Chapter 34
All of Ash's friends are in Alola, as they are there for Lillie's big moment. After defeating all four Kahunas in a row, she is now going to face the Champion: Ash Ketchum himself.
Ash is standing in front of Lillie as he says, "Of all the people, I was really surprised that you would be standing in front of me for the Alolan Champion."
Lillie frowns and says, "Ash...is it true...you have a wife?"
After the encounter in the woods a few months ago, Goh and Chloe have told everyone about Ash's girlfriend, not to mention Ash also reveals to the crowd that Alice is his girlfriend to confirm it's true. Lillie and Serena take the news very hard, considering they still have feelings for Ash, but they won't be able to return the same feelings because of Team Rocket's control.
Ash says, "Yes, Lillie. I have a wife, she is an angel coming from the heavens to save a dark soul like me. Now enough talking, if you are capable of defeating the Kahunas, then let me see if you have the strength to knock me out from the Alola Champion spot."
Lillie is trying not to cry because of Ash's harsh words, and she decides to give it all out with her team of Fairy-type Pokemon.
At the stands, Alice, Flora, and Eve are watching the match from the stands, and they are not happy since their seats are close to Ash's former travel companions. May asks, "So you were the one that captures Ash's heart?"
"What if I do?" Alice asks, "What are you going to do with it?"
"Why would Ash date someone that we don't know? We're his friends!" Misty says.
"You were his friends until Ash learns what is actually about your friendship with him." Flora glares at them.
Bonnie says, "Ash belonged to Serena or Lillie! Why are you stealing him away from them? This isn't fair!"
"Enough Bonnie." Serena says while covering her mouth. "It is Ash's choice to pick who he wants to be with."
Alice notices the sadness inside Serena's heart, and she says, "I'm sorry if you like Ash...but you don't know what Ash has been through during these years. You might know him in the past, but for now, he is just like a stranger to you."
"I know...he isn't the same Ash as we know..." Serena frowns with a little heartbreak.
As for Eve, she is talking to Gary as there might be some sparks flying between them. They have met before in Professor Sycamore's lab, and they enjoy talking about the projects they have together.
"Snowy! No!" Lillie yells in horror as she sees her now Alolan Ninetales got defeated by Ash's Sirfetch'd. Ash says, "Not bad Lillie, not even my students can deal that much damage to my Pokemon. Now send out your final Pokemon."
Lillie gulps a little as she takes out a Poke Ball, and when she throws it out, a Zacian just comes from it. "I see...you have managed to capture yourself a Legendary Pokemon."
"I met him back in Galar, and he decides to join my team." Lillie says. "Use Swords Dance and then Sacred Sword!"
Zacian roars and then uses both attacks, causing Sirfetch'd to get knocked out. Ash sighs as he goes for his last Pokemon: Charizard. During the battle, he is a little happy to know that Lillie has become stronger since they last meet, but he is a little sad that he has to be harsh to her, it is not just her, but his other friends as well. He can't forgive them unless Ash finds out a good reason to forgive them. And he thinks he knows how to forgive Lillie once the battle is over.
In the end, Charizard manages to defeat Zacian with a Blast Burn, and Lillie is a little devastated...she vowed to win the match so that she can get Ash's appeal.
Ash walks towards Lillie and says, "Lillie. You have become a great battler, and I am very proud of you and your strength. However, there are still some flaws that make you lose the battle. That's why I will be giving you an offer."
"What do you mean?" Lillie asks with confusion.
"I can tell you the details, but on one condition. What we are doing must be kept a secret, you can't tell anyone else about it. Meet me at this Stadium in the morning, alone."
Lillie nods as she rushes away to her friends, who try to console her for her loss. As for the three sisters, they cheer for Ash's win, and Flora asks, "Ash, that was really close, I mean, Lillie almost beat you! Did you hold back or something?"
"I didn't." Ash says. "Except for the Pokemon Choice. If I choose my aces, then I will knock out all 6 Pokemon with ease. I was considering having Lillie being the Fairy-type Elite Four member."
"So she will be in the same team with me and Alice..." Eve says, "Right?"
"Alice won't be an Elite Four member, instead, she is going to be a Champion like myself." Ash says. "That's my choice and it's final. We share Pokemon and we can share the same strength."
"I see..." Flora says. "That sure explains it well."
At the same time, Lillie is talking to the others, as she is sad about her loss. Brock says, "Don't worry, Lillie. You have done enough to bring Ash back."
"But I couldn't win against him..." Lillie mutters. "I want things to be the way it was, that's why I have been training for 2 to 3 years to become strong..."
"We know, you even got yourself a Legendary Pokemon." Chloe says. "But Ash is way too strong for all of us to handle. He has been a World Champion for 2 years, not even the former undefeatable Champion Leon can defeat him in his state right now."
The others nod as they decide to bid each other farewell, and now the stadium only has Gladion and Lillie left. "So should we go home, Lillie?" Gladion asks.
Lillie sighs and says, "Can you please tell Mother that I am not coming home? After that battle, Ash asked me to meet him here tomorrow morning. I don't know what he wants, but he just wants me to meet him alone."
Gladion is concerned and he says, "Just be careful, Lillie. I know you're capable of protecting yourself, but try not to stress yourself too much."
"Don't worry." Lillie says.
After that Gladion goes into the helicopter and leaves, and Lillie decides to take a rest in the Pokemon Center.
The next morning, Lillie comes to Ash and Alice alone, and she is still sad at the fact that both of them are dating. Lillie asks, "So what do you want with me?"
Ash says, "Alice and I have been discussing a lot, and we've decided that we're going to take you in as a student."
"A student? Me?" Lillie asks with confusion.
"Yes." Alice says. "I know you still have some feelings for Ash, which is why we want to ask about this."
Lillie thinks for a second and she asks, "What will I get when I become your student?"
"You'll be able to learn where I was training the other students, not to mention you'll be able to achieve your goals with some help." Ash says. "You know, Lillie. I admitted I once loved you when we were in Alola. However, you know the reason why I can't love you, right?"
Lillie nods and says, "It is because of what we've said under Team Rocket's control, right?"
"Under Team Rocket's control, you guys are forced to hate me. However, Giovanni doesn't have the power to determine what you're going to say to hate me...everything you said comes from the bottom of your heart. Deep down inside, you hated me for being in the same class with you, or taking me to your house for visits." Ash says.
Lillie frowns, did she really hate Ash for all of that? Lillie has feelings for Ash because he is the one that saves her and her mother, his way of never giving up is also what motivates her to move forward. But what if Ash never did these things? That's when she realizes what Ash said is true.
"Is there a way to throw away those bad thoughts?" Lillie asks. "If what you said is true...then how will I get rid of those bad thoughts?"
Alice says, "There is no way to get rid of it. It will stay inside your heart forever, just like how Light and Dark are opposites, but they can't lose one another."
Ash says, "Lillie. I won't hate you for thinking like that, there are some things that I don't like about you as well. If we just keep doing this, then there is no end to it. What we can do right now is not think about this, and try to get used to the new life we have right now."
Lillie knows that what Ash means in the last words is that she should try to give up loving Ash because Alice takes the spot, but she has to move on and still consider themselves as friends. Lillie nods and says, "Okay, Ash. I will become your student. Maybe it will be better if I know about Alice and the new you more."
Ash smiles and says, "Welcome to the team, Lillie."
Then they use Articuno to transport themselves to Sevestar Island, Lillie looks around the surroundings and she asks, "Where are we?"
"This is the Sevestar Island." Ash says, "It is property from my father and Alice's mother. If you can see the empty houses and buildings, that means it is still constructing."
"Constructing a region?" Lillie gasps. "So this is what you are doing?"
"Yes, Lillie. Not only that, Alice will become the main Champion of the region since I am the World Champion." Ash says. "So we are going to pick Gym Leaders and Elite Four members. That's why we have been taking in students."
"And Lillie, we have decided to make you the Fairy-type Elite Four member." Alice says, causing the girl to be surprised.
"Me? As an Elite Four member? Can I really do this?" Lillie asks with a nervous tone. "I mean, all of the Elite Four members are very strong...am I be able to become one like them?"
"You battle very well yesterday." Ash says. "Even though I didn't use my ace team, you still manage to beat them even though they fought seriously."
Lillie's Pokeball opens and Clefable, Zacian, Mawile, Hatterene, Tikaton, and Snowy all look at Lillie with determination, and Lillie feels a little touched and she says, "I'll do anything to become the best Fairy-type Elite Four member. You can count on me for this job."
"That's the spirit." Alice cheers for the girl. "Since you're here, why don't you come inside the castle? We can introduce you to the other students."
Lillie nods as she recalls her Pokemon and follows Ash and Alice into the castle.
Here is a new chapter, and I have decided to let Lillie become one of the Elite Four members of the Sevestar Region, and Alice will be the Champion like Ash, considering he is going to plan something big in the next chapter. I hope you like this chapter and we'll be getting an Ice-type Gym Leader in the next chapter.