Ash the Iron Trainer

by Mar 'Darry' Darren

It was a freak storm. One that separated Ash from Misty and Brock but not with Pikachu. And yet Ash was able to find an entire new region and be reunited with a friend that he never thought he will see again. With four young Pokémon found in a crate as eggs, Ash will take this new region and in the future, Kanto with skill and Mega Evolution!

17. The Lost Hotel and Its Lonely Ghost

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

"Pokémon" – Normal Speech

'Pokémon' – Thoughts

Pokémon – Flashback

Pokémon – Move Names and Pokémon Abilities

{Pokémon} – Pokédex

Ash, the Iron Trainer

The Lost Hotel and Its Lonely Ghost

Previously on Ash, the Iron Trainer;

Now with the adventure in the Pokémon Factory over and with a couple of prizes for stopping Team Flare, Ash and Serena were ready to keep going and head towards the next Gym. And Route 15 was nowhere near as disgusting as the swamp-invested Route 14. In fact, it was like a romantic trip through a nature park during the fall.

And the Pokémon they encountered were as follows;

{Mightyena, the Bite Pokémon. They move primarily in packs, working together to capture their prey.}

{Watchog, the Lookout Pokémon. Watchog's body contains luminescent compounds, which allow its eyes and stripes to glow.}

And,

{Foongus, the Mushroom Pokémon. Foongus release poisonous spores to repel anyone who tries to catch them. For unknown reasons, they resemble Poké Balls.}

And these were just the wild encounters. Ash and Serena had some horde encounters as well and they found this Pokémon;

{Murkrow, the Darkness Pokémon. Many people believe that if you see a Murkrow at night it will bring bad luck.}

Then there was the new Pokémon encounter in the river of Route 15,

{Lombre, the Jolly Pokémon. Lombre is a playful trickster. If it spots an angler, it will tug on the fishing line to interfere.}

And,

{Basculin, the Hostile Pokémon. Basculin can be very violent and red and blue Basculin do not get along well, frequently resulting in battles.}

They had a lot of fun in the leaf piles, avoiding those with Rangers hiding, and the cool autumn breeze can relax anyone after a long night and a morning filed with fun and excitement. Ash and Serena even shared another kiss while the fall leaves fell; this time, they felt like a real couple, no body to make them feel awkward. It was like the day couldn't get any better.

But then there was the Lost Hotel, with a dash of ruffians and a secret inhabitant that haunts any and all who dare to linger on a certain day. And unfortunately for Ash and Serena, that day was the day. Let's just say that once the trainers met this strange new Pokémon, it will one hell of an encounter with this supernatural prankster.

"So this is the Lost Hotel?" Serena asked as both she and Ash gazed at its ruins. It was like no one has touched this 'Lost Hotel'. No doubt that is just a name given to a place that nobody goes without a good reason. It is a hotel, for the ones who are lost. "Remind me why are we doing here?"

"Because it will be fun to explore. And I did here that there is a rare Pokémon that can only be found in the Lost Hotel. Don't tell me you are not excited." Ash explained and had an expression a kid will use to convince his mother to let him have an adventure; and Pikachu was somehow able to mimic that expression perfectly.

"Fine! But when we are done, we are not staying another minute! I hate this place already." Serena finally gave in and huffed her way down the staircase into the Lost Hotel.

And it turns out that there weren't any other trainers than those two, just wild Pokémon who made the ruins their home. There were Magneton, Electrode, Pawniard and Klefki. Among the many Pokémon that were inhabiting the ruins, the only new ones were a species that were like living candles,

{Litwick, the Candle Pokémon. Litwick appear to be helping to guide the way of people by illuminating areas that are darkened, but in reality they are actually leading them to the Ghost World. They feed off the life energy of people and Pokémon, and use it as fuel for the flames on their heads.}

Then there were the ones found in the trash cans before disappearing,

{Trubbish, the Trash Bag Pokémon. Trubbish prefer to live in dirty places like garbage dumps. It is said they were born when a chemical reaction occurred between an abandoned trash bag and industrial waste.}

And their evolved stage,

{Garbodor, the Trash Heap Pokémon and the evolved form of Trubbish. When Garbodor inhales garbage, it becomes part of its body. The fingertips on Garbodor's right hand spray a powerful liquid poison.}

And since those Pokémon were creepy and hostile, Ash and Serena never even considered catching one. But they did get a few more entries into the Pokédex and a lot of experience under their belts. But before they could leave,

*rattle* *rattle*

"There is that sound again! It's maddening!" Ash shouted and Serena & Pikachu couldn't agree more. They knew one thing about it; that the sound was of a rattling trashcan. But there were trashcans all over the place. Where is the one that is being rattled?

"There!"

"Pika~!"

Ash then pointed towards a trash bin that was being violently shaken, making the exact same noise from before. "Come on! We can cut it off before it escapes!" Ash called out and the trio hurried over to the trash bin and, in their craze from the confusion and frustration, violently swung the trash bin off the ground and into the air.

And when the trash bin landed back on the ground, bounced as bad as a brick on concrete. It tumbled around in a painful manner before stopping on its side. And out came something that he been stalking and harassing Ash and Co. It looked…like a Pokémon.

No one said anything until Ash took out his Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.

{Rotom, the Plasma Pokémon. With a body made of plasma Rotom is able to permeate various kinds of electrics devices, causing all sorts of problems.}

Rotom has a body of plasma and is shaped like a lightning rod. There is a whitish blue aura of electricity around it that forms lightning bolt-shaped appendages. It has teeth, and its unique, blue eyes have a dividing line across them.

"A Rotom? You were the one that was bothering us with the rattling of the trash cans?" Serena asked, her anger and other negative feelings were lost to see such a pitiful creature. But then again, Rotom is a Pokémon and it will very difficult for a human to communicate with a Pokémon.

"Pikachu, shock it." Ash said and Pikachu didn't hesitate. He shot out a shot of lighting at Rotom. The move didn't do any damage but it did get Rotom's attention to face Ash's Pikachu. Then Rotom sent out its own lighting strike and Pikachu acted the same way before jumping down to the ground, at equal eye field.

"What are…?" Serena was clueless about what is going on until Ash stopped her.

"Relax Serena, they are only speaking to each other." Serena still looked confused. "Like our voices can go through electric wiring, Electric Pokémon can communicate with each other through their electric surges. And this is unique to only Electric Pokémon."

And after a couple of minutes of doing just so, Pikachu nodded and climbed back on Ash's shoulder. Then Rotom floated up to a height that the ten-year old trainers can have equal eye-sight with it. Ash briefly turned to Pikachu who nodded once again. "Were you really playing pranks for a laugh?"

To Ash's and Serena's surprised, the Rotom shook its plasma head. Then it had an expression of regret and loneliness; like it didn't realize that it had been taken for a cruel prankster by simply shifting between trashcans and shake them. "Then…" Serena spoke up, to get the Rotom's attention. "You were playing like hide-in-seek?" To her surprised once again, Rotom brighten up and nodded faster than a baby shaking its rattler.

"I guess that you were so lonely, you wanted to play with us. But you could have just asked and we would be happy to play with you." Ash then said and Rotom got a little sad and nodded. It showed that it was sorry for the trouble it had caused and felt a little bad for treating the first company it had seen in a while with such rudeness.

"Well we still have plenty of time to play with you Rotom, then we need to find a good place to spend the night. We will like to be fully rested to keep going…" Ash then said before Rotom playfully crashed into his chest, obviously in utter joy. Then it did something that will never get old, just predictable; Rotom went and found an empty Pokéball and made itself get caught. 'Is it a gift or just random luck?' Ash thought to himself as he got ready to play with Rotom and its new friend until it was time to hit the sack.

XXXXX

After eventful evening, Rotom actually led both trainers to a secret spot where barely any wild Pokémon goes to. It was a perfect place to spend the night since they did lost time during that entire chase through the ruins.

Of course, their map of Kalos shows another trail that branched off from Route 15 and leads back to Luminose City. While Ash and Serena are in no hurry back, they did want to encounter every Pokémon possible in Kalos so they decided to get some more distance by exploring this new Route 16. They planned to back track and continued on their way to Dendemille Town, just before the next Pokémon Gym in Anistar City.

There were new Pokémon on Route 16,

{Phantump, the Stump Pokémon. Phantump come from rotting tree stumps that have been possessed by spirits. Lonely forests are their preferred habitat.}

Phantump is a spirit possessing a rotten tree stump, and lives in abandoned forests. It is a wispy, grayish black Pokémon. A small tree stump covers its head, with a single, wavy branch situated on either side and extending upward. Each branch has two small, green leaves near its tip. Phantump's red, oval eyes are visible through two holes in the body of the stump. On its body is a pair of tiny, stubby arms and a wispy tuft on top of its head. Its mouth appears to be on the stump itself rather than on Phantump's body.

It is said that in forests where humans seldom tread, the stumps of the very biggest trees become Phantump. People that happen to enter the forest may be led astray by Phantump, as they are capable of imitating the sound of children's voices. Phantump along with its evolution Trevenant are the only known Pokémon capable of learning Forest's Curse; a new status move that forces the target to become a Grass type in addition to their usual typing.

Serena found one that she called cute and caught it. But that wasn't the only new Pokémon that was caught. Both her and Ash had caught a specimen of the same Pokémon species;

{Pumpkaboo, the Pumpkin Pokémon and the pre-evolved form of Gourgiest. Pumpkaboo's eyes can glow, which lights the way for travelers. They often sleep in the ground.}

Pumpkaboo is a bipedal Pokémon that resembles a pinkish pumpkin. It comes in four different sizes: small, average, large, and super-sized. The pumpkin body has a pair of circular holes carved out of its rind that resemble eyes. The ghostly body that lives in the pumpkin is black with a pointy collar, yellowish eyes with no visible pupils, a pair of fangs, curved ears and a curled stem. Pumpkaboo can release light from the holes on its body, making it similar to a flashlight.

The spirit residing in the pumpkin is trapped in this world. Pumpkaboo can carry wandering spirits to where they belong, so they can move on. It and its evolution Gourgeist are the only known Pokémon that can learn Trick-or-Treat; like with Forest's Curse, this adds Ghost to the target's usual typing.

Of course, they couldn't help doing one thing now that they both caught a Pumpkaboo; trade it. And soon, they each had a Gourgiest, just like the one that Ramos of Coumarine City had in his Mega Evolution Battle. Now, Ash and Serena were able to try out the two forms of Mega Gourgiest like Ramos explained once Ash had beaten him during their Gym Battle.

Then there was the other feature of this Route, its Battle Chateau. It felt like an eternity since the last time Ash or Serena had encountered one of the few Battle Chateau located in Kalos.

XXXXX

"Sure has been a while." Ash said, staring at the castle that are built in a few points on Kalos to house the Battle Chateau; it was better than all the trainers in the region having to go to the only place with the Battle Chateau. "And as I recall, you became a Viscountness when your Fennekin finally evolved into a Braixen."

"Yeah." Serena sure didn't like to remember that. "I am still a Viscountness while you are still ahead. You are an Earl." Then Serena felt Ash tug her towards him and squeeze the life out of her.

"I am sorry that you feel that far behind. That was why I suggested to take this route. I was especially excited for you once I figured out that Route 16 had one of the few Battle Chateaus in Kalos. Now you can battle harder than ever, you do want to go to the next level right?" Ash then got a childish kiss on the lips; something that they didn't do since prior to Cyllage City.

"Then what are we waiting for!? Let's go and kiss some trainer ass!" Ash didn't know if that that passion, excitement or both in that voice. Thankfully, there wasn't any old maids around to scold Serena and ruin the good mood. And what a good mood Serena was in,

After all, she was able to become a Countess (female counterpart to an Earl) in only a couple of hours. After all, she had trained her Pokémon hard for another session of Battle Chateau duels; Pokémon like her Kangaskhan, Mr. Mime, Phantump and Gourgiest. Her Cubone was still too young of age to have a battle, especially with trainers of the Viscount level.

Ash was also on a roll, challenging trainers left and right, improving them as well. This session had caused only little experience for his Pikachu, his four Steel types and his Greninja. It was his trio of Kanto starters that have really benefited from challenging all sorts of Pokémon. They still needed a burst of experience to evolve; more like the amount any Pokémon will gain in a gym battle. And his Gourgiest was a real star, shining bright even against opposing odds.

But while Ash's Pokémon still had a way to go, it was Serena's starter that was just one battle from evolving and that battle happened to be the last one Serena needed to ascend to the same rank that Ash is well on his way to obtaining. But the raven haired trainer couldn't afford to miss this battle so he was there to see it all.

Out on the battle field surrounded by the water from the moat, both trainers faced each other. Serena was against another trainer who needed one battle to ascend up the ranks. Whoever wins will get the promotion; this caused the stakes to be very high.

Once Serena sent out her prized Braixen, the trainer took out a Pokémon that neither her or Ash had encountered before. So both of them scanned it.

{Cloyster, the Bivalve Pokémon and the evolved form of Shellder. Its shell is incredibly strong and resistant to a bomb. Its shell only opens when it attacks.}

Cloyster is a black, pearl-like Pokémon. It is encased inside a light grey shell, which is surrounded by a second jagged, blue-violet outer shell casing. It has one barb-like spike protruding from above its head, and multiple conical horns on its outer shell. Its shell is harder than diamond with spikes that are even harder; harsh tidal currents will affect the size and sharpness of these spikes. On its pearl-like face, it has two white eyes and a mouth. Aside from its face and head, its internal anatomy has never been seen.

It typically only opens its shell to attack an opponent. However, it is fully capable of retaliating against any enemy with its shell tightly closed. With rapid succession, it launches its spikes at the foe, keeping them repelled. Once it has shut itself in, it is impossible to open its shell from the outside. This impressive defense allows it to withstand anything from a bomb blast to even a missile strike. The same projectile system it uses to launch its spikes is also used for swimming. It swallows seawater, and then ejects it towards the rear propelling it through with siphon-jet propulsion. It lives on the sea floor, nestled among the rocks and coral.

"Trainers, begin!"

"Cloyster, use Hydro Pump!" The trainer called out and the Bivalve Pokémon closed its shell almost like it took in a huge breath. Or in this case, a breath of water and shot it out in a large gust of water at Braixen.

"Jump and use Light Screen as a foot hold!" Serena commanded and Braixen leap as high as she could. Seeing that the water was still going to hit here, Braixen created a pink-colored screen like a surfboard. It successfully prevented the powerful Water-type move from hitting Braixen.

"Use Spikes!" But before Braixen could safely land, Cloyster covered the battle field with sharp spikes that made landing very dangerous. But Braixen could only surf on her Light Screen, not fly. And the Fox Pokémon had to suffer some of the damage from the spikes. "Now use Spike Cannon!"

Cloyster then released a volley of spikes from its own on its body. And Braixen was cringing from the spikes digging at her skin. "Use Fire Spin on the spikes!" Serena then called out and Braixen was fortunately, fast enough to burn the spikes with a protective circle of fire. "Now use Psybeam on Cloyster!"

"Protect!" That beam of psychic energy was sent clearly at Cloyster but the Bivalve Pokémon managed to create the almost-all-blocking energy field. Unfortunately for Braixen, Psybeam is on the long list of moves that Protect halts. "Now use Icicle Crash!"

Cloyster then sent out thick icicles at Braixen. "Use Fire Blast!" Braixen took out her stick wand and sent out a huge burst of flame, in the form of the 'Fire' kanji symbol. And the icicles stood not a chance against the Fire type attack. "Now use Flame Charge!" Braixen then charged right into her own attack, with the left-over flame fueling the ones surrounding her body that were increasing her speed.

And Cloyster couldn't get out in to avoid it. But that Bivalve Pokémon was tougher and more sturdy then it looked. In fact, Braixen looked like she was the most damaged when her Flame Charge hit Cloyster. "If you play by that, then use Shell Smash!" The Bivalve Pokémon itself then looked like there was second, transparent skin had just cracked like pressured glass.

Shell Smash is a move that literally shatters the user's shell, cutting down defensive power. But without the extra weight, the user also gets an increase in attack power and also speed as the user is now lighter and nimbler. "Now use Hydro Pump!" This time, Cloyster's Hydro Pump was much bigger and looked more powerful now that the Bivalve Pokémon has used Shell Smash.

Serena had to move quick, "Use Flame Charge to avoid it!" Braixen was already faster from the previous Flame Charge so this second one did make her faster too; but only fast enough avoid the worse of that enhanced Hydro Pump. "Now use Sunny Day and Flame Charge again!"

"Hydro Pump again!" Braixen chanted and prayed for the sun to increase in brightness and heat, affecting the audience. And then the Fox Pokémon channeled more fire than ever and was able to fully out run the Hydro Pump, also affected by Sunny Day. "Bah! Use Iron Defense!"

"Solar Beam!" Serena's opponent gasp to hear why the former really wanted with the Sunny Day; to cut the charging duration for Solar Beam to half the time. And Braixen received a surge of energy into her wand, twice as fast and strong now under the enhanced sunlight. Braixen then released all that energy out of the tip of her wand in a large beam.

And when that attack was inches from Cloyster, "Blizzard!" A large gust of icy wind appeared around the Bivalve Pokémon and practically blocked the Solar Beam. "It is all coming down to this." The trainer said now that both her and Serena were at a standstill. "One last move. One that will decide who is going to win this battle. Okay?"

"…Sure." Serena said and their Pokémon readied themselves.

"Hydro Pump!"

"Fire Blast!"

Those commands shot off like corn in a popper. And both Pokémon shot out their attack in a steady flow. Yet, this was just another standoff; each side is not going anywhere. That is, until the enhanced sunlight ran out of time.

This was unfortunate for Serena, now the Fire Blast had lost its advantage and the Hydro Pump regained its lost power. Now, the latter move can overpower the former. And Braixen started to panic when her Fire Blast started to fail, she was beginning to feel pain from the Hydro Pump. "Braixen!" Serena begun to call out until a miracle happened.

Serena's Braixen started to growl and scream through the water, feeling her owner's calling out for the Fox Pokémon in never-dying trust. Then Braixen started to glow brighter, even more than the Sunny Day. Once the glow died, Braixen was no more and in her place was more powerful looking and more beautiful fire type Pokémon.

{Delphox, the Fox Pokémon, and the final evolved form of Fennekin. When Delphox stares into the flame on the tip of its branch to achieve a focus state, it creates a bright hot spiral of fire with its psychic power.}

Delphox is a relatively tall bipedal Pokémon resembling a fox. It is covered in a coat of fur that resembles a robe; this "robe" is primarily dark red, with red-orange, flame-like markings near its knees, as well as a thin tuft of white fur on its torso, flanked by yellow fur draping down from its shoulders. It has three tufts of red-orange fur protruding out of each ear. Its forearms feature long red fur resembling sleeves, and its hands and feet are dark gray with three clawed fingers and toes, respectively. A tail covered in yellow fur protrudes from its "robe". When its mouth is open, two pointed teeth can be seen on its upper jaw.

Delphox carries a stick that it uses like a magic wand; when in use, the tip is set alight, and when not in use, the stick is hidden away in its sleeve-like fur. Delphox gazes into the flame at the tip of its "wand" to achieve a focused state of mind that allows it to see into the future. It can use its psychic power to ensnare its enemies in a fiery vortex capable of reaching 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit. Delphox is the only known Pokémon capable of learning Mystical Fire.

"Light Screen!" Serena shouted with awe and pride, even more when the newly evolved Delphox was able to block the Hydro Pump with a pink colored screen, bigger and stronger than before. "Now use Psychic!"

"Hydro Pump, one more time!" That trainer must be a one-trick-pony, trying that same move that is otherwise super-effective until Delphox is finally hit. But Cloyster will never shot anymore water for the rest of the battle. It is already being affected by Psychic, high in the air and being sent down harder than a falling brick.

"Mystical Fire!" Serena called out with all the strength and courage in her heart. And when Delphox created a circle of flames, Cloyster was toast. Serena was declared the winner of the battle and the next title of Battle Chateau trainer and of a fully evolved Pokémon.

Later that day, after a dinner courtesy of the staff at the Battle Chateau building,

"Attention everyone!" Route 16's Battle Chateau's Turner announced and soon got the attention of all the trainers in the main lobby. "As most of you are aware, one of our uprising trainers has attended the next rank!" Cheers soon were heard but Turner was not finished. "But this day has another surprise. One of our Viscountness had actually been promoted not one, but twice today!" The crowd muttered awes and gasps to hear that. "Let's give them a warm welcome! Trainers, Marquis Ash and Marchioness Serena!"

The crowds were so ear-deafening, that no one could hear themselves scream. But Ash and Serena didn't care. They had done it. They've proven themselves and their Pokémon to be strong. Serena feels more and more like a trainer and like Ash while the raven haired trainer feels more confident about the upcoming Gym battles.

With that great day about to end, Ash finally agreed to trek back and use the tunnel that bonds Route 15 with Dendemille Town. And with the heat of the battles, it was refreshing to see snowfall once they entered Dendemille.

End of Chapter 17.

*Tell me what you think! I will be working on this primary so that I can finally get the story's Kalos saga done around when the Anime is finished with Kalos themselves. I am still not happy about Ash losing the Kalos League in Luminose. But I am glad to see that even the traitors can have a change of heart, when I saw Malva join the fight against Lysandre. I also heard that Ash is indeed heading towards the new region, Aloha, to attend a Pokémon school! We will keep being surprised for sure.

I am also thinking about two new stories that I am definitely trying to publish before the month ends. Wish me luck and I will let you know when they come; they will be of a different category than before. *

Pokémon on Hand;

Ash – Pikachu (Male), Doublade (Male), Pawniard (Male), Mawile (Female), Durant (Female), Greninja (Female), Ivysaur (Female), Charmeleon (Male), Wartortle (Male) and Gourgiest (Female).

Serena – Delphox (Female), Mr. Mime (Female), Cubone (Male), Kangaskhan (Female), Phantump (Female) and Gourgiest (Male).

Off Hand;

Ash – Ledian (Female), Kadabra (Female), Snorlax (Male), and Smeargle (Male), Sableye (Male), Quilladin (Male), Lucario (Male), Luvdisc (Male), Talonflame (Male), Gogoat (Male), Lapras (Female), Poliwag (Male), Ferrothorn (Female) and Rotom (Female).

Serena – Furfrou (Male), Spritize (Male), Swirlix (Female), Audino (Female), Luvdisc (Female), Poliwag (Female) and Plusle & Minun (Female).