He felt sore when he woke up, his senses still exhausted. But his mind raced heavily, how did he get here...?
The singular thought returned to his mind, as he got out of the bed, he rushed off, disregarding the sickening spin in his head, the pain that jolted through his right leg, a limp evident. He was stopped by a Chansey, who attempted to ease him, as he collapsed into her. The world begun to spin around him violently, as Chansey was found assistance from Nurse Joy.
"Easy. You're in no condition to be out of bed yet."
Ash felt his head now back on the pillow, as Chansey begun doing her work, intent on healing him with her Softboiled.
Feeling relaxed, Ash asked something, desperation evident in his voice, "Where's Pikachu...?"
The Indigo Center Joy hesitated for a moment, before replying, "Once you're in better condition, I'll... take you to him..."
The growing dread in her elevated at the expression Ash had on his face. She came up with an idea to keep him preoccupied while he was recovering. "I think I have something to do for you, Ash..." As she left him under Chansey's care.
It became a new story to everyone in Kanto, a mysterious trainer appearing at the top of the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town, seeming to possess an effective team of Pokémon. The individual is often reported bring shrouded in fog, the only thing visible about their form being that of the various masks they were sighted wearing.
While many have mistaken them to be a Ghost-like trainer due to the spirits that seemed to safeguard their being. However, trainers stated that in battle, they utilized a small number of rare Pokémon, often showing slight deviation here and there.
While there were other stories, some claiming that the trainer had supernatural abilities or being a naturally-born psychic, Gary was more focused on the Pokémon that the individual was known to call upon; a Clefairy, Dragonair, Pikachu, Eevee, Larvitar, Jigglypuff, Nidorino, and a colorless Porygon. They're also seen with a Cubone, several Ghost Pokémon, and a golden Vulpix with three light orange tails.
Gary had taken his time to trek through Kanto, thinking about a team that could beat the group that this particular trainer carried.
Ultimately deciding on a team by the time he arrived to the melancholic town, the sun already on the horizon. He was on his way to the Center, feeling a chill roll up his spine, he glanced behind him, feeling like death was there.
"What's this feeling...?" Granted, he skipped Lavender Town due to the lack of any Gym (and most of the Ghost Pokémon being too unknown to attempt catching). Now, he felt uncomfortably paranoia.
Keeping his path towards the Nurse Joy of this place, who appeared slightly older than him, "Welcome to the Pokémon Center!"
Gary replied with a faint, uneasy voice. "Hello."
Joy asked, "Are you wishing for a check up with your Pokémon?"
"Yeah..." He grabbed his team's Pokéballs, placing them onto the tray in front of him (he honestly wondered where it came from).
As Joy begun working on the system to her right, as Gary finally glanced around on edge, the lack of anyone noticeable. He decided to make small talk, "So... is it usually this quiet?"
Joy replied calmly, "Normally, even with Indigo drawing attention to our little town, trainers don't normally come due to where we are..."
Gary gave her the strangest look, "'Indigo'...?"
Joy gave an surprised look, before nodding, "Oh, the Pokémon Tower's only tenant. They guard the tower and deal with any of the irritable ghosts and troublemakers."
"Oh, so their name's...? I thought it was Lavender or Violet like everyone labeled..."
Joy clarified, "Not necessarily... while they don't care for their name, people normally associate them with a color, it doesn't help they've been thinking about colors to use for their name."
Gary nodded, "Alright, so what is he like?"
Joy corrected, "They. While I find it a little rude to assume who someone is before identifying them, it's already troublesome figuring out if their identity due to how everyone's telling on them. Better to play it safe." Before she continued, "To be honest, they're the nicest person I've ever met. A little mischievous, rigid with others, and pretty lonely (even if they don't like acknowledging it), but really pleasant."
Gary blinked, "Huh, that sounds... weird."
"Don't take them lightly thought , they're really ruthless in battles... and more than a little intimidating."
"You sure know a decent amount about 'them'?"
Joy blushed lightly, "I-it's nothing like that, they never leave the tower, so I make a habit to go up there to give their Pokémon a check up."
Gary looked on in thought, as she put the tray down for him, "Well, there's your Pokémon, have a nice day!"
Accepting them, he begun walking towards the door, "Thanks. And I'll tell Indigo you said hi." Joy balked in shock at him.
With a flashlight in hand, Gary glance up at the Tower, enshrouded in the fog than hung constantly over the town. Night almost upon him, as he entered the building.
With a feeling of intense sadness hitting him hard, he moved up, his goal being the only reason he pushed forward, though slower than before. He relied on the flashlight, his eyes occasionally finding other trainers mourning at graves.
When be touched the third floor, the fog grew thicker, as he paused unable to see straight. His fear grew greater, as he begun moving forward though the smoke, whispers echoing around him now.
"Where am I...? I'm still in the tower, right?" Talking to himself, he pressed further. Before freezing at the sight in the fog.
It was a crashed car, severely damaged and charred. But it wasn't the car, it was the two people... his father laid slump through the window, his body lacerated by the glass, his eyes completely glassy, blood was slowly dripping down the hood of the car.
His mother was severely charred, her hair burnt heavily, smoke still emanating from the agonized look on her face. His heart beat faster, as tears formed at the edge of his face.
However, his thoughts were caught off guard, as his older sister walked from behind it. But instead of being older than her, Daisy was a little girl now. "What's wrong, little brother...?"
"D-Daisy...?"
Daisy finally looked at him directly, her eyes a piercing pink,"I thought you weren't a cry baby anymore..."
Gary gasped, taking a deep breath, back in the cemetery, as he wiped at the tears, panting lightly, as an ethereal laughter echoed faintly at his reactions.
Unwillingly to let the Ghosts be victorious in making him cower, he proceeded forward.
As he reached the fourth floor, he glanced around warily, preparing himself for what comes next.
But what he saw startled him, at first he thought it was Ash, the only thing difference being the longer hair and red vest. 'Ash' was slumped on the ground, looking injured as Gary grasped him, concerned for his rival.
"Ash!? Are you...!?" He froze, catching sight of the darkness, the two red eyes piercing his own, as the red trainer gripped him tightly, choking him out, he felt back, "... A-sh...? Sto...p... pl-"
"It's you're fault. You took Miki from me..." The vitriol in his voice sent chills through Gary, as he gasped for air.
Before he could lose consciousness, a bone-chilling roar echoed through the corridor, breaking through the 'Ash' illusion, as he heard cries, the dread of being watched fading somewhat.
Gary gasped for air, fully done with everything, as he panted heavily for air. His eyes looked up bleary-eyed, seeing a golden Vulpix with a few tails, a faint fiery-spectral aura fading from her form
She merely tilted her head, before yipping loudly, bounding to the person behind her. Gary stared with listless, as he finally caught sight of the individual.
They were dressed in a primarily in black and lavender clothing. They were covered in a black long coat with a white trim, underneath was a purple tank top and a pair of black jeans. Additionally, he noticed the purple gloves, developed for battling, and regular black running shoes. The last detail was the black mask with three glowing, purple marking resembling a sinister smile.
The two stared at each other in silence.