32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 50 Tanzan Cove Gym Battle

After getting inside the mansion, Ash finds that even Charlotte and Shelly are there, but all of them are sitting in the living room discussing what happened to Saphira.

Anna: Yeah, but she was so cool riding that giant Steelix! Do you think when she comes back, she'll let us all take a ride together?

Noel: Anna, she fell off of it at the peak of Tanzan Mountain. Saphira probably won't make it.

Anna: (Glares at Noel) Noel! Don't lie!

Noel: I'm not. Nomos says it's a rough fall too. Don't get your hopes up, all right?

Delia: Noel. If you don't have any hope, then how can you keep moving forward?

Charlotte: Oh, please. I'm sure she'll pull some mid-air "Dragonite, help me out!" thing and then just fly away peacefully. People in our family DON'T go out that easily.

Shelly: Speaking of your family... where are your parents?

Charlotte and Laura flinch at the question, and Ash and Delia are showing concern for both of them.

Charlotte: There's a reason we were in the Orphanage, you know. Rather than that, who was the woman with the Hydreigon?

Anna: There was a lady there? I didn't see anyone...

Noel: Yes, Anna. That Hydreigon didn't just appear on its own. Someone was riding it. Ash, would you have any idea?

Ash: Her name is Lin, and she seems to be gaining a lot of ranks in Team Meteor until recently she becomes the leader instead of Solaris...

Charlotte: ...Lin? That's a gross name.

Anna: Hey! You didn't happen to get my Pendant back, did you? The Amethyst Pendant?

Ash: (Frowns) No, I haven't...Team Meteor still has it, and they're going to use it as a key...

Anna: What do you mean, they're using it as a key?

Shelly: A key? Wait...I just remembered an old story I read... In the story, it described an ancient city built around the crash site of a meteor. The temple that housed the meteor was sealed by four crystal keys: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Amethyst. But the city fell into ruin, and it was lost. What if your Amethyst Pendant is actually the key from that story?

Noel: Then, that would mean that the ancient city...

Charlotte: Became Reborn.

Shelly: So the ancient temple is just underneath Reborn City? That must be why they blew up the Grand Stairway! I heard when the city officials explored underneath the Stairway, they found a huge cavern with a ruin at its base.

Charlotte: They found the lock, and now they need the keys.

Anna: Heather's Ruby Ring must be one of the keys, too!

Delia: Indeed. We have to stop Team Meteor from getting those other keys. Whatever they're trying to do down there, it can't be good.

Laura: Which leaves Emerald and Sapphire, right?

Charlotte: Wait, so these keys are embedded into jewelry, right? (Turns to Laura) Laura, do you remember those Sapphire Bracelets Dad gave you as a present for your birthday that year?