32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 19 Suicide Horror

Ash chases Corey to the bridge, and then he finds him releasing all of his Pokemon.

Corey: Right. You're done. You've served me well, but now you're free. Get lost.

All of his Pokemon are showing their sad faces, and then the first one to leave is Skuntank, and then Croagunk, Nidorina, Skrelp, and then Mareanie. Crobat is the one that stays.

Corey: That means you too. You're not special. Get a move on. (Seeing Crobat still won't move) I said get lost already. You're not wanted here anymore!

Crobat has tears in his eyes before flying away, Ash is not happy with his decision.

Ash: What the hell did you do that for? They're your Pokemon and you just did that?

Corey: I released them, so they're not my Pokemon. With that out of the way, I won't be needing these anymore. (Throws the Poke Balls to the ground, turns to Ash) I never wanted it to be this way. If I had had a choice, I never would have joined Team Meteor. I was cursed by my own luck. There was a ring with a single, brilliant ruby. I purchased it from a traveling merchant some time ago. I was never one for jewelry myself, but it was the most dazzling ring I had ever seen. I decided that I would introduce that ring to what true beauty was. I promised it to my love, and she accepted. But luck is never one-sided. Back then, I was happy. I was naive. Shortly after we married, my wife became pregnant. That was the beginning of the end. She did not survive Heather's birth.

Ash is confused, from what he heard from his mother, Corey's wife was killed by Team Meteor, not because of dystocia.

Corey: I was told that she died because of a mechanical error during the delivery. Unlucky. But that wasn't all there was to the story. I would later learn that the doctor assigned to her had been dispatched by Team Meteor specifically to obtain that ring. So I found him. I carved for him regrets that he would not soon forget. And I seized the ring. But in the end, I failed. Because he had Heather. The ring for her life. But there were no promises there. Instead, I made a deal. My service for her safety. And as a bonus, I would keep the ring. To me, it was the last token of our happiness. Heather was the last joy we never got to share. And now because of it, she's gone. There's nothing left. I cannot return to Team Meteor- they believe I am a traitor. But I cannot turn against them, since my identity has been revealed. If not to the police, then to that woman. She clearly knew who I was in the first place. And now I cannot even protect the one thing I sought. One wrong move and our lives will be wagered against each other again. I won't let that happen.

Just then, Corey stands to walk towards the edge of the bridge. Ash widens his eyes as he knows what he is going to do.

Corey: Heather has the ring. She will be hunted for it. Please, watch over her for me. And, one more thing- Embedded underneath the jewel of the ring is a small data chip. In it, you'll find no small amount of information on Team Meteor, their projects, and their bases of operation. Consider it payment for the burden I leave you with.

Ash: Hey! Wait a minute! You can't do this! It would crush Heather! Regardless of what happened, you're still her father! She still needs you in her life!

Corey: I no longer have the right to call myself her father. I wonder if I ever did. (Spreads his arms) I've waited so long just to feel the wind on my cheek again. I wanted to go chasing the horizon with you one more time... Fly a little faster, darling... Just a little more, and I'd swear we could reach out and touch the moon.

Ash quickly rushes and extends his right arm, but it is too late.

Ash: COREY!

Corey fell off the edge of the bridge, and he is going towards his death. Ash and Pikachu can only stare with shock as tears are starting to form in their eyes, it is their fault, Heather doesn't have a father anymore.