13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 6 Truth Reveal

At the Kanto Pokémon League Association, Mr. Goodshow gathers every Professor and Champion from across the regions. Everyone is present except for Delia and Eve, who represent Kanto as Champion and the new Professor, and Ash, the Champion of the Alola Region. Eleven individuals exchange uneasy glances until Mr. Goodshow walks into the room.

"I assume you all know why you're here, correct?" Mr. Goodshow asks as he sits down.

The room remains silent, each person aware that the absence of certain individuals is the reason for the meeting.

"Recently, we discovered that Professor Oak has been murdered in his lab," Mr. Goodshow continues. "Not only him, but we also found Pokéballs containing dead Pokémon. All of them belonged to Ash Ketchum, the Champion of Alola."

"Not only that, but Ash is also missing," Lance adds. "We have no idea what has happened."

"We initially suspected Team Rocket, as they had been stalking Ash for a long time," Professor Kukui says. "But with Giovanni long gone and the group disbanded, that might not be the case."

Cynthia nods. "You're right. But if Team Rocket isn't involved, who would have a grudge against Ash to do such things?"

Just as everyone is at a loss for answers, the door suddenly opens. Delia and Eve enter the room, with Eve supporting Delia, who has bandages on her arms and knees. Both bow to Mr. Goodshow before taking their seats.

"Delia, what happened to you? Are you alright?" President Goodshow asks, concern evident in his voice.

"Don't worry about it," Delia replies. "I'm recovering from the accident. I'm sorry we're late; we had some other matters to attend to before coming here."

"It's fine, Delia," Mr. Goodshow reassures her. "Judging by your wounds, it must be hard for you to do anything with ease. But since you're here, we have some questions about the murder of Professor Oak and the disappearance of our Alola Champion, Ash Ketchum. Are your injuries related to these events?"

Delia frowns. "It's true, and I still can't believe they did that to me and Professor Oak... not to mention... my son Ash."

"Can you tell us exactly what happened?" Lance asks. "I'm sure everyone in this room wants to know."

Delia nods. "You see... my son Ash Ketchum has been traveling around the regions, participating in every League and failing, until the day he won the first Alola League and became the Alola Champion. I was so happy when I heard the news, so I decided to invite all his past travel companions to our house for a welcome party."

Delia lowers her head. "They all came as they received my invitation. But just as we were at the Professor's Lab, they suddenly stabbed me with weapons and demanded we give them all of Ash's Pokémon. Of course, Professor Oak and I refused, but they continued to assault us... until Professor Oak... he tried to protect both me and Ash's Pokémon..."

Delia's eyes become watery, and she can't continue, but the others have already pieced together what happened.

Cynthia gasps, "No way... do you mean... Dawn, Brock, and those guys are the ones who did this?"

Diantha shakes her head in disbelief. "But why? How could they do that to him? I thought they were friends, and friends shouldn't backstab each other..."

"I don't know," Delia says, her voice trembling. "But after the beating and the cuts, they thought I was dead. They managed to take all of Ash's Pokémon. Ash's Pokémon are loyal to him, and when they saw Professor Oak and me in such a situation, they got angry and tried to fight back. But those traitors used the Pokéballs they stole to recall them and then broke the balls, trapping them and causing them to suffocate to death. That's when Ash came back to the lab..."