Alolan Danger **ON HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**

Chapter 53: Family Rivalry

Ash, Kevin, and their Pikachus stood on one end of a battlefield with excitement oozing through their veins. N had taken the referee's spot. And Cindy, Snow, Spark, and Brendan were standing opposite of the quartet while having confident smirks. Latias, Gary, Hau, Delia, Mimey, Yellow, Iris, and Rosa were seated on the sideline benches.

"Heh. I haven't seen Ashy Boy this excited since the Grand Trial against Olivia." the researcher commented knowingly. Delia couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. After all, Cindy had been looking forward to battling against both Ash and Kevin ever since those two started their journeys. She might be calm on the outside, but mentally, I bet she's as excited as they are." she replied.

Yellow chuckled lightly while saying, "Ha, yeah, gets your Ketchum blood pumping, does it? This reminds me of the battles Red and Riley had back then." Gary smirked upon hearing that, remembering the battles he watched between Blue, Red, and Riley as a kid. However, his smirk faltered at the thought of his father, which Hau noticed.

"You OK there, Gary? You seem to be zoning out a lot today." he asked in a bit of a concerned tone. Gary just sighed bitterly and glanced towards the battlefield. Delia gazed upon his troubled face, then turned to Hau worriedly.

"Hey Hau, what's wrong with Gary? I haven't seen him this upset since Blue left for Alola." she stated. Yellow was looking visibly worried for the usually proud researcher too. Hau and Latias let out a deep breath in apprehension.

"I think he might be pissed off at his father. His grandfather too, but mainly Blue." he admitted while crossing his arms. The two mothers, along with Mimey, Iris, Deino, and Rosa, who had been listening in on the conversation, narrowed their eyes.

"Pissed off at Blue? What for?" Delia questioned Hau, totally confused. He was going to answer her, but Gary did it instead.

"For hiding the fucking fact that his ex...my OWN mother...is a member of Team Rocket." he hissed out venomously. Delia, Mimey, Yellow, Iris, Deino, and Rosa yelped in horror from the revelation.

"Wait, WHAT?! Daisy...part of Team Rocket?" Delia inquired, dumbfounded. Gary nodded grimly.

"Three nights ago, I...almost lost Lillie to her madness...for good. In fact, if Ash's Charizard hadn't been there, I...I...I surely would have..." He trailed off with tears falling down his cheeks. Delia instantly wrapped Gary up into a comforting hug, which he happily returned.

"There, there, now, Gary..." she said softly, rubbing his back. Yellow couldn't help but smile a little. As Gary and Delia separated, he looked a bit happier.

"You know, Delia, I've always thought of you as a second mother. Especially after my own mom became nonexistent for so long and Dad left." he uttered meekly as he wiped the tears off. A kind smile crossed Delia's face.

"Thank you for the kind words, Gary. And you know, I bet Lillie is glad to have someone like you watching her back. Especially with that bitch disowning her and Gladion for Serena. That, by the way, was in the national newspaper too. As a mother, I found it sickening that she would just throw away her children like that!" she exclaimed, feeling disgusted at the end. Gary flinched a little bit before frowning.

"Yeah, it sucks having two evil mothers who are a part of Team Aether Skull Plasma Rocket. Now I don't know if we can change them for the better or not. I want to say it's possible, but if those two are still evil after this long, I don't think it is." he admitted grimly. Hau actually smirked.

"I actually do think it is possible, Gary. After all, remember Jessie and Mimikyu? They both had a shadow of Giratina possessing them." he reminded Gary. His eyes widened in shock while everyone else looked puzzled. Though, Yellow seemed to go pale upon hearing Giratina's name, and Latias was smirking too.