Chapter 12: Secrets of Johto Part 2
The quartet reached Ecruteak City by the next afternoon. Gladion had wanted to take on the gym after lunch, but was disappointed to find it closed.
"What? Closed?"
The old man sitting out front nodded his head.
"Sorry, sonny. The gym leader went to the Burnt Tower."
"Did he say why?"
"No, but he seemed to be in a hurry. Said something about a gut feeling, but when I try and ask him about it, he brushed me off. Kids these days, always in a hurry..."
While the old gentleman rambled on, Ash and his friends decided to find something else to do. But their minds kept wandering back to the Burnt Tower.
"Do you think he's alright?"
"I'm sure he's fine. He wouldn't be a gym leader if he didn't know how to handle himself."
"Still though, there's not much to do here. I'd kill for a battle."
"How about you and I go at it, Gladion? It'll be just like old times."
Gladion smiled, but declined.
"Thanks, but the next time we battle, I want it to be all out."
"Hey, why don't we check out the Burnt Tower? Beats sitting around moping."
With no better option available, the quartet decided to check out the landmark. When they entered, they found it very dark inside, with only a few lanterns along the walls to light their path.
"Man this totally sucks! I can hardly see a thing."
"Yeah, same here. Scorbunny, Use Ember!"
Scorbunny nodded, and opened his mouth to create a small light to guide them...
Only for it to be snuffed out the moment it left his mouth. Dejected, Scorbunny hung his head in shame.
"Bunny."
"Don't worry Scorbunny, you'll get there."
"Don't worry, I have another idea. Go, Crobat!"
Goh's Crobat swooped overhead, using echolocation to help guide them through the dark tower. Not that they needed it, though. Aside from a few Pokemon, there wasn't much to see.
"Well, this wasn't much fun."
"Great idea, Goh. Maybe next time, we'll just wait at the Pokemon Center."
"Hey, don't blame me! Might as well enjoy some sightseeing while we're here..."
"Who's there?!"
The four jumped, but were relieved when it turned out to just be Morty. Morty, in turn, was happy to see Ash.
"Oh, phew. Sorry Ash, I thought you were a poacher or something."
"Hi, Morty. Poachers?"
"Yeah, we've been having trouble with them lately. I had a hunch that they'd come here, so I thought I'd better check it out."
"Well, have there been any?"
"No, but you can never be too sure."
Just then, they heard a loud crash coming from the basement.
"What was that?!"
"Nothing good, that's for sure. Come on!"
The five of them ran as fast as they could to the basement. There they found a poacher trying to make off with a net full of Pokemon.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!"
"I'm having a tea party, what does it look like you dumb kid!"
"You'd better let them go, or else!"
"Ha, you think you can take me on? Go, Houndoom!"
The Fire and Dark Type emerged in a burst of flames aimed right at the trainers, the five of them just barely dodging in time.
"This guy means business. Scorbunny, use Double Kick!"
Scorbunny ran up and dealt a quick kick right to Houndoom's shins, making him cringe as he kneeled. Furious, Houndoom tried to go for a bite, only for Scorbunny to jump and kick him right in the face before running off.
"Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!"
While Houndoom tried to get up, Pikachu ran right up to him and rammed him in the side, making the Dark type howl in pain.
"Scorbunny, try and use Ember one more time!"
Scorbunny nodded, and opened his mouth. A ball of flame could be seen building up in his mouth...
Only for it to come out as barely a cinder, falling harmlessly to the ground. The poacher laughed evilly.
"Here kid, let me show you some real fire power! Houndoom, use Fire Blast!"
Houndoom let loose a massive blast of fire, hitting Scorbunny and sending him crashing into a wall. Scorbunny wasn't too hurt, but the impact knocked a torch off the wall, starting a...
"Fire!"
The poacher, knowing when to cut his loses and dropped the net, running away before the fire could catch him. The others didn't have much time to care, however, as they had to get the Pokemon to safety.
"Come on, this way!"
The Pokemon, scared for their lives, ran, flew, or otherwise hurried up the ladder. All except one, a Stantler who couldn't climb the ladder. Goh, worried for her safety, approached her with a Pokeball. Realizing what Goh had in mind, Stantler backed away in fear, but Goh gently coaxed her.
"Hey, its ok, I don't want to hurt you. I promise, as soon as we get out of here, I'll release you."
Realizing Goh was telling the truth, Stantler allowed herself to be captured, and Goh hurried up the ladder after his friends. Luckily, everyone managed to get outside in time, finding the whole town watching in horror as the whole building went up in flames. Officer Jenny ran up to them, concerned.
"Are you kids alright?"
"We're fine, but there was a poacher in there, and..."
"Don't you worry. We've already captured him. But what can we do about the tower? By the time the fire department gets here, the whole thing will have burned to the ground."
Just then, as if the heavens themselves had answered their prayers, storm clouds floated over the tower and let lose a rainstorm, putting out the fire within minutes. Everyone stood there shocked for a minute, before the crowd dispersed.
"Well...that just happened."
"Don't you just love random coincidences?"
Remembering his promise, Goh took out Stantler's Pokeball, releasing the young fawn.
"Go ahead, you can go now. I promised to let you go, and I am."
But Stantler didn't go, instead nudging forward into Goh's chest. Goh caught on to what she was trying to tell him.
"Wait, do you want to go with me?"
Stantler nodded, purring slightly. Goh smiled, and returned her to her Pokeball.
"Sweet, I caught a Stantler!"
"Bunny!"
Morty sighed in relief, and mopped his forehead.
"Phew! What a day! Gladion, do you mind if we have our Gym Battle tomorrow?"
"Sure. I could use a good night's rest myself."
Morty smiled, and shook his hand.
"I look forward to it."