The Knight Challenge Part 3

After leaving Elmososha Town, the group is now riding the boat back to the mainland of the Sevestar Region. The bullies are surprised to see themselves in a desert as they are hot and thirsty, but for Ash and the others, they aren't fazed at the hot weather as they have a lot of energy to continue walking in the sand.

"How are you guys able to go through the hot desert?" Dawn asks as she is sweating. Trenor says, "We have been staying here for a long time, it is obvious that we are used to this kind of weather."

Once they are close to the Isolate Town, the town where Trenor has his gym, Ash says, "So the ones who are having the Ground Type Trial are Paul, Drew, Gladion, and Emily. As for the others, there are multiple choices you can do in the Isolate Town."

As Ash and Trenor take the four people away, May asks, "What can we do in this town? All I can see are buildings made of trains."

Alice says, "Well, a Pokemon Race is holding every month, and it is also a fun sport, too."

Golly says, "Not to mention that there is also a Train museum here just like the one in Anville Town in Unova. So there are a lot of places we can go."

Serena says, "Well, I think I have seen enough races from my mother, I will like to check out the Train museum."

"But I want to see the Pokemon Race, I mean, it sounds very cool." May says.

Then with Insey leading the group to the Train Museum, Lillie takes others to the Pokemon Race Stadium. And for Ash and Trenor, they take the four people to the middle of the desert once more.

"The task you need to do is to find the hidden door located in the sand. Once you find it, you can proceed to the next task." Trenor says, "I was the one that makes the trial."

"Well, it sounds easy." Emily says. "With Garchomp with me, I am sure we can find it."

Gladion says, "I won't be that cocky if I were you, Emily."

As for Drew and Paul, the two are still thinking of something as they have been quiet this whole time. Ash notices their behavior ever since the Knight Challenge and he smiles, knowing that the two of them just need a push to realize their errors and join the bright side.

After searching for the door in the ground, Drew is the one that finds it by having his Flygon use its wings to blow the sand away. Ash opens the door and says, "Now we are going to the next part, follow me."

As they head downwards, they are now at a place with narrow paths. Trenor says, "Now we are in a complicated maze, it was used to prevent thieves from getting our properties hidden underground. But if you can pass it, you can get the Ground Star Badge."

"Are we really going to walk this dark maze?" Paul asks. "Since it might be hard to see in the dark."

"That's the true purpose of this task, we need you to test your strength." Ash replies.

After walking and with the help of both Flygon and Garchomp, they have been taking almost an hour in the maze. They have been walking back to the beginning a lot of times, and eventually, all of them are getting tired except for Ash and Trenor. In the end, they finally walk the right path and they find a door in the end.

"Behind this door is the goal of the maze, you have passed the challenge." Ash says as he gives out the badges to the four of them.

After getting the badge, Drew asks Ash, "Can you tell us what is behind this door? Since we come this far and it will be better to know what are you hiding here in this maze."

"Of course, you come this far and it won't be fair if we didn't let you see the treasure." Trenor says as he opens the door. The four people are shocked to see a lot of gold and jewelry in the room, and Gladion asks, "Are they the real deal?"

Trenor says, "Yes. This is the treasure room. A lot of people hide their treasure here. Since you are here, you might as well take some of the treasure."

This causes them to get surprised, Drew asks, "Even we can get some of them?"

Ash says, "Sure. But don't be too greedy, as the maze has some sensors to detect the weight of the treasure you are taking, and they might create some traps."

Drew and Paul look at each other for a second, and they know that it is time that they want some answers. Paul says, "Alright, Ketchum. What are you planning?"

Ash asks, "What do you mean? I mean...I did have a lot of plans, but what plan are you talking about?"

"We have been doing nothing but hurting you for the past three years, and you didn't care and also letting us have the treasure. We want to know why you are doing this?" Paul asks.

Drew says, "He's right. You manage to endure our insults and also the bad things we did to you, but aren't you full of hatred towards us?"

Ash says, "About that...I admit I was disappointed about you guys doing something bad to me. There are some times I want to get my revenge on you guys. Let me ask you a question: Do you think it is worth getting revenge on those who hurt you badly? What can you earn after getting your revenge on the others?"

The two people don't know what to answer Ash's question. Ash says, "To me, to forgive and apologize is the best way to end a conflict. I don't care about revenge as it only destroys both sides."

Paul and Drew look at each other, then Paul says, "You may be right. I am sorry for all the things we have caused you."

Ash smiles, "It is fine, what matters is that you learn your errors." He reaches out his hand and asks, "What do you say we get along?"

The two shake his hands before they get the gold and head out of the maze.

Meanwhile, the group is cheering as a rider with the Mudsdale wins the race. May says, "This race really is exciting."

"It really is." Lillie says, "You can see how the Pokemon have different speeds and strategies to win the race. Now that it is over, let's go to the museum."

As they all head to the museum, they are watching how the trains work in the past and the kinds of trains that are transformed into hotels and other stuff in the town. After watching for a while, Ash and Trenor bring the four people back.

Gary and the group are not happy that even Drew and Paul betray them by joining the group. Now they are mad, but they can't show it, so they are still at a distance from the others as they decide not to interact with them.

The next place they get to is a cave that connects Rotaeel Town and Isolate Desert. Emily has her Magnezone out, Gladion has Silvally and Paul has the Aggron, the three of them are challenging the trial as Alice says, "This task is to find Aegislash and let them protect you from the attack."

The three of them nod as they leave to find the Aegislash. As for the others, they are looking at the houses around the area. Drew asks, "So those houses are called Guargate? And they can be transported?"

Eve says, "Yes. It is a great help considering that we can sleep in comfy beds while we are traveling."

Dawn says, "It doesn't look cheap...what if someone tries to steal the house?"

Drandon says, "We are not going to worry about that, I guess? Since it has some special defenses like Iron Balls to shoot the intruders, or a wall that prevents any intruders from entering."

"Wow." Serena laughs. "That sure is an interesting invention."

"So what about those 4? Are they still not want to apologize?" Reisa asks.

"Well, I don't think it will be that easy." Drew says. "You see, most of the plans for getting revenge on Ash are created by Misty and Gary. While Iris and Trip are the ones that agree on the plan immediately."

Eve says, "I guess they need to take some time since they think that you four betray them and they might be targeting you guys as well."

Back at the challenge, Paul opens a Guargate and finds the badge hidden on the table. He gets it with Aggron and quickly leaves the special house. Ash says, "Now all of you have found the Steel Star Badge, we can now leave this place."

The three people cheer with relief as they meet with others and get going to the next place for the next Star Badge.

Now they arrive at Mt. Fortana, Gary, Gladion, and Emily have Aerodactyl, Silvally, and Sudowoodo ready for the Rock Type Challenge.

"The first task is to dig fossils, if you find one fossil, you will pass the first task." Mark says.

"Ha, there is nothing hard for the greatest Gary Oak." He says as he goes digging. Lillie says, "He is really a pain...I mean, just when can we fix that ego of his?"

"I don't know, he has been acting like that since the beginning, he refuses to let anyone better than him." Dawn says, agreeing with Lillie's words.

After 30 minutes of digging, Emily finds a Skull Fossil, Gladion finds an Old Amber and Gary finds the Jaw Fossil. Gary tries to keep the fossil for himself, but Ash snatches it away as he tells them that those are not real fossils as they are fake ones for the Knight Challenge, much to their annoyance.

"Now for the next task, you have to get the badge without being attacked by Lycanroc." Ash says as he shows a room full of sleeping Lycanroc.

"You mean to dodge those Pokemon? Is that some sort of joke?" Gary asks mockingly.

Suddenly, the wolves wake up from the noise as they start to chase after the three challengers.

"Can you just once shut your big mouth?" Emily yells at Gary while they are running for their lives.

"More importantly, can we attack them?" Gladion asks Ash. "I mean...we can't just hide from them forever."

"You can stop them, but you can't let them stop you." Ash says as they start to attack the Lycanroc. After the danger is ended as they finally reach the pedestal with the badges. Emily is breathing heavily and she says, "I am glad it is over."

"I really underestimated the challenge..." Gary says while sweating, and he is earning glares from the others because of his arrogant attitude.

Lillie turns to Gladion and says, "That was fun, isn't it, brother?"

Gladion says, "It is not fun when your lives are at stake. But I admit that I learn a lot in this Knight Challenge."

"That's good to know." Drandon says, "Now we just need to get to the next challenge."

"That is until we go through the mountain first." Reisa says as they continue to hike up the mountain.

Here is the next chapter. And now Drew and Paul got Ash's forgiveness. As for the other 4, they will still be hatred of Ash, I am not going to let them apologize until more chapters, or else I have nothing to write about.