Hi everybody! My brother, Carl, said that he had a Pokémon story idea for me, so I decided to listen and see what I could do.

Warning: this story will contain the following; Pokémon deaths; violence; and possible favorite character deaths (if my brother says it)

So here's the full summary:

Team Rocket took over the world, and it took almost everything Ash had to stop them. 20 years later, Team Rocket rises again, and at the prompting of a old friend Asher Ketch, his wife, Serenity Ketch, and their six kids have to stand up to them for one last time.

Asher still has scars from the last battle with this gang, and with the rebelliousness of his oldest son, will the family reunite with their friends and defeat Team Rocket once and for all? And what happened to Asher that makes him hate Team Rocket so much besides them being total idiots?

This is…The Pain of Asher.

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Prologue

Five years after Ash's Alolan journey, Team Rocket, who had once only been an inconvenience in Ash's life, grew to be a menace. Without the world noticing, they had soon captured Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova, and were heading to Kalos. If Team Rocket captured that region, they would be able to gain every Mega-Stone that was there, and nobody would be able to stop them.

In order to buy time for his friends to gather, Ash gathered all his Pokémon and fought the advancing evil tide. With the gift of several Mega-Stones from Professor Sycamore, Ash held off Team Rocket for almost a week. But, unfortunately, his friends arrived almost too late.

Almost all of Ash's Pokémon were on the brink of death, and those that were still fighting were almost dead from exhaustion. But with the reinforcements of Ash's friends, the remaining Pokémon gathered up what little strength they had left and managed to defeat Team Rocket, carting off almost every single member, including Giovanni, their leader. But in the aftermath of the battle, everyone noticed something;

Where was Ash?

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[Downtown Viridian City]

In a large warehouse in the lower sections of Viridian City, a Pokémon battle was about to commence. But this was one of the places where illegal Pokémon battling was done. It was illegal because here was where the gambling took place in the Pokémon world.

After the twenty years of the Team Rocket crisis, the Pokémon world had started to expand, and the Pokémon that inhabited the world had begun to spread to different regions. Take for instance, a young, raven-haired, seventeen year-old teenager who had never been outside to region before, with a Riolu walking by his side. "Ready Riolu?" asked the teenager. The Riolu nodded.

"And entering the arena now is seventeen year-old Thorn Ketch with his partner Riolu! A formidable pair you could say!" said the announcer. Thorn took a deep breath as he and Riolu stepped into the spotlight on their side of the arena. On the other side of the arena stood a forty year-old man with a Machamp, which easily towered above Riolu. "Facing them," continued the announcer, "is Dawson Jakes and his Machamp! Hopefully Thorn and Riolu will be able to face one of the champions of the Gala-Knight Pits!" Thorns eyes turned to fire at the laughter that filled the arena. Oh they were so going to get it!

"At least give me a worthy battle boy!" said Dawson on the other side of the arena with a booming laugh, "Or else this battle will be over in a second!"

"Oh, I'll give you a fight!" yelled Thorn. Then he yelled to Riolu, "Riolu, use Quick Attack!" Riolu instantly sped forward, covered in a pale white glow.

But Dawson simply scoffed and ordered, "Machamp, use Rock Throw." Several large boulders surrounded Machamps body, throwing themselves at Riolu.

Thorn and Riolu seemed to share a hidden message as it looked back towards the teenager. Instantly, Riolu split into several copies and leapt on top of the rocks. Several Riolus disappeared as Dawson ordered, "X-Scissor!" until the real Riolu was seen, wielding an…Aura Sphere?

"Riolu!" yelled Thorn, a strange fire in his eyes, "Aura Sphere!" Riolu launched the swirling energy ball, striking Machamp full in the face, causing it to roar in pain and fall to the ground. Riolu landed a little bit shakily on the ground due to the Metal Sound, but remained upright.

The referee looked at Machamps face for confirmation and declared, "Machamp is unable to battle! Riolu is the winner! Which means the victory goes to Thorn!"

"All right!" yelled Thorn, but then he was interrupted when Riolu jumped onto him, wrapping his arms around his neck. As Thorn landed on the ground, he happily returned the hug, saying, "Buddy, you were incredible!"

Suddenly, there came an explosion by the entrance, causing the small audience and the battlers heads to turn. Someone yelled, "It's the police!"

"Riolu, let's go!" whispered Thorn as everyone started to head for one of the back entrances. Riolu nodded, and once again, it seemed as if a hidden message was shared between them. They quickly headed back the way that they had come, heading to the door at the end of the hall.

Suddenly, a dark figure dropped down from behind them. Riolu noticed and fired a Aura Sphere at the figure. The figure dodged and the sphere exploded when it hit the ceiling. A cop yelled, "There's someone down there!"

"So that's the famous Aura Sphere," said the figure, his eyes smiling. "That Pokémon will be very good addition to the team." Then he launched something at the teenager and Pokémon.

Riolu gave a yell as he was wrapped around with ropes which began to shock him, and Thorn gave a yelp as his legs and arms were entangled in a pair of bolas. Then the stranger darted forward and struck him in the back of the head with a rod, then, he swiftly injected a sedative into Riolus neck. Then while the Pokémon was falling unconscious, the stranger removed the bolas' from the teenagers body, then, picking up Riolu, he vanished back into the ceiling.

A little while later, Thorn was found by the cops and taken to jail for illegal Pokémon fighting.

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Serenity Ketch stood outside the police department, pacing anxiously and tugging at her long, honey blond hair. Partly, she was angry that her son would do this, but she was also sympathetic to Thorn. He so much reminded her of his father.

Finally, Thorn came out of the Police Station, and Serenity wrapped him into a hug as she asked, "Are you okay, Thorn?" Then she realized that he looked haggard and winced as she touched one of the red welts on his arms. He rubbed the back of his head as he said, "No, Mom. I'm not okay."

"Want to go to the Pokémon center?" she asked him.

"No. Riolu got kidnapped."

Serenity guided her son to the car as Thorn started to explain what had happened. When the story finished, they were just pulling up in front of the house. "I don't know who it was, but I'm going to make him pay for taking Riolu," finished Thorn, anger in his voice.

"Before you go rushing of to save Pokémon," said his mother in a slight scolding tone, "you are going to have to talk to your father for your disobedience this evening." Thorn's face turned a slight red color as they headed into the house.

As Serenity treated Thorn's injuries, Asher Ketch came in. He had dark, raven-colored hair that was slightly on the long side, but didn't go past his neck. His amber colored eyes looked at his son disapprovingly as he said, "Why do you always get yourself into these situations?"

"For one thing, dad," said Thorn angrily, "This wasn't a normal situation; someone attacked me if you hadn't noticed."

"Since you have done something like this," Asher continued, "I would say that you deserved it, for being an idiot. You don't go off doing illegal Pokémon battles, especially when you don't have any Pokémon. What did you do, borrow someone else's?"

"Actually, I had a friend. Then he got kidnapped. And no matter what you might say, I'm going to get him back, I swear it!" And with that, Thorn stood up from the table and marched off to his room as Asher yelled after him, "you can leave that to the police! You're grounded!"

The family Sylveon walked into the room, and, noticing the distraught look on Serenity's face, hopped into her lap as she said, "You know he is going to try and leave. Why don't you give him a chance?"

"Like I said, he should leave it to the police," he answered, "plus, you remember that you do not want to mess with a Pokémon Poacher." And with that, he left the dining room. Serenity looked at the door that her husband had left from and then looked down at Sylveon and said, "I don't think that was a Poacher from what Thorn said."

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[Viridian City]

Asher resignedly put his face in his hands, thinking, I was never good at math. Why did I have to get a job as a Tax Consultant?!

Looking out the window, he saw people out on the streets, some with Pokémon. He sighed ruefully, remembering the days when he used to like Pokémon. But he knew-and painfully remembered-why he had changed so much.

Suddenly, there came a beeping from the panel and the front desk lady's voice chimed and said, "Sir, there's a man here to see you. He says it's very urgent."

"Might as well send him in," he replied. A minute later, the door opened. Asher looked up for a split second and then looked down. The man standing at the doorway took note of this; Asher knew him instantly, even though it had been a very long time since they had last seen each other.

The man was wearing a belt with at least six Pokéballs on it. He had brown skin and dark brown hair. He wore a orange vest over a forest green shirt and gray pants, and it was hard to tell what his expression was with his squinting eyes.

"It's taken me a long time to track you down," said the man, "though this is one of the last places that I would look. A tax consultant?"

"Private tax consultant," replied Asher, "and it's a job."

The man took a seat as Asher looked up and asked, "May I ask what you're doing here, old friend? I expect it's not because your having trouble with money."

"Team Rocket's banding together again." The man placed a red Pokéball on the desk and said, "I don't have much time, but we need you again A-"

"Asher," came the quick reply, "and if you're being hunted, you better leave the region quickly."

"I will," replied the man, standing up, "but after I know that you and your family is safe. I'll meet you at the house, Asher." He chuckled and said, "Nice nickname by the way."

"Thanks," Asher said dryly. "I'll see you there, Brock."

When the man-Brock-took his leave, Asher stood up and watched out the window until he saw Brock exiting out the building and hailing a taxi. He saw Brock look into the driver window for a second, and then he climbed in. As soon as the taxi was out of sight, Asher checked his watch, then called up his boss and quickly explained what had happened. Then, gathering up his things and the Pokéball on the desk, he quickly exited the office building.

(())

Ash walked through the door and met the surprised gaze of his family. Serenity and Thorn were busy trying to stop the youngest of the family, a girl by the name of Eva, from once more climbing into the fireplace, the twins, Jake and Riley, were drawing on the floor, the second-oldest, a girl named Rose, was grooming Sylveon, and Tyson, the third-oldest in the family, was toying with a mini-figurine of a Onix. Everyone jerked up in surprise as he opened the door and said, "Pack light, we need to leave soon. Serenity, we have to talk."

"What is it dad?" asked Tyson.

"Someone came up to the office and said that we're being hunted. He should be over here soon. If you see someone running up the sidewalk, give a call. Now go pack!"

"Dad-" Thorn started to argue, but his father interrupted him, saying, "Not now, Thorn. Go help your siblings."

The family scattered as Serenity walked up to her husband and asked, "Asher, what is it?"

"I'll tell you while we're packing," he explained as he pulled her to their bedroom, shutting and locking the door. He quickly explained about Brocks visit and what he had said about Team Rocket. "And that's why we're going to need to leave," he finished as he put the last of his clothes in a light backpack.

Serenity had done the same and asked, "Can I see the Pokéball?"

Asher dug into his pocket and pulled out the Pokéball that Brock had given him. "Did he give you the one that I gave him?" she asked.

"No," he replied quickly, "but I think he'll give it to you when he gets here. We're going to need all the help we can get." As he put the Pokéball back into his pocket, he noticed her looking at him. "What?" he asked.

Serenity sat on the bed and said, "I'm just worried."

"About what?" he asked her.

"You," she replied, "I cared for you for two years, and after that coma, you nearly killed yourself. Are you sure that you can fight them again?"

"I'll make sure that we can get this finished quickly. It was just a bad battle; this will be over before you know it," he assured her. He pulled her into a hug and gently kissed her. Serenity held his face so that the kiss would last.

Suddenly there came a knocking at the bedroom door, causing them to break off the kiss, "Come in," called out Serenity.

Jake opened the door with Thorn and said, "There's a man running up the road. He should be at the door soon, Dad."

"Get everyone to the living room," said Asher, "we'll be with you in a second. When the man gets to the door, bring him right in." The two boys nodded and left.

"And it looks like this battle is starting again," said Serenity. "It sure does," replied Asher.

As they headed to the living room, they already saw Brock pacing in front of the fireplace. Because it took him only about five second to get from one side to the other, Eva had a hard time trying to climb inside it again. As Serenity picked up her daughter, Brock nodded to Asher and said, "I've got a friend that will take me out of the region. She can do the same for your family. I'm going to head to Kalos and join up with a few more of your friends."

"We can head to my mom's house," said Serenity. Turning to Asher, she said, "I'm still worried about you being alone. Take Thorn with you."

"What!" Thorn exclaimed, no comment coming from his dad, "Why?!"

Serenity ignored her son and continued, "If he's going to learn to be a Pokémon Trainer, it's better that he learns from his own father!"

"Wait!" said Tyson, "Dad's a Pokémon Trainer?"

Before Asher could answer, an explosion hit the wall, nearly knocking the door off its hinges. Rose and Riley screamed and Eva started to cry. "Come on out!" yelled a voice.

"Let me guess," Asher turned to Brock and said, "You forgot to mention that Team Rocket was hot on your tail."

"I guess I did," Brock said, already cursing himself. Pulling out another Pokéball and handed it to Serenity, much to the shock of the other kids, and said, "You'll need this. I'll hold them off while you escape."

As he rushed outside, Serenity opened the Pokéball, and in a flash of light, a Delfox appeared. The Fox Pokémon hugged Serenity, her trainer happily as if to say, I missed you.

"I missed you too Delfox," Serenity replied, hugging her partner back. Asher handed her a map to where they were going to meet up with Brock's friend and said, "Stay safe."

"You too." She kissed him goodbye, causing the rest of the kids, except Eva, who was still crying, but now stroking Delfox's coat, to go, "eeeeewwww!"

She then pulled her son into a hug and said, "Stay safe, Thorn."

"I will mum," he replied, "but what's going on here?"

"You'll find out later," she told him as she gathered the rest of the family, kissed her son on the cheek, and with Delfox and Sylveon, headed out the back door.

Thorn turned to his dad and asked the question that had gone unanswered, "You were a Pokémon Trainer?"

As a final explosion came from outside, Asher replied, "Stay behind and close to me." Thorn backed up a step as he saw something flickering in his father's eyes. The two of them headed out the door to see Brock retrieving all of his knocked out Pokémon.

"Please tell me you're ready to fight," asked Brock to the two, "they just defeated my last Pokémon." The scornful laughter caused them to look up at Team Rocket. "Uh, they don't look like ordinary members," said Thorn.

"Elites," explained Brock, "very powerful."

There was at least twelve Team Rocket Elites. They had sent out almost all of their Pokémon and there were a few that had Mega Evolved-a Tyranitar, a Houndoom, and an Alakazam. "So," called out one of the Elites, "giving up, or are you thirsty for more?"

Asher stepped forward and said, "I'll fight you!"

They laughed once more and the same Elite said, "You don't even have any Pokémon!"

Asher took out the Pokéball that Brock had given him, held it out in front of him, and said in a very icy voice, "I have one."

"Well then," said the Elite, "Then let us battle. GO!"

All of the Team Rocket Pokémon sprang forward as Asher threw the Pokéball with a very experienced throw, as if he had done Pokémon Battles for years. What happened next was very quick.

As the Pokéball opened, a very massive flame emerged, making the ground explode and a black cloud of smoke appear. All of the Elite's Pokémon fell backwards, spirals in their eyes and the Mega Pokémon switching back to their original forms. As the Elites looked up, Asher came out of the smoke with a very angry look on his face, and the smoke disappeared, revealing a Charizard, who gave a triumphant roar.

"You threaten my family," said Asher to the very frightened Team Rocket, "you threaten my home, and you threaten my world! So you had all better run! You know who I am-and I AM BACK! You wanted a battle; I'll give you one! Charizard! FLAMETHROWER!"

Charizard released another massive flame at Team Rocket, causing the ground to explode. They were launched up into the air, yelling, "WE'RE BLASTING OFF AFTER TWENTY YEARS!"

Asher turned to see a grinning Brock and a very shocked ad awed Thorn, who then said in a weak voice, "That was so one-sided."

"Glad to see that you've still got the touch after all this time," said Brock cheerfully, "I'm going to head to a Pokémon Center to heal up my Pokémon. Then, I'll go meet up with Serenity and the rest of your family and head to Kalos. Good luck you two."

"Don't go proposing to Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy now," joked Asher. Charizard even gave a couple of laughing growls as Brock said, "I'm over that, Asher. You know that. I've already got a wife."

"Still, don't do it!" chuckled Asher.

Thorn looked between the two as the shook ands and Brock raced away to the nearby Pokémon Center. Turning to his dad, he asked, "How-"

"I'll explain later, son," said Asher, chuckling, "let's just say during my last battle with Team Rocket, me and my Pokémon got a seriously big power upgrade. Charizard, I'd like you to meet my oldest son, Thorn. Thorn, this is Charizard. He wasn't my first Pokémon, but he is among the first that I caught."

"What was your first Pokémon then, Dad? A Squirtle? A Bulbasaur?"

"A Pikachu, actually." A pained look crossed his face when he said that, but he shook his head and then said, "C'mon Thorn. If you're going to be a Pokémon Trainer and if we're going to rescue Riolu, we had better get to work."

The two of them climbed on Charizards back and they took off to the air, and Asher knew there and then, that this wouldn't end quickly. This would be the end to Team Rocket. He swore there and then, that they would not hurt this world any longer.

Hope you all like this! Just some clarification though; Eva's name is pronounced, (Ae-vah) and I will explain later on how Ash's Pokémon got so powerful.