Chapter 99 Fiore Mansion Gym Battle
Ash walks outside to find Titania, who is standing on the balcony with a frown.
Titania: So that's how it is. I finally said what I needed to. And it only took you dying. Maybe she kills herself. I couldn't stop her anyway. Maybe Lin comes here after all. I guess that's up to you. I'm washing my hands off her. After that stunt, there's no point in playing make-believe anymore. And there's no point in staying here.
Ash: To be honest, I can't say anything in Amaria's defense...I just hope that one day, you'll be able to forgive her.
Titania nods as she flies away with her Skarmory, and Ash also brings Pikachu as they teleported to the battlefield, where Amaria is waiting for them.
Amaria: I'm sorry... "The voice of the sea is seductive; never-ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude." But there's no sea here. There's no soul. And even solitude is too good for me. That's why you're here, right? You're standing there thinking, "She's unforgivable, just give me my Badge already, stop whining for attention, there's nothing really wrong with you." Right?
Ash: Of course not, you might have done something unforgivable, but it is all in the past.
Amaria: But you don't get it! Even if there were nobody here at all, there's still someone there saying those things. It's the part of me that only shuts up when she's around. It's the part of me that I can't kill. You know I've tried. And the worst part is... I don't know who I am without it. There's a part of me still livid with you, too. Maybe you've done nothing wrong. But it's because of you that she's gone. So in the end, one of us is going to have to hold the other under.
Ash: Listen Amaria, I didn't make her leave. I know how Titania cares for you, but you need to wake up!
Amaria: (Sighs) When I battle challengers, I ask them as a formality: Do you prefer Double or Single Battles? I can do either one.
Ash: I prefer the Single Battle, but it is your choice to pick the one suited for you.
Amaria: Singles, huh? Too bad. After all, I never promised to listen. (Sends out Vaporeon named Cirrus and Seismitoad named Cumulus)
Ash: I can also do Doubles. I actually don't mind. (Sending out Sceptile and Lanturn)
Ash has Sceptile goes for Leaf Blade on the Seismitoad, but it dodges the attack, and both Amaria's Pokemon go for Surf, dealing heavily amount of damage to both Pokemon. But Lanturn goes for Thunderbolt, hitting Vaporeon. Seismitoad goes for Sludge Bomb, causing Sceptile to deal a lot of damage. And in the end, Vaporeon is defeated by Leaf Storm and Discharge at the same time. So Amaria goes for her third Pokemon: Primarina named LaReine.
Seismitoad takes a hit from Sceptile's Bullet Seed as it is also knocked out, so Amaria sends out Lanturn named Nimbus. Ash notices that Amaria is going for the Z Move, Oceanic Operetta, and it causes Sceptile to faint, so Ash goes for Tropius next. Amaria has Lanturn goes for Dive, causing the field to be underwater, and then the Electric attack causes Tropius to take a lot of damage because it is being underwater, as for Lanturn, because of Volt Absorb, it heals some more, and it also defeats Primarina in the end.
The fifth Pokemon for Amaria is Blastoise named Shellebelle, and it goes for Mega Evolution and knocks out Lanturn with Aura Sphere. Ash goes for Greninja as his fourth Pokemon, and Lanturn is also knocked out by Tropius' Leaf Storm, but it is also knocked out by the Whirlpool. Ash goes for Pikachu as his fifth Pokemon, while Amaria sends out her final Pokemon: Lapras the Deliverance.
Ash: Greninja, let's go!
Then Ash has activated Greninja's Battle Bond, but Amaria doesn't seem to really care.
Amaria: So what? Deliverance! Perish Song! Drown them!
Ash gulps as Lapras is going for the Perish Song, he realizes that he wants to drag Ash down even though she knows she's going to lose.
Ash: Amaria, you don't have to do this! Why are you so clinging to Titania?
Amaria: Isn't it obvious? She's the love of my life, and because of you, she doesn't want to do anything to me anymore!
Ash: You're wrong! She still cares about you! You have to believe it! Being pessimistic isn't going to help you! Especially how she tried to save you from drowning!
Amaria: So what? She also saved you too, and that doesn't change anything.
Ash: It will change! I'll show you why!
Ash decides to use the new Mega-Z Ring for Pikachu's Electric moves, and the Gigavolt Havoc causes the whole field to get shocked, not only Blastoise and Lapras, but also Ash, Greninja, and Amaria.
When Ash wakes up again, he finds that everyone is unconscious, including Amaria. Ash rushes to Amaria and tries to wake her up. Amaria slowly wakes up and she sees Ash as she tries to turn away.
Amaria: Ash...
Ash: Thank goodness you're okay. I'm worried about you...
Amaria: (Turns away) I remembered everything...after Obsidia, our battle in Blackstream...and how I tried to commit suicide...but why? Why do you still care about me? I have tried to drown you, I blamed you for Titania's disappearance in my life since it really is my fault...
Ash: That's because Titania is not the only one who cares about you, you have to remember, Julia, Rini, and us, we all care about you, you have suffered a lot, but we want you to know that you're strong. Misery loves company, and that's why we should try to forget the past and think of our new future. I'm sure Titania will return to you, I promised.
Amaria can only nod as she takes out the badge, she puts it in Ash's hand.
Amaria: This is the Torrent Badge. It enables the move Rock Climb.
But just as Ash is about to put the bracelets away, Titania walks into the gym.
Amaria: Tania?
Titania: I was about to leave the place, but after what happened, I feel like I should tell you everything. I killed a person who is our former enemy, and Lin took advantage of it. I was afraid that you knew the truth, that's why I have been trying to stay as far from you. I gave Ash the Sapphire Bracelets, because Team Meteor is after them, and it might cost your life.
Amaria: Don't worry about the Bracelets, okay? I treasured them ever since you gave them to me, but they're just bracelets. As long as I have you here with me, they don't matter at all. You understand, right?
Titania: Yeah...(Turns to Ash) And Ash, thank you for recovering Amaria's memories...
Ash: No problem...I think I'll leave you two alone...
After Ash leaves, he finds Serena, Lillie, and Julia rushing toward them.
Julia: Rini-dingi-dinger just rang from up in Calcenon City! Apparently things there aren't lookin' too hot. Despite the Fire Gym and all... I mean, she said nothing was blowing up- believe me, if it were, I'd already be there! Can't miss those fireworks! Buuut it sounds like she'd appreciate some help up there!
Ash: Don't tell me that Charlotte and the others...
Julia: If it were me, I'd just blow up all of Labradorra City. But for SOME reason, nobody's on board with that plan. Soooo whatever, they lose, I snooze!
Ash, Serena, and Lillie decide to rush to Calcenon City to find out what's going on. And much to their surprise, in the house, only Hardy and Florinia are there.
Florinia: Repeat trials remain inadvisable under the current conditions wherein relevant variables are unknown.
Hardy: We ain' gonna find out these variables by hangin' out here! (Turns to Ash and the others) Yo, Ash! Just the man I wanted to see right now! Listen, mate, this bird found out what's up with my city.
Ash: Really?
Florinia: The aforementioned term continues to be unfit to apply to an individual who bears no resemblance to the avian species.
Hardy: Yeah, yeah, and your bro's not the foremost contender for the Douche of the Year Award. Just tell Ash what you found out, aite?
Florinia: Very well. A bidirectional comparison of radio output via frequency tracebacks confirms a confounding signal to be emitted by a nearby location. Hypothesis: Target location is the source of the soporific waves affecting Agate City.
Hardy: Basically, she finally found the place, mate! I wanna get in there and rock their worlds once and for all!
Florinia: Proposed procedure remains haphazardly inefficient. Previous incidences of individuals exiting the city have resulted in increasingly diminished numbers among the remaining group.
Hardy: That's exactly why we gotta roll! I know it's risky, but if we don't bust in there and find them, who will? You agree with me, right, Ash?
Ash: Of course.
Hardy: I knew you'd get it!
Florinia: Nevertheless, reckless enthusiasm holds no effect on established outcomes.
Hardy: Yeah, you said that before. But that doesn't change the fact that we're the only ones left who can do something about it! Plus, we've got Ash now! (Turns to Ash) Sorry, mate- truth be told, we actually weren't sure if you'd make it back. Since none of the others have... Laura was first. She stormed out and never came back. Then Anna and Noel's parently snuck off at some point. Shelly flew back in. That girl was lookin' way fiercer than I'd ever seen her. She was pumped to find the others, so Cain went with, and that was the last we saw of 'em. Saphira was next. Went down to the Control Center to see what's what. After a while, Charlotte went to get her. That wasn't long ago, but she should've been back already. Then there were two. Well, three with you, mate.
Titania: Make that four. (Walks in)
Ash: Titania? You finished talking with Amy?
Titania: Yeah. So what, we're just gonna sit here in this bullshit situation and wait for it to resolve itself? Where have I heard that one before?
Hardy: Yo. Didn't think we'd be seeing you around here.
Titania: At least one of you might've preferred I didn't come. Too bad. So, what's the plan?
Hardy: We found out what's up with Agate, so we're gonna roll out there and set it right! But Rini here ain't about it.
Florinia: Evacuation of this location implies its forfeit. A regularized division of human resources remains a likely tactic to reduce localized defenses and create an opportunity for repossession of the city.
Hardy: And she doesn't wanna split cuz that's how everyone else keeps disappearing.
Florinia: Various assumptions regarding external variables continue to induce a considerable level of risk.
Titania: (Sighs) Hey, Rini. Stop that already.
Florinia: To what are you referring?
Titania: This "a considerable level of risk" bullshit. Everything's a risk. It doesn't take a supercomputer to see that sitting around doing nothing makes no sense. If you're scared, just say that.
Florinia: Personal sentiments and values remain irrelevant with regard to tactical effectiveness.
Titania: Yeah, they are irrelevant. They're also inseparable. You can keep trying to hide behind rationality, but- This just in, breaking news- You're still a real human person. NOT a machine. You're not fooling anyone. Not even yourself. (Turns away) Especially not yourself. On the other hand, if your goal was to remind me just how much I messed up before, then you're doing a wonderful job. Really. A+ tactics.
Ash and the others are sad at Titania's words, and Florinia just stays silent.
Titania: We're wasting time standing around. If you want to save Agate, then hurry up and go do it.
Hardy: Huh, you're not coming? I figured you'd be chomping at the bit to go beat out Meteor.
Titania: ...Yeah, turns out sometimes going in their swords blazing isn't the best strategy either. I think I've made enough mistakes for the time being. There's one now. So you and Ash go save Agate. I'll stay with Florinia and make sure Meteor doesn't try to pull anything here. Maybe she and I can do some catching up.
Florinia: As pertaining to the disclosure of personal information between individuals, "catching up" likely remains an irrelevant activity.
Titania: Maybe not. And if you think you'll end up joining the others in their string of disappearances, don't. Ash is most of what we've got at this point anyway. So take care of each other or whatever, as if that's something I know anything about.
Hardy: Suit yourself, Sis. Ash, meet me on the east side of Route 4. We're gonna save Agate.
Ash nods as he also turns to Serena and Lillie.
Ash: Serena, Lillie. I'm sorry, but I can't let you come with me as well.
Serena: We understand. Team Meteor is dangerous.
Lillie: But we know you'll be back safe and sound.
Ash nods as he also leaves the girls and heads to Route 4.
The situation here is really a mess, but Ash manages to get his 16th badge from Amaria. I decide to go in a route between Reshiram and Zekrom from this battle, since Amaria is one of Ash's harem and I don't like her to hate Ash just like in the game. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the 100th chapter and something bad is going to happen from it.
