Hay! Another chapter! It may be a bit morbid but that's because everyone I know is really depressed. Half of my friends have been crying at one point or another during this week. I'm like the only happy one!

I know I say this on every chapter but for this one I mean it: THIS CHAPTER SUCKS!!! It's really short and badly written.

Surprised. That was what Misty was. Why hadn't the hit come? She was too afraid to open her eye's incase the spell that had saved her life was suddenly broken. But she had to know. Know what the hell was going on.

Misty opened her eye's. And quickly closed them again in fear.

She had seen a ghost. She must have. That or her tiered mind was playing tricks on her.

Slowly she opened them again.

Knuckles from a fist were a few inches from her eyes. But they weren't Josh's. They were too young. No this hand belonged to someone much younger. This hand had caught Josh's punch with seconds to spear. This hand belonged to a certain Pokémon Master.

But Ash had been beaten within a inch of his life it would take him longer than a few minutes to regain consciousness and even then how would he have the strength to keep Josh at bay? Well, this is Ash we're on about. He can do things none else can do. Such as trick his evil father out of hitting him since he was only three years old. Only once had he ever made the mistake of standing up for himself. Until now that is.

Everyone was silent. No one dared move. Misty was too afraid, Josh too shocked and Ash too angry.

When Ash finally spoke it was in a voice so quite Misty could hardly make it out. "You think you can march in here, into my home, threaten me and my mom and hit me? Do you know what? I'll put up with that. It was bound to happen sooner or later anyway. We couldn't hide from you forever. But do you know what I wont allow? You hurting the girl I love more than life it's self. You can hit me till I'm black and blue, hell you do any way, but don't you ever, ever, touch Misty. Or I swear I'll make the things you've done to me seem merciful to what I'll do to you".

For a moment Josh was speechless but then anger clouded his face and with one tug got his arm free from Ash's grasp. Misty screamed as Josh took a swing at her boyfriend's head but Ash ducked out of the way pushing Misty to the ground.

"Go!" Misty did as she was instructed running out of the house and down the street.

Josh went to hit Ash again but he managed to avoid it, kicking his father the process. Josh howled in pain but rather than slow him down it made him all the more mad.

Ash knew he couldn't win. He was good in a fight but his dad was huge. And angry. More than ever now. There was no way Ash was going to survive this. He was as good as dead. Not that that really mattered. Death had been his plan all along. If he died then the chances were Josh would leave so as not to get caught. And there was no way in hell he would be able to take anyone with him. Which meant Ash's mum and friends would be safe. And that was all that mattered.

Josh gave a solid hit to the face and blood spurt out from Ash's nose. Another few hits to the chest. At least a couple of fractured ribs by now. Air rushing out of his lungs with a punch to the gut. Kick in the back of the knees sending him to the floor. A few more kicks and hits. Coughed up blood on other wise dry lips. He was internally bleeding. Slowly drowning in his own body fluids.

Darkness began to cloud Ash's senses numbing the pain. It was a welcome relief when the world faded from view.

Josh stood back panting heavily. For a good fifteen minutes he had been at work. Sweat was dripping down his brow. Ash was dead he was sure of that. No one could have survived that. No one.

For a moment a pang of self-loathing hit Josh. Despite every thing he did feel something for his son. Not love. Something more valuable that love. You could love everyone given enough time. No, not love. Something else... Esteem. That was it. Josh respected Ash.

Ash was dead. But even in death he had beaten Josh. Josh knew he would have to run. He could get away with abuse but not with murder. Ash had won. The price had been high that didn't change the fact. Ash had won. It wasn't a heroic victory. And his enemy would walk free, but the glass would only be half full. Josh would only ever have half of what he had wanted.

Delia, Misty, Brock and all Ash's Pokémon would be free of Josh. He wouldn't dare take them with him when he ran. But at the same time they lost something far more valuable than there freedom. They had lost Ash.

Just like Ash had lost them.

The End... If you want it to be.

Anime/tcgfan: I always preferred gammon.

Marshmellow13Dragon: You guessed correct.

Ze Cookie: Don't worry half the time I have no idea what you're on about.

Joanna: I hate Josh as well!

MagRowan: Wow. I loved your review!!! I'm sorry about all the spelling but I'm afraid it's my wore downfall (apart from the crap stories!)

Shippo123: You probably did guess who it was. It wasn't that much of a shock I'm sure.

Dragi: Don't worry I didn't spend all of my time on the last chapter. You could see how short it was. Besides I have exams coming up so it's better to write than revise!

Okay then people do you want me to continue or leave it here? It's up to you. I really don't mind.

Oh, and go and read George Orwell's "1984". Trust me you will be peeing your pants in fright.