A Special Kind Of Love?

Chapter 16

[Ash's POV]

It took us two hours but we reached lumiose city. Upon entering the Pokemon centre we spotted the boy sitting alone in the waiting area. We ran up to him.

His friend spoke first to get his attention. "Zack! How's metagross?" He called. Zack looked up and saw us, he stood up as we approached him. "He's okay, nurse Joy said that I'm lucky he was here on time." He then turned to us, thanks for calling that Charizard. If it weren't for him. Metagross might be dead." He said.

"Honestly, I'm sorry. If it wasn't for my Torterra, you wouldn't have ended up here." I apologized, "well, then I wouldn't even know my weakness. I always thought that my rapid spin technique was invincible. I had plans for the IPBG tournament. But I guess I'm out. Metagross was my ace." 

"I'm still sorry about that, I didn't realize it would be so dangerous. And I'm sorry, because of me you can't participate." I apologized again, I felt bad for him. "Don't be, you made me realize that I have still much to practice." He said. He gave a genuine smile that confirmed that he meant it. I returned one back. 

"I'll be going now. I need to get back before evening." I said as I turned around, they said their goodbyes to me. But I realized Hilbert was nowhere to be seen. 

I took a look around the center and surely I found him talking to a group of teens. But I'd rather not go and join their talk. That was because they were THEM. And I don't say it's Hilbert's fault. He doesn't know. We used to be friends when he was with us. But after he left, things changed. 

"Hey Ash over here!" I heard Hilbert, but I ignored him. I heard the other guys say, 'Why would you call him? He's an outcast now. No one talks to him'. I ignored them all and went out.

I'm not bothered by this, because I know Hilbert won't betray me. He isn't like them. I waited outside the centre near an ice cream shop. Hilbert walked out soon but still he was with them. He noticed me and I saw his expression, it was confused. He was confused. 

The guys took him with them, and I was left alone. I sighed and started towards my home. On the way I met Infernape. He said he had learnt a new move and wanted to show me, so I went with him. 

We reached a clearing where he started his presentation. He started off with running at high speed and jumped up. While landing he formed a fist and I saw it spark. The spark intended as he slammed his fist on the ground making a big shock wave. It was Thunder Punch.

"Whoa! That was awesome! You learned Thunder Punch. It will be a great secret weapon against water types." I said as I patted him. He was too proud of his achievement and gave a fist pump on his chest. 

After that I continued my walk to my house, but I was met by someone else on the way. I smiled at him, but his expression seemed questioning. He looked at me sadly. 

"What happened here Ash?" He asked longingly. I knew they had said awful things about me and Hilbert wasn't ready to accept them, not unless he asked me if they were true.

"I'll tell you everything, but first let's go home." I said, "alright" he followed me.

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"Everything started after my Pidgeot's death… I remember all of you trying to console me. I didn't do anything after that, I even quit battling. But the most important thing, you had to go. And that was what broke me. After you were gone. Calem and Paul spread lies about me. Day by day, all the students believed them and I was left all alone. My friends started to leave me. Alain, drew, Barry and even Gary.

I was even pushed from the group. They ignored me in all of their activities. 

I couldn't handle everything and I became depressed, I became the outcast of the school. I wouldn't talk, I wouldn't battle, I ignored the teacher as well. They picked on me, they bullied me, beat me till I bled. For days I won't go to school because of a pain.