The following is a betrayal Pokémon story. I have a feeling these may be a little overdone by now, but I've wanted to write one of these since I discovered the concept. I hope I don't disappoint. Furthermore, I understand that this may seem similar to other betrayal stories, and I'll confess I've been inspired by many and have even borrowed similar plot points. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy the story.
Please let me know what you think.
Also, in this stories continuity I've made it that half a year passes between regions, making Ash thirteen in this story.
Enjoy.
Thirteen-year-old Ash Ketchum was on his way home from the Kalos region. He had once again failed at winning the pokémon league, but he wasn't disheartened. He had come very close this time, managing to get all the way to the finals before losing to Alain and earning second place. That was better than he had ever done, and he knew that if he just kept training, he might just win. There were plenty more regions for him to visit and he was eager to undertake his next challenge. And with his trusty pikachu by his side, he knew he could be ready for anything. First thing first though was to have a few days rest at home. He'd been travelling for a long time and was hoping to relax for a few days before he began his next journey. Little did Ash know he was in for a nasty surprise when he got home.
He returned home and entered through the front door.
"Mum I'm home," called Ash as Pikachu hopped of his shoulder.
His mother Delia Ketchum came to the front door and gave him a hug.
"Ash, so good to see you again," said Delia. "How was the Kalos Region?"
"Very cool, I made lots of new friends and caught some great new pokémon," said Ash happily.
"Well I look forward to hearing all about it," said Delia. "I'll be honest I'm surprised you didn't arrive with the rest of your friends."
"Rest of my friends? What do you mean?" asked Ash curiously.
"All your friends are in the living room. I wasn't surprised to see your friends from Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova arrive separately, but I at least thought you'd arrive with your Kalos friends," said Delia. "Did you not know they were coming?"
"No, I didn't. I parted ways with Serena, Clemont and Bonnie a few days ago," said Ash.
"Huh, well maybe they just wanted to surprise you," said Delia hopefully.
"Yeah, maybe," said Ash now looking forward to seeing all the people he travelled with throughout his journey.
He went into the living room and found many of his friends inside. They included Misty, Brock and Tracy from the Kanto Region and Orange Islands, Max and May from the Hoenn Region, Dawn and Kenny from the Sinnoh Region, Iris and Cilan from the Unova Region and finally Clemont, Bonnie and Serena from the Kalos Region. Professor Oak who gave Ash his first pokémon and his grandson Gary who had been Ash's main rival in the Kanto and Johto League were also there. Ash was very happy to see all of them but was confused by their expressions. About half of them looked angry, while the other half looked confused over why they were even there.
"Hey guys what's going on? What're you all doing here?" asked Ash.
Misty was the one to stand up and speak.
"Ash, we think it's about time you gave up on this ridiculous dream of yours to become a Pokémon Master," declared Misty.
"What?" asked Ash shocked and appalled.
"Misty what're you talking about?" asked Brock equally shocked.
"This is the sixth time you've competed in a pokémon league and it's the sixth time you've failed at winning," stated Misty angrily.
"At this point it's just getting embarrassing to watch," declared Tracy.
"You guys are kidding right?" asked Dawn who couldn't believe what she was hearing. "After how hard Ash has worked you think he should just give up on his goals and dreams?"
"He's had six tries to win a league and he's failed every time. Honestly, he's an embarrassment to Pallet Town, to the league and trainers in general," declared Professor Oak.
"I'm embarrassed to say I ever travelled with you," stated May.
"May what're you talking about?" asked Max.
Gary couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Grandpa are you serious? After all the encouragement you've given Ash over the years, how can you suddenly say he should quit?" asked Gary.
"I was hoping that encouragement would be enough to motivate him to win a league. Sadly, it wasn't and every performance he's given has been embarrassing," stated Professor Oak.
"And what do you care Gary. When you were trying to be a league champion, all you ever did was insult Ash and try to outdo him," stated Misty.
"Maybe so, but he got further then I did in the Kanto League, and he beat me fair and square in the Johto League even though I had the type advantage. You never told me to give up and I did worse than Ash in two separate leagues," stated Gary.
"You were smart enough to know you would never win a pokémon league. You knew when to quit and took up a profession you could actually succeed in," said Professor Oak arrogantly.
"My decision to become a Pokémon Researcher was a conscious choice," argued Gary.
"Which you decided after you lost to Ash in the Johto League," stated Professor Oak.
Gary didn't know how to respond to that.
"See Ash. You should do the smart thing and quit like Gary did. You'll never win a pokémon league, so you should just give up," stated Misty angrily.
"Come on Ash, it's for the best," said Serena, creating shock from Clemont and Bonnie
"Don't waste your breath guys. Ash is too much of a stupid kid to know that his dreams are impossible," said Iris.
"You'd think after six failures he'd finally see that its hopeless," said Cilan.
"It's not hopeless," defended Ash.
"Oh, really, then why don't we see you carrying a league trophy?" asked May.
"Ok sure, I haven't won a league yet, but almost every time I get closer to winning. I got second place this time. That's a considerable improvement to when I started. I only placed in the top sixteen in the Kanto league," stated Ash.
"Yeah, and you also placed forth in the Sinnoh league, after which you only got to the top eight in the Unova league," stated Cilan.
"By that logic you could very well do worse in the next league you compete in. Which wouldn't be surprising as you're just a little kid who has no idea what he's doing," said Iris.
"Wake up Ash," said Serena.
"Your goal and dreams are impossible, just give up," said May.
Ash however was not going to take this so lightly.
"You say my goal is impossible, but let me ask you this May. Have you ever won a Grand Festival?" asked Ash.
"No not technically, but my performances in contests are not nearly as abysmal as most of your gym battles," stated May.
"Yeah, now let me ask you a question Ash, how many of your badges in Kanto did you actually gain by winning Gym battles. From what I remember most of them were handed to you out of pity," said Misty.
Brock was not just going to sit still while Misty belittled Ash and his abilities as a Pokémon trainer. He got up and stood in front of Misty.
"Hey, Ash may not have technically won many of his Gym battles, but the leader's gave him those badges, because they saw his potential for strength and the love he had for his Pokémon. I should know because that's why I gave him The Boulder Badge," stated Brock. "Furthermore, your sisters gave Ash The Cascade Badge because he saved your sisters' Gym. A factor you should be thankful for because without Ash you may never have become the Gym leader of the Cerulean City Gym."
Inspired by Brock, Dawn knew she had to also stand up for Ash. She too joined Brock in defending Ash.
"Brock's right. And besides once he got to the Sinnoh league Ash was winning all his Gym Badges fair and square. Sure, one or two may have been a draw, but the Gym Leaders still recognised his strength and knew he was worthy to win those badges," said Dawn.
Clemont and Bonnie also knew they had to jump in and defend Ash. He had been nothing, but a good friend to them and he deserved their support.
"Also, I think you forgot failure is a part of learning. Sure, he'd failed to win five separate leagues by the time he got to Kalos, but those failures helped him grow as a trainer and his growth was very evident in his Kalos Gym battles," said Clemont, as he and Bonnie joined the group to support Ash.
"Yeah, and he earnt his 2nd place in the Kalos league. No one can take that away from him," said Bonnie.
"Well, you see that generates another question," said Professor Oak. "How is it that someone who does so poorly in his Gym Battles suddenly do reasonably well in Pokémon leagues?"
"What are you implying?" asked Ash confused.
"We're implying that you give your Pokémon performance enhancing drugs before their battles in the Pokémon league," stated May angrily.
"WHAT? How can you say that? I love my Pokémon I'd never do anything like that," said Ash.
"Pika," said Pikachu defending Ash.
"How can you say that about Ash?" asked Delia joining in the conversation. She was absolutely appalled by what they were saying about her son, but to accuse him of drugging his Pokémon was the last straw.
"After everything he's done to help Pokémon why would he do anything that could be damaging to their health?" asked Brock. As a Pokémon Doctor in training, he was disgusted by this suggestion.
"How else can you explain his weirdly good performances in the Pokémon League?" asked Iris.
"Because he trains really hard and has a close bond with his Pokémon," said Dawn.
"Oh please if I remember correctly he couldn't even beat me in that Pokémon match we had before he entered the Sinnoh league. And I'm not even a Trainer," stated Kenny. "Then suddenly he's able to place in the top 4 in the Sinnoh league. Very questionable if you ask me."
"That was one battle Kenny. You haven't battled alongside Ash like I have, and I can assure you, you'll never find a more honest trainer. And I was so happy I could help cheer him on," said Dawn.
"As was I," said Brock.
"We all were," said Celmont, as Bonnie nodded in agreement.
Inspired by everyone else's bravery Max knew he had to make a stand.
"So was I," said Max.
Max was about to join the group in defence of Ash before he was held back by May.
"And where do you think you're going?" asked May, scolding her younger brother.
"Defending Ash, because I know he would never drug his Pokémon," said Max angrily.
"Max you'll do as your told," said May angrily.
"No," said Max.
"Alright," said May pulling out a Pokéball. "Blaziken take the stage."
May's Blaziken appeared before them.
"Keep a hold of Max and make sure he doesn't do something he'll regret," ordered May.
"Hey what're you doing?" asked Max before being restrained by the Blaziken.
"Let him go," demanded Gary before throwing his own Pokéball. "Blastoise go."
"Gary I would advise against doing something you'll regret," reasoned Professor Oak.
"And I'd advise against making ridiculous accusations you can't prove," said Gary. "Blastoise, Hydro Pump."
Blastoise aimed at May's Blaziken, but it wasn't quick enough to attack before being counted by Iris.
"Emolga go," said Iris, as Emolga appeared before them. "Use Discharge."
Emolga let out a blast of electricity that inflicted super-effective damage on Gary's Blastoise.
With Gary distracted by May and Iris, Misty decided to take lead on what needed to be done.
"Now Ash, surrender your Pokémon and no one has to get hurt," demanded Misty, removing a Pokéball from her bag.
"What?" asked Ash shock.
"Your Pokémon are to be permanently confiscated due to abuse and cheating through the use of performance enhancing drugs," declared Professor Oak.
"I've never drugged my Pokémon and you can't prove I did," stated Ash.
"Perhaps, but it's my word against yours and who do you think people will believe? A respected Pokémon researcher or some mediocre Pokémon trainer who has yet to win a single league?" asked Professor Oak.
Ash knew there was no argument against that. It truly was his word against Professor Oak's and people were much more likely to believe Oak over Ash.
Misty was losing her patience.
"Looks like you want to do this the hard way. Misty calls Gyarados," called Misty tossing her Pokéball, as the large water-flying type appeared before them.
"Pikachu," called Ash ready to battle her.
"Pika," said Pikachu, ready to defend his best friend and master.
"Do you really think a pathetic little Pikachu can beat me?" asked Misty.
"Last I checked electric types are strong against water and flying types, so I'd say my chances are pretty good," said Ash as Pikachu's cheeks started charging.
"Maybe, but you can't be beat all of us," said Cilan.
At this point, Iris, Cilan, Kenny, Tracey, May and Serena, all armed themselves with Pokéballs.
"Don't make this harder than it has to be," said Serena.
Ash was worried, he may have been strong, but he knew he couldn't defeat them all on his own.
"You forget, he's not alone," said Brock.
"We're all prepared to fight beside him," said Dawn.
Dawn, Brock and Clemont all pulled out a Pokéball each ready to fight along side Ash. Gary returned his Blastoise and selected another Pokéball ready to fight his hardest. Even Bonnie was willing to use her Dedenne to help in the fight.
"So, you have a few people willing to help you despite all the evidence against you but tell me Ash are you really willing to risk everyone here so you can save yourself?" asked Professor Oak.
In truth Ash wasn't. He looked at all his friends who had decided to side with him. While he was grateful for their support, he didn't want any of them to get hurt because of him. What was worse was that Max was still being restrained by May's Blaziken and there was no way to save him without having to fight an army of powerful Pokémon. Ash started to wounder if it would be best to just surrender but was also afraid of what might happen to his Pokémon once they were confiscated.
Thankfully, his mother was there to help and was willing to give him the chance he needed to escape.
"Mimey, use barrier," ordered Delia.
Delia's Mr Mime appeared before them and started to use barrier to create a shield between Ash, his friends and those who decided to betray him.
"Delia, what do you think you're doing?" asked Professor Oak angrily.
"What any mother would. Defending her child," stated Delia, as Mr Mime continued to make barriers. Delia turned around to face Ash and those who stood with him. "All of you get out of here while you still can."
"But Mum?" asked Ash worried.
"Go I'll hold them off," said Delia.
"But what about Max?" asked Ash.
"Leave me, save yourself," said Max.
"But Max, we can't just leave you," said Ash.
"I'll be fine just go," said Max. "Please. It's the only way."
Ash didn't like it, but he had a feeling no matter how much they argued Max would insist they left without him. It hurt Ash to do so, but he saw no other option.
"Ok, I'm sorry Max. I'm so sorry," said Ash, but before they left, he felt it would be a good idea to have some cover. "Dawn, does your Quilava still know Smokescreen?"
Dawn quickly figured out what Ash meant. They could use a Smokescreen to better their escape.
"Quilava spotlight," said Dawn throwing a Pokéball, which released her Quilava. "Use Smokescreen."
Quillaia used Smokescreen, creating another distraction for the traitors and giving Ash and his friends the cover, they needed to escape leaving life as they knew it behind.