13.Ash's Rikoto Story

Chapter 68 Solaran and Lunaro Part 1

"What's going on?" Ash and the others arrive back in Sario Town, only to find a tense standoff. Team Solar has captured Red, while Team Lunar has Delia, and Professor Pinewood stands surrounded by both teams.

"Ash? Guys?" Delia gasps, her eyes wide with fear and surprise.

"Commanders, they've arrived," a Lunar grunt reports, his voice sharp and eager.

The four commanders and two leaders step forward, their presence commanding attention. Gloria, one of the leaders, smirks and says, "About time. We've been waiting for you!"

Rodney clenches his fists, his voice low and tense. "Grr... How are we going to fight them all? There's too many of them. But wait, why are they working together?"

Marcus, ever observant, replies, "Well, neither team has the full set of stones, so neither can realize their goal..."

Gloria's smirk deepens. "So, just this once, we're working together. Our only goal is to release the Legendary Pokémon from their prison. After that, we'll let them fight, and that will prove which team is the strongest."

Brite steps forward, his gaze fixed on Ash and the others. "Both teams have a stone each, but you... You have the Core Stone, the Wind Stone, and the Sea Stone. We need them, so hand them over now!"

"No, Ash, don't do it!" Red shouts, his voice laced with urgency.

"Hey, keep it quiet or else!" Scarlett snaps back, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Ash, we can't do this," Keira says, her voice trembling with concern. "If they release the Legendary Pokémon, they'll wreak havoc on the region. There will be so much destruction!"

Starla steps forward, her tone icy and calculating. "How about this? If you hand over the three stones—one for each of your precious Professor and your parents—they won't get hurt!"

Delia, her voice firm despite the situation, calls out, "We'll be okay! Don't give it to them!"

"Mom..." Ash whispers, torn between his instincts and his mother's plea.

Scarlett's eyes flash with menace as she interrupts. "Say one more word..." she threatens, her voice dripping with malice.

Derek steps forward, his voice calm yet insistent. "So please, hand over the three stones so we can get this underway..."

Alice, her voice wavering with uncertainty, turns to Ash. "Ash... I... I don't think we have a choice... If we don't, the Professor and your parents will get hurt, but if we do... what should we do?"

Marcus sneers, his tone mocking. "You really don't have a choice!"

Derek's patience runs thin, and he shouts, "Now, place the stones on the pillars so the gate will open!"

Ash's heart pounds in his chest as he stands frozen, gripping the stones tightly in his hands. His mind races, torn between the impossible choices laid before him. He glances at his mother, Delia, and his father, Red, both of whom are caught in the merciless grip of Team Solar and Team Lunar. They are his parents, but they are also more than that—they are Arceus, the creators of all Pokémon, and he knows they possess powers beyond anything these teams could comprehend.

But that knowledge doesn't ease the turmoil inside him. Can he really take the risk? If he hands over the stones, the Legendary Pokémon will be unleashed, causing untold devastation across the region. But if he doesn't, his parents and Professor Pinewood might suffer... though deep down, he knows they are stronger than they appear. They can withstand more than these criminals could dish out.

Still, the sight of them in danger is unbearable. Ash's hands tremble as he weighs his options. He knows his parents wouldn't want him to give in, to allow such power to fall into the wrong hands. But the fear of seeing them harmed—no matter how powerful they are—clouds his judgment.