Chapter 70 Betrayal

With Aya being captured by Team Meteor, Ash still has to make his way to Calcenon City, and now he is at Route 4, and he decides to capture some Pokemon to get rid of his frustration.

Ash's New Pokemon in Route 4: Cottonee, Pawniard (Grass)

Route 4 is a nice route, with some grass covered with snow, and Ash eventually arrives at the gate to Calcenon City, where Hardy is waiting for him.

Hardy: Yo, Ash! Cain went off to go see some friends of his who are up here, I guess. Where's Aya?

Ash: (Flinches and grits his teeth) She was captured by Team Meteor.

Hardy: She what, mate? Captured? 'Scuse me.

When Ash chases after Hardy, he finds that the way to Labradorra City is blocked by a giant invisible wall.

Hardy: They have Aya. I'll definitely make them pay! Aye! C'mon out here, Meteors!

Hardey tries to break through the invisible wall, but in vain. He continues to yell Aya's name, until Saphira comes and stops him.

Saphira: Stop. Someone's coming.

Fern: Haha, so that's why you picked your type, Hardy? Cuz you're as dumb as a rock?

Ash grits his teeth when Fern arrives, but then he realizes that Fern is actually on the other side of the invisible wall.

Fern: Sup, nerds. You know you're not gonna get through this barrier.

Hardy: Why are YOU over there?

Fern: Simple. I side with the winners. And at least here, I can actually do some good. I figured it out when I went back to Chrysolia looking for that kid. Their whole base had been torn in, you know? A few didn't make it out. A few did, because I helped them. They actually needed me. And when they finally finish what they set out to do, I'll be in my rightful place at the top too. Looks like your little girlfriend's just another pawn in their game!

Ash realizes that Fern has joined Team Meteor, which means that he has become their enemy.

Hardy: Give her back, now!

Fern: As if. But I'll give her a kiss for you if you want.

Hardy: Don't you dare.

Fern: Just kidding. I wouldn't touch her if she paid me to.

Hardy: Mate, I swear on everything holy- When I get through this wall, I'mma punch your entire face in.

Fern: If you get through the wall. Wanna keep slamming your head into it some more? I'm pretty sure you won't get a concussion for at least another two or three tries, but I'm always open to being proven wrong. That said, some of us have work to do. Later, losers! (Leaves)

Saphira: He seems like a pleasant person.

Hardy: Tch. That's not the half of it. But I'm not gonna give up. I'll save Aya myself.

Ash sighs as he leaves Hardy and Saphira alone as he is much more worried about Anna and the others, he first gets to a house with an old man, and he seems to be Eclipse's father. After telling him what happened to Eclipse, he was treated as a liar and he was thrown out of the house. Ash knows that there are something important to do as he rushes towards another house, and he is relieved to find Noel, Anna, Shelly, and Cain there.

Anna: See? I told you Ash was here!

Cain: Hah, not bad. Heyy, glad you finally caught up.

Shelly: Ash! (Hugs Ash)

Cain: (Notices something) Hey, where's Aya?

Ash: Got herself kidnapped by Team Meteor...

Cain: Oh. Well, she'll probably be fine.

Anna: (Confused) You're not worried?

Cain: If we should be worried about anyone, it's her captors. That girl will complain their heads off.

Anna: If you say so~

Shelly: Um... Sorry, but...

Cain: Oh, right. What were you going to ask before Anna suddenly started shouting about Ash being here?

Anna: Oops, sorry~

Shelly: You said that you were following Heather, right? What happened to her?

Cain: I caught up to her briefly and this older guy named Blake said he was going to take care of her. She seemed okay with it, so I figured it was fine.

Shelly: Wait, Heather's with Blake? Like, Cal's brother Blake?

Cain: (Widens his eyes) That's his brother?

Shelly: Um, if- If it's the same person...I've only heard bad things about him. I need to talk to Heather. I'm- I'm going to Ametrine!

Ash: (Grabs Shelly's arm) Wait! The path up there is blocked. (Realizes something) Oh, no.

Anna: What's wrong?

Ash: Ametrine City. The path was sealed off by something like a huge iceberg. We're concerned that, if it stays there, no food can be delivered to the mountaintop. If that happens...

Shelly: Heather might... S-starve?

Noel: (Sighs) If she were going to starve, she would probably just fly somewhere else.

Shelly: Still, I wish we could help her somehow...

Anna: Hm... So, a giant iceberg in Ametrine Mountain? I don't remember hearing about that...Let me think. (Starts to walk around and think)

Cain: I don't think we can break or melt it.

Anna: Mhm, mhm. It can't be climbed?

Cain: Probably not.

Anna: I see, I see. Well, then it's easy!

Ash: It is?

Anna: Yep! Totally easy!

Cain: (Confused) What do you mean?

Anna: If you can't go around, through, or over it, then there's only one option left! You have to go under it!

Cain: Under? How would we?

Noel: Dive.

Anna: Correct! One point for Nomos!

Noel: (Mutters) I was the one who said that.

Anna: Don't cheat, Noel! Nomos definitely said it first!

Ash remembers that there are a lot of diving spots back in the mountain, not only does he need the Waterfall, but he also needs Dive. But he knows that Waterfall is on Ametrine City.

Ash: Where are we gonna find the Dive Machine though?

Anna: (Takes out the TMX) Right here! (Gives the machine to Ash)

Cain: Wait, you had it already?

Anna: I had a feeling this might come up, and they were offering it as a prize at the circus, sooooo... I just went ahead and picked it up early! You're welcome~

Ash: So with this, I can just go under the ice...

Noel: Don't forget the Badge requirement to use it.

Cain: It's probably another one of the Agate Ace Triumvirate, right?

Shelly: A-actually, I think, um... I think it's Charlotte. It used to be Calcenon's old Gym Leader that handled Dive.

Ash realizes that the next gym he is going to fight is not the Agate Ace Triumvirate, but rather Charlotte. Come to think of it, he hasn't seen her ever since he came to the city.

Anna: If you tell her what's going on and ask her for a battle, I'm sure she'll accept! Go on, get to it already!

Ash nods as he rushes towards the gym, only to find Laura and Charlotte inside, and Charlotte is comforting Laura, who seems to be crying.

Charlotte: You're being way too hard on yourself.

Laura: How couldn't I be? It has to be my fault somehow, right? I'd rather believe that than assume someone did this to spite me.

Charlotte: Ame probably just made a mistake. She does that a lot. Look, we'll get it figured out, but crying about it won't help. (Notices Ash) Oh, 'sup, Ash.

Laura: (Notices Ash) Ash - Sorry. Please excuse me. (Rushes away)

Charlotte: ...Awesome. She doesn't like to cry in front of others. I love her, but the girl drives me crazy sometimes. I get that it's bad news, but she's totally overreacting.

Ash: What's wrong with Laura?

Charlotte: Okay, context for you: She got a notification from Ame today. She was fired from her position as Elite Four. No warning, no explanation. Apparently, she's been replaced already, but this isn't generally how this whole Reborn League thing goes down. Something's weird here, and I'm gonna figure out what. I'll be back in a bit. (Leaves)

Ash realizes that it might be Elias and Bennett's work, Elias has promised Bennett to become an Elite Four member, maybe he was the one who took Laura's title to Bennett. After getting outside, they find Hardy calming down with Saphira still staring at the barrier.

Saphira: Well met, Ash. Meteor's attack seems to have ceased for now, but I'll remain vigilant. I wouldn't put it past them to just wait until we lower our guard.

Ash: Well, a Team Meteor agent turned off the machine herself, but she was killed in the end.

Saphira: That does explain why the barrier has remained. One was configured to Calcenon's power system, and one to Labradorra's. Once Team Meteor reactivates the PULSE Clawitzer or switches it to the Labradorra power grid, the attack will resume. Until it is destroyed, I will wait. No matter how long it lasts, I won't take any risks with my sisters in this city.

Aya: Let go of me already! Stop it!

Ash and the other two see Sirius dragging Aya while walking towards them on the other side of the barrier.

Hardy: Aya!

Sirius: Good, you're here as well. Our terms are simple. We know you have the Ruby Ring, Ash. Give it to us, or the girl's life is forfeit.

Saphira: (Before Ash can say anything) We aren't interested in negotiating.

Hardy: Like hell, we aren't! This is Aya's life! Ash! Just give them the Ring!

Saphira: Whatever you do, do not give them the Ring.

Hardy: It's a stupid piece of jewelry! It's not worth killing her!

Aya: (Mutters) Apparently some people disagree. No surprise there.

Saphira: Team Meteor is not a pack of thieves. The Ruby Ring is not just a ring; it's a key.

Hardy: Does that matter? They're gonna kill her if you don't give it to them.

Saphira: They're going to kill her if we do give it to them.

Ash notices that Charlotte is walking toward them, and she is also here to see what's going on.

Hardy: That doesn't even make sense! I bet you wouldn't be saying the same thing if it was one of your sisters over there!

Saphira: Wrong. That doesn't change anything.

Hardy: Ugh! You don't make any sense! First, you say you'll do anything for your family and then you say you'd willingly let her die for a stupid ring?

Charlotte: Oh, so that's what this is about. Ash's Ruby Ring?

Saphira: (Turns to Charlotte) That's right. Team Meteor is holding that girl hostage.

Charlotte: ...So, Sis. You'd really let me die over something so insignificant, huh?

Hardy: Oh, boy...

Charlotte: Ash! What about you? Would you be so callous as to throw me to the dogs for the sake of some stupid ring?

Ash: I...Of course, I don't. Everyone who can fight against Team Meteor is important.

Charlotte: I knew you'd understand! Then give me the Ruby Ring, now. If you meant what you said, you'll give it to me!

Hardy: Uh, wasn't it just a hypothetical question?

Ash knows what Charlotte is going to do, and he quickly gives her the ring.

Charlotte: (Raises the hand with the Ruby Ring) Team Meteor! I'll give you the Ring! I have to run so these people don't take it back, but I'll give it to you at the power supply Control Center! Meet me there! (Leaves)

Hardy: Charlotte, no! (Tries to chase after her, but stopped by Saphira)

Saphira: Hardy, stop.

Sirius: Hmph. I'll send someone down. (Drags Aya away)

Aya: Ow, ow, ow! Stop dragging me around!

Hardy: Aya! (Turns to Saphira with a glare) Yo, look, I don't expect anybody else to care about her like I do, but you could at least try giving a damn!

Saphira: Do you have any siblings?

Hardy: Do I- What? Yea, I have a sister. You remind me of her. You're both impossible to deal with.

Saphira: So you're not close. But when you've been through as much as my sisters and I have, you learn to have absolute faith in each other. All we have is each other. If we doubted that, there would be nothing left.

Hardy: That's some kinda absolute faith you got, for sure. She just got upset and ran off with our only way to save Aya!

Saphira: No. She just saved Aya herself, at least for the time being.

Hardy: What are you talking about?

Saphira: Because of her, Team Meteor no longer believes we have anything of value to them. Therefore, they have no reason to threaten Aya's life. (Turns to Ash) Ash, if you want to confirm this, follow her. You know where she was headed, right? The same way you just came.

Ash nods as he rushes towards the gate to find Charlotte.


Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, Fern betrayed them and joined Team Meteor, Laura gets betrayed as her title is taken, I hope you like this chapter.