AN: Bri gave this chapter a pretty hefty makeover, deciding to write out some of Rita's retelling which you'll see her do. We made a lot of references to the episode 'The Ghost of Maiden's Peak'. I don't think you have to have seen this episode to understand what's going on in this chapter but I recommend watching it because it's actually one of my favorite episodes, just because it's so messed up. It takes place in season one after Ash, Misty, Brock, and Team Rocket leave Porta Vista (via Hutber Port). There's a mongoose, a 'Venastoise', and Jessie shoots a ghost with a bazooka. I just had to reference it somewhere in this fic.
I hope you enjoy this next bit. Please review if you can:)
The ferry ride took about an hour to bring them from Hutber Port in Porta Vista to Maiden's Peak. Vermillion City was a long walk, and Annastasia estimated that if they were to spend about six hours a day mounted, it would take at least two weeks to travel there by Tauros.
"That's one creepy-looking rock," Takeshi commented when they got off the boat. He pointed to a cliff the foggy distance.
Everyone turned to see what he was pointing at. It was a rock structure shaped like a beautiful woman with long flowing hair.
"I never saw anything like that," said Tamaki. "Is she the 'maiden' in 'Maiden's Peak'?"
"Sure is," Annastasia replied.
Lily, Logan, Rita, Lexi, and Nolan sniggered.
"Who wants to explain?" Nolan asked.
"Is this gonna be a creepy ghost story?" Jay asked nervously. "Because I really, really, really would prefer not to listen."
"It's not that creepy," said Rita. "I'll tell it."
"Okay, but first, let's get moving," Annastasia said as she handed out the Tauros' Pokéballs.
Everyone released their Tauros, saddled them, and mounted.
"Need help?" Annastasia asked Michio, recalling how the last time they rode he needed to be attached to her and Jocelyn by a rope.
"I…if you could maybe just explain to me how to ride it…," he replied. Scarlett beamed, proud at him for asking, then licked his face affectionately.
"Uh, thanks, Scarlett," he mumbled.
"I already asked Jocelyn to ride with Lily and Logan," said Annastasia. "They'll help her while I help you. First, you must release your Tauros."
Michio clicked open the Pokéball. "Check."
"Next, you gotta pet her." Annastasia scratched the soft fur between the Tauros' eyes. "She needs to feel you."
"Uhhh…sure."
He gently scratched the Tauros where Annastasia suggested. The Pokémon sighed contently.
"I already gave all these Tauros a formal checkup, but as a rider, you should get in the habit of checking your ride Pokémon yourself," said Annastasia. "You want to make sure her body—especially her hooves—are clean of debris, sores, and anything else that might make her uncomfortable. When you're clear, you begin to tack up."
Annastasia opened the expandable box that contained everyone's tack. Michio and Annastasia were the only ones who had yet to take their equipment.
She handed a saddle pad to Michio.
"Put that on first," she instructed. "After that comes the halter and reins, then the saddle, girth, and stirrups. Try doing it yourself; I'll let you know if you make a mistake."
Michio did it just as she had instructed the group before their first ride. Once they mounted, Annastasia and Michio stayed in the back of the group and trotted slower than the others. She reminded him how to sit, steer, and use the equipment provided while Nolan and Lexi led the group. Rita told them the traditional story of the two-thousand-year-old Ghost of Maiden's Peak.
Although he had his ears plugged, Jay couldn't help but overhear some of the tale.
"That lady possesses the souls of young men?" Jay gulped.
"You don't have to worry; you're too young for her to get you," Rita responded.
"W-well what about me?" Tamaki stuttered. "I'm already twelve. Is she gonna get me?"
"Still too young."
"But what about Oniisans Nolan and Michio?" Jocelyn asked. "Is that ghost lady gonna get them because they're grown-ups?"
"Fla, Flaafy fee?"
"Maybe," Rita smirked.
"Oh no!" she gasped.
"Flaa feee!"
"I wouldn't worry about it, after all, the ghost is just a Gastly," said Rita.
"How do you know?" Soledad asked.
"A and I were on a mission here a few years ago. She told me about how a really long time ago her father and Takeshi's father were both possessed by the Maiden, and while we were here working, we decided to do some investigating."
"My dad never told me about that!" Takeshi exclaimed. "How long ago?"
"This was a really long time ago. Before your dad met your mom. It was when he was traveling with Ash and Misty and Annastasia's parents were trying to capture Pikachu for Giovanni."
"Hey, I never heard this story either!" said Amber. "How could they keep such an interesting ghost story from me?"
"It probably slipped their minds," said Lily. "You know as well as I do that they've had loads of crazy adventures, from nearly dying in a shipwreck to being forced into the Distortion World…there's probably lots we haven't heard."
"I wanna hear what the ghost lady did to Papa!" said Jocelyn.
"Flaafy, Flaa."
"Which story do you want first?" Rita asked the group.
"Tell us what happened to Brock and James, then tell us about what you and A discovered," Soledad suggested.
"Surely."
Rita, Logan, and Lily explained the story of how James and Brock got possessed by the Ghost of the Maiden, recounting as many details as possible:
"So, they left Acapulco in search of Saffron City, but instead of getting there, they stumbled upon the village of Maiden's Peak, celebrating their local Matsuri, which centered around the Ghost of the Maiden and her shrine."
"Uh, a summer festival that centers around a fake ghost?" Takeshi asked. "That's a lot different from the summer festival we have in my town."
"The ghost isn't fake, and nearly every city has their own version of their summer festival," Lily chided. "Now listen to Rita."
"After several long weeks of being lost, shipwrecked, and harassed by other trainers, Misty, Brock, Ash, Jessie, James, and Meowth decided to chill in Maiden's Peak. They heard the story. They knew the maiden was there, but they stayed anyway," Rita continued in a creepy tone.
"Oh no!" said Jocelyn. "Why didn't they listen?"
"Flaa!"
"They didn't believe the person who told them the story of the Maiden—thought it was all made up," said Logan.
"Big mistake!"
"Feeee!"
"Yep, because on the very first day, Brock and James saw the ghost," said Rita. "And later that night, it…got them!"
The kids jumped. Rita laughed.
"W-what did it do?" Takeshi asked.
"Did it try to eat them?" Benny asked.
"Drag them to the Distortion World?" Tamaki asked. "Then try to eat them?"
"They didn't find Brock and James until the next morning," said Rita. "They were all shaken and confused. Even all these years later, no one knows exactly what happened…but if it wasn't for Pikachu shocking them out of it, I bet they'd still be possessed. Then none of you would exist. Then on the second night—"
"—the second night?" said Amber. "You mean those morons stayed there a second night? Why?"
"I actually don't know why, but they definitely stayed two nights."
"Whatever…"
"On the second night, they staked out together and waited for the ghost to come get Brock and James. Then the ghost battled them. It was too powerful—made a mousetrap for Pikachu, a fire-extinguisher for Charmander, and a mongoose for Ekans and Koffing, and then—"
"What about Meowth? Why didn't he battle?" Jay asked. "He knows some moves…supposedly…was Meowth possessed too?"
"Nah, he got distracted by a cat-toy," said Lily.
"He won't admit it, but that's the truth," said Logan.
"Yep," said Rita. "The ghost also created a Pokémon fusion—Blastoise and Venasaur combined into a huge super Pokémon to intimidate Ash's Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and the rest of their Pokémon."
"I know that Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur," said Amber. "They just don't live with my dad anymore. They—"
"I wanna hear the story," Takeshi interrupted.
"Ditto," said Soledad, who was attempting to take notes. "All this information is fascinating."
"I wanna hear the story," Amber said in a mocking-tone. "I'm taking notes—"
"They realized it was too strong," Rita continued. "And right before it finished them off, they were saved by one thing—sunlight. As you all know, ghosts can't be in a lighted area. That's why you can only catch or battle ghost-type Pokémon at night or in dark rooms or caves."
"So, this was definitely a ghost Pokémon?" Tamaki asked.
"Obviously," said Soledad. "There aren't any other types of ghosts."
Rita clicked her tongue and shook her head. "Wrong."
"No, I'm not! There are no such things as ghosts, except for ghost-type Pokémon!"
"I thought the same thing when I was your age, then A and I made a different discovery, years later…"
As Rita was telling the story, Michio finally got the hang of riding the Tauros.
"See what happens when you accept help?" Annastasia asked. "You look good up there."
Annastasia and Michio were trotting along. Lil-G jumped from her saddle to Michio's, licked his hand, then returned to Annastasia and yapped happily. Bleu, who was flying above them, looked down at him and cooed.
"Pikaaa!" Scarlett cheered. She nestled against Michio.
"The monz are proud," Annastasia said as she patted Michio's Tauros. "And content. And thus am I."
"Yeah, me too," said Michio. "But I'm still hoping that the Ponyta I caught will evolve into Rapidash soon so that I can ride that instead. They look similar to Lelen and are probably easier to ride too."
"Still experiencing culture shock, even after all this time?"
"I ate miso for you."
"Miso's not even native to this part of the continent; the Japanese developed it in the Hoenn region."
"But it's still Japanese, and I tried it, which means I'm on my way."
"Yes, you're on your way."
"Pika!"
"Lillipup pup!"
"Maybe one day I'll be as worldly as you," Michio continued. "Do you think one day you'll see it all?"
Annastasia was particularly intrigued. Michio hadn't asked many deep questions since their journey began. This marked a milestone.
"No," she answered. "But I can dream."
Annastasia had her Tauros speed up. Michio followed her and they were soon in sync with the rest of the group. Rita had just gotten to the part where she was telling them about Venastoise. They listened along with everyone else.
"Kanto is such a fucked-up place to live," Michio muttered.
"Yeah," Annastasia agreed. "I love it here."
"A!" Rita called as she turned her Tauros around.
"Yes!?"
Annastasia and Rita met halfway, with Michio close behind. He and the others halted their Tauros and leaned in to listen to their conversation.
"That 'Venastoise' that Ghastly created…was it an image or an actual Pokémon?" Rita inquired.
"It was definitely a real Pokémon," Annastasia replied. "A fusion Pokémon. I never realized it until now—that Pokémon from the story sounds exactly like the fusions we're hearing about and seeing in Kanto today. Giovanni did say that ghost Pokémon did have a role in creating fusions in the past…they must have witnessed this."
"I was thinking…I know these kiddos wanna move on and get their badges…but…maybe we should stick around and try to find that talking Gastly—just for a day or two. I bet the boss would appreciate it dearly if we can at least get a little chat with it."
"N-no way!" said Jay. "Wo-one of is gonna g-get possessed."
"I'm almost a teenager! I just had my last Child's Day," said Tamaki. "Shit, it's gonna get me if we don't get moving!"
"Oh no!" Jocelyn cried.
"Flaaaafy!"
"Chill, everyone," said Annastasia. "Nothing is getting no one—anyone. Rita, you're technically supposed to be working…"
"I know, I know," Rita replied. "I'm still keeping touch with my partner. I haven't forgotten my duties."
"B-but A," said Jay. "That g-ghost can kidnap Michio and Nolan…the legend says the Maiden does those things on nights like this…foggy summer nights…."
"But Jay, ghosts are fun," Amber said as she playfully poked his side. "Maybe you'll be lucky and it'll go for you too."
"I'm gonna die!"
"Oh no!" Jocelyn cried for the seventh time that day.
"Flaaaafy!"
"If you didn't have your fingers shoved in those pretty little ears of yours you would've heard the part when I said that everything was fine and the ghost just ended up being a prankster Gastly," said Rita. "Sure, Ash, Brock, Misty, Jessie, James, and Meowth didn't know that at the time, but they do now."
"But it still hypnotized them."
"We have Pokémon that are strong against psychic and ghost-type moves. You'll be fine."
"A?"
"Rita and I were on a mission here about two years ago. We battled that ghost while we were doing other stuff for Team Rocket. We saw for ourselves that it was just a Gastly—a Gastly that could speak perfect English."
"I wanna see the talking Pokémon!" Jocelyn exclaimed.
"Flaa!"
"Talking Pokémon are overrated," said Lily.
"Rita's right when she says this Gastly might have something interesting to tell us," said Annastasia. "There's only one way to find out."
"Calling one of your Team Rocket buddies and having them investigate for you?" Jay guessed.
"Nope. We must encounter it ourselves."
"S-so we're gonna stay here overnight?!"
"Even though Gastly usually only come out at night, we can try to find it during the day so that we don't have to spend the whole night," said Lexi. "I know there are ways to lure Gastly out of hiding."
"This sounds exciting," said Takeshi. "I wanna try it."
"It could be an interesting experience for me too," said June.
"I wouldn't pass up such a unique research opportunity," said Soledad.
"I'm with Jocelyn—seeing a talking ghost sounds awesome," said Tamaki.
"Ditto," said Amber.
Everyone looked at Jay. He hid behind Togetic. Annastasia took his hand.
"I promise I won't let anything happen to you," she vowed.
Jay nodded. "Well, I trust you, so…I suppose we should try to find that Gastly."
"You've made me proud, Jay Paul Morgan," Amber said as she affably punched his arm. "Let's go for that peak!"
They walked via Tauros until they reached the peak. Then they returned the Tauros to their Pokéballs.
"How do you lure Gastly out of their hiding places?" June asked Lexi.
"It helps to find quiet, isolated places. That's why I led us here," she explained.
"So, we just wait here and they'll come out?" Takeshi asked.
"We need to use bait. They like bitter snacks. Does anyone have bitter berries?"
"I have a handful of Strib berries," said Annastasia. "Bleu, do you mind?"
"Tarrrria," The Pokémon said as he shook his head.
Annastasia gave them to Lexi.
"I have some Enigma Berries that my dad gave me," June said as she reached into her bag. She took out a small package. "Will this help?"
"These are excellent, but we might need some more," said Lexi. "Plus, I don't want to use up all of your supply. Are you sure you don't need these?"
"My parents always grow them in the yard. We have plenty, and they can always send me more. They're so bitter it hurts my mouth."
Scarlett sniffed a berry. She gagged, then passed it to Michio, who returned it to June.
"Your sassy ass is supposed to like bitter berries," Michio told Scarlett. "It's literally in your Nature."
Scarlett stuck out her tongue and giggled.
"Something tells me Scarlett's a special case," said Soledad. "And Lexi, my dad has loads of Aguav, Rawst, and Strib Berries in his research lab. And with A's healing concoctions, I really don't need them anyway."
"Perfect," said Lexi. "Thanks, peeps. Now, who has a Pokémon who can use Smokescreen?"
"I have Weezing," said Michio.
"Michio always catches his Pokémon at night," Jocelyn told Benny and Tamaki. "He goes allll by himself so we never get to see him catch them."
"Flaaafy, Fla."
"Great," said Lexi. "If Weezing uses Smokescreen at a very low intensity, it can mix with the fog and make it look like nighttime. The Gastly will then smell the food and be attracted to this spot."
"Let's do it!" Jocelyn exclaimed.
"Flaaaaa fee!"
XO
Rumika took some time off in order to help James and the others with the funeral and legal arrangements. She offered to come with them when they when went to James' grandparent's estate to meet with all of the Morgan's lawyers. Delia offered to take Alex for the next few days while they got things settled, but for now, they had the toddler with them. Now Meowth, Lucy, Alex, Jessie, and James were sitting in the car as Rumika drove them to the estate through the pouring rain.
James stared out the window, watching the little droplets of waters smash against the window violently as an old 70's song about the rain played through his head until a familiar cheery voice broke his focus.
"Almost there?" the three-year-old asked his uncle. "I'm hungry!"
"Just ten minutes more," said James. "And there will be a lot of food there waiting for us."
It seemed wrong to eat the food out of a dead person's home, but the house was filled with food and no one was going to let it all get thrown away. The couple had plenty of food stocked up not only for the Pokémon but also for the visitors they were expecting to have come to their house before their passing. The family had to go through all their belongings while they were there anyway, but the idea was still uncomfortable. James was grateful he didn't have to do it alone.
"I don't wanna sound insensitive…" Meowth started. "But what's our plan when weeze get dere?"
"First we must go through the will do see what they want to do with their property," said Rumika. "You already looked at some of that with the lawyers, right James?"
"I still don't know what they wanted to do with the house, their personal items, or the Pokémon they were caring for," James sadly replied. "They only had two servants, both of who have been with them for years and have been kindly looking after the home and the injured Pokémon since their death. It is quite possible Nanny and Pop-pop had plans to give them the estate. I have no idea."
"Are any of dose Pokémon even deirs?" Meowth asked.
"I suppose we'll find out later today…they had so many that just came to visit. I wonder if all the wild Pokémon will stop coming now that they're gone."
Lucy put a paw on his shoulder. "Maybe we can give them a reason to come back. If not, well, life moves on, right?"
"Yes, I suppose. I really don't want to call and tell the kids about this. They're going to be so heartbroken. It is not fair, a random tragedy like this might derail them—they all knew Nanny and Pop-pop well."
"It's only Jay I'm really worried about," said Jessie. "But there's nothing we can do about it. We have to tell them before they get to Vermillion—because Annastasia said they might not arrive at the gym for another two and a half weeks and I don't think we should go that long without talking to them about this."
"I know, I know."
"I want music," said Alex.
"Sure, Kiddo," Rumika said as she turned on the radio.
A new song was just starting. James smiled at the coincidence when he realized what song it was.
'Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'
So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
Sleepin' on the job
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'
But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me
[trumpet]
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me.'
"Well dat was pleasant," Meowth said sarcastically when the song had ended.
"I like 70s music," Lucy retorted. "And that's a happy song, it's just not upbeat."
"Cartoons!" Alex exclaimed. "Uncle Meowth, can I watch cartoons?"
Meowth gave Alex the tablet he received several years ago as a gift from James' grandparents. He brought up one of Alex's favorite shows, The Dim Adventures of Willy and Candy, a show about a dopey boy and a cynical girl who win a bet against a Candyman, and as a result, get to live in his candy factory. In Meowth's opinion, it was the dumbest kid's show any human being could possibly think up, and his only solace was that the only reason Alex found it entertaining was because it featured lots of chocolate and not because he appreciated any attempt at a plot. Despite his disproval of the show, he handed the holographic iPad to the child while Lucy found headphones. Alex gladly accepted both items and was happily entertained within a few minutes.
In the meantime, Rumika found more 'happy' music for Meowth.
"How is this?" Rumika asked as the song 'Friday, I'm in Love' came onto the station.
"Dis ain't so bad," he admitted a few seconds into the song. "But what makes Friday damn special?"
XO
It only took an hour for several ghost Pokémon to fall into the group's trap. At first, only a few Gengar and Haunter appeared, and according to their Pokédex, they were low level. Annastasia and Rita said that the Gastly they sought would be at a very high level, and likely disguised as some other Pokémon.
"Hey, look at that Marowak," said Tamaki, pointing to the creature. "It's the first non-ghost type Pokémon that has come to eat the berries."
Every scanned it with their Pokédexes.
"Said to appear in decrepit, deserted buildings, Gastly has no real shape as it appears to be made of a gas. With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires," the Pokédex's digital voice announced.
"That Marowak's no Marowak!" Jocelyn whisper-shouted.
"Flaaaa!"
"And it's level 100," said Annastasia. "That must be our Gastly."
"Hey!" Rita shouted. "We know who you really are! Show us your true form. We got questions!"
The Marowak turned and ran. Lily and Logan immediately began chasing it, and followed by them were Zorua, Lil-G, Pip, Scarlett, Cyndaquil, Bulbasaur, Togetic, and Chary.
"Hey!" Lily and Logan shouted. They started to chase after it. The rest of the group chased after the disguised Gastly and started yelling at it to stop.
"Please, come back!" June called to Gastly. "We need your help!"
"Please, Mister!" said Jocelyn.
"Flaaa!"
"Scarlett, use Thunderbolt," Michio instructed.
"Chuuuu!" she screamed, shocking the Marowak.
The Marowak collapsed momentarily, then shape-shifted back into a Gastly.
"So, you think I would go down that easily did you?" it asked.
"That Gastly really does talk!" Benny exclaimed.
"I can't believe it!" said Jocelyn.
"Flaaaaafy!"
Annastasia and Nolan were about to start a peaceful conversation with the Gastly, but it attacked with Poison Powder.
"Go Venasaur!" Lexi said as she released her Pokémon. "Stun Spore!"
"Qualilava, use Flamethrower!" Nolan commanded.
"Use Hurricane to dispel the poison," Annastasia told Bleu. "Star, use Moonblast. Lil-G, hide behind me."
Gastly was not affected by Nolan and Lexi's attacks, so the others released the rest of their Pokémon and had it attack.
"Tia and Vivi, use Shadowball!" June instructed. "Bulbasaur, use Mega Drain. Scooter, Gust, Raticate, Focus Energy!"
"Togetic, try Hyperbeam!" Jay instructed.
"That's a normal-type move," Soledad told Jay after giving Chary, her Venomoth, and Jigglypuff her instructions. "Normal-type moves have no effect on ghost-types. Ask Togetic to use Psychic."
"Oh…Thanks, Soledad. Togetic, use Psychic! Chikorita, Absorb! Vevo, Leech Life!"
"Pip, use Thunderbolt, Pidgeotto, use Whirlwind, Natu, use Confusion, Vox, use Hurricane, and Wingull, use Water Gun!" Amber commanded.
The Gastly took on all of the Pokémon by dividing itself and transforming into different objects and creature. It became an enormous mousetrap to attack Scarlett and Pip, a black hole to try and wipe out the flying types, an enormous Heracross to suck the nectar out of Bulbasaur's bulb, a glop of honey that would get stuck in Jigglypuff and Tia's fur, pen ink that got in the eyes of Lexi's multiple dragon-type Pokémon, and a fire extinguisher to try and put out Cyndaquil, Charizard, and Qualilava's tails.
"I never heard of a Ghastly that could do all that!" Tamaki cried as he helped his mother's Espeon free herself from some of the sticky honey ets that Gastly had shot at them.
"I told you this one's special," said Rita.
"Why are you doing this to us!" Jocelyn cried.
"Flaaa!"
"Jocelyn, I told you to go hide!" Annastasia scolded her little sister.
"Flaafy and I wanted to help," Jocelyn pouted.
"Flaaaa."
"I appreciate you wanting to help, but it's best you stay out of this for now."
Bleu took Jocelyn and Flaafy to the rest center around the corner, where Annastasia had told them to wait previously.
"Why are you fighting us? We don't want to battle," Nolan told Gastly.
"If you didn't want to battle then why did you lure me here?" Gastly questioned.
"We want a discussion," said Annastasia. "If you would just cease fighting us for a moment, I'll explain."
Gastly made all the creatures and objects it had fighting their Pokémon disappear. Everyone sighed with relief.
"What kind of discussion did you have in mind?" it asked Annastasia and Rita. "Is it about the Maiden? I recall already discussing that with you two."
"We want to talk about your abilities, the way you can shapeshift and create other objects and Pokémon," Annastasia replied. "Please talk to us. We aren't going to try and capture you. You have my word."
"I know about you. Word gets around. You're a different kind of human…special…I will abide."
Gastly helped to clean the mess by using its ability to move objects via Psychic. Nolan picked up Jocelyn from the rest stop around the corner while Lexi and Annastasia used Bleu and some potions to help heal the Pokémon that had been injured by Gastly's antics. When they were done Gastly led them to a small building near the Maiden's rock.
"It's fucking cold and windy," Michio complained, rubbing his hands against his arms. "Why did we have to come up here?"
"This is my home," Gastly replied. "My paradise."
"This is why I can never understand ghost-types," Lily muttered.
"Ditto," said Logan.
The kids and their Pokémon all walked together in one giant group hug, clutching each other not only because it was chilly, but because they were scared. Annastasia, Nolan, and Lexi handed out blankets and comforting words.
"This is where the Ghost of the Maiden brings the young men she kidnaps," Amber whispered in Jay's ear. "And some say they never return once she decides she wants them."
Jay froze. "Why did you have to tell me that? It's already dark and scary up here!"
"It's fog and a chill—no voodoo."
"Pi!" Pip disagreed.
"Chuuu!" Scarlett laughed.
"It's sure is d-dark for…d-day t-time," Takeshi stuttered. "B-but I-I don't m-mind."
"M-me n-neither," June responded, pulling the blanket higher over herself and Pokémon.
"I kinda like it," said Amber. "More interesting than Cerulean City, at least."
The group formed a circle once inside the half-wrecked shack Gastly called home.
"What would you like to know?" it asked as it floated around them.
"Why do you talk?"
"Are you really made up of only gas?"
"Where do the berries go after you eat them?"
"Why don't you have an accent like other talking Pokémon?"
Annastasia interrupted the children's questions. "As much as we would like to have the answers to all of those questions, what we truly want to know about are your shapeshifting abilities. How were you able to make all those different things? The mousetrap, the Heracross, the honey? I've never seen another Pokémon do that before."
"Practice," Gastly replied.
"How did you practice?"
"I'm hundreds of thousands of years old. Like most ghost Pokémon, I cannot recall my origins, but what I do know is that I was here long before humans came to Earth."
"Oh, so you must be really smart," said Tamaki. The other kids looked at him quizzically. "Because you've seen so much."
"Yes. I learned to talk because I thought it was amusing to hear the human's ghost legends. I had gained the ability to shape shift as I leveled up through battle, and by use of the Dark Stone. That combined with the ability to mimic human speech made it very easy to pull pranks on people. Naturally, I chose to settle here, not only because of the ghost legend but because this place experiences fog most of the year and people pass by hear all the time but rarely stay."
"The Night Stone was mentioned in one of the books that my parents recovered from Baydon," said Annastasia. "So, that gave you this ability to not only create concrete objects but to fuse Pokémon?"
"Yes."
"How did you know about the stone, and where did you find it?"
"I found out about the stone from ghost and a few psychic-types that had used it on themselves. I don't know of a 'Baydon', but the stone I used to gain this ability I took from the Toka region. That is where most of my ghost, psychic, and dark-type friends who have used the stone still live."
"So, there are more like you and many of them live in Toka. Correct?"
"Correct."
"This explains a lot. Thank you. Next, I would like to know why those experiments are being done in Toka in the first place, and why did the amount of fusion Pokémon in our world more than quadruple?"
"Experiments? I don't understand."
"An informed Gastly like yourself knows that ghost, psychic, and dark-type Pokémon can fuse elemental Pokémon naturally," said Annastasia. "That they don't need human-made machinery."
"Surely, as long as they have the Night Stone. Are you saying that humans have gained this ability as well?"
"With the use of technology, humans are able to fuse Pokémon as well. We cannot do it—we as in our group here—but there are humans that are making these fusions and they are stationed in Toka. Based on what you told us, it seems the Night Stone is a key ingredient to this mess they've created."
"Is the Night Stone the reason Logan can't make fusions?" Jocelyn asked. "He's a dark-type Pokémon."
"This Purrloin?" Gastly said as it floated towards Logan, who nervously shifted away from its presence. "What level is it at?"
"I'm a male Pokémon, so 'he' works better than 'it', and I have no idea what level I am," Logan retorted.
Soledad scanned Logan with her Pokédex.
"You're at Level 30," she announced. "If you want, you can become a Liepard now."
"Yeah…no," said Logan. "Why are we talking about me?"
"If you reach Level 100 and use the Night Stone, with the proper training, you too will have the ability to fuse Pokémon," said Gastly.
"Oh. No thanks…"
"We won't try to make you do that," said Annastasia. "But Gastly, thanks for letting us know. All this information is helpful."
Annastasia and Rita explained everything they knew about the fusions, from the enormous 'leader' to the multiple small experiments. She talked about the auras and her visions. The Gastly nodded in understanding and pity.
"I didn't know this was happening," Gastly said when she was finished. "Do you have a strong psychic-type that can communicate with them?"
Annastasia told it about Acorn, Aliyah, and Mewtwo, and how direct communication through language alone wasn't helping.
"I'm sorry I cannot help you more," it replied.
"You did help us," said Lexi.
"Before, we weren't sure about the Night Stone's exact purpose. You helped with that," said Rita.
"Can you come with us, Mr. Gastly sir?" Jocelyn asked. "None of us are scared anymore because we know you're nice!"
"Flaafy Flaafy flaa fla!"
"That is nice of you to offer," Gastly replied. "But the truth is that I really can't stand sunlight and besides, this is my home."
"We understand," said Annastasia. "Thank you for all your help."
Everyone said their 'thank-you's and 'good-byes'.
"Good luck," Gastly said before vanishing.
"Well, that was fun," said Amber. "Too bad it didn't wanna come with. I mean, it can fl—"
"Fly," her friends interrupted. Then they all laughed.
"Spirits are high," said Annastasia. "I like that. Not only because I like seeing you all happy but also because it's a pun."
"Of course," said Rita. "It wouldn't be an adventure without a pun."
"I agree fully."
The group reassembled on the main road closest to the rock. Out on the street it was much brighter than it had been up in the tower. They released their Tauros, saddled them up, mounted, and moved on.
XO
IN THE NEXT CHAPTER
· Annastasia gets something big, but she won't know it for a while
· Amber catches another Pokémon and June prepares to say goodbye to Scooter (sorta)
· One of our favorites leaves the group and a special little Eevee takes her place.
AN: Next chapter is a little sad, but a lot of important plot stuff happens. The talking Gastly doesn't really have much significance beyond this chapter, just so you know (I don't want to lead you in the wrong direction). Lucario also returns, he, the Mew, and Mewtwo are important.
About Scarlett with the berries: as you probably guessed from her attitude, her 'Nature' is 'Sassy'. Bitter berries are supposed to be liked by Pokemon of that nature. 'Sassy' is Bleu's Nature as well:) This site won't let me post links, but if you're curious, this is my source: " poketwo dot com /nature/natures".
I also made a quick reference for the Venomoth that Michio gave the kids. I mentioned they all gave them nicknames but I never mentioned what those nicknames were until this chapter. You don't have to memorize them—but when one of the kids sends out a Pokémon with a nickname beginning with 'V', you can be sure it is their Venomoth they're referring to.
Venomoth:
June's Vivi
Jay's Vevo
Amber's Vox
Soledad's Valia
Takeshi's Vince
Michio's is just called 'Venomoth'.
Tamaki didn't receive one because he wasn't traveling with them yet, nor did Jocelyn or Benny, or anyone else in this group.
I also mentioned that Nolan had one at some point in the past. That Venomoth isn't very significant in this story. It is also just called 'Venomoth'.
Thanks again for reading:) Please review if possible.