Judas was rather excited to see the Ghost Whisperer in action. Asher has potential, he has powers prior to Ash unheard of. Judas wants to see how the trainer evolved since the boot camp. He heard of the kid's team, how he got those. But luck doesn't decide this battle.

Adding to that, in Judas' eyes, the boy did something weird, something wrong. He gave his ace away. Sure, Ketchum handed it to his mother, but still. Judas would have given her the not fully evolved grass type. Then again the Datrix is Asher's starter. Judas never had a starter, so can't fathom why Asher would choose her over the powerful and fully evolved Trevenant.

"This battle is between the gym leader of Viridian City, Giovanni Sakaki, and the gym challenger, Asher Farron Ketchum, from Pallet Town. This battle follows the standard rule set of the Indigo League. The format is one v one, full teams of six." announced Judas. He kinda likes being a referee. Maybe Giovanni would let him continue? Matori sure would like to ditch this task. (Be it to focus on other things, that woman's a workaholic.) "Potions, substitutes and similar are not allowed. Mega Evolution is allowed, but only one time only.

"Trainers! Call out your first Pokemon!" he continued. "Now!"

Asher opened with his pseudo legendary. Judas was a bit disappointed to see it wasn't fully evolved yet, but maybe it does when the boy is under his boss' metaphorical win. For the most part, Judas doubts Asher will fail Giovanni's test. Partly because he won't be surprised if Giovanni takes him in even if he looses. The powers are too useful not to. Ash had proven he can learn and adapt.

If anything was important in this test, it was how the boy processes loss. The first peek at this was when Giovanni's Cloyster defeated Drakload. Ash flinched, Judas sound see he was nervous. The first Pokemon fainting without defeating an opponent is considered a bad omen for the whole battle. Judas considers this superstitious idiocy. He won many battles despite a rough start.

"Drakload has fainted, this match goes to Cloyster." he said.

Asher replaced the pseudo with his Banette. Judas was surprised, he was not aware the kid had a Banette. Banettes are creepy, a nightmare if you believe their dex entries. Since he read Shauntal's rant about those in the foreword of her newest novel (you would think a trainer doesn't take a decade to write about a Pokemon trainer at the center, then again she mainly writes horror) he started to consider them trash. But so do many of Shauntal's fans.

The Cloyster fell asleep, the Ghost used Rest. Asher replaced her with Froslass. The Sinnoh ghost, without any command from her trainer, floated to the sleepy Pokemon and kissed it. Draining Kiss, Judas assumed. Then she hit it with a Thunderbolt.

"Cloyster fainted, this match goes to Froslass."

His boss called out his Machamp. His punches shattered ice.

"Froslass fainted, this match goes to Machamp."

Asher called out his starter, Datrix. The flying type flew in the air and Judas sighed. This will be a long battle if she is in the air. Sure, keeping distance and wearing down on the opponent is theoretically a valid tactic, even if it allows the opponent to switch in something else if available, it is boring to watch and narrate. Somehow the Machamp fainted despite not making contact with Datrix.

"Ketchum, could you explain what had happened?" requested Judas.

Asher looked nervous. Such a request implies the referee considers cheating took place. New trainers always panic, even if they didn't cheat and they know it. Asher explained, "Datrix ability. It is Long Reach. She can use physical from afar without making contact. Apparently this ability lets the physical moves work like special moves, without changing the type of impact."

"That was more detailed than needed, but this is acceptable." Judas scanned her with his dex. There it was, the ability Long Reach. "Good. Continue."

He saw Asher breathed relieved. His boss then called out his Donphan. Surprisingly Asher switched out Datrix for his Jellicent. Another weird choice of him. Datrix had perfect typing for Donphan. Then again, Donphan has moves to counter Datrix. Maybe Asher found it suspicious that someone like Giovanni made a seemingly bad choice. If this is true, the kid will fit right in this gym.

But Donphan had Thunderbolt, which Giovanni commanded him to do.

"Jelli, body it!" commanded Asher, now fully throwing Judas out of the loop. The lightning struck Jellicent who did not faint, but she was slightly paralyzed, allowing Giovanni to follow up with the same attack. But nothing happened. Asher chuckled, then the shiny defeated Donphan with her water moves. Without prompting from Judas, Asher explained, "Jellicent's ability, Cursed Body, disables moves used on her."

Again, Judas scanned her. The ability was true. "Good, good. Wow, a shiny! Anyway, Donphan fainted, this match goes to Jellicent." He looked to Giovanni, who gave an approving nod. Judas assumed Giovanni was impressed by Asher's exploit, but his boss is oftentimes very tricky to read. Said man called out his Rhyperior next.

Giovanni hesitated to command a move. Whatever he choose would be disabled, even if he defeated Jellicent. This hesitation is why it is more handy that the opponent knows about the ability than being unaware. Rhyperior growled in impatience. "Rhyperior, calm down. I-dodge!"

Jellicent and Asher didn't loose time, they attacked with Absorb, to regain the health Jellicent lost to the Thunderbolt. This was followed by her water moves. Rhyperior gave his best to dodge, so Jellicent turned invisible and attacked from unpredictable angles. Judas noted Asher closed his eyes. Judas sighed. Like his powers, the rookie trainer is an enigma.

"Rhyperior fainted, this match goes to Jellicent." he said. Asher opened his eyes and Jellicent became visible. Ghost types are such a pain to fight when they do this. Luckily most trainers are overwhelmed to handle invisible Pokemon, so they train them not to do it. But Asher, he is probably not overwhelmed, considering ghosts are his whole shtick.

Giovanni called out Persian. Now he was the one confusing Judas. Persian isn't often used in battle. He is a pet. Then again, Persian is a normal type, which cannot be hit by Ghostly energy. Confusion gone. It makes too much sense to use Persian.

"Persian, Metal Claw!" commanded Giovanni. Persian jumped to Jellicent and slashed her. He flinched and didn't step onto the paw he used. "Oh, poison?"

"Jellicents are poisonous, especially the females." added Asher proudly.

Judas was very sure he heard a curse word from his boss' direction. Asher told Jellicent to continue attacking. Persian chalked off the poison, thanks to his ability, and pounced, using Shadow Claw. In the end, Persian won.

"Jellicent fainted, this match goes to Persian."

Asher looked to his remaining Pokeballs, frantically between them. He, as a ghost specialist, is skewed against a normal type. "Of all abilities, Limber…"

"You can forfeit, Ketchum." offered Judas.

"Please don't." said Giovanni angrily, "This is a test after all."

"Of course." replied Judas. 'I should have shut up.'

In the end, Asher opted for Chandelure. He told his fire type to give it all. "Do not dodge and do not use ghost moves!" Judas raised an eye brow hearing this brass plan of Asher. Chandelure twirled – Judas thought this meant yes, but for all he knew that could have been a rude rejection – then again, Chandelure created smoke. Judas could smell it was Smog.

Asher knows Limber renders poisonous effects useless, however it does hide the Pokemon. Then Persian roared, Judas saw fire. The Smog left and Chandelure did not bother dodging Persian's attacks. He got burned every time they made contact when using Shadow Claw. Judas figured Flame Body. Enough burning so that Limber doesn't work.

"Persian fainted, this match goes to Chandelure." Then Chandelure fainted. "What? They took each other out?"

Asher sighed nervous. He knows this is a tight battle. Both trainers called out their next Pokemon, the last one for his boss. Giovanni choose his Beedrill while Asher opted for Banette, again. Both didn't loose time to mega evolve them.

Banette opened with Confuse Ray, which landed. While Beedrill flew around disoriented, Banette burned her with Will-o-wisp. Then Gunk Shot for good measure. Beedrill snapped out of it and attacked, but Banette used Rest on her. Beedrill slept and waited for the status effects to do their thing. Asher had a hand on his chin, he was thinking. "Nightshade."

Beedrill blinked purple. Then she was limb.

"Beedrill fainted, this match goes to Banette." announced Judas. "Asher Farron Ketchum wins this battle!"

Banette flew to Asher and hugged him. "You did wonderful, Banette!"

"That was close, Asher." spoke Giovanni as he walked to Asher and recalled his Beedrill.

"But I had Datrix left, Mr. Sakaki. Even if Beedrill would have beaten Banette, she could have worn Beedrill down enough for Datrix to win." explained Asher. "Then again, Beedrill could have beaten Banette and Datrix."

"Exactly. Both could have happened. Now follow me into my office upstairs. There is something we need to discuss." spoke Giovanni. Both trainers left the field and walked up the elegant stair case, a big contrast to the dirt field. Judas also walked to the office area.

"Good job, kid!" he praised Asher, "Your exploits were interesting to watch."

"I won't call my Pokemon's abilities 'exploits', Judas." countered Asher. Banette screeched something, Ash told her, "Sure, Banette. Just be careful."
"What did she ask?" wondered Giovanni.

"She wants to remain in her Mega form. To reach it kind of is her life goal." explained Asher. His mimic turned darker.

"Ash?"

"I sense something weird." he answered. 'This fear, this dread.'

Judas looked to Giovanni who gestured him to keep silent. Giovanni then fished a gold badge from his desk's drawer and pinned it on Asher's clothes. "Not many trainers beat me first try, or at all. Let alone on their first year as a trainer." told him Giovanni. "You passed my test."

"Good… what now?" Ash felt a bit empty. "I am not sure if I…"

"You don't have to become my trainee, yet." told him Giovanni. "However I would prefer if you do. If you worry about the league, you'll partake in it normally. In fact taking a shot at the league is part of the process."

Hearing this relieved Asher. "Mm, makes sense. The league themselves would need to access even the co-leaders."

"There is something else." said Giovanni. "Ash, follow me. Judas, you too."

"Oh?"

Both followed Giovanni down the stair case to the doors besides them. Asher was wondering what those were, now he will see it. Walking in, he expected an office, maybe for Matori and Judas, but instead it was a dark, empty room. There were room dividers that hid something. The room was quite big, yet it felt claustrophobic. The lack of windows were to shame for that feeling.

The door locked, Judas had the key. Ash felt dread. "What?"

"Don't worry, Ash. What do you know about Team Rocket?" asked Giovanni.

"They're criminals, organized crimes, mainly resolving around Pokemon. Some tried to kidnap me at Mt. Moon. Said their boss was interested in my powers." answered Asher, recalling what he had heard about this organization. "There are theories that they are connected to the Mindless. Then again, even small gangs are accused of such. Mm, the first of their agents I ran into were total jokes, though."

Judas had to chuckle at this. He got silent when he saw Giovanni's stare. Said man added, "Well, while your powers are intriguing, your skills as a trainer are also of note. You would be quite an asset for the team. I imagine you could become an admin, even."

Asher looked to Giovanni, eyes wide. "What? Mr. Sakaki?"

Giovanni clapped his hands together, "Asher, I am the leader of Team Rocket. I offer you to join, as an admin even, depending how you hold yourself."

Judas then spoke, "You would start higher than the clowns you met. Right, boss?"

"Right." confirmed Giovanni.

"Judas? Wait, Lt. Surge didn't tell you about me. Judas did!" realized Asher. "This explains why I felt you lying."

Judas whispered impressed. "Kid's a lying detector, neat."

"So, the offer to take over the gym was a hoax?"

"No. It was a cover lie, to some extend. I am busy, so I was thinking to have one from the team take over the gym. You would be a very not suspicious choice, Ash." explained Giovanni. "I'm getting old. I won't cut down my time running the team nor my legal companies, so the gym and league duties it is."

"What would you do if I reject?" asked Asher. "Kill me?"

"No, no. I am not low scum that would kill kids. That sounds like something Team Flare from Kalos would do." said Giovanni. Ash could feel he was offended. They must dislike this other team as Judas gave an agreeing nod. "I would force you, but I would prefer if you were to join willingly. My method… I won't want to risk that you turn into a Mindless."

"So you are behind them." stated Asher. "Why?"

"Honestly, the Mindless are not intentional. When a trainer impresses me, I try to recruit them. This gym is literally to recruit skillful trainers. If they reject, I wipe their memories of our talk with a machine my scientists created." explained Giovanni. "This works most of the time, but sometimes, things go wrong. But this is only discovered when they have left the gym. I try to fix them, hence my GioCorp sponsors studies to heal the Mindless. And because the Mindless could reveal my secret if they regain their memories."

"What? Did you think we're this kind of evil?" wondered Judas sarcastically. "Making Mindless doesn't make us money."

"However there is one person I would like to turn into a Mindless intentionally." admitted Giovanni. He walked to the room dividers at the end and pushed them away, revealing a man strapped to a chair, his mouth gagged.

"Dad!" yelled Ash, running to his father. But Giovanni stopped him. "Why him?"

"I am not sure if you're aware, but I have a son. Silver Sakaki. He doesn't really talk to me, but I still cherish him. I can't understand why Farron would abandon his son, why any dead beat does it. A birdie told me you and your mother both won't have minded if he were to drown with the St. Anne." explained Giovanni. "See it as fore-up payment for joining the team, I offer you payback on Farron."

Asher could just stare at Farron, who stared back. His fear was like a tsunami hitting the shore, ripping buildings with its might. But Asher could also send regret and a hint of utter confusion. Farron broke the eye contact and looked to a machine, a laser, aimed at him. He teared up, his body was shaking.

Asher heard Banette speak, she was besides him but invisible, "Fighting? Or freeing him?"

"What do you say, Ash?" asked Giovanni. "You could profit so much from the team!"

"In what way?" asked Asher, trying to distract him until he has a plan of action. "Besides some payback."

"I know of your meeting with Misty Waterflower. While she did thank you, she was afraid of you? Didn't you?" said Giovanni. "Your friends Yellow and Green told me the kids of Pallet often called you a zombie, avoided you. Their parents thought you were cursed."

"And joining your team should fix that? This would just confirm to them that I am some dark and twisted being!" yelled Ash. "Attack!"

Banette became visible and attacked Giovanni. Judas tried to tackle Asher, but he blocked Judas with his powers and threw him against the door. Giovanni called out his Nidoqueen and Nidoking. Banette one shot the Nidoking, but the Nidoqueen hit her with Crunch. The Mega Evolution fell and Banette fainted.

Asher called out Gengar, who attacked Nidoqueen with Shadow Punch. He was not sure what to do when he heard Sabrina's voice. 'Telepathy, do not answer. Rules don't matter now, play dirty. Trick him, use your powers.'

Asher called upon his powers and pushed Giovanni into the room divider. But he heard a click. The machine turned on and shot Farron with a green laser. Giovanni stood up from the dividers he landed on, he held a small remote. "Pocket press, like an old phone." he said, "But I suppose your generation doesn't know about those."

"Whatever, old man." answered Asher. "Gengar! Attack Giovanni himself!" As the massive ghost attacked Giovanni, said man called his Nidoqueen. As the Queen tried to protect her trainer from Gengar, Asher took out a pocket knife and cut his father free. "I am sorry."

Nidoqueen was down, Ash switched Gengar out for Datrix. "Attack Giovanni himself." With a hoot, she shot Bullet Seeds at Giovanni, who countered with his Kingler. To his dismay, Kingler lost to Datrix instantly as she evolved into Decidueye.

"Who is harming my Asher!" he could understand her yelling. Ash felt relief to understand her now, too. "I peck out your eyes!" She bodied an ice attack, Kingler's last attempt.

Giovanni eyed the Decidueye. "Well… Charizard!" He called out his very own starter from many years ago. "Mega! Burn it to ashes-oh ho." He had to chuckle at his own accidental pun.

Asher rolled his eyes and threw some pieces of debris at Giovanni. However the pieces were blocked by Charizard's wings, who then attacked Asher.

"Don't you dare!" screeched Decidueye. She grasped Charizard with her claws.

"Charizard, leave the boy." commanded Giovanni. "However, go Mega!"

The Charizard erupted in blue flames, turning his scales black. His blue fire overwhelmed Decidueye and she fainted, forcing Asher to call out Gengar again. "I count on you!" When Gengar was in front of Asher, like a protective wall between him and the black dragon, Asher said, "Go Mega."

Asher stood besides Farron, well knowing Gengar may not have a chance against this monster of a Charizard, when he felt someone grab him. With a crack, he found himself in front of the gym building. Besides him was Farron, Sabrina and her Alakazam.

She grabbed Gengar's ball from Asher and recalled Gengar. "Works on distance. Like the teleportation we just did. Thank you for your help." She and Alakazam then vanished again.


Started: 23rd July 2024

Edited: 29th July 2024

Finished: 23rd July 2024

Uploaded: 12th February 2025