Chapter 26
Now everyone is back at FS Resort, Ash and Alice bring them north to Route 5. On Route 5, they notice a Day Care center in the middle of the road, and Ash says, "We have the Pokemon Day Care here in Route 5 and it functions just like the other Day Care Centers in the other regions. You can bring your Pokemon here and let them raise it, and sometimes you can find eggs in the daycare as well."
"It sure is nothing really special..." May mutters. "Just something that is common in every region..."
"And after this Route 5, we're now in the Isolate Desert." Ash says as they notice a giant desert in front h of them. Everyone gulps a little before they head inside and walk. They manage to get to the Terra Cave and they decide to take a break.
"So you're saying that Groudon might be found inside this cave?" Brendan asks.
"Yes, although sometimes it will wake up and go to the Marine cave in the Azure Ocean Road and fight with Kyogre. Only Rayquaza was able to stop them."
"Why am I not surprised." Zinnia sighs.
After leaving the cave, they continue forward and eventually, they are all tired.
"This sure is a big desert..." Serena mutters as now the Champions and their chosen trainers, as well as the group of traitors, are still walking and they couldn't see where they are from and where they are heading to. Ash and Alice are the only ones who aren't tired from the long walk.
"The desert is where most of the Ground Type Pokemon in the region is." Ash says. "And when we find the town made with trains, that means we're here at my brother Trenor's gym."
The desert only has some wild encounters and trainers to battle. Other than that, just some scattered on the ground items waiting to be picked up. After another hour of walking, they finally reach Isolate Town, where Trenor's Gym is located.
After arriving in the town, they are amazed to see how many old and abandoned trains are made into living places for others. There is also a fountain in the middle of the town so they can have water from it. They hear a loud noise as they see Trenor charging at them with his Mudsdale. He jumps off and says, "I was wondering when you're going to arrive."
"Sorry." Alice says. "The desert from FS Resort is actually far from Isolate Town. I wonder if Groudon is making more desert lands day after day."
"That sure is a nice joke from you, Aurora. Anyway, welcome to Isolate Town. Who is the one going to challenge me?" Trenor asks.
Akari steps forward and says, "We're going to have a battle, I'm sure you don't mind, right?"
"Not at all. Our Gym is the whole race stadium over there." Trenor says as he points at the large building. "Since I'm a professional Pokemon racer, this place is also often used as the race course.
"I think I've heard that my mother has come here once..." Serena mutters. "Considering she is a Rhyhorn racer."
"Other than Grace, we also have the famous Rapidash Riders train here before a race is coming." Trenor says. "And despite not having a Rapidash, I am a Rapidash Rider myself."
"We know." Bonnie says. "Along with Yuma and Sandy, we have been keeping tabs on your races and cheering for you."
"I'm glad to hear that." Trenor smiles.
Ash says, "As usual, we'll leave the rest to you, Aurora and I are going back to the desert since we have some things to do there."
"Again?" Leon asks with slight frustration. "Why are you going back to the desert?"
"There is a reason why the desert is vast." Ash says. "Under the desert, there is our own vault. It was actually a place where we stored valuable things inside. Like treasures, secret documents, and other things."
"Instead of setting up a password like a vault, we set up a maze before reaching the room." Alice says, "Much like Brandon's Battle Pyramid, but more complicated. Team Rainbow tried to steal the Earth Plate located underneath the maze, but before they could reach it, we were already there to fend them off. Some thieves try to go inside the maze to steal our things, only to get lost and eventually surrender to us."
"But how do you go through the maze yourselves?" Cynthia asks. "Won't you two get lost?"
"Of course not." Ash says, "We are the creators of the maze, so we already memorize the whole map. You can try to go into the maze, there are some rooms that are open to the public, but the point is that you have to find your way inside. And since it is dark, the HM for Flash or having a Flashlight will be vital as well."
After Ash and Alice leave, the curiosity about what Ash and Alice hide in the maze is distracting their minds. For those who believe Ash is a criminal, maybe that's the place where they hide information about Ash there.
The traitors are also greedy for the treasure inside the maze, so they decide to sneak and follow Ash and Alice without the others noticing.
When Ash and Alice arrive at the entrance of the maze, Ash uses Aura to talk to Alice, "Looks like they are trying to follow us since we know the maze."
"I wonder what will happen when they get lost inside." Alice says. "They won't be able to follow us if we speed up."
When Ash and Alice enter the maze, the traitors are also entering as well. But just as they get inside, they find how dark it is.
"Why is this place dark!" Sophocles yells in horror.
"Can't they afford lights inside the maze? They have a lot of money." Trip says.
Thanks to Togedemaru who tries to light up the place, they find a lot of paths to go, and they can't even see where Ash and Alice have gone. They realize that Ash and Alice aren't kidding when they talk about the whole maze being complicated, and now they are lost. Eventually, they start to feel tired and they start to go in circles.
"Oh no...just where did we come from?" Kiawe asks.
"Maybe this way?" Cilan points in that direction, and Misty says, "No, I think it is this way."
"And how do you know?" Iris asks.
Then they start to argue about why the way is the quickest, and Ash and Alice are already at the end of the maze, after opening the vault, they can find a lot of treasure and the contracts of each company with the RPA Company. And finally, the body of Delia Ketchum, inside of a coffin.
Ash kneels in front of the coffin and says, "Mother. I'm here to visit you. How are you doing in heaven? I hope you're doing well..."
Alice also kneels as they send their prayers, once they are done, they get two amulets on the ground and leave the room, they head to another room, and they find Squishy and Z2 there.
"Hey, Squishy, Z2, what are you doing here?" Ash asks.
"We were bored, so we decided to find other Zygardes and play with them." Z2 says. "Even though you want people in the region to capture us, I don't know if this is the right choice."
Alice says, "Considering that this is where the machine is located, and only if they manage to find 100 cells scattered around the region they will be able to get one."
"We also have the first Paradox Machine as well. This one is multifunctional since we can try to get Iron Treads or Great Tusk by bringing the Donphan here." Ash says.
"Although I have a small question. Some of my cells found that the people who killed your mother are also inside the maze. They also use that Togedemaru to flash the whole place." Squishy says.
"Should we help them get out?" Ash asks.
"I really want to leave them dead here..." Alice mutters. "But we have to help them or else our plan of revenge will be for nothing."
Ash sighs as he contacts Golly, who finds the traitors in the maze as she also knows how to get out.
"I can't believe I have to save them...but then again, I was the one who tries to gain their trust..." Golly mutters.
When Golly finds the traitors, they are still arguing about which way to go. Golly clears her throat and asks, "What are you doing here?"
The traitors notice Golly and they realize that they are either saved or in trouble. Brock says, "Um...Golly...we were..."
"I don't know how you manage to get inside the maze, but I don't think you'll be able to get out of here without a few days." Golly says.
"A few days? I don't want to trap in here for that amount of time!" Sophocles yells.
"Don't worry, I know how to get out of here, but why do you want to come here in the first place?" Golly asks.
"Your brother and Princess Aurora told us that there is a maze here and the end of the maze is a treasure. We were curious as to what the treasure is, so we decide to find it out..." Clemont says the truth.
"Ah, the treasure here isn't that interesting, they are just contracts with the other companies with RPA Company." Golly says, "You see, RPA Company has to pay other companies to set up their booth inside the building, and those are the contracts. As long as the other half is with the company, they won't do anything to you."
"So we just came here for nothing...and I thought we could find anything related to Ash there..." Dawn mutters.
"Ash? As in Ash Ketchum? So I assume that the twelve of you know about him?" Golly asks with a slight glare.
"If you mean he killed his mother, then yes, we know about him since we saw everything." Trip says.
"Good, since I'm a member of the International Police, my boss wants me to search for him, but he has been escaping our grasp for five years." Golly says. "Do you know anything about him as well?"
"We are also looking for him as well." May says. "But importantly, can we get out of here first?"
"Of course." Golly says, "Just follow me and don't get lost, or else you won't be able to get out of here for more days."
Once the traitors are out of the maze, they are relieved since that isn't quite the experience that they want to go. Golly says, "You've been lucky that you found me inside the maze, or else you won't be getting out for a couple of days, what if you got starved inside and maybe get sick because of unknown germs inside?"
"I guess that we owe you more than ever." Cilan says.
"No problem. I have to go back to my gym, so I'll see you later." Golly says as she leaves. The traitors also rush back to the town before anyone finds them missing again.
Here is a new chapter, and we're going to the seventh gym. There will be a desert and an underground maze with some Pokemon encounters. For the story purpose, the underground maze is not the post-game thing, but finding the Z Cells might be. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be Trenor's past, Team Rainbow's attempt to take the plate, and more things.