Glory, Grace, and Revenge, Chapter 33

I stood before the Ecruteak City gym, knowing only that it was my next challenge. Despite claiming to know the gym leader, Morrigan had been rather tight-lipped about his Pokemon type preference. Instead, I got to know the tall teen a bit more. The way she told it, she moved into Ecruteak from Lavender Town at the whim of her relatives. Back in Lavender, she used to work at the Pokemon Tower, digging graves for critters that had passed on. Quite the dark line of work for a teen, but she seemed overjoyed to do it. Everyone is different, and I guess there was nothing wrong with her job. After all, someone had to do it.

Morrigan went into the gym first, and I followed her and Doc. The arena was pitch black, save for a few candles along the walls. On the far side, the leader sat down, just barely illuminated by the two candles at either side of his chair. Unless he really liked being the dark that much, the guy was clearly playing the part of dark type trainer real well. Morrigan ran ahead, crossing the arena to speak with the leader in private.

"Okay! You're all set, Star!" I was expecting Morrigan to be supporting my side, but she took the leader's seat when he got up. Just like her, I guessed.

"Welcome to my gym. Let me apologize for the darkness here." The leader clapped his hands, causing a few spotlights around the arena to snap on. Like the other arenas, only the shape of a Pokeball was painted on the floor. The leader was dressed in a black sweater, a purple headband keeping his slightly longer hair out of his eyes.

"Hello, my name is Star. I've come to challenge you for a badge." I said in introduction.

"I'm Morty, Mystic Seer of the Future. I am a master of the Ghost type, so if you favor the normal type, prepare to suffer a terrible loss. We shall each use two Pokemon only, agreed?" I nodded, despite the fact I had no real say in the rules to begin with. Morrigan waved at me from behind Morty.

"Good luck, kid!"

Morty ignored her, and released his first Pokemon, a Gengar. Ghost types were a difficult battle, and I was at quite the disadvantage with my team. Still, I made the best of it all, and ordered Vulpix out on the field.

"Gengar, Night Shade!"

"Vulpix, Quick Attack!"

Gengar's eyes began to glow red, and it fired a beam of energy as dark as night at Vulpix. She disappeared just before it hit, and appeared right next to Gengar, slamming into him. However, rather than damage the Pokemon, she went right through it, causing the Pokemon to laugh at her failed attack. I had completely forgotten normal attacks can't touch ghosts.

"Gengar, Mean Look!"

Again, Gengar's eyes began to glow, this time bright white. I saw a shadow fall over Vulpix, as if something was holding her down. I pulled out my Pokedex and scanned that ability, finding out just what it was capable of. According to the device, it prevented Vulpix from leaving the arena until she was defeated, or Gengar was. Time to go on the offensive, then.

"Vulpix, Flamethrower!"

"Gengar, Lick!"

Vulpix sprayed the Pokemon with fire, pushing it back against the wall. When Vulpix let go of the attack, Gengar wasn't against the wall anymore. I searched around the poorly lit arena, but couldn't see him anywhere. Vulpix was doing the same, when Gengar sprung up from behind her. She spun around on instinct, but it only allowed his exposed tongue to crawl up her face. Vulpix shrugged off the attack, but I noticed she was slowing down a bit.

"Vulpix, Flamethrower again!"

"Gengar, Hypnosis!"

Before Vulpix could follow up on the order, Gengar locked eyes with her, lulling her into a deep sleep. I screamed out to Vulpix, but she fell down, knocked out completely. Morty chuckled as Gengar stood over the helpless fox.

"Gengar, Dream Eater!"

Gengar leaned in close to Vulpix, morphing into a string and slipping into her ear. I watched from afar, screaming the entire time for Vulpix to wake up. I noticed her face shifting around, as if she was having a nightmare. Finally, she cried out in pain, and Gengar emerged from her ear, looking satisfied and regenerated. Vulpix finally woke up as well, but wasn't looking as healthy. This was it, so I went for one last tactic.

"Vulpix, Confuse Ray!"

This time, it was Vulpix that locked eyes with Gengar, and after the Pokemon blinked, he stumbled backwards, unable to keep his balance. Vulpix sat down, trying to regain some of her strength.

"Gengar, shrug it off! Use Night Shade!"

The purple Pokemon's eyes began to glow again, but rather than shoot the beam at Vulpix, he shot the beam at the wall. It bounced right off, and came back to slam into Gengar, sending the Pokemon flying towards the other end of the arena. Now was my chance to finish the battle.

"Vulpix, Flamethrower!"

She stood up, trying to keep her balance as well. Gengar stumbled to his feet, the confusion starting to wear off. Vulpix opened her mouth, and let loose another spray of flames. Gengar couldn't avoid the blow, and was pushed back towards the wall again, this time directly under a spotlight. Since it couldn't escape into the shadows like before, it had to take the brunt of Vulpix's attack. After it was over, Gengar fell forward, and was out of the battle for good. The shadow over Vulpix was lifted, as well.

"Vulpix, return!" She limped towards me, exhausted. Morty recalled his Pokemon, and prepared his next one. With Vulpix out of the fight, my only strength in the battle was out as well. Morty released his last critter, another ghost that looked like a floating girl's head. I took my Pokedex and scanned the unknown Pokemon.

"Misdreavus, the Screech Pokemon. It likes playing mischievous tricks such as screaming and wailing to startle people at night." Again, the Pokedex provides insightful help on how to battle Pokemon.

"Choose your next Pokemon, Star. I haven't got all night." Out of options at this point, I reached for Beedrill's Pokeball, and released him onto the field. Bug types were ineffective against ghosts, but I had no better alternative.

"Misdreavus, Mean Look!"

"Beedrill, Pin Missile!"

The shadow veil fell on Beedrill, sealing this battle before it even began. Still, Beedrill rushed into Misdreavus, driving both its sharp forearms into the Pokemon. It wasn't an effective blow, but Misdreavus did take it directly, sending her crashing back down to the ground.

"Beedrill, Twineedle!"

Again, Beedrill zoomed into Misdreavus, driving his arms into the Pokemon again, and again doing only minimal damage.

"Misdreavus, Spite!"

The smaller Pokemon's eyes shot open, sending Beedrill reeling back into the air. His two arms hung limp off his body, as if they'd been turned off. He wouldn't be able to attack with his arms anymore. That wasn't about to stop me from going on the offensive.

"Beedrill, Poison Sting!"

"Misdreavus, Curse!"

Beedrill flew in again, driving his stinger into Misdreavus as she tried to dodge the blow. After Beedrill backed away, Misdreavus got off the ground, and I watched as her body cut in two. Both pieces floated separately for a moment, before they were reunited. Confused, I looked up at Beedrill, who was being surrounded by a dark aura. I scanned the attack with my Pokedex, and learned just what the effect was. At the cost of her own energy, Beedrill would be sapped of his own life at an alarming rate. I needed to end this battle as quickly as possible.

"Beedrill, Agility, then use Poison Sting!"

The large bee swung around in the air, gaining intense speed as he did, and again slammed right into Misdreavus, this time crashing her into the ground himself. The dark aura sapped him right after, but Beedrill still looked much healthier than his opponent.

"Misdreavus, use Pain Split!"

The small ghost floated up to Beedrill, butting heads with it. I watched as a line of light connected the two Pokemon, then vanished into thin air. Ignoring the command, I ordered one more Poison Sting, praying this one would end the battle. Beedrill's stinger sent Misdreavus reeling back, but for some reason, Beedrill was hurt as well from the blow, followed by another sap from the aura. The next attack would decide this battle, and Morty saw that as well. Unsure how to proceed, I looked at my Pokedex, trying to find some other means of winning the battle. I was amazed to find one more ability for Beedrill I never realized he had.

"Beedrill, use Pursuit!"

Morty's face was filled with shock as Beedrill flew towards his Pokemon at full speed. Misdreavus was sent flying past him and Morrigan, slamming into the wall on the opposite end of the arena. I couldn't tell from where I was standing, but it looked like Misdreavus was knocked out completely this time. Beedrill felt some of the pain himself, and the aura finished sapping what little energy he had left. He crashed onto the ground, defeated as well.

"Star wins!" Morrigan's voice echoed throughout the gym as she carried the fainted Misdreavus in her arms. She handed the Pokemon back to Morty, who returned her to the Pokeball.

"Actually," he said, turning to the fallen Beedrill, "it's more of a tie. Both Pokemon fainted, so a winner is undetermined."

"No! I win!" I screamed at him, startling the ghost type trainer. Vulpix was resting at my side, but I picked her up and showed her to Morty on the other side of the arena. "See? Vulpix is still up! I still have a Pokemon left, so I win!"

"Man, Star," Morrigan chuckled, "You really get mad easy."

"Indeed," Morty added, raising his hands in defense. "An honest mistake. You've won the Fogbadge, Star."

After I stored Beedrill away, I walked across the arena, Vulpix resting soundly in my arms. When I stood before Morty, Morrigan ran around to my side, giving me a pat on the back for my victory. I took the badge from Morty, but he reeled back the moment our hands touched in the transfer. He clasped his head, as if something had just hit him.

"Morty? What's wrong?" Morrigan ran over to see if he was alright, but the trainer just pushed her away.

"I'm alright, really. I just had a vision, is all," Morty said, regaining his composure. He turned to me, which made me feel a bit uneasy.

"Star, have you come into contact with one of the three legendary Pokemon?"

"Legendary Pokemon? What do you mean?"

"As a matter of fact," chimed in Morrigan, "Her and her friend were attacked by something in the Burned Tower! Isn't that right, Star?" I nodded, confirming the claim. I didn't know that Raikou was such a rare Pokemon, though, to be called 'legendary'.

"Then the vision was true. Star, I'd rather not share the details, but let me caution you: these Pokemon are out on the hunt, and if they've deemed you a threat to that, they'll come after you. Please be careful on your journey."

"What do you mean come after me? What did I do?"

"I won't say anything more," Morty said, turning his back on me. "Just trust me on that. If you see anymore of these Pokemon, just run away."

~o~

After that cryptic congratulations from Morty, I returned to the Pokemon Center with Morrigan. She tried her best to explain Morty's odd behavior, but it wasn't much help. Apparently, Morty had developed some kind of spiritual bond with the Pokemon atop the Bell Tower in the city, and could tell when people were connected to it. Though, what had me confused was the fact that I had encountered a different Pokemon, and in the Burned Tower, not the Bell Tower. Still, I was never one for solving mysteries, so I decided to push all that to the back of my mind as I checked up on Rebecca.

In the time we were gone, Nurse Joy had contacted the hospital in Olivine City, and they had sent a rushed service to take Rebecca back to the hospital. She'd be leaving late that night by air, though what the nurse meant by this I wouldn't be sure until I saw it. In the meantime, I went to stay by my friend's side, who was delighted to see that I was alright.

"The nurse couldn't tell me what had happened. What did happen, Star?" Rebecca was flat on her back, cautioned not to move in the slightest. I leaned over her as best I could, but since I was so small, I had to stand on the chair to look directly into her eyes.

"That Pokemon attacked your Victreebel, and the two of you went flying through the wall! I thought you weren't going to make it, when Morrigan here came to help!" The taller girl leaned over from the other side to greet my friend.

"Heya! I'm Morrigan, nice to meet you!" She offered her hand, but realized Rebecca couldn't move to take it.

"Thank you, for helping me."

"Hey, no problem! You should've seen Star, though. She was on her last nerve, worrying about you from the second they took you away. Had to drag her away for a while, to calm her down, see?"

"I-I wasn't that worried!" I snapped back, feeling a slight blush creeping up on my face. Rebecca smiled, trying to hold back the giggle.

"So, where'd you take her? The Dance Theater?"

"No, the gym, actually. You mean there's a Dance Theatre here? Why didn't you say so, Morrigan?" The lanky girl looked away, not exactly thrilled about the mention of the place.

"Not my kind of place. Plus, you said you were out collecting badges, so it was win-win, right?" I ignored her for the moment, and turned back towards Rebecca.

"So, what's that theater like?" I asked, now highly interested.

"It's run by the Kimono Girls, a group of five sisters that use Pokemon for their dances. They're quite popular throughout Johto, but most famous here. After the tower, I was planning on taking you there. But by the look of things, I guess not anymore."

"Don't worry! Nurse Joy said you'll be going to Olivine's hospital, so they can finish taking care of you! We'll go see it once you're better, okay?"

At that moment, Nurse Joy walked into the room, a new stretcher and a few Pidgeots sitting on top of it behind her. The Pokemon looked perfectly healthy, but I realized they weren't actually there for treatment when I saw the white caps on their heads. They were from the hospital!

"Okay, time to get you to the hospital. These Pidgeots will fly you there in no time! Could you two please wait outside? I have to run a few more tests before I let her go."

Morrigan and I followed the nurse's orders, and were forced outside the operating hall by her Chansey. After a few moments, we heard a stretcher being wheeled towards the door. Out came Rebecca, still flat on her back, and the four Pidgeots now resting on each corner of the bed. Nurse Joy wheeled them outside, then started undoing the locks underneath the bed.

"I take it this is a ride for one person only?" I asked, suddenly eager to fly with my friend.

"That's right! These Pokemon will take her to the hospital, but I'm afraid you'll have to get there by foot."

"Rebecca, is it okay if I meet you there in a couple days? I don't know how long it will take me to get there myself."

"Of course, Star. Not like I'm going anywhere, anyway. Oh, and do me a favor: please call Elder Li, and let him know what happened. Nurse Joy has the number." I nodded, and backed away once Nurse Joy had undone all the locks on the bed. We all watched as the Pidgeots started flapping their large wings, lifting the bed into the air slowly.

"Good luck! Fly safe, Pidgeots!"

The Pokemon and the bed with my friend disappeared into the dark of the night sky. I knew that was reserved for people being rushed to the hospital, but I would've loved to be able to fly through the sky like that one day. Once they weren't visible anymore, I went back inside the center. I still had a couple phone calls to make before I could turn in for the night. And Morrigan? She vanished along with Rebecca into the night.

I swear, that girl was just creepy sometimes.

~o~

Adding to her creepiness was the fact that I woke up the next morning with her staring intently at my face. Of course, this made me scream out a bit, which just gave her the best laugh she had in a while. A prank is a prank, but my question was what Morrigan was doing there so early? Had she nothing better to do than hang around with me? Naturally, she had an answer to that, too.

"I'm sort of on vacation," she said, keeping Doc on a leash so Vulpix wouldn't scramble up into my arms. "Parents sort of made me come here for the summer. I love this city and its history, but lately it had been getting rather dull."

"So I'm just the latest toy for you to play with while you're here?" She nodded, her clean face practically glowing underneath those dirty clothes she lugged around. Did she have nothing else to wear?

"I'm not that evil, but if you don't mind..." She stared at me intently, her blue eyes clear as day, now that they weren't obscured by her glasses. What was the purpose of wearing them if she didn't use them?

"I did want to head over to Olivine already, but since last night, I've wanted to visit that theater. Could you take me there?" Suddenly, Morrigan's gleeful delight vanished from her face. She really didn't like that place.

"Are you sure?" I nodded, intending to collect on her offer to hang around me.

"You said you wanted to play, right? Well, let's play!"

After I had a bite to eat at the center, courtesy of the first cooking Nurse Joy I had seen, we set off for the theater. The building actually wasn't the most fancy thing, just another small house to the naked eye. Apart from the tiny sign posted next to the front door, it was a normal house, I'd soon discover. I knocked on the door, and turned towards Morrigan, catching her as she took a few steps back. Confused, I looked back at the door, finding it wide open, and a girl staring back at me.

"Can I help you?" She asked, sizing me up.

"Yes, I've come to see the Kimono Girls. I heard they were great dancers."

"We're also great Pokemon trainers. Are you one, as well?" I nodded, which caused the girl to step out of the doorway and invite me in. "Welcome to the Ecruteak Dance Hall! Please, come inside and enjoy the show."

I smiled at the girl, and let myself in, Vulpix trailing behind me. Before I could take in the sight of the dance hall, the girl tapped on my shoulder. I turned around, and she pointed at Morrigan, who was still standing a ways from the door.

"She with you?"

"Yeah, she is. Oh, Morrigan~! Come on over here!" I called out to her in the most over-the-top coo I could manage, which only seemed to make her even more uncomfortable. Doc ran inside first, chasing after Vulpix who still avoided him like the plague. Once Morrigan was closer, the girl in the kimono started sizing her up, too.

"I remember you. Normally, I wouldn't let you back in, but since you're with this delightful young lady, I'll make an exception. Don't make me regret it." The girl's tone was pretty stern, a far cry from her cheery demeanor from only a moment before.

Once inside, we took a seat on the floor pillows laid out in front of the stage. Vulpix curled up in my lap, looking away from Doc. The poor Growlithe looked hurt, but chose to leave her alone when he rejoined his owner's side. As the rest of the girls on stage prepared, I leaned in close to Morrigan.

"Something happen before?"

"You could say that," she whispered, trying not to make eye contact with any of the girls on the stage.

"It was awful," said a voice from behind us, causing all of us to jump. It was another kimono girl, this one sporting a yellow outfit compared to the other girl's blue.

"See, Morrigan was pretty rude to us the first time she was here, so we asked her never to come back. That Kuni would let you back in is a rare event."

"I didn't mean anything before," said Morrigan in her defense. "I just didn't like what you all were saying about me!"

"What happened?" I was curious now, and I've always been a fan of gossip, even though I try not to be obvious about it.

"Nothing extreme," explained the girl. "Only that it would be nice if she could come dressed more appropriately to the theater. I see she hasn't had a change of wardrobe since then."

"Oh, well I agree! Why don't you ever wear anything else?"

"Because I like this outfit! You wore a similar dress yesterday, and you never seem to change out of that kimono!" Though I wanted to say something about her comeback, she pretty much had both of us against the wall. Maybe all of Morrigan's clothes were alike, just like my dresses? The kimono girl also seemed to catch on, and decided to drop the subject entirely.

"Well, I'm Miki, by the way. I hope you enjoy our performance."

With Miki back up on stage, all five of the girls were ready to begin their dance routine. They lined up on the stage, taking Pokeballs out from inside their kimonos. Each of them dropped the ball to the floor in succession, revealing critter after critter, and all of them instantly familiar. Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Vaporeon, Jolteon; all evolved forms of Eevee. Knowing it could be seen as rude, I released Eevee from his Pokeball, so that he could see the show as well.

With their Pokemon on the stage, each of the girls began to twirl around in place. Their Pokemon started to circle around them, making a few complete revolutions before moving on to the next girl in line. As the show went on, the girls formed a circle, allowing their Pokemon to perform their part easier. They closed in on each other, and finally all of the girls joined hands in the air. Just before their next segment could commence, the door to the hall swung open, slamming against the wall and breaking their concentration.

"How dare you come in here unannounced?" Kuni, the girl in the blue kimono screamed out, her friends standing by her. I turned to see who interrupted, only to have my heart skip a beat when I saw who it was. The red haired trainer I had been looking for since Azalea Town.

"I've come to challenge the Kimono Girls to Pokemon battles. Are you going to fight?" The kid was blunt, not to mention rude and cocky. Most of the girls were about to explode at his demand, but I stood up before they could say anything.

"I'll challenge you, thief!" My accusation shocked the entire hall, the red haired trainer included. It took him only a moment to remember who I was.

"You're the girl from the Sprout Tower. You're going to challenge me?"

"Yes! I will, and when I beat you, I'll take back my Lapras!" The kid was shocked to hear that, but didn't let it get to him. Instead, a cocky grin spread on his face, and he reached for a Pokeball on his belt.

"Then let's battle. I'll be waiting outside."

He left back out the doorway, and I ran after him. The Kimono Girls and Morrigan all told me to wait, but I wouldn't waste anymore time. That trainer was going down, and I was going to get back my Pokemon. He was waiting just down the street, his side of the battlefield. Vulpix and Eevee were at my sides, either of them viable for the first battle. The kid released the Pokeball in his hand, releasing a Zubat. I ordered Eevee out.

"Zubat, Supersonic!"

"Eevee, Quick Attack!"

The bat Pokemon opened its mouth, letting out a piercing cry throughout the street. Vulpix ducked for cover at my side, while Eevee vanished before the sound escaped its mouth. He appeared again behind Zubat in the air, taking it down to the ground.

"Eevee, Bite!"

The Pokemon bit into Zubat's back, causing the Pokemon to cry out in pain. The trainer growled, and recalled Zubat before anything else happened. He threw out another Pokeball, this time releasing a larger version of the Tododile I had seen before. I aimed my Pokedex at the critter, catching the name only before the kid ordered his first strike.

"Croconaw, Crunch!"

"Eevee, Sand-Attack!"

Before Eevee could kick up the dirt, the larger Pokemon grabbed him, and held him in place as his jaws crashed down on Eevee. He cried out in pain, and I even saw droplets of red covering his fur after Croconaw sent the Pokemon flying back to me. I was about to call Eevee back, when the Kimono Girls all ran into the street, carrying my injured Pokemon out of harm's way.

"Finish him off! We'll tend to Eevee," said Kuni, producing a few potions from her robes. I nodded, and turned my attention back to the trainer's Croconaw, and reached for Primeape's Pokeball next. My Pokemon would surely punch those sharp teeth right out of his mouth.

"Croconaw, Water Gun!"

"Primeape, Seismic Toss!"

Croconaw pumped out a powerful torrent of water, trying to push Primeape back. The monkey just forced his way through the attack, clutching onto Croconaw before taking him into the sky. They came crashing down, slamming Croconaw into the ground. The blue gator was out cold, which only seemed to infuriate the trainer more.

"You pathetic Pokemon! Get back here!" He scrambled for his Pokeball, dropping something in the process. He called back Croconaw, and then turned tail and started running away. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"Hey! Come back here!" I started after the little thief, but he was certainly faster than he looked. I slowed down by where he was standing, noticing the item he dropped on the floor. I reached down and picked it up, seeing it was his trainer card. The name printed on it was 'Silver', and his portrait reminded me of someone. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew I recognized him.

"Star? What is it?" Morrigan stopped next to me, seeing the card in my hands. She read the kid's name, then looked at me again. "You know him?"

"No, but I know he stole my Pokemon back in the Union Cave. And I won't let him get away." I ran back towards the Kimono Girls, who had patched up Eevee quite splendidly. I returned both him and Primeape to their Pokeballs, and pointed down the street where Silver had run off.

"Where does this road lead to?"

"The Burned Tower," said Morrigan, pointing out the building that I had entered yesterday with Rebecca. "You're not going back in there, are you?"

"If that's where he's headed, that's where I'm going." I gave a quick bow to the Kimono Girls behind Morrigan, trying my best not to seem too disrespectful. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to finish watching the show another time."

"It's okay, go get that delinquent for us!" Miki stepped forward, a pair of red colored potions in her hands. "These are Super Potions, they'll heal up your Pokemon in a pinch."

"Hold up!" Morrigan cut in, Doc at her side barking to emphasize her injunction. "I'm going with you!"

I was going to say something, but decided not to. Silver might not have been a difficult fight the first time, but there was no way to be sure what he could be capable of when backed into a corner. I nodded, and motioned for Morrigan to follow me. Together, we ran down the street after Silver.