Chapter 49 Giant Steelix Problem

Ash wakes up and finds himself inside a dark cave, Pikachu is by his side, and he also wakes up at the same time.

Ash: Are you okay, Pikachu?

Pikachu nods, as they also notice a Healing Machine and use it to heal their Pokemon. But they can also feel the shake, and it is bigger than they are back in Tanzan Mountain.

Ash: What is causing all those earthquakes? I really don't like this feeling...

Ash also finds some Pokemon inside of the cave as he continues moving forward, only to find a place with lights.

Ash's New Capture in Tanzan Depths: Durant, Hippopotas (Cave)

Ash continues forward as the shaking continues, and he also hears Saphira's voice.

Saphira: Who's there?

Ash: Saphira? Where are you? (Tries to look down at the caverns, but he can't see anything because it is too deep)

Saphira: I'm stuck at the bottom of this accursed chasm. Fortunately, the echo is enough for me to hear you. I'm not hurt, but I don't see a way up, and it's too narrow down here to fly out. (The ground is shaking again) And then there's that. Ugh. The earthquakes have just been getting worse and worse. Whatever's causing them must be nearby. See if you can find a way out. I'll keep looking for some way to climb up.

Ash nods as he walks back, only to find another path has been opened up, but as he continues to walk, he walks to a dead end again.

Saphira: Are you making any progress up there?

Ash: Yeah, a path just appeared out of nowhere.

Saphira: What do you mean, a new passage appeared? Like something just cut through the stone? Whatever did that would have to be extremely strong... and large. (Feels the shake) ...And nearby. Be on your guard; I'm going to keep moving.

Ash heads back and another path has opened, Ash is now feeling shivers from just that, and Pikachu is also concerned.

Saphira: This ditch is putrid. There's nothing but acid down here. All of these containers look like the ones from the base. Energy byproduct. There's no telling how it got down here. But the fact that it did probably means that we're underneath the Meteor Base, in the depths of Tanzan Mountain.

Ash: So all we need is to find a way to get back up... (Feels the shake again)

Saphira: I wouldn't be surprised if the sudden injection of this poison upset the wild Pokémon. Whatever's causing those earthquakes must just be trying to retaliate against the Meteors for this toxicity. Keep moving. There's got to be an exit somewhere.

And when he walks another opened path, he reaches a dead-end once again.

Saphira: Ash, can you still hear me?! Watch out, it's headed your way!

Just then, the ground is shaking and Ash can see that something big is roaring in front of him. It is a Steelix, but the size is five times the size of a normal Steelix. Ash and Pikachu can only stare at the angry Pokemon with shock.

Ash: JUST HOW HUGE IS THIS THING?!

Saphira: Steady, Ash! That thing is responsible for all the earthquakes in Chrysolia! Do your best to subdue it! I'll see if I can get into the position!

Ash gulps as he takes out a Pokeball, sending out Blastoise. Blastoise is also shocked to see the Pokemon, but Ash commands it to go with Hydro Pump, dealing a lot of damage. Steellix goes for Earthquake, causing Blastoise to get one-shotted.

Ash: I think I need to use my older Pokemon for this... (Sends out Sceptile)

Ash's Sceptile goes for Leaf Blade, but it doesn't seem to get harmed by the attack. Ash decides to switch to Infernape this time, and it goes for a Flamethrower, he survives the Earthquake, and it also causes the Blaze to activate. It goes for Flare Blitz, finally knocking the Steelix down.

Ash: Did we do it?

But much to Ash's horror, the Steelix is back up again, only that this time, it has Saphira on its head.

Saphira: Giddy-up, you dumb beast! (Holding the ridges of Steelix)

Ash: (Delighted) Saphira!

Saphira: Ash, hop on! We're going for a joy ride.

Ash nods as he also jumps onto the Steelix, as they get out of the Tanzan Depths and back to Meteor's Base Entrance.

Saphira: All right, here's the plan. Meteor still needs to be stopped, and the girls still need to be saved. So, Ash, I'm going to leave dealing with Meteor and the PULSE Abra to you.

Ash: What about you?

Saphira: I'll take Steelix, dig around to the other side of the mountain, and bust Charlotte free. Get in there, terminate that Abra, and get out ASAP. From the sound of it, their real leader is coming any time now. If she gets here, it's only going to be trouble for us.

Ash nods as he understands, then they start to take action. Fortunately, Ash remembers the directions in the base, so without any minutes wasted, he reaches the final room where Sigmund and ZEL are.

ZEL: (Male angry voice) Behave, you stupid vermin! (Changes to happy female voice) Er, that is... Um... Would you please listen to us, Abra? (Teleports away from the machine but just few inches)

Sigmund: (Sighs) I believe that was Abra's way of politely declining.

ZEL: (Male angry voice) You little... (Notices Ash rushing in)...What, Ash made it back? This thing really is useless.

Sigmund: Perhaps it would be best to just terminate the project before this "Lin" arrives. It sounds like she has a rather critical nature.

ZEL: (Female smart voice) This level of uncontrolled power would indeed be unacceptable. (Happy female voice) But can we really hurt the poor Abra after all we've put it through? (Male Voice) We can't do anything at all if we can't even get close enough to deactivate the machine without the stupid thing jumping us away! (Teleports again to other few inches) I don't need your sass, Abra! (Turns to Ash, female smart voice) Ash, you wish to spare the people of Spinel Town the chaos caused by this untamed teleportation energy, correct? (Male Voice) Good idea. Let's just let Ash deal with it! Go ahead, take the little bugger out! It'll work out for all of us with how ANNOYING it is- (Disappears)

Sigmund: ZEL?

ZEL: (Rushes into the room) OKAY, that's enough! Ash, deal with this. We aren't gonna stop you, just take down this thing and you can put the chaos in Chrysolia to rest!

Ash sighs as even Team Meteor tries to stop Abra as well, so Ash goes for Infernape, seeing how painful Abra looks, Ash frowns and commands Infernape to go with Flamethrower, defeating the Abra and also taking its life force away.

ZEL: (Happy female voice, but frowning) I'm so sorry it had to come to this, Abra...

Sigmund: That seems to be a relief. So, Eve, will the nearby regions return to normal now, or is the damage permanent?

ZEL: (Smart female voice) Any objects that have been moved by Abra's energy previously will remain where they are. And further, there are likely some objects that will still move, already having been imbued with unstable psychic energy. However, no more instances of such things will be created. Slowly, Chrysolia will calm itself.

Sirius: (Rushes into the room) Lin has just arrived. (Notices Ash) Ash is back already?

ZEL: (Happy female voice, but scared) Um... yes. And they helped us subdue Abra, so...

Sirius: (Gasps) "Subdue"- You terminated her project?

ZEL: (Smart female voice) It was unresponsive to all methods of control.

Sirius: (Sighs) Right. Then Ash will simply have to take the fall. You did not authorize this, or it will be your head. Understood?

Just then, Sirius grabs Ash's collar while Lin walks in, much to Ash's surprise.

Lin: Report.

Sirius: We experimented with using the PULSE to amplify Abra's powers to teleport a party into the heart of the ruin. (Grabs Ash harder) However, Ash interfered and forcibly terminated the project before it could be controlled. We were just about to dispatch with him.

Lin: (Notices Sigmund) And what of the other creature lurking in the back?

Sigmund: Ahem. Excuse me for the tardy introduction. My name is Dr. Sigmund Connal, resident psychiatrist to Reborn City and proud administrator of the city Orphanage.

Sirius: Dr. Connal has been a great asset to us. With his help, we have now obtained two of the four keys- Ruby and Amethyst.

Ash sighs in relief as they didn't find one of the Saphire Bracelets in his pocket.

Sigmund: Forgive me for asking, but have we, somehow, met before?

Lin: (Glares at the man) Impossible.

Sigmund: Y-yes.

Sirius: As for the other keys, Solaris has a lead on Sapphire, and the Emerald- (Stops)

Lin: (Stares at him) Go on?

Sirius: There is... no particular news about the Emerald Brooch.

Lin: Lying becomes you, Sirius.

Sirius: I beg your pardon? You may have received no shortage of praise from Solaris, but do not assume you can talk down to me. I still have seniority, and I will have your res-

Lin: (Sends a glare that makes Sirius shiver) Know your place, Sirius, or has it not already made itself known to you? What more will you lose before you learn it?

Sirius: (Realizes something) ...You. You set up that fake Emerald Brooch!

Lin: A bold accusation. Can you provide any evidence?

Sirius: As the one who rigged it to explode, you already know the answer to that! Do you know all that was lost up there?!

Lin: Can you not create a more professional outlet to vent your frustration at your own failures? To turn on your fellow commander...I fear it will call into question your loyalty.

Sirius: MY loyalty?!

Lin: Your competence as well. An astute leader like yourself should have the common sense to know when to fight, when to stay quiet, and when to bend the knee.

Just then, the earthquake happens again, and Ash inwardly smirks as he knows what is going to happen.

Grunt: (Rushes in) Commander! A giant Steelix has just breached the side of the base! It's tearing it apart! It bit right through the holding cells!

Sirius: A what? (Feels the shake again)

Lin: (Turns and glares at Ash) You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you, Ash?

Ash decides to stay silent, now answering and returning the glare.

Lin: Size does not equate to strength. I'll deal with it. (Leaves)


While outside of Tanzan Mountain, Saphira is on Steelix as they are looking at the mountain below.

Saphira: All right, Steelix, you want revenge on these guys as much as I do, right? (Hears a roar) That's what I thought. They trashed your home, so let's trash theirs.

Just then, Lin arrives with her Hydreigon, much to Saphira's confusion.

Lin: Saphira.

Saphira: (Stares at Lin) Who are you?

Lin: Do you believe that you can protect your sisters by destroying us?

Saphira: (Takes a closer look at Lin) Do I know you?

Lin: Your petty family bonds are meaningless.

Saphira: Petty? If anything threatens my sisters, I'll tear it apart. That's loyalty. Something you've probably never heard of.

Lin: Family... Loyalty... It's all meaningless. All that matters is pure, unbridled power. Hydreigon, demonstrate.

Just then, Hydreigon goes for a Flamethrower, and it causes the Steelix to roar in pain.


Sirius: (Turns to Ash while releasing him) Ash. Leave us. NOW. This will be your only chance.

Ash doesn't need to be told twice as he leaves the base, not wanting to deal with this as he heads back to Belrose Manse.


And here is a new chapter, as you can see, Lin makes an appearance in this chapter and she seems to know Saphira, Sigmund also feels familiar to her as well. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the Gym battle with Noel.