Welcome to my first fanfiction rewritten!

Nothing really much to write here in the Author's Notes other than writing a story that should pose an example for future writers of betrayal fanfictions: I hope there shouldn't be much of the stories where Ash is being talked down by his family and friends for a dream not achieved or for his mistakes, because in my opinion, that's not deep enough to be considered as betrayal. Either make a new idea out of it, or simply put more detail into those. It becomes cliche. If you're offended by this, please turn back and disregard what I said.

This is just the beginning; I'm not having much expectations from this story, albeit I will admit: This is an AU, and it does NOT follow SOME of the plots from the pokemon anime.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my writing of this story. It's "fan"fiction, after all~

Prologue

Cinders of Betrayal

Somewhere in Kalos, dawn rose above the horizon of a forest inhabited by pokemon. Avian pokemon chirped from above, migrating like there was no more settlements for them to rest by. Filled with life, in the center of the forest lies stump of a chopped tree; the open, grassy fields surrounding it attuned to its tranquil vibe. It was considered to be sacred, and it was a playing field for some pokemon, in a notion where there's nothing that will disturb them. As hallow as the stump is, it was also used as a congregation between inhabitants of the forest and humans long ago when industrialization barely existed.

Meanwhile, mild tremors shook the earthly caverns of a mountain range that once teemed with life. It's certain that pokemon are roaming across it from the inside and out, but there were certain areas that are meant to be left unchecked— especially for a passage that leads down to a boon for those who seek strife and turbulence. A crystalline cocoon, enclosed with a mystical power, radiated itself in iridescent gradients of pink and scarlet. Warm as it may seem to look, the light pierced any pokemon around the vicinity, striking anxiety into their hearts. Even the burliest in their nature had to avoid tampering directly with the cocoon.

The dormancy of the crystal proves only to be a delay of the inevitable; an unspoken prophecy in which even Arceus itself could not even bother relaying it that easily, out of concern for humanity and pokemon alike, for how they should take this news.

The world has been awfully quiet— free from atrocity and disaster; well, that's not entirely true. Notorious organizations have gone quiet since the incidents of their time had already been passed, and the forces of nature simmered down after the mishandling of humanity's exploitation that could have made the grandeur of the present. It was then at this moment, one can call it... the "calm" before the storm.

Sunlight beamed on the surface of Kanto, particularly Pallet Town. There was nothing but silence, save for the sounds of electronics. Even at the household of Ketchum, there was nothing noteworthy at all, only his mother, Delia Ketchum, acting on the daily routine in the kitchen. Washing the dishes after a recent breakfast with a reliable Mr. Mime helping around the floor, a pokemon that stayed with her ever since Ash's first journey throughout the entire Kanto region. The day would never look so much more ordinary other than this one, for it had been a long quiet day. Albeit the television is on, there was no eye-catching news that caught her full attention, considering it's simply about advertisements, shopping items, along with featured pokemon that are rare throughout certain regions. Typical, is it not? Delia Ketchum herself wondered after the last dish was rinsed off; how is Ash doing now? How is her little baby doing at this very moment, at a quiet day? The most recent contact was simply a few days ago; after the Kalos League in which Ash himself was defeated by Alain, in a decisive battle where the former's Greninja, synchronized with the trainer, fought against Charizard which mega evolved, traded powerful exchanges of moves with the fullest of their abilities and moves.

The pokemon laboratory that is situated in Pallet Town, shows Professor Oak mashing down buttons in a keyboard for coding purposes; such as updating the pokedex which happens from time to time. Because pokemon are still new to them in the other regions, they intend to send operatives to investigate and eventually search for new information. The scientists continuously share information as the pokedex's data capacity expands further.

"Hmm... I wonder how Ash is doing," Professor Oak mumbled to himself, cupping his chin while viewing the output of the monitor, with a wired pokedex attached to it.

Ash's first rival, Gary Oak, now a researcher, kept himself busy in the meantime on a desk with paperwork.

Night fell in the Lumiose City of Kalos. The atmosphere was still bright due to luminescence of the ambient lights of Lumiose City's buildings, especially the Prism Tower. A cold wind touched by on the skin of a boy standing at the rooftops of the landmark, teasing his clothes to dance in a solemn, graceful movement pushed against his direction. A yellow rodent perched on at his left shoulder, becoming the weight he used to bear with, as his trusted companion. A squeak of delight boomed over above, with red cheeks flickering with such electric power, possibly feeling the pleasant breeze on its own skin. It was a night when a few days after the Lumiose Conference in which he ended up being a runner-up, and with the incident of Team Flare resolved, he decided to drop by and stand on Prism Tower's rooftops.

Unlike his companion's promising eyes, his eyes seem apathetic to emotion. The Ash Ketchum everyone knew was not there at the moment, for he went out of his character. Those impassive, brown eyes of his that gleamed under the iridescent glow of a full moon, now held a certain extent of determination and a sense of responsibility compared to before; apathetic. Of course, after what happened with the Team Flare's incident on an attempt to control Zygarde, Ash himself could not just sit still and pursue his dream with ignorance. To him, there is something he needs to do first, and he possibly knows something that no one else in his company does. His hand curled up into a fist and gritted his teeth, stared down at the depths of Lumiose City's earth, with his bones trembled as if he had an uncontrollable emotion that compelled in him.

"Pika?" Pikachu voiced over with a poke to his ear, actually confused as to what his master was feeling about. At the same time, he looked worried, because Ash didn't seem to be himself in there.

Ash felt the contact, and his focus of attention towards to what he was thinking was immediately broken. More so, he looked like he was spacing out. encroached by the deep train of thought. He blinked for a moment, then turned to his partner. "Ah, I'm sorry. I just had been thinking about something," he nodded. He gave a slight chuckle, trying to appear he wasn't serious. Pikachu however, knowing his partner for a long time, could not buy it and kept poking Ash's cheek. Slightly getting perturbed by his companion's persuasive act, he decided to take a deep breath and then he jolted up slightly like a hyped boy. "Fine, I'll tell you!" He blurted out in impatience, but there was no tone of annoyance nor anger, just anxiety that slowly crossed his mind.

"I know I've told you this before, but it's about that dream," Ash huffed, crossing his arms while Pikachu nodded intently listening to him. Being that attentive meant that Ash would be opening up to his partner, despite how the latter could not speak their language. A dream that actually bothered Ash? It sounded peculiar to happen so, ever since the last time he was bothered by a dream was because he was plagued in a nightmare by Darkrai way back in his journey in Alamos Town of Sinnoh. The reason why it was still regarded as a dream still lies in complete mystery...

"The dream was so vague. I could not comprehend it that much, but I saw someone, with a tattered cloak, with an awful look on his face," he started, rubbing his temples as he was trying to remember what exactly happened in there. "There were screams and loud explosions too." A frown plastered across his face when he remembered it slowly by slowly, albeit he is confused for the very fact he saw himself in there.

An important image rushed into his head upon trying to remember.

A vision, distorted with blurs and cloudy corners, Ash also saw himself standing at the rooftop of Prism Tower the exact same time and spot with Pikachu on his shoulder, causing the male to widen his eyes out of shock. But how?! Isn't this some sort of deja vu? He questioned in his thoughts as how this moment came to be from his dream, like a vision fulfilled. Could it be? Are these the visions of a future? He pondered about his thoughts, before he turned to Pikachu in the eyes and stared for a moment.

"You see, I dreamed of being in here too. At the exact same time and spot."

Pikachu's eyes widened in disbelief, it's something that never happened before to Ash, the visual phenomenon can be comparable that of a man named Grings Kodai, the man responsible for withering Crown City's flora for the Time Ripple's energies in order to sate his greed of being able to see the future. The accuracy and precision of Ash's dream made it a little too convenient to be a deja vu, much less being a coincidence. What about aura? Ash's aura, despite being said to be similar to Sir Aaron's, is lying dormant ever since he tried to help Mew in the Tree of Beginning. This would mean Aura was not possibly the cause, but there holds a possibility that it had something to do with receiving such dreams. That's why he was bothered— for what he has saw in the dream, it would eventually fulfill, and come into effect. Quite confused as the dream is still vague, however, it left quite the message, as it made him alarmed.

The boy took a deep breath, tipped his hat for a moment and thus lifted Pikachu up from his shoulder and locked gazes into their optics, whilst the latter tilted his head in confusion.

"I guess we're not going to return to Pallet Town just yet, Pikachu. I believe there is something we have to do first. Like solving the mystery behind these dreams," he huffed, pulling the partner closer into a warm embrace in reassurance. "Pika!" his rodent ears perked up, acknowledging what Ash said.

A few minutes later, Clemont came to pick Ash up from the tower's rooftops, in attempt to fetch him back to a room.

"Ash?" the blonde's tilted his head around in confusion, for the raven-haired trainer was nowhere in sight of the vicinity. However, a talonflame can be barely seen in the sky, the sight of it is akin to a firefly's, judging by the distance. It hinted a possibility that Ash had probably mounted over Talonflame and flied throughout Kalos. Much to Clemont's surprise, he sighed, assuming it was an ordinary, recreational activity, for he also knew Ash is the adventurous type.

Serena and Bonnie noticed the change as well, but were hopeful that it will just go away, as they overlooked a problem that appeared simple to them. The former, however, felt an odd sensation to her gut, an instinct that told her not to falter and reiterate that something's definitely off with Ash. Following Clemont just after he found the rooftops empty, deprived of presence, Serena called out to him out of worry. "Where's Ash?" her tone sounded a bit forceful, in tune with the rising anxiety, due to the impatience that befell on her head.

"He probably flew off at the moment. Let's just wait tomorrow, he'll come back," Clemont shrugged, completely oblivious to the situation, hoping that Ash comes back by morning. "If you say so..." Serena looked down, fingers crossed, her anxiety seems to have appeased for a moment, but it still laid itself in there, into her psyche, and she acknowledged that even Clemont is not convinced of the self-reassurance about Ash's strange behavior.

The next day in Lumiose City's pokemon center, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie expected Ash to come back, but there was no word of him. Nightfall came by at that day, and there was still no sign of him. The worries of his company rose gradually, until they decided to contact the Pallet Town's laboratories in order to check up on Ash's status through the Pokemon Center the next day.

"Ash? He didn't come here yet," Professor Oak crossed his arms, piqued at the current situation that popped up, locking the companions into an odd predicament.

"Well uh, you see..." Clemont tried to explain what happened, but Serena pushed Clemont aside for a bit and blurted out. "Ash's been acting strange! He suddenly disappeared last night..." her eyes wobbled slightly, forming up into small tears, currently worried about Ash's sudden disappearance that stemmed from his strange behavior. Bonnie only clung to her bag and Dedenne, unsure what to say so she had to let her brother and Serena do the talking.

"What?!" the aged professor's eyes widened, taken by surprise. It's true that Ash could just fly back to Pallet using his Pokemon by flight, but that did not became the case as he has not even returned to Kanto yet, let alone Pallet Town. He sighed, trying to maintain optimism. "Oh, boy. Ash had a knack of doing weird habits. Try not to worry too much, he might have been doing some training or sorts."

Clemont deadpanned along with Serena from the professor's response. "Fiiiine..." both whined softly in unison. They were really worried and shocked for the fact Ash disappeared so suddenly and did not came back just as they expected. "Until then, see you!" Professor Oak gave a thumbs up with a hearty grin, the screen faded to black.

This only exacerbated their paranoia; a possibility where Ash just deserted all three of them. But why would Ash even do that?

"Seriously, he could have just opened up to us about it..." Clemont sighed, fixing his glasses. Serena and Bonnie nodded in agreement, and remained silent as there was not much to say, despite their worries. It was because they don't know how to handle this situation, not even Clemont himself who is an inventor who could work out around certain problems.

News in the television of the Pokemon Center caught everyone's attention due to an image projected on the screen; a Charizard above Mt. Chimney of the Hoenn region, and a cloaked person mounted into it. Mt. Chimney's abrupt, abysmal eruption alarmed the residents in there, particularly those who live in Lavaridge Town, along with its Gym Leader, Flannery. Cinders fall down like fragments of a burst Draco Meteor, crashing to the rooftops of some houses, and some soil even from the outside. Charizard, flapping its wings proudly, stayed on air. Thick smoke obscured what's under the cloak, making it difficult for witnesses to ascertain the man's identity. Though for sure, the man and his Charizard seem to be responsible for its sudden eruption.

"Here we bring you this news; a Charizard and its cloaked master wrought upon a devastating eruption of Mt. Chimney, marking it as one of the disasters wrought by mankind. The number of casualties are increasing, there are houses ravaged from the cinder fragments smashing into the roofs, ash clouds snowing throughout the six-kilometer radius making it difficult for everyone to breathe properly. The gym leader, Flannery, is doing what she can in order for everyone to evacuate safely. We are uncertain as to how this happened; but some local residents claim that the Charizard and its trainer are the ones responsible for triggering such a cataclysmic event that befell on the peaceful town, people and pokemon alike," the reporter coughed herself, unable to contain the endurance of ash falls being inhaled on breath, and collapsed. The video feed which is being presented live had suddenly shut down; the TV screens went in static.

Fear struck the hearts of some citizens, eyes widened, regardless of what region they were residing; for the simple fact this is the first time a terrorist action has took place, in Mt. Chimney of all places. Clemont furrowed his brows out of concern, Serena and Bonnie gaped in total shock, not expecting a pokemon trainer would do something like this. But for what purpose, though? What are they trying to achieve? Unknown. There was no typical laughter-of-a-villain, just pure silence upon doing the deed— a disturbing one at that; for the simple fact the person is serious in upsetting Mt. Chimney.

The scenario had left Clemont speechless. Much to Serena's horror, Bonnie clung to Clemont as she teared up, the explicity of the grim and perilous news had corroded her innocence. Not even any villainous organization would do this out of a whim, and they always had to work in groups. The trainer single-handledly incited the wrath of the volcano and caused an eruption from within, someone who broke through the moral constraints keeping the person's actions in check. 'Charizard?' Clemont was left thinking, having an odd sense of familiarity. Could it be? Wait, no! Alain has nothing to do with this! He noticed the Charizard's features, noting that it lacks the Charizardite X around its neck making Clemont sigh in slight relief. Serena just stood there, thinking about Ash. She was thinking about how he would take this news, and how he will react to it. "Ash, help us..." She pleaded in a voice where no one, but Clemont and Bonnie can hear, and wept slowly. Bonnie kept silent with wobbled eyes and clung to her brother.

The news shifted from the terrorist incident to a reported earthquake in a mountainous area of Kalos, tremors surfaced at magnitude 5.5 but it settled down after a few minutes. Aftershocks were to be expected after. "Another earthquake? This is really troubling..." Bonnie spoke softly, sighing in distress. Dedenne frowned, and tried to cheer her up with a nuzzle to her cheek. "Ash got strange, then the volcano erupted, and then this earthquake! Seriously, what is happening?!" Clemont exclaimed, then proceeded to rub his temples out of impulse, trying to calm himself down. Serena tried helping him by giving a pat to the back. They were all ruminating. A threat has arrived to the world of Pokemon where most lack the knowledge on how to deal with it. On top of that, Ash is missing. Where could have he gone to? Where is he now?

Somehow, most of the people in the world finally fixated their eyes into their respective local televisions; upon hearing that there's breaking news, a follow-up of the incident. It features a sight of Mt. Chimney in a bird's eye view, which crater seems to be simmering down. There was no more volcanic ash; but just a few thick clouds of smoke rising above the atmosphere.

Another reporter who replaced the recent one due to health reasons, he is in the helicopter, surveying the area, and then he spoke. "Today we bring you the follow-up of what has been reported as a terrorist act. The smoke in Mt. Chimney cleared, and it's unexpected that the cloaked man's identity can be seen a little bit just from the distance. He is standing near to an odd device, and oh, boy! What a grim look on this youngster's face!"

People could not believe it. An act done by someone who hasn't reached adulthood in assumption of the person's stature— the camera turned itself to the cloaked man's hood, the light revealing some of the facial features. Clemont, Serena and Bonnie paid close attention to the image.

There were zigzag cheeks, with parts of raven hair swaying by the wind.

"Zigzag cheeks, and raven hair..." Clemont described the facial features, until...

"No, no, no, no! This isn't real!" Serena's eyes widened in the sudden realization, knowing there seems to be only one known person who has those features. Bonnie gaped, taking a few steps back. Dedenne felt her fear, and thus it took shelter into Bonnie's bag. "Please tell me that isn't Ash..." she mumbled. Their anxiety skyrocketed when the face was revealed, trying to maintain optimism and be in denial that the person isn't Ash. However, it isn't working, since... he is, without a doubt, Ash Ketchum. They could tell considering the time they spent together, and the features on his face were obvious enough for them to know. He was the companion they've been through with in Kalos, and also the companion who saved Kalos along with a few others during the fight against Team Flare. Now he stands atop of Mt. Chimney, his eyes losing its gentle radiance, devoid of its emotion. It was at this moment, he isn't the Ash Ketchum everyone knows anymore.

Ash tossed a Pokeball, and what emerged out of the light is Charizard, one of his mightiest companions.

"Flamethrower."

A single command spoken which is overheard in broadcast, causing everyone watching, in every region, to be shocked. His tone also changed— it sounded as he isn't trying to trifle with everyone. He was serious. For what ever reason had he reached at this point, Ash grew completely ruthless. His voice no longer possessed the cheerful spirit he once had.

Charizard lets out a mighty roar, flapping its wings, causing Ash's hood to be blown, revealing his face. Energy slowly converged into his mouth as a stream of flames were fired straight to the media helicopter. Panic shot up at the reporter's face. "Get away, quick!" he shouted in pure fear. Luckily, the helicopter got away at the last second— but the flames scorched its tail, and its radiation caused the video camera to be damaged, turning everyone's television screens into static.

This definitely shocked everyone who was watching in Kalos, especially Serena and her current companions. Some recognize him as the runner-up for Lumiose Conference, the boy with a mysterious Greninja. From the other regions, some have already seen him during his adventures, and had mixed feelings. First was sadness; they questioned as to why would Ash do this. Does he hold a grudge towards something? There was anger; For them, Ash was never the type to do this, but he seemed to have stooped lower than almost every criminal organization that existed. And finally, disbelief; While some lost respect for Ash Ketchum, some grew to hate him. They never expected to see this side of him; cold and ruthless. And they were in denial that he of all people had done this.

Betrayal. That was the only word to be described. Ash Ketchum, whilst he had saved the world multiple times in his various adventures, while he had befriended a lot of pokemon, especially the mythical and the legendary, and while he had proven himself to be a dignified trainer, Ash had finally betrayed the very world he defended; by laying waste to a defenseless area and putting all of his noble efforts in vain, with respect and dignity burned to ashes. For some reason, he went into a dark path.

His old companions, watching the news, they took the news to heart in denial and disbelief; they felt confused at the same time they lamented on his sudden betrayal, even his rivals became horrified and then slowly transitioned into fury in reaction to what he has done. Delia, his mother, broke down in tears with Professor Oak and his grandson, Gary, tried comforting her as much as they can while wondering what actually happened. Even the Pokemon League Association was baffled by this unexpected action. Champions who knew him, they felt a loss of respect towards the boy, and would most likely deem him as an enemy to people and pokemon alike. For someone who tried to enter each League Conference and lost, he participated frequently enough to be recognized by some, and be in disdain towards him.

Serena fell to her knees, crying. Bonnie wept, not knowing what to do. Clemont's hand curled into a shaking fist mixed with confusion and distress, furious about Ash's atrocity. "Why? Why has this happened of all things?"

Charles Goodshow, in the top seat of the Pokemon League Association, took a sip of coffee and sighed. "Is this what the prophecy foretold us? And Ash Ketchum of all people..." He seemed to hold knowledge on what is currently happening; an untold foresight in Arceus knows where it happened, or when, but at the very least, he is hoping not for Ash to further make the world his enemy.

The recent chain of events became the notion where Ash Ketchum had finally broke free from the constraints of morality, being a wanted criminal across the world.

Thoughts? Opinions? Leave a review in the story. Pairings? Suggest and I might consider adding it.

Until then, stay tuned!