On the age of 21 Morty's punishments got out of hand more often. They beat him harder and more, until at some moments he couldn't stand anymore. The Sages would that yell that it was his own fault because he was that weak. And Morty who didn't knew anyone else except his Pokémon and Sages began to believe this. He believed that he was too weak and that because of that Ho-Oh wouldn't come. So Morty began to train himself more. He thought that his Pokémon didn't had to suffer the training that was meant for him. That still didn't mean that they didn't trained with him.
Still every night he was punished. For different kind of reasons. Not strong enough, not thinking enough, not real enough, showing too much, showing nothing and something along the lines of not busy enough with the gym. Morty didn't said a thing. He just let it come all over him. People on the street who began to so the same as the Sages. Yelling and insulting at him. Morty didn't knew how to react anymore, so he didn't. He became a man without a thing and soon everybody's hope was demolished as Morty did showed any emotion.
Five days after Morty's 22th birthday, the Sages asked if he wanted to come along with them. Morty nodded and walked after them. They asked him to stand by the tree. Morty who long lost any hope in humanity and knew that he didn't should ask questions did as was told and stood by the tree. His head facing the wood.
They demanded that he took of his shirt and Morty did and then he already knew what was going to happen. He didn't felt the first smack, but soon he felt them all. After a while, Morty didn't know how long they were punishing him anymore, he felt on his knees with a small puddle of blood around him. Morty couldn't feel a thing. The fall on the ground of the many punishments after it. Morty was once again afraid of what was happening. He heard the Sages walking away and soon he could only whisper.
"Gengar, Misdreavus. Get some help…" With that Morty fainted. Gengar and Misdreavus floated to Ecruteak and asked some people to help in their own way. None of them wanted too. So they flew to the other closest city and that was Violet City. They asked people in a chaotic way for help. None of them understand them, so they float further. That was until they saw a small young boy, maybe a little bit younger than Morty with blue hair. They immediately went to him and tried to explain as calm as possible and tried to take to boy with them. Finally the young male gave in and went along with them. The Ghost Pokémon moved quickly so he had to run. He loyal Pidgeot flying behind him. The younger male then saw why the Pokémon were so in panic.
He nodded at Pidgeot and together they tried to take the wounded Morty with them. He first brought the Gym Leader to the Pokémon Center, for the worst wounds. Nurse Joy promised the young male to help as much as possible, but that had to remind that she was a Pokémon Nurse and not a human one. The young boy nodded and then went to the Ghost Pokémon. He moved his hand as a sign of them to go with him, but the Gengar and Misdreavus stayed close to their master.
He moved to them and thought that it was time to introduce himself. He knew who the other male was, but he didn't knew who was behind this abuse.
"Gengar, Misdreavus. My name is Falkner. I'm the Violet City Gym leader. I will take care of Morty when he is feeling better. You guys of course are welcome to stay with me until then. So that I know that you at least eat and sleep.
The Ghost Pokémon looked uncertainly at each other and slowly nodded. They knew that they couldn't do a thing for their master. At least not as this Falkner boy had.
It went on like that for 4 days. Until Morty finally decided to wake up. To his surprise where his Pokémon at his side and a kid that he recognized as the Violet City Gym leader, Falkner. The doctors came by and they only smiled and looked surprised at the speed of his health. It looked like the blonde was totally okay and ready for going home.
Morty changed pleasantries with Falkner and then he wanted to go back to Ecruteak. He looked surprised at the other male when the shrugged.
"You don't go anywhere, but here. You're not healed enough so you are going to stay with me."Commanded the younger Gym leader.
"I do not have to listen at someone like you." Said Morty angry. Falkner just stood up and threw some clothes at him.
"Get changed. We are going to my home." Said Falkner with gritted teeth. He already thought that this was hopeless, but it was someone else who needed help. So who was he to ignore that? He walked out of the room and spoke with the Ghost Pokémon. Not long after, Morty came out of his room and slumped behind Falkner. They both already knew that this wouldn't end well, but because some kind of reason they both didn't really care.
After 3 months Falkner finally saw one of Morty anger attacks and subtly dodged them. He didn't knew what set Morty off. The only thing he asked was why the Sages weren't looking for him. In his anger Morty shouted at Falkner that they weren't the nice people who everybody saw, but three evil corrupted man who use him as their own plaything. Falkner was shocked about this, not only was it surprised but it showed that Morty had one emotions. Falkner slowly walked towards Morty while dodging things like a vase or a book and in the end the flipping table. When he was in front of Morty he took a hold of his face and did something. Falkner didn't know why, but suddenly he kissed Morty and as if a switch was turned, Morty became calmer. When Falkner stopped kissing him, Morty face looked like he was in a bliss. He looked surprised, but both didn't really mind the feeling. Slowly Falkner began to get more emotions out of Morty, but still after 3 months he barely showed anything. Yeah he showed fear, anger, betrayal, distrust and sadness. Falkner decided that Morty needed to go back to Ecruteak and pulled Morty along. He didn't know what to expect there, but he didn't suspected a lot of swearing and yelling and a Morty who wanted to hide himself.
It was probably the last puzzle piece that he needed as he made the whole picture complete. He looked at the Sages who looked with hate at their supposed protégé. Morty sighed and slightly moved back. Falkner looked in Morty's eyes and saw the fear for the Sages. He then knew for sure that the Sages did those horrible things to him.
While everybody looked at them, he couldn't take it. He then pulled Morty along and stood upon a big stone.
"Lady and Gentleman, please just shut up. This man here has gone through a lot more than any of you. So why don't you all just man up and leave him alone and make a nice conversation instead of angry looks. And you 3!" Said Falkner while pointing to the Sages. "If you ever lay as good as a finger on him again. I will hurt you. I want to do it now, but I know that my LOVER won't like it." Said Falkner with a big grin. Yeah he knew he loved Morty and he knew that the other loved him, but they weren't a couple yet. Well now they were. He looked at Morty who looked at him with big ayes and then kissed the Ghost trainer in front of everyone. Morty who didn't even wanted to struggle kissed back and after the kiss he smiled. A real smile.
Falkner knew that he had a long road to go with Morty. That he had to get Morty totally alive, but he knew that this was a first step in the right direction. At least that was what he hoped.
Later that night Morty screamed and thrashed around in his sleep. Falkner tried to wake him up. Morty indeed woke up, but quickly sat on Falkner's hips and tried to strangle him. Only for a second until he came back to his own. He immediately got off Falkner and pushed himself into a corner. Falkner looked shocked at Morty and saw the blonde crying a little. He crawled towards the other, with hesitation.
Morty tried to keep him away, but it didn't really work.
"Stay away Falkner. I'm a freak, a monster. Don't come near me. I don't want to hurt you." Said Morty sadly with tears streaming over his face.
Falkner just ignored Morty and slowly moved closer to him. When he finally got next to him, he pulled him closer in a hug. It was then that Falkner saw how damaged Morty was and that he had a lot of work to do. Even so, Falkner thought that Morty was it all worth.