Previously: Ash and May reunite with their arch nemesis Phantom. With Lawakien refusing to help them as well it looks like nothing good has come of this meeting. As Phantom opens fire on Ash after trapping his friends, he prepares for the worst.

Thanks for reading! We are almost halfway through the story, thanks for supporting it! At first I wasn't sure if I was going to write this story. I really appreciate the views, follows and favorites! Also don't worry about Dawn she will be coming back soon!

Chapter 8: Nothing without Pokemon?

Right before impacting, the missiles opened up to reveal flash bombs. Ash was blinded by the brilliant burst of light and was left lying on the ground. After his eyesight had returned he noticed that everyone was gone. He was left alone and clueless, sitting on the ice where Lawakien once stood. A heavy rain began to pour down, he tried to stand but a sharp jolt of pain shot through his right leg. Ash laid there for a while in the pouring rain. Suddenly a blurred figure swooped down on him, picked him up and headed toward the nearest Pokemon Center. She placed him down on a hospital bed and covered him with a light blue fleece.

"You look pretty beat up," Nurse Joy ventured laying a white towel on his forehead. "It's a good thing your friend told me about you, otherwise..." She cut off.

"What do you mean my friend?"

"The red wolf, she was the one who brought you here." Nurse joy answered running her hands through the sink's water.

As if on cue, Chrimsomnia strolled into the room and looked at Ash with a worried expression.

"Chrimsomnia, where is everyone?" Ash asked her.

"Phantom has my brother and your friends." She answered back depressed.

"Well we have to save them! Let's get out into the town and see if we can find any help stopping Phantom." He responded determined.

Ash dizzily hopped up from bed and strolled over to grab his vest, a yellow piece of paper fell out of the pocket.

"You shouldn't be moving around you need to rest!" Nurse Joy warned him.

Ash, focused on the paper picked it up and read from it:

"To Ash, It seems it is over for you! I have your friends and all of your Pokemon. You have no chance of stopping me now. With your Pokemon you may have stood a chance but without them you are nothing.

- Phantom

Ash laid back down on the bed losing his determination. "Maybe… he's right."

"No, you're wrong." A voice responded from the doorway.

Ash looked up and standing in the doorway was his rival Paul.

Why is Paul, Ash's cold-hearted rival at the Pokemon center? Will Ash ever see his friends again? Lastly will Ash overcome one of his biggest trials and save the world? Stay tuned for the next chapter!