A Once Great Friend

by AuraBeWithMe

This story tells the tale of Ash Ketchum returning home. It's been 15 years since Ash left Pallet Town on his pokemon journey. Now at age 25 Ash is going back to Kanto. It's been almost 8 years since his friends have actually seen him and no one knows what's going to happen when he comes home as a surprise. This is my first fanfiction. I hope you like it.

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Just a Dream

Author's Note: Hey guys, this is my first fanfiction and I hope you like it. Just so you all know, I don't have a set path for this story so all suggestions/ideas are welcome. Thanks for taking a look and I hope you enjoy the read. Rated M for certain reason later on in the story.

"You shake with fear Ash." Grimsley told his challenger with confidence. Ash just chuckled prior to a small smirk being revealed on the cocky young man's face. "We'll see about that Grimsley." Drawing his first partner of his Unova League challenge from the inside of his jacket, he roared with confidence, "Charizard, I choose YOU!" As Charizard was released from his pokeball just puffed smoke from his nostrils and assumed his battle stance, already familiar with the challenge he would take on. "Wise choice Ash. Putting a fire type like Charizard against a dark pokemon wouldn't leave you at a disadvantage. But you're forgetting one thing. These are my dark pokemon." Ash stood still preparing for any pokemon that would come out of Grimsley's hand. "Let's end this quickly Bisharp." As Ash and Charizard looked onto the battlefield, Bisharp appeared taking on the stance of a warrior, preparing himself." 'A steel and dark type..' Ash thought to himself. 'This should be interesting.' The referee called out to start the battle and as soon as Ash could imagine Bisharp was charging towards Charizard while preparing a night slash as if it was routine for the beginning of any battle. "Charizard dodge it now!" Ash yelled to his companion. Without being able to react Charizard took a nasty blow from the well trained Bisharp. "Charizard get up and take to the air!" Following orders without any problem Charizard using the power of his wings flew up and circled Bisharp who was stuck on the ground. "Use your flamethrower, full power!" Ash commanded to Charizard. Without hesitation Grimsley aided Bisharp by telling him to go on the run. Running towards the steel arena wall Bisharp heard a call from his master. "Rebound off the wall and use aerial ace!" While moving out of the way of Charizard's lethal flamethrower Bisharp took a leap and bounced off the wall with no problem, using his aerial ace precisely he nailed Charizard head on throwing him to the ground. "No, Charizard! Come on you can do it." Ash's longtime friend struggled to get up off the ground, but to Grimsley's amazement, was able to reassume his battle stance. "Guillotine, Bisharp." Bisharp charged even faster than his night slash rush he hit Charizard harder than ever. 'Oh no..' were the only words in Ash's thoughts. No doubt about it Charizard was out for the count as the referee announced it. "Charizard is unable to batter. Therefore, Grimsley's Bisharp is the winner. "I'm impressed Bisharp. Return." With a round one win Grimsley was feeling very confident in his pokemon's skills. "Alright Ash, ready for another round?" "You know it." 'I'll get him this time.' Ash was not giving up so easily. Grimsley had already made his choice as he sent out Krookadile. "Alright Sceptile, let's go!" The strong and quick grass pokemon was released and looked into Krookadile's eyes. Grimsley was starting to feel a little different about this battle. "Sceptile use slam now!" Sceptile let out a taunt as he obeyed Ash's command. "Krookadile outrage now!" As Krookadile was readying to attack he had lost his target. "Look out!" Sceptile had launched from the side of the ground type pokemon swiftly grabbing him and throwing him down with all of his might. "Krroook.." Grimsley's pokemon let out a small whimper. He was unable to battle. "Very nice Ash. You've impressed me. I guess we've got one more round." "Let's do it! Torterra I choose you!" The ground shook from the momentum of the turtle like pokemon. "Absol, let's end this." Absol was brought onto the field in a beautiful manner for such a dark pokemon. "Alright Torterra, earthquake now!" "Absol leap onto Torterra as quick as you can!" The beauty of a pokemon ran straight across the battlefield onto the shell of Ash's pokemon. "Torterra use slam full power!" Ash was anxious to land a blow to the foe's Absol. Successfully slamming his target, Torterra roared with power as Absol lay on the ground. "It's all or nothing now. Hmmph. Absol.. Use perish song now." Ash stood in awe as he heard the music that no one liked to hear coming from an enemy. "Torterra stay with me!" But Torterra was already out. "Torterra!" Ash pleaded his partner to get up, but to no avail. 'This is it. I lost. It's all over, my challenge, my goal, everything. Ash was beginning to feel great sorrow.

"BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!"

"Huh? Oh, guess it's time to get up." Nudging his electric friend, Ash got up out of bed and walked to the kitchen and turned on the TV in the living room. He began to prepare a cup of coffee for himself as he saw a commercial come up on the screen. "Attention all trainers above the age of 21! A tag team tournament will be taking place the weekend of January 4th to celebrate the New Year! The event will take place in Saffron City of the Kanto Region so come on down and celebrate a weekend of battling and partying to celebrate the New Year!

"Hmmm, I guess it has been a while.. Hey Pikachu, we're going home."