Chapter 1 Rock Bottom

As the sun slowly pierced through the dirty grimy window into a rundown room, it fell upon a young man who lazily stirred under thick wool covers. Next to him, curled into a yellow ball, was one of his closest companions since childhood.

The young man's alarm began to scream out it's morning cry. The young man fumbled about the night stand with his hand, and in the process knocked over an empty bottle of whiskey.

"CLICK" A short silence followed before he tossed his covers aside, landing onto his yellow mouse Pokémon. He groggily raised himself up from the squeaky bed and trudged over to the bathroom where he splashed cold water onto his face to wake himself. Drying off his face he took a look at himself in the cracked mirror. He was tall, about six feet, and had the muscular physique of a boxer, his shirtless body has numerous scars around his chest and abs, and on his left shoulder was a fresh auburn eyes were almost lifeless as they stared sorrowfully at him. He ran a hand through his long raven black hair before returning to his room. By now the little pokémon has begun to mill about in the filthy room, clothes were thrown about the wooden floor that once shined brightly, but had become old and moldy, most of the furniture has become worn and the wood rotten. The young man opened his closet pulling out his last pair of clean clothing, a black shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

As he finished clothing himself the little pokémon leapt onto his shoulder, as he left the room he made sure to grab his black leather jacket. Walking down a flight of rickety stairs the young man made his way out of his slum apartment and to the small makeshift parking garage, which was no more than an aluminum roof with four thin metal legs supporting it. The young man pulled out the key to the only item he owned that was worth anything, a satin black motorcycle. Straddling the bike he put the key in the ignition and turned it own, the bike gave a muffled roar as it came to life.

Backing out the young man raced down the road while trying to avoid the potholes that littered it. On his shoulder the little Pokémon held on tightly as they accelerate down the road. The sun began to peak over the horizon causing the road to appear serene and peaceful. The young man looked down at his speedometer it, read eighty miles per hour, choking the throttle the bike gave out a roar as it barreled down the road. The ride lasted for twenty minutes until he passes a sign "SAFFRON CITY" it read and strung below it on white paper "POKEMON GRAND FESTIVAL, TODAY!"

The young man rides into the city that is just now coming to life, he slows his pace for fear of pigs on patrol. The city shines with beauty, Trainers and Pokémon alike walk around enjoying all the things it has to offer. Turning right the young man comes to another apartment complex this one far nicer than the one he lives in, he pulls into the parking garage were a security guard stands scowling at him.

The place is empty for the most part as the young man pulls into a space, taking the keys out of the ignition the bike slowly dies again and the young man gets off. The security guard continued to scowl at him as he walked past. Going up two stories he comes to his destination, room 36. Putting his ear to the door he can her some sort of commotion inside, he quickly unlocked the door and bursts inside.

Running into the living room he found another man on top of his girlfriend the ,man slowly kissing her on the neck causing his girlfriend to moan with pleasure. "Show's over asshole!" he screams, grabbing the unsuspecting man by the throat he threw him off his girl who shrieks in surprise.

The man stumbles backwards surprised to see this stranger here. The raven haired young man begins to approach the man sinisterly. "ASH, STOP!" the girl cries out Ash turns to her with rage in his eyes. "Serena, who the hell is this guy!" he screams "I'm her boyfriend!" The other man yelled.

As the man began to approach Ash, Ash's pokémon jumps off his shoulder and confronts him its cheeks sparking with electricity. The man stops and backs away nervously. Ash turned his attention back to Serena "What's going on here, are you really cheating on me?" Serena looks away "I'm sorry Ash," "Why are you doing this to me?" Serena looks back at him "Because! Because ever since the incident you changed! You began drinking, and smoking-." "I quit smoking two months ago!" he interrupts, Serena shakes her head "You also got involved in those stupid underground battles!"

"So, it makes me money doesn't it!" "Barely any, and the money you do make you spend on liquor! Not to mention every time you fight you risk your and Pikachu's life!" Serena's eyes begin to fill with tears "You've become selfish and won't try to better yourself, I'm sorry I just can't do it anymore!"

Ash lets out a sigh "Look I'm sorry, I'll change I promise," he pleads Serena shakes her head and walks over to the other man "I'm sorry," she says grabbing his arm "I'm going to live with Mark now, he's already got a promising career as a Pokémon Coordinator and he's competing at the competition today." Ash looks at Serena with a blank look on his face "So this is it, after seven years you're just leaving me, for this guy." Serena nods her head. Heartbroken and angry Ash turns and begins to leave. "Ash wait." He turns around to see a box of his things in Serena's arms.

"Here, this is some of your stuff that you left here a couple of months ago," Ash takes the box "Are you fighting again tonight?" She asked "Yea, I've got a rematch." Ash said looking away "Please, just be careful." Ash looks up at Serena who has turned away already. He stood there for a moment before leaving the apartment, slamming the door behind him as he left. Walking down the hallway he found himself in a daze "What the hell just happened." He thought to himself, it all felt like some horrible dream that he couldn't escape from.

He was thinking so deeply that he didn't even realize he was about to go down stairs until he slipped on the first step, tumbling down the stairs he landed hard on his chin. The box spilt all its contents across the ground. Ash looked up and examined the stuff in front of him; none of it was worth keeping. Brushing himself off Ash began to walk over the pile of garbage until a small glint of light caught his eye.

He moved aside a small picture of him and Serena in front of the Lumoise gym revealing a small ribbon, it was worn and tattered, most of the color had faded away, but the small gold plate in the center still shined like it did eleven years ago.

Ash's lips twitched a little, pocketing the ribbon he walked away from the rest of the items. The guard shouted at him to come back and pick up his mess to which Ash responded by giving him the middle finger.

He rode aimlessly down the street until he came to a familiar bar, parking his bike he walked into the smoke filled room with the tables and booths filled with every clichéd character imaginable.

Taking a seat at the bar the bartender approached him "You got any money today?" Ash nodded and slapped out five dollars "Whiskey," he said Ash suddenly felt Pikachu nudging him "Oh, and a pack of ketchup." The bartender glared at him before accepting the money, he disappeared beneath the counter for a second, and then stood back up with a full bottle. He stamped the bottle next to a small shot glass. From beneath the counter he pulled out a small pack of ketchup and set it next to the glass. "Thanks," Ash said, pouring himself a glass he quickly took a swig, the whiskey burnt going down his throat but also made him feel a little bit better. After two more shots he pulled out the ribbon, looking at it he remembered that day, the crowd, the nervous feeling in his gut, and the girl that was with him.

Suddenly the T.V above the bar blared on, an attractive blonde headed reporter stood in front of a large Pokémon stadium giving a special report. "I'm here outside Saffron City Contest hall where in just a few hours Coordinators from all around the world will attempt to win the coveted Grand Festival and the prize of top coordinator in Kanto!" Ash rolled his eyes before taking another shot "I'm now joined by the top Coordinator from the Johto region, Drew!" Ash looked up from his drink at a familiar green haired trainer, who flipped his hair arrogantly

"So Drew, how do you feel about your chances in this contest?" The green haired trainer scoffed at the question "If you're asking me if I think I'm going to win or not, the answer is an obvious yes." The reporter became more intrigued "And how do you feel about your competition?" Again the Coordinator scoffed at the question "Pretty pathetic honestly, I'm not really expecting them to put up a very challenging fight." The reporter smiled at his comment "Well folks you heard it here, it seems we already know who this year's winner will be, now stay tuned for our special report on the hit T.V show Here Comes Smoochum, up next!" A picture of Drew appeared on the television screen "What a schmuck." Ash said downing his fifth shot.

Glancing up at the nearby clock Ash saw it was twelve. Getting up quickly Pikachu hopped onto Ash's shoulder as he sprinted out of the bar, rushing onto the bike he quickly put the keys into the ignition and bolted down the road.

Ash rode for ten minutes until he reached a small run down steel building located on the outskirts of the city. Getting off the bike he ran to the front doors that were a guarded by two large men and their Mightyena. Ash casually walked up to the guard's who nodded at him; they stood aside and allowed him into the building.

Inside darkness filled Ash's vision except for a well lit elevator that stood at the end of the hallway. Ash walked up to it and pressed the button on the right, the stainless doors slowly slid open; as soon as he entered they slammed shut. Inside there was only one button without any sort of label, nor were there any numbers indicating how many floors a person traveled. Ash pressed the blank button and began his descent.

The elevator suddenly stopped and opened up to a small windowless weight room, complete with a boxing bag and boxing ring. Ash stepped into the room as an elderly gentleman approached him "Where the hell have you been kid, you look like hammered shit!" the man spat "Sorry James I was just running a little late." Ash said nervously running a hand through his hair. "Whatever, that's in the past here let me show you your new competition," Ash looked at James confused "What happened to Crixus?" James shook his head "He took a fatal blow to his head, so he won't be joining us ever again." Ash followed James to a small monitor above a thick metal garage door, outside the muffled sound of an explosion could be heard. Ash looked up at the monitor and saw two men and their Pokémon squaring off; at first glance it looked like your average Pokémon battle. Except for the fact that once the bell sounded the trainers along with the Pokémon would fight, this was an Underground Battle.

In this sort of battle trainers would have their choice from a wide array of weapons from small knives all the way up to tasers and specialized swords. Most trainers wore some sort of armor or they went completely shirtless, the goal of the battle was to either knock out the opponent and their Pokémon or kill both of them altogether. Technically it's against the rules to kill your opponent but "accidents" happen.

With this danger also means that these sorts of battles are completely outlawed. The punishment for attending an event is a sentence of five years and the punishment for participating is anywhere from fifteen to twenty years along with a hefty fine.

Ash watched the flickering screen as the first trainer used his Houndoom to bite the opponents Tauros in the neck bringing it to its knees. Ash could hear the sound of cheering through the walls. Now the two trainers were engaging in close combat, the one Trainer with the Houndoom was wielding a shortened trident with the three pronged ends set on fire.

This is done by wrapping a thick cloth around the metal ends and pouring special oil onto the cloth and lighting it with a match, the oils will burn for well over an hour but at the cost of making the metal weaker and easier to break. But the benefit of such a weapon is the intimidation factor along with making it hurt like hell to be scratched in the arm and being able to set fire to anything it touches.

The second trainer was wielding a short sword along with a large circular shield, wearing only a leather tunic he relied on the shield for most of his protection. "That one there to the left with the sword and shield, that's John and the one to the right, is Marcus." On the monitor Ash watched as John tried lurching forward with his sword only to be hit away by Marcus's trident John yelled some in audible command, and his Tauros flung the Houndoom to the side, sending it crashing into the walls. The Tauros then charged at Marcus. Marcus turned quickly and with his trident impaled the Tauros Ash watched through the monitor as the Tauros squirmed in pain.

John threw aside his shield and charged at Marcus with his sword, he was suddenly jumped by the Houndoom who began mauling him mercilessly. The crowd was cheering loudly at all these events, Marcus yanked out his trident and the Tauros fell to the floor. Ash watched as Johns body became limp under the Houndoom causing Marcus to return it.

Marcus lifted his trident high in the air causing the crowd to shower him with applause and cheers. The gates to Marcus doors opened and he walked out triumphantly, the gates opposite of him opened and two men dressed in white came running out, they returned the Tauros to its Pokeball and dragged John out by his shoulders leaving a trail of blood behind him. Ash looked over to James who was watching the monitor indifferently, James looked over to Ash.

"Well kid, I think it's time to suit up, you have around ten minutes until they finish replacing the sand." Ash made his way over to a small locker room. Inside there was a single locker and shower with a wooden bench in the center of the room. Opening his locker he looked inside. Within it were his five pieces of armor. The first being his white cotton shirt, on top of that he wore a white jacket with built in padding on the chest, shoulder, and stomach area. The padding itself wasn't very thick and wouldn't stop a stab wound, but it would help absorb blunt impacts.

Starting on his right shoulder and ending at his wrist he wore a long piece of overlapping metal armor that was strong enough to stop slashes from swords and knives and light enough to keep him agile. Spray painted onto the metal was a yellow lightning bolt that ran the length of his arm.

The next, piece of armor, were his white pants with built in padding on his thighs and calves, the last pieces of armor were his gloves, which had thick rubber padding on the palms and the bottom of his fingers.

For the most part the armor was sleek, with the exception of chest area that had an extra layer of padding. Ash returned to James who was watching him curiously "Are you ok kid?" he asked "Yeah, why?" "Well you're walking around aimlessly like something happened and I can't have you go out there like that."

Ash ran a hand through his hair and let out a sigh "Serena left me, I walked in on her cheating on me with some coordinator." James nodded "I'm sorry to hear that kid…I'll buy you a drink after this, but first you gotta get focused." Ash glanced up at the monitor which had turned into a countdown it was at the one minute mark.

Ash reached up and stroked his Pokémon's head who nuzzled his cheek "You ready for this Pikachu?" Ash asked "PIKA!" The Pokémon said defiantly. The countdown was now at thirty- seconds. Ash walked closer to the gate, and after so many years of doing this he still got a nervous feeling in his gut. James walked up to him and handed him his weapon.

To a normal person it looked like a long piece of metal with both ends twisted and ending at a fine point, but when Ash pushed a small button the weapon came to life. Blue electricity sputtered through the length of the metal and slowly turned it into a lightning bolt that he could hold. Ash smiled, holding this he felt like the thunder god himself.

Glancing up at the monitor the counter was at twenty seconds. "Remember kid what's the first rule to anything you do in life?" Ash looked over at James "Don't die." "Exactly! Don't die, and you'll be fine!" Ash looked up at the clock that now read fifteen seconds when the clock reached ten seconds a droning voice filled the gym

TEN…NINE…EIGHT…SEVEN…SIX…FIVE…FOUR…THREE…TWO…ONE… Suddenly the doors shot open, a flash of white light struck Ash in the eyes blinding him as he walked out into the arena.

After a few moments his vision returned to him and he saw the arena clearly. It was a square field one hundred yards long, and because of all the blood that was spilt here the floors were covered with sand making it easier to clean and replace. Spectators were seated twenty five feet above the field, safe from the dangerous explosions from pokémon attacks.

At the end of the stadium was a black box were the men in charge of these battles watched, no one knew who these men were, they stayed in the shadows watching each competitor. Before a person could begin competing in these battles they must meet with one of these men, and when they meet there faces remained conceled.

Ash recalled his experience meeting with one, it happened a few months after the incident when he was living on the streets with Serena. He was walking down the street alone at night when he was jumped by four men they beat him and stole what money he had from him.

As Ash laid their bloodied and beaten he met James who just happened to stumble upon him on his way home. James took Ash into his apartment and cleaned him up and offered him a job. Ash having nowhere else to go agreed.

The next day James brought Ash to his gym, along with Pikachu, where taught them how to fight. After two months James brought him to the office of one of the men. From out of the darkness the man handed him a piece of paper "A contract," the man said darkly "Guaranteeing that you'll remain here with us." Ash looked at the contract "For how long?" Ash couldn't see the man but he knew he was grinning.

"Well if you fight well and survive then not very long," still down on his luck, and in desperate need of money, Ash signed the contract and began fighting in the arena, that was five years ago.

Now Ash stood in the middle of the arena once again with over two thousand spectators cheering at him, criminals most of them, they came here because regular Pokémon battles weren't enough to satisfy there need for violent spectacles.

They cheered for him now, wanting him to bring them blood. Ash glanced up at Pikachu who hopped from his shoulder and onto the sand. Suddenly the announcer came on the intercom "Ladies and Gentleman the arena is pleased to give you, MARCUS THE UNSTOPPABLE!" The crowd roared with applause as Marcus came back out from the gates along with his flaming trident and savage Houndoom.

Unlike in Pokémon Battles or even Coordinator Battles there were no formalities between the trainers it was just fight and hope you don't get killed. Ash watched his opponent across the field, he was shouting taunts at him that Ash couldn't quite make out.

Suddenly the bell sounded and the fight was on. Ash wasted no time "Pikachu, volt tackle!" he screamed, Pikachu began running, slowly gaining speed electricity began forming around its body, sand was being kicked in the air lightning began to shoot forth from it until all that could be seen was an unstoppable ball of electricity.

It smashed into the Houndoom throwing it back against the wall. Marcus tried stabbing down at Pikachu but missed and buried his trident into the sand. Ash ran forward on the offensive trying to get close enough to strike Marcus. The crowd cheered him on.

"Houndoom flamethrower!" The Pokémon had recovered from its hit at shot a stream of flames at Ash, Ash rolled to the side narrowly avoiding the attack. "Pikachu, quick attack!" "Flame thrower!" Pikachu bolted towards Houndoom avoiding its colossal flamethrower, the mouse Pokémon tried striking the beast but missed at the last moment as the Houndoom ducked.

Pikachu tried again but was hit back by Houndoom's flamethrower. "Pikachu!" Ash cried out trying to run to his Pokémon's aide, suddenly Marcus was upon Ash, thrusting his trident at him Ash jumped back, he could feel the intense heat from the burning trident as he narrowly avoided the flames.

Marcus and Ash circled each other throwing out faints and attacks. Ash tried glancing past Marcus to see Pikachu; Pikachu was being chased by the Houndoom's flame thrower trying to avoid each attack. "Pikachu Thunderbolt!" Ash yelled, the instant he yelled Marcus thrusted his trident at Ash. Ash managed to wedge his weapon in between two of the prongs, and like a corkscrew he twisted his weapon and snapped off two prongs from the trident.

The crowd was going wild as they witnessed the fight, Pikachu leapt up into the air and in a brilliant flash of yellow the little Pokémon rained down electricity on the Houndoom bringing it to its knees and effectively paralyzing it.

Marcus swept upwards with his weapon knocking Ash's lightning bolt from his hand the weapon crackled with electricity as it fell to the ground. Ash grabbed the metal rod and tore it out of Marcus's hand and threw it to the side. Now weaponless the two began throwing punches. Both were equal in size and weight, but Ash was quicker.

Ash went in throwing two quick punches to Marcus's face and another to his gut winding him. The crowd roared with approval. Wiping the sweat from his forehead Ash slowly snaked his way closer to Marcus who had taken a knee.

As Ash inched closer, Marcus produced a knife which he swung wildly at Ash. Ash quickly put up his right arm which the knife glanced off of but Ash wasn't quick enough to stop from Marcus from cutting below his wrist. The knife easily tore into Ash's unprotected wrist, and made him retreat back in pain, his white armor now speckled with blood. Marcus took the opportunity to use pommel of his knife and smash it into the side of Ash's head.

Ash heard a crack as the pommel made contact with his skull. Immediately he fell back, holding the side of his head the loud roars from the crowd were now replaced with a high pitched ringing. Ash felt nauseous and doubled over.

Like a savage Marcus threw himself onto Ash knocking him to the floor. Marcus was now on top of Ash trying to ease the knife into Ash's throat; Ash had managed to grab hold of Marcus wrist and was fighting to keep him back. As the knife began to creep closer and closer to his neck the ringing in his head began to grow, the shouts from the crowd began to subside and felt himself begin to give "Fuck, this is it." He thought. Yet he felt relaxed, surprisingly, knowing this was the end filled him with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time, a peace that he had longed for. He was about to submit to this when he heard his name being called. It wasn't a cheer, more like a shrill shout of concern. It sounded strangely familiar and brought him back to his senses.

The ringing in his head began to subside and Ash's fear returned. He looked around desprately trying to find something that could help him. Next to him was his lightning bolt. Ash tried reaching out to it, but it was just out of his grasp, Marcus began applying more pressure lowering the knife closer to Ash. In a final attempt to reach to lightning bolt Ash lurched forward grabbing the lightning bolt tightly in his hand and stabbed it into Marcus's side.

Ten thousand volts of electricity coursed through Marcus body, his muscles cramping together all at once didn't even so much as give him a chance to scream.

Ash yanked the lightning bolt out of Marcus side and pushed his body off him. Ash looked down to see if he was dead but saw that he was still breathing. The Houndoom suddenly leapt towards Ash its fangs burning with fire, Ash side stepped the Pokémon then sliced at its neck, causing it to let out a loud yelp. "Pikachu, finish it with iron tail!" His mouse Pokémon swiftly leapt into the air its tail glowing grey, it smashed its tail into the Houndooms face knocking it out.

Ash held his lightning bolt high in the air the crowd roared with applause "ASH!" ASH!" ASH!" they chanted, Pikachu hopped onto Ash's shoulder as they continued to shower him with praise. Ash looked over to the black box and could see somebody clapping.

Returning back to the gym James was waiting with the doctor. "Wonderful fight Mr. Ketchum," the doctor said having Ash take a seat on one of the benches. Ash didn't speak instead he allowed the doctor to bandage his arm and check to see if he had any brain damage, which he didn't.

"Alright Mr. Ketchum I think we're all set, we'll see you next time." The doctor quickly got up and began to walk off "He doc wait!" Ash said the doctor turned to him "Yes?" "You forgot to pay me for the fight." "Oh yes of course must have slipped my mind." He walked back over to Ash and pulled out a stack of bills "A hundred dollars, all in five's like you requested." He handed the cash to Ash. "Have a good day." The doctor left the room leaving only Ash, James, and Pikachu

"James I think I could use that drink right about now." "Sorry kid I gotta get home, maybe some other time, alright." Ash nodded his head "Yeah, alright."

Ash took off his blood speckled armor and placed it in a laundry bin. He took a long shower in the locker room and then changed back into his civilian close. His wrist still stung as he tried moving it around; rubbing the side of his head he could already feel a large bump beginning to form.

Ash returned to the weight room, in the middle of the boxing ring stood a man. "Mr. Ketchum," He said. Ash walked over to the ring "Yeah, that's me." The man walked forward into the light. He wore a grey tailored suit with a red handkerchief folded neatly in the front pocket. He was a pudgy man with a fat face and a permanent frown. "My name is Mr. Simon, I help run the battles from time to time and occasionally promote fights."

"Ok, is there something you want?" Ash asked. "Maybe, from what I saw today it's evident that you know how to get the crowd excited and you know how to fight." "I do what I have to." Ash replied "Yes, well I thought I'd stop by and introduce myself and tell you to expect to hear from me again sometime in the future." The man turned away from Ash and exited the ring he made his way over to a side door, but before he left he stopped and turned to Ash "That is, if you live long enough."

After gathering some things Ash left the gym and rode down the busy street in the city, he was deep in thought. As he continued to ride his eyes drifted toward the sidewalk were people and Pokémon walked back in forth. Suddenly he noticed a familiar girl "No it can't be," he said, he drove his bike closer to the pavement, it was her. "Hey May, it's me Ash!"