Chapter 24 Champions' Assistance

As the familiar sensation of teleportation dissipates, Ash and Lillie find themselves back at the sleek halls of the Aether Foundation. The air is sterile, a sharp contrast to the rough and unpredictable wilderness of the United Region. After three days of exploration, their sudden return immediately draws attention. Mohn, Lusamine, and Gladion are already waiting in the main lobby, concern evident on their faces.

Lusamine rushes forward, "We're worried about you two," she says, her tone filled with maternal concern.

"Wait," Ash replies, his voice calm but firm, eyes meeting Lusamine's before glancing at Gladion and Mohn, who both stand silently, their postures tense. "We don't have time to explain everything here, we need to move quickly."

Gladion frowns, "Where to?"

"The Unova Region," Ash responds, his expression serious. "We need to get to the Pokémon League Association as soon as possible. Get the helicopter ready."

Lillie, standing beside Ash, nods in agreement. Though her face still shows signs of fatigue from their journey, her voice is steady. "Ash is both the World Champion and the Alola Champion. He has to attend the meeting."

Mohn nods, understanding the urgency. "I'll have the helicopter prepped immediately."

Moments later, the group finds themselves aboard the helicopter, the blades slicing through the air as they take off from the foundation. The horizon stretches before them as the helicopter climbs higher, leaving the familiar Alolan waters behind. Ash sits quietly, his mind focused on the task ahead, while Lillie and the others share an unspoken sense of purpose.

The helicopter lands smoothly on the rooftop of the PLA headquarters in Unova. As Ash, Lillie, and the Aether family step out, they are greeted by the sight of the Champions already gathered in the grand meeting hall. Lance, Steven, Cynthia, Iris, Diantha, Leon, Geeta, and Mr. Goodshow all turn to face them, their presence commanding the room.

"Welcome, Ash," Mr. Goodshow says with a warm smile, though his expression quickly shifts to one of concern. "But where's your mother? As the Kanto Champion, we were expecting her as well."

Ash straightens up, his face serious. "My mom won't be attending. She's handling... other responsibilities right now. There are several reasons for her absence."

Before anyone can press further, Ash gestures to Lillie. "Also, Lillie will stay by my side during the meeting. She's my girlfriend."

A moment of stunned silence fills the room as the Champions exchange surprised glances. Iris is the first to recover, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Ash, you have a girlfriend? Wow, that's a surprise!"

Cynthia chuckles softly, nodding in approval. "Congratulations, Ash. It seems you've been busy in more ways than one."

Leon laughs heartily. "Good for you, mate! It's about time."

Diantha and Geeta smile politely, while Steven and Lance exchange more subtle nods of respect. Lillie blushes slightly at the attention, but she stands confidently by Ash's side, proud to be with him.

Mr. Goodshow clears his throat, bringing the room back to order. "Well, congratulations are in order, but we have much to discuss. Let's begin the meeting."

As the official meeting concludes and the Champions begin to rise from their seats, Ash steps forward. "Wait," he says, his voice calm but resolute. "I need you all to stay a little longer. There's something important I need to discuss."

The Champions exchange curious glances, but they settle back into their seats, willing to hear him out. Ash takes a breath, feeling the weight of what he is about to say.

"Do any of you know about the 'United Region'?" Ash asks, his gaze sweeping across the room.

The Champions look at one another, confused, shaking their heads. Only Mr. Goodshow remains still, his expression turning grave. "The United Region... it's a place most people don't speak of. Isolated from the nine regions, cut off from the rest of the world," he says slowly. "Why are you asking about it, Ash?"

Ash locks eyes with him. "Because I've been there. And what I saw… the people there are suffering under 18 oppressive kingdoms. Their rulers are corrupt, and the situation is dire."

A stunned silence falls over the room as the Champions digest the information. Ash continues, his voice gaining strength. "I'm asking for your help. I want to gather the forces of the nine regions to declare war on the United Region and liberate its people."

The room erupts into a mixture of shocked murmurs and wide-eyed disbelief. Lance is the first to speak up, his brow furrowed. "Declare war? On an entire region? Ash, this is serious."

Cynthia leans forward, her expression thoughtful. "What exactly are we dealing with? What makes this region so different, and why haven't we known about it until now?"

Ash exhales slowly, his expression darkening as he begins. "There is a prophecy in the United Region. It speaks of the 'Devil Prince' who will rise to free the people from the suffering imposed by the 18 kingdoms. The royalties that rule those kingdoms are terrified of this prophecy, and because of it, they've been sending people to get rid of me."

The Champions listen intently as Ash continues, his voice steady but filled with underlying anger. "These rulers are much worse than any evil organization I've encountered before. Team Rocket, Plasma, Galactic—they're nothing compared to the cruelty I've seen. The suffering in the United Region is beyond anything we've experienced in the nine regions."

He gestures toward Lillie, who steps forward with a determined expression. "The reason I have Lillie here is because she's been helping me document the suffering. What I'm about to show you will explain why I'm asking for this war."

Lillie pulls out a device, and with a few taps, the footage begins to play on the large screen in the room. The Champions watch in silence as the grim reality of the United Region unfolds before their eyes.

The screen shows broken houses, entire villages reduced to rubble. People are starving, their faces hollow and desperate. The footage pans to cruel punishments—innocent citizens being dragged into the streets, tortured, and executed without trial. Ash clenches his fists as the images of screaming families and brutal executions continue. The horror only intensifies as the footage shows prisoners, barely alive, locked in chains and begging for mercy.

Everyone in the room watches in stunned silence. Broken lives, ruined cities, and an overwhelming sense of despair fills the screen. Lillie pauses the footage, her face pale from revisiting the horrors they witnessed.

Cynthia covers her mouth, her expression stricken. Steven and Diantha exchange shocked glances, while Leon looks visibly shaken. Even the usually composed Lance's jaw tightens, his fists clenched in anger. Iris wipes away a tear, unable to fully grasp the depth of the cruelty.

"This… this can't be real," Steven finally breathes, his voice barely audible.

"But it is," Ash replies firmly. "This is happening right now in the United Region. And this is why we have to act."

As the grim footage ends, the Champions sit in stunned silence, still processing the horrors they've just witnessed. Geeta breaks the silence, her voice calm but filled with doubt. "But why should we interfere? We're outsiders. This is their region, their problem."

Ash opens his mouth to respond, but before he can speak, the door to the room bursts open with a crash. Men dressed in black tactical gear storm in, guns raised. Ash's eyes widen in shock as the chaos erupts.

"What is the meaning of this? This is a private meeting!" Mr. Goodshow demands, but his words are cut short as one of the men fires toward him. Lance moves in an instant, pushing Goodshow out of the way just as the bullets rip through the air.

"Everyone down!" Lance shouts, his hand on his Pokéball.

Leon ducks behind the table, his voice laced with fury. "What the hell is going on?"

Lillie's voice trembles as she steps closer to Ash. "They're from the United Region... They're here to kill Ash."

Ash's eyes flash with resolve. "Not today." He quickly sends out Charizard, who roars as it materializes in the room. Without hesitation, Ash orders, "Flamethrower!"

The men in black dodge the flames as Charizard unleashes its attack. The searing heat scorches the room, but the attackers are quick on their feet, avoiding the fire as they continue to aim at Ash.

"Charizard, break the window!" Ash commands.

Charizard smashes the glass with a powerful swipe of its tail, and in a swift motion, Ash leaps onto its back. "Let's go!" With a beat of its wings, Charizard soars out of the window, carrying Ash into the open sky.

"Don't let the Devil Prince escape!" one of the men shouts, pointing toward Ash as the group begins to give chase.

Inside the room, the Champions react in disbelief. "Who let these lunatics in?" Steven demands, already pulling out a Pokéball.

Iris rushes toward the door, but freezes when she spots the lifeless bodies of the guards stationed at the gate. "The guards... They didn't stand a chance," she mutters, horrified.

None of them had expected the attack to come here, at the heart of the Pokémon League, and now, with Ash being pursued by assassins from the United Region, they realize the gravity of the situation they are now part of.

As Ash flies through the open sky on Charizard, he notices the attackers below releasing Skarmory and Corviknights, their metallic wings gleaming in the sun. His eyes narrow. "I knew it," he shouts, "You guys are from Steelhaven!"

Charizard swerves through the air, narrowly dodging a barrage of bullets. As Ash observes his attackers more closely, his suspicion is confirmed. The people chasing him— they aren't real. They're robots, mechanical creations disguised as humans.

Ash tightens his grip. "So, I don't need to hold back."

"Charizard, dodge and counter with Dragon Breath!"

Charizard releases a powerful stream of draconic energy, striking down one of the robots mid-air. Another quickly takes aim, but Charizard swiftly rolls to the side, evading the shots before unleashing a sweeping Heat Wave, setting the sky ablaze.

The battle doesn't last long. One by one, the robots fall, their Pokémon fainting and plummeting to the ground. In moments, the battlefield is silent, the remnants of the mechanical attackers scattered on the ground below. The spectators, including the Champions, stand in awe, struggling to comprehend what just happened.

From inside the building, Leon gasps. "They're... robots?"

Lillie steps forward, her voice trembling slightly. "They were created in the United Region. Who knows how many spies have been sent here just to eliminate Ash."

The realization dawns on everyone, the weight of the situation settling in. The United Region is far more advanced—and far more dangerous—than they had imagined.

Steven frowns, his mind racing. "Someone must have been controlling those robots. We need to find them before they strike again."

As they move to investigate, the sharp sound of a gunshot rings through the air. They rush toward the source, their hearts pounding.

When they arrive, they find Ash standing calmly over the lifeless body of the robot's controller. A bullet hole through the head tells the grim tale.

Lillie rushes forward. "Ash, are you okay?" she asks, her voice thick with worry.

Ash gives her a reassuring nod. "I'm fine. The controller is dead."

He then turns to face the Champions, his expression hard and determined. "This is not the only spy from the United Region. Who knows how many more are out there. That's why we need your help."

Ash's voice rises with conviction. "Assist me in overthrowing the governments of the United Region. Help me free their people from suffering."

Ash's declaration hangs in the air, but before anyone can respond, Lance steps forward, his face solemn. "Ash, there's something you need to know."

To Ash, Lillie, Iris, Leon, and Geeta's surprise, Lance exchanges glances with Steven, Cynthia, and Diantha, who all seem to share a silent understanding. Steven is the first to speak. "The truth is, we've known about the United Region for a long time."

Ash's eyes widen in shock. "What?"

Cynthia nods, her expression serious. "We've been aware of the United Region and its suffering for years. In fact, we're not just bystanders in this… we're members of Team Alpha."

The revelation leaves the room stunned. Leon's jaw drops. "Wait, you guys knew about this all along?"

Geeta crosses her arms, frowning. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Lance sighs, his voice heavy with the weight of long-held secrets. "We've been waiting. Waiting for the right moment, for the prophecy to come true. Team Alpha has been preparing for the day the Devil Prince would rise, the one destined to overthrow the 18 kingdoms. That day is now."

Diantha steps forward, her eyes locking with Ash's. "We couldn't act before because we didn't have the strength or the certainty. But now, with you, Ash, the prophecy is in motion."

Ash, still processing the shock of the revelation, clenches his fists. "So, all this time… you've been waiting for me?"

Steven places a hand on Ash's shoulder. "You're the one destined to lead this fight. We've been working behind the scenes to support you. Now that the United Region is actively targeting you, we can't stay in the shadows any longer."

Lillie, still stunned, glances between them. "So, what happens now?"

Cynthia's voice is calm but determined. "Now, we stop waiting. Now, we act."

As the gravity of the situation settles, Iris, Leon, and Geeta exchange glances, their faces set in determination.

"I'm in," Iris declares, stepping forward with conviction. "If the United Region is as bad as you say, we can't let it continue."

Leon nods, his usual laid-back attitude replaced with resolve. "Right. We can't stand by and watch this happen. We're going to fight with you, Ash."

Geeta folds her arms, her sharp gaze focused on Ash. "It seems this is more than just a regional conflict. The world can't ignore this any longer. I'll lend my strength as well."

With all nine Champions now united in purpose, Lance turns to Ash, his brow furrowed. "So what's our first step? How do we start this war?"

Ash pauses, his mind racing through the possibilities. He glances at Lillie, who gives him a nod of support before he turns back to the Champions.

"We start by sending a message," Ash says, his voice calm but firm. "I'm going to send the United Region a video message, declaring war. They need to know that I won't back down. Not anymore."

The Champions fall silent, absorbing Ash's words. There's a weight to them—a declaration of intent that feels like the beginning of something far larger than any of them anticipated.

"After that," Ash continues, "we need to gather the Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and Elite Trainers from every region. This is going to take all the strength we can muster."

Leon rubs his chin, deep in thought. "That's a lot of people to mobilize. How are we going to get everyone involved quickly enough?"

Ash turns to Lance, Steven, Cynthia, and Diantha, the four who had revealed their involvement with Team Alpha moments before. "Team Alpha will set up teleportation systems. With that, we'll be able to move people in and out as needed. Once the preparations are complete, we'll make our move."

The room grows tense as everyone contemplates the weight of what Ash is proposing. War was not a word thrown around lightly in the world of Pokémon.

Lance steps forward, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder. "This won't be easy. The United Region is vast, and they've had years to build their power. But we're with you, Ash."

Steven, ever calm, adds, "We'll need to coordinate with the Champions and leaders from all the regions, ensuring they understand the stakes and can prepare their forces."

Ash nods, feeling the support from the Champions strengthening his resolve. "Right. I'll make sure this message is clear: we're not just fighting to stop them—we're fighting to save the people suffering in the United Region."

Lillie, standing beside Ash, squeezes his hand. "We're all with you, Ash."

Just as the Champions begin to discuss their roles and preparations, the door to the room swings open, revealing several Team Alpha operatives entering the room.

"We're ready to set up the equipment for the broadcast, Ash," one of the operatives says.

Ash takes a deep breath, nodding toward the operatives. "Let's do it."

Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, Ash has been ambushed and also get the Champions to help. I hope you like this chpater.