Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. That is Satoshi Tajiri and co.

The trainer/ gym leader here is mine, though.

---

I have to kill them.

No, I have to. Really.

I'll tell you, and then you'll know.

I wish I had been around in Madame Boss' time. But then I would have to wish my friends were there with me, and in the end it's easier to wish Madame Boss was still in charge of Team Rocket.

We really should do something about Magma, and Aqua. They're getting dangerous.

I don't like this experimentation. When it was just about profit- but I've already talked about that.

Let's talk about me.

I'm not a Pokemorph. You thought that, right? No, I'm something far more rare.

I'm a hybrid.

I'm a human and Haunter hybrid.

That means one of my parents was a gastly, and the other a human. I don't t know which was which.

When I was a little girl, I was a gastly/human. Once I matured, and had a bad experience, I evolved.

I can talk to Pokemon.

Because of that, I find I'm getting disillusioned with most humans.

I train dark and ghost types, as well as anything else I find, or comes to me.

I've had relationships with, oh, a good few. Mandy the Magnificent, Morty, and such.

Currently, and I hope forevermore, I am in a great place relationship-wise.

So, let's talk about my current goals. I'm trying to become Lavender Town's Gym Leader.

I wouldn't be on the official list, I'm much too powerful for that. No, you could skip right by me if you wanted.

I'd be more of...a challenge, for those who love challenges.

-

The Gym was right next to the spot the old tower had been in.

Ash hadn't given Lavender much thought since the radio tower had been placed there.

He smiled a bit at seeing a new Pokemon Tower under renovation a small distance away, complete with a sign that read,

Paid For By Lavender's Gym Leader

He turned his attention to the sign outside of the gym, absently petting Pikachu.

Lavender Gym

Leader Pansy

The Ghostly Challenge

Pikachu crawled forward, balancing his paws on the visor of Ash's hat to take a look at the gym himself.

"Well, you ready to go in Pikachu?"
"Pika!"

Ash nodded at his pokemon's confirmation, and entered the building.

-

Even those who are pure can be turned.

All darkness can be unlocked.

Pain is the price, and it doesn't come cheap.

Sometimes those who are chosen fail.

Sometimes Pikachus die.

-

The inside of the building was dim, lit with slitted windows and candles. Ash didn't have much trouble seeing, it was only an atmospheric change. A staircase spiraled on either end of the room up to a set of four doors.

From the ornate door below the staircase, a woman entered the room, smiling thinly.

"Ash. Been to visit your mother yet?"
"Not yet. I plan to right after I leave here." Ash responded, chuckling a bit.

Pansy was still pretty much the same as he remembered her.

She had been his neighbor in Pallet Town, and he had to guiltily admit, he hadn't been very nice to her.

She was poor, and something about her made him think she was weird. She struck out into the world far earlier than he had, right after-

A sneasel ran out of the open door behind her, and jumped up to Pansy's shoulder.

Ash waved. "Hey, Kodachi."
Right after that. A sneasel had come down from the mountains, an unusual one of the species itself, and had become her 'starter', of sorts.

He was glad they were both doing well. He still felt a bit guilty teasing her when they were children, and her success story reminded him of his own. He was going to aim higher than a gym leader though. His dream was different. Seeing her accomplish hers gave him new hope.

Kodachi cocked an ear and grinned.

"So, I suppose you want to challenge me?" Pansy sighed, her smile erasing any doubts of real irritation.

"Yep! And we could always catch up on old times too, if you want."

"Of course. But I think you should stay in one of the guest rooms tonight, I have a bit of a busy schedule. I'll accept your challenge tomorrow."
Ash nodded, Gym Leaders did seem to be in charge of their cities. He didn't mind, relaxation was always welcome.

"Be sure to get your exploring done before nightfall, or the ghosts will get a bit irritating.

Ash's grin increased, he knew all about ghosts. "I better go get dinner then! I'll be back soon."

"Oh, wait, you probably don't need Pikachu in a calm town like this. Mind if he hangs out with me?"
Pansy looked at Pikachu with the same expression Ash saw on girls who gazed at Jigglypuff plushies.

He laughed. "Sure. Pikachu, you wanna explore this place while I go get dinner? I'll bring you some back buddy, don't worry!"
Pikachu smiled, and nodded. He jumped off of Ash's hat and wandered over to Pansy. She picked him up, smiling intensely.

"Arceus, you are cute aren't you?"
Pikachu pressed his cheek to hers and sent a bit of static through it. "Pika!"

Ash waved goodbye, and headed out the door.

Pansy ran a hand through her light purple hair. "He'll probably be gone a little while, so go ahead and explore. All of my pokemon will be nice to you. I bet you'll like all the running space here."

Pikachu nodded. Kodachi jumped down as Pansy set him down.

The sneasel patted his tail. "Chi!"

Pikachu turned around, eyes glinting with humor. "Pi?"

She ran. He sprinted after her, involved in her game of tag.

-

Yes. I try to be nice. It's sometimes easier. I'm generally calm.

But now, I think we should talk about something else.

It all ties in. Be patient.