Chapter 94 Once Upon Somewhere

Ash and Taka follow the woman named Europa, and he takes them to an empty train, it was just like the same train when Ash and his mother came to Reborn, only that the glasses are shattered, and the doors are broken.

Europa: Well, this here's it. Ain't much in the way of amenities, but it'll keep you out of the sand. (Turns to Ash and Taka) What do you think? Certainly needs some TLC, but with a good broom and a bit of elbow grease, should be all hunky-dory.

Taka: Well, this is perfect.

Europa: Y'all like it?

Taka: Yeah. This is me.

Europa: Then it's all yours! Feel free to clean up or redecorate however you like. And if you need anything, you just let me or one of the others know and we'll see what we can do for you. I imagine y'all are mighty tired, but when you feel up to it, come out and introduce yourselves to the rest of the folk here. Everyone's always excited to meet a new friend! Until then I'll leave you be. (Leaves)

Taka: Maybe I'll take her up on that... Sleep is sounding pretty swell right now. Ash, thanks for bringing me here. I feel like, maybe things will be okay. (Lies on a seat) I feel like, maybe things will be okay. I guess I'm gonna take a nap, and then... Let's talk more later, okay?

After Taka is asleep, Ash decides to explore this place, and he finds the Corin Rogue, the same one who stole his Magikarp.

Ash: You're not going to escape me with my Pokemon. I have been trying to get my hands on that Pokemon and I'm not letting you get away with it!

Corin Rogue: Before you try to do anything, I'd like to tell you about myself. Whether it is the sands, some other force, or just the sheer amount of shrapnel-tumbleweed already scrapped around here, Something about this place has a habit of pulling others in. Sometimes through full trains at a time. (Walks on the road) I was just coming to the Reborn Region via train when something went wrong. I lost everything. Many people around me died. I was remarkably lucky, so I did what I could for the survivors. They could not move far. I found one of the less damaged cars further into this rat's nest and pulled them in. There, I did what I could for them. But with no money, medicine, or food, my options were as limited as their time. The time it would take to receive a paycheck would have been too late. That was when I began stealing. I just needed to help the others get by. Some of them didn't. Others made a full recovery and went on to lead the lives they came here for. Some stayed here, and in the time left. Since then, there've always been people here, though the faces change with the seasons. Fugitives... Refugees... Sinners and those who have been sinned against... Everyone is equal here, but always wanting by necessity. I've done what I could just to deliver. In time, necessity became a skill. Skill became renowned. Now it's almost too dangerous for me to try anything else. Even now, there are people here who need protection. I wanted to be able to offer them that protection too. That was why I had to steal your ultimate Pokémon. Nothing personal. I haven't even had time to do anything with it between evading you and the police and gathering other supplies. But I hope you understand now- I can't just give this back. This place is my home. So, even if it pits me against a brilliant angel such as yourself... I will protect it!

Ash: But what I don't understand is that how do you think stealing my Magikarp will help? I mean, Magikarp is not an ultimate Pokemon, all it learns is Splash and Tackle...

The Corin Rogue is surprised that the Pokemon is a Magikarp, and when he opens it, all it does is flop since there's no water nearby.

Corin Rogue: I'll just go turn myself in now. (Leaves)

Ash sighs as he picks up the Magikarp and captures it.

Ash: Sure, it is just a Magikarp, but what I want is to raise it so I can use something as powerful as a Gyarados.

Ash's New Pokemon in 1R253 Scrapyard: Magikarp (Event)

And then in a room, Ash also finds one of Dr. Connal's orderlies, the one named Stephanie. She reveals that after the doctor left, the orderlies are recruited by Team Meteor, and they were actually threatened to go there because of the wage problem. Ash feels sorry for the woman, as she decides to escape them and come here as the problem is that they need water in the area. Ash tells her the Teknite Mountains have water and she decides to check it out.

After that's done, Ash decides to walk inside the other trains until he finds one and the passage never ends. The only thing Ash finds is a lot of books and somehow a bookshelves that are filled with Fairy Tales.

Ash: Where is this place lead to...I don't think I know the answer...

Pikachu nods in agreement, and after they walk around the area, he manages to find the exit, but what they're in is nothing that Ash has expected. There are trees and grass everywhere, and the sky is pink.

Ash: Fairy Tale Field...this must be where Titania's Gym is...but seriously? Adrienn is going to Fairy-Tale Field, and now Titania is going to do that again? I just hope she isn't going for a Mawile or Klefki...I don't want my Fire-Type moves to not work again...

After walking for a while, Ash can feel that this place is protected by some sort of field that causes them to run in circles. But after running in a while, they get to a stairway that leads to the top.

Ash: I wonder where this takes me...

As he climbs the stairs, they manage to get to some headbutt trees.

Ash's New Pokemon in Once Upon Somewhere: Ferrothorn (Headbutt)

After a while, they manage to find the castle in the sky, much to their surprise.

Ash: I think I found Titania's Gym...a Castle on the Sky? Is this why she has been obsessed with Fairy Tales?

As they enter the castle, he can see a lot of knight statues, and a book in the middle.

History and literature have an awful habit of letting little girls wander past the forest's edge, Only to be swallowed up by any number of enchantments beyond.

Ash: Is this some sort of fairy tale? I mean...this doesn't seem to be like it...

Ash notices the telecom and he decides to talk to his mother about Titania's Gym.

Delia: Hello, Ash! So you made it to Titania's Gym. That's a relief. I read over the notes for her earlier. She has a sort of makeshift world out there, right? I'm sure it's just constructed according to her story, but it sounds beautiful nonetheless. I'd like to see it myself sometime, but for now, let's go over her battling style. I think you already know that she relies greatly on her Aegislash. In her Fairy Tale Field, the Stance Change Ability will be even stronger than it usually is. Her team takes a similar approach, shifting a defensive front into an offensive one. Your chances will be best if you can pre-empt her setup, but her type's natural bulk will make that difficult. Alternatively, you might fare better by trying to meet her offense head to head with your own. I'm sure you'll be able to figure something out. After all, you're my son and the future Champion of Reborn.

Ash: Thanks Mom. (Ends the call)

As he walks forward, a knight suddenly walks forward and asks to battle him, Ash knows that it might be the Gym trainer that Titania has set up, so he decides to battle him and gets forward. After that's done, two more knights walk forward and battle them.

Ash: This was quite interesting...I mean, Titania doesn't seem to be the type of princess that I thought would be...she was just like a knight that protects the castle...like Wikstrom of the Elite Four in Kalos.

Pikachu can agree with Ash's words, but just as he defeats the two knights, he walks forward and sees someone he isn't expecting to see, the same one who killed Ame back in Devon Corp, and the true Team Meteor Leader who Taka is afraid of: Lin. No doubt she is here because Team Meteor wants the Sapphire Bracelets, and Ash is also angry because the same person who gave them a lot of trouble in Devon Corp, is right in front of him.

Ash: (Enraged) Why are you here?!

Lin: Welcome, Ash. You were quite generous to show that boy here. I thank you for that, since he, in turn, showed me.

Ash: (Widens his eyes) You mean Taka showed you the way here so you can take the Sapphire Bracelets?

Lin: He is beyond incompetent, but his victim act must be quite compelling. Everyone is so quick to give in to crocodile tears, but when they come to the jaws of the beast, they act surprised. How funny.

Ash can't believe all this time he has been betrayed by Taka, but on the other hand, he starts to wonder if Lin was just trying to take advantage to tear them apart, since, from their talking, Ash can tell that his opinions of the Team Meteor members are genuine.

Lin: Now, let's get started. Better keep your guard up. (Leaves)

Ash: Like I will let Lin reach Titania first...

Then he also spots another book in front of him.

Between wolves, witches, and rabbit holes, The world conceals a plethora of dangers waiting to leap upon and ensnare the unsuspecting and unshakably innocent children.

Ash thinks that he remembers some of the parts because Amaria did mention some in Titania's diary, the reason why she tried to commit suicide but failed. Just then, the door opens and Ash walks towards the door, and he finds that there are still some knights standing there like they're statues. Ash has to think that one of them is actually the real knight as he has to battle that one.

After defeating two more knights, he goes through the third room, but much to Ash's surprise, the Pokemon that the knight is using looks familiar to him: An Alolan Ninetales, and it seems like it is having a sad look on its face.

Ash: (Thinks) I remembered Lin has taken Ame's Pokemon...could this Ninetales be...

Ash has finished Ninetales in the battle with Pikachu's help, he also notices that the knight's name is Rylin. Before he can think for more, Ash is slammed to the ground by the same knight.

Lin: (Takes off the helmet) Didn't I tell you to keep your guard up?

Ash: You...

Ash can't believe he actually fall for that, and his consciousness is starting to slip away after that heavy slam from the Team Meteor Leader.


And I'll end the chapter right here, and looks like Lin also comes to the gym because she is here for the Sapphire Bracelets. The next part will be the actual Gym battle, the problem is that will Lin interrupt them? And what about Taka? Since he has been worried if Lin followed them, what will also happen to him? I hope you like this chapter.