“So you’re just giving us Pokémon?” Sam asked.

Nurse Joy looked tired. Not tired at Sam’s question, but tired from staying up all night. He usually only saw her when she was working the night shift, and Sam and Redi hadn’t exactly given her news she could ignore.

“It’s more complicated than that,” Nurse Joy said. “You’re probably aware of this, but all Pokémon Centers are haunted. Ghost Types are purposefully kept inside to dissuade similar creatures from claiming the place as their own. Injured Pokémon, sleeping trainers, and anyone else who’s weakened are all easy targets. Having a place already be claimed helps, especially when the Ghost Types in question are trained to stop that exact circumstance.”

She briefly yawned before continuing.

“For the current situation, I'm reassigning our pair of Ghost Types to protect you instead of our Pokémon Center. Their skills and experience lay more in detecting and dissuading rather than combat, but that should still be enough to help keep you two safe.”

Sam wanted to say something, but he saw Nurse Joy’s expression. It spoke of determination but also quiet resignation. She cared about the Pokémon she was reassigning but also recognized that Sam and Redi needed to protect their teams.

“We’ll take care of them,” Sam said.

“I know you will. I saw how you and your Pokémon fought together in the tournament, remember?” she said with a wink.

Not needing to explain anything else, Nurse Joy walked over to a counter attached to the wall to pick up a pair of Pokéballs. The room was the same room Redi was treated in last night, and the Pokéballs were set up next to the computer. There was a moment of hesitation as her hands lingered on the Pokéballs, but while Sam couldn’t see her face, she still turned around with one ball in each hand.

“So, are they considered part of our teams? For carry limit reasons?” Redi asked.

“Think of them more as... auxiliary Pokémon,” Nurse Joy said, frowning. “Carrying capacity rules are already a mess enough when it comes to the Ghost Types. These two won’t count against any carry limits—they’ve been officially assigned. Just remember that they aren’t fighters. They detect and warn. You’ll see what I mean shortly.”

Nurse Joy didn’t release any Pokémon. Instead, she handed one Pokéball to Sam and the other to Redi. Sam could immediately tell by the weight in his hand that the ball was empty. Its Pokémon was already out.

That realization was marked by the lights in the room flickering. Shadows in the corner of the walls seemed to deepen. Nurse Joy chuckled to herself as mist drifted up from the floor. Despite the suddenly spooky atmosphere, she seemed more amused than anything else.

“They’re a little dramatic,” she said, hand on her cheek.

Seeing the environmental effects, Sam’s thoughts flashed through all the Pokémon these two could be. He could think of so many powerful species that might be assigned to protect a Pokémon Center.

Gengar or Mismagius would be really cool, but these might be something from out of Johto like Dusclops or Banette. Oh! This city is full of Flying Types. I bet the two Pokémon are a pair of Drifblim!

He turned around, half-expecting to see the Pokémon behind him in an attempt at a scare, but when he looked, there was nothing there. Only when he turned back around—Redi having done the same—did Sam see two, smaller Pokémon floating before Nurse Joy.

“Oh. A pair of Gastly?” he said.

They looked almost identical, resembling each other and almost every other Gastly Sam had ever seen. Gastly were skilled at hiding, but if these two were being assigned to protect them, he expected something... stronger.

He didn’t blink at their attempt to scare him, and the two Gastly looked at each other before the gas around their shadowed bodies fell in what was the equivalent of a slump. They frowned at him, huffing as they did so. Before anything else, however, Nurse Joy spoke up.

“These two boys are brothers, first found at an abandoned aviary at the edge of town,” she explained. “They don’t want to be split up, and most trainers aren’t willing to train identical Pokémon like that. They ended up working here after receiving advice from a passing Ace Trainer. They’re trustworthy, and more importantly, very good at their jobs.”

Nurse Joy smiled fondly at the two Gastly, and the pair of Pokémon perked up at the praise. Showing themselves off, they rose into the air, spiraling around one another and making it hard to tell them apart.

“Who’s who?” Redi asked.

Nurse Joy awkwardly cleared her throat.

“I, uh, may have given them nicknames,” she said as her face turned red.

Bringing up a finger to point, Nurse Joy easily picked apart the two Gastly. As she said their nicknames, she pointed to one and then the other with surprising confidence.

“He’s Tibia, and he’s Fibula,” she said, naming two Pokémon.

The Ghosts Types looked annoyed that Nurse Joy had told them apart with such ease.

“Nice to meet you two,” Sam said, bowing his head.

Redi did the same, and both Pokémon tilted up ever so slightly, grinning at the respect they were being given.

It didn’t last long. Redi asked the question Sam was holding back.

“But how are a pair of Gastly going to protect us?”

She received a set of glares, but she had a point. Two first-stage Pokémon would be useless against Pokémon as strong as the ones in Petrel’s team.

“Like I said, these two are detection specialists whose expertise doubles when hiding. Ghost Types attract Ghost Types, and they can lean into that spiritual sense to detect both living and unliving presences around them.”

Sam’s eyes flicked to the wall behind Nurse Joy. Neither she nor the Gastly seemed aware of a pair of red eyes creeping up the dim shadows formed by the edges of the cabinets attached to the walls.

“With how close the Pokémon Center is to the local Gym, Tibia and Fibula’s roles are more based on detecting threats and getting help if their presence alone doesn’t dissuade the invader. All it takes is a light push from a Noctowl to scare anything off, but that’s only happened once. An abandoned Duskull was trying to make its way in, and we were able to recapture and rehome the Pokémon after it was found out.”

The red eyes on the wall reached a point near the ceiling, and Haunter peeled himself out like a sticker or a tag. He silently floated closer and closer to try to scare the two Gastly that were now in the room.

But, at the very last moment, they snapped around to blow far-too-wet raspberries at him. His expression fell at the failure, and the two Ghost Types cackled.

“Alright. You’ve sold me,” Sam said, watching as Haunter re-entered the shadows to drip back towards the floor like a splotch of wet, depressed paint.

“If they could detect Haunter, I guess this can work,” Redi said, scratching at her chin. “So it’s less about them fighting alongside us, and more of giving them a heads up if someone like Petrel tries to ambush and catch us in a fight? Except...”

She hesitated.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“This is gonna sound mean, but if we need protection, I would’ve expected the Pokémon to, y’know, actually protect us?”

To add to her point, she lifted her leg with the sprained ankle and lightly shook it. The injury came from them trying to escape. If Petrel had won, he would have been able to do a lot worse than that.

“The idea is more that you don’t get into those fights,” Nurse Joy answered. “With these two’s help, you’d run away or know to contact the League, instead. But there’s always the possibility that he or someone else reaches you regardless. With the rate you two are developing, losing battles will only be an immediate worry. You’ll be able to defend yourself soon enough, and my boys will be able to help you more than if they got in your way during a fight.”

She paused briefly.

“Also, I was able to argue on your behalf, and the Pokémon League will provide you a PokéGear to use in emergencies.”

“A free PokéGear? Sweet,” Redi said, grinning.

But Sam wasn’t smiling. While Nurse Joy had expressed great confidence in their potential, the threat of Petrel was short-term. They didn’t have the strength to ward him away right now.

Sam’s team was rated at five stars. Redi’s was rated at four. However, her Pokémon had a strength comparable to Sam’s Pokémon, it was just that her team’s lack of numbers was a blow when it came to grading her overall strength.

Star ratings implied that the rated team would be able to win a basic Gym Battle worth the equivalent level of badges. A five-star team was nothing to scoff at, especially since most trainers dropped out at around four.

If Sam had to guess the strength of Petrel’s team, he’d say it was at a high seven stars. The man hadn’t sent out many direct combatants, but the sheer number of Koffing at his disposal could fill in the gaps between his other strong Pokémon.

Petrel would be able to defeat them, and even with the two Gastly, he would win if he caught Sam and Redi alone. The gap in strength was just too big. The lack of defense almost felt...

Purposeful.

“We’re bait,” Sam said the moment he had the realization.

Based on the wince that came across Nurse Joy’s face, Sam could tell he was right.

“Yes and no,” Nurse Joy answered reluctantly. “I tried to fight against the plan, but from what little he was able to explain over call, he was insistent that you two would be able to handle it.”

She then sent Sam a sharp look that passed just as quickly as it came.

“I was going to explain it to you, but I haven't had the chance to speak yet.”

“Sorry,” Sam mumbled.

“...It's okay,” she said with a sigh. “Yes. It’s intentional that we aren't providing you with a stronger Pokémon protector. We could have just as easily had Morty's Pokémon protect you instead of primarily the Pokémon Center. The issue is that the Champion himself has stepped in and put capturing Petrel as the highest priority. Given you two are targets—”

“If we're too defended, that might scare Petrel away,” Redi pointed out.

Nurse Joy frowned, but she kept talking.

“The one benefit of this situation is that we know Petrel is still in the city. That means he’s locatable and able to be captured. Having him slip through our grasp means more than just putting you at risk, it means risking opening up the entire region to Team Rocket’s expansion. As such, we’re asking you to remain here.”

“...In Violet City?” Sam asked carefully.

“In the Pokémon Center,” she answered. “In a place full of other trainers. In a building protected by Morty’s team member. Somewhere that’s safe.”

Redi bristled at Nurse Joy's words.

“We have errands to do! And the Gym is right across the street!”

“We can’t let you do that. If Petrel gets desperate enough, even just stepping outside might see him attack. We don’t know what he can do, and this Pokémon Center is extremely well-guarded. Even if he manages to slip through our defenses, Tibia and Fibula would be able to detect him and give you a heads-up so you can escape.”

Sam didn’t like this. He appreciated the League’s efforts to keep them safe, but he didn’t like that they had to effectively sit around and wait for someone else to solve the problem. He couldn’t exactly blame Nurse Joy, though. The League was doing its best to fight against Team Rocket. This situation was about more than just them. Sitting around the Pokémon Center would unfortunately help with that.

“This is annoying,” Redi said with a huff. “But fine. I guess I’ll be fine with waiting here if it means I can punch him in the face.”

“...Maybe,” Nurse Joy said, humming. “I’ll see if I can arrange that.”

Sam blinked at her.

“Excuse me?”

The head nurse completely ignored Sam’s bewildered look.

“You’ll have access to the courtyard out back, and I recommend spending your time here training to fight a difficult opponent. I dislike the current circumstances as well, but Morty has been placed in charge for a reason. Please, trust us. The League is doing its best.”

“...Yeah, I know,” Sam said reluctantly. “I guess we can do that, but you said Morty is sending a stronger Pokémon here? And we’ll be able to train against it?”

Nurse Joy sat up a bit straighter, smiling to herself at Sam’s eagerness.

“I did say that,” she answered. “The Pokémon is from Morty’s personal team. If you want to battle it...”

She paused.

“Tonight,” Nurse Joy said. “You’ll be able to meet with them tonight.”

----------------------------------------

Sam practically lived in the Pokémon Center’s courtyard over the rest of the day. When he wasn’t practicing with his team, he was reading, going through the New Pokédex, and committing as much information as he could to heart. He may have spent a little extra time on species like Golbat, Koffing, and Raticate, but he also searched around for other species that Petrel might have on his team.

Would Petrel have a Ditto? That species can transform.

He wasn’t sure if a Ditto would pair well with a master of disguise.

Sam had his Pokémon train. Everyone had their own goals. Quilava needed more powerful moves, Primeape had Rage to start with, Haunter was doing his best to figure out Shadow Ball, and Misdreavus...

Misdreavus flitted between everyone else, bringing them into quick spars to let her learn their strengths. She had a lot of moves to work on, and she still had catch-up to get through. While her natural power was impressive, she hadn’t been with the team for very long. She still needed to familiarize herself with everyone’s capabilities and the team’s overall strategies.

Redi was, unfortunately, unable to have Ursaring practice Hyper Beam in such a confined courtyard, but she could still have her team practice other moves. That meant Thrash for Ursaring. The recently-learned Tri-Attack for Porygon. And between her two team members, moves that could buff them up—Swords Dance and Agility respectively.

Sam didn’t want to admit that he was jealous, but he was a little jealous. Redi knew by heart how to make the most out of brute strength. Ursaring could take out even the toughest of Pokémon if he combined everything, chaining a Guts-boosted, Swords Dance-boosted, raw strength-fueled Slash.

That doesn’t even include the things she hasn’t started working on yet. Once Ursaring figures out Facade, and once Porygon becomes familiar enough with the Psychic Type to use Trick Room...

He was thankful Ghost Types were immune to Normal Types. Not even Primeape would be able to withstand a combination like that.

The important part of this training was learning new, more powerful attacks and improving moves they were only just figuring out into something more battle-ready. It was less about increasing inherent strength and more about improving their skills. Considering the ferocity with which everyone threw themselves into training, Sam knew there would definitely be new developments in the coming days.

Hours passed, and around dinner time, everyone pulled back to rest. They'd have a new training partner soon enough. Sam patiently waited for Morty's Ghost Type to find time to appear.

It eventually became late at night. Lights above the courtyard lit up the otherwise empty space. A few stars could be seen in the sky as only a handful of windows in the buildings surrounding them sent a warm glow inwards.

Sam stood in the training field’s center, and Redi and her injured foot were forced to sit on a nearby bench.

“What do you think it's going to be?” she asked.

Sam knew of a few of Morty's team members, but he wouldn't be surprised if the Gym Leader chose to send something more uncommon.

“It could be anything. Well, almost anything. Think of any species found in Indigo, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, and he probably has at least one training in his Gym.”

Redi hummed for a while, wiggling her head out of boredom.

“Spiritomb,” she named.

Sam sent her a look. That species was practically unheard of. Only Cynthia was known to have one, and she was the Champion of Sinnoh.

“Something more common,” Sam shot back.

“Gengar. Mismagius. Drifblim. Dusknoir,” she listed off.

Credit to her, she wouldn’t have been able to name all those species just a few months ago. While he didn’t have a response to that, Sam did feel a bit of pride.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

“Nothing. Just smug.”

“About that list?”

“Maybe.”

“You're bragging about your teaching skills in your head, aren't you?”

“What makes you say that?”

She opened her mouth as if to prime a snarky response before choosing to close it instead. In deep thought, Redi looked down at the compacted dirt beneath her feet.

A second passed before she next spoke. When she did, her voice was quiet and less boastful. There was thought behind every word. This wasn’t anything she wanted to joke about.

“I...” she started hesitantly. “I’ve been trying, recently. I want to learn more—need to learn more. It’s becoming more and more obvious that pure strength isn't enough. I’m going to figure out more and better strategies for my team. If I don’t, I won’t be able to win against Walker’s Gym. And if I don’t, I don’t know if I’d be able to continue from there.”

Sam went quiet as well, recognizing Redi’s resolve. He was prepared to work with her at any cost.

“I’ll help you,” he declared.

Redi looked up at him with a soft smile.

“Thanks, Sam.”

He smiled back.

More minutes passed, and Sam and Redi remained the only trainers within this outside field. Only two Ghost Types were out of their Pokéballs—the two Gastly assigned to them by Nurse Joy earlier today.

Those two tended to stick in shadow, and they preferred to stay hidden and not fall for any of Haunter’s attempts to lure them out. They had a job and they liked their job. They might not be combatants, but they were experts at detection.

But, eventually, a light flickered over the field. Mist on the glass made it hard to see into the Pokémon Center. While the chill wasn’t as intense as he’d felt it before, Sam did still notice something to the air around them.

Redi seemed utterly unaware.

“It’s here,” Sam said.

She followed his gaze to the door of the Pokémon Center, and Sam found himself holding his breath as he waited for Morty’s Pokémon to make an appearance. He expected billowing fog, clouds of darkness, and anything else to mark its entrance.

This was the Pokémon that they’d be training with. He’d ask whatever it was to help them train and become stronger than Petrel. He doubted that his team would go through the same, drastic growth they’d experienced before the tournament. Instead, the Pokémon would be a whetstone to sharpen his team’s skills.

And then, the doors opened up. Sam held his breath as he waited to see what it was. Bracing himself for whatever it’d do, the Pokémon walked out.

Well, it was more like it waddled out.

A stocky Dusclops, a bipedal Pokémon of dusky, wrapped bandages, idly ambled out and passively glanced around with its single eye. Outside the mist on the windows, there was no special entrance to its appearance.

Though a Ghost Type, its appearance was as casual as anyone else. Sam knew it was Morty’s Pokémon, but he couldn’t help but be surprised at how it seemed utterly mundane.