13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 18 Crestlight Gym Battle

Crestlight City is shrouded in darkness, the persistent rain only adding to its oppressive atmosphere. Ash and Alice trudge through the slick streets toward the gym, the steady patter of raindrops blending with the distant rumble of thunder. Ash wipes the rain from his face with a towel, his expression reflecting his unease.

"Geez... this city really gives me the creeps," he mutters, glancing around at the gloomy, rain-soaked buildings. "The rain, the dark... it's making me feel kinda down."

Alice, walking beside him, gives him a sidelong glance. "Well, this is Crestlight City, the darkest place in the Rikoto Region," she points out. "If the dark is getting to you now, how do you plan to face Damon? He's a Dark-type specialist, and we all saw what his Werehide did back in that ghost house."

Ash straightens, determination flashing in his eyes. "That won't stop me from taking on this challenge," he declares, his voice firm. Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, lets out an enthusiastic cheer, echoing his trainer's resolve.

Alice giggles, her previous seriousness melting away. "Now that's the kind of determination I want to see."

The pair enter the gym, only to be confronted with a bewildering array of doors stretching out before them. Ash's confidence wavers slightly as he takes in the sight.

"Great," he mutters. "So... which one of these leads to the battlefield?"

Alice studies the maze of doors with a thoughtful expression. "I'm not sure," she admits, "but I guess this is part of the challenge we need to face before we can battle Damon. We'll just have to check each one until we find the right path."

As Ash and Alice search through the maze of rooms, the dim light barely illuminating their path, Damon stands patiently in the battlefield room. He seems at ease, his posture relaxed, until a subtle shift in the air makes him aware of another presence behind him.

"You know," Damon begins, a wry smile curling his lips as he speaks without turning around, "after getting startled by you so many times back in the Unova Region, I don't think you can scare me anymore."

He finally turns, his smile broadening as he meets the gaze of the woman before him. "Good to see you again, Delia. I must say, I'm surprised to see you here first instead of Ash."

Stepping out of the shadows, Delia returns his smile, her eyes gleaming. "And your affinity for darkness hasn't changed a bit," she remarks. "Have you been able to contact your brother yet?"

Damon's smile falters slightly. "No, not yet. I'm not sure what he's up to right now, but it doesn't matter. The question is, are you here to watch your son lose to me?"

Delia chuckles softly, a knowing look in her eyes. "Oh, trust me, my son is stronger than you think. I'm confident he'll defeat you and earn that badge without any trouble."

"We'll see about that," Damon replies, his voice tinged with amusement. Just then, the sound of footsteps echoes through the room, and both turn their attention to the entrance. Ash and Alice step into the room, their expressions a mix of relief and anticipation. Delia, sensing the moment, slips back into the shadows, remaining hidden.

"I hope this is the right room..." Ash murmurs, glancing around.

"Yeah... It's easy to get lost in a place as dark as this gym..." Alice adds, her voice barely above a whisper.

"So, you made it here," Damon says, stepping forward to greet them. His presence commands the room, and Ash straightens up, a determined look on his face.

"Finally, we made it..." Ash says, his voice resolute.

Damon nods, his expression approving. "Good. You were a great help in solving the crime in Blackleaf Woods," he acknowledges. "As you know, I'm Damon, the Gym Leader of this remarkable city, and I specialize in Dark-type Pokémon. Many people fear Dark-types because they don't understand them, but they can be magnificent."