The wind shrieked through route 214, from the icy mountains surrounding Lake Valor through the Plains that lead to Veilstone city. Jaxion looked behind him, his green hair obscuring his sight, waiting for his brother catch up to him.
The both of them traveled from the Hoenn region and had been traveling Sinnoh for a few months. Berin was an ex Team Aqua member accompanying his older brother around the world. Jaxion was a Pokemon trainer having bested the gym leaders and elite four of Hoenn he had set his sights on Sinnoh seeking only to strengthen his Pokemon beyond even the skill of the legendary Pokemon that ruled this world.
"Come on Berin I don't have all day I haven't seen Tyrannitar in months since we left her in Solaceon town." Jaxion called.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming! Hell I can't enjoy the wind at my back without you screaming bloody murder." Growled Berin. Jaxion sighed and continued walking
"I still don't understand why we can't just fly there on Salamence or even teleport with Esper there is no reason we should be walking all over the place!" Jaxion stopped walking and threw up his hand signaling his brother to stop.
In front of Jaxion was a pitch black Houndoom obviously stalking its prey. Jaxion pulled out a pokeball and whispered,
"This is why we walk everywhere." and began to creep forward expanding the pokeball to full-size and said, "double team" hurling the pokeball directly at the Houndoom. Before the Pokemon could react the pokeball burst open released a half dozen fiery red Absol surrounding it.
Houndoom barked a warning at the group of Absol. Unsure of which was real he lunged at the nearest Absol its mouth ablaze with black flames biting into the Absol as it evaporated, an after image.
"Air cutter before it escapes!" Absol charged Houndoom and vanished. Houndoom took this chance to flee heading toward the bush but to no avail. A white blade of air whistled down from above knocking Houndoom into the ground. Absol landed directly in front of Houndoom glaring down at it fangs bared at Houndoom. Houndoom glared defiantly back at Absol. Jaxion walked over to Houndoom and took a pokeball out of his pocket and knelt next to Houndoom.
"Listen Houndoom I'm not going to force you to join but you see what I offer. Pokemon that have traveled with me have become stronger than they might have if they stayed by themselves. Isn't the entire reason you evolved to become stronger, I can make you stronger than you ever imagined as Absol can surely attest." Houndoom's eyes shifted from Jaxion to Absol and back again as he tossed the ball at the Pokemon. Houndoom swiftly knocked out of the air growling indignantly. Jaxion sighed in disappointment, picked up the pokeball and put it away. He then tossed a Sitrus berry at Houndoom.
"Come on Absol we've caused enough trouble for one morning don't you think?"
"Sol" barked Absol as he turned from Houndoom and caught up with his friend.
"Well that was anticlimactic Jaxion," Proclaimed Berin "Why did you let him go he was obviously beaten?"
"What good is it to force a Pokemon to go with you if it doesn't want to go," Jaxion asked as he peaked the hill that lead to Veilstone city.
"Well you know I could always use another strong pokemon Jaxion."
"Whatever Houndoom is gone now and nothing can change that lets just keep going I want to beat Maylene's fighting Pokemon with Alakazam and be on my way." Jaxion demanded sprinting through the city straight to the Gym Absol and Berin right beside him. Jaxion rushed through the Gym doors to find the Gym was a total mess. Craters littered the walls and floors, several scorch marks trailed the entire gym and for some reason there was water almost everywhere.
"Whoa," Jaxion mumbled
"Looks like you're late to the party bro," Berin proclaimed "and by the looks of it it was some party!"
"Sol!" growled Absol as the trio walked forward trying to assess the damage it was obviously a battle but the trainers and gym leader were nowhere to be found. The Gym entrance rang as the doors slid open and Maylene walk through the door followed by her small posse of fighting Pokemon and a small construction team.
"Thanks again for the help guys," shouted Maylene "that last trainer totally ruined the place and who knew a Wingull could be so hard to hit."
"Well that explains the water." Laughed Berin
"Oh crap more trainers," Maylene huffed "Look guys I'm sorry but we aren't exactly ready for another battle come back later!"
"Wait a minute," said Jaxion "I don't need a fancy Gym stadium for a battle lets go you and me on route 214."
"I'm sorry I can't do that right now I have to help fix up the Gym how about you come back later this will only take about a day or so to fix the place so come back then to have our match." Said Maylene walking past the group leading the pokemon and construction workers to the broken battlefield. Berin, Jaxion and Absol left the building without a word. Jaxion walked out of the Gym and sighed in frustration knowing it would have taken his Alakazam only a few seconds to dispatch her trio of fighters.
"There's no point to stay in the city," Jaxion said.
"What about your badge Jaxion?"
"We can come back later," he said with a smile as he started walking away from the Gym, "Its not like the Gym is going somewhere."
"A little full of ourselves aren't we Jack?" queried Berin
"Of course I am," laughed Jaxion, "but that doesn't mean my team doesn't have a good chance of smearing her team over the walls of that fancy Gym now does it. Right Absol?"
"Absol!" howled the crimson Pokemon
"So I'm guessing we are heading to Solaceon town regardless?" said Berin
"Yup, and as a small favor to your legs, and my ears, we'll be Teleporting.," declared Jaxion as he pulled out an Ultra ball. He tossed it in the air summoning a tired looking Alakazam floating delicately before him. The Pokemon opened its eyes slowly as if from a long and unreal dream.
"Hey Esper, thought you should stretch and get some fresh air." Jaxion said smiling warmly. Alakazam smiled back at her old friends, she had been given to the brothers–Jaxion in particular–by their father as a way to keep them safe and together.
"Look we need to get to Solaceon town to pick up Tyranitar she's had a long enough vacation," Jaxion said, "could you teleport us there it's a lot faster and we thought it would be good for everyone to have some R&R before scaling up the training."
"Kazam" coughed Esper as she motioned for the brothers and Absol to group around her. Esper lifted her hands griping the spoons as though they tethered her to the real world as the town around them began to fall beneath them. Everyone around Alakazam began to feel a sensation of floating which rapidly became a strong sensation of falling and uncontrolled spinning.
Absol dropped on Berin who in turn dropped on Jaxion as they landed in front of the Solaceon Day-care center. Esper laughed quietly to herself at the sight knowing it took a long time to become used to teleportation. She lifted her hand and the three of them were picked up untangled and placed gently on the ground.
"Thanks Esper but next time could we possibly have a gentler trip, and would it kill you to give us a smooth landing." Berin whined
"God you'd bitch at a rock for all the good it would do ya." Growled Jaxion
"Shut up We're here now, might as well take a break from having that pole up your ass, seriously someone might trip over it." Snapped Berin
"Silence or Violence you half baked WHOAA––." Jaxion yelled as he and Berin were lifted a good three stories into the air dangling by their ankles. Jaxion looked down to Esper's fierce light purple eyes staring up at them as if in annoyance
"Hey uh, Esper," Berin squeaked nervously, "the view up here is great but uh could you put us CRAA––P!" They dropped screaming as they fell stopping inches from the ground. Esper's eyes flashed once more as if to say quit it and dropped them on the ground.
"Sorry Esper we're done." Jaxion mumbled
"Dude control Esper!" Hissed Berin as they walked through the doors of the Daycare center.
"Hey I don't control any of my Pokemon we are teammates, and she's only mad cuz I started arguing with a slack jawed Ow!" Cried Jaxion and Brein in unison as Esper knocked their heads together. They opened the doors to the daycare center and were greeted by a young red headed girl sitting behind a desk reading the local newspaper while a rather large Arcanine slept next to her. She quickly sat up and introduced herself as Marceline.
"What happened to the nice old couple that used to run this place?" asked Berin eying the large Arcanine sleeping by the desk.
"And how is it that you became the new manager?" continued Jaxion
"Oh don't worry they're my grandparents I run a ranch here in Solaceon which acts as the grounds for the daycare. My grandparents went on vacation for a few weeks so im holding the fort till they get back." Marceline replied
"How in the Hell are you their grandchild!" exclaimed Berin
"Berin!"
"No Jack I'm serious they couldn't figure out how Pokemon eggs were made and yet they have found a way to not only have children but a grand daughter as well? Unless she's adopted I'm calling Bullshit!" exclaimed Berin genuinely perplexed.
Marceline laughed "You're funny Berin," she said, "but I've often been kept awake at night wondering the same thing but whether they are putting up a façade to confuse everyone around them or they are suffering the early stages of senility is entirely beyond my comprehension."
"Sorry for his rudeness, my name is Jaxion and I came to pickup my Tyranitar."
"Oh that's your Tyranitar? I must say you are quite the trainer to have raised such a strong Pokemon. She's been helping me keep up the ranch and has been competing with the other Pokemon and farmhands to see who can do the most work it's really quite amusing."
"I'm glad she hasn't been too much trouble." Replied Jaxion as they walked – or in the case of Esper floated– towards the daycare ranch.
"So how long are you guys planning to stay?" asked Marceline
" Well I'd like to stay a few days but knowing this socially awkward brother of mine is probably going to breeze through town after today." Interrupted Berin
"Perfect you guys can stay for the carnival tonight and still be on your way in the morning, plus it will give your Pokemon some much deserved rest." Said Marceline as she scratched Absol under his chin.
" Well I don't know we–"
"GREAT! Sounds like a plan you and Jackie can go to the carnival and I can take a break from your insanity and possibly catch some strong Pokemon. See you two later." Said Berin sprinting out of the Daycare.
"Dammit Berin" complained Jaxion burying half his face in his palm. "I'm really sorry about him."
"It's okay I think your brother is quite funny," laughed Marceline "but do you really think being alone with me is such a bad thing?" she asked winking at jaxion. Jaxion blushed and found a sudden fascination with his shoes.
"Look you don't have to go with me my brother was just being stupid, I just want to get Tyranitar and maybe let my pokemon rest up a bit." Said Jaxion as they walked onto the open plains of the Daycare ranch.
"Well aren't you a nervous nelly." She said smiling smugly walking ever closer to Jaxion. Jaxion, whose face was turning a nice shade of pink, walked even faster past Marceline and laughed awkwardly.
"So were is Tyranitar?"
"Well the ranch hands have the day off so she should be playing with the other Pokemon so she's definitely on the hill." Explained Marceline as she pointed to a rather large crag jutting from the gassy ground surrounding. The crag itself was about three stories tall and surrounded by a veil of sand which voided the surrounding area of any but the hardiest of greenery.
"What is THAT!" exclaimed Jaxion
"That's the hill."
"That's a mountain!"
"Well the way my grandparents explained it that is what your Tyranitar made its first week of being here. She used to seclude itself in there surrounding the place with a never ending sandstorm, the poor dear, but since then she's made a lot of friends and now that place is really popular with the stronger ground and rock type pokemon." She said as they walked towards the small mountain.
"So is it like a hangout for them?" asked Jaxion as they reached the shore of the dune sea.
"I'd say its more of a proving ground or arena." She said pulling out two pairs of goggles handing one to Jaxion and putting on the other pair herself. As they approached the base of the small mountain Jaxion realized the whole structure was porous and riddles with holes of various sizes. Marceline pulled a whistle out of her pocket and walked up to one of the holes and sounded the whistle. As the whistle echoed into the corridor the rest of the mountain seemed to hum in response.
"What's that sound."
"That is the work of the Diglet and Dugtrio they made the tunnels in the mountain all interconnected it's just a happy coincidence that this whistle echoes the way it does." A few seconds after the sound died down a small Diglet popped out of the ground infront of them.
"Dig-Diglet?"
"Hi Diglet would you mind getting the Queen from her castle, there is someone here to see her."
"Dig!"
"The Queen, Seriously?"
"Well she does have something of a castle and the fact that she has most of the Pokemon here whipped when it comes to sheer power makes the title suiting don't you think?" she said ad the mountain shuddered with a resounding groan as if in response to the awakening of a large monster encased in a stone slumber. One of the larger holes at the base of the "hill" started to echo as though performing a fanfare for the large Tyranitar that broke free of its earthen cage. Tyranitar looked down at Marceline and then towards Jaxion. As she realized who it was she picked him up tears in her eyes and began to nuzzle him.
"Still caring as ever I see Tyranitar, save for this queen nonsense you haven't changed a bit." Jaxion laughed "You always were a gentle giant, but I've come back because I still need you, we still want you on our team…if you'll have us."
Berin sprinted down route 209 straight for the lost tower, his Mightyena, Lori, running beside him. I can't wait to see the look on Jaxion's face when I find a super kickass Ghost Pokemon, he's gonna be soo jealous. As they approached the looming tower both Berin and Lori slowed to a stop. A slight breeze came from behind them almost as if the building itself was breathing, pulling them closer with each breath. The tower eclipsed the sun behind it, leaving a prominent shadow that seemed to whisper with voices of the dead Pokemon that resided there.
" Well, this is the single creepiest thing I've seen in a while." Said Berin, as he walked further into the shadow of the tower, Lori right next to him. "Well, let's not be late, Jaxion would kill to be in our position." Laughed Berin, Lori in kind whimpered and covered his muzzle with his paw.
"Oh come on it wasn't that bad. For all the bad jokes I have to put up with around my brother you can stand a few puns." chided Berin as he walked into the Pokemon cemetery.
The doors opened silently, Lori perked his ears, rotating them to catch any sound that Berin would have missed. After a few moments of silence he looked back at Berin as if to ask, "What do we do know?"
"Let's go up the tower there should be some pokemon further up." said Berin as he began to ascend the stairs. His breath became visible and his skin frigid with goose bumps. Berin gripped the rail and took pause, scanning the room for anything that might discern the source of the Pokemon responsible. Finding nothing he continued walking up the stairs.
Lori and Berin ascended the stairs with nothing more than the creaking of stairs and the sounds of mice scratching in the walls. As soon as the duo reached the second floor Berin felt it: warm, moist air assaulting the nape of his neck and ears like the breath of a killer before it's too late. Berin spun around, a shadow flashed in the corner of his vision. Staring back into the void of the staircase he whispered, "Lori, Odor sleuth." Lori paced the area around Berin then spun around just in time to see a Haunter pants Berin and push him to the floor.
"Haun-taunt! Haunt! Bellowed the floating specter, enjoying the superb cruelty inflicted on his would be captor.
" Dammit, that hurt I'll give you one thing, you've got guts to sneak up on me, to bad Lori here is gonna hafta rip 'em out of ya!" shouted Berin as he pulled up his pants and got to his feet.
"Haun? Ha haha Haunter!" cackled Haunter as he held out Berins team aqua headband.
"You sneaky undead freak, Imma kill you MYSELF! And this time you're gonna STAY DEAD!" shouted Berin pulling on his green hair. Haunter recoiled, mockingly, teetered backwards clutching its chest and began to cry.
"Don't give me that you knew this was coming the moment you dropped my pants you perv. In all truth this is a beating that you brought upon yourself." Retorted Berin as he began stomping towards Haunter, "Now if you would be so kind as to give me back my bandana I may just indoctrinate you into my team."
Haunter smiled and laughed heartily lifting the bandana in front of Berin. Haunter inhaled deeply blowing his nose into Berin's keepsake. Berin froze in rage every muscle as tight as a garrote. His dark brown eyes fixated on Haunter his breathing slow and heavy.
"You will regre– "
*SPLAT*
The headband landed squarely on Berin's face and slid off hitting the ground with a wet squish.
"Crunch!" shouted Berin and almost immediately Lori had the Haunter gripped in its teeth and pinned to the floor, Haunter screamed in pain. Before Lori or Berin could act a blue flame erupted from Haunter's hand engulfing Lori in the fires of the wil 'o wisp. Lori howled in pain convulsing as the flames wreathed his body. Haunter took this opportunity to sink into the floor leaving his new found enemies to lick their wounds.
"Tentacruel put out the fire hurry!" he exclaimed tossing the pokeball out in desperation. The Pokemon wasted no time extinguishing Lori, Berin rushed to his friend rummaging through his bag for a full heal. He found it, finally, trembling uncontrollably as he tried to heal his friend.
"Well at least you still have most of your fur. Thanks Tentacruel." said Berin returning to his feet. Lori how are you feeling?
Lori barked eager for payback
"That makes two of us, but before we go, Tentacruel, if you would, wash my bandana?" he said holding lightly by a corner. After it was washed he donned his keepsake and returned Tentacruel to his ball, not before being hit with a safeguard for the two of them. As they approached the center of the room Haunter floated through the ceiling and dropped before both of them.
"You again!" shouted Berin as Haunter stared down at them indignantly with a twisted smile that did not reach his eyes. Berin readied a Pokeball and threw it at Haunter passing right through him. Haunter hissed waving his finger tauntingly at Berin then floated through the ceiling.
"Let's go Lori he's not getting away again!" said Berin as he charged past the tombstones towards the stairs. They chased behind Haunter for three more floors cornering him on the top floor.
"You're a speedy little devil aren't you? Well, nowhere to run now!" scoffed Berin, "Now I'll tell you what, I like you and I want you on my team. We can do this the easy way," Berin said as he expanded a Pokeball, "or the hard way, the choice is yours."
"Ha…ha..Haunter." hissed the poltergeist as the doors slammed shut behind Berin and Lori. As the doors shut the room began to hiss in unison, the hissing then broke apart into a horrible racket: scratching in the walls, hysteric laughter, and loud banging from behind the doors as the entire room started to lose form and dissolve.
"Let's get out here now!" shouted Berin over the din as Furret, Tentacruel, Spinda and Nuzleaf appeared before them.
"Nuzleaf, Tipsy cut down as many ghosts as you can, Furret use follow me and double team Tentacruel use safeguard on everyone, Lori taunt them and defend Furret with sucker punch at the ready, and Tentacruel once you are done, bust down this door, we need to leave NOW!"
"Jaxion wait up this dress is hard to walk in you know." Called Marceline as she struggled to keep up with Jaxion.
"Sorry I guess I have more energy than usual I'm just glad that Tyranitar decided to come with us. I was afraid she wouldn't join up."
"Why did you leave her behind?" asked Marceline
"I didn't have her respect she would not fight for me so I left her here so my team and I could get stronger."
"So that's why she fought against you and Absol to prove you got stronger."
"Yeah that was the promise I made her. But it was also getting expensive leaving her on the ranch and I'm sure her little fortress will cost quite a bit in property damages."
"Well I think I can do something about that seeing as you are taking me on a–"
"Not a date?" laughed Jaxion nervously, "Yes this is a very nice not date isn't it let me get us some ice cream." stammered jaxion as he turned a nice shade of hot pink and walk-ran to a nearby vendors.
Dammit Berin I'll have your head for this!
"You look rather deep in thought young man," noted the vendor.
"I'm deep in something alright, two please," mumbled Jaxion.
"Well it can't be all bad since you are on a date with such a nice young lady." He said handing Jaxion the two cones as Jaxion dropped his head in defeat.
"Thank you sir." grumbled Jaxion taking his ice cream towards Marceline. Before he stepped more than two feet a red Absol charged him knocking him to the ground along with the Ice cream one of which fell squarely on his forehead.
"Ack…Absol there had better be some serious danger for you to have done that." coughed Jaxion as he lay winded on the ground as Absol licked him clean of the ice cream.
"Esper, Absol what are you doing here," giggled Marceline "don't you like relaxing at the daycare."
"Hey get that Absol out of here it only brings bad luck!" shouted the vendors, "Do you want to ruin the carnival you jerks get it rid of it or get leave the carnival." They shouted as they began throwing their wares at the poor pokemon and its trainer.
"Hey you ignorant hicks it doesn't bring bad luck it warns people when disaster is about to happen." Shouted Jaxion as he shielded his friend from the onslaught. Esper lifted her hands as her eyes burned hot pink causing all the vendors goods to float into the air effectively ending the onslaught.
"Please listen whatever the reason Absol appeared to us the end result is clear something bad is about to happen. Please find a safe area and stay there and warn anyone else who wasn't here." Shouted Marceline over the enraged people. leaving no time for further explanation, not that they would understand, Esper lifted both spoons in front of her and all four of them disappeared along with all the accumulated goods that were thrown at Absol.
Jaxion once again felt the rush of falling and spinning as he and Absol landed in front of an open cave while Marceline fell from the shock of teleporting. Esper smothered a laugh and Jaxion suppressed a smile as he went to her side.
"Well that was graceful," noted Marceline.
"Don't sweat it Berin and I usually have trouble with teleporting I just got lucky I guess," said Jaxion as he helped her up " but that aside any idea where we are since I can still hear the carnival from here."
"Yeah this place is called the unknown cave kids play inside here all the time but why are we here."
"This is probably the safest place in town Absol probably feels this won't be affected by whatever is a bout to happen. That being said why aren't those people finding a safe place to hold out"
"These people are as stubborn as Tauros and as rock headed as Onyx, they won't go anywhere, and nothing short of divine wrath will hurt them." Marceline laughed, as she walked through the cave entrance.
"Fair enough but what about the pokemon center shouldn't we warn them as well?"
"They have nothing to worry about there are experienced trainers there it shouldn't be a problem whatever it might be. But what about your brother shouldn't we go get him?"
"Well if we must, anyone feel like hunting him down," said Jaxion turning back to Esper.
Esper looked down at the ground and shook her head.
"What, can you not find him?" asked Jaxion. She shook her head in response leaving a tightening feeling in Jaxion's gut.
"Wait why can't Esper find him," queried Marceline.
"Psychic moves cannot work on things with dark fixations, since Esper is searching for Berin telekinetically she can't find anyone with corrupt minds or in places saturated with: evil, malice, pain or sadness since that is the foundation of darkness. That being said either he is having dark thoughts, he is too far away or he is shrouded in darkness from another source. I don't think he is far enough from us to be out of Esper's telepathic range and unless he is having a severe bitch fit he shouldn't be thinking dark thoughts."
"Well if we are looking for a place of dark energy try the Lost tower. It's filled with ghost pokemon with plenty of dark thoughts and definitely a place of sadness."
"That makes sense and he did says something about trying to find stronger Pokemon so he is most likely there. So Esper would you get him I don't want to take any chances Absol can stay here just in case we run into some trouble since SOMEBODY didn't want to bring our pokemon." Declared Jaxion
"Hey it's not like I was gonna battle anyone anyway."
"Never leave your pokemon behind fool! What if someone tried to steal something from you, your Pokemon would defend you from your attacker, who probably has pokemon as well. If they don't have pokemon it is your privilege, no your right, to have Arcanine wail on them for attempted theft."
"Who would do that it is sooo stupid besides I'm not an actual trainer I'm a ranch worker and at best a breeder!"
"And yet you have an Arcanine" Condescended Jaxion as he shook his head.
"What ever! Esper read my mind so you know where the tower is." Said Marceline stepping forward. Esper floated towards her lifting a solitary claw and touching it to her forehead enveloping both of them in a thin pink veil for a short moment.
"Kazam!" coughed Esper as she floated out of the cave in the direction of the cave. As she left Marceline Jaxion and Berin headed deeper into the caves which were lit by floodlights lining the cave.
"So…sorry about the whole not date turning out the way it did."
"It's okay Jaxion its not your fault I'm just glad I got a warning from Absol, though I hope everyone else in town will be alright."
"Nothing short of divine wrath remember," laughed Jaxion.
"Well for the record this was a very nice not date," she said as they walked further down the cave.
Absol started to slow down his stride becoming shorter with every step. Before coming to a complete stop in front of Jaxion and Marceline. Absol became consumed in a dark purple aura as the Pokemon turned to his trainer and lifted its head.
Jaxion approached his friend "What's wrong Abso–" The words were stolen from his lips as several blades of air shot past him decimating several floodlights lighting the path behind them.
"What the HELL Absol!" Bellowed Jaxion as he fell back in shock. Absol took a step forward and let loose a terrible roar of frustration shaking the entire cave sending a wave of fear and helplessness through both Jaxion and Marceline. The purple atmosphere surrounding Absol burst forth consuming both trainers knocking them on their backs.
Jaxion tried to force himself back to his feet but found the task to be a great ordeal finding it easier to take a knee between the now unconscious Marceline and the maddened Pokemon. Absol roared once more and forced Jaxion into submission, as his body caved under the pressure, as the very earth seemed to shake beneath his body.
And then was he consumed by darkness.
5 minutes previously
Nuzleaf and Tipsy stood in the center of a leaf storm, dancing a macabre waltz between gusts of razor leaf enhanced by helping hand cutting down most of the pokemon that approached them. Furret had done her best to keep the Ghosts occupied. Running a perimeter around its team just outside the reach of razor leaf, distracting harmful attacks with her doppelgangers, side stepping Pokemon who managed to pass through the thousands of leaf blades only to be decimated by Lori's staggering attacks. Tentacruel barraged the door with bubble beam hydro pump and sheer brute strength but to no end, for strong as he was the door was stronger still.
Berin was at wits end his Pokemon could not keep the Ghosts at bay forever. He had heard the terrible stories of how ghost Pokemon would torment their victims for hours leaving them beaten, and broken.
"Tenacruel hurry up, I am not gonna be tortured by some sadistic dead thing because you couldn't blast down a single door!" Shouted Berin as he watched Ghost Pokemon ooze from the walls to assail his Pokemon. His team was strong, even stronger as a unit, but this battle had lasted 20 minutes already, far too long. Even if the ghost pokemon were weaker than his team, the sheer numbers would soon overwhelm them.
Dammit! Jaxion the one time I need you and your out on a date…that I…set up. Why the Hell did you have to be born socially awkward! Thought Berin as he watched his team hold the line against imminent misery. He looked back to Tentacruel, the only chance they had to survive still barraging the door with water moves. Losing all hope he hung his head and began to cry wishing his brother was here to help him. As he wept his tears hit the floor staining it with liquid remorse.
Berin wiped his eyes and took a knee trying to think of anything that could save them and at the very least save his team. He then noticed something peculiar; something was missing his tears were the only water that was on the floor. As long as this battle had been going it seemed odd that Tentacruel's water moves were not flooding the room with water. Stranger still was the fact that his Pokemon had not run out of energy from overusing their moves this much. Screwed as he was Berin realized he was neck deep in it.
"You know you really had me going for a while Haunter." Laughed Berin as he stood up and wiped his eyes. Haunter floated down from the ceiling and stopped at eye level to Berin inches from his face and hissed deeply.
"Yeah yeah nice to see you too now if you wouldn't mind I'd like to leave along with my team." Huffed Berin, as he waved a hand in front of his face to avert the halitosis gained from being dead, for any length of time.
The long dead pokemon hissed with great dispain at the thought of losing his entertainment. This was the price any trespasser paid for disrupting his home attepting to put him into one of those stupid pokeprisons. At the least he wanted revenge, after all he had a nice bite mark reminding him how much he disliked this person and his pokemon. Haunter stared intently into the trainer's eyes then disappeared leaving behind Berin in an empty room.
"Someone will come looking for me eventually, and it's not like you can kill me. The best you could do is probably give me some bad nightmares for a few days even then…" his voice trailed off as the the scene of the battle vanished.
"And so began the hunt for my body…great." He sighed turning around and opening the door behind him began walking down the newly formed corridor to another door, which opened to a sheer cliff into darkness. He peered down the pit pondering the depth of the chasm and whether he would survive the fall from the illusion or not. Before he could build the nerve to jump a gust of stale air blasted past Berin throwing him onto the ceiling. The air jettisoned out of his lungs and the world around him spun vigorously. As he regained his breath he also regained his consciousness, soaked in water from Tentacruel and possibly sweat he rushed to his feet. His team had held off the swarming ghost pokemon long enough for Tentacruel to finish his job as evidenced by the Hyper Beam sized fissure in the side of the tower where doors and a stairwell used to be.
"Good job guys now let's go before we get jail time for property damages." Shouted Berin "Tentacruel if you would be so kind as to lead us down!" The Pokemon staggered to the edge of the crumbling wall grabbing hold of the protruding walls and staircase remnants with several tentacles.
"Tentacruel grab everyone but Tipsy and repel down. Tipsy follow us out but use Rock slide on the ceiling we don't want them chasing us!" Roared Berin gripped by one of Tentacruel's many extremities.
Lori and Furret were the first to leap into Tentacruel's embrace followed close behind by Nuzleaf weaving his steps to safety sure to keep up the barrier of foliage that had cut down so many and kept them alive as long as it had. Tipsy wavered forward agile as a drunkard and bounced into the air striking the ceiling twice with ambivalent precision then landed in the grasp of her trainer.
"Move, move, move, MOVE! Let's Go!" sputtered Berin in a hurried voice. Tentacruel lengthened its stingers dropping down as the ceiling of the Lost tower caved in shaking the walls of the tower itself with a lamenting wail that scarred the night.
Zubat and Golbat fled the tower in droves fleeing to the night sky. Murkrow took to the skies circling overhead screaming down curses at Berin and his team for the damage to their home.
"Let's find Jaxion and get out of here I don't want to find out what happens to people who upset murkrow let alone destroy a playground for the dead." Said Berin as they reached the front of the tower. Tentacruel released everyone and they cautiously began their walk into town.
The crack of thunder and the flash of lightning gave Berin pause. He looked back to the skies above the tower. The murkrow that had been circling above screaming profanities in their native tongue had begun to charge down at them.
"Out of the frying pan into the fire can nothing go smoothly today?" shouted Berin as he began to run towards the town. Before he took more than three steps he felt something grab his waist. He looked down and saw nothing but felt true terror as he was shot back into the tower, the doors slamming in front of him; the last thing he beheld was his pokemon being assailed by the swarming murkrow.
Wrestling with the phantasm that held him aloft he was slammed onto the ceiling. The young trainer heard the crack of his ribs before he realized his ribs had been cracked, he swore racked with pain. He felt linquid warmth begin to trickle down his side he cautiously peered at his chest and almost immediately averted his eyes tears welling up behind his eyes. He could hear his team thrashing against the doors shaking the very building all the while fending off the vengeful murkrow. The noise of the battle going on outside suddenly fled leaving silence in it wake. He felt whatever was holding him loosen its grip slightly as haunter seeped out of the ceiling.
The poltergeist seemed unfocused as if it was having a mental conversation with itself. The clamor of battle grew louder outside, shaking the tower with tremendous force. Berin could hear his Pokemon scream and howl with pain and frustration as they barraged the tower. Haunter stared into his captive's eyes and tightened his etheral grip, a voice echoing in his mind declared, "I've given you the power to take back our world from the humans…kill any who stand against you."
The sounds of the battle outside intensified. The sadistic Pokemon turned to see what was causing the commotion, as a blinding, orange, Hyper beam cut through the lost tower. The blast passed through Haunter, missing Berin by inches, and left a sizeable sunroof in the side of the building, starting from where the tip had once been, leading to the very base of the cemetery and deep within the crust of the earth. As the smoke cleared a harsh purple light flooded into the building and then slowly faded taking with it the noise of battle.
At the edge of the newly stylized crevice lay the limp body of Tipsy. The skies that were once filled with enraged Murkrow had been cleared leaving behind a moon hidden behind murky clouds, giving the moon a visage as twisted as Haunter's smile.
Berin surveyed the battlefield looking for any signs of his had collapsed in a puddle of blood with several dead birds surrounding him. Tentacruel had several black birds caught in several of his eighty stingers, though jellyfish itself was buried underneath rubble, a side effect of Hyperbeam. Nuzleaf was missing in action, though furret seemed to have dug herself into a large hole to escape the fighting.
What was that purple flash earlier? he pondered, None of my teammates know a move that does something like that. Berin looked back to the battlefield well at least the Murkrow are gone. The only other conscious being Berin could see was Haunter. Berin eyed his pokemon captor.
"I don't suppose you'd let me go out of the kindness of your heart?" asked Berin. Haunter laughed hysterically then tightened his ethereal grip. Berin screamed and coughed blood. His vision blurred the pain was all consuming. Haunter put on a serious face and hissed as if to say, 'don't make me laugh'. Lifting Berin by the neck Haunter lifted the wilted trainer to the caved in peak of the tower.
In the distance the young trainer could see the town. The town was in total chaos. The flames of the carnival danced across the horizon as bright as the setting sun smoke clouded the skies black as ink. The Pokemon center lost its roof, the people tried desperately to control the fires and defend themselves from the rampaging pokemon.
Haunter cackled gleefully as he watched the events unfold beneath them. Berin's thoughts were racing, This can't be happening! What's going on? He looked to the ranch and the pokemon daycare. The entire daycare had been terraformed; several mountains came into being spewing molten rock and smoke into the skies. Massive fissures began to form along the edge of the ranch and lead further into town swallowing anyone careless or unlucky, Pokemon that were in the area scrambled for cover while fighting to maintain control of themselves. Atop each of the newly formed mountains danced a massive tornado of rock and sand. Screams of people and Pokemon alike echoed through the town only to be drowned out by the roar of flames and earth.
Hot tears streamed down Berin's face thinking only of his brother.
"There is now way he's dead." Whimpered the young trainer, "Absol would have warned him…he would have gotten out of there…he…"
Berin was cut off as something passed over his hand, Haunter's tongue passed through his hand coating it with a thick slippery ooze. The slime melded into his skin sending sharp cold pain coursing through his body. He screamed in anguish as the pain disappeared leaving him in a cold sweat. Berin's hand began to cramp while twitching uncontrollably. Berin gripped his hand as he tried to regain control of his convulsing limb, sweat beaded on his brow as he felt the icy poison slowly creeping up his arm.
The feeling of Haunter's gaseous tongue passed through the ex aqua member's face, leaving behind the deadly ectoplasm. Immediately, pain as sharp and cold as an icicle burst into every pore, fiber, and cell of berin's body; he felt his head split seam to seam. As the ghost pokemon dropped him onto the roof of the crumbling lost tower laughing wildly as he convulsed into unconsciousness.
