Chapter 7: Terms, Temptation, and the Second Badge
The road out of the Rock Gym felt lighter than the road that had led into it. Ashley walked with the Boulder Badge secured in her case, her steps steady, her gaze forward. Pikachu sat on her shoulder, occasionally flicking its tail, as if sharing in the quiet satisfaction of a clean victory. Beside her, Ben walked with an easy stride, hands in his pockets, but there was a different kind of energy around him now—focused, but not entirely on the journey.
"You know," Ben said after a while, glancing at her, "for someone who said she was done, you bounced back pretty fast."
Ashley didn't look at him. "One badge doesn't mean anything."
"It means you won."
"It means I started."
Ben smirked. "Same thing, different wording."
She ignored that.
A few more steps passed before Ben spoke again, this time more casually, but with a clear shift in tone. "So… now that we're officially on this journey together…"
Ashley already sensed where this was going.
"…Don't," she said flatly.
"Don't what?" Ben asked, feigning innocence.
"…Whatever you're about to say."
He grinned anyway. "I was just going to say—you're kind of amazing."
Ashley stopped walking.
Slowly turned.
"…No."
"Yes."
"…No."
"Yes."
"…Focus."
Ben shrugged. "I am focused."
"On the wrong thing."
Pikachu let out a soft "Pika…" like it had seen this coming.
Ashley crossed her arms, her expression firm now. "Right now, the only thing that matters is becoming Champion."
Ben tilted his head slightly. "And after that?"
"…We'll talk."
That was the closest thing to an opening she was going to give.
Ben smiled slowly. "So basically, I just need to help you win."
"…Yes."
"And then I get a reward."
Ashley narrowed her eyes. "…Don't phrase it like that."
"Too late."
She sighed softly, already tired of him again, but there was no real annoyance behind it this time. Just… resistance.
"…Fine," she said after a moment.
Ben blinked. "Wait, really?"
Ashley looked straight at him. "After each Gym battle… if we win…"
Ben leaned in slightly. "…Yeah?"
"…I'll let you get closer."
A pause.
Ben grinned wider. "Define 'closer.'"
"…You'll see."
Pikachu covered its face slightly. "Pika…"
Ben straightened, clearly satisfied. "Deal."
Ashley turned and continued walking. "…Don't regret it."
"I won't."
"…I might."
---
The next destination didn't take long to reach.
A coastal city.
The air carried the scent of salt, and the sound of waves echoed faintly in the distance. The Gym stood near the water, its structure built with a fluid design that matched its theme.
Ashley stopped in front of it.
"…Water-type Gym."
Ben cracked his neck slightly. "Nice. Change of pace."
They stepped inside.
The battlefield was different this time—partially flooded, with platforms rising above the water. At the far end stood the Gym Leader, calm and composed.
"Misty."
Ashley stepped forward. "I challenge the Gym."
Misty studied her briefly, then nodded. "Alright. Let's see what you've got."
The battle began.
"Go, Staryu!"
The star-shaped Pokémon spun lightly above the water's surface, its core glowing faintly.
Ben glanced at Ashley. "Water type, right?"
"Yes."
"…Got it."
He stepped forward.
Raised his hand.
And activated the Ultimatrix.
FLASH.
Green light surged again.
When it faded—
Ben's form had changed.
His body now pulsed with electric energy, yellow and black patterns running across a sleek, powerful frame. Lightning crackled around him, contained but intense.
Buzzshock.
Misty's eyes widened slightly. "…That's not a Pokémon I recognize."
Ashley didn't answer.
Because she didn't either.
Buzzshock flexed his fingers slightly, electricity snapping between them. "…Water type versus electric. This might be quick."
"Staryu, Swift!"
Stars of energy shot forward rapidly.
Buzzshock didn't dodge.
Electricity flared.
The attacks dispersed on contact.
"My turn."
He raised one arm.
Lightning gathered instantly—
And fired.
"Thunder Strike!"
The electric blast hit Staryu directly.
The water amplified it.
CRACK—!
Staryu froze—
Then dropped into the water, unable to continue.
The referee raised the flag.
"Staryu is unable to battle!"
Misty's expression sharpened. "Starmie!"
A larger, more powerful form appeared, spinning rapidly, its core glowing brighter.
"Starmie, Water Pulse!"
A concentrated wave shot forward.
Buzzshock stepped into it.
Electricity surged outward—
The water conducted it.
The entire battlefield lit up.
Starmie's movement faltered instantly.
"Finish it."
Another surge.
Cleaner.
Stronger.
Decisive.
Starmie collapsed.
Silence.
"Starmie is unable to battle! The challenger wins!"
Misty exhaled slowly. "…That was overwhelming."
The green light faded.
Ben returned to normal.
He stretched slightly. "Told you."
Ashley stepped forward as Misty handed her the Cascade Badge.
"…Good battle."
"…Thank you."
Ashley took the badge.
Two now.
Ben leaned closer, lowering his voice slightly. "So…"
Ashley closed her eyes briefly.
"…You're not going to forget, are you?"
"Nope."
She turned slightly away, clearly hesitant.
"…Just this once."
Ben didn't need more permission.
He stepped closer—
And gently pulled her into a brief kiss.
It wasn't rushed.
Not forceful.
Just enough to make her freeze for a moment.
Pikachu's eyes widened. "Pika—?!"
Ashley stepped back immediately after, her face slightly flushed, expression conflicted.
"…That's enough."
Ben smiled lightly. "For now."
She turned away quickly. "…We're leaving."
"…Yes, Champion."
"…Don't call me that yet."
"But I will."
Ashley didn't reply.
But she didn't deny it either.
And as they stepped out of the Gym together—
The second badge secured—
The journey continued.
This time—
With something new quietly growing alongside it.
---
End of Chapter 7