Chapter 7
(Flashback)
While Ash has been immersing himself in Professor Cerise's research lab, Delia finds herself at home, preparing a hearty meal. Little does she know, two unexpected and imposing figures are about to pay her a visit: Arceus, the Pokemon of judgment, and Yveltal, the ominous creature associated with destruction and mortality.
As Delia hears a faint yet unmistakable sound, her heart skips a beat. The air in her kitchen seems to grow heavy as she turns around to see Arceus and Yveltal standing before her. Her eyes widen in shock and apprehension as she realizes the gravity of their presence.
"Relax, Delia," Arceus speaks, its voice resonating with a sense of authority tempered with compassion. "We are not here to pass judgment on you for any perceived wrongdoings. In fact, we require your assistance."
Delia's mind races with a whirlwind of emotions and questions. Why would these legendary Pokemon need her help? And what could possibly be so urgent that they would seek her out personally?
"Assistance? What do you mean?" Delia's voice trembles slightly, betraying her lingering wariness.
Arceus nods solemnly, its gaze fixed on her. "Two years from now, your life will be in grave danger. Those who were once close to Ash, your son, will turn against you. They plan to frame him for a crime as unthinkable as it is unjust — the murder of his own mother."
The revelation hits Delia like a thunderbolt, leaving her stunned and bewildered. "What?" Her voice trembles with disbelief and fear. "You mean to say that I have only two years left to live? And Ash will be falsely accused of a heinous crime that he would never commit? What kind of twisted future awaits us?"
"After your passing," Arceus continues with a solemn tone, "Ash will embark on a journey fraught with challenges and danger. But in that journey, he will find your husband and become a beacon of hope for your other children, rescuing them from the shadows of despair. He will gather allies, including his eventual life partner, and together they will strive to clear his name and bring the true culprits to justice."
Delia's mind whirls with a mix of emotions — pride in her son's resilience, concern for his safety, and a tinge of regret for the secrets of her past that have now come to haunt her.
Arceus's next words hit her like a physical blow. "However, there are threats looming over Ash and his potential mate. Forces that could unravel everything he has fought for, plunging him into a fate far worse than even the loss of his mother."
The weight of responsibility settles heavily on Delia's shoulders. She stares down at her hands, once instruments of darkness as a member of an assassin family working for Team Rocket, now symbols of her struggle to leave that life behind for the sake of love and family.
"It's not that simple... taking a life," Delia whispers, her voice filled with a mixture of anguish and doubt. The thought of returning to a world she thought she had left behind threatens to suffocate her.
Arceus's gaze remains unwavering. "You have the skills and knowledge needed for this task, Delia. We understand your reluctance, but the safety of your son and his future companion hangs in the balance. Can you stand by and watch as their happiness crumbles?"
Delia's heart aches at the thought of Ash facing a destiny marred by tragedy and betrayal. She has always wished for his happiness and success, shielding him from the shadows of her past life. But now, faced with the harsh reality of the dangers ahead, she knows she cannot turn away.
"I'll do it," Delia finally responds, her voice filled with determination. "Not for myself, but for Ash and his future. I'll do whatever it takes to protect them, even if it means confronting my own demons once again."
Arceus nods solemnly, acknowledging Delia's resolve. With a subtle gesture, it presents her with a holographic display showcasing the list of targets — individuals whose actions threaten the safety and happiness of Ash and his future partner.
Delia's eyes scan the list, her expression hardening with each name she reads. Each entry represents a potential obstacle, a danger lurking in the shadows, ready to disrupt the fragile balance of her son's life.
As she studies the targets, memories of her past life resurface, a life she had vowed to leave behind. But now, faced with the urgency of the situation, she knows what must be done. Her hands clench into fists, a silent determination settling over her.
"I know what to do," Delia declares with steely resolve, her gaze unwavering as she commits each name to memory. The weight of her decision bears down on her, but she pushes aside any doubts or hesitation. For Ash, for his future, she will confront the darkness once more.
Arceus watches her with a mixture of reassurance and solemnity, knowing that Delia's actions will play a crucial role in shaping the path ahead for her son and his loved ones.
(Flashback Ends)
As the group arrives at Silkan City, the bustling metropolis greets them with its lively streets teeming with people and Pokemon going about their daily routines. Amidst the urban hustle, a towering structure catches their attention — the imposing edifice of the RPA Company.
"This is the renowned RPA Company," Ash explains, gesturing towards the impressive building. "It's the largest conglomerate in this region. All brands from other regions need to strike deals with us to sell their products here. We offer a wide range of services as well."
Curious about the scale of the enterprise, Steven inquires, "How much revenue does RPA generate?"
"I'm not certain, but it's likely in the millions or more," Ash replies casually. "We prioritize fair compensation for our employees; after all, RPA stands for Royal Pokemon Association."
His words draw the attention of onlookers, sparking a glint of greed in the eyes of some, notably Iris, May, Dawn, and Trip. Lillie and Bonnie observe their reactions with disdain, recognizing the shallowness of their desires.
"This isn't your average department store like those in Lilycove or Unova Route 9," Ash continues, shifting the topic to RPA's membership system. He distributes membership cards to the group, each card granting access to only the first and top floors initially.
"We have a total of 11 floors, but newcomers start with access to just the first and top floors," Ash explains. "To unlock the other floors, you'll need to collect stickers scattered throughout the region."
"Intriguing. Where can we find these stickers?" Nemona asks, curious about the challenge.
"They're hidden across various locations; you'll have to discover them yourselves," Ash replies with a grin. "For now, we'll grant you access to the top floor since that's where the Library and our Normal Type Gym are located. Once you bring back your card with the Library sticker, you'll gain access to more floors."
With that, the group boards the elevator, ascending to the top floor where the Library awaits, doubling as RPA's unique Normal Type Gym. A sense of excitement and anticipation fills the air as they embark on this new adventure within the grandeur of the RPA Company.
"How strong is Nate?" Selene's curiosity prompts her to inquire, to which Ash replies, "He's typically the go-to for beginners, but his strength escalates if you possess more than one badge."
Exiting the elevator, the group is greeted by the vast expanse of books lining the shelves in the Library. Nate, stationed behind the counter, is engrossed in typing on his computer until he notices Ash and the others, offering a warm greeting, "Ah, Champion Red, Princess Aurora. Welcome."
"Hello, Nate. Are you prepared for the challenge?" Ash inquires, eager to test their skills.
"Absolutely, just let me wrap up a few thoughts," Nate responds, his fingers swiftly tapping away on the keyboard. Cynthia, intrigued by Nate's work, asks, "Are you crafting a new novel?"
"Indeed," Nate confirms with a nod. "I've been commissioned by a client to transform a detailed summary into a full-fledged story."
Brandon's interest piques as he questions, "What kind of narrative are you weaving? Can you share the summary with us?"
Nate chuckles lightly, "If I divulge it now, the surprise factor would diminish. However, since you're here, I'll pause my writing momentarily to engage in the battles you seek. Who among you will challenge me?"
"I'll take on the challenge," Leaf declares confidently, stepping forward. "I'm Leaf Green from Viridian City, selected by Champion Adam for this showdown."
"Delighted to accept," Nate responds graciously, making his way to a specific bookshelf. With the simple action of placing a book on the shelf, the surroundings transform dramatically. The shelves slide apart, revealing a vast field with glass walls rising from the ground, enclosing the battlefield in a dazzling display of preparation.
"Does the gym really need to make such a grand spectacle?" Dawn questions, her curiosity piqued by the elaborate setup.
Nate explains with a smile, "These glass walls were designed with David's assistance. Since we're situated in a library, it's crucial to maintain a quiet atmosphere for those engrossed in reading. The walls ensure that our battles don't disturb others seeking solace in literature."
"That's quite thoughtful," Lyra remarks, impressed by the consideration for the library's ambiance.
Meanwhile, as Nate and Leaf engage in their intense battle, the treacherous individuals in the group seize the opportunity to sneak a peek at Nate's computer. Their hope is to uncover valuable information that could aid their nefarious intentions. After some deft maneuvering, they stumble upon the paragraph Nate had been writing.
"Dad!" The small princess falls to her knees beside her father, the king, aghast at the sight of him impaled by a sword in the chest. Her innocent eyes fill with tears as she looks up at the imposing figure of Duke Roberts, her voice trembling with a mix of grief and anger. "How could you do this, Duke Roberts?"
The Duke, unmoved by her accusations, meets her gaze with a cold stare. "It's quite simple, my dear. I desire the power to rule this country," he declares callously as the sounds of approaching knights echo through the castle halls.
"Seize her! She's the one who murdered the king!" the Duke commands, pointing an accusing finger at the princess.
The princess is taken aback, disbelief clouding her features. "No, no, you're mistaken! I would never harm my father!" she protests as the knights encircle her, their swords drawn.
"Do you honestly believe they'll heed your protests? I witnessed the deed with my own eyes," the Duke sneers, reveling in the chaos he has orchestrated. "Take her to the dungeon!"
The princess's cries for mercy fall on deaf ears as she is forcibly dragged away by the knights. Her heart pounds with fear and confusion, unable to comprehend the betrayal unfolding before her. All she can hear amidst her distress is the cruel laughter of the Duke, his satisfaction evident in the misery he has inflicted upon her and the kingdom.
The traitors exchange startled glances, their eyes widening in shock as they listen to the unfolding narrative. The parallels between the events in the story and their own past actions, particularly the framing of Ash five years prior, leave them reeling with disbelief.
"But how is this possible?" May whispers, her voice tinged with apprehension. "Ash isn't even in this region. No one here should know about what we did to him."
Dawn nods in agreement, her brow furrowed with concern. "It doesn't make sense. We were careful to cover our tracks and keep our involvement hidden."
Trip, his usual composure wavering, adds, "Could it be a coincidence? Or perhaps someone has uncovered our secrets and is using them against us?"
The traitors' minds race with possibilities, the eerie similarity between the story's plot and their own actions leaves them questioning everything they thought they had buried in the past.
I'll end the chapter right here, as you can see, I will be including some flashbacks about Delia and what happened before her life was taken. I hope you like this chapter.