Hello people! I'm back with a new chapter! Hopefully this wasn't too long of a wait. *listens to an earphone* What? What do you mean I took a little long? Writing the chapter, then proofreading it, then publishing it takes time you know. *listens again*

Ah, you know what? Screw this. *throws earphones away*

Sorry about that. Just my own subconscious trying to drive me insane. Alrighty then! I would like to thank those who have read, reviewed, and even favorited and followed! It means a lot and I'll try harder to get this story completed!

I'd like to say a few things to the reviewers:

1. Guest (Chapter 1): You have a sharp eye! And you'll know how he becomes what is projected in the prologue very soon!

2. 56006 (Chapter 2): Thanks! And yeah, I wanted to be unique with the storyline and after watching some specific episodes, I thought of an interesting idea. I hope you enjoy this story!

3. Guest (Chapter 3): Yeah, Bonnie wasn't too happy about Ash spacing out. And so, she needed a quick solution and Dedenne was the first thing on her mind. If not, Pikachu would've been a great solution! Snap Ash out of it, Pikachu, with Thunderbolt! "Pika-"

4. Remisolleke (Chapter 3): I'm very happy to see that you enjoyed my story! And don't worry, the ending won't be bad, though it can't be fully guaranteed. And thanks! I'll do my best with the upcoming chapters!

5. 56006 (Chapter 3): lol bigfoot! Does seem plausible, yes? Now that would be something to see! Though it would be an Ursaring instead. :)

So far, so good! Alright, here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. Obviously...(or is it?)

Chapter 3: You Shouldn't Be Alive

Pikachu woke up from his slumber and immediately realized that Ash wasn't in his sleeping bag. This was strange because he always sleeps in and a thunderbolt was required to wake him up. Could he have had another nightmare?he thought. He followed his scent, which led him outside into the woods but still within sight of camp. But the scent was gone from that point. Pikachu ran towards the tent that he slept in and went back inside. He tried to wake Clemont up.

"...Five more minutes, dad," he groaned. Just like Ash, Pikachu sweatdropped. Only one thing left to do...

"Pika..." Pikachu's cheeks started sparking with electricity. "CHUUU!" A large thunderbolt engulfed the entire tent including Clemont.

Poor Clemont. He didn't have any strength to scream while being shocked. Outside, Bonnie opened her tent (which Serena was also in) and saw her brother and Ash's tent lit up like a Chirstmas tree. Then it exploded, sending smoke in all directions. Bonnie quickly closed her tent's makeshift door and waited. Apparently, the explosion woke Serena up.

What's going on?!" Serena exclaimed in both fear and irritation. She was having a nice dream where she and Ash were having a romantic date inside a romantic restaurant...and she blushed when she remembered the details of the dream.

After a few minutes, the smoke cleared and Bonnie and Serena came out of their tent. They looked at the boy's tent and saw only scrap metal and a burnt Clemont in the middle. Pikachu was beside him, smirking.

"Clemont! I told you your invention would blow up sometime!" Bonnie said to her brother.

Clemont coughed. "That was Pikachu's fault..." he said. He coughed again.

Serena looked around. She didn't see Ash anywhere. "Hey Clemont? Where's Ash?"

"Huh?" Clemont looked around. "Strange. Where'd he go?"

"Pika! Pika Pi pikachu!" Pikachu said. Clemont frowned.

"Sorry Pikachu. I can't understand you. We should look for Ash."

"What if he's just taking a walk?" Bonnie asked.

"Pika! Pikachu pika pi!" Pikachu said, gesturing them to follow him. He ran to the spot where Ash's scent mysteriously vanished and pointed.

"I'm guessing you're trying to say that Ash was here?" Serena asked. Pikachu nodded and gestured once again, this time trying to tell them that Ash didn't go any further.

"Are you trying to tell us that he didn't go past here?" Clemont asked. Pikachu nodded once again. "Hmm, that means there is a possibility that he's walking nearby."

"Ash! Can you hear me?" Bonnie yelled. Silence.

"Ash! Where are you?" Serena yelled. More silence.

"You're going to miss breakfast!" Clemont yelled. Eerie silence. "Odd, I thought he would come at the mention of food."

"Don't give up till it's over!" Serena said. "Let's pack up and search for Ash. They all nodded. Where are you, Ash? she thought.

Ash woke up in Pain. With a capital P. He opened his eyes and saw nothing but darkness. There was no sound but his unsteady breathing.

"W-Where am I?" he asked himself.

He decided to try and walk. Even though he was in pain, he was able to stand up and walk slowly. While walking, he reached out in front of him so that he doesn't walk into a wall or worse. After a minute of walking, there was a faint light coming from his right. Thinking it was the way out, Ash made his way towards the light.

The light came from a badly lit hallway. The lights flickered on and off continuously and there were a few doors to the left and right sides of the hallway. Just what is this place? he thought. Each step into the hallway seemed to raise his heartbeat by three. This was not an ideal place for someone who had two disturbing nightmares and had seen a shadow take him away. Ash also wondered if this was also a nightmare.

He tried to open the doors to his left and right. Locked. The only way he could go was forward. In the faint flickering light, Ash could see a double door with an 'EXIT' sign on top. That was his ticket out of here! He walked slowly towards it because he was still in too much pain to run or even walk at a normal pace. After what felt like hours, he finally reached the double doors and opened them.

Instead of sunlight, darkness greeted Ash. What?! he thought. He was sure the outside would be behind these doors. I guess I have no choice but to turn back. He turned around and suddenly, the hallway lights flickered oce again before going out. The hallway he came from was absolutely pitch black.

*Tap Tap*

Suddenly, Ash heard footsteps. They were coming from the hallway.

*Tap Tap*

Ash's heartbeat rose very quickly. He entered the room beyond the double doors. His footsteps echoed in the darkness. He realized that it was a very spacious room.

*Tap Tap*

It was still coming towards him! Just who was it? If it was a person, Ash decided to confront him or her. If it was anything else, he would run. He waited.

...Silence...

"Huh?" Ash said aloud. "Where did the footsteps go?"

"Are you perhaps looking for me?" a familiar yet malicious voice said right behind him.

Ash froze. But before he could run, he was hit hard on the back by what felt like a punch from the person behind him. He tumbled forward as he fell, feeling intense pain. He couldn't breathe for a few seconds.

"Weak and pathetic," the voice of the person spat. Ash coughed. He was getting angry from the overload of fear. He clenched his right hand into a fist.

Once again, it glowed blue before...

"Where could he have gone?" Serena asked. She was really worried now. First nightmares, then disappearance, she thought. What happened to him?

"I don't know," Clemont replied. "We've searched the entire area near our camp but he wasn't anywhere there."

It had been a couple of hours since the group started to look for Ash but with no success. Pikachu couldn't even track his scent. It was as if someone had masked it.

"Brother, what happened to Ash?" Bonnie asked Clemont.

"I don't know. We'd better inform Officer Jenny and call for a search party."

"Do you think we'll find him?"

"Of course we will. We can't give up!" Serena said, determined not to lose Ash. They made a promise to stay together! "The nearest city is Cyllage City but it's a few hours walk from here."

"Then we need to run! The faster, the better!" Bonnie beamed. Clemont didn't seem too fond of the idea. Oikachu was already ready. They were about to run when they heard the sound of an engine behind them. They looked behind and saw a police jeep with Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy riding it. Serena waved at them.

"Excuse me!" Serena shouted. Officer Jenny pulled up.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" she asked.

"We need some assistance," Clemont said. "Our friend, Ash, has gone missing."

"Missing?" Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy said simultaneously. "Have you checked the surrounding areas?" Officer Jenny asked.

"Yes, we have," Serena replied, "but he wasn't anywhere near us."

"Even his Pikachu can't find him!" Bonnie added.

"Even Pikachu?" Nurse Joy wondered. "Officer Jenny! This may be serious!"

"Right, pokemon can track the scent of their trainers. If Pikachu can't sense his trainer, it means he really is missing." Officer Jenny looked at the group. "Alright, I'll call for a search and rescue. You three will come with us. We will need deatils about your friend."

They all got into the jeep and they were soon on their way towards Cyllage City.

"Ash, where in the world are you?" Serena whispered. She clapsed her hands together and hoped he was okay. Clemont and Bonnie had worried expressions, thinking the same thing. Pikachu was crestfallen and was extremely worried about his best friend.

They all wanted Ash back and be together once again.

Ash stood up quickly and swung his fist, which was glowing blue, at whoever was behind him. A shockwave emitted when his fist collided with something.

"Not bad," the person said. "But still weak."

Ash saw that his fist had been blocked by the palm of the gloved hand of the person.

"H-How..." he stuttered. He couldn't push any further. It was as if he had punched a brick wall, minus the pain that should have followed. He didn't see the fist directed at his chest.

*BAM*

Ash flew backwards, hitting the ground with a harsh thud. He couldn't breathe at all! He tried to cough but no air could be inhaled or exhaled. The person in the shadow only laughed.

"I would've expected more than that," he said, obviously satisfied. He then walked a little closer to Ash. "There's nothing you can do now," he said in a low tone.

Ash gasped. His lungs finally refilled their air sacs. He stood up slowly, his vision blurry. "W-Who a-are you?" Ash tried to ask, still in pain and lacking sufficient oxygen. The voice of the person seemed familiar but he couldn't remember who it belonged to.

"Oh dear me, where are my manners," the person mocked with sarcasm. "I guess some light will do." He snapped his fingers and the lights came on. The person was fully revealed.

Ash's eyes widened in absolute shock. He stepped backwards and tumbled to the ground.

"N-No way...This isn't real." Ash couldn't believe his eyes. The person in front of him...Ash had only one thing left to say.

"You shouldn't be alive..."

Hanging on a cliffhanger, aren't you?

Just who could this person be? You'll have to wait till the next chapter for that!

And that's chapter 3! Hope you liked it! Reviews are optional but are appreciated!

I'll be back with chapter 4! See you then.

AlphaAura, signing out.