Chapter 14

While the chaotic battle raged outside, a soldier rushed into the dungeon cell, alarmed by Goh's agonized screams. "What's wrong? What happened? Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

The moment the soldier approached, Goh sprang into action. With a swift motion, he swung his jacket, which concealed a brick, smashing it into the man's head. The soldier staggered, but Goh didn't stop, striking repeatedly until the soldier collapsed lifelessly to the ground. Breathing heavily, Goh seized the opportunity and bolted from the cell.

He navigated through the castle's halls, avoiding the soldiers rushing around in a frenzy to gather weapons. As he slipped past unnoticed, he muttered to himself, "Misty and the others have arrived… I have to help them fight the devils."

Spotting a lone soldier, Goh ambushed him, knocking him unconscious and taking his rifle. But his escape didn't go unnoticed for long. A shout rang out behind him. "It's the prisoner who murdered Alice! He's escaped!"

Goh spun around, raising the rifle to fire. But the soldiers responded swiftly, using Protect to block his shots and firing back. Realizing he was outnumbered, Goh sprinted toward the forest, weaving through the trees as bullets whizzed past him. He didn't stop until he reached the beach, where the sounds of battle were deafening.

As he emerged from the forest, a gut-wrenching scream pierced the air. "Clemont!" It was Bonnie's voice. Goh's heart sank as he followed the sound, only to stumble upon a devastating sight: Bonnie sobbing uncontrollably over Clemont's lifeless body.

Goh froze, his mind racing. His grip on the rifle tightened as rage and grief consumed him. Turning his gaze to Ash, who stood nearby, Goh raised the weapon, his target clear.

Meanwhile, Lillie's attention locked onto the armored train responsible for Clemont's death. Her eyes burned with fury as she yelled, "HOW DARE YOU!" She threw a Poké Ball. "Magearna, Fleur Cannon! Now!"

The robotic Pokémon materialized, its body glowing with energy as it unleashed a devastating beam. The Fleur Cannon struck the train with overwhelming force, shattering its armor. Chairman Rose and his staff looked on in horror as the train began to break apart.

"Everyone! Focus your attacks on the train! Full power!" Minami commanded, her voice ringing out across the battlefield.

Misty and the others could only watch in stunned silence as the train was obliterated, piece by piece. They stood frozen, unable to act as the train exploded in a fiery burst. Rose managed to crawl from the wreckage, coughing and battered, but the rest of his soldiers perished in the explosion.

Goh watched the destruction from a distance, his mind clouded with anger and confusion. In his heart, he blamed Ash. He killed Clemont… Goh thought bitterly, tears welling in his eyes. He's the reason Bonnie is crying…

Without hesitation, Goh aimed the rifle directly at Ash's head. In a moment of rage, he pulled the trigger.

The shot rang out. Ash noticed the attack but didn't have time to dodge. The bullet struck his chest, and he staggered backward, coughing up blood as the force of the shot sent him to his knees.

"Ash!" Lillie cried, rushing to his side, her heart pounding with fear. Around them, the battlefield seemed to freeze, everyone staring in shock as Ash struggled to remain upright, blood staining the ground beneath him.

"ASH!" Lillie screamed in horror as she saw Ash collapse, his body falling limp to the ground. She sprinted to his side, her hands trembling as she cradled him. "Please… stay with me…"

Mark's voice cut through the chaos. "Someone's over there!" he yelled, pointing toward the trees.

Goh froze as the soldiers rushed in his direction. He turned to flee but found himself cornered. Eve appeared, her Yveltal looming ominously behind her.

"If you think you're going to escape," Eve said coldly, "you're dead wrong."

Goh's desperation turned to fury as he snarled, "He killed Clemont! He deserves to die!" Raising his rifle, he aimed it at Eve, but Yveltal's Dark Pulse shattered the weapon in an instant, leaving him defenseless.

Meanwhile, Lillie sobbed, clutching Ash tightly. "Ash… please… wake up…" Her tears fell onto his face as she pleaded, her heart breaking.

Then, something miraculous happened. Ash's body began to glow, his entire form enveloped in a radiant white light. Slowly, he floated into the air, his unconscious figure radiating an immense aura. Everyone on the battlefield froze, their eyes wide with shock.

Far beyond the battlefield, Legendary and Mythical Pokémon around the world reacted to the light. Their cries of rage echoed across the skies and seas as they unleashed their fury. From Ho-Oh and Lugia in Johto to Zygarde in Kalos, and Kyogre and Groudon in Hoenn, they began attacking the nine regions indiscriminately.

"What's going on?!" Minami yelled, shielding her eyes from the blinding light.

"We've won!" Golly exclaimed. "Brother has activated the Rumbling! Giratina told me he could feel Ash's anger and his desire to destroy everyone without aura powers."

Tobias arrived on the scene, his expression grim. "What's happening?" he demanded. "Reports from our spies say multiple Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are attacking every region. Even innocents are being targeted!"

"Innocents?!" Minami gasped. "But Brother said he'd leave the innocent alone!"

Before anyone could respond, a booming voice echoed across the world, resonating within everyone's minds.

"Hear me. All Pokémon trainers in the world."

Lillie gasped, recognizing the voice instantly. "That's… Ash…"

"My name is Ash Ketchum," the voice continued. "I am speaking to you through the power of the Great Aura. All the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon have begun their attack. My only goal is to protect the lives of Aura users. But the regions of the world are united in their desire to exterminate my people. They will not stop until every last Aura user is dead. I will not let them succeed. The Legendary and Mythical Pokémon will continue their attack until everyone who is not an Aura user is gone from this world!"

As the voice faded, Ash's glowing form descended back to the ground. The light dissipated, and his body lay still. Lillie pressed her ear to his chest, relief washing over her as she heard his faint heartbeat.

"He's alive," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "But… he's in a coma."

Leon frowned deeply, staring at the destruction surrounding them. "So… the Rumbling has finally begun."

Trenor crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "I never imagined it would lead to slaughtering every person who isn't an Aura user. But… if they all disappear, so will all the hatred. All the enemies who've ever threatened our existence will be gone."

"But this…" Chloe said, her voice trembling. "Guys, this is going too far. This is a massacre on a scale the world has never seen."

Insey hesitated, looking at the others. "Then… do we stop the Rumbling? Since the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon won't attack Aura users, we're the only ones who'll benefit from this massacre."

Before anyone could answer, screams echoed from nearby. They turned to see Misty and the others still under attack by the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Their faces were pale with terror, their fainted Pokémon and destroyed weapons leaving them defenseless.

"They're not Aura users!" Chloe exclaimed. "We have to help them!"

Minami's eyes narrowed as she glared at the struggling group. "Why should we? They've been our enemies all this time. All they've ever done is backstab us."

"Especially after they nearly killed Ash," Lillie added, her tone icy. "He's done so much to help their careers, and this is how they repay him?"

Tobias stepped forward, his expression stoic. "Their Pokémon are fainted, and their weapons are destroyed. They have no way to defend themselves, let alone find a way home. I think we should leave them. As acting leader while Ash is unconscious, I'm recalling the Pokémon."

Reluctantly, the others nodded, recalling their Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. The raging attacks ceased, leaving Misty and the others battered but alive.

Minami turned to Bonnie, her gaze softening slightly. "Bonnie, you surrendered and saw what happened to your brother. You're coming with us. We'll protect you."

Bonnie hesitated, her tear-streaked face full of pain, but she nodded silently and stepped forward to join them. Misty and the others tried to follow, but the cold glares from the soldiers stopped them in their tracks, leaving them standing helplessly on the battlefield.

Nearby, Eve approached, leading Ting-Lu, who carried Goh—his body now turned to stone.

Eve addressed the group with a grim expression. "Goh escaped our cell, killed the guard, and stole a rifle. He believed Ash was responsible for Clemont's death, so he fired at him. Yveltal turned him into stone without my permission. It's likely because the Rumbling has begun and the Pokémon are reacting instinctively." She paused, glancing at Chloe. "What are we going to do with him?"

Lillie turned to Chloe. "Chloe, why don't you decide? Goh was your friend. This should be your choice."

Chloe hesitated, her emotions conflicting as she looked at Goh's petrified form. After a long moment, she nodded. "We'll… we'll put him in my room," she said softly.

Lillie nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting to Ash. "Let's take care of Ash as well." Together, she and Golly carefully carried Ash to the bed in his own room, laying him down gently. His breathing was shallow, but steady.

As the dust settled, the battlefield grew eerily quiet. The Rumbling had begun, but the scars of what had already happened were etched deeply into everyone's hearts.

Outside the world, chaos reigned as the power of the Rumbling unfolded. In Tapu Village, Gladion walked among the ruins, his sharp eyes scanning the destruction. Suddenly, Ash's voice echoed through the air, commanding the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Gladion froze, his gaze shifting to the horizon where he spotted multiple Kartana and Celesteela, their razor-sharp bodies slicing through anything in their path. Tapu Bulu stood at the center of the carnage, its aura fierce as it struck down fleeing people.

"Tch… he finally did it," Gladion muttered under his breath, clenching his fists. "So this is the power of the Rumbling…"

Far away at Mt. Chimney, Helen stood at a vantage point, staring down in horror as Groudon rampaged below. The drought it summoned was merciless, the searing heat consuming everything in its path. Her heart clenched as she spotted a pregnant woman desperately trying to flee, only to be engulfed by the flames. Helen's breath hitched, her body trembling. "Didn't Ash promise to spare the innocents?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "What's going on here?"

In Sinnoh, Luke observed the chaos from the edge of a lakeside village. He watched as Phione and Manaphy turned the once-playful waters into a scene of horror, drowning children who had only wanted to play in the lake. His fists tightened at his sides, his face darkened with a mix of anger and helplessness. "Even if they're not Aura users…" he muttered, his voice strained, "they're just kids… they just wanted to play in the water…"

For a brief moment, he considered stepping in to save the children. But the weight of his mission pressed down on him. He shook his head, his expression grim. "I can't stop now," he told himself, forcing his gaze away from the tragedy. He turned and continued his search for the Steel Gem.

Elsewhere, the other Aura users tasked with retrieving the Infinity Gems faced similar scenes of devastation. Across the nine regions, Legendary and Mythical Pokémon wreaked havoc, targeting humans indiscriminately. Many of the Aura users faltered as they witnessed the cruel murders—innocents being slaughtered before their eyes. Yet, the urgency of their mission drove them forward. They suppressed their emotions, their hearts heavy, as they focused on their task.

One by one, they retrieved the gems, their faces grim and their steps hurried. Each of them resolved to complete the mission as quickly as possible and return to the castle, where answers—and Ash's condition—awaited.

Once everyone returned to the castle, the tension in the air was palpable. Flora broke the silence, her voice sharp and demanding. "What the hell is going on? All the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are killing anyone who isn't an Aura user!"

"And what about Ash?" Reisa asked, her tone filled with concern.

Insey stepped forward, her face grim. "He was shot by Goh—the same Goh who killed Alice. The attack triggered the activation of the Rumbling. Right now, Goh has been turned to stone by Eve's Yveltal, and Chloe is keeping him in her room."

Nate frowned, his voice bitter. "Why not destroy the stone? That would kill him for good. Because of him, we're witnessing Legendary and Mythical Pokémon slaughtering everyone in sight."

Luke nodded solemnly. "Yeah… the sight of Phione and Manaphy drowning those kids… it's haunting me even now."

Blade, the team's doctor, approached Ash, lying unconscious on a bed, and began checking his condition. After a thorough examination, he turned to the group. "The gunshot wound has healed completely, thanks to his Aura recovery ability. But activating the full-scale Rumbling drained almost all of his energy. I estimate he'll sleep for at least a day before he can wake up."

"But those Legendary Pokémon don't need a day to destroy every human in the world who isn't an Aura user," Minami said, her voice trembling with anger.

At that moment, the door opened, and Adam, Ash's father, stepped into the room. His regal presence commanded immediate attention. "How's my son?" he asked, his voice calm but heavy with concern.

David stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Highness, the Rumbling is now escalating beyond anything we could have predicted. The Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are out of control. What is our next course of action?"

Adam sighed deeply, the weight of the situation evident on his face. "I contacted Arceus," he began. "He confirmed that Ash is the only one capable of controlling the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. Only he can stop them from continuing the slaughter. But what I don't understand," he paused, his voice wavering slightly, "is why Ash would allow them to kill innocents. It goes against everything he's stood for."

Lillie's voice broke the heavy silence. "He wasn't in his right mind," she said softly, looking down at Ash's unconscious form. "He was shot by Goh, and his mind was slipping away. I think activating the full Rumbling came from his instincts… not a conscious decision."

The siblings exchanged solemn glances, memories flooding back to them. They remembered the day their mother was killed, how Ash had screamed in raw fury, "I'll kill them all! Not a single one of them will remain!"

Tobias stepped forward, his tone measured. "As for the people who attacked the island, they've all been captured and sent to prison. Chairman Rose, the leader of the attack, is awaiting execution for his crimes."

Adam's eyes shifted to Bonnie, who stood quietly in the corner, her head bowed and her expression heavy with grief. Minami followed his gaze and spoke up. "As for Bonnie," she said, "she started as our enemy, but she decided to switch sides to help us. Because of her choice, the enemy turned on her. When they tried to kill her, her brother shielded her from the attack… and sacrificed his life for her."

Adam's frown deepened as he approached Bonnie, who looked up at him hesitantly. "I see," he said gently. Bonnie's voice quivered as she spoke, "I… I only became Champion to protect my family. But now, after everything I've done, Kalos will see me as a traitor. Once they find out I betrayed them, my father… he'll probably be murdered. I have no one left…"

Adam knelt to her level, his expression kind yet firm. "Bonnie," he said, "I've heard a lot about you from Ash and Squishy. Since you're human, it won't be safe for you while the Rumbling is happening. But there's another way—you could become an Aura user, like us."

Bonnie's eyes widened, fear flickering across her face at the thought. "A… a devil," she whispered. But as she thought of Clemont's sacrifice, of everything she had seen and endured, her resolve hardened. She finally understood who the real devils were. With a trembling breath, she nodded. "Alright. I'll do it."

Minami stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on Bonnie's shoulder. "Come with me. We'll begin the process." Bonnie followed her, her steps uncertain but determined.

As the door closed behind them, Lance shook his head, his voice heavy. "And now? The outside world is probably in ruins…"

Blade glanced at Ash's pale, unmoving figure. "For now, I think it's best to leave this room. Too many people here might slow Ash's recovery."

The others nodded reluctantly, though Lillie stayed rooted in place. "You go on ahead," she said quietly, her voice trembling. "I'm not leaving. I'm staying with Ash until he wakes up."

Understanding her need for solitude, the group filed out of the room, leaving Lillie and Ash alone. Once the door closed, Lillie sank into the chair beside his bed, her fingers brushing against his arm. Her tears fell freely as she leaned closer, her voice a whisper.

"Please wake up, Ash… I can't do this without you. I can't live without you…"

Her sobs echoed softly in the quiet room, her grief and love filling the space as she held onto the hope that he would return to her.

Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, the Rumbling has finally happened. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the aftermath.