32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 200 The End of the Beginning

After arriving at the Rhodochrine Tree, Noel nods as they manage to bring Fern and take the Meteor away.

Noel: I see. Okay, so we can begin.

Fern: So what exactly are we doing here? Can you actually tell me?

Noel: You don't need to do anything. Just wait. I'll make a door.

Fern: What do you mean by "a door"? Why am I here?

Noel: You just needed to be there. You were at the place where Ash is going.

Fern: I was? Where? When? I'm not following you here.

Noel: It was about a clock ago. Just be quiet for a moment so I can focus on it.

Then Noel starts to focus his powers as the other four watch him creating a New World Door, much to their surprise.

Noel: That door will put you at Lin.

Fern: Shit, it's finally time, huh? Should we round up the other leaders, get ready to storm in there, and put her out for good?

Noel: No. Only Ash needs to go.

Fern: What? C'mon, you called me all the way up here and expect me to not ride into battle too?

Noel: Yes. I just needed your past self's memories.

Fern: ... That's kinda uncool, but fine. I'm not about to get my breeches twisted over it. Just tell me why you're sending Ash to do it alone. I know I may not be the best guy for the job, but isn't some backup better than none?

Noel: No. She's expecting everyone. She has something ready for everyone. That amount of resistance will only enable her. If only Ash goes, she'll wilt under her own expectations.

Fern: ...I don't like it, but I think I get it. Fine. Ash, just know that I'm on deck if something goes wrong. I can heal your team if you need to.

Noel: Good luck. We're counting on you.

Serena: We know that we can't come with you, but please be safe.

Lillie: You're all our hope, Ash.

Ash nods as he and Pikachu step into the New World Portal, arriving at the place known as New World Asylum. They find the path chained with some golden chains and also some doors. Some of them are opened, while some of them are actually locked. When they open one door, they find Arclight inside, but just as Ash touches him, he is just gone.

Ash: I see what he means by planning the others to come here...but maybe if I interact with all those figures, then I can get to Lin?

He walks left first, and he finds Ace, Cal, and Charlotte. But Charlotte is talking to him.

Charlotte: Stuck in here again, huh? What'd you do this time? Have you considered, perhaps, NOT being an insufferable little nuisance for once in your life? Didn't think so. We may both be in here for the night, but don't expect me to act all buddy-buddy to you. Not after last time. If you didn't want to lie in it, you shouldn't have dug your own grave.

Ash knows that it is what Charlotte told Lin when she's still in the orphanage, perhaps that the ones that were in the same orphanage would talk. Ash finds a Gold Key on the ground after it disappears. When he uses the key to open the locked door, he finds Sigmund inside.