Chapter 1
After becoming the World Champion, Ash returns home with his Pokemon, only to see several airships with all kinds of logos shooting bombs and destroying everything on the way.
"Oh no! Mom!" Ash yells in horror as he rushes toward his house, only to see that his mother is cornered by the man with a Persian. "What are you doing to my mom?!"
The man turns around, revealing to be a man with a black suit and the familiar letter R on the shirt. He smirks and says, "We meet again. Ash Ketchum."
Ash widens his eyes with a gasp, the man in front of him is no other than Team Rocket's leader: Giovanni. Ash says, "Giovanni... the leader of Team Rocket... why are you attacking us and Pallet Town?"
"It is simple, I got intel that you will be returning here, and considering how many of our plans are failed because of you, it is better that we get rid of the scourge once and for all." Giovanni says as Persian is staring at them.
Ash glares at the man with Pikachu sparkling electricity. "Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" "Power Gem!"
Much to Ash's surprise, Pikachu's Thunderbolt is being reflected by the attack, and Giovanni says, "Hyper Beam!"
The attack hits Pikachu, causing him to send flying into Ash's chest and both of them are slammed to the wall with the force.
"Ash!" Delia gasps weakly. "Mimey... Psyshock..."
Mr. Mime fires the attack at Persian, causing him to take damage. Giovanni says, "Stupid woman, if you want to die, then fine. Hyper Beam again!"
Ash yells, "No! Mom!" The attack hits both Mimey and Delia, causing the woman to cough out blood.
"Mom!" Ash yells as he rushes towards her, but Giovanni says, "Shadow Claw on the boy!"
Persian slashes at Ash, causing him to fly back, "Flash Cannon!" Ash and Pikachu can't believe this is the end of them, and they can only close their eyes as the attack creates a giant explosion.
After the explosion, Ash and Pikachu are lying lifeless on the ground.
"Looks like we're done here." Giovanni calls the phone and says, "Retreat before anyone comes."
Then Giovanni leaves the house, before sending out Nidoking, "Stone Edge and destroy the house."
Just then, the house explodes, but Ash and Pikachu are teleported away before the explosion hits.
When Ash wakes up, he finds that he is in some sort of black space, "Where am I... Mom... Pikachu... Pallet Town... what happened to them?"
"Ash..." Just then, he turns around and sees Delia lying in front of him.
"Mom!" Ash rushes towards her and kneels down. "Mom! Are you okay?"
"Ash... I'm sorry, but I'm already dead." Delia says with a frown.
"What? No! It can't be! You can't be dead! It must be a joke, right?" Ash asks, but then he realizes something, "Does that mean I'm dead as well?"
"No, you're still alive. I'm here in your dreams so that I can give you my last words..." Delia says. "After that, please wake up and complete your dream of becoming a Pokemon Master."
"But... I can't do it... I couldn't save you, I was not strong enough... I'm pathetic..." Ash says.
"No Ash... You are not weak. You're strong and I'm always proud of you." Delia says as her body is slowly disappearing, "Remember, I always love you. Promise me you will look after yourself and achieve your dream and not give up no matter what!"
Ash kneels with tears in his eyes, and he mutters, "I promise Mom... I will never give up and I will achieve my dream!"
"Don't forget your Mom is watching you... My Pokemon Master..." And Delia is gone in his sight.
Ash slowly wakes up and he finds himself surrounded by all of his Pokemon, those from the ranch, in his Pokeballs, and the ones that he put back in Professor Kukui's lab. Everyone is surrounding Ash and Bayleef nuzzles Ash after he wakes up.
"Everyone..." Ash is happy to see all of them here, and they all give him a hug. "But how did you..."
"I brought you here... Chosen One..." The Pokemon moves out of the way and reveals Arceus in front of them.
"Arceus...!" Ash gasps.
"Yes. It's good to see you again Ash... But it would have been better if the situation would have been a little good..." Arceus frowns. "I'm sorry for your loss..."
Ash frowns and he remembers his mother's death. He turns to his Pokemon and says, "I am happy to see you all fine. Pallet Town was under attack and I'm happy to see you safe and sound..."
Then he realizes that all the Pokemon, one of them is missing. Ash widens his eyes and asks, "Wait, where is Pikachu?"
Arceus frowns and says, "When I bring all of your Pokemon here... Pikachu... couldn't make it..."
The words cause Ash's world to be broken, he starts to laugh hysterically, and he says, "Why... not only Mom, but Pikachu as well..."
Every Pokemon is shocked to see Ash like this, and Ash asks, "Why? My mom was dead, Pikachu was dead, why am I still alive? I should've been dead like them..."
"I saved you because I couldn't let a friend die when he has done so much for me and my children, besides, we need your help. Chosen One. The world is at risk and only you can save it..." Arceus says.
" I CAN'T! I can't... I am not strong Arceus... I failed... I failed to protect my Mom... My pokemon... My town... I couldn't win any leagues and failed to defeat Giovanni... I am just a pathetic trainer..." Ash bursts out with tears.
Arceus is slightly angry and she says, "Don't you DARE say that, Ash! You are not a pathetic trainer! I learned from my children that you have saved all of us, your bond with your Pokemon is also what makes you special! You are not pathetic."
"But... Pikachu... Mom..." Ash mutters.
"If you die right now, what about the Pokemon beside you? I brought your mother's soul to you so she can give you farewell words, are you going to break the promise you made to her? If you die right now, the world will be in the chaos of the 18 criminal organizations!"
Ash then remembers the promise that he made to his mother, and he slowly calms himself down with a determined face. "You're right. I really needed that. But tell me everything about the 18 criminal organizations."
Arceus says, "Very well. During your journeys, you might have seemingly disbanded some of the criminal groups, but they have returned, and there are also new teams who wanted Legendary Pokemon powers for themselves. If all of them succeed in their plans, it will cover the whole world in darkness. Nothing but death and despair. Nobody will be able to survive and even a god like myself will be killed as well."
Ash and the Pokemon are terrified, "If that's the case, how am I going to stop them? If they have that much power..."
"We're going to train you with Aura powers. You have a huge amount of aura deep inside you, and once you get to train with these powers, you'll be able to help us fight against the 18 groups."
"Can you tell us about the 18 groups and their goals?"
"Very well." Arceus says. "There is Team Rocket, the leader of 18 groups, and you know their goal is to conquer the world. Team Armor, their goal is to take the Secret Armor in the Isle of Armor. Team Jet, their goal is to take control of the Weather Trio to control the weather.
Team Ultra is a group of people from the Ultra Dimension who uses Ultra Beasts to invade the Alola Region. Team Magma, you know about that in the Hoenn Region. Team Revival is a group trying to steal fossils and revive them for their army.
Team Skull, you probably know that in the Alola Region. Team Cipher, creating Shadow Pokemon for their goal. Team Cosmos, you also know that in the Galar Region. Team Flare, you know that in the Kalos Region. Team Aqua, you know that in the Hoenn Region. Team Wither, destroys forests and plants to conquer the Pokemon in them.
Team Volt, using hacking skills to terrorize the people, Team Galactic, you know that, Team Frozen, wanting to make the world in the unforgiving blizzard. Team Plasma, you know about it. Team Terror, who tries to use Darkrai to give people endless nightmares, and Team Justice, the group of lawyers who make deals to bail the people from jail, no matter whether innocent or not, because of them, the members of the previous 17 teams would be able to escape."
Ash listens to the words, and he can feel anger buried deep inside them. He says, "If these 18 teams are a big deal, then it means that the PLA, the Government, and even the International Police can't be trusted either, considering they might have spies inside..."
"You might be right. So starting tomorrow, we're going to train you with aura." Arceus says, "And without any interference, I managed to make an island for you to train."
Ash gasps in delight as he can't believe an island for himself. Then he also remembers everyone that he travels with. He asks, "Arceus, can I make a request?"
"What is it?" Arceus asks.
"The world probably thinks I'm dead, right?" Ash asks, and Arceus frowns and shows the memory of everyone holding the funeral for Ash and Delia, Ash sees every one of his travel companions and the Champions there. Ash can see how sad and broken some of them are, and he feels guilty for leaving them.
"I... it is better the world believes I'm dead... I know it is wrong, but I don't want them to be targeted just like my Mom..." Ash says.
"I see, so you want to change your identity. It can be done... however before you go to the island, I need to request you to head to the Rota Kingdom first."
"Rota? Why?" Ash asks.
"Technically, Lady Ilene is not the real queen behind the Rota Kingdom, your mother is." This causes Ash to be surprised. "You are the direct heir of the Rota Kingdom."
"But what about Lady Ilene? Who is she to my mother and why was she handling the Rota Kingdom?" Ash asks.
"Lady Ilene is the sister of your mother, your mother doesn't like to be treated as a queen, which is why she moved to a rural life in Pallet Town."
Ash widens his eyes in surprise, he can't believe he still has family, and he is starting to feel delighted. "So I have to go to Rota right now?"
"I will teleport you there, I will also contact Lady Ilene to give you some instructions about what you need to do." Arceus says.
Ash nods and he says, "Arceus... thank you for everything. I really need it."
"Anytime, my friend." Then Ash and his Pokemon disappear from the Hall of Origin, and all of them are heading to the Rota Kingdom.
Welcome to Love and Despair Darker Version. As you can see, instead of being an enemy to the light world in the original Love and Despair, Ash is going to be an enemy to the dark world in this darker version. 18 Criminal groups to defeat, with the corruption of the Government, PLA, and International Police, Ash is going to get his revenge by defeating his enemies along the way. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be Rota.
