Pikachu and I were racing down the road to pallet town. Excitement filled the atmosphere. Everything was going great, we had just finished another long journey. About an hour or so ago we had arrived in Kanto and began making our trek back home. Usually I couldn't wait to get home and taste moms cooking again. But this time I wanted to take a detour before we go home.

"Pikachu" I said, and my buddy looked at me "Let's take a different path, I know it's not going to be as quick as this one, but it would be nice to see how the surroundings have changed since we first set off on our adventure.

"Pi, Pikachu!" He yelled, agreeing with my suggestion.

"Alright then let's get going!" We both started running towards the woods nearby. I was amazed by how much more plantation there was now, but even better, the place was filled with pokemon!

"Look Pikachu, there's so many pokemon in this area now." I was amazed. This brought back memories. Memories of when we first went through these woods. This is where I caught my first ever pokemon, my Caterpie that later evolved into a Metapod. It was awesome, and after we got even stronger it went even further by evolving into a Butterfree.

Although it was short lived, I released Butterfree so it could pursue it's dreams and be together with another Butterfree that it clearly loved. Of course, I couldn't stand in the way of love. Just because I haven't seen him since, doesn't mean he is gone. Butterfree will always stay in my heart, no matter where I go.

"Do you remember buddy?" I asked Pikachu. He gave me a gaze and began wagging his tail "Pikachu, Pika pi!" he replied. "I knew you would, there is no way either of us could forget our very first catch" I petted Pikachu and kept on moving forward.

We soon reached a clearing. A clearing that didn't bring out the best memories. Although what happened on that day, it was the worst and the best moment of our journey together.

"Pika, Pi..." Pikachu frowned at the scene.

"Hey there's no need to frown" I tried cheering him up "That was one of the best and the worst days, wouldn't you agree?" I asked. "Pika?" The mouse pokemon tilted it's head.

"Well, just because you got critically damaged, and were completely exhausted after fighting all those Spearows, there was a silver lining" I started "Before any of that happened you completely hated my guts, and refused to trust me. After this horrible event, we got closer, and you finally trusted me. We protected each other, and finally bonded. Our bond has only been improving since then" I explained to my buddy

"Pikachu!" He yelled as he realized what I was getting at.

It was silent, not a suspicious type of silence, but a pleasant one. All that could be heard is the wind zooming past the trees. Standing there and admiring nature, one of the most relaxing things a person can do.

"I think it's time for us to go" I finally said.

We got back on our original path and continued like before. Soon enough we were on the outskirts of pallet town. We were standing at the top of a hill, before we took any additional steps I yelled "Yes, finally home!"

I sprinted towards my house, with my partner following close behind. We passed professor Oaks lab while noticing all of our pokemon. We took a quick stop and said hi to everyone. It was getting dark, so it was time to go home.

I made my way to the door, and opened it "I'm home mom!" I yelled.

"There is my little pokemon master" My mom said as she gave me the biggest hug

She was hugging me to the point where I could barely even breath, I haven't ever receive this type of hug whenever I arrived from my other journeys. "Mom. I'm not that little anymore" I said to my mom embarrassing me.

"You're not a pokemon master either, but you didn't seem to be complaining about that part" She teased me, and chuckled.

I tried to make a comeback, but just couldn't think of one. I gave in, I can admit when I'm beat, and that was well played.

"I hope you are starving because I made a feast of a dinner" As soon as I heard that sentence I zoomed into the kitchen and began eating everything I could fit in my mouth.

I wasn't alone on this. My pokemon and I have similar appetites, Pikachu was also eating with the speed of light. My mother just stared at me from the other side of the table as she sweat dropped "I still don't understand and probably never will, where that food even goes" 

Dinner was amazing that night, we filled to our hearts content, and then just sat together on the sofa watching a movie. More nostalgia to when I was little, and did this often with my mom. Watching movies together was always fun, always a happy time. 

The weather seemed to be changing and the clear sky was now covered in stormy gray clouds. Within the next few moments, rumbling could be heard coming from the sky.

"That's a bit strange" My mom commented.

"Why is it strange, I'm pretty sure nature can do that" I chuckled

"Of course, but the news forecast mentioned that for the next week or so there would be nothing but clear sky and sunshine" She said confused

"Isn't there always a chance of them being wrong, nature is random" I stated

She didn't say anything after that. We continued watching the movie in silence as the noise of thunder could be heard in the background.

Unexpectedly our doorbell went off. My mom and I both checked the time, it was close to midnight.

"Who could that be?" She questioned as she went towards the door.

That is very strange, for a person to be coming this late. It could be professor Oak coming to give us some information or just saying hello, but didn't have the time earlier because of his work. It is a possibility, and the most probable one.

My thoughts were interrupted by my moms concerned voice.

"Excuse me but who are you and what do you want?" I turned my head and saw a man standing outside of our house. "Is this the residence of Ash Ketchum" He put bluntly

"Who's asking?" I asked the strange man

"So you are here as they said you would be, great. That means you must be his mother." The man extended his arm for a hand shake. Delia, my mother happily accepted the handshake, but was instead punched in the abdomen and pulled outside.

I couldn't tell if this was a dream or not, a nightmare perhaps? Time seemed to slow down, as my brain started processing the situation. I subsequently made a realization of the current events. 

I rushed towards the door 'No, no, no, no. This can't be happening' I thought to myself. I got to the entrance of my house, and my eyes grew wide with shock.

The man was standing there with a knife to my moms throat. "Please, please don't do anything to her!" I screamed frantically

The man didn't seem fazed. A grin appeared on his face, a maniacal grin. "Take me, leave her alone, please! She hasn't done anything to you! She is all I have left!" I tried to bargain with the man, even beg. He wouldn't listen.

He eventually spoke up "That is exactly why this is happening young man"

"Ash, leave while you can!" My mom yelled

I was frozen in place 'What should I do, If I make the wrong move, I lose the only person left in my life' 

I looked up yet again to see the tears in my mothers eyes, even though the situation, I didn't cry. I tried remaining calm.

"The choices you make doesn't matter kid." The man began again. 'What does he mean my choices don't matter' I thought to myself "You see, you have quite the reputation within the evil organization world. You have messed with some things that you shouldn't of gotten involved with"

This is happening because of me, all those times I helped stop those evil teams, save all the lives of people and pokemon. All that came to this? I couldn't believe it. And my mom is paying the price.

"Take this as a warning, don't mess with any of us anymore" The man stated coldly

"Yes, fine, I will never mess with any evil organization ever gain. Now please release my mother!" I begged him

"Hahahaha" He laughed "You really think it was going to be that easy?" I looked on as the knife was brought closer to my mothers throat. 

"You have to be taught a lesson, mere threats won't do anything to a person like you"

Time began to slow down as I noticed the knife move to the side in rapid motion.

"NOOOOOO!" I yelled in agony

Never shall the memory leave my eyes, the lifeless body hitting the floor

Never shall the memory leave my body, that first night I spent alone in the world

Never shall the memory leave my heart, which stole my will to carry on

Never shall the memory leave my mind, the message of the act

Never.

I woke up to Pikachu in a defensive stance on my left side on the table. He had sparks of electricity going everywhere around his cheeks. I touched him and motioned him that it's alright. 

'Damn it, why do I keep having nightmares about that day, it's been so long ago' 

At the corner of my eye I spotted this girl that was in my general pokemon studies class and the science class. The one that I clapped for when she wasn't an actual idiot in the class. 

"I-ehm... w-w" She tried to form a sentence, but I could tell she was nervous.

I got up from the chair took a stretch and began gatherings my things to leave. I could care less about what she wanted. And if I'm correct I should be having a meeting by now.

"M-My name is S-Serena" She finally came out and said, breathing heavily.

I took a glance at her direction, but chose to ignore her. I don't have time for pointless conversations. I walked past her and headed for the exit of the classroom. She seemed disappointing by my actions, couldn't really blame her, but I was in no mood to make any "friends".

"You know you ought to try and be a bit nicer to people" She said as I was grabbing the handle of the door. I stopped for a second and looked at her. She took this as an opportunity to continue. "On the outside, you are completely expressionless and cold, but I know deep down there's more to you than that" I stared at the ground.

Cute. I'm sure you know all about me, you've never seen me before, you don't know me nor my past. She can believe what she likes, even if it's a lie.

"Even though you are still an arrogant person, I want to thank you for clapping for me when everyone else made me feel uncomfortable" She surprised me with that sudden gratitude. All I did was clap because she wasn't a moron like that kid that thought Pikachu was a Dedenne.

Before exiting, I peered back at her and gave her a nod. I saw a smile on her face. I made my way towards professor Sycamores office. I entered and took a seat.

"I see you are running a bit late" He sounded annoyed

I raised my shoulders indicating that I don't really care.

He sighed and continued "Anyway, I heard you had a few moments already, with the teachers and the students"

"If they can even be called that" I shot back

"Ash, can't you at least try to make an effort at being cooperative or maybe show a bit of kindness?" He asked, he expects one of either, well I choose neither.

"A student thought my Pikachu was a Dedenne" I brought up the moment "What are you even teaching these students if they don't even know the difference"

The professor seemed a bit shocked at this, but went back to his neutral state.

"I know this isn't what you expected when you were sent here, but could you maybe try opening up to somebody?" He asked nearly begged from my point of view.

"No, I cannot. Not since what happened, I don't like repeating past mistakes" I put coldly

"It's your own choice and I think it would be marvelous for you" He put positively

I was hoping that there was nothing else we needed to get out of the way, but then he reminded me of one last thing. "Oh I nearly forgot, on Saturday the Elite Squad is meeting up. We will have a short introduction and begin planning" The professor explained.

'Yeah, hearing the details is nice and all, but the location is even better' I thought to myself. I waited for him to mention where we would meet. 

"Where will we meet" I broke the silence. "Oh yes right, we will be meeting at a cafe near the prism tower. You shouldn't be able to miss it. It's quite popular" He finally said.

"If that's it I shall take my leave" I said. I opened the door and slammed it shut while cutting off the professor's goodbye.

When I exited the office Pikachu jumped on my shoulders and nuzzled its cheeks on mine.

"Come on Pikachu, let's get some rest"