Aya

> *I'd be better off if everyone just left me alone.*
>
>

**Aya LaRue** is the Poison type Gym Leader of the Reborn League, and the older sister of Cain. She hands out the Blight Badge, the 5th Gym Badge that the player receives.

Aya is gloomy, has little self confidence, and can often come off as depressed. Forced into becoming a Gym Leader after Cain's sudden abdication, she holds a bitter resentment towards her new title and her family. However, underneath her attitude, she seems to care about Cain and gets defensive easily from his teasing. Upon becoming a Gym Leader, she meets Hardy who decides to look after her, and the two grow very close.

## Story Events

### Wasteland Hideout

Aya is first met at Wasteland Hideout right after Fern finishes his Gym battle. Hardy also makes a visit to the gym in order to welcome Aya to the the job as Gym Leader. While Fern antagonizes Aya for being pathetic and weak, Hardy defends her and tries to bolster her self-esteem. During this conversation, it's noticeable that Aya is not interested nor glad to be the gym leader due to having the job dumped on her as Cain ran away from home. After the player beats Aya, she willingly gives the player the Blight Badge while Hardy still tries to cheer her up.

### Agate City

After the player defeats Luna, Cain and the player enter Agate City where all seems barren. Cain spots Aya and Hardy sleeping in the center of town, with Cain starting to feel tired as well. Out of nowhere, Terra rescues the player, Cain, and a sleeping Aya and Hardy. Terra uses her giant hammer to hit Aya and Hardy in the direction of the Agate Circus, while guiding Cain and the player there as well.

### Agate Circus

While Hardy lands further into Route 2, Aya lands in the middle of the circus and is taken in by the Agate Ace Triumvirate. Once she awakens, she's greeted by Cain, who she doesn't display any resentment towards despite his being the reason she was forced to take up the mantle of Reborn's Poison type gym leader. Instead, Aya insists on finding out where Hardy landed. Talking to Aya or Cain after the discussion gives further insight into Aya's feelings on Cain's departure; in fact being thankful as she was able to meet Hardy.

After Hardy arrives at the Agate Circus, Cain and Aya talk to him for a bit before the player battles Samson. Hardy traveled to Agate City with Aya to give her an example of a puzzle, as her gym lacks one. Hardy also reveals that he is a musician during his free time from gym battles, which Aya says he's really good at the guitar. Cain is surprised that Hardy managed to impress Aya, since Cain failed to do so for her entire life, which leads to Aya arguing with him.

### Ametrine Moutain

After Terra says that the PULSE trapping Agate City in a sleeping curse is located on top of Ametrine Mountain, Hardy, Aya, and Cain decide to head towards Calcenon City to help the other gym leaders fend off against Team Meteor while the player will head to Ametrine City. As the player heads towards Ametrine City, they find Aya, Cain, and Hardy looking at an enormous ice blockage in the path that they're unable to break through. With Ametrine City being trapped at the top of the mountain without supplies, the group proposes treading to Calcenon City to get help.

### Route 3

Before they can climb the southern stairs into the city, the entrance is destroyed by a deflected blast from a PULSE Clawitzer. Saphira, who is currently trying to combat the PULSE, meets up with the group on her Dragonite and tells them to enter through the city's eastern entrance, requiring them to progress through Route 3 and Route 4. As the group is traveling, a bridge is destroyed by another stray shot from the PULSE Clawitzer, splitting the group up and forcing the player and Aya to team up.

While making their way towards Calcenon, the player and Aya travel through Route 3's caves and encounter Team Meteor members along the way. During their partnership, Aya expresses thanks to the player for putting up with her, and hopes to reunite with the others soon.

### LCCC

Eventually, they reach a control center where the PULSE Clawitzer is being controlled by Aster and Eclipse. After defeating them, Eclipse willingly turns off the machine and decides to quit Team Meteor. However, this decision is short lived as Sirius enters and kills her with his Chandelure. As he turns to kill the player, Aya pushes the player out of the way to safety. Instead of killing Aya, Sirius decides to take her as a hostage and leaves with Aster.

### Calcenon City

Aya is later seen behind Team Meteor's barrier in Calcenon City being dragged by Sirius and using her to bargain for the Ruby Ring. Hardy tells the player to give him the ring, but Saphira interjects, saying the Ruby Ring is more important. Hardy then asks if one of Saphira's sisters was on that side would she think differently, to which Saphira says she wouldn't change her decision. Charlotte then shows up when hearing Saphira and asks if the player would trade her for the Ruby Ring. However, either choice will lead Charlotte to taking the ring and running off to "make a deal" with Team Meteor. Sirius then says he will send someone and drags Aya back to Labradorra City. In the Calcenon City eastern gate, Charlotte reveals her taking the Ruby Ring was a ploy to buy the player more time to save Aya, and gives it back to the player in an attempt to throw off Sirius.

### The Void

During the void sequence in the Glass Workstation, the player encounters a younger version of Aya asking her parents to stop fighting, with a younger version of Cain covering his ears. Aya says she would clean her room and not complain anymore if her parents would love each other again. It ends up being futile and leads to her parents getting divorced, leaving Cain and Aya to deal with the aftermath. Cain is seen leaving Aya soon after, which she says he could have at least said goodbye first. Aya then believes its what she deserves for being a toxic person.

### Victory Road

As Team Meteor is driven out of the city and into Victory Road, the player, Hardy, and their allies engage in battle with Blake, Fern, and Sirius, who is still holding Aya Hostage. Pushed deeper into Victory Road's depths, the Team Meteor Agents split up, with Sirius retreating to the Ruby Room, threatening to throw Aya into a pool of lava if Charlotte, Hardy, and potentially Titania continue to pursue him. Aya's rescue pans out slightly differently depending on the Route the player is on.

* Zekrom Route/Mixed Route
* Reshiram Route

Following Sirius' confession that he is responsible for the death of Charlotte's parents, she feigns apathy, saying she no longer cares what happens to Aya, to Sirius' confusion. This bluff buys enough time for Saphira to ambush Sirius, freeing Aya and allowing the player to defeat him.

Titania is present, and berates Aya for continuing to be a damsel rather than making any attempt to free herself. This spurs Aya to feign heat exhaustion, and she collapses. As Aya is seemingly on the verge of death, Sirius loses any leverage he has in the conflict, allowing the player to battle and defeat him.

In the aftermath of the battle, regardless of the Route taken, Aya is reunited with the cast and expresses her thanks to the sisters, as well as the player and Hardy for assisting in her rescue. If Titania is present, Hardy thought the heat exhaustion was legitimate, although the two girls explain to him the plan was improvised on the spot. Hardy is dejected in not being able to play a more active role in her retrieval, but Aya reassures him that he seemed to be the only person who legitimately cared for her Had he succeeding in rescuing her himself, she'd feel even less worthy of being with him than she already does.

## Story Battles

### Wasteland Hideout Battle

Aya is battled on a Wasteland in Double Battle format and she has two Hyper Potions.

### LCCC Partner

Aya is the partner during Route 3 and the LCCC.

### Neo Blacksteam Fabrication Partner

Aya is the partner for a battle in the Genesect Quest.

## Boss Rush Battles

### Normal Mode

Aya is battled on a Swamp Field in a Single Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

### Hard Mode

Aya is battled on a Wasteland in a Single Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

## Theme Teams

### Acridity

Aya is battled on a Murkwater Surface in a Single Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

### Toxicity

Aya is battled on a Corrosive Field in a Single Battle format. All of the player's Pokemon will be set to level 100.

## Quotes

* "*Just finish it already, why don't you."* - When sending out her last Pokemon in a gym battle.
* "*...I lost... At least I won't have to deal with this again.*" - After defeating her in a gym battle.

 [Aya]: Go ahead and take your place and let's get this over with.
[Fern]: I'm not sure who I want to lose more.
[Aya]: Do you just hate everyone by default, or what?
[Fern]: Nah, just you.
[Hardy]: Hey, lay off o' her, mate.
[Aya]: No, no! It's fine, it's perfectly fine. He's right. I'm not a good person. I shouldn't even be doing this.
[Hardy]: Hey, now's not the time to doubt yourself.
[Hardy]: Chin up. You're gonna rock this fight.
[Aya]: I'd be better off if everyone just left me alone.
[Hardy]: The challenger, <player>, faces the leader Aya in a 6 on 6 double battle!
[Aya]: I don't even really want to do this.
[Hardy]: Either competitor can make substitutions.
[Hardy]: The battle's over when all six of either trainer's Pokemon can no longer fight!
[Hardy]: And roll!

 [Aya]: Go ahead and take your place and let's get this over with.
[Aya]: We're doing this again... Why can't you just leave me alone?
[Hardy]: You both did great last time.
[Hardy]: Let's give it all ya got this time too, aye?
[Hardy]: The challenger, <player>, will rematch the Leader, Aya, in a six-on-six Double Battle!
[Hardy]: Either competitor can make substitutions.
[Hardy]: The battle is over when all six of either Trainer's Pokémon can no longer fight!
[Hardy]: And roll!

 [Aya]: So I lost.
[Aya]: At least that means I don't have to deal with you again, I guess.
[Fern]: Cold.
[Fern]: I think I woulds preferred it if <player> had bombed after all.
[Fern]: Whatever. Later, losers!
{Fern exits area}
[Hardy]: Heyo, Aya, don't take a couple losses too hard, aye?
[Hardy]: It happens, and you put up a solid fight.
[Hardy]: <player> just rocked a little harder. All there is to it.
[Aya]: I don't care.
[Hardy]: C'mon, no need to be so distant about it.
[Aya]: No, you don't get it. I really don't care.
[Aya]: I never wanted this.
[Aya]: It was never my job.
[Aya]: But my stupid baby brother dumped this onto me.
[Aya]: Emphasis on the baby.
[Aya]: You know Cain, don't you, <player>?
[Aya]: What'd he say about us?
[Aya]: Does he hate us?
[Hardy]: Why would he hate you?
[Aya]: Ask him. I'm just not a good person, I guess.
[Aya]: But he hasn't talked to any of us since he ran away.
[Aya]: One day he just up-and-left.
[Aya]: Didn't say good bye.
[Aya]: Didn't even take his Pokemon with him.
[Aya]: HE was the one who was supposed to take over the poison gym.
[Aya]: So I'm stuck doing it.
[Aya]: Mom won't talk about him anymore.
[Aya]: And I'm not cut out for this.
[Hardy]: Hey, calm down already, a'rite? You're fine.
[Hardy]: Tell ya what, why don't I stick around for a bit and help you guys out with some stuff?
[Aya]: Why? I should just be fine.
[Hardy]: No, what you should do is give <player> their badge.
[Hardy]: Then you and I'll get stuff worked out, aye?
[Aya]: Sure.
[Aya]: This is the Venom Badge. Take it.
{player receives Gym Badge}
[Aya]: Pokemon up to level 50 will listen to you now.
[Aya]: And you can use the HM, Strength, outside of battle.
[Aya]: And I guess I'm supposed to give you this.
{player receives TM}
[Aya]: Sludge Wave hits every target, and has a chance to poison each of them. Go figure all I'm good for is spreading something toxic like that.
[Aya]: You can go now.
[Hardy]: <player>, I look forward to seein' you in my gum up in Agate City someday,
[Hardy]: Don't let me down, aye?
[Hardy]: Peace!

## Profile

 A special report from... the Investigation Squad!
Yo, Reborn City! What's up?! We're here with the Reborn Rundown giving you a look at the leaders of the Reborn League! I'm your host, DJ Arclight, now on air!
Today we're looking at Reborn's newest Leader, the poison-packing Aya! A new star on the scene, Aya replaces former Beryl Ward Leader Corey, after receiving the title reserve leader from her family. My sources tell me that Aya, who lives in the Byxbysion Wasteland, favors double battles. And uses her signature move to throw all putrid power of poison across the field at once.
Take care, or you really will be wasted! Of course, none carries this task better than her Dragagle. It's Adaptability skill makes any hit sting, so KO that 'mon ASAP.
That's all for now, but remember, Trainers, Keep fighting with everything you've got! Hold your spirits high, and even you can defeat the Reborn League!

## Interview

Hello! Gossip Gardevoir here in Interview Intermission, bringing YOU the inside scoop on Reborn's celebrity figures!
I'm here with one of the newest additions to the Reborn Leader Line-Up. She’s young, shes hot! It’s the brand new poison leader Ayyyyya!
AYA: …Why are you in our living room?
GARDEVOIR: So! Aya! How does it feel to finally be a gym leader?
AYA: No, really. Who are you? What are all these cameras- Wheres my mom? Mom?
GARDEVOIR: Oh, she just stepped out for a minute—
AYA: No, that cant be…Shes always in here. Shes doesn’t leave. It’s a little weird, really. MOM?! ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?
GARDEVOIR: Well…, look, she wouldn’t give us permission for this but I never miss a meeting, so we just had someone keep her busy—
AYA: Um, what. You cant just do that, you—
GARDEVOIR: So, Aya! Tell us about yourself!
AYA: Where’s the phone, I’m calling the police…
GARDEVOIR: Excuse me?! I am a celebrity! And here I am, generously trying to expand your career and this is how you treat me?!
AYA: …Yeah, theres this crazy talking Pokemon in my house…she just appeared. I dunno.
GARDEVOIR: You actually called them! How dare you! Do you know the things I could say about you on live television?!
AYA: Yea, I think shes threatening me now. Out in the wasteland. You’ll find it. Yea. Thanks.
GARDEVOIR: Do I need to tell the world about your secret relationship with Hardy?! Hmmm?
AYA: You—what?! There is no—Get out of my house!
GARDEVOIR: Ahaha…You’d better do just as I say or I’ll tell everyone just how ‘Hardy’ he can get—Hey, watch the eyes when you’re clawing at me!
That's all on today's Interview Intermission. Until next time!

## Trivia

* When put together with Cain, Aya's name is a word play on “iocane”, a fictional poison from *The Princess Bride.*
* Aya used to grin in her vs sprite. This was changed in later updates
* Aya is one of the four Reserve Gym Leaders to be introduced in the game, the others being Samson, Fern and Sandy.
* It is suggested that Aya and Hardy are in a relationship, although both of them deny this.
* It's implied her gloomy attitude and low self-esteem comes from her regret of how she treated her brother when she discovered his sexuality.
* According to Amethyst, Hardy gave Aya a Lycanroc (Dusk Form), which is seen on her team in Route 3.
* It's highly possible that she is tsundere towards Cain and Hardy, especially since she was concerned about both of them at certain points while trying to deny it.

1. ↑ https://amethystblack.tumblr.com/post/187683029207