Chapter 69 They're not dead
With the help of Arc Phone, Ash and Serena send a video to the Aether Foundation. Lillie takes the video and smiles, "Well, looks like Ash and Serena manage to send us a video of proof that they're still alive."
Lusamine says, "Good, and according to Professor Oak and the others, they have already set up a trap at the Ketchum's house. We have done all the preparations, now we just need to play it."
"Good thing we have Alexa helping us out, considering that she is the best reporter there is." Gladion says.
And after some time, the programs inside the television all stopped and changed into an announcement from Alexa. "Breaking news. Sorry for the interruption. But we have received the news regarding the World Champion Ash Ketchum who was seemingly killed a year ago."
The news causes uproar to a lot of the regions, Ash Ketchum is a famous person in the whole world because he is the first one to defeat Champion Leon, the first one to obtain the weird Greninja, Dusk form Lycanroc, and Melmetal, and not only that, the hero who managed to stop all the evil teams.
"May! Everyone! Look at the news!" In a secluded building, the real murderers are also watching the news as they are shocked to see what's going on.
Alexa continues, "It turns out, our World Champion along with his girlfriend are both safe. And they have sent us a video."
Then the screen turns into Ash and Serena, who are sitting in front of a table. A lot of people are wondering if the video is fake, but as Pikachu is also there, they know that this video is the real deal. And the traitors know for sure that the setting is in the Ketchum residence in the Kanto Region.
Ash says, "Hello everyone. I am Ash Ketchum and this is my girlfriend Serena, not to mention my buddy Pikachu."
He takes a breath and sighs, "Some of you might think this is some sort of prank video, but I want to confirm that this is the real deal. Yes, both of us are alive."
"How? We saw the news that they were dead!" Misty yells with horror, and so are the murderers.
Serena says, "It is true that those murderers managed to deal a lot of damage to us, you can see from the scars on our skins."
What Ash and Serena are not exactly true, as some cuts are from the battles against the Noble Pokemon in frenzy. Serena continues, "But we were saved thanks to our family and the Aether Foundation. They manage to find some Legendary and Mythical Pokemon to heal our wounds."
A lot of people have rejoiced since they know for sure that Ash Ketchum is some sort of Legendary Magnet, and the fact that the Legendary Pokemon saving them is expected. Clemont says, "How could we forget this fact..."
"Indeed...I can't believe those Legendary and Mythical Pokemon would help them like that..." Max says with frustration.
Ash says, "We are very sorry that we faked the news of our death, but I'm also glad that all of you are trying to avenge me by finding those murderers on the run. Since it has been a while I come back to my home in Kanto, I will be trying to take some rest before I go back to League business."
"Same for me, I'll stay at Ash's House for rest before I go back to the Showcase Business as well." Serena says with a smile. "We are not sure when we will be ready, but we'll be looking forward to it."
Ash looks in one direction and says, "Okay, Mom. You can end the video." And then the camera moved a little before turning black. Alexa says, "And here it is, this is the video we gained from Ash and Serena themselves. Thank you for listening."
After the news ended, the traitors have made up their mind, if they fail to kill Ash Ketchum this time, then they are going to kill Ash again. They have already changed their names and identity so that they wouldn't be able to be found by the officials, but what they don't know is that Ash and Serena aren't actually at their homes, but rather in the ancient Sinnoh known as Hisui.
"Now that's done, So we're to visit three lakes?" Volo asks. "It doesn't sound like an easy task - that's for sure. It sure would be wonderful to have a kind soul who might help us out..."
Ash says, "But who will be helping us?"
"Quite the opportunist, aren't you, Volo? Such a consummate guild merchant." Ash and Serena gasp as they know it is the voice from Irida, and they turn around to see both Adaman and Irida approaching them.
"Big Bro Adaman!" "Big Sis Irida!" Ash and Serena gasp.
"I've managed to reassure my people for now." Adaman says. "The wardens are keeping a close eye on their nobles, too. Seems all are quiet for the moment. And so...here we are!"
Ash and Serena are delighted, and Adaman adds, "But still...we'll never get away with openly aiding you."
"If we were to undermine the commander's direct orders, relations would grow...strained." Irida says.
"Long story short: we want to help but without drawing attention, so it'll be just one of us." Adaman says. "Me or her - it's up to you two. Though the answer should be obvious!"
Ash and Serena gulp as they can only choose one person to help them out. Ash and Serena really liked how the four of them travel together, even though Adaman and Irida might argue a lot.
"Irida was the one who got us what we needed when we first set out to quell Kleavor. We made the balms together." Serena says.
"And Adaman was the one who gave you the Celestica Flute in the first place." Ash says. "It is hard to pick..."
Serena says, "We're going to the lakes as soon as possible, and we don't have time to argue who to pick."
"You're right. Since we have traveled with Adaman more with Irida, maybe we should make it equal by picking her?" Ash asks Serena, and she nods.
Ash says, "We've decided. Sorry big bro Adaman, but we are going to choose Irida for this one."
"Just what I would expect of you two, Ash and Serena." Irida smiles, "You made the right choice. You won't regret it."
Volo says, "So, then, the leftover leader will...?"
"Leftover? Think again." Adaman says. "Ash and Serena trust me enough to leave the tough job up to me alone. I'll be keeping an eye on the commander, so I can let you all know if anything happens."
"Of course, of course..." Volo nods. "And the lucky chosen one comes with us to the lakes. We can fill you in on the details as we go."
"Well, the first task will be to decide which of the Hisui region's three great lakes to visit first." Irida says. "But yes, we should get moving! I'd rather we walk this road together, but if the commander were to get wind of it, it would only make things worse..."
Adaman says, "All right, Irida...You, Ash, and Serena...Well, you three do what needs doing."
Irida nods at Adaman, and before leaving, Ash and Serena are stopped by Delia. Ash asks, "Mom?"
Delia takes two boxes and says, "I made you two some food in the kitchen, since you have been out in the wild for so long, who knows how many meals have you two eaten."
Serena and Ash get the boxes and thank Delia, and she says, "Just be safe you two."
"We will." After that, Delia walks back into the hut, and Irida asks, "So your mother, Ash? Did she also fall from the space-time rift as well?"
"Don't worry, she came with the help of my ancestor." Ash says. "She wants to give us some hope after hearing what we've endured."
"I see. You have a nice mother..." Adaman nods.
After that, all of them leave the Ancient Retreat as they are going to their respective locations.
Back at the Ketchum's residence, Brock and the others are trying to block the press from entering the house. Brock says, "We already told you guys that Ash and Serena are resting, you shouldn't try to disturb them!"
But the other reporters just want to ask questions from Ash and Serena about everything, and not even the world-known Professor Oak's words can stop them from their curiosity. Professor Oak says, "Just great...how are we going to let them go away?"
Just then, the door opens and Mimey comes out from it, he uses Teleport to make them disappear. Dawn says, "I guess that is one way of doing it..."
"Yeah, I never thought a Mr. Mime can use Teleport..." Bonnie says.
Mr. Mime gives a weird smile, causing them not to ask for more. At the same time, the traitors are hiding behind the bushes and they are cursing for the fact that Professor Oak and the others are there.
"Those people are here as well..." Kiawe mutters.
"Yeah, even Bonnie is here...they might be here to protect Ash and Serena..." Clemont mutters.
"What are we going to do then? How are we going to get inside without them noticing?" Max asks.
"Simple. We have a group of 8, some of us can be distractions while the others get the fatal kill." Trip smirks. "It is simple."
"I hope you're right. It is because of you that we have become criminals..." Iris mutters.
"Then who is going to be the distraction?" Misty asks, and everyone looks at Trip, who pales a little. "Basically it is your fault that the whole thing got ruined. So you should be the one."
"No, I'm going to be the one to kill him." Trip retorts, "You have to know it is because of me that you can get new identities to do whatever you're doing."
"Typically it was thanks to Clemont hacking the net to change our identities." Mallow says. "You were the one who just used your mouth."
Max yells, "Stop fighting you guys, they are looking in our direction!"
At the same time, Dawn notices the shaking and she whispers to Professor Oak, "I think those people are hiding there. What should we do then?"
"Don't engage them right now." Professor Oak says. "They might have weapons in their hands, after all, they failed to kill Ash and Serena. They will be doing it again, and if you try to go them, who knows what they will do."
Professor Cerise says, "Professor Oak is right. We have to wait until they strike, and we can't fail the whole thing."
At the same time, Max says, "Why should we be the ones to cause the distraction? Didn't we just see a lot of reporters trying to get in? We can just teleport them back so that they can be the distractions."
"Good idea." Iris says, "Now let's get to work."
As Professor Oak and the others see that the reporters are back, they are now groaning as they are really persistent, and they have to chase them away again. Chloe asks, "Dad? What are we going to do?"
"We can't let them get into the house no matter what." Cerise yells.
And at the same time, Max uses the Gallade to teleport them inside the house, as they are approaching Ash's room.
Now both sides are taking actions, with the traitors trying to kill Ash again, and the others trying to stop them. What will be happening to them? I hope you like this chapter, but the next chapter will be back to main story as they are going to the 3 Lakes o Hisui (Sinnoh).