Chapter 122 Victory Road Part 3
Now Ash, Serena, and Lillie notice that the place they're linked to is four caves: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Amethyst.
Serena: Those really are the colors of the same keys that Team Meteor wants...
Ash: Speaking of those four keys...I don't think Team Meteor have their hands on those items. Heather has the Ruby Ring, Anna has the Amethyst Pendant, Bennett and Laura have the Sapphire Bracelets, and Elias has the Emerald Brooch...now that I've thought about it, they are the current Elite Four members...
Lillie: Have you thought about the strategy to beat them yet?
Ash: Not yet, but I'm going for my strongest Pokemon: Pikachu, Charizard, Sceptile, Greninja, Garchomp, and Lucario. Because I have to win this, no matter what.
Serena: It would be better if you use your full team for this battle because it is important.
Since they can only go to Ruby Cave and Sapphire Cave, they decide to go to Ruby Cave first. The road further down is blocked, but when Ash activates the Ruby Crystal, the Rock Climb spots just changed, much to their surprise. And following the path, they get to Amethyst Cave. But just as he activates the Amethyst Crystal, nothing happened.
Lillie: Is that supposed to do something?
Ash: Back in Iolia Valley, it changed the path...but I guess there is no path for us to change here...
After leaving the Amethyst Cave, they decide to move the first Strength puzzle to open the first gate, and they go to Sapphire Cave next, after activating the Sapphire Crystal, they find the ice puzzle has a small solid ground so that they won't be slipped on that tile. And after getting to the Emerald Cave, by activating the Emerald Crystal, the green rocks become breakable, so that they can get out and do the final Strength puzzle.
After finishing the puzzle and opens the gate, they find themselves climbing higher and higher, as the road isn't going to stop, but after getting into another cave, Ash is delighted to see Hardy with his father.
Ash: Dad! You're safe!
Radomus: (Smiles) It would seem so. (Turns back to Hardy) And for the record, while I still maintain that I am at least as young at heart as the next wayward Trainer, This terrain alone does not need your help to remind me of my age. I blush to admit that I'm still parked here only for lack of breath.
Hardy: Huh, ain't you got your Pokémon helpin' you out?
Radomus: As it turns out, there are not too many Psychic types that would learn Rock Climb... Nevertheless, we'll get there.
Ash: Dad, if you're tired, we can help you out. We wouldn't want you to pull your back out...
Radomus: Just how old do you think I am... Incidentally, I don't suppose you have a sense of whereabouts we are here? I slid down further than I would like to admit, and I've been a bit lost in direction.
Serena: I have no idea, but wherever it is, we're probably off the grid, maybe we can use that to our advantage?
Radomus: I did see Meteor has set up quite the encampment.
Hardy: With any luck, we'll come out in a spot we can hit 'em from!
Radomus: Hmm... To that end, I may have an idea.
Lillie: Really? Please tell us.
Radomus: It takes a bit of a sore neck to notice it from that room, but there is a large stalactite hanging some way above where they've set up. I believe it could be convinced to meet them.
Hardy: No way, mate! That'd put Aya in danger too!
Radomus: Too true. (Frowns) If Gardevoir were here, it would be as simple as having her teleport her out, but...
Ash: Maybe there's a better way?
Radomus: Indeed. Well, I wonder who can help us with this...
Hardy: For now, let's go on and see what we can see! You're with me, old man.
Ash: Dad, you'll be fine with Hardy. I trust him.
Radomus: I suppose I don't have room to object.
Then after Hardy and Radomus leave, Ash, Serena, and Lillie continue to Rock Climb up the Victory Road, until they find Titania in the middle of the road.
Titania: And dead end. Of course it is. (Notices something) Move!
Titania pushes them out of the way, and they can see that Saphira and Dragonite were sent flying into the wall, creating a path for them to go through.
Titania: It's always something, huh.
Saphira: (Comes out of the cave) You're unhurt?
Titania: Peachy.
Saphira: I was careless. I should have expected a cowardly strike like that from Sirius. I'll prove they're all he's good for. (Rushes down)
Titania: I can think of someone like that. Well, looks like the door's open. Convenient. Let's go.
After they walk forward, Ash and the others are surprised to see another one of the hardness and purity puzzles, only that there are five in this one. Titania is just staring at the door.
Titania: The way forward is locked again, Naturally. Always something.
Lillie: Looks like we're doing this for the third time.
Titania: (Walks towards the computer) This has got to be the single worst data-handling system in the entire world. You already know, right? I am sincerely beside myself in trying to cope with the fact that not only did someone voluntarily choose to create a system like this, but they apparently had the technical ability to do so while lacking the common sense to think about all of the blindingly glaring flaws involved with it.
Serena: Let's get this over with.
Clues:
1. No two crystals share the same quality.
2. Ruby is bigger than Sapphire.
3. Sapphire's purity is less than Ruby's Purity, which is less than Amethyst's Purity.
4. Amethyst does not have a 'Vitreous' Luster.
5. Ruby is more lustrous than Amethyst, which is more lustrous than Sapphire.
6. Amethyst is not 'Miniscule'.
7. Ruby has less Foliation than Sapphire.
8. The largest gem is more lustrous than the smallest gem.
9. The gem with 'Difficult' Foliation is smaller than Emerald.
10. Amethyst has 'Eminent' Foliation.
11. The gems are, in order of ascending hardness: the 'Medium' gem, the 'Middling' purity gem, the gem with the least foliation, and the 'Pearly' gem.
12. The 'Indistinct' gem is also the least pure.
Titania: Somebody, somewhere, decided that this was a good idea. Even now, that person could still be out there.
Ash: Good thing we have Lillie here to help us.
The Size from the biggest to smallest is Emerald, Ruby, Amethyst, and Sapphire. Hardness is Amethyst, Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby. Purity is Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Foliation is Amethyst, Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald. And finally, the Luster is Ruby, Amethyst, Emerald, and Sapphire.
Titania: Finally. Let's go; if I spend another minute around this disaster, it might not survive in one piece. (Leaves)
After walking for a while, they finally get outside the mountain, and they find that it is snowing and they have to put on their heavy coats. But after getting into another room, this time Radomus is there with the puzzle once more, only that this time is six categories.
Ash: Again? How many times do we need to do this?
Lillie: And it is not fun when there is one more category added...
Radomus: Well, well, well. This is quite a mess, isn't it? That lad dropped me off here and went to search for the way forward, and here we are. I feel that I can safely assume you've had some experience with these contraptions by now, and I believe I have a solid enough understanding of them. But I will say... looking at this data... Whoever designed this surely had either a veritable sadistic streak or a very good sense of humor. I suspect we shall never find out which.
Clues:
1. No two crystals share the same quality.
2. The Habit of the second hardest gem is less than the Habit of the 'Pure' gem, which is less than the Habit of the Emerald.
3. The Purity of the 'Vitreous' gem is less than the Purity of the Emerald, which is less than the Purity of the 'pearly' gem.
4. The Luster of the 'Miniscule' gem is less than the Luster of the 'Medium' gem, which is less than the Luster of the 'Hexagonal' gem.
5. The Hardness of the 'Small' gem is less than the Hardness of the Amethyst, which is less than the Hardness of the 'Pure' gem.
6. The 'Middling' Purity's Luster is less than the Luster of the 'Medium' gem.
7. The Foliation of the 'Pearly' gem is less than the Foliation of the 'Vitreous' gem, which is less than the Foliation of the 'Silky' gem.
8. The Habit of the 'Silky' gem is less than the Habit of the purest gem.
9. The Size of the 'Impure' gem is less than the Size of the 'Perfect' Foliation gem, which is less than the Sapphire.
10. The Foliation of the Amethyst is less than the Foliation of the second hardest gem, which is less than the Foliation of the Sapphire.
Radomus: If there were an award for the most inefficient data system in all of history, they surely would have won it.
Ash: I guess so...
After a while, they manage to get the answer: Size is Sapphire, Amethyst, Emerald, and Ruby. Hardness is Sapphire, Ruby, Amethyst, and Emerald. Purity is Amethyst, Sapphire, Emerald, and Ruby. Foliation is Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, and Amethyst. Luster is Sapphire, Amethyst, Ruby, and Emerald. Habit is Amethyst, Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby.
Lillie: I swear I'm not going to do this again...
Radomus: Impressive as always. I will fetch Hardy from wherever he's gotten to exploring, and we'll go on ahead. (Leaves)
After arriving at the Blue Rock, they notice that they are actually on top of where Fern, Sirius, and Aya are standing, Hardy is also there already.
Hardy: I'mma be real, even just standing here feels wrong. I can see her, mate. My Rock Types could drop this thing right on her and end it all. I don't like this.
Radomus: You don't need to think of it like that. We've already made the proper arrangements with her; all we need to do is wait.
Hardy: Sirius is one thing, but I don't like hurtin' anyone.
Radomus: Even Sirius has people who would hesitate to see him ended. It may be hard to imagine, but even someone like him might once have been a dear friend to someone. Even so, they have made it clear they will give us no margin for mishap.
Hardy: I know. That's why it gotta be like this, right? Who knew when we're sittin' next to each other in class that it'd come to this?
Radomus: If we already knew all that everything would come to, it would make both journey and destination that much more meaningless.
Ash: But where is Saphira?
Radomus: (Looks down) It would appear that she is... Right on cue.
Back below, Fern and Sirius notice Saphira approaching.
Fern: Sirius, you see her?
Sirius: I do. Tyrantrum, intercept!
Just then, Saphira has to dodge the attack from Tyrantrum, and Ash and the others know that it is time.
Radomus: Now or never.
Hardy: Right! Let's do this, Gigalith! Bring the house down!
Then Gigalith goes for the Earthquake, causing the giant blue rock to fall, they can't see what happened because the rock is blocking their sight.
Serena: Did it work?
Radomus: It certainly didn't work. At a glance, the damage should make that way traversable.
Hardy: But what about the others?! I couldn't see 'em!
Radomus: Nor could I clearly. I am sure Saphira and Aya were clear of the attack. And I do believe I saw Sirius tail them immediately to its edge. However, I could not say about Fern...
Hardy: So, Fern's probably... I- This stuff's heavy...
Radomus: All the lead in the world is but a feather compared to the burden guilt weighs. I would know.
Hardy: I gotta... make sure Aya's okay. There's no time for that. Let's go! (Leaves)
Radomus: This plan was my idea, after all. If anything, the weight of his life should lay on me. I should have said that sooner. One more is nothing compared to what I've already cost.
Ash: But for some reason, I think that Fern might survive this attack and would continue to annoy us up ahead...
Lillie: Maybe...but I really don't like the way he said about you. He is worse than those people who tried to tell you to give up your dream.
And I'll end the chapter here, the Victory Road is not done and there is already a lot of stuff to do. But the category puzzles are done and there might only be one more in the postgame. So I hope you like this chapter.
