Chapter 14
"So you want to acquire a cooking license so that you can try to work in a restaurant?" Delia asks with a little surprise.
"Yes, Mom. So I want to ask if you know any S Class Connoseiur that can help me out?" Ash asks.
Delia sighs and says, "Ash, since you are in the Kalos Region, I suggest that you find the Water-type Elite Four member Seibold, he will be the perfect person to help you out."
"Seibold..." Ash sighs. "I guess it is fine, of all the Elite Four members in Kalos, he is the only one that I haven't battled or met before."
After ending the call, Helen says, "Are you sure you're going to let Seibold judge your food?"
"Is there something wrong with it?" Alice asks in confusion.
"He is a chef with high standards." Helen says. "This is what he thinks: cooking is the type of art that disappears as soon as it is completed. Pokémon battles are the same. Even memories of sweet victory soon fade after the battle ends. To devote yourself entirely to such a life, made up of fleeting experiences-that is truly artful."
"Wow...sounds like he is a tough one..." Alice nods.
Still, Helen manages to call Seibold as he comes to the restaurant, but much to their surprise, Diantha also comes with Seibold, because she wants to talk with Ash about something.
Seibold greets Helen as he says, "Helen, it is good to see you get your restaurant back again."
"Thanks. Mr. Seibold, and it is an honor to have the Kalos Champion here as well." Helen bows.
"Thank you, and it is an honor to meet the famous child chef as well." Diantha says.
"I'm not a child anymore." Helen sighs.
"We heard that two people want to obtain cooking licenses, and one of them is Ash Ketchum, that's why my wife is here." Seibold says.
"They are in the kitchen waiting for you two." Helen says as she brings the two of them to the kitchen. Once Diantha notices Ash, she is delighted to see him again, but Ash on the other hand isn't happy, after all, just like other champions, she also plays a part in badmouthing him when she was under Team Rocket's control.
"Ms. Diantha." Ash nods at her as a greeting, Diantha asks, "Ash, it has been a while, but..."
"Sorry, but I would prefer having our cooking licenses first." Ash says in a cool tone that sends Diantha shivers, and Seibold sighs, "Diantha. Don't forget we are here because of my work as an S-Class Connoisseur, let me do my thing first, and we can ask him later."
Diantha can only nod, as Ash and Alice start cooking and present the dishes to him. For Ash, he makes a Seafood Risotto, and Alice makes Egg Benedicts. Seibold tries Ash's dish first and he says, "So first, your presentation is like an art, it not only shows the appearance, but I can feel it, the feelings behind the dishes, it shows sadness and hurt."
Ash is surprised that Seibold can know the feeling behind the cooking. Seibold turns to Ash and asks, "Can you please tell me why? As a Connoisseur, I want to know why you make it like this?"
"I think this is an obvious answer." Ash says. "Team Rocket controls everyone to break me, hurt me, and even badmouth me. I want to express what I am feeling about this dish."
"I see. As for you, your dish is like an angel coming down from the heavens, trying to save a person who is miserable." Seibold turns to Alice.
"That's right. I promise I want to bring Ash back to his old self, he doesn't deserve all the pain and misery." Alice says.
Seibold nods and says, "And based on the writing tests of other subjects, I must say that both of you are more than enough to become professional chefs. We will send a report so that you can wait until the package of your licenses is sent to you."
Ash and Alice nod, then Diantha says, "Ash. About what happened six months ago, I want to say I am really sorry, even though I wasn't controlled by the dark aura, I did say those words to you..."
"You want me to disappear so that there won't be another Team Flare incident that is happening. That was what you have said to the crowd, you were implying that I was the one that made Lysandre rose." Ash says. "Do you think a single sorry will be enough?"
Siebold understands the problem. He says, "Ash. You have to understand, we didn't want to say that to you. We were forced to."
"Forced?" Alice asks. "What do you mean by that?"
Diantha shows her hand and it glows pink, then a wand appears in her hand. Seibold does the same and has a Cross in his hand. Ash is surprised and says, "Aura? You have Aura all this time?"
Diantha says, "Yes. I really wanted to help you back then, but I couldn't since I was forced by Goodshow, who was controlled."
"Forced?" Ash raises his eyebrow. "If you won't comply, then you will lose your Champion Title, right?"
"If that is the case, I am willing to lose my title as a Champion." Diantha's eyes glow and then they are using the Aura Link.
"Aura Link..." Ash is surprised since he doesn't know that Diantha is capable of doing this. Then they see Diantha and Seibold are confronting Goodshow with two of their children in the officials' arms. Ash doesn't know why, but he knows their names are Elline and David.
"Tell the world that Ash is a loser?" Diantha angrily yells at Goodshow. "I will never do it. He almost defeats me and you try to tell me to badmouth him?"
"I know you won't comply, but what is important to you, Ash, or your two children?" Goodshow gives an evil smirk that causes the ones who are watching in disgust.
"You...leave them alone, they have nothing to do with this." Seibold yells.
"Only if you are willing to help us, or you will never see your children again." Goodshow says.
"Mom, don't do this!" David yells. "Yeah, we all know that Ash is a strong trainer!" Elline says.
Ash can see both Seibold and Diantha being torn as the knife is getting closer to the two children, eventually, they give in, and then the PLA get the media of Diantha's words.
After they are gone, Diantha kneels down and cries, "I am sorry...Ash...Elline...David..."
After the link ends, Ash says, "So that is what happened?"
Diantha says, "If I am strong enough...I wouldn't put my children in danger...Because of it, Elline and David have nightmares every night..."
"So that is why you weren't at the meeting with other Champions." Ash frowns. "I am sorry, Diantha...I thought you really think that I was a loser...but I couldn't see that you were forced to..."
Diantha gives Ash a hug, and she says, "It is okay. I am also glad to know you avenged my brother by destroying Team Rocket."
"Brother?" Ash realizes that the aura inside Diantha and Seibold is almost the same as his.
"Hold on, you two are related?" Alice and Helen are surprised at the news.
Diantha nods and says, "My full name is Diantha Carnet Ketchum. When Red went missing, it didn't take me long to find out that he was dating Valerie, who is from the Mache family, an enemy of Ketchums. I tried to help him, and I made excuses for him to my parents. When they find out about the secret relationship, they have banned Red and Valerie from seeing each other again. Because Red is the only son of them, I was the one who got the punishment of the traitor instead. I got kicked out of the family."
Ash and Alice have read this part in Red's Diary, but they can't believe the banished sister turns out to be Diantha herself. Diantha says, "If you're worried about me, then don't worry. I'm glad that the grudge between Ketchums and Maches ended with Red and Valerie's help."
Alice says, "Wow..."
Diantha looks at Alice and she says, "You have the Mache aura, that means you are Valerie's daughter, I assume?"
"Yes, I am Valerie and Wulfric's daughter, Alice." Alice bows. "Ash and I are dating."
"I see. Looks like history is repeating itself." Diantha smiles.
Ash then tells Diantha about their disguises and how they are going to remake Sevestar Island into a region, she is also surprised to learn that Delia didn't get the Ketchum Aura from Red because of Giovanni crashing the wedding, and she is glad that Ash gave her an Aura Test and she survived.
Once they are done, Diantha and Seibold bid them farewell as they leave. Helen says, "Even though I am an outsider of the whole thing, but sounds like your family is complicated."
"I know." Ash says. "By the way, Helen. You did hear about us trying to create a region, I was wondering if you want to become a part of it?"
"Me? Helping you create a region? But I am just a chef..." Helen asks with concern.
"I know, but we will need all the help we can get, and we can also teach you anything else." Alice says.
Ash asks to see her Pokemon, and they are surprised to see Helen having Fire-type Pokemon: Charizard with a Mega Stone Y, Cinderace, Darmanitan, Torkoal, and a Ninetales.
"I can say all of your Pokemon look strong." Ash says. "They must have helped you a lot in cooking as well, right?"
"Yeah." Helen nods. "I really like Fire-type Pokemon."
"Think about it, how about having a branch in our new region, and you can also make Helen's Kitchen a gym as well." Ash says. "That way, more people will be able to enjoy a good meal."
"I did hear about gyms setting in restaurants, like the one in Striaton Gym..." Helen says, and that causes Ash to remember Cilan and his brothers. "But that sounds aspiring, not to mention I owe you two for everything that has done in my restaurant. I think this is also a good way to repay you."
"That will be nice." Alice says with a smile. "Now it is getting a little late, Ash and I need to return back home."
"It's fine. I will wait for you to come once you get your cooking licenses." Helen bids them farewell as they leave.
Back on Sevestar Island, Ash was surprised to see Delia waiting for him there. Delia asks, "I assume that you got your cooking license?"
Ash says, "I have been accepted, but I have to wait for it to get printed. I also got to talk with Aunt Diantha about everything."
Delia frowns and says, "Diantha has told me, she was mad at Goodshow for threatening her children so she could say bad stuff on the news. But let's not talk about it now."
"You're right about that." Ash says as Pikachu jumps into his arm, "And I'm very sorry for leaving you here Pikachu. How are the others doing?"
Pikachu assures him that everyone is doing fine in the new ranch, Ash smiles and says, "That's good, because tomorrow, I will be having a new friend over to the island. I don't want her to be scared since she will be helping us make this region as well."
"That sure is a good thing to know." Delia smiles.
I'll end the chapter right here, now Ash and Alice learn the whole truth about what happened to Diantha and Seibold when Team Rocket's Control Cloud is in effect. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the new Fire-type Pokemon for Ash and Alice.
