Chapter 90

(Flashback)

In the Aether Foundation's medical wing, Lusamine lies on the bed, her form frail against the sterile white sheets. Lillie and Gladion sit vigilantly beside her, their faces etched with worry and helplessness. The life support machines hum softly, a stark contrast to the tense silence that fills the room. Lillie's tears flow freely, her emotions raw and overwhelming as she gazes at her mother's weakened state. Gladion, his expression a mixture of concern and determination, pulls Lillie close in a comforting embrace.

"It's just not fair," Lillie sobs, her words muffled against Gladion's shoulder.

Gladion's frown deepens as he struggles to find words of solace. "I can't accept this either, but we have to face reality. What options do we have?"

As if on cue, Ash, Tox, and Alice enter the room, their presence offering a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. Ash steps forward, his voice filled with resolve. "Lillie, Gladion, we're with you. We'll do everything we can to find a way to save her. We won't give up."

Alice furrows her brow, her fingertips lightly brushing against her temple in thought. "The low temperature could be a result of the Nihilego Toxins," she observes with a heavy sigh, her concern evident.

Tox's analytical mind immediately kicks in. "Waiting idly won't solve anything. Why don't we attempt to extract the toxins from her bloodstream?"

Ash interjects, his tone tinged with a sense of urgency born from years of experience. "It's been a decade since she was exposed to those toxins. They're deeply embedded and extracting them now might pose more risks, especially given her current condition."

Just then, a feeble voice escapes Lusamine's lips, barely audible but carrying a profound weight. Ash leans in to catch her words, his expression reflecting a mix of surprise and concern. "No..."

Gladion's voice quivers with emotion as he addresses his mother, his desperation palpable. "Mother, why would you say no? With Dr. Tox and Dr. Gus here, two of the most skilled doctors, we can help you. You'll be okay."

"There is no need to heal me," Lusamine says softly, her words causing a wave of surprise among the group.

Tox's brow furrows in disbelief. "What are you talking about?"

"I've come to terms with the fact that my time here is drawing to a close," Lusamine murmurs weakly, her words heavy with resignation. "Please, don't prolong the inevitable for someone like me."

Ash's sense of duty and empathy propel him forward. "Ms. Lusamine, you can't give up like this. What about Lillie and Gladion? They need you. You can't leave them alone."

"I know I am selfish...but I don't think I can stay in this meaningless world," Lusamine replies with a weak voice.

Ash counters gently, his voice filled with conviction. "The world still holds meaning, Ms. Lusamine."

"The toxins in my body...not even the best doctors can remove them...please don't waste your time on me..." Lusamine's voice is barely a whisper as she turns her gaze to her two children. "Lillie, Gladion...help Ash and Alice in every way you can... seek revenge for Mohn... and perhaps for me as well..."

Lillie and Gladion exchange solemn nods, understanding the weight of their mother's final wishes. Shortly after, Lusamine's weakened heart ceases its beat, and grief overtakes the room, each person's sorrow palpable in the tear-stained silence.

"Mom...why?" Lillie's cry echoes through the room, her pain raw and uncontainable. Ash steps forward, enfolding her in a comforting embrace, sharing in her sorrow.

Gladion's grief manifests in anger as he strikes the wall, blood trickling from his injured hand, his emotions a turbulent mix of loss and fury at the unfairness of it all.

The others in the room, while not as intimately affected, also shed tears for the passing of a life, recognizing the depth of loss felt by Lillie and Gladion.

The news of Lusamine's passing spreads swiftly across the globe, touching the hearts of many who had benefitted from the Aether Foundation's kindness and generosity. An outpouring of sorrow blankets the world as people gather at the Aether Foundation to pay their respects, though not everyone can enter due to lingering suspicions and personal barriers stemming from Mohn's tragic death.

Lillie and Gladion, guided by a sense of familial duty and love, choose to lay their mother to rest within the Foundation's sacred grounds, where their father's memory also resides.

After the solemn burial rites, Ash broaches a topic that weighs heavily on everyone's minds. "What are your plans now?"

The siblings exchange a glance, their future uncertain in the wake of such profound loss. Alice steps in with a proposal that stirs surprise and hope in their hearts. "Ash and I have discussed this. We would like to invite you to officially join the Ketchum family. What do you think?"

Lillie's eyes widen in disbelief. "You mean... you want to adopt us?"

Ash's smile is warm and genuine. "You've always been a part of our family, in all but name. We'd be honored to have you as official members."

Once they return to the Sevestar Region, Adam greets them warmly, his arms open in a gesture of paternal affection. "I know it will be hard for you since your parents are long gone, but you can call me father if you want to," he offers sincerely.

"Okay...father..." Gladion responds, the weight of the word settling with a mixture of gratitude and longing.

Ash then introduces a significant step toward becoming full members of the family. "But to truly become part of our family, there's a test you must undergo. It's called the Aura Test. It will determine if you can harness and live with Aura or succumb to exhaustion."

Surprising them all with her resolve, Lillie speaks up. "We will do it. Life isn't fair, and people unfairly label you as a criminal for Ms. Ketchum's death. We stood by your side through it all, even risking our lives. We promised our Mother that we'll stand by you and help you as much as we can."

Ash nods, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "I see, you two really are determined." With that, he excuses himself to prepare for the upcoming Aura Test.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the room shifts as Mark, Golly, Flora, and Eve enter, their gazes immediately drawn to Lillie and Gladion. Adam, noticing their arrival, inquires about their well-being. Golly responds, "We're having a blast! Pikachu's up to his mimicry antics again. But where's Brother Ash?"

"He's outside getting everything ready for the Aura Test," Adam explains, his tone carrying a mixture of anticipation and solemnity that reflects the gravity of the moment.

Outside, Ash begins to explain the intricacies of the test to the Aether Siblings. His voice is calm but carries a weight of responsibility as he outlines the challenges they are about to face. "The Aura Test will delve into your deepest fears and regrets," he explains. "You'll confront memories that haunt you the most, and you must either come to terms with them or find a way to resolve them. There are three levels of memories, ranging from least to most intense. Many can overcome the first two levels, but the third is where most falter."

Gladion, his expression a mix of determination and concern, voices the question they all hesitate to ask. "And what if we fail? What happens then?" The unspoken tension in the air is palpable, a reminder of the high stakes involved in the test.

"You don't need to worry about chances of failure; I'm confident that you two will succeed," Ash reassures them, his voice carrying a sense of trust and encouragement. "After all, you're my successors as the Alola Champion, and Gladion, you've always been a formidable rival since our Alolan days."

With the preparations set and another layer of fog enveloping the surroundings, Ash takes a moment to gauge their readiness. "The test is ready. Before we begin, I want to be sure—are you two ready for this?"

"We are," Gladion responds firmly, his eyes reflecting his determination.

Ash and Alice lead them to the entrance of their castle, where anticipation hangs heavy in the air. The four of them exchange glances, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Ash raises his hand, signaling the start of the Aura Task. "The Aura Task starts now!"

Lillie and Gladion share a determined look as they step into the swirling fog, disappearing from view. The onlookers, including Mark, Golly, Flora, and Eve, watch with a mixture of concern and hope.

"Are they going to be alright?" Golly voices the worry that lingers in the group.

"It's up to them now," Eve responds, her tone serious. "They hold the power to shape their own destiny in this test."

After a brief period, Lillie and Gladion lie on the ground, their bodies showing signs of exhaustion. Ash notices the subtle changes in their appearance—Lillie's hair color and eye color, as well as Gladion's transformation resembling Ash himself. A smile spreads across Ash's face as he turns to Alice and Adam. "The task is complete. Lillie and Gladion are now official members of the Ketchum family and can harness aura."

The news fills the room with joy and relief. Lillie and Gladion slowly regain consciousness, Lillie wincing as she rubs her sore muscles. "My body is really sore..."

"Does that mean we passed?" Gladion asks eagerly, but his attention is diverted as he notices Lillie's changed appearance. "Lillie! You look different..."

"You do too, brother. In fact, you look like Ash..." Lillie's realization dawns on her. "Wait, does that mean me too?"

"If you look like me, it means you've passed the task," Ash confirms with pride. "Congratulations. You are now fully integrated into the Ketchum family. I'm proud of both of you. If you wish to revert your hair color and facial appearance, you can use the Aura Disguise."

They nod in understanding, but Lillie expresses her current preference. "I think I'll stay in this form for a while."

"Me too," Gladion agrees. "Although it's a bit strange calling you my brother now."

Ash chuckles. "I know, but we'll get used to it." With that, they head inside the castle to introduce Lillie and Gladion to the rest of the family and showcase their newfound aura abilities.

(Flashback Ends)

"Lillie, are you okay?" Alice's concern fills the room that night as they all settle in at the Lunar Villa. Ash, Alice, Lillie, and Gladion find themselves sharing the same room, with Ash and Alice sharing the bed while Gladion opts to sleep on the couch.

"I'm just reflecting on the day you adopted me into the family. I can still hear my mother's words about standing by you to prove your innocence," Lillie responds softly, her thoughts drifting back to that pivotal moment.

"We're forever grateful for that," Ash chimes in, his voice filled with gratitude. "I'll never forget how you were willing to risk your health by consuming White Pepper, just to help me seek revenge."

"After Dad's passing, we made the choice to break ties and embark on this journey together. Despite the challenges we've faced, we know we're on the right path," Gladion adds, his tone carrying a sense of conviction.

"I agree," Alice says, nodding in agreement with Lillie and Gladion's sentiments. "You know, it's fortunate we have the artificial daytime sky. It helps us keep track of time and know when daytime has arrived."

Ash adds, "And we just need to take on two more gyms before we complete the entire challenge."

Alice continues, "The Mind Plate is also here, and we're lucky that none of Team Rainbow has come searching for it."

"Considering Phoenix's demeanor, it seems the Legend Plate isn't their true goal," Ash reflects, recalling their past encounter in Pixetty City. "I remember our battle vividly."

"It's definitely leading up to the final showdown," Ash concludes with a sigh, the weight of their impending confrontation with Team Rainbow hanging in the air.

Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, I decide to go with Lillie and Gladion's past of how they're adopted. But if you really want to see what the Aura Test is, let's say that it is similar to the one in the Normal version with the last one being Mohn's death. The next chapter will be the Fairy Gym.