Chapter 193 Rayquaza Save
After going back to the Night Club, they find Danielle at the Club, and she doesn't seem to be happy.
Cass: What the hell did you do? After Zero mentioned we weren't getting any readings, I heard you went off to the other meteor site and then all of a sudden we've got like four new reports, and also our equipment busted. Like it wasn't picking anything up until you got that Giratina, and then all of the energy it should've been detecting came through at once and overloaded it. So nice going. Doubt we're going to have any luck finding more Anomalies after the current round unless we can get that repaired.
Ash: Just great.
Cass: Anyway, one of the reports we suddenly picked up was super idea where it came from, but it shot halfway across the region in a blink and currently it's stalled out atop Charous Mountain. Easiest access is from the Pokémon League. Hardy already went up there, but I'm pretty sure he permanently forgot his brain cells at home, so you might wanna go help out.
Then they all quickly head to Charous Mountain, and they are surprised that Hardy finds an Anomaly Rayquaza in front of him.
Hardy: You're in the nick o' time, mate. I just wiped to this thing like a dumbass. But it's softened up and doesn't like to stay in place long. Battle first and talk later! You got me?
Ash nods as the Anomaly Rayquaza sends out Alolan Ninetales, Deoxys, Darkrai, Yveltal, Primal Kyogre, and Mega Rayquaza. With their Pokemon, they manage to defeat all 6 of them with ease. But Rayquaza is letting out a loud roar.
Hardy: It's gonna fly off again! Waitstopcomebackdon't-
Just then, Rayquaza flies away once more, much to their annoyance.
Hardy: Bloody hell... There's no telling where that thing is gonna go. But at least you got the Anomaly off of it. At this point, we can chase it down like any other roaming Pokémon.
Ash: You mean like the Legendary Dogs in Johto that will always randomly appear in one spot and you have to chase it? Hell no...
Hardy: I heard what happened to Sis. Or what's happening, I guess. Thought maybe I could actually show some goodwill between us for once and chase that thing down to knock her out of it. No dice. The first time I found it, I heard her. Lin. She sounds... different. The whole time we were fighting Meteor, I'd never have guessed they were under the banner of a little girl. Shit's messed up, yanno? I'm questioning if we were even doin' the right thing. But I think, we gotta have been right? Otherwise we'd have a lot more problems than a few ragtag legends and open worlds.
Ash: About Lin, I have met her a lot of times, and she was pretty annoying.
Hardy: Anyway, point is, I learned a thing or two 'bout chasing down Pokémon like this. Drop a word if you want the run-down.
Serena: Just tell us already.
Hardy: Word. So, basics: Rayquaza's touring out there somewhere. It's usually not going with a destination in mind, so it might move to a nearby place randomly or not at all as you travel. I doubt it'll fly inside anywhere, so you've only gotta care about major outdoor places. Check your Map App to see where it's at, and make tracks. You'll know when you're close because of Rayquaza's wind stream. Once you're nearby, Repels can help too. The problem is, once you find it, it's likely to just run away again. Annoying bugger. Mean Look is a classic strat' in other regions, but it ain't necessary here. The more you find it, the more tired it'll get. Damage and what-not'll stick around between encounters as long as you don't KO it. If you do, it'll probably just take a Roost and revive itself. I think that's about it, 'side from one more note. It might not've looked it in the Anomaly, cuz, yanno, Anomaly, but there's still a chance that it'll be shiny. This might go without sayin', but if it is, it'll be that way from the start. No changin' colors while it runs away. Keep that in mind, and you'll be ship-shape to rock this!
Ash, Serena, and Lillie then use their Poke Gear and chase after the Rayquaza, and they find it lurking around the Reborn City, so they chase from Ward to Ward and eventually Ash manages to throw the Reborn Ball and captures the Rayquaza in the end.
Ash's New Capture in Reborn City: Rayquaza (Event)
Ash: We have it, now let's go save Amaria and Titania.
The other two girls nod as they quickly rush to the Aegir Cave and find that both Titania and Amaria are still fighting with Kyogre and Groudon doing the same.
Florinia: So you've returned. Were you successful in procuring a Rayquaza to act as a neutralizing agent against the Orbs' energies?
Ash: We have Rayquaza, it's here in this Reborn Ball. (Shows the Pokemon)
Florinia: ...Ah, so you did find one. That is... a relief. I had begun to worry that counting on the arrival of one would qualify as a statistical improbability... But perhaps luck was simply on our side. Let's waste no more time.
Then they quickly rush in front of Titania and Amaria.
Florinia: Sending it out should be sufficient, but expect additional conflict after deployment. I expect that the possessed subjects will not react kindly to any force that breaks the Orbs' connection over them. This speaker will remain from engaging in order to better monitor the specific factors and... Er... It is still easier to hide difficult feelings under the guise of academic formality. I don't... want to get involved here. This is a conflict I was not permitted to be a part of, and I... Please do not allow this one's complicated feelings to dilute your focus. I'm- sorry. Just do it.
Then Ash, Serena, and Lillie are battling both Titania and Amaria again. Some of the Pokemon are actually new, and they use 12 Pokemon: Gengar, Lapras, Jolteon, Meganium, Quagsire, Exploud, Flygon, Heliolisk, Primarina, Victini, Primal Kyogre, and Primal Groudon. After all of them are defeated, the orbs are getting out from Titania and Amaria's bodies once more. And the Anomaly glow from both Kyogre and Groudon is starting to fade as well.
Florinia: Oh. This... is unexpected, but not unpredictable. Perhaps the resurging aura was a projection of these Anomalies having been released from within the Red and Blue Orbs... It is pure conjecture, but... Perhaps conjecture is a way of protecting oneself from one's circumstances too.
Just then, much to their annoyance, Lin's Portal appear once more.
Lin: Hi excuse me do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior Arceus? No? Yeah it looks kinda busy there... bummer. Oh well, that's probably for the best; the reception here is crap anyway. So okay, I admit I MAY have had a hand in setting this all up, but I'm feeling like maybe I bit off a bit more than I can chew here. Like seriously, 6v12 and then more fights after that? So, first order of business, heal team.
Ash and their Pokemon are surprised to find that their team are healed.
Lin: Thanks. Second order of business, can we get some crowd control in here? I'm getting claustrophobic just LOOKING at this island. Let's start with our resident serial killer. It was fun playing with you at your gym, but seriously? Could you maybe stand to stab a FEW less people? Pretty sure even seven-year-olds know violence doesn't solve everything! Consider anger management. Or therapy. Or maybe a nice, cool, relaxing drink of water!
Just then, both Titania and Groudon are sent flying to who knows where much to their surprise.
Lin: ...well, I wasn't expecting that thing to just dip, but that works I guess. Feeling better already!
Florinia: I don't... understand what's going on- But will she be okay? I- I can't swim, but- can't we do something?
Lin: Nah don't worry about it. Anyway, we got this from here. Imma kick back. this should be more fun!
Just then, the Blue Orb is back into Amaria's body, and Ash can hear her trying to say something.
Amaria: PleaSDDJSSXX- hXlp XX- XXXXXXX!
Then Ash and the others are fighting Amaria again, and this time she's using Tentacruel, Kingdra, Mega Swampert, Mega Salamence, Toxapex, Alolan Ninetales, Zapdos, Palkia, Manaphy, Black Kyurem, Volcanion, and Primal Kyogre. After they are defeated, Rayquaza manages to get the Blue Orb from Amaria's hand and then quickly rush to get the Red Orb. Amaria is also back to normal.
Amaria: ...Ah, that's... better. I'm- sorry, I don't know what overtook me. I can't even remember how I got the Blue Orb, but I remember touching it, and then... nothing. Where did Tania go?
Florinia: She... was hurled into the lake.
Amaria: In-
Just then, Kyogre roars loudly, and Ash knows that he has to do it quickly.
Amaria: Ash, I'm sorry to have to ask for your help again... But I have to save Tania! Cover me!
Then Ash nods as he throws the Reborn Ball, capturing the Kyogre in the end. And after a while, Amaria manages to get Titania back to the shore. Rayquaza also return with the Red and Blue Orb, as he gives it to Ash so that he can make sure they won't be trying to control anyone else.
Amaria: Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay...
Florinia: Her breathing appears to have steadied...
Amaria: I wouldn't be able to live with myself if we lost you because of something like this... Because of- because of me. Again. Why is it always like this? No matter how hard I try, I just end up hurting the people around me...
Florinia: ...That may be an inappropriate conclusion to draw from the available data.
Amaria: What data? We were both mind-controlled, and Titania's laying out on the ground, you're only just remembering how to feel anything, and let's not even mention the time I totally ruined everything with Ash by panicking and trying to drown him.
Florinia: Those circumstances and their consequences may be undeniable... However, they are also presented with bias and ignorance of the positive experiences you've had with others. Do you remember when you tried to teach me to swim?
Amaria: You were awful at it. A full week in the pool after school and you could barely doggy paddle. And then your grandpa walked in when I was trying to float you across mid-backstroke and thought we were doing something indecent... And then I panicked like I always do, grabbed you, and ran.
Florinia: And then?
Amaria: Well, he chased us. Or, no- he got the custodians to do it instead, right?
Florinia: You ran circles from one around his own cleaning cart and then spilled the soap water across the floor.
Amaria: Oh- right, and then all three of them piled up cuz they tried to run after us and slipped on it! Okay, seeing that guy try to pull himself up off the floor covered in suds was a riot! I was sure he had grown like two extra mustaches! But your grandpa grounded you for like, what, two weeks after that? He didn't let you out of your room or talk to anyone! I felt so bad- that was all my fault too!
Florinia: No, you didn't do anything wrong. And... to be honest, even if I did get in trouble, I had more fun in those ten minutes than I have in all the time since we graduated combined. There are many cases like that. You assess yourself with undue negativity because you have inadequate information. It is impossible for you to be accurately aware of how much anyone else enjoys being around you. That chase is one of my most treasured memories.
Amaria: ...Oh. I didn't realize it meant that much to you. I... see.
Florinia: ...On a different subject, the other Anomaly escaped somewhere to the north, correct? Hypothesis: It returned to the accompanying New World pocket. It may be prudent to contain it while we engage in... Or rather, while we look after Titania. I would prefer to stay here for now...
Ash nods as they all head back to the New World, and Groudon is at the shore roaring. Ash uses the chance to also capture the Pokemon.
Ash's New Capture in Aegir Cave: Kyogre, Groudon (Event)
Julia: (Rushes towards them) Hey, Ash, Serena, Lillie! The others told me to go get you cuz Tania woke up! ...Whatever that means! I've been hitting up the rapids here- Did you know that if you get just the right angle on a jump from the mountains above that door behind you, you can jump straight down the waterfall in Aegir from here? I only messed up and hit my head twice! I'm gonna go try again but then I'll be right there, okay? Okay, bye!
Ash, Serena, and Lillie just look at each other with the What the hell faces, and then they go back to find Florinia and the others.
Julia: Okay, so the gang's back together, lives were saved, friendships reforged, and Ash, Serena, and Lillie got some sick Legendary action- So does this mean we can all be besties again?!
Florinia: I don't... feel like that would be wise.
Julia: Okayyeahwhatever, so maybe not BESTIES, but like, maybe like a foot in the door towards it? Like a little bit of closure? Like a little bit of closing your foot in the door? Just a little hopping up and down swearing in pain and then tripping and falling just out of the camera's view and then the audience hears a random cat meow in shock offscreen? Just a small little tiny itty-bitty little step in the direction of us all being friends again?
Titania: Just stop.
Julia: Is that a 'no' then? Even now, after everything?
Titania: It's a 'no'. Sure, we can set the existing conflict aside to make sure nobody literally dies. We're at least adult enough to do that. That doesn't mean the conflict has changed. You can write it off as being for a happier ending, or for the sake of being friends, but those would be contrivances. "Happily ever after" just means the writer stopped paying attention. Growing up from fairy tales means acknowledging that our lives don't end with the writer. Not everybody gets closure just because the audience wanted it. Sometimes that's for the best.
Julia: Ooooookay, but what about the rest of us? What about those of us who just, idk, cared? About you two, and about everything we all shared?
Titania: That's not our problem.
Florinia: Amaria, are you okay with this as well?
Amaria: To be honest, I prefer a version of myself that doesn't have to lean on others. I'm not happy about it, but it's not like I was happy in the first place either. As long as that's the case, isn't it better for the person I care most about to live freely? This is fine. I want her to move on.
Julia: Are you sure you're not just telling yourself that?
Amaria: Of course, I'm just telling myself that. It's what I need to hear. I'm grateful that I could return the gesture of being the savior, even if just once. But even then, it's a petty notion. It doesn't change a thing. And I'm also tired of living out lies for the sake of a story I'm still trying to convince myself will end well.
Titania: Rather than trying to write a happy ending, it's best if we both accept there are better stories for us to live by.
Amaria: On that, we can agree.
Julia: So that's it, then? The four of us, just over, like that?
Florinia: The two of them are over, yes. I don't believe that is meant to exclude either of us inherently.
Julia: Whether it's meant to or not... I mean, I still miss the days we could all hang out! School sucked sometimes, but at least we always had friends around! And now what, we barely get time to see each other in between various bad things! This sucks!
Florinia: ...If it's any consolation, I at least would be grateful to remain in familiar company more often.
Julia: (Surprised) You expressed a positive and vulnerable emotion!
Florinia: ...I have done that a few times here and there.
Julia: Yes, but I'm PROUD OF YOU! Okay, then it's settled! You and I are BFFs for life! So we're doing everything together forever and I'm never leaving you alone! No take-backsies!
Florinia: (Sighs) There is a part of me that recognizes that this is a deeply regrettable and obnoxious scenario to be accepting, but I think I am still happy to be in it. Ash, Serena, Lillie, thank you for bearing witness and support to our various circumstances of varying fortune. I am also appreciative of all the help you've offered since first arriving here.
Julia: Tru dat! One-two-three, Ash's the best! Ash puts the competition to their rest!
Florinia: ...You make it sound like Ash is murdering them.
Julia: Look, I had to make it rhyme somehow! You try coming up with a perfect cheer on the spot!
Florinia: ...Ah, um... Hip hip hip, hip hip hooray... Ash's efforts have really saved the day!...?
Julia: (Stares at Florinia with the other three) We'll work on it. Until then, I'm sure Ash has more Anomalies to hunt.
Ash: You're right about that. Let's go back.
And here is a new chapter, and after this, the whole Hoenn Legendaries are complete, the only ones left are Necrozma and the Aura Trio from Kalos. I hope you like this chapter.
