Chapter 82 Agate Circus Gym Battle 2
Ash, Serena, and Lillie are now outside of Fiore Mansion, and they find Titania holding her hand at the rock with a frown.
Titania: I'm so fucking tired of this. You know, it's one thing that she found out about my facade and tried to off herself. But I was actually glad to have that shackle lifted off of me. And now, everything that we just went through has been completely voided by her losing her memory. And I'm stuck again.
Ash: Then what are you going to do about it?
Titania: (Slams her fists into the rocks again) I can't keep living this lie, but I'm not about to let her kill herself twice. I'll figure something out. In the meantime, I'm leaving. (Takes out the 1 Sapphire Bracelet) I'm taking the Bracelet as far away from here as I can. If Meteor wants them, they'll have to come and get them. And believe me, they'll regret it if they try.
Then she sends out Skarmory and leaves them alone.
Serena: So what are you going to do now?
Ash: I guess what we can do right now is to continue what I haven't finished...by the way, do you want to go to the circus?
Lillie: That sounds fun, maybe it will enlighten the mood.
After getting to Agate Circus, Serena and Lillie are in awe at the stands and the other things, and Ash decides to bring them into the Big Top Arena.
Lillie: So this is the famous Big Top Arena...
Ash: Yeah, let's get in here.
When they get to the staff room, they find Samson there.
Samson: Oh, Ash. Hey. Who are the ladies?
Ash: My friends, they are Serena and Lillie. This is Samson, the circus strongman, and the Fighting Gym Leader.
Serena and Lillie are surprised since the man looks bulky and strong.
Samson: Wish I had news for you, but I don't. (Opens the computer) No matter how many times we check, we still can't find Terra.
Ciel: (Walks into the room) Oh, greetings, Ash!
Serena and Lillie also notice the girl, and her outfit is really dazzling.
Ciel: I trust you were able to take care of your friends? That would be more than we could say.
Ash: Yeah. But things happened. By the way, about Terra...
Samson: Not so sure we can call Terra a friend at this point.
Ciel: The point was less the "friend", and more the looming threat that you may have deleted her outright. And then what! We'd have to resign ourselves to being the Agate Ace Doublet! That's not nearly as attractive-sounding!
Samson: Hey, if you don't like the sound of that, we could always be the Agate Ace Couple.
Ciel: Please, that didn't work out for you before. What makes you think it'll work now?
Samson: My rugged good looks and dazzling charm.
Ciel: (Rolls her eyes) Right. Tell you what, figure out how to un-delete Terra, and then we'll talk.
Samson: That's a steep price. I've finally been able to get decent sleep since she's been gone.
Ciel: Oh, you were that busy with her? And you have the audacity to ask me out right after she vanishes... Tsk, tsk.
Samson: Tch, I'm sure she'd have enjoyed those nights even more if that was the case.
Ciel: So you say.
Samson: Riiiight, and who's the expert on Position 52 here?
Ciel: Darling, even with just half of the poses I hold in mid-air on a daily basis, I've got far more than 52 positions at the ready. But you don't get to see half of them.
Samson: Challenge accepted.
Ringmaster: (Walks in) Hello! Any luck?
Samson: None.
Ringmaster: That's too bad, although the number of on-site injuries has really dropped since she's been gone. And hello! Ash! What brings you here today?
Ash: Well, I...
Ringmaster: Oh, is it time to battle Ciel?
Ciel: I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been looking forward to it.
Ringmaster: Your last performance was a stellar success, but I do hope you have a Battle Pass for her!
Ciel: Er... You do have one, right, Ash?
Serena: You need Battle Passes for this gym?
Ash: Yeah, because of the rules. But I don't think I have Ciel's...
Ringmaster: Of course, it is policy that you can't fight without one. Um, we went over this before, right?
Without their noticing, Ciel quickly shoves a Battle Pass - Suspension on Ash's hand.
Ciel: There it is! Ash clearly just lost it for a moment! We're all good!
Ash just stares at the pass on his hand with shock, and the Ringmaster just rolls her eyes as she knows what's going on.
Ringmaster: Then I'll make the preparations now. (Leaves)
Ciel: Call that an investment in my career.
Samson: Smooth.
Ciel: You're one to talk. (Turns to Ash) Anyway, let me know whenever you're ready, and we'll get this show on the road!
Ash nods, but before that, he walks towards the Telecom and asks Ame for the tips.
Ame: Ash? So you need to fight Ciel? Right. This won't be the first time you've fought on this field, so try to keep in mind everything you used before against Samson. Unlike Samson's all-out offense, Ciel plays more defensively. Many of her Pokémon have bulky set-ups, so they can be hard to power down. But, Ciel is a performer at heart, and it shows in her battles, as she prefers to use dancing and sound-based moves. And being in an arena, it's the perfect place for those things to get her going. If you can set up and knock her down before she even gets in the air, you should do well! But if she gets her act in the air, it's gonna be a long way down for you. Good luck!
Serena: That sounds tough for you, Ash.
Ash: Don't worry, I've been through much more.
After getting to the battlefield, with Serena and Lillie sitting at the stands to cheer him on, the ringmaster has gathered the spotlight.
Ringmaster: Ladies aaaaand gentlemen! Your attention please to another exciting exclusive challenge to the esteemed Agate Ace Triumvirate of Leaders! Today, in the left corner, we have a returning challenger to Agate... Ash! And in the right corner- You've seen her prancing through the stage! And not just the stage- the very air itself! Dancing through the skies and hearts the same... She is Agate Circus' very own spotlit starlet... Ciel!
Ciel: (Waves) Thank you, thank you! You are too kind, my fans! And too generous! Let us see how our performers dazzle us today!
Ringmaster: This will be a six-on-six Single Battle! Let us see how our performers dazzle us today!
Ciel: I don't intend to disappoint, and I expect the same of you, Ash! I want to see your very best! This is your moment, so show me what you can do!
Ash: Of course!
Ciel's first Pokemon is Togekiss, and Ash goes for Magneton as his first Pokemon. Togekiss starts with the Aura Sphere, and Ash hears the machine calling that it is Powerful, causing much damage to Magneton.
Serena: What does that WAMMO mean?
Lillie: Maybe it's the field effect?
And after landing a Thunderbolt, Togekiss goes for Roost to heal itself, but when Magneton goes for Gyro Ball, Togekiss is defeated in the end.
Ciel's next Pokemon is Gliscor, and it lands an Earthquake, and this time the WAMMO is OK, but it defeats Magneton. Ash goes for Glalie as his second Pokemon. Gliscor goes for Acrobatics, which has full power, but Glalie manages to protect before the attack hits, and then it goes for Frost Breath, knocking the Ground- and Flying-type Pokemon out of the battle.
Noivern is Ciel's third Pokemon, and it goes for Heat Wave, knocking out Glalie after using it two more times, but Glalie still manages to deal some damage with Ice Beam. Ash decides to play the same game by using Noivern as well. And both of them have been trying to use Dragon Pulse at the same time, but in the end, Ash's Dragon Pulse manages to get through Ciel's Noivern, which earns him the victory.
Oricorio is Ciel's next Pokemon, and it goes for Air Slash, causing Noivern to flinch, but Noivern also manages to land a Hurricane after Oricorio misses the Revelation Dance, but Ash is surprised to see that its Special Attack and Speed boost, and Noivern is defeated by the boosted Air Slash. Flygon is Ash's fourth choice, and it goes for Rock Slide, but Oricorio goes for Roost to restore the HP. But Flygon's Sandstorm and Stone Edge get the Balie Form Oricorio to get knocked out.
The fifth Pokemon is Minior, and it goes for Shell Smash and Acrobatics, causing Flygon to take a lot of damage.
Lillie: That Acrobatics sure is dangerous in this field...but it is also Ciel's specialty...
Serena: (Concerned) Ash...
Ash has Flygon goes for Dragon Claw, tearing the Pokemon from its shielded form to core form. But the Stone Edge and Rock Slide attack causes both Pokemon to get knocked out in the end. And the final Pokemon for Ciel is Altaria, and Ash decides to go with Greninja.
Ciel: Hold your applause! You've got to see the final act!
Ash is confused at what Ciel just said, but then she reveals to have a Mega Ring, and she presses it for Altaria to Mega Evolve.
Ash: Wait a second...Mega Evolution in a gym battle?
Serena: No way! Mega Altaria is not even a Flying Type anymore!
Altaria goes for Hyper Voice, and since its ability Pixilate, it deals a lot of damage to Greninja, but Greninja manages to stay still and Ash responds it by using Bond Phenomenon, causing everyone to cheer wild. Then Greninja goes for Ice Beam, but Altaria tries to go with Sing to make Greninja fall asleep. But it doesn't work as Ash and Greninja are now as one and they finish the Pokemon with Ice Beam and Water Shuriken at the same time.
Ciel: Bravo, my dear! You've stuck the landing!
Ringmaster: There it is! Ash seizes victory this time!
Ciel: And I don't regret it in the least. Good show, Ash! Good show!
Ringmaster: And Ash's prize today is the Suspension Badge!
Ash smiles as he takes the thirteenth badge, which is an upside triangle with a bird trying to take off.
Ringmaster: The Suspension Badge bestows obedience of Pokémon up to level 80 for its Trainer, AND the ability to use the Machine Fly! And for those of you anxious for their moment with Ciel... Find those Battle Passes! Thanks for coming, everyone!
After getting back to the waiting room, Serena and Lillie congratulate Ash's win.
Ringmaster: All right, that was very well done, both of you!
Ciel: Naturally~
Ringmaster: BUT. No more stunts like that in the future, Ciel.
Ciel: Who, me? I haven't a clue what you might be referring to.
Ringmaster: The only reason I went with it is that we ARE short on performances with Terra gone.
Ciel: Thank you for your benevolence and mercy, young master~
Ringmaster: "Young master"? Go back to sassing each other. I've got a closing ceremony to do! (Leaves)
Samson: Nice.
Ciel: I don't want to hear it! My battle was better than yours. So ha-ha~
Samson: Whatever you say, lass. I think we can agree that both of our battles beat getting lost in a digital void. I'm not really in the mood to banter though, so I'm gonna go blow some steam. Ciao. (Leaves)
Ciel: Hmm... (Turns to Ash and the others) I suppose you have business too, don't you? It's been quiet here lately. But I suppose it's to be expected. What is it they say? It's lonely at the top. ...Or, perhaps, they only say that because they've already pushed everyone who cared for them away. Well, Samson is so easy to bully, one can hardly be blamed for it, right? And that's kind of our thing. Terra...Well, she has her moments, I suppose. When she isn't stabbing us in our proverbial backs, that is. There was another, you know. They came out here not long after I did, and brought their own act. And I think they expected more from me than I could give. It was my cousin. But I was afraid that if I let the pieces of my old life trail behind me, they would drag me down. I was, perhaps, callous. I suddenly feel as if I owe them an apology. Maybe I shall attempt to reach out to them... (Noticing what she's doing) Ah, but enough of you lingering just to hear me drivel on. You intend to go back to the city, don't you? Best of luck, wherever you go, Ash.
Ash nods as they all leave the Big Top Arena.
Serena: Looks like all those gym leaders really are something else...
Lillie: But Ash needs to fight 5 more before facing the Elite Four, right?
Ash: Yeah, it won't be that easy anymore...Anyway, let's go back to Reborn City.
The two girls nod as they all fly away back to the Reborn City, and Ash can't wait to see how the new city looks like.
And here is a new chapter, as you can see, Ash gets his thirteenth gym badge, and Mega Evolutions are finally introduced in this game. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be lots of exploring to the new Reborn City.
