Chapter 6: A New Beginning, A First Badge
The air felt different after the battle.
Not because of what had happened—
But because of what it meant.
Ashley stood still for a while, her gaze lowered slightly, Pikachu resting quietly on her shoulder. The road ahead led straight into the town, but for the first time in years, that road didn't feel like an ending.
It felt like a beginning.
"…You're really not normal," she said finally.
Ben stretched his arms casually. "Yeah, I've accepted that."
"…And what you did just now…"
"Pretty cool, right?"
"…It was unfair."
Ben grinned. "I prefer the word 'effective.'"
Ashley shook her head slightly, but there was no irritation in it this time. Just… acceptance.
A small pause followed.
Then she spoke again, quieter this time.
"…If I start again… from the beginning…"
Ben looked at her.
"…you're coming with me?"
He didn't hesitate.
"Obviously."
Ashley nodded once.
"…Then I'll do it."
Ben blinked. "…That's it?"
"…That's it."
"No dramatic speech? No 'I'll rise again stronger than ever'?"
"…No."
"…Kinda disappointing."
Pikachu chuckled softly. "Pika."
Ashley turned toward the town.
"…We start with the first Gym."
Ben tilted his head. "Gym?"
"…A place where trainers battle to earn badges."
"Ohhh. Boss fights."
"…If that helps you understand."
"It does."
She looked straight ahead now, her eyes clearer than before.
"The first one is a Rock-type Gym."
Ben cracked his knuckles lightly. "Perfect."
"…Don't get overconfident."
"Too late."
The Gym stood solid and unmoving, built like a fortress of stone. Massive rocks formed its structure, giving off an imposing presence that immediately told challengers what to expect.
Inside—
The battlefield was rough, filled with stone terrain.
At the far end stood the Gym Leader.
A calm, steady figure.
Brock.
Ashley stepped forward.
"I challenge the Gym."
Brock nodded. "How many Pokémon?"
Ashley paused.
Then glanced at Ben.
"…One."
Brock raised an eyebrow slightly, but didn't question it. "Very well."
The referee signaled.
"Battle begin!"
Brock moved first.
"Go, Geodude!"
A small, rock-like Pokémon appeared, its arms flexing as it hovered slightly above the ground.
Ben leaned toward Ashley. "…That thing's made of rocks."
"Yes."
"…And it fights?"
"Yes."
"…This world is amazing."
Ashley didn't respond. "…Your turn."
Ben stepped forward.
He didn't say anything dramatic this time.
No teasing.
No jokes.
He simply raised his hand—
And slammed the Ultimatrix.
FLASH.
Green light burst across the battlefield.
The air shifted.
Water surged.
Where Ben stood—
Now stood a towering, armored alien, blue and powerful, water flowing through his body like a living current.
Waterhazard.
Brock's calm expression shifted slightly.
"…What Pokémon is that?"
Ashley didn't answer.
Because even she didn't know.
Ben—Waterhazard—looked at Geodude.
"…Rock type, huh?"
His arm lifted.
Water began to gather instantly, swirling with pressure and force.
"Let's try this."
He fired.
A concentrated blast of water shot forward like a cannon.
BOOM—!
It hit Geodude directly.
No struggle.
No resistance.
Geodude was blown back instantly, crashing into the rocks behind, completely unable to continue.
Silence filled the Gym.
The referee raised a flag.
"Geodude is unable to battle!"
Brock's eyes sharpened slightly now.
"…I see."
"Go, Onix!"
The ground trembled as a massive serpent of stone emerged, towering over the battlefield.
Ben looked up at it.
"…Okay, that one's bigger."
Ashley crossed her arms slightly. "…Don't mess around."
"Got it."
Onix roared, lunging forward.
"Onix, Rock Throw!"
Massive stones broke free and launched toward Ben.
Waterhazard didn't move.
Instead—
Water surged outward.
The rocks collided with the water—
And shattered.
"Now my turn."
He raised both arms.
The water around him intensified, gathering more force.
Then—
He unleashed it.
A massive wave blasted forward, slamming into Onix with overwhelming power.
CRASH—!
The impact shook the entire battlefield.
Onix was pushed back, its massive body losing balance before collapsing heavily onto the ground.
The Gym fell silent again.
The referee hesitated—
Then raised the flag.
"Onix is unable to battle! The challenger wins!"
For a moment—
No one spoke.
Brock looked at Ben carefully, then at Ashley.
"…That was decisive."
Ashley didn't reply immediately.
She just watched as the green light faded—
And Ben returned to normal.
He stretched casually. "Well, that was easy."
Ashley exhaled slowly.
"…We won."
No tension.
No desperation.
No last-minute loss.
Just—
Victory.
Brock stepped forward, holding out a badge.
"The Boulder Badge."
Ashley took it.
Her hand paused slightly as she looked at it.
For the first time in years—
There was no bitterness attached to it.
Ben leaned closer. "So this is step one, right?"
Ashley nodded slowly.
"…Yes."
Ben grinned.
"Seven more to go."
Ashley looked at him.
Then at the badge again.
A faint smile appeared.
"…Seven more."
Pikachu raised its paw. "Pika!"
And just like that—
Her journey had begun again.
Not as someone chasing a broken dream—
But as someone walking toward it once more.
End of Chapter 6