"Ash, take a seat."

I closed the door behind myself, leaving my hand on the door handle. "Ash, I'm not waiting all day. Especially after you've been told to get back to Kalos the moment you were done with the mission." I stared at the professor sitting in his chair, his stare met mine. A serious, yet frustrated one. I took a seat, and crossed my arms. 

"You wanted me for something?" I asked with a cold voice. "Did I want you for something?" He replied with a question "Ash, first of all where have you been? The SPA lost complete track of you in Sinnoh. Nobody could find you, yet then you miraculously appear out of thin air in Kalos again. What did you do, and where have you been?" He asked, and proceeded to slam his fist down on the desk "Answer me!"

I opened my eyes and shot them at the professor "I had business to take care of. None of which involves you or anyone else." I replied to his demand "You are currently assigned to the Kalos Protection Association special forces. Whatever business you are talking about, or anything that you carry out must be approved by us first." I left him with silence, not wanting. No, not finding the need of telling him.

"Ergggh!" He let out his frustration and flung his arms into the air "I can't squeeze a single word out of you..." Sycamore said, sitting down back in his seat, in defeat. I looked around the room "I'm not telling you because it isn't of importance." I put sternly, still containing my arms across each other, with my eyes closed. "You mean it isn't of importance to us, but is importance to you?" The professor asked, I opened my eyes only to see him sitting and resting his elbows onto his desk both his hands meeting each other above.

I shook my head, thinking about what had happened in Sinnoh 'Did I step out of line? I failed to keep the promise that I said to myself on the plane ride to Kalos.' I said deep in my thoughts, thinking about the past. "If you truly want to know the truth, it was a childish act. I will agree on that standpoint. I ran away for a reason. That reason will remain a mystery to you and everyone else, at some point you will find out why, but not now." I finally answered professor Sycamore's question "I know you have trust issues Ash, and for good reason, you can always share yo-" I raised my hand to him "No, I can't. I'd preferably leave it as is."

I could tell just from the professors actions and facial expression that he was satisfied with what he was able to extract from me. He gave out a sigh in relief "That's great that you told me at least something about your disappearance, but still..."

The professor shot out of the chair and leaned in towards me.

"What on earth were you thinking?!" The professor yelled into my face. Clearly annoyed with something that I had done. I gave him an inquisitive look, indicating for him to clarify what I had done wrong. He slammed his desk once more, tension beginning to rise in the room once more "Don't you dare give me that look Ash Ketchum. You know exactly what you did in Sinnoh." He put, including a glare from his eyes. "I'm guessing you are regarding what happened with the SPA." I replied, looking away and breaking the eye contact. 

"You're damn right I'm talking about the SPA. I got a call from them telling me everything that you had done. How could you let that happen? You are meant to be one of the best in this type of work, yet you still manage to disappoint." I only looked at the ground, recalling everything that had happened. Slowly, especially focusing on the words said by the man that shattered me completely. "Ash, the actions your performed against Team Galactic... The people who care about you, are worried. Your change in tone, you lost your sanity. There was no Ash there, there was no one to debate, or rather nothing. Ash, your mental state... Team Galactic..."

The sentence kept getting more and more blurry, distorted, unclear with each passing moment. My vision soon turning into a fade, only to take me back to that day it all happened. The fateful day that I had been waiting impatiently for. The day I could barely hold myself from carrying out all on my own. It was the day the Sinnoh Protection Association carried out a raid on the Team Galactic base. I can still remember the exact feelings I felt. The sense of rage built up inside me, the evil grin plastered on my face showing that this was more than a raid to me. All my hate was presented by the tension in my fists, shaking.

"Ash, are you prepared for this?" I heard the soft female voice beside me. I looked to my side, my eyes showing complete craziness. 'I had been waiting so long for this... It nearly drove me to carry out an operation on one of the bases belonging to Team Galactic' I thought to myself, the faces around me seemed to feel disturbed "Ash?" The voice was male this time, not getting an answer I was shot out of my trance by the contact of a hand on my shoulder. My reactions resulted in Tobias being thrown to the floor, I held his arm behind his back. "Don't touch me!" I shouted out towards him. 

"Ash! Stop this right now!" The female voice cried out yet again. I stopped staring at the fallen Tobias, and began analyzing my surroundings. Everyone was staring at me, all either worried or had pokeballs in their hands. Realizing the situation, I stood up and bent my head down towards my hands. Hands that were trembling 'What is getting into me...?' I looked up, only to see Cynthia slightly lowering herself to my height "Ash, are you alright?" She asked, her voice reaching my ears, but never my mind. 'End them all...' A voice spoke out in my head. I shook off the disturbing voice and regained my focus 

"S-sorry... I don't know what got into me..." I said in an apologetic tone, lowering my head to the dirt. Resembling myself, quick to get back together, yet easy to crumble. "That's alright" I saw Tobias step forward with his hand in a fist full of determination "We've all been on edge lately. This has been planned for a while now, knowing that it will be carried out and end the moment we break through those doors." He paused, looking at everyone around him, earning himself nods from all directions  "I could only imagine how you feel right now. We can understand, what you experienced last time when the KnPA raided Team Rocket headquarters and put a stop to them." I slightly left my mouth open, letting the words seep in 'They have no idea... My reason for my mental absence has nothing to do with the raid.' It did however, remind me of moment Geovanni stepped onto that helicopter and escaped. 'I will never forgive myself for that'

I nodded at Tobias, and turned my attention to the massive building in front of us 'I'm coming for you Cyrus. May mercy be on your side when I reach you...' A look was the only sign of confirmation they needed. Tobias nodded towards Barry, who then motioned with his hand to all the other troops. "Let's get this over with quickly. Greninja, Charizard by my side, now." I said, grabbing the pokeballs on my belt and tossing them into the air, soon unavailing two majestic beasts. A juxtaposing duo.

We sprinted towards the entrance "Charizard knock down that puny piece of metal with Dragon Tail!" I shouted the command to my companion, who obeyed and soon there were metal pieces scattered all across. The special forces were soon met by countless members of the evil organization. "Greninja, Water Shuriken. Take out those pests." The frog pokemon jumped into the air and released it's signature move multiple times, hitting it's mark. Upon seeing the fainted pokemon I smiled "Surrender now, and there will be mercy. Oppose, and well-" I said, motioning to my fire breathing friend "I'm not certain what will happen, but I can assure you that it will not be pleasant." I finished with the threat, looking upon the terrified faces of the grunts.

"Or at least, not pleasant for you... I. I will definitely enjoy seeing the likes of you suffer." I said in a cold tone, they all dropped on their knees. I looked behind, and noticed that the rest had already dealt with their end of pokemon and were listening onto my interactions with them. Tobias and Barry both had stern faces, not showing any type of emotion. Meanwhile closer to me, Cynthia's face was complete opposite. Full of emotion, her eyes resembled worry as the trembled and her mouth agape. 'You think this is cynical Cynthia? I can assure you, you've seen nothing yet.' I put in my head, the grin on my face now turning downwards, and into a frown.

"Take care of these!" I shouted backwards at the other law enforcement entering the building, now cuffing the evil doers. "We don't have much time, let's move on. Let the others take care of this." I suggested, and didn't bother listening to their opinions. I continued onward into the depths of the unknown. The four of us soon reached an opening. The opening contained four members. "Admins of Team Galactic I heard a voice say from behind me. It was Cynthia now catching up. "Saturn, Charon, Mars and Jupiter" She said looking at them.

"Are we that famous already? The champion knows all of us, how delightful. I shall forever be honored by your presence." Saturn put, bowing when he finished. "Ahhh, well we seemed to be having a party now." This time it was Charon to speak up. I slightly turned my head, allowing my eyes to spot Barry and Tobias running towards us. "It appears we have both newcomers and familiar faces." I turned to Mars in frustration, my hands clutched into a fist "What do you mean familiar faces?" I shouted towards her. "It proves that it did work. The boy remembers nothing. Exactly as planned." I shot her a look of confusion. 

"I don't know what you're talking about. I've never been in this place, trust me. I had plans to come here on my own and take you down by myself. These people." I stopped and motioned to the associates around me "Stopped me from doing so. Consider yourselves lucky." All of them burst out laughing, only causing me to be further frustrated. "Enough of this. We'll either take you peacefully or by force your choice!" I shot out. They settled down and all stared at us while carrying maniacal smiles.

We broke up into battles between each other. Barry was against Mars, Tobias against Jupiter, Cynthia against Charon and I had the pleasure of battling their top admin, Saturn. "This is as far as you go raven haired child. Our goal is proceeding without a hitch. The boss will be pleased when we dispose of you. Everything for everyone, and for the good of Team Galactic!" Saturn shot out before throwing two pokeballs towards me. 'A Toxicroak and a Bronzong. Should've figured. I have been against them before in the past, during my travels in Sinnoh, however in the past that Bronzong was a Bronzor. His pokemon must have gotten stronger, but not as strong as us' I thought to myself, with a smile appearing on my face.

"This ends here and now." I said in a cold voice against my opponent "No. Now it begins!" He shouted, motioning with his hand an attack "Toxicroak, brick break on the overweight beast, and Bronzong send a gyroball towards that overgrown frogs direction!" I looked at my two trusted pokemon and nodded. Greninja blasted off the ground, running towards the gyroball kicking it down with Aerial Ace, and smashing Bronzong with the same move. In the meantime Charizard allowed Toxicroak to get closer before smashing his Dragon Tail into it's stomach to send it flying. "That's all you've got. Pretty weak for the strongest admin of Team Galactic." I taunted with a grin, the admin gritting his teeth at this.

"You think it matters whether or not I win or lose?" He shouted out towards me. Then began laughing like an insane person "Winning nor losing means nothing. You think by winning this battle, you achieve something. When in reality, this battle is merely a gimmick. Do you actually think we stood a chance against the SPA special forces, with the inclusion of the champion?" I stared at him with confusion "If this isn't about stopping us, then what is the purpose of this!"

"Simply by standing there you are doing us a favor. You are being used as a tool for a grand design. Through this conversation we are buying more time for our boss. A child like yourself will never be able to stem the flow of time!" Saturn said, standing firmly and resting his head on his two hands behind him. "So that's what this is about, wasting time is it? Charizard, and Greninja we need to get rid of them." To no avail, the pokemon were dodging, while every so often getting hit. By now both sides were completely exhausted but still able to stand. "Enough!" I yelled out.

"I don't have time for the likes of you. Greninja, Charizard take care of them swiftly. Aim for the trainer instead of the pokemon." Both my pokemon looked back at me, with horror in their eyes "I gave a command, now obey!" I shouted, both pokemon looked at each other then shook their heads and shot out towards the Toxicroak and Bronzong. Greninja equipped itself with a water shuriken, reaching Toxicroak, however instead of blasting it with the move, it flipped over it and dashed towards Saturn. Charizard simply flew directly passed Bronzong, while also smashing it with his tail when it got in the way and then proceeded to reach Saturn. 

Both of them reached him and were standing in front of him "N-no, please!" He begged as the two pokemon stood waiting. "There is no such thing as mercy for the merciless..." I put in a cold tone, the moment that the words escaped my mouth, a cry of agony could be heard in the distance and the sound of something hitting a wall. "Good. Time to move on." I walked past the two enemy pokemon now frozen on the spot in disbelief at what they had just witnessed. Both of my pokemon returned to my side.

I carried on past the lifeless shape near me and towards a corridor. "Charizard return" I said, bringing out my pokeball and shooting out a beam of red light towards the dragon looking pokemon, absorbing it. "Take a good long rest. You've deserved it," I said into the pokeball. I then turned to the ninja pokemon "Greninja, I hope you don't mind staying out for a bit longer. You will be the one to help me deal with Cyrus." Greninja responded by raising its hand and forming a fist. "Ninja!"

"Now where is this man..." I said while looking in each direction "A man is closer than you think." I looked behind me and saw Cyrus standing there. "We meet again." He put sternly. I responded by shaking my head "I don't ever recalling meeting you before,  except in the distant past." He seemed to chuckle at my response "The distant past you say, and why not put it more specifically? Is it because someone doesn't want to revisit their past?" He mocked, while rage was building up inside of me. "Greninja, Cut!" I shouted out, not even caring that there was no pokemon present by Cyrus.

Right before the move was to connect, a blue light blocked the move. "A quick temper. Or is it because I've hit a spot vulnerable on you? Either way, I can't allow you to proceed any further. Our plans are nearly complete, and you. You would only be getting in the way. Why don't you go back to where you came from?" Cyrus continued to mock "You think your Weavile stands a chance against my Greninja?" I asked, a grin appearing on my face.

"I don't think, I know. Trust me, I can recognize a weak pokemon when I see one. That one is anything but strong." He nodded to his pokemon, who shot off towards mine forming an x shape with its arms and connecting the hit. Greninja retaliate and was pushed back, but rejuvenated by doing a flip, landing on the ground. "Greninja, push them back with Aerial Ace!" I shouted out, commanding my pokemon who successfully managed to hit once but was blocked the second time. "Weavile, Night Slash." Cyrus put calmly, I was quick to think "Greninja, use Double Team!" 

"Weavile, Ice Punch on the ground." The surface below us soon turned into an ice rink, enabling them the movement advantage while to our disadvantage. Greninja's copies soon disappeared as it remained on one spot of the field, attempting to maintain its balance. "X-Scissor one more time." The move connected and sent Greninja flying into a wall beside me, I dropped to my knees. "Weak as its trainer I see. That girl, Serena was that her name, what happened with her? Same thing that happened to your mother?" A fire emerged from within me, I stared into Cyrus' eyes with frustration.

Greninja emerged from the debris, but was seen panting. 'This can't go on for much longer. We need to win against them' Getting annoyed and frustrated with his taunts, and the sound of his voice. I decided it was time to reveal my true colors "Don't you dare talk about my mother! I'll show you weak. Now, you won't be leaving this place in tact. Greninja, lets show them how strong we truly are!" I shouted out raising my hand into the air, Greninja copied my motion and was soon covered by water completely, only for it to reside and settle onto it's back to reveal a massive shuriken. Cyrus stepped back, and I could see the sense of fear on his face "What is this?!" He shouted out in a panicked voice "This is the power of the bond phenomenon. Greninja Water Shuriken!" 

Greninja placed it's feet onto the ice, putting pressure on it, and crushing the ice beneath the moment it launched from the ground. Cyrus couldn't even react as Greninja slammed it's body into Weavile, causing it to get pushed back. "Weavile stop it with Night Slash!" Cyrus now commanded, shouting. They were about to meet, when Greninja began using the shuriken as a way to slide on the ice, and zoomed past Weavile, only to turn around and smash the move upon the head of the ice type, causing critical damage and an explosion. The moment the smoke cleared, it revealed a fainted Weavile, with Greninja standing on top of it, having the move Cut active. I began walking towards him, a fist forming out of my rage. I could see Cynthia and Tobias began running towards me. 

They saw Cyrus on his knees before me. "Good job Ash, he'll be going away for a long time. Not for a long time, forever. His actions will not go unpunished." Cynthia said staring at the broken man, motioning with her hand for the others to take him away. They picked him up, and began dragging him away. "To think I'd be defeated by a child. Especially the child of the woman I ordered the hit upon." 

I froze in my spot, staring at him. Processing the words "You did that? You're the person who caused me endless amounts of pain. Day in, day out." I said towards him in disbelief. He laughed at my reaction "You better believe it, I'd say I was a part of it. But a higher up was still responsible for the final decision."  My blood was boiling with fury. I ran towards him and was immediately stopped by Tobias and Cynthia "What do you think you're doing Ash!" Tobias shouted at me. I removed myself from them, and stepped back. I gritted my teeth. Without thinking about it, I reached for my pokeball and threw it at them "Charizard!" I shouted out towards them full of anger now. "Ash, return Charizard back into it's pokeball. I command you!" Cynthia shouted to me.

"YOU'LL STAY OUT OF MY WAY IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU!" Neither of them budged, or moved a muscle "Have it your way! Charizard, Blast Burn!" Charizard looked at Cynthia, then at me. I returned a threatening look. Charizard slammed it's fist into ground. Garchomp blocked the move. "Ash, tell your pokemon to stand down! Now! This is your final warning!" I didn't listen, the words I would hear. But none of them would I listen to. "I'm sorry it had to be this way then..." Cynthia said in a saddened tone.

It wasn't before long that Charizard was sent flying at my feet, completely destroyed by the sheer power of Tobias and Cynthia. I dropped to my knees, tears pouring out of my eyes 'Not again...' Cynthia walked up to me, with a emotionless facial expression. She put a hand on my shoulder "Ash... I understand what you are feeling. I wouldn't be able to bare the thought of losing someone as my m-" I cut her off by slapping her hand off of my shoulder "You don't give a shit, same as everyone else!" With that , I ran out of the building, tears streaming down my face. Through my blurry vision, I was able to make out the mountains in the distance. I looked back at the entrance, then making up my mind. I dashed off towards the direction of the mountains, to meet an old friend.

My mind returned to the office, done recalling the ancient past.

I gave a look of dread towards the professor, letting him see my lifeless eyes "I'm done professor." I said in a cold, cold to the point of death in my voice. He looked at me with confusion "What do you mean you're done?" He asked, waiting for an answer. "I came here for my own apparent safety." I paused, and took a look at my buddy located on my right shoulder "Ever since I arrived in Kalos, everything but that has been happening. I left Kanto, only to work under KlPA. For my apparent 'safety'. What happens when I stay here, not long after I get sent to Sinnoh to help deal with Team Galactic. And-" I got cut off by a raised voice "Yes, you got sent there to help! What you did was completely unacceptable!" The room filled in silence, the professor shook his head and turned his back to me.

'Staying in Kalos doesn't help me at all. Geovanni is running around in Kanto and I'm stuck here. I've been here for far too long. I need to get back, and begin investigating Geovanni on my own.' I was woken from my planning by the professor. "I don't know what you were thinking, attacking the people on your side. The target was Team Galactic, and you got them. You were out of line, and then for some reason right after you decide to leave and disappear. Only to reveal yourself once more to be in Kalos. I organized this meeting between us to sit down and talk about your actions." I looked at the professor, half paying attention, the other half not caring at all. 

"Pay attention closely, because this meeting will determine your future actio-" I was the one to cut him off this time, frustration taking over me now "Future actions?" I shouted towards the professor "I'm done professor! I don't give a flying fuck about the Kalos Protection Association! All of this." I motioned with my hand around. "This was all a mistake. I regret coming here." The professor was utterly shocked by my tone, and took a step back "Team Flare, is none of my business. It's your job to deal with them now." Sycamore merely stood there, frozen on the spot not knowing what  to answer. His jaw was dropped, staring at me.

I stood up, shaking my head. "It was a pleasure to meet you professor Sycamore..." I didn't bother extending my hand out at this point, I simply turned my back to him. "I'd say thanks for the stay, but it really wouldn't make a difference." I ended by walking to the door and slammed it shut.

Now, I'm sitting at a park. Staring out into the distance, having absolutely zero clue what to do. I couldn't stay at the pokemon center as I had recently been kicked out by Nurse Joy. I couldn't blame her reasoning. I was doing nothing but wasting time in that room, rotting away from this world. 'Maybe that's what I want, to get away from this world. Away from it all...'

'Then there's that girl in the back of my mind. I hate what I did to her, but it had to be done... Knowing what happened to my mother. I just can't imagine going through it a second time.' My thoughts were disturbed by a poke on my back. I turned around to notice one of my ex-associates. "What do you want Alain..." I said with a dead voice. "What do I want? I think you should be asking yourself that. You're doing nothing but mopping around about something completely useless."

I turned my attention back to the park. "Ash, whatever happened. You are in a state that can't deal with it, but that doesn't mean you should simply give up. You should be happy that-" I cut him off "I should be happy? What should I be happy about Alain? The fact that I found out who gave the order to that assassin to kill my mother? Or the fact that Cyrus was taken into custody, which one Alain Huh, which one!" I shouted at him, standing up.

"Grow up already! One bad experience and this is what you turn into, have you looked at yourself in the mirror? This isn't the weak pathetic Ash I met the first time in that cafe." I stared at his eyes, as he did in mine. Tension increasing with each passing moment. "That person, is still there. I just can't deal with this anymore. Carrying out this job, it's only making me more miserable." 

"Then maybe you should open up instead of being such an outcast." Frustrated, I threw a fist at his direction, He dodged and knocked me to the dirt. I picked up some of it and threw it in his eyes before lunging at him and knocking him to the ground as well. "You want to be useful? Or just like everyone else in this world, completely ignorant of their surroundings?!" We broke apart and were now watching each other, hatred in our eyes. "How about we settle this with something that you, the big shot is good at. A battle!" Alain recommended, without taking even a second to think about I accepted

"You're on!"