Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Game Freak.
Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. Ash continues cultivating and learning more about the Tower.
Chapter 9
Ash approached the registration desk for the gym battle. The woman behind the counter greeted him with a polite smile.
"I'd like to register for a gym battle," Ash said.
"Certainly. Please be aware that you'll need to register a month in advance. This gives the gym leader time to prepare for the battle."
Ash frowned, finding the reason suspect. He doubted many cultivators from the first floor challenged the gym leader for the right to ascend.
Noticing his expression, the woman leant in slightly. "Between you and me," she said in a lowered voice, "the real reason for the wait is to allow time for an investigation. They like to find out what Pokemon challengers have and prepare accordingly."
Ash's eyes widened at this candid admission.
She continued, "It's also unlikely you'll face a real gym leader on the first floor. But it will still be a challenge. The team composition will depend on your Pokemon."
"I see," Ash said, processing this information. "What about the battle format?"
"You'll face an opponent in the same realm," she explained. "However, they could be at the peak of that realm. It will be a two-on-two battle. That is the minimum standard on the lower floors. Their Pokemon will be within five levels of your own. If your Pokemon's strength changes in the next month, you must notify us a few days in advance."
Ash nodded, making mental notes.
"The battle terrain is randomised," she added, a wry smile flickering across her face. Ash understood the implication—his opponent would likely choose the terrain.
"There's a five-hundred pokedollar registration fee," she continued. "And punctuality is crucial. If you're even a minute late, you'll need to re-register and pay again."
Ash paid the fee, reflecting on the Ascension System's inherent unfairness. Even on the first floor, victory wasn't guaranteed. It might even be his hardest battle out of all gym battles, given his lack of experience against human opponents.
"What changes if I'm bringing someone with me to the second floor?" Ash asked.
"Then it only gets more difficult," the woman said. "I'm not allowed to say how it changes the battle."
Ash sighed. He had been hoping she would tell him how it would change the fight, but it seemed it was a step too far for her. It was an unpredictable element that he couldn't prepare for.
He continued with the registration process, filling out all the forms. Although she couldn't tell him about the changes to the battle, she helped provide other information. Her hint about acquiring a secret third Pokemon didn't escape him. It might provide a crucial element of surprise. However, he also realised his opponent could make educated guesses about his team composition based on the Pokemon available on the first floor.
He was relieved that he hadn't revealed his cultivation status or Pokemon to many people. It would decrease the chances of his opponent learning about his team composition. He couldn't underestimate them, though, because they might use methods he was not aware of.
The most egregious rule was that if he lost the battle, he couldn't challenge again for a year. That felt like torture to Ash. Although his and his mother's prospects had improved with the influx of money, it didn't change the nature of the first floor. He felt as though plenty of things could go wrong in that year to screw him over.
Ash left the registration desk, his mind still processing the information about the upcoming gym battle. To distract himself, he explored the Pillar's marketplace in greater detail, hoping to gain more insights into this strange new world he'd stumbled into.
Each storefront was a testament to luxury, displaying items that seemed more like works of art than functional goods—all of it called out to him, tempting him to spend his newly acquired fortune.
A shop specialising in Pokemon hold items caught Ash's attention. The storefront was adorned with holographic displays showcasing various items, each promising to grant Pokemon specific advantages during battle. Intrigued, Ash stepped closer, examining the items with keen interest.
The shop offered two types of hold items: temporary and permanent. Temporary items, like berries, could provide immediate benefits during a battle, like healing status conditions. The permanent items, however, were far more intriguing. These elaborate pieces of equipment were designed to offer continuous advantages throughout a fight.
Ash's eyes were drawn to a small, iridescent stone labelled "Quick Claw." The description claimed it could boost a Pokemon's speed slightly in battle. Another item, a band emitting a soft red glow, promised to boost the power of Fire-type moves. He searched for ones suitable for Blitz and Bastion and found two suitable items.
One was a Metal Coat, which could boost Steel-type moves by twenty percent. If combined with his affinity, it would deal some serious damage. The other was a Magnet, which would boost the power of Electric-type moves. The hold items were sold for ninety and fifty thousand pokedollars, respectively. The Metal Coat was more expensive because it could also trigger evolution in Onix and Scyther.
Ash felt a pain in his chest. Suddenly, the windfall he had received didn't seem to be so great after all.
Hold items could only be utilised by cultivators who had reached the seventh stage of the Nascent Realm. The items had to be taken into the cultivator's mindscape and nourished with their energy to activate. Even simple items like berries required this preparation, albeit for a shorter time. Each Pokemon could only use one hold item at a time, adding an extra layer of strategy to their use.
A troubling thought occurred to Ash. The woman at the registration desk hadn't mentioned any restrictions on hold items for the gym battle. This omission likely meant his opponent would be using them. The realisation hit him hard—he needed to reach the seventh stage within the next month and acquire some hold items for his Pokemon if he wanted to stand a chance.
Ash checked the price tag on the other hold items. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. Some of them cost nearly ten times what he'd expect to pay a trader on the first floor. Stepping back, he suddenly became aware of a pattern. Every item in the shop, regardless of its apparent simplicity or complexity, was priced at least three times higher than what traders typically charged.
This realisation gave Ash pause. He'd been wondering why traders bothered bringing goods down from higher floors when they could buy them from this marketplace. Now, the answer seemed clear—the inflated prices here made the traders' business model viable.
As he continued his exploration, a nagging question formed in Ash's mind: What was the real purpose of these stores? They weren't tailored for typical cultivators from the lower floors. Even with his recent windfall, some items were far beyond his means.
His gaze swept across the marketplace, taking in the grandeur of it all. The battle stage, with its advanced technology and vast seating area, seemed particularly out of place. Ash couldn't imagine these seats being filled for a battle like the one he was preparing for. It seemed excessive, almost comically so.
Ash's eyes landed on a store advertising a taxi service. He remembered seeing Sidney and Steven climb into one of these sleek vehicles earlier. This could be the perfect solution for transporting his mum to Azalea Town safely and comfortably.
He approached the counter, where a man in a crisp uniform stood. "I'd like to book a taxi."
The attendant nodded, his fingers flying over a touchscreen. "That'll be five hundred pokedollars per hour."
Ash handed over the money, marvelling at how quickly he was becoming accustomed to such large transactions. Soon, he found himself in the back of a vehicle that looked more like a luxury car than a taxi, gliding silently towards the landfill.
As they neared the towering heaps of refuse, the driver's eyebrows rose, his reflection visible in the rear-view mirror. However, he maintained his professional demeanour and said nothing.
"Wait here, please," Ash said, climbing out. The stench of the landfill hit him anew, making him realise how quickly he'd adjusted to the clean air of the Pillar.
He found his mum in the hidden shelter, cultivating.
"Mum," he said, breaking her concentration, "we're moving to Azalea Town. I've got a taxi waiting."
Delia's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why? What's happened, Ash?"
Ash quickly recounted the day's events: the Froakie sale, his unexpected windfall, registering for the gym challenge, and Kurt's offer of a house in Azalea. He watched as his mum's expression cycled through shock, disbelief and, finally, cautious hope.
"That's... that's a lot to take in," Delia said.
"I know it's sudden, but we need to pack quickly," Ash urged. "It's costing me an arm and a leg to pay for the taxi service."
Nodding, Delia began gathering her possessions into a battered suitcase. He led his mother to the car, and she sat in the back.
"I'll be right back," he promised, returning to the shelter.
Ash began packing his books into boxes. While the other possessions were easily replaceable, he refused to give up his book collection.
"Blitz, I need your help," he called.
The Magnemite appeared, its single eye focusing on Ash. He explained the task, and soon Blitz was using its magnetic abilities to transport the boxes on the pallet to the car.
As they drove towards Azalea Town, Ash felt a whirlwind of emotions: excitement about the opportunities ahead, as well as nervousness about the challenges that lay ahead. He didn't feel an ounce of sadness for leaving the only home he'd ever known.
"You've done well, love," Delia said softly, squeezing his hand. Her eyes were moist, reflecting her own mix of emotions.
The car pulled into Azalea Town. Ash directed the driver to Kurt's house, and the old man came outside to greet them.
"Welcome to your new home," Kurt said, gesturing to a nearby house. It was small and a bit worn, but to Ash and Delia, it looked like a palace compared to their shelter in the landfill.
Delia began exploring their new home with enthusiasm, and he smiled as he watched her.
With his mother now settled, Ash knew he could fully focus on his cultivation and Pokemon training. The next month would be crucial, and he mentally began mapping out a rigorous schedule. Every moment would need to count if he was to be ready for the gym battle.
His thoughts turned to his Pokemon team. Blitz and Bastion had made significant progress, but he knew they would need to push harder in the coming weeks. He also realised that once he reached the seventh stage of cultivation, he needed to seriously consider adding a third Pokemon to his team.
However, the issue of hold items nagged at him. The exorbitant prices at the Pillar's shops had been a shock, but Ash was beginning to realise he might not have a choice. His opponents would likely be using hold items, and going into the battle without them could put him at a severe disadvantage. He might need to bite the bullet and purchase some despite the cost.
"I need to win this battle," Ash muttered to himself, his jaw set with determination. "Any other result is out of the question."
He was acutely aware of the precarious balance he needed to maintain. While he needed to save money for their life on the second floor, that wouldn't matter if he couldn't ascend in the first place.
Over the next two weeks, Ash immersed himself in an intense cultivation regimen alongside his Pokemon. Each day began before dawn, with Ash performing a series of physical exercises designed to strengthen his body and enhance his energy circulation. He started with stretches that targeted specific meridians, followed by a series of poses held for increasingly longer periods. These exercises, whilst gruelling, left him feeling invigorated and more in tune with his body's energy flow.
After exhausting his initial supply of spirit potions, Ash sought out the trader who had returned to Azalea Town following Team Magma's departure.
On the fifteenth day of his intensive cultivation, Ash felt a shift in his energy. He was meditating in a clearing just outside town. Suddenly, his energy surged, breaking through an invisible barrier. Ash's eyes snapped open, as he achieved the seventh stage of the Nascent Realm.
The breakthrough left Ash breathless. He assessed his body, noting the significant increase in strength and durability. His muscles felt denser, his skin tougher. Ash attributed this improvement to his diligent practice of the cultivation exercises. Moreover, he perceived an enhancement in his mental faculties. His thoughts were clearer and more focused.
Blitz and Bastion had been equally busy, absorbing the Steel-type energy Ash provided. Both had reached level sixteen, their forms slightly larger and more defined.
Utilising his newly acquired ability to direct their stat growth, Ash focused on enhancing their strengths. For Blitz, this meant a substantial boost to defence and special attack, along with some improvement in speed. He also discovered he could increase his Pokemon's HP and Energy, opting to allocate a few points to the former.
For Bastion, Ash prioritised Strength and Defence, with a modest increase in speed. However, he recognised Bastion's role as a tank and accepted that speed wouldn't be his primary focus.
During a training session, Blitz suddenly began to spin rapidly, its body becoming a blur. A metallic orb formed around it, and it launched itself at a rock, smashing it to pieces. Ash recognised this as Gyro Ball, Blitz's first Steel-type technique. Whilst Ash considered the technique situational, he recognised its potential as a game-changer against faster opponents.
Not to be outdone, Bastion demonstrated its new move during a sparring match with Blitz. Lowering its head, Bastion charged forward with surprising speed, its skull glowing with energy. The Headbutt connected with a resounding clang, sending Blitz spinning through the air. Ash whistled, impressed by the power. He believed that this move could defeat most Pokemon of the same level, barring type defences.
After a particularly gruelling training session, Ash took a moment to experiment with his abilities. He raised his arm, summoning the liquid metal to cover it. He could now envelop his hand and forearm, the silver substance flowing like water over his skin before hardening into a gleaming gauntlet.
Ash had been contemplating this ability extensively, realising he might not have given it the serious consideration it deserved. As he flexed his metal-covered hand, feeling its weight and strength, he began to see how it could potentially be a decisive factor in his upcoming gym battle.
Given that trainers participated in battles alongside their Pokemon, Ash wondered why he shouldn't directly target the trainer. By subduing and threatening them into surrender, he could secure victory. The main issue with this strategy was his uncertainty regarding his opponent's capabilities. Would they be prepared for such a tactic? Could they counter it?
But Ash had made another discovery. Concentrating on the liquid metal, he pooled it onto his hand. Raising his finger, he formed a steel spike at the tip, focusing intently until it completely separated from his hand.
Now holding the detached Steelium, Ash grinned. He threw the spike, watching it whistle through the air before piercing the trunk of a nearby tree. This ability to separate the liquid metal from his body opened up new tactical possibilities. Although he couldn't control it once it left his body, he had already envisioned potential uses.
Ash stood and retrieved the spike. As he touched it, the metal dissolved and was reabsorbed into his body.
Raising his hand, Ash generated electricity, the air crackling around his fingers. He considered the potential of combining the spike with Thunder Wave, recognising it as a potentially effective method for incapacitating an opponent. He discovered by chance that the metal was an excellent electrical conductor, as opposed to regular steel.
Whilst the technique's range was limited, he could improve the distance he could throw the spike with practice. If he managed to pierce his opponent's body, not only would it paralyse them, but the pain would be excruciating and could cause serious damage.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Ash concluded his training session and returned home. His mother greeted him with a smile, looking unusually energetic.
His mother had told him that she thought she was close to reaching the first stage. Ash paid more attention to her cultivation efforts lately, helping her reach the crucial stage where she was about to form her mind palace. Although she hadn't achieved it yet, she had made incredible leaps and bounds.
Ash had told her to stop cultivating for the moment, as something he hadn't considered before reared its ugly head. If she became a cultivator on the first floor, she would have to participate in a gym battle to ascend to the second floor. All cultivators had to participate in the gym battle and couldn't get a free pass.
He would rather make his battle more difficult than have her potentially fail and be forced to stay down here for another year. Once they reached the second floor, they could concentrate on making her stronger in preparation for the next gym battle.
Ash trudged into his room and laid on his bed, giving himself much-needed time to unwind. His gaze fell on the leather-bound book resting on his nightstand, its gold-embossed title catching the warm light of his bedside lamp: "Mysteries of the Tower: Unveiling the Enigma."
Ash picked up the book. He'd been reading it in bits and pieces over the past week, each session leaving him with more questions than answers. Tonight, with the quiet of the evening settling around him, he decided to delve deeper. He resumed reading from the page where he had left off.
The actual number of floors in the tower, it seemed, was a mystery even to those who had ascended to higher levels. Ash had heard whispers of the ninth floor, a realm so far removed from the first that it might as well have been another world. But beyond that? Nothing but speculation and rumour.
One passage particularly caught his attention, the words seeming to leap off the page:
"While the existence of the ninth floor is well-documented, accounts of any levels beyond remain frustratingly scarce. Some theorists posit that the ninth floor is, in fact, the summit of the tower. Others argue for the existence of several more floors, accessible only to the most elite cultivators. However, concrete evidence for either claim remains elusive."
Ash's mind reeled at the implications. How could there be even more floors? He shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the information at hand.
The book delved into the structure of power within the tower. The Pillar was under the control of a powerful organisation based on the ninth floor. This group, referred to only as "The Overseers", was primarily responsible for initiating the Ascension system and shaping its current form. Ash couldn't help but wonder about these mysterious figures. What gave them the right to control the Pillar? To determine how they lived their lives?
He discovered that the Pillar's marketplace was on every floor, identical to the one he'd seen on the first floor. The text suggested these were not merely for show or convenience but part of a larger strategy employed by The Overseers.
One intriguing theory caught his eye: an individual speculated that they were stockpiling resources in case of a societal collapse on the upper floors. He searched for more references to the theory but found nothing. If it were indeed the case, it would make sense, although he couldn't fathom why this organisation would anticipate a collapse. Was life on the upper floors not as perfect as he had imagined?
Similarly, the extreme security measures outside the tower took on a new significance. It was almost as if they expected people from the lower floors to revolt. Ash read, his eyes widening:
"The Overseers maintain a formidable security force, equipped with technology far beyond that available even on the sixth floor. This disparity in power ensures that any potential uprising from the lower floors would be swiftly and decisively quelled."
Ash's mind raced. Why would the Overseers need such tight control? What were they afraid of? The book offered no clear answers, only more mysteries.
As he read about the stark differences between floors, Ash's imagination ran wild. Each level brought stronger Pokemon and more powerful cultivators, along with entirely new ecosystems and challenges. The second floor, he learnt, was a vast improvement over the first but still considered primitive by those on higher levels. What wonders—and dangers—might await on the upper floors?
The text hinted at incredible technologies and abilities available on the upper floors. Ash pictured Pokemon of unimaginable power, cultivators wielding abilities that defied the laws of nature as he knew them. What kind of Pokemon existed up there? How powerful were the cultivators? And more importantly, could he ever hope to reach such heights?
Ash began to see patterns in the seemingly arbitrary rules of the Ascension system. The gym battles, the cultivation requirements, even the exorbitant prices in the Pillar's marketplace—all seemed designed to control the flow of people and resources between floors. It was like a giant, complex machine, and Ash was just a tiny cog within it.
Ash closed the book with a soft thud, his mind buzzing with new information. He felt both enlightened and more confused than ever. The tower, it seemed, was far more complex and mysterious than he'd ever imagined.
The following morning, Ash set out early to visit Kurt. As he approached Kurt's house, he heard the faint sound of hammering coming from the shed.
Curiosity piqued, Ash rounded the corner to find Kurt outside, hunched over a workbench. The old man's hands moved with precision as he hollowed out an Apricorn. Ash watched, fascinated, as Kurt carefully installed the internal components, transforming the fruit into a functional pokeball.
"Morning, Kurt," Ash called out, not wanting to startle the craftsman.
Kurt looked up, a smile crinkling his weathered face. "Ah, Ash! Good morning to you. Interested in making your own?" He gestured to the half-finished pokeball.
Ash shrugged, moving closer to examine Kurt's handiwork. "Maybe. It looks interesting, but I don't have the time to devote to it. I've got the gym battle coming up in two weeks."
"Ah, yes. Good luck to you, lad." Kurt nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I suppose you're here for some pokeballs, then?"
"That's right," Ash replied.
He was planning to head out and catch another Pokemon, and he had been doing extensive research on all the Pokemon available on this floor. There was one region in particular that had caught his interest—the northwestern area of the floor. It was known as the most dangerous place on the entire floor, even more so than the Steelix-infested landfill.
Two potential Pokemon had captured Ash's attention. First, there was Beldum. The Steel-Psychic typing offered some interesting possibilities, and Ash couldn't help but imagine the powerhouse it could become as a Metagross. However, they were notoriously hard to use until they evolved into Metang. They only knew one technique: Tackle.
As much as Ash wanted the Pokemon, he had to admit it wasn't the most practical choice given his current situation. The other Pokemon that had caught his eye was Drilbur. It was a Ground-type Pokemon, but it gained the Steel-typing when it evolved into Excadrill. With its speed and ability to dig underground, Ash felt that Drilbur would be a good addition to his team. It could give his opponent a nasty surprise in the upcoming gym battle.
"I'll take three Fast Balls," Ash told Kurt, then added after a moment's thought, "and two Heavy Balls as well."
Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Planning on catching something big, are you?"
Ash grinned. "Not immediately, but I want to be prepared. I still have dreams of capturing a Steelix, and maybe even that massive Skarmory I encountered. Even if I move to higher floors, this floor is fertile ground for Pokemon. I'll undoubtedly come back."
"Smart thinking, lad. Always good to be should serve you well."
Ash paid for the pokeballs and headed outside. He was about to head to the general store when a sound made him freeze.
Several Jeeps were driving into town. For a heart-stopping moment, Ash thought it was Team Magma returning, but then he realised they were the same cars that provided the taxi service he'd used earlier. He watched, curious, as the vehicles came to a stop.
To Ash's surprise, Sidney stepped out of one of the cars, followed closely by Steven. Sidney spotted him almost immediately and waved, a broad grin spreading across his face as he made his way over.
"Ash!" Sidney called out. "Fancy seeing you here!"
As Sidney approached, Ash noticed several other powerful cultivators exiting the cars. They carried themselves with an air of confidence that spoke of their strength and experience.
"Sidney, Steven," Ash greeted them. "I didn't expect to see you here. Have you finished exploring the ruins?"
Sidney smiled ruefully. "Steven's a bit disappointed. We didn't find any clues about what happened at the ruins."
Ash glanced at Steven's placid face. It didn't look like he was disappointed at all. Steven noticed his glance and smiled, a slight curve of his lips that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're a Steel-type trainer, aren't you?"
"Was it that obvious?" Ash asked.
"For someone like me, yes."
Sidney rolled his eyes. "You're sounding arrogant, Steve."
"Don't call me Steve," Steven said, shrugging off Sidney's hand before addressing Ash again. His gaze was intense, almost penetrating. "I'm also a Steel-type trainer."
"I see," Ash replied. He felt exposed under Steven's scrutiny. "Well, there's not much choice on the first floor, and I like how solid and dependable Steel-type Pokemon are."
Steven nodded. "I feel the same."
For a moment, Ash was worried that Steven had discovered his affinity for Steel-type, or maybe even his Steelium Core. But the man only seemed to recognise that he used Steel-type Pokemon. Ash allowed himself to relax slightly but remained wary.
"Why are you here?" Ash asked.
"We heard about the incident with Team Magma," Sidney explained. "We thought we might investigate before we leave."
Ash frowned, noticing a glance between Sidney and Steven. It felt like they were hiding something, but it wasn't his place to ask. Whatever it was, it wasn't his business. He had his problems to deal with, namely the upcoming gym battle.
"Well, the old well is that way," Ash said, pointing to the road leading to the Slowpoke Well. "It was nice meeting you again."
That was a lie. Steven put him on edge, making him feel like a bug under a microscope.
Ash headed for the general store. He had been informed that the technique reader had come into stock, and he was interested in seeing what the technical memories he had gotten from Courtney's house could do. Maybe he could find a technique for his Pokemon that would give him an advantage in the gym battle.
As Ash walked away, Sidney and Steven watched him go, their expressions thoughtful.
"He's hiding something," Steven said.
Sidney shrugged. "Well, everyone has something to hide."
"He used to live in Oldale Town before the ruins collapsed," Steven continued, ignoring Sidney's nonchalance. His eyes never left Ash's retreating form. "I have a feeling he is related to the incident in some way."
"You can't just let this go, can you?"
Steven's eyes narrowed. "Judging from how the Steel-type Pokemon attacked the ruins immediately afterwards, I suspect it was a Steel-type ruin. He may have discovered something there."
"So what?" Sidney countered, his tone becoming more serious. "This kid was born on the first floor. He's lucky to get the chance to ascend the tower."
Steven didn't reply but continued to watch Ash until he disappeared around the corner.
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Ash hunts for his third Pokemon.
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Thanks for reading.