Chapter 39

"I can't believe I have to save them...but then again, I was the one who tried to gain their trust," Golly mutters under her breath as she navigates through the labyrinthine maze.

When Golly finally locates the group of traitors, she finds them embroiled in a heated argument about which direction to take. She clears her throat, capturing their attention. "What are you doing here?" she questions, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and disbelief.

The traitors turn towards Golly, their expressions shifting from confusion to the realization that their fate hangs in the balance. Brock stammers, "Um...Golly...we were just..."

Golly interrupts, her tone firm yet tinged with a hint of sympathy. "I don't know how you managed to get inside the maze, but I don't think you'll be able to find your way out anytime soon. It'll likely take a few days."

"A few days? I don't want to be trapped in here for that long!" Sophocles exclaims, his voice filled with frustration and anxiety. The group exchanges worried glances, realizing the gravity of their situation.

"Don't worry, I know how to get out of here, but why did you want to come here in the first place?" Golly's curiosity is evident in her voice as she questions the group.

"Our motives were simple," Clemont begins honestly. "Your brother and Princess Aurora informed us about the maze and the treasure rumored to be at its end. We were intrigued by the mystery and decided to investigate."

Golly's eyebrows raise in surprise. "The treasure here isn't what you think," she explains. "It's just a collection of contracts between RPA Company and other businesses. These contracts allow companies to set up booths inside the building. As long as the other half of the contract remains with the company, they won't take any hostile actions against you."

The disappointment is palpable among the group as Dawn murmurs, "So we came here for nothing...I had hoped we might find something related to Ash."

"Ash Ketchum?" Golly's tone shifts, her eyes narrowing slightly. "So you're familiar with him?" Her gaze lingers on Trip as she continues, "If by 'related to Ash' you mean his involvement in his mother's death, then yes, we are aware of him and what happened."

Trip meets her gaze evenly. "We witnessed the incident firsthand," he confirms, the weight of the memory evident in his expression.

"Good to know," Golly responds with a sense of determination. "As a member of the International Police, it's my duty to track down Ash. He's been eluding us for five years now. Do you have any information that could help?"

"We're also on the hunt for Ash," May chimes in. "But right now, can we focus on getting out of here?"

"Of course," Golly assures them. "Follow me closely and stay together. Getting lost could prolong our stay here significantly."

With Golly leading the way, the group navigates the maze's twists and turns until they finally emerge into the open air. Relief washes over them, evident in their expressions and sighs of relief.

"Thank you for guiding us out," Cilan expresses their gratitude.

"It was no trouble," Golly replies with a wave. "I need to return to my gym duties now. Take care, and be cautious." With that, she heads off in one direction as the traitors hurry back to town, eager to avoid any further trouble or detection.

As they make their way back, the weight of their near-miss adventure in the maze lingers in their minds, reminding them of the dangers lurking in their pursuit of Ash.

Once the traitors arrive back at the stadium, they discover that Trenor and Akari have already completed their gym battle. Ash and Alice are also present, congratulating them on their victory.

"Hey, you made it back!" Trenor greets them warmly. "Brother, Aurora, since you're here, how about putting on one of your shows for the Champions and their chosen trainers?"

"That sounds like a great idea," Ash agrees, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "How about showcasing the Glastrier and Spectrier duo?"

"Since we all have both, which one would you prefer, Spectrier or Glastrier?" Alice inquires, turning to Ash.

"I'll go with Spectrier," Ash decides after a moment of consideration. "Since you excel with Ice Types more than Ghost Types, Spectrier suits me better."

"What exactly is the 'Spectrier and Glastrier' show?" Lance inquires, curious about the upcoming performance.

Diantha, with a smile, responds, "It's a spectacular show. My son David once filmed it for me, and it was absolutely fantastic."

Just then, Ash and Alice step onto the stage, dressed in outfits reminiscent of Calyrex. Ash's attire mirrors the one he wore during a recent movie shoot, while Alice's outfit is a vibrant yellow hue, reflecting Shiny Calyrex.

In their hands, Ash holds small ghost-like knives, while Alice wields a large ice lance. The performance commences with a series of intricate and mesmerizing movements, showcasing their skills and coordination.

"It's like watching a contest battle!" Lyra exclaims, captivated by the spectacle unfolding before her eyes.

"It's reminiscent of a Showcase performance too," Bonnie adds with equal excitement. "Champion Red and Princess Aurora are incredibly talented at this."

Lillie nods in agreement. "Champion Red and Princess Aurora have proven themselves as top coordinators, winning numerous Grand Festivals. Their expertise truly shines through in this performance."

Trenor joins in, impressed by what he's witnessing. "Indeed, the performance is nothing short of amazing," he remarks, echoing the sentiments of everyone present.

Serena's gaze remains fixed on Alice, her mind buzzing with admiration and determination. Being the daughter of a famous Rhyhorn Racer, Serena believes she can replicate the same tricks as Alice. She dreams of performing alongside Champion Red, and the mere thought brings a glimmer of joy to her eyes.

"Aurora, are you ready for our next show?" Ash's voice breaks Serena's reverie as he adjusts the reins of Spectrier.

"You bet," Alice responds with confidence, her determination evident in her posture. They discard their items, and with a synchronized leap, they ascend into the air, balancing skillfully on the backs of the majestic horses. The onlookers, including Serena, are awestruck by the display of agility and grace, reminiscent of a circus act.

However, the atmosphere takes a sudden turn when Alice experiences a sharp pain in her chest, causing her to lose balance and fall from her horse. Gasps of concern ripple through the crowd, with Ash's shock palpable as he swiftly dismounts and rushes to Alice's side.

"Aurora! Are you okay?" Ash's worry is evident as he cradles Alice in his arms, his eyes filled with concern.

Alice manages a weak smile despite the discomfort. "I'm fine," she reassures him, her voice strained but resolute.

As Alice utters those words, her discomfort intensifies, her heart's ache becoming unbearable. Despite her efforts to appear strong before Ash, her body betrays her, and she loses consciousness. Ash's concern deepens as he turns to Trenor with urgency.

"Trenor, get Tox here immediately! Champion Diantha, please contact Gym Leaders Valerie and Wulfric! This is a serious emergency! We need to get her treated!" Ash's voice is filled with urgency and determination.

Trenor and Diantha nod in agreement, swiftly taking action to summon medical assistance. Ash takes charge, directing Adam to escort the other Champions away from the stadium, prioritizing Alice's well-being.

The traitors and Serena, despite their desire to stay due to various reasons, are gently ushered away by the remaining Champions and trainers.

"Alice, please hold on," Ash whispers, his voice tinged with worry and hope. He suspects that Violet Depression may be affecting Alice's heart, a condition he knows can be devastating. He prays silently that Alice will pull through, fearing the consequences of losing her and the impact it would have on him.

Moments later, Tox arrives at the scene, swiftly moving to Alice's side with a medical kit at the ready. Ash steps back, giving Tox the space he needs to assess Alice's condition. His concern is palpable, his gaze fixed on Alice's pale face.

Tox's expression darkens as he examines Alice, recognizing the gravity of her ailment. "We need to get her to a medical facility immediately," he announces urgently. "She requires specialized treatment, and time is of the essence."

Trenor steps forward, offering a solution. "I've contacted the Pokemon Center, and they've arranged a medical room for her."

"Then I'll carry her. Let's head there as quickly as possible," Ash responds without hesitation. He calls forth Gardevoir, utilizing Psychic abilities to lift Alice gently, ensuring no harm comes to her fragile state during transport.

In the medical room, Tox raises an eyebrow as he listens to Ash's explanation. "So you were performing the Glastrier and Spectrier show, and suddenly Alice fell off the Glastrier?" he repeats, skepticism evident in his tone. "It seems a bit unusual, especially since you've done this show many times without incident. Even when mishaps occurred, they were never this severe."

Trenor interjects, seeking clarification. "Do you believe there might be other underlying issues contributing to her condition?"

Before Ash can respond, Golly rushes into the room, concern etched on her face. "I heard what happened. Is Alice going to be okay?"

Ash steps out of the room with Golly, his voice lowered to a whisper. "Tox is doing everything he can right now. I suspect it might be Violet Depression attacking her again."

Golly's expression darkens. "No... this is terrible news."

Changing the subject slightly, Ash turns to Golly with a sense of urgency. "What about your spirit summoning? Have you had any success in finding Victoria Silverlind's spirit?"

Golly's somber expression reflects the gravity of their situation. "Giratina and I have been tirelessly searching, but unfortunately, we haven't been able to locate Victoria Silverlind's spirit. We suspect that she may have been reincarnated into a new form, and we simply don't have the luxury of time to track down her current identity."

Ash clenches his fists in frustration. "Damn it... It seems our spirit searching abilities are limited to those who are unable or unwilling to move on to a new life. Our best chance now is to find Opal and extract information from her regarding the legend of Silverlind."

Golly nods in agreement. "You're correct. Despite my own struggles with this disease, I know firsthand the pain and turmoil of being reborn. You saved me from death, and I know you wouldn't want to subject Alice to that fate."

"Exactly," Ash responds, his voice filled with determination and guilt. "I remember the agony you endured, and before your rebirth, you had consumed countless souls in your monstrous form. I can't bear the thought of turning Alice into a monster... I can't forgive myself for that." His words carry a weight of responsibility and remorse.

Tox and Trenor emerge from the medical room with grim expressions, indicating that the situation is dire. "We need to transport Alice back to Otem Town and contact her parents, Eve and Flora," Tox announces with a sense of urgency. "Our treatments aren't having the desired effect, and we need additional resources."

Ash nods decisively. "I'll arrange for a helicopter. It's the fastest way to get there."

With swift action, Ash contacts the Purgh Hospital and organizes for a helicopter to be dispatched. Soon, the helicopter arrives, and with great care, they transfer Alice, who is still wracked with pain and agony, onto the aircraft. The urgent flight back to Otem Town begins as they race against time to get Alice the help she desperately needs.

I hope you like this chapter and looks like something is happening to Alice. Will she be fine? Or will something bad is going to happen to her?