This is a semi-parody, semi-serious take upon the Ash betrayal scenario. :)
Before you proceed, I thought I would leave a few notes.
- Ash will use his Pokemon Journeys team here. That means he does have a Lucario, but he will NOT do Aura Guardian shenanigans.
- Ash will not be the "chosen one". He is just a simple trainer to me.
- Ash will have a small harem, and Misty, May, Dawn and Serena are the girls.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. There are a few OCs I made.
"Hey Ash. Morning."
"Morning... Jira."
"How are you?"
"Just woke up..."
"Let's have our morning coffee. What do you say, Ash?"
"Sounds good. Pikachu, let's go."
Jira was a 17-year old young man from the Galar region. He was Leon's cousin. He was Ash's best and only friend for... a year and a half now. And one of the few who still knew that Ash Ketchum, Pallet Town's young prodigy who disappeared at only 16 years old, was still here. The others were Leon, Hop, and Goh.
Goh was pretty busy with the second massive project in his battling career: Project Celebi. This one was incredibly busy and time-consuming. Celebi was Mew but now could span across multiple timelines. So Goh and his crew was tasked with finding resources to build a proper version of the rumoured time machine. He's tried and failed for a while now. Goh had very little time to visit Ash, but promised he would never reveal that he is still here. And boy, did he learn to keep his mouth shut. After all, one of Goh's colleagues was none other than Gary Oak.
Leon and Hop were visiting and sparring with Ash from time to time. Ash gave the title of Monarch back to Leon, via mutual agreement. The last thing Ash wanted was to grab random interviews and paparazzi on his tail. Leon agreed to resume his position, but knew that there was someone stronger than him.
And Jira was also a pretty competent battler himself. He is placed number #5 in the Galar region, and what stood out about him was his starter Weavile, a Pokemon he had since he was six years old, and Latios, met on a trip to the Southern Island in Hoenn five years later, whom he befriended and ultimately caught.
Ash Ketchum, on the other hand, had agreed to resume battling from time to time with Jira and his remaining friends. Ash did this all to himself, you might think. He wasn't betrayed by his friends, he did not do any evil deeds, and his Pikachu was still pretty much the same, a happy-go-lucky partner who was cute in everyday life and strong in battles. But why did Ash dissappear? He seemed to have it all, he was the Monarch, he had many friends around the world, and had a loving and supporting mother.
However, when Ash turned 16, it was rumoured by the local news that his mother Delia and Giovanni were seen at a date in a high-class restaurant. Yes, that Giovanni. The boss of Team Rocket, who hunted his Pikachu for so long now, the organization that made so much money and ultimately became one of the most feared cartel-like groups in the Kanto region.
When Ash confronted his mother about it, she had no choice but to confess that she is dating Giovanni once again. These news petrified Ash. Knowing that he might be linked to Team Rocket, the last thing he wanted to do was to join that organization. But he felt like he did not have enough power to liquidate Team Rocket.
Inside, Ash felt betrayed. His mental health state was still not great. He thought his friends would never want to see him again. So he vanished.
"Maybe time does heal all wounds", Jira thought.
"Ash, in 6 months from now," he told Ash, "Leon will be organizing a tournament. He invited you to join."
"Hmm..." he thought with an uninterested face.
"This is your chance, Ash. You're still Red Satoshi in this world, you know? You don't have to be Red anymore."
"We're gonna talk later about it..."
"Let's have a practice, shall we, Ash?" Jira said.
"Okay..."
Five months left.
"Lucario! Bullet Punch!"
"Weavile, use Ice Shard!"
Four months left.
"Today you're gonna battle against Latios. What do you say, Ash?"
"Sounds good. Let's do it, Jira."
"Latios! Let's show them!"
"Pikachu, I choose you!"
"Draco Meteor!"
"Iron Tail!"
Three months left.
"Ash", Jira spoke. "There are three months left until Leon's tournament. Have you made a decision?"
"To be honest, no, Jira. I don't know if I want to enter... I'm not in the mood for serious battling."
"Would you like to be Ash Ketchum once again, Red?"
"..."
"Okay, I'll let you think some more."
Two months left.
"Jira." Ash spoke. "I think I will enter that tournament."
"That's how I know you." Jira spoke. "I'll let Leon know about this."
"Leon", Jira told his cousin, "I have amazing news. I convinced Ash to enter."
"Really? That's amazing! He's the best!" Leon spoke. "But Jira, I want him to enter with his real identity."
"..."
"Yes, Jira. We have supported him for so long, but he cannot hide anymore. That thing with Team Rocket is long gone."
"Okay, Leon... I'll let him know."
"Ash. Leon said it's okay... on one condition."
"What?"
"You will reveal your identity to the world."
"...no..."
One month left.
"I want to enter that tournament, Jira. Please beg Leon. Please. I don't want to show my face anymore."
"Ahhh, this has been your 20th request or something by now, Ash! I'm telling you, that's not possible! Stop being a little kid!"
Three weeks left.
"Hey, Leon!"
"Hey, Ash! It's been a while, how are you?"
"I'm okay, I finally decided to grab a new Rotom phone. I kind of want to get in touch with the world."
"That's amazing! You must be ready to come back, eh Ash?"
"Leon... not really. I don't feel ready."
"But you have to do it, Ash."
"Leon... I was thinking of asking you to book me as Red Satoshi. I don't want to show my face."
"That is not possible, Ash. I'm sorry."
"But..."
Two weeks left.
"Ash. Here's the deal." Jira suddenly spoke. "I have had a talk with Leon, and you will be entering the tournament as Red. But on one condition."
"What is it...?"