Pokemon: Becoming A Pokemon Master

Chapter 21: Subduing the Ghost Potted Plant, Noctowl

Ash bolted out of the Academy gates with uncontained excitement, not bothering to glance back.

Seeing Ash dash ahead so impulsively, Misty could only raise her voice in exasperation, "Ash, wait!"

After a quick farewell to Principal Yuto, the group Ash, Misty, Brock, and Alex left the Pokémon Academy and headed toward the forest trail behind the campus.

"Hurry up, everyone! I can feel it we're close! I know it's out here somewhere!" Ash urged, bouncing at the forest's edge with Pikachu on his shoulder.

"Ash, slow down," Misty called after him, trying to keep up. "Ghost-type Pokémon are usually stealthy and elusive. If you run off, you'll just get separated from us again."

"She's right," Brock nodded. "Let's stick together."

"Let's go," Alex agreed calmly, adjusting his Pokégear. "We should spread out, but stay in visual range."

The group began combing through the woods, scanning the eerie stillness of the surroundings in search of the reported Ghost-type.

"I don't get it," Misty muttered after a long while. "There's nothing here. Maybe Principal Yuto misread the aura. Maybe it wasn't a Ghost-type after all?"

Just then, a creeping fog began to roll through the forest. Visibility dropped rapidly.

Alex looked around sharply. "This fog wasn't here before. It's not natural."

The fog grew denser, shrouding everything in a white void. Shadows of trees vanished. The group huddled closer.

"What's going on?!" Misty said, her voice trembling slightly.

"Go, Pidgeot! Use Hurricane to blow the fog away!" Ash commanded.

Pidgeot flared its wings and beat them with tremendous force, momentarily sweeping the fog from the area. But within seconds, the mist returned, swirling even thicker than before.

"This isn't just fog," Alex said grimly. "It's created by a Ghost-type. We're being manipulated."

"I can't even tell which way we came from anymore," Misty murmured. "Are we stuck?"

Just then, nine flickering orbs of violet-blue flame appeared in the fog Will-O-Wisps dancing in silence. Misty jumped back with a yelp.

"Don't panic," Alex said. "Look closely. Those are Will-O-Wisp an attack used by Ghost-types. We're definitely not alone."

"You're right," Brock said, stepping forward. "That's not a natural phenomenon. These are deliberate strategically placed, like bait."

"Whoever's behind this fog has skill," Alex added. "This Ghost-type isn't just powerful it's intelligent."

"Pidgeot! Aerial Ace target those Will-O-Wisps!" Ash ordered.

Pidgeot streaked through the fog in a burst of wind and blue light. The air cracked as it struck the Will-O-Wisp flames, scattering them with a thunderous boom.

For a moment, the forest fell deathly silent. Then, through the thinning mist, a strange silhouette emerged.

Its body flickered like firelight, with green eyes glowing eerily from a transparent, pot-like form. Violet flames licked across its body.

"That's it…" Brock whispered. "That's the Ghost Potted Plant Pokémon Spiritomb! A Ghost- and Dark-type that rarely appears. But this one... It looks fused into some kind of pot... must be a unique regional variant."

"Awesome!" Ash stepped forward, eyes gleaming. "Spiritomb, I challenge you! Pikachu, let's go!"

"Pika!" Pikachu leapt off Ash's shoulder, sparks crackling in anticipation.

"Thunderbolt, now!"

A lightning bolt surged from Pikachu, striking where the Spiritomb had just been but the creature vanished like smoke. The ground sizzled where the bolt struck, blackened from the impact.

"Careful, Ash!" Brock warned. "Ghost-types like Spiritomb can become intangible. They'll vanish between planes."

"I know!" Ash called. "Pikachu, stay alert!"

"Pika…" Pikachu crouched low, eyes scanning the fog.

Suddenly, a swirling black orb shot out from the left Shadow Ball!

"Dodge it, Pikachu!"

But it was too late Pikachu barely turned before the Shadow Ball struck, sending him skidding across the damp forest floor.

Pikachu propped himself up and staggered to his feet. From the swirling mist, the Ghost Potted Plant Pokémon now confirmed as a regional variant of Spiritomb reemerged. Reacting quickly, Pikachu darted forward with Quick Attack, white streaks trailing behind. But just before contact, the Spiritomb variant vanished again, becoming intangible. Pikachu shot through the air and crashed into a thick tree trunk with a dull thud.

The Spiritomb appeared silently behind Pikachu. Before Ash could warn him, several blue Will-O-Wisps surrounded the Electric-type and struck him directly. Pikachu cried out and collapsed, unable to continue battling.

"Pikachu!" Ash rushed over, cradling Pikachu in his arms. His voice trembled with concern and rising anger. Without hesitation, he passed Pikachu to Brock, who immediately began applying a Full Heal and Potion.

Eyes burning with determination, Ash pulled a Poké Ball from his belt. "Go, Butterfree!"

In a flash of light, Butterfree emerged, wings fluttering as it hovered mid-air.

"Butterfree, use Sleep Powder!"

Butterfree flapped its wings rapidly, releasing clouds of yellow sleep-inducing spores. The shimmering powder wafted toward the Spiritomb variant, but the Ghost Pokémon dodged with surprising speed. It retaliated with a pulsating blast of darkness Dark Pulse! The wave slammed into Butterfree, knocking it out of the air. Butterfree spiraled down and hit the ground hard, fainted.

Ash clenched his fists. Even Butterfree, one of his earliest partners, couldn't land a clean hit.

Turning to Alex, he admitted through gritted teeth, "It's too strong… I can't beat it."

Alex didn't respond right away. Though he wanted to reassure Ash, he knew it wasn't about the opponent being too strong it was about needing better tactics. But he kept his thoughts to himself.

Instead, he activated the Pokédex's battle analysis mode. A scanning light swept over the Ghost-type Pokémon.

Name: Spiritomb (Regional Variant – Potted Form)

Classification: Ghost Potted Plant

Typing: Ghost/Dark

Ability: Infiltrator

Qualification Level: Quasi-Elite

Known Moves: Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Will-O-Wisp, Intimidate, Dream Eater, Mist

Alex narrowed his eyes. "Quasi-Elite rank… That explains the fog manipulation and Will-O-Wisp control. Alright, I accept the challenge."

He unclipped another Poké Ball from his belt. "Let's go, Charizard!"

Charizard emerged with a thunderous roar, its wings spreading wide. Flames flickered from its mouth as it faced the Spiritomb.

"Flamethrower, now!"

Charizard launched a stream of golden fire, but the Ghost-type was swift. It weaved between trees and evaded the blaze.

"It's fast," Alex noted. "Too fast for direct attacks…"

"Charizard, ignite the ground around it!"

Obeying the command, Charizard swept its head in a circular motion, flames erupting and creating a fiery ring. The Spiritomb, cornered by the surrounding fire, hissed as it reappeared, visibly agitated.

"Ghost-types hate fire. Now it's trapped."

The Spiritomb launched another Dark Pulse, this time striking Charizard directly. Charizard reeled back but regained balance midair.

"Return fire! Flamethrower!"

The flames and dark energy collided in a massive explosion that sent shockwaves across the clearing. Debris flew as smoke clouded the battlefield.

"Now! Dragon Claw!"

Charizard's claws glowed bright green. It lunged forward, slashing through the smoke and striking the Spiritomb variant head-on. The Pokémon shrieked, its body contorting from the blow. Its many green eyes blinked erratically.

"Finish it—Dragon Pulse!"

A concentrated beam of draconic energy erupted from Charizard's mouth and struck the Ghost Pokémon directly. Dust and smoke engulfed the area. When it cleared, the Spiritomb was staggering but still not down.

Suddenly, it vanished again.

Charizard growled, scanning the battlefield. Alex narrowed his eyes and whispered, "Wait for it…"

Without warning, Charizard spun and slashed behind it with Dragon Claw. The Spiritomb, mid-ambush, was struck violently and thrown into a nearby tree. It hit the ground hard and finally fell still fainted.

Alex exhaled. "That did it."

Even Ash looked amazed. "Whoa… That was incredible."

"That's Charizard for you," Alex said calmly. "It still needs training, but its instincts are sharp."

He pulled out an empty Poké Ball. "Time to add you to the team."

He tossed the ball, and after three shakes, the Spiritomb was caught.

"You really pulled through, Alex!" Misty said cheerfully, grinning. "Ash is great and all, but thank Arceus for you!"

Ash scratched his head, slightly embarrassed, but didn't argue.

"Anyway," Alex said, pocketing the Poké Ball, "that takes care of the disturbance. Let's report back to Principal Yuto."

"Right!"

The group returned to the Pokémon Academy and informed Principal Yuto of the situation.

"You actually subdued it?" Principal Yuto blinked in astonishment. "That's incredible! Thank you all so much!"

Alex explained, "It was a regional Spiritomb variant probably disturbed from its natural habitat. I don't think it meant harm, but it was too dangerous to leave roaming. I'll take responsibility for it."

Principal Yuto nodded. "Understood. Thank you again. I trust it's in good hands."

After saying their farewells, the group prepared to leave the forest. Before they departed, Alex requested a map of the area from Yuto.

Unfolding it, Alex pointed. "We're not far from the southern exit. Just need to pass through a stretch of Noctowl territory."

"Noctowl?" Brock said thoughtfully. "That reminds me… the shiny Noctowl from Johto."

"Right," Alex added. "That one was unusually smart. Let's stay sharp—Noctowl tend to be territorial."

With the threat behind them and new challenges ahead, the group stepped back into the forest ready for whatever came next.

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