Chapter 93 Tourmaline Desert
After leaving the Mirage Tower, Ash and Taka are still trying to find where Titania is, and they find a cave called Sungline Cave.
Taka: A cavern in the sand, huh... I'm not sure how this place doesn't just cave in on itself, but I could say the same about myself. Seems good. I guess we'll be less likely to be found here.
But there is a lot of quicksand in the place, and Ash accidentally falls in. Taka tries to save him, but they also fall into quicksand, and now they seem to be in another area.
Taka: Ash, did you fall down here on purpose? We're never getting out of here now, are we? Dibs on the left side of the cave.
Ash: I guess this place is not that empty after all...
But as they step into another entrance, they are suddenly back at the beginning.
Taka: Wait, isn't this the entrance? How did we get back here? ...And does this mean I don't get the left half?
Ash: Whatever...it seems there are multiple paths we can go.
Then they try to get down of the quicksands and also capture some new Pokemon.
Ash's New Capture in Sungline Cave: Heatmor (Cave)
As they navigate through the caves, they finally find a place with the Arceus statue.
Taka: Wait... I think I know this place. Ash, let's get a closer look. (Walks towards the Arceus Statue) There should be some kind of button on this statue... There it is! It should be the key to moving forward.
Ash nods as he presses the button, but nothing happens.
Taka: ...Nothing? I guess we have to hit the second one too. I vaguely recall doing this before... with my father.
After searching around, they find another button on the Arceus statue. After pressing it, they hear a strange noise they decide to follow it and find an entrance.
Ash: I just hope nothing is inside...
As they enter the entrance, they find a lot of Garchomp statues.
Taka: I remember now. When I was young, my father took me here with him once. It was before he really got involved in starting Team Meteor. We explored these ruins together looking for something... To be honest, it's one of the very few positive memories I actually have of him ...But I feel uneasy about this room. I can't remember why, but I feel like we should be careful.
Ash: I think you're right, something is not right here...
As they walk towards the middle, Taka realizes something.
Taka: Hey, Ash? I remembered why. Run!
Just then, much to their shock, the statues of Garchomp break open and reveal a lot of Garchomp that are trying to chase after them. Ash, Pikachu, and Taka fear for their lives as the Garchomp is trying to attack them and chase after them.
Ash: We can't just run away like this...we have to fight back!
Ash sends out Glalie and has it use Blizzard on the Garchomp, causing them to all get knocked out in one attack. Then they quickly run towards the door and closes it.
Ash: Just great...18 Garchomps chasing after me is the worst...
Taka: All right, heart attack over? Yeah? Years shaved off of life? Yeah. I don't think they'll follow us out here. I can't believe I forgot about that... He told me at the time it was some kind of trial left for us by our family... I can't help but think that was absolutely not necessary.
After finding another Arceus statue with the button, they find some quicksands appearing once more. After stepping down, they are now on the other floor.
Taka: There was somewhere below there too... Oh, I remember! This is where my father met his Garchomp! Well- it was just a Gible at the time. And - Oh... I had forgotten... he tried to get one for me too. But I didn't want it. I don't remember why. When we left, he said that I ruined the whole trip by not catching one... So much for a positive memory. I forgot about that entirely. Maybe I should've just gone with it even though I didn't want to. I was just a kid. I probably didn't have much of a reason ...But then again, maybe refusing to take the Pokémon left for me by our bloodline was just proof that I'd eventually leave them and come here with you. So I still don't want it.
Ash: Just great...even though I have a Garchomp with me...and I can't believe this is the place where your father caught the Garchomp that tried to kill me...
Taka: You told me that Arceus was the one who saved you, right?
Ash: Yeah, but this is getting confusing...everything is related to Arceus, but I can't tell the good or bad...
After leaving the cave, they continue to head north, and they find a lot of trains they decide to ask nothing as they rush to a cave nearby called Teknite Cave.
Taka: Whew, it's good to be out of that mess out there. But what is this place?
Ash: I don't know, how am I supposed to know since I am still new to Reborn even though I have been traveling for months.
After getting into the cave, they find another Field Note.
Field Note 27 Mountain:
"Adieu to disappointment and spleen." Tailwind lasts 5 turns + Strong Winds. Avalanche, Circle Throw, Eruption, Fairy Wind, Hyper Voice, Icy Wind, Ominous Wind, Razor Wind, Silver Wind, Storm Throw, Thunder, Twister, Vital Throw boost x1.5. When Strong Winds are active, further boosts x1.5 all Special Flying attacks, as well as Fairy Wind, Gust, Icy Wind, Ominous Wind, Razor Wind, Silver Wind, Twister. Sun lasts 8 turns. Thunder never misses. Becomes Snowy Mountain when Blizzard, Glaciate, or Subzero Slammer is used, or it has been hailing for three turns. Flying and Rock attacks boost x1.5. Long Reach Damage boost x1.5. Activates Gale Wings when Windy. Aerilate power boost x1.5. Nature Power becomes Rock Type. Camouflage becomes Rock Type. Secret Power causes Flinches. The Telluric Seed boosts Attack, but lowers Accuracy.
When Ash notices the cave, he has Gigalith go for Power Gem, causing the crystals to light up, much to Taka's surprise.
Taka: Ash, you're not slipping me 'Rare Candies', are you?
Ash: No, I guess this is what we really need to do...
Then with the Ruby Crystal Key, the Crystal reacts and opens a path for Ash to rock smash.
Taka: Sooooooo... Do you always just punch your way through things when they're in the way?
Ash: Not really, but sometimes necessary.
Then Ash and Taka go through the puzzle by using Power Gem and Earthquake, then they also find a waterfall, much to their surprise.
Taka: There's a place like this out here? It's not going to disappear when we approach it, right? Um... By the way, just so you know, I can't swim. Father didn't exactly deign to enroll me in the after school swimming club as a kid. Sorry.
Ash: Don't worry. Let's continue outside.
After getting outside, they are surprised to see how high they are and that some grass is growing nicely. They are now at a place called Teknite Ridge. They gulp as they find a lot of jumping rocks, but they have been trying not to fall off.
Taka: This might be as far as we can go here... But the view here is nice. This might be weird, but... I'm glad I could see it with you. But at least the view is nice. Maybe if I can run far over the horizon... Then we'll finally learn to be happy.
Ash: You're right about that...
As they get to another side of the mountain, they battle some wild Pokemon and they go for Tailwind, causing the breeze to get much stronger. Taka also jokes about being fall off by the strong winds. After exploring and chatting, they decide to head back to the trains and solve the puzzles.
After finding a train that can let them through, they start to get surrounded by the trains.
Taka: Well, this place is almost nostalgic. Not that I've been here before, or anything. But the smell of rust and concrete... And the thin layer of dust that tracks everywhere you step... I've spent a lot of nights in a room like this.
Ash: I guess I have to feel pity for you...
Taka: By the way, you're out here for a gym battle? Is there really a gym out in this clusterfuck?
Ash: I guess there is, and it is the same one we met back in the Water Treatment Center.
When they find a train, Ash decides to go full steam and the train just crashes into another carriage and pushes it to the end.
Taka: Woaaah, okay crazymaker, watch where you're steerin' that thing...
Ash: Sorry, but there is another one...and I think this is the way we can do to solve the puzzle.
Taka: Remind me to never let you drive me anywhere again... Actually, it wouldn't be such a bad end with you.
After solving a lot of puzzles, Ash and Taka are now on the last train as it rushes further north.
Taka: I think I want off of Ash's wild ride...
Ash: It's not that bad...but I guess we're in another part of this 1R253 Scrapyard...
After trying to navigate through the area, they finally get out of there and they are surprised to see how the trains surround this place to make some sort of town. And a woman notices them as she walks towards them.
?: Well, howdy, partners! We thought we were hearin' some kinda racket, but we figured it was just the local Steelix givin' it a good tussle again.
Taka: Uhh, nope. No Steelix. Just two crazy people with a train.
?: Well, you know we've all been there. Some good ol' fashioned train-joustin' is the best sport we got out here!
Taka: That sounds safe.
Europa: Anyway, my name's Europa! Y'all lookin' for a place to rest?
Taka: Rest? I don't think I've heard of that before.
Europa: Ohh, you joker! We don't exactly get a lot of visitors out here, but there are a few of us who hang together for our own reasons. Some of us are chasin' peace, others fleein' violence. It doesn't matter who you are though, you're welcome to stay with us as long as you like. We got each other here, and that's all we need.
Taka: This... might work out.
Europa: Y'all got a story to tell?
Taka: Ash probably has several. And I uh... I'm just looking for somewhere safe.
Europa: Well, congrats! You found it! If'n you'd like, I can set you up with one of your own personal trains and what few accommodations we've got.
Ash: So- wait, you guys just, live in the trains out here?
Europa: Pretty much!
Taka: Yeah, sounds great. If it's no trouble, that'd be... a big relief.
Europa: Well, right this way, sir!
Ash and Taka then follow Europa as they head to the place where they can rest.
And here is a new chapter, Ash and Taka go through all kinds of stuff in the Tourmaline Desert, and now they are at 1R253 Scrapyard to rest, what will be happening to both of them? I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be meeting with someone again. Nice and Bad.
