Infested

Failed Surprises

"Gladion? Oh, hey you picked up-"

"Uh, yes, I'm okay. It's Ash."

"W-well, he freaked out and ran off. He left Pikachu and his Pokémon with us."

Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, and Sophocles all watched as Lillie paced around the room, taking to her brother. When she finally hung up, she looked towards the group sighing.

"Let's just say he's very protective over Ash ever since the Ultra Beast incident." Lillie smiled while snickering slightly.

Gladion hung up and cursed out loud, earning a confused cry from Umbreon. He knelt to Umbreon, calming down the worried Pokémon.

"I'm sorry, I just need to find Ash." Gladion apologized, returning Umbreon to his Pokémon and called out Silvally.

"Silvally, lets go." Gladion commanded, Silvally roared in response, making the people on the streets move out of the way.

Ash muttered underneath his breath as he ran into an unknown forest. Poisonous thoughts clouded his mind.

'You're running away again

Who else are you going to leave

Brock

Misty

Gary

May

Max

Tracy

Dawn,

Serena,

Bonnie,

Clemont,

Gladion.

Ash, you're a monster.'

Ash shook his head, trying to get his thoughts to shut up, but it was useless. He eventually decided to stop for a bit.

"I'm sorry. I failed everyone."

"Yeah, and it was pretty fucking stupid if you ask me." Ash perked up, no one was there. Was it his thoughts?

"W-who's there?" Ash stuttered out, he didn't have anything with him. The voice laughed before revealing itself.

Ash's eyes widened at the person who was standing before him.

"Why are you here, Guzma?" Ash demanded.

"Isn't it obvious, to make you know how it feels to be forgotten. No ones coming to rescue you, not even your Pokémon." Guzma laughed insanely, grabbing a Pokéball and letting his Golisopod out.

"Golisopod, Poison Jab!" The Pokemon followed it's commands, jabbing Ash with its pincers. Ash fell to his knees, wincing in pain.

Greninja came out of his Pokéball, growling lowly. Lillie and the rest of her classmates had decided to stay with the Pokémon.

"Greninja, what's wrong?" Lillie asked.

"Gren!" Greninja turned to Pikachu, explaining the matter.

"Pikachu?" Pikachu turned his head, confused, before a look of fright took over.

"Pikapi! Pikapi!" Pikachu bolted to Lillie, pulling on her shirt.

"What's wrong Pikachu?" Kiawe asked.

Mallow knelt to his level. "Is Ash in trouble?"

Pikachu nodded before following Greninja out of the room, motioning for the others to follow.