Ash Ascendant: Chapter 37

Hi all. 

Here’s the next chapter.

Chapter 37

Ash's fist met Ward's in an explosive collision. The Iron Echo Shell technique vibrated through Ash's body, his energy framework straining to redirect Ward's overwhelming power back at him.

Ward staggered backwards. Blood seeped from fresh cuts along his knuckles where the redirected force had torn through skin. But Ash bore the worst of it. His technique couldn't deflect all of Ward's devastating strength, and the remainder crashed through his defences like a battering ram.

The damage rippled throughout his body, each wave more violent than the last. His ribs felt as though they'd been shattered, his internal organs shifting from the brutal impact. Ash coughed, blood filling his mouth, then spat it onto the ground.

Ward shook his injured hand, flexing his fingers experimentally. "Impressive technique. But you’re still only a first-stage Essence realm cultivator."

He stepped forward, preparing to press his advantage whilst Ash remained vulnerable. The killing intent radiating from Ward's aura made it clear he wasn't finished.

"That's enough," Mustard said. "Let's call it a draw."

Ward's head snapped towards Mustard. "I was winning."

"And your cultivation realm is much higher than his," Mustard replied. "You should be embarrassed that he managed to hurt you at all."

"I underestimated him," Ward admitted. "It won't happen again."

Ash spat more blood into the dirt and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Next time, I will kick your ass."

Mustard raised his eyes skyward. "Give me strength. Young, dumb, and full of reckless confidence."

"That describes him perfectly," Ward said.

"I was speaking of both of you," Mustard replied dryly. "Now, let's put aside the issue of Ash dating your sister for now. We have a bigger problem to solve."

Ward removed his mask, revealing features that bore an unmistakable resemblance to Winona. The same violet eyes and hair, though shorter, and the same aristocratic bone structure.

"Are you referring to my bounty?" Ward asked. "I'm not going to stop searching for James. The Tower Association is paying a lot to capture him."

Ash frowned. "Does that include his accomplices? Because your sister is among them."

"That's not a problem. I have enough influence to get her off. I'm pretty sure the Tower Association only cares about James." He paused, his gaze sharpening. "Speaking of him, where is he?"

"No idea. Why don't you use that nose of yours to sniff him out? Or is the Bloodhound all talk?"

Wade's eyes narrowed. “I'm not just good at tracking. I'm also a fair hand at torture."

"Ash," Mustard interrupted before the situation could escalate further, "would you like to explain what's going on? I'm not clear on all the details."

Ash glanced between Ward and Mustard, then launched into the story James had shared. The Resurrectionists, their opposition to the Overseers, and how James had been betrayed by his brother and fiancée. 

"Jessebelle orchestrated his parents' murder," Ash finished. "She's working with Lucien to frame James and seize his family's resources for the Resurrectionists."

Mustard stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Knowing they are involved, I cannot allow you to continue hunting James. The Overseers may have their issues, but the Resurrectionists are bad news."

"How are you going to compensate me?” Ward asked. “I've already accepted the contract. The Tower Association won’t take kindly to me backing out of our agreement."

"I'll think of something," Mustard said. "Now, how are we going to expose Lucien and Jessebelle?"

"I'm pretty sure the Mayor is in on it," Ward replied after a moment's consideration. "Let me talk to him. But first, I want to see my sister."

Ash shook his head. "Not going to happen."

"What are you afraid of? That I will stab you in the back?"

"Got it in one."

"Your sister can wait," Mustard interjected. "Ash, I'm assuming she's in a safe place."

"Yep," Ash confirmed. "Without the Bloodhound, they will find it hard to find her.”

Mustard nodded. "I trust Ash's word. Let's clean up this mess, and you can reunite with your sister, Ward."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The trio made their way through the city and reached the administrative building without incident. They slipped inside, navigating the corridors until they reached the Mayor's office. The sound of agitated pacing came from inside. Ward pressed his ear to the wood, then nodded to the others.

Mustard pushed the door open and strode inside, Ash and Ward flanking him. The Mayor spun around, his face cycling through surprise, fear, and desperate calculation in rapid succession.

"Mustard," the Mayor said, attempting a smile that fooled nobody. "What brings you here?"

Ward slammed the door behind him, causing the Mayor to flinch.

"We need to discuss James Morgan," Mustard said. "Specifically, your role in framing him for his involvement with the Resurrectionists."

The Mayor's face went white. "I don't know what you're talking about. James is a dangerous criminal—"

"Cut the crap," Ash interrupted. "We know you're working with Lucien and Jessebelle."

Something strange flickered across the Mayor's features—confusion, as if he were trying to remember something just beyond his grasp. Then his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"You're right," the Mayor said. "I framed James Morgan. I orchestrated the whole thing—falsified evidence, bribed witnesses, convinced the Tower Association he was a threat. I did it all myself."

Ward exchanged glances with Mustard. Something felt off about the Mayor's confession.

"Why?" Mustard pressed. "What did you gain from destroying him?"

The Mayor's brow furrowed, as if struggling to recall. " James was getting too close to something, asking too many questions."

"What about Lucien?" Ward asked quietly. "What about Jessebelle?"

The Mayor's expression shifted to genuine confusion. "Lucien? Of course, I know him—he's part of the Tower Association. And Jessebelle has been around the city recently. But what do they have to do with this? This was my decision. My plan. I take full responsibility for what I did to James."

Ash felt ice settle in his stomach. The Mayor was confessing readily enough, but something was fundamentally wrong. 

"You're telling us you acted alone?" Ash pressed. "No one else was involved in framing James?"

"That's right," the Mayor replied. "It was all me."

"Bullshit," Ash said, understanding dawning. "I think Lucien got to him. Used his psychic abilities to mess with his mind."

Mustard sighed. "They've covered their tracks well. But at least we can clear James' name now."

“James won’t be pleased,” Ash said. “Even if he clears his name, he can’t get justice for his parents. And Lucien has stolen everything else from him.”

Ward shrugged. “Better than nothing. He can always get revenge later.”

"This is going to be messy to sort out," Mustard said. "Ash, leave it to Ward and me to handle. It should only take a few days to unravel this properly."

Ash nodded and slipped out of the office. He hadn't expected to clear up the incident so easily, even if the resolution wasn't quite what he'd been hoping for.

The Mayor's confession would exonerate James, but it left too many questions unanswered. Lucien and Jessebelle remained free to continue their schemes. Still, it was progress. James could stop running, at least from the Tower Association. The Resurrectionists were another matter entirely.

Now he could focus on preparing for his ascent to the third floor. The thought brought a surge of anticipation. 

Ash expected a much smoother transition this time. He was in a much better position than he was when he entered the second floor. He understood the rules better now, knew how to navigate the complex web of relationships that governed life in the Tower. 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ash raised his arm, and the liquid metal flowed across his skin. The Steelium responded to his will with newfound ease, shaping itself into increasingly complex forms. 

He had isolated himself in the training room, testing out his new abilities. He felt like he hadn’t devoted enough time to exploring his limits, but now that he had some downtime, it was the perfect opportunity to do so. 

Aside from testing his limits, he had been focusing on improving his armour. The Registeel form had served him well on a couple of occasions because of his familiarity with it, but it cost him far too much energy to use effectively. He would rather rely on his more compact Steelium armour and try out some new forms to see what he could do with them. 

He could now summon his full suit of armour in just a few seconds. It was a big improvement, and he believed his new cultivation realm was the reason for it.

Aside from perfecting his armour, he was experimenting with developing shields that could block potentially fatal attacks. He'd found mention of a layering technique in the cultivation manual that could increase the strength of the Steelium by several factors. Instead of creating a single thick barrier, the technique involved weaving multiple thin layers together, each one reinforcing the others.

Ash extended his left arm, concentrating on the shield formation. The metal flowed outward from his forearm, expanding into a circular barrier roughly three feet in diameter. He focused on the layering technique, adding a second layer, then a third. Each addition required more concentration and energy, but the results were promising. The shield felt significantly more robust than his previous attempts.

He tested the construction by striking it with his other fist. The impact sent vibrations through the layered metal, but the shield held firm. The technique showed a lot of promise beyond just defence. If he could master the layering principle, it could also be used for offence.

Ash had learned a lot from his fight with Ward. If he came up against an opponent stronger than him, he had to strengthen his defences and keep his distance. He wanted to develop new projectile weapons. He had experimented with some previously, but nothing he had worked on seriously.

It had been two days since they confronted the Mayor, and he was still waiting for word from Mustard that the conflict with the Tower Association had been resolved. His cultivation hadn't progressed since reaching the Essence Realm either. He was still waiting for Erika to develop a cultivation potion tailored to his Greed core, which involved considerable trial and error. If he was going to cultivate both cores simultaneously, then he desperately needed it because his Greed core would require significantly more effort to improve.

The chaos orb had almost run out of energy, and he'd used up all of his stored Steel-type energy during his breakthrough. Although he usually reserved such resources for developing his Pokemon, it was something he could tap into for his cultivation if needed. But for now, he was effectively stalled until Erika completed her work.

The door opened, and Al zoomed into the room. "Lou has come up with a list of recommendations for the Factory, sir.”

"Alright," Ash replied. "I'll be there in a second."

He concentrated on the teleportation technique, visualising the control centre. The world blurred around him, and he reappeared beside the chair before the massive console..

"Good morning, Ash," Lou said, appearing on the screen. "I have developed a detailed plan on how to get the most out of the Factory. I've been working with the assumption that you wish to use it as a secure hideout if something happens outside."

Ash settled into the chair. "You're not wrong. What do you have?"

"First of all, we need to restart factory operations to build more robots," Lou explained, bringing up schematics on the display. "Not just surveillance robots, but robots for combat, mining, and mechanical work. While the Factory is well-hidden, there is no guarantee that it won't be discovered one day."

The logic was sound. If someone did find the facility, having a proper defence force would be essential. 

"Very well. We can use the design specifications stored in the computer to build the robots."

"Not so fast, sir," Lou said. "To build enough robots for our purposes, we need to resume mining the ore. I suggest that we start by building mining robots with the resources we have on hand and work from there."

Ash nodded. "Alright. What's next?"

"We need to bring the Factory's various functions back online and improve the living conditions," Lou continued. "The cafeteria and the residential areas come to mind."

"Don't forget the greenhouses," Ash added.

Erika and James had been working together to bring some of the factory's greenhouses back into operation, mainly for growing potion ingredients. When Erika discovered James's ability to not only conjure plants but to rapidly grow existing plants, she dragged the man into the greenhouses to start planting all the various species she required.

She'd called James stupid for not realising the potential sooner. Some plants required years or even decades to mature, making them scarce and expensive resources. If James could use his manipulation ability to develop the greenhouse, there was a fortune to be made. The only limitation was that the potency of the plant was directly proportional to the amount of energy it took to grow them.

"The greenhouses are also a priority," Lou agreed. "Next, we need to focus on research and development, such as developing better technology for the Registeel mech. There are numerous unfinished projects and ideas left in the database, but we need time and manpower to develop them."

Ash frowned. There was no avoiding it. The Factory needed people. Lou could only do so much on her own. She was designed for processing loads of information and streamlining operations, but she couldn't replace human ingenuity.

"This is not something I can solve right away," Ash said. "Hold off on research and development for the moment, and work with what we already have."

"May I make a suggestion, sir?" Lou asked.

"What is it?"

"Recruit this James person to develop and manage the greenhouses. Having someone around who can perform tasks I cannot would also be helpful."

Ash smiled. "You read my mind. I was thinking of asking him the same thing."

"It may take some convincing, sir," Al interjected.

"Somehow, I don't think that will be a problem.” Ash rose from his seat. “Let me speak to him now. I'll be leaving the floor soon, so I need to get it sorted sooner rather than later.”

"Before you leave," Al said, "I have an idea for a useful upgrade. The schematics for it are already complete."

Ash's eyes widened as Al described what he had in mind. The artificial intelligence had been busy, developing modifications for itself that Ash could use in the field. 

"A useful upgrade, indeed.”

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ash found James in one of the greenhouses, deep in conversation with Erika. The space had been transformed over the past few days—what was once a sterile growing chamber now teemed with exotic specimens that Erika had requested for her alchemical work.

James' Victreebell had planted itself in a nearby flower bed, its roots burrowing into the rich soil. The Pokemon looked perfectly content in its new environment, though Ash noticed it was grabbing plants from neighbouring beds and stuffing them into its mouth when it thought no one was watching.

"I need to talk to you, James," Ash announced as he entered the greenhouse.

James looked up from the seedling tray he'd been examining. "Yes. Free me from this slave master who won't give me rest or sustenance."

Erika rolled her eyes. "You're exaggerating. Have your talk. I'm going to get something to eat."

Ash waited for Erika to leave before speaking. "I was going to ask you if you could stay here and develop the greenhouses further. Since you have no plans of moving from the second floor."

James nodded. "I thought you might ask that. It's been on my mind for the past couple of days."

"Well?"

"What's in it for me?" 

"Well, like Erika said, there is a fantastic business opportunity here," Ash replied. "You can safely develop this place, and we can start a business selling the ingredients."

"A tempting offer," James admitted. "Especially because that bastard stole my rights to the mines."

Ash grimaced. Somehow, Lucien had taken over the rights to James's mining operation under the guise of a family-owned business. He didn't know what tricks Lucien had pulled to achieve it, but it had severely impacted James's bottom line. Jessie still owned half of the mine, but she would find it difficult to co-own it with Lucien breathing down their necks.

"You're asking under the presumption that this place belongs to you," James pointed out.

"Lou has all but confirmed that I'm the new owner," Ash said. "She certainly won't argue with me using the Factory's resources, at least."

James considered this for a moment. "What's the profit split? Don't forget Jessie will be part of it. If I stay, then she stays."

"Why don't you just come out and say that you're together?" Ash asked with amusement. 

"Answer my question.”

"I get fifty percent. The rest of the profit will be split between you, Jessie, and Erika."

James did the calculations quickly. "We do all the work, and only get about seventeen percent?"

Ash held up his hands. "Fine, I will take forty percent. You can have twenty percent each."

“Hmm. I need to talk to Jessie about it first, but I'm open to the idea.”

"Great," Ash said. "I plan to bring more people here in the future, but I will have to develop a method to make sure they don't betray my secrets."

"What about the psychic contract?" James suggested.

"I don't like the method. But I will use it if I have to. The issue is finding someone with a psychic affinity to perform the contract."

The idea of binding people to him through mental coercion sat poorly with Ash, but he recognised the necessity. The Factory represented too valuable an asset to risk losing through betrayal, especially when the Tower Association was actively searching for it. Still, he hoped to find alternatives that didn't involve tampering with people's minds.

Ash left the greenhouse, satisfied that James was on board with his idea. Even though he would continue to ascend the Tower, he liked the idea of having a place to fall back on if he needed it. The Factory could serve as both a sanctuary and a source of income—a perfect safety net if he ever needed it.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Later that evening, Ash led the others into the warehouse where the mech was stored. 

Everyone was stunned by the sight of the mech, leaving them speechless for several moments before questions began pouring out.

Ash held up a hand, and they fell silent, waiting for him to explain. He'd decided to tell them about the mech now that James and Jessie were going to stay here and look after the Factory. He was going to take the mech with him, but they might stumble upon some information about it during their work. And if he was telling them, he needed to tell the others.

"This is a mech that the scientists designed based on Registeel," Ash said. "I've already explained who these people were who built this facility, and their purpose. But at some point, they abandoned this plan and locked the mech away. I managed to find the passcode and accessed this warehouse."

Delia approached the base of the machine, craning her neck to look up at its imposing form. "Why is the warehouse referred to as a tomb?"

"Because no one expected the mech to see the light of day," Ash replied.

“Is there a reason they abandoned the mech?” Winona asked. “Is it dangerous?"

"Well, they couldn't find a mech pilot to integrate with it properly. Probably saw it as a lost cause. Until I came along."

He didn't mention the fact that the mech potentially had the consciousness of Registeel locked inside it. 

"I find it a strange coincidence that this mech is based on Registeel,” James said, “and the Pokemon also appeared as your tribulation."

"I don't believe in coincidences," Ash admitted. "I don't know the connection, but I cannot deny that this thing is incredibly powerful. I'm taking it with me."

The statement drew surprised looks from everyone present. Even with his expanded mind palace, storing something this massive seemed impossible.

Ash opened the mech's chest plates, revealing the cockpit interior. "Would you like to see inside?"

One by one, they climbed up and sat inside the pilot's seat, marvelling at the complex array of controls and displays. Even Jessie couldn't hide her fascination with the advanced technology.

Whilst they explored the cockpit, Ash began the laborious process of disassembling the supporting machinery. All of it needed to be stored along with Registeel itself.

Thanks to his Greed core, his mind palace had expanded dramatically. He had more than enough room to store the mech and the machinery. 

He was almost finished when his Pokenav rang. Mustard's name appeared on the display.

"James," Ash called out, accepting the call. "You'll want to hear this."

James climbed down from the mech as Ash activated the speaker function.

"The situation with the Tower Association has been resolved," Mustard announced without preamble. "The Mayor has confessed to framing James.”

"What about the Mayor?" James asked.

"He'll face punishment for his actions," Mustard replied. "But only he was held responsible. Lucien and Jessebelle weren't implicated."

James's face darkened. "So they get away with everything while some fool takes the blame."

"I'm afraid so," Mustard said. "The Mayor's memory had been tampered with. He genuinely believed he acted alone."

James didn't look particularly happy with the outcome. The official resolution might clear his name, but it left the real culprits free to continue their schemes.

"Even if I'm exonerated, I'll still need to watch out for Lucien and Jessebelle," James said after Mustard ended the call. "They will see me as a threat."

"All the more reason to stay here," Ash pointed out. "The Factory is well-hidden, and you'll have defensive systems once everything is operational."

As Ash returned to his work dismantling the equipment, he reflected on how much their situation had changed. The Factory would give them all a secure base of operations, but it also represented a significant commitment. Once he revealed this place to more people, there would be no going back.

Still, the benefits outweighed the risks. With James managing the greenhouses and the facility's automated systems providing security, they were building something that could support them for years to come.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ash approached Mustard's cottage with Winona beside him

"Are you ready for this?" Ash asked.

Winona took a breath. "As ready as I'll ever be."

They found Ward sitting on the cottage steps, no longer wearing his ridiculous Lillipup mask. 

Mustard emerged from the cottage as they approached, nodding to Ash before fixing his attention on the siblings. "I'll leave you two to catch up properly. Ash, walk with me."

Ward stood as Winona approached, his posture stiff and formal. "Sister."

"Ward." 

Ash caught Mustard's pointed look and followed the old master away from the cottage, leaving the siblings to their reunion. They walked in silence until they were well out of earshot, settling beneath a large oak tree at the clearing's edge.

Ash snorted. "Why do I get the feeling Ward is going to try to convince Winona to break up with me?"

"Winona knows her own mind," Mustard replied with characteristic bluntness. "If your relationship is that easy to fracture, you have bigger problems than Ward."

"I suppose." Ash leaned against the tree trunk. "What did you want to talk about?"

Mustard's expression grew serious. "You're moving onto the third floor. Remember how I told you that there are things about your apprentice status you have to know?"

"Right. Lay it on me."

"You have to understand that apprentices are seen as potential Overseers," Mustard said. "Everyone wants the status and power that come with the position. But considering the Overseers' cultivation realms ensure they live for a long time, not many opportunities arise for new ones to replace them. The jostling for one of these positions is cutthroat."

Ash frowned. He had an inkling of where this was going.

"In short, the apprentices will seek to eliminate each other to get rid of the competition," Mustard continued. "They cannot do it out in the open, otherwise they will lose their apprentice status. But they can do things covertly, or get others to do their dirty work."

"This apprentice status sounds like more trouble than it's worth," Ash muttered.

"Saved your ass, didn't I? All you need to do is be vigilant, but I don't need to remind you of that."

"Alright. So, can I expect to encounter them on the third floor?"

"The chances increase on the higher floors, but your status as my apprentice is already known throughout the order," Mustard said. "They may venture down to the third floor to deal with you before you grow too strong."

"I'm not completely helpless. I have some aces up my sleeves."

Mustard grunted. "I'm going to miss you, brat. Don't die too soon."

"Love you too, Master," Ash replied with a grin. "I will make sure to improve your body cultivation technique further."

"I expect nothing less."

Raised voices from inside the cottage suddenly attracted their attention. The front door slammed open with enough force to rattle the windows, and Winona appeared, her face flushed with anger. She marched over to them with quick, determined steps.

Ash raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t go well?" 

"My brother can be extremely frustrating," Winona growled. "He's trying to get me to return to the seventh floor. I will get there on my own sweet time."

"Let me have a word with him," Mustard said. 

They waited until Mustard disappeared inside before continuing their conversation. 

"Did you tell him?" Ash asked.

"Yes," Winona replied, her anger giving way to weariness. "I told him not to look for the ruins and to tell the Tower Association that he couldn't find them."

"Did he agree?"

"After some convincing," she said. "But he now knows that we know where the ruins are, without me explicitly stating it."

They had agreed beforehand that she had to tell Ward about the ruins. They hadn’t forgotten that his primary mission for coming to the second floor was to find the ruins for the Tower Association. 

"Hopefully, he loves you enough not to go back on his word."

"Sometimes I wonder," Winona said, her expression troubled.

Ash put an arm around her shoulders, feeling some of the tension leave her body. "Everything is set. Now, it's time to head to the third floor."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ash, Delia, Winona, Erika, and Zinnia stood beside the bank of small elevators that lined the Tower's interior wall. Unlike their previous ascent, Ash wasn't weighed down by luggage or supplies. Everything they needed was tucked away in his Mind Palace, making their departure far more streamlined than last time.

They had already said their goodbyes to everyone they knew on the second floor, especially James and Jessie. Though it was a bittersweet farewell, they knew they would see each other again. Jessie promised to visit often to continue Delia’s training, and Ash planned to come back regularly to check on the Factory.

The group formed a loose circle around Zinnia. She pulled Delia into a warm embrace first.

"Take care of yourself," Delia said, squeezing Zinnia's shoulders.

"Always do." Zinnia moved to Erika next, wrapping her arms around the alchemist. "Don't let this one work you to death whilst I'm gone."

Erika returned the hug. "I can handle myself just fine, thank you."

Winona stepped forward, accepting Zinnia's embrace with a small smile. Zinnia pulled Ash into a fierce hug next and kissed his cheek.

"I'll be waiting for you on the third floor," Ash said. "How long will your business on the fifth floor take?"

"A few months." Zinnia shrugged. "Got some loose ends to tie up."

Erika crossed her arms. "Stay out of trouble."

"No promises." Zinnia turned back to Ash. "I expect you to have bedded this girl before I return. Then I get to have some fun."

"Zinnia!" Erika protested.

"There's no use pretending," Zinnia continued, completely unrepentant. "Winona is looking more exhausted by the day, and you are looking more curious."

Winona sighed. "Get out of here before I smack you.”

Zinnia backed towards the nearest elevator, raising her hand in a casual wave. "See you later."

The remaining group stood in awkward silence for several heartbeats.

Delia turned to face her son, her expression far too innocent. "So, Ash? Is there something you want to tell me?"

Ash closed his eyes. "Kill me now."

"I won't ruin the mood," Delia said, "but we are going to have a conversation about this later. You too, girls."

They entered the next elevator, and Ash pulled out his gym badge to select the third floor. The elevator lurched into motion.

After several minutes of rapid ascent, the elevator shuddered to a halt. The doors slid open, revealing the Tower's main foyer. The layout looked identical to the floors below, so they didn't pause to admire the surroundings. They headed straight for the exit.

They pushed through the heavy doors and were immediately hit by the smell of salt and the distant roar of ocean waves. After exiting the high fence that surrounded the Tower, they had a proper view of their surroundings. They stood on the crest of a hill, looking out over a landscape that was nothing like the previous floors.

They were on an island. A small town nestled in the valley below, its buildings clustered near a pristine beach that stretched along the coastline. Beyond the beach, the endless blue ocean extended to the horizon.

This was One Island, part of the Sevii Islands. The third floor consisted mainly of ocean, with several island chains scattered across a vast distance. The floor was known to be at least fifty times the size of the second floor, but most of it was water.

Ash grinned, raising his head to catch the ocean breeze. The salt air filled his lungs, carrying with it the promise of new adventures. They had finally arrived. What new challenges and discoveries awaited him on the third floor?

So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Ash and the others get settled into the third floor.

Thanks for reading.