Part XXXIV: The Boss of Lavender Town

As soon as Ash and Misty entered the Pokémon Tower the sound of rain outside suddenly cut out as the door slammed loudly behind them faster than Misty thought natural. The Tower was dimly lit by candles that burned low with an eerie flicker as if there was a wind in the room that despite the unnatural stillness of the air. It was dim, cold, and spooky, just as Misty expected it to be.

The entrance hall was large, old, wood paneled and filled with long shadows. Misty was instantly on edge in it and took Ash's arm for comfort once they had taken off their borrowed rain gear and left it by the entrance for when they left the Tower. With that done they walked deeper into the building taking into account the chandelier handing from the ceiling and the balcony that ran around the upper level of the entrance hall.

For his part Ash was completely calm with everything they were seeing in the Tower. This was an adventure; it was why he was a Pokémon trainer and he was eager to help the Pokémon causing problems for the town. His calmness was reassuring to Misty and eased her nerves as they headed towards a doorway that led into the rest of the Tower.

"It's certainly creepy." Misty said in a low voice looking around. "I can see why it is favored by ghost types though I would expect to see some."

"Most, or at least the ones from Kanto, can turn invisible so that is probably it." Ash explained. "Now where is the Pokémon that was abandoned? It has to be here somewhere."

"It's probably deeper in the tower." Misty said with nervousness. "Let's just find it and deal with it quickly but correctly. I am not sure how long I can stand this place; it feels off to me."

Ash just nodded understanding Misty's concerns as they headed into the rest of the Tower to explore. Neither noticed the red eyes and sinister, toothy, grin that emerged from Ash's shadow as he walked. The Pokémon who was waiting for his trainer to return for him had a new victim and he would scare this human into away just he had done with all other humans who had dared enter the Tower. He had to admit though, the male wasn't afraid of the Tower, he was confident and pure of heart, a worthy advisory when the time came.

Ash and Misty didn't notice any of this as they walked carefully through the many rooms and flowers of the Tower noting how it was deserted of all life, human or Pokémon. There were a few cleanse tags lying around, the occasional makeshift shrine, and hand written prayers to long lost Pokémon on the walls but that was it. It was certainly spooky and Misty was getting more nervous and scared with every passing moment, the warmth and support of Ash wasn't going to be enough to calm her down.

Fortunately for Misty, there was more than the Pokémon hiding in Ash's shadow in the Tower that was watching them explore it. In fact there were many ghost types who were invisible in the tower but too scared of the boss ghost in Ash's shadow to come out. Ever since that powerful ghost type had been left here they had all watched it go malevolent and spiteful and stayed away from it and by extension the humans it scared away.

There was one exception to this. He was a happy little ghost Pokémon not native to the area. The others didn't know how he had gotten here but he was always good fun and when they could they played with him in the play room. Even the boss left him to his own devises, but with people present they couldn't do anything with him.

That didn't deter the fun-loving Pokémon. He had sensed people present and wanted to play with them as soon as he could. They were here for the boss, that was the only reason why humans came nowadays, but he could have his fun as well. Plus one of them, a female with a small, scared, unfamiliar blue Pokémon on her head was clearly uncomfortable and it upset him to see her like that. She was clearly a kind hearted soul and he wanted to see her smile while having fun. He would do just that for her.

As Ash and Misty climbed up what they hoped was the last set of stairs and reached the next level they continued their exploration still finding nothing. It was on this level, as they were walking down a corridor that, as with all the other ones, was lit by flickering candles when a figure floated out of a nearby room slowly. If it wasn't traveling slowly with wide eyes filled with childish joy and a happy smile it would have scared them but it was clearly trying not to do that.

As it slowly, cautiously approached them Misty took a moment to study it. It was small, blue and floating at their eye level. It had a head with what looked like a horn and odd eyes that were yellow, dark blue and light blue in a sideways teardrop patter. It didn't have a body but what looked like a floating skirt that moved in a circular motion as it floated as if it was what was keeping the Pokémon aloft.

Misty had never seen a Pokémon like it before, she was sure she would remember seeing a Pokémon that looked like a sheet over a head. Whatever it was, it wasn't threatening and looked happy to see them. For some reason Misty felt reassured seeing a Pokémon looking so happy to be here. Pulling out her Pokedex, Misty scanned it.

"Shuppet, the Puppet Pokémon." The Pokedex chimed happily. "It loves vengeful emotions and hangs in rows under the eaves of houses where vengeful people live."

"But we're not vengeful people so why is it happy to see us?" Misty asked confused as the Pokémon flew happily at them and started chatting and trying to play with Piplup while cheering him up as he was feeling scared in the Tower. "What's it doing here?"

"I don't know." Ash said just as confused by the sudden appearance of a Shuppet. "Though the entry is a little off I think, those things can get dated when a Pokémon isn't studied deeply so that's probably it. I met one once in Hoenn and it was like this one, really happy and just wanted to play with Max so I don't know."

"Do you think this is the Pokémon that Nurse Joy told us about?" Misty asked. "You know, the one that that blond guy abandoned here."

"No Shuppet isn't strong enough to cause problems and this one doesn't seem like one that has been abandoned and taking it out on those who enter the Tower." Ash said shaking his head. "If it was a Banette, its evolved form, then that would be a possibility but as is I doubt it. I think it just want to play and cheer you and Piplup up."

"Shuppet." Shuppet said with a nod as it floated down to the ground and Piplup jumped off to play with it feeling better after being told he had nothing to fear, the scariness was only for the humans. "Shup, Shuppet."

"It is cute." Misty said smiling at is as she got down and gently offering it her hand before petting it when it came to nuzzle her hand. "I am glad that its happy, it makes me feel better for some reason knowing that at least one of the Pokémon here are enjoying it."

"Well perhaps it can help us out." Ash said thinking. "It seems to be immune to whatever is causing an issue here. It may be able to tell us find the Pokémon in question, that might even be the reason why it showed itself in the first place. I think it wants to both cheer you up and help the Pokémon out."

"You think?" Misty asked and Ash nodded.

"I do but I could be wrong." Ash said before turning to Shuppet. "Shuppet, can you show me where the Pokémon causing all the problems here is? No one has ever seen it but I doubt anyone has asked for help finding it. Please, I want to help it. I know what happened to it and I want to show it that not all humans are like the trainer that left it here."

"Shuppet." Shuppet said with another nod as it floated up and away from Misty and Piplup towards Ash. "Shup, Shuppet."

Shuppet could tell that these humans where good and noble of heart from the moment they had arrived, it was why he had been drawn to them he realized. The girl was scared but that was normal and she was really pretty when she smiled, Shuppet felt the kindness of her heart and liked it.

As for her mate, he could tell that from the pheromones she was giving off, he was clearly a strong trainer who cared for his Pokémon as well was Pokémon that weren't his. The Pikachu by his side was clear proof of that. Perhaps he could be the one to help out the Pokémon causing problems here. Shuppet felt that only a trainer with a kind heart could do that.

That Pokémon was bitter and angry, it needed a kind heart to show it that humans are good as well as bad. Shuppet would reveal it and let the male deal with it while he played with the girl and her Piplup who was already feeling better because of Shuppet.

"Shuppet." Shuppet said again as he floated behind Ash and pointed his horn at his shadow. "Shuppet."

Ash looked down to his shadow and suddenly saw a pair of glowing red eyes and a wide, malicious, very white smile and sighed. Misty screamed at the sight and fell over from her crouched position, Shuppet flying to comfort her while the Piplup just feinted at the sight. Ash knew before it started to form out of his shadow what Pokémon was in charge here. He really should have known it would be this Pokémon. It was the most likely one after all.

As soon as it was outed the Pokémon formed its physical shape as it raised itself out of Ash's shadow to float a few feet off the ground in the middle of the hallway. It was a round looking Pokémon with two spikey ears, spikes between its ears and on its back, stubby arms and legs and a short tail. Its red eyes were narrowed and its toothy grin wide as it locked gazes with Ash. The only thing off about it was that it was a lighter shade of purple than Ash was used to seeing with this Pokémon. Usually they were dark purple, this one was more of a standard purple color but Ash had a feeling that it wasn't a shiny Pokémon for some reason.

"Hello Gengar, I should have known that here you would be the Pokémon causing problems here." Ash said as he tried to open his heart to it to show that he was a good human unlike its former trainer. "I am here to help you, not fight or hurt you. Please don't make me fight you."

"Gengar?" Misty asked from her seated position on the floor, her fear gone and confusion replacing it as she pulled out her pokedex to scan it. "I've seen it before, you and Buizel beat Fantina's if I recall. It is pretty powerful right?"

"Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon." The pokedex chimed. "Lurking in the shadowy corners of rooms, it awaits the chances to steal its prey's life force."

"Gengar." Gengar said as it formed a Shadow Ball attack in its hands and sent it at them without warning.

"Misty get back." Ash said moving so that he was fully covering her and taking the shot himself with a grunt.

Ash remained standing though it had clearly hurt. Misty was stunned but this but she knew that Ash was in his element and needed his space. This was his time and she was going to let him do what he did best. Gathering Piplup and Shuppet in her arms, Misty stood and retreated a bit to give Ash the space he needed.

"You're pretty strong Gengar and you don't like humans, I can tell that." Ash said as he pulled out a Poke Ball he had made sure he had just in case he had to battle the Pokémon here. "I don't want to hurt you but I will defend myself if I have to. Please, let me help you instead."

"Gengar." Gengar said angrily as he formed another attack.

Humans were all bad as far as he was concerned. He had a trainer; he was waiting for that trainer but it had been years and in that time Gengar had grown bitter and angry in that period. That was why he always spooked the humans in this place until they left. He was waiting for his trainer but he didn't want any other humans here just in case they tried to remove him before his trainer could return.

Usually he never showed himself, he didn't need to as he would scare them away long before the need to fight, but this trainer had felt different. This human male was here not to hunt him but to meet him so he had waited for the right moment to scare him. Then Shuppet had shown up and outed him so Gengar had to fight. That meant that he had to get rid of this trainer the old-fashioned way, through battle.

"Krookodile, I need you." Ash said throwing out his Poke Ball that burst open and Krookodile appeared with a roar of challenge. "Gengar, listen to me, your asshole of a trainer abandoned you but I am here to try and help you. I am here to show you that not all trainers are bad. Please, let me help you."

Gengar responded by sending out a Shadow Ball at the unfamiliar Pokémon in front of him. This trainer could talk all he wanted but Gengar knew the truth. He also knew how strong he was. He was going to show this trainer that and scare him away with his strength.

"Block it with Dragon Claw." Ash ordered knowing that the fight was now on as he had expected, it was time for plan B. "Looks like we are doing this the hard way."

Krookodile didn't say anything as his claws became encased in dragon type power. As the ball of ghost type power reached him, he slashed it with his claws. It destroyed the ball, his own attack countering it with a small explosion as the moves canceled each other out. There was minimal damage to Krookodile in the process, nothing that would be an issue in the slightest. Ash knew that this was a matchup in which he had the advantage and pressed it.

"Krookodile use Crunch!" Ash ordered. "But just injure Gengar, don't knock it out. I want to be able to talk to it."

"Krookodile!" Krookodile bellowed as he opened his mouth, his teeth now glowing white with dark type power before he charged.

Gengar looked stunned for a moment. This lizard had easily defended his attack but it had given its typing away in the process. Clearly it was at least a part, if not pure, dragon type and Gengar could handle one of those. He just had to slow it down for a moment to ensure his ice type attack could land without fail. All that would require would be a quick Psychic attack. His eyes glowing blue, Gengar floated even higher and held out his hand to the other Pokémon and attacked. That was when his assumption backfired spectacularly.

Rather than stopping in its tracks so that Gengar could swoop in close and punch it, the lizard Pokémon kept charging its jaws glowing in a telltale sign of either Bite or Crunch, Gengar knowing that it was the later as that was what its trainer had ordered. The Psychic attack hadn't work and Gengar's eyes went wide in realization at what that meant. This Pokémon was at least part dark type and that wasn't good for Gengar.

That was the last thing Gengar managed to think before the other Pokémon was on him, reaching it with a single leap showing off its strong legs. Then its powerful jaws clamped around Gengar's midriff and he wailed in pain as the super effective attack made contact. The lizard, a Krookodile apparently whatever that was, shook Gengar for a few seconds draining him of even more power before hurling Gengar down the corridor. Gengar slammed into the floor and bounced a few times before rolling and hitting the far wall hard enough to crack it.

Gengar was winded, injured and barely had any energy left. He wasn't out of the fight, he was still hanging in there for a moment, but he couldn't phase away, he just didn't have the power for that. It had been brief and violent but he had lost. It had been a long time since a trainer had managed that, not since before his own trainer had left him here had Gengar lost.

"Good job Krookodile, return." Ash said recalling Krookodile before slowly walking towards Gengar making sure the ghost type could see his palms. "Misty can you fish out a poffin for Gengar, I think he could use one, as well as an Oran berry to help heal him."

"Sure." Misty said as she sat down in the hallway, took her bag off and began looking in it amazed at what Ash had just done. "Give me a moment, they're in here somewhere."

"That's fine." Ash said as he reached Gengar and sat down next to it leaning against the wall and looking kindly at Gengar. "How are you doing Gengar? Sorry about that, I didn't want to fight you but I needed to talk to you and you left me no choice. Please, I'm not here to hurt you or catch you or even take you away if you don't want to leave, I just want to talk. Can I do that?"

Gengar looked at the odd human with a confused look on his face. He was still injured but he knew that soon he would have recovered enough strength to disappear. However he found that he didn't want to leave just yet. This human may have bested him in seconds but rather than push his advantage and beat him completely he'd stopped and recalled his Pokémon.

Instead he'd come to see how Gengar was doing and wanted to talk, something Gengar hadn't done with a human in years. He could feel the goodness in this human's heart and decided to hear him out. Slowly Gengar nodded.

"Good, then let's talk because this will be hard to hear." Ash said with a sad sigh. "I have some bad news for you about your former trainer, he's not coming back for you. I know you miss him a lot and that is why you've been acting up but he's not worth your time, he's a dick who doesn't see how great you truly are and blamed you for his own failings. I've seen his type before and I know that he is wrong because I can tell that you are a strong Pokémon."

"Gengar?" Gengar asked confused.

This human was talking of his trainer as if he knew him, did he or was he lying? No Gengar felt he could trust the human for some reason so he must have spoken with his trainer. Though he had said that the trainer wasn't Gengar's trainer anymore for some reason. He had left Gengar here to wait for him but he hadn't been back in years. Why? Was what this new trainer saying true? Perhaps. It would make sense and explain why Gengar was so mad but still, he didn't want to believe it yet. He had only met this new trainer today, he had been with his actual trainer for years, right?

While this had been happening Misty had found her poffin case and opened it. As soon as it was open Piplup, Pikachu and a curious Shuppet had mobbed her. Smiling Misty gave one to Pikachu and Piplup before offering one to Shuppet.

"It's called a poffin." Misty said quietly to it while Ash spoke with Gengar. "Try one, I make them specially with my own secret recipe and almost all Pokémon love them. Only my Pinsir doesn't so she has her own extra special ones that are designed specifically for bug types."

"Shuppet?" Shuppet said quizzically before taking the pink thing in his mouth and eating it in a few bites, it was delicious and he smiled happily. "Shuppet, shup, Shuppet."

"I'm glad you like them." Misty said with a smile as she pulled out an Oran berry and got up. "There's more to come but first I need to give some to Ash for Gengar, I think he could use them after that battle."

Misty slowly approached her boyfriend as he was explaining the situation to Gengar. Gengar was looking confused and then hurt but it seemed to be understanding what was going on it seemed. Slowly Misty reached them and held out the berry and case for Ash to take.

"Thanks Misty." Ash said with a warm smile taking a poffin from the case and the Oran berry and handing them to Gengar. "Here Gengar eat up."

Ash gave them both to Gengar as Misty retreated to give them space. Shuppet was now happily playing tag with Piplup and Pikachu so she was going to look over them while Ash did his thing and helped Gengar out. It was what Ash did after all, help all those around him be they people or Pokémon.

Gengar meanwhile had accepted the berry first and eaten it knowing what it was from his days before the Tower. Almost instantly he felt his strength return. He now had enough to leave but this human was being kind to him, something he hadn't experienced in years, and he wanted to continue to feel it so he stayed. He looked at the odd pink thing the human had offered him and deciding to trust the human, or at least see if he could, he tentatively ate it. It was delicious and he smiled, he'd never tasted anything like it before but he wanted to have more of them.

"I see you like my girlfriend's Poffins." The trainer said with a smile and Gengar nodded, it seemed that the girl was his mate after all, he thought he had smelt it when he was following them. "There are more where that came from if you want."

"Gengar?" Gengar asked still amazed that the human was being so nice to him.

"Yes we can give you some more before we leave but I do think we should leave." Ash said taking a breath and plowing on. "You see, I came here to Lavender Town at the request of the Saffron City Gym Leader to see what the issue was. I learned that it was a Pokémon here in the Tower and while at the Pokémon Center yesterday I overheard a trainer boasting how he'd abandoned a Pokémon here because he felt that he had been cursed by the Pokémon. I am sure that Pokémon is you. That trainer is still here in Lavender Town but not for much longer. I think we should go and see him, let him tell you the truth so you can find closure and begin healing."

"Gengar?" Gengar asked hesitance in his voice, this human's treat had been as good as he had said and he trusted the man a little now but the idea of seeing his trainer after so many years, it honestly scared him as he was no longer sure his trainer wanted him back.

"I can tell you're afraid and I won't promise that it won't be painless but it is needed, that I know." Ash said with a kind smile at Gengar. "It is for the best; trust me I have been here before. My Charizard and Pignite went through the same thing and it really helped them get better . My Infernape was a little different but he got his own revenge later on. All were abandoned because they were seen as weak, now they are strong, loving Pokémon who I wouldn't' trade for the world. I think you are the same, you just need to face your old trainer."

"Gengar." Gengar said thinking hard on what the human had said.

Clearly the human knew what he was talking about, he could tell that from his tone and the way he opened his heart to Gengar. Perhaps Gengar had been wrong and he was abandoned by his trainer. This human wasn't treating him like some evil thing but like an equal, like a friend and not a tool the way some humans treated their Pokémon. He seemed trustworthy. Perhaps he could let this human help him, he was probably right, it was probably for the best.

Ash could tell from Gengar's face that the Pokémon was deeply conflicted. It was painful to watch. Deciding that it was best to act, Ash knew what he had to do. He had to take the lead and bring Gengar with him to face its old trainer. Only after that could he truly help Gengar.

"Come in my shadow again Gengar." Ash said kindly to the Shadow Pokémon as he stood up and offered it his hand. "Follow me and we will confront your old trainer and end this. Then you can be truly free of him and begin to heal."

Gengar looked up at the trainer who had finally beaten him in his Tower, where he had patiently waited for years, and the first human to be decent enough to even earn his physical presence though being outed by that Shuppet had meant he had been forced to show himself. He had beaten him with a Pokémon that he had a strong bond with and who trusted his trainer implicitly. Then instead of trying to catch him or anything like that, he had come to Gengar, healed him, fed him a treat, and shown love and compassion that Gengar hadn't seen in years.

He told Gengar the truth that Gengar had long feared in his heart to be the case but had shown understanding and a desire to help him. The human wanted Gengar to confront the trainer who had abandoned him and allow Gengar that confirmation and closure. He could go with this human and if he spoke the truth, scare the man who had abandoned him. Then it was up to him what to do with his life. Gengar knew what he wanted; he just needed his closure first.

"Gengar." Gengar said with resolution in his voice as he took the human's hand and was helped up, then he melted into his shadow like he had done when the human had arrived before they headed out to confront the man who had so cruelly abandoned him.

It was so quick that Misty had to hurriedly pack up and following them before she could play more with adorable Shuppet they had met; Piplup and Pikachu both quickly running to catch up and find their places on their trainers. She was so quick that she didn't notice the small blue ghost Pokémon following in her wake. Shuppet was having fun but he he knew that the reason they were there were to help the Gengar so he wanted to see how this played out. How it played out would decide his own next move.


"Hey asshole!" Ash called out to the blond guy from the Pokémon Center, Gengar's old trainer.

"Who me?" The guy said turning around annoyed and glaring at Ash with confusion in his eyes. "You talking to me?"

"Yeah you." Ash said as he walked up to the man while Misty stayed back knowing that Ash would need to do this alone but staying close enough to provide support should it be needed. "I want a word with you."

It had taken them a while to find the blond trainer who had been in the Pokémon Center dining room the day before. He wasn't in the Pokémon Center when they went there so they had to spend a few minutes searching the town before they finally found him. He was alone without his girlfriend this time and on a deserted street heading somewhere that wasn't as important as what Ash had to say to him. Thankfully the rain had stopped but the scent of it remained in the chilly, slightly foggy, air.

"About what?" The blond asked giving Ash a once over with a slight sneer. "I've never seen you before in my life, what could you possibly want with me. You don't look like much and that Pikachu is no doubt pretty weak as it's just a Pikachu so you aren't worth a battle so not worth my time. Go away, I'm too busy to deal with you."

"I'm here to talk to you about the Pokémon you so callously abandoned at the Pokémon Tower three years ago." That caused the man to stop mid turn and look back at Ash now fully interested in what Ash had to say to him. "Good, now I have your attention."

"How did you know about my curse dipshit." The trainer spat at him. "I put that Taurus shit behind me years ago. I don't need reminding of it."

"I overheard your boasting in the dining room yesterday." Ash said simply. "It was disgusting the way you treated a Pokémon like that."

"Why do you care how I get rid of a pathetic and worthless Pokémon." The trainer said crossing his arms. "Don't tell me, you're one of those weak hearted fools who thinks that any Pokémon can be good with love and care no matter how low their power levels are."

"What of it." Ash snapped. "Compassion and friendship is how you raise a Pokémon correctly so as to maximize their potential. That is how it should be done."

"All you need in a Pokémon is power and strength." The trainer shot back. "That is how it actually should be. Whenever I have a Pokémon that can't cut it or is cursing me I get rid of it plain and simple. Some understand that I don't need them anymore but others don't so I have to lie to them to get rid of them. That's what I did here."

"You shouldn't treat a Pokémon like that." Ash said shaking his head as he tried to control his temper at the excuse of a human in front of him. "No matter how bad you are as a trainer, you shouldn't have taken it out on Gengar."

"So you know who it was." The blond said narrowing his eyes at Ash. "Well then in that case you know from your impolite eavesdropping last night that I was cursed by that Arceus damned Gengar. I'm glad to be rid of it."

"You weren't cursed, you were just a pathetic excuse of a trainer." Ash said and Misty had to agree with her boyfriend, he was right and if she was honest she was getting a little turned on by his dominant side as he defended a Pokémon from this waste of space. "What's the saying, a poor workman blames his tools. Of course a Pokémon isn't a tool but a friend and partner but the saying still applies to the situation. You couldn't cut it so you blamed Gengar. I've seen your type before and you make me sick."

"Ha let me tell you fuckwad what that Gengar put me through back when it was man." The blond guy said with a dark laugh. "It made me lose countless battles whenever I used it against another train. I couldn't catch a Pokémon with it in my rotation, not even a fucking Pidgey or a Weedle and I tried to do so. I was a laughing stock so I had to get rid of it to cure myself. It was the only explanation and do you want to know what happened after I ditch it at the Pokémon Tower."

"What." Ash growled his anger barley under control and Misty could tell, she was ready to act if she needed to but she trusted her boyfriend to have some self-control. "What happened?"

"I won my next 15 battles in a row and caught a bunch of new and more powerful Pokémon." The other trainer said with a grin. "I finally got my 8th badge, entered the Indigo Conference and reached the quarters with a roster of actually strong Pokémon. I wouldn't have gotten that had it not been for leaving Gengar. Now I am good enough to challenge the Battle Frontier, something you couldn't hope to do."

"Don't need to do it." Ash said with a shrug of indifference. "I beat it a few years back."

"Then I will destroy it." The blond man scoffed. "If you could beat it then I will have no problems with it, it may even be beneath me as I cruised through the first Frontier Brains. Now go, you aren't worth my time. I don't intend to come back here again, clearly the weakness of that Gengar is infecting this accursed place. Thank the legendries I got rid of it. I am so much better off without it"

Ash was about to say something and defend Gengar when it happened, a ball of ghost type power shot out of his shadow and barely missed the other trainer's head. Slowly Gengar emerged from Ash's shadow and floated up and over him as its old trainer looked on in fear at the malevolence in his old Pokémon's eyes. Ash was just as surprised as him, he hadn't expected Gengar to do this.

Gengar however was furious. He had heard how his old trainer, a human he had once loved and trusted the way only a Pokémon and his trainer could, talk so callously about him. So what if he had lost, he was trying to get better to prevent the losses and this human had tossed him aside like a piece of trash. What was worse was that he had lied to Gengar. He had no intention of returning for Gengar, Gengar saw that now.

This human was nothing to him anymore, not after the way he had abandoned Gengar. He would pay for that injustice. A trainer Gengar had never met until this day had been the one to show him the truth about his old trainer and show Gengar what it meant to be a real trainer. He had defended Gengar and helped him out despite not knowing Gengar. He had a kind heart and that was what a true trainer was like, not this man in front of him. With that thought, Gengar attacked again.

The second Shadow Ball struck its mark and hit his old trainer in the chest throwing him onto his ass with a yell of pain. Gengar took no joy or pleasure in the attack, it was purely anger that was fueling him in this moment. He wanted this human to suffer just as he had while waiting and hoping for him to return despite no intention to do so.

Flying up to the now downed human Gengar loomed over him with a wide smile and wild eyes as he got into the human's face. Putting all his hatred towards the man into his eyes, Gengar laughed manically at him. Instantly fear came into his old trainer's eyes and he scrambled away on his ass letting out a very high-pitched scream of fear.

"Fuck this." The man said in terror as he tried to recover. "I'm out of here and I'm never returning to this shithole."

With that he turned and leapt to his feet before running away in terror. Gengar smirked, he had gotten his revenge and seen him run away in fear. However Gengar was still mad and hurt from what he had heard and needed to clear his head before he could do anything. He knew what he wanted to do now but he had to calm down first. He didn't want to scare the kind human behind him, that human was Gengar's friend. With that Gengar shot off and into the shadows to calm down.

"Gengar wait, come back!" Ash called out before he suddenly sneezed violently.

Ash wanted to say more, he wanted to make sure Gengar was feeling better after his confrontation with his old trainer but he couldn't even if he had wanted to. Ash hadn't realized that he had a fever coming on from all the hard traveling and the rain until it was too late. Before he knew it, he passed out while still standing and collapsed to hit the ground as Misty yelled for help.


Ash groaned painfully as he slowly came to. At first he was confused as to where he was. He was in a bed, a Pokémon Center one judging by the quality, but he had no memory of having gotten there. The last thing he remembered was Gengar's former trainer running off with his tail between his legs after Gengar let out its anger at him and then Gengar itself disappearing right as Ash passed out.

"Ash, you're awake!" Misty exclaimed and Ash opened his eyes and looked up into the most beautiful blue ones he had ever seen, they were filled with love and worry as they looked down on him in his bed. "Thank Arceus your finally awake."

"Misty." Ash muttered his throat dry. "What, what happened?"

"You suddenly passed out after Gengar left." Misty said as quickly handed him some water that he downed in a few gulps before she rested her head on his chest and Ash could tell that she had tears in her eyes. "You got a fever that likely started because of all the traveling we've been doing that the rain and stress of the day exacerbated. It was only your will that was holding at bay while you dealt with that trainer but once Gengar left it hit you like a stampeding herd of Taurus and you were out."

"I see." Ash said, he was certainly sore but he felt better though not 100%. "How long have I been out?"

"Two days." Misty said lifting her head, tears still in her eyes as Ash blanched at the news and the sight of Misty's pain. "It was pretty bad."

"Damn, sorry about that." Ash said feeling bad for causing Misty to worry about him like that. "I feel better now though. Still a little sore but I'll be good soon."

"I know, Nurse Joy said you would need a few more days in bed." Misty said with a smile at him, glad that Ash was back. "I got you here as quickly as possible after you hit the ground. I had to use Mamoswine and your Krookodile to get you here but I managed it. After that Nurse Joy helped me get you better. We decided to let you sleep but you are going to need a lot of rest before you're fully recovered."

"But we have things to do." Ash said trying to get up but Misty out a soft hand on his chest gently forcing him back down. "Places to be

"You aren't going anywhere, Nurse's orders." Misty said and that was when Ash noticed that she was in a nurses outfit of all things, complete with the hat thing. It looked really good on her and if he was being honest quite sexy. "You need to rest and Nurse Joy has demanded that you spend at least a week here, probably 2, before you are cleared to leave."

"But…" Ash began before Misty put a finger to his lips.

"Shh babe, I will explain." Misty said kindly. "We have been running around and covering a lot of ground for a while. Over the last month you've had 3 full battles and I've had 2 Contests, not to mention that dealing with Team Rocket, our time at Pokémon Tech or what just happened. You are exhausted, run down, and in need of a break even if you don't realize it. The fever hit you so hard because you are pushing yourself too hard again. So am I so this makes sense. We are staying her and that is final."

Ash opened his mouth to protest but once again Misty put a finger to his lips. She was going to make sure he understood this, he was not going to scare her like that again.

"I know we have a plan for what we are going to do in Kanto but we are well ahead of schedule and I made sure to check it while several times you were out." Misty said as she explained the situation to Ash. "Pikachu and Piplup looked after you when I couldn't so I used a little time to follow Nurse Joy's orders and see how a break would work."

"I get that but we have so much to do." Ash said finally getting a protest out. "Contest, my match with Erika, going to Hoenn and any other adventures on the way."

"I made sure to account for all that." Misty said reassuring him with her tone. "Yes, there will be a few Contests next month that are on the way to Celadon City. That works in our favor as we will be able to hit one and still reach the city for your battle with Erika before we have to leave for Hoenn. We were so fast with the first four stops on our journey that there is still 2 months to go until the Wallace Cup so we can take some time to relax a little and recover. We will need to be at our best for when the time comes."

"But the schedule." Ash said still trying to plead his case. "The plan was to take the cycling road to Fuchsia City from Celadon and see Brock before flying from there to Hoenn. We were on track for that with a few days to spare, even see if you could get a second Contest in before the Wallace Cup. Now we can't do that."

"True that would have been fun but we will have to do that another time." Misty said with a shrug. "We can fly to Hoenn from Celadon and then return to Fuchsia instead which works just as well for our plans. Please Ash, we have to take a break. I, I don't want to watch you feint again. I felt so helpless in that moment. Please, I don't want to feel like that again."

Ash opened his mouth to continue to argue but when he saw the fear and sadness in Misty's beautiful eyes his protests died in his throat. He had terrified her because he had pushed himself to his breaking point without noticing. It hurt him to see Misty like this and it was all his own fault. She was right, they could use a break and recover. He could do that for her.

"Ok baby, we can take a break." Ash said and Misty let out a sigh of relief and threw herself on him mumbling a thanks into his chest as she sobbed in relief that he was taking a break. "I can recover and get back into it slowly for you."

Misty looked up, wiped away her tears and smiled at him glad that Ash was finally seeing reason. It was quicker than she had expected and involved no Pokémon attacks but at least he was seeing it. They needed the break anyway and they had time to take it and still do at least one Contest and Ash's full battle with Erika before going to the Wallace Cup.

Misty was about to open her mouth and say something when there was a clattering on the wooden floor followed by the sound of a rolling ball. Misty looked down, as did Ash, to see one of Ash's Poke Balls rolling across the floor to come to a rest just next to the bunk and within Ash's reach.

Confused Ash followed the ball back to his pants which were on the floor by the other bunk though Ash doubted that he had left them there. However that wasn't all that was there. Standing on the pants was a pair of purple feet. Slowly, Ash looked up to see Gengar standing there nervously playing with its fingers and not looking at Ash, a sheepish smile on its face.

It took all of Misty's energy to not shriek at the sudden appearance of Gengar as it had likely been there for a while though she did jump back slightly at seeing it. She had felt something watching her and Ash the last few days and realized now that it must have been Gengar who was waiting for Ash to wake up as well apparently.

Misty had been right, after Gengar had calmed down he had remained invisible and made his way to the Pokémon Center to find the human who had helped him out when he needed it the most. Gengar was shocked and worried when he saw that the human, Ash as he was called by his mate, was sick and recovering.

Gengar decided to stay and keep an eye on him while waiting until he woke so that he could ask Ash what he wanted to ask him. After what Ash had done for him, there was only one thing Gengar wanted on the world, it was in fact what he really needed. As soon as Ash was awake Gengar had acted.

"Gengar." Ash said rolling over, which took more effort and pain than he was expecting, to look at the Shadow Pokémon and then to the Poke Ball knowing exactly what it meant. "Do, do you want to join me?"

Gengars eyes looked nervously from side to side as he slowly nodded a few times. He was afraid that Ash wouldn't want him after what he had done to his former trainer but he had been angry. As soon as he had managed to clear his head he knew that he wanted Ash to become his new trainer.

Ash had cared for him and that made Gengar happy, he wanted to stay happy this time as he had forgotten how that had felt during his years in the Pokémon Tower. He wanted to be one of Ash's Pokémon, he wanted to fight and win battles for Ash. That Krookodile was clearly well trained and loved Ash, Gengar hoped Ash could make him just as good if not better if he accepted Gengar's request to join him.

"I'd be honored to have such a great Pokémon as you." Ash said as Gengar breathed a sigh of relief and waited for the inevitable. "Thank you for coming back and seeing me. I know that we will be great friends Gengar."

Ash then reached down realizing he was weaker than he had thought, he would have to eat a lot to regain his strength as he recovered from his fever but he had the strength for this. Ash picked up the Poke Ball and with considerable effort threw it side armed at Gengar. It struck Gengar in-between the eyes, bounced up and opened before sucking Gengar in in a flash of red light. The ball clunked to the floor and began to twitch and flash red for a few seconds before it stopped with a chime and a click indicating a successful capture.

"Alright!" Ash said as he fell back onto the bed his energy spent from that little effort. "I caught a Gengar!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu said happily realizing that his trainer was awake and jumping on him followed closely by Misty as they both tried to get a good position.

Ash just laughed as he cuddled his best friend and his girlfriend in bed with a smile on his face as he closed his eyes enjoying the moment. True he had gotten sick but he had helped a hurt Pokémon find closure and trust humans again to the point that that Pokémon had asked to join Ash's team. Gengar was a powerful Pokémon and a ghost type, Ash's first ever of that type, and Ash couldn't wait to train with him.

As Ash slowly fell asleep again, totally spent from the recent excitement but still smiling. It had been an interesting but worthwhile adventure to Lavender Town, much better than last time he had been here. He couldn't wait for their adventures to resume, after a little break of course, and find out what was in store for them as they continued their journey. That was the last thing Ash managed to think before sleep reclaimed him.


The humans and other Pokémon were all asleep now after the Gengar had asked to be caught by the male, Ash as he was called, so none of them noticed the bright yellow eyes watching them from under the other bunk where Shuppet floated with a smile on his face. He had seen the whole thing and things had gone well indeed. Shuppet was glad he had followed and watched them.

The kind humans had helped heal the emotional wounds of a Gengar they had just met to the point that he had joined them. They both showed their kindness to their Pokémon. The girl had also been fun to play with, as had her Piplup, and she had tasty treats that Shuppet loved.

Shuppet knew that they would have a lot of interesting times ahead of them and decided to follow and watch the couple from a distance. If the time came to show himself again he would but for now he was happy in the shadows watching them and enjoying the show. He was sure that they had many more adventures to show him to witness. It was going to be a good time for the Puppet Pokémon. He wondered what was in store for them next, it was sure to be interesting.