AN: My first fight scene so let's see how this goes! For anyone who is a fan of Supernatural, I threw a few nuggets in here. See if you can find em!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of the characters. Just the random plot bunnies that my mind creates.

Chapter Warnings: Language, action, fighting

Chapter 8 - Possessed

Gary nudges Fearow with his knees to have it drop down in front Ash's Tauros. They had just rounded onto Route 13 and there is nothing but twisting bridges over a large lake ahead. His partner looks at him with a blank expression and puffy, bloodshot eyes. The haunting incident of their childhood clearly having a devastating effect on him.

"We need to eat something Ash. We can't ride into battle on an empty stomach. Plus Fearow and Tauros can use a break."

Looking at the heaving pokemon below him, Ash slides off slowly, body stiff from being forced to ride for so long. The wild bull pokemon wanders to the edge of the water to drink greedily. Ash sits on the ground staring ahead as he mechanically begins to eat some of his rations. Gary sighs as he feeds the pokemon.

He better snap out of this soon. He will be a liability in battle otherwise.

"Gary?" A soft voice calls out. "How are we supposed to fight the ghost pokemon? We don't have shotguns or salt rounds."

Gary glances at his partner's impassive face as he thinks over the dilemma. A town as small as Lavender will most likely not have an armory. Ghost types normally keep other dangerous pokemon away and normal weapons are useless against them anyway.

"We will just have to find some iron or just use our pokemon."

With a nod of agreement from the raven, they finish their lunch in silence. After cleaning up, Gary launches into in the air once more. Him and his flyer hovering over the rejuvenated bull pokemon.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Nightfall.

The duo arrive in the dark of the night to an empty, silent town. Not a single light can be seen in any window.

Where is everyone?

Ash and Gary slowly approach the closest house. Pikachu and Squirtle, as well as recently collared Doduo and Krabby, follow silently behind.

Tauros and Fearow are too tired to help. And the others are either injured or won't be that effective on the ghosts. We just have to make due with these four.

Gary pushes against the door to the dark house. Unlocked...strange. Weapons at the ready, Gary slowly enters and begins to walk up the stairs. He sees Ash and his pokemon walk forward to search the first floor.

"All clear." Ash's voice crackles through the comms set in his ear. After checking the rooms upstairs again, he goes down to meet the raven who is holding two fireplace pokers.

Iron.

Taking the new weapon from his partner, they exit the house. Gary feels a curling sense of dread form in the pit of his stomach.

Several hours later, all the buildings have been cleared and not a single person has been found. The brunet glances east towards the jutting remains of the Pokemon Tower sitting against a jutting cliff towering high overhead.

Armed with their iron pokers, the group moves forward to investigate the tower. They freeze as a low moaning is heard.

Dark shapes materialize from the gloom, slowly taking on humanoid shapes. The townspeople? What are the all doing out so late?

Gary quickly jumps out of the way as a fist comes flying towards him. What the fuck?! Gary pulls his arm back to slam the poker against his enemy's side. His arm stops mid swing by a strong hand on his bicep.

Looking back, he sees his partner pulling him further away from the oncoming horde.

"Gary! They're possessed! We can't hurt them!"

Gary spins around and narrows his eyes at the nearest human. Sure enough, a trail of black ooze is trailing from his ears and nose. Ectoplasm.

Fucking perfect.

"How do you plan on taking out the ghosts without hurting them then Ashy-boy?" Gary yells back as he backs up further from the moaning possessed.

"We have to stun the hosts. All at once. They'll have to leave if they can't move the bodies they are possessing." Ash explains before motioning his Pikachu and Krabby forward.

Interesting. Good plan. Gary looks back towards Squirtle who nods and steps forward.

"Krabby, use Bubblebeam at their feet!"

"Squirtle, you too, Water Gun!"

Water and bubbles combine to form a slippery liquid that courses over the townspeople's feet and surrounding area.

"Pikachu, use Thundershock on the water!"

Sparks fly as the yellow mouse releases a short discharge of power. Electricity arches and leaps over the ground. Lighting up the entire area. The humans freeze mid step as the current races up through their feet and into their bones. One by one, they begin to fall onto the ground still spasming.

Silence descends once more on the town. Gary registers glowing pairs of white eyes in the darkness.

Red eyes. Glowing. Alley. Darkness. Pain.

Gary jerks as he once again feels a warm hand upon his arm. Looking to his left, he sees the determined, focused face of his partner looking out at the fallen townspeople. Taking a deep breath, he lets the warmth from his partner seep through him. Grounding him to the present battle.

Gary can barely make out the black and purple shapes of the multiple Gastly and Haunter before him. All he can focus on are the glowing, angry eyes.

Ash's hand tightens further as the ghost types fly towards him. Their pokemon rush out to engage in battle, leaping around the fallen humans as they unleash attack after attack upon the ghosts.

Ash swings his iron poker at the Shadow Ball that is shot towards him. Gary presses his back to Ash's as they are surrounded. Pikachu and Squirtle release a cry as the scramble back towards their trainers.

"No!" Ash cries out. "Protect the townspeople! Make sure they don't get possessed again!"

The pokemon stop and stare before nodding. The ghosts charge toward them.

Swing left. Right. Uppercut. Duck and weave. Another uppercut. Gary moves mechanically through the forms that were drilled into his body for hours upon hours as a child. His body reacts. No time to think his actions through.

He spins around at a small gasp from his partner. Wide brown eyes stare at a group of Haunter a short distance away. A large shimmering ball of black energy is forming. Green orbs widen in realization.

There is no way we can dodge that.

Gary watches in horror as the massive Shadow Ball is sent hurtling towards him. He can't die here. Not yet. Not by these ghosts.

Not without even meeting a single Dragon Rider.

Time seems to slow as the ball approaches. Gary can see nothing else but the swirling, purple tinted black mass before him. He can feel the evil energy wash over him. A cold sensation settling into the pit of his stomach. He reaches for the tan hand next to him.

The Shadow Ball explodes against a shimmering square of yellow light inches from his face. The two soldiers are blown back. Sent tumbling over the ground at the sheer force of exploding energy.

Unfocused green eyes see a small yellow blur standing where they were just mere seconds ago. The shimmering light is still floating in the air but quickly disappearing. A Light Screen?

Pikachu saved them.

As his eyes focus, Gary can see his turtle pokemon next to the electric mouse facing off against the group of Haunter that dare try to hurt their trainers. Krabby and Doduo frantically pulling the unresponsive townspeople further away from the rapidly growing battleground.

Gary slowly gets to his feet before looking around for his missing iron weapon. He blinks as it appears before his face. He follows the pole down to tan hands.

Ash is ok.

Gary grabs the poker and spins around. White eyes lock onto his green a foot from his face. He quickly swings the pole through the Haunter. It dissipates into purple smoke.

Each swing of the pole causes more damage since it takes longer for them to regenerate after being struck by such a pure substance. Just keep swinging.

The Haunter dissipates after being struck once more and doesn't reappear. He looks around for another target but sees none. He slowly approaches his partner's side as they glance around the battlefield.

Their eyes whip toward the burned Tower at the sound of a low chuckling. A few pairs of eyes glance out from the shadows of the building.

The sun is rising. They won't be able to attack for much longer. Just a few more minutes.

The eyes blink out of existence one by one until only one large pair remains. The eyes narrow as they seem to stare right through the soldiers. Gary feels a chill race through his body. Mean Look.

It has locked onto us now. We can't leave the town. It will follow us to Hell itself until it decides to release us from its gaze.

Fuck.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

AN: I hope it was decent! I have seen/read plenty of action material so hopefully it was exciting.

Favorite/follow/review please!

Next up: Chapter 9 - Deal