13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 35 Fallrock Valley Part 1

Ash, Alice, and Delia arrive at Fallrock Valley, where they spot Keira and a boy comforting a crying girl. Keira notices them and waves them over. "Ash, Alice! Over here!"

As they approach, Ash asks, "What happened?"

The girl clings to the boy's arm, tears streaming down her face. "Please! Please help me find those thieves!"

The boy nods reassuringly. "I'll do the best I can! I promise!" He then turns to the group, and Ash and Alice are both taken aback by the boy's appearance—he looks just like Ash.

"What the...? There are two of you?" Alice exclaims in confusion.

The boy quickly interjects, "Talk later, we really need your help. This little girl here says people in dark uniforms stole her Pokémon and took off into a cave!"

"This is terrible! We need to get her Pokémon back!" Alice declares.

The girl tugs at Ash's pants, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Please! I miss them so much! I'm scared..."

Keira points toward the cave. "They went in there. We should team up, find those thieves, and get the Pokémon back!"

As they make their way into the cave, Ash can't help but ask, "So, who are you, and why do you look like me?"

The boy glances at Delia and asks, "Mom? You didn't mention me to Brother Ash? How could you?"

Delia sighs with a gentle smile. "I thought it would be better if you met in person. Ash, this is your adoptive brother, Mark. Thanks to my powers, I made you two blood-related."

"What? I have a younger brother as well?" Ash gasps, echoing Alice's surprise. Keira is equally shocked, having only known the boy as Mark.

"Yeah," Mark confirms. "I was adopted back in the Hoenn Region. My former family tried to kill me for being a 'loser,' but thanks to Mother's interference, she saved me and adopted me as her son."

Ash takes a moment to process the information. "I see..."

As they venture deeper into the cave, Ash and the group spot some Team Lunar Grunts lurking ahead. Without hesitation, Ash takes out Elecritter, while Mark sends out a Pokémon that catches Alice's attention.

"Is that a Bulker?" Alice asks, surprised.

"Yeah," Mark confirms. "It was my first Pokémon here in the Rikoto Region."

The battle begins, and as they fight alongside each other, Elecritter suddenly begins to glow, evolving into a bigger, faster Pokémon. Its newfound speed and power help them swiftly defeat the grunts.

Weashock: The Weasel Pokémon. Electric Type. Evolved from Elecritter at level 21. Weashock are more capable of controlling their electricity. They have sharp minds and use electricity to stimulate themselves for faster reflexes.

"Nice, Weashock," Ash says with a proud smile. "You evolved." The Weasel Pokémon nods in acknowledgment before Ash recalls him.

Inside the cave, Ash and his group find themselves surrounded by Team Lunar Grunts. Ash tightens his grip on his Poké Ball and says, "Looks like we'll have to fight back."

"Yeah," Alice agrees, preparing to send out her Pokémon. But before they can act, a sudden barrage of gems strikes the grunts, knocking them all down.

"That's Shatter Gem..." Delia observes, her eyes narrowing.

"Who could have done that?" Keira wonders aloud.

Just then, two Pokémon appear—one bug-like and the other floating in the air. Ash looks at them, puzzled. "Are you here to save us? Why?"