32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 71 Calcenon Gym Battle

Ash rushes towards the gate and finds Charlotte there.

Charlotte: 'Sup? That was a pretty fun show, huh? That was sweet of you and all, to say you'd save me, but a little naive. In any situation where someone is making an ultimatum, you never acquiesce to it. Case in point, Team Meteor could kill every person in Labradorra City, but that doesn't get them anything they need. So as long as we don't bargain with them, they won't reach their goals. But if we give in as you said, that would just validate their little power game. They get what they want, and there's no guarantee they release any hostages either. Completely stupid. Here is the ring, Ash. (Gives the Ruby Ring back to Ash) It'll be best to keep them on their toes and guessing about who's holding it. Knowledge is power, and that's the power they won't have.

Ash: I guess that makes sense.

Charlotte: So, Anna told me about the issue with Ametrine. You need to use Dive, right? Don't ask me whose bright idea it was to make the Fire Leader enable a Water Machine. That'll be my first proper battle in Mom's Gym, so I gladly accept your challenge. We'd better do it now while Team Meteor's still distracted. I'll meet you over there. (Before leaving, she frowns) I never found Laura. Oh well, I'm sure she'll be fine.

When Ash walks back to the gym, he finds that Saphira is glaring at Sigmund, who is on the other side of the barrier.

Saphira: So you're here too.

Sigmund: You seem to be doing well.

Saphira: This barrier is your life right now, Sigmund. When it goes out, I swear on my own life, I will seek you out and strike you down.

Sigmund: Yes, yes, I'm well aware. I see you still derive personal comfort from threats to authority.

Saphira: You aren't the authority anymore. This isn't your jailhouse.

Sigmund: And yet by the law's discretion, as you well know, I am still the legal guardian of your youngest sister.

Saphira: No. I'm the guardian. You're the threat. Get out of my sight.

Sigmund: You are not in a position to give me orders, Saphira.

Saphira: Right. You get those from Team Meteor now? Just how low can a man sink?

Sigmund: I care nothing for their goals. But there is something I must confirm.

Saphira: Enough. Your excuses sicken me. I'm done with this conversation.

Ash sighs as he walks into the Gym, and when he does, he goes to the telecom and calls Ame.

Ame: Ash? So you're about to fight Charlotte at the old Gym, huh? All right, listen up. This is her first time using that arena, but she's about to make damn good use of it. She will probably use Doubles as she did in her qualifying battles. If she takes after her mother, that's going to be a lot of Eruptions and Heat Wave attacks. Those sorts of area-hitting Fire attacks will set that arena on fire, which will send her power through the roof. There are lots of ways to put out a flame, but consider stopping it from lighting at all by setting up rain. Or, if that's not your style, then take up the cliche and fight fire with fire. Her Super-heated and Burning Fields can be just as strong against her. Given her past, is that mean? Maybe I shouldn't have said that... In any case, good luck!

Ash sighs as he does the gym puzzle, as he has to go through the puzzle of not stepping the stepped block or else getting burned. After getting through three puzzles, Ash finally gets to Charlotte.