Chapters Ponyville
Late at night
Twilight Sparkle, at this time on most nights, would be sound asleep in bed, preparing for tomorrow's work.
This was not one of those nights. A strange and unnatural lunar phenomenon, known as the Gate to the Sky, would be appearing tonight. The Gate itself was a natural light show, almost resembling a rainbow at night.
And it only appeared once in every lifetime or so. Twilight had been jittery with nerves the entire day, and though it was rare, she had asked her friends to let her be alone tonight.
Of course, they had agreed. Right now, Spike was in bed, and Owlowiscious was out hunting, as most owls do. Twilight adjusted her measurements, the stars dimmed, signalling the beginning of the event.
"Here we go…" Twilight said, adjusting her instruments as the lights began to appear. As she watched in awe, three lights appeared before her at the center of the swirling rainbows. One was lilac purple, another ocean blue, and one was darker than the night sky itself. They moved in harmony, almost if dancing or fighting each other.
And Twilight was ravishly enjoying every second of it. As she scribbled notes with her magic, adjusted her instruments with her left hoof, and kept her right hoof to her heart, her eyes were clear with wonder.
However, she did not know of the unknown, cataclysmic battle that was unfolding before her, in the skies above.
=====
"SPACIAL REND!"
"ROAR OF TIME!"
"SHADOW FORCE!"
In the midst of this battle, were three creatures that could only be described as legends or gods. One was gleaming silver and ocean blue, one shining pink, the last was black and gold.
Dialga, the legendary Temporal Pokemon.
Palkia, the legendary Spatial Pokemon.
And Giratina, the legendary Renegade Pokemon.
Currently, the three of them were engaged in combat with a swirling black and red entity they not seen before. It had torn open the barrier between its world and the Human world while attempting to cross over, something the three Pokemon would not tolerate in the slightest.
For Dialga and Palkia's previous conflict had nearly erased a human town from existence. Their brother, Giratina, had felt the tear open and come to assist his siblings in battle. The three had learned their lesson, and they would teach it to anyone who dared threaten the human world.
And right now, they were evenly matched. The Entity hurled blasts of corrupted black energy towards the deities of Time, Space, and Antimatter, which was met with various attacks as a response.
"I grow weary, Brother!" Dialga cried as she fired a Flash Cannon. "My strength is failing!"
"We must persevere!" Palkia replied, blasting the entity with Hydro Pump. "We cannot let it cross the boundary!"
"I agree!" Giratina roared, peppering the being with Dragon Pulse. "It is strong, but we are stronger! We must attack, one last time! Everything we have left!"
"RIGHT!" the other two Pokemon replied. "One last chance for victory!'
As they merged their strength, they once again unleashed their signature attacks. As Spacial Rend, Roar of Time, and Shadow Force hit the entity full-force, it was sent flying into the void-like abyss with a chilling howl of rage.
"We have won!" Dialga cried. "Though I fear our foe may return."
"Indeed." Giratina said. "We must tell Arceus of this battle. He will know what to do."
"As you wish." Palkia said. "Though the boundary is weak. It must be healed."
"It will, in time and with vigilance." Giratina said. "We will see what comes of this."
====
As Twilight Sparkle watched, the Gate to the Sky faded and the night sky was again filled with stars. She set her instruments aside, and packed her notes away. Her evening procedures was interrupted by a loud yawn.
"Spike?" she asked. "What's up?"
"Just getting a drink." the baby dragon replied. "Was it worth it?"
"Totally worth it!" she replied with a smile. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"Well, shucks." Spike said. "You should get to bed, it's...what time is it?"
"I think around midnight." she replied. "I can't tell though, our clock seems to have stopped."
True to Twilight's word, the crystal Grandfather clock in the office had stopped on midnight exactly.
"Huh." Spike said. "Weird. Maybe we can get it fixed in the morning."
"Sure." Twilight said as the two of them headed to bed. "It is strange, though. For a split second while I was watching the Gate, it felt like time had stopped all of a sudden."
====
Lumiose City, even on the darkest of nights, was still brightly lit with lamps and glowing gold. For many of its residents, they didn't mind.
For one particular trainer, sleeping with all the light shining was near impossible. Amuro stood up and out of bed, sighing as he checked the time.
"It's one AM?" he murmured. "Great."
Amuro had only been in Kalos for a few days, but even so it was still a far cry from his home region of Kanto. Though he was born in Saffron City, he moved to Pallet Town when he was too young to remember. Not that it mattered, anyway. The one thing that mattered to this trainer right now..
...Was getting some sleep. The Pokemon World Tournament Master's Cup was being held in three days, and nearly every trainer that could qualify had done so. The requirements were simple, a qualifier needed only to have eight Gym Badges, but in the case of multiple trainers from Alola, to have completed the Alolan Island Challenge. Countless trainers had come to Lumiose to compete, watch or enjoy the Tournament. Amuro and his circle of friends from other regions had all registered, and Professor Sycamore had enough sleeping bags and space for them and their various Pokemon.
And right now, Amuro was certainly envious of his partner, Blastoise. The Shellfish Pokemon was resting in Sycamore's conservatory, along with countless others. Amuro chuckled as he thought of his friend's bulk sheltering smaller Pokemon.
Amuro sighed and walked away from the door towards his sleeping bag. Eventually, he decided to give sleep one last chance. Setting his head down, he closed his eyes, and tried to settle down…
...Except he couldn't. He got up once again and headed for the bathroom.
====
Careful not to wake anyone else up, Amuro looked at himself in the mirror as he washed his face with warm water. Groaning with frustration, he sat down against the cabinets and placed his head down. Eventually, he sat up and headed back to the balcony.
And we was greeted by a formation of light similar to a rainbow, shining in the sky. Amuro froze and let the sight fill his vision, smiling slightly as he watched. He stood there for a while, until he felt the urge to yawn. Covering his mouth with his hand, he finally felt ready to head back to sleep. Settling down his head, he felt his eyes close, and he entered a dreamless sleep.
====
The moon shone down on the spruce and pine trees, illuminating their leaves with a soft glow. There was nothing to be heard, not even the cries of nocturnal Pokemon. The silence was suddenly broken…
By footsteps. Ten men and women, clad in a camouflage pattern of black, gray, and white walked through the forest. On their shoulders was a patch of a orb surrounded by rings. They carried multiple scientific instruments, and each one had two Pokeballs. As they approached their objective, they paused. A ruin lay in the middle of the pines, made of old, worn stone. It was shaped like the base of a pyramid, with a ring of black stone. The men and women quickly set up their instruments and released their Pokemon to keep guard as they worked.
"Should the boss be here soon?" one man asked.
"I think so." said another. "We've come so far, we can't give up now. Have you got anything?"
"Something small." the man replied. "It's coming from beneath us."
The group stopped at the sound of approaching steps. An older man, wearing a similar colored suit and sash, approached, followed by a Drapion and a Salazzle.
"Is there anything here?" he asked, in a deep voice
"Yes, sir. Coming from right below us. Faint, but it's there." one man said. The man in the suit nodded and stepped before the ring.
"Resume your work." he said. "And notify me if anything happens."
Author's Note
Yep, a new Pokemon story. Hopefully this one's better.
Chapter 1-Santalune Forest
The next morning, Twilight was still in bed, asleep from exhaustion. She moaned and tossed around, eventually blinking her eyes open. She slipped out of bed to find Spike making breakfast.
"Morning." he said. "You slept in, Twi. I was gonna wake you up."
"Well, I did stay up late." she conceded. "Nice to hear you were thinking of me."
Before Spike could reply, he burped out a scroll with the Royal Seal.
"Celestia wrote?" Twilight said, puzzled. "At this time of day? Why?"
"I wouldn't know." Spike said.
Twilight opened the scroll and began to read.
Dearest Twilight,
I presume that you saw The Gate to the Sky last night. Though a fascinating light show, there is something I must confide in you, something moire.
The Gate to the Sky serves another purpose. It is a presumed link to an alternate world, on the other side of ours, across a existential boundary to keep them apart at all costs.
However, last night, that boundary was broken. I am not sure who or what committed this deed, but seeing as the last time it was broken, an entire town was nearly wiped out from existence. I need you, and you alone, to cross the boundary yourself and find out what has happened on the other side. if anything. I have made arrangements for your safe passage over and back.
Though, this will be difficult. Once you are across, you cannot communicate with anyone in this world, unless through the boundary itself. Also, there is great danger in this other world. I and the ruler of this other world believe that you are up to the task, however.
Come to me when you are ready to depart, but time is of the essence. I fear whatever breached it will return when it can.
Celestia.
Twilight closed the scroll and sighed, knowing this would be one of the most difficult tasks she had even been given by her mentor.
"Spike, I'm needed in Canterlot." she said. "Can you hang out with Rarity for a while?"
"Sure." Spike said, blushing. "How long?"
"I'm not sure." she said. "A few days, at least."
"Alright." he replied, serving her breakfast on a plate. "When do you need to leave?"
"As soon as I eat." she said, beginning to do so. Later, she packed her saddle-bags, and teleported to Celestia's office.
====
Twilight appeared with a flash, and was greeted by her mentor with a smile.
"I'm glad you came." Celestia said. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." Twilight said. "As I'll ever be."
Celestia focused her magic, and fired a downwards-moving beam of white light into the air. The result was a rift in space and time, appearing like a crack in a glass screen.
"Go." Celestia said. "And take this."
Celestia handed Twilight a leather-bound book.
"To record your experiences." she said simply. "Good luck!"
"I won't let you down!" Twilight said as she entered, and everything went white.
====
South of Lumiose
Through the leaves were bright green, and the forest Pokemon were not yet awake, seven Pokemon trainers hiked through the woods towards a clearing. Matthew, a Kalosian trainer, took his time leading the group, as he and everyone else knew that every battlefield in Lumiose was packed with trainers. Here, the seven could hone their skills in private, and without interruption.
"Matthew, why is this taking so long?" Courtney, from Unova, asked impatiently. "I feel like we're going in circles."
"We're not." Mason, from Hoenn, said. "My DexNav says we are right on track."
"I swear you rely on that too much." Athena, from Sinnoh, said with a smile. Mason merely shrugged in reply.
"And with that, we're here!" Matthew said, spreading his arms out wide. The clearing, as Matthew said, was empty. A small spring of water near a few rocks, along with a small hill in the distance, was the only thing present, apart from trees.
"Let's get set up." Amuro said. "We only have two days before the Tournament starts."
"Right!" everyone cried as their released their Pokemon.
====
Twilight Sparkle tumbled to the grassy ground as the portal closed. She found that she was now in her human body and school clothes, with her saddle-bags transformed into a backpack. She could hear the cries of animals, and the sun was overhead and past the apex, suggesting it was late afternoon. She took a few steps cautiously, and got her bearings before writing in her journal.
Unknown location and time
Arrived in the other world. No sign of inhabitants, but there seems to be wildlife. Will try to find civilization in the meantime.
As she closed her journal and put it away, she didn't notice an avian Pokemon watching her. This Mandibuzz eyed the human with suspicion, as she knew her Trainer's instructions were to keep an eye out for intruders at the work site.
She dove back into the trees, flying low as to not be noticed by the stranger.
====
The man in the suit watched as his Mandibuzz flew over to him, bringing his view away from the various scientists scattered about.
"What is it?" he asked. The Bone Vulture Pokemon gave a quiet caw, and pointed with its left wing towards the east.
"An intruder?" the man asked.
The bird Pokemon nodded.
"Good job. Show me." he said. Mandibuzz took off, and the man followed, smiling.
"Seems there's no shortage of...unwelcome guests." he murmured.
====
Twilight stood up from the tree she was under with a start. The cries of the birds had gone silent. She looked around for any potential disturbances, only to hear nothing.
Then, she felt a hard blow to the back of her head. As she collapsed, the last thing she saw was a man in a gray suit with a purple sash, wiping his hands clean with a handkerchief and picking up her bag.
====
The man looked over at the intruder with a curious eye. She looked to be seventeen, and noting the absence of Poke Balls, she wasn't a trainer. The man picked her up and carried her back to the work site.
As he arrived, he took a small cube laced with circles from his pocket. Setting the girl down, he tapped his wristwatch. A domed energy shield appeared around the intruder, sealing her off but still letting her speak or hear if spoken too.
"Back to work!" he said to the scientists. "We don't have time to waste!"
"Yessir!" was the immediate reply. The man looked at Mandibuzz, who was eyeing the girl.
"Watch her, and alert me if she rouses herself." he said. "I have work to do."
Mandibuzz cawed and perched itself on a fallen tree branch. The man chuckled, tossed her a Sitrus Berry, and walked off to search the girl's bag for information.
====
"That's strange." Amuro said, during the middle of his group's lunch.
"What?" Matthew said through a mouthful of noodles.
"The Pokemon…" Amuro replied. "They've gone quiet. They were busy talking a while ago."
"Maybe something startled them." Courtney said, shrugging. "It's not like there's a Tyranitar nest around here or anything. Let's just eat, and we'll look around later."
The trainers nodded to each other, and continued eating. However, Kate's Fearow perked up from its lunch, deciding to fly around for a bit of exercise. It took to the sky, making sure to remember its trainer's location.
====
Fearow spread its large wings and flew peacefully, eyeing the surroundings. Then, it soared to a stop. It landed on a tree branch, furrowing its brow. Strange humans were examining a stone structure, and from what Fearow could guess, they had startled the local Pokemon into silence. Then, he saw an unconscious girl lying inside an energy shield, guarded by a Mandibuzz. Fearow took off, quietly slipping away.
====
Mandibuzz saw the girl's fingers move and her brow squint, and she cried out. The man walked over to the girl sliding upwards, now awake.
"I suppose you must be wondering about your current...predicament." he said quietly. The girl flinched, and saw the energy shield around her.
"Let me out, whoever you are." she said, hiding her uncertainty.
"In time." the man replied. "I simply cannot have intruders interfering with my work, and as you got too close for comfort, I simply removed the problem. I digress, however. You're from the other world across the Boundary, are you not?"
The girl flinched.
"I am correct, I see." he sighed, holding up her journal. "You're not human, are you, Princess Twilight Sparkle?"
"Maybe yes, maybe no." she replied. "What difference does it make to you? I don't even know who you are."
"Ah, apologies." he said. "I am Marcus, leader of Team Eclipse. The men behind me are my employees. You see, I've been studying alternate worlds and realities. But to find a portal, however inactive, and you in the same span of time?"
He laughed a cold, quiet laugh.
"Just my luck." he replied. "If you came here, you most likely know how to return. I'll let you out...if you tell me where you are from, and how to go to your world. After that...well, we'll see."
"And what if I refuse? You can't make me." Twilight retorted. Marcus merely plucked two small orbs from his belt, colored white, black, and yellow. With a press of his finger, they enlarged. He tossed them into the air, and they opened. A stream of white energy formed into some of the strangest creatures Twilight had seen.
One was like a large scorpion, only purple and black. Its body was shaped like an accordion, and the large pincers completed the image. The other was lizard like, and strangely feminine. This one, while also purple and black, had streaks of red on it. Twilight flinched at the sight of fire coming off its tail.
"Drapion, Salazzle…" he said. "Introduce yourselves. Toxic. Both of you."
Marcus pressed his wristwatch, and the energy shield went down. Before Twilight could even react, two sprays of purple liquid hit her full force. Twilight crumpled, groaning from the poison racing through her.
"That poison will get worse and worse as time progresses." Marcus said. "If you reveal how you got here, I will administer an antidote."
"Go...to Tartarus." she cursed, groaning. Marcus frowed with frustration.
"Now, both of you use Venoshock."
Twilight was now sprayed with greenish acid, and this time, she screamed from the pain she felt.
"Speak." Marcus said. "And this will end."
====
Marcus's next statement was interrupted by a loud cry.
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump!"
Twilight, through her pained, blurry vision, saw a boy of her age run up, followed by a massive blue turtle. Only this turtle had two large cannons on its back, coming out of its shell. It charged up and fired two massive deluges of water at the opposing Pokemon.
Suffice to say, Drapion and Salazzle were hit full force, slamming them into two trees and knocking them out. Marcus spun on his heel and eyed the boy with curiosity.
"Another interloper?" he asked.
"Don't know what you mean by that." Amuro replied. "But having your Pokemon attack someone? That's just sick."
"You don't know what you talk about." Marcus replied. "Show him his folly, Crobat!"
Marcus threw another Ultra Ball, this time a large, purple bat like creature with four wings stared down Amuro's Blastoise. Twilight saw the two creatures charge forward as she completely passed out.
====
"Crobat, Air Slash!" Marcus commanded. Crobat fired buzz-saw shaped rays at Blastoise, who steeled himself for the Flying-Type attack.
"Use Ice Beam as a shield!" Amuro countered. Blastoise shaped a wall of frost in front of it, and Crobat's attack bounced off harmlessly.
"Sludge Bomb!" Marcus commanded. Crobat sucked in a breath and fired a ball of brown acid towards his opponent.
"Use Flash Cannon!" Amuro yelled. Blastoise heeded his Trainer's orders, firing a bright gray beam of light. The two attacks collided, causing an explosion.
"You are strong, boy!" Marcus said. "But I am afraid this battle has been a waste of time. Au revoir!"
A military grade helicopter flew over, emblazoned with the Team Eclipse logo. The scientists hopped aboard, and Marcus followed after returning his Salazzle, Drapion, and Crobat.
"I do hope we meet again!" Marcus cried as he flew away. Amuro growled, and then he saw Twilight.
"Just hang on." he said, panting as he lifted her up. "Help is on the way. Dragonite!"
He tossed an Ultra Ball, revealing a yellow, draconid Pokemon.
"Get her to a Pokemon Center." Amuro said. "Quickly!"
Dragonite took the girl and flew off towards Santalune City at breakneck speed. Amuro sighed, knowing that the girl would be in capable hands. After healing and returning his Blastoise, he headed back to camp to tell the others.
Author's Note
Update!
Next time-Revelations at the Pokemon Center.
Chapter 2-Santalune City Blues
Nurse Joy, caretaker of the Santalune Pokemon Center, was getting a lot of business lately. Trainers from all over were showing up for a break, meals, a place to sleep, or having their Pokemon rest. Rarely did Trainers come in with personal injuries.
That was proved false as a Dragonite, carrying a girl in its arms, barged through the door. Nurse Joy immediately took the girl from the Pokemon, and Dragonite flew off. Helped by her partner Blissey, Nurse Joy took the girl to the Immediate Care ward.
====
Nurse Joy immediately recognized the symptoms of a severe poisoning as soon as she got a good look at the girl. While Blissey used Heal Pulse and Refresh, Joy herself mixed together an Antidote.
"Hang on, miss." Joy said as she sprayed the girl's forehead. "You'll be quite alright."
As Blissey checked her temperature, Joy's antidote started to take effect, and the purple rash on the girl's head began to fade. Blissey used Refresh one last time before leaving to check on the other Pokemon. Joy herself made sure the girl was properly resting before heading back to the lobby.
====
Amuro and his friends were running towards the Route out of Santalune Forest when Dragonite appeared in front of them.
"Niite!" it chirped, signalling to his Trainer that he was successful.
"Great job, Dragonite." Amuro said. "Return."
As Amuro returned the Dragon Pokemon to his Ultra Ball, Courtney walked up with a thoughtful gesture.
"Amuro?"
"Yeah?" he replied as he put his Dragonite's Ultra Ball away.
"What do you think that Marcus guy was doing here?" she asked as they resumed their run. "I mean, what could he be after?"
"I haven't a clue." Amuro replied. "But making your Pokemon attack someone is just...twisted. Like on the level of "super evil"."
"Amen to that." Athena said, having a flashback to some of the deeds of the Team Galactic leader, Cyrus. "I mean, Pokemon aren't meant to be used as tools."
"I agree." Kate said. "Team Rocket didn't get that message for a while, though."
"Let's just stay focused." Mason said. "We're almost to Santalune City."
The trainers ran until they reached the Pokemon Center. Breathless, Amuro told Nurse Joy of their situation, and she took them to the Ward.
"How is she?" Amuro asked.
"She's a fighter, that's for sure." Nurse Joy replied. "The poison levels in her blood would've knocked out a full-grown Tauros with enough to spare. However, she held on long enough for the antidote to take effect. She should be waking up soon."
"Thanks." Amuro said.
"Do you know her?" Joy asked.
"No." he replied. "Some guy had his Pokemon attack her, and I haven't a clue why. Didn't get his name, but I remember what he was wearing."
"Then I'll call Officer Jenny as soon as possible." Joy replied as they stopped. "We can't have criminals running around before the Tournament."
"Right." Amuro sighed as he entered. The girl was awake, and she jumped when Amuro took a few steps towards her.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Where am I?" she demanded.
"Easy." Amuro replied. "You're in the Santalune City Pokemon Center."
"I presume that's a hospital? Then how did I get here?" she asked, a bit more calm.
"My Dragonite flew you here after that guy in the suit attacked you." Amuro said. "Nurse Joy says you were really lucky to make it out."
The girl sighed and looked down.
"Do you know who he was?" Amurro asked.
"He said his name was Marcus, leader of Team Eclipse." she said. "I don't even know what "Team Eclipse" is, or what they were doing."
"Neither do I." Amuro replied, sitting in a chair. "So, what's your name?"
"...Twilight." she said. "Wait...where's my bag?"
"Oh, this bag?" Amuro said, pulling her pack out of his own bag. "I picked it up after Dragonite flew off with you."
"Thanks." Twilight said. "You didn't read my journal, right?"
"No, I didn't read it." Amuro said. "Why?"
"Just because." Twilight replied, getting up and nearly falling over.
"Why can't I...why am I so dizzy?" she asked herself.
"Probably a side-effect of the poison." Amuro said, helping her up. "I'll see if Nurse Joy has any nausea meds."
Amuro left, and Twilight looked out the window at the bustling city below her. The buildings were made of wood or brown stone, and the sky was a vivid blue. A large river ran through the center, and an elegant bridge traversed the river itself.
"So…" she murmured. "I'm in a Pokemon Center, whatever that is, in "Santalune City"...I was nearly poisoned by some human I don't even know...and now I'm stuck here. Sweet Celestia, what else could go wrong today?"
Twilight stretched and decided to write a bit in her journal about her observations. She could see various humans, some accompanied by stranger creatures, were all going about their day. The creatures seemed so varied and diverse, Twilight couldn't keep track of them as she took notes.
"Large canid...dark gray and black fur...seems protective of accompanying human." Twilight murmured. "Next is….something like a rabbit, only I don't think rabbits are normally blue...large ovoid body...ball-shaped tail...seems rather cheerful."
Twilight put her journal away just as Amuro returned with a medicine case.
"Here." he said. "Nurse Joy said this should get rid of the nausea. She also says that you can come find us in the Lobby when you're ready."
"Thanks." Twilight said. She took the small pill, and relaxed. Amuro gave a wave as he headed out.
====
"She alright?" Mason asked as Amuro sat down at the table the seven trainers occupied, and were currently eating lunch.
"Yeah, she's fine. She seemed a little odd, though." Amuro replied as he served himself.
"Odd?" Jackson asked. "How?"
"Well, she didn't know what a Pokemon Center was, and she seemed really protective of her journal." Amuro said. "Either it's just me and my nerves, or she's hiding something."
"I'd bet she's hiding something." Courtney said. "I mean, obviously there's something in that journal she doesn't want anyone to see."
"Or it's private, like journals normally are." Athena replied. "If she's really hiding something, what could it be? It's not like she's a criminal or anything."
Amuro thought for a few moments.
"True." he said. "Let's just take it easy and if she decides to tell us what's going on, that's her decision."
"Right." the other trainers said. Then, they saw a group of trainers enter the Pokemon Center. One was around their age, wearing a blue jacket and black pants. A Pikachu rested on his shoulder. The other two, surprisingly, were Clemont and Bonnie from the Lumiose City Gym. The last one made Matthew's heart stop. It took him a second to recognize her, but the face was the same, and those blue eyes were found nowhere else.
"Serena?" he mouthed.
"You know that girl?" Amuro asked.
"Yeah, our families are neighbors in Vaniville Town." he said. "We lived right next to each other. I didn't know she became a trainer and started her Journey."
"Well, go say hi." Jackson said. "How long has it been since you last saw her?"
"It's been a while, but we're just friends." Matthew replied. "It's not like we were in a relationship or anything."
Unfortunately for Matthew, it seemed fate had other plans.
"Matthew?"
Matthew looked up to see Serena and the boy with the Pikachu standing next to him.
"Hey...Serena." Matthew said. "Who's your friend?"
"That's Ash." she said. "How've you been?"
"Alright." Matthew said. "So...wanna find some chairs and sit with us?"
"Sure." Ash said. "If you've got room."
There was, surprisingly, enough room for everyone to squeeze in. Ash, Serena, and Matthew kept looking at and then away from each other, giving everyone fits of giggles.
"Serena?" Matthew asked.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"How long have you known Ash?"
"Since we were little." Serena replied. "We met at Professor Oak's Summer Camp in Kanto."
Matthew gulped and quickly took a drink of water, causing everyone to laugh again.
"So, I guess everyone's competing in the Masters Cup?" Amuro asked.
"Yep." Ash replied. "I was in the Kalos League a few months ago."
As the banter continued, they didn't notice a small object on the windowsill. A tiny Fly Drone watched and recorded the trainers, sending footage back to an unknown location.
====
Twilight slipped out of bed, and deciding that it was better to get moving, headed into the hallway. She didn't get very far, though.
"Oh, you're awake!"
She turned to see a woman approach, wearing a nurse's attire. An egg-shaped creature with a pouch, wearing a cap, was next to her.
"So I am." Twilight said. "You're in charge here, right?"
"Yep. I'm Nurse Joy. That's Blissey." the woman replied. "Is there anything you need?"
"I am a little hungry…" she said.
"Alright, the atrium's down the hall to the right." Joy replied. "The trainers who brought you in should be around there."
"Thanks." Twilight replied. She set out to find them, unaware of the Fly Drone watching her from above.
Author's Note
Yep, game crew meets anime crew.
Next time-Marcus examines the portal further, and Twilight has a rather interesting lunch.
Chapter 3-A World of Pokemon
As Twilight entered the Atrium, she saw Amuro sitting and eating with a group of humans around his age. Their appearances and attire varied, but they all seemed friendly enough.
"Oh, you're awake!"
She looked at Amuro, who was motioning at a vacant chair. Twilight sighed, sat down, and promptly looked away.
"So, you're the girl Amuro was telling us about?" said a boy in an electric blue jumpsuit, wearing a metal backpack. "I'm Clemont, that's my sister Bonnie. I'm the Lumiose City Gym Leader."
"Nice to meet you." Twilight said.
"So, Twilight?" Athena asked. "Where are you from?"
"That's...complicated." Twilight replied. "And I'd rather keep it to myself, if that's alright."
Athena nodded, and went back to her bowl of pasta with a sigh.
"What brought you here?" said a boy with a red cap and a young face.
"I'm just traveling." Twilight said. "Nothing really important."
"Well, we're here to compete." Chase said. "The Pokemon World Tournament Master's Cup is in a couple of days, and we're training hard."
"Good luck?" Twilight said, unsure what they were referring to.
"Thanks." Chase said. "You know, there's something odd about you?"
"How so?" Twilight asked.
"Amuro told us you didn't know what a Pokemon Center was, and you don't have a single Pokemon with you." Chase said. "Furthermore, that Marcus guy seemed pretty interested in you. Any idea why that's the case?"
Drat, Twilight thought. She sighed and looked the Trainer from Unova in the eyes.
"I'll tell you why." she said. "However, can I ask that this stays between us and you won't jump to conclusions?"
"We'll try." Amuro said. "Shoot."
Twilight sighed and spoke.
"I'm not a human, I'm not from this world, and I'm also a Princess. There, cat's out of the bag."
====
There was silence. Nobody moved or spoke.
Until Jackson started to snort, then chuckle, then he flat-out lost it. He laughed hard for a few moments, until he smiled.
"Well, that's neat." he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "I thought it would be something unpleasant."
Twilight dropped her jaw and started to sputter.
"I...you..why are you laughing?" she stammered. "Is that so unbelievable?"
"Actually, no." Jackson said. "I've been to a parallel world before, met that world's inhabitants, and stopped an ancient threat, also from that world, that would've destroyed the entire Alola Region." Jackson said. "So, yeah. I believe you."
Twilight was speechless for quite a while.
"Well, alright then." she sighed. "I suppose it's time for the inevitable barrage of questions."
"Maybe later." Amuro said, just as shocked as Twilight. "Can we finish eating first?"
Kate leaned over to Twilight's ear and whispered.
"If we've learned one thing, don't keep Amuro from food."
"I heard that!" Amuro replied. "That's coming from the trainer who spend nearly an hour in the bathroom doing her hair!"
"I have to!" Kate said. "It's important to look nice!"
"Yeah, does looking nice come with taking an hour in the restroom?" came the retort. "Do you have any idea how annoying it is?"
Twilight couldn't hold it in. She started to laugh, drawing everyone's eyes to her.
"Sorry." she smiled. "You're acting just like two of my friends. One's all prim and proper, the other...not so much. It's just too funny…no offense."
"None taken." Amuro said flatly. "Let's just finish lunch and get moving. I think the other trainers here are starting to stare at us."
====
First Class
"Remind me again why I agreed to this."
"Because it'll be a great experience, Augur."
"I thought I said I'd rather not be called that…"
The first to speak was a boy of seventeen. He had blonde hair with gray eyes, and he wore a worn leather jacket with jeans. The other occupant of the cabin was a girl with forest-green hair and blue eyes. Apart from them, the Cabin was playing host to eleven different Pokemon, all currently sleeping.
"But that's who you are." Nora said, shoving Ryan playfully. "The third Augur of the Torran Region, and Hero of the Holon Region."
"Don't go shouting it to the rooftops." Ryan groaned. "I barely have any private time as it is."
"That does come with being a celebrity." Nora said. "Once the fervor passes, you can have all the private time you want."
"I hope so…" Ryan said, moaning. Then, a welcome sight leaped into his lap. Ryan's Eevee settled down comfortably, his Eeveeite Mega Stone glistening around his neck.
"Hey, Evs." Ryan said. "Ready to have some fun?"
"Eev!" Eevee said, raising a paw in mock salute. Ryan scratched the Evolution Pokemon a few times, then reclined in his seat.
"Nora?"
"Yeah?" she asked, looking away from her Celebi.
"You think bringing them was a good idea?" he asked. "They've never been seen outside Torran…"
"Yet another reason I thought this would be a good idea." Nora said. "Besides, they're basically the same as their counterparts, except for appearance and typing."
"True." Ryan sighed, pulling out an Ultra Ball. Inside was a special Pokemon unlike any seen before. "Though, how the rest of the world will react is kind of concerning."
"We'll be fine." Nora said. "Besides, he trusts you and you trust him. Your team's ready to go, and we'll be in Kalos soon. There's nothing to worry about."
"I hope so, Nora." Ryan said, looking at the sea below. "I really hope so."'
Nora returned Celebi to her Poke Ball, and started browsing through the selection of in-flight movies.
"I'm going to get a snack." Ryan said. "You hungry?"
"Not really." Nora replied. "If they have any of those Moonlight Snack Bars, grab a few for me."
Ryan rolled his eyes at the mention of Nora's favorite snack. He headed to the dining cabin, Eevee following him at his side.
"Maybe…" Ryan thought as he grabbed a bag of snacks. "This won't be so bad after all."
Ryan made sure to grab a few Moonlight Snack Bars before returning to the First-Class cabin, just as the plane started to descend into the Kalos Region.
Author's Note
Yep, a fan game enters the series. Pokemon Insurgence is one of my favorites, featuring new Mega Evolutions, Delta Species Pokemon, and more. It's not canon, but I like it enough to feature the main character of my playthrough, Ryan, and his friend and rival Nora. His info has been added to the spreadsheet in the long description.
Next time-Ryan and Nora battle a bullying trainer, and Twilight, Amuro and co. head to Professor Sycamore's lab. Team Rocket also shows up with a new assignment...
