Chapter 76: A Pokémon Master's Promise!
After thinking for a long time, Ash walked forward and held Cubone in his arms.
"Be strong. Your mother would have wanted you to grow up healthy and happy."
Ash sighed, not knowing if Cubone could understand. When it came to heartache, there was nothing an outsider could do; only the person themselves could resolve it.
Seeing that Cubone remained unmoved, he could only gently rub its head before heading for the stairs to the fifth floor.
Pokémon Tower, fifth floor.
As the top floor, its area was much smaller than the levels below. The mist had also thinned considerably, allowing one to see the entire floor at a glance.
Ash: "..."
On the inner side of the fifth floor was a raised platform with stairs. At this moment, a chubby, purple-black Pokémon was sitting on the stairs, its two small, stout hands cupping its cheeks. Its red eyes were drooping with tears at the corners, looking pitiful as if it had seen through the meaninglessness of life.
It was none other than a very wronged-looking Gengar.
Ash glanced around. Seeing nothing else to explore, he walked straight toward Gengar.
Seeing it stare at him pitifully with its large, teary eyes, the scolding Ash had prepared was instantly choked back.
Damn it!
He could only brace himself, pat Gengar's head, and offer some words of comfort:
"Don't cry, or the bad guys will laugh."
"Gen?"
"If you stand on your head, the tears won't fall out."
"Gengar?"
"So what on earth happened? Tell me so I can have a good laugh."
"Gengar!!"
Hearing this, Gengar looked even more wronged. It took the crumpled piece of white paper from Ash's hand, licked its claw, and began to doodle on the back again.
On the left was a Gengar, and on the right was also a Gengar. No change there, but the drawing skill had improved slightly.
But this time, the numbers in the middle had changed. Originally, they were "1" and "0."
Now they had become "1" and "1."
Ash: "?"
What does that mean?
This is such a headache.
He scratched his head, walked past the aggrieved-looking Gengar, and went up the stairs.
Let me see, where's the promised reward from Mr. Fuji?
It was said to be an incredible stone, something he had been looking forward to for a long time.
On the platform sat a small wooden box. Ash opened it eagerly. Inside, it was lined with smooth red silk cloth, looking very exquisite.
Resting on the red cloth was a small, round bead, about five or six centimeters in diameter. The moment the lid was opened, it flashed with a strange light that blinded Ash.
But the light quickly faded, receding into the bead and forming a strange, curved, oval-shaped symbol in its center.
Ash took out the bead, tapped it against the table, and examined it from top to bottom, but he couldn't make heads or tails of it.
"Is it an evolution stone, like a Thunder Stone?"
He subconsciously took out his Pokédex. At times like these, the Pokédex could always give him a satisfactory answer.
"Beep. A glass marble for children to play with. Useless."
Ash froze.
Was he tricked by that old man Fuji?
Just as he was about to angrily throw it away, a clear, cold voice suddenly sounded in his mind, stopping him.
"That stone is called a Key Stone. It's a good thing."
Ash, his face full of disbelief, retorted:
"Are you kidding me, Brother Red? Your keys look like this?"
Red: "..."
In the end, he could only suppress the urge to curse and said slowly:
"Put it away. Find a craftsman to fashion it later. Its uses are limitless. It's an essential item for a powerful Trainer."
After he transmigrated from the game world, all of his items were gone.
But the items his Pokémon were holding were still there.
Sensing this strange power, he could actually possess Ash right now, release Mewtwo, and cooperate with it to pull off one of Mewtwo's signature moves. With a casual wave of his hand, the entire Kanto Region would tremble.
But he wasn't the type to show off. Maybe next time.
Seeing this, Ash carefully put the Key Stone away and dragged the heartbroken Gengar downstairs.
On the first floor of the Pokémon Tower, the first thing Ash saw was a familiar shadow.
An Electric Mouse was still sleeping soundly in the green light barrier.
He resisted the urge to rush over and flip it over, returning to the witch at the front desk where he had started. He saw three people chatting.
"Huh, Brock, you're awake—Damn it! How did you end up looking like this!?"
Brock turned his head. The two characters for "Abstinence" on his forehead were gone, and his whole body radiated a holy and flawless aura. He even seemed to be surrounded by a glittery special effect.
The most important thing was...
He had opened his eyes.
A pair of large, sparkling "Carslan" eyes blinked, shining with a crystal-clear luster.
"Oh~ Ash-kun, using foul language is not a good habit, you know~"
Brock smiled gently, revealing his pristine teeth.
Ash: "?"
Did his brain break?
The wide-eyed Brock patted Ash on the shoulder and said with a wistful smile:
"I have been reborn in the 'Abstinence Bar.' The people there are all so pleasant to talk to, and they finally helped me achieve enlightenment. Women are nothing but painted skeletons. To become a great Breeder, one must cast aside such things!"
Ash: "..."
To be honest, he didn't really like this version of Teacher Brock.
Then, he gave a carefree smile.
Whatever, it didn't matter. It had nothing to do with him anyway.
The witch at the side seemed very satisfied with Brock's current sage-like state. She nodded, then turned her head to ask Ash:
"Young man, is everything taken care of?"
"Yes, ma'am. This paper fan..."
Ash quickly handed the paper fan over. That rascal Gengar had probably stolen it as a prank, and he didn't want to be a thief.
Unexpectedly, the witch waved her hand and smiled:
"This paper fan is fated to be with you, so I'll give it to you. Consider it a reward for saving this Pokémon Tower."
Hearing this, Ash felt a jolt of excitement, thinking to himself that such a good thing could actually happen.
This paper fan was a real treasure. Not only could it counter Ghost-related things, but it would also be a handy weapon for a Trainer in close combat.
If Brother Red really turned evil and tried to possess him in the future, he could pin him down with a single swing of the fan.
Red: "..."
Ash scratched his head again, wondering what she meant by "saving the Pokémon Tower."
The witch cackled. She already knew that the two formidable members of the Rainbow Group from upstairs had been defeated and subdued by this youth. What was the use of just chasing them away? The Pokémon Tower would still be torn down by big corporations.
She planned to use her forbidden art, *Kotoamatsukami*, to secretly rewrite the willpower of the two people upstairs, changing their idea of tearing down the Pokémon Tower into one of protecting it, without altering their other thoughts or personalities.
After all, this was the final resting place for Pokémon. How could she allow it to be casually converted into a Radio Station?
It's 2020, and they're still stuck on building a radio station?
Wouldn't adding a 5G base station be better?
The witch sneered.
After settling everything, Ash, with a troubled expression, woke up Pikachu, who was sore all over and drooling everywhere from its deep sleep. Just as he was about to leave the Pokémon Tower, a soft cry suddenly rang out.
"Cuba!"
Everyone looked closely and saw a small, dark figure on the stairs, shouldering a Blue Flame Bone Club that was even bigger than itself.
"Is that Cubone?"
"Was it corrupted by an evil spirit?"
Brock and Misty were shocked by the mutated Cubone. It was the first time they had ever seen a Pokémon in a special form.
A Pokémon in a special form was an absolute rarity, in some ways even scarcer than a Legendary Pokémon.
"Oh, little one, so you've obtained new power."
The witch at the side was also amazed.
Seeing the approaching Cubone, which had regained its fighting spirit and confidence, brought a joyful smile to Ash's face.
"How about it? Want to travel with me?" he asked, extending an olive branch.
Cubone nodded, then immediately shook its head.
"Cuba!"
Everyone was baffled. Ash took a deep breath and translated:
"I get it. We already share a bond. This means that you've gained the power of the Pokémon Tower, so your body is now bound to this place, right?"
Cubone: "?"
The witch beside them facepalmed and translated, exasperated:
"This little one plans to stand vigil for its mother for a while. It will come find you after that."
"Cuba!"
Cubone nodded, confirming the witch's words.
With that, it abruptly lifted the Bone Club, which was bigger than its entire body, and aimed it at Ash. A creepy, blue-black flame was burning on it.
Without the slightest hesitation, Ash extended his fist to meet it.
As his fist touched the Bone Club, the flame wrapped around it. Surprisingly, there was no burning sensation, only a faint warmth.
Many Fire-type Pokémon have flames on their bodies, and only a Trainer they acknowledge won't be burned upon contact.
As the Bone Club and fist met, the hearts of the human and the beast were connected.
Ash adjusted his hat and declared with high spirits:
"Then it's settled. I'll come get you after I've beaten all eight Gyms. This is a promise to you from a Pokémon Master!"
"Cuba!"
From beneath its skull, Cubone also revealed a childlike smile, looking forward to their future adventures together—
(end of chapter)