Chapter 35: The Pokémon Tower Is a Ghost Tower
After leaving Vermilion City, Ash and his friends felt like they had completely upgraded their travel gear— each now riding their brand-new foldable bicycles.
Following the winding mountain bike path, Ash pedaled swiftly downhill. The wind rushed past, and his mood soared just as freely.
"Pika~!"
Pikachu, sitting comfortably in the padded front basket, poked out its little head. The breeze brushed through its fur, and Pikachu narrowed its eyes in pure bliss.
Ash couldn't help smiling. This was exactly how a journey should feel.
Last time, he had been so obsessed with clearing routes as fast as possible that he ended up missing countless items…
"Careful, Ash!"
Suddenly, a mountain bike shot off a ramp up ahead and landed right in front of them, blocking their path.
A cyclist wearing full professional sports gear removed his sunglasses and looked Ash and Pikachu up and down.
"This mountain road is my turf. Since we've met, let's have a battle!"
Sorrel and Verity exchanged helpless looks and shrugged.
Here we go… again.
Ash grinned. "Fine by me— bring it on!"
Both sides positioned themselves on opposite sides of the path. The cyclist pulled out a Poké Ball.
"Machop, let's go!"
Ash responded instantly with his all-terrain reliable partner.
"Pidgeotto— I choose you!"
Souji raised his arm, acting as referee.
"Battle— start!"
"Machop, use Karate Chop!" The opponent charged straight in without hesitation.
Verity sighed. "This is why battling amateurs is such a headache."
Ash shot her a look. We're challengers— don't complain about the freebies.
"All right, Pidgeotto— Hurricane!"
"Bi!"
Pidgeotto spun gracefully to avoid the incoming chop, hovering mid-air as its wings began to beat fiercely.
Boom!
A violent surge of wind formed a small tornado. Machop's expression froze— then it was sucked straight into the funnel.
Before the opponent even hit the ground, Ash followed up mercilessly.
"Finish it! Quick Attack!"
"Biiii—deeeel!"
Pidgeotto dove in a burst of white light. As it accelerated through the air, its silhouette broadened, feathers lengthening, crest stretching out behind like a banner of red and gold.
Bang!
The radiance faded— and a majestic Pidgeotto slammed full-force into Machop's tiny frame.
Machop was sent flying into a nearby tree trunk and slumped over, unconscious.
Sorrel raised his hand.
"The match is over— Ash wins!"
"Tch! Just you wait!"
Grumbling, the cyclist tossed over a few hundred yen of pocket change, recalled his Machop, and pedaled away dramatically.
Ash gently stroked Pidgeotto's wing. As always, the big fellow nuzzled in close, rubbing its head against him affectionately.
"Heheh, Pidgeotto— you're the best."
Satisfied, Ash returned it to its Poké Ball and got back on his bike.
Continuing down the slope, the trio soon arrived at their next destination— Lavender Town.
Originally, if they had taken the direct ferry route from Vermilion, they would have reached Apaculpo City (part of Porta Vista), then Maiden's Peak, and then Saffron City.
However, thanks to their bikes, Ash's group chose to cut straight across the mountain cycling route— which led them directly into Lavender Town.
Even though it was midday, the entire town felt unnervingly quiet.
The streets were nearly empty.
The old shopping district, abandoned lots on both sides of the road, and overgrown patches of weeds all contributed to a sense of eerie decay.
"Ugh… why does it feel like someone's breathing cold air down my neck…"
Verity shuddered as she walked.
Ash turned his head— and recognized the culprit instantly.
"Gengar— stop blowing on Seiko's neck!"
"Gengaaa~ (ˉ艸ˉ)"
The big kid floated into view behind Verity, chuckling with wicked glee as he held his belly, laughing at her reaction.
"You little troublemaker— no sneaking out!"
Ash sighed helplessly and returned Gengar to its Poké Ball.
Verity planted her hands on her hips.
"That's it. My next Pokémon— I'm catching something that can bite. If Gengar scares me again, I'll make it bite Gengar's butt!"
"Piplup?! Σ(ﾟДﾟ|||)"
Piplup was horrified. Wait wait— am I being replaced? I can peck his butt too, okay? Same result, right?!
"Hahaha, don't let him get to you," Sorrel chuckled.
"Gengar's still just a kid."
Verity rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, sure— just a 'kid' who's been alive for who knows how many centuries…"
Ash shook his head helplessly.
"I think he's just trying to lighten the mood. He'll behave next time."
In Ash's eyes, every one of his Pokémon was a gentle little sweetheart.
The town's bleak atmosphere killed any desire to explore. After grabbing a few snacks, they headed straight to the Pokémon Center.
Inside, they checked in at the front desk, received their room keys, and split up.
Verity went to shower.
Sorrel headed to the library to research local legends and folklore.
Ash handed his Pokémon over to Nurse Joy for recovery and prepared to get some lunch.
"Hey, did you hear? The Pokémon Tower is haunted again!"
"I heard! Scary stuff. Someone said a trainer wearing purple— with a big attitude and a Scizor— went in and never came back."
"That's nothing! Mr. Fuji's granddaughter vanished in there. That's the terrifying part."
Ash, waiting for Pikachu's recovery, froze mid-step.
Purple clothes… cocky attitude… Scizor…
Why does that sound suspiciously like Gary…?
Just then, Nurse Joy's voice played over the intercom.
"Ash Ketchum, your Pokémon have finished recovering. Please return to the counter to pick up your Poké Balls."
Ash turned back— but the gossiping trainers had vanished.
"…Huh?"
A chill ran down his spine.
Ash reached behind him and yanked out a familiar big-headed culprit.
"Gengaaa!"
Grinning wildly, Gengar shook with barely contained laughter.
"Knew it was you again."
Ash sighed and rubbed Gengar's chubby cheeks aggressively.
After retrieving his Poké Balls from Nurse Joy, Ash headed to the cafeteria with Pikachu to grab the free trainer lunch— curry rice.
He shoveled it down energetically.
"Hic… Okay! I'm full."
After polishing off an entire bowl, Ash felt both his mind and body fully recharged.
"Pika~!"
Pikachu licked the tomato sauce around its mouth and nodded.
"…But I can't stop thinking about what they said."
Ash leaned back in his chair, sipping soda thoughtfully.
If it was Gary in trouble… wouldn't it be unbrotherly not to go?
And there was also a missing little girl…
Smack!
Ash slapped the table and stood up abruptly.
"No way! If I ignore this, I won't sleep tonight. Pikachu— let's go check out the Pokémon House!"
"Pika!!"
Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder.
After giving Sorrel, who was still reading in the library, a quick heads-up, Ash followed the directions Nurse Joy had given him and headed toward the Pokémon House…
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
Every 100 powerstones = 2 bonus ch.
Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.