It's time to continue including some game lore, meaning the gang is about to officially meet Silver for the first time…and something else will happen to the twins.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Pokémon characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 25: A Ghost of a Chance
The next morning we woke up, Team Rocket was already gone from the campsite. We checked our Pokémon and supplies, but nothing was missing, except for some food. Brock cooked us breakfast with leftovers before we walked for two hours, reaching Ecruteak City in record time thanks to Mewtwo.
"We're finally here! Ecruteak City!" Ash cheered happily once we were on top of a hill seeing the whole city.
The city felt more like an ancient city. There were very few modern buildings and no skyscrapers at all compared to Goldenrod City. It was like stepping into a portal to the past. In the very far distance of the city were two towers, but one of them looked ready to collapse due to its poor condition.
"What are those towers over there?" Misty asked, pointing at said towers north of the city.
"The one to the right is Tin Tower", Brock explained as he checked the guidebook. "It was formerly known as the Bell Tower and is one of Ecruteak City's landmarks."
"What about the other tower?" I asked as I squinted, seeing that tower looked like it had been on fire.
"The other tower was once called the Brass Tower, but after a fire broke out there it got renamed as the Burned Tower", Brock explained. "Apparently, these two towers have an old history that we can learn about at the Kimono Sister's dance theater." His face lit up in bright pink and red colors as he clutched the book to his chest like he was hugging it. "I can't wait to meet the Kimono Sisters!"
My heart nearly leaped out of my chest when I remembered the sister with her Espeon. What was her name again? Naoko? Was I going to see her again? Just thinking about her made me nervous and other unknown feelings were stirred up within me. Why is that?
"Well, we can visit the Kimono Sister's theater after Ashley and I get our badges!" Ash said determinedly. "Let's go find the Gym!"
"Yay…", I pretended to cheer, but I was actually scared to face this particular Gym. After learning from Gary that it was a ghost-type Gym, I tried my best to train my Pokémon so they could hopefully defeat each of the ghost Pokémon with one super-effective attack.
Misty gave me a pat on my shoulder. "You're gonna do great, Ashley. You can conquer your fear for ghosts."
"Togi togi!" Togepi encouraged me from Misty's arms.
"That might only happen when you'll conquer your fear for bugs…", I retorted back in a soft mumble.
Misty flinched back by the mention of bug-type Pokémon and got a little nervous. "T-That might never happen…", she laughed sheepishly.
"Same with me and ghosts…", I mumbled before I followed my twin brother and Brock who had walked ahead.
XXXXXXXXXX
The city felt like it had stopped in time with all the old traditional eastern buildings. I had never seen a city or a town like this before and I really loved it. It felt so peaceful and…tranquil I think was the correct word. I wouldn't mind living in a town like this when I grow up, but I would probably stay in Pallet Town after I retire from my journey when I become an adult. There were many shops serving traditional eastern food and snacks and even some teashops. The scents from those stores made my stomach rumble, but the main priority was to find the Gym and get it done with as soon as possible.
We even saw a few girls and women dressed in kimonos strolling around. Those dresses were so pretty. They looked more elegant than simple yukatas. I wanted to try one, but I had a feeling just borrowing it cost tons of money.
Brock guided us to what the guidebook said was the Gym, but we actually found our way to the Burned Tower. "Is this really where the Gym is, Brock?" Ash asked.
"According to the guidebook, it is", he replied.
"I don't see the official Pokémon League emblem…", I pointed out. From what I had learned about the Pokémon Gyms, they all had the official Pokémon League emblem that had a different design for each region. I couldn't see a sign of it, so I got a little skeptical.
"Maybe if we go inside and look around, we might find something?" Misty suggested.
"Togi?"
"It's worth a try", Ash nodded. "If we find nothing, we just have to go to the Pokémon Center and ask for help."
"Pika pikachu", Pikachu nodded, holding onto my brother's shoulder.
The old wood stairs creaked as we walked on them and entered the Burned Tower. Everything inside of it was dark and burned, some soot flying in the air whenever the wind blew through the open walls. It was still impressive how the support beams held up the remains of the tower.
"Hello! Is anybody here?!" Ash yelled.
I felt a shiver run down my spine when I sensed how something invisible gently brushed my arm. "Who touched me just now?!" I yelped out.
"Nobody, Ashley", Misty replied. "We're not even near you."
"But I felt something touch me!" I insisted.
"It…might've been an invisible ghost Pokémon", Brock said slowly.
My body grew cold when I heard the cursed word. I began shaking in fear and rubbed my arms to get warm again. "I want to go out!" I shrieked, feeling tears gather in my eyes.
Ash hurried to my side and embraced me, hiding my face against the nape of his neck. "Calm down, Ashley. If we don't find the Gym Leader in less than five minutes, we'll go outside."
"Five minutes?!" I exclaimed in horror and struggled against my twin brother's arms. "No! Five minutes is too much!"
"Ashley!" Ash yelled at me, which made me surprised because he rarely screamed at me. "I know it's scary, but this is your chance to overcome our phobia!"
"B-B-But…", I stuttered as I held back the sobs that threatened to come out from my throat.
Ash's eyes turned soft and patted my head. "Think about it, Ashley. You've already accepted Gengar, so that means you can do it."
"I… I don't know…", I murmured as I thought back at my brother's Pokémon. He was right that I got used to Gengar, but that was because I rarely saw him and he was currently staying in Professor Oak's laboratory. But… After being around Gengar, I kind of learned that he had a playful attitude, similar to Totodile's, so…he wasn't that scary anymore.
"Try portraying all the ghost-type Pokémon as Gengar", Ash suggested. "They just want to play and have fun with you."
"Have fun…", I mumbled and wiped my eyes clean from unshed tears. "I-I'll try…"
"That's the spirit, Ashley!" Ash smiled widely.
"Pika pika!"
The two of us turned around and saw Pikachu waving his paw to us while standing next to an open door. "Pika pikachu pika!"
"What's the matter, Pikachu?" Ash wondered.
"Maybe he found something coming from that room?" Misty said while she and Brock joined us.
"Togi?"
"Maybe the Gym is hidden underneath the Burned Tower", Brock commented. "You go can go and check while Misty and I keep looking around here."
"Okay", Ash nodded.
Pikachu led us down some stairs to the basement when we suddenly heard some odd noises, like there was an ongoing battle. We hurried down the stairs and reached the basement, seeing a figure battling a wild Gastly with his Croconaw.
"Croconaw, use Ice Fang!" the Trainer shouted, his figure hidden in the shadows.
"Crocooo!" Croconaw growled while its teeth turned into ice before biting the wild ghost Pokémon with its big jaws.
"Gaaastly!" Gastly yelled in pain as some ice got stuck on its body.
"So we're not the only ones here", I mumbled.
"What's that Pokémon that looks like an evolution of Totodile?" Ash asked while he picked up his Pokédex.
"That's Croconaw, Totodile's first evolutionary form", I replied, keeping my eyes on the mysterious Trainer's body and not the wild ghost Pokémon. For a second, I saw the Trainer had red hair, which looked awfully familiar.
Croconaw, the big jaw Pokémon. Water-type. The evolved form of Totodile. It opens its huge jaws wide when attacking. If it loses any fangs while biting, they grow back in. There are always 48 fangs lining its mouth.
"I don't see any other Trainer, so I doubt he's battling the Ecruteak Gym Leader", Brock stated.
"Gaastly…", Gastly grunted as it floated down to the floor, unable to battle more.
The mysterious Trainer grabbed a Poké Ball and threw it at the wild Pokémon. We remained silent and watched the Trainer catch Gastly successfully. They picked up the Poké Ball and stored it away before grabbing another one. "You did well, Croconaw", he praised his partner before recalling the water Pokémon.
"Naaw", Croconaw nodded before it transformed into energy and returned to its Poké Ball.
The Trainer, obviously a boy due to the voice, turned around and stepped out to the light revealing his face. My eyes widened when I recognized him.
The boy finally noticed us and gave us a glare. "What are you staring at?"
"Sorry, we're just looking for the Ecruteak Gym", Ash explained.
"Ash…!" I hissed and tugged his arm.
"Ow! What gives, sis?" Ash yelped as he rubbed the arm I had just pulled on.
"Don't you recognize him?" I said, nodding at the red-haired Trainer. "That's the boy who stole Professor Elm's Totodile!"
"What?!" Ash exclaimed and turned back to the Trainer. "Wait… You're right, Ashley! That kid's the same as the one on the ID we found!"
The boy, Silver if I remembered his name right, clicked his tongue in frustration. "So you were the ones who found the ID I dropped…", he growled, glaring at us like he tried using the Intimidate ability. "Just great…!"
Ash immediately stood his ground with Pikachu standing in front of him with cheeks sparkling. "Give back Professor Elm's Totodile, Silver!"
"Pikaaa!" Pikachu hissed, threatening to use his electric powers.
"I can't", Silver responded. "I need Croconaw for my personal mission."
"And what's that mission?" Ash asked, still being cautious.
"That doesn't concern you!" Silver snarled back and threw a Poké Ball. "Sneasel, use Icy Wind!"
"Sneaasel!" a Sneasel came out from the Poké Ball and immediately blew an Icy Wind toward Pikachu.
"Pikachu, dodge it with Agility!" Ash yelled.
"Pika!" Pikachu dodged the ice move by jumping to the side while increasing his speed. The floor froze into ice with cracks forming.
"Now, use Quick Attack!" Ash shouted.
"Counter with Feint Attack!" Silver yelled.
Sneasel disappeared for a brief second, but it reappeared again and collided with Pikachu head on head. The two Pokémon bounced on the floor before they quickly recovered and landed on their feet sliding on the ice.
The more the two Pokémon battled, the more I started hearing the floor creak beneath our feet. I glanced down and noticed cracks were forming along with the ice. The floor was about to collapse!
"Guys!" I called, trying to warn them. "Stop battling! The floor's gonna-!"
The warning came too late. A huge part of the floor collapsed and sent us flying down to a second secret basement. I screamed along with Ash, Silver and the Pokémon and closed my eyes, not wanting to see the death before me.
I yelped out when I felt my body crash onto hard concrete. I had curled myself midair and used my arms to protect my head so I wouldn't get a concussion or even worse. My body ached as I slowly pushed myself up on my hands and knees along with the others who grunted in pain.
"I-Is everybody okay…?" I asked, feeling a little disoriented by the sudden change of events.
"I-I think so…", Ash responded and rubbed the back of his head. "Pikachu, are you okay?"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded and rushed to my brother, climbing into his arms.
"Silver? Sneasel?" I asked. Even though Silver was a wanted thief, I was still concerned about his wellbeing.
"We're fine", Silver snorted back as he brushed dust off his clothes.
"Sneaa", Sneasel hissed as it glared at us, standing in front of its Trainer to protect him.
"Stand down, Sneasel", Silver told his partner.
"Sneas?" Sneasel looked confused by the order, but it listened and lowered its sharp claws.
I got up on my feet and looked around. We were inside a cave that wasn't as deep as I first thought. I could still see the ceiling where the floor had cracked, leaving a huge hole. "This is not good…", I murmured.
"We need to find a way outta here!" Ash said before he cupped his mouth. "Hey, Misty! Brock! Help us!"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu screamed from my brother's shoulders.
There was no response except for the wind that blew from who knew where. It sent shivers down my spine. I suddenly got the strong feeling that something was watching us.
"It's obvious your friends don't hear you", Silver shrugged. "You'll have to find another way to get out of here."
"Oh yeah? What about you?" Ash retorted irritably.
Silver silently retrieved Sneasel to its Poké Ball before he jumped up on a boulder and then to the wall he grabbed onto. He proceeded to climb up until he lost his grip and fell down to us. I got impressed by his athletic skills first thinking he would make it, but the impression dropped when he failed the last jump.
"You okay, Silver?" Ash asked concernedly.
Silver grunted as he rubbed his head while getting up from the ground. "I'm fine", he growled irritably.
I took a closer look at the secret basement just as a sudden bright light broke out that almost blinded us. The light slowly faded away revealing three majestic hound Pokémon standing in front of us. I gaped in awe as I recognized them.
"Entei… Raikou… Suicune…", I mumbled.
"Are they Legendary Pokémon, Ashley?" Ash asked.
"Yes…", I nodded.
"The myth…is real", Silver mumbled.
"Do you know about them, Silver?" Ash asked him.
"Pika?"
"It's said when the fire in the Burned Tower broke out, three Pokémon wanted to extinguish it, but they perished along with the tower", Silver explained. "They believe Ho-Oh got touched by the Pokémon's hearts and resurrected them into the Legendary Beasts."
I couldn't help but stare at the three living Legendary Pokémon, mainly at Suicune. It felt like we were connected to each other, but I didn't know how or why. I turned my eyes and noticed Ash and Silver had also fallen into some kind of trance as they stared at Entei and Raikou.
I snapped out of it when Suicune got down next to me, its purple mane flowing like water to the side. "You…want to help me get out of here?" I asked carefully.
"Kuuuh", Suicune howled softly, nodding in response.
I checked my brother and the wanted criminal. They were also being offered help by the two other Legendary Pokémon as they climbed up onto their back. I decided to trust Suicune and climbed onto its back. The beasts raised up on their feet and howled loudly before they jumped high enough to get out from the cave. I held onto Suicune so I wouldn't accidently fall off and hurt myself again.
The beasts landed on the floor far away from the open crack. Once they deemed we were in a safe distance they let us climb off them. "Thank you", Ash thanked the Legendary Pokémon, softly brushing Entei's fur. "We would've been stuck down there forever if it weren't for you three."
"Pi pikachu!" Pikachu smiled, thanking the beasts.
Entei rumbled in response while Raikou actually sniffed Silver's clothes, making the redhead a little uncomfortable. "Hey, stop it!"
I caressed Suicune's face, seeing how it closed its eyes in delight by the affection. "Thank you, Suicune…"
"Kuuuh…"
"Hey, Ash! Ashley!" Misty's voice called out, snapping us out from the trance. She and Brock ran down the stairs together with a man in his late twenties and a Gengar flying behind him. I held back a frightened shriek and hid behind Ash, refusing to look at the ghost Pokémon.
"We heard your cries and came as fast as we could", Brock said when they reached us, noticing the large hole on the floor. "Whoa! What happened here?"
"The floor collapsed and we fell down to a cave", Ash explained. "But thanks to these Legendary Pokémon, we were able to-"
We turned around to introduce the beasts when we realized they were gone along with Silver. I hadn't even noticed when they had left. "Huh? Hey, where'd they go?!" Ash called out, looking around for the Pokémon.
"Pika?" Pikachu tilted his head with a confused look.
"There were only you guys here when we came down here", Misty said.
"Unless you were tricked by an illusion of the ghost Pokémon that live here", Brock said.
"No! It was real! And we found Silver too!" Ash argued.
"Silver?" Misty repeated confusedly.
"The boy who stole Professor Elm's Totodile back in New Bark Town", I explained. "We saw him catch a Gastly and we confronted him. That's when the floor collapsed and we fell through it."
"Whatever happened here, I'm just relieved none of you are injured", the man said before he got serious. "The Burned Tower is a prohibited area to the public. You shouldn't be here."
"It is?" Ash asked. "But isn't this the Ecruteak Gym?"
"No, it's not", the man shook his head. "This is a sacred place for many ghost-type Pokémon. Only a few come here just to catch them, like this Silver Trainer you mentioned."
"U-Um…", I spoke up, fearing to make eye-contact with Gengar. "A-Are you…the Gym Leader…?"
The man chuckled softly. "Yes, that's correct. My name's Morty, the Gym Leader of the Ecruteak Gym. I met your friends upstairs when we heard your cries for help and hurried here."
I started feeling a little sick, but that could just be my mind playing with me and my feelings being overloaded after everything that had occurred here. "We've come here to challenge the Gym", Ash informed the adult. "Can we do that?"
"Sure you can", Morty smiled. "Although… I think your sister looks a little ill."
"I'm okay…", I cold sweated. "I just…need a break…"
"Oh yeah, a lot happened just now and you can't stand ghost Pokémon", Ash said.
"Let's go outside and get some fresh air", Misty suggested. "The stench here is a little heavy even for my sense of smell."
"Prii…", Togepi chirped softly.
XXXXXXXXXX
The fresh air helped me to clear my head and calm down after the ordeal in the Burned Tower. We saw no signs of Silver and the Legendary Beasts, so we decided to worry about them another time. Morty escorted us to the real Gym where the referee was waiting for him. Ash said he could take the first turn challenging Morty, but I had calmed down and had enough strength to challenge the Gym today. I had come so far, and I couldn't back down now.
I had to conquer my phasmophobia and the best way was to challenge a ghost-type Gym. I just hoped I could control myself and not freak out whenever Morty calls out a new Pokémon.
"The Gym battle between Gym Leader Morty and challenger Ashley Ketchum is about to begin!" the referee called. "Each Trainer will use three Pokémon. The battle ends when one's Pokémon are unable to battle! Only the challenger may substitute Pokémon!"
"I'm aware of your fear for ghost-type, Ashley, but I won't go easy because of that", Morty called.
"I know", I nodded as I grabbed a Poké Ball from my belt. "But…I might get sick, so…"
"We'll quit if you can't take it", Morty informed me before his eyes turned serious and threw a Poké Ball. "Let's go, Gastly!"
"Gaaastly!" Gastly groaned when it came out.
I swallowed back the shriek that nearly came out from my mouth. I remembered Ash's words telling me to think about the ghost Pokémon like they were friendly creatures and not like the ones I saw in that horror movie a long time ago that had traumatized me.
"I choose you…Axel!" I shouted, calling out the latest Pokémon I had caught.
"Scytheeer!" Axel screeched and glared at Gastly.
"Good luck, Ashley!" my brother and friends yelled behind me, reminding me that I wasn't alone here.
"Begin battle!" the referee yelled out.
"Gastly, use Mean Look!" Morty shouted, taking the first move.
"Gaaastly!" Gastly booed as its eyes glowed purple. Axel flinched by the intimidating look, but he stood his ground. However, now with Mean Look on Axel, I couldn't switch Pokémon mid-battle.
I did get scared by the Mean Look move. I could feel the cold sweat on my face, but I took deep breaths to keep myself calm. "Axel, use Focus Energy!"
"Scyyyth!" Axel hissed as he collected himself, creating a fiery aura enveloping as he put all his focus to increase his strength.
"Gastly, use Curse on Scyther!" Morty yelled.
"Gaaaastly…!" Gastly grunted as it used its powers to create a spike in front of itself. The spike pierced itself through Gastly and engulfed it in a dark sickening aura. That aura then got transferred to Axel who grunted when the curse landed on him. The aura shifted into a purple color before it disappeared from plain sight.
The Curse move drains the cursed Pokémon's health every time it uses an attack, so I had to be swift to knock out Gastly before it could defeat Axel.
"Axel, get closer to Gastly with Agility!" I shouted.
"Scyyther!" Axel hissed as he flew toward Gastly, the curse draining his health as his body got briefly engulfed by the purple aura.
"Gastly, counterattack with Lick!" Morty shouted.
"Gaa-haa-haastly!" Gastly laughed amusingly before it stuck its long tongue out and licked Axel in the face when he got close to the ghost Pokémon.
"Scyt?!" Axel got caught off guard by getting licked, saliva stuck onto his face and even in one of his eyes. He shook his head to get rid of the saliva. Seeing him being so lively must mean he didn't get paralyzed by the move.
"Axel, strike Gastly with Pursuit!" I yelled.
Axel had just shaken off the last drop of saliva when I shouted my command. The color of his blades changed into black before he slashed Gastly with them. Being so close to the ghost Pokémon and moving so fast and being pumped up resulted with Gastly getting thrown back onto the wall. Usually, a ghost-type Pokémon wouldn't get stopped by a solid object as it had the ability to go through things, but it must've gotten so weak by that single move that it hit the wall and slid down to the ground.
"Gastly!" Morty shouted worriedly.
The referee rushed to the fallen Pokémon and inspected its condition. "Gastly is unable to battle!" he announced and hurried back to his position. "Scyther wins!"
"Great job, Axel!" I praised my Pokémon.
"Scyther scyt!" Axel cheered happily before he grunted pain by the Curse.
I quickly grabbed his Poké Ball and recalled him before his health could get worse. Now that the battle was over, the Mean Look move wasn't in effect. "You did well, Axel. Take a good rest until I need you again", I told him through the Poké Ball.
"Gastly, return!" Morty recalled his own Pokémon and whispered praises to it before he switched Poké Ball. "You caught me off guard with the speed of your Scyther, Ashley. You've trained it well."
"Thank you, but I recently caught Axel", I replied.
"That proves you're a good Trainer, but it'll take more to defeat my next partner. Go, Haunter!" Morty shouted and threw his second Poké Ball before it opened and released said Pokémon.
"Hauuunter!" Haunter booed.
This time, I was unable to hold back a small shriek that came through my gritted teeth. Haunter was scarier than Gengar in my opinion because it was larger than its final evolution and had big hands with claws that could shred its target into pieces. It was actually a Haunter I saw in that traumatizing movie, so Haunter was the worst ghost-type Pokémon in my book.
"Calm down, Ashley!" Ash shouted behind me. "This Haunter is not gonna hurt you!"
I snapped out of my short trance and took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. "I'm okay… I'm okay…", I whispered to myself.
"You okay, Ashley?" Morty called concernedly.
"Haunt?" Haunter tilted its head to the side.
"I'm okay", I replied and grabbed my second Poké Ball. "I choose you, Cedric!"
I threw the capture device and allowed my next Pokémon to come out and battle. "Larvitaar!" Cedric chirped, happy to be out.
"A Larvitar? Interesting choice", Morty commented with a soft chuckle. "Haunter, use Curse!"
No, not Curse again!
"Hauuunter!" Haunted created a spike in its large hands and pierced itself with it, creating a Curse that went straight to Cedric. Cedric grunted as he got affected by the Curse, the purple aura engulfing him before it faded away.
"Cedric, use Screech!" I shouted.
"LarviTAAAR!" Cedric screamed so loudly the shockwaves threw up some dirt from the battlefield.
"Dodge it, Haunter!" Morty yelled.
"Hauun!" Haunted howled before it turned itself visible, the Screech move missing it entirely.
"Tar?! Lar? Lar?" Cedric looked frantically around for Haunter, but he then yelped out in pain when the Curse affected him.
"Stay calm and stay strong, Cedric!" I encouraged him. "Haunter is still here in this room."
"Larv!" Cedric nodded in response.
"Haunter, use Night Shade!" Morty yelled.
"Hauunter!" Haunter appeared behind Cedric with its eyes sparkling in black colors.
"Behind you, Cedric!" I shouted. "Jump!"
Cedric panicked when the large ghost had appeared behind him and jumped to the side just as Haunter fired its Night Shade, hitting the ground instead of my partner. Haunter growled and vanished into the thin air.
I growled as well when Haunter disappeared and left Cedric looking around, trying to predict Haunter's next appearance. Foresight could be a good move to use right now, but what if there was an alternative way to uncover ghost Pokémon?
That gave me an idea. It was a risky move, but I had to try it.
"Cedric, use Sandstorm!" I shouted before I put a hand over my mouth and nose.
Cedric's eyes glowed as sand swirled around his feet before it expanded and grew into a massive indoors sandstorm. The wind blew so strong that my hair ruffled while I tried my best to keep my eyes open and find Haunter. Surprisingly, Haunter actually appeared in the midst of the storm, rubbing its eyes clean from the dirt that got stuck.
"There it is!" I shouted, my voice muffled by my hand. "Cedric, use Bite!"
"Laaar!" Cedric screeched aggressively as he jumped up toward Haunter with his mouth wide open.
"Haunter, attack with Sucker Punch!" Morty coughed, shielding his face with an elbow.
Haunter's eyes were red after it had tried cleaning them, but sand was still stuck on them. It noticed Cedric coming, so it swiftly clenched its right hand into a fist and punched my Pokémon. Cedric held onto the fist after he got punched, refusing to give up.
"Jump from the fist and use Bite!" I shouted.
"Taar!" Cedric hissed and leaped from the retracting fist, surprising Haunter with his move. Cedric opened his mouth wide open again and bit Haunter on its main body. Cedric held onto Haunter and thanks to his weight, it forced the ghost down to the floor, crashing like a rock falling from the sky.
The sandstorm was still going, so it was difficult to see both Pokémon's condition. The referee's silhouette rushed to the Pokémon as the wind roared in my ears. I couldn't hear a single noise coming from the Pokémon, so I got a little anxious.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!" the referee announced through the sandstorm.
Morty ran to the Pokémon and I followed his silhouette, soon finding our Pokémon. Haunter laid on its back with Cedric lying on top of it, both weakened and exhausted by this short but tough battle. We called back our Pokémon before we returned to the battlefield, the sandstorm still active and throwing dirt around us.
"You did well, Ashley!" Morty coughed between his words. "You're just one Pokémon away from earning the Fog Badge!"
"Yes!" I shouted, coughing when the sand tickled my throat. "I'm ready for the last Pokémon!"
Morty threw his third Poké Ball, summoning his final Pokémon. "It's your turn, Gengar!"
"Geeengaar!" Gengar growled, but it then started coughing when it inhaled sand.
I thought for a few seconds about my options. I had to consider lots of things. First, I only had two Pokémon left; one that had full health and Axel who took quite the beating with Curse. If I used Axel first and he could weaken Gengar just a little, my third Pokémon would have an advantage over the ghost Pokémon. However, the sandstorm was still raging and none of my other Pokémon was immune against the weather other than Cedric.
If Axel was fast enough, then perhaps the plan was worth carrying out.
For a quick moment, I realized I hadn't panicked when I saw Gengar. Was I perhaps used to Gengar specifically? Whatever the reason, I couldn't think about it right now.
"It's your turn again, Axel!" I shouted and called him out.
"Scytheer!" Axel shrieked and coughed when he got affected by the sandstorm as well.
"Axel, hold on for as long as you can!" I told him, coughing in my elbow as I struggled to keep my eyes open. "You need to weaken Gengar for Victor!"
"Scyt!" Axel nodded, understanding my reasoning for calling him out.
"Then let's start with Mean Look, Gengar! Don't give Scyther a chance to leave the battle!" Morty yelled.
"Ge-hehengar!" Gengar laughed before it made its eyes shine brightly, intimidating Axel. Axel flinched at the move, but he didn't let it scare him. After all, he had already gotten affected by Mean Look before, so he knew the deal.
"Axel, use Agility to get closer to Gengar!" I shouted.
"Scyyther!" Axel hissed with his wings moving in rapid speed, helping him pick up the speed as he flew toward Gengar in the midst of the sandstorm.
"Get ready, Gengar!" Morty shouted.
"Geen!" Gengar grinned widely and got into a pose, not even attempting to avoid Axel.
"Use Pursuit, Axel!" I shouted.
"Scyyy!" Axel screeched and raised one of his dark glowing blades, ready to strike the frozen ghost.
"Use Sucker Punch!" Morty shouted.
"Gen!"
Gengar's right fist got enveloped by dark energy before he swung it at Axel, hitting him straight on the chest. Axel screamed in pain, but he didn't let that punch stop him. He successfully slashed Gengar with his Pursuit move before the two Pokémon bounced backward. Axel fell down on his back just as the sandstorm subsided, leaving a thin layer of sand on everything inside the Gym.
"Axel!" I shouted worriedly.
"S-Scyt…", Axel grunted in pain, having no strength to get up.
The referee took a closer look at him before raising his right arm. "Scyther is unable to battle! Gengar wins!"
"G-Gengar…", Gengar muttered as it rubbed its chest where it got hit by Axel.
"Return, Axel", I recalled him to his Poké Ball and gave it a soft look. "You were great, Axel. Take a good rest."
"We're down to our last Pokémon each now", Morty chuckled. "What will your last Pokémon be?"
"This one", I replied as I took Victor's Poké Ball and threw it. "I'm counting on you, Victor!"
"Houuun!" Victor howled as he got out from the device, scraping his right front paw against the ground, kicking up the sand.
"A Houndour? Perfect choice, but it won't be easy defeating Gengar", Morty warned. "Gengar, use Shadow Ball!"
"Ge-hehengar!" Gengar laughed when it jumped up and formed a Shadow Ball between its hands. Once it had finished forming the Shadow Ball, the ghost threw it toward Victor.
"Dodge it and use Howl at the same time!" I shouted.
"Houn!" Victor barked and quickly jumped to the side, barely dodging the Shadow Ball before he started howling, which raised his attack.
"Put Houndour to sleep with Hypnosis, Gengar!" Morty yelled.
"Use Smog to distract Gengar!" I shouted quickly.
Gengar's eyes started glowing while it moved its hands in a slow hypnotic manner in an attempt to hypnotize Victor. Victor responded by breathing a thick cloud of Smog, which caught Gengar off guard. It may not have much effect on Morty's Pokémon, but it could be used as a smokescreen to give Victor time to increase his strength.
"Gengar! Don't panic!" Morty told his partner. "Use Shadow Ball to get rid of the Smog!"
"Victor, use Howl as many times as you can!" I shouted.
Victor started howling loudly while Gengar sent small Shadow Balls around itself which forced the poisoned cloud to disperse, clearing the air so it could find its target. "Gengaar!"
"Gengar, use Shadow Ball!" Morty shouted.
Gengar gathered its energy between its hands and created a large Shadow Ball. It threw the dark ball toward Victor who was still howling. "Dodge it, Victor!" I shouted quickly.
My warning came too late. The Shadow Ball struck Victor and forced an explosion by the contact, throwing up dirt and smoke around us. I shielded my eyes from the sand and smoke, my ears ringing by the loud explosion.
"Victor!" I yelled worriedly.
The dark smoke soon cleared up when a bright light suddenly emitted from the battlefield. Victor howled while his body shone and grew bigger and slimmer. His short tail expanded into a thin one just like the body. A pair of horns grew from his head and curled backwards before the light died down, revealing Victor's new form.
"HOUUUUUN!" Victor howled, emitting a dark aura that scared Gengar and made it flinch back in fear.
"Victor, you've evolved!" I cheered happily.
"Houn!" Victor barked in response, giving me a smile. His scars were still on his body, especially where he had the bones.
"Amazing… I've never seen a Pokémon evolve during a Gym battle", Morty commented in awe before he grew a smirk on his lips. "This makes everything even more exciting! Gengar, use Hypnosis!"
"Geengaaar!" Gengar's eyes glowed once again and moved its arms for its second try to hypnotize Victor.
"Don't look, Victor!" I shouted.
"Houn!" Victor closed his eyes just before he could get affected by Hypnosis.
"Force Houndoom to look at him with Shadow Ball, Gengar!" Morty shouted.
Gengar growled irritably and threw a Shadow Ball toward Victor who still had his eyes closed. "Dodge it, Victor!" I shouted quickly.
Victor opened his eyes with a grunt and jumped, avoiding the Shadow Ball that flew past me and hit the wall behind me. I barely moved away; my eyes were glued on Victor as I watched him run across the field.
"Victor, use Ember on Gengar!" I shouted. "Aim for its eyes!"
"Counterattack with Shadow Ball!" Morty yelled.
Both Pokémon fired their attacks that collided in the middle of the field, creating a new explosion that threw remnants of the multiple fire coals Victor had breathed toward Gengar around us.
"Keep using Ember!" I shouted.
The smoke had almost cleared up when I heard a shriek coming from Gengar. The ghost rubbed its closed eyes like crazy where some fire coal got stuck. The ghost cried tears as it flew around in the air panicked.
"Gengar, calm down!" Morty shouted worriedly. "I'll be your eyes, so listen to my voice!"
"Victor, use Bite!" I shouted, realizing this was an opening for us.
"Houuun!" Victor howled before he ran toward Gengar that had floated down to the ground.
"Gengar, use Sucker Punch right in front of you!" Morty yelled.
Gengar, with its eyes still closed, clenched its dominant hand and allowed its powers to envelop it before it threw the fist forward. Even while being blind, it managed to strike Victor, scratching his side. Victor grunted in pain by the hit, but it didn't stop him from moving. After all, ghost-type moves weren't so effective against a Houndoom.
Victor pounced onto Gengar and forced it down on its back. Victor opened his jaw wide and bit the ghost Pokémon. Gengar screamed in pain as it threw its limbs around, trying to get Victor off it, but it didn't work. In fact, the ghost went limp after the second Bite attack.
"That's enough, Victor!" I called when I saw Gengar had fainted.
"Houn!" Victor barked and got off Gengar, but he made sure not to let the ghost out of his sight.
The referee checked Gengar and raised his arm. "Gengar is unable to battle! Houndoom wins! The winner of the Gym battle is challenger Ashley!"
"Alright!" Ash cheered from the gallery behind me. "You did it, Ashley!"
I hadn't realized how exhausted I was before my knees gave up and I fell down on the ground, holding myself up with my arms. "I… I did it…", I mumbled tiredly as my brain registered what had just occurred. "I…defeated a ghost Gym…"
"Houn!"
Victor rushed to my side, aiding me by licking my face. I laughed at the touch and nuzzled my face against his neck. "You were amazing, Victor", I praised him while caressing his stiff fur. "Congratulations to your evolution too."
"Ouun…", Victor rumbled from his throat, nuzzling against my hair.
"Ashley", Morty called as he stood in front of me. I shakily got up on my feet to properly face the Gym Leader. "You were very brave facing your fear. And the fact how much you and your Pokémon were in sync throughout the battle showed me you're a great Trainer, even when you're cornered."
"Thank you…", I mumbled shyly, still not used hearing compliments from strangers.
"That is why you've earned yourself a Fog Badge", Morty said and held out his hand with a badge that had the design of a ghost.
"Thank you, Morty", I nodded and took the Fog Badge. The design didn't scare me because it wasn't a living thing, so I could look at it normally like with any other badge.
"Congrats, sis!" Ash called as he and the others joined us. "We're soon gonna be even when I'll get my own Fog Badge!"
"Pika pikachu!" Pikachu cheered happily from my brother's shoulder.
"I'll be looking forward to our battle, Ash", Morty chuckled. "We can battle in an hour since I need to heal my Pokémon."
"Actually, I want to wait for tomorrow", Ash replied. "I need to train my Pokémon and make the perfect decision on which Pokémon to use."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow", Morty nodded with a smile. "Remember that I won't go easy on you either."
"Bring your worst, Morty!" Ash smirked back.
"Pikachuuu!" Pikachu smirked determinedly.
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Ash's Gym battle the next day was just as tough as mine. Morty and his Pokémon showed no mercy. Noctowl actually did a great job thanks to his Foresight and he also learned Confusion which was super-effective against Morty's three Pokémon.
Ash saved Noctowl after he managed to switch Pokémon after defeating Gastly and chose Totodile to go against Haunter. That turned out to be very difficult. At one point, Totodile looked like to have the disadvantage, but that switched around when he surprised us by evolving into a Croconaw! He also learned Ice Fang and used that move to defeat Haunter with ease.
It wasn't the same easy dance against Gengar. Croconaw fainted quickly along with Pikachu, so everything rested on Noctowl's wings. Thanks to Ash's quick thinking, Noctowl defeated Gengar with a combination of Confusion and Foresight. Morty praised Ash and his Pokémon and gave him a Fog Badge.
Now Ash and I both had earned four Johto badges, so we were halfway done collecting them. Only four left to go before the Johto League!
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Ashley's party:
Cedric the Larvitar (male)
Trica the Furret (female)
Hikaru the Flaaffy (male)
Mystic the Togetic (male)
Victor the Houndoom (male)
Axel the Scyther (male)
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Ash's party:
Ivysaur (male)
Pikachu (male)
Chikorita (female)
Cyndaquil (male)
Croconaw (male)
Shiny Noctowl (male)
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Ash's Pokémon at the Lab:
Heracross (male)
Wartortle (male)
Tauros (male)
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Misty's party:
Goldeen (female)
Staryu (genderless)
Psyduck (male)
Togepi (female)
Poliwhirl (male)
Chinchou (female)
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Brock's party:
Geodude (male)
Onix (male)
Golbat (male)
Pineco (male)