Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. Ash hunts for a new Pokemon and continues his training.
Chapter 10
Ash sat cross-legged on his bedroom floor, the newly acquired technical reader placed before him. The device was smaller than he'd expected—about the size of his palm, with a crystal-shaped depression in its centre. Its surface was covered in intricate circuitry that glowed faintly.
He pulled out the velvet pouch containing the Technical Memories. Five crystals clinked together as he emptied them onto the floor, each one pulsing with a different colour energy.
"Right then," he muttered, picking up the manual. "Insert crystal, channel a small amount of energy, and wait for analysis. Beware that damaged or improperly formatted crystals may shatter during the reading process. Bloody hell."
Selecting the first crystal—a deep crimson one that seemed to radiate heat—Ash placed it carefully in the reader. He channelled a small amount of energy through his fingers into the device.
The crystal's glow intensified, and text appeared on the reader's display: "Flamethrower detected. Power: 90. Accuracy: 100. Compatible with the following Pokemon..."
The device displayed a list of compatible Pokemon, though Ash suspected it was incomplete. None of his Pokemon appeared among those listed. He'd learned through his research that Technical Memories came with strict requirements. Pokemon needed to reach specific levels before they could learn new techniques, and moves outside their natural repertoire often demanded additional conditions—proper training methods, compatible typing, or even certain items.
The accuracy rating caught his attention, though he knew better than to take it at face value. Such ratings assumed perfect conditions: clear visibility, stationary targets, and no environmental interference. Real battles were chaos incarnate. Weather effects could obscure vision, Pokemon abilities could affect perception, and defensive techniques like Double Team could throw off even the most precise attacks. Yet despite these complications, a technique with perfect base accuracy was invaluable. Unlike techniques with inherent uncertainty, any miss would be due to external factors that could be planned for and countered.
The second crystal had a greyish sheen. As soon as he placed it in the reader, he felt something was wrong. The crystal's energy signature felt unstable, its glow flickering erratically.
"Detecting multiple move signatures," the reader displayed. "Warning: Crystal integrity compromised."
Ash quickly removed it before it could shatter. Another lesson about Technical Memories—they could degrade over time if not properly stored.
The third crystal glowed with a metallic silver light that caught his interest.
"Iron Head detected. Compatible with Steel-type Pokemon. Power: 80. Accuracy: 100."
"Amazing," Ash breathed. This move could be perfect for Bastion, providing a powerful physical Steel-Type attack that could cause flinching.
The only problem was that Bastion needed to be level twenty or higher to learn it. Furthermore, it was likely Bastion could learn the move naturally as he levelled up. If that were the case, then it would be a waste to teach it to him. He would have to do some more research on the technique.
The fourth crystal was darker, almost black, with purple undertones. The reader took longer to analyse it.
"Payback detected. Compatible with all Pokemon. Power: 50, which doubles if the user strikes within half a second of receiving an attack. Accuracy: 100."
Interesting. This was a move that Bastion could use, given his role as a tank capable of absorbing a large amount of damage. However, he needed two more levels before he could learn it.
The final crystal had an odd, shifting quality to its energy. When he put it in the reader, the display flickered a few times before stabilising.
"Double Team detected. Compatible with all trainers. Status move: Creates illusory copies, increasing their evasiveness. It also allows the trainer to switch places with a copy within a certain range. "
Ash's eyes widened as he processed the implications. Double Team could be a game-changer, creating openings for his Pokemon while making him a harder target. Combined with his Steelium spikes and Thunder Wave, he could catch his opponents off guard and ensure his attacks didn't miss. An opponent couldn't dodge what they couldn't predict—even a seasoned cultivator would struggle to track multiple threats while maintaining their battle focus.
The obstacle was significant, though. Learning another status technique required reaching the eighth stage of the Nascent Realm. Then he would have to put some effort into learning the technique. It wasn't enough to absorb the knowledge contained within the crystal.
Ash stood and walked to his window, staring out at the wasteland. He planned to find a Drilbur tomorrow. Then would begin two weeks of absolute hell—training that would either break him or forge him into something capable of ascending the Tower. There was no middle ground anymore.
The northwestern region of the first floor stretched before Ash like a jagged wound in the earth. Massive rock formations thrust upward at unnatural angles, their surfaces scarred by deep gouges—a testament to the Steel-type Pokemon that hunted here. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the waste, turning innocent rocks into menacing silhouettes.
Ash paused at the region's threshold, taking in details he'd only read about. The ground was different here; rather than the compacted refuse of the landfills, the soil was dense and mineral-rich, streaked with veins of iron ore that glinted dully in the sunlight. The air carried a metallic tang that made his tongue tingle.
"Right then," he muttered, pulling out his weathered map. "Drilbur sightings are most common in the eastern quadrant, about three kilometres in."
Blitz hovered nearby, his magnets spinning faster than usual. The Magnemite's single eye darted between the rock formations, his movements sharp and alert. The high mineral content in the area seemed to affect him, making him more energetic but also more erratic.
Bastion trudged alongside them, each step deliberate. His primary goal was to protect Ash in case of an attack, so he remained close to him.
A distant roar echoed across the wasteland, followed by the unmistakable sound of metal scraping against stone. Ash instinctively dropped into a crouch, gesturing for his Pokemon to take cover behind a rust-coloured boulder.
"That's a Steelix," he whispered, extending his senses. The cultivation energy within him responded sluggishly, as if the very air was opposing his efforts. "Bloody hell, there's something wrong with this place. The energy flow is all twisted up."
He'd read about this phenomenon—areas where the Tower's natural energy currents became distorted, creating dead zones or areas of turbulence. This region was notorious for it, which explained why so few cultivators ventured here despite the valuable Pokemon and iron deposits. Unless they were truly desperate, no ordinary person from the first floor would dare come here either.
Their path forward was a treacherous maze of ravines and unstable rock formations. Ash studied the terrain, mapping out their route. The most direct path was also the most exposed. The safer route would add an hour to their journey but offered more cover.
"We'll take the low road," he decided, pointing to a series of interconnected gullies. "Blitz, I need you to scout ahead. Ten-metre range, no further. Bastion, you're our rear guard. If anything moves behind us, I want to know immediately."
His Pokemon responded with practised efficiency. They'd drilled these manoeuvres countless times, though never in terrain this dangerous. Blitz zipped forward, keeping low to the ground, while Bastion took up position behind Ash, its red eyes scanning vigilantly.
They moved carefully through the gully system. The walls rose five metres high in places, formed from layers of compressed sediment and ore.
Their first real challenge came at a junction where three gullies met. A pack of Aron had claimed the area; the small Steel-types clustered around an exposed vein of ore. Their grinding teeth created an unnerving echo in the enclosed space.
Ash held up his fist—the signal to freeze. Unlike his Bastion, these Aron were wild, their hides scarred, and their eyes holding the feral gleam of Pokemon that had never known human contact. More worryingly, they were larger than average, suggesting they were higher level than the Aron he typically encountered near Oldale Town.
"We'll need to backtrack," he whispered, keeping his voice barely audible. "Can't risk—"
A shadow passed overhead, plunging their position into momentary darkness. Ash's heart nearly stopped as he looked up. A Skarmory soared past, its wingspan easily twice that of a normal specimen.
The Aron pack scattered instantly, disappearing into holes in the gully walls. Ash pressed himself against the rock face, pulling his Pokemon close. The Skarmory circled once, its keen eyes scanning the ground, before banking sharply and heading north.
After the Skarmory's departure, they continued deeper into the wasteland. The gullies gradually widened into a series of interconnected bowls, each depression deeper than the last. The terrain here showed clear signs of Pokemon activity—spiral patterns in the rock where something had drilled through, perfectly circular holes disappearing into the darkness.
Ash pulled out his Pokedex, switching it to analysis mode. The device's screen flickered as it struggled with the region's magnetic interference. "Filter for Ground-type activity patterns," he muttered, adjusting the settings. "Last forty-eight hours."
The screen lit up with a heat map, showing concentrated activity in the largest depression about two hundred metres ahead. But reaching it meant crossing an exposed stretch of terrain that made Ash's skin crawl.
"Time to test something," he said, kneeling to place his palm flat against the ground. He channelled a small amount of energy through the Steelium in his body, sending it into the earth. The liquid metal acted as a conductor, enhancing his ability to sense vibrations.
Each day seemed to reveal new applications for this mysterious substance. Sometimes he'd discover them by accident—like when he'd found that electricity conducted through it far better than regular steel. Other times, careful experimentation would yield promising results, such as his ability to separate small portions from his body.
Yet for every capability he uncovered, Ash sensed plenty more lying dormant, waiting to be discovered. The cultivation manual showed that master practitioners could form entire suits of armour or manipulate multiple separate pieces simultaneously. But it didn't go into detail about the lesser and more obscure abilities. At his current level, controlling even a small amount required intense concentration. But as his cultivation progressed and his Steelium reserves increased, he could feel his control becoming more refined and new possibilities opening up for him.
The feedback was immediate and overwhelming. Hundreds of tiny tremors rippled through the earth—Pokemon burrowing, fighting, hunting. Ash gritted his teeth, forcing himself to filter through the chaos. About fifty metres down and thirty metres ahead, something larger was moving systematically through the rock.
"Got you," he whispered, pulling his hand back. The residual sensation left his arm tingling. "Blitz, hover mode three. Bastion, formation two."
His Pokemon responded instantly. Blitz rose to a higher elevation, positioning itself to better monitor their surroundings while maintaining a smaller visible profile. Bastion moved to Ash's left side, slightly ahead, ready to intercept any frontal attacks.
They advanced cautiously across the open ground. Ash kept his senses extended despite the strain, tracking the underground movement. The creature—hopefully their target Drilbur—was moving in a distinct pattern, suggesting it was either hunting or searching for minerals.
A glint of metal caught Ash's eye. Half-buried in the soil was a crude pickaxe; its handle rotted away. "Someone else tried mining here," he observed. "Didn't end well for them, I'd wager."
The ground's composition changed as they entered the depression. The soil became looser, mixed with fine metal shavings that made each step slightly treacherous. Bastion was managing fine, but Ash had to watch his footing carefully.
His Pokedex beeped softly—movement detected ahead. Ash raised his hand, signalling his Pokemon to halt. The earth began to tremble, subtle at first but growing stronger.
"Defensive formation," Ash commanded, dropping into a fighting stance. He activated Harden, adding an extra layer of protection over his body.
The ground erupted three metres to their right. A Drilbur burst forth, soil cascading off its dark grey fur. Its claws were noticeably longer and sharper than average and gleamed with a metallic sheen.
Ash's Pokedex automatically scanned the Pokemon. "Level fifteen Drilbur detected," it reported. "Note: Attack parameters exceed normal range for its level."
"Definitely not making this easy," Ash muttered, studying Drilbur's stance. Its muscle definition and the way it held itself suggested serious battle experience. It was a survivor, hardened by life in one of the first floor's most dangerous regions.
The Drilbur's eyes narrowed as it assessed them, its claws twitching in what Ash recognised as a pre-attack tell.
"Blitz, suppressing pattern, Theta! Bastion, brace for impact!"
The Drilbur chose that moment to attack, diving forward with impressive speed. But instead of attacking directly, it launched a Mud Slap, before boring into the ground at an angle. Bastion and Ash, in perfect coordination, dodged the attack.
"Clever," Ash said, feeling the vibrations through his feet. "It's going to try to—Bastion, jump now!"
The Aron leapt just as Drilbur burst from the ground beneath it. Blitz unleashed a Gyro Ball, but the Drilbur was already moving, its body spinning like a top as it retreated underground.
The battle devolved into a dangerous game of prediction. Each time Drilbur surfaced, its attacks came from different angles, testing their defences. Ash kept his feet moving, never staying still for more than a few seconds. Even a moment's hesitation could mean taking an attack from below.
Ash relaid his next set of orders, his mind racing through calculations. Every time Drilbur went underground, he tracked its movement through his Steelium-enhanced senses. The Ground-type was clever, changing depths and speeds to throw off their timing.
Bastion's claws tore into the earth, shredding the soil into loose patches that would be harder for Drilbur to navigate. Meanwhile, Blitz's Gyro Balls struck strategic points, the impacts sending vibrations through the ground that interfered with Drilbur's movement patterns.
A sudden shift in the vibrations made Ash's eyes widen. "It's coming up between us! Split formation!"
His Pokemon darted apart just as Drilbur erupted from the ground, its claws glowing with metallic energy. It had shortened its Metal Claw mid-attack, transforming it into rapid slashing movements that forced both Pokemon to retreat further.
"Bloody hell, it's good," Ash muttered, watching how Drilbur maintained pressure on both his Pokemon simultaneously. The Ground-type's movement was economical; no energy was wasted on flashy displays. Each attack flowed into the next, keeping Blitz and Bastion off balance.
Time to change tactics. He issued a new command over their bond.
Bastion responded instantly, summoning rocks in a circular pattern that narrowed towards the centre. Drilbur noticed the trap and dove underground again, but this time Ash was ready. He shouted out his commands in his excitement.
"Blitz, Gyro Ball! Bastion, Metal Claw the rocks—send the shrapnel down the holes!"
The combination attack worked better than expected. The Gyro Ball drove down through the hole the Drilbur created and struck the Pokemon before it could escape. The shrapnel followed a moment later, bombarding the Drillbur with several sharp fragments that caused further damage.
Drilbur burst from the ground again, this time showing signs of fatigue. Its body was marred with scratches, and its breathing was heavier. But its eyes still held that fierce determination that had drawn Ash to it in the first place.
"Now we've got you," Ash said, his hand moving to the Fast Ball at his belt.
Blitz unleashed a rapid series of grey spheres, each one precisely aimed to limit Drilbur's movement options. Meanwhile, Bastion charged forward, its steel body glowing as it prepared another Metal Claw.
Drilbur proved it still had some fight left in it. It met Bastion's charge head-on, their metallic attacks clashing in a shower of sparks. The impact created a shockwave that kicked up dust and debris.
With a thought, Ash summoned a spike of Steelium onto his hand. He cast Thunder Wave on the spike before throwing it forward. The spike barely managed to lodge into the Drilbur's body, causing the Pokemon to freeze momentarily.
Ash grinned. His theory had been correct. His Thunder Wave could still work on Ground-Type Pokemon, but he needed to penetrate their skin for it to be effective.
Ash retrieved the Fast Ball from his belt and threw it at the Drilbur. The ball struck true, converting Drilbur to energy in a flash of red light. It fell to the ground and began to shake violently. Ash held his breath, watching as the ball rocked back and forth. Drilbur's fierce spirit was fighting the capture mechanism with everything it had left.
One shake. Two shakes. The ball froze for a moment, trembling...
Three shakes, and finally, the soft 'ping' of a successful capture.
Ash strode forward and picked up the pokeball, feeling both excited and relieved that he had captured the Drilbur and it had gone off without incident.
"Outstanding work, you two," he said, checking his Pokemon for injuries. Bastion had a few scratches on its steel hide, but nothing serious.
The soil around them told the story of the fight—dozens of tunnel entrances, scattered rock fragments from the Rock Tomb attacks, and patches of scorched earth from Blitz's electrical assaults. Several meters of torn-up ground showcased Drilbur's impressive drilling capabilities.
"Right then," Ash muttered. "Let's make our new team member official."
Ash closed his eyes and reached out with his consciousness. The moment he made contact with Drilbur's mind, he understood why Ground-Types were considered challenging to bond with. Its mental defences were like layers of compressed earth, each one denser than the last.
He pushed gently against the outer layer, testing its resistance. The barrier held firm, but Ash noticed something interesting—like soil, it responded to steady pressure rather than forceful strikes. He adjusted his approach, letting his consciousness seep into the microscopic gaps between layers.
Images began flowing between them. From Drilbur, he received flashes of life in the wasteland—endless hunts for mineral deposits, battles with larger Pokemon, and the constant vigilance needed to survive. The Pokemon's existence had been a solitary one, driven by the need to grow stronger.
In return, Ash shared his own experiences and ambitions. He showed Drilbur—now mentally designated as 'Blade'—the potential for growth through their partnership. The image of evolution into Excadrill resonated strongly, creating ripples through their developing connection.
The barriers began to shift, not so much breaking down as reorganising. Like geological strata realigning, Drilbur's mental defences transformed into a structure that accommodated their bond while maintaining its fundamental strength.
When Ash opened his eyes, he expanded the pokeball and released Blade. The Pokemon looked around for a moment before studying him with interest. Through their fresh connection, he could feel the Pokemon's cautious optimism—and its intense desire to grow stronger.
"Let's check your parameters," Ash said, delving into his mind palace.
Blade was level fifteen, with the ability Sand Force—a power that enhanced Ground, Rock, and Steel-Type moves during sandstorms. Its move set consisted of Scratch, Mud Slap, Rapid Spin, and Metal Claw.
Additionally, it had one status technique for Ash to master: Hone Claws, which boosted both Attack and Accuracy by one stage.
Blade's standout attributes were its HP, Attack, and Speed stats. While its Defense was average, the HP pool helped compensate for this weakness.
Being a Ground-type meant Blade couldn't benefit from Ash's cultivation technique or tap into the Steel-Type energy stored in his Steelium core. However, having already reached level fifteen, this limitation wasn't a major setback. While it would take longer to level the Pokemon up, that was a problem he could deal with once the gym battle was finished.
A distant roar reminded them they were still in dangerous territory. "Time to head back," Ash said, standing. "We've got two weeks to get you battle-ready."
After disposing of the non-functional Fast Ball, Ash recalled Blade into his Mind Palace and set out toward Azalea Town.
The addition of a third Pokemon to his team required discretion. Though uncertain whether the gym leader had already looked into his background, Ash wasn't willing to risk discovery. He needed to locate a secluded training ground—somewhere he could develop Blade's abilities away from prying eyes.
The sun was setting as Ash entered Azalea Town. His muscles ached from the day's exertions, and his clothes were covered in the reddish dust from the wasteland. A few townspeople gave him curious looks as he passed, but no one approached.
Kurt was outside his house, attending to the garden. The old man looked up as Ash approached, his weathered face creasing into a knowing smile.
"Successful hunt, then?" Kurt asked, noting Ash's dishevelled state.
"That obvious, is it?"
"You've got that look about you," Kurt replied. "The one that says you've found something worth the risk."
Ash nodded. "Your pokeball worked perfectly, by the way. It's reassuring to have one that increases the capture rate."
"Good to hear," Kurt said, returning to his work. "Let me know if you need any more."
He bid Kurt goodbye and continued home, his mind already turning to the evening's tasks.
The house lights were on when he arrived, and the smell of cooking filled the air. His mum had taken to preparing proper meals since they'd moved to Azalea Town, a welcome change from their previous circumstances.
"I'm back," he called out, removing his dusty boots at the door.
Delia emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Her eyes immediately went to the new pokeball on his belt.
"You found one, then?" she asked, though her tone suggested she'd never doubted he would.
"A Drilbur," Ash confirmed, releasing the Pokemon. "Mum, meet Blade."
Blade materialised in their small living room, his dark eyes taking in the new environment with curiosity. Through their bond, Ash could sense his surprise at the domestic setting—so different from the harsh territory he was used to.
"Hello there," Delia said warmly, kneeling to Blade's level. "Welcome to our family."
Blade tilted its head, studying her. After a moment, he gave a small nod of acknowledgement, its claws relaxing from their usual ready position.
"It's already showing better manners than you did at that age," Delia teased, standing up. "Dinner's almost ready. You can tell me all about the hunt while we eat."
Over dinner—a hearty stew that helped restore his energy—Ash recounted the day's events. He described the wasteland's challenges and the intense battle. His mother listened intently, asking occasional questions about the decisions he'd made.
"Two weeks isn't much time," she observed as he finished his story. "Are you sure you can get it battle-ready?"
"Blade's already a strong fighter," Ash replied. "It's just a matter of refining that strength, teaching it to work with Blitz and Bastion."
He pulled out his notebook and began jotting down some ideas.
"You'll be pushing yourself hard," Delia noted, reading the notebook over his shoulder.
"No choice, really," Ash said. "The gym battle's too important to leave anything to chance."
His mother was quiet for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "Your father would be proud, you know. Seeing how far you've come."
Ash looked up, surprised. They rarely spoke about his father. "Yeah?"
"He always said the first floor bred a special kind of strength," Delia continued. "The kind you can't get from just having access to resources."
Ash nodded, understanding what she meant. Everything they'd achieved had been earned through struggle and determination. Even now, with better circumstances and more resources, that fundamental truth hasn't changed.
"Right then," he said, standing. "I need to get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day."
Ash found a cave a kilometre west of Azalea Town. It didn't look like anyone came to the place, so it was the perfect place for him to train. Each morning, he'd slip away before dawn, careful to make sure no one followed him.
He'd spotted Sidney and Steven questioning the townspeople about the Slowpoke Well. Steven's presence made him uneasy, as he had caught the man watching him on several occasions, but he forced himself to focus on preparation.
Ash drilled his Pokemon through various scenarios. They practised with different Pokemon types in mind, adjusting their strategy based on type advantages and weaknesses.
Blade's tunnelling capabilities could revolutionise their battle strategy, but the arena's terrain would be crucial. Standard configurations typically featured packed earth or rocky ground—perfect for Blade's subterranean tactics. Yet Ash had to account for other possibilities. A water-based arena would render Blade's digging useless, forcing them to rely solely on above-ground combat. Metal flooring would prove equally challenging, though Blade's claws might still carve through thinner panels.
Ash had studied records of previous gym battles. Seventy percent featured terrestrial terrain variations, which favoured their strategy. Still, he couldn't shake the suspicion that if his opponent discovered Blade's presence on his team, they might specifically request a countering terrain. He'd need backup plans for every scenario.
His training intensified. Each morning began with cultivation exercises, followed by combat drills. He practised throwing his Steelium spikes while dodging imaginary attacks, gradually improving his accuracy and speed. The spiritual potions he'd purchased amplified his progress, though their bitter taste never got easier to stomach.
The spiritual potions were losing their potency, each dose providing diminishing returns. His body had begun to adapt, requiring more of the crude elixir to achieve the same effect. The trader's basic concoctions simply couldn't match his growing needs.
Higher-quality potions were available at the Pillar's marketplace. But their prices made him wince. A single vial cost as much as twenty of the trader's potions, and he'd likely need several. Such an investment would devastate his savings, leaving little for their eventual ascension to the second floor. He couldn't risk leaving himself and his mum destitute just to speed up his cultivation.
On the seventh day, he achieved the eighth stage of the Nascent Realm. The breakthrough came during a particularly gruelling training session, his energy reserves suddenly expanding as he pushed through his limits.
Without hesitation, Ash absorbed the Double Team crystal's essence. The technique's knowledge flooded his mind—a complex web of energy manipulation and light distortion that left him reeling. Creating convincing copies required precise control over one's energy signature, splitting it into identical fragments while maintaining each illusion's stability. The concept alone was daunting; mastering it in a week seemed nearly impossible.
Still, he couldn't afford to dismiss it. He developed two battle strategies: a conservative approach relying solely on his proven abilities and an aggressive variant incorporating Double Team's potential. If he managed to master the technique, it could provide the edge he needed.
Ash shifted into a fighting stance, channelling energy through his body. The Steelium responded instantly, flowing down his arm and encasing his fist in liquid metal. His punch cut through the air with explosive force, the impact sending vibrations through the cave.
"Not good enough," he muttered, wiping sweat from his face.
The heat was becoming unbearable. Even in the relative cool of the cave, temperatures had risen to uncomfortable levels. Something felt off about the weather. November usually brought mild days and cool nights, as it was the last month of Autumn before Winter arrived. But the past week felt more like midsummer.
Ash trudged back towards town, his muscles aching from the morning's training. He spotted Sidney and Steven waiting near Kurt's house, their crisp appearance suggesting they'd been there a while. Both wore light, expensive-looking clothing that seemed impervious to the heat.
"Ash," Sidney called out, waving him over. Unlike their previous encounters, his usual grin was absent.
Ash approached cautiously, noting how Steven's eyes tracked his movement. "What can I help you with?"
"We heard you know your way around the southern landfill," Sidney said. It wasn't a question.
Ash nodded. There was no point denying it—they'd been asking around. The real question was how much else they'd discovered about him. Had they learnt about his connection to Oldale Town?
"Why do you want to go there?" Ash asked.
"You've noticed this heat wave we're experiencing?"
"It's hard not to."
"Steven and I don't think it's natural," Sidney continued, confirming Ash's suspicions. "Whatever Team Magma released from the well has been spotted again in the landfill. The Steelix are agitated—more than usual."
Ash's brows furrowed. "Do you know what it is?"
Steven and Sidney exchanged glances.
"We have a suspicion," Steven replied. "But until we lay eyes on the thing, we can't be certain."
"What's in it for me?" Ash asked bluntly. "I've got my gym battle next week. I can't afford any distractions."
"How about we pay—" Sidney began, reaching for his pocket.
"I'll provide a hold item suitable for your Pokemon," Steven interrupted. His steel-grey eyes fixed on Ash. "Not like the usual ones you'd find in the marketplace."
Ash paused, considering the offer. Hold items could significantly boost his Pokemon's capabilities. He had been considering purchasing some hold items from the marketplace, despite the outrageous prices. The only thing holding him back was the realisation that whatever he brought would almost certainly get back to the gym leader. It would negate any advantage the hold items provided him, resulting in a waste of pokedollars.
These two could handle any trouble they encountered. The power radiating from them spoke of cultivators far beyond the Nascent Realm. His role would simply be navigation, and the reward could give him the edge he needed in his gym battle.
"Alright," Ash replied. "You got yourself a deal. When do we leave?"
"Immediately," Sidney said, slapping his back. "Go home and prepare any supplies you need. We leave in half an hour."
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Ash discovers just what escaped from the well and finally has his gym battle.
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Thanks for reading.