Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. Ash learns of the threat to the first floor and finally has his gym battle.
Chapter 11
The heat assaulted them mercilessly as they approached the landfill. An orange glow pulsed from somewhere within, its intensity visible even in broad daylight and casting strange shadows against the towering piles of refuse.
Ash wiped the sweat from his forehead as he led the group through a gap in the fence.
Steven and Sidney followed close behind, with three other cultivators bringing up the rear. Despite the temperature, which had to be over forty degrees, none of them showed any signs of discomfort. Their clothes remained crisp and dry, while Ash's shirt was already soaked with sweat.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Ash asked, pausing to check their surroundings.
Steven exchanged a glance with Sidney before responding. "When Arceus created the Tower, it used an immense amount of energy to reshape the world. Some of that energy wasn't used and crystallised into physical form."
"And that's what escaped from the well?"
"Yes. We call them Arceus Fragments," Sidney said. "They're scattered throughout the Tower."
Ash led them around a precarious stack of crushed cars. "If they're so important, why weren't they better protected?"
"Because we don't know where most of them are located," Steven replied. "Typically, they are dormant and cannot be detected by conventional means. But something woke this fragment up. I'm sure Team Magma is at least partially responsible."
They continued in silence for several minutes, picking their way through the maze-like paths. The heat grew more intense with each step.
"How many of these fragments have you found?" Ash asked.
"That's classified," one of the other cultivators snapped. The man's face was red despite his apparent resistance to the heat.
Steven held up a hand. "It's a fair question. The boy's risking his life to help us." He turned to Ash. "Only half a dozen, and they are heavily protected by the Overseers to ensure they remain dormant. These fragments have existed since the Tower's creation. We only discover them when something goes wrong."
"How dangerous are these fragments?"
"You will find out soon enough."
They picked their way forward, the heat growing more intense with each step. Small pieces of scrap had partially melted into the ground, creating a treacherous landscape that required careful navigation.
A distant roar echoed through the landfill, followed by the sound of crashing metal. The group paused, listening intently as the sound of falling debris cascaded through the artificial canyons of scrap.
"The Steelix are gathering near the pit," Ash said, pointing towards an intensifying glow ahead. "That's where we need to go. The pit isn't safe on the best of days. With the Steelix worked up like this—"
"We don't have a choice," Steven interrupted. "That fragment needs to be destroyed before it does irreparable damage. We've seen what happens when they're left unchecked."
Something in Steven's tone made Ash look at him sharply. "This has happened before?"
"Once," Steven replied grimly. "On the sixth floor. It devastated miles of land before it was brought under control."
Ash wanted to know more about the incident. Could it happen to this floor as well? If so, then he needed to get his mum to the second floor as soon as possible.
As they neared the pit, the air became almost unbreathable. Small pieces of scrap occasionally fell from the towering piles, softened by the extreme temperature.
"What exactly can these fragments do?" Ash asked.
"They contain a portion of Arceus's world-shaping power," Steven explained. "Think of them as engines of creation that never shut down. Each fragment seems programmed with a specific purpose. Once awakened, they'll continue their purpose indefinitely unless they are stopped."
"What's fuelling something that powerful?"
Sidney's expression darkened. "It consumes any material it can reach and uses it as fuel. But that's not the worst part. These fragments feed primarily on the Tower's ambient energy, the same energy that sustains all life here. The first floor barely has enough as it is."
"And when it runs out?" Ash asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Everything dies," Steven said quietly. "Plants, animals, people—especially the ones who can't cultivate. It would be like removing all the oxygen from the air. There is no place to hide on the first floor, other than the Tower."
The implications hit Ash like a physical blow. Energy wasn't just fuel for cultivators and Pokemon—it was woven into the very fabric of life in the Tower. Over centuries, human bodies had evolved to depend on it as surely as they needed oxygen to breathe. Even those who couldn't cultivate drew upon it unconsciously, their cells having adapted to its presence until it became as essential as blood flowing through their veins. If the fragment drained it all away. He pictured his mum and hundreds like her, slowly suffocating on an invisible poison of absence.
They reached the pit's edge, and Ash's breath caught in his throat. The scene below defied belief.
The pit, normally filled with crushed vehicles and industrial waste, had transformed into something otherworldly. In its centre, half-buried in the ground, sat what looked like a shard of pure sunlight. It pulsed with a blinding radiance that made the afternoon sun seem dim in comparison. From the earth around it welled up streams of molten rock, glowing orange-white and consuming everything in their path. The air above the lava shimmered so violently it looked like rippling water.
The Steelix had gathered around the pit's rim, their massive bodies weaving in agitation. The heat had turned their steel hides a dull red, and steam hissed from their joints as their internal fluids boiled. They seemed torn between their instinct to flee and some compulsion to stay near the fragment.
"Bloody hell," Ash whispered, raising his arm to shield his eyes.
Steven studied the churning lava with grim concentration. "This fragment's purpose is clear. Left unchecked, it will transform the entire floor into a hellish landscape."
"The Midden's already hell," Ash said with a bitter laugh. "Might as well make it official."
"Now we know why Team Magma was so interested," Sidney said. "Imagine controlling something with this kind of power. Instead, they've triggered a disaster that could kill everyone on this floor."
The fragment pulsed again, and another wave of lava burst from the ground, consuming a mountain of scrap metal as if it were paper.
"How do we even stop this thing?" Ash asked.
"It's simple," Sidney said. "We must destroy it before it becomes too powerful to stop."
"Melissa," Steven called, and the only woman among the group stepped forward. She was tall and lean, with close-cropped black hair and a composed demeanour. "You're the water specialist. Do you think you can drown some of its ardour?"
"Leave it to me," Melissa replied.
She released several pokeballs in quick succession. Water-type Pokemon materialised around her—a Milotic, a Gyarados whose size rivalled the Steelix, and a battle-scarred Kingdra. Ash watched in astonishment as she began a complex technique, her energy rippling outward like waves on a pond.
Dark clouds began gathering overhead, seemingly drawn from nowhere. They swirled and concentrated above the pit, growing denser by the second, turning the afternoon as dark as twilight. The next moment, rain hammered down in sheets, the drops so heavy they stung against Ash's exposed skin.
Steven and Sidney moved in practised coordination, releasing their own Pokemon. Steven's team emerged ready for battle—an Aggron, a Metagross and several others whose mere presence made Ash's cultivation sense tingle. The others followed suit, filling the air with flashes of red light. Ash could sense the power radiating from each creature—these weren't ordinary Pokemon.
Steven's Skarmory, in particular, caught his attention. The steel bird was enormous, easily twice the size of any Ash had seen before. If its size was proportional to its level, then it must be a monster.
"We will take to the skies," Steven said, gesturing towards his Skarmory. "This isn't the sort of environment where cultivators can fight. We will leave it up to our Pokemon."
The massive bird lowered itself, folding one wing to create a makeshift step. Its steel feathers were warm to the touch despite the rain, and Ash could feel the strength in its frame as they climbed aboard. Once they were settled, it spread its wings and launched upward with surprising grace for its size.
Ash gripped tightly onto the steel feathers, his knuckles white. The rain had made everything slick, and the updrafts from the heat below caused the Skarmory to bob and weave as it gained altitude. The heated air created powerful thermals that the massive bird had to navigate carefully, each adjustment sending them sliding slightly on its wet back.
"Why didn't we use Skarmory before?" Ash asked, shouting over the wind and rain. "We could have flown here instead of trudging through that heat."
"Experience has taught me to approach every fragment with extreme caution," Steven said. "The last one we encountered had dominion over gravity. We lost seven cultivators and their flying Pokemon before we understood what we were dealing with."
"The extreme heat we've been experiencing suggests we aren't dealing with the same thing," Sidney added. "Still, it pays to be cautious. These fragments aren't just powerful—they're unpredictable. Each one seems to have its own rules."
From their new vantage point, Ash could see the full scope of Melissa's rainfall. The water was having some effect—wherever it hit the lava, a black crust began to form, crackling and steaming as it cooled. The rain transformed into steam before it could reach the fragment itself, creating a perpetual cloud that rose from the pit like a miniature thunderhead.
But it wasn't enough. The fragment pulsed again with that terrible, sun-bright intensity, and fresh lava burst forth, obliterating the cooled sections. The rain hissed into steam before it could even reach the fragment itself. The heat was so intense that even at their height, Ash could feel it on his face.
"The rain's barely slowing it down," Ash shouted over the downpour, watching another wave of molten rock consume a pile of crushed cars as if they were made of wax.
Below them, the gathered Pokemon moved into position around the pit's edge, waiting for their trainers' commands. The wild Steelix had finally had enough and retreated from the pit.
Steam continued to rise from their joints in great white plumes, but they seemed more focused now, as if sensing the impending battle. Their steel bodies reflected the fragment's light, creating an eerie display of orange and red reflections through the rain.
The fragment's glow intensified, and Ash could feel its power even from their elevation—a pressure in his chest like standing too close to a massive speaker.
The cultivators spread out along Skarmory's back and started executing techniques to enhance their Pokemon's power.
Steven's Pokemon formed the vanguard of their assault. His Metagross hovered high above the pit. Each of its legs ended in wickedly sharp points that glowed with psychic energy, creating an array of floating sigils around its body. Its eyes blazed bright blue as it channelled power into a devastating Psybeam, the attack cleaving through steam and rain to strike the fragment. The impact sent shock waves rippling through the molten rock.
Below, Melissa's water-type Pokemon demonstrated why she was considered a specialist. Her Milotic and Gyarados moved in perfect synchronisation, their bodies forming a flowing yin-yang pattern as they circled the pit. Each revolution brought forth new waves of water that crashed against the lava flows. Her Kingdra maintained position directly above them, its snout pointed downward as it fired pressurised water bullets at the fragment.
Aggron anchored their ground forces, its thick hide glowing with the metallic sheen of Iron Defense. It braced itself at the pit's edge, legs spread wide and tail acting as a counterbalance as it unleashed precisely aimed Flash Cannon attacks. Each silver beam struck the fragment at the same point, attempting to exploit what Steven's keen eyes had identified as a potential weak spot.
The other trainers' Pokemon formed a defensive perimeter, their different types and abilities creating layers of protection. Their coordination spoke of countless hours of joint training.
"It's working!' Ash shouted.
"This is only the beginning," Steven said.
The fragment's first targeted attack came without warning—a lance of heat so intense it turned the rain to steam before it could even reach Skarmory. The steel bird banked hard to port, its crystalline feathers catching the light as it nearly turned vertical. Ash's stomach lurched as he clung to the rain-slicked feathers, his knuckles white with effort.
"Is this thing sentient?" Ash asked. "It seems a little too intelligent. It's a good strategy to take out the cultivators."
Steven's response was to raise both hands, purple energy cascading from his fingers to form a dome of protective force around them.
"Probably to some extent," he replied, his concentration divided between maintaining the shield and directing his Pokemon through their mental link.
The battle's momentum began to shift in their favour. Metagross had manoeuvred into an optimal position directly above the fragment, all four of its legs now pointing downward. Psychic energy coalesced between them, forming a pulsing sphere that grew larger with each passing second. When it finally released the attack, it wasn't a beam but a sustained torrent of psychic force that enveloped the entire fragment. Cracks began appearing on the crystal's surface, spreading like frost across glass.
The other Pokemon pressed their advantage. Melissa's water-types intensified their assault; the Milotic now launched Ice Beam attacks that flash-froze sections of lava while Gyarados launched several Hydro Pumps. Aggron coordinated with the Probopass, their steel-type attacks striking in alternating rhythms that prevented the fragment from adapting to any single pattern.
Then everything changed.
A second beam of fire swept across the battlefield like a scythe. Several Pokemon barely managed to dodge, while others took glancing hits that left them reeling. The attack's source revealed itself a moment later, rising from the lava like a malevolent star.
"What the hell?" Sidney exclaimed, leaning forward to peer through the rain and steam.
The second fragment was smaller but somehow more refined in its power, as if it had been waiting to learn from its larger sibling's mistakes. Where the first fragment's attacks had been broad and overwhelming, this one's were precise and tactical. It immediately began targeting the points where their defensive perimeter was weakest, forcing the Pokemon to abandon their carefully coordinated positions.
"There was another dormant fragment sleeping here," Steven said.
His fingers tightened on Skarmory's feathers as the bird executed another evasive manoeuvre, this one a complex spiral that left Ash's head spinning.
"What are the odds of that happening?" Ash asked.
"Before today, I would have said it was impossible."
"Is that why the first fragment came here?" Sidney mused. "Maybe we were underestimating its intelligence."
The battlefield had devolved into chaos. Skarmory's movements became increasingly desperate as it navigated the aerial assault, each dodge having to account for attacks from two different sources. Its crystalline feathers were beginning to glow from absorbed heat, and steam rose continuously from its rain-soaked form.
Below, the situation was deteriorating rapidly. The water Pokemon's attacks were being overwhelmed by the combined attacks of both fragments.
Even Metagross was showing signs of strain, its psychic attacks becoming less focused as it was forced to divide its attention between two threats. The smaller fragment seemed to recognise the threat it posed, concentrating its attacks whenever the steel-type attempted to reform its psychic siege.
"We must retreat," Steven announced. "We don't have the firepower to take out both fragments."
Melissa nodded, her face drawn with exhaustion. "It's the right call. I can't keep up this volume of rain for much longer, anyway."
Steven guided Skarmory lower through a series of careful descending spirals, giving the cultivators clean angles to recall their Pokemon. Metagross was the last to withdraw, maintaining a barrage of smaller psychic attacks to cover their retreat even as both fragments turned their full attention to the fleeing group.
As they gained altitude and speed, Ash looked back at the landfill. The fragments pulsed in synchronisation now, their combined power visibly growing. Their attacks had become more coordinated too, suggesting some form of communication between them.
"What causes fragments to awaken from their dormancy?" Ash asked.
Rain streamed down his face, and his clothes were soaked through from both water and sweat.
"Major disturbances," Steven said, keeping his eyes fixed ahead as Skarmory fought against turbulent air currents. "In the higher levels, it may be a cultivator breaking into a higher realm."
"How is that possible?"
"Once you reach the peak of the second realm, you have to face a tribulation from the Tower to reach the third and each subsequent realm. The energy that it generates is massive."
Ash frowned, processing this new information about cultivation requirements. Each new piece of knowledge about the Tower seemed to reveal how little he truly understood about his world.
"It may not be just one thing that awakens a fragment," Sidney said, giving Ash a meaningful glance. "There could be several incidents. Like the ruins collapsing."
Ash kept his expression carefully neutral. Had he contributed to waking the fragment? Kurt had mentioned strange weather patterns before the ruins collapsed. He wasn't the initiator, but he might have been part of the problem. But how was he supposed to have known?
Besides, even if he had known, would that have changed anything? The Steelium Core was an incredible find and not something that he could have given up. It was his and his mother's ticket out of this place. Some risks were worth taking.
"I need to get off this floor," Ash muttered, watching the glow of the fragments fade into the distance. "If only I could get my gym battle moved up."
Sidney slapped him on the shoulder. "You're not in immediate danger. Besides, we'll be back with reinforcements now that we know what we're dealing with."
"How long is that going to take?"
Sidney exchanged a glance with Steven before answering. "It may take some convincing. The first floor isn't exactly a priority for many of the higher-ups. But Steven has considerable influence. He should be able to gather enough support."
"They will come," Steven said. "The consequences of inaction would be catastrophic. What do you think will happen when everyone realises their lives are in danger?"
Ash paused, seeing the scenario play out in his mind. "They'll attack the Pillar."
"It's not just the people," Steven replied "The wild Pokemon will eventually realise it's their only escape when they become desperate."
Ash grimaced as he pictured hordes of desperate Pokemon attacking the Pillar. The wall might keep humans out, but what about the Pokemon? Against an army of them, driven by survival instinct... "That would be a bloodbath."
Ash guided his mother through the Pillar's main entrance, passing the bored-looking guard. His mum got to watch the gym battle because she was the one who would benefit if he managed to win the fight. All he had to do was pay the fee, but it was worth it.
The past week had been grim. The fragments had devoured the entire southern landfill, transforming it into a vast pit of lava. There was a bitter irony to it—if the fragments could have been controlled, they might have solved the floor's waste problem. Given enough time, they could have reshaped the environment entirely.
But the cost was too high. The floor's ambient energy had dropped sharply. Wild Pokemon had grown aggressive, making several attacks on Azalea Town. If Sidney hadn't stayed behind to help with defence, the town might have fallen.
Ash had adapted his training accordingly, setting aside his cultivation to focus on improving his Pokemon's teamwork.
He stopped short when he reached the battle arena. Steven and Sidney were waiting by the entrance, deep in conversation.
"What are they doing here?" The words came out before he could stop them.
"Don't be rude, Ash," Delia chided, stepping forward to greet the cultivators with a warm smile.
After the pleasantries, Ash repeated his question more directly.
"We've returned with reinforcements to deal with the fragments," Steven said, his grey eyes studying Ash with that familiar intensity. "But I'm curious to see how you perform in your gym battle."
"You're going to win," Sidney added with a knowing grin. "I've got a good feeling about this."
Ash suppressed a sigh. He'd hoped to keep his abilities under wraps a bit longer. His strategy hinged on the electrified spikes—there'd be no hiding his liquid metal manipulation after that. He'd known he couldn't keep it secret forever, but he'd wanted to at least get past Steven's scrutiny first.
They entered the arena together. Everyone wished him luck before heading to the spectator seats, leaving him alone as he walked onto the battlefield.
Ash stepped onto the elevated platform. His opponent was already in position—a man in his twenties wearing the standard gym trainer uniform. The referee stood at the edge of the stage, hands clasped behind his back. According to Ash's research, these refs were cultivators who specialised in barrier techniques, containing stray attacks within the arena.
He glanced up at the stands, surprised by the number of spectators. At least two dozen people surrounded his mum. This had to be Steven's reinforcements for dealing with the fragments.
His eyes narrowed as he spotted Sidney sitting particularly close to his mum. The cultivator leaned in to say something, and he could see her laughing. Ash clenched his jaw. Was that bastard flirting with her?
"You seem awfully distracted," his opponent called out.
Ash dragged his attention back to the battle at hand, studying the man properly for the first time. He was lean and weathered, dressed in a battle uniform composed of colours representing fire. Around his waist hung several pokeballs. From his attire, it looked like he was facing a fire-type trainer.
"I didn't expect an audience," Ash said.
"My name is Hideyoshi." His opponent bowed formally, the gesture precise and practised. "I'm from the Flame Lotus dojo on the third floor. I must admit, it's unusual for a first-floor trainer to draw this much attention."
"Well, things happened."
Hideyoshi's smile held no warmth. "Ash Ketchum, a steel-type trainer. They selected me specifically to exploit your weaknesses. This won't be the easy victory you're hoping for."
"Don't assume anything about me," Ash replied. "I have too much riding on this battle."
"As do I." Hideyoshi's expression hardened. "Being an official trainer for the Ascension League comes with privileges, but the price of failure is steep."
"What do you mean?"
"If I lose, I drop to the second floor and lose my League status." Hideyoshi's voice was flat. "I have to wait one year before I can challenge another gym leader to return to the third floor. Only actual gym leaders are immune to this rule. Second-tier trainers like myself?" He shook his head. "We face the same consequences as everyone else."
Ash's eyes widened as the implications sank in. His opponent was fighting to maintain his entire way of life. This changed things. His opponent would be just as desperate for victory as he was, maybe more so. Once again, he found himself cursing the Ascension System's brutal framework. It seemed designed to pit people against each other in the cruellest ways possible.
The referee stepped forward, his voice carrying across the arena. "This will be a two-on-two battle with no substitutions. The match ends when either a Pokemon or trainer is rendered unconscious or forfeits. Due to the challenger having a dependent, stricter rules apply. Challenger must release first, and in the event of a tie, the challenger loses."
Ash's stomach clenched. So, he had to win both battles. Truly unfair.
"So, if either trainer is incapacitated, they lose the match?" Ash asked.
The referee nodded. "But you can only fight while your Pokemon are in battle. Once their fight is over, you must stop."
"Thinking of targeting me directly?" Hideyoshi asked with amusement. "It's your funeral."
The stage shifted beneath them, rocky terrain rising from the metal floor. Ash surveyed the battlefield, considering his options. His opponent would likely expect Blitz or Bastion, preparing counters for their weaknesses—fighting, ground, fire, or water types. If he wanted to seize the initiative, he needed to surprise Hideyoshi.
"Blade, you're up!" Ash released his Drilbur.
Hideyoshi raised his eyebrow. "So, you were hiding a third Pokemon. Things got a little more interesting."
He tossed his pokeball, releasing a Monferno that immediately took a fighting stance.
Ash grimaced. An evolved Pokemon wasn't going to be easy, but at least he hadn't sent out Blitz first. A fire-fighting type would have been an awful matchup.
Ash activated Harden, encasing his body in an extra layer of defence.
The battle erupted without warning. Monferno launched forward, its body a blur of orange and red as flames wreathed its fists. Blade met the charge head-on, his smaller stature allowing him to duck under the first punch. He immediately retaliated, claws raking through the rocky ground to fling mud towards Monferno's eyes. The fire-type twisted away, but some of the mud still caught its face, temporarily disrupting its vision.
Hideyoshi moved in perfect sync with his Pokemon, crossing the distance to Ash in three fluid steps. His stance shifted seamlessly into an attack—right foot forward, weight balanced, hips rotating into a devastating roundhouse kick. The attack came at head height, forcing Ash to drop into an awkward crouch.
Through their mental link, Ash sensed Blade's growing frustration. The Fire-type was faster, each punch becoming a streak of light that Blade struggled to counter. When the Drilbur tried to deflect with Metal Claw, Monferno's superior speed proved overwhelming. The punch connected with Blade's chest, sending him skidding across the rocks.
Hideyoshi pressed his advantage against Ash, each strike flowing into the next with practised precision. A punch grazed Ash's shoulder, the force spinning him off balance. The follow-up strike would have connected if Ash hadn't instinctively raised his arm—liquid metal flowing from his sleeve to form a gleaming gauntlet that caught Hideyoshi's fist with a metallic clang.
In the stands, Steven rose from his seat, grey eyes intense.
"What the hell was that?" Sidney exclaimed. "Our boy has been hiding something from us."
"I told you so," Steven said. "His metal manipulation isn't normal. It's more than just Steel-type affinity."
"What do you mean?" Delia asked.
"It means he found something in those ruins."
Delia's hands twisted in her lap. "You better not target Ash out of greed."
Sidney raised his hands placatingly. "Woah, Steven wouldn't do that."
"Well, I would if I could gain something from it," Steven said bluntly, causing Delia to frown.
"Relax. Whatever fortune Ash gained, it's useless to me now." A ghost of a smile crossed Steven's face. "Still, it would be interesting to study him."
On the battlefield, Blade found himself overwhelmed by Monferno's relentless assault. The fire-type moved like liquid fire, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next. A punch grazed Blade's shoulder, the heat alone singing his fur. Before he could recover, Monferno was already behind him, its tail wreathed in flames as it swept Blade's legs.
Through their connection, Ash felt every impact, every burn. His fight with Hideyoshi mirrored his Pokemon's struggle—both trainer and Pokemon finding themselves outmatched in pure speed and technique. The fire-type's movements spoke of countless hours of refinement, each attack precisely calculated to maintain constant pressure.
Blade attempted to create distance with Rapid Spin, his rotating form throwing up clouds of dust and debris. But Monferno treated the rocky battlefield like an extension of its body, using each boulder as a launching point. It rebounded between three rocks in rapid succession, appearing above Blade with its fist cocked back. The impact drove Blade into the ground hard enough to crack the stone beneath him.
The liquid metal gauntlet on Ash's arm creaked under Hideyoshi's latest assault. Each block drained more of his energy, the technique requiring constant focus to maintain.
Desperation sparked innovation. Through their mental link, Ash shared a strategy born of countless hours of training. Blade began a new pattern of Rapid Spins, but this time each rotation had a purpose. The first spin shattered a boulder to Monferno's left, the second destroyed its landing point, and the third eliminated its escape route. Piece by piece, they dismantled the fire-type's mobility advantage.
Monferno adapted instantly, its body erupting into a spinning inferno that melted through the remaining rocks. The heat was so intense that patches of stone liquefied, casting an orange glow across the battlefield. When Blade attempted to counter with Metal Claw, the temperature forced him to abort.
Hideyoshi seized the moment, pressing forward with devastating combination strikes. Fighting-type energy coursed through his fists, each impact sending spiderweb cracks through Ash's metal defence. One particularly vicious blow nearly penetrated the gauntlet entirely, the force reverberating up Ash's arm.
Blade executed their practised countermeasure with mechanical precision. Each Rapid Spin now served multiple purposes—creating a visual cover, testing Monferno's defenses, and, most importantly, saturating the battlefield with fine dust and rock particles. The debris cloud grew thicker with each rotation until it formed a hanging curtain across the arena.
Monferno's response was spectacular—it's Flame Wheel cutting through the dust like a meteor, leaving a trail of superheated air in its wake. But in solving one problem, it created another. The intense light from its flames cast stark shadows through the debris cloud, telegraphing its movements like a spotlight.
Blade waited until Monferno fully committed to its charge, timing his Mud Slap with surgical precision. The slick earth wasn't aimed at Monferno's eyes this time, but rather at the exact point where its spin would carry it. Physics did the rest—the fire-type's momentum becoming its undoing.
As Monferno's rotation destabilised, Blade struck. Metal Claw manifested with crystalline clarity, raking across Monferno's exposed flank. The impact carried them both into one of the few remaining boulders, the rock exploding into fragments from the force.
For a moment, everything stilled. Then Monferno's flames sputtered and died, its unconscious form slumping to the ground.
The referee raised his flag. "First round to the challenger!"
In the quiet aftermath, Ash allowed himself one shaky breath. One victory down, but the hardest part was still to come. He still had his hidden ace, though, saving it by defending for the majority of the first round. It was his game plan all along, but it had been a risky one. It would take Hideyoshi by surprise when he went on the offensive in the next round.
He'd have to end the next round quickly—he doubted he would last in another drawn-out battle. At least, that was the plan.
"One more to go!" Delia's voice cut through the tension. She leapt to her feet, practically vibrating with excitement. "You got this!"
Ash raised his fist in the air. "Of course."
Hideyoshi sighed. "It seems I went too easy on you in the first round. It's time to stop fooling around and take this seriously."
Ash's eyes widened as a powerful aura erupted from Hideyoshi's body.
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, the match continues.
Patrons get access to advanced chapters for all of my stories. Read my profile for information on how to join if you are interested.
Thanks for reading.