Somewhere in the middle of nowhere a tired young man climbs to the top of a mountain.
'' Finally.'' said the young man as he reached the top barely dodging a fallen sign hurling towards the bottom of the mountain. After letting out a heavy sigh the man looks down and reads the word ''life'' on the plummeting sign. He lays down heavily, tired from the climb and sits his computer onto the ground next to him as he tries to regain his composure. He looks around to confirm he is clear at the top. He smiles. '' I'm back!''
Somewhere between the cool night air and the sound of the crackling fire Brock had the calm to think through his options, though with a Ghastly a few inches away from his face those options were truthfully limited.
''Look...Gabriel. We don't have to do this.'' Brock said calmly. Hoping to resolve this peacefully.
''I wish that were true but, you know who I am and I have a mission to finish.. For all of them.'' said Gabriel seemingly distracted. At that moment Brock's Pokegear went off again with Bianca's voice being heard.
''Attention all gym leaders! Attention all gym leaders! Please report current status.'' The two young men eyed the pokegear. A few moments would pass When Gabriel would speak.
''Brock, tell her that-'' Before he could finish Brock rolled to his side with Ghastly trying to follow halted slightly by the flames Brock's move caused to stir up. Brock threw a pokeball mid roll which caused his pokegear to fall off. Gabriel ran towards Brock picking up the device when a pokemon's form came through. The pokemon was none other than Tyranitar. Gabriel eyes narrowed and pushed the talk button on the pokegear.
''He's gonna have to call you back.'' He said as a purple energy emitted from his hand short circuiting the pokegear. The Tyranitar let out a shaking roar that blew a strong wind passed Gabriel. Ghastly, without missing a beat came to his side and hissed it's name standing it's ground. Gabriel eyed the beast and sighed.
'' Ghastly return!'' Ghastly stared at Gabriel in shock.
''Ghas...'' He protested. Brock looked at the two in confusion.
''No buts, your at a disatvantage and you already fought. that's final.''
''Ghas Ghas..'' The ghost relented returning to Gabriel's side. Gabriel turned to his side and walked over to the campfire.
''What are you doing?'' Questioned Brock. His Tyranitar awaiting an attack. But Gabriel just kept walking until he reached Sabrina.
''She isnt safe here. I am moving her out of the way.'' Said Gabriel as he scooped her up slowly and walked over to a nearby tree to sit her against it softly. Brock wasn't sure what to make of this. It was one thing to move Sabrina away as he didn't think Gabriel was a bad person. Brock was at a serious disatvantage and was planning to move around the battle as not to hurt his fellow gym leader and friend, yet Gabriel's move negated that. In addition he didn't bother to call a pokemon out as he moved in front of Tyranitar. Was he trusting? Was he surrendering? Is he not able to use pokemon?
'' And now we fight, brace yourself.'' Gabriel stated as a purple energy emitted from his body and solidified in front of him in the form of Trevenant. Brock sighed as he thought he was at an advantage in this department. clinching his fists he roared out his passion and pride as a gym leader, and as a man who refuses to back down.
''Hhhwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!'' Brock was ready to give it his all.
In the Celadon gym Ash was just about done withdrawing his pokemon from the system. He would have to pick wisely if he was going to battle ghosts. Memories went through his mind of his encounters with ghosts. The ghost of maiden's peak who was really a mysterious Ghastly that could speak. The ghost trio who took out his soul to play with him. That one still felt weird to remember even though they were nice pokemon who were really just lonely. More prominent were his memories against Morty of johto. That was difficult. He looked at the screen selecting his last pokemon. Ash would ponder briefly. What was going through his mind? The man who could wield ghosts and fight as one with them. Why was he so angry? How did he get that strange power to merge with ghosts?
'' What?! Who is this? hello? BROCK!'' The high pitch screams of Bianca could be heard and Ash and the others ran to the room Bianca was in. Ash got there first with the others following right behind.
'' Bianca! What's wrong!?'' Ash asked with deep concern. The others had the same exspression on their faces.
''It's Brock, his pokegear signal is gone, and..and he was with someone else.'' Ash raced to Bianca.
''Brock? where is he? What was he doing?'' Ash said with a visible fear. How could Brock be in trouble. Brock was one of the toughest people he knew. Bianca was thrown off by this response but managed to calmed herself.
''Brock was traveling around one of the areas we thought That ghost person might be in so he said he would investigate the area but it seems our suspicions were correct and that man destroyed his pokegear. Ash's face was wide with terror. After about two seconds his face changed to one of anger and he rushed out the door. Misty knew what would happen next and she raced after him.
''Ash!'' she cried out trying desperately to catch up with him.
'' NO!'' He cried back trying desperately not to be caught.
''You don't even know what i'm gonna say!'' Misty yelled at Ash, the gap between them widening. They would pass by a couple of Gym employees and they both apoligized as they ran forward. The employees either looked upset at the rude situation or they wore a small smile.
''Yes i do and i can't leave him behind. It's Brock!'' Ash got outside and called out Rapidash and jumped on top of his steed. The fire inside him burning as fierce as his horse. In an instant he took off to the Viridian forest. Misty got outside just in time to see a fiery blur leave the scene. She ran to her bike and started to unlocked it in haste with a few curse words as she struggled to undo the lock under her stressful state. After she got it to unlock she looked down the road Ash took.
''Dummy, I was gonna say wait for me.'' Misty sighed and she peddled as fast she could.
In the room where Bianca was trying to communicate with the other gym leaders to update them oficer Jenny was dispatching who she could about the matter. She sighed at the debacle and looked to Professor Oak.
''Professor, why didn't you try to stop Ash?'' She asked genuinly curious. The proffesor just took a sip of his coffee and said with a dry voice. '' The same reason you didn't try. To this Officer Jenny nodded.
The battle had started and neither of the two were in a position to mess around. For Brock his fellow gym leader needed medical attention and for Gabriel an agenda years in the making. Brock wasn't in the best of standings, a few of his Tyranitar's moves were not accessible even with Sabrina's distance, not without endangering Sabrina. Earthquake and sandstorm to name a few. Brock needed to take control and end this fast. He looked to his opponent to find he didn't seem very eyes so cold and empty. Was he a ghost himself? It seemed instinct would have to guide Brock here. Instinct, passion, and his gym leader experiance. The first move was his.
''Tyranitar use crunch!'' Brock ordered and his behemoth obey with a pounding roar it charged at Trevenant fangs first. It would seem the dark atack was Brock's plan for now and Gabriel wasn't obvlivious to the damage it would inflict on a ghost. time to retaliate.
''Leach seed now!'' Trevenant obeyed and spewed multiple seeds at the enemy but Tyranitar was not slowing down. Gabriel and Trevenant braced themselves. Tyranitar took hold of the tree with great ease as the rock and dark type was about two feet taller and packing a considerable amount of more mucsle. Trevenant howled as Tyranitar chomped down.
''Trevenant use woodhammer!'' Gabriel screamed trying to reclaim the upper hand. The Trevenant charged up it's energy into its branch hardening it and took a swing at the enemy. a swing that would be stopped mid-thrust. The crunch took it's toll and Trevenant was stunned momentarily. Gabriel stared realizing what had happened and Brock smiled knowing his chance had come.
''Tyranitar use hone claws!'' Tyranitar roared as it's claws turned black and raised it's arm to slash down at it's prey but couldn't complete the task. Both Brock and Gabriel looked in wonder as the creature seemed to wince in pain. The realization had dawned. The leech seed was sapping Tyranitar's health and giving it to Trevenant. For the second time this battle the tables had turned. Gabriel wasted no time.
'' Trevenant woodhammer!'' The specter obeyed and Struck Tyranitar's face pushing it back a few feet. Tyranitar shook his head and faced Trevenant. Tyranitar smirked at his opponent, savoring the battle.
''Trevenant woodhammer! Now!'' Trevenant recharged its attack and struck full force at Tyranitar. Tyranitar was taken back even more this time and Trevenant shrieked in satisfaction as it denied the opponent to have its moment, and yet the creature still stands. Both Brock and Tyranitar smiled.
''Too bad. The specialty of Pewter city's gym and my personal belief is that rocks greatness comes from endurance and effort. Even with your skill and tactic you simply can't outlast us.'' Brock had a strange aura about him. It was so familiar to Gabriel. Soothing even.
'The intake..The patience... So similiar to ground types.' Thought Gabriel.
''You remind me of him.'' Gabriel said in a flat voice. 'That's why i feel close to him.'
Brock eyed Gabriel for a moment but remembered whatever was happening he had to win here. Gabriel was not impressed, but he was shocked.
'Wasn't Brock the first gym leader new trainers faced? who was beating him?'
This had to end soon. Gabriel called out for another woodhammer but Brock was tooquick.
''Tyranitar hone claws now!'' Brock called out. Tyranitar struck it's opponent with the dark technique and Trevenant fell back. roaring in pain. Brock saw an opening now that Trevenant was down.
''Tyranitar shake off those seeds.'' Brock ordered. The Tyranitar obeyed and shook it's body rapidly removing the seeds. Brock watched as his opponent eyed on in shock.
'' look Gabriel, i don't know what happened, but i can help y-''
''NO YOU CAN'T! Said Gabriel cutting off Brock. He looked at the ghost trainer shocked.
'...it's too late.' Gabriel's face lowered.
Brock's options were limited but he had to end this before he could do anything for anyone.
'' Tyranitar use hone claws! end this!'' Tyranitar charged at Trevenant with it's claws darkened and aimed. Gabriel had to think quick.
''Trevenant! Leech horn!'' Gabriel called desperate to succeed in this attack. Trevenant conjured vines to grab Tyranitar and bind him. Tyranitar tried to fight but in a forest the vines came too quick. It howled as it's life was force was being drained. Brock watched in horror as his pokemon was losing strength. Tyranitar was slowly growing limp. If he were too faint Brock would be done for. ' Is there nothing i can do?' He couldn't give up. He refused to.
''Tyranitar Break those vines with focus energy!'' The creature's body glowed as it willed it's body against the vines. Little by little the vines expand until.. snap! The Tyranitar freed itself. No longer sapped by the vines. The hulking beast roared and faced the ghost pokemon. Gabriel had to stop this from escalating. But Brock was quicker again.
''Tyranitar use ice fang!'' Tyranitar chomped down with blue shining teeth against Trevenant. The pokemon screeched in pain as it was bitten.
'How much energy did this thing have?' Gabriel wondered as the beast was visibly strugling to keep it's composure.
'A few more blows should do.'
''Trevenant use woo-'' he stopped and realized his Pokemon's body was mostly covered in ice. Frozen and unable to defend itself. This wasn't good.
''No..!'' Gabriel gasped. With his ghost frozen he was done for. escaping ice wasn't impossible just required some time. Time that was not available.
The Tyranitar ran with a mighty roar as Trevenant could do nothing but wait for the blow.
' How did i let this happen?' Gabriel though in frustration.
At that moment Tyranitar stiffened stopping dead in its tarcks. The color returning to it's claws as it fell to the grounf several feet away from trevenant. Both trainers stared at the outcome. Brock more so in horror.
''What?'' Brock said in confusion. Gabriel let out a small laugh.
''The leech seeds finally took their tool.'' Said Gabriel. Brock was still confused.
''How?'' Brock let out. Tyranitar shook them off. He saw the seeds fly off his pokemon.
''Horn leech. The vines placed the seeds back on your pokemon.'' Gabriel said smiling.
With that Gabriel extended his arm to Trevenant and walked towards Brock. The tree turned into a dark plasma-ish substance with a slight green hue and entered Gabriel.
'' Rest, you earned it. Said Gabriel housing the ghost '' inside'' him.
''Ghastly have you recovered?'' Gabriel said closing in on Brock. The shiny Ghastly emerged looking more alive than before {if ever that were true} and menacing to boot. Brock tried to move away but felt his back touch a tree. He had nowhere to go.
''Two gym leaders down for the count, funny if my life hadn't been taken from me i may have been able to compete in the indigo plateau.'' He raised his hand now glowing a fearful purple in Brock's face.
''Don't worry, you won't die, but waking up may take some time... my condolences.''
''Gabriel, you don't have to do this.'' Brock pleaded but Gabriel kept at it. until he heard something.
''Rapidash fire blast!'' Shouted a voice in the distance.
The voice was familiar. The blast came at Gabriel full force but he simply extended his hand to ''catch it''. Oddly enough the flame seemed to have went in to the plasma, albeit causing it to stop forming. Gabriel shook his hand as if slightly surprised his power faded from the blast. The Rapidash came close to him but stoped as a younger boy stepped down from the horse with a Pikachu staring at Gabriel.
'This boy again?' Gabriel thought now focused on him as Ghastly eyed Brock. Gabriel remembered their fight earlier. 'What was his name again?' He would wonder.
''Ash!'' Brock cheered feeling like he dodged a bullet.
''Yes, Ash, which is what you almost turned me into.'' Sneared Gabriel.
''You attacked my friend and hurt a lot of people! You need to be stopped! Gabriel narrowed his eyes in disgust.
'' What i did is nothing compared to Giovanni! How dare you act like some knight in shining armor when that monster walks the streets everyday!'' Ash kept his gaze on Gabriel. He was certain there was truth to this but it was one step at a time and frankly he was too pissed off at the moment to care.
''Look you can explain everything at the celadon police station.'' Ash said holding his fist up in anger. Gabriel smiled at this.
''So what, i raise my hands and you cuff me, is that it hero?'' Gabriel said raising his hands in mock gesture.
''No you call out all of your pokemon so i can teach you a lesson.'' Ash said with venom in his voice. Gabriel was taken back.
'' Oh, so you do have a dark side after all.'' Ash simply stared at Gabriel now ready to throw down.
'' What i have is a low tolerence for people who hurt others, now come get a licking.'' At this Pikachu faced Gabriel and sparks flew out his cheeks.
'A licking?' Gabriel repeated with a cruel smile. ''Great idea.'' Said Gabriel snapping his fingers. To this Ghastly licked Brock causing him to pass out. Ash was shocked and at that moment Gabriel vanished. Ash ran to brock holding him.
''Where are you?!'' Ash shouted. For a moment he heard nothing. when suddenly Gabriel's voice was heard.
'' Thanks for taking Brock oof my hands for me, but if you don't mind Sabrina is by the camp, could you be a hero and take care of them. Goodbye.'' The voice seemed to have came from everywhere. 'Where is he?' Ash cursed in frustration when seconds later Misty would arrive.
''Ash, what happened?'' Asked Misty as she stared at Brock's unconcious body. Ash explained what had happened and Misty couldn't believe it.
''Misty.'' Ash said with a serious tone. '' I need your bike. Rapidash is tired and and he's geting away, can i count on you to bring them to the hospital?''
''Ash... let's just wait, police back up is arriving we can all go together.'' Misty pleaded. Ash wouldn't listen.
''Misty they need help and i can't let him hurt anyone else...Please.'' Ash begged. Misty sighed.
'' I can't stop you can i Ash?'' Misty spoke knowing the answer. Ash simply smiled. Misty handed the bike to him.
''Ash.'' She said as he mounted the bike.
''Yes Misty?'' He said as he faced the direction he figured would lead to Gabriel.
''I know your strong and helping others is what you do...But don't go making the mistake of thinking you can't get yourself killed. A lot of us care and can't bare to lose you.'' Misty said trying to be strong. Trying not to cry. Ash smiled and ruffled his hat.
''Misty, i swear i will come back.'' Said Ash.
''Promise?'' Asked Misty. Looking dep into Ash's eyes.
''Promise, and i always keep them.'' He said with a that he took off.
Well I must say it has been far too long. My apoligies. Things came up and not a day went by where i didn't scold myself for not writing more. at times i couldn't. i am back and i intend to stay. I am attempting to write better and i want my chapters to be longer.I have a better drive, a new computer that functions, and a clearer and more open mind. My stories can only go up from here. As always if there is anything anyone feels is in need of change please let me know and i will see what can be doen to improve my stories. I hope everyone is ready for more because as i said before i am back. see you soon.