And here is the next chapter. Thank-you for reviewing. And yes, I plan to update sooner this time. This chapter is extremely short, seeing as it focuses on Bella's gym battle with Morty. Oh, and I forgot to answer this question. Bella left Larvitar with Professor Oak before she went to Johto. So, here's the next chapter…

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Pokemon franchise. I do not own any of the quotes, either.

CLAIMER: However, I do own my characters.

Please enjoy, no flames, but I will accept constructive criticism.

Chapter 35: Haunted

"Memory is the mother of all wisdom."

-Aeschylus

He led us through the city and to a very normal looking Gym. It was just a grey, two-story building with glass double-doors. The Gyms in Johto were not very eccentric. He opened the doors for me, allowing me inside. The arena floor inside of the Gym was made mostly of wood.

"Hello!" I called, "Is the Gym Leader here?"

Someone appeared from the upstairs floor. A seventeen-year-old man was standing there. He had short, golden blonde hair and wore a bright blue headband. He wore two black necklaces, and a baggy, longs-sleeved, bright blue shirt with yellow designs. Bleu jeans covered his legs, while yellow and blue sneakers covered his feet. "I am Morty, the Gym Leader of Ecruteak City. You called?"

"Yes. I'm here to challenge you." I stated.

Morty nodded, "Fine by me," he went to the other side of the Gym, "Two pokemon each. Understand?"

"Fine." I said as I called out Houndour. The ebony colored pooch howled upon being released, prepared for anything.

A lazy smile graced Morty's features as he reached into his pocket, pulling a white and red pokeball into the open. He tossed it, allowing his first choice to emerge into the opening. It was a Gastly.

So he's focusing on ghost pokemon? Crap. I should've asked Professor Oak to send Espeon to me. Too late now. "Houndour, Flamethrower!"

I watched as the canine's jaw fell slack, allowing fiery orange flames to spew forth.

"Gastly, evade and use Night Shade!" The ebony colored sphere coated in purple mist narrowly avoided the flames. Its irises began to shine a bright crimson. Black lightning coated in red shot forward, hitting Houndour.

"Fire Fang!"

My Dark-Fire-type rushed forward, flames slowly appearing inside of his mouth. He caught Gastly, puncturing it and burning with his fangs.

"Hypnosis!"

The room began to ripple after being given the command. Houndour stumbled around, confused by Gastly's attack.

"Shake it off!"

"Bella, look out! He's coming back!" Gary shouted from behind me.

I glared at him, "I know!"

"Gastly, use Dark Pulse!"

"EVADE!" Gary and I shouted in unison. I paused to stare at him, then shook my head. Unfortunately, the dark rings Gastly created engulfed Houndour, wounding him. "I told you tell him to evade!"

I turned and snapped at him, "I know! But that's kind of hard to do when your confused, now isn't it?"

I turned my attention away from Gary and back to the matter at hand.

"C'mon buddy, shake it off!" Encouragement usually worked. And it did. Houndour shook off his wounds and confusion, growling furiously at Gastly and Morty.

"Good boy! Now use Faint Attack!" Houndour closed his eyes, and slowly his body became translucent before he disappeared completely.

Morty and Gastly glanced back and forth, and then the trainer decided to give his orders, "Listen for it carefully." The ghost-type nodded to its master.

The duo both closed their eyes, listening carefully for my pokemon. Complete silence. Umbreon was lying beside Gary's feet, eyes closed and breathing soft. It was taking a nap. Said trainer was standing beside his pokemon, waiting anxiously for something to happen. I patiently awaited Houndour's assault, wondering when he would make his move.

"Over there, Nightshade!"

The black and crimson colored lightning shot from Gastly's eyes, hitting the ground. Dust kicked up from that spot, but there was no yelp of pain.

"Nightshade, there!"

Gastly turned to the right and unleashed its attack. Once again, it completely missed the target.

This time, Houndour struck the ghost-type. He bit it in the back, causing Gastly to cry out in pain.

"Hypnosis, now!" Morty ordered. Gastly jerked around and unleashed the attack, causing the entire room to ripple like water. My canine fell to the ground, snoring loudly. He was asleep, "Now finish with Dream Eater!"

"Houndour, wake up!" But I was too late. Gastly's eyes glued to the sleeping pokemon. Multiple different colors flashed in its eyes before Houndour cried out in pain. He did not regain consciousness. I sighed in disappointment and recalled Houndour. Okay, my next pokemon will be… I tossed the next pokeball, allowing Misdreavus to hover before me.

"A ghost-type?" Morty asked, slightly surprised by my choice. His face returned to the lazy expression he usually wore a second later, "That will make this a challenge for Gastly and me, and for you and Misdreavus, of course."

"Now, Gastly, use Nightshade!"

"Evade and counter with Pain Split!" Misdreavus obeyed me perfectly, swaying back and forth to gracefully avoid the darkened lightning.

Her eyes began to glow, and suddenly, Gastly literally split in half. It was for a second, and then it returned to its original form. The pokemon roared with pain, violently shaking.

"Good, now use Psybeam!"

Multicolored beams of light flew from her eyes and hit the Gastly, causing it fly back and forth in a daze. Morty sighed, and recalled his baffled pokemon. "The winner of round two." He said as he prepared another pokeball.

The next pokemon he called on was the evolved form of Gastly. Haunter looks differ greatly from its first form. Its body is purple, and mist does not cloak it. Mischievous, black irises gazed at Misdreavus. Hands float near its head; it is without a body or legs and arms, so the hands are not attached to anything. Sharp fangs adorn the inside of its mouth.

"Shadow Punch!"

Its clawed hand flew at Misdreavus, who evaded it and then performed Payback. She appeared behind its back, using a powerful tackle to knock it off balance.

"Lick!"

Haunter jerked around and did just as its trainer ordered. It licked Misdreavus across the face, causing her to glare at it in disgust.

"Now, Nightshade!"

Lick was used to confuse opponents. I was not going to let Misdreavus focus on Haunter's earlier attack, "Dodge and use Pain Split!"

She hovered to the left, and then just like before, Haunter split in half then morphed into its original form.

"Shadow Ball!"

The black ball hit Misdreavus before she could move, knocking her back several paces.

"Sucker Punch!"

The air rippled around Haunter as it was shoved back, "Nightshade!" The ebony colored lightning zipped towards Misdreavus.

"Shadow Ball!" I ordered before it could hit her. The black sphere absorbed the attack, and then grew in size. Misdreavus grinned maliciously as she sent it Haunter's way.

"Evade, evade!" Morty cried.

The ball hit before the pokemon could move. Haunter shook, looking completely exhausted after that attack.

Morty's eyes glinted as he gave the next order, "Combine Shadow Ball and Nightshade, then thrust it at Misdreavus!"

Haunter cackled as it did as it was told, creating a giant black sphere enshrouded in crimson sparks. It tossed the ball at Misdreavus, who moved before it could hit.

"Shadow Punch!"

Haunter's claw appeared behind her before Misdreavus could move. It slashed at her back, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Now Dark Pulse!"

"Dodge it!"

Once again, Haunter was too fast for her. Shadow enshrouded rings hit Misdreavus, sending her flying across the room.

"Now, use…" the blonde began.

"Shadow Ball!"

A smile spread across her face as Misdreavus conjured another darkened sphere and launched it at Haunter. "Counter with your own Shadow Ball!" Morty ordered.

Both ebony colored spheres collided at the same time after being conjured by the ghost-types. They fused into one ball; crimson sparks encircled it. Morty and I covered ours heads as the ball detonated, creating a dark explosion in the gym. When we opened our eyes, we found both pokemon lying on the floor, unconscious.

I smiled softly at her, "Nice try, Misdreavus." And then recalled her to her pokeball. I placed it on my belt and grabbed the next. Hope your ready buddy.

I tossed the pokeball into the air, allowing Quilava to freely roam about.

Instead of yanking a pokeball out of his pocket, Morty placed a pair of fingers in his mouth. A loud whistle echoed off of the walls, causing my ears to throb. I covered my ears, trying to ease the pain. Gary glanced around the room, as if waiting for something. He knew what was about to come.

I watched as a pokemon materialized from the floor. It was a Gengar, the evolved form of Gastly and Haunter. Mischievous crimson eyes gazed at me. Its never-ending smile grew wider as it gazed at me, and then it flashed a thumbs up at me. I stared at it, a little confused. And then realization dawned.

I pointed at it, surprised to even see it again, "I-its you!" This was the same Gengar from the haunted tower in Lavender Town.

"Hm?" Morty turned his gaze to the ghost-type, curious, "You already know her?" Gengar nodded and then locked eyes with Quilava.

"I met this Gengar in Lavender Town a while back," I decided to explain my meeting with it, "I was there trying to get a ghost-type to fight Sabrina. I tried to catch your Gengar, sorry by the way, but that didn't work out to well. And then I ran into some trouble, and your Gengar helped me. Now I have a question for you. Why was your Gengar in Kanto?"

"I was on a trip to the tower in Lavender Town. I received a call, saying that the ghost pokemon were displaying strange behavior, so I was investigating." He explained in a monotone voice.

Well that explains it. "So, I'm sure you're aware of Gengar's power?"

"Yeah, I am," It was a powerful pokemon the last time I met it, and I doubt that its strength has decreased since then. "But I won't back down now! Quilava…wait," I paused, taking a moment to stare at Gengar, "can I exchange my pokemon for a different one? Before the battle starts?"

Morty's eyebrow arched, "Why?"

"Because in the tower, my Espeon fought alongside Gengar. I think it would be fitting for the two to meet again." I expected him to stick to the rules, and say 'no'.

But instead, he nodded, "Alright. I'll give you five minutes. Hurry."

"Right!" I recalled Quilava and then sprinted out of the Gym. Gary and Umbreon stayed, deciding to wait for me to return. My legs carried me through Ecruteak City, in search of the Pokemon Center. I rushed inside after I found the building, and ran to the phones immediately. I dialed Professor Oak's number, my foot tapping impatiently as I waited for him to answer.

The old man's face appeared on the screen a second later. He appeared to be in his lab, as usual. "Good afternoon, Bella. How've you been?"

"Great," I said quickly, "Sorry to be in a hurry, but I need you to send Espeon to me immediately!"

He blinked, surprised by my request, "Oh, alright. Would you like Larvitar as well?" I paused, allowing my mind to wander. Honestly, I missed my little baby. And I'm sure Larvitar would be happy to see Gary again, too.

"Why not?" I replied after a second.

A smile spread across the old man's face, "They're on their way." He rose to his feet and disappeared from the screen. I could hear him say something in the background, and then there was a cry of excitement from two beings. I ran to the machine beside the phones. It was a transporter, allowing trainers to send pokemon from one place to another quickly. I waited patiently as the white sparks flew, allowing a familiar pokeball to appear. I picked it up, seeing the kanji for 'mind' on it. Espeon. I placed the ball on my belt and then grabbed the next one. It had the kanji for 'earth'. Once the ball was attached to my waist, I returned to the phone.

"Thanks, Professor. See'ya."

He returned just in time to say farewell, "Your welcome. And good luck in the Silver Conference."

"Thanks." I hung the phone up, and then sprinted out of the center as fast as I could. My legs carried my body through the city, as if my life depended on it. I burst inside of the Gym after I arrived, sliding to a complete stop directly behind Gary and Umbreon.

"Just in time." Morty was standing beside Gengar, a stopwatch in one hand.

I raised my hand, breathing heavily, "Back…" after taking another breath, I pulled my pokeball off the belt and tossed it into the air. A second later, a lavender colored pokemon tackled me to the ground. Espeon happily licked my cheek, her tail wagging as she did so.

"Hey there," I laughed, stroking her lavender colored fur, "Been a while, huh?" Espeon climbed off of me, allowing me to stand, "You remember Gengar, right?"

She looked at him, and then nodded to me. "Well, turns out it has a trainer. Sorry that your first fight has to be a Gym battle." She purred in delight as I stroked her back, and then turned a hard gaze on the ghost-type. Espeon was ready for anything.

A small smile graced his lips, his arms over his chest. "Ready?" Morty asked, patiently waiting for us.

Both Espeon and I bobbed ours head in agreement.

"Alright…Gengar, Nightshade!"

"Espeon, Swift!"

The lavender colored pokemon leapt to the side and unleashed a flurry of golden light resembling stars. Gengar melted into the floor, dodging the attack and then returned to the ground floor.

"Shadow Punch!"

"Psychic!"

A multicolored beam shot forth from Espeon's forehead, hitting Gengar. The pokemon cackled as it vanished, and then appeared behind my pokemon.

"Mo-…" too late. The attack sent Espeon flying across the room. Damn, it's strong! "Use Future Sight!" Espeon's eyes shown, and then returned to their normal black. Nothing happened.

Morty seemed to be troubled. He knew what was coming, but he had no idea how to counterattack it. "Go ahead and use Shadow Ball."

"Evade!" Espeon tried to move, but the ball collided with her, knocking her against the wall.

"Nightshade!"

"Evade!"

My psychic-type dodged the attack by leaping over Gengar, and landing only a few feet away.

"Hypnosis!"

"Don't look at its eyes!"

I figured out that if one looks away, Hypnosis can be avoided. Espeon did as she was told, and turned her attention to Umbreon across the room. "Dark Impulse!"

The attack hit, knocking Espeon off balance slightly.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as Espeon's earlier assault came to the rescue. A golden and blue light appeared from thin air and blasted Gengar out of one of the windows and to the outside. Future Sight was a special attack. When casted, a certain amount of time must pass until it activates. The psychic-type that casts it cannot use any other attacks until Future Sight has passed. In a way, the pokemon was predicting an attack, and then it would happen when that pokemon saw it in the future. Weird, I know. But that's how it works. Gary was familiar with the attack, seeing as he possessed a psychic-type. Morty knew about because he's an experienced gym leader and he has probably seen quite a bit of psychic-types in his lifetime.

Gengar materialized in front of us, a wide grin still plastered on its face. Bruises and cuts adorned the pokemon's body; there was a deep gash on its forehead, allowing blood to spill forth.

"Obviously, you and your Espeon work very well together," the blonde gym leader's voice was calm, "I hope that you continue to put up a good fight. Nightshade!"

"Psychic!"

The lightning struck Espeon, but her attack hit Gengar as well.

"Shadow Punch!"

"Quick Attack!"

"Shadow Ball!"

"Evade, Swift!"

"Endure! Hypnosis!"

"Look away, Quick Attack!"

"Endure, Payback!"

By the time we finished calling out orders, both Espeon and Gengar were trying to catch their breaths. The battle was nearly over, and I needed to finish it quickly.

Okay, I'll use this. "Last Resort!"

"Combine Shadow Punch with Nightshade!"

Espeon cried out as her body slowly began to shine a pure white-blue. She transformed into a large, fearsome beast with long fangs and claws. Gengar's clawed paw began to glow black with crimson electricity surrounding it. The pokemon rushed forehead, colliding like Misdreavus and Haunter had before. A white ball with blue and red sparks engulfed the pokemon, and the detonated. I covered my face, protecting my eyes from the blinding light.

Wind flew around us, and sparks cut my arms and legs. I winced as blood dripped from one nasty cut on my cheek. Damn that's strong.

Slowly, the wind and light died down, allowing us to see the result.

Gengar trembled as it stood in the middle, fighting to remain conscious. There was a deep gash on its side, and fresh cuts adorned its body. Espeon was lying on the ground, shaking. She was adorned in bruises and cuts, and was completely exhausted.

"Espeon!" I sprinted to her, crouching beside my pokemon. I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her close to me, "Are you okay?" The lavender colored pokemon nodded and lifted her head to lick my cheek.

Morty closed the distance between himself and his strongest pokemon, patting Gengar on the head once he was close enough.

"That was a good show," he said, reaching into his pocket, "You may have not defeated me, however, you have still earned this." His palm opened as he held it out to me.

In his palm, I could see a small metal badge. It resembled a navy blue ghost.

"Your performance was spectacular, and you hold a powerful bond with all of your pokemon. With this, you will be one step closer to the Silver Conference."

I took the Fog Badge, smiling as I did so, "Thanks, Morty."

"There is no need to thank me. I did nothing to help you; you have only yourself and your pokemon to thank."

He had a point. So, I gave Espeon my thanks, and hugged her close to me. I missed all of my old pokemon, but was still happy that I was given a chance to meet my new ones. I planned to keep Espeon and Larvitar for the rest of the trip. I recalled Espeon into her pokeball, and then rose to my feet.

"Good fight," Morty and I shook hands, while Gengar gave me a thumbs up. "Hope to see you guys again."

The blonde nodded, "As do I."

I walked to the doors, where Gary and Umbreon were waiting for me.

"Ready?" the brunette asked.

"Yup." He held the door open for the dark-type and me, and then followed us to the outside…

As I said many chapters ago, Gengar would be returning. I didn't plan on it being Morty's Gengar; I made that decision right before I wrote this chapter. I can't remember whether this is longest gym battle Bella has had or not. I think it is. Oh well. Please review and I shall update soon…