Glass Cannon

Chapter 1: Betrayal and Self-Doubt

Location: Pallet Town, Kanto Region

Everything's the way it should've been; the same old peaceful town with the region-renowned professor's lab sitting on top of the hill and the clear blue sky with white clouds scattered across the blue veil is everything Ash remembered. This was his hometown after all and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Ash just made it to the Finals in the Kalos League and never in his life did he feel so much adrenaline in his entire body when he fought Alain. He was a good trainer at best and he did give him something worth a battle like his Semi-Finals in Sinnoh. But something inside him felt off for an unexplained reason. Normally he would've shrugged it off and prepare for his next journey to a brand new region with new Pokémon to see. But not this time.

His partner since day one on their journey, Pikachu, also noticed this strange feeling the Kanto native is having. Was it he put so many high hopes he would win the League and head off to face the Champion of Kalos only to fall short once more? The bond he had with Greninja was something no one ever came across and yet he still lost.

But that didn't matter, right now Ash wants to go home and say hi to his mom and get some rest.

"Glad to be home, huh Pikachu?" Ash said.

"Pikapi," Pikachu squealed.

The two kept quiet on the long way back home. It was peaceful as it always been, he wouldn't have it any other way. Only five minutes later they spot Ash's house, with Mr. Mime sweeping the porch. Ash waves at the Psychic-type Pokémon as he waved back as well, entering the house in wishing he sees his mother welcoming him with open arms and congratulate his battle like she usually does. But instead, she wasn't there. He looks around, placing his backpack on the couch as he looks around to find no one only to find a piece of note hanging in the fridge.

Ash grabs the piece of paper and starts reading;

Dear Ash,

If you're reading this, don't worry I'm at Professor Oak's lab. All of your friends are here as well. We all want to say something to you once you got back. Sorry if this letter isn't long, but we'll be waiting for you.

Sincerely, Mom

Ash put down the letter as his mind begin ticking. All of his friends are there, waiting for him at the largest building in Pallet Town to appraise him for his close victory. But another thought came into his mind, what if they weren't there to congratulate him? What if they re there to tell him to give up on his dreams and live a normal life? No, that can't be it. He neglects the negative thought out of his head as he begins to head out.

"I'll be back Pikachu, I'm going to say hi to Professor Oak and the others."

Pikachu nods his head as Ash once again heads out of the house and into Professor Oak's lab. It took only two minutes of speed walking and the raven hair just arrive at the front of the door and grab the handle, it was then he heard some kind of commotion inside.

"When is he going to get here?!" a voice complains that Ash recognizes it as Misty's.

"I left him a note at home, so he should be here by now," he heard his mom said depressingly.

"Well we have to tell him or else I'm heading over there and tell him myself," a deep male voice proclaims.

'Brock?' Ash thought.

"No, you're staying right here and we can all tell him!" another male voice said sternly.

It was no doubt it belongs to Gary and the way he sounds made Ash s heart to beat rapidly.

"I don't understand why we have to say it?" young female voice questions, "Can't we just say he did a good job and—"

"No, Bonnie, he has to know. Not after what everyone else has told us," another male voice interrupted her.

'Wait, Bonnie and Clemont are here? How did my mom get their phone numbers?' Ash thought until he decided to continue listening.

"He has been at this for too long and he hasn't won a single tournament at any of the Goddamn Leagues," Gary said angrily.

"He can't keep doing this and not learn his mistake," May's voice said.

"I know Ash hasn't remembered me when we were kids until I brought it up, but I want to see him at least think what others have to say," Serena said.

Ash's heart was now beating too fast for him. What on earth are they talking about, he didn't want to hear it, but at the same time, he had to hear the full answer. He quickly took a peek at a large window to see that everyone was there; his mom, Professor Oak, Misty, Brock, Tracey, Gary, May, Max, Drew, Dawn, Iris, Cilan, Bonnie, Clemont, and Serena were all there in the lobby. Ash took his eyes off of them and leaned his head to hear what the others have to say. It was then he heard Professor Oak finally spoke.

"Then it's settled; we're all going to tell him to give up on his dream of becoming a Pokémon Master and that's final," he spoke with authority in his voice.

Ash didn't hear his heartbeat when he heard it. His mind was racing, the negative thought was now resurfacing telling him it was right all along.

'Nonononononono...' he thoughts ran and his eyes tingle with tears dripping down his cheeks.

He steps away from the door and ran straight back home, hoping they didn't notice him through the window. His mind was officially in a complete wreck of what he had heard, he didn't want to believe it was true. But it was all too real, his friends gave up on him. Did it mean anything to them?! Even his friends from Kalos were now against him, afterall they been through. He saw them as his family, hell even Serena kissed him before she left for Hoenn. He burst his door open, scaring Mr. Mime and Pikachu at the sudden burst of his entrance.

The yellow mouse notices his trainer's sadden emotions moving towards him. Ash drops to his knees, saying nothing to his trusted friend or even acknowledge his presence when he rubs his head on the Kanto-born boy. Without any signs of his next move, Ash grasps Pikachu and hug him tightly, crying intensely. The small mouse didn't know what happened to make his trainer break down, it would take a full effort in order to do that. Such as when Celebi died when she was possessed by a Dark Ball. Darkrai sacrificing himself to prevent Alamos Town and the world from being destroyed by Dialga and Palkia. And recently; Greninja leaving him in order to protect Kalos after the downfall of Lysandre. Whatever happened at the Professor's lab that made him cry was something he doesn't want to know.

Ash continued sobbing until Mr. Mime walk up to him and gave him a tissue. He obliged and took the tissue to wipe the tears off of his face.

"Thank you, Mr. Mime," he said "Hey, can you go get something from the store? Just take your time."

The humanoid psychic tilts his head in confusion, looking in the boy s mind but all he could see was desperation and pleading. He obliged and walk out of the house, leaving the two alone in the house. The boy slowly got up and begins walking into the kitchen, pulling a drawer and grabbing a pen. Grabbing the note his mother wrote only to write on the back, though his mind blocked by all of his inner hatred towards his friends and family. He tried to clear his head in order to write what he wants, taking a deep breath before looking down at the blank piece of paper and begins writing. Ash kept on writing neglecting anything that tried to divert his attention, his anger wasn't helping him either with the tears dropping onto the paper. He doesn't even remember what he wrote, but he was done and fold the paper and place it in the fridge.

He looks at Pikachu, even though he can't fully understand what his friend, but he can read what his expression and body language were telling him. He took a deep sigh before speaking.

"Pikachu, Our friends want us to give up on our dreams," he explains, "We're leaving, I need you to head out back and don t come inside until I'm done."

Pikachu was shocked to hear that the companions he and his trainer have traveled throughout the globe decide to backstab Ash and to figure if any of his Pokémon friends also want to turn their backs on him, they'll be in a world of hell. Nodding his head, he left Ash alone as he walks out of the house. Ash sighs softly, his mind racing through all of the journeys he been through to today. He can't stand to look at their faces anymore, looking at the shelf where all of his badges from almost all of the regions he had traveled to, his trophy from the Orange Island League, and now he'll add his Kalos badges to his collection. He just wanted to show them how much he's progressed but it's not ever going to happen. He placed them on the shelf before walking back to see all of his struggles and achievements; went to waste.

He looks down at his hat that was lying on the couch and at the coffee table was a small box of matches. Ash quickly grabs it and pulled one match out and light it up, looking back at his hat. He grabs it and deciding whether or not if he should burn it. The negative thought return, reminding him that his so-called friends were going to do to him. His eyes flared into anger and disgust, finally deciding to set his hat on fire. He put the light-up match next to the red and white cap, the flame connected and begin to spread slowly. Ash looks at his now burning hat before placing it on the couch as the flame also begin to catch on fire. Without a second thought, he walks towards the back and begins to close the backdoor. He saw his yellow friend waiting for him, nodding his head as he walks toward the fence and jumps over it. Pikachu did the same, only to land onto the black hair boy s shoulder. The two didn't respond as they continue to walk towards the small woods as the smell of smoke was present, but none of them look back.

Ash thought about taking the rest of his Pokémon from his journeys, but he doesn't know how he's going to obtain them without any bag to carry all of the Pokéballs. He doesn't know if they even want to be with him and are thinking the same thought as the rest of the traitors. For now, he just wants to disappear and let the world forget about him.

"I can't believe you guys are doing this!" Brock said in disbelief.

"It's the only way to keep him from any harm Brock," Professor Oak told him.

Ever since he was brought to the Kanto Professor's lab with all of Ash's friends, there has been a feud between them about Ash's dream. Brock was one who was against it. Sadly, the majority had ruled him and others out.

"But that doesn't mean he has to give up on his dreams!" the former gym leader yells.

Gary was the first to stand up, already irritated by Brock's stubbornness. "Listen, pal. How many times has lost in the League? SIX TIMES! And this League has crossed the line. Ash should've won that, but he didn't!"

Cilan looks at the spiky brunette, "That is true, but what about all those times where he saved our home regions from being either destroyed or ruled by evil organizations? Telling him to quit will ruin that vital ingredient of what makes him—"

"Will you just shut up with your connoisseur talk, Cilan!" Iris interrupted him, "It's getting repetitive as shit. Arceus, you're such a kid!"

The green hair Unovan gave her a nasty glare as his balled up his fist, hoping he could strike her. "Why you little—"

"That's enough from the both of you!" Oak scolds.

The two stop their argument, sitting back in their original seats. Oak looks at those who were against it before talking, despite them they're going against the idea he could care less.

"Look, I know you guys want him to achieve his dream. But you must understand that this is can't go on forever; if we're going to make him realize that we must turn our backs in order to protect him we have to betray him."

"But that's not fair!" Bonnie yells, "We can't say he's weak!"

"Bonnie, he didn't tell us about his past losses when he traveled with us," Clemont reminded his sister.

"But he said we're like family to him!" she counters.

"This is bullshit!" Max cursed out loud.

May and Drew turn their heads at the young boy with surprise and disgust. "Max Maple! You don't use that language young man!" May said angrily.

"No! This is bullshit!" he argues back, "You can't do this to him! He doesn't deserve this!"

"Max, you are in no position to talk here", Drew said in a serious tone, "You and Bonnie don't have any sort of power to change the vote. It stays."

Max crosses his arms, pouting silently before the others continue their feud. The only one who hasn't talk was Dawn. She hadn't said a word since she arrived at Pallet Town, it was nice to see where Ash was born for most of his life, but to see that this wasn't for a social call or congratulating her raven hair friend for coming second in the Lumiose Conference. To the rest, he was weak and he can't seem to get first place. They even plan on giving them Ash's Pokémon once they tell him to quit. Despite she didn't give her answer, they continued and they made the vote. If she did, she would've said no but that wouldn't change anything. They continue to argue, forcing the bluenette to block her ears in order to ignore the argument between everyone and the two boys.

Max turns his body around, still mad at his sister and the majority of everyone in the room, look out at the window seeing a flock of Pidgeys and Spearows flying overhead at the small town. He has never been this angry in his life and it just made it even worse when they don't acknowledge his stress about the whole situation. That is when saw something in the distant. A large pillar of smoke was emitting from the ground and up to the sky, the only thing that confuses him that the only thing that can cause a pillar of smoke if there was a fire. And when there is fire—

"Uh guys, there's a fire outside," he said.

Everyone stop their argument as they all race towards the window and sure enough, he was right. Delia looks at where the fire was originated and to her horror, she knew exactly where that fire was heading.

"That's my house!" she screams, "ASH!"

Immediately, she burst out of the lab and began racing down her burning home. Everyone else made their way to follow the woman before Professor Oak stop Tracey from continuing even further.

"Tracey, I want you to call the fire department and tell them there's a fire happening," he told him.

"Yessir!" Tracey agreed.

The black hair watcher ran towards the phone, dialing 9-11 waiting for a response. The phone begins answering.

"Hello 9-11, what's your emergency?" a male voice asks.

"Yes, hello there's a house on fire in Pallet Town!" Tracey said loudly.

It only took at least five minutes for the firefighters to arrive and took out the fire, before Delia and the rest made it. Delia watches in horror as her home was now in smoldering ruins as more water was putting out the last of the flames. She tries to get inside the house but was block by Officer Jenny.

"Please let me go! My son's in there!" she cries out.

"Ma'am, please calm down," Jenny said, "We're doing the best we can to find your son."

Delia didn't say a thing as she watches her own house is slowly loses the burning flames. No one said a thing until they saw a small Growlithe running out of the house, holding something in its mouth. Officer Jenny bent down to the small dog's level to see that it was carrying a note in its mouth. The bright bluenette took the note from the Puppy Pokémon as she begins to read the small note. She didn't say anything as she looks at the group before handing the note towards the brunette.

"I believe this belongs to you," she said solemnly.

Delia carefully took the note from the officer's hand and look at the note. Upon reading it, her eyes widen in horror with her tears beginning to fall again. Professor Oak took the note from her hands and begins to read it out loud.

"To whoever reads this note, it means I'm dead. I can't stand to see my family and friends looking at me as a failure for losing the Kalos League", he said with everyone gasping before he continued, "Mother; I hope you won't have to worry about me losing every time I enter the League. Professor Oak; I'm sorry for becoming such a failure to you everytime I'm sent to a new region. And to everyone else, I hope you're happy without me. I heard you guys were going to tell me to give up on my dreams on becoming a Pokémon Master. So, to make sure you all now live happily, you'll won't be able to see me anymore, for I have moved on to a better place. I hope you're proud. From, Ash Ketchum."

No one said a word. They didn't expect Ash to kill himself and catch him and the house on fire. For some, it was a shock but to the others, it was a nightmare. Dawn back away before running off away from the burnt house. Everyone tried to call her name but she ignored it, The pain was too much for the young girl's heart. Brock balled his hand into a fist, it was clearly the traitors' faults for forcing his friend to commit suicide, but he didn't realize that he thought everyone wanted him to give up on his dream. Cilan felt the same way as the two looks at each other before walking away. Gary was the first to notice them moving.

"Where do you think you're going?" he questions.

"We're going to get Dawn," Brock responded without turning his head around.

The spiky brunette didn't respond as he watches the two boys walking away. Everyone else just stood there, with some in tears of the sudden upcoming of the event. With the sound of thunder rolling in and the few droplets begin to pour from the sky, the only thing that can be heard was a cry from a depressed mother who lost her only child. She shouldn't listen to the traitors, but now this is what she gets.

Author's Note: "Oh look, another betrayal story where Ash is betrayed by his so-called friends. Gee, never seen this one before." says everyone ever. But don't worry, I'm not going to do make Ash powerful with the aura like the majority of the stories we have seen. Tell me what you guys think, should those who didn't agree with the traitors reunite with Ash or should Ash be a lone wolf?

EDIT: Okay, so for the reason I delete this story is because I couldn't see any of the reviews that you guys were posting, both on a computer or on my phone for some reason. So I hope to delete it and repost it might fix it. Sorry for the inconvenience.