Chapter 33
Back at the Sevestar Region, Ash and Alice are now sitting with their families as Delia is going to talk about her old past. At the same time, Delia also brings a person to the island, and Ash recognizes her as the Founder of Showcases, Palermo.
"Aren't you the Founder of the Showcases, Ms. Palermo Yashino?" Eve asks, and the woman nods.
Delia says, "Ash. She is my mother, which makes her your grandmother."
Ash says, "I... I have a grandmother?"
Palermo says, "Yes, Ash. It sure has been a while since we last met, and there are some reasons why your mother never told you about her old family. You know a lot about your father's side: The Ketchum family who are also aura users, but I think you should know about our family as well."
"What is so special about my mother's family?" Ash asks.
"The Yashino Family is known for bounty hunters and assassins for years." Yashino says, much to their surprise. "It is not something that we're proud of. Every one of our family members has to go through training: Training to kill."
Everyone gasps in horror at what they've just heard. Delia says, "I was asked by my father to do the training. He was not the best father that I could have, and with the harsh training, I snapped and killed my father in the end."
"No way..." Ash frowns. Palermo says, "It's true, however, your grandfather's final words are congratulating Aurora for killing him, which means she will be a perfect bounty hunter and an assassin in the end."
"That's all messed up..." Flora says.
"I've heard from Red about this before, but I never knew it was such a big deal." Valerie says.
"It didn't help when Aurora was kidnapped by Team Rocket when she was 9 years old." Palermo says.
"I think I know... when I gave Mom the Aura Test, we've seen the scene..." Ash says. "Team Rocket made you their best assassin, and you killed a lot of innocent people because of it..."
"I still can't forget the guilt, but I can only move forward because I want to survive." Delia says.
"I was very sad to lose her, that's why I decide to create Showcases, hoping that one day, she will return and become the Kalos Queen that she wants to be." Palermo says.
"So the Showcases was formed because you wanted to find my Mother?" Ash asks, and Palermo nods.
Delia says, "Under Team Rocket, I did a lot of horrible things, I also even become the Kanto Champion under their orders so the secret of Giovanni being the Viridian City Gym Leader would be safe. I never failed their mission, until that day when I met Valerie and Red at the same time."
Valerie says, "When Delia found us, Red and I were still having our secret meeting. Since she wanted to kill us, we have to fight. In the end, we emerge victorious, Aurora tried to kill herself because she failed the mission, but we stopped her. And with Red's help, we have the International Police give her protection and even gave her a new name Delia, so that Team Rocket won't ever find her."
Delia nods, "We made up a lie that Delia took over Aurora's Champion title, and Aurora was killed in the last mission. That only fuel Giovanni's rage to try to kill Red. After the secret was found out by their respective parents, since Ketchum and Mache used to be nemeses, I felt like I owe Red everything... like reuniting me with my mother, showing me the beauty in Performing and Coordinating with Pokemon. I confessed my feelings to Red."
"And it was the same that you told me. We lived in a happy life until when we were three years old, Team Rocket killed Dad and Golly..." Ash says.
Everyone frowns at what Ash just said, and Delia says, "And because of it, I don't have the aura and I was controlled by Team Rocket's Control Clouds two years ago. I don't know what I was doing, all I knew is that I pushed my son away..."
"Giovanni's Dark Clouds control only targets me. So that means, even without any memories, you still save Meowth from Team Rocket." Ash says.
"Is that so?" Delia says, and Meowth nods. "Yeah, I know you might not remember because of the former boss' control, but you saved me from the same fate as Jessie and James."
Delia smiles, and Palermo suddenly stands up and says, "If it's possible, can I talk to my grandson alone?"
Everyone nods before leaving the room, Ash and Palermo are the only ones in the room. Ash asks, "So what is it, Ms. Palermo?"
"Tell me, Ash. Since you have lived with Delia, have you noticed anything strange from her during these years?"
"There are some times I may have seen her crying at midnight, but all the other times, she was cheerful, she always encourages me of pursuing my dream to become a Pokemon Master. Even though sometimes she would often tease me for doing something embarrassing, however, none of the traits showed that she was an assassin in the past." Ash says.
"I see...so she is doing her best to change." Palermo says. "I was scared after Red's death, she would have gone back to her old ways."
Ash says, "I also know that she also joined the International Police, and recently she raised to the ranks until she is appointed to be the new leader after the old one retired. Although I'm not sure when Team Rocket uses the Dark Control Clouds, why would she go back to Team Rocket as the assassin Aurora..."
"I am not sure about that either. But we'll talk about it another time. I have another question to ask you, and that is yours and Alice's relationship." Palermo says.
"You don't need to worry, Grandma. I love Alice and she loves me. We also promised together that we're not going to separate." Ash says.
"I'm glad to hear that." Palermo says. "Although there is a risk since you just reveal to the public. You are a famous person, and there will be hated emails sent to Alice because of the news. What are you going to do if that happens?"
Ash says, "I'll make sure that Alice is protected. She already had a miserable life and I'm going to make sure that she's happy."
Palermo nods as they finish chatting as Palermo needs to go back to the Kalos Region. Alice turns to Ash and asks, "What did she ask you?"
Ash says, "She just wishes me good luck. After all, I am not going to leave you alone." Alice can only blush after what Ash said.
In Paldea, Ash and Alice are now at Madali as they're having lunch at the Treasury Eatery. Ash says, "Alice, I want to know: Do your classmates are hating you for being my wife? If they do, you have to tell me."
Alice says, "No, they are not like my former bullies. They are actually congratulating me instead. Since the first year that you brought me to exams, they already knew that we were dating. Although there were some haters online that are directing toward me. Saying how I don't deserve you and saying mean things to me..."
"Yeah, there is going to be a giant wave that is going to put their hatred towards you. That's real life. But I intend to ignore all of them. They are not worth it."
"But do you think they're going to stop if we don't do about it?" Alice asks with concern.
"Why should we care about that?" Ash says while holding Alice's hands. "A lot of people are thinking too much about it, and that caused their suicide. Even if there are schools and laws regulating, it won't stop those haters from saying what they want without any mercy."
Alice nods, and they decide to discuss the new Pokemon that they trade from the Tauros. They have two Oinkologne and a Farigiraf from the trades, and they also capture a Tandemaus that evolves into a Family of 3 and a Dudunsparce in three-segment form.
They also capture two Sqawkabilly with two different plumages. One is half green and half blue, and the other is half yellow and half white. Ash says, "I can't believe we found two Sqawkabilly with special plumages. Usually they are only one color..."
"Indeed. I wonder if it is because of their different parents..." Alice says.
Oinkologne (Male): Ability: Lingering Aroma. Moves: Double-Edge, Tail Whip, Work Up, Belch, Earth Power, Play Rough
Oinkologne (Female): Ability: Aroma Veil. Moves: Helping Hand, Tackle, Uproar, Seed Bomb, Dig, Disarming Voice
Maushold (3 Family): Ability: Friend Guard. Moves: Copycat, Population Bomb, Tidy Up, Bullet Seed, Beat Up, Charm
Squawkabilly (Blue/Green): Ability: Guts. Moves: Mimic, Swagger, Brave Bird, Peck, Pounce, Taunt
Squawkabilly (White/Yellow): Ability: Hustle. Moves: Facade, Growl, Reversal, Fly, Roost, Foul Play
They get to Area Zero again because Ash is going to capture an Iron Bundle, and they also hike up to Glaseado Mountain, on the way they capture a Cetitan, but they are stranded inside the gym building because of the blizzard.
Cetitan: Ability: Slush Rush. Moves: Body Slam, Double-Edge, Blizzard, Ice Spinner, Bounce, Amnesia
Iron Bundle: Ability: Quark Drive. Moves: Tera Blast (Ice), Hydro Pump, Aurora Veil, Blizzard, Snowscape, Agility
"I guess we should wait until the blizzard stopped before we can ski around the area." Alice says.
"You're right about that." Ash sighs.
Just then, they notice a lot of people are saying bad things about Alice, and they also notice on the website that there is a picture of Ash and Alice together in the Glaseado gym and the post is saying a lot of hurtful words.
Ash is angry as he steps forward, "Alright, who is the one putting this post here? You'd better delete it or I'll sue you for defamation. Why I like Alice is not your business, who said that I'm the World Champion so I can only date well-known famous people? Besides, to me, Alice is the most beautiful person in the whole world, I don't know what your opinion of beauty is if you keep saying her ugly."
The haters gulp as they know Ash is not joking and he is going to sue them if they don't stop. And immediately, the post is taken down. Unfortunately, Ash still doesn't know who is the person that take the photo and badmouth Alice.
"Alice?" Ash notices Alice collapse on the chair and she says, "I'm fine, it's just... I'm really happy that you keep protecting me..."
"You're my wife, and like you, I can't tolerate any ill words towards you. You are the most beautiful person to me, not just your appearance, but your heart."
Alice smiles and says, "Thank you, I really appreciate it..."
And unfortunately for them, another post appears and this time it talks about Ash's outburst in the gym. Alice says, "Now they're targeting you instead..."
"It's fine. At least this post is being honest. Let it spread to the cyber world I don't care, and it will let them know that I'm really serious about having you as my wife."
Alice sighs, Ash is always selfless when it comes to her. She really is lucky to have him as her husband.
Here is a new chapter, and I reveal Delia's past and you'll know her side of the past. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter is going to be Lillie challenging Ash.