1. Ash's Story (Part 0: Prologue)

Chapter 2: The First Death

Three quiet years passed on the hidden island. Ash chased Golly through the garden, Golly refused to nap unless her brother stayed beside her, and Adam often ended the day with both twins asleep in his lap.

Mark was born during a storm that battered Sevestar's cliffs. Trenor and Insey followed as smaller, fussier twins. Dia, Palmer, and Gina treated each baby with care, though only Gina could calm Insey by humming while holding her hands.

Aurora still used Delia on official documents and correspondence outside Sevestar. At home, she answered to Aurora. Adam knew what Team Rocket had done with that name and never told her what she should use. Keeping Aurora was her choice.

While Aurora recovered from pregnancies and sleepless nights, Adam worked to gain recognition for Sevestar. The hidden region needed routes, laws, rescue systems, League boundaries, and protection for the families who had trusted Team Alpha enough to settle there.

League officials called Sevestar impossible, suspicious, and inconvenient. Adam kept returning with maps, surveys, records, and answers to every question. He wanted his children to grow up in a recognized region instead of spending their lives hidden from the world.

After inspectors confirmed Sevestar existed, cameras showed its white cliffs, protected harbors, and Atem Castle. Reports introduced the region little by little, while Team Alpha made sure its sensitive locations stayed secret.

Aurora watched the broadcast with Ash and Golly curled against her sides. They were too young to understand politics, but they recognized Adam on the screen and cheered whenever he appeared. Golly clapped so hard she nearly smacked Ash in the nose.

"That's Daddy!" Golly announced proudly, as though nobody could have figured that out.

Ash rubbed his nose and leaned closer to Aurora. "Does that mean everyone knows where we live now?"

"No," Aurora said, kissing his hair. "They know Sevestar exists. That doesn't mean they know where our house is or everything that's here."

Ash thought about that for a moment, his little face unusually serious. "Good. I like our secret house."

Golly nodded and wrapped both arms around Aurora's arm. "Secret house is safe."

Aurora smiled and pulled them closer. She did not mention the guards near the entrances or how often Team Alpha checked the paths. There was no reason to frighten them with things they were too young to understand.

Four years after Ash and Golly were born, Adam decided the twins were old enough to visit Pallet Town properly. Aurora agreed only after three security meetings, two route changes, and one argument that ended with Adam admitting she was right. Even then, she packed knives beneath her coat.

Mark, Trenor, and Insey stayed with Dia, Palmer, and Gina. Mark cried because he wanted to come, Trenor copied him, and Insey crawled after Aurora until Gina promised her honey bread. Leaving them hurt, but taking every young child into Kanto was too dangerous.

Ash and Golly stood at the dock in matching travel coats, holding hands so tightly that their knuckles paled. Ash kept staring at the boat with wide eyes. Golly leaned against his shoulder and tried to look calm whenever another wave struck the pier.

"You don't have to be scared," Ash whispered, though his own voice trembled.

Golly squeezed his hand. "I'm not scared if you're there."

Aurora looked away. The twins had been close before they could even talk, sharing cradles and naps and always seeming to notice when the other was upset. Watching them trust each other so completely sometimes left her more uneasy than she could explain.