Chapter 4: Sufferings?

Gary: Where's Luna?

Ash: How am I supposed to know!?

(Luna enters)

Me: C'mon boys! On with the disclaimer. I am not in the mood to chat!

Ash and Gary: (rolls their eyes) Luna Uzumaki do not own pokemon but she do own the Oc's of this story.

The longer Leaf walked down the path she had last seen Gary disappear, the more she walked deep towards the forest as the trees got thicker, and the moment she realized where she is, it didn't take her a second to figure out where exactly Gary had ran off to. So now, she is walking on an all too familiar path after 10 years as memories of her childhood flashed through her mind.

This was the very same path in which they had one's lost. And with 'they' mean just the 3 of them. The Pallet Trio. This very path had led them to a place where she had spent most time of her childhood as long as she was in Pallet. A place filled with happy and sad memories. Memories she is grateful for. But what makes these memories memorable are the 2 boys that has played a crucial role in the making of these memories. The 2 idiotic nit-wits she has grown up with from the momment of her birth.

Why do she know them since she was born?

Firstly. Because they both had born 1 and 2 months before her with Ash being a month older.

Secondly. Because there parents have been friend since when? 12? Yeah, some where around that time.

Their parents have been so close that the trio literally called the other's parents 'aunt' or 'uncle' even though they aren't related even in the slightest bit of way other then that of being friends ofcourse.

That is only one of the many reasons why they are this close or…. rather were.

Right now, Leaf feels that they are miles apart from one another even though they aren't under a 100 m range away from each other.

And Leaf wants to know why? What caused them to drift apart like this?

This was something she had never even dreamed about! And right now she is actually going through it! It feels like her worst nightmares have come true.

She still remember that day when the 3 of them had ran through this very path and to the place which had became there 'secret territory', and voved to never break this bond they share.

(FLASHBACK)

Three kids, who might roughly be around the age of 3, were running around the ranch, playing with the pokemon of their parents.

"You just wait pika! I will catch you!" shouted a short brown haired girl at the yellow electric mouse.

"pi chu pika ka chu pi!" the pokemon called out as the 3 kids ran after him and tried to surround him.

On the other side, few pokemon were sitting under a tree and watching this show unfold in amusement while a female pikachu with pink bow tied in her left ear laughing at the sight.

The pokemon watched in amusement as the kids were finally able to corner the yellow pokemon and surround him.

"Now where are you going to run?" the boy with brown hair asked with mischief glinting in his eyes.

The girl walked towards him as the pokemon took a step back and his ears went flat as it touched his back.

As Leaf took a step forward towards him, he took a step backwards and away from her but stopped when his back hit the bark of the tree.

The raven haired boy grinned with his eyes glinting with joy.

"Now we have got ya! And here I thought that you are a fast runner."

The Pikachu growled at him but before he could retort a pair of small arms grabbed him and took him into a hug.

"Gotcha!" The kids exclaimed.

Pikachu tried to get out of the girl's grasp but oh dear, he failed miserably as the girl took him into a bone crushing hug.

"You are so soft and cute!" She squealed in joy as she tightened her hold on the poor small pokemon and rubbed her cheek against his head.

The pokemon tried to move hither and thither but all his tries to break free went to vain, after finally getting frustrated he was ready to give Leaf a thunder shock but then an idea pop into his head as light bulb glowed in his mind.

But before he could do anything a voice called out.

"Leaf, Ash, Gary! Time for lunch!"

"Coming dad!" Gary called back.

After hearing this Leaf finally let go of the poor pokemon as the kids ran towards the lab.

The pikachu sighed in relief but then turned to look around when he heard laughter coming from behind him.

Another pikachu, who had a pink bow tied around her left ear was laughing hysterically. It took him a moment to realize that the pokemon was laughing at him.

He growled at the female pikachu and cursed his trainer along with his friends and wife for giving birth to these hyperactive kids.

'Those kids don't know when to stop! Like parents like kids! Ugh! In what mess have I tangled myself into!?' He growled and thought to himself.

When he looked at the others…..they were all snickering at him.

He let out a frustrated growl, turned around and sat under the tree where he was cornered. Making sure not to face any of the pokemon.

A charizard, who wasn't lying too far away from him snorted.

Pikachu glared at him.

The Pallet Trio sat around the dinning table in the Oak's residence along with professor Oak, chatting to each other as Mr. and Mrs. Oak kept the food on the table.

"You 3 could help us in setting the food instead of talking." Mrs. Oak said as she tied her brown hair into a bun.

"But mom!"

"No buts! Lyra is right! Get off of those chairs and help us. You 3 are old enough to help us with small house chores." Mr. Oak said.

"Green is right. Listen to them kids. And besides, did you know that doing small house chores is an important part for pokemon trainers?" professor Oak asked.

The 3 kids perked up at the mention of pokemon.

"It is?" Ash asked.

"Why of course it is! You can't be a good trainer if you don't know how to do house chores."

Ash left his chair and stood up.

"Then I am going to do the house chores and become the best pokemon trainer ever!" He exclaimed and ran towards the kitchen.

"No way Ashy-Boy! I will be the best!" and then Gary ran off after him into the kitchen soon followed by Leaf.

"Don't dream something you can't achieve boys! I am going to become the best!"

Once the kids were out of the room, the Oak's looked at each other and then burst out laughing.

"Those kids are always competing. Aren't they?" Lyra asked.

"Reminds me of a certain 3." The professor said.

"Don't joke around old man. Me, Red and Blue were way more competitive than them…..actually, we still are." And then his green eyes suddenly lit up as he looked at Lyra." And we compete in every single thing. Weather it be training, taking care of kids or…."

Lyra blushed a crimson red and after a moment, after finally coming terms with what Green was implying, so did professor Oak.

" Please Green. As you said. I am an old man. Don't talk like that in my presence."

"Whatever you say old man."

Right after that the kids came running in with plates, spoons and glasses in hand. They kept it on the table and turned to see the elders.

"Aunt Lyra, are you okay? You are so red." Ash asked innocently.

Lyra coughed.

"I am fine Ash. Don't worry." She told him and quickly left the room but not before glaring at Green who grinned in reply.

"C'mon kids, I will help you to keep the utensils in the order and then we can sit and eat." Green told them.

They nodded and set to work between which Lyra came back with a jug of water. They sat down and started eating the Lunch.

"Hey Dad! You are a Gym leader right?" Gary asked Green suddenly in between an ongoing conversation.

Green nodded.

"Mom told me that you are the strongest gym leader in all of Kanto." Leaf said.

"Yeah. Blue wasn't lying." Then he whispered under his breath " For once." But unfortunately for him Lyra, who was sitting right beside him, heard and kicked him in the leg from under the table.

"Ow!"

"What's wrong dear?" Lyra asked innocently and sweetly.

A sweat trickled down his face.

"Uh….nothing. he he….." He laughed nervously.

"Good." She said with the same sweetness. He gulped and turned towards the kids who had missed to notice this whole interaction but not professor Oak.

'Got to say. There is no better person then Lyra to keep Green in his tracks." He mused.

"So kiddos, what were you doing?" Green asked the kids as he tried to distract his wife's attention from him.

"First we were playing with aunt Blue's Blastoise and your Charizard but after that we spied on Pika and Chu Chu when they were talking and then finally we played with Pika." Ash told them happily.

"Yeah! And Pika is soo cute!" Leaf exclaimed.

"Chu Chu is also cute."

"Yeah. She is cute but she is more of an adorable kind."

"That poor Pikachu." Green mumbled under his breath as he thought of how the kids must have played with the pokemon.

Lyra nodded and smiled weakly at her husband and then turned towards the kids, "I hope you guys didn't squeezed him too tightly. Red will be very mad if you killed his pokemon."

"What is squeeze?" Leaf asked innocently with a smile on her face.

….

….

….

"There is no doubt about it now. She really is Silver and Blue's daughter." Green murmured as he watched the 3 kids eat there food innocently with smiles on there faces.

"Actually, there is no doubt about it that they are Kanto's original 3 Dex holders kids." Lyra said as she stared at the children before her.

"Seriously, what was I thinking when I accepted your marriage proposal?" She wondered aloud.

"That how charming I am." Green replied while wiggling his eye brows.

Lyra rolled her eyes but a small light pink blush formed over her cheeks.

"Oh shut up!"

Green laughed lightly.

"Get a room you two. You are sitting with kids and an old man." Professor Oak hissed at them.

The 2 rolled there eyes politely but casted an apologetic look towards him and started eating there own food.

Once the lunch was done, everyone picked up the dishes and kept it in the kitchen. The kids were ready to dash out of the house but before they could, Lyra called out.

"Where are you 3 going?"

"At the ranch to play!" Gary replied.

"With the pokemon?" she asked while coming in their sight of view.

"Duh! Of course mom! What else would we do there?" he asked while rolling his eyes.

"Gary Oak! Do not talk to me like that! Do you understand!?" she asked while pulling his ear.

"Ow! Yes mom! Sorry!"

She let go of his ear with a a satisfied hmm.

"It's time for the pokemon to rest so don't play with them. Take a ball or one of your toys and play there but do not disturb the pokemon. Have I made myself clear?" she asked the last part sternly.

The kids quickly nodded their heads and ran up the stairs to get a ball.

After that they ran down the stairs and out of the door towards the ranch.

After a moment, Green called out to Lyra while coming from inside a room with a black leather jacket in hand

"Ly! Am going to Viridian!"

Lyra who had gone into the kitchen came out and asked "Why? I thought you had taken a leave from the gym."

"I did. But Goodshow called before lunch. Wanted me, blue and Red to be there. Said it's urgent. Didn't said what it is though. I think gold will be there too. I am not sure though."

Lyra nodded.

Green walked towards the door when Lyra stopped him.

"Take care and be home soon. Try not to let Lance get to your head sweetie." She said and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Green smiled at her warmly while nodding.

"Will try." He then planted a quick kiss on her lips and left with a 'see ya'.

Once the door closed, she turned around and started to walk away and back into the kitchen but stopped when her eyes laid upon a photo frame kept over the desk. She picked it up and smiled. It was a picture of her, Gary and Green.

She moved her hand over Gary's hair in the pic which was identical to her hair colour but the hairstyle was like Green. She then looked at his eyes who were dark brown just like her eyes.

She then looked at the other picture in the photo frame. It was a photo which was clicked when they were teens. It was the pic of Kanto and Jhoto dex holders together. She smiled to herself.

"Good Old memories."

The 3 kids were playing with the jigglypuff pokeball far away from the sleeping pokemon.

When Ash threw the ball towards Gary, he could not catch it and so the ball feel down and rolled towards the slanted part of the ranch.

"Don't let it go there!" Leaf shouted but before she could complete the sentence the 3 kids were already running towards the ball but they were too late as the ball rolled down and disappeared somewhere down in the forest.

The kids stared at the place where the ball had disappeared to and then at each other.

"I am not going down there." Leaf stated.

"Me neither." Gary said.

The 2 looked at Ash.

He blinked. Then realized.

"No! I am not going down there!"

"Well. You were the one who threw the ball." Gary told him.

"You didn't catch it. Besides, it was your ball!"

"I am not going there Ashy-Boy!"

"Neither am I going there Oak tree!"

"But some one has to go and get it."

"Yeah, someone has to…."

They both turned towards Leaf with puppy eyes.

"I am not your mom or sister boys. Those eyes won't work against me. I am not going there. Not alone."

"Then Oak tree can go with you. He is pokemon professor's and Kanto's strongest gym leader's grandson and son after all."

"But wouldn't it be better to take pokemon master's son? You go with her Ashy-Boy."

Before Ash could retort, Leaf grabbed both of them by the back of their shirt collars and dragged them down and towards the place where the ball disappeared.

"We will only waste our time if we stand their and argue so all of us are going there. You hear me Ashlyn and Gare bear?"

The boys mumbled a fine and then grumbled.

Once they reached the place where they saw the ball disappear and walked inside the forest, they soon found themselves lost in the woods.

"I told you I didn't want to come here." Gary complained.

"Oh yeah? If I remember correctly, wasn't you the one who wanted your ball back?" Ash snapped.

"What-"

"Boys! Let's not fight! Fighting each other won't help us! We need to find a way back so keep your cool."

They mumbled a fine and started walking again.

After a few minutes Gary got frustrated and hit a tree with his leg, but unfortunately for them, that tree had the nest of a beedril which came after them and so the kids ran for their lives deeper into the forest.

Once the beedril had stopped chasing him, the kids finally came to a halt

They were sitting on the ground and breathing heavily.

After catching there breathes Leaf snapped at Gary.

"Thanks a lot Oak! Now we are even further away from the ranch then before!"

"I am sorry."

"Y-"

"Guys! Shhh! Do you hear that?" Ash asked while stopping his friends from arguing.

The kids went into a pin drop silence and then they heard the sound of falling water.

"I think we should go and check it out." Ash said.

The 2 nodded and so the Pallet Trio made their way towards the sound.

After a few minutes they reached a clearing which had a small pond in it with a waterfall.

"Wow!" was all they could say at the beautiful and amazing sight before them. They went towards the pond and found it empty but with clear water.

"This water is so clean." Leaf said.

"And the water fall is looking so beautiful!" Gary commented.

" It's also so peaceful around here." Ash added.

A pidgey flew from above them and so Ash looked up and then he paled.

"Guys, the sun is setting. If we didn't go home now then not even Arceus would be able to save us."

The 2 kids shivered.

"Right! Let's go back." Leaf said while taking out her hand from the water and stood up.

"How? We don't know the way back." Gary reminded.

"If here is a waterfall, then there should be river near by. If we follow it, we should atleast reach a route we are familiar with." Ash said.

The 2 nodded and tried to find the river. After around 10 minutes, they came across a river and followed it downstream. After 15 minutes they found themselves facing the sea.

They stood there in silence and stared at the sea.

After around a minute Leaf spoke up.

"This….was the last place I wanted to come at the moment."

The others nodded.

After a minute Ash asked.

"How long will it take us to reach back in town again?"

"30 minutes. And other 10 minutes to reach home." Gary replied.

The kids looked towards the sky. It was nearly dark.

"What will happen if didn't reach home before sunset again?" Leaf asked.

"We won't live long enough to see the daylight tomorrow." Gary replied.

….

…

"What are we waiting for then? RUN!" Ash shouted.

The kids ran towards the town as fast as they could.

After 35 minutes the kids were still running even though they were out of breath.

"How far away?" Ash asked in between his breath.

"10 more minutes." Leaf replid.

The boys groaned.

By now the Sun had already set and the sky was dark.

Gary stopped and sat down on the ground.

"I can't run anymore."

Ash stopped to sit beside him.

"Me neither! I am ready to die."

Leaf was the next one to sit down.

"Same."

After around 2 minutes.

"Leaf?" "Ash?" "Gary?" "pika?"

4 voices said from behind them.

Recognising the voices, the kids paled.

They quickly turned around, joined both of their hand together and bowed.

"We are sorry!" they said in unision.

"Sorry?" "Why?" "What did you 3 do now?" "pichu?"

The kids blinked.

They slowly raised their heads to come face to face with one of their parent.

Leaf's mother Blue was looking at them suspiciously.

Gary's father Green was looking at them irritatedly.

Ash's father Red was looking at them sternly but confusion was visible at his face.

And lastly but not the least, Red's pikachu, Pika was looking at them irritatedly and suspiciously with confusion from his trainers shoulder.

That pokemon has a real grudge against these kids.

"You….. didn't came to find us?" Leaf asked.

"Why would we come to find you?" Blue asked.

"Well…. Uhh… you se-" Leaf began but was cut off by an all too familiar voice.

"Ash Ketchum! Where were you!?"

Ash winced.

A sweat trickled down his face as he slowly turned around and saw her mother coming towards them.

"Uhh…..hey mom…" he smiled weakly.

"Del, what's going on?" Red asked.

"Not even once did Ash stepped inside the house ever since he left for the Oak's this morning in your presence, Red. I know he was going to have Lunch at Green's place but he never entered the house. Lyra, me and Silver have been trying to find them in the whole town for the past 45 minutes!"

"Leaf, is that true?" Blue asked in a dangerously calm voice.

"Gary?" Green asked

Said girl and boy nervously nodded.

"But, we can explain." Ash said quietly.

Red narrowed his eyes at his son.

"You can?"

They quickly nodded.

"Fine then." Green said.

"Explain." Blue said as she folded her arms over her chest.

But before anyone could say anything a voice shouted sending shivers down Leaf's spine.

"Lyra! The kids are there!"

Gary and Leaf slowly turned around and saw their mother and father coming towards them angrily.

"H-hey… mom.."

"A-afternoon dad…."

"You- " Silver started to scold Leaf but Delia stopped him.

"Let them explain Silver. They say they have an explanation."

"You do?" Lyra asked.

The kids nodded.

"It better not be a lie kids." Silver said.

"It's not!" Ash quickly said and the other 2 agreed.

"Fine. Speak up." Lyra told them.

And so the kids quickly launched into the story of how they got lost and found their way back.

After they finished telling them everything, they waited for the elders to say something but the elders stayed quiet and looked at the kids with narrow eyes.

After a minute, Red spoke.

"So? Ash is the one who threw the ball?"

The kids stayed quiet but after a moment Ash nodded.

"You are getting grounded for a week." Red told his son.

Red had thought that Ash would try to argue. And a reply came. But not from the one he had expected from.

"I was the one who couldn't catch it in time! Don't give him the punishment for something I did!" Gary said.

The elders were taken aback and they were more surprised when the next person spoke.

"Nonsense! Among the 3 of us, I am the one with more brain. I should have known not to play there. So punish me and not them."

After a moment of silence the kids said together

"We're sorry!" they apologized with eyes downcast.

The elders stayed quiet but after a minute or so, Blue said, " We forgive you."

" We're- Wait what!?" they said in shock and looked at the elders who were smiling at them.

"An accident happened and you 3 got lost, after that you came back home late but what counts is that you came back safely." Silver smiled and ruffled Leaf's hair as Blue gave her a kiss on her forehead

"You are home, safe and sound is all that matters."Green smiled as Lyra took her son in a hug which was soon joined by Green himself.

"Make sure, something like that doesn't happen again. You made us all worried." Delia said warmly as Red scooped up Ash into his arms and ruffled his hair and then Delia kissed Ash on the cheek.

"Let's go home now. Shall we?" Red said.

The kids nodded and so after letting go of their parents or in Ash's case after getting off of his father, they made their way towards their house.

On their way, the adults were talkng to themselves while the kids were talking to themselves.

"That place was beautiful though. Wasn't it?" Leaf asked.

Ash hummed and Gary nodded.

"What do you say, we go there again?" Leaf asked

The boys stared at her.

"Have you gone mad? We will get lost." Gary said.

Ash nodded.

"Actually, I think while coming back I found a way back there. A quick route."

"Let's say by any chance if we found a way there, then what will we do?"

Leaf rolled her eyes. "You and your head Gare Bear."

Before Gary could say anything Ash chirped in.

"We can make it our secret place! Right?"

"My thoughts exactly!" Leaf agreed.

Gary rolled his eyes.

"Whatever you guys say."

"C'mon Oak tree, it's going to be fun."

Gary looked away from the 2 kids.

"Leave him alone Ashlyn. If he doesn't want to come so let it be. We will enjoy ourselves without him."

"But Lef-"

"Who said I am not coming?"

Leaf grinned.

"So it's settled then! We will meet tomorrow after breakfast and go there!"

"We can also bring some cookies or biscuits with us." Ash suggested.

Leaf clasped her hands and exclaimed. "Awesome idea Ash!"

Ash blushed.

"Thanks."

"Ash! Where are you going?" he heard his father call out.

"Huh?"

He turned around and saw that the elders were standing few steps away from them. He looked around and noticed that they were standing in front of his house while he had walked past it.

His blush deepened.

He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Didn't noticed."

Everyone burst out laughing.

After a little teasing from Leaf and Gary, the Ketchum's went inside their house while the others made their way to their own.

The next morning, after breakfast, the kids went towards the waterfall with some snacks as Leaf showed the way.

After reaching their destination, they chatted, played and munched on the snacks that they brought.

"Hey guys, Let's make a promise." Ash said.

"Promise?" Leaf and Gary asked.

Ash nodded.

"You heard that how everyone talk about us? That how close we are and everything?"

"Yeah." Leaf asked.

"I don't know why they make such a big deal of it though." Gary said.

The 2 kids nodded.

"Same. So let's make a promise that no matter what, we will never leave each other's side."

He brought his hands forward for Leaf and Gary to keep their hand over his.

"I promise." Gary and Leaf said while keeping their hand over his with smile on their faces.

"We promise to never break this bond we share." The 3 said together.

"Pallet Trio forever!" they shouted together as they jumped and threw their hands in the air with smiles stretched across their faces.

(END OF FLASHBACK)

They promised not to break this bond, but it's breaking and Leaf is going to find why.

The flowing sound of water falling from the waterfall and into the pond echoed in the quiet environment and beautiful night filled with millions of stars as the moonlight illuminated the waterfall and its surroundings making it twice as beautiful as it already is.

Beside the pond, sat a young man with his legs dipped under the water of the pond. He rested his head on the palm of his hand and gazed at the falling water.

He was deep in thought when the breaking of a twig snapped him out of his thoughts and made him look around.

"Gary." Came Leaf's voice as she walked forward towards him, the moonlight illuminating her body.

Gary turned back towards the waterfall without acknowledging her.

He heard her movements as she took off her shoes and socks and made herself comfortable beside him with her legs in the water.

"I had nearly forgotten how beautiful this place has always been." She said while looking around.

Gary kept his gaze downcast and didn't made eye contact with her and neither did he gave her a response.

"So what have you been up to?" She asked while trying to make a conversation.

He didn't reply.

"Gary-"

"I know Leaf. I know why you are here. Don't do the sweet talks with me."

"Fine. If you know why I am here then talk."

Gary bit his lip but didn't say anything as his eyes stayed downcast.

"Tell me Gary. Why did you do what you did? Wasn't he your best friend?"

…..

"He was always there for you. Then why did you hurt him?"

…..

"He was awake the whole night after your parents died in that car accident. Didn't he?"

…...

"Did you do something like that when his father died?"

….

"6 months after his father died, your parents died. He was recovering from the shock of seeing his father die in front of him and yet he was ready to be there for you."

…

"I know that scene still haunts him because there was no one for him he could talk about it with."

…

"He still feels guilty over it."

…

"When I left Pallet. I left him in your care. I thought you will keep him engaged and talk to him to make him feel better."

...

"But from what I have heard, you did the exact opposite."

…..

"He was there for you because he cared Gary. I thought you cared for him too."

…..

"Ever thought that what would happen if you were in his place?"

…..

"I will tell you. You wouldn't have stayed awake a whole night with him 6 month later after your father died in front of you while keeping you safe."

…

"And yet, he was there for you."

…

"But when it came to return the favour, you left him.

…...

"Especially at the time when his whole world was breaking apart."

…

"Lets see. Gary Oak: 1) His parents died in a car accident and luckily he didn't see them in their own pool of blood. 2) A friend left Pallet.

…..

"Now. Ash Ketchum: 1) His father died while saving him and he saw his dad's dead body in his own pool of blood. 2) Mother went into depression for an year. 3) The person he loved right after his parents, disappeared on his 5th birthday. 4) A friend left Pallet. 5) His best friend left him when he needed him the most."

….

"So over all, Ash went through more tragedy then you Oak. He is hurting from inside and he needs someone. Someone to talk to."

…

"He needed you."

…

"Why Gary? Why did you left him alone? What did you do? What did he do?"

…..

…..

"Answer me Gary Oak!"

Gary bit his tongue.

" I don't know what had came over me. I know I am the worst friend. I am an ediot. A complete jerk."

Leaf stayed quiet for a moment and then spoke.

"What did you do to him?"

"As I said. I was a complete jerk to him. I made fun of him in front of his friends. I humiliated him. I made him look like he was nothing compared to me. We made up after the silver conference but that is no excuse to what I did."

"That board on Cerulean city. There was written,' Gary was here. Ash is a looser.' and those cheer leaders saying how Gary is awesome and Ash is stupid or something along those lines, was it all your doings? And those cheer leaders were yours?"

He nodded.

"I didn't wanted to believe it. Thought someone is playing pranks and spreading lies. But I do now."

Gary stayed quiet.

"When did it all start?"

"Right after you left."

A beat.

"How and why?" She asked slowly in a dangerously calm voice.

He didn't reply.

"Talk Oak!"

"I don't know what came over me…. After you left, I wasn't crying but Ash was. Tears were rolling down his cheeks non stop. I know he was hurt for more then one reason. I know I should have wiped off those tears…but… I…. didn't. I pushed him. Said he was weak. I said I don't want to be his friend. I don't want to be with him, don't want to babysit him and wipe his tears. I don't want a cry baby as my friend and then I left him alone there. After that, I didn't saw him for a month. He didn't even came to school but when he did, we didn't talk. The only time we saw each other was in school. He didn't came out to play. When we turned 9, that was when we started talking. We became rivals and started competing in everything. That was when I started humiliating him."

He sniffed as he tried to hold back tears.

"I know I hurt him. A lot. But I am trying to make it better. I know am an ediot. I am a stupid bastard who should not be forgiven but I am sorry. I really am."

He sniffed again.

Leaf stayed quiet.

After a moment he heard her moving and during the whole conversation, for the first time he raised his head and looked at Leaf who was out of the pond and was wearing her socks back along with the shoes.

Gary bit his lip.

"Am sorry." He said.

Leaf didn't reply and after putting on her shoes she walked back towards the ranch but before disappearing somewhere in the trees, she said

"I am not the one you should apologise to Oak." She coldly said and walked off.

For a moment nothing happened. There was no change in his posture but then tears started to roll down his cheeks freely. He clutched his head and pulled his hair in frustration and anger as his cries filled the air.

In the ranch, inside a tent, tears flowed down Ash's cheeks as he moved here and there in his sleep. Sweat trickled down his face.

"No….." he moaned in pain.

All of Ash's friends, pokemon and family stood at one side while he stood at the other end…...alone.

Red walked a step forward and looked at Ash coldly.

"Because of you I died."

Then Delia spoke.

"Because of you, our family will never be complete."

"You are a loser Ash!" Gary shouted.

"I can't believe I looked up at you as my idol." Max and Bonnie said.

"You are weak Ash." Brock told him

"You never even won the stone and cascade badge officially." Misty remarked.

"You won the Alola league by sheer luck." Lillie said.

"You don't deserve to be a Champion." Serena commented.

"You are a little kid. You can't do anything."

"You're pathetic Ketchum."

"You'll never be a pokemon master."

Then Leaf stepped forward and said, "You killed your father. You are a muderur and a looser."

Then a girl with black hair walked forward and said, "You can't do anything!"

Ash clutched his head in pain as tears started rolling down his cheeks. He shouted, "NO! That's not true! I'm not a murderur. It wasn't my fault! It was an accident. You said it yourself! I didn't wanted him to die. Dad trust me! I love you! Please!"

He fell to his knees.

"Liar!" his father shouted and soon everyone started to call him liar as well.

"No! Stop! Please stop! No! STOP!" he shouted and jolted awake. He was breathing heavily.

"Ash are you okay?" he heard a voice from beside him. He turned around to see Leaf sitting beside him with worry evident on her face.

A tear fell down his eye

"Hey, hey, don't cry! It was just a nightmare." She told him warmly as she wiped off the tear from his face.

"Ash?" Another voice said from his right. He turned and saw that Sorrel was awake.

He quickly wiped off his tears.

"I am sorry, I woked you up."

"No! Its Okay! "

Ash nodded but wasn't reassured.

"Ash you wanna go out for a walk or talk about what you saw?" Leaf asked warmly.

Ash stayed quiet for a minute.

"No. I will go back to sleep." he said with a forced smile.

Leaf nodded and left the tent.

If Ash don't want to talk about it now then Leaf won't force him.

After Leaf left the tent and Sorrel went back to sleep, Ash sat up in his sleeping bag.

He clutched his head and silently cried.

Why him? What did he do? What is his fault?

Once Leaf left Ash's tent, she went to her own tent which she was sharing with Serena and Misty.

The 2 were already asleep. She made her way into her own sleeping bag and went to sleep.

After an hour and half later, Gary entered the ranch and went inside the tent which he was sharing.

After entering, he looked at Ash's sleeping form sadly.

After a moment, he made his way towards his own sleeping bag and went inside. Before laying down, he casted one last look at Ash and his eyes went wide when he noticed the tears stains on his face.

He bit the inside of his cheek and snarled at himself.

"Fuck me!"

He then finally layed down and went to sleep.

After a moment later pikachu sleepily entered the tent and snuggled at his trainers chest.

On reflex, Ash folded his arms around him and brought him closer to himself while turning to his right.

The pokemon and trainer snuggled at each other and fell asleep as a smile formed on both of their faces.

The next morning, Ash, Gary and Leaf woke up with a terrible headache. But they kept it hidden from everyone.

As all the teens woke up one by one, they folded there tents and sleeping bags and made their way towards the lab.

After doing the daily morning chores and having breakfast, all the professors except Kukui and Burnet left along with Gurkin.

So right now all the teens were in the ranch with their respective pokemons. Some were training, some were talking about strategy and some were simply spending time with them.

Ash was catching up with all of his pokemon as he sat on the grass with legs folded and pikachu sitting on his lap.

Everything was peaceful.

As Ash was talking with torkoal, Casey came towards him.

"Umm… hey Ash."

"Hi."

"I am sorry about yesterday."

Ash waved a hand in air dismissively.

"It's fine. Besides am sorry too. I overreacted. So that makes us equal right." He smiled warmly at her.

She smiled back and nodded.

Before anyone could say anything else, Pikachu's ears perked up.

"Pikachu?"

Pikachu's cheeks sparked as he leapt off of Ash's lap and stood in a fighting stance. He looked at the sky and growled.

"Buddy, what's wrong?"

"Pika!"

All the pokemon in the ranch were having similar reactions.

And then suddenly a shadow ball came out of nowhere directly towards Ash. At the nick of time, Pikachu's thunder ball strucked the shadow ball which caused an explosion and kicked Ash off of his feet.

"Ash!" A number of friends of his shouted in worry and came towards him to make sure he wasn't hurt.

"You ok?" May asked.

"Yeah." he replied while standing up.

"What's going on?" Trip asked.

Ash bit his lip.

'It's just like the day before yesterday." He thought to himself.

'We can't see it but if I….maybe…let's try.'

"Charizard! Gimme a ride!" Ash shouted as he ran towards the fire lizard and jumped on his back.

As soon as Ash sat on Charizard, he took off.

"Ash what are you doing!?" Serena shouted towards him in worry.

"I'll be fine! Trust me!" He called back.

"Charizard, stay away from the attacks okay. Just give me a minute." Ash told his 2nd strongest pokemon.

He nodded.

Ash closed his eyes and tried to look around with closed eyes.

'C'mon! I know I can do it! All I have to do is focus it in my eyes.'

Suddenly the whole world around him lit up with light.

'Yes! Now lets see….."

He looked around and saw a purple figure forming something in his hand.

"Squirtel! Water gun! Above you! Now!" he commanded.

The water turtle looked right above him and fired a water gun above without a second thought which got collided with a shadow ball.

"Right there Charizard! Flame thrower!"

Charizard opened his mouth and fired a beam of fire right where the blast happened.

The attack collided with an unknown force and then suddenly something black fell down on the ground.

"Pikachu! Electro web! Now!."

Without wasting a second, pikachu fired a web made up of electricity where the black figure had fallen.

"Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!" the figure shouted in pain.

And when Ash thought that they had defeated it, the thing suddenly roared and tore Pikachu's electro web and fired an attack straight towards Ash.

Then a lot of things happened at the same time:

-) Ash fell off of Charizard and Charizard smashed at a tree since the attack hit him.

-) Ash's friends said his name in worry as he fell down.

-) The black figure attacked the falling Ash and Pikachu attacked the figure.

-) Mewtwo and mew came out of no where and while mew stopped Ash from falling in the ground, Mewtwo stopped the attack from hitting him.

After finally standing on his feet, Ash and friends looked at the figure and saw that it was covered with a black cloak along with a hoodie on his head. It had red glowing eyes. It sent shivers everyone's spine.

Before either that thing, mew or mewtwo could attack, all of Ash's pokemon fired their attacks at the same time at the thing resulting in a blast.

When the cloud of dust settled down, the thing was fading.

"Nooooooo! This is not the end! You will die choosen!"

It shouted in its cold shrill voice which sent shivers down everyone's spine, even Mewtwo's, before disappearing.

Everything was still for a moment and then Ash fell down on his knees as he breathed heavily.

"What was that thing!?" He asked with his voice wavering.

Before anyone could reply, Delia, professor Oak, Kukui, Burnet and Lusamine came runnng into the ranch.

"What happened here!? We heard explosions!" Lusamne asked.

"We don't know ourselves." Gladion replied.

When Delia saw that her son was on the ground, she quickly ran towards him but stopped dead in her tracks when her eyes laid upon Mewtwo.

Mew and Mewtwo turned towards the newcomers.

As soon as Mewtwo turned, his eyes locked with Delia.

"Mewtwo? What are you doing here?" Delia asked.

"You?-"

"Ah! Yes! My name is Delia! A pleasure to meet you!"

Mewtwo looked at her in confusion and was about to say something but Ash spoke up.

"She is my mother. But, mom how do you know him?"

Delia looked back at his son beside whom Leaf was now kneeling down now.

"How do you know him?" She asked

"I met him once."

"I have heared about him."

She then quickly went beside his son and saw a big gash on his arm which was bleeding badly. She gasped.

"Ash! What happened!?"

"We are still trying to procees that." Lana said.

Ash looked up towards mewtwo who came closer to him and put his hand over his wound and then his wound started to glow.

Ash winced a little.

Mewtwo looked at Delia with confusion and the sent his attention back at the task in hand.

After a minute, Mewtwo removed his hand from his now healed arm. There was only a small scratch left in place of the big gash.

Ash looked at his arm in surprise and ran a hand over it. He looked back up at Mewtwo.

"Thankyou."

Mewtwo shrugged. "No need to thank me. Besides, its nothing compared to what you did for me."

Then Ash asked.

"What are you 2 doing here? And what was that thing? It had very dark aura." he asked while adressing the 2 legendary pokemon.

"Those things are called shadow beast."

"What was that!? How did Mew talk!?" Trip jumped in surprise as a voice spoke in his head. There were similar reactions from many other.

"Telepathy." Ash simply stated.

"Yeah. Well anyways….Those are Arceus…well…. Actually forget about that. All you need to know is that these creatures wants to destroy the world and they can't do so because there is one obstacle in their goal which is stopping them. They want to finish this obstacle. Erase this obstacle from existence. That is the soul reason why they came here because once the obstacle is out of the way, nothing will be able to stop them from distroying the world." Mew explained telepathically.

There was silence for a minute as everyone processed this new information.

"So what is this Obstacle?" Bonnie asked after a minute.

" The Choosen One."

The End

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