32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 58 Saving Luna Part 1

Ash and Pikachu walk outside the maze to find that the Team Meteor Grunts walking in the maze trying to block him. Ash grits his teeth as the whole scene reminds him of the day when both he and his mother were killed.

?: Hold it right there!

Ash gasps as he is found out by a Meteor grunt, but what the grunt says confused him.

?: Was that convincing?

Ash sees that the grunt is actually his father in disguise, much to his relief.

Radomus: Regardless, it seems to have been enough to fool them. Didn't I say before- Choose the right hat for the right job? Of course, one might wonder just how I had such an outfit as this in the first place. It almost makes me look suspicious. Now quickly, follow me.

Ash follows his father as they reach a dead end, and Radomus turns to Ash.

Radomus: I cannot stay long, but allow me to leave you with some clarity. As you must have heard, they have captured Luna. Unfortunately, I lacked the foresight to teach Luna to Teleport as well. Though if I could... More importantly, it would appear my gambit with Elias has not paid off. After all, a normal Hypnosis only lasts so many turns, no? It would take a fierce power to play beyond those means, and we may only hope that no such things exist. Yet, it appears the logical conclusion has left him unmoved. Still, I can predict his next move.

Ash: Really, Dad? Where is he?

Radomus: I suspect she will be somewhere around 7th Street in Reborn City. For reasons of my own, I must make myself scarce at present. Your mother is already heading there, but I need to ask you to go in my stead. If you can't find that place, I suggest you contact someone who's a bit more familiar with the city's back-alley dealings. A gang leader in the city of some sort should suffice. Do you know anyone like that?

Ash: (Realizes something) I know the Aqua Gang Leader.

Radomus: I see...On another note, I'll beseech you to allow me to keep this Amethyst Pendant a bit longer. I heard a story once about these 'keys' being purchased from a traveling merchant. I wonder who that might have been? As we said before, not all is black and white, or dark and light. Wrong is sometimes right. In is often out. And sometimes up may be the only way down. All you need to do is read between the lines- Or rather, walk between them. Until we meet again, adieu.

Ash nods as Radomus teleports himself away, revealing a stairway for Ash to walk on top of the maze. Ash notices how many grunts are there, and he is relieved that he doesn't need to fight his way through.

Once he gets to the alleyway in Lapis Ward, he manages to find Archer, then he asks Archer about 7th Street.

Archer: Huh, you're looking for 7th Street? Of course, you're not going to find it if you look up here. 7th Street isn't just a normal street, you know. You've probably noticed already, but the street numbers in Reborn don't quite add up. In Peridot, there's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th... And then Opal Bridge takes up 5th and 6th. But in the Obsidia Ward, the next one is the 8th.

Ash: Seriously? Then what about the 7th?

Archer: There's the secret: 7th Street is the name of what is essentially Reborn City's black market. Most people don't even know about it, but fortunately, we're not most people. We can definitely help you out. You'll find our secret entrance in the apartment on 3rd and Dahlia. No problem at all.

Ash nods as he searches for the apartment on 3rd and Dahlia, and when he enters, the staff member lets Ash go as he is listed as a new member of the apartment, so he enters the elevator and heads to 7th Street.