Chapter 9

After arriving at Sevestar Island, Goh and Chloe were placed in a dimly lit prison cell. The echoes of their steps on the cold stone floor faded as the heavy iron door slammed shut behind them. Their defeat and the events of the airship haunted them, the weight of their actions pressing heavily on their shoulders.

Meanwhile, preparations began for the funeral of Alice and the others who had sacrificed themselves for the Aura Guardians and Sevestar's freedom. The somber ceremony took place on a cliffside overlooking the ocean, where the sea breeze carried the scent of salt and the cries of Wingull filled the air.

When it was Ash's turn to speak, he stepped forward, his face shadowed by grief. He took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he began.

"Besides Lillie, Alice was one of the few people who always cheered me on when I felt alone… when I was broken by the cruelty of how people treated us Aura Guardians." His voice cracked slightly, but he pushed through. "I owe her so much, and she never asked for anything in return. She was brave, selfless, and always cared more about others than herself…"

As Ash spoke, memories of their meeting surfaced in his mind. It had been six months ago, in the quiet town of Laverre City. The once-beautiful Sakura clothing store, owned by Valerie, was engulfed in flames, its elegant façade reduced to ash. Valerie's Gym title had been stripped from her, and she was fleeing with her three daughters: Flora, Eve, and Alice.

That was when Ash and Lillie intervened. Together, they protected Valerie and her family from those who sought to harm them. It was a fateful encounter, and by the end of it, Ash and Lillie offered them refuge in the Sevestar Region—a new home far from the oppression of the mainland.

Alice had admired Ash deeply from that moment. His courage and determination left an impression on her, and over time, her admiration grew into something more. She developed feelings for him but never acted on them. She knew how close Lillie and Ash were and understood that her feelings would remain unspoken. Instead, she channeled her affection into supporting Ash's happiness, no matter what.

When the mission to Wyndon Stadium was announced, Alice had volunteered without hesitation. Ash had initially refused, unwilling to put her in danger, but Eve had promised to keep an eye on her. Reluctantly, he agreed. Now, standing at her funeral, that decision weighed heavily on him.

"I should have kept her safe…" Ash murmured, his voice barely audible. "She didn't deserve this."

After the ceremony, Ash retreated to his room, the grief finally overwhelming him. He sat on the edge of his bed, his hands trembling as tears streamed down his face. The weight of Alice's loss felt unbearable.

Lillie entered the room quietly, her heart breaking at the sight of Ash in such pain. She moved behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him into a comforting embrace. "Ash…" she whispered, her voice soft and soothing.

Ash's voice was raw with anguish. "Why… of all people, why did she have to die? It's my fault she was killed! I should've stopped her. I should've kept her safe…"

Lillie tightened her hold on him, her forehead resting against his back. "It's not your fault, Ash," she said firmly. "Goh is the one who killed her. You couldn't have known that would happen."

Ash shook his head, his hands balling into fists. "I let her come… I agreed to it. If I hadn't—"

"Alice knew the risks," Lillie interrupted gently. "She made her choice because she believed in you, Ash. And Ms. Valerie doesn't blame you for her death, so don't blame yourself."

Ash's shoulders trembled as he broke down, his cries muffled against Lillie's embrace. She stayed with him, her presence a silent promise that he wouldn't have to bear this pain alone.

Ash frowned as he left his room, his steps heavy with lingering grief. He paused outside a door, hesitated briefly, then knocked. The door creaked open to reveal Leon, sitting on the edge of his bed, his head bowed in thought.

"You do realize," Ash began, his tone sharp but calm, "that Aura Users have the ability to read minds. So I want to ask again—why are you helping us?"

Leon raised his head, meeting Ash's intense gaze. "And I've told you before," he replied, his voice steady. "You're the only one who's ever managed to defeat me. You're an Aura User—a so-called devil—but you've done what no one else could. I respect you for that."

Lillie appeared behind Ash, her arms crossed as she stepped into the room. "And do you think the Galar Region will ever forgive you for this betrayal?" she asked coldly. "You've turned against them for us."

"They probably think I'm dead," Leon said with a shrug, his expression unreadable. "So there's no need to worry about that. Though…" His voice softened. "I'm truly sorry about your loss. Alice's death… it wasn't supposed to happen."

Ash's fists clenched at Leon's words, his voice heavy as he replied, "Alice is free now. She doesn't have to suffer anymore. The unforgiving world… it can't hurt her again."

Leon studied Ash for a moment, then shifted the conversation. "What about Goh and Chloe? They were your friends once, weren't they?"

Ash's jaw tightened, and a shadow passed over his face. "Not anymore," he said, his voice laced with venom. "The day my mother was killed, I swore I'd kill every human outside of the Sevestar Region. That includes them."

Lillie placed a hand on Ash's arm, her touch grounding him as his anger simmered. "Then why is Leon still alive?" she asked, her tone measured but pointed.

Ash turned his glare back to Leon. "The only reason I'm holding back is because he knows about the so-called Infinity Gems. If it weren't for that…" He trailed off, the unspoken threat hanging heavily in the air.

Leon sat back on the edge of his bed, his tone calm but deliberate as he explained, "Right. Each of the Infinity Gems corresponds to a Pokémon type, each possessing unique and overwhelming powers.

"The Normal Gem, also known as the Gem of Healing, can heal any injury, no matter how fatal. The Fighting Gem, the Gem of Boosting, provides an unmatched surge of energy to Aura, amplifying its power. The Flying Gem, or Gem of Weather, allows the user to create any weather conditions, ensuring we never have to worry about water shortages or solar power disruptions."

Lillie listened intently as Leon continued, the weight of his words sinking in.

"The Poison Gem, also known as the Gem of Disease, is the dark counterpart to the Normal Gem, capable of spreading devastating plagues. The Ground Gem, the Gem of Order, can control the minds of people or Pokémon, binding them to the user's will. And then there's the Rock Gem, or Gem of Revival, which can bring back souls killed even centuries ago.

"The Bug Gem, the Gem of Memory, has the power to erase memories or reveal them as needed. The Ghost Gem, also called the Gem of Spirits, can solidify ghosts, making them tangible. The Steel Gem, or Gem of Space, expands our living space, reshaping the world as we know it.

"The Fire Gem, the Gem of Satisfaction, fulfills basic needs—it can create warmth when cold or stop lava from destroying villages. In contrast, the Water Gem, the Gem of Disaster, brings suffering through whirlpools, typhoons, and other calamities. The Grass Gem, the Gem of Beauty, transforms barren landscapes into breathtaking scenery.

"The Electric Gem, the Gem of Birth, channels affinity to create new life. The Psychic Gem, the Gem of Time, bends time itself, granting more hours in a day or altering temporal flow for other purposes. The Ice Gem, the Gem of Calmness, can soothe even the angriest beast, allowing peaceful negotiations.

"The Dragon Gem, the Gem of Rage, is its opposite, fueling anger and unleashing incredible power. The Dark Gem, the Gem of Darkness, blinds those who face its holder. Lastly, the Fairy Gem, the Gem of Love, spreads an aura of love, fostering harmony."

Leon finished, his expression grim but resolute. "These are the 18 Infinity Gems, Ash. Their power is immense, but it's also dangerous."

Lillie frowned, folding her arms. "They sound unbelievably powerful. But do you know their exact locations?"

Leon shook his head. "I'm sorry. I don't know where they are, but it's said that Aura Users—especially Grand Aura Users like Ash—will be drawn to their power. That's why I chose to reveal this information to you."

Ash's eyes narrowed as he studied Leon. "You've done so much for us, including joining this attack. Are you really saying the only thing you want in return is a battle with me?"

Leon smiled faintly. "You're forgetting the most important part, Ash. I want you to gather and use the 18 Gems because they have the power to end this useless race conflict. No one likes war. No one likes to see their comrades killed or suffering."

Lillie's expression hardened. "But that attack you helped with only ensured the world will unite against us. We may have reduced some of their forces, but that won't stop them. It might have made things worse."

Leon shrugged, his calm demeanor unwavering. "Good luck with that. As much as I'd like to help more, any further involvement from me would expose me fully as a traitor. If I show my face on their side, I'll be hunted by both factions. For now, it's better for me to stay hidden."

Ash scoffed, crossing his arms. "In other words, you're being a coward."

"Hey!" Leon protested, his face flushing slightly. "That's not what I meant! I'm being strategic."

"Strategic," Ash muttered, shaking his head. "Sure."

Lillie stepped between them, her voice cutting through the tension. "Enough, both of you. We can't afford infighting right now. Leon gave us valuable information. Whether he's a coward or not doesn't change that."

Leon sighed, looking at Ash. "Believe what you want, Ash. But if you're serious about ending this war, the Infinity Gems are your best chance. Whether I'm here or not, the choice is yours."

Ash said nothing, his mind racing as he turned and left the room, leaving Lillie and Leon behind.

After leaving Leon's room, Ash and Lillie joined the others at Alice's grave. The serene cliffside overlooked the ocean, where the waves crashed softly against the rocks below. The setting sun cast a warm orange glow over the group: Ash, Lillie, Gladion, Eve, Flora, Drandon, and Mark.

Ash stepped forward, his voice heavy with guilt. "Eve, Flora… I'm still so sorry. If I hadn't agreed to Leon's plan… if I hadn't led that attack, Alice would still be alive."

Flora placed a comforting hand on Ash's shoulder. "We all agreed to the plan, Ash. Don't take all the blame on yourself. We did manage to deal a lot of damage to them. Alice believed in this mission. She wanted to fight for our cause."

"I'm glad this revenge was a success," Eve added, though her voice trembled slightly. "Alice was a part of it. She'll always be remembered for her courage."

Gladion, arms crossed, broke the somber mood with a practical concern. "What about Goh and Chloe? We can't keep them imprisoned forever. They'll find a way to escape if we let them linger too long."

Lillie, ever composed, spoke up. "Even if they escape, they'll have nowhere to run. The rest of the world thinks Sevestar is just a small, isolated country. But the truth is, thanks to the blessings of Palkia and Groudon, we've expanded far beyond what they imagine. Our region is vast, filled with cities, open land, and thriving communities."

Mark nodded. "This island is paradise for us Aura Guardians. Pokémon roam free, children play without fear. We've built something worth protecting."

Ash's fists clenched, a flicker of anger breaking through his grief. "And yet, it's a paradise the nine regions want to destroy. I thought… I thought after all this time, after all we shared when we traveled together, they'd regret their actions. But they haven't changed. They still see us as devils. They threw away our friendship, and for what?"

Back in the dimly lit prison cells, Chloe lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Goh sat rigid on his own bed, glaring ahead as bitterness consumed him. He muttered under his breath, "Ash Ketchum… you're going to pay for what you've done…"

"And how exactly are you going to make me pay?"

Both Goh and Chloe froze at the sound of Ash's voice. They looked up to see Ash and Lillie standing before them, flanked by guards.

Ash's piercing gaze bore into Goh. "Look at you," he said coldly. "You've fallen so far. Pathetic."

"What are you doing here? Are you here to mock us?" Goh shouted, jumping from his bed. He lunged toward Ash, but before he could land a blow, Ash's eyes glowed pink. Goh was slammed against the wall by an unseen force, gasping for air.

Ash stepped closer, his voice like ice. "What if I am? What can you do now, Goh? Nothing. Have I ever done anything to you before you learned I was an Aura User? Have I ever hurt you? And yet, you stabbed me in the back. You had the nerve to repay me like this—by killing one of my closest friends."

Goh struggled against the invisible hold, his face turning purple as the air was forced from his lungs. Chloe's eyes filled with tears, and she screamed, "Please, Ash! That's enough!"

Lillie stepped forward, her tone calm but sharp. "Since Tobias's Darkrai used Dark Void on you, I imagine you've had nightmares about us—about the devils you believe we are."

Chloe sobbed, unable to respond. Ash's voice softened, though it remained cold. "Do you really think anyone likes being called a devil? We're just like you—humans. The only difference is we have the power to use Pokémon moves."

Lillie added, "Your governments are afraid of us, afraid of losing their power. That's why they keep the lie alive, using our ancestors' mistakes to turn the world against us."

Goh, still pinned against the wall, spat, "And why should we believe you? You are devils, considering all the people you've killed!"

Ash's expression darkened, and his voice dropped to a growl. "We never wanted to kill anyone. All we wanted was to be left alone. Your people forced our hand. Do you think we wanted this? Back then, our only target was Mr. Goodshow—he was the one actively working to destroy us. This was never about glory. It was about survival."

Lillie's voice softened with pain. "Before the world turned against us, we could participate in Gyms, Contests, and Showcases. We dreamed of living normal lives. But they ruined that."

Goh glared at them. "Are you here just to lecture us? Because we're not interested."

"No," Lillie replied curtly. "We're here for Chloe."

Guards stepped forward, grabbing Chloe by the arms. She yelped in surprise, struggling against their grip. "Hey! What are you doing?" she cried.

"Let her go!" Goh shouted, his voice filled with desperation.

Ash's voice was icy and final. "You won't see Chloe again. Boldly sneaking onto our airship has consequences. This is your punishment."

Chloe stopped struggling, her guilt weighing her down. She glanced at Goh, tears streaming down her face. "Goodbye, Goh," she whispered, her voice breaking.

The words shattered Goh. He slumped to the floor, the fight draining from his body. For the first time, he looked utterly defeated.

I'll end the chapter here, as you can see, the Infinity Gems are really playing a lot of parts in my other stories, so why not in this story as well? And Leon's plan is to have them use the Infinity Gems to stop the hatred and the war, and Ash is the only one who can use the rumbling because he met all the Pokemon. I hope you like this chapter.