Chapter 144 Time Travel Part 3
Ash is looking forward to the battle with Heather's Mother, and he can't wait to see how strong she is as he only heard good things from Heather.
Elena: You know, I usually do some monologue about the beauty of birds in the night sky before I face a challenger. But you've probably heard that before, so I guess all I have to say is... Prepare to be stomped so hard, your friend won't be able to tell you apart from my Ghost Types!
Then her first two Pokemon are Dragonite and Drifblim, Ash goes for Greninja and Lucario for the first Pokemon. Greninja goes for Ice Beam, and it hits Dragonite, but Dragonite sets up Reflect and Light Screen to lower the damage, and Drifblim goes for Tailwind and uses Ominous Wind to hit Lucario. Lucario goes for Dragon Pulse and Dark Pulse combined and eventually defeats Drifblim and Dragonite at the same time.
The third and fourth Pokemon for Elena are Decidueye and Aerodactyl, and Decidueye goes for Leaf Blade, which hurts Greninja a lot, so Ash switches to Keldeo instead. As for Lucario, it is defeated by Aerodactyl's Iron Head, so Ash switches to Charizard, by dodging the Rock Slide, Charizard goes for Heat Wave, knocking out Decidueye. So Elena sends out Marowak instead. Aerodactyl also lands another Rock Slide, knocking out Charizard, so Ash goes back to Greninja to battle.
Greninja uses Water Shuriken on Aerodactyl, and with Keldeo's Hydro Pump, Aerodactyl is knocked out, and Elena's final Pokemon is Salamence, which she Mega Evolves, as for Ash, he activates the Z Move Hydro Vortex on Marowak, knocking it out. Salamence goes for Hyper Voice, with the mountains strengthening the attack, which damages both Water Type Pokemon a lot, but in the end, Greninja goes for Ice Beam and knocks it out.
Elena: I expected nothing less from you. (Recalls Salamence) Whew. That was exhausting. I see why you're Champion. I mean, I knew I couldn't win. If you're the Champion in the future, that means you beat whoever was the Champion before you. And you don't have to say anything, I think both of us know exactly who that was. I mean, I only caught him that Zubat and taught him how to battle a week ago, and they're already talking about offering him a Gym Leader job!
Ash is wondering if she's talking about Corey Molinar, her husband.
Elena: Some people are so brilliant, they take to battling like a fish to water. Clearly you're like that, but so's my husband. And he has such passion and excitement for it, too. I mean, when he evolved his Golbat, that's the happiest I've seen him since our wedding day! I've never been more sure of anything in my life- Before long, Corey will be Champion. But listen to me go on. The Pokémon back there is jumping around, full of energy- probably means it's time for you to go home. Safe travels! And watch your back! I'm sure my husband will come to claim the Champion title back from you in no time.
Ash frowns, he still remembers how Corey jumps off the bridge and commits suicide, but he decides to keep it a secret as they bid farewell to Elena. Celebi glows again and they are traveling through time again. But after they open their eyes, they find themselves in Anna's Chamber.
Elias: Ah, we're still in the past. In our time, Anna is unavailable, so her chamber has already been decommissioned. So this is clearly the recent past, but still the past nonetheless.
Ash: So maybe 2 or 3 years from my timeline...
Elias: (Looks around) You know, I always found this room rather unsettling. Although she is a rather unsettling child, so perhaps that is fitting. Despite that, I suppose she has her own sort of wisdom. Not to mention a Legendary Pokémon of her own. Perhaps this is exactly what Celebi needs.
Ash: Jirachi?
?: Come on... Just a little closer...
Ash widens his eyes as he can't believe the voice that he has heard.
Elias: That... is not Anna's voice. I see.
They move forward and they find the source of the voice, the one who was killed by Lin: Ame, the former Champion of Reborn. Ash has mixed feelings because he witnessed her death, and she was still here. She is trying to grab a doll from above.
Ame: Shimmer, give me a boost. I can almost reach them... (Notices Ash and Elias) Gah! Officer, I swear, I didn't sneak into Anna's room while she was away with the sole purpose of rescuing all these toys! That's a preposterous accusation which I can't believe you'd make! I'm hurt! Wounded! My heart weeps at the mere insinuation! And even if it were true... I shan't be pressured and shamed by some thuggish officer of the state for trying to do the right thing! I will give each of these toys a safe home, and nobody is going to stop me!
Ame in this timeline hasn't met him, so Ash knows that he's going to battle her nonetheless. She already sends out her Alolan Ninetales Shimmer, so Ash sends out Charizard to battle the Pokemon. Ninetales is going for Aurora Veil, which causes Charizard's Flamethrower not to do much damage than usual. Ninetales goes for Moonblast, with the Starlight Arena, which boosts the power, and Charizard gets hurt, but Charizard lands a Steel Wing and knocks the Pokemon out.
The second Pokemon is a Primarina named Althena, and it goes for Sparkling Aria, knocking out Charizard, so Ash goes for Pikachu for the next battle. Pikachu is hit by Moonblast and Psychic, but it goes for Electro Web to lower the Pokemon's Speed and then knocks the Primarina out with the Thunderbolt. The third Pokemon is Whimsicott named Topaz, and it goes for Moonblast and knocks the Pikachu out of the battle, so Ash goes for Naganadel, which goes for Poison Jab to strike the Grass and Fairy Type Pokemon. Whimsicott manages to plant the Leech Seed on Nagandel, and it tries to use Substitute to gain some HP, but in the end, Naganadel goes for Sludge Wave and knocks the Whimsicott out.
The fourth Pokemon is Sylveon named Invidia, and it goes for Yawn, causing Nagandel to get drowsy, and it uses Protect to block the Poison Jab. When Naganadel is asleep, it goes for Swift and knocks the Ultra Beast out, so Ash goes for Pikachu, who lands an Iron Tail on the Sylveon, but Sylveon uses Wish and Protect to recover all the health. Ash decides to use the Z Move: Corkscrew Crash, and it knocks out the Sylveon. The fifth Pokemon is Lopunny named Lustbunny, and Ame Mega Evolves the Pokemon, it uses one Return and knocks the Pikachu out, so Ash goes for Keldeo next. Ame is surprised to see a Legendary Pokemon, but he has Lopunny use Drain Punch, but Keldeo goes for the Sacred Sword and it knocks the Pokemon out. The final Pokemon is the Absol named Misery, and Ash knows this Absol because he has become a member of the party after Ame's death. And Keldeo also defeats the Pokemon by using his Secret Sword.
Ame: This doesn't mean you're Champion now, right? (Recalls Absol) Whoa, what kind of officer are you that you can beat me so- (Notices Elias) Wait, Elias!? Is this trainer with you? Did you sneak in here to rescue all of Anna's toys? Bringing a friend was a good call; I'm struggling to reach it.
Elias: Amethyst. That's very much your hobby, not mine.
Ame: I have no idea what you're talking about. I have never done anything of questionable legality in my life.
Shimmer appears to be doing a dance to try to distract Ash and Elias while Ame hides a definitely-stolen Cleffa doll, and Ash is just thinking "What the hell? Is this really Ame?"
Elias: (Decides to tell the truth) Amethyst, this is Ash. They are-
Ame: From the future, right?
Elias: (Surprised) How did you-
Ame: Oh, please, one doesn't get to be the head of a League without learning a few things here and there. It can time travel, right? Although honestly, what I noticed first was you. You seem a bit... softer.
Elias: If you say so. Ahem, well, yes. We're from... I'm not sure exactly how far, but definitely the future.
Ame: Well however long it is, I'm glad you seem to be a bit less high-strung. Anyway though! Who is this Ash person, and why are you both in the past?
Elias: Ah, he is... The next Champion of Reborn. You did your job well.
Ame: Thanks, El, that's very sweet of you... (Realizes what Elias has said) Wait. Did you just say Champion? So... the League really works? Inviting trainers from all around the world, and one manages to win... And one so brilliantly talented, too!
Elias: Yes, I couldn't describe the League as anything but success if it attracted such an effective Champion.
Ame: Well, that's a huge relief, given that I've never once known what I'm doing here. Even just acting as the Champion myself was only meant to be temporary until we finally did have a winner. But I shouldn't have been so worried. After all, I had all of your help! A member of the Elite Four from the old League also taking that role in this newer one... I don't think I could have done it without you, Elias. Your willingness to help me organize this League and figure out how to run this... Whatever great success this League has in your time, you should know that you are just as, if not more responsible than I am. Thank you, Elias.
Elias: (Surprised) I... Responsible for what happens with the League, you say? I think you're right...
Ame: But here I go, talking your ear off! I'm sure you both have very important business to attend to back home. Shimmer and I have very important official legal League business that requires us to stay in this room, too. So don't let me keep you! Be sure to Say "Hi" to me back in your time! (Turns around and looks at the dolls) Anna's a great kid, but somebody needs to tell her to treat her toys better... I can't believe she requested this set-up... She said something about it being because she feels guilty, but I don't... get it. I should never have approved this, I should never have approved this~...
Elias: (Turns to Ash) We should be going back to the present now. These meetings have all been...I'm glad I got to see them all again.
Ash: Me too...Not only did I manage to get into a battle with Heather's Mother...but also Ame as well, don't you think it is amazing, Pikachu?
Pikachu nods in agreement, and now they decide that it is time to go back, so they bid farewell to Amethyst and then heads back to Celebi, who is going to use her powers again to travel back in time.
And here is a new chapter, there is one thing I have never mentioned. Ash has chosen the Reshiram path, that's why Elias is the one with him. But if you choose the Zekrom path, then Taka will be the one accompanying you, and the whole dialogue is different. I hope you like this chapter and the time travel is not done yet since there will be one more place for them to go before heading back to their own timeline.
