Chapter 44: Starla and Derek

Once the group arrives at the Rassic City, Rodney greets them and says, "Hey, you made it through Ancient Pass! That was an intense battle against those Team Solar and Team Lunar guys...I wonder what's up with that other Crystal Rex took..."

"Maybe we can use it to stop those teams?" Gina asks.

"Maybe." Alice says, "Rex said he will meet us in the Ancient Museum, that's the big building south of us."

"You're right, let's go there." Ash says. "Rex, my parents are there waiting for us."

Once they arrive inside the Museum, Rex says, "There you are, please come this way, your parents and your friends are already here waiting for you!"

Once they get inside the place, they see that not only Keira, Delia, and Red are there, but also Amber and Damon. "Mom? Dad? Why are they here?" Gina asks.

Red says, "We will explain later, this is the Legendary exhibit, this is where we can learn more about the Legendary Crystals..."

"The scientist here is Shawn." Delia says as she introduces a scientist who is standing next to Rex. "He specializes in ancient artifacts and he knows a lot about the history of Rikoto."

"Well, I am not knowledgeable than our Champion here, but hello guys, Rex filled me in... So those two teams have taken the Sun and Moon Crystals, this isn't good..."

"It sure isn't." Ash sighs.

"What do those crystals do? Why are they so important?" Rodney asks.

"The Crystals are connected to the Legendary Pokemon, Solaran, and Lunaro. They were formed when they were born. We believe the Crystals hold a special power: energy if you will..."

"The energy grants power to Solaran and Lunaro, making them stronger than they already are, it's like a battery." Rex says. "There's a myth which states: Thee who holds the Crystals of Sun and Moon holds the power to command Order and Chaos. That must be why they wanted those Crystals..."

"So now that they have those Crystals, they can control the Legendary Pokemon?"

"That's what the myth suggests, so this isn't good news. If they manage to release Solaran and Lunaro back into our world, they can control them like puppets. Since two different sides hold a Crystal, there will be nothing but disaster! Solaran and Lunaro are matched in power, there will be no end!" Delia says.

"This is terrible...But Rex, the Balance Crystal...This Crystal has a purpose, we just don't know what that purpose is, perhaps it can help in some way?" Shawn asks. "We have our top scientists working on it and figuring out what it can do..."

Alice says, "Balance Crystal..." This causes everyone to look at her. "Ash, remember what Terradon says to us? The Prince of Sun and the Princess of Moon will save the region with Balance, so the Balance...does that mean it is this crystal?"

Rex says, "It could be, I knew it would be important, I'm glad those teams overlooked it."

"We can stop them! We're already winning! Ash has both Core and Sea Stone, they don't know that!" Rodney says.

Then as the adults look at one another, Rex says, "Ash, if it is possible, I want you to have this." He gives him the Balance Crystal, much to their surprise. "But aren't you going to research it?"

Shawn says, "I think it will be better if you have it."

"Thank you." Ash says as he turns to Delia. "Now can you tell us what is your relation with Derek and Starla? The leaders of Team Lunar and Team Solar?"

Amber sighs, "The truth is, Starla is my older sister." Everyone turns to her in surprise. "And Derek is my older brother." Damon says.

"Wait, you are related to the bosses?" Keira asks.

"Trust me, we didn't know about it until Delia and Red told me a few hours ago." Amber says. "No wonder I feel something familiar with that commander named Gloria. She is my niece after all."

"But why are they doing this?" Alice asks.

Delia says, "I guess if everything, it should be our fault." This causes them to be confused. "As you know, Starla and Derek were once our travel companions as well. We have a good time traveling around the regions as you do."

"But it seems that after we created Rikoto Region, they are blinded by their greed." Red sighs. "We have noticed it, which is the reason we decide to make Damon and Amber the leaders of Crestlight and Highpoint instead."

Damon says, "Derek wasn't happy that I become the Dark Type Gym Leader instead of him, but he still cares for me as he often visits me with his son Marcus..."

Amber says, "Well, Starla isn't interested in being the Gym Leader, in fact, I have been asking Delia to change, but in vain. So I become the Gym Leader. Starla will also bring Gloria so that we can train in Mt. Highpoint."

"But it is after Red was killed by Team Rocket." Damon sighs, "The last time we met is at the funeral 12 years ago."

"And we haven't heard of them ever since. We don't know why, but I wonder what exactly happened that caused them to change..." Amber sighs.

Delia says, "I guess it is my fault." This causes everyone to turn to her. "Mother? What do you mean?" Gina asks.

"It was after the assault of Team Rocket, first, Starla approaches me, she tells me that she wants to use Solaran's Power to bring order and justice to Team Rocket. And if I control the power of Solaran, I can make the region forget about sadness and pain. I refuse the idea, Solaran can bring order, but what makes us stronger is the sadness and pain that we need to endure."

Delia then frowns, "And then we argued, she told me that Red was gone, why I am persisting? If I wouldn't do it, then she will, she will find Solaran and she will be the true ruler of Rikoto Region. And then she left."

Amber says, "Delia, why didn't you tell me about this?"

Delia says, "I don't want to make you worry, since not everything is always colorful."

"What about my brother?" Damon asks.

"As for Derek, after Starla leaves, he comes to me as well, saying that he wants to use Lunaro's Power to bring chaos to Team Rocket and the bad guys. He thinks that if I control Lunaro, then as a Pokemon, I don't need to suffer because of humans and we will be treated equally. I told him about what Starla wanted and then I also refuse the idea. Lunaro can bring Chaos, and separating humans and Pokemon isn't right. Sometimes we must work together to accomplish everything."

Delia starts to form tears, "And then like Starla, we argued as well. He thinks that I am too pitiful and I don't deserve to be the leader or the Champion of Rikoto, then he has the same goal as Starla only with Lunaro."

"I see." Red says, "I am sorry that you have to suffer this much because of me..." Then he embraces Delia into a hug as Delia cries on his shoulder.

Ash and Alice also feel sad for his parents, then Ash says, "I can't believe that my mom and dad's friends will become like this..."

"That makes what we are doing more important." Rodney says. "We have to stop Team Solar and Team Lunar."

"It may be not too late to save them from going into a darker path." Gina says. "But for the sake of everyone, we must do it."

Then everyone shares their opinions and cheers up Delia, she wipes her tears and says, "Thank you, everyone."

"But first, we will go to the Castle and battle the Castellan Lizzy. You should do the same, Ash." Rodney says.

"As I said, I'm not battling Lizzy, I'm a little afraid of Dragon types..." Keira says. "I'm going to Greenpine City for my next Gym badge. Professor Pinewood also said he will be there and that he has a gift for us! See you two in Greenpine City, bye!"

After Keira leaves, Rodney says, "Good luck battling Lizzy, Ash. I know you'll beat her! But first, it's my turn! Bye!" Then Rodney also leaves.

Then Damon and Amber also leave to see if they can find any clues of what their older siblings are doing, so it leaves the five of them alone. Ash asks, "Mother, are you truly fine now? I don't want you to worry because you did the right thing."

"It's fine. Let's go see your battle against Lizzy." Delia says as they leave the museum.


When they walk around the place, they see that Rick is standing in front of a house as he sighs, "Home, sweet home..."

Then they see two adults coming out as they are chatting. "That's great dear! I'm pleased to hear how well you're doing!" The woman says.

"I am sure you can beat Rex if you wanted to!" The man says.

"I'll beat him after I won the Pokemon League!" Rick says in determination. But then the woman notices Ash and the group. "Oh, and who is this?"

Rick notices them and he says, "Oh, that is Ash and his girlfriend Alice, I assume, and I met them in Serpentine City. Ash here is competing in gym battles too, we've battled a few times..."

"A rival, that's cool! It is nice to meet you."

"Um...it is nice to meet you too." Ash says, surprised that Rick is acting polite in front of his parents.

"I'm still going to win the Rikoto League, even if Ash is in it, you'll see!" Rick says in determination. Then a girl says, "Well, look who it is...You should battle your big sister before taking on the Elite 4, don't you think?"

Rick notices her and says, "Oh, Lizzy! Of course!"

"Mom and Dad told me that you started your journey and are competing in Gym battles, that's great." Lizzy says. "But just because we're related, doesn't mean I'll go easy on you in a battle!"

"I expect nothing less!" Rick says.

"Then come to Rassic Castle, let's see if you're really able to defeat me!" Lizzy says.

"Alright then! I'll go have a quick training session and then I will battle you and beat you! Ash, don't think you even stand a chance against my sister."

As Rick leaves, Lizzy bows, "Sorry for my little brother, but he feels like he needs to prove himself, he thinks he's always in my shadow just because I run Rassic Castle and I am an expert with Pokemon Mega Evolutions."

"Oh really, then what about saying that I am a weakling or a loser every time we met?" Ash asks.

Lizzy's sweat drops and she says, "He did that, huh? I admit. He may appear to be mean and hotheaded, but he is actually a good boy."

Gina, Delia, and Red also come and Delia says, "Is that true?"

Lizzy sees them and she says, "Oh my, Champion Delia. It is an honor to meet you here in this place. What are you doing here?"

Delia says, "Well, I think that it is time for my son and Alice to acquire the Key Stone. And Professor Pinewood told us that you are an expert in Mega Evolution."

"I see." Lizzy says. "How about a deal, you have to battle me in Rassic Castle. I will be waiting for you there! I hope you don't fear Dragon Type Pokemon, haha!"

Alice says, "Well, I don't think I will be afraid, consider that I am an Ice Type Gym Leader."

"Oh? You are the new Ice Type Gym Leader? I have heard of you, you are the youngest Gym Leader in the Rikoto Region." Lizzy says.

Then they bid farewell to Lizzy's parents and they go to the Rassic Castle.


Here is a new chapter and I have revealed the truth of Starla and Derek. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be the battle against Lizzy.