No Return (The Return Series)

The Rift

Been a while since I last updated. Sorry about that. I stared rereading the Percy Jackson series that's why. And Dawn is back. In the anime. At this time of me writing this, the episodes came out 2 days ago. I have to say I'm a little disappointed, like you have a fan favourite character and you have Ash. They don't even meet until like half way through the 2nd episode. And the ending feels rushed. And it also felt a bit like Dawn might've been staying for a bit. But she's not. So I'm sad. Time to wait another 10 years before we see her again. Lol. And please don't kill me for this chapter.

Lumiose City
2 Days before it Begins

With Dawn and Kenny:
Dawn laughed with Kenny at a joke he had just told her. It reminded her of the old days when they were younger and used to hang out every day. "Do you remember your hair the day you held those Plusle and Minun," Kenny asked laughing, "it was everywhere Deedee." Dawn smiled remembering the nick name Kenny used to call her. "Shut up," Dawn said playfully, "that was a bad day. For my hair." They both sat together in the now comfortable silence. But Kenny was wracked with guilt in what he was going to do. What they had asked him to do. 'Well,' Kenny thought to himself, 'no turning back now.'

With Ash:
Ash was looking at person staring at him like they were seeing a ghost. Well, it was Alain. Alain did think Ash was dead. So there was that. But last time he was Alain was in Sinnoh 4 years ago. Alain had lost to Paul in the semi-finals but none of that mattered now. Now the only thing mattered was the person standing in front of him. A male with a blue scarf and black jacket. The referee walked onto the field. "This battle is between Alain of Couriway Town, Kalos and Red of Pallet Town, Kanto. Trainers send out your first Pokémon," the ref announced. "Tyranitar, let's go," Alain yelled, "Greninja," Ash said. "Battle begin," the ref yelled. "Tyranitar use Stone Edge," Alain yelled, "Water Shuriken," Ash yelled. Water Shuriken cut through Stone Edge easily. "Tyranitar use Dark Pulse," Alain yelled. Dark Pulse only proved to put up a bit of resistance for Water Shuriken. "Tyranitar dodge," Alain cried. Tyranitar was unable to do so and was hit with the full force of Water Shuriken. "Tyranitar is unable to battle, the winner is Greninja. Will Trainer Alain please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. "Go Weavile," Alain yelled. "Use Ice Beam," Alain yelled, "Greninja use Water Shuriken," Ash yelled. "Weavile dodge," Alain yelled. Due to having a lot more time and being a lot more agile than Tyranitar, Weavile was able to dodge easily. "Use Night Slash," both Trainers yelled. Weavile dives at Greninja, trying to hit it. Greninja blocked before hitting Weavile to the ground. "Use Water Shuriken," Ash yelled, "ninnn jaaaaa," Greninja cried at it launched its attack at Weavile who was still on the floor. "Weavile, no," Alain cried. "Weavile is unable to battle, the winner is Greninja. Will Trainer Alain please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. Alain was shocked, 'last time I saw Ash was 4 years ago at the Sinnoh League,' Alain thought, 'why changed. How did Ash get so strong in 4 years.' "Go Unfeazant," Alain yelled, "use Sky Attack." "Unfeazantttt," Unfeazant cried as it was covered in gold energy. "Greninja use Double Team," Ash said. "Unfeazant," Unfeazant cried as it hit a fake Greninja and went crashing into the ground. "Greninja use Night Slash," Ash yelled, "Unfeazant use Air Slash," "Greeeninjaaaa/Unfeazanttttt," both Pokémon cried. Greninja jumped, aiming for Unfeazant who was still on the ground. Planning on hitting it into the ground more. Unfeazant had other plans. Well unlucky for it, it's plan didn't work. Air Slash hit Greninja, it just didn't do enough. Greninja was struck by Air Slash as it was falling. But Greninja had to much momentum. Greninja fell out of the smoke that had gathered in the air from Greninja being hit, not a scratch on its frog body. Still holding the dark glowing blade. "Ninjaaaa," it cried as it struck Unfeazant. "Unfeazant is unable to battle, The winner is Greninja. Will Trainer Alain please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. 'Impossible,' Alain thought, 'how could someone get so good at battling in 4 years.' Alain had barely lost to Paul in the semi-finals of the Sinnoh League. And Paul had barely lost to Ash in the finals so it made no sense. Yet here Alain was 3 of his Pokémon fainted while none of Ash's had fainted and he had only revealed one of his. "Bisharp, let's go," Alain yelled. "Bisharp," Bisharp cried as it left its Pokeball. "Use Iron Head." Alain yelled, "Night Slash," Ash yelled. Sparks flew from where the attacks met. "Use Fury Cutter," Alain yelled, "use Haze," Ash spoke calmly. White smoke began to cover the area where Greninja was. "Night Slash," Ash yelled. Greninja jumped out of the smoke going straight for Bisharp and cut through it. (Anime style) Bisharp fell to the ground with swirls in its eyes. "Bisharp is unable to battle, the winner is Greninja. Will Trainer Alain please send out their next Pokémon," the ref announced. "Let's go, Metagross," Alain yelled, "Meta," Metagross cried as it came out of its Pokeball, landing on the ground. "Metagross use Flash Cannon," Alain yelled, "Double Team," Ash yelled back. "Use Flash Cannon," "Water Shuriken." Ash could tell immediately that Metagross was a lot stronger than any of Alain's Pokémon he had battled so far. "Meteor Mash," Alain yelled, "Night Slash," Ash yelled. Greninja jumped for Metagross but Greninja was struck in the gut by Meteor Mash sending it into the air. 'That's right,' Ash thought to himself, 'Metagross's mind is like a supercomputer so I'll have to just overpower it because it can predict all of my moves.' "Greninja use Night Slash," Ash yelled. "Metagross use Flash Cannon," Alain yelled. As Greninja began to descend Flash Cannon met with Night Slash as it was falling. "Metaaaa/ ninjaaaaa," both Pokémon cried as they struggled against each other. Eventually Greninja got the upper hand and hit Metagross. Metagross was sent back but was unable to predict another strike coming from Greninja. "Metagross is unable to battle the winner is Greninja. Will Trainer Alain please send out their last Pokémon," the ref announced. "Charizard. Let's go," Alain yelled. "Charrrrr," Charizard roared as it came out of its Pokeball. Alain held his arm up. On it was a black and blue bracelet. And Ash knew exactly what it was. Since that incident in Kalos nearly 6 years ago Alain had gotten a new mega ring. Ash saw the collar that Charizard was wearing. Similar to the old one Alain's Charizard used to wear but this one had engravings in it. Ash could barely make out. The giant rock. Mega Rayquaza. And Complete Zygarde. They were engravings on how Mega evolution was made. Ash had never bought into the fact that the first Pokémon ever to mega evolve was Lucario. Just a random Pokémon. Maybe the first Pokémon to mega evolve because of a human. But not the first to mega evolve. Ash wasn't sure why he was giving it so much thought suddenly but here he was. 'The giant rock. Maybe that was the source of mega evolution,' Ash thought, 'if that's so than based on what happened 6 years ago. Zygarde May of made the giant rock and the giant rock May of helped Rayquaza mega evolve or helped it control it.' Ash was brought out of his trail of thought by speaking. "Key Stone. Respond to my heart, beyond evolution. Mega evolve," Alain yelled. "Charrrr," Charizard cried as it began to glow and change forms. When Charizard stopped glowing it was black and blue with a rainbow symbol in front of it before disappearing. "Charizard use Flamethrower," Alain yelled, "Night Slash," Ash yelled. Greninja used Night Slash in an X motion cutting through it easily. "Charizard use Dragon Pulse," Alain yelled, "Water Shuriken," Ash yelled. Dragon Pulse met Water Shuriken and seemed to bite down on it causing an explosion in the air. "Charizard use Thunder Punch," Alain yelled, "Double Team," Ash said. Greninja began to multiply, confusing Charizard. "Charizard use Blast Burn," Alain yelled, "Charrr," Charizard cried as it slammed its fist into the ground. The Greninja's disappeared as the ground exploded around them. "Water Shuriken," Ash yelled. 4 Greninja jumped and threw blue Shurikens at Charizard. "Charizard use Flamethrower," Alain yelled. Flamethrower cut through tall the Water Shurikens and hit all 4 Greninja making them disappear. "What," Alain muttered to himself. That's when he noticed it. The green doll. "Now Greninja use Water Shuriken," Ash yelled, "Charizard behind you," Alain yelled. Water Shuriken nailed Charizard in the neck, slamming it into the ground. When the dust cleared Charizard was still standing. Breathing heavily. But still standing. "Charizard use Thunder Punch," Alain yelled, "Greninja use Night Slash," Ash yelled back. They cut through each other and Greninja retracted it's blades just as Charizard exploded into smoke.(like in every anime ever conceived) When the smoke cleared Charizard had reverted back to its normal orange form. "Charizard is unable to battle, the winner is Greninja. So the match goes to Red of Pallet Town, Kanto," the ref announced. Ash went to the middle to shake Alain's hand. Alain began whispering to him, "how the hell are you alive." "I never died," Ash replied, slightly amused. "How did you get so strong in 4 years," Alain asked, "special training," Ash smirked. "Do you think you could teach me," Alain asked. Ash wasn't sure if he were serious but he went along anyway. "Nah. Only a select few get it," Ash replied before walking off.

10 Minutes Later:
"Why didn't you do the thing," Jimmy asked. "The... what," Ash asked, confused. "You know the thing you used to do with your Greninja. Where it would like change forms. Without a mega stone," Jimmy replied. "Oohhhh," Ash said, "that. I lost that ability 4 years ago. Same time I lost the ability to use aura. I guess they're linked somehow. But I don't know why I lost those abilities." 'It can't be a coincidence,' Jimmy thought to himself, 'they are connected. 4 years ago Ash joined Team Rocket. Same time he lost his ability to use aura and that form thingy with his Greninja.' Jimmy was pulled from his thoughts by Ash speaking, "oi. Oi Jimmy, you there," Ash yelled in his ear while waving his hand in front of Jimmy's face. "Yea I'm here," Jimmy muttered. "The finals start tomorrow," Ash stated, "yea,"Jimmy said sarcastically , "can't wait to beat you." "We all know how that match is going to turn out," Ash said smirking. "Come on they're announcing the ladder. Don't you want to go flex on other people that aren't as good as us," Jimmy asked jokingly, "I uhh, actually promised Dawn I'd meet her after my battle," Ash said. "Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "I'll uhh catch you later," Ash said before walking off. Jimmy wolf whistled in Ash's directed and laughed a bit when Ash stuck up the finger to him. When Ash was out of sight he heard a voice on the loudspeakers. "Hello ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls. I am here to announce our top competitors. We move into the final matches tomorrow and the day after that. So I will announce our top 252 competitors who will compete tomorrow for 100 million Pokedollars and the title of supreme champion," Mr. Goodshow yelled through the loudspeaker, "in 1st place we have White of Flocessy Town, Unova. In 2nd place we have Green of Pallet Town, Kanto. In 3rd place we have Silver of Viridian City, Kanto. In 4th place we have Gold of New Bark Town, Johto. In 5th place we have Red of Pallet Town, Kanto. In 6th place we have Paul of Veilstone City, Sinnoh. In 7th place we have Blue of Pallet Town, Kanto." Jimmy mostly switched off after that only hearing snippets of what Mr. Goodshow was saying. "In 22nd place we have Leon of Postwick Town, Galar." That got Jimmy's attention. Jimmy had never been to a mission to Galar and apparently there was a bunch of different form Pokémon there. "In 186th place we have Alain of Couriway Town, Kalos." 'That was the guy that Ash just versed,' Jimmy thought. "In 250th place we have Max of Petalburg City, Hoenn." 'That was one of Ash's old friends,' Jimmy thought. Just then Ash showed up. Jimmy glanced over, Ash's eyes looked dead again. 'Oh no,' Jimmy thought, "what's up with you," Jimmy asked. "Nothing," Ash replied shining a fake smile. 'Ash said he was going to meet Daw...' Jimmy cut off his own thoughts, 'we're fucked.'

5 minutes ago
With Kenny and Dawn:
Kenny and Dawn sat talking. Laughing. Like when they were children. It was good. Dawn didn't think her life could currently get any better. Ash was back and forgave her and she found out her childhood friend betrayed her to protect his family. She couldn't be more wrong. After Kenny had told her a joke she couldn't stop laughing so she didn't notice Kenny looking at his Pokédex. Kenny had just got a message from the same person who had contacted him about something similar 4 years ago. Tracking. A thing that was tracking Ash. The person had said, 'it's now or never. Remember our deal. You don't want to let me down.' Kenny shivered before going to to sit next to Dawn on the bench they were sat at. The flashing red light showed where Ash was. And he was just about to turn the corner. Dawn had stopped laughing. "No turning back now," Kenny muttered to himself. He reached next to him and grabbed Dawns face kissing her. Hard. She was too shocked and surprised to pull away or notice Ash standing there. By the time she had seen Ash it was too late. Ash began to walk off. And so did Kenny. In the other direction. Kenny called the person who had him do it, "the mission," Kenny began, "it's done. Let's talk payment." "Yes," the voice said, "1 million pokedollars will be wired to your Pokebank account. It was nice doing business with you Kenny." "You too..." Kenny replied.

With Ash and Dawn:
"Ash," Dawn yelled as she followed Ash, "Ash please. You don't understand." "I understand enough," his voice replied, coldly, "this is just a game to you. It's always been a game." "No it hasn't. Please. You have to listen to me. Kenny. It was Kenny. He kissed me," Dawn pleaded. Ash regarded her for a moment. The light seemed to flicker in his eyes for a moment. Flickering between their original colour and dark, dead eyes. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before his expression hardened. His eyes changed to the dark, dead colour before Ash spoke. "Trying to deflect the blame onto someone else won't work. I'm done being manipulated by you," Ash said before walking off. "Ash," Dawn cried, "please I love you. Ash Ketchum." Ash came to a halt. Without turning to face her he spoke coldly, "Ash Ketchum died in a forest fire 4 years ago."

2600 Words.