It was morning, and Ash was still asleep in his bed. Nessa was next to him, her body cuddled up with his. They were both still naked from the night before, and the memories of what they had done were still fresh in their minds.
As the morning sun crept through the window, Nessa slowly opened her eyes, her body still tired. She was a bit sore, her body aching from the love they had had the night before. She could feel the Star Champion's arms wrapped around her, and she couldn't help but smile. She felt safe and secure with him.
She gently removed his arms, sitting up in the bed. As she did, she could feel her stomach grumble, her appetite demanding attention. She knew she had to get something to eat. So, she slipped out of the bed, her naked body still visible in the light.
Ash's eyes were now open, his gaze drifting to Nessa's backside. She was a beautiful sight to behold, her curves perfectly rounded. He couldn't help but be a little taken by her.
"Good morning, Star Champion." Nessa turned to him, her hand reaching out and touching his chest. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, I did." Ash nodded, sitting up in the bed, stretching his arms. "And last night was fun."
"It was." Nessa agreed, her cheeks flushing. "I'm still a little embarrassed by it, but I'm glad I was able to show my gratitude."
"Me too." Ash said. "Thanks for that, Nessa."
Nessa blushed even more, her gaze falling to the floor. She had never felt so cared for before. She was used to being alone, and now she had someone who wanted to be with her. It was a new feeling, and she wasn't quite sure how to handle it.
"Well, I believe we should be having breakfast in the morning. But...where shall we got to next, Star Champion?"
"Hm." Ash hopped off his bed with a grin. "Well, by now, we're reaching outside of Kanto. We'll probably reach Johto in this path, so we're heading there next. We'll make a stop at the nearest town or city, stock up, and set sail."
"A town and city so soon? We might cause quite the ruckus if they see our ship in the sky.." Nessa pointed out.
"No need to worry. We'll have it covered. For now, let's eat!" Ash raised his arms, eager to chow down right away as Nessa followed him downstairs.
At the kitchen, they met up with everyone else who had a good night's sleep. "Morning, everyone." Ash greeted as he took a seat.
"Morning, Star Champion. Nessa." Misty nodded, greeting him and Nessa. "You two seem pretty energized."
"Indeed. The Star Champion is quite the energetic one." Nessa giggled.
"I'm starving." Ash said, his mouth-watering. "What's for breakfast?"
"Get a good look at this. The ship came prepared with some food options already, so I made something for everyone." Brock showcased another skill he had. Cooking. "It's a big one after yesterday. enjoy.
Ash's eyes widened, his mouth drooling. He didn't hesitate to dig in, his fork and knife cutting up the selection of food into several small pieces. As he took a bite, his mouth exploded with flavor.
"This is delicious, Brock!" Ash exclaimed, his eyes closing in delight.
"Thank you, Star Champion. It's one of my specialties." Brock beamed, feeling a surge of pride. Ash dug in along with Pikachu, the two enjoying the meal.
As the rest of the crew enjoyed the meal, they chatted amongst themselves, their conversation a bit casual. After all, it was morning and not much could be done. But as they talked, Sabrina brought up something to Nessa.
"Nessa...Last night, I heard rather strange noises coming from the Star Champion's room. What was that? Another pirate that snuck on board?" Sabrina questioned, curious about the noise she heard last night. Nessa blushed, knowing what the Psychic meant.
"Well..." With a sly grin, she went up to Sabrina's ear, whispering to her. She told her exactly what they did, her cheeks becoming a deeper shade of red. Sabrina gasped, her pupils shrinking as she couldn't believe it. Nessa pulled back with that sly grin. "So...What was that about you saying I don't have the drive to advance on him?"
Sabrina couldn't respond, her eyes glued to Nessa. She was shocked that the Water-Type Gym Leader would be so forward. She couldn't believe that she had done such a thing. But what really struck her was the fact that she did it first. After all that talk Sabrina did, Nessa ended up being the first to do such a bold thing.
Misty and Bea overheard it, with Bea's face fully red while Misty giggled, a bit intrigued. "So, you did go through with it, huh?"
"Indeed, I did." Nessa admitted. "But regardless of that, our next destination..."
"The nearest place here is the Johto Region's Kurodaka City. It's a massive city heavily tied to the Auravale Empire. I heard it's run by someone named Baevel." Misty answered. "It's the second largest city in Johto, after Goldenrod City, which is the region's capital."
"It'll be the first time we're entering a big Auravale Territory.." Nessa thought. "I don't know how it's like, but we should try and avoid causing any trouble. We wouldn't want to cause a ruckus."
"Agreed." Sabrina nodded. "Plus, if they see us three Pokemon Lords, we will surely be dealt a heavy storm of trouble. I suggest we do this with high amounts of stealth."
"Don't worry, guys. I can handle myself when it comes to that." Ash reassured. "We'll check out Kurodaka and see what's up. But let's try and get the ship out of view first. Maybe near the outskirts."
"Good idea, Star Champion." Brock approved. "Then let's set course for Kurodaka, Johto!"
In a lavish royal chamber draped in heavy velvet and shimmering silks, the atmosphere crackled with an electric tension, a blend of lust and power palpable in the air. The opulent room was adorned with silver candelabra casting flickering shadows against the walls, while the soft sound of rain against the window mingled with the muffled gasps that filled the space.
A man with a penchant for indulgence, pressed a woman's body against the silk-covered bed, his hands exploring her body with a possessiveness that sent shivers of reluctance and thrill through her. She lay beneath him, her eyes sparkling under the dim light.
His hands moved over her bare skin, his fingers trailing over her curves as she shivered beneath him. She bit her lip as he touched her, the warmth of his body making her tremble. His lips brushed against her neck, eliciting a sigh as he continued to trail kisses along her collarbone.
"L-Lord Baevel," she stammered, her voice quivering with desire, her hips rising slightly from the bed. This was Baevel, and he was currently indulging himself in a woman's body due to his status as king. He had no intention of stopping.
Baevel was an incredibly lecherous and lustful man, often partaking in women and men without shame or reservation. But as he was about to ravage her, a knock would be heard at his door, his ears picking up on it.
"Enter." He spoke, his voice a bit annoyed as the doors to his chamber opened, revealing his royal guards, their armor clanking as they bowed before their ruler.
"Sire, there is an emergency." One of them spoke. "An airship has been spotted in the far east. It looks to be an Astra Vessel. What would you have us do?"
Baevel was an incredibly lecherous and lustful man, often partaking in women and men without shame or reservation. But as he was about to ravage her, a knock would be heard at his door, his ears picking up on it.
"Enter." He spoke, his voice a bit annoyed as the doors to his chamber opened, revealing his royal guards, their armor clanking as they bowed before their ruler.
"Sire, there is an emergency." One of them spoke. "An airship has been spotted in the far east. It looks to be an Astra Vessel. What would you have us do?"
Baevel's expression became serious as his lips curved upward into a grin, his eyes narrowing with a devious gleam. "Let them come. Have them stop by and ruin their ship once their crew is away. For an Astra Vessel to be here, someone of great importance must be aboard. Capture them and bring them to me."
The guards nodded, their armor clanking as they exited his chamber, leaving him and the woman alone. But no Baevel was curious. Who could possibly be on that Astra Vessel?
Ash and his group had docked their ship in the outskirts of Kurodaka City, hidden within a cave. The entrance was obscured by foliage, the opening just large enough to fit the ship. From the outside, it looked like a cave, the inside spacious and clean. The group had stepped out of the ship, and were now making their way into the city.
"We're gonna be extra quiet about this one, okay?" Ash warned. "We're out of friendly territory after all."
"Right." The Pokemon Lords nodded, their Pokemon at the ready. They weren't about to let anything happen to the Star Champion and especially not Nessa, Bea and Goh.
The group exited the cave, their eyes gazing upon the city that laid before them. It was massive, the buildings towering over them as they walked. The streets were bustling, the people walking around in droves. There was an assortment of people, each dressed differently. Some wore simple clothes, while others were adorned with lavish and extravagant outfits.
Many of the people were also riding on horse-drawn carriages, the horses neighing as they trotted along the cobblestone streets. It was a beautiful sight, and the people seemed happy. However, there were some who weren't. Some had faces of sadness and pain, their eyes downcast. Their clothes were tattered and worn, their skin dirty.
As they walked, they could see a group of soldiers patrolling the streets, their swords drawn. They had an intimidating presence, their bodies armored and their weapons glistening in the sun. The people scurried away as they passed, their eyes averted.
"This isn't what I expected...Isn't Kurodaka supposed to be a fancy-looking city?" Brock questioned.
"This is but one of the lower and less fortunate parts of the city. Just a few blocks from here, we'll find the more lively parts. It's rather rich and hard to miss." Misty explained. "I say we head straight for the biggest part of this city. But I'm guessing you wanna help out as much as you can no matter where, Star Champion."
"You bet." Ash smiled. He made a subtle whistle, motioning for Pikachu. Pikachu was quick to respond, landing atop his trainer's shoulder. The group made their way down the street, their eyes scanning the crowds. They had a mission, and they were going to see it through.
But as they were walking off, someone watched them from a distance, a rather small individual too. It looked to be a little girl.
The group found themselves in this smaller area's marketplace, the vendors selling various goods. The atmosphere was lively, the people conversing and laughing.
Ash and his group were browsing the many stalls, their eyes examining the wares. They were looking for anything that might interest them, their curiosity piqued. As they browsed, the group passed by a stall that was selling various fruits and vegetables.
"These look pretty good." Ash commented. "Pikachu, what would you like?"
Pikachu's nose twitched, his eyes locked onto the ripe, juicy fruits and veggies. He was particularly interested in a large, yellow fruit. Ash noticed this and picked it up, its smooth texture pleasant to the touch.
"Alright, how much is this?" Ash asked the merchant.
The merchant eyed Ash, a suspicious glint in his eyes. "Five hundred." He replied, his tone neutral.
"Five Hundred? That's quite the number...Do we even have that money on us?" Misty asked Brock.
"I didn't come with money and I don't think we were given any before we set off." Brock pondered for a moment. The truth was that they were running on zero money. Brock and Misty didn't bring any along and Nesa, Bea and Goh certainly don't have any. The same can be said for Sabrina, who carried none.
"Alright then." That's when the Star Champion did something that caught them all off guard. By holding his hand out, a swirl of Aura formed. The Aura glowed bright, and in the middle, a small coin had appeared. It was a gold coin. Multiple of them.
The vendor's eyes widened, his expression shifting to shock.
"What is this, an Auriville Gold Coin?! My Lord, this is worth more than ten times what I'm asking for!"
"Really? I wasn't sure how much I needed for 500, so I just thought of a bunch." Ash tried counting how many he generated. "I've got about...I think eighty, so do you want them all?"
"Eighty?! Dear Arceus, please, please, my good sir, take anything you desire!"
"Alright, thanks. Keep the change." Ash handed the gold coins over, receiving the large fruit in exchange. Pikachu hopped off his shoulder and landed on the ground, his mouth already salivating.
"H-He can generate money...?" Bea was in disbelief. The Star Champion surprised her and many others once more with his great feats.
"...Hehe!" Misty's eyes lit up with golden coins, realizing what this meant. The Star Champion was a walking goldmine in her eyes, but she would quickly shake her head, snapping out of it.
"Could you do that for me...?" A voice spoke. Everyone turned around to see a young girl, a blanket covering her body. She was shivering, her eyes tired and worn. "If its food you seek, why not try my apples. They're delicious, and not a single one has gone bad."
The girl's skin was pale and her clothes were tattered and old. It was clear that she wasn't well off, her body frail.
The group was a little cautious, eyeing her carefully. But the more they looked at her, the more they couldn't help but feel pity for the young girl. She was clearly in need of help, and Ash was going to give it to her.
"Of course, what's your name, kid?" Ash asked.
"My name is...Livrie."
"Livrie, huh?" He examined her wares. There were a few apples, each a different color and size. They were definitely not the most appealing-looking, but he wasn't one to judge.
"I'll buy a couple. How much?" He asked.
Livrie's face lit up, her eyes filled with hope. "O-Oh, I could give you all of them for a mere ten."
Ash did a quick mental calculation, thinking about what he could get with that amount. It wasn't much, but it was enough. He nodded and materialized the money. Livrie watched as the coins materialized, her eyes wide.
"Y-You really can make gold..."
"Yeah, I can. And here you are." He handed the coins over. Livrie stared at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "That's enough, right?"
"Thank you, kind sir." She spoke, her voice sincere. She then looked down, scrunching her mouth before looking up. "Um, sir. S-Since you're here and can do this, do you think you could maybe come with me? Please?"
"Why is that?" Ash asked.
"These apples...I'm only selling them in my father's place. If you could, would you please pass as many coins as you could to him?" Livrie pleaded to the Star Champion. "I didn't think you'd be able to make them, so this will be good news if my father sees it."
"And where is he?"
"Please follow me." Livrie motioned, her frail form leading the Star Champion and his friends through the many alleys. They walked in silence, the streets empty.
"I assume most of these less-fortunate areas have to do with the Auravale Empire as a whole. For places like this to exist under their rule..." Nessa pointed out, noticing how the people around them began to change. The buildings were worn and dilapidated, the streets were dirty. The people were thin and tired, their expressions sullen.
"It does seem like it." Bea replied.
They went further into what appeared to be slums, the homes were rundown, and the people were thin and tired. They had an empty look in their eyes, their faces gaunt. It was a far cry from what the city was meant to be, the atmosphere here was dark and ominous.
The group followed Livrie, their eyes scanning their surroundings. They could feel the tension in the air, their bodies on edge. But even in this gloomy and decrepit place, there was an undercurrent of hope. Despite their struggles, the people here still had the will to live.
"W-What happened here...?" Goh inquired.
"A long time ago, a fire burned through this area, destroying the homes of a lot of us. Ever since then, this area has been abandoned, and the people have been forced to live in the slums." Livrie explained. "My father stuck around after the fire and he's done his best to rebuild. I was only a baby, but he told me the story so many times that I could recite it from memory."
"Didn't anyone help rebuild it for you?" Nessa asked the child.
"No. Not many of us are around here. Most of everyone who used to be here got taken away. They asked for the city's ruler to fix it, but he said that the area was too dangerous."
"The city's ruler? Isn't he the king? Shouldn't the king do something like this?" Brock questioned.
"W-What happened here...?" Goh inquired.
"A long time ago, a fire burned through this area, destroying the homes of a lot of us. Ever since then, this area has been abandoned, and the people have been forced to live in the slums." Livrie explained. "My father stuck around after the fire and he's done his best to rebuild. I was only a baby, but he told me the story so many times that I could recite it from memory."
"Didn't anyone help rebuild it for you?" Nessa asked the child.
"No. Not many of us are around here. Most of everyone who used to be here got taken away. They asked for the city's ruler to fix it, but he said that the area was too dangerous."
"The city's ruler? Isn't he the king? Shouldn't the king do something like this?" Brock questioned.
"Apparently, he doesn't want to out of spite. I don't know what it is though..." Livrie lowered her head before stopping in front of one of these homes. She was a bit nervous, her hands shaking. Ash could see how frail her body was, her limbs thin and weak.
"Please, just follow me." She opened the door, the wood creaking as it swung open. The group entered, the inside of the house just as barren and run down. The walls were bare, the furniture minimal. The only source of light was a small lamp, its flames dim.
"My dad must be asleep. Dad, are you awake?"
"Livrie, is that you?" A voice responded. Livrie's eyes lit up, her mouth widening into a smile.
"It's me, dad!"
"What are you doing back so early, my child?" A man stepped out of the shadows, his frame gaunt and skeletal. He was a tall man, his hair gray and his skin sallow. But despite his frail appearance, his eyes were bright and filled with life.
"Oh, who are these people?" The man's gaze fell on the group, his eyes narrowing.
"They're a group of travelers. I found one of them, the boy with the hat, and I asked him to come with me. He said he'll help us, and I believe him, dad."
"Help us...?"
"Look! Look, dad! He can create gold! Actual gold!" Livrie held her palm up, revealing the stack of coins. The man's eyes widened, his body stiffening. He then slowly walked towards her, his gaze fixed on the gold.
"Oooh...Actual gold." The man took one of the coins, his fingers tracing the ridges. The metal was cold and smooth, its weight heavy. He could feel the etchings, the grooves, the lines. It was unmistakable.
"How long have I seen this...?" The man's voice was almost a whisper. "Good sir. If you can make this, then please, my lord, could you grant me some? I'm just a simple man, but the money could help the people here. They have suffered far too much, and the least we can do is have them be fed."
"It's been that hard huh?" Ash nodded, extending a hand. "I'll hand it over. But you gotta promise me to take good care of it, okay? I sensed both of your Auras and you two mean well. I can totally trust you all with it, but I won't be there all to time to give you some more."
"Oh yes, yes, yes, I will take great care of it, sir, I swear." The man's eyes were shining, his heart full of hope. He couldn't believe what was happening. "This...This is a miracle. Thank you, dear Arceus."
"Here you go. After this, I'm doing the same for everyone else here. I'll get you all started with as much money as you need." Ash would put his hands together, creating more. The man's eyes were wide, his jaw slack. A flow of Stars and Aura formed when creating these coins, a flowing stream of gold.
The man was in a state of awe, his eyes fixed on the stack of coins. Livrie was next to him, her body trembling with excitement.
"Sir, oh, thank you so much. We are indebted to you forever. You're a savior. Our lives will finally be better. I hope this is the first step of a new beginning."
"It's no problem. If there's anything else you guys need, I'll be happy to help. Just come talk to me, alright?"
"Of course, sir. Of course."
"We'll do that, Ash." Livrie hugged her father, her arms wrapping around his waist. It was at that moment the others could sense a great surge of Aura, the energy washing over the home. It was warm and comforting, filling the space with a glow. It was a strange feeling, the warmth seeping into their bones.
The aura was a sign that the two's hearts were now connected, the bond between father and daughter now stronger than ever.
"Well, we'll head out now, and get the rest of the citizens here started. Thanks for letting us stop by." Ash gave a nod as the group left the house, the sound of the door closing behind them. Livrie watched the Star Champion and his group leave, her expression cheerful.
"Thank you."
After that, the Star Champion went about distributing the coins, providing as much aid to the city's citizens in the slums as he could. Many were surprised by the sudden influx of gold, their hearts filled with gratitude. This would then lead to a chain reaction of goodwill, with people spreading the word.
Soon, people in the slums started gathering around the Star Champion, hearing about a man who could generate gold. Many were skeptical, but the few who believed the rumor were willing to risk it. And as the rumors spread, more and more people flocked to the slums, hoping to be granted a small fortune.
The crowds grew larger and larger, with the Star Champion able to provide the funds needed for all. Ash didn't need to think or ponder about what he was doing. He knew he had to do it, but to also be careful when handing it all out. Nessa and the others watched as the scene unfolded, their hearts full of joy.
But of course, these people needed to eat and that's where Brock came in. They haven't had a good meal in so long due to them struggling with funds, but the Star Champion was here now.
Brock decided that he would provide the food for the hungry people here, pulling out some berries, oran, lum, and sitrus. He would give the people some berry soup, a special dish created by the chef. It was a simple yet delicious meal, filling the stomachs of those who ate it.
The soup was a mixture of the different berries, the flavors blending together perfectly. It was sweet and tangy, the aroma tantalizing. The crowd was delighted, their hunger being quenched.
For now, they stuck to the slums until they help restore it.
While Ash was doing what he chose to do, Bea entered one of the shops here, particularly a shop for Pokemon Trainers. Bea wished to be someone strong enough to stand side-by-side with the Star Champion as she was his disciple and was currently training to become a powerful Pokemon Trainer. She would need equipment and supplies to become stronger.
There were a variety of items available in the store, including potions, revives, and other useful items. The storekeeper was happy to sell them to her, as it was good for business. More-so than ever now that the Star Champion was here, prompting Bea to bring a bag of Auriville coins to buy items from the store.
Goh, who was just browsing through the selection, also decided to grab some Pokeballs. He wasn't a trainer himself, but he felt that these would come in handy at some point. He also grabbed a few potions and revives, thinking that they might be useful later on.
"After that attack from the pirates, I need to improve myself some more. Perhaps catching another Pokemon will benefit me. Could I purchase Poke Balls here?" Bea turned to the storekeeper.
"Certainly. We have many types of Pokeballs, each of which is suited for a different type of Pokemon. You can choose whichever you like." The storekeeper gestured to the display.
Bea looked over the various types of Poke Balls, considering her options. There were regular Poke Balls, Dive Balls, Nest Balls, Heavy Balls and Net Balls. Quite a limited but decent selection. But with Bea deciding to purchase some with all of this gold, she will surely boost this shop's funds.
"I'll take these. They should be fine for now." Bea picked out some regular Poke Balls and a few Heavy Balls, the storekeeper nodding. "How much does it cost?"
"Each of these balls is 100 Auriville coins." The storekeeper replied, holding a Heavy Ball in his hand. "Well, they're used to be. To be kinder to everyone else due to how things are now, I've toned it down to just 20 Auriville coins. A discount, if you will."
"That's very generous of you. But you can change it back to the original price with these." Bea then opened the bag, revealing the massive amount of coins in it. The storekeeper's eyes went wide, his jaw dropping.
"W-What?" The storekeeper's voice was a whisper. "All of these?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"O-Of course not. This is...This is just unexpected. I don't think I've seen this much money in my life." The storekeeper picked up one of the Auriville coins, his fingers trembling. "These are real, aren't they?"
"I assure you they are. The Star Champion is to thank for this." Bea placed the Poke Balls in a bag, slinging it over her shoulder. She then grabbed another bag and filled it with items from the shelves, the storekeeper still staring in disbelief.
"Thank you for your purchase. We appreciate your business. Please come again." The storekeeper gave a weak smile, his voice quiet. Bea nodded, heading towards the door. She noticed Goh, who was holding a bag of his own, and motioned for him to follow.
"Goh. Come on. We're heading out." Bea called out, Goh looking at her in surprise.
"Huh? Oh, right." He followed her out of the store, the door closing behind them. The storekeeper watched them leave, his expression thoughtful.
As Bea and Goh left the shop, Bea looked at the newly obtained Poke Balls, wondering which Pokemon she would partner up with soon. So far, she only has Machop and soon, that could all grow. But as they were walking through the streets, of these slums, there was something that caught Bea's attenion up ahead.
Standing in the shades was a mysterious figure, watching the two of them with piercing eyes. The figure had a dark, foreboding presence, her cloak flowing in the wind. Her eyes were cold and calculating, her gaze unwavering.
"Who are you?" Bea asked, her body tense. She placed her hand on her Poke Ball, ready to unleash it at a moment's notice. "What do you want?"
But the figure said nothing. Instead, with narrowed eyes, they moved back into the shadows, disappearing from view.
"Hey!" Bea exclaimed, running after the figure. "Come back here!"
Goh ran after her, confused by what was happening. "Wait! Bea!"
Bea and Goh chased after the figure, Bea finding it rather odd that they were eyeing her and Goh down with such intensity. Her heart was pounding, her mind racing.
"I won't let you escape! Show yourself!" Bea yelled out as she and Goh continued their pursuit. However, the figure vanished, was outpacing them. Bea and Goh skidded to a halt, their breaths heavy.
"Bea...Did you have to start running immediately?!"
"Most likely, whoever that is is a part of the larger city and knowns of our arrival here. We need to be careful from here on out." Bea frowned, taking this seriously. To really prove herself, she wanted to take out any threat in advance before it even became one. "I refuse to let this one slip by!" Gaining energy back, Bea took off once more while Goh was still pantinig from the run.
Bea knew that running for this mysterious figure directly was no good, so she had to take different pathways to get to them. She weaved through the crowds of people, trying to keep her eyes on the figure. Bea then climbed up on top of the roof of a nearby building, her eyes scanning for the figure. She spotted the figure on a rooftop nearby, looking in her direction.
Goh ran after Bea, but his stamina quickly gave out. He collapsed against a wall, his breath ragged. "You...You can't just go running off like that..." He managed to say between breaths.
"Stay there." Bea commanded, narrowing her eyes.
Bea leapt from the roof, landing on the next building with ease. She continued to pursue the figure, her eyes never leaving their form. But the figure was fast, jumping from roof to roof with ease. They were agile, their movements swift and graceful.
Bea used her Machamp's abilities to scale walls and jump from building to building. This allowed her to keep up with the mysterious figure as she was gaining on them. She could feel the figure's power, their aura radiating through her body. It was a strong presence, almost overwhelming.
Bea managed to get close enough to the mysterious figure, but before she could grab them, they disappeared into thin air, vanishing without a trace.
Bea stopped in her tracks, confused and frustrated. "Where did they go...?" She muttered, looking around. But there was no sign of the figure. However, Bea was now on the lookout some more. Someone was aware of the Star Champion's group arriving here and Bea saw it for herself. She wouldn't let her guard down.