Chapter 10 Meeting Amaria

When they arrive at Coral Ward, they decide to explore the place first, and they find a blind girl inside the house.

Danielle: Greetings from the blind. The name's Danielle, but don't you dare pity me, Trainer. I see more than you ever will. But I'll humor you. I'll ask you three questions. If you can answer all of them, I'll give you a reward. Wanna try it?

Ash: Sure. Tell us.

Danielle: Question number one- this is an easy one. How many headbutt trees are there in the area around the Grand Hall?

Ash: (Thinks) That was an easy one? Who would be doing such things? But I think there are four trees... (Reply) I guess four?

Danielle: That's right. Simple enough, isn't it? Okay, question two. This one will be a little harder. Assuming you can see them all from one angle or another, how many satellite dishes are there in the Obsidia Ward?

Ash: (Thinks for a long time before replying) I guess seven?

Danielle: Hmph. Yes, that's right. But that's obvious. Fine. Since you've done well this far, oh mighty questionee, I'll give you a really good one! How many banners and ribbons are there inside the Peridot Gym?

Ash: (Yells in his mind) How am I supposed to know that? (Thinks about this morning) 31?

Danielle: Tch. Fine, that's correct. I'm so impressed and overcome with wonder at how you could have possibly known the answer. Wowie. But I'll keep my promise and give you the reward if that's really what you want.

Ash is surprised that the blind girl asks for his Pokegear and updates the Field Effect inside. But he is not complaining as he will want to know more about the fields.

Danielle: But hey? I've been all over Reborn, and I effortlessly pick up this kind of information. You seem like you've gotten around a fair bit, but I bet I know things about lots of other places you'd never even think of! So if you wanna try this again, I'm game. Come back after you've traveled as much as I have, and we'll try this again!

Ash: Okay. (Opens the Field Notes to find that it is Misty Terrain)

Field Notes 03 Misty Terrain:

"Mist settles on the field." Grounded Pokemon are immune to status. Created by Misty Terrain, Misty Surge (5 turns), Mist (3 turns), when the attacker does not hold an Everstone. Dragon moves decrease x0.5. Fairy-type Pokemon's Special Defense is boosted by x1.5. Activates Marvel Scale. Dry Skin slowly restores HP. Pixilate Power boosts x1.5. Certain attacks like Aura Sphere, Dazzling Gleam, Doom Desire, Fairy Wind, Icy Wind, Magical Leaf, Mist Ball, Moonblast, Moongeist Beam, Mystical Fire, Silver Wind, and Steam Eruption boosts x1.5. Certain attacks like Dark Pulse, Night Daze, and Shadow Ball decrease x0.5. Soul Heart also boosts Special Defense. Moves like Aromatic Mist and Cosmic Power amplify. Sweet Scent lowers Defense and Special Defense. Wish recovers 75% of Health. Aqua Ring recovers 1/8 of Health. Destroyed by Defog, Gust, Hurricane, Razor Wind, Supersonic Skystrike, Tailwind, Twister, Whirlwind. Becomes Corrosive Mist Field when Acid Downpour is used, or when one of these moves is used twice: Clear Smog, Poison Gas, Smog. Prevents using Explosion, Mind Blown, and Self-Destruct. Activates Water Compaction when Pokemon is sent out. Nature Power becomes Mist Ball. Camouflage becomes Fairy Type. Secret Power lowers Special Attack. The Elemental Seed boosts Special Defense and applies Healing Wish to the user.

Ash: Now that's not the Misty Terrain that I knew...

As they continue searching, Ash finds a destroyed gym and he is surprised, as also the locked warehouses, some of which have people banging inside.

Ash: (Thinks) Don't tell me that the Day-Care Couple is in one of the warehouses...then I have to find the key for them.

They continue further and find a blue-haired girl looking at the Popplio stranded at the lighthouse. Ash thinks that the girl must be Amaria. She turns to greet Ash.

Amaria: Hi there, can I help you?

Ash: Are you Amaria, I was asked to look for you.

Amaria: Oh, you were actually looking for me? Yes, I'm Amaria. But, sorry, could you hold on just a moment? That Popplio has been stranded over there somehow, and I need to get it to safety. I'm a Water Pokemon Trainer, but even Water Types can't swim without taking serious harm now...

Ash: What about a boat?

Amaria: Well, nothing for it. I've got a boat moored just in that warehouse. Running through the acidic water has been doing a number on it, but right now it can't be helped.

Cain: Heyyy, Ash!

Ash and Amaria turn to see Cain approaching them.

Ash: (Nervous a little) Hey...Cain.

Cain: You're already making friends in high places, huh~?

Amaria: (Chuckles) Aha, I wouldn't necessarily say 'high places'...

Ash: (Confused) What do you mean?

Cain: Don't tell me you didn't know...Amaria is one of the highest-ranking Gym Leaders in Reborn!

Ash knows that Amaria is a Water-type leader, but he is surprised to learn that she is one of the highest-ranking.

Amaria: Really, it's no big deal. More importantly, Popplio needs help. I'll just be a moment...

Cain: Popplio? (Notices the problem) Ohhhh, is it trapped there? And here I thought you two were just staring off into the sunset together~

Ash blushes at the thought, sometimes Cain is getting on his nerves, not as much as Fern, though.

Cain: Lemme handles this. (Sings) ~ You're not alone, so have no doubt ~ We'll put our heads together, gonna figure this out ~

Ash: Are you seriously singing right now?

Then Cain sends out an Alolan Grimer, who doesn't seem to be affected by the poison water.

Cain: ~ In no time, we'll be at your side! ~ We're a team on a roller coaster ride ~ Each one of us knows just what to do ~ And we're never gonna stop- gonna stop- Searching for youuu ~

As he continues to sing, Grimer swims to the Popplio and the Pokemon is still nervous.

Cain: Heyy, Popplio, hop on!

Popplio jumps onto Grimer as he is brought back to the shore.

Amaria: That was amazing!

Cain: Yeahhh, I get that a lot. (Looks at Ash) Usually from boys though.

Ash: Why are you looking at me like that? It's a little creepy.

Cain shrugs as he just recalls his Pokemon.

Amaria: I guess that's to be expected from Reborn's Poison Type Leader.

Ash: (Turns to Cain) Wait, you? A Poison Gym Leader?

Cain: ...Ah. Actually... I just stepped down recently.

Amaria:...Oh? Didn't the previous Leader before you just retire, too? Is the position cursed or something?

Cain: (Shakes his head) No, it just- Among other things, constraining myself to one type just wasn't for me.

Ash: For some reason I think to understand that.

Cain: Anyway, your Popplio is a-okay, soooo... I'm gonna go ahead and skip. See you around, Ash.

Before he can leave, Popplio stops Cain as he wants Cain to catch him.

Amaria: Awwh, he seems to have taken a liking to you.

Cain: Huh? Well, he is a cutie. Heyyy, Popplio, do you maybe wanna come with me?

Popplio nods, and Cain throws a Poke Ball to capture it. After sending it out, it shows some determination.

Cain: Heyy, what's the matter?

Amaria: If I had to take a guess, I'd say it doesn't want to be protected anymore. I think it wants to return the favor. (Popplio barks for a few words) Yep! You've gotta look out for your Trainer too, Popplio, right? (Turns to Ash) Would you mind giving Popplio a chance to prove itself?

Ash: So you want me to battle Cain?

Amaria: ...On second thought, maybe it's unfair of me to pit a fresh Trainer against a... well, former Gym Leader.

Cain: No sweat. Ash's already one over me. I started over with a fresh team for myself anyway. And besides, you've already gotten one badge, haven't you?

Ash: Yeah, I beat Julia and got her badge.

Amaria: Oh? You beat Julie? Color me interested!

Cain: Let's do it~ Here's our rematch, Ash!

Cain goes with Popplio to battle, and Ash decides to go with Totodile since it will be much fair. When Totodile is sent out, it starts to dance.

Amaria: (Squeals) It's so cute!

Ash: I get that a lot. Use Ice Beam!

Cain: Even though it is cute, I won't let it damage a lot. Disarming Voice!

The attack is shattered with the sound attack, and Popplio goes with Pound, only to be bitten by Totodile as he opens his mouth. Popplio is in pain at the attack.

Cain: Disarming Voice again!

Ash: Try not to let go!

Even though Totodile is taking a lot of hits by the Fairy Move, it still doesn't want to let go of Popplio's flippers. And then Totodile starts to dance again and shakes Popplio.

Amaria: Is he dancing in the middle of the battle?

Ash: Yeah, he likes it a lot. Use Hydro Pump!

Totodile fires the attack and causes Popplio to be sent flying, once it is on the ground, it faints.

Cain: Popplio, you did your best. (Recalls his Pokemon) But don't you think it is over. I still have some more. Grimer!

The second one is Alolan Grimer, and it goes for Acid Spray to lower Totodile's Special Defense, and Totodile is also defeated in the end.

Ash: You worked really hard, Totodile. Take a rest. (Switches Poke Ball) Palpitoad! You're next!

As the second Pokemon appears, it goes for Uproar, dealing some damage to Grimer. Grimer goes with Bite, but Palpitoad uses Mud Shot to block its vision, and then uses Hydro Pump again to knock it out. The third Pokemon is Cubone, and Ash switches to Bulbasaur to battle this one. Bulbasaur goes with the Leech Seed to take some health from Cubone, but Cubone goes with Bone Club, dealing quite some amount of damage.

Ash: Bulbasaur! Use Vine Whip!

Bulbasaur grabs Cubone and slams it to the ground, causing it to roar in pain. And in the end, it is defeated by Razor Leaf. Cain's final Pokemon is Nidorino, Ash noticed that it is the same Nidoran that evolved. So he goes with Hawlucha, who goes with Flying Press on the Pokemon. But Nidorino's Poison Sting manages to get it poisoned. In the end, the match is a draw after Hawlucha deals Acrobatics.

Amaria: I know you said you'd started fresh, but I didn't actually expect Popplio to be on the losing side... At least the Totodile is cute!

Cain: Well, Ash's full of surprises, and in all the right ways~ That saiiiid, I really gotta run. There are a couple of things back in the Wasteland that I gotta take care of, or they're gonna come back to bite me. I'll get Popplio healed up and see you guys around later! Thanks for the quality time, Ash! (Leaves)

Amaria: I'm relieved that Popplio will be in good hands! But I wonder where it even came from? Regardless, lots of Pokemon have been suffering from the lake the way it is. I've made it my personal mission to make sure as many of them as possible are safe until the water can be cleaned up!

Ash smiles, even though she is a Water-type specialist just like Misty, but her attitude is nothing like her.

Amaria: Oh, right- you were looking for me for something, weren't you?

Ash: Yeah, Florinia said something about finding you to get the TMX for Cut.

Amaria: (Shocked) I totally got distracted and left Rini hanging! I was chasing some reports of a Team Meteor agent in the area... His name is Borealis. I don't suppose you've seen anyone like that?

Ash: Not at all.

Amaria: ...That would've been too lucky. I think the trail's gone cold by now anyway. Florinia sent you after me for this, right? (Hands over the TMX) I'll head back up there now. If Rini asked you to help out, then you should come too!

Ash: Yeah, let's go too. (Leaves together)


Here is a new chapter, and I finally introduce Amaria into the story. For the Harem, I guess I should reveal that all four of the team, Julia, Florinia, Amaria, and the last one who I don't want to spoil it right now, will also be in Ash's harem for their respective types. I hope you like this chapter.