Chapter 4
Just as Delia turns on the TV, both Delia and Pikachu see the news reporter standing in front of what seems to be Team Rocket's Base. "Recently, the police has found out an explosion, so that they come to check it out. And they have found out it is the base of Team Rocket. The world-known criminal group led by the powerful man known as Giovanni."
Delia freezes at the mention of the name, it is the same name that killed her husband Red and taken her love away. Pikachu, Charizard, and the other Pokemon can see her hands are trembling with anger and fury, something that they aren't expecting from someone as kind as Ash's mother.
"So can you tell us what exactly happened?" The news reporter asks the man with a brown coat with black hair. A lot of people know him by the code name: Looker, as he works in the International Police.
Looker stands in front of the television and says, "Since this mission is confidential, we are going to reveal the short version. We don't know the full details, but just as we arrive at the scene, all we see is that the Rocket grunts are frozen in ice, and all their Pokemon fainted. We have a suspicion that maybe an Ice Type Specialist is capable of doing such a thing, but the problem is that we can't find this Ice Type Specialist's identity. So right now, we have decided to interrogate these Team Rocket grunts to see if we can find anything about it."
"And what about the mastermind Giovanni?" The reporter asks. "What happened to him?"
"We found Giovanni inside his office, not only he is bruised and injured, but we found a hole in the chest and a gun in his hand. He has no breath and it is confirmed that he is dead."
"Looker, we found this!" Another police officer walks in and gives the detective the bullet piece. "What is this?"
"We found it on the ground, and it is possible that the bullet is the one that goes through his body." The police member says. "The bullet is corresponding to the gun in his hand."
"Thank you." Looker takes the bullet piece and says, "So we have suspicions that the mysterious person is the one that uses the gun in Giovanni's hand to kill him. There is a struggle, so I can assume that Giovanni was fighting against the mysterious person, and this mysterious person might have done something to kill him."
"So is there any witness that can tell me who the person is?" The reporter asks.
"The person must be a highly skilled Ice Type Specialist since we found a witness telling us that they see an Articuno flying out of the place and flies to who knows where. But there is a problem. In these eight regions, there is no Gym Leader or Elite 4 member who specializes in Ice Type has an Articuno. So this will be hard to figure out."
But then, Delia turns off the TV and finds the picture of herself, Red and Ash. She mutters with tears of joy. "I can't believe it...Giovanni is dead... Red...you're avenged..."
Just then, they hear a doorbell and Delia rushes to open the door. Professor Oak, Gary and Tracy are at the doorway and Professor Oak asks, "Delia, have you seen the news? Team Rocket is destroyed."
"I saw everything on the television. Giovanni is dead, Red can finally be at peace." Delia says with a small smile.
Gary notices the Pikachu and he looks around, but he didn't see Ash. "Hey, Ms. Ketchum. Have you seen Ashy Boy around?"
Delia stops smiling and then her expression turns into confusion. "Huh? He didn't go to your Lab?"
"No." Professor says. "And he didn't go back home as well?"
"When I come into senses, I found that only Pikachu is here." Delia says. "I wonder where Ash went..."
As the television is still on, they also notice the news, "This is from the News station, right now it is xx month xx day, that means it has been 7 days since we know what is going on with us."
A lot of people are sharing the same confusion, and the reporter says, "So our cameramen check into the footage and we find something disturbing!"
As she shows the news, they all gasp as they see how Ash was being chased away from his house and forced to jump into the ocean, as well as all the Champion's quotes for how Ash became public enemy No.1.
"What is this?" Delia is trembling with anger at the fake news. "How can they say that to Ash! True, he lost six leagues, but why are they badmouthing him?"
"Everyone, I know what you are thinking, but then again, we have no memories about what happened during those missing seven days. Anything can happen, and maybe our favorite World Champion has killed himself!"
Everyone who watches the news gasps in horror, that includes Serena, Lillie, Ash's Pokemon, and others who have their lives impacted by Ash. Not only that, but they also notice the interviews from themselves, since they were the past traveling companions of Ash, and they also say some bad stuff.
"That's not true! I didn't say those words! And I never will!" Delia yells with Ash's Pokemon agreeing with her.
Professor Oak says, "We are thinking the same thing as you, Delia. But you have to know, we just skip 7 days of living. Why isn't Pikachu with Ash right now? Why do those people have these videos?"
Delia starts to have some weird thoughts, what if they are being controlled to say those words and what if they murdered Ash...she can feel herself trembling and she didn't want to believe everything.
"So far, the police has yet to find anybody at the sea where our World Champion jumps into, that means he might be still alive somewhere." The news reporter continues to talk about Ash, and Delia also hears the news.
"That reporter is right, it is too soon to say that he's dead. I'm going to search for him no matter what, as the Kanto Champion, I will also gather all the other people to help me out." Delia says.
"That's the spirit, Delia." Professor Oak says. "But we just hope everything is going to be fine..."
Back on Sevestar Island, Alice is still looking at her hands, the same hands that killed Giovanni and she is terrified. She says, "How did I manage to do that to Giovanni? I don't even have a gun..."
Ash says, "You used your aura, Alice. Just like how I did to those grunts and Giovanni."
"You mean...I could do the same thing as you? Is that why Giovanni was killed?" Alice asks.
"I told you before, you are a member of the Aura Family known as the Mache Family, which was your mother's last name, despite your last name is not Mache but Urup, your father's last name. And since you are an Aura User, which means that you can use Aura Weapons like me." Ash says.
Arceus says, "The weapon you used is the Psychic Type Aura, the Psychic Ring. It has the move Teleport to switch the items."
Alice starts to calm down as she learns the truth, "So I can be like you...to use these weapons for the right thing?"
"You have to train." Ash says. "But I will be here to train you."
Alice smiles at Ash and says, "I will like to, but right now it is getting late, and my family must be very worried about me."
"Sure, Articuno can give you a lift back to the Kalos Region." Ash says as the freezing bird Pokemon nods.
Alice then asks, "That reminds me, if the Control Cloud is gone, that means everyone is back to normal, right? Nobody is going to badmouth you anymore, right?"
Ash flinches and he frowns, he says, "It is not that simple...that Control Cloud is not simply a mind control, but an enhancement machine that enhances the dark thoughts in their minds. I know I shouldn't believe what Giovanni has said, but...I couldn't help but wonder if they are telling the truth..."
He looks into his hands and says, "During these days...I had nightmares, and they are really livid. Both Darkrai and Cresselia can't stop those from moving on..."
As Ash is about to cry again, Alice quickly gives him a hug to calm him down. "Poor Ash...he must be broken inside...what should I do to bring the old him back?"
She shows a determined face and says, "I am sorry to hear that, Ash. But if your heart is broken for what they said to you, then I will try to fix your heart. You're my idol and I don't want to see you cry again."
Ash looks at her in surprise and asks, "But why? Why do you want to fix my heart? We just met since this morning."
"Ash, it doesn't matter when we met. You are an amazing person, and everyone will want to be with you if you're not treated badly. But if that really happens, I am always your true friend, a friend never betrays a trust..." Then she starts to blush a little and says in a quiet voice, "And a friend that falls in love with you."
Ash has heard the words from Alice's mouth, after all, nobody is here except for Arceus and Articuno. Ash's heart is pounding fast, from what he sees her from the morning, he knows that she is more beautiful than Serena, bolder than Lillie...Arceus was right, she might actually be his mate.
"Alice...I..." Ash stutters a little, but then he slaps himself in the face to calm himself down. "I appreciate what you did to me. My friends abandoned me when I needed them the most. But for you, you and your family are with me. I am touched."
"Ash..." Alice says as he smiles at her.
They stare into their eyes for a while until Articuno roars, meaning that Alice has to go now. Alice frowns and says, "Well, I have better go now, can I see you again tomorrow?"
"You're always welcome." Ash says, and Alice rides Articuno and leaves, Ash takes a breathe and yells into the air, "I'll like to see you again tomorrow because I want to spend more time with you. I think I have fallen for you as well."
He isn't sure if Alice has heard him, but he is satisfied. As for Alice, she heard the words and she is blushing, but she smiles back at the island and then heads back to Kalos.
Alice eventually arrives at Snowbelle City with Articuno's help, and she quickly recalls it to the Poke Ball so that nobody can see it. When she steps into the house, Valerie rushes to her and hugs her. "We are so worried for you, where have you been?"
Alice says with a little fear for her mother being disappointed for her, "I am sorry Mom. I got lost after that Blizzard...I promise that I will be careful next time..."
Valerie sighs as she can't be angry with her daughter. She smiles, "You're safe, that's what matters."
Wulfric also rushes to them and says, "Valerie, oh, Alice. You're back."
"Hi, Dad." Alice hugs her father. "What's up?"
"Oh, you have to see the news, Team Rocket has been destroyed and Giovanni is murdered." Wulfric says.
"What?" Valerie is shocked as they all watch the news. Valerie sees the news and she is in joy, much to the confusion of the three sisters.
Eve asks, "Mom? Why are you so happy?"
Valerie says, "Let's say that Team Rocket stole something precious for me a long time ago. But now that they are gone, they can't steal anything again from others."
Flora says, "I see. But who killed Giovanni and who destroyed Team Rocket?"
"It is said that the one who destroyed Team Rocket is an Ice Type User who has an Articuno." Eve says. "Of course, it wouldn't be Dad, since he didn't have an Articuno."
"But then who is it?" Wulfric says in wonder. But Alice looks at the Pokeball that contains the Articuno and smirks, "If only you know."
Here is the fourth chapter, and this chapter wraps up what has happened back at the 8 regions. I hope you like it.
