32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 158 Trainer from Aevium Part 3

After getting to the Charous Hall, Flora is already waiting for them there.

Flora: Took you long enough. Are you really the Champion? I figured it would be someone at least a little more reliable. Anyway, I already called in and talked to some League manager person or whatever? They said a bunch of airy bullshit about "preserving the sanctity of the challenge" and whatever, but after I mentioned you, their whole tone turned around. And THEN they told me about how that PULSE has just taken over the Champion room entirely? Like it just teleports anyone who gets close to it right back out. Seriously, how does your League even function? APPARENTLY, it's because everyone who's gone to check on it has bypassed the Elite 4 instead of entering legitimately, which sounds, like, ultra bullshit to me. But whatever. So anyway, something about trusting you as the region's Champion to make the right call for its future, some other optimistic crap, blahblahblahblah- basically, as long as we fight together, they'll let me through and I GUESS the stupid PULSE will listen then?

Ash: I guess so.

Flora: (Joy...) That means each of us can only use 3 Pokémon, and we just have to learn to get along. So, I know we didn't get off on the best foot to start, but we're here now! What do you say we put that all behind us and do our best as a team!?

Victoria: Are you sure you're going to do this?

Ash: It's not like I have a choice. Let's just go.

Flora: Yayyyy, teamwork, cooperation, and other vomit-inducing platitudinal buzzwords~! But there's a 0% chance I'm keeping the cheery facade up the whole way through. Just saying. I'm going ahead now. Do try not to test my patience anymore.

Ash, Serena, and Victoria decide to chase after Flora until they are now in Heather's Chamber.

Heather: Hi, Ash! I was wondering who let this weird-looking girl in. Why'd you do that?

Flora: (Not seeing Heather) Excuse me? Is someone talking? I don't see anyone.

Heather: (Growls) I'm right here, and I KNOW you can see me just fine!

Flora: (Notices her on Salamence's back) Oh, sorry about that! You were just so small I couldn't tell! And here I thought that Salamence just had an attitude problem!

Heather: It's about to have an attitude problem all over you if you don't watch it!

Flora: (Turns to Ash) Who let this small, sassy child into the E4? (Turns back to Heather) Isn't it your naptime or something?

Heather: You wish! We're fighting one-on-two, right?! Bring it on! Salamence, it's take-off time!

Flora: S-sorry, hold on... Did I just- "It's take-off time"? Seriously? PLEASE tell me that that's not really your catchphrase.

Heather: And what's wrong with it, huh!? I'm a maiden of the wind! My catchphrase can be whatever I want it to be!

Flora: (Laughs out loud) I can't-! It's TERRIBLE! And "maiden of the wind"? It sounds like something a five-year-old made up- Ohhhhh, right.

Heather: (Angry) Grrrrrr, you're gonna regret that! I'm bringing my full force down on you- you'd better be ready!

Heather sends out a Landorus and a Crobat, much to Flora's surprise since she has a Legendary Pokemon, but Ash is used to it as he just goes with Lycanroc to battle her, while Flora goes for Ferrothorn to battle. Ash and Flora aren't working together at most, but they still manage to beat them with Ferrothorn using Gyro Ball on Crobat while Ash has Lycanroc use Rock Slide. Landorus goes for Earthquake to deal a lot of damage to Lycanroc, but Lycanroc goes for Accelrock to defeat Crobat.