Chapter 70 Lake Verity
Ash, Serena, Volo, and Irida are now at the Obsidian Fieldlands, as they walk towards Lake Verity to find the Legendary Pokemon: Mesprit. Ash says, "Still, I can't believe we are going to make a Red Chain..."
"Sounds like you are not fond of doing this..." Serena asks with concern.
"That was what Team Galactic tried to do...use the chains to bind Dialga and Palkia, so that he can destroy the whole universe to create a new one." Ash says.
"Okay, now that is terrifying." Serena says.
After arriving at Lake Verity, Volo says, "They say this lake actually used to be a volcano. Then it erupted, leaving a huge crater that filled with water. And so Lake Verity was born."
"I know, it is protected by a Pokemon called Mesprit." Ash says. "It was when Mesprit took flight that people first learned the joys and sorrows of living. Or that's how the old tales go, anyway."
Just then, the Arc Phone beeps, and then it starts to glow, making an entrance in the middle of the lake. Volo is surprised and he says, "Th-that cave - it just...appeared from nowhere! Is that the Arc Phone the professor was going on about?"
"What surprises wait within, I wonder..." Irida says.
"Mistress Cogita seemed quite intent that you would have to prove yourself to all three of the Pokemon that guard these lakes...This challenge was never the faint of the heart." Volo says.
Volo decides to stand on guard outside of the cave while Ash, Serena, and Irida enter the cave, Irida mutters, "The air feels somehow tense in here..."
"I agree. It is like something is waiting for us..." Serena says, and then a Dragon Pulse fires at them and they have to quickly dodge the attack. "What the..."
They find that in the middle of the lake, an Alpha Hisuian Goodra stands in front of them, and it seems menacing. Ash says, "Let me guess, we were treated as an intruder and this Goodra tries to chase us out?"
"You and your Pokemon quelled Hisui's nobles. You can handle any battle, Ash and Serena." Irida says.
Ash has Lucario out to battle the Goodra, and even though Goodra uses Shelter to raise its defense and evasiveness, Lucario manages to use Close Combat on the Pokemon to knock it out. Ash also realizes that they can just capture the Pokemon, so they throw the Poke Ball to capture the Alpha Pokemon.
After that's done, Irida says, "It's curious, but when I watch you and your Pokemon battle...I feel as if there's no obstacle that can't be overcome if people and Pokemon work together. Now, let's see about the Pokemon of the lake..."
And much to their surprise, Mespirt pops in front of them. Serena says, "So that's Mespirit?"
"Yeah." Ash says.
"Good to see you again...Ash...I'm glad to hear you forgive Dawn for what she did..." Mesprit says, causing them to widen their eyes. Ash asks, "Wait, you can use Telepathy?"
"I'm a Psychic-type after all." Mesprit says. "Your emotions...Share them with me..."
"What do you mean by that?" Serena asks in confusion.
Irida, being the only one who can't hear them, mutters, "I can only imagine how it must feel to speak directly with a Pokemon like that."
"When you fell to this land, what stirred in your heart?" Mesprit asks.
Ash and Serena realize that Mesprit wants to know about their emotions, and Ash decides to say, "I was surprised since I never knew we would get another chance to live after that happened."
"As for me, I was a little panicked. Since this region is very alien to me." Serena adds.
"Then how did it feel to bond with Pokemon and work together?" Mesprit asks.
Ash rubs Pikachu's head and says, "It is exciting since the thought of it makes me feel like I can do anything."
"I'm feeling the same way as Ash." Serena says. "Though the whole thing was heartwarming."
"What did you feel when you mingled with Hisui's clans?" Mesprit continues to ask.
"Well, both clans are unique, but they are fun to hang around with." Ash says and Serena nods in agreement, the compliment causes Irida to give a small smile.
"What did you feel when cast out of the Galaxy Team?" Mesprit asks the final question, and Serena frowns, "To be honest, we are better at first, but we accept it in the end, after all, they have the right to be careful towards us."
Mesprit nods and says, "I know what you're here for. Take this piece of the spirit to bind the world once more."
Mesprit gives them its Plume, and adds, "We'll meet again, farewell for now."
After it teleports away, Irida walks towards them and she says, "I know that Pokemon spoke with you, yet the words did not reach my ears...It's mysterious, but...I suppose when dealing with someone who fell from the sky, it's only natural to encounter mystery. Next, on to Lake Valor and Lake Acuity."
After heading outside to meet Volo, he says, "Looks like that worked out well, Ash and Serena!"
"I must say...you know an awful lot about Hisui, Volo. I suppose a merchant like you sees all sorts of things in their travels." Irida says.
"That's right! You could say it's because I'm a merchant, but mostly I'm just naturally filled with curiosity! I want to know exactly what happened in the past that led us to this particular present...Or more accurately, I suppose...I want to know where I came from and where I'm headed. I want to know my path, so to speak."
"The same goes for me." Irida nods. "Our clan settled at the very spot where our forebears once beheld almighty Sinnoh. But I...I have still never seen almighty Sinnoh for myself..."
"Weighty matters to ponder, for sure. But we have an important task before us!" Volo suggests.
They all head back to the Ancient Retreat and find Cogita, she says, "Ahh, Mesprit's Plume...So the legends told it true. Then the Red Chain must be real as well."
"I beg your pardon, Cogita, ma'am...But what do these Pokemon that represent the mind have to do with this Red Chain? And why exactly should it bind the world?" Irida asks.
"Your doubt suggests a keen intellect. I see you're not your clan's leader for nothing. Without the mind, were the rift to widen and the very world to end, would we even know it? One might even say the world - time, space, all creation - exists only because our minds are three to perceive it. Perhaps the Red Chain's purpose is to let one see creation as it truly is." Cogita replies.
"I...What? So does the mind create the world? But isn't it the other way around? Or is it...?" Serena asks.
"Such are myths, my children...Teaching us about the world in their own incomprehensible ways." Cogita replies. "They urge us to think more of ourselves - on the nature of almighty Sinnoh and on the nature of the world in which we dwell."
"You're absolutely right! Myths and legends are such fascinating things to study!" Volo says. "In any case, all we have to do is complete two more trials and we will get the Red Chain!"
Cogita shakes her head with disappointment and says, "How nonchalant you sound. How confident of successes to which you contribute nothing. You tag along only for the chance to gawk at more ancient ruins."
Ash and Serena sigh as they decide to prepare themselves to the next location, which will be Lake Acuity.
"So we sneaked inside the house, now what?" May asks.
They are now hiding behind the kitchen wall since Mimey is still cleaning the living room, Trip takes out a Pokeball and says, "First, we have to knock that Mr. Mime out. Chandelure, use Shadow Ball!"
The attack from the Pokemon hits Mimey at the back, causing it to fall to the ground, Misty says, "Won't that be too loud to attract those people outside?"
"They are too busy trying to chase those people away." Clemont says. "We have to go now."
But just as the 8 of them rush upstairs, Mimey suddenly raises its head and gives out another one of his creepy smiles.
At the same time, Dawn notices that the traitors are gone and she says, "Oh no! They're gone!"
"They might have gone inside the house when we are trying to stop these people..." Cilan says.
Bonnie peeks into the window and gasps, "And Mimey was defeated! What are we going to do now?"
"Mimey won't be defeated that easily." Goh says. "Everything is according to the plan. Now they are going to be very disappointed."
When the 8 traitors are at the door, they can hear some voices, "Serena, when will Mom come back to the house?"
"She already told us that she is going to buy some ingredients for our dinner." Serena says. "We can't leave the bed without her permission, right?"
Pikachu also makes some sounds to confirm, now the traitors know that both Ash and Serena are inside the room, so they decide to charge into the room, only to find nothing but a television showing Ash and Serena talking about dinner.
"We're tricked! They are not inside this room!" Mallow gasps.
And much to their horror, the video changes automatically and both Ash and Serena are now facing them. Ash says, "Still trying to kill me for something that doesn't belong to you? Too bad for you guys, we are not in our room."
"This must be pre-recorded..." Clemont says as the traitors are furious.
"If you managed to reach our room, that means you guys just fell into our trap. You have nowhere to run, Mimey has already used its Barrier to block the stairway. And if you try to jump off the window, our friends would be there waiting to get revenge."
The 8 of them pale as they have nowhere to run, Ash says, "Oh, and don't you even think about using Teleport. My mother has already had Psychic-type Pokemon set a move to prevent teleportation from our house. After all, she is the Kanto Champion and she has to worry about her property."
"So prepare for the trouble you have nowhere to run." "And make it double because this is fun." "Even though we won't make you blast off with the speed of light." "But you'll surrender now, or prepare for a fight."
Then the video ends, causing them to be fuming. Not only do they fall into a trap like that, Ash and Serena are also trying to use Team Rocket's Moto to humiliate them.
And back downstairs, Professor Oak says, "Now I should tell you all the truth. Ash and Serena have been teleported out of this house a few hours ago! So stop wasting time trying to get an interview from them!"
This causes a lot of uproar as to why they are teleported away. Cerise says, "People who tried to kill Ash and Serena were trying to use you guys to make a get-in to this house, right now I want you guys to call the International Police and Officer Jennys to arrest them!"
The reporters are still confused at what just happened, but they decide to follow the orders of the two Professors to arrest the traitors. After all, having them arrested is also considering a piece of big news.
I hope you like this chapter, and as you can see, the traitors won't find Ash and Serena in their house and now they are trapped. Not only that, Ash and Serena also manage to get Mesprit's Plume, the first item needed for the Red Chain.