Separated but Connected

Numb

Ash awoke with a massive headache. Since when did Pikachu's Thunderbolt become so intense? He stopped. The memories of what actually happened came back full force, making his head pound even more.

He remembered training, a man-no, Lucien-appearing out of nowhere, and then intense panic and pain. However, the memory of what happened to Greninja pierced his heart like a thorn. Ash quickly sat up, ignoring the way his stomach twisted with distress and the way his head pounded.

He turned around to see that Greninja wasn't by his side. Ash could see deep impressions in the forest floor, almost as if something, or someone, was being dragged away.

Ash let out a startled gasp. The grunts must've grabbed Greninja as soon as both of them were knocked out.

Ash's hands began to tremble with rage. Losing Greninja, heck, losing any of his Pokémon, was heart wrenching.

Ash's legs felt like jelly as he felt tears trickle from the corner of his eyes. His body felt completely numb as the tears ran down his cheeks. He looked up at the sunny sky in a silent prayer. 'Please, please keep Greninja safe.'

He knew Greninja was strong and that he could take care of himself, but the fact that Ash didn't know what Lucien or his men were doing to him scared him to his core.

Ash sighed sadly as he slowly walked back to camp, feeling as if his legs would give out on him at any moment. He didn't care. He didn't care about anything. He cursed himself. Thoughts ran in his head. Why hadn't Lucien taken him too? Then, he could at least share whatever pain Greninja was in with him.

Before he knew it, Ash numbly walked back into camp.

"Ash, you're back!" Serena called from her tent. She and Bonnie walked over toward him, while Clemont stayed behind, standing over a pot Ash assumed was soup.

"Clemont was about to ask us to come get you and-!" Bonnie stopped, a confused look began forming on her face. "Hey Ash, where's Greninja?" She asked.

"Yeah," Serena added, puzzled. "You said that you two were training together. Did he decide to train by himself?"

Ash tried to not let Serena's question get to him. He locked his gaze to the forest floor.

Serena gave him a side stare. "Ash, what's wrong?" She whispered.

Ash took a deep breath. "Greninja's gone." He choked out.

Serena and Bonnie let out shocked gasps.

"Gone?! What do you mean gone?" Bonnie questioned.

Ash avoided her gaze. "He was captured by this man. He called himself Lucien."

"What would he want with Greninja?" Serena questioned.

"Lucien said he saw me and Greninja transform, and he wants to sell him on the black market for money." Ash choked out. He heard their shocked gasps, but he barely paid attention. He noticed that Pikachu, Talonflame, Hawlucha, and Noivern were watching them, confusion in their eyes.

Ash sighed as he walked over to them.

Serena and Bonnie saw the four Pokémon cried out in dismay, before the four of them gathered around Ash in a much needed team hug. They were going to mourn the loss of their friend and ally together.

Serena noticed Clemont giving them a strange stare. She sighed sadly before she and Bonnie walked over to deliver the upsetting news.