Chapter 65 Finding Hardy

When Ash and Pikachu go to the gate that is located between Agate Circus and Route 2, he finds a kid who keeps acting like he is homeless until his mother found out. To repay for his kindness, the woman gives him the Department Store Sticker for the 9th floor.

After getting to Route 2, he finds that there are a lot of rock jumping, and Ash has to be careful as he walks through, he also captures some Pokemon on the way.

Ash's New Capture in Route 2: Absol, Machoke, Mienfoo, Rhydon, Rufflet, Trapinch, Vullaby (Grass)

Ash also notices some trees with Sleep Powder and Rage Powder on it, and he is supposed to use them on the Crustle so that they fall asleep, and then move them into the holes so that they can make a jumping rock.

Ash: This place sure is a puzzle...(Complains)

Ash and Pikachu eventually finish the puzzle in the north, and then they find themselves inside a cave.

Ash: Citrine, Celestine...and now this is Ametrine. These three mountains seem to link to each other, but I guess I'm on top of Ametrine right now...interesting.

Since there is nothing for him to do right now, so he just captures some Pokemon and leaves.

Ash's New Capture in Ametrine Mountain: Sealeo, Cryogonal (Cave), Horsea (Fishing)

After getting back to Route 2, Ash continues to do the puzzle and he also finds a Field Note on the ground.

Field Note 14 Rocky Field:

"The field is littered with rocks." Pokemon can dodge when Defense is increased or Substitute is up, attacks that can be blocked by Bulletproof can be dodged behind rocks. Miss contact moves recoil unless the user has Rock Head. Stealth Rock damage x2. Flinch Pokemon take recoil unless the target has Steadfast or Sturdy. Prevents flinches when Defense is increased. Bulldoze, Earthquake, Magnitude, Rock Climb, and Strength gains Rock Type. Rock Type attacks, Accelrock, Bulldoze, Earthquake, Magnitude, Rock Climb, and Strength boost x1.5. Rock Smash boosts x2. Rock Polish effect amplifies. Long Reach Accuracy decreases x0.9. Nature Power becomes Rock Smash. Camouflage becomes Rock Type. Secret Power causes Flinch. The Telluric Seed boosts Defense but damages the user with Stealth Rocks.

Ash: So this is the Rocky Field...that's good to know.

After walking a while, Ash finally arrives at Celestine Cascade. Ash stares at the waterfall, not only that it is clean, but the dread inside his heart has been growing. Then he also notices a mansion in front of them.

Ash: So that's Amy's house...

When Ash walks into the house, he finds Amaria sitting on the sofa, and she is delighted to see Ash.

Amaria: Ash! It's been so long, I'm surprised to see you! Welcome, welcome- Make yourself at home! I'm glad you're here! You can finally meet Tania!

Ash: Great to see you as well, Amy. Anyway, I've kinda stuck because of the whole Agate City business. And I just came from the circus.

Amaria: Hm, what's that? You have news from the circus about Agate? I had heard what was going on and was thinking about doing some digging, but... Well, I was still recovering from that attack at Blacksteam Factory. Maybe it's finally time to get back in action though. So what's this lead?

Ash: Do you know an agent named Titawin? Maybe it is a code name, but...

Amaria: A Meteor Agent codenamed Titawin... Oh, that's the "T" that Ace told us about! If what Ace said is true- And with them, who knows- Titawin joined after I had been looking into Borealis, so I don't think I could have found anything about them already. But, they're supposedly operating somewhere nearby? (Thinks) Hm. It's funny, isn't it? Titawin sounds so similar to Titania... But that's probably just a coincidence, right?

Titania: What's coincidence? (Walks down the stairs)

Ash finally gets to see Titania and she really is the one that he met at North Aventurine Woods.

Amaria: Oh, hi Tania! Tania, this is the Ash I told you about. Ash, Titania~

Titania: (Notices Ash) We've met. (Cleaning the room from the scattered clothes) Ignore the mess; we weren't expecting company. So, you were talking about me?

Amaria: I was just telling Ash how you take such good care of me! And I'll keep doing my best to think about what we talked about, like recovery, and all that.

Titania: ...Uh huh. This seems to be a day for surprise guests.

Amaria: Yeah, we just chanced on Tania's little brother not too long ago too! Tania found him on her way back when I asked her to go get me some cotton candy. She carried him back and I was like 'Wow that's some big cotton candy!'

Titania: He was sleeping face down in the dirt. Hardy always was a heavy sleeper, but this is a new low.

Ash: (Widens his eyes) Hardy! That's the person I'm looking for!

Amaria: Huh? You were looking for Hardy? Well, he's right upstairs! Here, let's go!

Amaria tries to get up, but Titania just pushes her back on the sofa, Ash start to have some deja vu as how Samson just did the same thing to Aya a few hours ago.

Titania: Nope, you're staying put. You need to rest.

Amaria: Ahah... Okay~ We think I might've cracked a couple ribs after the incident with Solaris... But it'll be okay! I'm sure I'll be back in action soon!

Ash: At least I managed to call Julia and Rini to help you back then.

Titania: (Feeling a little jealous at how Ash is causally talking to Amaria) Up this way, Ash.

Ash: (Notices the cooler tone) Is she always this cold?

Amaria: Tania may be a little distant, but she's really a sweetheart~ You don't need to worry about it.

Ash nods as they walk upstairs to find Hardy, he is still lying on the couch while sleeping. Ash and Pikachu try to wake him up, but he isn't responding.

Titania: Let's get one thing straight. You never saw me at Route 1. Got it?

Ash: Why are you talking about this? I mean, what I saw you did wasn't actually important. But if you want to, I can keep it a secret.

Titania: (Nods) Good. This Meteor business is best dealt with independently of her. Amaria struggles with depression and self-harm on the regular already. She doesn't need more trouble weighing her down on top of that, and this trouble is already looking for her. I'm not going to abide by you pushing her over the edge into the oncoming danger. You'll finish the errands you came for and leave her out of it.

Ash: I'm not going to let you guys in danger with Team Meteor as well.

Titania: Now move. The only things that can wake Hardy up are acts of god and violence.

Ash sees that Titania is using a Wake-Up Slap on Hardy, causing him to groan in pain, but he is still struggling to get up until Titania does it again.

Hardy: Ow, ow, okay, okay, I'm up already! Yikes! (Notices Titania) Huh? Hey, Sis. Shoulda guessed it was you from the smarting pain. And... Ash, right? Sup?

Titania: I found you passed out on the ground.

Hardy: You what? Oh. (Remembers what happened) Hey, where'd Aya go?!

Ash: His brother and I found her at the Circus.

Hardy: Huh? She's at the Circus?

Titania: (Raised an eyebrow) Aya?

Hardy: Yea, she's the new Poison Leader. I was taking her up to show her my Gym and... I dunno what happened. Next thing I know I'm here.

Titania: Sounds like one hell of a first date.

Hardy: (Blushes) Oi, shove off; it wasn't like that. Aya's okay, right? I should find her! (Jumps off the couch, but feeling pain) Ughh, my whole body's sore for whatever reason...

Titania: I'm sure it had nothing to do with you sleeping face-down in the dirt.

Hardy: Beats sleeping here. I don't feel like bummin' offa my sister longer than I hafta.

Titania: Agreed; it's best if you go.

Hardy just rushes downstairs and leaves the second floor, and Titania turns to Ash.

Titania: Are you gonna follow him or what?

Ash sighs, but he also notices a Field Readout and he decides to record it into the Poke Gear before heading downstairs, while they get down, they also see the news with Gardevoir on screen.

Field Note 21 Water Surface:

"The water's surface is calm." Speed decreases x0.75 unless Water Type, Airborne, or the abilities Surge Surfer or Swift Swim are active. Prevents Ground attacks. Spikes/Toxic Spikes terminated. Dive lasts 1 turn. Water Veil + Cures Status. Activates Hydration, Schooling, Surge Surfer, Swift Swim, Torrent, and Water Compaction each turn. Splash + Lowers Accuracy. Aqua Ring recovery: 1/8 HP. Dry Skin, Water Absorb restores HP. Shore Up activates Water Compaction. Whirlpool damage: 1/6 HP + Confuses Target. Water Attacks boost x1.5. Electric Attacks boost x1.5 when the target is grounded. Fire Attacks decrease x0.5 when the target is grounded. Dive, Hydro Vortex, Muddy Water, Surf, Whirlpool boost x1.5. Becomes Underwater when Dive or Gravity was used. Becomes Icy Field when Blizzard, Glaciate, and Subzero Slammer are used. Becomes Murkwater when Acid Downpour is used, or Sludge Wave is used twice. Nature Power becomes Whirlpool. Camouflage becomes Water Type. Secret Power lowers Speed. The Elemental Seed boosts Special Defense and applies Aqua Ring to the user.

TV: And now! A breaking news report with Gossip Gardevoir!

Gardevoir: Hello, Reborn! I'm here in Calcenon City with Dragon Leader Saphira, where a sudden showdown has just taken form! As most know, the cities of Calcenon and Labradorra sit right next to each other. But in a sudden uprising, the evil organization Team Meteor has completely seized control of Labradorra City! Most citizens were safely evacuated, but some are still being held as hostages! However, a resistance is taking shape in Calcenon City on the part of some of Reborn's strongest Trainers! Saphira, what are your thoughts on this scenario?

Saphira: I'm not interested in negotiating with them. We'll find a way around the barrier and take back the hostages.

Gardevoir: That's right! Team Meteor is employing a special technology... My sources tell me the machine they use is called a PULSE! And they've hooked a Mr. Mime up to it, creating a massive forcefield around Labradorra!

Saphira: It isn't their only one. We know that they're preparing a second PULSE within the city, and they have two more in the surrounding areas.

Gardevoir: With these mysterious machines amping up their Pokémons' powers, there's no telling what they'll do next! Can anything break the forcefield around Labradorra? What will happen to the resistance in Calcenon? Stay tuned to find out! XOXO ~ Gossip Gardevoir

After the show is done, Ash is now worried since Anna, Noel, Shelly, and Charlotte are actually in Calcenon City, and he really doesn't want them to get captured again.

Amaria: The PULSE... It's just like with that Muk.

Hardy: Maybe we oughta go up there and help the resistance out.

Titania: No.

Ash: What do you mean no? We can't just let Team Meteor do whatever they want!

Titania: Don't get involved. It's better if you don't.

Hardy: Whatever you say, Sis. I'm gonna go find Aya. Peace! (Leaves)

Amaria: Is it really okay to just let them do whatever they want?

Titania: The less you're involved, the better.

Amaria: (Takes out the Sapphire Bracelet) I know they're after the Sapphire Bracelets you gave me... I'm definitely never going to let them have them! But why would they want them?

Ash: They want it because it is a key. There are four keys to open something they want. That's the short version of the story.

Titania: (Turns to Ash) I heard from Amy that she gave one to you, you still have it, right?

Ash: (Takes out the bracelet) Of course. So far the only key they have is the Emerald Brooch. Both the Ruby Ring and Sapphire Bracelets are here, and the Amethyst Pendant is with my father.

Amaria: Speaking of which, where did you get them?

Titania: I was hiking around the Chrysolia Region a handful of years ago and found a hidden lake. The ground was covered in ash, so I assume there had just been a wildfire nearby at some point. The bracelets were buried in the ash. I stumbled on them by chance, so I took them with me.

Ash: Yeah, the one we just saw on the screen, Saphira, the Dragon Leader, her sister was the original owner of the Sapphire Bracelets, but she is glad that the bracelets are safe and not in their hands.

Amaria: I see...

Titania: But that's irrelevant. What matters is you keep them away and lay low.

Amaria: ...Well, then maybe Ash can go instead! He's been crucial in defeating Meteor before.

Titania: ...Do whatever you want.

Amaria: If you're going to get to Calcenon City, you need to go through Ametrine Mountain... Which means you're going to need Surf! Coincidentally, we have the Machine for that here!

Ash widens his eyes as he is going to get another TMX, and it has been a while since the last one is actually Strength back at Byxbysion Wasteland.

Titania: There's no point in giving someone the Machine if they don't have the Badge to use it yet.

Amaria: Oh, yeah, you probably need one of the Circus' Leaders' Badges to use it! Didn't we get a promotion from them in the mail?

Titania: We did. (Searches the table and finds a letter) I'm not sure why they bothered sending a Battle Pass to two Gym Leaders. But here it is.

Ash receives the Battle Pass - Fury from Titania, and he realizes that this is the thing he needs to battle the gym leaders in the circus.

Titania: There you go. Agate Circus has an arbitrary system, so you can't face its Leaders without these Passes. That one's for Samson. If you beat him, come back and we'll give you Surf.

Amaria: Good luck, Ash! We know you can do it! I'll do my best with what we talked about too! Er, resting, that is!

After Ash leaves, Amaria and Titania just watch him go.

Amaria: So what do you think about Ash?

Titania: He seems promising, however, he still has to prove to me that he can be trusted.


And this is the new chapter, as you can see, Ash finally gets to the Fiore Mansion and met Amaria, Titania, and Hardy. Now Ash is going back to battle Samson for the badge. I hope you like this chapter.