Author's Note: I like Morty a lot more than Whitney. However this is one of the only Gym Leaders where I'm altering the team. I thought it was weird that Morty didn't have a Misdreavus... (I have Gym Leader trainer cards in my profile now, by the way.) And this chapter's shorter than normal.

Oh, and Parrot-san picked up on something important. Gin uses "kid" and "kiddo" as somewhat derogatory terms, just for reference… You'll notice she only called Suishou by name when introducing him to Kuro.

Chapter Twenty: Vs Misdreavus!

"What is this place supposed to be?"

Gin stopped short, muttering rhetorically to herself. She'd just passed a gap in the trees on Route 37, and arrived in what looked to be a small town. The houses were all wooden and vaguely reminded her of old shrines. In the distance, she could see a tall, pagoda-style tower on one end of town, and on the other end there was a much shorter tower that looked like it had been burned out at one point.

The whole area had a mystic feel to it, and Gin rolled her eyes slightly as she pulled her Pokégear out of her pocket. Selecting the map function, Gin frowned. A small, blinking icon was resting on an area labeled "Ecruteak City."

"This is Ecruteak City?" Gin scowled, putting her Pokégear back in her pocket. "Looks more like some kind of spiritual haven if you ask me. What are those towers for, anyway?"

"They're relics… to legendary Pokémon…"

The voice was so quiet that Gin doubted that she'd heard it at first. Frown deepening, she turned to her left and took a few steps, spotting a larger wooden building that looked like a temple.

A slim blonde man was leaning against one of the pillars, his unruly hair partially pushed back by a blue headband. His arms were crossed against his dull-blue-sweater-clad chest, and his eyes were closed. A Misdreavus floated next to him, looking equally focused on something other than Gin.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gin snorted. "How long have you been there, anyway? Who are you?"

The man's eyes opened slowly. "Morty… I'm the Gym Leader…"

Gin put a hand on her hip, rolling her eyes. "For some reason, I was hoping for someone a bit more convincing."

"Are you… disappointed? I suspect… you weren't impressed by Whitney, were you… Gin Shinu?"

"Hey, what? How'd you know I just fought Whitney? And I don't think I introduced myself!"

Morty chuckled, although not meanly, as his Misdreavus opened its eyes and nodded slowly. As it turned to him, Morty nodded as well.

"It's psychic power… You said it yourself when you arrived… There are many spirituals here, myself included. This town has many mysteries and legends surrounding it…"

"Uh huh." Gin quirked an eyebrow, her ire further raised. "There's no such thing as actual psychic power. Even with Psychic or Ghost Pokémon! Just because they use mental energy, that doesn't prove anything, you know."

Once again, the Gym Leader chuckled to himself, and Gin scowled again. What was so funny? This man was really getting on her nerves in the worst way…

"Dark Pokémon can sense things as well… Although not as strongly as Psychics… or even Ghosts. Just ask your Sneasel…"

Gin started, her hand brushing against Midnight's Pokéball. "As if! Even if you weren't lying, which you obviously are, there's no way Midnight's been trained to do anything like that." She then sneered. "Look, why don't you put this power of yours to use and tell me how long it'll take me to get to the Pokémon Center or something."

"Hm? Oh, I'd say… about ten minutes. Considering it's down the street from here."

"Hack job! We'll see if you really are psychic or not when I challenge you later. Whatever."

With that, Gin turned on her heel and started storming down the dirt path. However, before she got very far, Morty called out one more time.

"And you won't have to worry… about holding back…"

"What?"

Gin froze without turning around. Morty continued speaking, obviously seeing her tense up slightly.

"On his account, that is… I sense… you've just lost… someone important to you. Have you ever felt the need to… slow down for him?"

"Nonsense! That kid didn't affect my battling style in the least."

Picking up her pace, Gin nearly jogged away, resisting a rather strong urge to hurl more over her shoulder at Morty. However, he wasn't nearly worth the trouble, and he was lying anyway.

However, as Misdreavus sighed, Morty simply smiled at it and shook his head.

"I was right… after all."

- - -

"Wha-? Now where do I go?"

Kin complained to himself as he took another turn, arriving at a dead-end with a few berry trees. Sighing, he turned back around. He'd been wandering around on Route 36 for a few hours in his attempt to reach Goldenrod, but had had no such luck in actually getting there.

Folding his hands behind his head, Kin sighed again and turned back around. However, as he took another step, he rammed his knee into something. Kin winced as he stepped back and looked down.

"A fence post? What?"

A short, wood-block fence ran along the distance of Route 36. Nearby, there was a small gatehouse, and Kin blinked as he read the sign.

"Relaxation Square National Park, huh… Hey, what's this? Tri-Weekly Bug Catching Contest, held Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday afternoons—check inside for details?"

Kin tapped his chin thoughtfully. A bug catching contest… Maybe there were rare Bug-Types? And if he remembered correctly, it was Thursday. He could give it a shot…

"And if I catch something strong, I might even get to show up Gin!"

With that, Kin darted towards the gatehouse, a pre-victory smirk plastered on his face…