13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 24 A Taxi Problem

As Ash and his group pass through the towering gate, they find themselves in the bustling heart of Rustbolt City. The sight of sleek cars weaving through traffic and people strolling alongside their Pokémon fills Ash with awe. The city hums with life, a stark contrast to the more tranquil places they've visited before.

Just then, Rodney appears, sprinting toward them with a wide grin. "Ash! Alice! You made it here, too!"

"Hey, Rodney!" Alice responds with a smile. "How have you been?"

"I won my gym battle!" Rodney exclaims, his excitement bubbling over. "It wasn't easy, but I did it!" He then notices Delia standing beside them and quickly bows, his tone turning respectful. "It's so nice to see you, Your Highness."

Delia smiles warmly. "No need to be so formal, Rodney."

Rodney's eyes then shift to Elena, his expression brightening with recognition. "And you must be Princess Elena! It's an honor to meet you in person."

Elena nods graciously. "Thank you, Rodney."

Turning to Ash, Alice gently tugs on his sleeve. "Ash, since you're new to this place, there's something you should know. Rustbolt City is huge, and with all this traffic, it's not safe to walk on the roads. But don't worry, there are crosswalks to help you get across safely."

Rodney nods in agreement. "Yeah, and I heard there's a taxi company here. Maybe we should find it to get around more easily. Anyway, I'm going to explore a bit. Just remember, stay off the roads and look out for those taxis!"

As Rodney waves goodbye and hurries off, Ash and the others continue to explore the city. The towering buildings cast long shadows over the streets, and they make a conscious effort to avoid drawing too much attention to themselves, blending into the rhythm of the city.

Inside one of the cozy houses nestled in Rustbolt City, Ash and Alice encounter a rugged hiker, his backpack resting heavily on the floor beside him. The hiker greets them with a hearty smile. "Hey there! You two look like you've traveled a long way to get here! Did you know that some items can cause certain Pokémon to evolve when they hold them?"

Ash, curious as always, steps forward. "Yeah, we know about that. What about them?"

The hiker grins and reaches into his bag. "Well, here, take these!" To their surprise, he hands them a Razor Fang and a Razor Claw, the items gleaming in the light.

Alice's eyes widen as she takes the Razor Claw. "With this, we can evolve Beopup! Though, it has to be nighttime."

Elena, standing nearby, nods thoughtfully. "And the Razor Fang can be used later after you evolve your Vambat."

Ash, holding the items carefully, smiles appreciatively. "This is so helpful. Thank you."

The hiker chuckles, clearly pleased with their reaction. "Glad I could help! These items can make all the difference in a tough battle."

As they step outside, Pikachu's nose twitches as he catches a scent from a nearby trash can. He scampers over, letting out a sharp cry to get Ash's attention.

"What is it, Pikachu?" Ash asks, following his companion to the trash can. There, nestled among some discarded items, he spots a glint of something unusual. Ash crouches down and carefully picks up the object. "It's a Thunder Stone..."

Elena peers over his shoulder. "Pikachu can evolve with that, right? Are you going to use it?"

Ash shakes his head, glancing at Pikachu, who looks back at him with determined eyes. "No, Pikachu doesn't want to evolve into Raichu. I respect his choice, and I trust him." Pikachu squeals in agreement, nuzzling Ash's leg.