Chapter 25 Delcaration of War
The broadcast blinks to life, reaching every corner of the nine regions and even the isolated United Region. Across cities and towns, in bustling streets and quiet homes, people stop in their tracks, eyes glued to the screen as a familiar face appears.
In Petalburg City, May and Max are strolling through the marketplace when the broadcast catches their attention. The massive screen hanging above the square flickers with static before revealing Ash standing resolutely in front of the camera.
Max gasps, grabbing May's arm. "Hey! It's Ash!"
May turns to the screen, her eyes widening. "What's going on here?" she asks, her voice filled with surprise.
At Professor Oak's Lab, Misty and Brock are in the middle of catching up with Tracey when the broadcast cuts in. They glance at the screen, recognizing Ash immediately.
Misty furrows her brow, her voice low with concern. "Ash? What is this broadcast?"
Brock crosses his arms, his expression serious. "He wouldn't be doing this without a good reason."
Meanwhile, across the United Region, people stop what they're doing as the broadcast reaches them. Confusion spreads quickly. The citizens of the United Region have never seen this young man before, yet he suddenly appears on every screen, his presence commanding attention.
In the dead silence that follows, Ash speaks, his voice calm yet filled with purpose.
"To everyone in the world, my name is Ash Ketchum," he begins, his eyes steady as they gaze into the camera. "And I am the World Champion. I'm very sorry for this abrupt broadcast, but I have important news to deliver."
The weight of his words causes a ripple of unease across the audience. Eyes remain fixed on the screen, waiting for what comes next.
Ash's voice carries across the screen, his words sinking in like a heavy weight upon the viewers across the nine regions and the United Region alike.
"In times of darkness, when shadows rule,
Eighteen kingdoms shall rise, cruel and untrue.
The land shall weep, the people shall mourn,
Under the iron fist, all hope shall be torn.
But from the ashes, a savior shall ascend,
A prince of devils, the kingdoms' end.
Marked by fate, with power untold,
He shall break the chains, defy the cold.
The Devil Prince, with fire in his veins,
Shall bring the light, end the reigns.
The oppressed shall rise, their shackles undone,
And peace shall reign, when the battle is won."
Ash pauses briefly, letting the prophecy hang in the air before continuing, his eyes narrowing in resolve. "I am sure that everyone in the United Region should know about this prophecy?"
In the nine regions, confusion spreads quickly. At the Pokémon Trainers' School, the students and teachers are gathered, watching the broadcast in stunned silence. Mallow furrows her brow, trying to make sense of it all.
"A prophecy?" she whispers. "What does that even mean? And… what's the United Region?"
In Viridian City, Goh and Chloe are standing in front of a massive screen displaying the broadcast. Goh's eyes widen with curiosity as he turns to Chloe. "There's a region we haven't explored?" he asks, unable to hide his amazement.
Meanwhile, the people of the United Region are equally stunned. They exchange glances, shocked that this stranger—who claims to be the World Champion—knows of the thousand-year-old prophecy, a prophecy that has been whispered and feared for generations. More importantly, how does this outsider know their darkest secret?
Ash's voice rings out once more, firm and unwavering. "For too long, you have oppressed your people. For too long, you've hidden in the shadows, using fear and violence to keep your grip on power. That ends today."
His gaze hardens as he continues, "I, Ash Ketchum, am the Devil Prince from the prophecy! The descendant of the Ketchum Family that you, the 18 kingdoms, have betrayed!"
The people of the United Region gasp in collective shock, their minds racing. How could this boy from another land claim such a title?
"This is my message to the 18 rulers who have targeted me with multiple assassination attempts," Ash declares, his voice filled with determination. "I, bringing Arceus' will and power, will eliminate all of you and free the people who are suffering!"
The nine regions watch in stunned silence as Ash's declaration reverberates through the airwaves. His next words echo a challenge that would shake the world.
"I won't be alone!" he proclaims. "I have made an agreement with the Champions of the nine regions, and they will, in turn, rally the Elite Trainers, Elite Four, and Gym Leaders. Together, we will stand united. This is a declaration of war!"
As the broadcast reaches its peak, across the United Region, chaos erupts in the halls of power. The rulers of the 18 kingdoms sit in their palaces, watching the screen with rising panic. Murmurs of disbelief turn into shouts of anger, fear, and confusion.
"He's an outsider!" Queen Marina cries, slamming her fist on a table. "How could he possibly know the prophecy?"
"How did he even survive the assassination attempts?" Queen Zephyra demands, pacing the room, eyes wide with anxiety.
Across the kingdoms, the leaders scramble, calling for their advisors, military, and spies. The name "Ash Ketchum" spreads like wildfire among them, as does the looming dread of the prophecy they've feared for generations.
Meanwhile, in the nine regions, the reactions are starkly different. People everywhere are stunned, their minds racing. In cities like Cerulean City, Lumiose City, and Hau'oli City, whispers ripple through the crowds.
"A war? With a region we've never even heard of?" a trainer in Lumiose City mutters to his friends, disbelief clear on his face.
In Cerulean City, a young trainer exclaims, "We're going to fight… but we don't even know who our enemy is!"
Ash's voice continues on the broadcast, calm but resolute. He knows the shock and confusion his declaration has caused, but he remains steadfast.
"I understand that this may be difficult for everyone in the nine regions to comprehend," Ash says, his eyes focused, addressing the concerns of the viewers. "And I want to make something very clear: I will not force anyone to help me. This is your choice, and I respect that."
The room grows quieter as Ash's words settle in.
"However, know this," Ash continues. "My team—Team Alpha—has been fighting this war for years, waiting for the prophecy to come true, waiting for my arrival. We've been preparing for this moment. I won't care if they send more assassins or soldiers after me."
Ash's tone grows sharper, more defiant. "Because as long as I am living, the prophecy will never break. The downfall of the 18 kingdoms is coming soon. That is not just my promise, but the will of Arceus itself."
The screen crackles slightly as his message cuts through the confusion and uncertainty like a blade. Across the nine regions, the people who had once stood in doubt now begin to realize the gravity of Ash's words. Some are still hesitant, unsure of what to make of this sudden revelation, while others feel the spark of courage igniting within them.
In the United Region, the rulers continue to scramble, trying to make sense of how their tightly guarded secret is now laid bare to the world. Fear grips them as they realize that the time they've long dreaded has finally arrived.
Ash's final words hang in the air: "The battle has begun. I will not back down, and neither will the people who fight with me."
The broadcast ends, leaving the world in stunned silence, the weight of Ash's declaration pressing down on every region, every person who had witnessed it.
As the broadcast ends and the screen goes dark, a heavy silence fills the room. Team Alpha begins to pack up their equipment, swiftly and efficiently, before making their exit. Ash stands still for a moment, his heart still racing from the intensity of the message he just delivered. He turns to Lillie, a faint look of concern crossing his face.
"Sorry, Lillie," Ash says, rubbing the back of his head. "It seems I might have overdone it."
Lillie looks at him for a moment, then shakes her head with a reassuring smile. "No way, Ash. You did great in the broadcast. Now the rulers of the 18 kingdoms are going to be terrified. They probably won't know what to do, and I'm sure they'll call back all their assassins now that they know you're coming."
Ash chuckles softly, the tension easing from his shoulders. "I hope you're right."
He glances toward the Champions, who are gathered in quiet conversation, each of them already formulating their plans for the coming days. Ash approaches them, his resolve clear. "Thanks for sticking with me," he says, his voice calm but appreciative. "I know this won't be easy."
Lance nods firmly. "We've got your back, Ash. This is bigger than any one of us, but together, we'll make sure we're ready."
Cynthia crosses her arms, her eyes serious but determined. "We'll gather the Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and the Elite Trainers. You're not alone in this."
Steven places a hand on Ash's shoulder. "We'll leave no stone unturned. Every leader in every region will know what's coming."
With a final exchange of nods, the Champions begin to make their way out of the room, ready to spread the word and rally the leaders of their respective regions. As the room clears, Ash takes a deep breath, knowing that the hardest part is still ahead.
Lillie stands beside him, her hand resting on his arm. "We'll get through this, Ash. Together."
Ash nods, his heart steady with newfound determination. "Yeah, we will."
As Ash and Lillie prepare to leave, Lillie turns to him with a curious expression. "So, where are we heading next?"
Ash glances at her with a small smile. "I'm still the Alola Champion, remember? That means I also need to gather the Alola Elite Four and the Gym Leaders to join the fight."
Lillie nods in understanding. "Of course. We need everyone we can get."
With a sense of purpose, they step outside, where the Aether Foundation helicopter waits for them. The blades whir softly as the door opens, and they climb inside, joined by a few key Team Alpha members. The helicopter lifts off into the sky, heading toward their next destination: Alola.
As the landscape of the region comes into view, Ash and Lillie share a moment of quiet resolve, knowing that they are about to rally their home region for the battle ahead.
Back at the Team Alpha base, the atmosphere buzzes with activity. Screens replay the broadcast Ash delivered, and members of Team Alpha are hard at work, preparing for the next steps. Amidst the commotion, Delia stands quietly, her eyes fixed on the screen displaying her son's bold declaration of war. A proud but concerned smile crosses her face.
Pauline approaches her, her expression thoughtful. "So," she begins, "it seems that your son has declared war on the screen. Aren't you worried that the battles ahead will be even harder?"
Delia turns to her, her gaze steady. "Ash is not the type to do things quietly or through sneak attacks. He always faces his challenges head-on, and I trust him. He's doing what he believes is right."
Pauline nods, understanding Delia's confidence, but still aware of the risks.
Delia then takes a deep breath and pulls out a small locket from her pocket. She opens it gently, revealing an old wedding photo of her and Red. Her fingers trace the edge of the picture, and for a brief moment, her eyes soften with the weight of memories.
Closing her eyes, she whispers softly, "Red... please bless us with luck... Ash needs to win."
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, you can see that Ash has declared war to the United Region. The next chapter will be the meeting with the leaders.