1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 83: Rainbow Descent

Bell Tower rose over Ecruteak City like an old promise waiting to be answered.

After the Dance Theater test, the Clear Bell felt different in my hand. Every time my fingers shifted around it, I remembered the Kimono Girls' battle, the rhythm of their dance floor, and Entei's warmth from Burned Tower. The Tidal Bell rested safely with Lillie for now, quiet and deep, waiting for the sea.

Zuki led the five Kimono Girls ahead of us, while Sakura, Satsuki, and their sisters followed as witnesses. None of them treated the walk to Bell Tower like a normal trip through the city. Every step slowed naturally as we crossed the old paths, and even Ethan stopped fidgeting with the Exp. Share on his belt.

Larvitar stayed wrapped in Lillie's arms, peeking out at the tower with nervous eyes. Togetic floated beside Lillie's shoulder, and Espeon kept close to her other side. Larvitar had seen bad fire, protective fire, and Entei's warmth in one day. Now he watched the tall wooden building as if it might either shelter the sky or collapse into it.

Larvitar's head turned once more, "Did fire come here before?"

"Fire came here long ago," I answered quietly. "But this tower is the one that still stands."

Pikachu walked beside Lillie instead of riding my shoulder, keeping himself where Larvitar could see him. Pikachu's ears lifted sharply, "We can climb slowly. I will stay where Larvitar can see me."

Togetic circled once near Lillie's shoulder, "I will stay close too. The tower does not sound angry."

Espeon's ears turned toward the entrance, "There are many people ahead, but none of them are rushing toward us."

East studied the entrance and the upper platforms through the open spaces in the wood. "This is going to be more than stairs. The path turns back on itself."

Kris nodded, already looking at the tower like a living piece of history. "The floors were built like a maze. I can already see ladders doubling back above us."

Reisa looked upward as faint bell tones moved through the air, even though nobody had rung anything yet. "It already has rhythm."

Zuki stopped at the entrance and turned toward us. "The climb is part of the ritual. Ho-Oh will not descend just because we reached the door."

I tightened my grip around the Clear Bell. "Then we climb properly."

Two elders waited inside the entrance hall, both wearing plain robes marked with a small bell pattern. They bowed first to the Kimono Girls, then to the Clear Bell, and finally to us. Their eyes lingered on Larvitar wrapped in Lillie's arms and on how gently I held the bell.

One elder spoke softly. "Keep your steps careful inside Bell Tower. The floors are old, and the bells should only be rung as part of the ritual unless someone is in danger."

"I understand," I said, lowering my head.

The second elder looked at Larvitar. "Take as long as he needs. There is no reason to hurry a frightened Pokémon."

Larvitar's eyes widened at the words. He pressed closer into the blanket, "Is this tall place really waiting for me to keep going?"

"Yes," Lillie answered after hearing the fear in his voice. "Nobody here is going to rush you."

He didn't relax completely, but his claws stopped digging into the blanket. The elders stepped aside, and the first ladder waited beyond them with sunlight falling across its rungs.

Before climbing, I looked back toward the city. Burned Tower was hidden behind rooftops from this angle, but I could still remember Entei's warmth against my palm. One tower carried the scars of the old fire. The other still stood above Ecruteak, waiting for the ritual that had survived it.