It turned out that getting into Pokémon Tower was easier than expected. There were only two Rocket Grunts standing guard at the entrance, who were both quickly taken care of with a Sleep Powder from Bulbasaur. When they entered the building the trio of trainers went up the only set of stairs in the room.
As they arrived on the next floor, they noticed many tombstones, signifying the resting places of many Pokémon. The room also seemed to be somewhat foggy. Luckily though, there were no Rocket Members on this floor, so they continued to the next staircase. The higher they went up the tower, the fog seemed to grow thicker, making it harder to see. Though there didn't seem to be any Ghost Pokémon to be seen. Ash suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder, but when he looked, he saw nothing. Brushing it off has just his imagination, he continued onward, until he felt another tap. "Knock it off, Pikachu" he said. "Pika?" Ash look down, realising that his partner wasn't on either of his shoulders, but walking in front of him, as were Misty and Brock. Ash paled slightly as he turned around once again, but this time he did see something. Looking back at him was a floating purple mass, with two disembodied clawed hands, smiling creepily smiling at him, "Haunt!" it exclaimed, as Ash yelped in shock. Misty and Brock jumped at Ash's scream, looking back and going pale themselves. Ash slowly pointed his Pokédex at the creature "Haunter, the Gas Pokémon and the evolved form of Gastly. A Ghost and Poison type Pokémon. Haunter can watch opponents by hiding in walls and slips through anything in its way" stated the Pokédex. "What did you do that for?" Ash questioned, to which Haunter just laughed. Brock stepped closer to the Ghost type, "Haunter, have you seen any people around here who aren't normally here?" he asked. Haunter nodded quickly, pointing towards the next staircase, as he began to float toward it. The three companions nodded to each other, before following it.
Following their floating guide, the group eventually arrived on the sixth floor, where they finally found what, or rather who, they were looking for, as they gasped at what they saw. The room had about 10 Rocket Grunts, all capturing Ghost Pokémon, specifically Gastly, Haunter, and even a few Gengar managed to get caught. Hearing the sound, a few of the grunts turned and spotted the trio. "Intruders!" one of the yelled, "Get them!" The grunts took their attention away from catching ghosts, towards the group, sending many Zubat, Golbat, Koffing, Ekans, and Raticate at them. Ash, Misty, and Brock each grabbed a Poké Ball, "Pikachu, Thunderbolt, Squirtle come out and use Water Gun!" Ash ordered, throwing Squirtle's Ball. "Poliwag, Ice Beam!" "Graveler, use Rock Blast!" Squirtle, Poliwag, and Graveler, each appeared, immediately firing their moves at the attacking Pokémon, as did Pikachu, and even Haunter joined in with a Night Shade attack. The battles went by very quickly, the Rocket Pokémon being defeated easily. The grunts recalled their Pokémon before rushing up the next set of stairs, the trio of trainers following after.
As they arrived on the next floor, they didn't see the Rocket Grunt's they were chasing, but instead two different Rocket members, a man with green hair, and a blonde woman with her hair in twintails. "We heard some commotion down stairs, so we came to see what was going on" the woman stated. "Who are you?" Ash questioned. "Allow us to introduce ourselves" said the man.
"Prepare for trouble"
"and make it double"
"To Infect the world with devastation!"
"To blight all people in every nation!"
"To denounce the goodness of truth and love!"
"To extend our wrath to the stars above!"
"Cassidy!"
"and Butch!"
"We're Team Rocket, circling Earth all day and night!"
"Surrender to us now or you will surely lose the fight!"
"Cassidy and Biff?" Ash questioned, which seemed to annoy the green haired man "IT'S BUTCH, DIDN'T YOUR MOTHER EVER TELL YOU TO REMEMBER PEOPLES NAMES!?" He yelled. "Shut up Bob, Go Tentacruel!" Cassidy exclaimed, releasing her Tentacruel. Sighing, Butch also released a Pokémon "Go Cloyster!" A large clam-like Pokémon appeared next to Tentacruel, "Cloyloyster!" it called out. Ash quickly scanned it "Cloyster, the Bivalve Pokémon, and the evolved form of Shellder. A Water and Ice Type. It fights by keeping its shell tightly shut for protection and by shooting spikes to repel foes.
"If it's a battle you want, it's a battle you'll get, Pikachu, use Electro Ball, Squirtle, use Wa-" Before Ash could finish giving Squirtle a command, Haunter appeared in front of him, seeming to be ready for battle. "Haunter, you want to battle with me?" the trainer asked, Haunter turned and smiled with a nod, "Haunt" Ash smiled back, okay then, use Shadow Ball on Tentacruel!"
"Cloyster, Icicle Spear!" "Tentacruel, Acid Spray!" Pikachu did flip, as he fired his attack towards Cloyster, who in response fire a barrage of icicles, breaking the Electro Ball. As Tentacruel sprayed acid towards it's opponents, Haunter put himself in front of the attack, taking very little damage thanks to his type. He then formed a shadowy orb between his clawed hands, firing it directly in the Jellyfish Pokémon's face. Haunter then extended his long tongue, giving Tentacruel a lick, making the water type shudder, as Lick's paralysis side effect took effect. "Pikachu, use Spark!" Pikachu cloaked himself with electricity as he launched himself at Cloyster. "Cloyster, Clamp that rat!" As Pikachu got close, the water/ice type closed its shell, Pikachu getting stuck between the two halves of Cloyster's shell. The Mouse Pokémon screamed in pain, as Cloyster clamped harder and harder. "Pikachu!" Ash cried, before he had an idea, "Pikachu quick use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu released his Thunderbolt, shock Cloyster from the inside, "Clooooy!" it shrieked, its shell opening, freeing Pikachu, as the Bivalve Pokémon fainted, the close-range Electric attack being too much for it. "Cloyster!" Butch exclaimed, recalling his Pokémon.
"Tentacruel, Bubble Beam!" Cassidy commanded. Tentacruel send a stream of bubbles at Haunter, but Haunter easily avoided, before firing a Night Shade attack, straight at his opponent, before finishing it off with a quick Shadow Punch. "No!" Cassidy shrieked in annoyance, returning her Pokémon. The two Rocket members growled in anger, each about to reach for another Poké Ball, until a voice echoed through out the room "Get out…"
"Who said that?" Misty questioned. Haunter seemed to shrink back a bit, seeming to be scared off the voice. Behind Butch and Cassidy, a foggy mass began to rise from the floor, which seemed to have eyes. "What is that?!" Ash exclaimed. "Get out…" the voice said again "Leave this place!"
Meanwhile back at the Pokémon House, Reina rushed into the playroom hearing a banging sound. Noticing that the sound was coming from Cubone's pen, she rushed over to see what was wrong. As soon as she opened the gate, Cubone ran out, straight passed Reina towards the exit, "Cubone?! Where are you going?!" she cried, as she chased after the Lonely Pokémon. Exiting the house, Reina spotted Cubone running towards the Pokémon Tower, so she continued to follow.
"Pi-Pikachu, u-use Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered, but Pikachu just hid behind him in fear, as did Squirtle. Poliwag and Graveler also stood behind their respective trainers. "Is t-that a r-real ghost" Misty questioned in fear. Butch and Cassidy just stared at the ghost, unable to move. The ghost began to move toward the Rocket members, until another voice caught it's attention. "Cuuuu!"
Cubone came rushing up the stairs, and came to a stop in front of Ash. The ghost stared at it, before starting to float towards it. "Cubone, what are you doing!" cried Reina emerging from the staircase. "Wak…" The voice murmured, as its shape began to change. The group stared as its body appeared to form into what looked like a larger version of Cubone. Everyone's eyes widened, as Ash pulled his Pokédex out for a third time. "Marowak, the Bone Keeper Pokémon, and the evolved form of Cubone. A Ground Type. It collects bones from an unknown place. Some whisper that a Marowak graveyard exists somewhere in the world" it stated. "Marowak…?" Ash questioned. "That must… that must be Cubone's mother!" Brock exclaimed in realisation. The ghost of Marowak embraced her child, though she couldn't actually touch it. Marowak seemed to be a lot calmer now as Cubone cried in her arms. Marowak looked up at the trio of trainers, looking at each of them of a few moments each, finishing on Brock, nodding as if trying to tell him something which Brock didn't understand. Closing her eyes, the spirit of Marowak began to float into the air, releasing Cubone from her arms, as she began to fade away. Just before she disappeared completely, a voice seemed to fill the three trainers' ears, "Thank you…" and with that, Marowak's ghost disappeared.
Cubone sat there, tears running down his face, as Ash, Misty, Brock, and Reina just watched for a moment. Ash suddenly realised Butch and Cassidy seemed to have vanished, but ignored that for now. Cubone finally stood up, and started to walk back towards the group, until a Sludge Bomb attack struck the Ground type, coming from the next stair case. A laugh filled the room, as a purple haired man emerged from the stairs, a Venomoth by his side.
"Well, that was emotional now wasn't it" he chuckled, "But I think its time you all were taught a lesson for intruding, starting with that Cubone" he pointed toward the Ground type, "Venomoth, Leech Life" the bug type dove towards Cubone, fangs glowing a sickly green. "Graveler, Rollout!" Brock quickly ordered, as Graveler quickly curled up and began rolling at Venomoth, knocking it out of the sky, "Now Mega Punch!" Graveler's fist glowed white, as he punched Venomoth, slamming it into the ground. The Rocket growled, recalling his Pokémon. He quickly released a Weezing, "I think I shall take my leave now. Petrel is my name, don't forget it. Weezing Smokescreen!" a thick smoke poured from the Poison type's mouth, filling the room. Ash quickly called out Pidgeotto to blow the smoke away with Gust, but when the smoke cleared, Petrel was no where to be seen. "Damn it!" Ash exclaimed, while they had saved Cubone, Team Rocket still managed to get away with all the ghost types they had captured. Reina quickly ran passed the group, Cubone following, as the both went up the stairs. The group quickly followed after them.
Arriving on the top floor of the tower, Reina looked around, and noticed a figure tied up in the corner of the room, immediately recognising them, "Grandpa!" "Bone!". The girl ran over to the man, and untied him, and removing the gag from his mouth. "Reina, Cubone!" said Mr Fuji, smiling at his granddaughter, "How did you get up here?" he asked. Reina smiled, "We had some help!" she answered, pointing back towards the stairs, Ash, Brock, and Misty, having just entered. "I see" he said with a nod, "Come now, let's return home"
After returning back from the tower, Mr Fuji thanked the trio for their help in rescuing him from Team Rocket, as well as helping Marowak move on. "I have something I'd like to give you for your help" the man said, pulling a box out of a cupboard and handing it to Ash. Lifting the lid, revealed what appeared to be a flute with a Poké Ball shape carved into it. "What is it?" he asked. "That is a Poké Flute" Mr Fuji answered, "when you play it, the sound will awaken sleeping Pokémon" he explained. "Huh…" said Ash, "Well, thank you!"
As the group was about to leave, they were stopped by a cry from Cubone, running up and hugging Brock's leg. "What's wrong Cubone?" he asked, bending down to it. Mr Fuji chuckled, "I think he wants to go with you, Brock" he stated. Brock stared at the Ground type "You do?" he asked, which Cubone responded to with a nod, "Bone". "Is that okay? Brock asked Mr Fuji, who simply answered "Of course" Brock smiled, pulling out an empty Poké Ball. Cubone immediately touched the button, getting pulled inside, barely even shaking, before the ball clicked, signifying a successful capture. "Welcome to the team, Cubone"
Just before they reached the town's exit, Ash felt a tap on his shoulder, turning to look, he saw nothing, but as he faced forward again, he screamed as smiling face had appeared in front of him. "H-haunter?" he questioned, "Why do you keep doing that?!" Haunter just laughed before one of his disembodied hands reached into Ash's back pack, pulling out an empty Poké Ball. Ash's eyes widened, "You want to come with me, Haunter?" he asked. Haunter nodded before floating downwards, and drew an "R" on the ground, before he slashed at it. Ash realised what the ghost type was trying to say. "You want to free your friends from Team Rocket, right?" he asked. Haunter nodded, his face becoming for the first time since Ash met him. Ash nodded back, "Okay them, welcome to the team, Haunter" Haunter smiled, touching the Poké Ball's button, as he was sucked inside, and much like Cubone, the ball hardly shook before it clicked. "Alright, I caught a Haunter!" "Pipikachu!" Ash's Pokédex beeped, as Ash quickly sent Squirtle to Professor Oak's lab. "Okay then, on to Celadon City!"
So, I felt like writing again, meaning my hiatus has ended a lot soon then I expected. However, for now, my other to fanfics, are remaining on hiatus for now. Also, please don't ask when the next chapter will be, because I have no idea. Anyway, thanks for your patience, and please continue to have patience while you wait for the next chapter. Until then, goodbye.
Current Teams:
Ash:
Pikachu (Male) (Static)
Charmander (Male) (Blaze)
Pidgeotto (Female) (Keen Eye)
Beedrill (Male) (Swarm)
Bulbasaur (Male) (Overgrow)
Haunter (Male) (Levitate)
At Oak's Lab:
Nidorino (Male) (Poison Point)
Krabby (Male) (Hyper Cutter)
Mankey (Male) (Anger Point)
Squirtle (Male) (Torrent)
Misty:
Poliwag (Male) (Water Absorb)
Staryu (Genderless) (Natural Cure)
Goldeen (Female) (Swift Swim)
Oddish (Female) (Chlorophyll)
Horsea (Female) (Sniper)
Brock:
Onix (Male) (Rock Head)
Graveler (Male) (Sturdy)
Zubat (Male) (Inner Focus)
Cubone (Male) (Rock Head)
