[Ash's POV]

It took us two hours but we reached lumiose city. Upon entering the Pokemon centre we spotted the boy sitting alone in the waiting area. We ran up to him.

His friend spoke first to get his attention. "Zack! How's metagross?" He called. Zack looked up and saw us, he stood up as we approached him. "He's okay, nurse Joy said that I'm lucky he was here on time." He then turned to us, thanks for calling that Charizard. If it weren't for him. Metagross might be dead." He said.

"Honestly, I'm sorry. If it wasn't for my Torterra, you wouldn't have ended up here." I apologized, "well, then I wouldn't even know my weakness. I always thought that my rapid spin technique was invincible. I had plans for the IPBG tournament. But I guess I'm out. Metagross was my ace." 

"I'm still sorry about that, I didn't realize it would be so dangerous. And I'm sorry, because of me you can't participate." I apologized again, I felt bad for him. "Don't be, you made me realize that I have still much to practice." He said. He gave a genuine smile that confirmed that he meant it. I returned one back. 

"I'll be going now. I need to get back before evening." I said as I turned around, they said their goodbyes to me. But I realized Hilbert was nowhere to be seen. 

I took a look around the center and surely I found him talking to a group of teens. But I'd rather not go and join their talk. That was because they were THEM. And I don't say it's Hilbert's fault. He doesn't know. We used to be friends when he was with us. But after he left, things changed. 

"Hey Ash over here!" I heard Hilbert, but I ignored him. I heard the other guys say, 'Why would you call him? He's an outcast now. No one talks to him'. I ignored them all and went out.

I'm not bothered by this, because I know Hilbert won't betray me. He isn't like them. I waited outside the centre near an ice cream shop. Hilbert walked out soon but still he was with them. He noticed me and I saw his expression, it was confused. He was confused. 

The guys took him with them, and I was left alone. I sighed and started towards my home. On the way I met Infernape. He said he had learnt a new move and wanted to show me, so I went with him. 

We reached a clearing where he started his presentation. He started off with running at high speed and jumped up. While landing he formed a fist and I saw it spark. The spark intended as he slammed his fist on the ground making a big shock wave. It was Thunder Punch.

"Whoa! That was awesome! You learned Thunder Punch. It will be a great secret weapon against water types." I said as I patted him. He was too proud of his achievement and gave a fist pump on his chest. 

After that I continued my walk to my house, but I was met by someone else on the way. I smiled at him, but his expression seemed questioning. He looked at me sadly. 

"What happened here Ash?" He asked longingly. I knew they had said awful things about me and Hilbert wasn't ready to accept them, not unless he asked me if they were true.

"I'll tell you everything, but first let's go home." I said, "alright" he followed me.

------

"Everything started after my Pidgeot's death… I remember all of you trying to console me. I didn't do anything after that, I even quit battling. But the most important thing, you had to go. And that was what broke me. After you were gone. Calem and Paul spread lies about me. Day by day, all the students believed them and I was left all alone. My friends started to leave me. Alain, drew, Barry and even Gary.

I was even pushed from the group. They ignored me in all of their activities. 

I couldn't handle everything and I became depressed, I became the outcast of the school. I wouldn't talk, I wouldn't battle, I ignored the teacher as well. They picked on me, they bullied me, beat me till I bled. For days I won't go to school because of a pain. 

Only two people were good to me. The nurse Joy from Santalune city Pokemon centre and I joined a cafe to earn money, Cilan, the manager of the cafe is a great friend to me."

Hilbert looked at me sadly as he held a cup of coffee in his hands. I sat opposite to him on the kitchen table.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that without me" he whispered. I let out a small sad laugh.

"When I had left my dream, all of you were concerned about me. But do you recall one thing that was odd?" I asked, and looked up in his eyes, he looked back at me suspiciously. Slowly shook his head. "No…"

"It was Calem…" 

"What did he do?"

"It was Calem, who killed my Pidgeot! Maybe no one of you knows this but… he is the son of the leader of the crime team, Lysander, Team Flare.

He hated me the day I started getting better than him in battling. He made a plan with his father to push me out of his way. That day the men who came to me were his father's grunts. And he knew he couldn't beat my stronger ones so he targeted pidgeot. He kept me distracted until he had him in his Pokemon's grip. 

I watched my pidgeot being ripped apart in front of my eyes. His screams were what caused me the most pain.

I couldn't do anything. I couldn't…"

I stopped as I couldn't speak anymore, my throat was choked by the tears forming in my eyes. Drops fell on my lap as my head hung low. I felt a hand go around me, slowly stroking my back.

"Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"They.. th-threatened me-.. they said they'd hur-t my frie-ends…"

"I'm so sorry, I didn't even realize that. Now that you've told me. I remember you stopped talking to calem. But we didn't think it then."

We sat there without saying anything to each other, until I got up. "I'll be back in a minute."

I said and climbed up the stairs to my room. After washing my face I came down. 

"Feeling better?" He asked, I gave a small smile. "Yeah.."

"So, where are you living?" I asked, he made a sheepish face, "well the centre of course." "C'mon you can stay here." "I knew you'd say that." We both chuckled at that.

"Let's go get your back pack from the centre." We both got up and left towards the Santalune city Pokemon centre.

------

After bringing his bags, we set up the room for him. It was almost evening and I had to go check my Pokemons.

"Hibert I'll be back in two hours, going to see my Pokemons." I called out, he replied with a yell. Then I got out of the house and stepped towards the woods. 

I went over to all of them. Checking them up and notifying them about tomorrow's meeting. Last but not the least I reached his cave.

Well, he wasn't actually alone there. Apparently Pikachu had been living with him for the last few days. I don't know why, but I never asked. 

"Charizard? Pikachu? Are you there?" I called out ,no one replied so I guess they must be out on some hunt. They make the best tag team.

Sighing I turned around, but I felt like I saw something behind. Something that flashed form the only source of light of the entrance of the cave. So, in all suspiciousness I turned back and went ahead to look.

There I found the last thing I wanted to see in his cave.

Lying there was a DEAD, RIPPED, AGGRON!!! I almost puked at the sight. It was horrible to look at. He wasn't just dead, he had been ripped. His metal armour looked like it had been clawed out. The flesh inside was burnt. 

Looking at it reminded me of my pidgeot, only it looked much more horrible. 

I wanted to confront both of them, how could they kill a Pokemon and have the nerve to not tell me. Let alone keep it hidden. 

I waited there, it was getting later than I told when I'd return but I didn't care. Right now, all I wanted was a talk with them.

Thankfully, it didn't take longer. I heard a grunting sound outside the cave followed by a thud. Soon footsteps could be heard and two figures emerged in the cave.

The point that there was panic in their eyes when they saw me would be an understatement. Obviously, they killed a creature and hid it from their own trainer inside a cave.

For a brief moment no one spoke. I stared at them in their eyes but they couldn't gather the courage to look up at me. 

"Alright! Who's going to tell me about it?" I demanded, they stood there with their heads dropped. 

"Answer ME!!" I yelled, they both flinched at this and looked up. I don't know whether it was due to the bad lighting or something but I just realized that Pikachu had a deep cut over his face cutting through his left eye. 

I moved forwards and took his face in my palm, observing it. "How did this happen?!" I was beyond the point of anger. "C'mon tell me!!" I demanded more sternly.

"It was him…" Charizard grunted. I looked up, "who?" He motioned his eyes towards the dead creature behind me. 

"The Aggron? And could I ask why the hell did this happen?" I was irritated.

"We were actually on our rescue task in Shalour city… and there we were met by some men." Pikachu squeaked. "They were using their Pokemon to attack there and he was one of them."

"So? You battled him and killed him?" 

"No! It wasn't like that. We were taking them out and he came up behind me, before I could step back or attack he slashed me with his claw." Pikachu pointed toward his face.

I still kept my gaze stern. "He trapped me between his claws and held me near his face."

"He spoke to me, he said something that was beyond my control. He said, 'Don't worry little guy, I'll make this quick.' but while I was near his face u recalled everything from that day. He was the same Aggron who killed pidgeot."

Suddenly, my expression changed. I turned back to look at the dead body. 

"Charizard had seen me and came to my rescue, he pulled him back with a jerk and threw him. He asked me if I was okay and inspected my face, but all I said was he killed pidgeot, this triggered him. Charizard looked back at Aggron and no doubt he remembered too."

"He lost control and went all out on him. He burnt him savagely and held him with his claws and finally ripped him aparts then blew his flames inside his body." I looked at Charizard, he was drooped with guilt. But I don't say it's his fault, Pidgeot's death was a turning point for all of us.

"We're sorry, we didn't mean to kill him. Charizard... didn't mean to…" Pikachu whispered, "it's okay, I forgive you both. But… try not to let it disclose. And never do this again."

"Thank you Ash…" Charizard grunted softly. 

We were all crying at this point. Pidgeot was one of our best friends and losing him was hard for all of us.

"Anyways, how's your injury pikachu?" I asked, Pikachu gave a sad smile, one that meant the news wasn't too good.

"Well, ermm.. the nurse said it would heal by time but…" he sheepishly looked at Charizard. I eyed him concerned.

"... But I lost my eye…" he spoke, I felt sorry for him.

"Oh… how's your focus?" 

"Uhhh… still adjusting. I might need more training on targeting." 

"Tomorrow 4 am sharp."

"Got it!"

"I'm going now, take a rest, or if you want you can come with me."

"I think I'll stay."

"Good night"

"Goodnight ash"

"Goodnight ash"

And so I left the cave.

To be continued...

Hey guys, I know this chapter was quite different. Too much information, and back story. But I had no other choice.

I hope you liked it. Vote and comment.

Stay cool.
Goodbye.