It didn't take long to arrive in Lavender town. It was an ancient settlement that's older than history can remember, and in the centre of this ancient town was the equally old Pokémon tower. Reports said that Black Fog now resided in the Pokémon tower with many other ghost-types preventing anyone from being able to get in.
Ash was now looking at the ball the captain-who was named Captain Ectoplasma-, was showing him the ball. It looked so ordinary; it was the same size as a normal ball and even had the same colouring. Apparently they had to make it in a rush, so they hadn't bother with the usual change to the colours. Its capture net was far stronger than even that of an ultra-ball-Ash had brought one for this event anyway just in case.
The ultra-ball cost all of Ash's money and really he was hoping not to have to use it, but that didn't matter. What mattered was saving Sabrina, he didn't want her to die because he wasn't strong enough as a trainer.
"Black Fog could be anywhere inside the building, we'll have to split up to search. As soon as you find him call me and I'll come with the special ball, only engage in battle if you have too" Ash nodded thinking about his team, he had made some exchanges with Professor Oak with the hope of improving the line up to be the strongest he had. But he still wasn't sure what would be best against Black Fog.
Pokémon-Pokémon-Pokémon
Elsewhere in the building a different trio was skulking around looking to capture Pokémon themselves. They had been following Ash planning to take him off guard but and steal all his Pokémon, but they ended up losing him when he suddenly turned in to a Gastly and flew away.
Now they were in a very small room that acted as a ledge overlooking a group of Gastly. The ledge was made of large grey cuboid stones that lined the floors and walls; aside from this there really wasn't much to look at aside from the Gastly.
"I think we should leave, find da twerp and get back to stealing his Pokémon" Meowth said pointing dramatically, he had always been the de facto leader of sorts so he knew he had to take command.
Jessie smacked the cat into the ground hard "Don't tell us what to do! I'm in charge here and I say we go for these Gastly, Black Fog is great and all but if we give the boss a hundred Gastly that'll be really impressive"
James jumped up at this clapping "Really Jessie? Do you really think we can do it?"
Jessie smiled smugly leaning against a large rock and looking down at the ghost Pokémon, they were just floating around the big empty room doing nothing, and there wasn't much in the room to get in the way either. It would be a piece of cake.
"Of course" she looked up proudly not noticing that they were still looking at her, until they continued to do it "Stop staring at me and think of a plan already" she yelled being a born leader she knew when the time to delegate was and now was that time.
"Hmm" the two morons Jessie was forced to work with sad on unison both rubbing their chins as if in deep thought, but she knew that was impossible. They weren't capable of deep thought.
"How about…" Meowth started before snapping his fingers proudly "We use a net"
They looked at him dryly "You want us"
"To use the same plan that always fails" James finished sweat dropping at Meowth's stupidity.
"That plan only fails because da twerps always cut the net dig, but Gastly don't have any hands" he explained proudly reaching into a bag and producing a net.
Jessie and James continued staring at him thinking about his logic, it was quiet clearly genius. The type of logic and reasoning that would take most normal people years to understand, but they weren't normal people. They Team Rocket, the best of the best! No logic is too great for them to understand!
"Let's do it"
Pokémon-Pokémon-Pokémon
They had rigged the net and everything was ready. All they had to do was deploy it and they would have captured all the Pokémon. Now they just needed to wait for all the Pokémon to get into the centre of the room-getting big nets was expensive!
Down below the Gastly seemed unaware, they just floated about aimlessly. Every time one would go to the centre another would leave and they would have to wait even longer. "Damn it, don't they realise how much effort this took? They should just hurry up and be captured already"
James sighed "Jessie, I really don't think that they'll agree with you. We could always just capture a few, the boss would definitely be happy with ten or twenty adding the stragglers would be pointless" he said his mind promptly drifting off to what it would be like when the boss heard of their success and rewarded them.
This was cut off by a short sharp punch to the head. "Don't be an idiot James, Pokémon have no value if you don't capture them in bulk" he sighed; he didn't know if she was right or not but it made no difference. She always got her way.
He returned to looking down at the Gastly. They sure were strange; they were just floating heads with poisonous gas coming out of them. Not really his kind of Pokémon. Then a flash of gold caught his eye, his training to respond to the colour even when dull to help find bottle caps kicking in.
Then he saw it, the most beautiful vintage bottle cap he had seen in months. It was in the beak of a bird Pokémon though. The avian Pokémon had black feathers. Its crooked, yellow beak and the three, feathery tufts on its head resemble a witch's nose and hat respectively. It also had a large powerful feathery crest. It has semi-circular, red eyes with white sclera and pupils and a spiky collar of feathers around its neck. The shaggy feathers on its tail resemble the end of a broom, and there is a thin, red band at the base of the tail. Its yellow feet have four toes, three facing forward and one backward.
But strangely enough the Gastly didn't seem to be impressed with it. It was more like the opposite actually as they all started crowding around it yelling loudly. "Meowth what's going on?" James demanded noticing that there was now no Pokémon under their net.
"From what I can tell…there saying 'get out, your kind is aloud around here' kind of harsh if you ask me" he said still watching them as they continued to yell.
"Well we didn't ask you, it doesn't matter. What matters is getting those Gastly under the net" Jessie said not caring about the Pokémon at all. "What we need is some kind of decoy, an idiot to send out there to get them in position"
James nodded, that was a great idea. He missed the evil look Jessie and Meowth were giving him.
Pokémon-Pokémon-Pokémon
James now stood in the centre of the room on a slightly raised platform. He had managed to get on without being noticed since they were still yelling at Murkrow but it wasn't going to last. He then did as he was ordered; cursing his 'friends' for making his do it every step of the way.
"Hey Gastly, you smell so bad it's like poison" he yelled the first insult that came to mind getting their attention. Murkrow looked at him, tears in her eyes as she eyed her saviour. "Yeah come get some, try picking on someone several times bigger that you"
They did, quiet happily rush him. All surrounding him in seconds in a tight circle "Alright guys, I gather them. Now how do I get out of here" James whined panicked as he noticed the evil looks they were giving him.
"Um, about that Jimmy…" Meowth started awkwardly.
"You don't" Jessie pulled the switch dropping the net trapping James with all the angry Gastly.
"Murkrow" the female bird called amazed at his bravery, he had sacrificed himself just to save her. He was a hero! He started screaming in panic, several Gastly licking places that he didn't want licked.
But Jessie and Meowth didn't care. They had won, really won. That was all that really mattered. "I can't believe it, their completely helpless. Now we just have to deliver them to the boo-"
"Gastly" several of the ghost Pokémon yelled floating up to them, they weren't even being slowed down by the net "Ghastly-ghastly"
"Ahh" the duo cried promptly turning tail and running not even trying to save James, the Gastly had left him alone but he was still trapped in the net.
He pawed at it, trying to shift it off of him but couldn't. "So this is what it feels like to be a twerp" James thought aloud looking at nothing in particular. He then noticed Murkrow flying towards him.
"Murkrow murk" it said in a high pitch voice dancing about in the air.
"Oh, hello I'm James. It's nice to meet you" he tried to extend his hand for a shake but stopped due to the net, Murkrow wouldn't have been able to shake either way but she appreciated the gesture.
"Murkrow" the dark type's whole body glowed blue as it summoned its psychic energies to lift he net. It did so with ease lifting it and throwing it away freeing her blue haired saviour. "Murkrow" she floated over nuzzling happily accepting his praise.
"That's really impressive, your very strong and cute too" the black Pokémon blushed deep red at this "Well I guess we both should be going, don't want those Gastly returning and finding us do we" Murkrow nodded excitedly following the man as he made his way out of the Lavender tower.
Neither knew it, but they were very lucky to leave when they did, as soon as they got outside they were shocked to see the building shaking to its very foundation due to a powerful explosion.
Pokémon-Pokémon-Pokémon
When they went into the tower they were split into groups, Ash got Brock and Misty while the others went the other way. He hoped this would go alright; after all he only had to find Black Fog and then call up the captain so he could come on with the special poke ball. "What could possibly go wrong?"
"Please stop saying that Ash, it just makes it more obvious that something will go wrong" Misty huffed walking stiffly but Ash ignored her.
"This place is huge, and we haven't even seen a single ghost Pokémon yet so we might not even be the ones to find Black Fog"
They entered a large room that was clearly in disrepair. The ceiling had caved in providing the only source of light and rocks lay about the room haphazardly. Ash turned to Misty "Nothing to say, that's new"
She turned grinning widely and creepily "Gastly, Gastly" Ash looked at Misty confused only getting more confused when she began glowing slightly before turning into Gastly. "Gastly gash-hast-hast-hast" it laughed floating away happily.
"Misty, Misty where are you?" Ash spun in a circle to take in all his surroundings but was unable to find the red head.
"Don't worry Ash, I'll radio her now" Brock said putting his bag down and getting off his radio "Misty we just found out you're a Gastly"
There was a brief paused before the radio came to life "Yeah, that happened to me too. You guys wait up I should be able to use the trackers to get to you…" Brock waited awkwardly for a bit before speaking.
"Got it Misty, by the way the captain told us earlier you have to push the button to stop speaking too" Ash snickered and knowing that wherever she was Misty was growling in irritation.
It ended up being quiet easy to find Black Fog, Ash didn't know why this surprised him after all Black Fog was huge so the list of places he could be was cut in half due to his size. He didn't respond to their arrival into the room well, despite their relatively hidden position he seemed to notice them instantly getting up and spinning with rage written clearly on his features.
"We've got to battle smart" he remembered back to his battle with Team Rocket, he threw out everyone he had but then couldn't control them. This time he wouldn't make that mistake. "Gyarados, Charmeleon time for battle"
"Geodude, Onix" Brock yelled releasing the Pokémon he had transferred just for this occasion. "I'm goanna send the signal to captain Ectoplasma"
Black Fog now noticed them, turning his giant body around revealing himself to them fully. He had a purple body, arms and legs but no defined feat or hands. His face had a huge crazed smile, a small red orb was embedded in his forehead glowing brightly as he looked at them.
Ash responded instantly "Gyarados bite, Charmeleon flamethrower to give him cover" Gyarados launched forward as the flames shot out, but Black Fog ignored them moving right through them to intercept Gyarados and slam him to the ground.
"Onix quick use bind attack" Brock commanded pointing to the large Pokémon, but before Onix could make contact he along with all the other Pokémon present were surrounded by a blue aura throwing them into the wall.
"Argh, not this again" Ash thought seeing his Pokémon struggle "Paras now stun spore" the small Pokémon appeared shaking its back to release the powder. It looked like it was going to make contact before Black Fog turned and its psychic stopped the spore as well.
"It shouldn't be so strong, this isn't natural" Brock yelled Kadabra soon teleporting into the room. The blue aura surrounding the Pokémon then faded as its eyes glowed a bright blue "Amazing, Kadabra neutralised the psychic attacks"
All the Pokémon fell to the ground roughly; they began crawling back up fury in their eyes as they looked at their opponent.
The now freed Pokémon launched forward once again, Charmeleon and Gyarados going for a joint assault. The giant Gengar responded instantly shooting a powerful dark crimson beam at the approaching duo. "Charmeleon, counter it with flamethrower so Gyarados can get in close"
Charmeleon's powerful fire type attack held the ghost type attack off, allowing Gyarados to fly in close to Black Fog's face "Now hydro pump" the torrent of water shot from the sea serpents mouth heading straight for Black Fog at point blank range.
But it never got to connect.
It was countered by another night shade the one countering Charmeleon's attack still going. "This is unbelievable, somehow it can use to attacks at once" Ash Pokémon were soon over powered being thrown back like they were nothing.
"Geodude, Onix use rock throw" the large rock snake and the floating rock began hurling rocks from around the room at the giant ghost-type but the attacks repelling Black Fog just barley allowing Gyarados and Charmeleon to fall back.
"Black Fog your mine" a voice yelled as footsteps approached from the hallway, knowing that they had stalled long enough Ash recalled his Pokémon and watched as the ball was thrown at the Pokémon spewing forth red light and sucking it in capturing it successfully.
Or so it seemed, there celebration was cut short by a powerful explosion that destroyed the poke ball and shook the building to its foundations. "He escaped" Black Fog now loomed over them looking ready to kill with a powerful red aura. "Gastly go" the man yelled throwing out the ghost type. "Use hypnosis"
"Gastly-Gastly" its eyes started swirling as it looked at the much larger Pokémon planning to defeat it so it can go to sleep.
"If we weaken it enough it may be possible to capture it with an ordinary poke ball" Ash thought aloud grabbing Gyarados's poke ball again "Gyarados, we need to try again. This time try-ark" Ash and the others screamed in horror as a powerful shadow ball hit Gastly and the ground they were standing on sending them in all directions.
Ash landed hard, he rolled a little absorbing some of the impact but it still hurt. It hurt a lot. He looked over to see that Gyarados was once again attempting to engage Black Fog shooting a powerful hydro pump at him only for it to be reflected by a night shade.
He turned to look at Brock, he seemed to be ok. The only problem was that he and the captain had been flung up onto a platform. "Are you guys ok?" Ash asked he couldn't really see what was up there so he didn't know the situation.
"We'll be fine, but I don't think Brock can battle anymore" the captain turned to Brocks unconscious body "There's an exit we'll take, you should leave as well" Ash nodded grabbing his poke ball and preparing to recall Gyarados as the captain grabbed Brock and made his way for the exit.
But Ash never got the chance as Gyarados was flung out of the way of the beam of red light by a powerful physical attack before dropping to the ground "Gyarados!" Ash raced towards his fallen Pokémon ready to return him, he didn't get to though.
Gyarados got straight back up looking stronger if anything and charged for the unstoppable Pokémon. Ash was shocked; Gyarados just kept fighting even though it was hopeless. He and Kadabra were both giving their all yet they barley succeeding in holding him off.
Ash looked up and noticed that Brock and the captain were gone, but could he really leave. He knew that if he didn't capture Black Fog Sabrina would be killed; he refused to let that happen.
Kadabra was clearly struggling, using its full power boasted by Sabrina's to counter Black Fog's physic and teleport out of the way of the many attacks directed at it. Unfortunately despite its good defence Kadabra was unable to cause any real damage since Black Fog was so powerful. There was no way that Gyarados and Kadabra would be enough.
"Charmeleon jump on Fearow's back, work together to fight Black Fog" Ash commanded throwing out the two Pokémon.
They sprang into action, Charmeleon riding the other Pokémon confidently as they flew up. "Support Gyarados, Fearow fly as fast as you can around Black Fog so he can't hit you. Charmeleon hit Black Fog with everything you can"
The Pokémon nodded Fearow taking off at full speed as if Charmeleon didn't weigh anything and flying circles around Black Fog. Charmeleon used his newly gained aerial advantage to shoot numerous ranged attacks at the behemoth allowing Gyarados to fall back away from his attacks.
Kadabra was also still going strong; cancelling out Black Fog's psychic every time he tried to use it to defend himself allowing the group to successfully get some hits in. "Gyarados dragon rage now" the black Pokémon quickly formed the attack in its large mouth, the yellow ball of light bigger than ever before as it fired at the powerful Pokémon.
It connected with a powerful explosion and for the first time it appeared Black Fog was hurt. It fell back, crashing into the walls from the shock of the attack the large bricks falling on the downed Pokémon. "Now I've caught you, great ball go" Ash threw the ball as hard as he could it connecting with the large Pokémon and it was once again sucked up by red light.
He watched as the ball shook once…twice…three times…then the light flashed and it…exploded. The ball shattering into pieces that flew around the room as Black Fog came in a flash of light looking even angrier than before.
"Damn Fearow quick fall back" but before the command could even be registered Black Fog had shot a powerful night shade attack at the proud bird and its companion. Seeing the danger Fearow reacting instinctively, opening its beak and releasing a small spark.
The spark grew bigger and more powerful until it began to look like the beam of black light. They connected in the middle exploding powerfully throwing everyone back once more. The explosion shook the already damaged building causing the ceiling above the Pokémon to collapse rocks everywhere. Fearow tried to avoid them but soon his wing was clipped and he fell to the ground, hard.
Ash didn't even think about what he did next, it was only natural. He ran forward as fast as he could to check on his Pokémon, he reached Gyarados first since he was furthest from the attack he didn't seem to have sustained any real injuries and hadn't been hit by any rocks. But Charmeleon and Fearow were a different story.
The rock that had clipped Fearow's wing was still on top of it. Both of the Pokémon were covered in bruises and looked to be severely injured, clearly they couldn't go on any further. He returned them both, it was the only thing he really could do and turned to the now unconscious Black Fog.
He was glad Gyarados was still out, flanking him for protection as he approached the large ghost type. He noticed that the red orb, the one that had been glowing brightly this whole time was still sticking out of its head.
What happened next was weird.
Ash knew he should be more focused on catching Black Fog, doing so would ensure Sabrina's safety if defeating him hadn't already. But for some reason he felt a strange desire to touch the orb. It was like some little voice in his mind was commanding him, controlling him, forcing him to touch the red glowing orb.
He reached out slowly, his arm aching strangely as he neared the ethereal object. As he got closer it felt like his hand was being pushed away, as if some strange force didn't want him to touch the orb. But he kept going all the same.
Then he made contact.
He was suddenly assaulted by visions, one after the other of a Haunter. They were fast and out of focus, with no sound making it very hard to get any real detail. At first these visions seemed to be happy visions, it was simply playing with other Haunter and Gastly in what he assumed was Lavender tower.
But this didn't last long. In the next vision he saw strange men dressed in black each with a big red 'r' on their shirts breaking in. The Haunter tried to battle them, but it was futile. They easily over powered the ghost type and captured it.
The visions didn't end there though. Instead they only got worse, changing to that Haunter being experimented on. It appeared to be larger than average as they made it fight other seemingly miniature Haunter's one after the other. During all the battles scientists would be observing Haunter, making notes and occasionally giving it strange items. Some made it stronger while others made it writhe in pain. Some were injected while others were just held.
But one in particular stood out. Finally a tall scientist with dark black hair a slight hunch back and a lab coat came forward with it. The only object that Ash had recognised so far, it appeared different but there was no denying that it was the same thing.
The red orb was in the scientist's hand. He thrust it into the Haunter's head roughly, the creature growing bigger with more defined features. Then it started to glow, a strange white and red colour as the energy was forced into it.
The transformation wasn't quick like normal evolutions though. Even though Ash had seen everything up till now at an increased speed this was slow. It was painful to watch as the Pokémon's body was forced to slowly and painfully change. Out of instinct Ash tried to intervene but found he had no body.
This was the first time he realised that he was completely helpless, a mere spectator to the event unfolding before him. The evolution continued unimpeded and slowly it became clear what Haunter was evolving into, it was evolving into a Gengar. It was evolving into Black Fog.
After it was over Ash then felt something new happen, a strange sense of connection as he felt Black Fog's pain. The pain of the red orb was unbelievable. It all came from his head-he couldn't be sure if it was from somewhere specific because there was so much-but soon it began radiating to the rest of his body.
He started shaking uncontrollably, the pain unbelievable as it surged throw him like acid in his veins. Every muscle in his body was screaming at him to end the pain, every fibre of his body begging for it to be over. He didn't care how he just wanted it gone.
He now realised that this was how Black Fog felt all the time. The Pokémon that had been doing so much evil had been in this pain, this uncontrollable mind numbing pain. It was sad really, that it had been accused of being evil when in reality it was just scared. Team Rocket had tortured it by forcing it to take the red orb so now it was afraid of humans. The real villain was Team Rocket; they had to pay…somehow.
That was Ash's last thought before everything went black.
A/N
This is a little shorter than the previous ones but I thought now was a good place to stop. What do you think of James getting a Pokémon that's different from canon, I noticed lots of people say they'll give them new Pokémon and then some end up forgetting too (Admittedly I haven't been reading long but still I haven't found a single story with them having a different Pokémon)
Also I've decided to use polls to decide something's, first off is what he average chapter length should be, I hate inconsistency and I noticed that the average length went from about 1000 words to 10000 words so it annoys me, polls on my profile
QUEENSPELLER67: yeah, I originally planned to respond only with PM's but guest reviews made that difficult, like the guess of Electabuzz for Lt Surge I had planned on his but changed my mind near the end
Truth Is What You Make Of It: Evolution is one of my favourite things about Pokémon, I never understood why some people dislike the idea I view it as basically growing up so not doing it is like being an 9 year old who says they'll stay that way forever.
List of Pokémon – Ash the ones that are not in bold are ones that he no longer owns due to evolution, trade or other reasons
Ash
Charmeleon
Caterpie
Metapod
Butterfree-Breeding
Weedle
Kakuna
Beedrill
Fearow
Clefairy
Paras
Krabby
Magikarp * 10
Gyarados
Please continue to review and please also visit my polls that'll be used to decided several things in story, there will also be one for if I should acknowledge fairy type, mega evolution, if legendary Pokémon are one of a kind and some other things so please vote