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As they watched Guzma, Plumeria and the grunts walk away (the grunts cheering for Guzma about how he had beaten that Pikachu and the Z-move), Ash felt hot tears swell. This sickness he was feeling; the last time he felt it was when he had his no-barred battle with Paul in the Sinnoh region. His shoulders shook as he stood up with Pikachu in his arms. Not saying anything, he turned around and ran back into the school building.
"Ash wait!" He heard Kukui yell but he ignored it.
He had to get away. He needed to be somewhere safe with his Pikachu. After running through the hallways, Ash came across a side door. He opened it, revealing a cupboard with brooms and buckets inside. After moving the brooms and buckets into the hallway, Ash walked into the closet and closed the door before falling to his knees, holding Pikachu to his chest.
"I'm so sorry Pikachu," he whimpered, letting the tears fall. "I let you down. I'm so sorry I got you hurt. I'm so sorry I got you poisoned. I'm so sorry."
***
"We're going to need to work our hardest now," Gladion told his Pokémon. "If we want to win the Alola Pokémon League, we're going to need to think up a lot of strategies. There'll be a lot of strong trainers so we need to work together. And Lycanroc, we need to figure out what to do when the confusion kicks in after Outrage. We got lucky that time with Ash and his Lycanroc with that Z-move but we might not next time."
Suddenly, Gladion felt his phone buzz in his pocket. After pulling it out, he smiled when he saw the name on the screen.
"Hey sis," he answered. "Are you calling to tell me about the league? Because I saw Professor Kukui's announcement."
"Something's wrong with Ash," Lillie's worried voice travelled through the phone.
Gladion's smile fell at Lillie's words. "What? What's wrong?"
"We don't know," Lillie answered. "Team Skull came to school again and they were bothering Professor Kukui. Ash and Pikachu stood up for him but Pikachu got hurt. After they left, Ash just took Pikachu and ran. He's locked himself in a cupboard and he won't come out. Could you come to the school and help us?"
"I'll be there soon," Gladion said before hanging up the phone and pulling out his Heal Ball and Ultra Ball. "Return for now and Silvally, we need to get to the school. Ash needs help."
***
When Gladion and Silvally arrived at the school, they were greeted by Lillie, who stood in the courtyard by the main building, Snowy in her arms, with a worried look on her face.
"Lillie," Gladion climbed off Silvally's back and returned it to its Pokéball. "What's going on? What happened to Ash?"
As they walked into the building, Lillie told Gladion about Guzma, his threat to Kukui about destroying the league if he didn't cancel, how Ash and Pikachu battled Guzma and Golisopod, and how the battle ended when Golisopod decided to use U-Turn and retreated, leaving everyone confused and Pikachu badly injured and poisoned.
"Then they told Ash that he should join Team Skull," Lillie said as they walked. "He refused, of course."
Gladion smiled. "That makes sense. I've always appreciated how loyal he is."
Lillie nodded. "Me too. But there's something else. Before they left, the girl with Guzma. She said something nasty. I think that's what broke Ash and caused him to run."
"What did she say?" Gladion asked.
"She said Ash is a curse," Lillie recited. "Said that everywhere Ash has gone, he's brought chaos with him. After she said that, Ash went silent. Gladion, he's never silent."
"I'll get him to talk," Gladion promised as they went around the corner. "Where is he?"
"In there," Lillie pointed.
Gladion looked in the direction she was pointing to see everyone standing outside a door, their faces filled with concern. Buckets and mops were stacked against the wall beside the door.
"Ash please come out," Kukui begged. "I promise what Guzma and Plumeria said isn't true."
"Professor?" Gladion asked as he approached the group. "May I try?"
"Oh Gladion," Kukui sighed. "Please, we're really worried about him."
Gladion nodded as he turned to the door and gently knocked. "Ash?" he called gently. "It's me, Gladion. Are you okay? You want to come out and talk to me?"
No answer.
Gladion sighed. "Professor, would it be okay if you and everyone left us alone? I'll keep trying."
"Okay," Kukui nodded in a defeated tone. "Come on kids. Let's head back to the classroom and rest."
Gladion waited patiently until everyone left before knocking on the door again.
"Hey Ash," he said softly, pressing his ear to the door. "It's just me now. No one else. You want to come out and talk to me?"
"Please go away," Gladion heard Ash whimper. "I don't want you to see me."
"What do you mean, Ash?" Gladion asked gently.
"Because they're right," Ash cried from the other side. "I'm a curse. I bring trouble everywhere. I brought Team Rocket to Alola; I probably encouraged the Ultra Beasts to come back. I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't have stayed. I shouldn't even compete. I'm probably going to wreck everything again."
Gladion's heart ached as he listened to Ash sob. It was as heartbreaking as hearing his sister scream and cry when she was afraid to touch Pokémon. He closed his eyes, trying to think of a way to comfort the crying teenager when he remembered something he used to do to help Lillie when she was little. Would it work with Ash? Well, only one way to find out. After quickly looking behind him to make sure he wasn't being watched or listened to, he sat down beside the door and leaned in close.
"You with the sad eyes," Gladion sang softly. "Don't be discouraged. Oh, I realise it's hard to take courage in a world full of people. You can lose sight of it all and the darkness inside you can make you feel so small."
Gladion paused for a minute, hoping Ash would open the door but he didn't. He sighed in frustration.
"But I see your true colours shining through," he continued to sing. "I see your true colours and that's why I love you. So, don't be afraid to let them show; your true colours. Your true colours are beautiful like a rainbow."
Suddenly, Gladion heard the door unlock. Standing up quickly, he held his breath as he watched the door open slightly, revealing half of Ash's face frowning at him.
Gladion smiled. "Hey, may I come in?"
"It's just you?" Ash asked.
"Just me," Gladion confirmed.
Ash sighed as he opened the door. The second he did, Pikachu shot out past Gladion's legs and ran towards the classroom. Gladion blinked before pulling out his Heal Ball.
"Hey Umbreon," he said after releasing Umbreon. "Would you keep Pikachu company while I talk to Ash?"
"Bre," Umbreon nodded, before walking in the direction Pikachu had run.
Gladion smiled as he walked into the closet to see Ash sitting down on the floor just staring into space.
"Mind if I sit with you?" he asked.
Ash shook his head before moving over, indicating to Gladion it was okay to sit next to him.
"Thanks," Gladion said as he sat beside Ash, leaving the door open a little so they could have some air.
He then looked at Ash who was attempting to hide his face under his hat but Gladion could see the tear stains on his cheeks. He sighed before taking Ash’s cap off his head and putting it beside him, making the boy look at him. His eyes were red and still watery.
"Show me a smile then," Gladion continued to sing. "Don't be unhappy. Can't remember when I last saw you laughing. If this world makes you crazy-." Ash smiled as Gladion gently poked his cheek while saying crazy before stroking it, wiping away a falling tear. "-and you've taken all you can bear, you call me up because you know I'll be there."
"Do you mean that?" Ash asked. "Or are you just singing to get me to smile?"
"Yes, and yes," Gladion admitted with a smile. "I love it when you smile. But seriously, I'm always happy to listen if you're in trouble, Ash. You've been there for me during some of the worst times in my life, remember? So, I want to be there for you when you're struggling too."
"Thanks," Ash smiled, looking away bashfully.
"So, why did you lock yourself and Pikachu in here?" Gladion asked.
Ash sighed. "I just wanted to get away," he admitted as he stared at the floor. "When that woman called me a curse, it brought back memories; bad ones. The disrespect I used to get from my old rivals, nearly losing Pikachu and my Pokémon to Team Rocket, dealing with legendary Pokémon and them getting hurt. The memories got too much so I ran and hid in here. Is she right? Am I really a curse? Do I bring bad with me everywhere I go?"
"Ash, look at me," Gladion said gently, to which Ash did tiredly. "I admit you can be a little over-excited sometimes and very reckless and stubborn. But you are one of the kindest people I have ever met. You've done so much for me and my family that I don't know how to express my gratitude to you. What those two said to you today is not true. You are not a curse. I'm so grateful that I know you."
Ash gave a wobbly smile as tears started to fall again. "Why did you sing True Colours to me?"
"I wanted to comfort you," Gladion said as he cleaned Ash’s tears away.
"Oh," Ash said in a disappointed tone.
Gladion cocked an eyebrow. "What's with the 'oh'?" he asked as Ash removed his hand.
"I was hoping it was for a different reason but it doesn't matter," Ash said, standing to leave.
Unfortunately, he was blocked by Gladion, who had also stood up and blocked the doorway in an attempt to prevent Ash from leaving. After pulling the door shut and feeling around, Gladion flicked on a light switch. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of Ash's cheeks turning red. He thought Ash looked cute.
"What kind of reason?" Gladion asked, a small cheeky smile on his face.
"Nothing," Ash said quickly as he looked away, trying to figure out how to escape.
"Were you hoping I was saying a certain line to you?" Gladion hinted.
Ash looked down, refusing to answer. Sighing Gladion placed his finger under Ash's chin before nudging it, not hard enough to force Ash to look at him but soft enough to signal what he wanted. But Ash refused to move.
"Ash, please look at me," Gladion implored.
Biting his lip, Ash reluctantly raised his head to see Gladion smiling at him.
"I meant it," he admitted. "I do love you. I love your courage, your kindness. You're so bright and cheerful that you remind me of the sun. I wasn't singing True Colours to tease you. I love you. Everything about you."
"Really?" Ash asked in a hopeful voice.
"Really," Gladion smiled as he pressed a gentle kiss to Ash's forehead.
Ash closed his eyes and smiled. "I love you too."
Gladion smiled again before tilting Ash’s chin up to brush his lips against Ash's. Ash gave a small gasp as he opened his eyes.
"Was that okay?" Gladion asked nervously.
Ash nodded shyly. "Again?"
Gladion nodded before leaning to kiss Ash again. They shared a few gentle kisses before wrapping their arms around each other. Ash sighed contentedly, tucking his face into Gladion’s neck briefly before looking at him.
"Will you keep singing to me?" he asked hopefully. "Just for a little while? I’m not quite ready to face everyone yet.”
"Sure. Just don't tell the others I can sing," Gladion smiled as he sat down again. “Lillie knows but I haven't sung in years.”
"Sure," Ash nodded, sitting down and resting his head on Gladion's shoulder.
"I see your true colours shining through," Gladion sang. "I see your true colours and that's why I love you. So, don't be afraid to let them show; your true colours, true colours are beautiful like a rainbow."
"Like a rainbow," Ash sang softly as he hugged Gladion. "I love you."
"I love you too," Gladion smiled before pressing another kiss to the top of Ash's head.