other side of the panes, and a single pumpkin had been set outside, the wide grin of a Haunter carved into it, with two carved pumpkin claws set beside it.

Showing no signs of hesitation or exhaustion, Erika moved past the two and headed straight for the double doors, walking up the front steps and taking the door knocker, slamming it twice against the wood.

"Come in~!", a female voice called from nowhere, echoing in the clearing.

"Oh dear." Erika chuckled, clearly amused. "It looks like we have little choice now."

Misty rolled her eyes and followed her up, Janine in tow, so they could all enter together.

The doors opened into a small lobby, corridors leading in various directions from here and two opposing staircases leading up into the next floor. On the walls and side tables there were small gourds and pumpkins, as well as some other decorations of the season, the only light coming from candles, either within the carved gourds or just placed around the room, seemingly at random. In the middle of the room, her hands resting on the railing of both stairs, stood a female figure.

Her long, black hair was flowing down her back and over her voluptuous chest, her body clad in only a simple black dress, a slit on one side revealing her bare leg, all the way up to her thigh. She wore black pumps and on her head rested an old pointed hat, slightly tilted to one side.

"Welcome, ladies~", Sabrina purred, fully in character. "I'm so very happy you could make it. We will have a lot of fun tonight." As if to emphasize the slight predatory tone in her voice, the doors slammed shut loudly behind the costumed guests. Everyone turned to look at the doors like on cue. Th words Happy Halloween were written on the inside in red paint. As they looked ahead again, the witch Sabrina had vanished.

"Well, she certainly put work into this.", Misty admitted, taking a few steps into the lobby and looking around. "Which path do we take?"

"Oh, we should split up!", Erika suggested excitedly. "I think she would want us to, since there is no obvious choice. And it would probably be scarier that way, too."

"That is like the worst choice you could make if this were a horror movie.", Janine pointed out. "So sure, why not."

Misty nodded in agreement and they split off into different directions, excited to see what their friend had prepared for them.