Story one

Betrayal Of The Heart

Ash Ketchum sighed as he walked through the door of his home, a heavy weight on his shoulders. Another league… his sixth one, in fact… He'd been so sure that he would win this one. So much so, in fact, that he'd even celebrated before the match had begun!

Unfortunately… it had all been for nothing. He had lost to Alain. It had been down to the wire, but it was simply not meant to be…

Taking a deep breath, he began towards the kitchen where his mom surely was. When he entered, he saw her, Delia Ketchum, hunched over the sink.

"Mom. I am home," Ash muttered, his heart too heavy with regret to muster up much enthusiasm.

"… Ash," she said simply. "… I think you should go into the living room."

"Huh? Um… okay," he replied, moving towards the room.

When he opened the door and entered, he was surprised to see that the lights were off, shrouding the room in complete darkness.

"Huh? Is… Is anyone there?" he asked, feeling a little frightened. Just what was going on right now?

"… Ash…" a voice started.

A portion of the room lit up, revealing the person speaking.

"Mi-…. Misty!?" Ash cried in disbelief.

"… We have heard about the league failure in Kalos," the ginger responded, her voice dark.

Another portion of the room lit up, this time revealing Dawn. "… We have heard that you narrowly lost to Alain," she said, sounding disgusted.

"Huh? Dawn!?" Ash cried in shock. Taking their words in, he faltered. "W-Well, er… I guess, but-"

"Ash… we have put up with your failures for long enough," a different voice chided. Another portion of the room filling with light revealed that the speaker was Brock.

"What… w-what do you mean, Brock?" Ash asked.

Another portion of the room filled with light, revealing Max. He scowled at Ash. "Ash… you have to give up on your dream," he said, no sympathy showing in his voice.

Ash gasped, unable to believe his ears. Were… Were they joking!? "Hey, w-what do you mean!?" he shouted.

"You heard him, Ash," another voice said. When their portion of the room lit up, Paul was revealed as the speaker. "Your bumblings make you an embarrassment to trainers everywhere."

Another portion of the room lit up, revealing Tracey. "They have been for a while, now, you know," he growled.

"You're probably the worst trainer in the world," another voice said. Their portion of the room lit up, revealing Professor Oak. "It is beyond disappointing…"

"Yes. You're such a kid," another voice said. Their portion of the room lit up, revealing Cilan.

"If I had my way, you would be banned from even seeing another pokémon again," a different voice said. Another portion of the room lit up, revealing Cynthia. She spat on the ground as she looked Ash in the eye.

Another portion of the room lit up, revealing Trip. He scowled at Ash with a fierce intensity. "… Hmph," he said.

Ash felt his skin crawl at all of their cruel words. How… How could they say this? His friends… His best friends…

"At first, we put up with your failings," another voice started. Their portion of the room lit up, revealing Meowth. "However, it is now simply becoming too much."

"Yes," another voice started. Their portion of the room lit up, revealing Cameron. "So now, the time has come, Ash. As Max has stated, you must either give up on your dream…"

Another portion of the room lit up, revealing another person. "… Or give up on everything," Sophocles finished.

The entire room, save for the middle, finally became bathed in light. All of his former friends were standing in various locations outlining the room. Every single one.

They all pulled off the hoods to their black cloaks at once.

"So… what'll it be?" Sir Aaron asked.

Rage bubbled up within Ash like fire within a furnace. "No… No way!" He screamed. "I'll never give up on my dream! You'll never make me!" He turned on his heel and prepared to storm out the door.

However, it was shut. And in front of it stood his mom. "No, Ash," she said, brandishing a gun. "You have made your choice now. You know what must happen."

"N-No…" Ash whimpered, his rage rapidly being replaced with a rabid fear instead. "I… I can't…"

"I'm so sorry, Ash… but you signed the contract," another voice said from behind. "You can't back out now."

Ash froze on the spot. Gulping, he slowly turned around and looked down. He saw the one who had just spoken.

Tears formed in Ash's eyes when he saw him. "No… not you, too…!" he mumbled. "But… But why did you stick with me for so many years, then, if it was going to come down to this?"

"… It's because…" Pikachu started, "I always wanted to be with you… to watch how much you would screw up." He closed his eyes. "… You did so much worse than I could have ever imagined."

"… Okay, Pikachu. Okay, everyone," Ash replied, looking up to face everyone. "… You're right. It's time."

Pikachu nodded, and looked to his side. "… Buneary, my love. I shall leave the honors to you," he said.

"Yes, Pikachu," she replied. She slowly walked towards the center of the room, indicating for Ash to follow.

Swallowing back tears, Ash followed closely behind her. As they approached the center of the room, it lit up, brightening the murky darkness.

A single chair on the floor and a noose hanging from the ceiling were revealed.

Ash stood on the chair. A pair of hands slipped the rope over his neck. Hands belonging to Serena.

"… I hope you improve your skills in the next life, lest only Hell awaits," she said, her voice heavy with disappointment.

"… Me too," Ash replied.

A rolling of drums could be heard. After several seconds, Buneary kicked the chair.

The dream was over.

The end

Finished: 13/10 (October)/2018

Word count: 1,004