Chapter 9: Eight Badges, One Line Left
The rest of the journey didn't drag the way Ashley once feared it would.
It flowed.
Battle after battle, Gym after Gym—what used to feel like insurmountable walls now felt like steps. Not easy… but clear. Focused. Achievable.
The sixth badge came with a clean strategy. No hesitation, no overthinking. Ashley called the moves, Ben executed them perfectly, adapting mid-battle like he had been in this world for years instead of weeks.
The seventh badge followed even faster.
By then, Gym Leaders had started noticing something unusual.
Not just Ashley.
But the one beside her.
A "Pokémon" that didn't fit any record. A fighter that changed forms. A presence that didn't behave like anything they had ever seen.
Questions were asked.
Answers were not given.
And Ashley didn't try to explain.
Because even she didn't fully understand him.
---
By the time they reached the final Gym—
There was no tension left in her steps.
No doubt clouding her thoughts.
Only focus.
"…Last one," Ben said, stretching lightly.
Ashley nodded. "…Yes."
No long speeches.
No hesitation.
Just—
A battle.
The final Gym Leader stood firm, experienced, confident.
But it didn't matter.
Ben adapted.
Ashley guided.
And together—
They won.
The eighth badge was placed into her hand.
Complete.
All of them.
For a moment—
Ashley just stared at it.
Not smiling.
Not speaking.
Just… holding it.
Ben leaned slightly closer. "So… that's it, right?"
"…Yes."
"All eight."
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…You did it."
Ashley exhaled slowly.
"…We did."
That word came out naturally this time.
Not forced.
Not reluctant.
And Ben noticed.
---
That night, they didn't rush forward.
No immediate next destination.
No planning for the League just yet.
They stopped near a quiet place outside the city, where the lights didn't reach and the world felt still again.
Ashley sat near the water, her bag beside her, badges secured.
Pikachu rested nearby, already asleep.
Ben walked over and sat beside her.
"…You're quiet," he said.
"…I'm thinking."
"About the League?"
"…About everything."
A faint breeze passed.
The water reflected the sky.
"…Eight years," she said quietly. "I couldn't get here properly."
Ben leaned back slightly. "And now you did."
"…Yes."
"…So what changed?"
Ashley didn't answer immediately.
Her gaze stayed on the water.
"…I stopped fighting alone."
Ben smiled faintly.
"Yeah," he said. "That helps."
A small silence followed.
Then Ashley stood up.
"…I'm going to rest."
Ben raised an eyebrow slightly. "That's it?"
"…What do you expect?"
He smirked lightly. "Nothing. Just asking."
She gave him a look.
"…You're still annoying."
"Consistent, remember?"
She turned slightly away.
"…You've already taken enough rewards."
Ben chuckled softly. "I'm not complaining."
Ashley paused.
Then, quieter—
"…You'll get nothing more until the League."
Ben blinked. "…Wait, really?"
"…Yes."
"That's harsh."
"…Focus on winning."
He sighed dramatically. "Everything comes back to that."
"…Because it matters."
Ben looked at her for a moment—
Then nodded.
"…Alright."
No teasing.
No pushing.
Just agreement.
Ashley glanced at him briefly, then looked away again.
"…Thank you."
The words were soft.
Almost easy to miss.
But he heard them.
"…Yeah," Ben replied.
And for once—
That was enough.
---
Far ahead—
The path to the League waited.
Not as a broken dream.
But as something real.
Something within reach.
And this time—
Ashley wasn't walking toward it alone.
---
End of Chapter 9