It had been a long time since he had seen his home town.

There, in the distance was Pallet…

A hooded man stood on a slope overlooking the town with his faithful Pikachu at his side.

"Ya think the others will recognize us, Pikachu?"

"Pikaa, chu, Pi!"

"Yeah it has been a long time…since that happened."

Flashback:

A 14 year old boy had just returned triumphant from the Sinnoh League. He had managed to defeat his rival, Paul, in the 2nd round. He had been looking forward to seeing his mom again.

When he arrived, he noticed something was wrong.

He couldn't hear anything.

When he rushed in, he saw his mom and her Mr. Mime lying on the ground with stab wounds and bullet holes in their chest. Staring speechless, the boy couldn't think of anything until he heard a sound. The kitchen.

He rushed over to the kitchen and saw Samuel Oak, sitting on a chair, stirring from a restless slumber, with bags under his eyes.

"Professor! My……"

"I know Ash…I know…"

"Who could have done such a thing?!!"

"Remember how throughout the four regions, you have constantly thwarted the major plans of Team Rocket, Aqua, Magma, and Galactic."

"…"

"They did this."

The boy was silent for a minute.

"I'll kill them. I'll kill them all."

And then he left.

"I've been training for four years ever since I took down those crime organizations. Now Professor Oak has somehow contacted me. Do you think we're ready to go back? I'm just scared that the others will reject us."

"Pikaaa, Chu, Kachu," said the Pikachu reassuringly.

"Thanks pal," said the hooded man. And then he set off for Pallet.