Ash's Story (Part 6: Unova)

Chapter 93: Tower Lights

Black City looked like White Forest's shadow had learned how to shine.

The buildings rose dark and sharp around us, with neon lights cutting across glass, metal, and polished stone. White Forest had smelled like berries, leaves, and clean water. Black City smelled like pavement after heat, machine oil, battle courts, and people who had somewhere to be.

Reisa stood beside me, looking upward at the towers. "Now this is really different compared to White Forest."

"Yeah," I said. "White Forest felt like it wanted us to listen before moving. Black City feels like it wants us to prove we can keep up."

Trainers were everywhere. Some leaned against railings, polishing Poké Balls. Others watched battle courts from balconies. A few looked at me and smiled the way challengers smiled when they were already imagining a fight.

Iris grinned immediately. "I like this place."

Golly looked less impressed. "Of course you do. It is loud, competitive, and probably full of people who think safety signs are optional."

Cilan adjusted his collar, eyes bright with curiosity. "A city course with a bold electric aroma, sharp ambition, and a finish that might overwhelm a careless palate."

Eve glanced around the plaza. "It feels like everyone is measuring everyone else."

Alice stayed close to me, her gaze moving from the towers to the battle courts. "Then we measure carefully."

Pikachu's tail flicked against my shoulder.

Pikachu's meaning came steady but alert. "This place wants sparks. Do not give every spark a battle."

"I know," I whispered to him.

The Black Tower stood at the city's heart, rising higher than the nearby buildings. It was not hidden or gentle like White Treehollow. It wanted to be seen.

The entrance shone with dark panels and blue light, and Trainers gathered there like they were waiting at the mouth of a storm.

The lobby had screens listing completed areas, but I did not like how quickly my name appeared among challengers. It made the tower feel like it was counting me before I had earned the climb. A young Ace Trainer noticed me staring and told me not to worry about the screen unless I planned to lose to it.

I almost answered too quickly, then stopped. That was exactly the kind of pressure Black City liked. I let him challenge me instead, and Sceptile ended the battle with a clean Leaf Blade before the Trainer could keep talking.

A guide explained the rules when we arrived. They were almost the same as White Treehollow, but the direction changed everything. Instead of heading deeper underground, challengers climbed upward floor by floor. Each area held Trainers, hints, a Gate Trainer, healing Doctors or Nurses after battle, and a Boss Trainer. No careless item use. No easy path. No skipping the lesson just because the tower looked straightforward.

"So it is White Treehollow turned into a tower," Eve said.

"Not exactly," Cilan said, studying the lobby. "White Treehollow tested patience through roots and branching paths. Black Tower tests pressure through height. Every floor says, 'Can you still climb?'"

"That was almost normal," Golly said.

Cilan smiled. "I do have moments."

I looked up through the open center of the tower. Far above, lights circled the tenth floor like a crown.

"Benga is waiting up there," I said.

Iris punched one fist into her palm. "Then we climb."

The first floors moved fast, but not carelessly.