Floating in mid-air with one red eye open, there was a Dusknoir before Yuga and Officer Jenny, silently observing them. Yuga and Officer Jenny simultaneously realized that this Dusknoir was the one responsible for abducting the children, for it matched the black torn fabric that Officer Jenny held in her hand.
According to legend, Dusknoir's antennae on its head could receive information from the Ghost World and transport humans into that realm, a place where the living had no hope of returning from.
Thinking about Dusknoir's reputation, both Yuga and Officer Jenny suspected that Dusknoir intended to take the children into the Ghost World.
Addressing the enigmatic giant before them, Officer Jenny asked, "Dusknoir, did you take the children? Where are they?"
Dusknoir responded with an eerie growl, its red eyes glowing brighter.
Seeing that Dusknoir was reluctant to release the children, Officer Jenny attempted to approach with her Growlithe by her side.
However, Dusknoir extended its large hands and conjured eerie blue flames within them, tossing them forward like projectiles. The flames created a fiery barrier in front of Officer Jenny, blocking her path.
Quickly, she retreated with her Growlithe.
"Houndoom," Yuga called softly.
Upon hearing his command, Houndoom nodded gently, leaped into the fiery barrier created by Dusknoir, and with a single inhale, absorbed all the flames. Houndoom remained unscathed, showcasing its Ability, Blaze, which allowed it to control fire.
Officer Jenny's Growlithe, with its Intimidate Ability, couldn't perform the same feat.
Addressing Dusknoir once more, Yuga said, "Dusknoir, we only want to find the missing children. If you release them, we won't harm you."
It seemed like Dusknoir paid no heed to Yuga's words. It gathered dark orbs in front of itself, resembling cannonballs, and fired them at the feet of Houndoom and Growlithe, causing powerful explosions that halted their advance.
Yuga found Dusknoir's actions peculiar. Why wasn't Dusknoir attacking them directly? Each assault seemed intentionally off-target. What was Dusknoir planning?
"If you won't heed our warning, don't blame us for being tough! Growlithe, use Flamethrower!" Officer Jenny commanded.
Frustrated with the uncooperative Dusknoir, she ordered her Growlithe to unleash a blazing stream of fire towards Dusknoir, seemingly intent on reducing it to ashes.
However, before the flames could reach Dusknoir, a blue beam of psychic energy deflected them, sending them crashing into the cave wall.
Dusknoir had used its Psychic powers to counter the attack.
After dispelling Growlithe's Flamethrower, Dusknoir focused its psychic abilities on Growlithe, immobilizing it. Seeing this, Yuga urgently instructed Houndoom, "Houndoom, use Dark Pulse."
Upon hearing Yuga's command, Houndoom unleashed a Dark Pulse attack towards Dusknoir. To avoid the attack, Dusknoir reluctantly released Growlithe from its psychic hold.
Once Growlithe was free, Dusknoir didn't initiate another attack. Instead, it gazed silently at Yuga and Officer Jenny, its red eyes shimmering with an unknown purpose.
Yuga took the opportunity to survey the cave but found no sign of the missing children. He couldn't help but worry that they might have already been transported to the Ghost World. While Dusknoir was undoubtedly powerful, Yuga's primary concern was the safety of the children. Reluctantly, he once again attempted diplomacy, "We only want to know where the children are. If you release them, we will leave immediately."
Upon hearing Yuga's words, the lone red eye on Dusknoir's forehead flickered even faster, as if it were contemplating something.
Finally, as if it had made a decision, Dusknoir descended slowly from the air. Both Yuga and Officer Jenny cautiously took a step back, unsure of Dusknoir's intentions.
When Dusknoir landed on the ground, it first glanced at Yuga and Officer Jenny, then suddenly opened the yellow pattern on its abdomen. A massive black hole appeared out of nowhere.
Initially, Yuga and Officer Jenny thought Dusknoir was preparing to attack again, but to their surprise, the black hole started spewing out children one after another.
Were these the missing children? Yuga wondered. It seemed Dusknoir intended to return them.
One by one, six children emerged from the black hole. Among them, Yuga spotted Glenn, who, like the others, was in a state of unconsciousness.
After releasing the children, the black hole disappeared, and the yellow pattern on Dusknoir's abdomen closed up once more.
Dusknoir pointed at the children, then gestured towards the cave's exit. Its expression appeared somewhat urgent, as if it were urging Yuga and the others to leave quickly.
Overjoyed at seeing the children safe, Officer Jenny rushed over to awaken them. With so many children, it was impossible for Yuga and Officer Jenny alone to escort them.
At Officer Jenny's call, the children began to wake up one by one, looking around in confusion, completely unaware of what had transpired.
Glenn, upon opening his eyes, quickly noticed Yuga standing nearby and exclaimed, "Yuga!"
However, his memory soon caught up with him, and he muttered to himself, "Huh, where is this? How did I end up here?" He glanced around, puzzled.
The other children had similar reactions upon awakening – they appeared somewhat anxious, not comprehending what had occurred. They remembered being at home, in their beds, before waking up in this strange place.
Officer Jenny reassured them, saying, "Children, now that you're awake, let's leave this place with me. I'll explain everything when we get back home."
Since the children recognized Officer Jenny from the town, they nodded in agreement and began to rise from the ground, ready to follow her out.
As Officer Jenny led the children towards the cave's exit, an eerie laughter echoed through the cave.
"Giggle, I smell the scent of humans."
The voice sounded crisp and pleasant but sent shivers down everyone's spine.
Upon the appearance of this voice, Dusknoir immediately grew anxious. Its single red eye on its forehead blinked rapidly, and it swiftly moved in front of Officer Jenny and the children.
Suddenly, a girl materialized in the cave, floating in the air. She had a smile on her face as she looked at Dusknoir and, behind it, Officer Jenny and the children.
"Giggle, I smell the scent of humans," the girl repeated.