Complete and utter silence filled the arena as the lights shone down brightly on the battlefield. Four beings stood tall, each panting heavily as the previous battle had them totally worn out. Seconds felt like minutes, and minutes felt like hours as the audience waited with bated breaths to see what on earth could possibly happen next; the idea of anything topping the once-in-a-lifetime battle they had just witnessed was ludicrous. The tension, so thick you could cut through it with a Scyther's blade, finally ended before anyone could even realize it.

Thump.

Big, bright hazel eyes belonging to a raven haired boy stared at the scene before him in complete and utter shock. A little yellow mouse was standing, albeit barely and surely running low on fumes, but still standing and panting nonetheless. A huge, scaly, orange 'dragon' lays on its back, unconscious and with no way of getting back up to continue the fight. The referee floats towards the dragon to inspect it, and after giving it a once-over, firmly nods his head; the result of this battle was clear as day.

"Charizard is unable to battle! The winner is competitor Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!" the referee announced loudly for the whole stadium to hear. The monitors high above his head showed everyone, especially those furthest away from the battlefield, that Charizard had indeed been knocked unconscious.

It was quiet for a second, the knowledge and announcement of what exactly had just happened took time for everyone to process. But once it finally did, the cheers soon came, loud and proud and roaring enough to shake the whole stadium. Chants of 'Ash! Ash! Ash!' were enough to knock the star trainer out of his stupor. Countless emotions clawed at his heart and brain: shock, awe, happiness, and more as each tried being at the forefront for him to express. Tears of happiness welled in the corner of his eyes as he ran onto the battlefield, picking up his little yellow mouse before he could drop to the floor and hugging him close to his chest.

"We-we did it! Pikachu, we did it!" Ash exclaimed in utmost joy as he hugged his starter close and tight to his chest, the two laughing in happiness from winning. Finally, it finally happened! After years of blood, sweat, and tears, Ash had done it; he was a champion!

Not only was he a champion, he was now the champion! Champions of champions, if you will.

"Pi-Pikachu-Pi! Pika-Beep!" Pikachu exclaimed while hugging his trainer. Ash giggled and laughed before stopping, realization smacking him right in the face as he stared at his partner.

"Uh, what did you say, buddy?" Ash asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"Pika! Pi-Beep. Beep. Beep!" Pikachu repeated himself, his cute 'pikas' being replaced with ominous beeps, the cheering of the crowds now falling upon deaf ears as Ash stared down at his partner in worry.

"H-Hey, does anyone else-" Ash started to ask as he looked up, noticing that everyone was now frozen in place. He looked around, doing several spins as his gut clenched in worry; something definitely wasn't right. "Pikachu what's going…on?" he started to ask before he noticed Pikachu was now frozen still, his mouth wide open and that horrid beeping still coming out.

"Someone go get the doctor!"

"Wait, what?"

If he wasn't scared before, Ash most certainly was now. As if the beeps weren't alarming enough, now strange and new voices he had never heard before were coming out of his life-long friend. He looked up again at the stadium, all its people, the friends who had shown up now all gone. He was in a pitch black void, as if he had fallen into a deep, never ending abyss. He looked down to his hands, dread washing over him as Pikachu was now gone as well; yet the beeps and voices just kept coming and coming. Before Ash could even process what was occurring there was a sudden bright flash and everything went white.

—-—-—-—-—

Ever so slowly, bright hazel eyes opened to an unfamiliar room filled with unfamiliar people in blue uniforms, all staring at him as Ash gasped awake. Panic spread throughout his body as he looked around wildly like a caged pokemon, and one of the people, an older woman with a gentle face and graying hair, was immediately at his side. Gently grabbing onto his hand, softly stroking it as she placed a warm hand onto his shoulder.

"Mr. Ketchum? Mr. Ketchum please, you need to calm down and take deep breaths. Everything is okay, you're safe at the Viridian City hospital," she told him in a calm and gentle voice, trying to coax him into relaxing as he stared at her. He did as ordered, taking long and deep breaths to slow his heart.

"H-Hospital? W-Why am I at the hospital? W-Where's everyone else?" he asked, voice hoarse and rough sounding. There was a knock at the door before an older gentleman walked inside, a white lab coat buttoned up and hugging his body, a stethoscope hanging around his neck.

"Mr. Ketchum! Welcome back, it's nice to see you awake after so long!" the man said cheerily with a smile similar to the woman. "How are you feeling?"

"C-Confused," Ash answered, staring at the doctor and nurses in the room as a white sheet was hung up and extended, dividing the room and making his section feel more small and cramped. "W-Where is everyone? Where are my friends? W-Where's Pikachu?" he asked again, looking around and seeing nothing but stark whiteness. Being dazed and confused didn't stop him from noticing the sad and empathic looks everyone else had as they stared at him, almost with…pity?

"Mr. Ketchum, what is the last thing you remember?" the doctor asked. Ash squinted at him, seeing that his last name was Addison.

"Um, I was having a pokemon battle with Leon… it was in a packed stadium, Pikachu and I had just defeated his final pokemon, Charizard. Why? Is everything okay? Is Pikachu okay?" Ash questioned with growing concern. The doctor and nurses stared at one another, as if having a silent conversation with each other.

"Mr. Ketchum, what day was it?" Addison asked, causing Ash to quirk an eyebrow at him nervously.

"June 4th, 2012. Why do you ask?"

"Mr. Ketchum… it's actually September 15th, 2020," the doctor slowly informed him, causing Ash's eyes to widen in shock. "I don't know how to tell you this, son, but you've been in a coma for over eight years."

Silence filled the room soon after, with Ash just staring at them all petrified, shock evident across his features as he tried processing what exactly the doctor had just said. Ther-there was no way what he was saying was true, it couldn't be! Ash was not in a coma! This was all a… a fluke! Yes a fluke, or possibly even a cruel prank by the others. Because if this was true and he really was in a coma…

"Y-You're lying," Ash weakly whispered, refusing to believe it. His response didn't get the reactions he wanted, just more sad and pity-filled stares. "This is a fluke-"

"Mr. Ketchum, I understand it can be hard to accept the truth, I really do, but—"

"No! T-this must be a prank of some kind! A cruel joke played on the new champion," Ash tried to rationalize, making an attempt to rip his wrist away from the nurse. Another came up to his right side, and the two tried their best to hold him down as he tried to thrash and get away.

"Mr. Ketchum, if you don't stop and calm down, I'll have no choice but to put you under! It'll be for your own safety," Addison warned, watching with pity as tears welled up in the young boy's eyes. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, all of them knew; but it was so much harder to stomach than any of them anticipated. The threat seemed to work as Ash started to go limp, fear of going back to sleep being too great. The young boy was openly sobbing, feeling his world shattering as the truth finally got to him. "Mr. Ketchum you have been in a coma for eight years at this point. There was… an attack at Professor Oak's research laboratory, carried out by the grunts of Team Rocket. There was a rumor that Professor Oak had found something related to a legendary pokemon, and Team Rocket pounced at the opportunity. You and your mother were visiting that day and ended up being caught in the crossfire, you both—"

"My mom? What happened to my mom? Where is she?!" Ash asked, once again frantic as fear and adrenaline pumped through his veins with new vigor. Addison sighed before gesturing to the third nurse. She nodded before drawing back the sheet, and Ash felt his whole world shatter for the second time that day. There was his mother, in the hospital bed next to his, her usual brown hair starting to gray from age. She was silent, motionless, save for the steady rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. "MOM!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, thrashing around again as he tried breaking free of the nurses grips, wanting, needing to be by her side to check on her, make sure she was okay.

Addison sighed before grabbing a needle and vial from a nearby desk. He inserted the injection into the vial, sucking up the liquid before approaching Ash. He didn't want to do this, but it was for Ash's own safety, and hopefully doing it now would make talking later much easier. Carefully he placed the needle into Ash's immobilized arm and injected the anesthesia into him. Ash soon started to calm down, his thrashing ceasing as he stopped moving entirely. The young boy—man, the young man had finally fallen asleep. Addison had been regularly checking up on Ash these past eight years, and sometimes it was hard for him to remember this was no longer the young boy brought in all these years ago. The nurses had felt similarly.

"Nurse Ada, please call Professor Oak and inform him of what has happened. Please request he be here within the next hour, Mr. Ketchum should be awake by then," Addison ordered, making said nurse nod in understanding.

(Professor Oak Laboratory and Ranch)

It was days like these Professor Samuel Oak cherished most, where he could sit back and relax with a nice cup of tea in his kitchen, staring out at his ranch and watching all the pokemon wander around and relax. Don't get Samuel wrong, he loved his job as a pokemon professor, and he truly could not see himself doing any other occupation, but the days off where he could relax and unwind were far and few between. That's why whenever Oak got the chance, he wore his comfortable clothes, made a pot of tea, and watched the pokemon live their lives. The three new trainers who started a few months back were doing a wonderful job with their captures, and were making sure to give them each enough love and time to get out of the ranch for training or battles.

Oak's smile slowly started turning to a frown as he checked his watch and then the calendar on the wall across from him; the date was September 15th, 2020. That meant it had been eight years, three months, and 27 days since the attack… for so long the woman he considered a daughter and boy he considered a grandson had been stuck in horrid coma's with no signs of waking up any time soon. It frightened Oak to every degree imaginable, human and pokemon alike had tried their best to awaken the two, but neither have had such luck. Samuel could only pray to Arceus he would receive some good news soon.

There was a sudden ringing from further inside the house and Oak paused, eyes widening in surprise before he sat his cup down and all but rushed towards the phone. It was an older landline phone, black and dusty from lack of use as many people chose to video call him. But to Oak, there were only two people who still called him on this piece of junk; the first was Charles Goodshow, and the second was—

"Hello?" Samuel asked, almost frantic as he waited with bated breath hoping to hear a very specific voice.

"Professor Oak? This is Nurse Ada from Viridian City hospital, do you have a moment?"

"Yes, yes of course! Ada it's been too long, how is everything? Have there been any updates?" Samuel asked, cutting straight to the point. It was true, the last update he had received from the hospital was several months ago to reassure them that both Ash and Delia's scans were showing how they were doing just fine.

"That's actually why I called Professor Oak. There's been a pretty big update actually," Ada said, and he could almost hear her smile as she said that. "The young man, Ash Ketchum, has finally awakened just a few minutes ago. Doctor Addison tried updating Mr. Ketchum on what happened, but had to sedate him before Mr. Ketchum could cause any further damage to himself. The doctor suspects Mr. Ketchum will awaken again within the next hour, and he was wondering if you could come here for when it happens? We believe seeing a familiar face may put him at ease and make the process of transferring care easier."

"Of course, of course! As soon as we end the call I'll gather my things and be there within the hour! Thank you so much for telling me all this, Nurse Ada!" Oak exclaimed with utmost glee, finally his prayers had been answered.

"You're so welcome, Samuel, we'll be waiting for you. Until then."

They hung up after that, and Oak's smile reached from ear to ear as he 'whooped' in joy before he started running through his home.

"Gary! Gary get ready! We're going to the Viridian City hospital!"

"Did you break your hip again?" an exasperated voice asked from deep in the home.

"No, and you're grounded for that remark! Ash is finally awake!" Oak shouted, which was followed by a loud 'thump' as Gary undoubtedly fell out of his bed in shock.

"What?!"

"You heard me! Now get ready and let's go!"

(One hour later)

When Ash finally woke up, he was much calmer than he was before, but that's mainly because he didn't want to be injected yet again and forced back to sleep. He just stared blankly at the tv as it played some new show about people using cards to battle, but he was too lost in thought and in his own grief to pay attention. His attention was always coming back to his mother, feeling a pang of hurt watching her still body lay there.

Eight years… eight years of their lives just stolen from them. All of Ash's adventures, the friendships he made along the way, the pokemon he captured, befriended, and battled with, Pikachu… they were all gone, having never existed in the first place. Nothing would ever be the same, especially not Ash as he clutched his chest, feeling a large scar hidden underneath his hospital gown. The nurses and doctor Addison had run tests on him to see if he and his body were okay, and that's when Ash noticed how different his real body truly was. He was 5'10, with a short but growing and itchy black beard forming on his face, his hair far longer than what he usually liked and was used to. The most drastic change however was a horrible scar that ran from his left shoulder blade down to the right side of his stomach. It was a miracle he was alive, and yet… there was a small part of him that wished he wasn't.

There was a knock at the door, causing Ash to turn off the tv, moreso out of respect than to not get distracted.

"Come in," he called quietly, feeling bad for his earlier outburst and possibly disturbing any other patient who may have been close by.

"Mr. Ketchum? You have a visitor," Nurse Ada informed him upon opening the door, which confused Ash greatly. Who would be there to visit him? His question was soon answered as Ada motioned for the person inside, and in walked a very old gentleman, one Ash recognized instantly with a gasp.

"Professor Oak?" Ash asked, shocked to see the old professor and family friend enter the room. The passage of time seemed to have done the professor well; sure, he looked more wrinklier than before, but he still looked fine and healthy as can be. Before Ash knew it, he was glomped into a tight hug, the smell of cologne and pokemon food reaching his nose.

"It's so good to see you again, my boy," Samuel said somberly, hugging Ash tight but not too tight; he didn't want to hurt the boy. The old professor was shaking, and Ash felt something wet land on his neck. "It's… it's been too long," Oak croaked out, now openly sobbing from sheer joy. The sincerity in his tone and the hug were enough to make Ash break down as well, he hugged Oak back as tight as possible and shed a few tears with him, happy to see a familiar face. Nurse Ada stood back, letting them have their moment together before Gary entered the room soon after, feeling awkward and out of place. The last time he had seen Ash, he had acted like a jerk towards the younger trainer. What would Ash say when he'd see him? Would he even remember what happened?

…oh, Arceus, he may not even remember. The knowledge of that made Gary feel so much more sad.

Nurse Adad nudged him, and he got the message before approaching the two of them. Hazel eyes opened and stared at him, causing Gary to freeze in fear like a Deerling caught in headlights. Gary opened his arms, tilting his head slightly with an awkward smirk, wordlessly asking if he too could join, and Ash nodded. Gary bent down, hugging his grandfather and his ex-friend.

"It's good to have you back… ya dweeb," Gary joked, hoping to lighten the mood. It seemed to have the effect he wanted, smiling slightly upon hearing Ash and Samuel chuckle. Soon the three separated, and Ash and Oak wiped away their tears.

"It's good to be back… you mega dweeb," Ash teased, causing Gary to snort and pat his shoulders. "I'm glad to see you two, and that you're both okay. Doctor Addison told me what happened, I was worried something happened to you guys as well," Ash admitted, relieved to see they were both okay.

"I managed to drive back those dastardly grunts before any more damage could be done. But… I wasn't fast enough, and you and your mother paid the price," Oak said somberly, casting a glance back towards his 'daughter' before sitting in a chair and grabbing Ash's hand. "I'm so sorry, my boy. I wasn't fast enough, I wasn't strong enough, and you and Delia were injured as a result. You two were hurt because of me… I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me." He bowed at that, laying out how he truly felt.

Samuel Oak had felt this way ever since the attack happened, believing it was in some way his fault. Maybe if he had been stronger, or faster to get his pokemon team, or maybe if he had visited them instead… So many 'what ifs' and 'maybes' plagued his mind for the past eight years, the guilt and self doubt had been eating him alive for so long.

"What? Professor Oak I would never blame you for what happened! It wasn't your fault we got attacked, it was Team Rockets!" Ash argued, trying to show Oak that none of this was his fault. A knock at the door interrupted them and in walked Doctor Addison, smiling to see the Oaks had arrived on schedule.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I have some good news, and something we must discuss," Addison said as he closed the door behind him.

"What's the good news?" Ash asked, curious.

"We ran some tests and found your body is in great condition, though you still have trouble walking, so we'll be keeping you here for a while so you can get some physical therapy in. That's the good news. What I wanted to talk to you all about is what happens next with you, Mr. Ketchum."

"What happens next? What do you mean?"

"With you awake and your mother still in her coma, we had to find a place for you to go. We looked into your mother's will and found that, should anything happen to her, she and Professor Oak have agreed to have you placed under his care for the time being. Once the paperwork is complete, he will be your legal guardian and caretaker until Mrs. Ketchum has awakened," Addison revealed, much to Ash's surprise. He turned to Professor Oak with a questioning look.

"Your mother was always worried something may happen to her, so long ago we decided to set this up just in case anything bad happened," Oak said, answering what Ash was surely thinking about asking.

"But, what about mom? What'll happen to her?" Ash frowned before looking towards her mother.

"We'll keep her here and keep her monitored at all times. We'll be sure to contact you and Professor Oak should there be any updates about her and her health," Addison assured before handing Ash a clipboard with a piece of paper on top. It was a legal guardian consent form, with Oak's signature already signed on it. Since Ash was over the age of 14, he would have to sign as well.

Ash stared down at the form with a mixture of sadness and unease. He loved and trusted Professor Oak, yet this felt wrong in a way. Like he was leaving his mother and their family, but deep down he knew this was the right thing to do. He sighed and clicked the pen.

"Well, to new beginnings I suppose…" he trailed off before signing the form.

If only he knew what was to come. To new beginnings indeed… as the journey continues!

Annnnnd CUT! Boom here it is, the long awaited chapter 1 of my Retribution rewrite. I actually had a lot of fun writing this chapter and have had a lot of fun making my new timeline for this fic. There are some things I want to address first.

Money is getting tight as of late so if anyone wants to donate to me, DM me for my Pay Pal or Venom. My CashApp is $Wolfie9924

NOW ONTO THE STORY NOTES!

As addressed in this story, Ash and Delia were caught in a Team Rocket attack against Professor Oak and his lab. Oak managed to drive off TR but Ash and Delia were hurt and have been in coma's ever since. Ash never got Pikachu or went on a journey or anything. His coma dream will be explained later. Ash is now under Oak's care until Delia wakes up.

THERE WILL BE LEMONS IN THS FIC! Idk if any of you read the original Retribution but that fic intended to have lemons as well. This fic will be smut, limes and lemons. Ash WILL have sex with humans AND Pokémon like the original fic was going to have. If Human X Pokémon sex or sex in general bothers you, I'll put warnings in the beginning of the chapter if there is a lemon and a warning before the lemon happens so you can skin it. No, Ash will not have sex with Pokémon in their 'feral' forms. That'll be explained later as well. Ash WILL have a harem consisting of humans and Pokémon. I'm still undecided if I'll have Ash traveling with any humans or not. He might just date specific humans but they can't travel with him for X reason.

This fic is going to get dark. I can't stress this enough that this isn't the Ash from the anime. You'll see why soon enough.

This fic will have mechanics from the games. That'll be shown later on.

I'm going to post this fic on FFN and one of my Ao3 accounts. I'm unsure which account I'll use.

No, Ash's party won't consist of only women. He'll have male Pokemon as well. Will he have sex with him? Kinda unlikely but I'll think about/consider it.

This fic will have a different plot from the original (as decided by my readers). Ex: Arceus did not cause the attack on Pallet Town.

Hmm...idk what else there's left to say. If you have any questions, opinions, ideas, or requests, feel free to leave them in a review.

Join me next time in Ash's new journey. See ya in chapter 2!