Chapter 36: The Manipulated Gary
The Pokémon House sat on the outskirts of Lavender Town, close to the foot of the looming Pokémon Tower.
A somewhat old compound with its own fenced yard and a row of traditional two-story wooden buildings— this was the Pokémon House.
Every Pokémon here had been abandoned by previous trainers. After Ash arrived, he received warm hospitality from the staff members.
When he learned that Mr. Fuji was still in the kitchen preparing the Pokémon's dinner, Ash politely expressed that he was happy to wait as long as needed.
While waiting, one of the volunteers led Ash through the living quarters where the Pokémon stayed.
Inside the spacious main hall, small rooms lined the space like a kindergarten filled with miniature cubicles.
Each Pokémon had its own personal living area.
Seeing all these abandoned Pokémon made Ash frown deeply. What puzzled him even more was that some of them were extremely popular species— Vulpix, Growlithe, and others that most trainers would love to have.
Noticing Ash's bewilderment, the volunteer simply shook her head, unfazed by his reaction.
"Strange, right? Why would anyone abandon a Pokémon like Growlithe or Vulpix?"
Ash nodded. "It really is hard to understand. Plenty of people dream of having just one Growlithe, and never get the chance."
"Tell me— what do you think Pokémon are to trainers?" the young woman asked gently.
"Friends. Family. Partners."
Ash answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Thank you."
The volunteer smiled softly and rubbed Pikachu's cheek.
"He's lucky to be with someone like you."
"Pikachu~!"
Pikachu nodded proudly. That's right, that's right— Ash is the best!
But the volunteer's expression dimmed as she continued.
"Unfortunately, many people don't see it that way. To some, Pokémon are tools— or even disposable items. If the Pokémon fails to meet the trainer's expectations, they're abandoned without mercy.
These children suffer deep physical and emotional wounds after being thrown away."
Ash lowered his eyes, listening in silence.
"When they recover enough, we host regular adoption events. We try to find them new trainers or even loving families who can take them in.
To Mr. Fuji, nothing is more important than a Pokémon having someone who truly loves them."
Ash nodded slowly.
"Yeah… a Pokémon's strength shouldn't come from hatred. And it definitely shouldn't come from control.
Their power should come from love— and the bond they share with us."
Clap, clap, clap—
Applause echoed through the hall as an elderly man with silver hair and bright, spirited eyes walked in through the doorway.
"Mr. Fuji, this visitor is here to see you," the volunteer said, her face brightening.
"This is our head caretaker— Mr. Fuji."
"Hello, sir. My name is Ash from Pallet Town. I came seeking your guidance."
Ash gave a polite bow.
"I see. Come with me."
Mr. Fuji led Ash into his office and kindly prepared a cup of hot tea for him.
As Fuji looked Ash over, a wave of emotion washed through him. No wonder he's the one… He looks so much like Red did when he was young…
Ash sat forward.
"I'd like to ask— has something happened to your granddaughter recently? And… has any trainer gone to look for her?"
Mr. Fuji suppressed his emotions and nodded gravely.
"Three days ago, my granddaughter Hana entered the Pokémon Tower to pay respects to the departed Pokémon.
But she never returned. The upper floors are inhabited by many Ghost-type Pokémon, so we can't search safely."
"Yesterday, a trainer named Gary Oak volunteered to help after hearing what happened.
But… he never came back either."
Ash's brows furrowed tightly. So it was Gary…
And getting lost in a place filled with Ghost-type Pokémon was no trivial matter.
In Kanto, the most infamous Ghost Pokémon were Gastly and Haunter— both made of poisonous gas.
If Gary or the girl had been trapped for too long, something dangerous might already have happened.
"I understand. I'll go check for myself."
Ash rose sharply to his feet.
Gary, your big brother is coming to save you!
"But… two people have already disappeared. Do you really want to go? It's too dangerous."
Mr. Fuji pleaded. "I've already contacted the Saffron City police, but they haven't responded.
Maybe we should wait until they arrive…"
Ash knew Lavender Town didn't have its own police station— only Saffron handled major incidents.
But he also knew waiting wouldn't solve anything.
With Gengar by his side, he believed ordinary Ghost Pokémon wouldn't be able to harm him easily.
So he shook his head firmly.
"That trainer— Gary— he's my friend. I can't just ignore him. And your granddaughter needs help too.
Let me try. If I don't return, contact the police immediately. Promise me that."
Mr. Fuji nodded reluctantly, and Ash took his leave.
No more hesitation.
With the last trace of sunset coloring the sky, Ash headed straight for the Pokémon Tower with Pikachu and Gengar.
The tall spiraling structure loomed above, its upper half swallowed in thick fog.
A cold wind blew out from the open doors. Ash tightened his jacket.
Staring into the dark entrance, Ash inhaled.
"Pikachu, Gengar— I'm counting on you."
"Pika!"
Pikachu nodded nervously, while Gengar thumped his round belly fearlessly.
In a place like this, he was a monarch.
Unless there was a Giratina waiting inside, Gengar was ready to walk sideways through the entire tower like a boss.
Ash pulled out another Poké Ball.
"Charmander— come with us too."
"Ni~!"
Charmander hugged its flaming tail close, ready to act as a walking torch for the group.
Once preparations were complete, Ash nodded.
"Okay— let's go!"
With three Pokémon protecting him, Ash took his first step into the Pokémon Tower.
A chilling draft greeted them.
Rows upon rows of white gravestones stretched across the room, neatly arranged in silent, unsettling order.
The Pokémon Tower— a resting place for the dead.
Even the sight of the gravestones alone was enough to send a shiver up anyone's spine.
Thankfully, the first floor showed no signs of anything abnormal— probably because visitors came often to pay their respects.
Ash began exploring from the bottom up with Pikachu and the others guarding him closely.
Along the way, a few mischievous Gastly tried to scare them, but none were any match for Gengar.
One glare from the purple heavyweight, followed by a blast of Night Shade, sent the little troublemakers scattering in terror.
Even so, Ash didn't dare lower his guard. The higher they climbed, the dimmer the light became.
A faint feeling of suffocation tightened his chest— uncomfortable and ominous.
Then—
Thud!
Just as Ash reached the top floor, a figure fell toward him.
Reflexes sharp as ever, Ash caught the person in a princess carry.
Gary— eyes sunken with dark rings— struggled to lift his head.
"Ash… run… there's a ghost!"
Before he finished, a flash of red flickered through Gary's eyes.
Ash instantly kicked his friend away.
Whoosh!
White light shot from a Poké Ball— Scizor's pincers sliced through the air, passing right where Ash's torso had been a second earlier.
Ash leapt back, putting distance between them.
Gary slowly raised his head. His eyes were pitch-black, devoid of all life.
"Gengar!"
Ash's Gengar immediately materialized in front of him.
"Kyehahahaha…"
A massive Gengar silhouette rose behind Gary.
Then— with a swirl of pitch-black wind— a real Gengar, eyes glowing blood-red, emerged at Gary's back.
With a wave of its hand, Gary moved like a puppet on invisible strings.
"He's being controlled by Hypnosis?"
Ash glanced at his own Gengar.
Gengar nodded solemnly.
This opponent wasn't ordinary.
Ash exhaled.
"So that's how it is… Looks like we can't talk this out."
He glared at the hostile Gengar.
"Hey— give me back my friend!"
"Gengaaa~"
The opposing Gengar merely curled its fingers dismissively, ignoring Ash completely.
Ash eyed Scizor sharpening its claws.
"…Fine. If beating you is the only way— then let's do it."
In the dim, suffocating top floor of the tower, Ash's senses sharpened.
A fierce battle was about to erupt—
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
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