Chapter 18 Battle with Corey
Ash can't believe what happened back in the jungle, as he walks around the Beryl Ward, he captures a Helioptile on top of a building, and some other Pokemon close to the Beryl Cave, which is blocked by Rock Smash.
Ash's New Pokemon in Beryl Ward: Helioptile (Event) Aipom (Headbutt)
And when he walks into the graveyard, Ash notices his mother is also there, staring at two graves.
Ash: Mom? Are those...
Delia: Zina Vanhanen. Vanhanen is the name after I married your father, and this is yours. Satoshi Vanhanen.
Ash: You did mention about us being dead, but then we got revived. Why would Team Meteor try to kill us, and who are my other two siblings?
Delia: It is something that your father gave to me. Right now I don't have it with me, so I won't be targeted by them right now. As for your other two siblings, they are called Painter and Fantasia. Maybe they're still with your father, or maybe not...I don't know...
Ash gives his mom a hug, and then he also explains what happened to Corey and Heather.
Delia: Molinar...Ash, come with me.
Ash brings him to a grave that has the name Elena Molinar, Ash widens his eyes at the name.
Delia: Elena and I were best friends, along with Caroline Belrose. At that time, we are the strongest Elite Four members of the Reborn League. However, Elena was killed, and Caroline and her husband were burned...all because of Team Meteor.
Ash frowns, if what she said is true, then Elena must be Heather's Mother, and that's why Corey refuses to let her out because she is his only family.
Delia: If you want to find Corey, then he would be at his old gym, the Beryl Ward Gym, which is close to here.
Ash: Okay, thanks, Mom...
Ash decides to leave his mother alone as he walks toward the Beryl Ward Gym. But when he gets inside, he finds that a lot of officers are some sort of hypnotized.
Chief: The situation has taken a turn for the worse! We followed Corey in here, but he vanished! Then those glowing reactors spewed out some kind of gas and my men completely lost it. They're as you see now- lost and confused. What can we do against this? If you intend to do something, then this may be of use.
The chief updated Ash's Pokegear and now he has another Field Note.
Chief: We have reason to believe that in addition to mind-altering substances, the reactors in this building are capable of creating this environment. Please tread carefully.
Field Note 11 Corrosive Mist Field:
"Corrosive mist settles on the field!" All Pokemon get poison each turn. Aqua Ring and Dry Skin damages user unless Poison and Steel Type. All special Flying moves, Bubble, Bubble Beam, Energy Ball, Sparkling Aria gains Poison Type. Acid Spray, Bubble, Bubble Beam, Clear Smog, Smog, Sparkling Aria increases x1.5. Acid Armor effect amplifies. Activate Venom Drench and Venoshock. Toxic's Accuracy 100%. Aftermath damage 50% HP. Fire Attacks increase x1.5. Activate Merciless. Corrosion damage boosts x1.5. Floral Healing gains Poison Type. Activates Water Compaction each turn. Destroyed by moves like Defog, Eruption, Explosion, Fire Pledge, Flame Burst, Gust, Heat Wave, Hurricane, Incinerate, Inferno Overdrive, Lava Plume, Mind Blown, Razor Wind, Searing Shot, Seed Flare, Self-Destruct, Supersonic Skystrike, Tailwind, Twister, and Whirlwind. All Pokemon faint unless they have Flash Fire, when one of these moves is used in the absence of Damp: Eruption, Explosion, Fire Blast, Flame Burst, Heat Wave, Incinerate, Inferno Overdrive, Lava Plume, Mind Blown, Searing Shot, Self-Destruct. Becomes Corrosive Field when Gravity is used. Becomes Misty Terrain when Seed Flare is used. Nature Power becomes Venoshock. Camouflage becomes Poison Type. Secret Power inflicts Poison. The Elemental Seed boosts Attack and and badly poisons the user.
Ash: I think Corey is serious about using this field...(Turns on the Telecom)
Ame: Ash? Wait, you're at Corey's Gym? He's not even a Leader anymore. What are you doing?
Ash: Sorry, Ame. But I was asked by the police since we find that Corey has some ties with Team Meteor. And he would not surrender without a fight.
Ame: I see...Well, I probably still have some notes around here from before, in case you are going to challenge him for this...Corey sometimes uses something called a Corrosive Mist Field. This scary tactic will poison any active Pokémon that it can every single turn!
Ash: I know. Anything else?
Ame: Although that may sound daunting, it has a glaring weakness. Since the poison is tied to the mist, you can use the air against him! The noxious gas is combustible, so Fire-type Pokémon can eat right through it. Careful not to use too much fire though! Or, if you bring a Pokémon that can clear the air, all that's left to do is power through his team like normal. As long as you get some breathing room, you'll be just fine! Good luck with... whatever you're doing.
Ash nods as he decides to find Corey himself, also trying to stop the officers from hurting themselves. After ten minutes of searching for puzzles, they finally notice the pillars can change color, so Ash decides to switch all of them to blue, and then a door appears. Ash walks inside to find Corey sitting beside an unconscious Heather on the bed.
Corey: So you found me after all. You've already ruined everything I've worked for. What more do you want?
Ash: I want some answers, why are you with Team Meteor, and why do you raise Heather like that.
Corey: (Shakes his head) No, perhaps it is wrong to blame you. Once again, words are pointless. Miserable as it is for an old man backed into a corner like me to make requests, there is something I must ask of you. I'll return to the arena. There, you should defeat me properly. (Leaves)
Ash follows Corey as he arrives at the battlefield, and he has the officers not interfere as he wants to do this alone. The police respect him as they leave the gym.
Corey: Hope is weakness. It's an illusion meant to sugarcoat this sickening reality. And I am weak. The sooner one gets used to the idea that life is a nightmare, the better off one'll be. I've simply raised my daughter keeping that in mind. My circumstances are evidence enough of its truth, and a product of my own mistakes. Now that I was forced to prioritize her safety, mine is kaput. But for my final few moments of freedom, I have a task for you. First, show me your strength. Take your place and prove to me that you are not entirely unworthy of it.
Ash nods as he walks to the other side of the battlefield.
Corey: I will bar nothing. My hand has been forced. The only reason I've kept going through the years was for Heather. She was my singular denial. My one hope, and memory of her... And now just like that, the small splinter of a life I had rebuilt has been broken. I should have expected nothing less. As her father, I cannot do something that would put her in danger. But as "Borealis", I cannot be allowed to let Team Meteor's opponents run free. These two roles could never co-exist, especially not now. One of them must be struck down. Ash, prove to me that you're ready to face the cruelty of what is real.
Just then, the mist starts to appear, and Corey sends out his first Pokemon, a Skrelp. Ash goes for Palpitoad first and has it use Mud Bomb. Skrelp goes for Acid, and both moves cause a giant explosion. And Palpitoad suddenly gets poisoned by the mist immediately.
Corey: Smokescreen.
Ash has Palpitoad go for Supersonic, but Skrelp isn't hit and it goes for Venom Drench. In the end, Skrelp goes for Bubble, but it is overpowered by Hydro Pump, and it is fainted.
The second Pokemon is Mareanie, and Ash decides to let Palpitoad stay on the field, even though it doesn't have much health left. Palpitoad goes for Sludge Wave, but Mareanie uses Protect to protect itself, and Mareanie goes for Venoshock, knocking Palpitoad out.
Ash: Pikachu, you're up for this match.
Pikachu nods as he jumps to the field, it goes for Thunderbolt, but Mareanie is protected, and Pikachu gets poisoned because of the field. Mareanie goes for Bite, but Pikachu uses Iron Tail to slap it away and goes for Electro-Web. knocking Mareanie out.
Corey's third Pokemon is Craogunk, and Ash decides to call back Pikachu, he goes for Noctowl this time, and Noctowl gets hit by the Sucker Punch before landing a Zen Headbutt which is super effective. And when Noctowl gets poisoned, it goes for Venoshock, but Noctowl dodges by using Quick Attack and then it goes for Air Slash, creating a giant explosion, and Croagunk faints.
The fourth Pokemon is Nidorina, and it goes for Venom Drench, lowering the Attack, Special Attack, and Speed, and then it goes for Disable, causing Noctowl's Zen Headbutt to fail. In the end, it goes for Double Kick and knocked out Noctowl. Ash goes for Gliscor this time, and fortunately, his Gliscor's ability is Poison Heal, which heals after getting poisoned. It goes for Acrobatics, knocking out Nidorina in the end.
The fifth Pokemon is Skuntank, and it uses Smokescreen to cover itself, and then it goes for Acid Spray, trying to lower as much health as he can. Just then, a Flamethrower causes the whole field to explode, Gliscor faints after that. Ash sends out Quilava for his fifth choice, and he has gone for the Lava Plume, which changes the field into the Burning Field.
Corey: Changing the field to your advantage...I see...
Skuntank tries to go for Smokescreen again, but Quilava uses Fire Pledge, slamming into Skuntank and knocking it out.
Corey: All things must end eventually. Some are overdue. (Sends out Crobat)
The final Pokemon is Crobat, and then Ash recalls Quilava and sends out Pikachu. Pikachu goes for Thunderbolt, but Crobat dodges the attack and goes for Nasty Plot, raising the Special Attack, and then goes for Venoshock, aiming to one-shot it. But Pikachu goes for Thunderbolt, knocking out the move and eventually lands on Crobat.
Ash: Pikachu, I know you don't have much health left. Let's finish this. Volt Tackle!
Pikachu charges at Crobat with full speed, and when it slams into the Crobat, both of them are in pain as they fall to the ground. Much to Ash's relief, Pikachu stands up first, meaning he is the winner.
Corey: And so all is vanished. (Recalls Crobat) That will be adequate. Consider "Borealis" vanquished. By now, Sirius will already have been informed of my supposed betrayal anyway. He will use Heather to control me, as he has, for all of these years. My request to you is simply to keep her safe.
Heather: (Rushes into the room) Hey!
Corey: You're awake already...
Heather: I heard that. What do you mean, "use me to control you"? I heard everything from the officers. I think it's about time you start answering my questions.
Corey: (Sighs) Careless fools. No regard for the mental health of a child...
Heather: (Demands) If you're so concerned about my mental health then maybe you should actually TALK TO ME for ONCE in your LIFE!
Corey: (Flinches) I... have made some mistakes.
Heather: You THINK? (Mimics) "Oh, oops! I joined a secret evil team destroying the region, whoopsie-daisy!" (Turns back to angry) Some mistake! And to think you've been lecturing me this whole time on being safe- What, just to hide the truth from me?!
Corey: That's not it at all-
Heather: (Yells) I don't wanna hear your lies anymore!
Corey: I am trying to keep you safe!
Heather: From WHAT?! Yourself?! But apparently, YOU'RE being controlled by ME?! No, forget it. I'm leaving. (Tries to leave)
Corey: Excuse me?
Heather: For good. And you KNOW you can't stop me.
Corey: (Strict) Heather, you will stop this right now.
Heather: (Rushes toward her father and glares at him) Make me! You can't! What even is the point if I'm just a burden to you anyway?! I'm done listening to you and your stupid rules! I'm sick of you saying I can't do anything ever! I should've left a long time ago! So I'm done. Bye.
Corey: You're being completely irresponsible. You can't just fly away and hope all of your problems will be solved.
Heather: (Turns) Watch me.
Corey: (Notices the Ruby Ring on her finger) Heather! You took your mother's ring again, did you not?
Heather: (Stops) So what if I did?
Corey: Don't lose it.
Heather doesn't say anything as she leaves the gym, and Ash can tell Corey's world is shattering.
Corey: So that's it. Ten years of torment... just for her to vanish just as quickly. No... I suppose it's come to an end. (Turns to Ash, who flinches) Ash. I'm in no place to ask you for any more favors, so... I'll put it this way: Come to Beryl Bridge if you want a show.
Corey walks past him and he walks out of the door, Ash also does it and he notices an Absol staring at them before leaving.
Ash: That can't be a good sign...I hope things aren't going to turn downhill...
Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, Ash and Corey have a battle with Ash wins. But Heather wants nothing to do with her father, leaving him broken. What is he going to do now? Find out in the next chapter.
