Chapter 5

In the quiet of Professor Oak's Lab, the atmosphere was heavy with loss. Professor Oak had passed away due to illness, leaving Gary Oak as the new caretaker of the lab. Though he embraced his role as a Pokémon Professor, his mind was haunted by the memories of betrayal—the hurt expression on Ash's face after his secret as an Aura User had been exposed.

"Do you know how painful it is to listen to how you guys keep insulting Aura Users for nine years? Considering I am one of them? I was just doing anything to survive."

The words echoed endlessly in Gary's mind, a reminder of the consequences of his actions. While he understood the world's fear of Aura Users, rooted in the sins of their ancestors, Gary couldn't deny that the current persecution mirrored the same cruelty of the past. And now, the thought of Ash possessing the ability to trigger the Rumbling—a cataclysm that could annihilate everyone except Aura Users—gnawed at his conscience.

Sitting alone in the lab, Gary held a gun in his trembling hands. He had been one of the people who exposed Ash's secret, indirectly leading to Delia's death. The guilt consumed him. Ash had been his childhood rival, his best friend, and yet Gary had betrayed him, labeling him a devil.

Tears welled in Gary's eyes as he raised the gun to his temple. His finger hovered over the trigger, but before he could act, a notification pinged on his computer screen. Lowering the gun, he turned to see an email—a formal invitation to a Pokémon League meeting from Mr. Goodshow.

Gary exhaled shakily, the weight of his guilt momentarily set aside. He thought about the aspiring trainers, the children who came to him excited to start their journeys. He had a duty to them, a duty to carry on his grandfather's legacy. For now, he would continue his work.

Arriving at the grand Wyndon Stadium in the Galar Region, Gary was greeted by Sonia, the region's professor. She approached with a warm smile.

"Gary! Nice to see you again," Sonia said cheerfully.

"Hey, Sonia," Gary replied, forcing a small smile. "How's the professor life treating you?"

"Busy, but fulfilling. And you?"

"Tiring," Gary admitted. "But it's worth it to see new trainers starting their own journeys. It reminds me of when I was younger."

Sonia chuckled. "I know the feeling. By the way, I see you got an invitation from Mr. Goodshow too."

Gary nodded. "Yeah. It's unusual, though. He didn't just invite us professors—he called the Champions, too. Makes me wonder what this meeting is about."

Sonia's expression grew serious. "It might have to do with the recent battle between Sevestar and Galar. I heard Galar lost a lot of people. The Sevestar Region's defenses are… overwhelming, especially when it comes to protecting the Aura Users."

Gary frowned, his guilt stirring again. "It's tragic. So many lives lost. Why can't we just… live in peace?"

Sonia placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I wish I had the answer to that, Gary. Anyway, I should go—Leon's probably looking for me."

Gary watched her leave, sighing deeply. The weight of the ongoing conflict hung heavily over him. So many people had died fighting Sevestar, and the world seemed no closer to peace. As he stood there, surrounded by trainers, professors, and Champions alike, Gary couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous was on the horizon.

"Gary! Long time no see!" a cheerful voice called out.

Gary turned to see a group approaching—Max, Bonnie, May, Misty, Brock, Clemont, Cilan, Iris, Mallow, Kiawe, Sophocles, Lana, Goh, and Chloe.

"Oh, I see you're all here too," Gary said, masking his unease.

Max puffed out his chest. "You're looking at the new Champions of Kalos and Unova—and me, the current Hoenn Champion!"

Misty crossed her arms, her expression cold. "It's just a shame that some Kalos and Hoenn Champions turned out to be devils. And it's not just them—many Gym Leaders in Kalos were working with those monsters."

"Thanks to Bonnie, we managed to wipe them out of Kalos," Clemont added with a grim nod.

Gary's gaze flickered over the group, unease gnawing at him. He could see the shared disdain in their faces—a hatred directed at the one name they all had in common: Ash Ketchum. From what Gary had heard, it wasn't just Ash; even Dawn, Serena, and Lillie were revealed to be Aura Users. Their absence from this group was glaring, but unsurprising.

"So, any idea what this meeting is about?" Chloe asked, breaking the tension.

"It's obvious," Iris said flatly. "The nine regions are teaming up to declare war on the Sevestar Region. Those island devils need to be wiped out."

"The reason we've been losing is that we've been fighting them individually," Goh added. "But with the nine regions working together, we've got a real chance to take them down."

Gary's stomach churned at their words. The talk of war and elimination disturbed him deeply, but what unsettled him even more was the absence of any mention of Ash. It was as if the group had erased him completely. The guilt burned inside Gary—he knew he and his grandfather were responsible for Delia Ketchum's murder, and Ash's betrayal had been the direct result. Yet he couldn't bring himself to speak up.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Gary spotted two cloaked figures slipping toward the basement. Something about them seemed… off. Suspicion pricked at his mind. Could they be Aura Guardians? Could they have a connection to Ash?

"Guys," Gary said abruptly, "I just remembered I've got something to do. I'll catch up later."

It was a flimsy excuse, but it worked. The group barely acknowledged him as he hurried off, his focus entirely on the two cloaked figures. Quietly, he followed them into the basement, his footsteps muffled as he descended the stairs.

The tension in his chest grew with each step. Whoever they were, he was determined to find out—and deep down, he couldn't shake the thought that this might lead him back to Ash.

When the cloaked figures stopped, they slowly removed their hoods. Gary's breath hitched, and he muttered, "No way…"

"It's been four years, hasn't it, Gary Oak?" one of them said. It was Ash. Standing beside him was Lillie, her gaze steady and cold.

"Impossible… Ash and Lillie?" Gary gasped, his mind reeling.

Lillie smirked faintly. "Why don't we sit down, Poetry Guy's grandson? There are good seats right here. You can hear everything on stage perfectly. Above us? That's where all the workers with the governments of the eight regions are gathered."

Gary stared at them, wide-eyed. "Ash… Lillie… How? Why are you here?"

Ash's expression grew serious. "Same reason as you. We're here for the meeting."

Gary's confusion deepened, but before he could respond, the sound of applause echoed through the building above them. Back on the main stage, Mr. Goodshow stepped forward, bowing to the audience as flashes from cameras illuminated the room.

Holding his head, Gary muttered, "What is this…?"

Lillie, seated calmly, replied, "Sounds like it's starting. Let's listen."

As the applause began to die down, Mr. Goodshow took the microphone, his tone grave but commanding. "Roughly 2,000 years ago, Aura Users ruled the world with their powers. They used their abilities to take countless lives, nearly driving humanity to extinction. That's when a civil war began. Together with Pokémon, we fought back, forcing them to retreat to the island we now know as Sevestar Island."

Goodshow's voice grew sharper as he continued, "But even after their retreat, their power never truly faded. Legendary and Mythical Pokémon reside on that island, waiting for the moment to trample and attack the rest of the world."

The audience murmured in fear, their expressions shifting from curiosity to alarm. Goodshow paused, allowing the tension to settle before speaking again.

"A year ago," he said, his tone darkening, "a man named Ash Ketchum participated in the World Tournament. Using abnormal powers, he defeated even the undefeatable Champion Leon Dande. His victory revealed what we had feared all along—that the Aura Users are regaining their strength."

In the dimly lit basement, Ash's gaze bore into Gary, his voice calm but laced with bitterness. "You heard that, Gary? Isn't that why you and the Kanto government came to my house in Pallet Town? You were trying to save the world, weren't you?"

Gary remained silent, unable to meet Ash's eyes. His guilt weighed heavily, but no words came to his defense.

Above them, Goodshow's speech continued, his voice booming over the speakers. "Thanks to critical intelligence, we have identified the current Grand Guardians—those who pose the greatest threat to the world. Over the past year, our forces from each region have attempted to confront them in the Sevestar Region. But every time, we have been forced to retreat, suffering heavy losses of both humans and Pokémon."

The crowd murmured angrily, their frustration and fear growing with every word.

Goodshow raised his hand for silence and continued. "The reason for our repeated losses lies in their Aura powers. These powers allow them to command Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, overwhelming us at every turn. And now, the prince of the Sevestar Region has returned—a new Grand Guardian, and perhaps the most dangerous of them all. His name… is Ash Ketchum!"

A wave of gasps swept through the audience, particularly from those who had once traveled alongside Ash. The revelation hit like a thunderbolt.

Max clenched his fists, his voice filled with shock and betrayal. "So, all this time… we were traveling with the devil prince?"

Goh's eyes widened. "That means… Ash is the Grand Guardian…"

Goodshow's voice grew darker, his tone filled with urgency. "The Sevestar Region has a weapon of unimaginable devastation, a force we call The Rumbling. With the aid of Legendary Pokémon, they have the power to bring the world to its knees. And because of the Kanto government's provocation, Ash Ketchum may already have reason to unleash it."

Gasps turned to murmurs of panic as the weight of the threat sunk in.

Goodshow leaned forward, his expression grim. "Once The Rumbling begins, there will be no stopping it. All we can do is tremble at the footsteps of doom, fleeing in vain. Entire lands, civilizations, and every trace of humanity's progress… will be trampled into nothing."

The crowd's gasps echoed faintly through the basement, their fear feeding the tension in the air. Lillie, who had been listening silently, finally spoke, her voice calm but heavy with irony. "That's right. If anything, we are the bad guys here. We might destroy the world."

Ash's gaze hardened as he turned to Gary. "But to us, you were the bad guys too. That day, when you and the government killed my mother… I lost everything. I couldn't understand it then. Why, Gary? Why did my mother have to die that day?"

Gary's shoulders tensed as he muttered, barely audible, "Because… we broke into your house and killed her."

Ash's voice sharpened. "Why? Why would you break into my house and kill her?"

Gary's head dropped, his voice trembling. "Because she was an Aura User… like you."

Ash closed his eyes for a moment, a bitter smile forming on his lips. "I see. So killing Aura Users like us is your way of saving the world. You didn't have much of a choice, did you?"

Gary turned away, shame written all over his face. Silence filled the space between them, thick with unspoken pain. Finally, Gary spoke again, his voice barely a whisper. "Back then, you told us, 'We'll make you suffer and die in the worst way possible.' Isn't that why you're here now?"

Lillie tilted her head, her expression distant. "Oh, we vaguely remember saying that."

Gary's eyes widened in fear. "Huh?"

Lillie's tone softened as she continued, "Just forget what we said. It's true—I used to see everyone on the other side of the sea as my enemy. But then… we crossed the sea. We slept under the same roof as you, ate the same food, and shared the same moments. It brings back old memories. Sure, there are jerks everywhere, but there are good people too. Across the sea, everything is the same."

Ash's voice joined hers, steady but laced with sadness. "But you… you were taught to see everyone capable of using Aura as devils. You were just kids, Gary. Children who knew nothing, but it was drilled into you. What could you have done back then?"

Gary clenched his fists, his body trembling as he fell to his knees. His voice cracked as he shouted, "No, you're wrong! I didn't have to follow them—I just wanted to be a hero! I wanted people's respect! It's my fault… Your mother was killed because of me!"

Tears streamed down his face as he broke completely. "I'm sick of this… sick of myself! Just kill me! Get it over with!"

Gary's sobs echoed in the quiet basement, the weight of his guilt crashing down on him. Ash and Lillie watched him, their expressions unreadable as the complexity of the moment hung heavy in the air.

Goodshow stood tall on the stage, his voice booming over the crowd. "I have long wished for the Aura Guardians to be wiped out. And now, here and now, we stand as people of different races, nations, and beliefs! It is time to unite as one and face this dreadful enemy! Lend me your strength—those of you who wish to live, those of you who dream of a future! Together, we can overcome any obstacle in our way!"

The crowd erupted in applause, some cheering, others nodding grimly. Goodshow raised his hand, silencing them.

"I call upon you to join me in the fight against the devils of the Sevestar Region! As the representative of the Pokémon League Association, I declare—"

Lillie adjusted the headphones she wore, listening intently to the speech above. Her voice was calm but resolute as she said, "The timing is about to come, Ash."

"Good," Ash replied, his gaze fixed on Gary. "Sorry, Gary, but we have to do this. We'll keep moving forward."

Gary's breath hitched as he saw the cold determination in their eyes. His fear deepened when Ash and Lillie spoke in unison, their voices filled with purpose.

"Until we destroy our enemies."

Before Gary could react, Ash and Lillie unleashed their Aura powers—Fire and Ice merging to create a massive explosion. The force shook the basement, and Gary dove out of the way just in time. Moments later, he realized that an Aura Shield had protected him from the blast, cast by the very two who initiated it.

The explosion wasn't just an attack—it was a signal.

As Goodshow continued to rally the crowd, explosions erupted simultaneously in 18 different sections of the stadium. The ground trembled, and chaos ensued as debris flew in all directions. The audience screamed and scattered in terror, Pokémon panicking as their trainers tried to shield them.

Goodshow froze on stage, his triumphant expression replaced with confusion and fear. "What's going on?!" he yelled, but his answer came too late. Beneath him, a bomb—one planted not by his own forces, but by the Aura Users—detonated.

The blast consumed him, his body blown apart in an instant. Blood and debris rained down, silencing his voice forever.

The explosions sent shockwaves throughout the stadium. Many of the bombs set by Goodshow and his allies detonated, hitting politicians, audience members, staff, and even their Pokémon. Screams of terror echoed as the chaos unfolded.

However, amidst the destruction, there was an odd precision. The bombs had been placed to spare children and innocents, leaving them unharmed but shaken. They screamed, clutching one another as they fled the scene, their cries blending with the roars of terrified Pokémon.

Ash and Lillie watched the chaos through a small screen, their expressions unreadable.

"To the enemy forces of Sevestar…" Ash said, his voice calm yet cold, "a declaration of war."

Lillie nodded silently as the two turned to leave, their mission accomplished. Behind them, Gary slumped to the ground, his body trembling. He stared at the devastation on the screen and at the two figures walking away, their resolve unshaken.

"They weren't lying," Gary thought, his heart pounding. "They really will keep moving forward… until nothing is left."

And here is a new chapter, Ash and Lillie are finally taking action to destroy their enemies. You can see that Gary is really guilty for what he has done to Ash's mother, while the others aren't. I hope you like this chapter.