Mt. Mortar
Inside the dark caves of Mr. Mortar, Jackson, Leafeon and Lyanne were wandering throughout the area, seeing the small body of water nearby, noticing a Machoke and a Makuhita wrestle with one another. A group of Zubat and Golbat flew overhead.
"So, where do we go from here?" Lyanne asked through telepathy, looking at Jackson.
"As I said before, I wanna find my sixth Pokémon here." Jackson responded, "Somewhere, in this place, there must be a Pokémon who I can forge a bond with."
"And do you know who it is?" Leafeon asked, looking at him questionably. Jackson merely shook his head in response.
Lyanne looked down for a moment, and was about to speak when Jackson interrupted, "I won't catch you, Lyanne. So don't request it."
"But…you know I'm okay with it." the disguised Pokémon pointed out, "You have been so kind to me, so I don't mind being your partner."
"But you are my partner." Jackson responded, turning to her, "But I don't wanna capture you. I want your freedom. Besides, with that human form, I feel more uncomfortable capturing you. Makes me think you're my property…" He turned away with a glare as he added, "…like my father would act…"
Leafeon and Lyanne looked to one another, then back at Jackson. Jackson had told the two about his past, so Lyanne understood his feelings on capturing her at this point, and decided not to press the matter.
Jackson looked away, and continued to investigate the area for a new partner to add to his team. He saw a Raticate scurrying along the wall, sniffing about for food. He noticed a Bronzor floating along it's way, but it looked about, and suddenly became terrified and took off. Jackson wondered what scared it, and wandered over to the area it was at. Lyanne and Leafeon followed him, wondering what he spotted. Jackson had a Pokéball ready as he rounded the corner, and saw something there. It was wandering the area, and turned at the sound of Jackson's footsteps. His red eyes and toothy mouth, Jackson recognized the Pokémon immediately. How could he forget after he fought Morty's.
"You're a Gengar!" Jackson stated, seeing the Pokémon in front of him.
The Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon in front of him, grinned as he snickered, "A human, huh? And by the looks of it, you're a Pokémon trainer!" He leapt back and prepared to fight as he hissed, "Well, too bad! You ain't gettin' me. I came too far to be someone's tool! Shadow Punch!" He unleashed a shadowy fist from his knuckle, nearly hitting Jackson had he not leapt out of the way.
"Well, I don't like rogue Pokémon who attack trainers for no reason!" Jackson retorted, readying his Pokémon, "Weavile, let's go!" Weavile appeared from the tossed Pokéball, keeping a cool composure as he readied its' claws.
(Insert 'STAND UP' by Twill (full version))
Music Intro
(Traveling through shining golden tunnel of energy, leading out into space with many world, all of which different colors, with the central world being the Pokémon world. The logo 'Jackson in Johto' appears on screen, before the camera passes through the arch of the 'n' from 'in, going into the world, through the clouds, where the glowing shadow of Ho-Oh can be seen, to the sea, where the shadow of Lugia is flying beneath the waters, before reaching the shoreline, getting blinded by the sun.)
Yeah, stand up boys!
Come on, face forward
(Jackson stands up, with Quilava at his side, followed by Dewott, Weavile, and Scizor, all of which expressing their unique personalities to Jackson.)
The call enveloping you is your guide
Step towards tomorrow
(Dewott gets angry at Weavile for trying to act so cool, while Jackson rolls his eyes before he, Quilava and Scizor took off ahead, with Weavile following behind, ignoring Dewott, who panicked and ran to not be left behind.)
Yeah, stand up girls!
At the end of what's more than real
(Leafeon rises up with Lyanne as Jackson and the boys pass by. The two look to one another, before giggling at the sight of the boys, before looking to the sky.)
We'll grab a light that's been covered by thick clouds
(Camera goes up into the starry sky, where a ball of light was slowly falling down, with the image of Gardevoir inside, her eyes slowly opening up as she looked up.)
How we spend our days before isn't good enough
(Camera passes by still images of all the companions and gym leaders that he has met or will meet in the future, including Cypher at the end of the pictures, while Jackson, Lyanne, Leafeon, and the rest of his current team walked along the bottom of the screen.)
At full speed
We can blast through
Even the highest wall
(Team Rocket suddenly appears, with the four admins of Team Rocket standing together, with the images of their ace Pokémon at their side, and the satellite system right above them.)
Stand up for your dream!
(Jackson draws his sword, while Lyanne turns into her Latias form, and the rest of his team ready to fight together.)
Be enthusiastic at what you do, no matter what it is
(Jackson rushes forward as he slashes his blade against Team Rocket grunts, followed by a spin kick, sending them flying, while Leafeon leaps up and unleashes a forward somersault Leaf Blade, taking out their Pokémon.)
Push your way through to make an opening
(Weavile unleashes an Ice Punch as Dewott throws a Water Pulse at a different direction, followed by the pair unleashing simultaneous Night Slashes. Quilava leaps through their attack, going into a Flame Charge.)
No matter how far
The answer you're seeking is
Stand up for your dream!
(Scizor flies in, striking with a couple Bullet Punches before firing a Hyper Beam. Latias flies above him, unleashing a Mist Ball, sending it ahead. The attacks all created an explosion that consumed the scene in smoke.)
Even if my feeling show weakness
Your voice that I hear close by
(In the burning Ecruteak City, a serious Jackson raced along the path with Leafeon and Quilava at his side, towards the two towers, where a deranged Ho-Oh and Lugia were at, unleashing Aeroblast and Sacred Fire onto the city.)
Gives me courage and strength
I can go the distance
(Jackson leaps high, landing on Latias's back as they flew off, with the rest of the team leaping with him before encased in a stream of their signature colors, before the screen turn white, with a crystal blue Pokéball with a gold and silver sword crossing behind it the only thing remaining.)
"So, we face another Gengar, eh?" Weavile asked.
"Yeah. But this time, it's gonna be different to that gym battle!" Jackson retorted, waving a hand forward, "Use Metal Claw!" The Sharp Claw Pokémon's claws became metallic as it charged at Gengar, who disappeared into the shadows. Weavile looked about, wondering where he went.
"Sucker Punch!" Gengar shouted, coming out of hiding and punching Weavile in the back, making him fumble along the ground.
"You okay?!" Jackson called out to his partner.
"Yeah, but he's tricky!" Weavile answered, seeing Gengar snicker as he disappeared into the shadows.
"Then don't use your eyes!" Jackson warned it, "Use your other senses, then unleash an attack against him!" He understood, and closed his eyes. He stood stock still as the shadow of Gengar moved about the area at high speeds, hoping for a sneak attack.
Leafeon and Lyanne rounded the corner as the former asked, "What's going on, Ja-." Jackson waved a hand to stop her, and the two saw Weavile standing still, as the shadow moved.
"What is that?" Lyanne asked.
"You're about to find out." Jackson answered, looking at Weavile.
Suddenly, Gengar came out of hiding, readying a Shadow Ball to take down Weavile. However, he turned around as he produced a violet energy sword, Night Slash, and within an instance, slashed right past Gengar and his Shadow Ball. There was a moment's pause as the attack settled in. Then, the ball of shadow energy exploded as Gengar roared in pain. Weavile remained still, not even turning to see Gengar fly in the air. The Gas Pokémon regained himself in midair, and landed back onto the ground, grinning.
"Clever. Haven't seen reflexes like those for a long time!" he snickered, "But it'll take more than that to stop me!" Weavile turned, ready to continue fighting.
Leafeon noticed the Gengar for a moment, then she gasped in shock. "Wait a second!" she cried, stopping the fight.
Gengar turned to see Leafeon bound forward, while Jackson questioned her motives. He examined the Verdant Pokémon for a moment, then became surprised as he stammered, "L-Leafy?" Jackson looked surprised, as well. That nickname was familiar.
"You're…you're THAT Gengar, aren't you?" Leafeon asked, getting in front of Gengar's face.
"What is she talking about?" Lyanne asked, looking to see Jackson's shocked face, "Jackson? What's wrong?"
"It really is you, Leafy." Gengar realized. He then gained a second realization, and turned to her trainer. "Jackie? Is that you?" he asked.
"You're the Gengar from that other world, aren't you?" the swordsman trainer asked.
For a moment, Gengar didn't answer, as he was examining Jackson's figure. He then stated, "Well, ain't this a kick in the head. You're human again, after all."
"And you're still a Pokémon, I see." Jackson retorted, stepping towards Gengar.
"Eh… Still hasn't been a thousand years, yet." he waved off, "Still cursed, right now."
"Um, guys…" Lyanne spoke up, getting her attention, "I'm sorry. I'm kinda lost here. Do you guys know one another?"
Jackson, Leafeon and Gengar looked to one another, then back at Lyanne. "Who's the girl?" Gengar asked.
"Right. This is Lyanne. In actuality, she's a Latias." Jackson introduced her.
"Hello." she greeted.
"A Latias? Really?" Gengar asked. Lyanne proved it by transforming back to her Pokémon form for a moment, before transforming back, surprising Gengar.
"How do you know one another?" Weavile asked.
"Remember the story we mentioned about going to the other world, and Jackson became a Torchic?" Leafeon asked.
"Yeah." he replied, while Lyanne nodded in remembering Jackson telling that story, "But it seemed to be a bit of a stretch of a story."
"Wait a minute..." Lyanne recalled something, "Are you saying the one Gengar that was the leader of Team Meanies..." She looked to Gengar as her voice trailed off.
"Yep. The same Gengar." Jackson answered, looking to him, "Speaking of which, what are you doing here? And how did you get to this world?"
"If you would help me get deeper into this cave, I can tell you." he answered, grinning at him, "I'm here for a purpose." He walked off further into the cave.
"Jackson?" Leafeon asked him.
"From what I remember of the stories you told me of that other world, it would seem like Gengar was trying to destroy the world." Lyanne recalled, "Do you really have a reason to help him?"
Jackson looked to the girls, before looking to Gengar ahead, who stopped to look back at him. True, he was a rather big pain to them. He and the rest of his team tried to attack Team Blade one time before, but he did the most damage by spreading rumors and misunderstandings that caused them to be run out of town, before trying to control Groudon and destroy the world. However, he still remembered that when they were near death, he accidentally saved them. He wasn't sure what to believe about him, but he closed his eyes, thinking for a moment, before thinking back to Cypher and his hatred.
He opened his eyes again, looking to the girls and Weavile as he replied, "Let's go with him. The least we can do is hear him out. Besides, it's not like he's able to trap us or stop us anyway."
The girls looked to each other, then Leafeon sighed, "Jackson, you can be too kind at times, but I think it's still fair." The trainer returned Weavile to his ball, and the team followed Gengar down the path he was taking.
As they followed him, Jackson started, "So, just to let you know, we don't completely trust you just yet, especially since you practically toyed with everyone's lives in the other world. How did you get here, and what do you have planned?"
"Can't trust me, huh?" Gengar asked, looking to him, before saying, "Kekekeh. Fair point. Okay, I'll tell you. I was sent here thanks to Ninetails."
"Ninetails?" Leafeon asked, recalling the beautiful nine-tailed fox in the other world.
"I wanted to turn back to normal." Gengar explained, surprising the team, "Well, that, and something else. I wanted to bring back my old partner again. I wanted Gardevoir back." Jackson looked surprised, before looking a bit mournful. Gardevoir. The Pokémon that guided Jackson and Leafeon in their dreams through the world.
"You see, there's a legendary Pokémon hidden within this mountain that is said to have the power to grant you any wish you desire." Gengar explained, "It sleeps inside of a crystal cocoon, and finding it won't be easy."
"A sleeping Pokémon that can grant any wish?" Jackson asked, looking up at the ceiling, "Wonder what it is?"
"I think I know…" Lyanne answered, drawing their attention, "Among us, Pokémon, there is a Legendary Pokémon like that who can grant any wish. It's name is Jirachi."
"Jirachi?" Jackson asked, pulling up his Pokédex and tapping in the name. "Jirachi. The Wish Pokémon. It is said to have the ability to grant any wish for just one week every thousand years. Generations have believed that any wish written on a note on its head will come true when it awakens."
"Hold on. It only awakens for a week every thousand years?" Leafeon asked, hearing the explanation, "That's a pretty small window of time."
"True, but what if we end up meeting it when it is awake?" Jackson asked, looking ahead, "That could be an awesome discovery!"
"You really haven't changed from your starry-eyed demeanor to adventures, haven't you?" Gengar scoffed.
"And you haven't changed from being a total meanie, like your team called itself." Jackson retorted.
"Hey, I'm trying, okay?!" Gengar barked, turning to him, "I realized how stupid I was then. World domination? An impossible task! I know the Pokémon of that village hated me after putting the idea of you being the cursed human, but I'm trying to repent. I managed to redeem myself after helping a lot of Pokémon, and gained the forgiveness of most of the village. However, there was one Pokémon who has yet to forgive me."
"Let me guess; Ninetails?" Jackson asked.
The Gas Pokémon nodded and explained, "I met her, and asked that she help turn me back to normal, but she refused to do so. She said that first, I must help Gardevoir come back from the stars once more, and apologize to her before gaining any respect from me. So she sent me here to find this Jirachi, giving me this stone…" He pulled out a small stone, which contained an emblem that had nine wavy lines on it.
"A stone?" Leafeon asked.
"The 9-Tails Stone." Gengar explained, "She told me it should help free Gardevoir from the curse. I have to bring her back!"
"But, Gardevoir is dead, right?" Lyanne asked, "Is it really possible to bring someone back to life with a wish?"
"Gardevoir is not dead. She's a spirit who is among the stars." Jackson explained, "She's not alive, either, since she is cursed. As such, the only way to free her from her state is through the powers of someone powerful to break a curse. Let's hope Jirachi can do this."
Gengar looked to Jackson, seeing the serious look on his face, then turned away from him as they continued walking. Finally he asked, "How do you know this? How do you know Gardevoir?"
Jackson forgot he never mentioned Gardevoir to Gengar before. In fact, the only ones who knew of his connection was Leafeon and Squirtle. "Well…she was the one who guided me throughout my time in that world." he explained, "She helped guide me and Leafeon to Ninetails, and told me of why we were there in the first place. After we stopped the meteor, she just…vanished."
He looked down, recalling when he saw Gardevoir vanish, and how sad he was back then. Those feelings were coming back again inside of him. She deserved better than just returning to the stars after she helped him so much, and because she protected her trainer from being cursed.
"Jackson?" Lyanne asked, patting his shoulder.
He looked to her, then back at Gengar and Leafeon, who stopped to look at him. Slowly, he regained himself, but now saw purpose in finding Jirachi as well. "We have to give her a second chance in life." he declared, "She deserves that much for all she's done for us." With that, he continued onward, with Leafeon understanding and following after him.
"Geez, is he always this much of a goody two-shoe?" Gengar asked.
"I thought you said you wanted Gardevoir to come back to life, too?" Lyanne asked.
"I do. I just thought I was the only one who cared…" Gengar answered, and he wandered after the two, with Lyanne right behind him. He did recall the one time he used Dream Eater on Jackson and Leafeon, only to catch wind of Gardevoir protecting them, not to mention hearing what she had to say. She never forgotten him. She didn't truly hate him. However, that still made his guilt for leaving her behind to save his own skin a painful thing to swallow.
About an hour of wandering in the caves, Gengar was able to notice a small passageway that led downward, where they were noticing a small bit of lighting. Something far off was giving off a light in the cave.
"It's certainly not sunlight. It's near evening right now." Jackson noted, looking at his communicator for the time.
"And based on how we haven't seen any signs of movement or flickering, it's not a mobile Pokémon using Flash or something like that." Lyanne added.
The team saw the light getting brighter as they came closer to the source. Suddenly, the cave opened up, and they saw a breathtaking sight. Up above was the sunset sky, glowing through a small hole above. In front of them was a large, lavender crystal, formed like a water lily. The crystal was also shining brightly, hence how the team was able to see the light before.
"It's beautiful…" Lyanne stated as they drew towards it.
"How is it able to shine like that in this dark place?" Gengar asked.
"It must gather up the sunlight in the day time, generating a glow at night." Leafeon assumed, "It's like gathering up sunlight for a Solarbeam."
"Well, if there are two things I trust you about nature, it's the grass about us, and the sun in the sky." Jackson stated to Leafeon, looking at the crystal, "Still, I don't see any signs of a Pokémon here. I wonder if this place is undisturbed?"
Leafeon's ears perked, and she looked up. "Guys, look!" she cried, and everyone looked up. Coming through the hole was a small Pokémon, with a white body and a yellow structure on its' head, three points, with what looked like blue tags hanging on each point. It had long golden 'sleeves' on each arm, and a curved seam on its' belly.
Jackson was able to recognize the Pokémon based on the Pokédex before. "It's Jirachi!" Jackson noticed, the team gasping at the sight of it.
"Not very impressive for a Pokémon that grants wishes." Gengar scoffed.
"True, although great things come in small packages." Leafeon pointed out, "How do you think Jackson could beat you as a Torchic?" Gengar grumbled at what she pointed out.
Jirachi flew down to the group as it smiled. "Oh, wow! Visitors!" Jirachi exclaimed in a childish girl's voice, "I didn't expect to meet anyone this millennium!"
"We came here to meet you, Jirachi." Jackson stated, "Or rather, Gengar wanted to meet you."
Jirachi looked to Gengar as he approached the minuscule Pokémon. "So? So? Why'd you want to see me?" she asked, eagerly.
"Well…I was told you could grant wishes." Gengar started, "I came here to ask of one."
"Is that so?" Jirachi questioned curiously, then she giddily asked, "Well, what kind of wish do want?"
"I have a friend. Her name is Gardevoir." Gengar explained, "She's been cursed, and I want to lift her from it. If you can do it, then lift it, would ya?"
"Hmm…wishing for a curse to be lifted, huh?" Jirachi questioned, "Well, that is a disappointment. My powers can't be that strong. At least, not without some sort of special power to add to it."
"Oh, right!" Gengar realized, and he pulled out the 9-Tails Stone, "Ninetails gave me this. Told me it could help lift the curse."
"Oh!" the Wish Pokémon gasped, examining the stone, "This stone contains great power. It should help me grant your wish!"
Gengar grinned as he raised the stone to Jirachi. She was about to take it when a sudden blast of wind knocked it out of Gengar's hands, and the group braced themselves against it.
"What?!" Jackson gasped, seeing where the wind came from. There was a black, extremely eerie portal that was starting to open up on them, and out came a new Pokémon. It had a ghost-like appearance, with white, wispy hair and a black body that looked like a ragged cloak, with claws for hands. It had a red, spiky 'collar' around it, and penetrating blue eyes. When it came out of the portal, it produced needle-like legs from underneath its' cloak.
"The only curse that shall be lifted is from me and my associates." the Pokémon hissed, "The one Arceus placed on us long ago."
"Who is that?" Jackson wondered, backing away from the Pokémon, "I feel…sick from the darkness he's emanating."
"That's Darkrai!" Lyanne exclaimed, fearing the Pokémon, "The Pokémon is dangerous. It has the power to create unending nightmares upon people and Pokémon!"
"Well, it's good to know I am not forgotten…" Darkrai stated, floating towards the group, "Then again, you are quite knowledgeable…for the legendary Pokémon disguised as a human, Latias." She shivered, realizing how easily he figured it out.
"Stay back!" Jackson ordered the team, protecting the group of Pokémon, "I'm not afraid to take you on!"
"Well, this is rather interesting…" Darkrai stated, seeing the Pokémon trainer in front of him, "A human who does not fear nightmares. Then again, I can feel you have nightmares that you are trying to run away from, is that true?" Jackson gritted his teeth, not wanting to acknowledge that he was right.
"But as I was saying…" the Pokémon continued, turning to Jirachi and Gengar, who were both terrified, "You will free us from the curse that Arceus placed upon us. Do so, and I will spare you today."
Gengar stepped back a few steps, looking at the stone he dropped. He shivered as he looked down at it, seeing the design. This was almost like before; a moment where he could run an forget about Gardevoir once more. A moment where he could just abandon everything and leave. He took the stone, looking at it.
"I see…this is not the first time you are acting out on fear…" Darkrai stated, noticing Gengar, "I can see your feared past. You feared the curse that your beloved Pokémon took for you. You chose to run rather than help, and as such, you became a Pokémon of calamity. A bother to everyone. But, if you want, I can take that all away from you."
"Wh-wh-what?!" Gengar gasped, looking at Darkrai. "Yes. You are a cursed human, as well." the evil Pokémon stated, "If you give me that stone, I can break the curse on you. And what's more, I can give you what you wanted before; world domination. The power to crush your enemies in a blink of an eye. The power to take over any land, just like that. What would you need friends for? What would you need to be redeemed or forgiven for? You don't need to run. You can make others run from you!"
He raised out a clawed hand to Gengar, who didn't move at all. It was a tempting offer. A really, REALLY tempting offer. He could be feared. He could be the powerful one. He could become better than anyone else. No need to be cowardly. No need to be forgiven for anything. He could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, however he wanted. He wanted to take that offer.
"You know that's not what Gardevoir would want." Jackson muttered, drawing the Gas Pokémon's attention, "You may think Gardevoir hated you for abandoning her, and there might be a bit of that in her. However, in my dream, when you were her trainer, she told me this; 'He was my irreplaceable friend, and that I believed we would meet again.' Even after all you did, she kept thinking about you, and still wanted to see you again!"
Gengar was wide-eyed at these words. Gardevoir wanted to see him, a guy as selfish and cowardly as he was, again? A human, now Pokémon, who lived for so many years, doing everything for himself, and no one else? She cared for Gengar that much, despite her state. Her words touched his heart.
"Dark Pulse!" Darkrai unleashed a stream of black rings at Jackson, Leafeon and Lyanne, sending them flying in agony. "Who cares about the friendship of one lousy Pokémon?!" Darkrai questioned, "She was foolish enough to take the curse! It's her fault she ended up in her state! There's no need for you to have a fool like that as a friend!"
"Gardevoir…is not a fool!" Gengar barked, glaring at Darkrai, "She's…she's my dearest Pokémon! How dare you call her that!" He tossed the stone upwards and shouted, "Double-Edge!" He glowed as he slammed into Darkrai, making him skid backwards with a grunt, but not causing much damage to him.
"The only fool around here was me for running away from her so long ago, and forgetting all about her!" Gengar barked, "But I won't run. I want to pay back for her kindness! I want to free her from what she saved me from! I want to be forgiven by her, and I can't do that if I'm moved by selfish desires! I don't want anything you are giving me!"
"Well, you are right about one thing…" Darkrai hissed, glaring at Gengar, "You are a fool, indeed. A fool who will forever live in the nightmares of his past!" He glowed a dark aura as he roared, "Dark Void!" He unleashed a powerful wave of dark energy at Gengar, who was too terrified to move.
"Sunny Day!" Leafeon shouted, unleashing a burst of energy that shined into the hole in the wall, which brought in sunlight that filled the room. She charged in, getting in the way of the Dark Void hitting Gengar, taking it full on.
"Leafy!" Gengar gasped, but saw that she merely shook off the attack. "Thanks to my Leaf Guard, nightmares aren't something I need to worry about." she stated with a grin.
Jackson stepped right next to Gengar's other side, and Lyanne, now Latias, floated right above him. Suddenly, Jackson's other Pokémon, Quilava, Dewott, Weavile and Scizor, suddenly appeared around the group, ready to fight the evil Pokémon. Gengar was just stunned at all the support he was being given.
"It's time you head back to that void, Darkrai!" Jackson barked, "I don't know why you are cursed in the first place, but you won't be freed from it anytime soon!" He drew his sword, and readied it in his hands.
"You…I won't let you have this victory!" he roared, "Dark Pulse!" he unleashed a blast of dark energy at the group, gathering all the power he had to do it.
"Now!" Jackson roared, and he unleashed a Sword Beam from his blade. Leafeon used Solarbeam. Weavile used Icy Wind. Dewott used Water Pulse. Quilava used Flamethrower. Scizor used Razor Wind. Latias used Mist Ball. Gengar used Shadow Ball. All attacks converged into one powerful stream of energy, taking the Dark Pulse, and blasting Darkrai head-on. He roared as he was blasted right back into his portal again.
"Someday, you will come to regret your choice!" he roared, "I will make sure the next time we meet, it will be your nightmare!" And with that, the portal closed up, and he vanished, just as the sunlight died down on them.
Moments later, after they all recuperated, Gengar handed the stone over to Jirachi, who took it. "Please, bring back Gardevoir." he asked, "Free her from the curse!"
Jirachi smiled and nodded. She closed her eyes and held the stone above her. She glowed as the slit on her stomach opened up, revealing a third eye on her. The team looked in amazement as she glowed brighter, and unleashed a burst of light into the heavens above. "With the kindness you have shown me in your heart, removing this curse from your friend should be easy." the Wish Pokémon muttered in her concentration, and she glowed so brightly, everyone was blinded by it.
After a few seconds, the light died down, and they all looked up to see Jirachi there, and Gardevoir suddenly appearing in front of her, floating down towards the group.
"G-Gardevoir!" Gengar and Jackson exclaimed, rushing over to her as she landed onto the ground, and gently fell to one side, unconscious.
"Is…she gonna be okay?" Leafeon asked as Jirachi lowered herself down towards them.
"She should. However, her memories are incredibly damaged." Jirachi stated, getting startled looks from the team, "To tell you the truth, even with the stone, I wasn't sure I would be able to free her from her curse. But when you gained the resolve and kindness in your heart, I was able unlock the curse, and free her from it."
"Then, she's finally returned?" Gengar asked, hopefully.
"Yes. Though, as I said, her memory is damaged." Jirachi warned him, "Meaning her past life, when she was your Pokémon…she won't remember them."
The crew looked to Gengar, worried about how he would react. He had gone through all this trouble to bring her back, only for her to forget everything about him. "…It's fine…" he muttered, "…She's back…that's all that matters."
"Now, if you must excuse me, I need to sleep." Jirachi informed the group, floating to the flower-shaped crystal, "Removing that curse was very taxing, and it is the seventh day since I woke up. Now, I must return to my slumber."
"We really appreciate everything you have done for us." Jackson thanked the Pokémon.
"Yeah. We hope you have pleasant dreams!" Lyanne added.
"After seeing the kindness and the bravery you've displayed, I truly will have great dreams." Jirachi answered. She then closed her eyes as the sleeves on her arms wrapped around her, making her like a baby wrapped in cloth. She then glowed as she formed a crystalline shell around her body, the same color as the crystal flower. The shell then fell on top of the crystal, nesting itself in a crevice, where it remained still and silent.
Suddenly, there was some groaning, and the four turned to see Gardevoir waking up on them. Gengar was about to reach out to help her, but Jackson's instincts kicked in quicker, and he went in to help her up.
"Hey, are you okay?" Jackson asked the Embrace Pokémon.
She looked up at Jackson, seeing his smile on his face. She then looked about at the group surrounding her. "Who…who are all of you?" she muttered, looking at them, "Last thing I remember…I was in the stars."
"You were cursed for a long time." Gengar explained, "But now, you're freed from it."
"Yeah, thanks to Gengar." Leafeon added, "He was the one who saved you."
"Really?" Gardevoir asked, turning to the Gas Pokémon, "Thank you. I don't even know who you are, but thank you."
Gengar's grin faltered at the words of her forgetting who he was, but he held it firm as he stated, "Keh! It was no problem! Just wanted to help you out, that's all."
He turned around and started to walk away when Gardevoir asked, "Wait!"
He stopped at this and asked, "What is it now?"
"I…I want to know your name." she asked, "What is it?" Gengar paused, as the trio looked at him. Leafeon and Jackson never even knew his real name. Was he about to say it?
"Didn't Leafy there just say it? It's Gengar." he answered, turning to her, "It's nice to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you as well!" Gardevoir beamed, "My name is Gardevoir. I want to thank you in some way for freeing me from that curse."
Gengar paused for a second again, thinking about it. Finally, he answered, "Hey, Jackie…no, Jackson." The addressed trainer was surprised he addressed his real name. "Listen to me. You wanna give Gardevoir a second chance in life? Then let her be a part of your team."
"You serious?" Jackson asked, "You want me to have Gardevoir?"
"What? She ain't good enough for you?" Gengar asked in a warning voice.
"N-No! I was just surprised, all thing's considered…" Jackson answered, ending with a bit of a saddened tone. Gardevoir was curious about the situation.
"She's a sweet Pokémon. And powerful, too." Gengar explained, "Although, she has a knack for jumping out to help out her trainer. Don't let her get cursed or anything, alright? If you do, I will come back and put you in your place."
Jackson paused for a moment, looking at Gengar. He then noticed that there were teardrops coming from where Gengar was at. He was crying.
"Swear to me you will keep Gardevoir safe!" Gengar demanded, holding back the sobs.
Jackson smiled as he answered, "You can count on it, Gengar. She will be in safe hands, and will be a valuable member of my team." Leafeon and Lyanne nodded in agreement. Gengar wiped away his tears as he understood this.
The swordsman trainer turned to Gardevoir, who was still confused at all of this. "Listen, Gardevoir. I know a lot of your past is pretty much gone." he started, "But…If you join my team, I'll make sure you piece your memory back. Plus, I know you will benefit as a fighter in my team as well."
Gardevoir looked to Jackson, then at Gengar, who still had his back turned to the group. She then looked at Jackson again, who pulled out a Pokéball, readying it for her. "So what do you say?" he asked her.
The Psychic/Fairy-type paused for a moment, then she smiled as she answered, "I would love to. For some reason, I feel very comfortable around you. I hope to be a great member of your team." She placed a hand on the Pokéball, and it opened up, sucking her in. It wobbled a few times, then it clicked, signaling the capture.
"Well, you got your sixth Pokémon!" Lyanne stated, smiling at him. "And another female, too." Leafeon sighed in relief. "I swear, dealing with the boys all the time is too much. I need another girl to talk to."
Jackson chuckled at this, then turned to speak to Gengar. He was surprised when he noticed Gengar had vanished. "Gengar?" he asked, looking about. No one responded. He was gone.
Mahogany Town
Jackson and his team returned to the Pokémon Center, giving Gardevoir a checkup to make sure she was in good condition, while giving Leafeon and Weavile a bit of recovery, as well. Lyanne and Jackson stood in the lobby, waiting for his Pokémon to recover, thinking about what happened.
"You finally got your sixth Pokémon." Lyanne told Jackson, smiling at him, "And since it is someone close, and a powerful Pokémon like Gardevoir, you should be set for tougher battles ahead."
"Agreed." Jackson replied, pulling out his Pokédex to look at Gardevoir's information. "Gardevoir. The Embrace Pokémon, and the evolved form of Kirlia. Gardevoir has the ability to read the future. If it senses impending danger to its Trainer, this Pokémon is said to unleash its psychokinetic energy at full power."
"The moves Gardevoir know are Teleport, Psychic, Magical Leaf, and Moonblast." Jackson read Gardevoir's moveset.
"Quite a powerful set of moves." Lyanne stated.
Jackson put his dex away, and looked at the ceiling, thinking. "Gengar is willing to give up his beloved partner in order for her to be with me. I guess he still feels guilty for what he did, and is trying to repent."
"Do you think we'll see him again?" Lyanne asked.
"Maybe. Who knows?" he answered, "But one other Pokémon concerns me. That Darkrai. I feel like I saw it once before."
"You did?" the disguised Pokémon asked, "Where?"
"Hmm..." Jackson thought for a second. He wondered about where he had seen the creepy Pokémon, before recalling the last time he got that sickening feeling. It was back during the future vision he saw with Celebi.
"I think...it's going to be part of my future." Jackson replied, getting a confused expression from Lyanne, "It might be one of the Dark Legendaries I heard from Suicune, Raikou, and Entei before."
"I can believe that." Lyanne agreed, "A Pokémon of nightmares? There's no doubt it qualifies."
"Well, I just hope I don't see it anytime soon." Jackson replied, "It took a blast from all of my teammates, and all it did was push it back into the portal. It's powerful. Really powerful. We need to improve ourselves before facing an enemy like that again.
"Agreed. We all have to get stronger." Lyanne agreed. The two sat together in silence, thinking about the experience that they had, and what that might mean for them in the future.
Goldenrod City
At the radio tower in the large city, the front desk girl was talking to two familiar characters; Ethan and Kris. "Sorry. Your IDs don't match our numbers." she apologized to them.
"Ah, dang it!" Ethan grumbled, "I thought for sure the numbers would match up today!"
"Oh, well. We can try again tomorrow, right?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I guess we can." Ethan sighed, looking to her, "Let's go shopping for supplies in the meantime."
"Good idea." Kris answered, "I am low on potions, and-."
Just then, the sliding doors to the radio tower broke open, startling everyone there. They turned to see someone run through the smoke of the damage. When they revealed themselves, it turned out to be the three Executives of Team Rocket; Proton, Petrel, and Ariana, with Team Rocket grunts on the sides.
"Attention, you half-wit citizens!" Petrel called out, "This tower is now in possession of this Radio Tower!"
"Do us a favor, and lay down your Pokémon to us, and no one gets hurt." Proton followed up.
"Any resistance will be responded with painful results." Ariana finished.
"Team Rocket?!" Kris gasped as she and Ethan glared at them.
"Not if we have any say in the matter!" Ethan called out as the people started panicking and running, before tossing out a ball each, revealing a pair of Pokémon that looked like they should be the evolved forms of their Croconaw and Quilava.
"Oh, you will submit to us." said a voice behind the Executives, startling the pair. A male figure appeared with a male equivalent uniform like Ariana appeared, with short teal hair and a smug look to his expression. Behind him was a pair of grunts carrying some sort of machines in their hands. "Or else you will be responsible for losing control of the Pokémon you consider your partners." Ethan and Kris gritted their teeth while their Pokémon readied themselves, as the grunts started to power up the machines they had.