Chapter 10

As Chloe was led away, she couldn't keep silent any longer. She turned to Ash, her voice trembling. "Do you really mean to kill me, even after everything we've done together in the past?"

Ash glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "What do you mean by the past?"

"You know what I mean!" Chloe insisted, her emotions spilling over. "You stayed with my dad for a year as a lab assistant! We traveled the regions together back then, helping with his research. Don't tell me you've forgotten."

Ash's gaze darkened, his voice quiet but sharp. "Oh, that past." He let out a bitter laugh. "Of course, I remember. How could I forget? That's why it hurt so much when you turned against us a year ago. When you tried to kill us."

Chloe faltered, unsure of how to respond. Her guilt weighed heavy, and her voice caught in her throat. Before she could gather her thoughts, Lillie cut in, her tone cold.

"Nice try," Lillie said, folding her arms. "But all you've done is reopen an old wound in Ash's heart."

Chloe shifted her gaze to Lillie, her expression pained. "Is it true?" she asked hesitantly. "That you're not just Lillie, but Serena and Dawn as well? Why would you… why would you split into three people?"

"It's obvious," Lillie replied calmly. "I wanted to see how people were doing, not just in Alola, but also in Kalos and Sinnoh. Splitting myself allowed me to observe more and connect with people from different regions."

Ash spoke up, his voice tinged with weariness. "It's the same for me. I'm not just Ash. I'm also Alain and N, though I doubt you'd understand who they are."

Chloe blinked, stunned. The weight of their words settled over her, leaving her speechless. Before she could process it further, Ash sighed. "We're here."

Chloe's eyes widened as the door before her swung open. She had expected some cold, ominous execution chamber. Instead, she found herself staring at a lavishly furnished bedroom, its elegance and warmth starkly contrasting her fears.

"What?" she stammered, taking a cautious step inside. "But I…"

"You're going to be our bargaining chip for the upcoming war with the nine regions," Lillie said bluntly, her arms still folded. "Did you really think we didn't know what that meeting in Wyndon was about?"

Chloe frowned, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Why not just kill me, then?"

"We could," Ash said flatly. "But you're more useful alive. And don't get any ideas—you're still a prisoner. We're just keeping you in a better location."

Ash and Lillie stepped back, the door clicking shut as they locked it. Chloe stood frozen, staring at the ornate room around her. She sat down on the bed, its softness surprising her. Everything about the room felt out of place. She had expected chains, not comfort.

Finally, she walked to the large window, curious despite herself. Pulling back the curtains, she gasped. The sight before her was nothing short of breathtaking.

Mountains rolled across the horizon, their peaks blanketed with snow. Dense forests stretched endlessly, their vibrant greenery shimmering under the sunlight. Beyond them lay the ocean, its waves glinting like diamonds. The air outside was serene, untouched by the chaos of war she had witnessed.

Chloe clutched the windowsill, her mind racing. This can't be real… she thought. Everything she had heard about Sevestar painted it as a small, desolate island constantly on edge. Yet here she stood, overlooking a paradise.

"When… when did it become like this?" she whispered to herself. "And why is there no sign of war here?"

For the first time, doubt crept into her heart, and she began to wonder if everything she had been told about the Aura Guardians—and Sevestar itself—had been a lie.

In the grand meeting room of Sevestar's castle, Ash and Lillie stood before the other representatives, their expressions grave. Around the table sat key figures from across the region.

Ash's voice carried through the room, calm but firm. "The problem of those outside the eight regions remains. While we achieved a significant victory in Wyndon, it came at a great cost. We lost many of our loved ones… including Flora Mache's sister, Alice."

A moment of silence fell over the room. Flora's gaze hardened, and she broke the silence. "Speaking of that, I want to ask—what will be the punishment for the two people responsible for my sister's death? Are you going to execute them?"

There were murmurs of agreement, but Ash raised his hand, silencing the room. "Execution seems fitting," he began, his tone measured. "But let's not forget: every single one of us in this room is guilty of taking lives. We've all killed, even if they were our enemies."

The room grew quieter, the weight of Ash's words pressing down on everyone. Flora frowned but said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"Nobody likes killing," Ash said, his voice steady but tinged with sorrow. "And neither do we. As Aura Users, chosen by our lord Arceus, our powers were meant to protect Pokémon—not harm them. But because of the great civil war against us Aura Guardians, we were forced to fight back. To survive, we had to kill humans and the Pokémon enslaved by them."

Heads lowered around the table as the memories of past battles resurfaced. Even Flora seemed subdued, her earlier fire dimmed.

Ash continued, his voice soft but resolute. "However, it has always been the Pokémon's choice. They can choose to remain slaves to humans or become friends to us Aura Guardians. If they decide to sacrifice themselves for their human masters, then so be it. It's their choice."

The silence in the room deepened, only broken when Ash shifted the topic. "Now, to address Flora's question: Goh will pay for his actions. I will personally see to it."

Flora's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile, but Ash wasn't finished. "As for Chloe," he said, "after scanning her soul with aura, I found she has no intent to harm us. Her only desire was to stop Goh from doing something rash. She has no will to fight against us. For that reason, she will not be executed. Instead, she will remain here as an important bargaining guest."

This seemed to placate Flora, who gave a small nod.

Ash then turned his attention to another matter. "Next, we must address the World Champion, Leon. He will share the same status as Chloe—room imprisonment within the castle. He has provided us with valuable information about the Infinity Gems and their powers. Now, all that remains is for us to locate them."

The representatives nodded, the weight of the discussion easing slightly as the meeting moved to its conclusion. The room began to clear, leaving Ash and Lillie to exchange a glance.

"We have one more task," Lillie said softly, her voice reverent.

Ash nodded, understanding. "It's time to meet Arceus."

In the radiant chamber of the temple, Arceus's presence illuminated the room, its ethereal glow casting long shadows on the walls. Ash and Lillie stood before the Creator, their expressions a mix of reverence and determination.

"You know, Arceus," Ash began, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity, "I was surprised you would let us go through with the attack in Wyndon. I thought you might punish us for what we've done."

Arceus's voice resonated deeply, filling the room like a melody of countless whispers. "In the past, I would have intervened. The old me might have punished such actions harshly. However, after witnessing the choices of Marcus and others who misused Pokémon, I've learned that interference does little to change the hearts of mortals. I may have created this world, and Mew may have brought life to Pokémon, but their choices—what they do with their lives and powers—are their own. I am only a watcher of choices."

Ash nodded solemnly, the weight of Arceus's words settling over him. "Arceus, I've heard from Leon about something called the Infinity Gems. Are they real?"

"They are real," Arceus replied, its tone grave. "The Infinity Gems are scattered across the nine regions. To ensure they would not fall into the hands of evil humans, the Legendary Pokémon of each region sealed their powers. They remain dormant."

"That sounds like a safeguard," Lillie said thoughtfully. "But if we need to use them, how can we do so if they're sealed?"

Arceus inclined its head. "There is a way—Aura Transfer. By channeling pure Aura into the gems, their seals can be broken."

Ash's jaw tightened, and his voice was resolute. "We're not sacrificing any Aura Users to activate those gems."

"I expected you to say that," Arceus replied, a note of understanding in its voice. "But Aura is not exclusive to Aura Users. It exists in all living things, in the land, and in certain sacred places. There are locations across the regions where Aura flows freely—natural Aura. You may draw from these sources instead."

"Natural Aura?" Lillie echoed. "And where would we find such places?"

Arceus's glow brightened faintly, its voice steady. "Each region has its own source of natural Aura. These are places where Pokémon of a specific type gather. The guardians of these locations—the Royal Pokémon—preserve the natural Aura. You will need their help to harness it."

"I see," Ash said with a small smile, his resolve strengthening. "That gives us a direction. But I have another question, Arceus. The Rumbling… I've seen all 1025 Pokémon now. That means I have the power to activate it. Can you tell me how it works?"

Lillie stiffened slightly beside him, her eyes narrowing in thought. The Rumbling—a term that evoked both awe and terror—carried weight beyond imagination.

Arceus's gaze turned inward as it spoke. "The Rumbling. If you were to activate it, every Legendary and Mythical Pokémon would answer your call. They would fight alongside you, wielding a power capable of annihilating the world."

Ash's expression darkened. "That's what I need. People treat us like devils, even though all we want is to live in peace. My mother was killed simply because I was born an Aura User. They've been attacking our region for years. Soon, they'll unite and try to wipe us off the face of the Earth. We can't let that happen."

Arceus closed its eyes briefly, as though reflecting on the weight of Ash's words. When it spoke again, its tone carried a warning. "The Rumbling is not a tool of war. It is a final choice, one that will bring devastation not only to your enemies but to all who oppose or fight alongside you. Those who stand by you, who fight to protect you, will be sacrificed."

"Like Alice…" Lillie muttered, her voice trembling with restrained anger.

Arceus's gaze softened. "Alice gave her life because she believed in your cause, as others will. But if you choose to activate the Rumbling, the sacrifices will multiply."

After a heavy silence, Arceus continued. "I will teach you how to use the Rumbling. But I trust you to wield this power with wisdom and only when there is no other choice."

Ash nodded, his fists clenched with determination. "I understand. I'll train with you, Arceus. I'll do whatever it takes to protect the Sevestar Region."

Lillie stepped forward, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "We'll ensure the Rumbling is used for justice, not vengeance. It's our responsibility."

Arceus regarded them both with a silent understanding. "Then we begin."

After returning from their meeting with Arceus, Ash and Lillie joined their siblings in the council room. Golly was the first to break the silence, her voice curious yet cautious. "So, how is it, Brother?"

Ash folded his arms, his expression serious. "The Rumbling is ready to activate at any time," he replied. "However, I still want to give the Infinity Gems a chance."

Tobias leaned forward, his sharp gaze fixed on Ash. "What did Arceus say about them?"

"The Infinity Gems," Ash began, "have been hidden in plain sight within the nine regions. Their powers are sealed, making them appear as ordinary gems. To unlock their potential, we'll need to perform an aura transfer."

Minami's eyes widened, her tone filled with concern. "Aura transfer? That's dangerous! We're not going to sacrifice any Aura Users for this!"

"I told Arceus the same thing," Ash assured her. "And it turns out we don't have to. Instead, we can use the Natural Aura—energy that exists in certain places and Pokémon."

He explained what Arceus had told him about Natural Aura: its presence in sacred locations where Pokémon of a specific type gathered, preserved by the Royal Pokémon who acted as guardians. The room fell into a contemplative silence as his siblings processed the information.

"So," Insey said, breaking the silence, "all we need to do is find the Infinity Gems and these Natural Aura sources. But considering how much damage we dealt to the nine-region alliance, we've probably bought ourselves six months before they can mount a serious attack. Still, they'll be targeting us in the meantime."

"Exactly," Ash replied, his voice firm. "That's why we can't waste time. And that's also why Leon and Chloe will remain our hostages—they're leverage we can use if the alliance moves against us sooner than expected."

Golly crossed her arms, nodding in agreement. "Keeping them here makes sense. We can't underestimate the alliance's desperation."

Lillie stepped forward, her expression softening. "Speaking of Chloe, I think I should go visit her again."

Ash glanced at her and gave a slight nod. "Go ahead. I'll continue planning our next steps with the others."

Lillie unlocked the door to Chloe's guest room and stepped inside. Chloe, startled by the sudden intrusion, jumped to her feet, her heart racing.

"What?" Lillie asked with a smirk. "You're our prisoner, and I have every right to enter a prisoner's room." She glanced around casually before her eyes landed on Chloe. "How do you like the view? Peaceful, isn't it? Sevestar Island is beautiful, right?"

Chloe shivered slightly, trying to keep her composure. She didn't want to do or say anything that might provoke Lillie. "People always said this island was small and easy to conquer," she muttered. "But it's… different from what we heard."

Lillie folded her arms, leaning slightly against the wall. "Ah, yes. That's the old story, back when Sevestar was still just a sanctuary for a few Aura Users. But with more of us being prosecuted and fleeing here, we quickly ran out of space. That's when we turned to the Legendary Pokémon for help. They expanded the land, turning this island into a vast region for us to live in peace."

Chloe nodded hesitantly, unsure how to respond. Lillie continued, her tone casual but pointed. "We've made sure no military from your regions can set foot here. Our forces defend this land, and no one enters without our permission."

"Okay…" Chloe muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lillie's gaze softened slightly, and her voice took on a more personal tone. "I want to ask you something. Do you really think we Aura Users are devils? I mean… if you look past the fact that we've had to kill to survive."

Chloe frowned, unsure how to respond. Finally, she admitted, "No… I don't think you're devils. But I'm scared. If we become friends with Aura Users, people around us might turn on us. They might…" She trailed off, unable to finish.

"It doesn't take a genius to see the brainwashing," a familiar voice interrupted. Ash entered the room, followed by another young woman. He gave Lillie a brief kiss before turning his attention to Chloe. "A-Ash…" Chloe squeaked, taking a step back.

"This is my sister, Insey," Ash said, gesturing to the woman beside him. "We came to check on Lillie and make sure she's safe."

"You have siblings, Ash?" Chloe muttered, still struggling to process everything.

Insey smiled faintly. "We have five more siblings. Tobias is the one destined to inherit the throne, but Ash is the active Grand Aura User—the only one who can use the Rumbling."

Chloe's breath hitched. "The Rumbling…" she whispered, her body trembling. "So it's true. You're ready to activate it at any moment?"

Ash's expression didn't change. "Maybe I will. Maybe I won't. It depends on how things unfold."

He stepped closer, his tone softening slightly. "How's your father, Chloe? Is his lab still running?"

Chloe's face fell, and she shook her head. "Dad's lab was shut down… because of you. Goh was furious when it happened. That's why he wants to kill you."

Ash's expression darkened, his tone dropping to a cold edge. "You should be grateful that you and your family weren't killed by the government because of my connection to you. Professor Kukui, Professor Burnet, even little Lei… they weren't as lucky as your family."

Chloe's stomach turned at his words, her hands trembling slightly. She had heard the news of what happened in Alola, but the thought of a one-year-old being killed was almost too much to bear.

Her voice cracked as she whispered, "Oh no… my dad, my mom, Parker… what if they find out I'm here, in Sevestar? What if they're killed just for being connected to me?"

Ash placed a hand on her shoulder, his tone firm but reassuring. "Relax, Chloe. You don't need to worry. Last year, when Lillie and I were traveling, we visited your lab. Using our Aura, we created a protective shield around it. No one can find it—only you and your family know its location."

Chloe's eyes widened. "You… you did that for us?"

Insey smirked. "My brother can be kind when he wants to be. But he can also be ruthless when he needs to."

Chloe shivered at her words, realizing how much Ash had changed. This wasn't the Ash she remembered from years ago. This was the real Ash—the one shaped by war and betrayal.

As if sensing her unease, Ash straightened and motioned for Insey and Lillie to follow him. "We'll leave you to your thoughts. We have a meeting with the Gym Leaders to attend."

The three of them left the room, leaving Chloe alone. She sat down on the edge of her bed, staring out the window at the serene landscape of Sevestar Island. Despite the beauty before her, a storm of emotions swirled inside her.

This Ash, this Lillie—they were nothing like the friends she once knew. But deep down, she wondered if there was still a trace of the people they used to be.

Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, Chloe is now separated from Goh and Ash and Lillie have plans with her. I hope you like this chapter.