Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. Ash is confronted by Courtney and is forced to delve deeper into the ruins.
Chapter 3
Ash and Blitz ventured deeper into the heart of the ruins, the humming sound growing more intense with each step. The air thickened with an inexplicable energy, causing the hairs on Ash's arms to stand on end. Blitz's magnets spun faster, emitting a low, steady buzz that harmonised eerily with the mysterious humming.
Ash's scavenger instincts were on high alert as he meticulously examined every inch of their surroundings. The beam of his makeshift headlamp swept across weathered walls and crumbling stone, revealing intricate carvings and faded murals at every turn.
"Look at this, Blitz," Ash murmured, running his fingers over a series of symbols etched into a steel-plated pillar. Blitz hovered close, its single eye focused intently on the strange markings.
Despite their thorough examination, the ruins appeared frustratingly devoid of anything significant. He knew the ruins had been explored countless times by the locals before. It was a rite of passage for the bolder youths of Oldale Town to venture into the ruins, daring each other to go deeper, to stay longer. However, it wasn't until recently that locals became aware of the humming noise coming from within. Something had changed but no one had been brave enough to find out what it was.
No one except Courtney, that is.
Why had she posted the request on the community board? The obvious answer was that she knew something about the ruins that others didn't. But if that was the case, why couldn't she solve the mystery herself?
Ash didn't know what Courtney's cultivation level was, but it had to be above the Nascent Realm, judging by the Mightyena that was always by her side. Bonding with a Pokemon that strong required a level of cultivation that Ash could only dream of at this point.
As they pressed on, the ruins descended deeper, and the air grew thicker. Ash examined every crack in the walls and every oddly shaped stone on the floor. He ran his hands along the rough surfaces, hoping to trigger a hidden mechanism or secret door. The humming sound crescendoed, filling his ears to the point where it was hard to hear himself think.
Finally, the path opened into a vast, circular chamber that marked the end of the ruins. Strange, angular structures dotted the room, reminiscent of abstract steel sculptures. But what truly caught Ash's attention was the floor itself.
A massive, intricate mural sprawled across the entirety of the chamber floor, its faded colours barely visible beneath years of dust and decay. Ash knelt, his calloused hands gently brushing away the grime, revealing glimpses of the mural's complexity.
"Bloody hell," Ash muttered.
The mural depicted a scene that took his breath away. At its centre stood a colossal Steelix, its body forming the trunk of an immense, metallic tree. The tree's branches were formed by an array of Steel-type Pokemon: Magnemite, Skarmory, Aron, and others Ash didn't recognise. At the tree's base, human figures stood with their arms raised, as if in reverence or partnership with the Pokemon above.
As Ash's fingers traced the outline of the Steelix in the mural, he felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to sit at its centre. Taking a deep breath, Ash lowered himself to sit in a cross-legged position. As soon as he settled into position, the humming intensified, reverberating through his entire body.
Instinctively, Ash closed his eyes and began to meditate. This time, however, the energy came not in a trickle but in a torrent. It surged through him, filling every fibre of his being with raw, pulsating power. The steel affinity within him resonated with the energy, amplifying its effects.
Ash found himself once again in his mind palace. The steel girders that formed its structure seemed to shine brighter, growing and expanding as the influx of energy reshaped and strengthened his inner world. Blitz appeared beside him, the Magnemite's body crackling with newfound power.
Ash watched in amazement as Blitz began to absorb some of the overflowing energy. The Pokemon's form shimmered and pulsed, growing slightly larger and more defined. Its magnets spun faster, emitting sparks of electricity that danced across its metallic surface.
As the surge of energy began to subside, Ash opened his eyes, gasping at the intensity of the experience. He realised he had advanced to the second stage of the Nascent Realm. The change was subtle but profound. His physical prowess had improved again, and his energy reserves had increased.
His connection to Blitz felt deeper, more intuitive. It was as if a new channel of communication had opened between them. Ash could sense Blitz's emotions more clearly—the Magnemite's curiosity, its excitement at their shared growth.
Another benefit of reaching stage two was that he could now learn a status technique from Blitz. Ash closed his eyes, focusing on his connection with Blitz. The link between them felt like a living thing, pulsing with energy and possibility. Through this connection, he could sense the potential moves he could learn from his partner.
Thunder Wave and Screech—both options promising a different tactical advantage in future battles. Learning one of these moves would allow him to actively participate in battles alongside Blitz rather than just issuing commands from the sidelines.
However, as excited as Ash was to learn a technique, he realised he had a problem. He hadn't read up on how to do it. He hadn't expected to reach stage two so soon. As soon as he finished exploring the ruins, he would fix that.
Looking down, he noticed that the mural on the floor seemed to glow with a faint inner light. Ash gasped as a low rumble echoed through the chamber. The floor trembled, and before he could react, the central portion of the mural began to sink. Stone grated against stone as a hidden mechanism activated, revealing a spiralling staircase that descended into darkness.
Ash's heart raced with excitement. This was it—the true heart of the ruins. Surely there must be amazing treasures waiting to be discovered.
Just as he was about to descend the stairs, the sound of footsteps echoed from the entrance.
"Well done, Ash," a familiar voice said with a condescending tone. Courtney strode into the chamber, her Mightyena padding silently beside her. The Pokemon's red eyes gleamed in the dim light, fixed intently on Ash and Blitz.
Courtney's gaze swept over the revealed staircase, a flash of hunger crossing her features before she schooled her expression. She reached into her pocket and tossed a small leather pouch at Ash's feet. "Two hundred pokedollars, as promised. You've completed the request."
Ash's brow furrowed in confusion, his eyes darting between the inviting darkness of the staircase and Courtney's impassive face. "But... the stairs. There's more to explore—"
"Your job is done," Courtney cut him off, her tone leaving no room for argument. "It's time for you to leave."
"Why did you post that request? You clearly knew about this place already."
Courtney took a step closer, and Ash instinctively backed away. "It's simple. I didn't know how to access the inner ruins. I have been stuck in this awful place for years, trying to figure it out, but all attempts have failed."
"Is that why you came to the first floor?"
Courtney nodded. "Do you think the ruins are just for show? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of ruins scattered throughout the tower, each containing a wealth of treasures, including cultivation techniques, resources, and rare Pokemon."
"If ruins are so valuable, why haven't cultivators paid more importance to these ruins?" Ash asked.
"You think they haven't?" Courtney snorted. "Decades ago, there were many who tried to unlock these ruins, but nothing they did worked, so eventually, they gave up on it. Some ruins have really obscure requirements to unlock them, and this one is certainly one of them."
"It must have taken a lot of persistence to stay here for so long," Ash observed. "When you had no guarantee of succeeding."
Courtney shrugged. "I was almost at my wit's end. I was thinking about leaving when I saw you in the town square. I sensed you were a cultivator. I didn't believe you could do anything, but I decided to give it a shot and see what you could do."
"You followed me into the ruins."
"Imagine my surprise when you actually managed to unlock the ruins," Courtney said, her lips curving.
The air in the chamber grew thick with tension, almost difficult to breathe. Mightyena growled low in its throat, hackles rising. The sound sent a chill down Ash's spine as he realised the gravity of his situation. Ash considered leaving, as he was no match for the woman, but he could sense some killer intent radiating from her. He didn't think she was going to let him go and was only playing with him.
As if reading his thoughts, Courtney's expression hardened. "I don't think you understand the position you're in, Ash. Perhaps a demonstration is in order." She took a step forward, her aura pulsing with barely contained power. "I can sense you've reached the second stage of Nascent Realm. Impressive for a fifteen-year-old boy on the first floor, but still nothing compared to what a true cultivator can do."
Before Ash could react, she opened her mouth, and the air itself seemed to warp around her. A loud roar erupted from her throat—it was no mere sound—it was a manifestation of pure, cultivated power.
The sonic wave slammed into Ash like a physical blow, lifting him off his feet and sending him crashing into the far wall. His head cracked against the stone, and for a moment, his vision swam with bursts of light and dark. The roar continued to reverberate through the chamber, each echo bringing a fresh wave of primal terror.
Ash found himself paralysed, not just by fear but by some otherworldly force. Shadowy tendrils seemed to writhe at the edges of his vision, reaching for him with grasping claws.
Through the haze of terror and pain, Ash dimly registered movement. Blitz, shaking off the effects of the Roar faster than its human partner, sprang into action. The Magnemite's body crackled with electricity. With a high-pitched whine, Blitz unleashed a Thundershock on Courtney.
The bolt of electricity arced through the air, illuminating the chamber in stark, blue-white light. For a moment, Ash thought it would strike true—but Mightyena was faster. The Dark-type Pokemon leapt in front of its trainer, its fur standing on end as it absorbed the attack. It didn't look like it had done any damage at all.
Courtney's concentration broke for just a second as she glanced at her Pokemon, but it was enough. Ash felt the paralysing grip of the roar loosen, and survival instinct took over. Ignoring the throbbing pain in his head, he scrambled to his feet and made a desperate lunge for the staircase. His foot caught on the first step, and he tumbled forward, rolling painfully down the stairs. Sharp edges bit into his skin and each impact threatened to knock the breath from his lungs, but he didn't dare stop.
Somewhere above, he heard Courtney's enraged shout: "Stop them!"
Ash's hand found purchase on the rough stone, and he pushed himself up, finding his footing. Blitz zipped past him, taking point as they plunged deeper into the darkness, with only the light from the headlamp to guide his way.
Behind them, Ash could hear the scrabble of claws on stone—Mightyena was in pursuit. The Pokemon's growls echoed off the walls, seeming to come from everywhere at once.
"Blitz, Thundershock!" Ash called out between ragged breaths.
The Magnemite spun in midair, unleashing an arc of electricity that tore through the narrow stairwell. Stone chips flew as the attack impacted the walls and ceiling. He couldn't tell if the attack had any effect.
Ash's legs burned with exertion as he took the stairs two, sometimes three, at a time. His lungs screamed for air, and the cut on his head throbbed in time with his racing pulse. How deep did these stairs go?
Just as Ash felt his strength beginning to fail when he was sure Courtney and Mightyena would overtake them at any moment, he reached the bottom, which led into a long, straight corridor. A low, grinding noise filled the air as he entered.
Risking a glance over his shoulder, Ash saw a solid block of stone lower from the ceiling, sealing the passage. The last thing he saw was Courtney's face, contorted with fury before the ceiling sealed completely.
The sudden silence was almost as shocking as the chase had been. Ash stumbled to a stop, slumping against the cool stone wall. His chest heaved as he gulped in the air, every muscle in his body trembling with exhaustion and fading adrenaline.
"That was... too close... buddy," Ash panted, reaching out to pat Blitz's metal surface. "Thanks for the save back there."
As the immediate danger passed and his panic began to subside, a new worry crept into Ash's mind. His mum. She was still in Oldale Town, vulnerable and unaware of the danger Courtney posed. What if Courtney decided to use her as leverage against him?
The thought sent a chill down Ash's spine. He pictured his mum's kind face, her warm smile that had been a constant source of comfort throughout his difficult childhood on the first floor. The idea of her being threatened or harmed because of his actions made his stomach churn with guilt and fear.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Ash whispered. "I'll find a way to protect you, I promise. But right now, I have to keep going."
With a heavy heart, Ash pushed himself away from the wall. "Come on, Blitz. Maybe we'll find something down here that will help my Mum."
Blitz beeped in agreement, its single eye glowing a bit brighter in the gloom.
He reached up, adjusting the strap of his headlamp and winced as his fingers brushed against the tender lump forming where his head had struck the wall earlier.
As they walked down the corridor, the only sounds were Ash's boots scuffing against the stone floor. After a few minutes, the corridor came to an end. Ash's headlamp illuminated a small, circular chamber ahead. As they entered, the beam of light caught something reflective at the centre of the room.
At the heart of the room stood a weathered stone pedestal. Atop the pedestal sat an ornate box of what appeared to be tarnished silver. Ash approached cautiously, his scavenger's instincts warring with a newfound sense of caution born from their recent ordeal.
He reached out and gently lifted the lid of the box. Inside, nestled on a bed of faded velvet, lay two objects: a metallic ball about the size of a marble and a leather-bound book.
Curiosity overcame caution, and Ash reached for the metallic ball first. As soon as his fingers brushed against its surface, a jolt of energy surged through him. The ball seemed to liquefy, flowing up his arm like quicksilver. Before Ash could even cry out in alarm, the substance had vanished, seemingly absorbed into his skin.
"Bloody hell!" Ash yelled, stumbling back from the pedestal. He frantically examined his arm, running his fingers over the skin where the metal had disappeared. There was no trace of it—no mark, no sensation, nothing to indicate what had just occurred. "Did you see that, Blitz?"
The Magnemite whirred anxiously, circling Ash as if trying to detect any changes in its trainer. Ash took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down and take stock. He didn't feel any different. There was no pain, no strange sensations.
Ash focused inward. He appeared in his mind palace and immediately spotted the silver ball, floating in the centre. Ash frowned, studying it intently. The orb hovered serenely, neither growing nor shrinking, neither approaching nor retreating. It's simply... was. He observed the ball for a while, but it didn't seem to be doing anything adverse.
Shaking himself out of his internal exploration, Ash turned his attention back to the box. He lifted out the book and opened it, the ancient binding creaking in protest.
The pages within were filled with dense text and diagrams. As he skimmed through several pages, his eyes widened with realisation.
"It is a cultivation method," Ash whispered, his excitement palpable. "This is meant for Steel-type cultivators like me. And that silver ball I absorbed, it's called Steelium."
A substance that defied conventional understanding of metallurgy. In its liquid state, it flowed like quicksilver, responsive to the will of a skilled cultivator. But when solidified, it possessed a hardness that surpassed even the most resilient steels known to man.
As Ash learnt more about Steelium, the true potential became apparent. The cultivation method detailed how one could harness this miraculous metal, integrating it into their very being.
The diagrams captivated him—illustrations of human figures with silvery streams coursing through their bodies like a metallic circulatory system. He saw how cultivators could direct this liquid metal, shaping it with nothing but their will and spiritual energy. In one image, tendrils of Steelium extended from a cultivator's fingertips, coalescing into a gleaming sword. Another showed a full set of armour materialising around a figure, each plate flowing seamlessly into the next.
Before he could delve deeper into the text, a low rumble filled the air. The floor beneath Ash's feet began to tremble, and small pieces of debris rained down from the ceiling. The vibrations appeared to come from deep within the earth, as if the very foundations of the ruins were shaking.
Ash snapped the book shut. "Time to go, Blitz!"
Clutching the book to his chest, Ash sprinted towards the door at the far end of the room. The tremors were growing stronger by the second, and he could hear ominous creaking sounds coming from the walls. Cracks began to appear on the stone floor, spreading like spider webs beneath his feet.
Reaching the door, Ash frantically searched for a way to open it. His eyes fell on a lever set into the wall nearby. Without hesitation, he grasped it and pulled with all his might.
For a heartstopping moment, nothing happened. Then, with a grinding of ancient gears that sent vibrations up Ash's arm, the door slowly began to swing open. Ash didn't wait for it to fully open before squeezing through the gap, with Blitz following right behind him.
They found themselves at the base of a spiralling staircase. The shaking was even more pronounced here, and Ash could hear the sound of collapsing stonework echoing from below.
"Up we go," Ash gasped, beginning to climb. His legs protested, still weary from his earlier flight, but fear and determination drove him onward. Blitz zoomed ahead, its ability to float giving it a clear advantage on the narrow stairs.
After what felt like an eternity of climbing, Ash's headlamp illuminated another door. Next to it was another lever. Praying that this one would lead to safety, Ash grabbed it and pulled.
The door swung open with surprising ease, and a gust of fresh air rushed in. The cool breeze was a welcome relief from the stale air of the ruins, and Ash gulped it down gratefully.
Ash found himself on a small hillock near the entrance to the ruins. The familiar silhouette of Oldale Town was visible in the distance, and everything appeared to be normal.
He turned to look back at the door he had just exited, but only saw solid rock. The entrance had vanished, as if it never existed. The only remnants of his underground adventure were the book in his hands and the memory of the strange liquid metal that now resided within him.
The ground beneath his feet began to tremble violently. The hill where he stood started to sink as if the very earth was trying to swallow the ruins whole.
"Dammit," Ash said, struggling to keep his footing on the shifting terrain. "Blitz, we need to go!"
The Magnemite buzzed in agreement, its single eye wide with alarm. But before they could move, a noxious cloud materialised above them, quickly taking the form of a Weezing. Its bulbous, twin-headed body pulsed ominously, small wisps of poisonous gas escaping from its pores.
Panic surged through Ash's veins. He spun on his heel and began sprinting towards Oldale Town, Blitz zooming alongside him.
But he'd barely made it halfway down the hill when a chilling sight stopped him dead in his tracks. Courtney stood at the base of the hill, and lying on the ground next to her, her leg held firmly in Mightyena's jaws, was Ash's mum, Delia.
"Mum!" Ash cried out, his voice cracking with fear and rage.
Delia's face was pale, her eyes wide with terror, but when she saw Ash, a spark of determination lit up her features. "Ash, run! Don't worry about me, just go!"
Courtney's hand lashed out, striking Delia across the face. The Mightyena growled, its teeth biting down on her leg, causing Delia to cry out in pain.
"Shut it, you," Courtney snarled at Delia before turning her attention back to Ash. "The book, Ash. Hand it over, or Mummy dearest here won't live to see another sunrise."
Ash felt as if he'd been doused in ice water. His muscles trembled, not with exhaustion now but with a potent mixture of fear and fury. He wanted nothing more than to charge down the hill and tackle Courtney and make her pay for hurting his mum. But he knew he didn't stand a chance against her or her Pokemon.
"Don't... don't you dare hurt her," Ash managed to say, his voice shaking. "Please, just let her go. She's got nothing to do with this."
Courtney's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Oh, but she has everything to do with this now. You see, Ash, I always get what I want. And right now, I want that book. So, what's it going to be? The book, or your mum's life?"
Ash's mind raced, desperately seeking a way out of this nightmare. He couldn't give up the book—not when it might hold the key to becoming strong enough to protect his mum and himself. But he couldn't sacrifice his mum either. She was all he had in this world.
Just as Ash opened his mouth to agree to her demands, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air. It came from the direction of Oldale Town.
All heads turned towards the sound. What Ash saw next made his blood run cold.
Massive, serpentine forms were tearing through the town, their steel bodies gleaming in the afternoon sun. Steelix—five of them—were rampaging through Oldale, crushing buildings and scattering terrified townsfolk in their wake. And they were heading straight for the ruins.
"What in the blazes?" Courtney breathed, her composure cracking for the first time.
The ground shook even more violently as the Steelix approached, their roars drowning out the screams of the townspeople. Panic overtook Courtney's features. With a snarl of frustration, she turned to flee. Her Mightyena released Delia and followed her.
But her escape was cut short as the sky suddenly darkened. A flock of Skarmory, their steel wings glinting menacingly, descended upon her with piercing shrieks. Courtney's Weezing moved to intercept them, spewing noxious gas, while Mightyena lunged at the steel birds with snapping jaws.
Ash didn't waste a second. He sprinted down the hill towards his mum, his legs nearly giving out beneath him as he reached her side.
"Mum! Mum, are you alright?" He asked, helping Delia to her feet.
"I'm fine, love," she said. "But we need to get out of here, now."
Her leg was bleeding from where the Mightyena bit her, but he didn't have time to worry about it right now.
Ash wrapped an arm around his mum's waist to support her. "This way," he said, guiding her away from both the collapsing ruins and the Steelix-ravaged town.
As they fled, Ash's mind whirred with possibilities. They needed somewhere to hide—somewhere the rampaging Pokemon and Courtney wouldn't think to look for them.
Then it hit him. The landfill.
For years, Ash scavenged in the vast landfill to the west of Oldale Town. He knew its twisting paths and hidden nooks like the back of his hand. If there was anywhere they could find safety, it was there.
"Blitz," Ash called to his partner, who had been hovering protectively near them. "We're heading to the landfill. Keep an eye out for any pursuers."
The Magnemite beeped in affirmation, its eye swivelling to scan its surroundings as they made their way across the uneven terrain.
Every step was a struggle, with Ash supporting his mum's weight and the sounds of destruction echoing behind them. Finally, the familiar sight of towering junk piles came into view. Ash led them through a gap in the chain-link fence, ducking under a precariously balanced stack of rusted machinery.
"Watch your step, Mum," Ash warned as he guided them deeper into the maze of discarded items. The air was thick with the smell of rust and decay, but to Ash, it was the scent of safety.
After a few more minutes of careful navigation, they reached a spot Ash had discovered years ago. It was a small clearing, hidden from view by a semicircle of broken-down vehicles. An old delivery van, its back doors still intact, provided the perfect shelter.
"In here," Ash said, helping his mum into the van before clambering in after her. Blitz squeezed in last, positioning itself near the doors to keep watch.
As the afternoon sun filtered through the gaps in their makeshift shelter, Ash and Delia sat in tense silence, listening to the distant sounds of chaos gradually fade. Blitz hovered nearby, its single eye dimming and brightening in a steady rhythm, as if on guard.
"Ashton Ketchum," Delia began, her voice carrying that unique tone that only mums seem capable of—one that conveyed love, worry, and disapproval all at once. "What were you thinking, going into those ruins without telling me? Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"
Ash winced, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, Mum. I didn't think it would be dangerous. It was just supposed to be a simple job for Courtney, and then..."
"And then you nearly got yourself killed!" Delia interrupted, her voice rising slightly. "Ash, love, you're all I have in this world. I can't bear the thought of losing you."
Before Ash could respond, Delia pulled him into a tight hug, her body shaking slightly. "But I'm so, so glad you're okay," she whispered into his hair.
Ash returned the hug, feeling a lump form in his throat. "I'm sorry, Mum. I promise I'll be more careful from now on."
As they pulled apart, Ash's eyes fell on his mum's leg. He could see where the fabric of her trousers was torn, revealing angry red puncture marks where Mightyena's fangs had pierced her flesh.
"Mum, your leg," Ash said. "We need to clean that wound."
Delia glanced down. "It's not too bad, love. I've had worse from tripping over that loose floorboard in the kitchen."
Despite her reassurance, Ash couldn't shake off his worry. He rummaged through the van, hoping to find something they could use as a makeshift bandage. To his relief, he found an old first aid kit tucked under one of the seats.
As he carefully cleaned and bandaged his mum's wound, Ash's mind wandered to the events of the day. The ruins, the book, the strange liquid metal he'd absorbed—and now the rampaging Pokemon in town.
"Mum," he said hesitantly, "do you think... could the Pokemon attacking the town be because of what I did in the ruins?"
Delia reached out, gently cupping Ash's face in her hands. "Oh, love, don't think like that. You couldn't have known what would happen."
Ash nodded slowly, considering her words. "I just hope they take care of Courtney," he muttered. "I don't fancy having to deal with her again."
As silence fell between them, Ash's thoughts continued to race. He grimaced, the weight of the day's events settling heavily on his shoulders. His actions had led directly to the town being attacked. One part of him wanted to help the survivors once things settled down, but another part told him to forget about them. It wasn't like he was close to any of them. The more pragmatic side of him suggested finding another town to settle in and leaving Oldale behind.
Then he remembered Courtney's house. If she was dead, then it meant he was free to raid it for any resources. So long as it was still standing. It might be just what he needed to quickly improve his strength.
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Ash returns to raid Courtney's house, but some unexpected visitors arrive.
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Thanks for reading.