Chapter 95 Never After Gym Battle
When Ash wakes up after being hit by Lin, he finds himself on a bed inside of a tower, he looks outside and realizes that he is still at Titania's Gym. Pikachu is by his side as he is also worried about him.
Ash: I'm fine, Pikachu. Did you bring me here?
Pikachu shakes his head and he tries to mimic something, and Ash thinks that he realizes that it is Titania who brought him here. Then he also notices the story continues.
She awakens in a tower, Stone, Cold, Alone, alone, alone.
Ash tries to climb the stairs, only to find that after three floors, he was back in the room with the bed he slept in. The only difference is the words from the story, after three Alone, he finds the books creating a pathway for Ash to jump out of the window and land on the balcony. He looks around and finds that the vines are climbable and he decides to climb them. And he also spots another Field Effect on another balcony.
Field Note 32 Dragon's Den:
"If you wish to slay a dragon…" Dragon and Fire attacks boost x1.5. Water and Ice attacks decrease x0.5. Dragon Pokemon's Defenses boost x1.3. Activates Marvel Scale. Multiscale additionally annuls the user's Dragon type's weaknesses at all times. Shed Skin heals 25% on activation, and boosts Speed and by one stage each while lowering Defense and Sp. Def one stage each; Always activates. Continental Crush, Smack Down, Tectonic Rage, and Thousand Arrows gain Fire Type. Continental Crush, Dragon Ascent, Pay Day, Smack Down, Tectonic Rage, and Thousand Arrows boost x2. Lava Plume, Magma Storm, and Mega Kick boost x1.5. Magma Storm damage: 1/6 HP. Magma Armor boosts Defense and Sp. Def upon switching in + Fire Immunity. Dragon Dance and Noble Roar effect amplify. Becomes Cave when Glaciate, Hydro Vortex, Oceanic Operetta, or Subzero Slammer is used, or when Muddy Water, Sparkling Aria, or Surf is used twice. Nature Power becomes Dragon Type. Camouflage becomes Dragon Type. Secret Power burns the opponent. The Elemental Seed boosts Special Attack and applies Flash Fire boost to the user.
Ash: Now that I think about it...this is the second to last Field Note that I have...there is only one more left...
As he continues to climb to the top, he finds a stairway and walks on it.
Taka: Ash, up here!
Ash notices that Taka is above the stairway, and he has a lot of questions to ask him.
Taka: I'm so glad to see you. I- I woke up here, and Lin- I'm sorry, Ash. I'm so sorry- I didn't want her to- I didn't want this. I didn't want this... Please, believe me...
Ash: Of course, I believe in you, but how are you going to get down here?
Taka: I'll find a way! (Leaves)
When Taka leaves, Ash continues forward, and he finds Titania waiting for him at a rock.
Titania: There you are. You, I was ready for. But did you really have to drag these other vermin in?
Ash: I don't know I was followed. That Lin...
Titania: Listen, I've got a plan. Do you trust me?
Ash: Of course I trust you!
Titania: After everything I've done? You're either stupid or saintly. I'm not sure which is worse.
Ash: Maybe I'm both.
Titania: (Surprised by Ash's answer.) Here, hang on to this.
Titania throws the other one of the Sapphire Bracelets to Ash, now he has full Sapphire Bracelets with him.
Titania: This will be over soon. (Leaves)
Ash is confused as to why Titania gives him the items, but he decides to move forward, entering the Dragon's Den.
Ash: Okay...now what's next?
A dragon guards her, its fangs bared to the world, Brimstone breath faithfully reserved for whatever metal-clad ignoramus dares think himself so mighty that even fire may not char his miserable flesh.
Just then, much to Ash's surprise, a Reshiram appears in front of him.
Ash: You've got to be kidding me...Do I have to fight Reshiram if I want to get through?
Ash decides to go with Krookodile, as he is the only bet he can take to fight a Legendary Pokemon like Reshiram. And the Fusion Flare and Blue Flare are powered up by the field-effect, causing Krookodile to be knocked out. Ash goes for Charizard next, and after wasting Reshiram's moves, it goes for Dragon Claw, eventually knocked out the Pokemon.
Ash: Good thing that my Pokemon are well trained to fight Legendary Pokemon...
Reshiram roars as it disappears, prompting Ash to move forward.
But in truth, there is one who can slay the beast: The one to whom its back is turned.
Lin: So, she gave you the Bracelets freely. Why don't you do the same for me? Or do you really think you can stand up to me? Even after what happened to your precious Champion?
Ash notices a knight standing in front of him, and Ash assumes that the knight is Lin.
Ash: Like I will give you the bracelets!
Much to their surprise, Titania appears behind the knight and uses Aegislash to slash through the chest, and the knight falls down.
Titania: And so it's over. Haha... Ahahaha! That was all it took, huh? Someone should've done that a long time ago. Our whole world's in disarray because of you.
But just as she takes off the helmet, it turns out to be Taka. Ash can't believe it, Taka was killed by Titania, and Titania also looks at the person with shock.
Titania: Wait, what?
Lin: Well done. (Walks towards them) If you keep swinging that thing around like that, sooner or later someone's going to get hurt.
Titania: Yeah, you!
Titania tries to charge at Lin, but Lin manages to dodge the attack and trips her, causing her to fall down to the ground. Ash can't believe the turn of events.
Lin: That was all it took, Hm?
Just then, Lin grabs Titania's hair and steps in front of the lava, readying to drop her in.
Titania: Ow- Hey, let go of me!
Lin: Is that really what you want? Should I let go?
Titania: Ugh...
Ash: Leave her alone! You murderer!
Lin: One step closer and she's cinders, Ash. (Sees Ash stop and grit his teeth) So, This is how weak you are? One attack while your opponent's back is turned- Is that really all you can muster? And yet, now look whose back is exposed.
Titania: (Looks at the lava first, but smirks) Yours! Aegislash!
Just then, Aegislash charges at Lin on its own and slashes through her, causing her to fall while Titania is grabbing the edge.
Ash: Hang on there! Titania!
Ash rushes towards Titania and drags her up, then Titania walks towards Lin's fallen body.
Titania: For the sake of everything good in this world, Just fucking die already. (Takes out Aegislash from her body and turns to Taka) What was that kid even doing? He shouldn't have gotten in the way, but... It's her fault it ended up like this in the first place. I feel like shit. Come on, Ash. Let's go.
In Titania's words, Ash feels the sadness from the girl because she accidentally killed a boy that he tried to ask him to change, and Ash also checks Taka's pulse, there is no breath. He remembers how they have been together ever since he arrives at Tourmaline Desert...only to have this bad ending... While they leave, none of them notice Lin's body twitching, meaning that she's still alive.
So after its death must she weep, For it is a terrifying endeavor to face such a creature as that, Man, And lose such a dear friend, As a dragon, And finally, to have to find yet another one, Who would be so willing to lock her away, And keep her safe from history, true love, and other such poisons. After all, "Happily ever after" just means the writer stopped paying attention.
Once reaching the battlefield, Titania is staring at the ground with tears in her eyes, Ash knows that Titania might be strong on the outside, but deep inside, her heart is still like a princess that needs saving.
Titania: That woman is dead, but I don't feel good about it... That boy may have been on their side, but why was he-
Titania can't speak for more, and Ash suddenly gives her a hug, and she isn't resisting. After sharing a hug to comfort her, Titania tries to stay strong.
Titania: It has to have been something she did. Everything is her fault. Sometimes I think Amy is lucky to be able to forget. But you're here for the Gym Battle, aren't you? Are we doing that now?
Ash: I guess so.
Titania: Right... Okay, this will be a six-on-six Single Battle with the Alloy Badge and the Sapphire Bracelets at stake. I really don't feel like losing after all of what just happened. We're not at the happy ending. There is no such thing. That's why I have to keep fighting.
Titania's first Pokemon is Alolan Sandslash, and Ash goes for Emboar to battle. Sandslash goes for Earthquake, and it deals a lot of damage to Emboar because it is Fire Type. Ash has Emboar goes for Hammer Arm, slamming the fist into Sandslash, but with the Aurora Veil, it manages to block a lot more damage. In the end, Ash has Emboar goes with Flare Blitz, knocking the Pokemon out.
The second Pokemon is Excadrill, and it goes for Sandstorm to make the field sandy, and then it goes for Earthquake again to knock out Emboar. Ash goes for Krookodile next, after the healing shard was used, Krookodile is back to its health, and it goes for Dig to dodge the Smart Strike, powered up by the Fairy Tale Field. After getting back up to the field Krookodile lands an Earthquake to knock out Excadrill.
The third Pokemon is Klefki, the Pokemon that Ash can't use Fire Types to deal with because of the field. But Krookodile is a Ground Type, and he can do this. Klefki uses Calm Mind to boost the Special Defense and Special Attack, but when Krookodile hits with Dig, it goes for Draining Kiss to knock it out, and because of the field effect, it recovers much more health than it normally would.
Ash: I forgot it is also a Fairy Type...
Ash goes for his own Excadrill next, and by using the Iron Head, it defeats Klefki, but before that happens, it gets paralyzed by the Thunder Wave. The fourth Pokemon is Empoleon, and it uses Scald to defeat Excadrill, who couldn't dodge in time because of paralysis. So Ash goes for Pikachu next and has it use Thunderbolt to defeat the Pokemon.
The fifth Pokemon is Scizor, and Ash knows that she is going to Mega Evolve, and then it goes for Bullet Punch and Bug Bite, knocking out Pikachu in battle. Ash goes for Charizard for this Pokemon, even though it takes some Bullet Punch on the face, but it still defeats Scizor with Flamethrower.
Titania: Don't get cocky. It's not like it means anything. (Sends out Aegislash)
The final Pokemon is Aegislash, and the Stance Change ability causes the Attack of the Pokemon to raise, and then it goes for Shadow Sneak to deal a lot of damage on Charizard, but Charizard manages to stay still and goes for Heat Wave, but it is blocked by King's Shield, and the Defense also boosts. After exchanging attacks several times, Ash manages to have Charizard use Shadow Claw, knocking the Aegislash out of the battle.
Titania: Tch. Whatever... (Recalls Aegislash) Today is not my day. Take your Badge. Don't feel special.
Titania gives Ash his fifteenth badge, the Alloy Badge, which is shaped like an alloy.
Titania: With that Badge, Pokémon up to level 90 will listen to you.
Lin: What a boring performance. (Walks towards them)
Titania: Why- How are you alive? You should NOT be alive right now!
Lin: Do you understand now? Steel will not make me bleed. And your shining armor is but tinfoil to the brimstone breath of the New World. But that's not really important. What's important is that Ash leaves with those Sapphire Bracelets.
Ash: Why would you need me to have them?
Titania: (Looks at Ash) Are you two working together?
Lin: Aren't we?
Ash: Like I would work with you! You killed the Champion, who is one of my best friends!
Lin: Believe whatever you want. That's all you've ever done anyway. Ash will keep the Bracelets, and your friend will keep her life.
Titania: Don't you dare touch her. I killed you once; I'll do it thousand times more.
Lin: Feel free. You understand the rules. You could be the very reason she dies. But maybe you would want that. (Leaves)
Titania: Don't be stupid. Nobody wants blood on their hands. That's why you made me kill that boy. (Turns to Ash) Ironic. I asked if you would trust me, but it turns out I'm the one who can't trust you. And yet I don't have a choice but to. Ash, mark my words: If you betray us, or if anything happens to Amaria, It'll be your back my blade's in next.
Ash: Like I will side with Team Meteor, but you have my promise, I won't do anything to Amaria.
Titania: (Nods) I'm going to go deal with that boy downstairs. What happened to him is my responsibility. Once that's done, I'll meet you at Amy's house. Go without me.
Ash sighs as he has a clue that Lin wouldn't be killed that easily, considering that Shade's Vision about Lin hasn't come yet. And even though that happened, he also told him that Lin wouldn't die from it as well. He decides to think some more once he leaves Never After.
And here is a new chapter, as you can see, Ash gets the fifteenth badge, but Taka lost his life, and Lin isn't getting killed, why is that? Everything will be revealed, I hope you like this chapter and we'll be doing two more sidequests before going to Amaria's gym.
