Chapter 11 PULSE Tangrowth

After arriving at the entrance of Obsidia Park, they find Victoria and Florinia waiting for them.

Victoria: I'm glad you were able to find her, Ash! I totally got caught up dealing with those guys in the slums... Asked a lot of questions- didn't get a whole lot of helpful answers.

Amaria: Sorry to have held you all up! Though, hey, haven't I seen you around before? It must've been a while ago, but you were an underclassman at the Onyx Trainers' School, right?

Florinia: Correct. Victoria Marlow, former specialty battle student. Now withdrawn.

Victoria: ...Yeah. I, uh, decided pretty quickly that it wasn't for me. I do better with a more hands-on approach... I guess. Apophyll Academy just felt better. I was kind of hoping you wouldn't remember me...

Florinia: It is the head instructor's duty to be firmly acquainted with the institution's student body. But this speaker is simply stating the facts; no judgment is implied.

Amaria: Sure, school life isn't for everyone! As long as you're happy where you are now!

Victoria: (Blushes a little) Yeah. I am. By the way, Ash. You mentioned being in Reborn when you were little, right?

Ash: Yeah, according to my mom, we left when we are seven. And I don't think I have been to either school before.

Amaria: It's fine. You might have better education in other regions.

Florinia: (Turns to Amaria) Report.

Amaria: (Knows what she means) No luck on finding Borealis, unfortunately. Someone with his description was definitely seen entering the slums, but I couldn't find anything from there. I even checked as far as Coral, but nothing. If he was in the area, I think it's too late by now.

Florinia: Understood. As presented, the most efficient course of the investigation remains a direct exploration of the affected area. With the given four parties present, safety should be adequately accounted for.

Amaria: Basically we charge right in and see what's up! I'm all for it. On your call, Rini!

Florinia: (Turns to Ash) This speaker understands that you have successfully obtained the Machine for Cut. Let us proceed when ready.

Ash nods as he has his Pokemon use Cut on the tree that blocks the entrance, and then they all head inside together.


When they get inside Obsidia Park, they find that it is much bigger than normal, and the overgrown plants have made this a maze.

Victoria: It looks so much bigger on the inside...

Florinia: Perception is inherently subjective to and thus influenced by those parts to which it is relative and adjacent.

Amaria: Yep! (Turns to Ash) Whatever that means, but, yep! This place has been sectioned off quite a bit...But we're all well-equipped here! What do you say we split up and hunt for whatever's caused all this? Even if something happens, it's not like we'll be too far apart!

Victoria: That's fine with me. I'm sure we can handle it. And if something does happen, how big can this place really be? I'm sure we can call the others over quickly enough.

Florinia: Affirmative. As leaders, Amaria and this speaker should take the path most likely to encounter hostile resistance- the center. Supporting parties should begin by securing the perimeter of the area. Should confounding elements appear, inform this speaker posthaste.

Amaria: If anything happens to you guys, we'll be there in a jiffy!

Ash+Victoria: Got it.

Florinia: Very well. Let us begin. (Leaves)

Amaria: Stay safe~ (Also leaves)

Victoria: (Turns to Ash) I guess it's up to us to start with the edges of this place? (Turns right) I'll take this way, you take the other? With any luck, we'll all meet up momentarily anyway.

Ash nods as he turns left to find some Pokemon and also battling the grunts.

Ash's New Pokemon in Obsidia Ward: Bellsprout, Bonsly, Buneary, Oddish, Sentret, Slakoth, Sunflora, Venonat

As for Victoria, she is also having Torracat destroy the trees, until she is ambushed by a person.

Victoria: Who are you?

Borealis: I am what you know as Borealis, this is where you can go further.

Victoria: Like we will be stopped by you! Torracat! Help me stop him!

At the same time, Ash finds some Team Meteor Grunts and defeat them, also stopping the vines from sprouting.

Ash: This is bad...they are coming from all sides...Charizard, Pikachu, Infernape, please continue to destroy them!

All three Pokemon nod as they continue to find their way out. But just as they manage to get to the right side, they find Victoria losing her Pokemon to a Meteor admin in front of them.

Borealis: Pathetic. Are you truly the best defense this wretched city can muster?

Victoria: Tch, I can't believe I lost so quickly- And after I was able to find Borealis, too...

Borealis: To say "you lost" is a flagrant understatement. A more accurate description would be that you barely managed to show up to the fight in the first place. Do not glorify your meager performance here with a result as if there were any competition, to begin with. You are out of your depth. For you to come here was folly most moronic. What did you even think someone like you could accomplish?

Victoria: I thought, with the others...

Borealis: The others, from whom you've allowed yourself to be separated.

Victoria: To protect the city-

Borealis: This city, which festers like a wound in the earth. In both ends and means, you demonstrate naiveté. You play pretend hero for the sake of ideals that have no basis in reality, and upon a foolish pride that insists even a misguided action is better than none. This was the only possible outcome. Yet, what is done is done. You cannot be allowed to report what you've seen today. (Sends out Crobat) Crobat. We will take her someplace secure. You'll find no shortage of time to reflect upon your myriad mistakes in captivity.

Ash: Leave her alone! (Tries to save Victoria, but is stopped by the growing vines.) Charizard, infernape! Flamethrower the vines!

But it is too late, when both Pokemon already destroyed the growing vines, Victoria and Borealis are nowhere in sight. Ash grits his teeth in anger, he just left his comrade to be captured by Team Meteor just like that.

Ash: They're going to regret messing with her. Right now, let's find Florinia and Amaria.

As they continue to rush, they manage to get to a house and find a Warehouse Key, Ash is delighted as the key might be the one to save that Day Care Couple in the Coral Ward. So he puts it in his pocket before leaving to find Amaria and Florinia.

Amaria: Let go of us!

Ash and Pikachu hear the voice as they rush towards them. When he arrives, he finds that both Florinia and Amaria are being wrapped by the vines. Ash also notices that a man in Meteor outfit standing in front of what seems to be a Tangrowth in a machine.

Ash: Florinia! Amaria!

?: I TOLD you they would get here too soon! If you had made this machine go faster... (Changes voice) No! Tangrowth wouldn't be able to take anymore! (Change Voice) The speed has already been optimized. Be glad the Pokémon was able to capture the Leaders.

Ash is confused, in front of them is a man, but the voice changes from a boy's to a girl's, and not just one girl but two.

?: You're really strong to be able to do everything so well, Tangrowth! (Change male) Hey! How much longer are we gonna ignore the other problem? (Turns to Ash, voice changed to a happier one) Oh, hello. Um, my name is Lumi- (Voice changed to smart one) Only four of you entered? We expected more. Four are easily dealt with. (Happier voice) Um, it might be more polite if we introduced ourselves. I'm- (Changed to male voice) You've already introduced yourself, Lumi. Needlessly, at that! I, however, am the one in charge here- Zero! (Changed to smart one) I am Eve. Collectively the three of us are referred to as ZEL.

Ash: Hold on? You are three people? But in one body? How does that work?

ZEL: (Male Voice) Never mind that. We're not gonna let you touch the PULSE! (Happy female voice) But that's probably what you came here for, right? All of the growth here is a result of this machine. And Eve built it all by herself!

Ash: (Angry) PULSE? What have you done to that Tangrowth?!

ZEL: (Smart female voice) The Link System is a simple hybridization-amplification mechanic. So with that machine behind it, it can manipulate even the smallest root into a massive arbor-wrecking ball!

Ash: (Angry) You do realize that your machine is going to hurt everyone in the Obsidia Ward! You guys better stop this right now!

ZEL: Think you can stop it? Just try!

ZEL just steps aside and Tangrowth starts to attack them using Razor Leaf, but Charizard and Infernape dodge the attack.

Ash: Charizard! Flamethrower! Infernape! Flare Blitz!

Both attacks not only damage the Tangrowth, but also makes the grass around them get destroyed. But Tangrowth goes for Acid Spray and then Ancient Power, dealing a lot of damage.

Ash: That thing is so strong... But I can't give up!

After several attacks, Charizard and Infernape work together to destroy the Tangrowth. But much to his surprise, the Fire Attacks just burn the Tangrowth into ashes, which is something that he can't believe he has done.

ZEL: (Male voice) This is why you shouldn't talk so much, Lumi! (smart female voice) Zero, next time, rather than showing off the mission's keystone, let's fight with our own Pokémon. (Happy female voice) I'm sorry, Tangrowth... I should have intervened. (Male voice) Stop yelling at me! You said this machine was supposed to make it stronger! (Smart Female voice) Your misjudgment was the key factor. Regardless, with Tangrowth incapacitated, the malignant growth will now regress. (Happy female voice) So it's all going to go back to normal? (Smart female voice) Correct. Thus, it is counter-productive to remain here. Let us recover the unit and abscond amidst the regression. (Turns to Ash, male voice) Hey, Ash, right? Don't think this is over, or anywhere near it. You might've caught us at the germinal stage this time, but you don't stand a flower's chance in flame at taking us down for real. Don't forget!

After ZEL leaves, Ash is still staring at the broken machine with shock and horror, Pikachu looks at Ash with concern.

Ash: Mom was right...staying here means I have to kill or be killed...but I can't believe I just killed a Pokemon...(Notices the giant fire and shakes his head) No, I can't dwell on it. Buizel! I choose you!

Ash has Buizel use Water Gun to destroy the fire, and then he also saves both girls from the vines.

Amaria: ...Ah! I can breathe again! That was only mildly mortifying! (Turns to Ash, unaware of his sad face) Thanks for casually saving our lives out there, Ash! I don't know how much longer I was going to be able to hold on...

Florinia: This speaker should also be grateful for your assistance. It is regrettable that more support was not able to be provided for the operation.

Amaria: (Finally notices Ash's sad face) Ash, are you alright?

Ash: I...I killed a Pokemon...(Tears burst from his eyes) I have never killed a Pokemon in my life before...I was supposed to help them...

Amaria: (Realizes the Tangrowth was killed). I'm sorry to hear that...but think otherwise, you saved a lot of lives if you didn't do the necessary kill. Sometimes you can't change the outcome, but you have to live through it.

Florinia: Agreement: Because of you, Obsidia Ward is safe.

Ash: (Slowly nods) But how did you guys get trapped into the vines like that?

Amaria: As soon as we got close to that machine, those vines sprung up and grabbed us!

Florinia: It appears that the act tested the limit of the machine's fine motor capabilities. After doing so, the Tangrowth began to behave erratically. Hypothesis: Specific control of the linked Pokemon places significant processing strain on the control system.

Amaria: To be able to make a single Pokemon do all that... Just what is this Team Meteor capable of? And, hey, where did Victoria go?

Ash: (Frowns again) Borealis took her.

Amaria: (Angry) So he was here all along...If only I had been able to catch him in the first place...

Florinia: Theoretical outcomes are meaningless. In this circumstance, the focus should be applied to that which remains within measurable control. Proposal: Report all verified intel to the Grand Hall. City resources can be utilized to assist in the location of Victoria.

Amaria: Agreed. I'll head over there at once, give them the run down, and then get back on Borealis' heels as soon as I can! For Victoria's sake too! (Turns to Ash) For the time being, thanks so much for your help, Ash! We literally wouldn't have made it without you! Until later, Rini~ (Leaves)

Florinia: With the immediate crisis resolved, this speaker will return to their assigned position in the Onyx Ward. As one may already be aware, this speaker's roles include acting both as the Head Instructor and Gym Leader of the Onyx Trainers' School. Presuming you intend to continue your league challenge, attendance will be expected at your convenience. Farewell. (Also leaves)

Ash: (Takes a breath) Zero, Eve, and Lumi...how come three of them live in one body? And those PULSES, just what have they done to those Pokemon?


And here is a new chapter, as you can see, Victoria has been taken by Team Meteor, this is also one of the things that changed from E18. And don't worry, she will be saved, that is after the second badge. Not only that, ZEL has appeared in the story, and I was also thinking about adding either Eve or Lumi into one of Ash's harem, and Zero will have the other one. I hope you like this chapter.