Chapter 68 Problems Arise
When Ash and Titania arrive at the waterfall, they see Amaria standing at the bay while looking down at it. Ash widens his eyes as the scene looks so familiar.
Amaria: (Glares at Titania) Come here to lie to my face some more?
Titania: What do you even want me to say here?
Amaria: I want you to tell me the truth!
Titania: What "truth"? I don't know what it is you're expecting to hear.
Amaria: Why don't we start with "Titawin"?
Titania: I have no idea what that even is.
Amaria: I bet. Ash knows what I'm getting at.
Titania: Literally, what are you talking about? You're being ridiculous.
Amaria: Ash, you know she's in the wrong here, don't you?!
Ash: (Hesitates) I... I don't know...but from what I have seen-
Amaria: See?! You can lie all you want, but we both know all about your betrayal.
Titania: What "betrayal"?
Amaria: We know you're working with Team Meteor.
Titania: ...Okay, there's been a misunderstanding. I've been giving them false information to keep them from finding you. If that's what this is all about, we can all relax and go home.
Amaria: Then why all the secrecy?! Why all the comments about lying- The defensiveness, the cold silence- I love you so much, and I would accept anything you ever shared with me- So why don't you!?
Titania looks away, Ash knows that she just wants to protect Amaria, he would have done the same thing as well.
Amaria: Because you don't love me.
Titania: It's not that simple-
Amaria: You don't love me the way I love you. Tell me I'm wrong.
Titania is speechless again, as she can't find the words to reply.
Amaria: That's what I thought.
Titania: I care about you more than anyone else in the entire world.
Amaria: But you don't love me. You were only pretending to.
Titania: I couldn't stand the thought of you doing something- Of you hurting yourself, just because I wasn't able to return your feelings properly. If I had a choice, I would, in a heartbeat. At the time- when it first became official- I thought, I shouldn't let my own lack of emotions get in the way of your happiness. I thought, if I stuck with you, and really devoted myself to you, maybe you'd get better, or maybe I would start to feel it properly. I just had to keep things stable until then.
Amaria: And I see that worked out great.
Titania: I wish it had. I'm sorry.
Amaria: I don't want you to apologize for your feelings, or lack thereof. I want you to apologize for lying. For years- for all that is holy- lying all of this time? How many times have we kissed? How many times were you doing that just for my sake?
Titania: ...I don't think you want me to answer that.
Amaria: Right. I bet. And you assured me otherwise how many times? All just out of what, pity?
Titania: Not pity. I thought it was compassion- But I know it was misguided.
Amaria: You were my world. I guess I was just your prison. (Walks towards the edge of the waterfall) Well, it's okay. I can set you free now.
Titania: I didn't want you to do something stupid just because of me- Just because I'm cold-hearted and made a mistake, and the cost sunk more every day. What was I supposed to do? I thought if I told you, or even if I just rejected you in the first place- That you would go over the deep end, and- (Finds that she can't say anymore)
Amaria: Well, maybe you were right. (Starts to fall)
Titania: Amy, wait-
Ash and Titania try to chase after her, but Amaria has jumped off the waterfall, much to their horror. Ash can't believe that Shade's third vision has come true... Amaria is going to get herself killed...
Titania: Ash! I'm going after her, but I don't have a way back up. Figure it out.
Then Titania also jumps into the waterfall as well, Ash gasps as both of them are just gone just like that, and his legs are shaken in fear. Pikachu tries to comfort him, but Ash shakes his head.
Ash: Maybe there's a chance that they might be alive...I'll have to save them. But first, we must head to Ametrine City to stop Team Meteor. (Also thinking about Amaria and Titania's conversation) But will Titania be a member of the Team Meteor? I mean, from what I saw back at Route 1, the grunt seems to be fleeing... (Shakes his head) I don't think it is the case...
Pikachu nods as he follows Ash and heads to Ametrine Mountain. He decides to go from Citrine Mountain so that he can make sure he hasn't missed any Pokemon that he can capture. And he also brings a Rage Powder all the way to a Crustle who is blocking the cave so that he can get inside and capture a Salandit.
Ash's New Capture in Celestine Mountain: Wailmer (Surf)
Ash's New Capture in Celestine Cascade: Salandit (Event)
Ash can't believe that all three mountains are linking to each other, and after getting back to Ametrine Mountain, he finds Aya, Hardy, and Cain standing in the middle of the road.
Aya: Oh, Ash! You caught up with us quickly.
Hardy: Yo!
Cain: Hayyy gurl, hayyy. So you know how I said I'd see how far I could get on the way to Ametrine? Well, uh... (Touches the wall) You're looking at it.
Ash: What do you mean?
Hardy: As you can see, it's totally on ice...So to speak.
Aya: ...So, Ametrine's a snowy city, right?
Hardy: Almost unfailingly. Being on the tallest mountain peak in the region will do that to ya.
Aya: So, just out of curiosity, how do they get food up there?
Hardy: Wait, whaddya mean?
Aya: Well, it's too cold to grow anything, so I assume they import it... But if there's no road there...
Ash: (Widens his eyes in shock) Wait, you think they're locked in without supplies?
Aya: I don't know, it's just a thought.
Hardy: All the more reason to bust through! Gigalith! (Sends out the Pokemon) Aite, Gigalith, let's tear through that ice! A one, a two, 1-2-3-4!
Gigalith has been trying to do Rock Smash on the ice, but it doesn't seem to be scratched. Ash doesn't know why, but he can hear a faint sound from the ice.
Cain: Not even a dent...
Hardy: Yo, for real? If Gigalith can't scratch this ice, there's no way anything will. What is this stuff made of?
Aya: Uh... Ice?
Hardy: Oh, yea... Nah, that's weird, innit?
Cain: It's shaped weird, harder and thicker than normal, and doesn't break... Yeah, something's off. I don't think even Fire-Types would get through this. Trust me, I know all about things that are thick and hard.
Aya: (Groans while trying to cover her ears when her brother is talking) I'm going to rip out both of my eardrums. (Notices Hardy recalls Gigalith) Giving up?
Hardy: Hell no. We're gonna find another way. Let's get some help from Calcenon. The other Leaders are up there fighting Team Meteor, but maybe some of them can lend a hand.
Aya: Is it far? I'm not exactly used to mountain hikes like this...
Hardy: Not at all! In fact, it's just right around the corner. We'll slip through up here, cash in on some assistance, and be back by the end of the set.
Aya: Sure, whatever. Let's just go.
Ash: (Frowns about what happened and decides to tell Cain this.) Cain, remember I told you about Shade giving me visions of deaths, well, the third one just happened.
Hardy: Wait, what? Did someone die?
Ash: (Lowers his head) Amaria... she jumps off the waterfall...
Cain: (Gasps) No, you don't mean her, right? The same Amaria that we've met a lot of times to stop Team Meteor?
Ash: Titania has jumped off to save her as well, but we don't know what will happen to them.
Hardy: You mean my sister as well? Just great...she's still reckless...if we want to save him, all we need is a TMX for Waterfall.
Cain: But the TMX for Waterfall is also in Ametrine Mountain as well! There is no way to get there unless we can get rid of that block of never-melting ice.
Hardy: Then we have to get hurry. The fastest we get to Calcenon City, the faster we can deal with the problem.
Ash nods as they all rush towards the exit of the mountain.
After getting out of the mountain, they are now at Route 3, and they are now in front of a stairway.
Hardy: Calcenon's just right up these stairs, so let's not waste any time.
Cain: Yep, there's people counting on us!
Just then, a Draco Meteor flies down from the sky and lands on the stairs, and the impact causes the stairs to be destroyed.
Cain: WOAH! (Jumps out of the way before getting hit)
Aya: Cain! Are you all right?!
Cain: Fine- yeah, fine! That laser blast just barely missed me... (Notices something) Hey, you DO care.
Aya: What? Don't be stupid.
Hardy: That attack came from right over Labradorra City. Something's goin' down.
Aya: (Notices something in the air charging towards them) Forget that- Something's coming down, too!
And the figure turns out to be Saphira, the Dragon Gym Leader, and she is still on her Dragonite.
Ash: Saphira, good to see you again.
Saphira: Is everyone all right?!
Hardy: All clear here, if barely! What's the sitch'?
Saphira: Team Meteor has occupied Labradorra City and is using PULSE Machines to control the area.
Hardy: Aye, we heard about the PULSE Mr. Mime on the news and came to help.
Saphira: That's not the problem anymore. (Looks at the sky) Another one! (Rushes to use Hyper Beam to destroy the Draco Meteor)
Aya: What is that?
Saphira: PULSE Clawitzer. They're sieging Calcenon from afar. I'm doing my best to deflect the attacks, but they've gotta land somewhere. Sorry for the collateral damage.
Cain: No big deal, I just saw my life flash before my eyes.
Aya: So I'm guessing that was like watching a split-second porno?
Cain: The dialogue was slightly better.
Hardy: Can we not?
Saphira: I'm getting back to it. If you need to get into the city, use the eastern entrance. (Leaves to engage in the fight)
Aya: So much for right around the corner...
Hardy: No sweat, no sweat! Route 3 used to be tough, but the cities of Calcenon and Labradorra spent a lot of time bridging it up for a smooth road. It'll be a straight shot, no prob'! Let's roll!
Ash and the others nod as they all rush to Calcenon City from the East Entrance.
And here it is, Amaria jumping off the waterfall and Titania chasing after her. Now Ash has to find the TMX for Waterfall so that he can save them both. Not only that but the road to Ametrine Mountain is also blocked off. How are they going to get past it? I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be another depressing chapter as well. Why is that you ask? You'll know it eventually.
