Forum Thread

*Note, these spoilers don't actually contain spoilers. They're usually my notes and I put them hidden so that they don't distract from the storyline. Feel free to read them without being spoiled

"I'm not sure why no one visits. I always make sure to stock greatly on chips and various dips, from nacho cheese to salsa, that should be no issue. My electricity flickers at times, but nothing too bad. I never insist on changing the channel, I'm easy to watch television with. I have wi-fi here, password locked of course, maybe that is why no one visits? I would give them the password if they asked though. I even have a pool out by the garden, I haven't cleaned it in a few months but it is there. Is it that I smell? Am I ugly? No, that can't be it... At least, I hope not. "

"Gengar!"

"Ah!" Her pen ran cross the paper's edge, leaving a black line on her white sheets, heart pounding in her ears. "Gengar... You scared me." A soft smile crept on her face seeing the violet grinning Pokemon climb his way on the bed. Panting softly, Gengar plopped on the blankets, closing his eyes as his trainer rubbed down his wild fur. "What's going on anyway? It's past your bedtime." Yawning, the trainer walked on her creaky floorboards to the window. White curtains blocked out an afternoon sunlight that stung her eyes, the sun facing directly in her window at this time.

"Gengar..."

"Hm? Can't sleep huh?" The trainer looked to her mirror that stood on its own, dusting off the dark night gown made years ago by a mother who long since passed away. "Hey, maybe we should go out to the garden. That always puts you to sleep." Gengar nodded with a wide white smile, waddling on the bed over to the edge. As if waiting for her to look away, Gengar began sucking a sticky substance off his fingers.

"Hey!" The trainer honey!" Quickly the trainer protested seeing the act in her mirror, yanking her handkerchief off her dresser by the window.

"Gengar! Gengar!" The rather chubby Pokemon waddled quickly off the bed and out the room, his trainer chasing after with her gown hiked up, the floor creaking every step. The hallway was bare, the lights on the ceiling flickering as she ran through, Rotoms resting soundly in the lamps. Litwicks rustled in their candle holders sticking out the wall, some peeking under their waxy eyelids to see the commotion. The hefty Gengar leapt down the staircase, slowing down his trainer, snickering once out of her sight.

"Gengar you're in so much trouble." The trainer sighed defeatedly as she struggled down the stairs, holding her black hair back out of her face and gown up. "That honey is not for you! I've already found you, that's for frees only!" Finally her bare feet made it on the first floor, seeing now Gengar wasn't the only one awake. "You too huh?"

"Shuppet Shup..." Yawning, the recently rescued Shuppet hovered before her new trainer, eyes barely able to stay open.

"Come on, get some rest... Are you happy here?"

"Shuppet!" The trainer smiled as the Pokemon nuzzled close to her chest, holding onto the weightless new member of her family.

"Good, let's find you a nice place to sleep." The snacking Gengar would have to wait, the trainer cradled Shuppet in her arms, creaking to the kitchen. "Maybe I'll tell you a bedtime story--oh what the?!" The trainer paused standing in the doorway to her kitchen. Gengar's sticky footprints littered her floor, jars of rare honey slathered on the walls. A gang of Pumpkaboos easily attracted to the sweet scent licked at the sticky mess.

"Ugh Gengar... He's always making such a mess! I can't leave him alone for a minute, it's just," the trainer paused, her feelings of hatred stimulating Shuppet, almost purring in response. "Never mind..."

"Shuppet!"

"Oh hush you." Planting a soft kiss on Shuppet's forehead, the trainer carefully stepped over honey globs and sticky Pumpkaboos. "Pardon me, 'scuse me, whoa watch it." The entrance to the living room was open. A fireplace lit by a pair of cuddling Litwicks set a sleepy tone. The cloth crimson sofa facing the fire held a shy trio of Banettes.

"Here," the trainer whispered, allowing Shuppet to hover over to her relatives, "they'll take care of you." Carefully, Shuppet nestled between the stitched arms of one of the Banettes, closing her eyes. The trainer looked to the floor, seeing snoozing Sableyes snoring soundly in their sleep.

The days were lonely, most of the trainer's family of Pokemon slept when the sun was out, so for now she walked the long halls of her home alone. Remains of an old life still shone through the cracks, she ran her fingers along the wall, remembering when the walls were warm. Her eyes would play tricks, showing parents and siblings she never really knew. But it was worse in the afternoon, some of the Pokemon would stir and grow restless, as if sensing the wicked events that happened here.

The trainer could not sleep in the day, she blamed the sunlight, blamed the loud bustle outside her home, blamed the mischievous Pokemon that she couldn't leave to their own devices. She knew, deep down, that she would never sleep during the day. Not again.

"Huh?" Once her mind was clear and her eyes were in focus, she found herself outside in her backyard garden, overgrown with weeds and moss along the dark twisted trees. Phantumps roamed the area while Trevenants were rather motionless during the day. Something had awoken the lonely Phantumps, their eyes focused at the sky.

"I hear it's haunted." Voices, human voices, could be heard whispering beyond the brick wall that surrounded her garden. "Like, some ghost girl lives there."

"It sounds like you're making stuff up again."

"It sounds like a good place for me to catch some ghost Pokemon! I need to start shiny hunting and need a female Gastly."

"Ugh that's stupid, you'll be stuck with hundreds of useless Gastlys."

"Well, Bill let's us use his box for a reason." Male and female voices grew closer, the trainer carefully rustled through the tall weeds and stepped on uneven cobble stone. Ivy grew along the right side of the wall, the trainer dug her toes into the gaps between the brick, gripping the vines. She peeked over the edge, holding her breath to see four trainers trampling in the weeds and tall grass around her home.

"I'm not seeing anything good." A young woman with blond hair in curly ponytails held a Pokeball in her hand. An older looking man with pale skin and white hair seemed to be distracted, checking a device and following a path she couldn't see.

"I bet someone buried some treasure around here..." He mumbled, quickly the trainer ducked behind the wall as he grew closer, listening carefully. "Maybe there's something good inside."

"We can't just barge in!" Another male voice spoke, but the trainer kept her head down, unable to see him. "The old lady said someone lives there."

"You mean the old lady whose house we barged into?" The woman voice spoke, sounding closer than before. "We'll go in, catch some Pokemon, and get out. If someone lives there we'll be so quick they won't even notice."

"Where is the entrance?"

"Uh... This way!" The trainer listened hearing their feet trail off around the house, finally releasing her held breath.

"This is great!" She squeaked, rushing back inside the house, "Guests! Multiple guests! Finally people to see, to speak with, oh it will be fun! I have to get everyone up and ready to meet them!" Excitedly, the trainer giggled and clapped her hands through the halls; the snoozing Pokemon grumbling and awakening slowly. "Up! Up! Everyone! We have company!"

"Gengar?"

"Litwick... Lit?"

"Duskull..." Slowly the Pokemon rose from their slumber, awaiting to see their new guests. The trainer clasped her hands together, cutting through hallways to get to the main room. A wide smile was placed on her face, body shaking hearing voices from behind the main door, bouncing on her heels. Gastlys peeked around the corners, Lampents hung from the ceiling, Rotoms flickered the lights as they swarmed in, all approaching closer as the door creaked open.

"Hi!" The trainer wasted no time speaking, only seeing the whites of their eyes, "My name is Luna and--and I'm happy to meet you!" The trainers stood frozen, looking into the crimson and lifeless eyes of the ghost type Pokemon. "Please come in! I have honey! Do you want some?"

"Grah ghost lady!" The girl exclaimed, tossing a Pokeball into the room as her only weapon.

"Haunter!" Swatting the useless ball out of Luna's path, Haunter extended a long pink tongue, slapping the blond across the face. The three other trainers stood motionless as their friend was paralyzed in the doorway, face twitching and moist. Luna rubbed the back of her head, Haunter hissing at the attacker, detached hands dancing around her head.

"Um," Luna shrugged, "so... welcome to my home!"

---

Picture time! Hehe

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Title: Chapter 1 Part 1

Chapter 1--Let Your Pokemon Rest Awhile

"So... um," Luna balanced on the back of her heels, Haunter sulking at her side as the blond began to twitch, "what are your names?"

"..." The group was silent. Their eyes wide at the large ambush before them. Soulless eyes from all corners of the room peering into them. Silently.

"Um... D-Do you like chips? I have chips!" Luna's chuckle was weak as the group inched back a bit, all pausing at once seeing their friend still paralyzed could not follow.

"Uh, well, I'm Jason." The white haired man spoke first, his radar beeping softly from his back pocket. "Sorry to barge in like that. We'll just go."

"No!" The door slammed shut. The group jumped turning to see a tall pair of Cofagrigus' standing firm against the door, eyes glaring down at them. "Haha you just got here guys! It's no trouble having you over don't worry." Luna extended a pale hand to the only man with the courage to introduce himself. "Nice to meet you, Jason." He hesitated, hand held out half way, feeling a firm grip on his shoulders as his younger sister hid behind him.

"H-Hey, ghost lady." Finally their hands touched. He flinched.

"Ha, it's just Luna please." Her hand was warm, soft even, far from ghostly or fearsome. Under the light of a wandering Lampent, Jason noticed her nails were painted in a deep violet, almost as if she were normal. "Who are the rest of you?"

"I-I am Claire." The girl hiding behind Jason peeked out, only a year younger than Luna herself, but seemed childish in her outfit. She wore a soft pink gown, white knee high socks, hair a dark black opposite of her brother's, short and bowl shaped. "You live here alone?"

"Not alone," Luna turned her back to the group, stretching out her arms to the ceiling, "as you can see I am well supplied in company." Rolling Pumpkaboos gathered at her feet, Luna hiding her tickled expressions as their sticky hairs rubbed against her. "Hehe, yes, I'm never alone. Oh! And you are?" Without facing him, Luna waited for his response. The other man who kept strangely quiet, attracting attention of roaming Gastlys, trembled as their wide eyes stared him down.

"I'm David--uh can you guys back up?" David reached in his backpack, taking out a cylinder covered in a green color, labeled with a Pokeball. Luna looked back, holding in her scream as he shook the bottle.

"Hey! Don't use that!"

"Haunter!"

"Grah!" David fell onto the floor, arms up and flailing, legs twitching, as Haunter snatched the spray bottle away. A firm lick on David's face was enough to keep him at bay, but his squirming body showed no signs of paralysis, only disgust. "What's the deal, Lady?!" Luna gave no response, holding out her hands as Haunter dropped his fetched prize for her.

"A Repel? Ugh, I hate these. If you don't like meeting Pokemon then stay home." She grumbled under her breath before passing the Repel to Haunter.

"Hey! That's mine! I paid money for that!" David scrambled to his feet but made no movements towards the mysterious lady, her eyes smiling despite her obvious anger.

"You will get it back, hehe promise. Now, your friend here needs a paralyze heal." Luna approached the standing girl, her terrified eyes following Luna each step she took. "I think I have some in the back, or do I? I can't remember..."

"I have one." Jason offered, taking out a yellow bottle from his bag, "I hope this is enough, I'm almost out." Luna noted a sense of reluctance as he sprayed the woman in a mist of curing liquids. Her muscles twitched and eyes blinked, her fist rubbing away the dust that fell on her eyes, shaking out the wrinkles in her bright yellow and white clothing.

"Ugh gross! I haven't been licked before, ever! Totally not cool lady!"

"Sorry." Luna shrugged, more focused on the Pumpkaboos calling out to her around her feet. "Not now guys, we have guests."

"Guests?! You locked us in here!" The blonde protested, pointing back at the motionless Cofagrigus that stood before the door.

"Locked? You can leave when you want of course," Luna smiled, eyes quickly shifting to the ceiling, "but... Uh... You must be tired! Want to let your Pokemon rest awhile, right?"

"No way!"

"Hang on Lora," Jason stepped forward, crouching down at a rather small Pumpkaboo with cheeks puffed out as if to seem bigger, "maybe that'd be good. I don't want to walk all the way back to Nurse Joy again."

"And treasure hunting!" Claire insisted, still close to her brother's side, "Right? Treasure?"

"Treasure?" Luna rubbed the back of her next, "Uh, yea sure, treasure."

"We should check your trash cans."

"Ew, why?"

"Treasure is usually in trash cans." Claire spoke matter-of-factly. Luna shrugged and smiled at her somewhat voluntary guests, turning to face the stairs.

"Your Pokemon can rest upstairs, I have plenty of spare rooms they can use."

"You got any rare candy?" David asked, bluntly walking beside her as the group followed, a gang of Pumpkaboos close behind. "This seems like a place where at least one would be hidden."

"Hmm, well I did have some but Gastly got to it."

"Where is he now?" As if summoned by those words, the chubby Gengar waddled up the stairs, holding a closed jar of honey, Rotoms fluttering ahead of him.

"Ugh, Gengar, no." Luna snatched the jar away, Gengar hopped on his feet in attempts to reach it, the Rotoms also appearing displeased. "No more honey, it's not good for you. And sweets? This early? You'll ruin your dinner."

"You... You treat them like..." Claire began but quickly stopped when Luna's eyes met hers, face turning hot pink, "never mind!"

"Hehe okay." Luna ignored the tantrum Pokemon behind her as she traveled up the stairs, holding the side of her gown in one hand and the jar in the other.

"So, Luna right?" David questioned, hands resting behind his head, "Do you hold up this haunted house for tourism?"

"No, why?"

"I figured that old lady was your grandma or working for you or something, ugh she went on and on about haunted house this and ghost woman that. Such a pain." Luna twitched, forcing a smile on her face, pace quickening to the top of the stairs.

"Hahaha ridiculous! Silly old people! Making up rumors, about me?! No wonder no one visits! Hahaha!"

"Haha yea," David chuckled, making his way next to the top of the stairs, "hey can I bum that honey off of ya?"

"David knock it off." Jason shoved him aside, Luna opening a door into a rather warm room, "Stop trying to take the easy way out and buy your own honey."

"Oh I'm so sorry my daddy isn't a bazillionaire." David stuck his tongue out but Jason kept staining at the room.
"Whoa, it's beautiful." Soft violet and blue lights from napping Litwicks and protective Chandelures around the room. Together they resided soundly, illuminating the mysterious girl in a gentle light. Jason tried his best not to blink, afraid he'd lose sight of it, this beauty in these often hidden Pokemon.

"Ugh, smells like wax." Lora stepped in, waving away the scent, "My babies wouldn't dare sleep here. Surely you have a better spot."

"Um..." Luna sighed thinking hard, "I suppose my room, they can sleep there."

"I guess..."

"Whoa, look at this one!" David stared up at a now rudely awoken Litwick that rested on a shelf, "It's... It's a shiny!" Quickly the group members took interest in the emerald eyes and bright blue flame. The Shiny Litwick appeared unimpressed and shuffled to a comfortable position.

"Ah yes," Luna spoke softly, dusting off the bed in the room of dust and gently sprinkling ash into the flames of the Litchwicks, "he is quite handsome. I was given him long ago, someone didn't want him I guess."

"Who would give up a shiny?" Jason questioned, hand hovering above the flames, surprised the heat wasn't smoldering.

"Someone who didn't know he'd hatch into one." Luna sighed, gently rubbing the soft waxy body of a sleeping Litwick, "Horrible... They breed them, hatch them, and then abandon them... Like they are worthless. Like they have no feelings." Jason swallowed down his guilt, eyeing his sister who gave him a stern look back. "Please, let your Pokemon rest here, I'll take Lora to my room for her Pokemon."

"Sweet," Jason stretched out, reaching for his Pokeballs from his backpack, "my Gallade needs a break." With that Luna left the three to their devices, quietly leading Lora to her private sanctuary.

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Picture time!

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Title: Chapter 1 Part 2

"Ugh, guess this will do." Lora huffed seeing the dark room, Pumpkaboos huddled in a group on the bed. "Why so many Pumpkaboos anyway?"

"I think they're sweet," Luna admitted as Lora took out only three Pokeballs out from her backpack, "I love them."

"Hmph, well... I guess they're kind of cute." Releasing her Pokemon from a Pokeball, Lora took a step back, Luna staring at the rather pampered creatures. A Whimsicott yawned with burn spots on her wool, eyes lazily opened, "Whim... Whimsicott?!" Quickly she squealed, wide eyed Pumpkaboos all awakened by her call, staring deeply at the new visitor.

"Oh dear," Luna shook her head, "poor thing is all kinds of burned."

"Duh, that's why I'm letting her rest."

"That won't do, I'll get some burn heals for her. I should have some here..." Luna rummaged in her dresser, setting aside sheets of paper with doodles drawn on and socks that no longer matched. Whimsicott shook terrified of the plump short Pumpkaboos, all hopping off the bed to huddle around her.

Lora shooed them away with her foot, but the persistent Pokemon remained, almost in awe at the fluffy new comer. Another Pokemon was released from its Pokeball, a Flabebe, watching closely with a smile as the Pumpkaboos huddled over. "Go away," Lora mumbled, "shook shoo!"

"Here it is!" Luna revealed a bottle filled with a burn curing serum, "I have to keep these around, sometimes the Litwicks and Phantumps don't play nice and burns are everywhere." Crouching down to the shivering Whimsicott, Luna let off a few spritz of the bottle on the singed areas. "What happened to her?"

"Oh, there's these weirdo guys going around this town, challenging everyone that walks by and looks at them. I mean, who does that?!"

"Sounds dangerous." Patting down the soft wool, Luna gave a soft kiss on Whimsicott's forehead, easing her trembling.

"Those jerks sent out these fire types and my poor Whimsicott passed out. If Jason hadn't of been there those punks would have robbed me. Ugh, I hate this town." Lora grumbled, resting against the wall by the window, peeking outside. "I don't blame you staying in here I guess, even if these weird Pokemon are here." Pointing her last Pokeball towards the ground, she released her last Pokemon. Luna rose a brow at him. A Rotom, shaped in the form of a small refrigerator, smiled and stared around the room.

"You have a Rotom?" Luna smiled as her hair began to stand up coming closer to the illuminated Pokemon.

"Ugh don't remind me, I got him so I could beat this one gym leader. I don't need him now, if you want him I'll trade you for some gold nuggets." Rotom buzzed as he explored the room, the excited Pumpkaboos following from the floor, all hopping up as if to reach him.

"You don't want him? Why not?"

"He's not the type I'm into, I like fairy type. I mean, they're so cute! Rotom is not..." Lora shrugged as the Pokemon rubbed against her arm, desperate for her affection, receiving none. Behind her smile, Luna ground her teeth and bit her tongue, keeping all judgement and curses to herself.

"Well, he can stay here as long as he likes." Rotom fluttered over to Luna, excited as she absorbed the electricity and pet him nonetheless, her hair standing on end. "Hi there cutie, you look healthy."

"Rooootom!"

"Hehe hi, Rotom." Lora glared out the window, seeing a weed ridden overgrown garden with Phantumps roaming about. "Well, I'm sure your Pokemon will be happy,"

"Grah! Let me go!" Both women jumped hearing a frail feminine voice from the hallway. Without a word they rushed off, following the commotion over to the staircase. "Brother help!"

"I'm trying!" Jason called out from the bottom step, David at his side trying to reach Claire. Luna and Lora stood at the top step, watching as Drifloon held the woman above the ground rather high, bobbing and weaving around as she screamed and squirmed. Gallade stood at Jason's side, Luna stared unimpressed at the fighting type Pokemon as Jason uttered out commands. "Gallade use Close Combat!"

"Gallade..." Looking down at his owner, Gallade appeared disappointed, Jason quickly recalling his training.
"Oh right, fighting doesn't effect ghost types."

"Someone help me!" Claire pleaded, "It wants to eat my soul!"

"Do something!" Lora protested at Luna, "It's your Pokemon!" Staring up at the mischievous Drifloon, Luna hummed a tune, hands held behind her back. "What are you doing?!"

"Shh..." Lora rolled her eyes rushing down the stairs, as if to aid in getting Claire down, but was shorter than the guys trying to reach up. "What a little jester," Luna giggled, locking eyes with the excited Drifloon, "come on now, enough is enough." Without having to raise her voice, Drifloon received the message and gently brought the squirming girl down to the ground. "Good boy, Drifloon."

"Driflooooon..."

"Jerk!" Lora shouted at the Pokemon, "You could have hurt her! Bad, bad, bad Pokemon!"

"He didn't mean any harm." Luna assured, walking over to the soft weightless Pokemon, tickling the fluffy cloud on his head. "He was just playing a joke, reacting the story of Drifloons carrying kids away. It's all in good fun."

"Fun?! She could have died, she could have,"

"I'm fine," Claire interrupted with her shaking body hidden behind her brother, "I... I just don't like heights."

"Seriously though, your Pokemon should know better." Jason spoke with Gallade suddenly surround by ghost Pokemon, all taunting him as his fighting type attacks were useless. "What if she got hurt?"

"She didn't. She's fine. Everyone is fine, besides Drifloon is stronger than he looks, he wouldn't drop her."

"Drifloom." Floating over to the girl, Drifloon offered a heart shaped hand to her.

"He wants to be friends... He's just not sure how to be."

"Oh..." Claire mumbled with her fingertips barely grazing Drifloon's hand, "hi..."

"Ugh, after my Pokemon are rested I'm outta here." Lora spoke to no one in particular, but voiced her opinion all the same. "This place is freaking creepy." Lights flickered and floorboards creaked, glowing eyes peeking from underneath them, hiding a hidden chamber in the basement.

"I'm sorry," Luna shrugged, not meaning a word of it, "please try and relax. I have a kitchen if you're hungry."

"Food?!" David smiled widely, Luna noticed a beautiful Sneasel by his side, rubbing her tummy, "Oh man I'm starving! What have you got to eat?"

"Sneasel!"

"Um, I have chips and,"

"Why didn't you say so?! Onward, to the kitchen!"

"Sneasel! Sneasel!" Luna smiled and hopped over to the kitchen, David and Sneasel hopping just as excitedly to their new free meal.

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Title: Chapter 1 Part 3

The rooms sticky mess still remained, with Gastlys now taking turn licking up the mess higher up, the lone Haunter leading the group. "Food, food, food!" David chanted as Luna opened the fridge.

"Sneasel! Sneasel! Sneasel!" With an excited smile, Luna reached inside the Rotom shaped fridge, listening as he let out soft laughs. Inside she found only a carton of eggs, a jar of salsa, some over priced cans of lemonade, and plenty of berries to keep them fresh. A relaxing foster Pokemon, a Froslass, slept curled around an expired bottle of chilled milk.

"Here," Luna placed the salsa jar on the table, "I have some chips around here somewhere."

"Haunter." Quickly the Pokemon came with a bag of stale triangular chips, setting them beside the salsa. "Haunt."

"Good boy, Haunter. Always so handy."

"Man, how long have you lived here, Luna?" David asked as he opened the bag of Pokemon, feeling a firm chip in between his fingers. Sneasel eagerly pulled herself up on the table, Luna quickly offering some berries over. The starving Pokemom accepted it gladly.

"I've been here since I was born, eighteen years to be exact, give or take a few months."

"Any parents?" The group stared curiously as Luna froze in place, fingers digging into the table as her tension grew.

"Shuppet!"

"My parents. They aren't here."

"Shuppet?" The newest foster Pokemon floated at her side, despite the wondrous feeling of her hatred feeding Shuppet, she frowned seeing her new owner growing sadder. The shy trio of Banettes came from the living room, limp arms tugging at her gown, offering soft nuzzles to keep her in better spirits.

"Oh," Jason spoke, getting the unspoken hint, "sorry."

"Do they live somewhere else?" Claire asked with an innocent air, Luna sucking in a firm breath, holding it as she usually did. Shuppet rested by Luna's face, eyes filled with concern, despite the pleasant feelings of hatred flowing through. Jason nudged her sister in the arm, shaking his head firmly down at her. Lora crossed her arms as the air grew colder, eyes catching a glance of the Haunter. His eyes were stern, furious even, directed at her.

"I don't think he likes me." Lora spoke quickly in her attempts to change the subject. Luna looked up, putting on her best false smile, letting out a false stale laugh.

"Who, Haunter? He's a sweet heart, he's just... protective."

"Haunt.... er..." Haunter stuck his tongue out slowly, as if threatening her with the paralyzingly saliva that coated it, enough to make Lora tremble. Loud crunching of stale chips and squishes of chilled berries came from the table. David devouring his meal of chips and questionable salsa.

"When was the last time you ate?" Luna questioned, gently picking up one of the Banettes, the male one that trembled the most, gently rubbing on his head. "You do seem kind of skinny."

"I uh *crunch* ate two days ago. I'm starving!"

"Maybe we should go out to eat," Lora suggested, "to get out of this house."

"That sounds nice," Jason smiled, "Luna you should come with us. After all you must go out to eat if chips is all you have."

"Um... I--I dunno, I mean my Pokemon need me."

"It will be fun, Luna." Claire whispered, cheeks a bright pink color, "We can hang out... and... um..."
"Hey, bring Haunter with you!" Jason quick to cut off his sister before her shyness got the best of her, "After all, he seems like a good protector."

"Haunter!" Giving a salute, Haunter puffed out his chest, eyes stern and teeth jagged, floating at Luna's side. The Banette in her trembling arms looked up to her, eyes almost pleading, Luna understood only how a mother would her child.

"You think I need to eat too, huh?" Luna asked, giving a smile at Banette.

"Banette..." The Pokemon nodded, quickly hopping to the floor, his two sister Banette quickly patting him down in a strange ritual.

"Okay, I suppose I can go outside. Shouldn't be so bad."

"Will our Pokemon be okay while we're gone?" Lora asked as David followed behind Luna, licking his hands of the flavorless salsa. "They won't get dragged to the Ghost World will they?"

"Of course not," Luna assured, "that's just a myth." She lied. The Cofagrigus blocking the door moved to the side without having to be told, eyes following them as they left the house.

"Don't you need shoes?" Jason asked at Luna's side, watching her squint in the light, feet bare on the stone pathway.

"No need. Come on, Haunter, stay close."

"Haunter." With his hand in hers, Haunter kept as close as he could, the group leading Luna off the property.

Behind her was a home she hadn't left in a long, long, time.

---

A not spoiler spoiler.

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Picture time!

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Title: Chapter 2 Part 1

Chapter 2--They'll Never Understand

"How dare these humans come and distress my master in such a way." Haunter grumbled as he held Luna's hand securely, her listening as the group spoke of badges and achievements. "Can't they see she's suffering?"

"Meh, these guys are oblivious." Sneasel shrugged, hands behind the back of her head as David had shown her how to do. "But they aren't so bad, not like the gym leaders, those guys make me furious."

"Gym leaders?" Haunter having been born and raised in the home was more frightened of and ignorant to the outside world than his master. But having been bestowed onto her by a father that no longer existed with orders to protect her, Haunter had little choice but to follow.

"Yea, gym leaders are the worst. They challenge us you see, like recently, and if you don't beat them then you can't leave the area."

"They hold you hostage? How wicked."

"Heh tell me about it, they pretend like we can't leave the area because of power outages, or--or Pokemon blocking paths," Sneasel scoffed, running her claw between her teeth, fishing out a shell of a berry seed, "or sleeping Snorlaxs. But oh surprise, surprise, if you beat them suddenly the power comes on, the Pokemon move, and the Snorlax wakes up. It's all a big conspiracy I tell ya."

"You seem well informed, Sneasel." Haunter eyed the intelligent Pokemon, her smile wide and eyes sharp, not missing a single thing.

"Have you seen this?" David asked to Luna, pointing at a tree beside the town's entrance, blocking what appeared to be a hidden path. "Stupid tree, when I beat this gym leader hopefully I'll be able to get cut and see what's back there."

"Why does he not simply cut it down himself?" Haunter questioned, noticing his master's look of disbelief, seeing even she was rather confused by his need for such a power.

"I'm sure I have an axe at home." Luna offered, but David was already heading forward into town, his stomach growling over her words.

"That stupid gym leader planted that tree I tell you." Sneasel spoke walking beside Haunter, "They do it on purpose, make Master fight them, make Master injure us, make Master spend money training us to be stronger, fuels their rotten economy. Our masters are not so evil, the government is."

"Interesting." Haunter pondered to himself, looking up as Luna stroked his spikes back. She smiled, calming herself by his touch, hearing her words before she even spoke them. "I love you too, Master."

"I love you, Haunter." Luna whispered, a beaming smile on her face, an honest smile. Haunter could tell the difference. From smiles forced, to smiles genuine, never once had she given a false smile towards him. Never had she hidden her feelings from him. Never had she lied to him. It was honor that he felt, knowing her honest self, it was a love no other Pokemon would have. No other human would have. No other man would have. Haunter assured it.

"What are you two whispering about?" Gallade asked with eyes wide, curiously watching the conversing Pokemon.

"How corrupt this government is!" Sneasel protested, "I mean, do you know how much stuff cost? A Pokeball? Two-hundred Poke dollars! And a Max Potion? About two-thousand Poke dollars. And lemonades? Three-hundred Poke dollars... Pure robbery."

"My master has no problems affording these necessities." Gallade admitted rubbing the back of his neck, the group reaching the town square. A Pokemart was to their left, a few residents walking out with backpacks filled with large amounts of potions, rope, and repels, ready for a journey into a cave. The Pokecenter was next to it, an old town that hadn't combined the two like the city Jason was from, a trainer that had apparently blacked out was being carried inside. A fountain with clear water ran smoothly in the center, a few benches around it, kids dressed as Pokemon keenly looking for challengers. Homes and restaurants and boutiques were around town, gates leading to other routes appearing to be blocked by strange men in matching clothing.

"I saw a cafe around here," Jason spoke pulling out a map from his side pocket, "should be close by."

"Your memory sucks, Jason." Lora groaned, walking towards the cafe a few blocks away.

"That woman there," Haunter grumbled, "she gives me a horrible feeling. Who is she?"

"That would be Lora," Gallade spoke with back straight and eyes forward, "my master's ex-girlfriend."

"What is this girlfriend you speak of?"

"A girl who gives my master kisses, hugs, listens to him when he speaks, and offers him gifts. That is a girlfriend, which she no longer is not."

"Master told me she cheated," Sneasel whispered in case anyone was listening in, "with a gym leader! Said she couldn't beat him with her Pokemon so she... You know."

"I do not." Haunter admitted, getting tugged back by Luna as they were stopped by a pair of young girls.

"Halt!" One shouted, Pikachu ears on her head and yellow jacket around her body, "Our eyes have met, it is time to fight!"

"Let's do our best!" The other one cheered, her body dressed in a Pichu costume.

"Ugh great," Lora groaned, "I left my Pokemon back at the house."

"I'm not battling some little kids." David crossed his arms.

"Neither am I." Sneasel mimicked her master, crossing her arms defiantly. Luna looked down to Haunter, a Pokemon who had battled many times in defending her outside of the house, his eyes already locked with his new targets.

"I will end their lives as they defy my master passage. I will spare no mercy for the merciless!"

"Want to play, Haunter?" Luna asked, he grinned seeing a glimpse of excitement in her eyes, a passion he hadn't seen in many years.

"Yes Master, let us fight!"

"We can join too." Jason offered, seeing the two against one ratio, "Will be fun."

"Truly no challenge," Gallade prepared his arms across his chest, "but I won't let my guard down, Master."

"Go, Pikachu!" The girl in the Pikachu costume called out, tossing her Pokeball out, revealing an excited Pokemon.

"Ha! I'm ready! I'm ready! I'm ready! Let's go! Go! Go!" Pikachu chanted, jumping up and down, cheeks building up electricity.

"Go, Pichu!" The girls partner called out, revealing a young Pichu to the fight.

"Huh? What's going on? Where am I?! Grah!" Pichu collapsed, trembling at the sight of wide blood thirsty eyes of Haunter.

"I will defend my master, no matter the risk, no matter the threat!"

"Use me as you will Master," Gallade assured, bobbing a bit with fists ready, "I will not fail you!"

"I haven't battled next to someone before." Luna admitted as she bounced on her heels, "Would you like to go first?"

"Heh, ladies always go first." Jason laughed a bit, Lora's eyes glaring at the pair.

"Hm okay, Haunter!"

"Yes!" Haunter nodded prepared for any attack, locking eyes with the frightened Pichu.

"Haunter use Shadow Ball!"

"Prepare yourself foe!" Haunter warned as a serge of dark energy was gathered from the area, sapping the force from shadows cast by tall buildings, growing stronger and stronger. The ball of pure darkness was hurled forward, the collapsed Pichu no match for the powerful blast.

"Owwwww!" Pichu cried out in pain, releasing electricity easily from its body, barely able to stand.

"Yes! Good job, Haunter!" Luna praised, clasping her hands together, "I'm proud of you."

"Anything for you, Master." Haunter grinned as his opponent was weak, but hiding a burning furry as he still stood. "But it is not over yet."

"Ugh!" The girl in Pichu costume stomped her feet, her fellow cosplayer trying to comfort her, "No fair! No fair! Why do you get to attack first?! No fair!"

"Guess it's my turn." Jason chuckled, a new bold look on his face, pointing at the hype Pikachu. "Gallade! Use Close Combat on Pikachu!"

"I do as you command!" Gallade charged at the bouncing Pikachu, the blades on his arms slicing back and forth, his small fists too attacking. "I will not lose!"

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" Juggling the Pikachu with his rapid punches and slices, Gallade snatched at the Pokemon before punching him into the ground. Retreating back to his master's side, Gallade gave a respectable bow at the twitching Pokemon, quickly flinching.

"Grah, I--I can't move."

"Hm?" Haunter watched as electricity came off of Gallade's body, his eyes twitching but nothing else able to love. "I see. What shall we do?"

"It will... Wear off... You must fight, keep the masters safe."

"Oh-no," Luna sighed, "I didn't bring any paralyze heals with me."

"Haha!" The Pikachu cosplayer gloated as her Pokemon got back up on his feet, bruised, but bouncing around again, "Now we have you! Pikachu use tackle on the tall one!"

"Get ready! Get ready!" Pikachu chanted as he rushed forward, "Here I come! Here I come! Here I come!"

"Gallade brace yourself!" Jason called out worried of his already weakened Pokemon, not having a long time to rest earlier.

"Haunter use Protect!"

"Yes, Master!" Quickly a shield came across Haunter and Gallade, pushing back the rapid Pikachu, his body tumbling back.

"Now Haunter, use Poison jab!"

"Face my wrath!" Launching forward with a sizzling fist, Haunter released a bold punch across the excited Pokemon's face. "Admit your defeat!"

"No!" Pikachu protested, the poison already taking effect, face growing pale, "I will not fail my master! Not fail! Not fail!"

"Neither will I." Again Haunter threw his poisonous jab into the Pikachu, only ceasing when the poison wore off and retreating back to his master's side. The Pikachu let out a screech of pain before coming to a halt, fainting on the ground.

"Your Haunter is strong," Jason admitted, "it's like he doesn't even need direction."

"He's my pride and joy," Luna laughed a bit, "never has he failed me, and never will he, right Haunter?"

"Indeed!"

"I'm sure that's a yes." Jason laughed, "Gallade how are you holding up?"

"Well, Master." Gallade grunted, "Haunter, I admire your skills."

"I will defend you," Haunter assured, taking his place in front of the paralyzed Pokemon, "allow me to finish this fight."

"No!" The Pikachu cosplayer cried out, "My cute Pokemon!"

"I'll handle this, go Pichu!" The other called out, Pichu finally steady on his feet, "Attract that ugly faced Pokemon!"

"Mwah!"The male Pichu blew a kiss towards the male ghost Pokemon. "Huh?! Don't you find me pretty?"

"That doesn't work on me," Haunter rolled his eyes, "for more reasons than one."

"Haunter," Luna laughed a bit, "please show this kid how looks don't win battles."

"Gladly."

"Haunter, use Shadow Punch!" Quickly darkness surrounded Haunter's hands, his body rushing forward to the frightened Pichu.

"It ends here!" A swift direct impact across the Pokemon's jaw was enough to launch him upwards, Haunter flying upwards to follow. The dark trail followed his fists as he continued his barrage, hit after hit, the Pichu endured. Falling downwards, limp and defeated, Pichu could only see the sky as he landed hard on the stone floor.

"Pichu, no!"

"Ugh.... I.... I failed you..." With that, the Pichu fainted, being summoned back into his Pokeball.

"Pichu, don't worry, we'll get you to the center!"

"Here," the Pikachu cosplayer grumbled, reaching out of her pocket as she approached her opponents, "take your winnings." Luna and Jason see offered a small pouch of coins, both looking to each other unsurely.

"Um, you can keep it." Luna suggested.

"Yea, we don't want to take your allowance." Jason's chuckled a bit, rubbing the top of the girl's head, "Just take this experience as a learning lesson. Free of charge."

"Come on, Sis!" The other girl called out.

"Hmph, fine." Both girls with fainted Pokemon rushed to the Pokecenter, exposing the small group of people that were watching the fight. They gave a small applause, Haunter eyeing them nervously. Who would challenge him next? Who would threaten his master? Always alert, always ready, Haunter took to Luna's side, wasting no time to celebrate his victory.

---

Picture time! Tried to make it look like a typical game style battle haha

---

Title: Chapter 2 Part 3

"Come on, Gallade," Jason spoke getting his Pokeball out, "let's head to the Pokecenter."

"Until we meet again, Haunter." With that, Gallade was summoned back into his orb home, Haunter remaining without one.

"Good going," Sneasel praised as they walked to the center, "another Pokemon suffering because of the government promoting violence for a few Poke dollars."

"They challenged me," Haunter spoke without a twinge of guilt or pity, "they lost. Next time they won't make the same mistake."

"Oh I know. It just gets me mad seeing them so regretful, I mean, what if you had lost? How would you feel?"

"I... I won't lose."

"But if you do,"

"I won't!" Haunter hissed back, a poisonous venom leaking from his mouth as he screamed, Luna quickly taking notice.

"Haunter? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Master." He sighed, closing his eyes as Luna's hands rubbed on his head, kissing a spike. "You spoil me with such kindness."

"There, there, it's okay. I wonder what's got you so upset?"

"Hey I'll wait here," David suggested as the others weren't sure whether to stay here or leave for the center, "you guys go and heal Jason's Gallade." Seeing now he was alone with the still questionable ghost woman, David followed her to the fountain, sitting on the edge beside her. "So... you and Haunter know each other long? You two seem to have a good bond."

"Oh yes, I hatched him from an egg when he was just a crying Gastly. I've had him for years."

"Years? Shouldn't he be, like, a Mega Gengar by now?"

"No, because I have this." Luna exposed the necklace around her neck, David leaned in seeing the curved fragment tied on the string.

"What is it?"

"Part of an Everstone, I had one some time ago but it shattered, so I kept a piece of it with me. Since Haunter is always by my side he will never evolve, I hope he doesn't mind."

"Of course not, Master." Haunter spoke with a serious expression, resting on her lap as she hugged him close, "No matter my shape, color, or form, I will always remain loyal and by your side."

"Geeze you're love struck. " Sneasel gagged as she sat on the edge of the fountain, splashing some water, "Probably because she's the only human you've ever known."

"Not true, I knew others a long time ago. A gray haired man, a frail bitter woman, a thief butler, and many servants. I knew many others, a long, long, time ago."

"What happened?" Sneasel asked as David and Luna spoke of nothing particular, mainly David speaking of famous restaurants and Luna listening. "They all ran away or something?"

"Not quite. My master's birth parents weren't the kindest to others, but oh they loved my master, showered her with gifts, me a gift for her at one point. She enjoyed the company, the praise, the love, until they simply stopped existing."

"Huh? They're... dead?"

"I don't know." Haunter admitted, eyes looking up in the sky, wondering if he'd catch a glimpse of them somewhere up there. "They simply vanished one afternoon. There was screaming, violence even, humans battling humans in a way I understand. The thief, it fought and fought, until the humans didn't move anymore. They just laid there, quiet, leaking a crimson liquid. I swear it was blood but I cannot say for sure."

"Oh," Sneasel bit her thumb, watching this rather innocent Pokemon speak of a subject he didn't understand. The subject of death. "Maybe the parents will come back?"

"Maybe. I did not see them among those who didn't move, and eventually men came and took those people somewhere. Master speaks of them when she is in the garden, I am not sure why, they cannot hear her, no matter how loud she cries."

"So, must be lonely." David yawned, arms resting on his thighs, hunching over, "How do you live with only Pokemon?"

"Simple, it's not lonely, they are good listeners and they are great company." Luna smiled as Haunter looked back at her, hand patting the side of her face. "I wonder if they understand me, or if I'm just a pleasant noise."

"You are very pleasant Master, noise or not, please don't look so sad."

"Heh, well either way you should get out the house more." David suggested, "Me and Sneasel travel a lot, we have to, can't afford to keep a house in this dang economy."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"Did you know a bicycle cost one million Poke dollars? Imagine the price of a house! That's why you see ten year olds running around the world, they can't afford homes and most are homeless. Spewing nonsense about being a Pokemon master this and a collector that. Those jobs don't pay. I just want to have a warm place to sleep at night." Sneasel looked back to her master, hopping on his shoulder and shaking him playfully.

"Don't be so sad Master, I'm happy with you, we don't need homes! We don't need food! We don't need beds! We have each other! Everything will be okay, right?" David gave no response, simply patted Sneasel's back and sighed. Haunter watched this strange display of sadness, this look of false strength and happiness. Did all humans wear such transparent masks?

"My home isn't very warm," Luna admitted, rubbing up and down her sleeves, "but it is always welcoming in foster Pokemon. Now, Sneasel isn't a foster but I wouldn't feel right sending you away with nothing. If you ever need a place to stay, you and Sneasel are always welcome home."

"For real? No joking?" David chuckled, staring at generosity in the face, eyes in disbelief.

"Sure, I don't mind. Would you like that, Sneasel?"

"Whatever makes my Master smile makes me smile as well!" Sneasel have a thumbs up, taught to her by her master, with a wide smile on her face.

"Geeze what did I miss?" Lora's annoyed voice grabbed their attention. She stood with arms crossed eyes glaring at the ground. Jason sighed a bit, Gallade at his side, and Claire staring at the ghostly Pokemon.

"Um, nothing." David scoffed, hopping off the fountain, "Come on let's eat, I'm starving!"

"I'm so hungry!" Sneasel called out following her master towards the cafe, Haunter remaining behind to aid his master to her feet.

"That was a fun battle." Jason chuckled lagging behind with the slow moving ghost girl, "Granted I don't like crushing the dreams of little kids, it's always exciting to battle. I'm just glad Gallade had Haunter here to protect him."

"I am forever in your debt, ghostly one." Gallade spoke with a bow as he walked, fully healed and a stain of lipstick on his cheek from excited females. All seeing him as the most handsome Pokemon, just as his sister was considered the most beautiful.

"Please, give your debt to my master." Haunter spoke, his eyes glued on her as she stared curiously at the villagers around. "She needs it more than me."

"Of course. She seems nervous, is she alright?"

"No. The humans here, they lie and they cheat, they kill and they steal. She doesn't trust them, has no reason to in my opinion. After all, someone here silenced all those servants in her home and painted the floors with blood, perhaps even her parents, and they were never found."

"What? Her parents are dead?!"

"Gallade?" Jason asked seeing his Pokemon with wide eyes and shaking arms. "What's wrong?"

"I wonder what Pokemon talk about," Luna wondered out loud, using her free hand to hold onto Gallade's, somehow easing his nerves, "maybe adventures and battles."

"Probably food and treats." Jason laughed.

"Hopefully they do, I hate the idea of Haunter speaking of sad things." Haunter closed his mouth, shutting his eyes as she rubbed on his head, a gesture he grew to love over the long years.

"Guys come on!" Claire waved them over, already holding the door open into the cafe, "Quick, before David eats everything again!"

"Coming, Sis!" Jason called out, speed walking ahead, Luna tugged forward by Gallade's long strides.

"My master's parents," Gallade confided to the always listening ghost Pokemon, "left a long time ago before I came. Not killed but... having parents walk out on you, sometimes I believe is worse, they chose to leave, I hope your master's parents did not chose death."

"I see. Is it natural for humans to have parents like this?"

"Maybe, I've never asked." Gallade allowed Haunter to glide in first, his presence already causing wide eyed stares and nervous whispers. Tables were on both the left and right side of the cafe, David and Sneasel already sitting in the back, with a counter to the left. A waitress trembled at the dark aura emitting from the sharp eyed Pokemon, not saying a word as she guided them to David's chosen table.

"Hey," Lora whispered harshly in Luna's ear, "can't you put that thing in its Pokeball? It is scaring everyone."

"Pokeball? Haunter doesn't have one." Luna shrugged, "If you don't like him then by all means don't look at him."

"He's hard to miss."

"If I'm forced to endure your hideous and snobby attitude, then you will endure the presence of my Haunter. Don't like it? Then fight me about it. If you won't, then kindly shut that pampered mouth before I knock all of the teeth out of it." Luna spoke softly, holding a smile on her face, leaving Lora blank faced as the group took their seats. Haunter glared at the woman, tongue sticking out as he hissed at her.

"Master has no need to be angry. Anyone who upsets her I will end personally and drag into the Ghost World. Never should she worry about such petty humans, that is my job."

---

Explanation of picture


Picture Time!

---

Title: Chapter 2 Part 4

Luna sat between Claire and David, Jason sitting across from Claire, and Lora sitting in a chair on the end of the table. Haunter hovered over Luna's shoulder, watching as Sneasel picked at crumbs of stale coffee cake on the floor. Galled leaned against the wall, apparently still shaken by the possibility of Luna's dead parents. The waitress was quick taking their orders, David the most excited, jumping a bit in his chair.

"I'm starving, I'm starving, I'm so starving."

"I don't understand how you can let yourself get so hungry." Jason shook his head.

"Hey, my parents didn't leave me a quadrillion Poke dollars, okay? They just patted me on my back at age ten saying "go be a Pokemon master!" all because they couldn't afford to keep me."

"That's sad," Luna noted, her eyes staring down at the table, "even my parents left me something."

"Uh," Jason paused.

"Er, h-hey!" David quickly laughed doing his best to change subjects, "Luna have you thought of gym battling? I mean, you Haunter was really something out there. You could probably win all the badges, and those things sell for big bucks."

"Everything is money with you." Lora scoffed, going on a rant rather quickly.

"It's always like this," Gallade spoke noting Haunter's confused eyes, "back and forth, constantly talking. Your master seems to enjoy the noise better than me."

"I think David likes her." Sneasel snickered, sucking frosting off her index claw.

"Likes? What do you mean?" Haunter looked to the starving man, his arm on Luna's shoulder as he spoke wildly over Lora's boring rant. Her eyes looked back and forth between all the voices and phrases that she hadn't heard in a long, long, time. "Is this good? What does he want from her?"

"Food probably," Sneasel shrugged from under the table, "my master isn't shy about begging for food. But... this seems different kind of... he seems genuinely happy."

"Hm, my master as well." Gallade noted with arms crossed as he leaned on the wall, seeing Jason finally laughing at David's jokes and speaking to a woman other than Lora. "She is good at making friends."

"I don't like this." Haunter spoke to himself, "Will they kill her as the others tried to? If she hadn't of been sleeping that day, if I hadn't of used Hypnosis on her..."

"Oh man that looks good." David laughed a bit, devouring the complementary bread, making sure to pass some to Sneasel.

"It's so warm," she spoke as she sat under the table, peeking up at Haunter, "do you eat much?"

"Hm? No, not really."

"Haha than I like ya! I can eat all the food and not feel guilty about it." Haunter kept his eyes busy, scanning the room as his master ate her bread and sipped a milky cup of coffee. Few humans were here, some trying to battle and a waiter demanding they go outside. Some of the younger humans stared at him, Pokedexs trying to read the mysterious rare Pokemon, wanting to add to their collection. Eventually his eyes found the silent young woman, Claire, who sat with hands in her lap beside Luna, looking at her with such interest.

"Who is this one again?" Haunter asked to Gallade, already who was surrounded by woman swooning over his masculine appearance.

"Her? That is Claire, the blood relative of Jason, she is harmless I assure you."

"Oh wow your Gallade is so cool!" One of the woman smiled and admired, Jason leaning back in his chair nodding in agreement.

"Yes, yes, he is very cool. I bought him off someone when he was a Kirlia, imagine my surprise seeing it was a he."

"Aww what a lucky Pokemon!"

"He's so handsome!" Another girl rubbed on his arm, careful of the blades jutting out of him. Haunter watched as this Pokemon endured the poking and prodding of complete strangers, and his master nodding at such a display, despite the discomfort of Gallade.

"Please, don't touch me." Gallade sighed, backed against the wall. Haunter clenched his fist, watching as these women continued their touches and snapped pictures on their phone, some even offering their most prized Pokemon for Gallade.

"Enough!" Haunter shouted, making his way to the cornered Pokemon, "Your display of such affection is putrid! Lustful! Horrid! Give this warrior the respect he deserves!"

"Eek! A ghost!"

"Ew he's so ugly!"

"Grah! Leave me alone!" Jason watched in disappointment as his fans ran out of the cafe, leaving him only with his group who gave considerably less praise.

"Dang it," Jason sighed as a girl ran off having given off only half of her phone number, "guess Haunter got jealous of all the attention."

"I doubt that." Luna stirred her coffee with a small silver spoon, watching as Haunter held a handkerchief, wiping away the lipstick over his body. "Haunter seems to have made friends, he's just concerned that's all."

"Is what your master said true?" Gallade asked once the last smudge of bright blue lipstick was removed from his cheek. "Would you consider us friends?"

"You are quite brave, Gallade. A Pokemon worthy of praise, and your understanding of the human world enlightens me. Any Pokemon with such knowledge and strength is worthy of my respect and my praise."

"I hope that is a yes, I could use the company of a Pokemon with more to say than government conspiracies."

"I heard that!" Sneasel called out from under the table, mouth half full, but her protest was soon silenced by the aid of a bottled water passed down to her.

The lunch was eaten in relative contentment, despite the glares Lora gave off as her ex-boyfriend grew more comfortable around the once feared ghostly woman. Luna barely spoke, but when she did it was usually words of happiness or humor, enjoying a company she could understand. Haunter watched, as cautiously as ever, poison stirring inside of hi as if prepared to attack any human that stepped out of line. But that was his passion, protecting his master, laying his after life on the line for her, as he was instructed to.

Once the last of the desserts were eaten and the coffee was down to the last drop, the group left with full stomach and hyper excitement, heading back to a home riddled with ghosts and secrets. "That was rather fun." Jason admitted as the house came into view, "Kind of sucks that we should get going."

"Going huh?" Luna sighed a bit with a smile hiding her disappointment, "Have to see the world and all that right?"

"Yea something like that." Jason shrugged a bit, watching as she opened the front doors, eyes widening at the site.

"What the?!" Lora shouted seeing the insides of the house.

"What happened?" David tried asking, stuttering seeing the inside.

"Haunter," Gallade began to ask, "what is this?"

"This," Haunter paused as he floated before the mounds of excited crying orange balls, "this is the hatching of the Pumpkaboos."

Pumpkaboos cried and scurried about the house, eggs shells lying on the ground and some in their fur, all rolling around the floor. Some towered high to the ceiling, Lampents trying to push them back down to the floor. Others were stuck to walls as Gengar stuck them with honey in futile attempts to keep them still. Rotoms chased after them in a panic to corral them up. Pumpkaboos wailed and cried for their mothers and fathers, some small, others huge, while the older Pumpkaboos and Gorgiests tried their best to console the newborns.

"Um, did I mention I love Pumpkaboos?" Luna asked as many tumbled out the doorway and rolled about the front lawn. Quickly the group made way for rushing Banettes, attempting to grab the plump waddling Pokemon.

"We need to help them!" Claire cried as a baby stumbled over to her, crying for attention, "Newborns need the love of a trainer in at least 24 hours! Quick, we must love them!" Holding the baby close to her chest, Claire hugged as lovingly as she could, calming the uneasy Pumpkaboo.

"Sounds good to me!" Luna jumped inside the house, snatching up two in her arms, hugging and kissing them. "Mwah, I love you Pumpkaboo. Mwah, mwah."

"Momma?" A Pumpkaboo questioned at Sneasel, her narrow eyes growing softer. "Momma?"

"Heh, what a cutie." Sneasel patted the soft curl on the Pumpkaboos head, quickly back up as other began to swarm in. "Whoa hold on a second!"

"Momma, Momma, Momma!"

"Momma!"

"Momma!"

"Momma, Momma!"

"Momma!" The Pumpkaboos chanted, quickly swarming Sneasel and tackling her to the ground. David snatched a pair and hugged them quickly, seeing their bodies grow slow and calm soon after.

"Sneasel has the right idea!" Jason nodded, "Gallade, huge these babies into submission!"

"As you wish, Master." Gallade rushed into the house, diving into a pile of Pumpkaboos, giving swift hugs and kisses as any strong warrior would. Haunter aided his master, whispering loving words to the baby Pumpkaboos, always pleased by their acceptance of him.

"I love you." Haunter spoke quickly to each Pumpkaboo he floated passed, "I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you."

"Oi!" Gengar called out, huffing and puffing from the bottom step, "Get back here you candy filled lovable brat!" A Pumpkaboo laughed and ran off from the overweight Pokemon, Haunter watching unimpressed as Gengar desperately chased the newborns. "Get back! I haven't hugged you yet!"

"Mwah, mwah, mwah!" Luna kissed each Pumpkaboo on the cheek as she sat on her knees on the floor, placing the loved ones in a separate pile. "You all weren't supposed to hatch until later. Mwah! Love you! Love you! Mwah! Love you!"

"Momma!"

"Momma, Momma!" The Pumpkaboos called out from their loved pile, as the others cried through out the house.

"Ugh, stupid ghost pumpkins." Lora grumbled, quickly kissing a Pumpkaboo in her hands, "Sooner this is done the sooner I can leave." Haunter continued his loving up and down the hallways, panting a bit as he went through walls and doors, checking for hidden newborns.

"Brother," Gengar panted, having made his way back, "who *huff huff* thought laying all these eggs was *huff* a good idea?"

"Ask the parents, come on, we have more rooms to search."

"Ugh, I tell you what *huff huff* I miss not having weight." Gengar laughed a bit seeing Haunter float without any issues, short stubby legs and arms hard to run with. "Phew... So, how was outside?" Haunter fished a Pumpkaboo out of a vase, revealing a disgruntled Yamask hidden inside.

"It was exciting, I defended Master against two foes with the aid of Gallade."

"Sounds like work--got ya!" Gengar quickly grabbed the crying Pumpkaboo and held her close, kissing the curl on her head, "So, was Master okay? Around the humans I mean."

"I believe better than expected, but I will not allow them to be too close to her. I do not trust them." Haunter spoke, able to see Luna from where he and Gengar stood, noticing David adding Pumpkaboos to the loved smile. "They'll never know her like we do though."

"Aye... That's true. But, maybe she'll be happy with them."

"Maybe. But I won't let them hurt her. I will end any who bring her pain."

"I'm sure she'd do the same for us, not like most." Gengar thought back to his days bing forced to breed, day after day, night after night, with various mates he had no love towards. No one loved him, he was just a mate, betrayed by his previous master, never seen again. Until Luna appeared one day at the Daycare, hopped the fence, and brought him home. She told him words he always thought of.

"I love all Pokemon," she told him once when he was still a Gastly, "because they are capable of things most humans aren't. Undying loyalty, pure kindness, and forgiveness. I know you can forgive the trainer that abandoned you. I cannot, but I know you can." Gengar had since forgiven his previous master, no room in his heart for hatred, for it was now filled with love for a new master.

"They'll never understand." Haunter spoke with vengeance in his eyes, clenching his fist tightly, "Never."

"Hey, come on," Genger gently pushed his unrelated brother, "there are more newborns that needs our help." Reluctant, Haunter continued his search, staying nearby the effects of the Everstone fragment around Luna's neck, hugging and cradling crying Pumpkaboos.

---

A not spoiler

---

Title: Chapter 3 Part 1

Chapter 3--Surprise

"Whew, that was close, huh Haunter?" Luna panted, lips swollen a bit from constant kisses of Pumpkaboo fur.

"Haunter." He nodded, eyes tired, body hovering closer to the floor the more exhausted he grew. The hours that passed brought the night, awakening the night life of the house. Litwicks lighting the dark hallways, Banettes playing pranks on one another and laughing at their own expense, Rotoms zapping around in various forms, leaving the protective Haunter to sleep.

"Ugh, look how late it is!" Lora protested as she shuffled out of a pile of sleeping Pumpkaboos, their bodies casually rolling to the floor, still snoozing soundly. "We will have to get a hotel room and leave tomorrow morning now."

"I'm not paying for that." David scoffed.

"Sneasel!" Sneasel gave a stern nod as she cradled a Pumpkaboo in her arms to sleep.

"Besides, we have a well made home right here, for free. Hey Luna can we spend the night?"

"I don't mind," Luna shrugged, holding Haunter in her arms as he began to sleep, "there are rooms upstairs you can use."

"Whoa hold on a second!" Lora called out but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Sounds good to me." Jason gave in, "Gallade and I loved so many Pumpkaboos that we need our rest."

"Gall..." Gallade yawned, not used to giving kisses as apposed to receiving them, retreating into his Pokeball. Claire was sleeping peacefully on the floor, Pumpkaboos smuggling close to her warmth, all those she kissed easily making a blanket for her out of their bodies.

"I think Claire is all set," Luna began to whisper, "come on, I'll show you guys your rooms."


Upstairs the trainers saw their Pokemon were well rested and taken care of by various ghost Pokemon, even the chubby Gengar aided in spraying some burn heals on some of their wounds. Jason took a room that had shy Yamasks floating inside, rather quiet Pokemon and rather still, leaving a nice peaceful place to sleep. David's room was close by, right across from Jason's, where shelves were filled with crates of Pokeballs, not one had been used.

Lora passed out in the last room at the end of the hall, her Pokemon finding their way back to her and going in Pokeballs, except the Rotom happily roaming the home with his brothers and sisters. Luna yawned a bit, resting her sleeping Haunter in her bed, kissing him on the top of his head, seeing Gastlys hover above him.

"Keep him safe in his dreams okay?" Luna whispered as she removed her necklace and placed it beside him, "I'll be in the garden."

"Gastly." They whispered in agreement. She yawned a bit but walked down the hallway in haste, her feet creaking on the floorboards, not noticing the curious trainer watching her go passed.

The night life was rather quiet, when Pokemon spoke to one another they weren't as vocal as with humans, almost a secret language deaf to human ears. Luna smiled and waved to them as she walked by, heading for the garden, welcomed by illuminated Pumpkaboos and Phantumps and Gourgeists and Trevenants that resided in the overgrown area.

"Phantump?" One called out with large red eyes staring at her curiously, only smiling when Luna blew a kiss at him.

"Yes, I still love you Phantump, even after you burned me that one time. No more Will-O-Wisp for you."

"Phantump..." Luna sighed a bit but smiled all the same, walking on weeds and over waddling Pumpkaboos, until she reached a thin patch of grass. Here resided two stones that stood out from the ground, both engraved with names and dates, always kept clean by the Pokemon who resided in the garden. She sat down with legs crossed, eyes staring at he right tombstone, "Hey, Mother." She looked to the left. "Hello, Father." They gave no response, colder than Froslass, motionless and bare.

"I met these humans today. They seem nice, well, all but one girl, she annoys me very much. Their Pokemon are also quite interesting, it's amazing how a Pokemon can shape up depending on who it is with. Haunter seemed to enjoy himself, we had a battle today... I know how much you both hated battles but, well, I had fun." The stones were silent. Cold. Motionless. Bare. Giving no praise or scolding, no hugs or spankings, no lover or hate, they were not that much different from her parents.

"My Pumpkaboo eggs hatched today, apparently all at once, I guess that Fire Orb really does wonders. Everyone helped me love them, they need that love quickly, they could die without that first love and affection. It's a good thing not all humans are that way, I would have died long ago, right?" She waited for a response that would never come, twiddling her thumbs, feeling the movements of Trevenants moving closer.

"I'm okay," she assured them, "it's not a big deal. They're gone now, so..." Her eyes grew moist as she bit her bottom lip, "I have no reason to miss them. They always threw items and toys at my face to make up for them not being there. They even threw Pokemon at me like they were just play things. They... They never loved me, so why should I miss them? Why do I miss them?"

Pumpkaboos waddled over, snuggling close to her body, looking up at her with wide yellow eyes. Phantumps rested beside her, them knowing more than any the pain of missing their parents, unable to vocalize their sorrows.

A misstep made the Pokemon turn. The snap of a branch made them alert. Quickly they prepared for battle. Pumpkaboos preparing Bullet Seed, their mouth glowing a bright green. Phantumps formed vines from the ground, prepared to bind and sap the energy out of the intruder. Luna turned to the noise, standing up behind her wall of defensive Pokemon, seeing a figure in the distance. "Who goes there?!"

---

Title: Chapter 3 Part 2

"Ow--freaking--it's me!"

"David?" Luna asked recognizing the voice, watching as he came closer, shaking his foot in attempts to remove a Pumpkaboo that latched onto his ankle. "Guys it's okay, I know him." The Pokemon slowly calmed their nerves, but seeing another human caused them to scatter, except the reluctant small Pumpkaboo with teeth dug in his shoe's heel. Luna came close as David stuck out his leg, easily she tickled the Pumpkaboo to make him release the intruder. She held him in her arms to ease his violent behavior, "Shouldn't you be sleeping? It's not wise to sneak around here, my Pokemon don't normally hesitate."

"Yea, sorry, I couldn't sleep." David admitted, hands stuck in his jean pockets, peeking over at the gravestones. "Didn't mean to interrupt anything--are you crying?"

"No." Luna answered quickly, using the Pumpkboo's fur to wipe her eyes, the Pumpkaboo smiling a bit feeling her soft textures.

"Oh... Um, are your parents buried there?" He asked, afraid to get any closer to the sacred ground, the Pumpkaboo keeping a close eye on him.

"Buried? No. They were found a few cities away, they ran from a thief who came to my home and murdered my parents' servants. He was also our butler, he was my best friend, always happy to help me when I needed it." Luna looked upwards towards the sky, stars peeking out on the cloudy night, appearing close to raining. "He wanted blood, I sometimes wish I could ask him why but he's long gone. My parents fled the slaughter, leaving me here, and when they were reported in another city... Well, they died to me long ago."

Pumpkaboo snuggled close to her chest, in his own attempts to give off the love she had selflessly given to him, in hopes of making her smile. But her frown remained, eyes facing the sky to prevent tears from running down her face, sighing heavily.

David came a few steps closer, careful of the violent little Pokemon in her arms, stopping a few feet away. "I'm sorry to hear that. Hey I... remember when I said my parents kicked me out because they couldn't afford to keep me?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Well, that's not entirely true. I... I was young, and I wanted to be a Pokemon master like everyone else." Luna looked back down to see him, his eyes unable to meet hers, his hands held behind his back. "My parents hated the idea, said it was a fool's dream, that only one out of hundreds of kids even beat the first gym. They said I'd be the kid that stands around challenging the future Pokemon master, not the one getting challenged."

"That's horrible, you had a dream, why would they say such mean things?"

"Well, my family was a 'no nonsense' kind of family."

"Is that why they kicked you out?" Luna asked, inching a bit closer, the Pumpkaboo hissing a bit at him.

"Not exactly. Um, when you mentioned your parents left for a city, mine did too. My mom more specifically. She found a man who was wealthy and famous man, an elite four gym leader, and ran away with him. It was just me and my dad for awhile, until he became pretty poor, and could barely keep up with me." David reached in his pocket, pulling out a small sheet of paper, handing it to Luna.

She set the Pumpkaboo down, he didn't attack but still kept a close eyes on David. It was a photo, showing a picture of a skinny brown haired boy next to a man with oil caked on his hands and eyes exhausted. They stood before a mine, Machops and Machokes in the background moving around carts and metal beams.

"That was taken a few days before I ran away, it was in the papers saying I was missing, the only photo of me and I looked like crap."

"Why did you run?" Luna asked handing back the photo.

"He couldn't afford me, I knew that, so I left. I didn't want him struggling to manage me, a house, and a job that he would soon be fired from. Why hire a human when you can hire a Pokemon that works for no pay and loves doing it? I wouldn't be his burden so I... I left. I don't know why I'm telling you this, I guess because... I dunno, I just thought maybe you'd know that you aren't the only one who lost loved ones, I guess. I don't know, just don't tell everyone else."

"Thank you." Luna spoke, David raising an eyebrow seeing a small smile on her face, "Thank you for trusting me with that. Hey, want to walk with me?"

"Oh sure! Sure! Heh, I'm uh more of a night person anyway." Luna held out her hand, David hesitating but eventually met hers, feeling her fingers intertwine with his. Under the darkness his blushing face could hardly be seen, Luna smiling as they stepped over Pumpkaboos and detached branches. "So, I have to ask: what's with all the Pumpkaboos?"

"Haha well let's see," Luna hummed trying to think where to start, "it started a few years back when I was in town, back when people didn't assume I was dead." She grumbled at the end, but kept a smirk on her face as they traveled by the light of Pumpkaboos and Phantumps. "But I met a man there, a mysterious guy, one eye red and the other blue, who said no words to me. He smelled like crisp Autumn leaves, wore black clothing, and had an aura of authority around him. He showed me his Pokemon, a Gengar was one, he seemed proud of it, but never said anything to me."

"Sounds creepy." David chuckled, tripping a bit over a rolling Pumpkaboo, a group laughing at the cute prank.

"Haha kind of. But among his Pokemon was a rare beauty, a Pumpkaboo, with violet body and black fur, it was lovely."

"Whoa, a shiny? That is pretty rare."

"Oh yes, and after that he handed me an egg, just one. With that, he left the town, never came back as far as I know, but that egg hatched into a Pumpkaboo and after that I knew my calling. Someday I might see that shiny Pumpkaboo again, I hope when I do maybe that man will return, and I can show him."

"Heh, I wish you luck then. But you've hatched so many, hundreds from the looks of it, do you think you'll ever get one?"

"I know someday I will." Luna nodded in confidence, "And I don't mind having my not shiny Pumpkaboos around, they're worth all the effort it takes to raise." David felt his hand grow warm in hers, his eyes focusing on her smile as she looked to the ground, careful not to trip, feeling himself stand closer to her.

---

Title: Chapter 3 Part 3

"Well, you're a good mom to them so I'm sure they're happier with you than they'd be with most shiny hunters like Jason."

"Hm? Jason? Why what's wrong with him?"

"That guy is a spoiled rich kid, no if's, and's, or but's about it. That Gallade he got, he bought him, that's why he didn't know about fighting not effecting ghost types when Claire got snatched. If he would have raised Gallade from a Ralts like most of us, he'd have experienced that before."

"That is true," Luna thought about it, remembering her uncertainty about how he used that move, "and when he was fighting Pikachu, I did have my doubts when he used a physical attack. The static on Pikachu would have most likely paralyzed him... Has Jason ever trained with Pokemon before?"

"Ha, no way! He just buys the coolest Pokemon around to get attention, he competes in contests and makes movies with them, prideful jerk." David grumbled as they paused their walk, standing by an empty fountain where some Phantumps resided. "Once Gallade stops being popular, he'll stuff him in a box and go onto the next one. He's even doing a shiny hunt for Gastly, don't be surprised when he asks to buy a male and female one from you. Those newborns will get a hug and get shoved in the box!"

"That's horrible!" Luna trembled, David quickly seeing her distraught behavior, he hands now held over her mouth.

"W-Well I mean, don't worry, it will be okay!"

"Okay?! Those Gastlys will never know life outside of that digital prison and Jason will just allow that?! It is not okay! Who locks up someone that they love in a room and think they're okay?! Never knowing life outside my room, never seeing other people, always locked away! It's not okay! It was horrible!" Her screams and cries made the Pokemon stir.

Haunter's eyes shot open. A threat on his master. Now, was the time to attack.

"I didn't mean to upset you," David tried calming her down as she cried on the fountain, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please, don't cry, I think Jason is horrible too! I'm only with him because he always pays for dinner! Please, don't be upset!" Luna rubbed her eyes, feeling Phantumps swarm around her, whispering things she could not understand, in attempts to ease her pain.

"They are evil." She grumbled, "Evil people. Prisoning those Pokemon. Too greedy to release them, too wicked to love them, hoarding them like selfish pigs!"

Haunter cut through the walls of the house, searching rooms for the source of the crying. Clenching the necklace in his hand.

"I'm sorry, Luna." David apologized over and over, sitting at her side, hesitating with his arms out wide, "You can hit me if you want, just not the face please."

"Hit you?" She sniffled, looking at him seeing his eyes were shut and body tense.

"Yea, I mean you're upset and I made you that way. So go ahead, hit me, I can take it. If it will make you feel better then please, do it."

Haunter peered out a window from the attic where many eggs were kept warm, seeing his master in the garden. "Haunter!"

Luna moved closer, clenching her fist a bit, relaxing it, and clenching it again. "What if it hurts?"

"That's the point, trust me, it will make you feel better. That's why we battle right? Fighting, punching, kicking, biting, it makes us feel alive and excited and happy. It's what we do, what Pokemon do, so go ahead, Luna. Hit me."

"Haunt--Haunter?" Haunter paused his charge half way seeing his master and David sat on the fountain. David's eyes were open wide with his arms held out. Luna smiled with eyes shut. Their lips touched softly, David's arms slowly falling to his sides, closing his eyes. Haunter hovered speechless, mouth opened, eye twitching at this sight of affection.

The necklace he clenched so tightly before merely dangled from his claw. He saw a genuine smile on his master's face, a smile greeted by another, their bodies close. David's arms wrapped around her as they kissed, Phantumps covering their eyes while Pumpkaboos watched in curious amazement.

Haunter backed away, a heart he never thought he had suddenly shattered, seeing his owner happy in another man's arms. The bile and poison inside of him began to churn, burning inside of him, a black haze began to spill from his mouth.

But he was silent, hovering there, seeing his master suddenly laugh a bit with this stranger. Their eyes smiling, voices jumbled in his ears, this feeling of pure envy filled inside of him.

Something inside of Haunter had changed, a new feeling, this envy. He released the necklace that prevented his evolution, leaving it hidden in the tangling weeds, coughing up this noxious mist. Slowly he retreated to the house, seeing his worst fears before his eyes. For the first time in his life, when presented with a challenge, when it came to protecting his master...

Haunter had lost.

---

Picture time!

---

Title: Chapter 3 Part 4

"Heh, I'm..." Luna stared down at her shaking hands, her chuckles soft and mind racing as fast as her heart.

"Hey that's fine... Uh, ha..." David held his smile as he sat at her side on the fountain, looking up at the sky to see the clouds growing darker. "We should head inside, before it rains."

"Y-Yea, good idea." Luna stood up, feel her hand taken by David, smiling a bit.

"So... Now what?" He asked as they headed back, growing more comfortable with the rolling and waddling Pumpkaboos that followed them.

"Well, I don't know to be honest. I've never kissed anyone before, a human before anyway."

"Heh yea..."

"You know I meant what I said, you and Sneasel can stay here for as long you like."

"Thanks, I... thanks." He nodded, holding her hand tighter, reminding himself it wasn't a dream. Inside Pokemon were still conversing and traveling through walls and hallways, some greeting this new human warmly, others not at all, but the area was peaceful. Luna brought David to the living room, a Rotom television displaying Pokemon news, sightings of possible legendary sightings and battles.

They sat on a couch together, a few Duskulls coming over to watch the show as well, with Sableye sitting on the floor to watch as well. Luna rested her head on David's shoulder, his eyes half open, arm on her shoulder.

Haunter gagged and coughed on the second floor, hiding in Luna's room, smog flooding from his mouth. The room was filled with a noxious scent, despite the open window, his body shaking against his will.

He felt close to bursting at the seems, growling in pain as his teeth pushed further out, inside of his mouth grew sharp jagged edges leaking venom. He collapsed to the ground, eyes growing red as blood vessels were enlarged, his head growing larger. Claws grew closer until fusing into two large pairs, his body elongating and producing the thick smog.

Litwicks watched in horror huddled together as the Pokemon underwent an evolution they'd never seen. Haunter grabbed at his forehead, digging his claws into his fur, ripping away at the flesh hidden underneath. Blood dripped to the ground, the hole in his head exposing a bloody half opened eye, pupil looking around anxiously.

"What... am... I?" Haunter cried as his pain began to subside. The mirror exposed a twisted creature. Something horrid. Something monstrous. "Is... This... Me?" He held out a crimson glowing hand, spikes of fur coming off his claws, touching the chill glass mirror. Opening his mouth he saw rows of teeth, all leaking poison that traveled down into his new formed stomach. "Yes... I am stronger now... I can fight for my master again."

Without effort, Haunter shattered the mirror, glass flying across his face, blood dripping and sizzling the floor. "I... Am... Mega Haunter!" The newly evolved creature howled out a noise that startled the trainers in the same hallway, but they went back to sleep, ignoring the bitter filled Pokemon. "I will win her... I will not lose... He will perish!" The Litwicks in the corner could only watch in horror as the Mega Haunter flew through the ceiling. Uttering ways. To win his master back. To kill the man who took her love away.

"Ugh what time is it?" David grumbled a bit as they sat on the couch with baggy eyelids and tired expressions.

"Dunno, my clock is in my bedroom. We should probably get some sleep anyway."

"Heh yea... I'm sure the others won't be too heartbroken when I tell them I'm staying." Luna smiled helping him off the couch, both staggering towards the stairs, helpful Rotoms lighting the way. "And I'll get a job, promise. I'll pay rent and stuff, I'm sure I'll find a place to work around here. How do you pay for food and stuff anyway?"

"Hmm, that's a good question." Luna rubbed her chin as she yawned, David too exhausted to notice his question wasn't answered. Eventually they climbed up the stairs, Luna waving him goodbye as she headed for her room. Her eyes shot open. A horrid smell slapped her across the face. Blood stained her creaky wooden floor as Litwicks sobbed in the far corner. Her mirror was shattered, showing beads of blood on the edges, seeing small holes burnt in them.

"What happened?!" She searched the room for signs of a break in, her drawers for any missing goods, unable to see or not see anything. "Are you all okay?" Luna turned to her Litwicks, seeing their bodies trembles and flames low, all huddled together. She followed their eyesight, seeing they were staring at the ceiling, a dark void appearing where wood would have been.

"What the?" Carefully climbing on her bed, Luna stood on her mattress, reaching the ceiling. Her hand grazed against the black void, revealing a violet ripple when he hand touched. Suddenly a force grasped her hand. "Hey!" A swift yank brought her up into the void. The Litwicks cried out, rushing to the bed. Pokemon in the mansion heard the cries of their master. The trainers listened as Pokemon let out distress calls. David was first to rush towards the noise, Sneasel running after, with Jason close behind.

The room filled with a noxious fume, the void in the ceiling letting out a violet light, Litwicks heading into it with no hesitation. The other ghost Pokemon followed, rushing passed the humans who stood in the doorway. "What is that?" Jason coughed with his arm over his mouth.

"Is that," David coughed, fanning the gasses from his face, "the way into the attic?"

"It can't be, can it?"

"Sneasel!" Quickly Sneasel, as if struck with a sudden realization, gabbed onto the arm of a passing Drifloon, ridding it into the void.

"Sneasel wait!" David too the arms of a Drifloon as Jason was carried off as well, both heading into this dark void.

This portal to a world where ghost and ghost Pokemon resided. This world commonly called the Ghost World.

---

Title: Chapter 4 Part 1

Chapter 4--Battle Of Life and Death

"Grah!" David called out as Drifloon dropped him on the floor, a reflective icy tile, revealing crimson eyes peering from underneath it. "Ow! Jason? Sneasel? Where are you?!"

"Over here!" Jason called out from a few feet above him, jumping down to the floor. "What is this place?" Asking David to his feet, Jason stared at this vast world of darkness, the light of Liwicks heading further inside.

"No clue, but we better follow them. If Luna is in here somewhere we need to do something!"

"Right. Let's get a move on." Quickly running towards the crowd of Litwicks, David looked around the dark corners and floating pillars of white for his Sneasel. "Come on Sneasel, where are you?"


"Grah!" Sneasel cried as the Lampent carried her over a large gap in the floor, exposing long dark arms reached up for her, "We have to hurry Lampent, please hang in there!"

"You are quite heavy," Lampent cried as he carried her through the ghost world, "please try and think light thoughts."

"I'm trying! But we have to hurry, you said Haunter took Luna and if he's mad who knows what he'll do?!" Sneasel sucked in her gut as she was carried through this vast world where ghost Pokemon thrived, accompanied by deceased trainers still battling as if they never died. Following her nose, her eyes teared up smelling the noxious trail that Mega Haunter left behind.

"We must be close," Lampent struggled, growing closer to the floor, "ugh... I cannot... continue."

"That's fine!" Sneasel released her grasp on Lampent's arms, landing on the floor, "I'll make it there on foot. If you see my Master please guide him!"

"Yes, good luck to you, Sneasel." Lampent hover back up, accompanied by a wondering Duskull. "Quick my friend, I need your assistance."

"The living is roaming this world." Duskull moaned, his eye shifting back and forth, "If they are not removed quickly, they too will perish."

"Come then! Follow me!" Lampent and Duskull rushed back towards the opened portal, leaving Sneasel running on foot, jumping over small gaps and hands of glass. The world was shaping and forming around this new power source, this new ruler, Mega Haunter. This sudden clash of power slowly seeped into the floor, whispers traveling deep down, awakening the leader of the Ghost World from it's long deep slumber.


David and Jason ran across the chilling floor, feeling the sharp pains in their feet with each step they took. "Those Litwicks are quick!" Jason panted as he ran, trying to keep his eyes forward, "We have to keep up."

"Yea we--whoa!" Quickly David yanked on Jason's jacket, pulling him backwards. The floor ended, Litwicks easily gliding over the gap, showing dark hands reaching up from the pit. "Great... Now what?"

"Lampent!"

"Hey!" Jason called out as a Lampent wrapped his arms around Jason's wrist in futile attempts to carry him. "What is this? Let go!"

"Dus-Duskull!" Duskull tried burying himself in David's shirt to life him up, not even getting his feet off the ground.

"I think they're trying to give us a lift."

"Well it isn't working, what do we do now?" Slowly a long dark shadow began to creep over them. David and Jason turned back. Both wide eyed at the ghost Pokemon. "Now that works."

"Drifblim...." The three foot Pokemon was better than nothing. Traveling in groups, the one Drifblim was soon accompanied by many, all drifting towards the gap. Quickly Jason took hold of one of the arms of the Drifblim, David taking another one, floating over the gap of vengeful souls and Pokemon spirits.

"Is this even real?" David asked as they flew over the gap, Lampent and Duskull helping to guide these drifting Pokemon. "It looks like something out of a nightmare."

"I don't know. But if Luna is in here we can't just leave, real or not she might be in danger."

"Right..." Holding tight onto the arm of Drifblim, David shut his eyes to hold back his fears, still feeling her warm embrace around him, the first girl he ever kissed and ever cared for now gone deep into the ghost world.


"Come on Haunter, where are you?" Sneasel asked as she climbed over a floating bookcase, noticing items that existed in Luna's home were beginning to appear here. "Don't do anything stupid, Haunter." Jumping down from the bookcase, Sneasel noticed a horrible smog by a group of Litwicks, all seeming unable to get passed.

"Master! Master can you hear us?!"

"Master we are here! Please hang on!"

"We will help you, Master!" The Litwicks seemed to try and burn the smog wall, only making it darker and harder to see through. Sneasel watched from behind them, trying to peer through, only causing her eyes to water.

"Ugh, this is horrible. What's going on?"

"Haunter took Master!" A shiny Litwick cried, burning her flame as hard as she could, "We must save her! If not, she will be trapped here forever!"

"What got into him?"

"His heart was broken! The human took Luna's love away, Haunter won't allow it! Please, help us save Master!" Sneasel approached the smog with her arm over her nose, blowing out an icy beam at the wall, seeing it aid in making it disperse. "Yes! That is it! Quickly brothers and sisters, gather the ice types! We can get through!" The Litwicks were quick, letting out a ghostly wail to call out to their fellow ghost types. Sneasel pushed forward, ice beam pushing the smog out of the way and making a path. The moment she paused to take a breath, the smog began to form back again.

"We will help." Sneasel turned back, seeing a savior of Froslass swooping down, all preparing Ice Beam on the smog wall. Together they made a path, freezing the smog to make a hallway forward, the Litwicks following closely.

"We must save Master!"

"We won't let Haunter get away with this!"

"She must be saved! Quickly! Blow harder!"

"I'm trying." Sneasel grumbled as ice flowed from her mouth, pushing aside this poisonous mixture, but her alive body slowly took it in, growing weaker the deeper she went in.


David and Jason road the rather slow drifting Drifblims, watching as ghosts traveled below, seeing vicious eyes and shadows under the glass floor. "I wonder what is down there." Jason though aloud.

"The dead, I guess... You don't think Luna is down there by now, do you?"

"I hope not. How did she end up here anyway?"

"No clue." David sighed, trying to recall any signs or images when he was last with her signally the opening of a portal in the Ghost World. No things came to mind. "We have to find her. I have a horrible feeling in my stomach and I know it won't go away unless I know she's okay."

Jason opened his mouth to speak, but felt no words could be said. A friend he knew longer than most, who had put up with his attempts to impress everyone he met, was now going out of his way to save someone else for no pay or food or glory. Jason could not understand this act of heroism, and it pained him that he couldn't, even now as they drifted closer to her he wondered if they would be paid for their efforts or praised as heroes.

---