12. The Sevestar Prince Darker Version

Chapter 98

Serena steps into the stark, unforgiving environment of the jail, her heart heavy with the weight of what's transpired. She secures permission to visit her "so-called" friends, a bitter irony tainting the air. As she gazes upon their faces behind bars, disbelief mingles with despair in their eyes. They're young, too young for the death sentences looming over them like dark clouds.

Each of them, in a moment of desperation and misguided loyalty, played a part in Delia's demise. Now, the bitter taste of regret hangs heavy on their tongues, for their actions have not only cost them their freedom but also shattered the dreams they once pursued with fervor. The evidence, damning and irrefutable, surfaced in a conversation with Golly, laying bare the extent of their misdeeds.

The revelation about Ash's hidden family secrets adds another layer of betrayal to their already tangled web of deceit. Learning that Ash has siblings, kept hidden from them all this time, feels like a final blow to their fractured trust. And to realize that Golly's vendetta is rooted in familial ties, with Ash's mother sharing a connection to Golly's plight, casts a shadow of hopelessness over their situation.

In this moment of bleak realization, they cling to the fragile hope of a miracle, a sliver of light in their otherwise dark fate. But as the reality of their actions settles in, the walls of the jail seem to close in around them, echoing with the silent cries of lost innocence and shattered dreams.

The atmosphere crackles with tension as Serena enters, accompanied by a stern-faced policewoman. Gasps escape the lips of her "friends" as they turn their attention towards her, a mixture of relief and apprehension clouding their expressions.

"Serena!" Their voices carry a hint of surprise, quickly replaced by a sense of unease as they take in her expression.

"I can't believe you guys! Years ago, you were adamant that Ash was the one who killed his own mother, and I trusted your words!" Serena's words are sharp, laced with disappointment and betrayal as she fixes them with a piercing glare.

"We were just trying to avoid getting caught. We had our own lives and families to think about," Misty responds, her tone tinged with defensiveness.

Brock chimes in, his voice tinged with fear, "It's true. We were scared of what would happen if the truth came out. We didn't want to end up in jail."

Serena's anger simmers beneath the surface as she listens to their justifications. "So you feel no remorse for what you've done?" Her words carry a heavy weight, demanding accountability.

Trip, usually reserved, speaks up with a hint of accusation in his voice. "We admit to our part in Delia's death, but we didn't take it as far as you did. You provoked the Elites, and your actions towards Ash went too far. You didn't even give him a chance to explain before jumping to conclusions and ordering his interrogation."

Serena's fists clench as she cuts through the tension with a commanding tone. "Shut up. You were the mastermind behind all of this, dragging all of his friends into your schemes."

"But isn't that what friends are for? To support each other?" Iris retorts, her voice holding a hint of defiance.

"You were meant to be the Champion," Serena's gaze pierces through Iris, filled with disappointment. "But now, I'm here to deliver some news. Despite not committing a crime, I've decided to step down as the Kalos Queen."

"What?" Dawn's gasp echoes through the cell, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Your resignation as the Kalos Queen?" May's voice reflects the shock rippling through the group.

"Yes, because my position as the Kalos Queen, much like your role as the Unova Champion, contributed to your reputation and standing. With that gone, your accomplishments hold little value," Serena's words hang heavy in the air, the weight of her decision reverberating through the room.