Episode 139: From Ghost to Ghost
A couple of days have passed since meeting Will, Sora, Kairi, Karen, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, Blossom, Togepi, and the Pichu are making their way towards Ecruteak City. Sora decided to do some training for it and at the same time, kept his eyes opened for Team Rocket, the Heartless, Nobodies, and Trickster's monsters.
"Quiet so far," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"No Team Rocket, no Heartless, No Nobodies, and Trickster and his monsters," Tracey said.
"Not yet anyway," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Pichu," the two Pichu said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"And no signs of Tom either," Karen said.
"Pika," Blossom said.
"I'm starting to think the trial's getting cold," Karen said.
"Maybe, but we shouldn't call it quits yet. I'm sure he'll show up," Kairi said.
"Kairi's right. We'll find him. And when we do, you can shower him with kisses, and I don't mean the chocolates," Sora teased, getting a rise out of her.
"HOW MANY DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT IT'S NOT LIKE THAT?!" Karen yelled, making Sora laugh. Karen puffed her cheeks. "I know he's getting me back for me teasing him. I just know it."
"Okay, okay, no more teasing your sister. We should get going before we run into any trouble," Kairi said.
"She's right, Sora. I don't want to bump into any Heartless or anyone from Organization XIII to find us," Tracey said.
"Right," Sora agreed. "Let's go."
"Chu," Pikachu said.
With that said, they continued on their way towards Ecruteak City. A few hours passed, and they finally made it.
"Ecruteak City. We've made it," Kairi said.
"This city has its share of history," Tracey said.
"What do you mean, Tracey?" Karen asked.
"Ecruteak City was once home to two legendary Pokémon, Ho-Oh and Lugia. Lugia made its home in the Brass Tower until it was burned down. And there's the Bell Tower where Ho-Oh once lived," Tracey said.
"You weren't kidding when you said it has its share of history, Tracey," Kairi said.
"It was one of the subjects in my history class," Tracey said. He flinched when he saw a small shadow moving. "Guys." Sora, Kairi, Karen, and the Pokémon turned around and saw the moving shadow. Sora and Kairi have seen this before. It must be luring them into a trap, but Sora and Kairi couldn't leave it alone, because doing so would only let the Heartless attack some people.
"We follow it and see where it goes," Sora said.
Right," Kairi, Karen, and Tracey agreed as Pikachu, Blossom, and Angel nodded. They followed the moving shadow to the ruins of the Brass Tower.
"It's heading in the burned tower," Karen said.
"Kairi and I will take care of it if turns out to be a Heartless. Meanwhile, you guys wait here," Sora said.
"Sure thing," Karen said.
"Pika," Blossom said.
"We know you two can handle them," Tracey said.
"Just be careful in there," Karen said. Kairi hands Togepi to Karen, not wanting him to be attacked by the Heartless, so they stepped inside the ruins of the Brass Tower. The couple looked around and they didn't see any signs of the Heartless.
"Where did it go?" Sora asked.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"That shadow was heading for this place. It's gotta be around here somew-" Kairi was cut off when a Shadow appeared in front of her. "Found it!"
Several Shadows appeared all around them, so they summoned their Keyblades and held them tight. The Shadows leapt at the couple, but Pikachu fired a Thunderbolt and destroyed some of them. But more kept coming. Along with the Shadows are Darkballs, Neoshadows, Bit Snipers, and Flutterwings. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel fought the Heartless coming at them. They kept on fighting the Heartless until the last of them were beaten.
"That's the last of them," Sora said, dismissing his Keyblades. Kairi dismissed hers as well.
"Everything should be okay now," Kairi said.
"Those things were weak when you were fighting them," a familiar voice spoke. They turned to see Silver. He was watching them fight the Heartless.
"Silver!" Sora and Kairi exclaimed.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Vee!" Angel said.
"They were such weaklings. I would have them taken out and I didn't need those key things to do it," Silver said.
"What do you want, Silver?" Sora asked.
"Like you had to ask. I'm looking for Pokémon that can actually win every battle; one that cannot be beaten. And you two are in the way!" Silver said.
"Is winning every battle really that important to you?" Sora asked.
"It is. And I'm going to win against you!" Silver said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Feraligatr! Go!" His Pokéball opened and his Feraligatr emerged from inside.
"Feraligatr!" Silver's Feraligatr roared. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned Silver's Pokémon.
Feraligatr, the Big Jaw Pokémon
The evolved form of Croconaw
Type: Water
Feraligatr intimidates its foes by opening its huge mouth. In battle, it will kick the ground hard with its thick and powerful hind legs to charge at the foe at an incredible speed.
"Silver's Croconaw must have evolved since the last time," Sora said, putting his Pokédex away.
"Now that you got your lesson on Feraligatr, let's get it over with," Silver rudely said. Sora turned to Pikachu.
"You still ready to go, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"Thought so," Sora said. Sora figured even fighting the Heartless couldn't keep Pikachu away.
"I was hoping you were going to send out Pikachu. That yellow rat of yours left a bad taste in my mouth, and it's time for revenge!" Silver stated. "Feraligatr! Use Ice Punch!" Feraligatr came at Pikachu with an icy punch ready to go.
"Dodge it, Pikachu!" Sora called out. Pikachu dodged Feraligatr's attack. "Use Electro Ball!" Pikachu forms a ball of electricity and sends it at the Big Jaw Pokémon.
"Ice Punch to block!" Silver ordered. Feraligatr uses Ice Punch on Pikachu's Electro Ball, making Electro Ball burst like a pinata. "Use Crunch!" Feraligatr came at the Mouse Pokémon with his jaws opening.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Pikachu manages to dodge, but Feraligatr gave Pikachu a smack with his tail, finally landing a hit. "Use Liquidation!" Feraligatr's claws emits water and came at Pikachu and lands a slashing hit onto Pikachu. "Liquidation again!" Feraligatr came at Pikachu with his claws emitting water again.
"Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt at the large crocodilian Pokémon, dealing some heavy damage. Feraligatr was now taken down for the count. Silver growled.
"Lost to this spiky-haired loser again?!" Silver growled in anger.
"You lost because you were too focused on winning and you left yourself opened!" Sora said.
"You should be thinking about your own Pokémon's welfare, not winning all the time! That is something even you should know!" Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Shut up, shut up! I will not be lectured by losers like you!" Silver yelled. Suddenly, the floor beneath the couple felt light.
"Uh-oh," Sora said. They fell in the hole and screamed. He looked down in the hole.
"Serves you losers right," Silver said.
The couple fell to the ground beneath them. They ended up in the old basement of the Brass Tower.
"Ow! That was an expected fall," Kairi said.
"You okay, Kairi?" Sora asked with concern.
"I'm okay, Sora. How about you?" Kairi asked.
"I'm okay. Just glad you weren't hurt too bad," Sora said. He saw three figures looking at them. "Hey, don't look now, but I think we're being watched." Kairi quickly turned and she saw it was Entei, Raikou, and Suicune looking at them. Entei and Raikou ran right out first as Suicune stared at them. Suicune then followed Entei and Raikou.
"Raikou, Entei, and Suicune," Kairi said.
"They just ran right out," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
Just then, Tracey, Karen, Togepi, Blossom, and the Pichu came down. One of them is a tall young man with golden-yellow hair and dark peridot eyes. He wears a purple bandana. He has a purple scarf with red ends and a round-like symbol. He also has a long-sleeved striped black shirt, a pair of purple double bracelets around his arms, some white jeans and a pair of black and purple sneakers with red soles.
The other is a tall man with green eyes and brown hair. His hair is combed back with one lock sticking out. He wears a short white cape, a large red ribbon on his neck, a purple suit with four violet rectangles on his chest and white sleeves with red spheres, a white shirt, a pair of white gloves and white shoes with brown soles.
"Are you two alright?" The first young man asked.
"Yeah, we're fine. We could go without the fall we had," Sora said.
"You two were taking a long time, so we thought something was wrong," Tracey said.
"So, we got worried and we were about to find you and that's when these guys came," Karen said.
"Pikachu," Blossom said.
"We saw the shadow move in here and we took care of them," Kairi said. Karen and Tracey knew there always is more than one.
"Tell me. Were they the Heartless?" The first young man asked. Sora and Kairi looked at him.
"How do you know about them?" Sora asked.
"We were told about them from someone named Teol when we were younger," the first young man said.
"And they're a real nuisance to deal with," the second young man said.
"Yeah, they were," Sora said.
"So, we had to deal with them," Kairi said.
"How do you know Teol?" Sora asked.
"So, you've met him. He must put a lot of trust in the two of you. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Morty," the first young man introduced himself.
"And my name is Eusine," the second young man introduced.
"I'm Sora and this Pikachu is my partner," Sora introduced himself and his partner.
"And I'm Kairi and this Eevee is Angel," Kairi introduced herself and her partner.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"My name Karen. I'm Sora's sister. Also, this Pikachu is Blossom," Karen introduced.
"Pikachu," Blossom said.
"And I'm Tracey," Tracey introduced himself.
"Pichu," the Spiky-eared Pichu said.
"Pichu," the Shiny Pichu said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
The group explained to Morty and Eusine about their involvement with the Heartless and shared about the Nobodies and Organization XIII.
"I see," Morty said. "The Nobodies have emerged at last."
"Do you know anything about the Nobodies?" Sora asked. "We already know about when a strong-hearted person turns into a Heartless, a Nobody is created, too."
"Not much, but I can share with I know. The Nobodies don't really exist at all. The Heartless can attack out of instinct like wild animals, but Nobodies can think and plan. I never expected them to keep their human forms," Morty said.
"It's good to know someone is doing something about it," Eusine said.
"Nobodies don't exist," Sora said in his thoughts.
Kairi looked at the murals on the walls. They all have the images of Lugia and the three legendary bird Pokémon, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres on one. The other is of Ho-Oh along with three unidentified Pokémon, but it was hard to see what they were due to the burns. Both were in their respective towers.
"Are these three Pokémon on that mural?" Kairi asked.
"Yes," Morty answered. "Seven hundred years ago, the Brass Tower was home to Lugia while the Bell Tower was home to Ho-Oh. Both of these Pokémon lived in the two towers happily, but one day, the Brass Tower was struck by lightning, creating flames that engulfed the tower for three days. A sudden downpour finally put out the blaze, but it had already burned to the ground. Three nameless Pokémon perished in the fire, but Ho-Oh descended from the sky and resurrected them. The Pokémon are said to embody three powers: the lightning that struck the tower, the fire that burned it, and the rain that extinguished the fire. When the Pokémon appeared, they struck terror in those who saw their rise," Morty said.
"Three Pokémon died in the flames," Sora said.
"And then Ho-Oh revived them," Kairi said.
"Lugia then flew away into the ocean to live while Ho-Oh flew up into the sky. Legend says that Ho-Oh flies all throughout the skies to search for Trainers who are pure of heart," Morty said. Sora remembered the Rainbow Wing and took it out. He saw the Rainbow Wing. "Where did you get this?"
"Kairi and I got it from Ho-Oh when it flew over us," Sora said.
"It's true. It flew over our heads, leaving behind a beautiful rainbow," Kairi said.
"Is that right?! Where did you see it?" Eusine asked.
"We saw Ho-Oh not too far from Viridian City," Kairi said.
"It would seem that Ho-Oh saw that you two are pure of heart. Ho-Oh would never settle just with anyone," Morty said.
Tracey was amazed by this bit of information about Sora and Kairi. He knew they were pretty special with their Keyblades, but this was something else.
Everyone stepped out of the Brass Tower and decides to head for the Pokémon Center.
"Pikachu could use some healing up before we head for the Ecruteak City Gym," Sora said.
"Did you say you're going to the Ecruteak City Gym?" Morty asked.
"Yeah. We came here that I would have a Gym battle with the Gym Leader since I heard he uses Ghost-type Pokémon," Sora said.
"I see. Then I accept your challenge," Morty said. Sora was stunned to hear Morty say he accepts Sora's challenge.
"Wait, what?" Sora asked.
"I happen to be the Gym Leader, Sora. I'll be at the gym waiting for your arrival," Morty said. He takes his leave along with Eusine. Sora was surprised to hear that Morty is a Gym Leader, but he had to get ready for it all the same.
After checking in Pikachu to be healed, Sora did some training with Murkrow, Houndour, and Umbreon for the Gym battle.
"You're doing great, guys! Keep it up!" Sora said. Houndour leapt onto Sora and gave him several licks on the face. He laughed. "Houndour, stop! That tickles!" He laughed some more.
After Pikachu was a hundred percent healed, Sora, Kairi, Karen, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, Blossom, Togepi, and the Pichu arrived to the Ecruteak City Gym at last. It looked like a Gym that caters to Ghost-type Pokémon.
"Here it is. The Ecruteak City Gym," Tracey said.
"Well, we came all this way, and we might as well go in," Sora said. They entered inside and saw Morty standing inside.
"Sora, I'm glad you came. I trust you got some training done," Morty said.
"Yes, I did. I'm ready to start whenever you are," Sora said.
"Of course," Morty said.
Both Trainers got into position for their battle as the referee announces the battle.
"The battle between the Gym Leader Morty and the challenger Sora from Pallet Town is about to begin! Both Trainers will be using three Pokémon each! The battle will be over when all three of either Trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue battling! Furthermore, only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokémon at any time! There is no time limit! Begin!" The referee announced. Morty makes the first move. He took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Gastly!" Morty called out. His Pokéball opened and his Gastly emerged from inside. Sora took out his first Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Murkrow!" Sora called out. Murkrow emerged from inside.
"I see you have come prepared with a Dark-type Pokémon. An excellent strategy, but it will not be enough! Gastly! Use Night Shade!" Gastly fired Night Shade from its eyes.
"Murkrow! You use Night Shade, too!" Sora ordered. Murkrow fired his own Night Shade and it collides with Gastly's. It results in an explosion up in the ceiling. "Murkrow! Use Peck!" Murkrow flew at Gastly to peck at the Gas Pokémon.
"Gastly! Use Confuse Ray!" Morty ordered. Gastly sends out a blinding ray at the Darkness Pokémon, confusing him. Murkrow starts flying around in circles.
"Snap out of it, Murkrow!" Sora called out.
"This must be how Morty deals with Dark-type Pokémon. He must have his Pokémon use status moves like Confuse Ray," Tracey said.
"A good way to get around one's weakness," Karen said.
"Gastly! Use Shadow Ball!" Morty ordered. Gastly fires Shadow Ball and it hits Murkrow hard. Sora calls back Murkrow and he took out his Friend Ball.
"Go! Houndour!" Sora called out. Houndour came right out to battle against Gastly. "Gastly! Use Shadow Ball!" Gastly forms a ball of shadow and hurls it at the Dark Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Fire Fang!" Sora ordered. Houndour dodges Gastly's Fire Fang and heads right at Gastly, landing a burning bite. "Use Fire Fang again!" Houndour comes at Gastly with another Fire Fang, hitting Gastly on the mark, resulting in a knockout.
"Gastly is unable to battle! Houndour wins!" The referee announced. Morty calls back his fallen Gastly and smiled.
"Rest for now, Gastly. You battled enough," Morty said. "Very impressive, Sora. The way you battled is very impressive. But your next opponent is going to be more challenging." He took out his Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Haunter!" His Pokéball opened and Haunter emerged from inside.
"You still good to battle, Houndour?" Sora asked. Houndour nodded. "Okay, Hounour! Use Snarl!" Houndour releases multiple purple and black rings of energy from its mouth at Haunter.
"Dodge it!" Morty called out. Haunter dodges Houndour's Snarl. "Use Shadow Punch!" Haunter sends out a shadowy fist at Houndour and deals some damage.
"Houndour! Use Bite!" Sora ordered. Houndour heads for Haunter to land a bite, but Haunter dodges again. "Use Flamethrower!" Houndour fired Flamethrower at Haunter, finally landing a hit. "Use Snarl!" Houndour unleashed Snarl, hitting Haunter on the mark. "Use Bite!" Houndour comes at Haunter with another Bite.
"Use Shadow Punch!" Morty ordered. Haunter sends out another Shadow Punch and it lands another hit. "Use Night Shade!" Haunter fires Night Shade at Houndour, dealing some additional damage.
"Use Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Houndour charges at Haunter and lands a hit and building up Houndour's speed.
"Use Night Shade!" Morty ordered. Haunter fires Night Shade at Houndour.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Houndour dodges Haunter's Night Shade.
"Impressive, but your Houndour cannot dodge this! Use Shadow Punch!" Morty ordered. Haunter sends out a Shadow Punch at Houndour.
"Use Snarl!" Sora ordered. Houndour unleashed Snarl, cutting Haunter's Shadow Punch to pieces. It also struck Haunter, resulting in a knockout.
"Haunter is unable to battle! Houndour wins!" The referee announced.
"Two down, one to go!" Karen said.
"Pikachu!" Blossom said.
"Maybe so, but it's not over yet. Morty might be saving a really strong Pokémon, so it's going to be extremely difficult for him even with Dark-type Pokémon," Tracey said.
"Tracey's right. Types alone aren't going to be enough and Sora knows that, too," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
Morty calls his Haunter back and he smiled again.
"Very impressive, Sora. You're a top-notch Pokémon Trainer and your Pokémon have well-trained. But I want to see if they're ready for my final Pokémon," Morty said, throwing his final Pokéball. "Go! Gengar!" His Pokéball opened and his Gengar emerged from inside.
"So, he had an evolution line ready for me. Houndour might have beaten both of Gastly and Haunter, but Gengar is way stronger than the both of them put together," Sora said in his thoughts.
"Gengar! Use Dark Pulse!" Morty ordered. Gengar unleashed a Dark Pulse right at Houndour.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Dark Pulse came too fast for Houndour to dodge and he was sent flying into the air. Houndour was taken down.
"Houndour is unable to battle! Gengar wins!" The referee announced.
"That didn't take long," Karen said.
"Houndour is good, but that Gengar is way more experienced in battle," Kairi said. Sora calls Houndour back.
"Get some rest, Houndour. You did your best out there," Sora said. He took out Murkrow's Pokéball and threw it. "Okay, Murkrow! Back to action!" His Pokéball opened and Murkrow emerged from inside. "Okay, Murkrow! Use Feint Attack!" Murkrow disappeared for a second and lands a hit onto Gengar, but it wasn't enough to bring it down.
"Use Mean Look!" Morty ordered. Gengar's eyes gave off a red glow and a red aura surrounds Murkrow.
"With Mean Look in play, I won't be able to switch until Gengar or Murkrow are down," Sora said. "Murkrow! Use Wing Attack!" Murkrow flew at Gengar.
"Use Dark Pulse!" Morty ordered. Gengar fired Dark Pulse and lands a hit onto Murkrow, crashing on the ground. Murkrow has been taken down.
"Murkrow is unable to battle! Gengar wins!" The referee announced.
"Now both Sora and Morty are down to one Pokémon each," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"It might go either way judging how this is going," Tracey said.
"Pichu," the Pichu both said.
Sora took out Umbreon's Pokéball and held it.
"Okay, it's all up to you," Sora said, throwing his Pokéball. "Go! Umbreon!" His Pokéball opened and Umbreon came on out to battle. "This is your first official Gym battle, but I know you're going to bring out your best."
"Gengar! Use Dark Pulse!" Morty ordered.
"Umbreon! Use Dark Pulse, too!" Sora ordered.
Both Pokémon fired their attacks and collides with each other. An explosion occurs between the both of them.
"Use Shadow Punch!" Morty ordered. Gengar lands a shadowy punch onto Umbreon. "Use Shadow Ball!" Gengar forms a ball of shadow and sends it at Umbreon.
"You use Shadow Ball, too!" Sora ordered. Umbreon fired Shadow Ball at Gengar's Shadow Ball and another explosion occurs. "Use Feint Attack!" Umbreon vanishes and reappeared and tackles into Gengar. Umbreon's body is surrounded by a dark aura.
"Not too bad, Sora. But you just triggered Gengar's Cursed Body ability. Now Umbreon cannot use Feint Attack," Morty said.
"Well, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Umbreon! Use Dark Pulse!" Sora ordered. Umbreon fired Dark Pulse at Gengar.
"Dodge it, Gengar!" Morty ordered. Gengar dodges from let to right. "Use Shadow Punch!" Gengar extends sends out a shadowy fist and lands a hit. "Shadow Punch again!" Gengar sends out another Shadow Punch, hitting Umbreon hard.
"I gotta think fast. If I don't, then Morty will take Umbreon out before I can mount a comeback," Sora said. He then remembered Gastly using Confuse Ray Murkrow, so he knew Umbreon can use that, too. "That's it. Umbreon! Confuse Ray!" Umbreon unleashed Confuse Ray, confusing Gengar, much to Morty's surprise.
"Gengar!" Morty exclaimed. The dark aura vanishes from Umbreon.
"Use Feint Attack!" Sora ordered. Umbreon dashes at Gengar and lands a successful hit. "Use Dark Pulse!" Umbreon unleashes Dark Pulse and lands a hit onto the Shadow Pokémon, dealing some heavy damage. Gengar stood back up but fell on its front, beaten.
"Gengar is unable to battle! Umbreon wins! The winner is the challenger!" The referee announced.
"Way to go, Sora!" Kairi praised her boyfriend.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Toge, Toge!" Togepi chirped.
"I knew you could do it, bro!" Karen said.
"Pikachu, Pika!" Blossom said.
Morty walked up to Sora with a smile.
"That was very impressive, Sora. You raised your Pokémon well. So, as proof of your victory here in the Ecruteak City I am proud to present you with the Fog Badge," Morty said, holding a badge that is shaped like a wispy ghost. Sora accepts the Gym Badge he won. "Four down, four to go."
Sora has won four Gym Badges in the Johto region, so he has half of what he needs. But what might happen next in the next chapter? Stay tuned if you want to find out.