Note: This story will contain death and murder. I don't make it too gory or anything, but if you are uncomfortable reading content like this then this story is not for you. Rated T.

"Ash," Iris said, "Are you ready to let him out now?"

"I don't know Iris," Ash said uncertainly, "This thing was full on attacking people and buildings. Just hand it over to the authorities," Ash glanced at the Pokeball in Iris's hand nervously. Iris just smiled.

"I don't blame it, it was frightened out of its home, then everyone started attacking once it entered the city. It was just defending itself," Iris said. Ash smiled uncertainly, the Pokemon's Dark Pulse attack had barely missed him in the attack. Usually he was all for defending a Pokemon, but this thing had seemed to be attacking the city with a purpose, not out of fear.

"Iris, people are in the hospital because of this Pokemon," Ash tried to reason, "Who knows what that thing could have done if you, Haxorus, and Dragonite hadn't showed up, someone could have been killed!"

Iris smiled, "There's no such thing as a bad dragon type, Ash, a Pokemon never attacks without a reason."

Ash and Pikachu glanced at each other, and Ash gulped, "Then what was the point of coming to the middle of nowhere? Couldn't we have stayed closer to the city? You're the Opelucid gym leader now Iris!"

"I know, but we need to calm it!" Iris replied, "It will be good to get it away from people and into the forest. Then I'll use our chance to calm him down. Are you ready?"

"Yes..." Ash muttered as Pikachu jumped onto his other shoulder. Why did he have a bad feeling about this?

"Oh, stop being such a little kid! Come on out Hydreigon!" Iris cried, throwing the Pokeball into the air. With a flash of white light, the Hydreigon appeared. Ash took a step back as the brutal Pokemon raised its three heads. It glancing around at them with those hallowed eyes, scowling. There was a twitch his neck, like he was ready for a fight.

"Pika..." Pikachu said uncertainly. The Hydreigon whipped its head towards him and Pikachu. Ash could have sworn that the dragon type recognized him with the death glare it was giving him. But how could this Pokemon remember him from the hundreds of the people in the city when it attacked?

"Hydreigon," Iris said, and the dragon turned around to face her. Iris seemed unsettled as the empty red eyes glared at her, anger clearly brewing, "Um... I'm Iris. I'm here to help you."

"Gon," It growled, baring its sharp teeth, inching closer to Iris.

"Iris..." Ash shuddered, "Get it back in it's Pokeball..."

"No," Iris said, determined to understand the creature, and she stepped closer, "Hydreigon I need to-"

"Hydre!" The dragon type roared, and it rose into the air, glowing with a blue light. It came rushing down at Iris with a powerful Dragon Rush. Ash's eyes widened, he rushed forward, shoving Iris out of the way. Pikachu was thrown off his shoulder as he rolled out of the way himself.

Hydreigon roared once more and fired a Dark Pulse from its middle head at them. Pikachu leapt in front of Ash protectively and fired a Thunderbolt. The electric attack met the blast dark energy, deflecting it away from the fallen humans. Pikachu growled, cheeks sparking as he prepared to defend his trainer.

"Iris!" Ash shouted, "Get it back into the Pokeball now!" Iris reached into her sleeves, where she kept her Pokeballs, but the Hydreigon's Pokeball was gone. She glanced around, panicked, and saw it laying in the grass.

Behind Hydreigon.

She gulped.

Hydreigon took its eyes off of Iris, glaring at Ash. It became surrounded in the Dragon Rush again, charging at Ash with a powerful roar.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu cried, taking off with a Quick Attack. He sprang in front of Ash, allowing the Dragon Rush to hit him instead of his precious trainer.

"Pikachu!" Ash cried as his best friend was thrown back. The Hydreigon turned back towards Ash, huffing as if annoyed. Twin Dark Pulses were fired at him from the two side heads, and a Thunderbolt from behind Ash blocked the first pulse. But the second Dark Pulse hit Ash, knocking back to the ground as he tried to stand. Ash let out a cry, holding his arm as the heat from the attack seared it.

Ash had been consumed in Charizard's Flamethrower before, but this was different. This attack wasn't being fired in defense or simply for battle, where the worst thing that could happen was being knocked out. This kind of attack was meant to maim someone. Or maybe even kill someone.

Pikachu charged back into battle, standing between the Hydreigon and Ash. There was something red on Pikachu, and it wasn't ketchup. Ash knew that the Hydreigon's attack had made Pikachu bleed like that, this Pokemon was most certainly not scared. Ash quickly reached for another one of his Pokeballs, but he remembered he had left them all back at the Pokemon Center. They were still recovering from when the Hydreigon had attacked Opelucid City.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack into Iron Tail, let's go!" Ash ordered, and Pikachu dashed forward encased in white light. He ran behind the Hydreigon, tail turning to metal. He swung his body around, hitting the Hydreigon on the back, "Now Thunderbolt!" Pikachu clung to the dragon type, released a charge of electricity into it.

The Hydreigon roared, and began to swing it's body around to throw Pikachu off, and it worked. Pikachu was sent flying, crashing a ways off. Ash winced, wanting to go after his Pokemon, but the dragon type was hovering between him and Pikachu.

The Hydreigon snorted, then refocused his attention on Ash. The three sets of cold red eyes glared with determination as it's three mouths opened, light coming from the back of its throats. Three powerful Flamethrowers formed as the Hydreigon draped itself in a powerful Dragon Rush.

Ash could only stare as the Hydreigon came at him with an attack meant to kill.

"PIKAPI!" Pikachu screamed, he was weak, but he leapt to his feet and launched himself into Volt Tackle, rushing at the Hydreigon. Pikachu threw himself between the deadly attack and Ash, ramming into the Hydreigon with Volt Tackle. The Hydreigon's attack over took Pikachu, him taking the full blow of the attack, and he let out a scream. Yet he forced a powerful electrical current into the dragon type. Nothing would harm his Pikapi, "CHUUU!"

The Dragon Rush, the Flamethrowers, and the recoil of Volt Tackle washed over Pikachu, the force of the blow flung him back into a large rock. Ash winced as he heard a sharp snap with Pikachu's impact. He shakily looked over at Pikachu, and his face paled. The small mouse was covered in blood, his back bent a freakish way, and burns and bruises covered him from the attack.

"P-pikachu!" Ash stuttered as he stumbled to his feet, quickly running over to Pikachu.

The Hydreigon had been knocked to the ground, Pikachu's attack had managed to paralyze it. Iris saw her chance and used the opportunity to rush forward and grab the fallen Pokeball. She aimed it at the Hydreigon, and quickly recalled it as it began to rise into the air again.

She let out a sigh of relief, holding the Pokeball close, it was over now.

"Pikachu!"

Iris ran over to Ash, "Ash, I am so sorry, I didn't-" She stopped short when she saw Pikachu.

Ash had gently picked up the mouse Pokemon. Iris could see right away that he had several broken bones, but the worst of it was his broken spine. Iris turned her head away at the sickening and sad sight. Burns from the Flamethrowers still marked his body and he was letting out short, shaky breaths.

"Pikachu, stay with me, stay with me bud," Ash muttered as Pikachu's eyes flickered, he knew that this was serious, "Come on Pikachu," Ash said, standing up, walking quickly, "We'll get you to the Pokemon Center soon, you are going to be okay, you're going to be just fine," Tears were falling down Ash's cheeks, he seemed to be trying to reassure himself more than Pikachu.

"Pikapi..." Pikachu coughed, Ash glanced down at the mouse, "Pikachu pika Pikapi," Pikachu said weakly, like he knew that his injuries were beyond the Pokemon Center's healing abilities.

"No Pikachu," Ash sobbed, "You're going to be okay. You're going to be okay!" He was almost yelling at the last part.

"Pikachu pika Pikapi," Pikachu repeated again, quietly. Muttering the words, like he was trying to pick out the meanings, "Pikapi," Pikachu whimpered, looking up at Ash.

"I- I love you too Pikachu."

Pikachu smiled, but he looked pained, "Pikapi," He muttered, his eyes flickered in and out of focus. Ash looked down at him as his whole body shuddered, then the light in his eyes faded away. Pikachu took one more small shaky breath, and then closed his eyes. The small Pokemon went completely still.

"Pikachu?" Ash stuttered, and he got no response. For a moment Ash stood there, holding the dead Pokemon. Ash's face was blank, unreadable as he took in what happened. Then he spoke, voice breaking, "P-pikachu?! No! NO!" Tears were falling down his cheeks as he looked at his dead, broken companion, "Pikachu," He whispered, bringing the limp body into a hug, sobbing.

Iris stared at Ash and Pikachu in horror, and she began to shake. She tried to speak, but her voice was gone. Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched the fourteen year old embrace his first Pokemon. Iris sank to her knees- This was my fault, she thought. After a minute she seemed to have found her voice, which cracked as she spoke.

"A-ash?" Her friend didn't answer, "Ash, I- I'm s-sor-"

"Don't," Ash's tone was almost cold, but cracked a bit as well, "D-don't say that. P-please..."

Iris just nodded, still crying.

Ash stood up and walked away, tears flowing. Iris followed, but kept her distance, "T-this is my fault!" She cried, shaking.

Ash didn't say anything for a moment, then quietly said, "No, it wasn't."

"Y-yes it is! It was my Hydreigon! I'm the one that let it out! I'm the one that brought you guys here! You warned me not to do it, you tried to warn me- Now- now- Oh my Arceus this is my fault!"

"No, it wasn't. You just caught that Hydreigon, you can't be held responsible. Besides... It was Pikachu's own choice." Ash lowered his head, "Let's just go back to the Pokemon Center, Iris."

She nodded again, shaking harder as they walked on.

Not that far ahead of her, Ash muttered one word. Iris had never heard a voice sound so lonely, so empty.

Sound so broken.

"Pikachu."

Three weeks later

Iris was dead.

Ash closed his eyes, remembering the horror of him seeing the Opelucid City gym on fire. Remembering the horror of never seeing Iris come out.

Tracey was dead.

The last time Ash had seen him was asking him to cover a shift at Oak's lab for him, only for him to found dead in that same place, adding to the list of ones he had lost.

Ash's head couldn't stop swimming. First Pikachu was killed, now Tracey and Iris.

Who's next? Ash couldn't stop himself from thinking. Who else was going to be taken from his life?

Murdered.

Two of his best friends had been murdered.

And Pikachu as well... In a way.

Ash closed his eyes as he remembered his best friend. He shook as he recalled how the Hydreigon had attack, and how Pikachu had saved him and Iris.

Now Iris was dead. Was Pikachu's sacrifice just in vain? Ash asked himself bitterly.

"Rah?" Charizard asked, his whole body rumbling. Ash glanced down at Charizard, who he was currently riding over Mount Moon on. Since Pikachu's death, Charizard had become his closest companion, never leaving his side while Ash grieved and struggled to cope with the losses.

But not even the loyal fire type could replace Pikachu.

"No Charizard, I'm fine," Ash lied, and Charizard knew it, "You just keep heading towards Saffron City," Ash said, "Officer Jenny wants to speak with us, after all, we are... suspects..." Ash stuttered out the last word, cringing.

Both Iris and Tracey had died in similar ways within a short time span, but in completely different regions. The only thing that connected Iris and Tracey was Ash himself, which lead him to be a major suspect in both cases.

Charizard let out a huff of smoke through his nostrils. The idea of Ash being Tracey's and Iris's killers put Charizard into a rage. They were just adding stress to Ash during an already difficult time for him. Couldn't they just leave his trainer alone to mourn in peace?

"There's Cerulean City," Ash said, looking at the approaching city. Charizard gave no reply, but angled his wings so he could glide in the air current. Ash scanned the city, a smile flickering on to his face as he recalled the first time he had come here, and which lead to his first battle with Misty, and how then Pikachu refused to battle against her...

Ash's small smile turned into a frown as he thought about Pikachu. He closed his eyes, trying to block the thoughts of Pikachu dying in his arms. A wave of emotion crashed over him, his best friend was gone forever. He had been right there and had been powerless to help. Pikachu had died to save him, It should have been me...

"HELP!" A desperate cry broke the quiet morning.

"Ra!" Charizard's eyes widened as he recognized the voice, and Ash eyes snapped open. A high pitch scream cut through the air, followed by another cry for help.

"Is that...?" Ash muttered, he knew that voice... And his eyes widened in alarm, "Misty."

Iris. Tracey. Both dead. Both murdered.

"Charizard! Quickly! Dive!" Ash cried in a frenzy, and Charizard dove towards the edge of the city, towards the screams. Ash leapt off Charizard before he even landed and took off running. Charizard folded his wings, dashing behind him. They turned the corner, reaching the far end of the city and the sight they saw made them both stop in their tracks.

Misty was knocked to the ground, on fire. Her clothes and arms were shredded up and burnt. Ash could only stare as he stared at his friend, she was probably only still alive because of Psyduck.

The loyal duck Pokemon was using its weaker Water Gun attack to keep the fire on Misty at bay, halting the progression of the burning. But he couldn't put it out due to the much stronger attacking them.

"Blaziken, get the Psyduck out of the way," A gruff voice ordered. A Blaziken rushed forward, claws glowing light blue with Sky Uppercut as he slashed it into Psyduck's stomach. Psyduck let out a cry, and was launched away from Misty, leaving nothing between her and the attacker. The Blaziken wheeled back towards Misty, preparing a Flamethrower.

"Charizard, Wing Attack!" Ash bellowed, but Charizard had already launched himself forward, wings glowing white. The flying type attack hit the Blaziken in the chest, knocking it away from Misty. Charizard stood in front of Misty, letting out a defensive roar. Ash ran towards the man, presumably Blaziken's trainer, fists curled.

"What on earth are you doing!?" Ash roared, shaking in anger. The man turned towards him. He smirked as he saw Ash, eyes studying him. The man was tall with brown hair and dark eyes. Ash froze a bit as they made eye contact with each other, those eyes...

"Sky Uppercut," The man simply said, and the Blaziken's claws glowed light blue again, and it struck Charizard in the jaw. Blood dripped from where the Blaziken's claws had punctured Charizard's scales, and the lizard snarled.

"Fire Fang!" Charizard's teeth became surrounded in flames, and he ran at the Blaziken. They were knocked away from Misty, and Charizard's mouth clamped down on Blaziken's shoulder, drawing blood as well. Ash was startled at the sight of his own Pokemon spilling blood, Charizard's eyes brimmed with anger, he wasn't going to hold back against this foe.

Psyduck stumbled to his feet, he had three long marks on his stomach from the Sky Uppercut. He glanced between Misty and Ash, and he knew his trainer was in good hands. Psyduck turned, running into the city. He had to get help.

"Blaze Kick," The man said calmly. The Blaziken's ankle burst lit up with flames, and was twisted so it rammed into Charizard's side. Charizard countered with Mega Punch without waiting for an order. Ash turned and ran over to Misty while the Blaziken was accompanied.

"Misty, are you okay?" Ash asked desperately, but he knew that she wasn't. Misty managed to open her eyes.

"A-ash," She croaked weakly, recognizing him. Her face covered with blistering third degree burns. Her orange hair and clothes had been charred black. Seeing her in such a condition made Ash shake.

"Rah!" Charizard roared in pain, and Ash wheeled back towards the man.

"Wing Attack, full power!" Ash cried, and Charizard rushed at the Blaziken, but the Blaziken dodged, glancing at his trainer.

"Enough Blaziken, the girl doesn't have long."

"Who are you?!" Ash cried, "What do you want!?"

The man glanced at him, making Ash cringe when their eyes met, yet Ash had the feeling that he had seen this man before. He laughed, "Many things, Ash Ketchum. I doubt that this will be our last meeting. Let's go Blaziken," Blaziken leapt over to his trainer, picking him up, then leapt up into the air, gone.

Ash was ready to get on Charizard and go after them, but a moan from Misty reminded him of the more important situation at hand. Ash raced back towards Misty, kneeling down next to her.

"Misty, can you hear me?" He asked, picking up the half charred body. He hated how familiar this scene was, and he felt his hands shaking, "Misty, say something!" He cried desperately, she couldn't be dying too!

Misty managed to open her eyes, and her green eyes were dimmed. She locked eyes with Ash, and somehow smiled. She opened her mouth, like she was about to say something, but instead she let out a small shudder. Her eyelids fluttered, then closed. Then she let out one puff of air, and she went completely still.

"N-no," Ash muttered, tears forming in his eyes. This couldn't be happening, not again, "N-no!" He managed to get to his feet, stumbling back.

"Psy-i-i!" Psyduck's cry came from the distance, and Ash faintly remembered how the small duck had ran off while Blaziken had been battling Charizard.

"Misty?" A familiar voice called out. It was Brock's voice, but Ash was too stunned to reply or say anything to his friend. He could only stare at the remains of Misty, "Are you okay? Psyduck ran into the Pokemon Center, going berserks." Ash heard footsteps coming from the side of a building, "Misty?" Brock's tone was a bit worried now, "Misty are you there?"

Ash glanced up as Brock came around the corner, his face expressionless. Psyduck was at Brock's heels, and they glanced around. Brock froze up as he saw Misty's lifeless body laying a few feet from Ash. Brock's eyes widened, and he stumbled back, eyes gleaming with surprise and fear.

Brock looked up at Ash, trying to say something, but then Brock's eyes flickered to Misty's slashes and burns, then to the blood dripping from Charizard's fangs and mouth. Brock's eyes widened in horror, hand flying up to cover a gasp.

Ash stiffened as he realized what Brock was thinking.

"Brock..." Ash said cautiously.

"You," Brock said hoarsely, in stunned disbelief, "I-it was you?!"

"No it wasn't," Ash worryingly, "There was a Blaziken," Brock stumbled away, "Brock please listen to me..." Ash muttered desperately, but Brock didn't seem to hear him.

"You!" Brock's expression went from horror to anger, "Tracey and Iris too?" His said the last part as if he couldn't believe it.

"I would never!" Ash cried, angry and shocked at what his best friend was accusing him of.

Brock took a step back, shaking his head.

"IT WASN'T ME!" Ash roared, tears falling, but Brock was already running off, "It wasn't me," Ash whispered to no one.

11/18/15: I went back and edited/added a few things to this chapter to make it up to date. Other chapters will be updated as well with time.

3/1/16: Changed Pikachu's death scene so it was no longer a flashback.

This story was originally written when I wondered how Ash would react to Pikachu's death. This idea eventually expanded into my most popular fanfiction. I hope you enjoy the story, and thank you for the support.

Ages:

Ash: 14

Brock: 18, nearly 19

Misty: 15