And now the horrors of the tower continue. Can they put a swift end to the brewing crisis? Let's find out.
XXXX
The Pokemon Tower of Lavender Town was normally a solemn place, a place for those buried there to rest in peace. A rest that was being quite viciously disturbed the haunting taking place there, and one that the group currently dealing with the situation fully intended to put an end to. That was the feeling going through the group as they stood before the Phantom that was the source of the haunting.
"Hold fast everyone, this is it!" Sabrina said as an aura of psychic energy manifested around her, while she called out Kadabra, the Psychic-type unnerved but managed to stand his ground.
"We have to do something about that disguise first!" Ash growled. "Can you two help?" He asked Duskull and Lampent.
The two Pokemon were understandably very afraid, but they did their best to push through the fear and tried to help. The two of them tried to dispel the disguise, but where their usual trick had worked with all the phantoms so far…the moment they tried it on this one, it roared and released a shockwave of energy so strong, the Moves were not only canceled out, the two Ghosts were sent flying back, and would have hit the ground if not for Misty and Brock catching them before they hit the ground, both of them too dazed to even try to go intangible to avoid impact.
"Are you two okay?!" Ash said in alarm, the two Pokemon let out small sounds to at least confirm that they were alright.
"That didn't work, so now what?" Misty asked with a frown.
"If you want to help, be a distraction!" Rei shouted as she and Kagome took the lead of the fight, the phantom angrily snarling as talismans and arrows flew at it, but unlike the other ones so far, even when it seemed like they were doing some damage, the phantom seemed to quickly shake off the effects of the attacks, the talismans even burning up quickly as they tried to restrain the phantom.
"Well, it's better than nothing!" Gary said as he ran forward, going around to the side of the phantom. "Hey big bertha! Bet you're as slow as you are ugly!" he shouted before opening fire with a Flamethrower, the flames splashing across the phantom. The phantom didn't seem to take much damage, but it clearly was annoyed by the attack and shifted its attention towards him.
At first it looked like it was going to go after him as he'd kept enough range to ensure it couldn't easily reach him…until its arms suddenly flew after him. "Wait, what?!" Gary gasped, before quickly using Flamethrower to ward off one of the arms, but the other one kept coming, only for a Shadow Ball to hit it, forcing it to recoil, as Ash had come to help him.
"Careful, we don't know what this thing can do!" Ash said.
"Heh, don't need to tell me that twice," Gary nodded quickly.
The phantom had its focus on them and was preparing another attack…before it suddenly felt a cold feeling at its back, causing it to snarl in irritation at the impact of Misty's Water Pulse. Turning quickly to face its latest attacker…only to get a Drill Horn in the body as it turns out both Misty and Brock, after putting Duskull and Lampent somewhere safe, had taken the chance to get behind it, and Brock had been waiting for it to turn around. The phantom snarled in pain, feeling that attack…but it quickly recovered and before Brock could get away, lashed out and slammed its palm into him, slamming him into the ground, bringing out a shout of pain from the Rhydon.
"Brock!" Ash and Misty shouted in alarm, a feeling that grew when the arm lifted into the air, Brock still in its grasp as the Rhydon struggled to get free, but the phantom held firm…and even started squeezing.
"Let him go!" the first to react was Sabrina, as the usually cool headed Gym Leader having reacted the moment she saw Brock trapped by the phantom, before her ears unfolded and she reached out with her psychic power, causing the phantom to freeze up for a moment as its hand seemed to start to loosen while the phantom seemed to be trying to keep its grip.
The moment they saw that happening, everyone present immediately started hammering on the phantom, firing various attacks at it as the thing started to angrily swat at them with its free arm, the limb moving about without issue and forcing them back, but even then Sabrina kept up the pressure.
"What is this thing?! It's on a completely different level than all the others!" Rei growled. Oh sure, they were expecting it to be powerful, but for it to resist even Sabrina to this point, even while it was under fire. Literally in one case. This thing was on a completely different level.
"Dammit, what's it going to take to get this thing to let go?!" Ash growled as he fired Shadow Ball after Shadow Ball, being careful not to aim for the hand, since well…he didn't want to hit Brock too, while the others were doing similarly. Even so, the phantom still held on to Brock almost spitefully if he was being honest. As if it didn't want to yield just for the sake of not yielding.
Of course, he didn't dwell on the oddity too much. He was more focused on saving his friend who was still struggling to get out, and at least making SOME headway now that the grip was loosened but the thing still had enough of a grip on him to prevent him from breaking free.
During the whole fight, Pikachu had been in Ash's bag, the aura of the phantom gripping him with fear that made him shake even while he was hiding. Even so, he was still listening to what was happening outside, and he knew that Brock was in trouble. Everyone was doing what they could to help him but it wasn't enough. Pikachu knew he couldn't just sit around and do nothing, and thus gulping thickly, he crawled out of the bag, shuddering as he felt the aura hit him again, all his instincts telling him to run and hide. Even so he stood his ground.
"Pikachu?" Ash blinked, surprised that Pikachu was out. Not that he blamed his friend for hiding. Seriously…he may be fighting right now, but his own instincts were basically screaming 'Flee you fool! Flee!'.
Pikachu looked at the situation and despite his fears gained a look of determination, before he quickly told Ash that he wanted to help. "Are you sure?" Ash asked, considering at this point he didn't want to put his partner in danger too if he could help, but at Pikachu's determined confirmation, he nodded in acceptance. "Alright then," he said as he was forced to pause his attack to evade the free arm again. Quickly coming up with a plan with Pikachu, they put the plan into motion.
"Everyone, hit it again! No time to explain, just do it!" Ash shouted.
"I don't know what he's going for but if he has a plan, its better than nothing," Kagome blinked, but it was a sentiment most of them agreed with as they'd been busy dodging the counter attacks, before quickly getting into any good position they could find and opened fire again. The shots flew, and this time Ash grabbed Pikachu who braced himself…and threw the mouse towards the phantom before following up with a Shadow Ball.
Pikachu grit his teeth as he flew through the air, but as he got closer to his target, namely the hand holding Brock, he immediately prepared an Iron Tail and when the moment was right, flipped in the air and slammed the Iron Tail right on the thumb.
The phantom shouted in pain, because ouch. And right at that moment, the other attacks hit as well, causing the pain to increase, and THIS time, its focus was broken just enough for Sabrina to increase her pull, which in turn gave Brock more leverage to finally break free, the Rhydon landing on his feet while Pikachu landed on his shoulder.
"Thanks, I owe you and everyone one," Brock said, Pikachu chuckling a bit before they quickly moved to get away from the phantom, while Rei had thrown more talismans hoping to bind the phantom as Kagome notched another arrow, this one glowing with energy before letting it fly. However, the phantom didn't take kindly to the loss of its hostage, and snarling, it started to shake and the aura around it intensified, before it let out a roar…one that had enough force behind it that it sent everyone flying back while completely destroying the talismans as well as the arrow, while everyone landed on the ground and were soon groaning as they painfully pushed themselves back up with some difficulty.
"What was that?" Misty groaned.
"How does a roar have that much power?" Sabrina groaned as well, the force completely breaking her concentration, something that was very shocking.
"More importantly…how does a roar cause physical injury?!" Gary gasped, as true enough, they had several cuts on them and their clothes had developed gashes similar to if something sharp hit them.
"This is bad!" Rei gasped.
"What's going on?!" Ash asked in alarm. They needed to know what they're up against.
"We originally thought it was just a powerful angry spirit, possibly boosted by the ambient energy of the tower. We realized it was more akin to a vengeful spirit after we saw what it had warped the lower floors into but now…now it's worse than we thought," Rei gulped thickly. "I don't know what has it so angry and hateful, but this…this is abnormal. Completely so!" she gasped.
"Okay, what's the plan now then?" Brock gulped thickly. This was getting worse by the minute.
Sabrina frowned for a moment, before she gained a determined look. "We'll figure out what to do. All of you, you need to get out of here. Kadabra, please take them away," she said, as she called out Kadabra, the Psychic-type feeling the unnerving aura, but stood his ground at his Trainer's call. "Get them out of here, then come back for us," she ordered.
"But we can help!" Brock said in protest, grabbing her arm. He didn't want to leave his old friend to face…that thing…by herself (oh sure she wasn't ACTUALLY alone, but the sentiment still remained).
"You've done more than enough," Sabrina reassured with a smile, before she frowned. "But this thing is beyond what you can handle. We'll be-" she was about to say but…
"Hang on, it's coming!" Kagome shouted as true enough the phantom roared and lunged for them, covered in an aura as its arms lashed out, turning into a mass of flaming wisps which flew at them.
Everyone was immediately on guard as they tried to fight back, but unlike before their attacks did nothing towards the wisps, causing everyone to shout in pain as they felt the wisps burn, while the phantom crashed into them, sending them flying back and crashing into the ground again. They barely got to stand up before the phantom let out another shout which hit them full on, causing them all to shout in pain as cuts and gashes appeared all over them as what felt like invisible blades cut into them, and when it was over, they were on the ground again, with the phantom looking ready to finish them off. However, before it could, Sabrina, Kagome, and Rei managed to push themselves onto their feet, and working together, created a barrier to defend against the next attack, another shout which impacted the barrier, and already cracks were forming at it. Behind them, Ash, Misty, Brock, Gary, and Pikachu were groaning as they tried to get to their feet, while Duskull and Lampent hovered over them worriedly.
"Kadabra, take them out of here now!" Sabrina ordered, Kadabra hesitating for a moment, not wanting to leave her…but ultimately complied as he spread his hold on them and prepared to teleport…right before the barrier started developing holes, causing everyone to shout in pain as the blade-like force hit them again, but Kadabra pushed himself to focus, and the group was teleported out, just in time for the barrier to fail completely as the attack hit the three who remained…
XXXX
Outside of the Pokemon Tower, the authorities were looking worriedly as they continued to keep an eye on the Tower. Their situation wasn't helped by the Spiritualists helping them reporting how the energy was getting stronger, and arguably more unstable, forcing them to strengthen their barriers, but even then they felt the edges of their barriers start to crack from the sudden pressure.
This worry…compounded when a flash of light occurred, and a badly injured Kadabra appeared, one they recognized as belonging to Gym Leader Sabrina, the Pokemon standing despite his injuries, before his body glowed and to everyone's surprise, he evolved into an Alakazam…one that was soon unconscious while standing up. Along with him was the group that had entered to try and help…and all of them were badly injured, their clothes in tatters as if they'd been slashed by many blades, each of them bleeding badly and were unconscious from their injuries. Needless to say the paramedics were on the scene shortly.
XXXX
He continued to search, wandering around this strange area he found himself in. He didn't know where he was or how he got here, but he and his friends were here somehow. The place they were in was dark and foreboding with an oppressive feel in the air, yet even so they continued to search for a way out. However, this was anything but a simple trek, as the longer they went the more lost they felt. Worse, it started feeling like the void was closing in on them somehow, their pace becoming more frantic, as the darkness started to swallow them up one by one. He tried to help, but it was pointless. One by one his friends were taken away, while he was powerless to stop it, and in the end all he could do was run, run till he could barely run and as if waiting for him to get tired, his feet suddenly started to sink into the ground as he struggled to stay above till he was eventually pulled under…
Ash's eyes snapped open as she shot up with a gasp…which led to him groaning as pain shot through him, the sudden movement aggravating his injuries.
"Easy there, we're all…not in the best shape," came Misty's voice, to which Ash looked around and saw that they were in a hospital, specifically a mixed ward, Misty, Brock, and Gary also on similar beds, all of them wearing hospital gowns and sporting similar injuries. Even Pikachu was lying on a small bed next to his bed, the mouse sleeping with a few bandages covering him.
"Things really didn't go well," Gary said, looking rather deflated, a far cry from his usual confidence, while Brock looked rather agitated. They didn't need to ask him why though, since they already knew the answer why. Instead Ash, asked the next question that mattered.
"How long were we out?" he asked. Even as he tried to keep a straight face, he couldn't suppress the feeling of helplessness he felt as he remembered what had happened in the Tower. They were practically useless and ended up being sent away to save themselves…
"Nurse Joy says we were out only a few hours at most. Fortunately our injuries looked worse than they really were," Brock frowned. "But that doesn't change that things are getting worse over at the Pokemon Tower."
"I'm afraid to ask, but how bad is it?" Ash groaned, as by now Pikachu had woken up, and he looked a little woozy still.
"Not fully sure…but considering how bad things were when we were in there…it's definitely gotten worse…" Misty said, hanging her head a bit. All of them were feeling the weight of their failure to stop the root of the problem.
"Even more reason for us to get back in there," Brock said, looking like he wanted nothing more than to get up right then and there and go up to the Tower again.
"H-hey, I'm all for trying to stop a possible disaster, but we barely did anything to it last time. What makes you think this time will be different?" Gary pointed out.
Brock looked like he wanted to retort…but ultimately sighed and said nothing. Even if he wanted to go back and help Sabrina…there was no denying Gary's words. The group as a whole had thoughtful expressions since there was no denying the reality that right now they had no actual plan. Going back to the Tower now would just be a repeat of last time, probably worse even.
They didn't have too long to mull over their predicament though, as they noticed someone coming into the ward, revealing to be the local Nurse Joy. "Ah, all of you are awake now," she said with a smile.
"Yeah, thanks for taking care of us," Misty said with a bit of a wry smile.
"...how bad are things out there?" Ash asked after a bit.
Nurse Joy frowned at that, before she shook her head a bit sadly. "Things are…mostly stable…but there's no telling how long that will last," she said. "...you're not planning on going back there, are you?"
"We can't just leave things be!" Brock said, surprising everyone at him raising his voice in front of Nurse Joy. He also seemed to realize what he'd just done, and let out a small 'Sorry', at losing his composure like that.
Nurse Joy however didn't seem to mind too much, quickly getting over her surprise, before sighing. "If you feel that strongly about this…then you CAN leave anytime. Your injuries thankfully looked worse than they actually were," she said. "Still…I would recommend you stay longer but…" she frowned, clearly looking conflicted.
"...we'll be alright," Ash said. "If you say we're good enough to leave then we are. Besides…if that thing in the Tower were to get out…I think things would be a LOT worse," he frowned.
"I suppose you're right," Nurse Joy sighed. "Alright, you're all free to go, but if you must, please think of a plan first," she said, before she called for one of the Chansey who brought their clothes and the like which had been repaired while they were unconscious. "I'll be at the front desk so we can finalize your releases," she said as she soon left them alone.
With their clothes and the like there, the group quickly grabbed their stuff, drew the curtains of their respective beds and got dressed. Before long the group was at the lobby of the Pokemon Center, looking to properly check out of the place. And get their Pokemon too as their Pokeballs hadn't been with the stuff returned to them, probably because Nurse Joy wanted to check all of them for injuries as well.
However, rather than just finding Nurse Joy…they saw someone else too. An elderly looking Machoke with a bald head and gray eyebrows, with a rather skinny build, showing the toll of age on him. He was dressed in a simple shirt and pants…and he seemed to be arguing with Nurse Joy.
"Mr. Fuji, I cannot in good conscience agree to this!" Nurse Joy said, clearly distressed.
"But if we do nothing, our Town will be in danger!" the Machoke, Mr. Fuji, argued back.
"That's what the police are working on!" Nurse Joy countered. "With all due respect, what you're planning to do is suicide!"
"But we have to do it!" Mr. Fuji countered. "Not just for the town, but for Marowak as well…" he said sadly. "Cubone's mother deserves to be able to rest…" he said, looking down a bit sadly as a Cubone peeked out from behind his leg.
"Mr. Fuji, we really can't just act based on a hunch…" Nurse Joy sighed.
The argument would have continued, but Ash and Co. soon interrupted. "Um…excuse us?" Misty spoke up, catching their attention.
"Ah yes, your release forms," Nurse Joy nodded with a small smile as Mr. Fuji moved aside, not wanting to get in the way of her work when there were patients around. A few quick signatures later and Nurse Joy was processing their release…after returning their Pokemon to them, as all of them were in good health. Even Duskull and Lampent who came with the Pokeballs, the two Ghosts looking happy to see the group alright, to which they were flying around the group.
"Glad to see you two are okay too," Ash chuckled.
"And glad you got out when we did," Gary agreed. After all…they'd have been completely sunk without the two. However he frowned at that. "Though…I know we just got out of that death trap, but can you help us again?"
The two of them paused, looked at each other, before nodding with determination. The Tower was their home. They wouldn't give it up without a fight.
"Glad to know we've got your support," Brock chuckled a bit.
"Still…even with them this is going to be…really hard…" Ash sighed, the group shuddering a bit as the memory of what happened hit them again. It was probably only the realization that it was still happening that stopped them from losing whatever was still in their stomachs.
"Pi…" Pikachu frowned, feeling a shiver go down his spine. He honestly REALLY didn't want to go there again…but as it was, they couldn't just leave it be either…
"You four…you were the ones who tried to stop Marowak before," Mr. Fuji said when he got a good look at them.
"Marowak?" was the general question.
"Yes, the spirit causing this disturbance. I am positive it is Marowak's spirit…" Mr. Fuji sighed.
"How do you know?" Gary blinked, surprised at this bit of info.
"Because this incident began shortly after I buried Marowak," Mr. Fuji said sadly. "You see, Marowak lost her life protecting Cubone from poachers. I've been taking care of Cubone since then along with many other orphaned Pokemon, but the pain and anger she felt…compounded by not knowing what became of her child…it must have twisted her into the spirit that is haunting the Tower…"
"That's awful…" Ash frowned, before looking down a bit and noticed the despondent looking Cubone. "And I'm sorry for your loss," he said to the little Pokemon who nodded a bit but clearly was still sad.
"I know this might be inappropriate but…if you know who the ghost is…could you tell us a way to fight her, or at least calm her down?" Gary asked slowly.
Mr. Fuji sighed. "Maybe, but I don't know if it will even work. I hope that if I were to offer a proper prayer, maybe that could appease Marowak and help her finally rest."
The group winced at that one. "I…don't think that's a good idea," Misty sweat dropped, Pikachu nodding in agreement at that sentiment.
"We were in the tower…if that was Marowak then I don't think a prayer is going to calm her down…" Brock winced.
"Even so I have to try, both for the town's sake, and for Cubone's sake," Mr. Fuji said sadly.
"But you can't just go into the tower on a hunch like that, you could get killed!" Ash gasped.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but if this can help this town, I'm willing to risk it," Mr. Fuji said. "Aren't you four the same?"
"We want to help the town yeah, but more importantly we want to help the Pokemon who could lose their home…and we want to help Sabrina who got us out of there in the first place," Ash frowned.
"We can't leave them in the tower, not like this," Brock said in agreement.
"Whatever the motivation, in the end we all wish to see Marowak rest in peace. That means our interests align," Mr. Fuji said.
"You're being way too stubborn…" Gary groaned.
"If you're gonna insist on coming I guess you can, but I doubt the police will let you through," Misty said a bit wryly.
XXXX
"What do you mean we can't go through?!" Brock practically shouted, as currently they were at the Pokemon Tower again, but unlike last time…they were being stopped from entering.
"After what happened last time, we can't in good conscience let you go back in there," Officer Jenny sighed. "I appreciate you all wanting to help, but in the end this is our Town and we need to protect it," she said.
"Then even more reason-!" Brock started but she stopped him.
"Don't worry. We've sent a team into the Tower. They're equipped with the latest device…or at least a prototype of it…developed by Silph Co.," Officer Jenny reassured.
"Device?" Gary blinked, the Pokemon with them also looking confused.
"It's called the Silph Scope. Apparently it can dispel illusions and the like that Pokemon and Pokemorphs create. It should be able to work on the spirits haunting the tower too," she clarified. "That's why please leave this to us. You just sit back and wait. You've more than earned it."
Realizing that they wouldn't be able to convince her to let them in, the group ultimately backed off…not that they had any intention of just leaving it as is.
"As much as I'd like to think that whoever they sent in can get the job done…am I the only one who has a bad feeling about this?" Misty groaned.
"I know what you mean…" Ash frowned, as his instincts told him that they still couldn't just leave this be.
"Indeed, we must help put Marowak to rest," Mr. Fuji agreed, having followed after them as he too had been rejected entry.
"Okay, I really think you should stop trying to get yourself killed. And no, that's not a jab at old people. My gramps is old and he can still bench press some serious weight," Gary sweat dropped. "And more importantly, even if we want to go in, how do we do it with the main entrance blocked?" he asked.
Mr. Fuji smirked a little bit. "Well now, you don't live so long in this town without learning a few tricks. And I've been here for a LONG time," he said, before he led them to a different section of the Pokemon Tower's grounds, one that was lacking in any police on account of there being seemingly nothing there, before he went over to the wall…and tapped a few bricks in a specific order. To their surprise, a section of the wall shifted and revealed a spiral staircase. "This will take us to the third floor. Not ideal, but it at least gets us in and bypasses a few floors."
"I'd ask how you knew about this, but I don't think we have the time for that…" Brock sighed. "Thanks though, this way we can try and do something,"
"You say that like it's only the four of you going. I'm going too," Mr. Fuji insisted.
The group looked ready to protest…before they sighed. "You're gonna come after us one way or another anyway even if we told you to stay aren't you?" Gary deadpanned.
"Indeed," Mr. Fuji said without hesitation.
The group looked at each other…before sighing. "Alright, just stay close to us," Misty said, the group not wanting to waste more time than necessary.
"Good," Mr. Fuji chuckled a bit, before turning to Cubone. "Cubone, please go back to the Pokemon Center. This is too dangerous for you to be involved," he said apologetically.
Cubone's eyes widened, and he immediately clung to Mr. Fuji's leg, shaking his head and frantically saying his name.
"Cubone wants to go too…great…" Brock groaned, having a pretty good idea how problematic this could be.
"No way, its dangerous enough bringing an old guy with us, but a young Pokemon like Cubone…that's seriously pushing it," Gary frowned.
"We understand that you want to be with Mr. Fuji, but this is for your own safety," Misty said, trying to placate the little Pokemon, but Cubone remained adamant.
"Its going to be really dangerous. We don't want to see you get hurt," Ash said, squatting down to be more at Cubone's level, but the little Pokemon made it clear that he wasn't going to budge. Ash tried to dissuade him again with similar results…before he eventually looked at Cubone and sighed. "I guess we have to bring him along," he said eventually.
"What? Are you nuts? I get Pokemon can fight not long after they hatch, but Cubone sure doesn't look like he's been through enough training to handle what's in the tower!" Gary said.
"I know that," Ash groaned. "But look at it this way…at least this way we can keep an eye on him, rather than him following after us when we go in," he sighed.
Everyone else paused at that. They looked like they wanted to argue…but they realized that Ash's words made sense. "...I hate that we literally don't have time for alternatives," Misty groaned.
"Alright, he can come, but make sure to keep an eye on him," Brock sighed.
"No problem there," Ash said, before looking at Cubone again. "Stay close to us, okay?" he said, earning a nod from Cubone who went to him, and with a bit of help, was soon climbing into his bag before emerging a moment later, looking pretty comfortable in it, while Pikachu came over and made sure the little Pokemon was secured, Duskull and Lampent floating nearby just in case.
With that secured, they looked to the stairs. "No turning back now," Brock said grimly.
"We will do what we must do," Mr. Fuji said solemnly.
"Let's make sure this is the last time…hopefully for a VERY long time," Gary said, gulping a little as the four Trainer-Fighters squashed the fears they were feeling again, as they all began ascending the stairs to face the horrors of the tower once again.
XXXX
And the crisis continues. Yep, I opted to NOT have them solve it so easily. Things aren't gonna be easy, but then…best causes are rarely easy. I hope you all enjoyed and continue to look forward to the next entry in this arc.
