Time Heals

Time Heals is the seventh episode of the first season of To Be a Master: Indigo League. It aired on March 17th, 2020.

Plot
Emerald stands before the Saffron Gym with Beedrill beside him, Leaf and Khoury standing behind.

Leaf: Are you ready? Sabrina is one of the strongest gym leaders there is, even Gary lost to her!

Khoury: G - Gary said you couldn’t beat him.

Emerald: (Grits teeth) Yeah, well, I’ll beat her! I can’t become the strongest trainer without a challenge or two along the way!

Leaf: You did lose to Lt. Surge, a little bit of training wouldn’t hurt especially with Psychic types being so powerful. The only Pokémon that has a type advantage is your Beedrill, and it’s not wise to rely on just one Pokémon.

Emerald thinks about it briefly, before shaking his head.

Emerald: (Shouting) I’m going to beat Sabrina, one way or another! Otherwise, I can’t call myself a Pokémon Master!

Emerald is ready to barge through the doors until he hears someone, pausing.

Voice: I wouldn’t advise going in there, you heard your friends. Sabrina’s stronger than you think.

Emerald turns around, gritting his teeth. He sees a purple-haired kid in a white coat.

Emerald: Who are you and why do you care?! I’m going in, and I’m going to get that badge!

Johan: I’m Johan, one of her disciples. (Pauses) If you’re insistent on going in, how about a one-on-one battle? You lose, you don’t come back here till you’ve got a better line-up against her.

Emerald: Fine!

Leaf: W - wait, hold on! You’re going to throw away your battle just cause this guy’s telling you to?

Johan: If you truly can take on Sabrina, then I figure you’d be able to beat me. But, I suppose you aren’t…

Emerald: (Quickly) Let’s go, Beedrill!

Johan: (Smiles wickedly, tossing a Pokéball) Drowzee.

Emerald and Johan position themselves on the streets of Saffron City, much to those walking by’s annoyance.

Emerald: Beedrill, Drill Run!

Beedrill speeds towards Drowzee with Agility, rotating in the air without the use of Twineedle. Despite this, Beedrill utilizes Twineedle to pick up speed. Beedrill is halted mid-air, a pink aura glowing around it. Beedrill is flung back by the attack, slamming into Emerald.

Emerald: (Coughs, picking up Beedrill) Y - you didn’t call out a command?!

Johan: (Calmly) I didn’t need to.

Drowzee’s eyes glow pink as it shoots a multicolored beam of energy from its hands towards Beedrill. Emerald widens his eyes, grabbing Beedrill and rolling out of the way.

Johan: Do you forfeit?

Emerald: N - never!

Khoury: B - b - but you’re losing to him, a - and Beedrill’s your strongest!

Leaf: Khoury and Johan have a point. Johan’s out of your class, and Sabrina’s not going to be any easier.

Johan: Seeing as you won’t forfeit for your own good, I’ll have to make certain you lose.

Johan closes his eyes, waving his hands along Drowzee as Beedrill is picked up from the air with a pink aura. Drowzee prepares another multicolored beam of energy, Emerald widening his eyes.

Emerald: Fine! I’ll forfeit! Just don’t do anything to Beedrill.

Johan: As I expected. The next time I see you, I at least hope you pose a challenge.

Johan returns Drowzee to his Pokéball and walks off.

Scene change

Emerald, Beedrill, and Leaf walk through the misty Lavender Town in night, Khoury following them from behind.

Khoury: T - t - this is the scariest place I’ve ever been! W - what if we get taken by ghosts?

Emerald: (Grins madly) Then we’ll fight it and I’ll catch it!

Leaf is on her Pokédex, searching local ghost types in Lavender Town.

Leaf: Looks like the only ghost type around is the Gastly line. You’ll be fine, Khoury.

Khoury: Y - you sure?

Leaf: I’m sure of it.

Leaf yawns, Khoury doing the same.

Leaf: It’s getting late, we’ll have to stay the night at the, (yawns) the Pokémon Center.

Emerald: What?! But we have to get, (yawns) a Gastly!

Leaf: One night wouldn’t hurt.

Emerald: F, f, (yawns) fine…

Scene change

Emerald is sleeping in a Pokémon Center room, Khoury in the bed beside Emerald’s. Beedrill vigilantly watches over Emerald’s bed, hearing his snores. Emerald jolts out of bed, leaping onto his feet with a grin.

Emerald: (Shouting) Today’s the day!

Startled, Khoury falls out of his bed, flailing his arms around.

Khoury: W - what’s going on?!

Emerald: (Grins) We’re going to get a Gastly!

Khoury sighs exasperatedly. He gets up, putting on his clothes. Emerald jumps to the mirror, spiking his limp black hair all over the place with the Pokémon Center’s hair gel. Khoury watches.

Khoury: Y - your hair? It isn’t naturally that messy?

Emerald: (Scoffs) It makes me look cool!

Emerald notices the calendar near the mirror, noticing the date; Father’s Day. He grimaced before rushing out of his room, throwing on his jacket in the process.

Emerald: (Shouting) Hey, Leaf!

He bangs on her door, Leaf groggily opening it minutes later.

Leaf: (Tired) What?

Emerald: C’mon! We’re going to catch a Gastly!

Leaf shuts the door.

Emerald: … Geez!

Emerald rushes downstairs, noticing Nurse Joy at her desk tired. She puts on a smile.

Nurse Joy: Y - (yawns) you’re quite the (forced a laugh) energetic one!

Leaf and Khoury walk downstairs, tired.

Emerald: I'm here to catch a Gastly!

Nurse Joy: (Perks up) A Gastly? Ah, I see, to beat Sabrina!

Leaf: How did you know?

Nurse Joy: Many trainers find themselves unprepared for Sabrina, so they come to Lavender Town for a ghost type. Few manage to get one.

Leaf: Why?

Nurse Joy: (Sheepishly) To be honest, I don’t know. Mr. Fuji understands the process of getting a ghost type better. You should stop by his Volunteer Pokémon House, it’s not too far away from here.

Emerald: (Strikes a thumbs-up) You’ve got it! Alright, let’s go!

Scene change

Emerald, Leaf, and Khoury stand before the Lavender Volunteer Pokémon House, a small house with a large backyard. They enter, seeing a young girl in a pink dress.

Reina: Hi, I’m Reina!

Emerald: (Grins) I’m Emerald!

Leaf: Hi, I’m Leaf!

Khoury: H - hi, I’m Khoury!

Reina: What are you three doing here?

Emerald: I’m here to find a Gastly!

Leaf: (Clarifies) Nurse Joy told us to visit Mr. Fuji, to learn how to.

Reina: (Perks up) Mr. Fuji! (Runs towards the backdoor, yelling) Grandpa! Visitors dropped by, they want to learn how to get a Gastly!

An elderly man walks in, a Cubone holding onto his leg and Weedle curled around his neck.

Mr. Fuji: Ah, hello! I’m Mr. Fuji, and I hear you three are here to find a Gastly?

Emerald: Yeah! I want to beat Sabrina!

Mr. Fuji: (Chuckles) I take it you’re attempting to be a Pokémon Champion?

Emerald: No, even bigger! A Pokémon Master!

Mr. Fuji: Ah, quite ambitious, aren’t we? Well, I’ve only known of a few considered Master-worthy. Anyways, want to discuss with me outside?

Emerald: Yeah!

Leaf: Sure!

Khoury: I - I’d love to!

Mr. Fuji: I’d appreciate it if all of your Pokémon were released outdoors too, it’s quite a lovely day, isn’t it?

Scene change

Emerald’s sitting before Mr. Fuji with Beedrill hovering beside him and Charmander tugging onto him, listening to him while Leaf and Khoury attend to the wild Pokémon. Bulbasaur is playing a wild Poliwag, Leaf’s Poliwag, and Doduo. Wartortle is battling a Nidorino, both taking a good amount of hits but refusing to faint. Khoury’s Kangaskhan looks after a Lickitung, Psyduck, Pidgey, and Weedle who she nurtures. A Mankey stands behind Mr. Fuji with Cubone.

Mr. Fuji: You wish to capture a Gastly, correct?

Emerald: Yeah!

Mr. Fuji: In order to do so, you must befriend a Gastly and scale Pokémon Tower with it to meet me at the top, forging a strong bond with it along the way.

Emerald: (Scoffs) Is that it? That’s easy!

Mr. Fuji: (Smiles) I assure you, completing the task is more difficult than you’d expect. Many trainers who visit Lavender Town fail to make a strong bond, let alone any sort of bond with their Pokémon. (Pauses) Do you have a strong bond with your Pokémon?

Emerald: Huh?! O - of course! I love my Pokémon!

The Mankey nods in approval.

Mr. Fuji: Do they love you, however? Do they obey you, holding full trust in you?

Emerald: Well… not always. My Bulbasaur, it, it never listens to me. She only listens when we’re in a dangerous situation. And, and my Charmander, she listens to me but sometimes wants to make decisions just to prove herself. But my Beedrill, (Beedrill buzzes) always listens!

Mr. Fuji: (Perks up) Dangers?

Emerald: Like when we go up against Team Rocket!

Mr. Fuji: (Scowls briefly before returning to a smile) Ah, I see. Can you call her over?

Emerald: (Shouting) Hey, Bulbasaur! Mr. Fuji wants to see you!

Bulbasaur grumpily walks over, flashing a smile at the Pokémon she was playing with. She stands before Mr. Fuji, much to Emerald’s surprise.

Emerald: S - she walked over?!

Mr. Fuji: (Concentrates on Bulbasaur) I see. Your Bulbasaur was sheltered at a young age, likely a starter Pokémon?

Emerald: Kinda.

Mr. Fuji: These dangers you run into, these are the most significant exposure she gets to humans and bases her views of the world based off of them. Pokémon however she’s grown around, and so cares for.

Emerald thinks back to Damian and Team Rocket.

Emerald: S - she hates humans?

Mr. Fuji: You can change that perception of the world. (Takes a deep breath) Your Charmander I could tell has been abandoned. She clings to you and is timid around other Pokémon, but simultaneously wants to prove herself. She doesn’t want to be seen as weak, and sees questioning of her strength as challenging her… sense of honor, to put it. You two share the same aura. I take it you were abandoned too?

Emerald: (Pauses) Y - yeah, was a powerful trainer is all I know about him. Could we move on?

Mr. Fuji: Ah! I’m sorry if that was inappropriate of myself to ask, I had simply noticed you and Charmander share… similar motivations. You both want to be strong, to prove something.

Emerald: Y - yeah, I want to prove myself as strong! (Turns towards Charmander, grinning) Do you?

Charmander: (Happy) Char!

Emerald begins to stand up, ready to leave.

Mr. Fuji: (Chuckles) Before you leave, if you need help with forging a better bond with your Pokémon, may I recommend nicknaming your Pokémon? A good nickname can reflect on your connection with them. (Turns towards Mankey, ruffling its head) Isn’t that right, Mizaru?

Mizaru: (Looking blankly ahead) Ma, Mankey!

Emerald: (Grins, then looks at Cubone) Hey, what’s up with that Cubone?

Mr. Fuji: Ah… (grimaces) he had been orphaned by Team Rocket. His mother… was taken.

Emerald looks down.

Mr. Fuji: Ah, well, sadly many of the Pokémon here face similar struggles. Many are abandoned or left orphaned, and so I look after them with my granddaughter. Mizaru was abandoned due to being blind, and so it seeks to find a worthy trainer.

Emerald: (Grins) I’m sure you’ll find one, one day, Mizaru.

Mr. Fuji: Well, (grins) meet me at the top?

Emerald: You’ve got it!

Scene change

Emerald, Beedrill, Leaf, and Khoury stand before the daunting Pokémon Tower.

Khoury: (Gulps) I - it isn’t too late to turn back now! I - I feel like there’s a ghost nearby!

Khoury feels a shiver, brushing off his left shoulder.

Emerald: Really?! Can I catch it?

Emerald looks over, rolling his eyes when he sees nothing there.

Emerald: C’mon, we’ll go in without you if we have to!

Leaf: Emerald!

Emerald: (Scoffs) It’s true!

Leaf: Khoury, it’ll be fine. We’re here for you.

Khoury: (Smiles) Y - yeah, there’s nothing to be afraid of.. well, besides getting attacked by wild -

Emerald drags Khoury inside, Leaf following. They see a mostly barren first floor, with a set of stairs going up. An old woman with long, braided, green hair stands besides the first set of stairs.

Channeler: Mr. Fuji told me of your arrival. Welcome.

Emerald: (Grins) Told him I said -

Channeler: (Yells) SILENCE! The spirits that lie within Pokémon Tower are at unease with your tone! Show respect for those not as fortunate as the ones standing here today!

Emerald: (Bows) A - alright.

Leaf and Khoury do the same. Beedrill looks confused.

Khoury: W - we’re so sorry for our behavior.

Leaf: We promise to show our respect towards the dead.

The Channeler says nothing, instead nodding. Emerald, Beedrill, Leaf, and Khoury go up the stairs, finding themselves on the second floor. They see tombstones laid out across the room, a person standing before one. They get closer, the person sending them.

Emerald: (Eyes widened) Gary?

Leaf noticed the dust and tears at Gary’s pants around the knees.

Leaf: Y - you lost a Pokémon?

Gary looks away before shaking his head.

Gary: My parents’. T - they died, along with my parents during The Great War. I made a promise to visit them on Fathers’ Day, to y’know, get some closure.

Emerald grimaces upon hearing “Fathers’ Day.”

Gary: (At Emerald) You lost a Pokémon? Your dad?

Emerald: I’m just here to get a Gastly.

Gary: Heh, Johan beat you, didn’t he? Well, I’d challenge you to a battle outside, but there’s some Ekans here and I’m not talking about the Pokémon.

Leaf: Team Rocket.

Gary: Ding, ding, ding! I don’t know how they got in here, but who cares? Since we can’t compete in a battle, let’s see who can beat the most Rocket scum.

Emerald gets in Gary’s face.

Emerald: You’re on.

Khoury: (Bewildered) Y - you’re going to willingly fight Team Rocket? T - that’s too dangerous!

Gary: (Scoffs, looking at Emerald briefly) This is why I travel alone.

Scene change

Emerald is on the third floor of the Pokémon Tower, crouching around the room with Beedrill in his Pokéball. Gary is ahead, upstairs. Leaf and Khoury trail behind, moving silently. A Zubat flies towards Leaf, Leaf trying to swat it away.

Leaf: (Hushed) Now’s not the time, could you please leave?

Emerald: (Shivers, hushed) I, I feel something nearby.

Leaf and Khoury widen their eyes, seeing something purple behind Emerald. Emerald shivers once again, feeling a tap on his shoulders. He turns around to see a Gastly screaming with a tongue stick out and stretched eyelids.

Emerald: (Screaming high-pitched) AHH!

Gastly: GAA!

Gastly begins to laugh at Emerald, Emerald’s face heating up immediately. His eyes widen as he whips out a Pokédex, scanning Gastly.

Emerald: Y - you’re a Gastly!

Emerald leaps back, before recomposing himself.

Emerald: Hey, wanna join me? I need to find a ghost-type to make it to the top of Pokémon Tower.

Gastly creates a hand made of gas, striking a thinking pose. Gastly then violently grabs its eyelids and sticks its tongue out again, scaring Emerald.

Emerald: (Screaming) STOP DOING THAT!

Gastly: (Laughing) Ga, gastly!

Gastly shakes its head, disappearing. Leaf and Khoury walk over to Emerald.

Emerald: Guess not.

Leaf: Mr. Fuji did say you needed to make a strong bond along the way, we’ve still got many floors left to go. Maybe it’ll show up later?

Khoury: T - that Gastly was… (shudders) creepy.

Emerald: (Laughs) A little. C’mon, Gary can’t beat us!

Emerald, Leaf, and Khoury head to the fourth floor, finding Gary battling a Team Rocket grunt. Zubat follows the group. His Abra teleports around the grunt’s Raticate, knocking it out with Thunder Punch.

Gary: (Grins at Emerald) That’s three grunts I’ve beat. Where’s your ghost type?

Emerald: (Scoffs) It’s… shy, yeah. Shy, that’s all.

Gary: (Chuckles) Sure… we’ll see.

Leaf: (Perks up) I hear someone coming downstairs!

Emerald and Leaf whip out their Pokéball. Zubat flies over to Leaf. Khoury shyly pulls it out, contemplating.

Emerald: Are you going to send it out or not?

Khoury: I - I don’t want to cause any damage with my Kangaskhan! R - remember what the lady said downstairs!

Emerald: If you won’t battle, fine!

Leaf: It’s alright, (nudges Emerald who goes “ow”) we understand.

A Team Rocket member comes downstairs with a scope. Leaf peers closer, noticing a stylized “S” logo.

Leaf: Silph Co.’s… how’d Team Rocket get their hands on it?

Team Rocket member: (Scoffs) Don’t tell me it’s those Vermillion brats! You won’t get this Silph Scope! Grimer, Grimer, come out from the shadows!

A Grimer and Grimer appear from the shadowy corners of the room.

Emerald: Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever!

Emerald is ready to release Wartortle, however Gastly appears and slaps the Pokéball away.

Emerald: (Turns towards Gastly) What gives? (Notices a determined look on Gastly’s face) Oh, you wanna battle? (Gastly nods) Well, let’s go, Gastly!

Leaf shudders when the Zubat flies towards her, however she ignores it.

Leaf: Oddish, Poliwag, come on out!

She releases Oddish and Poliwag, with the Zubat flying beside them.

Leaf: (Sighs) Alright, you too Zubat.

Team Rocket member: Koffing, Grimer, Sludge!

They simultaneously shoot globs of brown sludge towards the group. Abra teleports out of the way, striking Grimer from behind with Zen Headbutt. Gastly creates an aura of fog around the sludge, slowing them down for Oddish, Poliwag, and Zubat.

Emerald: Awesome job! (Turns towards Gary) When did your Abra learn that?

Gary: Before I came here, talked to Mr. Psychic. Taught my Abra a few tricks. Zen Headbutt!

Emerald: (Nods) Let’s see what tricks you have up your sleeve, Gastly! Payback!

Leaf: Mega Drain, Water Gun, and er, Absorb!

Team Rocket member: Keep it up! Sludge!

Koffing and Grimer release an onslaught of Sludge, increasing the amount of globs of sludge. Abra teleports out of the way, however Grimer envelops Abra before it can attack. Gastly moves in the way of Leaf’s Pokémon, taking the brunt of the Sludge attack. Oddish creates a yellow-green beam that traps Koffing, Oddish sapping its health away. While Grimer is trapped, a ring of energy is created around Gastly, fired at Koffing who takes the hit. A burst of water is shot at Koffing from Poliwag, followed by a red beam from Zubat’s mouth. Koffing faints from the combination of attacks.

Gary: Thunder Punch!

Static forms around Grimer’s body, exploding into globs as Abra releases a Thunder Punch from the inside.

Emerald: Whew! That, (high-pitched) was awesome!

He high-fives Leaf and Gary, Khoury releasing an accepting sigh.

Khoury: That went better than I expected!

Gastly disappears.

Emerald: H - hey, Gastly? Where are you? Gahh! Fine, whatever, I’ll find another ghost type!

Gary: (Sneers) You weren’t kidding about it being shy, eh?

Emerald: One grunt.

Gary: Not to brag, but, I’ve got four now.

Leaf: (Rolls eyes) The grunt’s getting away.

Emerald: Wait, wha -

Emerald looks over, seeing the grunt take off, leaving behind his Pokémon. Emerald grits his teeth, muttering something, before nodding his head.

Emerald: Let’s go!

Gary returns Abra. Emerald, Leaf, Gary, and Khoury head upstairs, finding a horde of Team Rocket members. They groan, Emerald releasing his Wartortle, Leaf her Oddish, and Gary his Abra. Zubat follows Leaf, helping her Oddish.

Emerald: Water Pulse around the room!

Gary: Abra, Teleport around and Thunder Punch!

Leaf: Oddish, incapacitate them with Sleep Powder! Zubat, Absorb!

Scene change

Cubone sits on the floor of the Lavender Volunteer Pokémon House, eyes closed in a mix of frustration and sadness. Mizaru crawls over, smelling Cubone’s scent.

Mizaru: Ma?

Cubone: (Quietly) Cu, cu…

Reina walks over, picking up Cubone.

Reina: (Hushed) Shh… everything will be alright, I promise you.

Cubone resists her touch, Reina noticing and putting Cubone down. Cubone runs off.

Reina: H - hey!

Mizaru smells Reina out, grabbing her knee before she can leave.

Mizaru: Ma.

Scene change

Hordes of Rattata, Raticate, Zubat, Grimer, Koffing, Ekans, and Venonat faint and their trainers fall asleep.

Emerald: (Grins) That went fast!

Gary: (Shrugs) Helps I was here.

They return their Pokémon to their Pokéball, except for Emerald’s Wartortle. Leaf rolls over the sleeping bodies, seeing no Silph Scope. Zubat follows her, fluttering its wings. It nicks her on the neck, causing her to laugh in pain.

Leaf: Ow! (Turns towards bodies) Silph Scope’s not here. They’ve likely taken off, or gave it to someone else.

They walk over to the stairs for the sixth floor, however Gastly appears before them and shrieks. Everyone screams.

Emerald: (High-pitched scream) GASTLY, (pants) stop doing that!

Gastly cackles madly. Its cackle is cut off abruptly as it’s hit by multiple globs of brown sludge, sending it flying into a tombstone. Emerald rushes over towards Gastly.

Emerald: Hey! Who was that?!

A Team Rocket member in a bandana appears, with a Muk beside him. He pulls the Silph Scope away from his eyes, flaunting it.

Harry: Harry, Elite member of Team Rocket. Don’t tell me, (points at Emerald) you’re that kid who fought Lt. Surge? I’ve got a bone to pick with ya. None of ya are getting the Silph Scope.

Emerald: Why’d you attack Gastly? If you wanna fight, then fight me! Wartortle, Water Pulse!

Harry: Dodge.

Muk splits into multiple pieces of sludge, avoiding the sphere of water before conglomerating back into its original form.

Gary: W - what was that?

Harry: Picked up a few tricks from someone real good with poison types. Sludge Bomb!

Gary: Machop! Revenge!

Machop is flown back by the attack, taking a lot of damage. Purple foam escapes Machop’s mouth as it winces, feeling poison. Despite this, it gains a red aura as it uses Revenge, dealing a significant amount of damage towards Muk.

Leaf: I recognize that ability! Guts, it increases attack when affected by a status condition!

Emerald gets up alongside Gastly. Harry scoffs.

Harry: Muk, Poison Gas!

Emerald: Gastly, Curse! Wartortle, Ice Punch!

Gary: Karate Chop!

Gastly: (Determined) Ga!

Leaf: Zubat, Supersonic on Harry!

Before Muk can attack, it finds itself unable to moan, groaning in pain. Wartortle freezes its body with a punch as Machop breaks the ice, defeating Muk. Harry widens his eyes as he tries to flee but is hit by a wave of sound, leaving him confused and falling to the ground, dropping the Silph Scope. Gary returns his Machop, Emerald his Wartortle. Leaf picks it up.

Leaf: Team Rocket somehow has a Silph Co. device that hasn’t even been released yet. How?

Gary: Maybe Team Rocket’s got people in Silph Co.?

Leaf: (Thinks) Maybe. I have my suspicions.

Emerald: (Looks at Gastly) Nice job! Now, c’mon, let’s head up!

Khoury: Y - you’re telling me! (Sighs) I wish I could do more.

Leaf: I’m sure you will soon, you may not be a battler but you likely have some other skills.

Khoury: (Mutters) Yeah… yeah, right…

Emerald, Leaf, Khoury, and Gary head upstairs. Gastly disappears.

Scene change

Cubone runs through the fifth floor of Pokémon Tower, moving past the wild Pokémon. A Rattata leaps at Cubone, pinning it to the ground. Cubone grunts, shoving it off, however the Rattata slinks between Cubone’s legs and makes it trip.

Cubone: (Cries) Cu, cu!

Rattata rams into Cubone’s skull, knocking Cubone’s bone back. Cubone sits there, taking the attacks.

Cubone: Cu, cu…

Cubone hears a voice boasting, turning into a vengeance wail from upstairs. It gets up, picking up its bone and slamming Rattata away with it. It runs after the voice.

Scene change

Emerald, Leaf, Zubat, Gary, and Khoury walk down the corridor of the final floor. Mr. Fuji is meditating at the end of it, with a ninja and his Venomoth standing beside him.

Gary: (Whispers) T - that’s Koga, the Fuchsia gym leader. Is, is he a part of Team Rocket too?

Mr. Fuji: (Speaks loudly, ignoring Koga) I see you have a Gastly with you, Emerald?

Emerald: Huh?

He turns around, seeing Gastly grinning madly. Koga turns to face the group.

Koga: Ah, I recognize that Gastly. It was a curse. (Stoically) Now leave. I have matters to take care of with Mr. Fuji.

Mr. Fuji: (Calmly) You have matters with the ghost type here. However, I will not allow it, (raises voice angrily) as you’ve distressed the spirits that lay here!

Koga: (Scowls) I didn’t come here for just the ghosts. I came for an offer, which it seems you won’t agree with.

Mr. Fuji: Why would I ever agree with Team Rocket’s schemes when you earlier visited and your grunt, (pauses) what was his name again? Ah, Archer! He had killed the Marowak, orphaning that Cubone!

Koga: (Matter of factly) He killed the father, the mother was me. Either way, the skulls went for a lot on the Kodai Network.

Emerald: (Angry, pointing at Koga) What do you mean Gastly was a curse?

Koga: Ah, the boy that defeated Lt. Surge. It was a burden to my team, and so I had released it.

Emerald: How could you release a Pokémon?! (Shouting) Gastly, Shadow Ball!

Gary: (Releases Abra) Thunder Punch!

Koga: I come here for the same purpose you do, however that Gastly… failed to please me. Quiver Dance to Gust.

Venomoth’s body glows white. Abra teleports towards Venomoth, ready to attack with Thunder Punch. Venomoth dodges, leaving behind after-images as it dances around Abra. It releases a gust of wind that sends Abra flying towards the wall. Gastly shoots a ball of purple energy towards Venomoth, which Venomoth dodges.

Emerald: (Angry) You’re weak! You couldn’t make a strong bond with Gastly and so you released it! (Shouting) Now show him a real Curse!

Gary: Zen Headbutt!

Koga: (Calmly) Bug Buzz.

Venomoth’s wings glow green, vibrating and releasing green sound waves. Abra teleports, however the sound waves cover the room, striking it and Gastly. Abra faints, while Gastly barely hangs on.

Koga: Is that all? (Scoffs) I told you, it was a burden. Finish them wi -

The tombstone before Mr. Fuji erupts. A ghost furiously attacks Venomoth, knocking it out in one hit. It turns towards Koga, however before it attacks, someone raises their voice.

Khoury: W - wait! Don’t hurt him, or anyone else! Y - your child, i - it’s in pain because of your death! Allow it to heal from its pain by gaining reconciliation with you!

The spirit looks viciously at Khoury, calming down. Cubone runs down the corridor, seeing the spirit. It leaps towards the spirit, which turns into the silhouette of Marowak. Marowak’s spirit embraces it in a hug. Tears run down Cubone’s skull as Marowak fades. Khoury walks over, picking Cubone up and gently patting it on the back.

Leaf: H - how’d you know it was Marowak’s spirit without the Silph Scope?

Khoury: It wanted to lash out at Koga, its spirit was mad at him specifically!

Koga pulls out a shuriken, throwing it. It releases a Pokémon, Weezing.

Koga: Smokescreen.

Emerald: (Shouting) Don’t get away! I’m not through with you!

Emerald runs through the smoke, finding no Koga.

Emerald: (Shouting) KOGA?! Where are you?! I promise you, this isn’t over!

He looks around, finding an Escape Rope lying on the ground. Leaf walks over, Zubat picking it up for her with its mouth. She giggles.

Leaf: A Silph Co. made Escape Rope, teleports you out of places but not in. This confirms my suspicions. Team Rocket is embedded within Silph Co.

Emerald walks over towards Mr. Fuji, Gastly beside him. Mr. Fuji gets up, turning around to face Emerald.

Mr. Fuji: You’ve completed your ascension. Through your shared pain in abandonment, you’ve forged a bone stronger than any other. Gastly is yours.

Emerald and Gastly grin at each other.

Emerald: (Pauses) You mentioned nicknaming my Pokémon, and… with Fathers’ Day, I had a nickname in mind. My mom said when I was young, my dad called me frisky, and (grins) Gastly reminds me of that story.

Gastly: (Cackles) Ga, Gastly!

Emerald: Is it fine if I call you Frisk?

Gastly nods its head.

Mr. Fuji: A fine nickname. (Looks at Gary) Ah, you. You’ve been silent.

Gary: Not my place to talk, is it? (Turns towards Emerald, flashing a grin) Counted your nine grunts to my fifteen

Mr. Fuji: (Chuckles) Appears so, however I meant in general. You’d think the grandson of a former champion would keep in touch with another former champion, eh?

Emerald: (Widens eyes) Y - you were…

Mr. Fuji: Ah, yes! However, it is a long story. If you three would like to hear it, visit me at my house. (To Gary) I assume since you’re aware of our histories, you won’t be sticking around?

Gary: (Grins) I’ve got badges in Cerulean to collect. (Shudders) No way I’m going to Fuchsia.

Scene change

Mr. Fuji sits on a chair before Emerald with Mizaru in hand and Beedrill beside him, Khoury with Cubone, and Leaf with Zubat.

Leaf: I - I never knew you or Professor Oak were champions! He never mentioned the fact.

Mr. Fuji: Ah, yes. Slightly over a decade ago, Professor Oak was champion of the Kanto region, after me. He had defeated Giovanni in the finals of the Indigo League -

Emerald: (Widens eyes) He had that Venusaur!

Mr. Fuji: (Chuckles) Yes, his main starter was Venusaur. It had barely defeated Giovanni’s Charizard.

Khoury: (Curiously) When did Professor Oak lose his title?

Mr. Fuji: (Sighs) He didn’t. The topic, er, veers into The Great War.

Emerald: (Groans) Everyone talks about some Great War! For once I’d like an explanation!

Mr. Fuji: (Chuckles) Feisty. Ah, well you’ll have to learn one day, so why not today? Professor Oak was a great champion, beloved for his strength and diplomacy, especially with the Johto region. However, Lance, a dragon master born from Kanto but raised in Johto wanted to… (clears throat) ahem, spread the Johto region’s prosperity with his birthplace, through… violent tactics

Leaf: Lance… the champion?

Mr. Fuji: The very one. Samuel, er Professor Oak, realized Lance’s army had power the Kanto region lacked. After the death of his children, Professor Oak with the aid of many others worked on a last attempt to defeat Lance, however… it had failed. Professor Oak and I realized it was an unethical plan, and so he stepped down despite other's opinions.

Leaf: (Widens eyes) Is that why Team Rocket wanted you?

Mr. Fuji: (Sighs) It appears so. After all this time, the scars of the war still have not healed. However, it’s why I created Pokémon Tower, to honor those lives lost so those scars could heal. Hopefully they will in time. Ah, but not to drone on with sad memories of what once was. (Looks at Zubat) Will you be taking the Zubat? It seems to liike you.

Leaf looks at Zubat, sighing. She pulls out a Pokéball.

Leaf: I guess so. Come here, Zubat!

Zubat flies into the Pokéball, hitting the button on it. It’s engulfed into red plasma. The Pokéball shakes three times, before locking. Mr. Fuji smiles.

Khoury looks down at Cubone.

Khoury: M - Mr. Fuji… I was wondering, could I adopt Cubone? With all that talk about scars healing, I was thinking, Cubone needs some… positive reinforcement in his life to let the death of his mother heal.

Mr. Fuji: (Smiles) Of course.

Khoury smiles, Cubone shyly accepting the offer. Khoury pulls out a Pokéball, capturing it.

Khoury: I - I may not be the best battler, but I hope I’m the best at taking care of you, Cubone!

Major Events

 * Bulbasaur’s disobedience is revealed to be due to exposure to bad people such as Team Rocket and Damian.
 * Emerald confirms his abandonment issues.
 * His father is a powerful trainer.
 * Gary’s parents are revealed to have died during The Great War.
 * Koga is revealed to be apart of Team Rocket.
 * Emerald obtains a Gastly and nicknames it Frisk.
 * Emerald, Leaf, and Khoury learn the history of The Great War.
 * Leaf obtains a Zubat.
 * Khoury obtains a Cubone.

Characters

 * Emerald
 * Leaf
 * Khoury
 * Gary
 * Johan
 * Mr. Fuji
 * Channeler
 * Team Rocket
 * Koga
 * Harry
 * Grunts (several)

Pokémon

 * Beedrill (Emerald’s)
 * Wartortle (Emerald’s)
 * Charmander (Emerald's)
 * Bulbasaur (Emerald's)
 * Frisk the Gastly (Emerald's, newly obtained)
 * Oddish (Leaf's)
 * Poliwag (Leaf's)
 * Zubat (Leaf's, newly obtained)
 * Kangaskhan (Khoury's)
 * Cubone (Khoury's, newly obtained)
 * Abra (Gary's)
 * Machop (Gary's)
 * Venomoth (Koga's)
 * Muk (Harry's)

Mr. Fuji's Pokémon

 * Poliwag
 * Doduo
 * Nidorino
 * Lickitung
 * Psyduck
 * Pidgey
 * Weedle

Team Rocket grunts

 * Rattata
 * Raticate
 * Zubat
 * Grimer
 * Koffing
 * Ekans
 * Venonat

Trivia

 * The episode is set on Father’s Day.
 * Johan is based off of a Psychic in Sabrina’s gym in the Let’s Go games.
 * He has a Drowzee here, since the author didn’t have immediate plans for a Drowzee.
 * This is the first episode Gary appears without his Spearow.
 * Many of the Pokémon that appear under Mr. Fuji are based off of ones he's seen with in the games, manga, and promotional art.
 * Mizaru the Mankey is not one of them. It replaces Pikachu, as Pikachu won't appear in the franchise for a while.
 * Mizaru is based upon the monkey, Mizaru, from the Three Wise Monkeys. He’s blind and named after th monkey, Mizaru, expressing “see no evil.”
 * Koga is apart of Team Rocket, similar to Lt. Surge.
 * Here, it isn't played as a big reveal as there's already been a gym leader revealed to be apart of Team Rocket, so the author didn't see a point in hiding it.
 * Gastly’s abandonment is inspired by Ash’s Gengar from the anime. The author had plans to incorporate Gastly, however realized its backstory would fit the episode.
 * Koga abandons it, here. This is because Gastly is partially poison type, and to set up Emerald’s crusade against Team Rocket.
 * Professor Oak being champion is inspired by the Pokémon Adventures manga.
 * The story about the two trainers on the S.S. Anne was about him and Giovanni.
 * He was the trainer with a Venusaur in Perfect Love notes to resemble Gary.