I don't own anything related to Pokémon. Not the little creatures themselves (no matter how much I would like one), or the characters of the anime. Nintendo and their affiliates do.
This story was a labor months in the making. Spectre Dan started out as a little character I came up with in one of my Pokémon debates with my brother. Slowly, the idea grew and grew, until we have the story you see before you. Originally posted on my deviantART profile, I now present it here for your reading pleasure.
Episode I
The Spectre Cometh
Ash and co. were on their trek across the Sinnoh region. Piplup and Pikachu were happily leading the way, and Dawn was bringing up the rear, wondering when Ash and Brock are talking about.
"You should at least call her," said Brock, "It's going to be her birthday soon."
"Why are you so fixated on this?" asked Ash.
"Well, for one thing, I'm trying to get you to admit that you like her."
"I DO NOT!"
"You totally do! Quit denying it!"
Dawn speaks up. "Who are you guys talking about?"
Before either could answer, Pikachu caught their attention. He pointed excitedly at a building up ahead, apparently some sort of inn.
"Great eye, buddy. We can stop there. It will be dark soon," said Ash, eager to change the subject.
They walked in; at the same time, they were unaware of the shadowy figure who had been following them, or of the danger they were about to be in.
"Hello? Anybody there?" asked Ash as he rang the bell for service.
Suddenly, the floor glowed beneath their feet. There was a flash, and they found themselves in another room. But, there were no doors or windows. In fact, there was no apparent way out at all. To top off the situation, Pikachu, Piplup, and all their pokeballs were gone!
The only thing in the room was a TV screen, which lit up, revealing the leering faces of Team Rocket. They spoke their motto (which the gang had learned to tune out) and gloated about the situation.
"We decided to resurrect our old Saffron City Warp Tile plan," gloated Jessie.
"It took a while to upgrade and set up, but it was totally worth it!" crowed James.
"Now we got Pikachu, and some bonus Pokémon to give to the boss!" Meowth reveled.
"I smell a promotion!" all three called out.
"Wobbuffet!"
"We got out of this trap last time. We'll do it again!" countered Ash.
"Uh, Ash," Brock whispered to him, "Sabrina rescued us last time. We wouldn't have gotten away without her help. Unless there is another powerful psychic like her around, I think we're sunk."
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that," said Ash disappointedly.
"Plus, all out Pokémon are gone," said Dawn.
"That's what upgrade means, twerpette!" said James.
"You three are stuck there! There is no one around to save you. We checked," said Jessie.
Suddenly, there was a loud SLAM, as if the door to the room Team Rocket was in had been busted down, which, in fact, it had. The camera on Team Rocket's end fell to the ground as a voice said that they didn't look hard enough. There were sounds of a battle, but the camera was pointed the wrong way, so Ash, Brock, and Dawn couldn't see anything. Even if the camera was pointed the RIGHT way, all they would have seen was feet.
The noise died down, and the voice spoke again.
"If you kids are still listening, then step away from the walls. Spook, use your psychic abilities to scan for them."
After a few seconds, the person who spoke had apparently found out where they were, because a sword blade came through the wall and started to cut out a circular opening. When that was done, the section of wall was pushed in and a man stepped through the opening. He was tall, lithe and muscular. He was dressed simply, with a dark green cloak and hood over his clothes. A sword was in his hand, and it glinted dangerously. Then, he spoke in a voice that was both cold and soothing:
"Miss, gentlemen, if you will please step this way. 'Escape: The Musical' will begin momentarily."
The words had a joking vibe that set them at ease and let them know that this person was a friend.
The foursome stepped through the room Team Rocket had been in. Jessie and James were tied up and out cold in the corner. Seviper and Wobbuffet were next to them, also out cold. Carnivine was knocked out in another corner, a Spiritomb sitting on the grass-type's head. The Spiritomb had a smile on his face, one that was whimsical and insane at the same time. A red-and-white striped scarf was tied around his keystone. A Blaziken who wore a black belt and what looked like weighted bands around his wrists and ankles was holding Meowth in a chokehold. Meowth clearly wasn't enjoying it, but the Blaziken was deaf to his pleas, and gave off an air of seriousness.
"Strong work as always, Blaze and Spook," the man said to the Blaziken and the Spiritomb (respectively).
Then he addressed the gang, who had already recovered Pikachu, Piplup, and their pokeballs.
"There is a police outpost about a mile to the north. Take Darkwing and go get some officers and a truck to haul away these guys," he said to them, giving them a pokeball that presumably held Darkwing, "I'll stay here to make sure these clowns don't try anything funny. Once you have sent the cops here, stay at the outpost and I will meet you there."
"Right," said Ash.
They went outside and released the Pokémon, who was revealed to be a Charizard. But this Charizard was different. It had coal-black skin and red wings.
"WOAH! A shiny Pokémon, like my Noctowl!" exclaimed Ash.
"I can see why he calls it Darkwing," Dawn said as they all mounted the Charizard and flew off to get the police.
About thirty minutes later, a police van drew up to the fake inn and Team Rocket were sent 'up the river.' Officer Jenny asked the man who he was.
"Since we are in the same business, I guess I can tell you. But keep it under your hat," he said as he pulled out something from within his cloak.
He revealed it to be a badge, and he spoke the following words with calm authority:
"I am Special Agent Spectre of the International Police. You may call me Spectre Dan."
A lot of influences went into my character. The look was based on the DC Comics character, The Spectre. The idea that my guy worked as a secret agent came from watching the original Get Smart series, which is also where his boss comes from. There are many other influences, but there are too many to go into. Mostly, it has all been blended together into what I hope will be an unforgettable character. Enjoy!
Anyone who wants to draw any fan-art for this, let me know first. I want to keep track of this stuff.
