Chapter 30 Blackstream Factory Part 1

Ash arrives at the Blackstream Factory, and Cain decides to drag Ash by the side.

Cain: Hey, Ash...Amaria seems convinced that Ace is safe, but I'm not so sure... It's not like the thing at Rhodochrine was all that long ago. Do you really think we can trust them?

Ash: To be honest, I don't know if I can trust Ace as well. This is a little too fishy, but for Amaria, I suggest we play his game for now, however, we should be on our guard.

Cain nods as Ash walks toward Amaria and Ace.

Amaria: Great, you're here! I don't know how much resistance we should expect in there... Are you ready to do this?

Ash: Of course.

Amaria: All right, then we just need to figure out the way in! Obviously, the door is locked so...

Ace: Don't you even worry about that, little darlings~

Amaria: You know how to get in?

Ace: But of course! What kind of magician would I be if I didn't know my way around backstage? There's a very simple trick, you see: All you have to do, ...is go through the door!

Ash: (Glares at Ace) We just said that it was locked.

Ace: Oh, it's locked. Well, never you mind then- Clearly, I have simply mistaken- A fool- A nitwit- An utter dunderhead! Unless! What if! There was- ...A second door?!

Amaria: Is there, really?

Ace: Ah, but what good are words to explain the designs, when what's still in store can be seen with your own eyes?

Just then, Ace teleports Ash and Amaria to the top of the Blackstream Shelter.

Amaria: Oh! How did-

Ace: Ah, ah, ah~ Now I KNOW a lady as smart as you isn't about to ask something as silly as "How did you do that?" You already know I'll never tell. Now, press ahead! I'll be along to assist just as soon as I take care of your companion~ (Disappears from their sight)

Amaria: What a strange character. But I suppose it works well enough. Let's not waste any time!

They enter the 3F of the factory, and they see two Meteor Grunts on the way.

Amaria: Resistance right out of the gate, is it?

Meteor Grunt 1: Hold it right there!

Amaria: You know, I don't think we will?

Both grunts send out Golbat and Lairon, but Ash and Amaria have Pikachu and Lapras to defeat both of them with ease.

Meteor Grunt 1: She's too strong!

Meteor Grunt 2: I'll go get the others!

Amaria: (Seeing the grunt leaves) Thanks, Ash! Just knowing someone has my back helps me a lot~ Let's keep it moving before they have a chance to recoop!

Ash nods as they all head downstairs to the second floor, but much to their surprise, they are already surrounded by 10 or more grunts on the way.

Amaria: ...So much for that idea. They sure got together quickly. (Turns to Ash) Ash. Do you trust me?

Ash: Of course I am.

Amaria: Thank you. Then, get ready. Deliverance! Use Ice Shard right there!

When Lapras shoots the Ice Shard at the grunts, they are forced to duck out of the way. Ash uses the chance to run past them.

Grunt: Now you're in for it!

Amaria: (Sends out Kingdra) Atlantica, help me out! (Nods at Lapras and Kingdra) All right, guys. Let's do this!

Ash: Amaria? Do you need help?

Amaria: Don't worry about me, Ash, I'll be fine! Just find a way to shut down that PULSE!

When Ash rushes down, he meets up with Ace.

Ace: Ah, you've broken through, have you... I'll hand it to that Gym Leader, she didn't hesitate to make an opportunity. I admit I wasn't expecting you to split up, and yet... Perhaps a slow clap for the good show is in order.

Ash: (Rolls his eyes) What are you talking about, Ace?

Ace: Yours truly again, dear fan. I'd hoped not to have to perform like this now, but it seems that it was simply not in the stars. Would you believe, even now, that I am simply pretending to be a double agent, working for them that I might better serve you?

Ash: I don't know, maybe you're trying to lure us into this trap?

Ace: A pity. Well, I'd hoped to preserve this balancing act for longer, but alas-It appears that more dire things than my own wishes are at stake here. For the mask to come off so soon, I am disheartened! Crestfallen! Inconsolably melancholic!

Ash is annoyed at how Ace is acting right now, and then Ace smirks.

Ace: Can't you tell? To double on double... that was Borealis' charade, not mine. A magician of my caliber needs not to claim others' tricks to be their own. And while the true performer should never spill their secrets, how about I offer you something of a compromise? (Snaps a finger) Reveal #1! My lies were few; my truths were half. I WAS fired- from my prior role only. On a new task, I hope to please as ever I have. Borealis leaked our data, true! And with a few beeps of the buttons- I've booped my own failures away! What you know now is hardly all there was ...And yet, it is all there ever shall be again.

Ash: I know having you handle the data is a wrong choice.

Ace: Further, I admit, one bit among that was a surprise even to me... Investigation is warranted! Nevertheless, I said I'd be along to assist- I never specified who I would be assisting. As I said, you'll find I'm a bit of a wild card~ (Snaps a finger) Reveal #2! 'Twas a ruse of comfort, to lure you into separation and numbers! It was not in a few seconds that the assembly behind you gathered. And your friend- the purple hair- has been swiftly dispatched of!

Ash: (Widens his eyes) Where did you take Cain?

Ace: Fret not; he's safe- secure. Of this, I would not deceive you. Likewise, you may still rest assured of the safety of those children! What can be harnessed needs not be destroyed...Not all among us share this value, but you have my personal gold star guarantee, little hero, none among them will be harmed. (Snaps another finger) Reveal #3! No great plan is complete without a recovery! After all, only a fool expects to be foolproof!

Ash: What do you mean by this?

Ace: And with that, allow me to introduce you to, how would you say...? The oldest trick in the book- (Presses a button) The trap door!

Ash widens his eyes as both he and Pikachu fall through the trap door, Ace just waves from above.

Ace: Well, hopefully, that will be enough... Inconsolably melancholic. Can't you tell?


When Ash falls out of the chute and crashes to the ground, he finds himself inside a jail, and beside them is a cage with a Ditto inside. Outside of the jail is a guard who seems to be guarding, but just when he sees Ash, he is surprised.

Grunt: Whine all you want. I'm not letting you out. In fact, you'd practically have to find a way to break the cell bars if you wanted out. And like THAT's going to happen. After all, it's almost impossible to break metal. First, you'd need to heat it up... Second, you'd need to cool it down to make it brittle... And finally, you'd have to hit it with all the force of a rolling boulder to break it! And there's no way that could happen, ever. So hah!

Ash: (Smirks) Actually, thanks for the tip. You manage to put me in here, but you forget to take my Pokemon.

The grunt gulps as Ash sends out Charizard, Glalie, and Gigalith, with the attacks together, they manage to break the jail and also knock the grunt out. Ash also frees the Ditto and the Ditto offers to be on their team.

Ash's New Capture in Blackstream Factory: Ditto (Event)

While running in the factory, Ash picks up a PULSE Dex in the basement, and he starts to read it.

PULSE 04 Muk: Poison-Type. Ability: Protean. Created by repeated fusions. Its function is systematic contamination. By becoming one with substances of any kind, it is able to transmute the target of its union into toxic filth.

Ash: So it is a Muk in this factory...great...this will be hard...

After running and battling the grunts, they manage to find some monitors and press them, unlocking the Atrium locks on the way. After that, they finally reach the area where the PULSE is, however, they're not alone. ZEL, and the brown-coated man who seems to be the leader, is standing in front of him.

Grunt: (Notices Ash) Uh, boss? It looks like one of them escaped...

Brown Coated Man: So it would seem. Stand aside. I will deal with him myself.

Ash steps forward and faces them, and the man in the brown coat is not facing Ash but the PULSE.

ZEL: (Happy Female Voice) Um, I know you didn't ask, but- If you want my opinion, ah, you really probably shouldn't have come here...

Brown Coated Man: When we first met below the stairway, I assumed it was a mere coincidence. I understand that our meetings are not due to any semblance of a chance. They are a pattern: A pattern of disrespect. I do not take kindly to being disrespected. You are fool enough to meddle in affairs well beyond your mettle, but I will congratulate you and that Gym Leader both for having the strength to cut through my subordinates. As one final act of compassion, I will show you what you have fought to reach. Step Forward.

Ash steps forward and he can see what the PULSE Muk looks like. It has pieces of metal sticking out of its sludge body.

Brown Coated Man: I am told you are already intimately acquainted with our most recent PULSE line. PULSE Muk was our prior invention. The work of the one beside me, in fact. (ZEL decides not to say anything) Traditional pollutants would never have contaminated Azurine Lake as such. A more forceful solution was required. A toxin strong enough to chase humans away from an increasingly tainted land... Yet, it is designed to fall away the moment they have left. Nature always wins. Sometimes it just needs a little help. And yet, this Muk... It does not take a medical expert to understand, even at a glance, the extent to which it suffers. Who knew that even a creature whose body was already little more than a pile of filth could deteriorate further still? Even the drool it secretes begins to mix, melting and melding further and further in form with its own toxins. I suspect soon we will need to keep it in a bucket.

ZEL: (Smart Female Voice) That's enough. The system was incomplete, to begin with. If you were to permit me more time to refine the physical restraints, we might-

Brown Coated Man: (Sends out Garchomp, much to Ash's horror) Consider carefully if you wish to continue speaking out of line as you are.

ZEL: (Smart Female Voice) Yes, Commander Solaris. My apologies.

Brown Coated Man: In due time, this machine will surely kill this Muk. It is a necessary sacrifice for the good of the region. One can accomplish nothing if they are not willing to make sacrifices. So, Ash, what will you sacrifice? Your time? Your spirit? Or perhaps, much like this Muk who so desperately calls for your help, your life?

Ash: (Having some flashbacks inside his mind) My life? Do you think you can take away my life this easy?

Brown Coated Man: And what would you mean by that?

Ash: Maybe I should tell you my real name, do you remember a person named Satoshi Vanhanen and Zina Vanhanen? The ones who you killed so that you could acquire the Amethyst Pendant? Solaris?

Brown Coated Man: (Widens his eyes with surprise) No...how is that even possible? You should have been dead by my Garchomp!

Ash: But you wouldn't know that both my Mom and I are still alive and we managed to escape to another region. You couldn't kill me at that time, why do you think you can kill me right now?

Brown Coated Man: Very well. If you want to die right now, I can help you. Garchomp, do it.

Garchomp rushes towards Ash, who closes his eyes as the attack comes.


And I'll leave a cliffhanger in this chapter, will Ash be killed again or will somebody save him from the Garchomp? I hope you like this chapter.