Chapter 53: Graveyard Scare
The sound of laughter filled the air as Team Rocket's balloon passed overhead. Hanging from the bottom of their basket was a cage, and contained within that cage were Pikachu and Buneary. Team Rocket had once again stolen them from their trainers and were trying to make their getaway.
"That one was almost too easy," Jessie commented.
"Who would have guessed that they would have fallen for the old 'Pokémon in distress' act so easily?" James said.
"With my acting it was a sure-thing," Meowth bragged. "Let's face it. The twerps are suckers for a Pokémon in need."
"And that's what made this the perfect plan for stealing Pikachu and Buneary," Jessie stated.
"Team Rocket!"
"Give us back our Pokémon!" Looking down towards the ground the trio saw Ash and Nikki giving chase.
"Persistent, aren't they?" James commented.
"Annoying is more like it," Jessie corrected.
"Let Pikachu and Buneary go right now!" Nikki demanded.
"Don't you twerps ever get tired of making ridiculous demands?" Jessie asked.
"Just face the facts. These two are coming with us and there's nothing you can do about it," Meowth stated.
"That's where you're wrong! Go, Staraptor!" Ash tossed a Poké Ball, calling on the Predator Pokémon.
"Use Aerial Ace to free Pikachu and Buneary!" Ash instructed. Staraptor looked towards Team Rocket's balloon, focusing on the cage beneath that held Pikachu and Buneary. Then, once he was confidently locked on, he sped forward.
"Incoming!" Meowth warned. Jessie and James tried to ready a pair of Poké Balls, but Staraptor was much too fast. Before they could call on reinforcement the Predator Pokémon struck the cage, shattering it on impact. Pikachu and Buneary were free from Team Rocket, but now they were falling towards the ground.
"No!" Nikki screamed.
"Catch them, Staraptor!" Ash shouted. Staraptor quickly reversed direction and flew underneath the falling Pikachu and Buneary, catching them safely on his back.
"(Are you two alright?)" he asked.
"(Yeah, thanks to you,)" Pikachu said.
"Thank goodness. He caught them," Nikki sighed. Team Rocket, however, was not as relieved as she was.
"No! We were supposed to get away this time!" Jessie whined.
"Wishful thinking," James sighed.
"Okay, Pikachu! Send them packing with a Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted. Pikachu jumped off Staraptor's back and unleashed his Thunderbolt. The Electric attack struck Team Rocket's balloon, detonating it moments later.
"We're blasting off again!" they screamed.
"Well, that takes care of them," Ash said. "Now let's see about getting back on our way."
"You said it," Nikki agreed. "Let me just find out how far it is to… oh no!"
"What?" Ash asked. Nikki showed Ash the map she pulled up on her Pokécomm. It didn't take the Pallet Town trainer long to see what had her so distressed.
"Oh man. I had no idea we went so far from the main path," he said.
"We were so focused on getting Pikachu and Buneary back from Team Rocket that we didn't pay attention to how far we were chasing them," Nikki stated.
"(Do you think we could get back there before the sun sets?)" Buneary wondered. One look up at the orange sky gave them their answer.
"It's too late to try. It'll be nighttime long before we reach it," Nikki said.
"(Is there anywhere else we can go?)" Pikachu asked. Ash and Nikki looked over the map, trying to see if there was indeed somewhere else they could go.
"What about here?" Ash suggested. He pointed out a small town on the map that looked near them.
"That looks like our best chance," he said.
"It looks close enough to us and there's nothing between us and it. If we hurry we may make it before the sun sets completely," Nikki added. Ash agreed with her and, once he recalled Staraptor, the two of them and their Pokémon hurried in the direction of the town.
"Umm, Nikki? Did you, perhaps, read the map wrong?"
"I wish I did." The group's progress towards the town was brought to a sudden halt by an unexpected obstacle.
"I didn't know we'd have to go through a… a… a cemetery," Nikki stated. Rows upon rows of tombstones stretched out before them, making all of them feel a bit uneasy.
"Passing through here during the day wouldn't have been as bad," Ash commented. "But now…" The sun had vanished behind the horizon, casting a shroud of darkness over the landscape and giving the already creepy cemetery an even more frightening appearance.
"I really don't want to go through here," Nikki said.
"Neither do I, but we don't have any other choice right now," Ash stated. "That is, unless you want to make camp here."
"No, no! Absolutely not! There is no way we are making camp here!" Nikki refused.
"Then we have to go through here and make it to the town on the other side," Ash said. Nikki gulped nervously. As much as she hated to admit it she knew Ash was right.
"You know, there are moments where I wish you were wrong," she commented.
"Me too. This is one of them," Ash replied. As much as neither of them wanted to both Ash and Nikki knew they'd have to traverse through the cemetery to reach their destination.
"W-Well, let's go." With that the two of them took their first tentative steps into the cemetery.
If they thought the cemetery was scary-looking on the outside then it was even more so once they were in it. Everywhere they looked they saw rows upon rows of tombstones. There were a few trees scattered about but they were just as dead as everything else there. All of them were on edge, but none more than Nikki. The coordinator kept close to Ash, her eyes darting back and forth constantly.
"Ash… do you have the feeling that… that someone's watching you right now? Because I sure do," Nikki said. The group paused and looked around to see if anyone or anything was following them
"I can't see anything," Ash said. "What about you, buddy? Can you see or hear anything?" The Mouse Pokémon looked around and used his ears to try and pick up on any sounds.
"(Nope, nothing,)" he replied.
"What about you, Buneary?" Nikki asked.
"(Same here,)" she answered.
"Looks like we're alone," Ash stated.
"Well I don't care what any of you say. I know there's someone here following us," Nikki argued. She was completely convinced that someone or something was watching them, so while Ash lead the way she kept her eyes on the shadows, almost as if she were anticipating something to leap from them.
"(Try to calm down, Nikki. There's nothing here to worry about,)" Buneary said.
"I know you keep saying there's nothing, but I can feel something here watching us," Nikki replied. Moments later a loud rustling noise caused her to turn around.
"I know you heard that" she stated.
"(I heard something, but I don't know what it was)" Buneary replied.
"There's something else here besides us. I just know it," Nikki said. The two of them looked for the source of the mysterious rustling noise, but much to their chagrin they found nothing.
"(I don't like this, Nikki,)" Buneary shuddered.
"I don't either," Nikki agreed. "Could we please hurry up and get out of here, Ash? … Ash?" At first she thought he just hadn't heard her, but as she turned to face him she came to the frightening realization that both Ash and Pikachu were gone.
"A-Ash? Wh-Where did you guys go?" she called.
"(Pikachu? C-Can you hear me?)" Buneary said. The two of them looked around for their companions, but Ash and Pikachu were nowhere to be seen. Buneary began to worry, while Nikki's fear grew.
"G-Guys, i-if this is a j-joke then it's n-not funny… but please tell me this is just a joke," Nikki said, her voice trembling as she spoke. They kept looking for their companions, but it became frightening clear to them that they were indeed all alone.
"(N-Nikki? What d-do we do n-now?)" Buneary stuttered. The tiny Rabbit Pokémon was beginning to get scared, just like her trainer already was. Nikki's own panic intensified to the point where she jumped at every sound and shadow. She was ready to get out of there, and the sooner the better.
"Ash? Pikachu? If you can hear me I'm ready to leave now," she called. She waited for a response, but received none.
"I want out of here… now!" Nikki demanded. A sudden rustling noise behind her caused her to turn around, but she saw nothing. Shortly after that the sound emanated from behind her again, but just as before she saw nothing when she turned around. Nikki could feel her heart beating hard in her chest as her fear and panic continued to grow.
"W-Who's there?! W-What do you w-want with m-me?!" she stuttered. She took one step backwards and fell as her heel caught on a tree root. As she laid there on the ground her eyes darted back and forth, trying to find who or what was stalking her.
"Where are you, Ash? I need you," she whimpered. A rustling noise from a nearby bush caught her attention. She scrambled away from the bush, afraid of what would come from it. Buneary hopped into her arms, just as scared as her trainer. They watched as the leaves on the bush began to shake, indicating that something was about to come out. Nikki and Buneary were too afraid to move. Their chests tightened as the fear of what was about to come out of the bush gripped them. Finally, after a few agonizing moments, something came out of the bush, but rather than fear the sight that greeted them filled them with relief.
"Pikachu!" Nikki said.
"(I found them! They're over here!)" Pikachu called. Moments later Ash appeared.
"Nikki! Buneary! There you are," he said. "We were so worried when we didn't see you two behind us."
"Not as worried as we were when you two vanished on us," Nikki admitted. "Where did you two go, anyway?"
"We kept walking. I thought you two were behind us the entire time, but when we turned around you two were gone," Ash replied.
"We stopped for just a moment. I didn't think it was long enough for us to lose you two," Nikki explained.
"(I think we need to stick together and keep moving. The sooner we're out of here the better,)" Buneary suggested.
"(You won't hear me arguing,)" Pikachu agreed.
"Then it's settled," Ash announced. "We stick together and keep moving until we're out of here."
"That sounds like a… what is that?!" Nikki's sudden outburst made them all turn around. In the distance they could see a strange light that seemed to be approaching them.
"(D-Do you t-think it's a… g-ghost?)" Buneary stuttered. No one said anything as the mysterious light continued its approach. Nikki and Buneary hid behind Ash. Ash had one arm out to his side in a protective manner while the other was ready to go for a Poké Ball if needed. Pikachu stood in front of them, his cheeks sparking in anticipation of what was to come. The light continued its approach, growing brighter with each passing second.
"Get ready, Pikachu," Ash advised, his hand fingering a Poké Ball. As the light grew closer they noticed something about it. The light itself was nothing more than a flashlight, and holding that flashlight was a young boy.
"I thought I heard voices," he commented. As he approached they were finally able to get a good look at him. He had light brown hair with hazel green eyes. His attire consisted of a white shirt with a dark blue jacket and pants.
"I wasn't expecting to ruin into anyone out here," he said. "Who are you?"
"My name's Ash and this is my partner, Pikachu," Ash greeted.
"(Hi there,)" Pikachu said.
"I'm Nikki and this is Buneary," Nikki said.
"(Hello,)" Buneary added.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Zachary," the boy replied. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing out here at this time?"
"Well. Long story short, we were trying to make it to the next town before nightfall and thought we could save time by coming this way," Ash explained.
"What we didn't count on was having to pass right through a cemetery," Nikki admitted.
"That would explain things," Zachary commented. "If you want I can take you to my place. I don't live far from here."
"If it gets us out of here then I accept," Nikki spoke. Ash and the Pokémon agreed as well. They then followed Zachary as he led them through the cemetery towards his home.
Within minutes the group found themselves standing outside of Zachary's house. At first glance, though, house didn't seem like an appropriate description. What they were standing in front of was more of a mansion than anything.
"It may just be me, but this place seems too big for just one person," Nikki commented.
"It's not just you," Ash replied. "There has to be someone else living here with him." While more and more questioned popped into Ash and Nikki's heads Zachary walked up to the front door and opened it.
"Come on. Let's get you settled in," he said. He stepped inside, Ash and Nikki following shortly after. The moment they stepped inside…
"(Boo!)" Nikki shrieked and quickly hid behind Ash. The sound of mischievous laughter filled the air, followed soon thereafter by a sigh.
"Banette, how many times have I asked you not to do that?" Zachary questioned.
"(Aw, but it's fun,)" the Ghost type replied. Zachary shook his head and turned to Ash and Nikki.
"I'd like to apologize for my Banette. He has a habit of playing pranks on anyone who comes here for a visit," he explained. "They're all in good fun."
"Maybe for him," Nikki grumbled as she stepped out from behind Ash. The moment she did, though, she almost made her way back behind him when a Mismagius floated by.
"Whoa. Would you look at all the Pokémon," Ash said. Looking around they were in awe at the number of different Pokémon roaming the mansion. Though many of them were Ghost types there were others such as a Beedrill, Poliwrath, Blaziken and Luxray.
"(That would explain the need to have a home this big,)" Buneary commented.
"No kidding," Nikki agreed.
"Are all these Pokémon yours?" Ash asked.
"Yup. We've been together for years," Zachary replied. "I wouldn't trade them for anything."
"They all look really strong," Nikki commented. As they looked around at the various Pokémon Nikki spotted a strange-looking stone sitting on a table.
"What's that?" she wondered. She slowly approached it to get a better look. The stone didn't look natural, and had a few cracks running through it.
"What kind of stone is this?" Nikki slowly reached her hand out to the mysterious stone.
"Don't touch that!" The Pinegrove native quickly withdrew her hand.
"Sorry for shouting like that, but I didn't want anything to happen to you," Zachary explained.
"What do you mean you didn't want anything to happen to her?" Ash asked.
"Well, Spiritomb doesn't like it when you touch his stone without permission, and he rarely gives anyone permission," Zachary said. Curiosity gripped both Ash and Nikki as they took out their Pokécomms.
Name: Spiritomb
Species: The Forbidden Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: A Pokémon that was formed by 108 spirits. It is bound to a fissure in an Odd Keystone.
"So that's an Odd Keystone," Nikki said.
"It is, and like I said Spiritomb doesn't like it when you touch it without his permission," Zachary repeated. "For as long as I can remember he's always been difficult to control, especially in battle."
"He doesn't listen to you in battle?" Ash inquired. Zachary nodded.
"I've tried everything I can think of to try and get him to work together with me, but so far nothing's worked," he sighed. "At this rate I'll never achieve my dream of being a Ghost type Gym Leader." Zachary's situation was sounding very familiar to Ash, for it was the same kind of situation he dealt with back when Charmander first evolved into Charmeleon and then into Charizard. Pikachu noticed Ash appeared deep in thought.
"(Something wrong, Ash?)" the Mouse Pokémon asked.
"I was just thinking, buddy," Ash replied. "You remember when Charmander first evolved into Charmeleon?"
"(Yeah. Why?)" Pikachu inquired.
"Doesn't Zachary's situation seem similar to mine back then?" Ash pondered.
"(Sort of,)" Pikachu said. "(Why? Do you think you can help him with his Spiritomb?)"
"I'd like to try," Ash responded. He was about to let Zachary know when there was a sudden knock at his door.
"Were you expecting company?" Nikki wondered.
"Not that I know of," Zachary replied. He went to the door and opened it. Standing on the other side was an elderly lady.
"May I help you, ma'am?" he asked.
"Oh, I do apologize for intruding, but I felt such a strong spiritual presence coming from this house that I had to investigate," the lady replied. As she spoke with Zachary Ash and Pikachu couldn't help but notice something about her.
"(Is it just me or does she look familiar?)" Pikachu inquired.
"She does, buddy. I just can't place where we've seen her before," Ash said. The two of them tried to figure out if they had met her, and when. After a while it dawned on them.
"That's who she is!" Ash gasped.
"You know her?" Nikki questioned. Ash nodded.
"Pikachu and I battled her once before. She was one of the toughest opponents I've ever faced," he explained. The two trainers watched as Zachary invited the lady inside. Shortly after entering she noticed Ash and Nikki.
"I was unaware that you were entertaining guests," she spoke. "I hope my unexpected arrival hasn't interrupted anything."
"Not at all, ma'am. We only recently got her ourselves," Nikki responded. Zachary was about to introduce everyone when the lady suddenly approached Ash. The two of them looked at each other briefly before smiles appeared on both of their faces.
"It's been a while, Ash," the lady said.
"It sure has," Ash agreed.
"Oh, I wasn't aware you two knew each other," Zachary commented.
"We met once before when I battled her at the Viridian City Pokémon Gym," Ash said.
"She's a Gym Leader?" Nikki asked.
"Oh no, my dear. I was just filling in until a new Gym Leader could be appointed," the lady explained.
"Oh," Nikki replied. "Well, if you're not a Gym Leader then…" At this point Ash decided to reveal who she was.
"Everyone, this is Agatha, a Ghost type master and member of Kanto's Elite 4," he announced. The reaction was almost instant.
"You're a member of Kanto's Elite 4?!"
"You're a master of Ghost Pokémon!?" Agatha let out a chuckle, this kind of reaction being nothing new to her.
"Indeed I am," she answered. Nikki and Zachary could only stare in awe. Unknown to all in the room, however, was the fact that the Odd Keystone that housed Zachary's Spiritomb had shook slightly.
"I-I can't believe it. Not only do I have a Ghost Pokémon Master in my home, but she's also an Elite 4 member," Zachary managed to say.
"I can't believe you battled her, Ash," Nikki added. "How did the battle go?"
"In short, Pikachu and I didn't stand a chance against her Pokémon," Ash admitted.
"That may be true, but I sensed a great deal of potential in you," Agatha stated. "Through our battle I could tell you are destined for great things."
"You could tell that just by battling Ash?" Nikki asked.
"I could, my dear," Agatha answered. Hearing this put an idea in Zachary's head.
"E-Excuse me, Miss Agatha…"
"Just Agatha will do," she corrected.
"Okay, Agatha," Zachary said. "I… um… I challenge you to a battle." The shocked looks on the faces of everyone in the room said it all. None of them expected Zachary to challenge her to a battle.
"Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you heard Ash say he didn't stand a chance against her," Nikki warned.
"Yeah, and that's precisely why I want to face her," Zachary replied. "If I'm ever going to achieve my dream of opening my own Ghost type Pokémon Gym then I'll need to be as strong as possible, and who better to gauge my strength against than an Elite 4 trainer that's also a Ghost type master." Though they understood his desire they still didn't think it would be a good idea. Still, all they could do was wait for Agatha's response. The Ghost type master was just staring at Zachary, almost as if she were judging him. After a few tense moments a smile graced her face.
"You have a fire in your eyes. I like that," she commented. "Very well. I accept your challenge." Zachary could barely contain his excitement.
"Oh, thank you, Agatha! Thank you so much!" he exclaimed.
"I wouldn't thank me yet, not after you see who you'll be facing." Agatha grabbed her lone Poké Ball and called out her partner.
"He's looking as strong as ever," Ash commented upon seeing Agatha's Gengar materialize. Nikki decided to take the opportunity to scan him with her Pokécomm.
Name: Gengar
Species: The Shadow Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow.
"Is her Gengar really that powerful?" Nikki asked.
"Oh yeah," Ash confirmed. "If anything I'd wager he's even stronger than the last time I saw him." While they spoke Zachary was staring at Agatha's Gengar in awe. His time spent training himself to become a master of Ghost type Pokémon allowed him to recognize powerful Ghost types when he saw them, and he clearly saw the power in Agatha's Gengar.
"Well, young man, who will you choose to battle with?" Agatha inquired, snapping him back to reality. Zachary looked around at the numerous Pokémon he had. Though he had a variety of types to choose from he decided that he would battle using one of his Ghost types. After deliberating for a while he came to a decision.
"I've decided to battle with…" Before he could finish announcing his choice the Odd Keystone began to shake, drawing everyone's attention.
"What's going on with that thing?" Nikki wondered. Before anyone could answer a ghostly figure emerged from the stone. The swirling purple mist filled with glowing green orbs looked ominous enough, but that paled in comparison to the frightening face that was at the center of the mass.
"Spiritomb? Why are you out?" Zachary questioned. The Forbidden Pokémon didn't answer, instead choosing to glare in Gengar's direction. Gengar, in return, looked at Spiritomb with a mischievous grin on his face.
"I don't like where this is going," Nikki whispered.
"Neither do I," Ash agreed.
"Spiritomb?" Zachary called. Still the Ghost-and-Dark dual type refused to rely, his gaze still locked on Gengar. Zachary was about to call to his Pokémon a third time when…
"(You're facing me,)" Spiritomb declared. This sudden declaration surprised everyone, including Zachary.
"Actually, Spiritomb, I was going to use someone else," Zachary said.
"(Like I care,)" the Forbidden Pokémon spat.
"Come on, Spiritomb. I promise you'll have your chance to battle against Agatha's Gengar, but right now I…"
"(I don't need your permission to battle, and I don't need to wait my turn either! I'm facing him!)" Spiritomb shouted. He then turned his attention back to Gengar.
"(You. Me. One-on-one. No trainers,)" Spiritomb challenged. The level of concern everyone was feeling instantly increased tenfold after that. It was one thing for a trainer and their Pokémon to face a member of the Elite 4, but for a lone Pokémon to face such odds was a whole different story.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Spiritomb," Zachary protested.
"(I didn't ask you if it was a good idea or not,)" Spiritomb spat. "(In fact, I don't recall asking you anything.)"
"Please, Spiritomb. Just listen to me." Unfortunately for Zachary the Forbidden Pokémon had no intention to listen to him. Instead he had all of his attention on Gengar, awaiting his response to his challenge.
"(Well?)" Spiritomb said. Before giving his answer Gengar looked back towards Agatha.
"(Should I?)" he questioned.
"If you wish," Agatha responded. "To be honest I'm quite curious to see if he's as strong as he seems." With a mischievous grin Gengar turned back to Spiritomb.
"(Well then, I accept your challenge,)" he said. "(I just hope you aren't all talk.)" Spiritomb remained silent, his eyes never leaving Gengar.
"Is there somewhere these two can battle?" Agatha inquired.
"I… have a battlefield out back," Zachary said. He motioned for everyone to follow him as he led them through his home towards the battlefield.
Despite it being nighttime the battlefield behind Zachary's home was well lit due to the numerous lights that surrounded it. Standing on one side of the battlefield was Gengar, and on the other was Spiritomb. Ash, Nikki, Agatha and the other Pokémon were all gathered around the battlefield, eager to witness the upcoming match. Meanwhile Zachary was making one last attempt to try and convince Spiritomb to change his mind.
"Please, Spiritomb, just listen to me. I know you're strong. You're the strongest Pokémon here, but you can't take on a Pokémon the caliber of an Elite 4's Pokémon by yourself," he stated.
"(I can and I will, so get out of my way!)" the Forbidden Pokémon spat. Zachary opened his mouth to make one final plea, but quickly closed it once he saw that Spiritomb was no longer paying attention to him. With a sigh he walked back over and joined the others on the sideline.
"Cheer up, Zachary. It might not be as bad as you think," Nikki said. "I mean, maybe Spiritomb can defeat Agatha's Gengar on his own."
"I want to believe you, Nikki. I really do, but I have a feeling that things won't end well for him," Zachary admitted. "Spiritomb's strong, there's no doubt about that, but even as strong as he is I don't think he had a chance against Agatha's Gengar."
"I wouldn't imagine you would be the type to declare defeat before the battle has even begun," Agatha stated.
"Like I said I have no doubt that Spiritomb is strong. He's the strongest Pokémon I have, but he's the kind to just charge into battle without any sort of plan," Zachary explained. "He tries to overpower his opponents, and while that's worked for the most part I know there's going to be a battle where that won't work, and I have a feeling that this battle is it."
"Have you always have problems with Spiritomb, dear?" Agatha inquired.
"Yes ma'am. Ever since I caught him he's caused me more and more problems, and no matter how hard I try things seem to just get worse and worse," Zachary sighed. "I really want us to finally start working together as a team. I know that we'll be unstoppable, but at this rate I don't think it'll ever happen."
"It could still happen," Nikki said. "Right, Ash?"
"It's possible," Ash agreed. "We just have to wait and see what the future holds." With a nod of agreement Nikki turned her attention to the upcoming battle. Unfortunately someone else had other ideas. While they waited for the battle to begin Nikki felt a presence behind her.
"Is someone behind me?" she asked as she slowly turned around.
"(Boo!)" Nikki screamed and stumbled backwards into Ash. The Kanto trainer caught her in his arms to keep her from falling to the ground.
"Are you okay?" Ash inquired. Before Nikki could answer they heard mischievous laughter, followed by a sigh from Zachary.
"Banette…"
"(What? I'm just having a little fun,)" the Marionette Pokémon said in his defense.
"You have a very odd definition of 'having a little fun'," Nikki grumbled. Before Banette could respond to Nikki's comment Zachary brought something to their attention.
"I think they're just about to start," he said. At that moment all eyes were glued on the battlefield.
"(Do try to make this interesting,)" Gengar requested.
"(You want interesting? Well then… how this for interesting?!)" Spiritomb then began his offensive, firing a Shadow Ball at Gengar. In response Gengar countered with his own Shadow Ball. The two attacks met head-on and exploded, covering the battlefield in smoke. Spiritomb wasted no time going into his next attack, this time firing a Dark Pulse. The beam of Dark type energy entered the smoke cloud. Everyone waited for the sound of the attack making contact, but after a few seconds of waiting it became clear that Spiritomb had missed his target.
"(How did I miss?!)" the Forbidden Pokémon shouted in anger. While he ranted over his missed attack Gengar had somehow slipped in behind him, emerging from the shadows.
"(Gotcha!)" Spiritomb whirled around just in time to see Gengar go into his attack. A dark aura surrounded the Shadow Pokémon. Moments later the aura transferred to Spiritomb, but when it did it appeared to cause Gengar a great deal of pain.
"(Now… you're mine,)" Gengar panted.
"(Ha! That's a good one. Out of the two of us you're the one who… gah!)" Before he could finish his statement Spiritomb's body was racked with pain. Gengar smirked once he saw the pained look on Spiritomb's face.
"(Only a matter of time now,)" he said before disappearing into the shadows.
"Okay, what just happened?" Nikki asked.
"I see what he's doing," Agatha said.
"What?" Nikki inquired.
"He used the smoke from the explosion to get close to Spiritomb. Once he was close enough he used Curse," Agatha explained.
"That's why that attack looked like it hurt him," Zachary said. Agatha nodded in confirmation.
"What do you mean?" Nikki wondered.
"When a Ghost type Pokémon uses Curse they cause a great deal of damage to themselves, but at the same time they cause their opponent to slowly lose strength until the end of the battle," Zachary explained. "Basically Gengar's letting Curse slowly drain Spiritomb's strength until he decides it's time to deliver the finishing blow."
"But why drag this out?" Ash wondered.
"I'm guessing Gengar's picked up on Spiritomb's aggressiveness and wants to teach him a lesson of some kind," Zachary assumed.
"I believe you're right," Agatha agreed. Meanwhile Gengar had gone on the defensive, using the shadows to avoid Spiritomb's attacks. At the same time the Forbidden Pokémon was growing more and more frustrated with each attack that he missed, and as the battle dragged on Gengar's Curse sapped more and more of his strength.
"(You're not looking too good,)" Gengar taunted as he dodged another Shadow Ball from Spiritomb. "(Maybe you should stop and take a break.)"
"(I'll… take a break… once I've won,)" Spiritomb retorted. He fired another Shadow Ball, and again Gengar dodged it. Before he could fire another his strength was drained by Curse. The Forbidden Pokémon slumped over, barely able to stay upright.
"(Well, it looks like you've reached your limit,)" Gengar stated. "(Time to bring this battle to a close.)" He quickly formed a Shadow Ball in his hands and hurled it at Spiritomb. The Forbidden Pokémon could do nothing as the Ghost attack slammed into him, knocking him over and rendering him unconscious.
"Incredible… Gengar won without taking a single hit," Nikki gasped.
"Somehow, I'm not surprised," Ash said. "After battling against Gengar myself I know full well how skilled he is." Agatha smiled as Gengar approached her.
"Well done, my friend," she praised.
"(Thank you,)" Gengar replied. At the same time Zachary was with Spiritomb, who had since recovered and was rather upset over his defeat.
"I'm proud of you, Spiritomb," Zachary said.
"(Proud?! What do you have to be proud of?! I lost!)" Spiritomb spat.
"Yes, you did lose, but you showed a lot of determination. Even when things were at their bleakest you never gave in, and it's because of that never-give-up attitude that I'm proud," Zachary said. Spiritomb wanted to say something in response, but before he could Zachary spoke again.
"Something else I noticed was that, while you're the strongest Pokémon I have, you have the potential to be even stronger, and I want to help you do just that. All I ask is that you let he help you," he continued. Spiritomb looked at Zachary as he let the young man's words sink in.
"(… So, you really think you can help me get stronger, do you?)" the Forbidden Pokémon asked.
"I'd like to try," Zachary responded. For a while Spiritomb said nothing. Finally, after a few moments, he spoke up.
"(By the time you're done training me I had better be strong enough to beat that Gengar. Understand?)" Zachary could only smile at Spiritomb's request.
"It's a deal," he agreed. The others watched the scene with smiles on their faces.
"Looks like those two are finally getting along," Ash said.
"That's good," Nikki commented. "Who knows, maybe Zachary will be able to make Spiritomb strong enough to defeat your Gengar one day."
"Perhaps one day they will," Agatha agreed. "One thing is for certain, though."
"What's that?" Ash wondered.
"I see a bright future ahead of them," she answered. By now Zachary had finished speaking with Spiritomb and had rejoined the others.
"Well, it looks like Spiritomb and I have a lot of work to do if we ever want to stand a chance against you, Agatha," he commented.
"Indeed you do, but I have confidence that the two of you will grow much stronger," Agatha said. At that moment a yawn escaped Nikki's mouth.
"Well the only thing I see in my future is a good night's sleep," she spoke.
"I guess it has gotten pretty late," Ash commented.
"I'll help all of you get settled in for the night," Zachary offered. "You're welcome to stay here too if you want, Agatha."
"Thank you for the offer," Agatha said. With Zachary in the lead they headed back inside the mansion. As soon as they stepped inside…
"(Boo!)" Once again Nikki screamed and fell backwards as she found herself the unfortunate victim of another Ghost-type scare.
"Why me?!" she whined. Everyone expected the culprit to be Banette once again, but they soon found the perpetrator to be a different Pokémon this time.
"If it wasn't Banette then it had to be you, Shuppet," Zachary said. Ash took out his Pokécomm and scanned the new Pokémon.
Name: Shuppet
Species: The Puppet Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: Shuppet is attracted by feelings of jealousy and vindictiveness. If someone develops strong feelings of vengeance, this Pokémon will appear in a swarm and line up beneath the eaves of that person's home.
"I should have warned you. Banette isn't the only one who likes playing pranks," Zachary stated.
"(It's all in good fun,)" the Shuppet said.
"I fail to see how scaring the living daylights out of me is fun," Nikki groaned. While she complained about being scared once again Ash made a startling discovery about the Shuppet.
"This Shuppet… she isn't yours?" he asked. Nikki glanced over Ash shoulder at his Pokécomm. Just as he said the Shuppet did not have an owner.
"She just showed up one stormy day and I let her stay until the weather cleared. Seems she liked the place so much she decided to stay," Zachary explained. "I was always so busy with my own Pokémon I never thought about catching her."
"She certainly appears to be an energetic one," Agatha commented as they watched Shuppet fly around them.
"That's one word to describe her," Nikki whispered. As she flew around them Shuppet took notice of the Poké Balls on Ash and Nikki's waists.
"(So, are you guys trainers?)" she asked.
"That's right," Ash confirmed. "I'm trying to qualify for the Legenda League and Nikki is going for the Grand Festival."
"(Cool! I always wanted to travel Legenda and see all the different places,)" Shuppet admitted.
"(Well, why don't you?)" Pikachu inquired. Right then Shuppet's joyous attitude vanished and was replaced by a rather depressed one.
"(Because… I'm not all that strong. I could never make it out there on my own,)" she sighed.
"I'd like to train her myself, but with all the Pokémon I have I doubt if I could find the time," Zachary said. "I always hoped that I'd run into a trainer that would be willing to take her with them." At that moment Pikachu stole a glance at Ash. His trainer had a look in his eye the Mouse Pokémon knew all too well.
"You know, I'd be happy to take her along," Ash announced.
"(You would?! Really?!)" the Puppet Pokémon gasped.
"Sure. You seem like a fun Pokémon to have around," Ash told her. Shuppet could barely contain her excitement.
"(Yay! I'm finally getting a trainer!)" she cheered. With a smile Ash grabbed an empty Poké Ball.
"I've already got six Pokémon with me so you'll be sent to Professor Oak's lab back in Kanto, but I'll have you sent back here once we get to a Pokémon Center," Ash explained. "While you're there you could get to know all my other Pokémon."
"(Sounds good to me,)" Shuppet said. Ash smiled and held the Poké Ball out to her. Shuppet head butt the ball and was instantly drawn inside. The light on the front of the Poké Ball flashed a few times before the familiar 'ping' of a successful capture rang out through the air.
"Yes! I got a Shuppet!" Ash cheered. Moments later the Poké Ball was transported to Professor Oak's lab.
"I can't wait to spend some time with her," Ash said.
"I hope you spend some of that time convincing her not to prank me," Nikki hoped.
"(I don't know. I think I could get used to that side of her,)" Buneary commented.
"Oh hush you," Nikki groaned. This elicited a round of laughter from everyone as the prospect of future pranks from Shuppet was fresh in their minds.
An unexpected venture into a cemetery has provided Ash and Nikki with not only a new friend and a meeting with one of the Kanto Elite 4, but it has also given Ash a new Pokémon in the form of a mischievous Shuppet. What's next for the group? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
Author's Note: Zachary Nightquill belongs to Psychochiken.
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