A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 84 - The Light Fantastic

As the group continued their journey, Emma looked at the map while Ash was holding Togepi in his arms. "According to the map, we should head to Olivine City. There's a gym there."

Ash grinned. "Alright! My fifth Gym! I can't believe we're already on our way to my fifth gym battle!" His male Pikachu chirped in agreement from atop his cap.

As they traveled along the dusty path, the group began to feel the effects of the scorching sun. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, and their water bottles were quickly emptying. Emma's female Pikachu drooped on her shoulder, panting softly.

"Hey guys," Misty called out, her voice strained from the heat, "I think we should take a break. There's supposed to be a river up ahead where we can rest and refill our water."

The others nodded in agreement, eager for a reprieve from the relentless sun. They quickened their pace, their spirits lifting at the thought of cool water and shade.

However, as they rounded a bend in the path, they were met with an unexpected sight. Where a flowing river should have been, there was only a vast expanse of cracked, dry earth. The riverbed stretched out before them, barren and desolate, as if it hadn't seen a drop of water in weeks.

"What's that?" Molly asked as she pointed up to the sky on top of a mountain.

As the group's eyes followed Molly's small finger, they gasped in unison. Hovering above the peak of a mountain was a peculiar, shimmering light. It pulsed with an otherworldly glow, casting an eerie blue hue across the barren landscape.

"What's that?" Ash asked.

"Maybe it's a spaceship," Misty suggested.

"I doubt that," Emma said.

Brock looked at the guidebook. "Whatever it is, it's right over Remoraid Mountain. Huh? Hey, we're right near a Pokémon Center!"

Misty smiled. "We'll be able to cool off and get ice cold drinks there!"

"And we might get some answers about those lights!" Emma said. "Come on. Let's go." As they continued forward, the shimmering light above the mountain slowly disappeared.

As the group made their way towards the Pokémon Center, the path took an unexpected turn. They all stopped to take in the new view; Stretching out as far as the eye could see were the crumbling remains of what seemed like a small ancient city. Massive stone structures, weathered by time, stood like silent sentinels amidst a sea of overgrown vegetation. Intricate carvings adorned the walls and trees with symbols.

"Whoa! Cool!" Ash gasped, stepping closer to the nearest structure, his curiosity piqued. "Look at this! What do you think it was?"

"It looks like a prehistoric city!" Misty said as Molly walked past them toward one of the trees.

"Hey, Molly, don't get too far," Ash said as he reached out to gently pull her back. Molly pouted, her wide eyes scanning the remnants of the ancient civilization.

Emma stepped closer to them. "There's all kinds of symbols and stuff on these logs here."

Brock looked at the guidebook. "This is where the Ancient Colossal Tree Tribe lived."

Ash frowned. "Ancient Colossal Tree Tribe?"

"It's a lost civilization," Brock answered. "The people here used to cut huge trees from nearby forests and mountains to build gigantic buildings."

"Well the mountains are still around, but we haven't seen any forests for miles and miles," Ash pointed out.

"Hey..." Misty trailed off and they all turned to her to see she was looking down at a huge carving of a Pokémon. "Guys, look at this carving. It looks like a Pokémon I've seen somewhere before."