Hello everyone, I'm a newcomer to the world of fanfic writing and I decided to start off with possibly the most cliché plot in the entirety of the Pokémon fandom. However, I thought it would be an easy way to start off and once I get a bit more confident I can try writing something a little more original.

I'd appreciate any comments you have whether they be praise or criticism although flames will be ignored.

Betrayal, an eight-letter word that Ash had never truly known the meaning of until today, sure he knew the definition of it but until you experienced it you never understood the true feeling behind it. The day had started so well, he had just finished training for his battle against Alain to decide who would win the Kalos League, sadly for those involved that battle would never get to take place. As Ash finished his training there was an explosion at the nearby Pokémon Centre, Ash saw this and immediately headed towards the building to help in any way he could and just hoped his mother had gotten out safely.

Almost everyone had gotten out, including to Ash's relief, his mother who had been injured but not fatally. However, not everyone was quite so lucky and after the rubble had been cleared there was over twenty people and at least a dozen Pokémon that had lost their lives in the explosion. While they waited for more news Ash and his friends had stayed in the hospital with his mother. Suddenly Jenny came in claiming to have the security footage prior to the attack. Jenny put the disk in the computer and played the security footage, everyone soon gasped as they saw a splitting image of Ash walk inside of the room and plant the explosive device.

As soon as the video ended everyone quickly turned to face Ash who looked mortified that they were even considering that Ash had done this. Sure, there was this security footage which would be pretty convincing, but they'd seen in the past how people and Pokémon were able to disguise themselves. There was no way they could guarantee that was him in the world they lived in where almost anything was possible.

"Ash Ketchum you're under arrest for arson, homicide and terrorism."

"What?! You've got to be joking, I would never do anything like this. Please guys tell Jenny that she's wrong, tell her that you believe me, right?"

None of Ash's friends replied to his question, many of them looked at him in horror and shock, Ash felt his heartbreak as his old friend Serena shook her head and looked at him in disgust. He turned to Dawn and May neither of whom could bring themselves to look at him despite how close they had been prior to this. Seeing two of his best friends abandon him felt like another dagger had been thrust into his heart. Ash finally turned to the man he saw as a big brother, a man who had always been there for him.

"Brock?"

"I'm sorry Ash but the evidence is right there."

With that one sentence Ash felt his whole world come crashing down, he'd lost his friends and he would presumably be imprisoned for these crimes he wasn't guilty of. A small part of him felt like giving up and just shutting down but the rest of him refused to give up like this and suffer for something he did not do. He looked at the unconscious form of his mother and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Goodbye mum, I love you so much."

He felt bad that he was essentially abandoning his mother but there was no choice, he had to leave or else he would be made to pay for a crime he didn't commit. Ash looked at Pikachu who nodded at him clearly still on his side and the mouse let out a Thunderbolt on everyone to paralyse them. As everyone hit the floor twitching as they were stunned by the paralysis Ash didn't waste a second and sprinted out of the hospital while Pikachu zapped anyone who tried to stop them, once Ash was in the open he quickly sent Noivern out and jumped on his back.

"Fly south Noivern we have to leave."

The flying type didn't argue and simply did as Ash asked launching himself into the air and flying south at full speed. Ash sighed as he thought over what he would do now, he was a fugitive, so he couldn't challenge gyms anymore, hell he couldn't even be seen in public and all he had was his Kalos team by his side. As he thought over the ruined remnants of his life his eyes darkened as he looked to the sky above wondering why Arceus had allowed this to happen to him. He cursed the God Pokémon and started staring in the direction of the one place he knew he would be safe, Johto.

The flight to Johto didn't take as long as Ash had been expecting thanks to having both Talonflame and Noivern they were able to almost constantly keep moving only taking a few short breaks everyday to get some rest, eat and swap over flying duties. After a week of flying Ash and Pikachu arrived at where they would hopefully find safety, Mt. Quena the home of Mewtwo and the clones. Ash returned Noivern and walked inside the cave looking for any sign of Mewtwo and started to worry that maybe they had moved on. Suddenly a being came out of the darkness and slammed Ash into the wall.

"How did you find this place human?!"

"I saved an old friend from being enslaved by Team Rocket here many years ago."

"Ash? I apologise had I realised it was you I would not have reacted the way I did."

"Don't worry about it Mewtwo, you did the right thing, you were just protecting the others. I was hoping you could allow me to stay with you and the clones for a while."

"You are more than welcome to stay here Ash but why do you want to?"

Ash sighed and fought back the tears that threatened to fall as he told Mewtwo about what had transpired a week ago. By the end of the story Ash had let out a few tears while Mewtwo had become furious that those so-called friends had betrayed Ash when he truly needed them.

"Those fools! Trust me Ash you may stay here for as long as you want. We are indebted to you and see you as an extended part of our family."

"Thank you, my friend."

Ash smiled for the first time since he had been falsely accused of those crimes and followed Mewtwo as the clone led him deep inside Mt Quena to where the clones were. As soon as they saw Ash the clones swarmed around Ash to welcome him, Mewtwo had quickly relayed to them what had happened to Ash and were intent on making Ash feel at home amongst them.

Unable to hold it together any longer Ash broke down thanking all of them for being here for him. It didn't take long for everything to take its toll on Ash and he fell asleep amongst his new family who laid him down, so he could rest while Pikachu let out the rest of the Kalos team, so they could get to know the clones.

When Ash woke up the next day he knew that he had to do next, with his safety ensured Ash wanted to try and recover his old Pokémon. At nightfall Mewtwo and Ash teleported to Professor Oak's Lab and went out to confront all of Ash Pokémon. Sadly, they were too late as by that time they had seen the videos too many times and had convinced themselves of Ash's guilt.

After sending a powerful psychic attack at them as payment for their treachery Mewtwo took Ash back to Mt Quena feeling sorry that the poor boy had lost so much. As he placed the boy down to get some rest Mewtwo swore to get revenge on those who had hurt Ash, not today, not tomorrow, but someday he would make them pay.

The next day everyone spent time with Ash trying to help him and make him feel better, the young ones in particular who spent most of the day in his lap and playing games with him. Ash was appreciative of the clones' efforts and was grateful to have them here however there was one last thing he needed to do but he had to wait until the evening once everyone had fallen asleep. As night fell the clones, Pikachu and the Kalos team went to bed leaving only Ash and Mewtwo awake, Ash sought out the leader of the clones and found Mewtwo on the cliffs overlooking the forest around the area.

"Mewtwo there's one more person I need to see. I need you to take me to the house I am thinking of right now."

Mewtwo knew what Ash wanted to do and was reluctant to do as Ash asked, after what had happened yesterday with his Pokémon he wasn't sure that going to see the girl that he was clearly infatuated with was a very good idea. If she were to refuse him like his Pokémon had done, Mewtwo wasn't sure that Ash could recover from that. He placed his hand on the young mans shoulder, something that surprised Ash as Mewtwo was not the kind of being that was usually comfortable with physical contact in any way.

"Maybe it would be best to wait a while before going to see her."

"I understand what you are implying Mewtwo, but I have to do this now."

"Very well Ash."

After taking a moment to consider what may happen soon Mewtwo sighed and then in the blink of an eye they teleported from Mt Quena to a small house near the Battle Frontier. Ash started to walk away from Mewtwo towards the house when Mewtwo once again placed his hand on Ash's shoulder.

"Ash are you sure you want to do this."

"Yes, Mewtwo I do, I know why you're concerned but I have to do this."

"Okay, just know that whatever happens Ash, me and the clones will always be there for you."

"Thank you, my friend."

Despite his worries about what may happen to Ash in the next few minutes Mewtwo reluctantly let the young man go. He could not force Ash to not do this, well he could but that would be immoral and there was no way Mewtwo would ever do anything to Ash. Upon feeling Mewtwo release his grip on him, Ash walked up to the house feeling nervous about what he was about to do. Considering what had happened a few days ago this probably wasn't the best timing, but it could be the last chance he ever has to say this and maybe get her to come with him. He knocked on the door a few times and after a few moments he was greeted by the girl he had fallen in love with; Anabel.

"Ash? What are you doing here?" Anabel asked in utter shock.

"I had to come see you Anabel, I had to come and tell you something before I left. Anabel, I love you, I've loved you since we first spent time together. At first it was just a crush but over time it grew into something more. Now you have a choice, if you feel the same way as me then we go away and find a way to prove my innocence or you stay here, and you'll never see me again."

There was complete silence while Anabel appeared to be contemplating what Ash had just confessed too, the sounds of the wind being the only noise in the area. After some thought Anabel looked up at Ash with sadness in her eyes already telling Ash what she was about to say.

"I can't, I'm sorry Ash but I just can't go with you."

Ash felt his heart shatter into pieces as Anabel said those words, he had been expecting them, but they still hurt him down to his very soul. As he stared at the girl who had stolen and then broken his heart Ash felt the remnants of his broken heart growing cold and hard as he swore to himself not to allow anyone else to get this close to him. Ash looked Anabel in the eye with an emotionless stare which shocked Anabel more than anything else tonight, his eyes looked so empty and she realised that at that moment she had broken him.

"I understand, goodbye Anabel, as promise we shall never meet again. It's time to go Mewtwo."

Before Anabel could reply the clone appeared and teleported Ash away, back to Mt Quena where he'd be safe and surrounded by those who truly loved and cared about him. Mewtwo remained though as he had something he needed to do before he left, he looked down at the lilac haired girl with an enraged glare. He had been worried that this would happen which was why he had tried so hard to stop him. The eyes belonging to the clone immediately turned blue as Mewtwo used his psychic power to raise the empath up to eye level, he could see the fear in her eyes and he relished it.

"You are a fool and one day I shall make sure that you pay for what you have done to him. Were it not for his feelings for you I would make it so you could never rest easy again, every night you would be haunted by all manner of horrific nightmares. However, I will not do that, even after everything that has happened he loves you so for now you shall not be harmed. That will change though if you tell anyone about what has transpired here, do you understand?!"

A small nod from the petrified girl was the only answer the clone needed and knowing that Ash needed him right now, Mewtwo released the girl from his hold and she fell to the floor letting a pained yelp as she hit the ground. He glared at her once last time wishing he could make her pay for this right now, but he knew he couldn't. With a sigh Mewtwo disappeared leaving Anabel alone on the doorstep. Once she was sure the strange and terrifying psychic Pokémon was gone, Anabel allowed herself to cry, she looked up at the night sky as tears streamed down her face.

"I'm so sorry Ash. I love you too."