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Ash Ascendant: Chapter 8
🕑 Added 2024-10-03 08:45:57 +0000 UTCHi all,
Here’s the second chapter of the day. Ash explores more of the swamp and makes a discovery that will make him a fortune.
Chapter 8
Ash propped the bicycle against a gnarled tree at the swamp's edge. He adjusted his backpack, heavy with supplies and a rolled-up sleeping bag. The murky expanse before him stirred unpleasant memories of his last visit, but he steeled himself. This time would be different.
"Right then," he muttered, "let's do this properly."
He'd realised the potential of this hostile environment. Poison-types like Swalot, which had terrified him before, were now prime targets. With his Steel-type Pokemon being immune to poison, he had a significant advantage. Plus, there might be other valuable Pokemon lurking in the swamp.
There was another benefit to revisiting the swamp—its proximity to Azalea Town. He could keep an eye on any developments there while hunting for Pokemon. As far as he was aware, Team Magma remained in town.
Both Blitz and Bastion were with him. His mum had insisted she'd be fine on her own. "If they were going to find us, they'd have done it by now," she'd said. He hoped she was right.
As they ventured into the swamp, Ash's senses were on high alert. The air was thick with the stench of decay and stagnant water. Bastion trudged through the muck, while Blitz hovered close to Ash, its single eye scanning for threats.
A movement caught Ash's attention. He spotted a blob-like shape. Its gelatinous body undulated as it moved, green skin glistening in the dim light.
"Perfect. Let's check out your parameters."
He pulled out his Pokedex, aiming it at the Pokemon. The device whirred to life; its cracked screen flickered before displaying information.
"Gulpin, the Stomach Pokemon," the Pokedex intoned. "It swallows everything in one gulp. Its stomach can digest anything. This Gulpin is level 12."
Ash nodded. A level 12 Gulpin wasn't bad to start with.
With a sharp gesture, Ash signalled Bastion forward. The Aron charged ahead, its metal hide gleaming in the dim light. Simultaneously, he motioned for Blitz to stay close. The Magnemite beeped in acknowledgement, positioning itself defensively near Ash.
Ash activated the Harden technique he'd learnt from Bastion. He felt his skin tighten, becoming more resilient. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.
The Gulpin's beady eyes fixed on Bastion. It opened its mouth, unleashing a stream of poisonous sludge. The attack splashed harmlessly off Bastion's steel body, leaving streaks of purple that sizzled as they slid off.
Bastion sprang into action. Its front leg glowed with metallic energy as it charged forward, leaping at Gulpin with a vicious Metal Claw. The attack connected, carving a deep gash in the Poison-type's gelatinous form.
Gulpin recoiled, its body rippling from the impact. But the wound began to close almost immediately, its malleable form reforming.
"Bloody hell," Ash muttered, realising this wouldn't be as straightforward as he'd hoped.
Gulpin counter-attacked, its body stretching impossibly as it attempted to engulf Bastion. The Aron stood its ground, its sturdy form resisting Gulpin's efforts.
Sensing the need for a change in tactics, Ash sent a mental command to Bastion. The Aron responded instantly, stomping the ground. Rocks erupted around Gulpin, crashing into the Poison-type and momentarily disrupting its form.
Seizing the opportunity, Ash thrust his hand forward, channelling his energy into a Thunder Wave. The paralysing energy struck Gulpin, causing its body to seize up.
Bastion needed no further prompting. It charged forward, metallic claws glowing brightly as it slashed at Gulpin repeatedly, each strike cutting deep.
Recovering from its paralysis, Gulpin spewed a noxious gas, enveloping Bastion. The Aron stood firm, its Steel typing nullifying the poison's effects.
Just as Ash thought they were gaining the upper hand, a wet slapping sound from behind made him whirl around. Another Gulpin had appeared, its eyes fixed hungrily on Ash.
With a quick mental command, Ash directed Blitz to engage the new threat. The Magnemite sprang into action, electricity crackling around its body. It unleashed a Thunder Shock, the bolt striking the second Gulpin dead-on. The Poison-type shuddered but kept advancing.
Ash found himself coordinating two battles simultaneously, his mind racing as he sent silent commands to both his Pokemon.
Bastion's claws tore into the first Gulpin once more, while Blitz formed a crackling Electro Ball, launching it at the second Gulpin. Both Poison-types reeled from the impacts.
The first Gulpin, despite its resilience, was showing signs of fatigue. Its movements slowed, its attacks less coordinated. The cumulative damage was taking its toll.
The second Gulpin, however, proved surprisingly resilient. It bounced back from Blitz's attack, its body elongating as it tried to swallow the Magnemite whole.
Blitz zipped to the side, narrowly avoiding Gulpin's gaping maw. It countered with another electrical discharge, this one hitting a critical spot. The second Gulpin convulsed, its body quivering uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, Bastion pressed its advantage against the first Gulpin. With a powerful Metal Claw, it struck the Pokemon's underside. Gulpin let out a pained cry, its body sagging.
Ash's hand went to his pocket, fingers closing around a pokeball. The first Gulpin was weakened, possibly weak enough to capture. But as he prepared to throw, a commotion from Blitz's battle caught his attention.
The second Gulpin, in a desperate move, had launched itself at Ash. Blitz intercepted with an Electro Ball, the impact sending the Poison-type flying back. It crashed into a tree, slumping to the ground, unconscious.
In that moment of distraction, the first Gulpin made its final move. It summoned the last of its strength, its body swelling ominously. Before Ash could react, it expelled a massive wave of toxic sludge, engulfing Bastion and splashing dangerously close to Ash and Blitz.
Ash stumbled back, the edge of the sludge wave sizzling against his Hardened skin. It stung but didn't burn through—a testament to the technique's effectiveness.
As the sludge cleared, Ash saw Bastion standing firm, shaking off the attack. The first Gulpin, having expended the last of its energy, collapsed into a quivering heap.
Ash reached into his pocket and pulled out two pokeballs. Expanding them with practised ease, he hurled them at the two Gulpin with pinpoint accuracy. The Pokemon were sucked inside in flashes of red light.
Both balls hit the ground, rocking back and forth as their occupants struggled against capture. Ash watched intently, his breathing controlled. One second. Two. Three. With twin soft 'pings', the pokeballs stilled, signalling successful captures.
"Got you," he murmured, scooping them up and pocketing them.
The Gulpin weren't the most valuable Pokemon, but they were worth far more than the initial cost of the pokeballs. The challenge now would be finding a buyer interested in them.
Ash pushed deeper into the swamp, veering off the main path onto less trodden ground. He stepped carefully, mindful of the treacherous terrain. His earlier encounters had sharpened his focus, and he kept a watchful eye on his surroundings.
Another Gulpin crossed their path, and Ash made quick work of capturing it. He now had three of the Poison-types, but decided to keep his remaining pokeballs in reserve. There might be more valuable Pokemon lurking in the depths of this forsaken place.
After another hour of cautious exploration, Ash came upon a large pool of stagnant water. The surface was coated with a film of algae, broken only by the occasional bubble rising from the murky depths. He approached the edge, peering into the water.
Without warning, a Poliwag burst from the surface, launching a barrage of bubbles straight at Ash. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Before he could even regain his footing, Blitz sprang into action. A crackling bolt of electricity arced through the air, striking the Poliwag dead-on. The Water-type convulsed briefly before falling unconscious, floating limply on the surface.
Ash wasted no time. He pulled out a pokeball and tossed it at the stunned Poliwag. The ball hit its mark, sucking the Pokemon inside with a flash of red light. It rocked once, twice, then went still with a soft 'ping'.
"Nice one, Blitz," Ash said, retrieving the pokeball. He checked Poliwag's stats with his Pokedex. Only level 5, but still a valuable catch. Water-type Pokemon were always in high demand on the floors where water was scarce, like the first floor. His mother had previously stated that if she became a cultivator, she would like a Water-type Pokemon. At least, it would solve their issue of having fresh water for baths.
Circling the pool, Ash pressed on. The vegetation grew thicker, making progress slower. After a few more minutes of fighting the vegetation, Blitz let out a series of urgent beeps. Ash froze, following the Magnemite's gaze towards a dense patch of shrubbery ahead.
Cautiously, Ash moved forward. He parted the bushes, peering through the gap. His eyes widened in surprise. In a small clearing ahead stood a cabin, its wooden walls weathered and overgrown with vines.
"Bloody hell," Ash muttered. "Who'd want to live out here?"
The cabin looked long abandoned, its windows dark and empty. Still, Ash approached with caution, Blitz and Bastion flanking him protectively. They reached the door without incident. Ash tested the handle. It turned with a rusty creak.
Ash stepped into the cabin, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene before him. The interior was a mess, furniture overturned and debris scattered everywhere. Shards of broken glass crunched under his feet as he moved deeper into the room. It was clear someone had torn the place apart, searching for something valuable.
"Right then," Ash muttered, surveying the destruction. "Let's see if they missed anything."
He began his search methodically, starting with what remained of the furniture. Most drawers had been emptied, their contents scattered about. Ash sifted through the debris, looking for anything of value.
In a corner stood a battered desk, its surface scratched and stained but still sturdy. Ash tried the drawers. Most were empty, but the bottom one stuck. He gave it a hard tug, and it came free with a scraping sound.
Inside lay a leather-bound journal, its cover worn and pages yellowed with age. Ash flipped it open, squinting at the faded handwriting.
"Looks like some kind of research notes," he murmured, skimming the pages. The text contained observations about the swamp's Pokemon and detailed sketches of various species.
Ash paused when he saw one of the sketches circled—a Froakie. Next to it was written: "Spotted a Shiny variant of this Pokemon in the water hole to the east of the cabin. Not only is the Froakie species rare, but a shiny version is almost impossible to come by."
He froze. A shiny Froakie could earn him a fortune in pokedollars. The issue was, he didn't know how long ago this entry was written. It could have grown too strong for him to capture by now. Still, he decided to check out the water hole.
A floorboard creaked behind him. Ash whirled around, heart racing, only to see Bastion investigating a pile of rubble in the corner.
"Don't scare me like that," Ash muttered. Then he paused, noticing something odd about the floorboard Bastion had stepped on. It seemed slightly raised compared to the others.
Kneeling, Ash pried at the board with his fingers. It came loose easily, revealing a small hidden compartment beneath. Inside was a rucksack.
He opened the backpack and found clothes, a gold watch, identification, and a small stack of pokedollars totalling more than a thousand. He pocketed the money, then glanced at the identification, which showed an average middle-aged man in a lab coat. Uninterested, he tossed it back into the bag.
Another card tucked into the bottom caught his eye. It was a discount voucher for the Pillar's shops and services.
"Since when did it have shops?" Ash muttered, frowning.
To be fair, he realised he didn't know much about the Pillar beyond the fact it housed a Gym Leader and the elevator to the next floor. Before becoming a cultivator, such information would have been irrelevant to him. Now, he found himself curious about what other secrets it might hold.
Finding nothing else of interest, Ash tossed the backpack back into the hole and replaced the floorboard. As he stood, he couldn't help but wonder about the man who'd hidden these valuables. What had happened to him? Why had he felt the need to hide his belongings in a hole beneath the floorboards?
Whatever the circumstances, the items were now his to use.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Several hours later, Ash emerged from the forest on the Azalea side, a satisfied grin on his face. His persistence had paid off; after hours of meticulous searching, he'd found the Shiny Froakie. The Pokemon's unusual colouration—a pale blue instead of the typical darker shade—had made it stand out against the murky swamp waters. It seemed not much time had passed since it was first spotted; the Froakie was only at level fifteen.
The battle had been intense but brief. At Ash's command, Blitz had unleashed a barrage of electrical attacks, each one leaving the Froakie stunned and weakened. Despite its higher level, the Water-type Pokemon had been no match for Blitz's type advantage.
Deciding to take a break before venturing back to the other side, Ash settled down for a late afternoon lunch. He pulled out some of the preserved food he'd packed—a mix of dried meat and cheese. As he ate, his mind wandered to the Pillar. Perhaps he could sell his newly acquired Pokemon there. The Shiny Froakie alone could fetch a small fortune. It was a risk, certainly, but then again, moving anywhere on the first floor carried its own dangers.
An explosion suddenly rocked the forest where Azalea Town was located, interrupting Ash's contemplation. He jumped to his feet, wondering what the hell was going on. Tensely, he waited with his Pokemon, straining his ears for any clues.
Soon, the sound of vehicles emerged from the forest—the roar of engines and the crunch of tires on uneven ground. Ash recognised the Jeeps immediately as they burst into view—their crimson paint unmistakably belonging to Team Magma. The vehicles were moving at breakneck speed, bouncing violently over the terrain. What had scared them so much that they fled the town with such urgency? He waited until they vanished into the distance, before mounting his bicycle and riding towards Azalea Town.
As he neared the town, Ash returned his Pokemon to his Mind Palace, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention. Upon entering Azalea, he found it transformed into a hive of activity compared to his last visit. The previously quiet streets were now filled with frantic townspeople. Men, women, and even children were running around, carrying buckets of water, and heading in the direction of the Slowpoke Well. The air was thick with smoke, and Ash could hear distant crackling that suggested a large fire.
Amid the chaos, Ash noticed Kurt barking orders, attempting to restore some order to the panicked crowd.
Ash approached the old man, having to sidestep several rushing townspeople. "What's going on?" he asked, raising his voice to be heard over the commotion.
Kurt turned to him, his face grim, streaked with soot. "Team Magma did something in the Slowpoke Well that caused a huge explosion. The cave is destroyed, and the surrounding trees are on fire. If we don't contain it soon, the whole town could go up in flames."
"I'll help put out the fire," Ash said.
Kurt nodded, relief evident on his face. "Good lad. We need all the hands we can get. Grab a bucket and follow the others."
Ash and the townspeople worked tirelessly through the night, battling the relentless flames. The fire consumed a vast section of the forest, leaving behind a blackened wasteland. Precious water reserves, shipped in at great cost, were depleted in the firefighting effort. People were exhausted by the time the last ember was extinguished.
Ash trudged through the rubble that was once the Slowpoke Cave. The cave entrance had collapsed entirely, leaving nothing but a jumbled pile of rocks. As he surveyed the destruction, snippets of conversation from nearby townspeople caught his attention.
"I'm telling you, I saw it with my own eyes," one man insisted.
"Saw what?" his companion asked, scepticism evident in his tone.
"When the explosion happened, something came out of the cave," the first man continued. "It was bright as the sun, I tell you. Shot straight up into the sky and then took off to the north."
"You sure you weren't just seeing things? It was chaotic here," the second man replied.
"I know what I saw," the first man insisted stubbornly.
Ash frowned, mulling over what he'd just heard. What could have emerged from that kind of destruction? Was it the cause of the explosion? What did Team Magma do to trigger such an event?
He shook his head. It was none of his business. He had his own matters to deal with.
The questions nagged at him, though. Whatever had happened here was significant. Team Magma's involvement and hasty retreat suggested something had gone wrong with their plans. And if something powerful enough to be described as "bright as the sun" had escaped, it could mean trouble for others on the first floor.
Ash sought out Kurt, finding the old man near the town square. "Have you finished making those pokeballs?" he asked.
Kurt grinned. "That I have. They're six hundred pokedollars each."
Ash grimaced. "If you're charging that kind of money, why are you living here on the first floor?"
Even if Kurt was born on the first floor and wasn't a cultivator himself, it didn't mean he couldn't ascend. He could always hire a cultivator to carry him up to the next level.
A shadow passed over Kurt's face. "It's a long story," he said, his tone making it clear he didn't want to elaborate.
Recognising the unspoken warning in Kurt's expression, Ash changed the subject. "Well, I managed to capture some Pokemon. Do you know where I can sell them? Can I sell them at the Pillar?"
Kurt nodded. "The Pillar is the best place to sell them, but it costs five hundred pokedollars just to get inside."
"That's not an issue," Ash said, mentally calculating his funds. "I guess I'm going to the Pillar before I return to my mum."
"Team Magma are likely to leave the first floor after the commotion they caused," Kurt said, his brow furrowed. "Why don't you move here with your mum?"
Ash considered the offer for a moment. "I don't plan on being on the first floor much longer," he replied. "Still, I think bringing my mum here is a good idea."
The thought of his mother alone in their hideout made him uneasy. Azalea Town, despite its recent troubles, was still safer than their current location.
“I know a few empty houses you can choose from,” Kurt offered. "After Team Magma arrived, some people left town for good."
"Thanks, Kurt. I'll bring her here soon."
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ash approached the Pillar on his bicycle, its massive structure looming over him like a monolithic giant. Kurt had been kind enough to lend him the bike again, and Ash was grateful for its speed. The Pillar was surrounded by a tall fence that seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions. It was easily twice his height and capped with sharp spikes. There were also guards stationed every hundred metres or so, their postures rigid and alert.
As he approached the gate, Ash noticed the elaborate security measures in place. Scanner pylons flanked the entrance, emitting a soft blue glow. A holographic sign floated above, displaying the entry fee and requirements. It was clear that without the required pokedollars, you wouldn't even get past this first barrier, let alone enter the Pillar itself.
When he reached the gate, a stern-faced guard stepped forward. "State your business," he barked.
"I'm here to sell Pokemon," Ash replied.
The guard nodded curtly. "Prove your cultivator status."
Ash summoned Blitz and Bastion, the Pokemon materialising in flashes of light. The guard's eyes narrowed as he scrutinised them, and then he gestured towards a payment terminal. "Five hundred pokedollars. No exceptions."
As Ash paid the fee, he couldn't help but wonder how many were turned away daily, their dreams of ascending crushed by this first, insurmountable barrier.
Once through the door, Ash was struck by the Pillar's open structure. There was no ceiling, only the outer walls of the tower stretching up into darkness so high he couldn't see where they ended. The decor was ostentatious, bordering on gaudy. Gold leaf adorned nearly every surface, and precious gems were inlaid in intricate patterns along the walls. Fountains spouted crystal-clear water, a stark contrast to the murky pools of water he'd left behind. The level of wealth on display made him dizzy.
A long, wide road stretched across the expanse of the tower. It led to a huge service elevator, its doors large enough to accommodate several vehicles side by side. A row of normal elevators stood beside it.
Directly in front of him was a service desk, staffed by attendants in immaculate uniforms. Next to it was a facility reminiscent of a Pokemon Centre, but far more advanced than anything Ash had seen before. Holographic displays showed the status of Pokemon being healed, and the equipment looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie.
Scattered around the rest of the floor were various shops and services. Ash spotted a high-end clothing store, its window displaying outfits that probably cost more than he'd ever earned in his life. There was a tech shop with gadgets he couldn't even begin to understand, and a restaurant where the patrons dined on dishes that looked more like art than food.
He was curious as to who all of this was for. Was it for the people who had descended to the first floor? Did all the floors look like this?
Off to his right stood the battle stage, where challengers faced the Gym Leader. It was a massive arena, surrounded by tiered seating. The battlefield itself seemed to be able to change its terrain, with mechanisms visible beneath the transparent floor.
Ash couldn't shake the feeling of stepping into an entirely new world. The contrast between this place and the rest of the first floor was staggering. It was as if all the wealth and resources had been concentrated here, leaving the rest of the floor to scrape by with the remnants.
He headed for the service desk, his eyes still darting around, trying to take in everything at once.
The attendant behind the desk smiled politely as he approached, her perfect teeth gleaming. "Welcome to the Pillar, sir," she said. "How may I assist you today?"
"Where can I sell Pokemon?" Ash asked.
The attendant's smile never wavered as she pointed towards a large building to the right. "The Pokemon Exchange is over there, sir. They handle all buying and selling of Pokemon. Is there anything else you need assistance with?"
Ash shook his head and began to move away, but paused when something occurred to him. “Did Team Magma come through here?”
The attendant widened his eyes and looked around furtively. “I don’t know this Team Magma, sir. But a large group of people driving jeeps passed through here a while back."
Ash raised an eyebrow. “Are you not allowed to say?”
"Sir, everyone is equal in the Pillar. There is no discrimination here as long as you don’t cause trouble."
“What happens when you cause trouble?”
“You don’t want to find out.”
Ash headed for the Pokemon Exchange, a sleek building with a facade of polished stone and gleaming glass. The entrance was flanked by two statues—a Metagross on one side and an Alakazam on the other.
An attendant directed him to a measurement station. The station was a circular platform surrounded by sleek, futuristic-looking machinery. "Please place the pokeballs you wish to sell on the platform," she instructed, her voice professional and detached.
Ash complied, setting down the pokeballs containing the three Gulpin. A holographic display flickered to life above the platform, showing detailed stats and potential growth curves for each Pokemon. The 3D images rotated slowly, allowing for a 360-degree view of each Gulpin.
The attendant studied the readouts, her eyes flicking back and forth as she processed the information. "Only one of these Gulpin shows above-average potential," she noted, pointing to a series of green bars on the display. "We can offer 11,000 pokedollars for all three."
Ash blinked, taken aback by the sum. It was more money than he'd ever possessed, yet he had no idea if it was a fair price in this market. He eventually agreed, because even if he was being taken advantage of, the Pokemon were simple enough to catch.
He decided to keep the Poliwag for his mum, so he placed the Froakie's pokeball on the platform next. The moment it materialised in the holographic display, the attendant's eyes widened, her professional demeanour cracking for a moment as she saw its Shiny status. The Froakie's unique colouration—a pale blue instead of the usual darker shade—was unmistakable.
Before she could speak, a male voice cut through the air. "I'll buy that Pokemon for two hundred thousand pokedollars."
Ash turned to see a man approaching. He was tall and lean with a shock of spiky red hair that seemed to defy gravity. His face bore a confident, almost cocky expression, accentuated by the dark markings around his eyes that gave him a somewhat theatrical look.
"Sidney," the man introduced himself, extending a hand. His grip was firm. "I couldn't help but notice that Shiny Froakie. It's quite a find."
Ash shook the offered hand, his mind reeling from the proposed sum. "Two hundred thousand?" he repeated, hardly believing his ears.
Sidney nodded. "That's right, kid. It's a rare find, and I happen to like Froakie’s final evolution. What do you say?"
Ash glanced back at the attendant, who seemed equally shocked by the offer, her eyes darting between Ash and Sidney.
"You've got yourself a deal," Ash said, his voice steadier than he felt. He would have accepted half that amount. Such a large sum was hard to wrap his head around. Sidney's grin widened. "Excellent choice. Now, let's sort out the payment details. Do you have a bank account, Mr...?"
"My name's Ash," he replied, suddenly feeling very out of place in his worn, patched clothes. "And no, I don't have an account. Didn't the clothes give me away as a first-floor resident?"
"No problem. Since you're a cultivator, it will be an easy process to get yourself a bank account here. But first, you need to have your identification done. Follow me."
They went through a series of procedures to set up Ash's identification and bank account. Sidney deposited the pokedollars into Ash's new account, and Ash handed over the Froakie's pokeball.
As they exited the bank, they bumped into a silver-haired man. He wore a refined steel-coloured suit with a pale purple zigzag stripe across the middle. A red handkerchief peeked out from his breast pocket.
The man looked surprised when he saw Ash but quickly masked his expression. He turned to Sidney. "Why did you run off? We're not here on vacation. We have to investigate the ruins."
Ash tried to control his expression but wasn't sure if he kept the surprise off it. These were part of the group coming to investigate the ruins? Who exactly were these people?
Sidney shrugged. "I just scored a rare Pokemon. Don't kill my buzz. And this is Ash, who I made the transaction with. Ash, this is Steven."
Ash could sense how powerful Steven was, even compared to Sidney. More than that, Steven was radiating a familiar energy. He had a Steel-type affinity. Or at the very least, he primarily used Steel-type Pokemon.
Steven nodded at Ash. "It was nice to meet you, but we must go."
Ash watched them leave before looking down at the slip showing his bank balance, hardly believing his luck. Putting it away, he exited the bank and headed for the battle stage. It was time to find out what he needed to earn the right to face the Gym Leader.
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Ash and his Pokemon resume their training in preparation to face the Gym Leader.
Thanks for reading.
Comments
Shae Holleywell
Can’t wait to see his mum‘s reaction to how much he got and the Pokémon he kept for her
