1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 43: Shadows on the Path

The next morning, Ecruteak looked peaceful enough to make Burned Tower feel like a bad dream. Sunlight crossed the Pokémon Center windows, breakfast dishes clinked around us, and people outside moved through the streets as if nothing unusual had happened beneath the ruined tower.

Morty had told us to come to his Gym today. I wanted the Fog Badge, but knowing him made the challenge feel different from walking into a Gym where the Leader was a stranger.

Lillie walked beside me with Espeon and Umbreon at her heels while Togetic floated near her shoulder. "Are you nervous?"

"A little," I admitted. "Morty already knows me. I can't walk in there and pretend he doesn't know how I act when things go wrong."

Espeon's forked tail twitched as he looked toward the Gym. "He has seen you outside a battle. That should make this interesting."

Umbreon glanced up at me. "He also saw Burned Tower. He knows you do not quit when the floor starts breaking."

Togetic spun once in the air. "I'll cheer for you. I'll cheer for Ethan too, but maybe not as loudly if he starts shouting first."

Ethan heard only the chirping and pointed at Togetic. "That sounded suspicious."

Lillie smiled. "Togetic says he'll cheer for both of you."

East kept his attention on the Gym ahead. "The windows make the inside look deeper than the building should allow. I expect the path is part of the challenge."

Reisa slowed as we reached the doors. Marill stayed close to her leg and bumped her ankle gently until she smiled down at the Water-type.

The Ecruteak Gym was dim enough that the daylight disappeared behind us almost immediately. Candles marked portions of a narrow path, while the floor beyond their glow looked like empty darkness.

The Gym Guide grinned near the entrance. "Yo! Champ in the making! The Trainers here specialize in Ghost-type Pokémon. Keep your eyes open, because the floor is going to test you before Morty does."

"That sounds like Uncle Morty," Reisa said. "His family represents Ghost-types for Team Alpha here too."

East crouched near the first dark section. Candlelight reflected faintly from the safe floor and vanished where the path ended. "Watch the reflections. The light gives away the edges."

We moved slowly until the first Medium appeared inside a circle of candles. She bowed with her hands folded inside her sleeves.

"Can you inflict any damage on our Pokémon?" she asked. "I am Georgina."

Five female Gastly floated around her. Their laughter overlapped until it became difficult to tell which voice came from which patch of darkness.

I chose Butterfree, and he rose above the narrow path. "Stay high. Use Confusion to keep them from surrounding you."

Butterfree steadied his wings. "Five voices. I can keep them apart if they don't all rush at once."

Two Gastly darted forward together. Butterfree pushed one aside with Confusion and climbed over the other, then twisted away when a third sent a Lick through the space beneath him.

One Gastly used Curse. Dark marks closed around Butterfree, and he shuddered as the effect began draining his strength.

"Don't chase them," I called. "Make them cross the same candlelight."

Butterfree climbed until the nearest flame shone under his wings. "Then I'll wait here."

The Gastly circled, growing impatient. One rushed first, then two more followed. Butterfree caught each with Confusion as they crossed the light and drove them toward the center of the safe floor.