My Little Pokémon: Grander World

The Human World. Camp Everfree. Afternoon.

Back at camp, Gaea's plants were still present, but all of them, every single last one of them, were destroyed by Ash, Sunset's group and some campers who joined in. Charizard's outburst caused a lot of the vines and plant life to be taken out. Even though there was more to be done, that blast caused them to all wither in an instant, which meant there was still the possibility of those plants reemerging.

As such, everyone would set to work, removing as much of the plant life that they could get their hands on. The campers who weren't affected by the plant energy were trying to remove as much of the vines and plants as they possibly could. The problem is they had limited time before it came back, and Ash could tell from his experience that stopping the vines will be far harder if they returned.

Ash would call out Lucario to assist everyone. He told him to use his Aura senses to see if there were any vines still in the camp, ones that could potentially regrow if they weren't found. Lucario, of course, obeyed and did exactly that, scanning every inch of the camp.

"Is everything alright? Have we found everything yet?" Ash asked his Aura Pokemon.

"Luca." Lucario stated, revealing that there aren't any traces of those vines for the time being.

"Okay! We can make some distance and get out of here then!" Ash looked to his friends, then to everyone else. "Come on, guys! Let's move!" The others listened to his command and followed, soon evacuating the area. They took as much stuff as they possibly could and managed to find all the campers, but the only question was: what about the camp counselors?

They were rather befuddled by this, having no idea how to feel or think at this current moment. It was such a confusing time. The counsellors had just seen their director, Gloriosa, end up as a She-Demon. They were all shaken by it but they soon decided to go with Ash's plan and leave the camp to save themselves.

"Are you sure this plan is gonna work, Ash?" Flash Sentry asked Ash as he carried a box with him, a bag over his shoulder, having taken so much stuff as the other campers were carrying stuff as well. All of these boxes were resources from the camp, ready to be used."I mean, we can't stay here, that's for sure, but..."

"Hey, I think it'll work. We just gotta do it before Gaea Everfree shows up again. No doubt about it, she's gonna do something to power up her plants so that Charizard can't burn them away anymore." Ash answered, already figuring out Gaea Everfree's next approach.

"Same goes for me. My Fire-Types might not do anything if she has an answer to them." Sunset Shimmer agreed as she carried a bag full of items.

"Well, we're getting distance, but what we do do next?" Roseluck asked. "If Fire doesn't work the next time, what's the other option?"

"Leave that to us!" Suddenly, stepping forward was Team Rocket, still disguising themselves as Temp Workers, all of them carrying stuff as they did so, showing some stuff from the camp with them. "We, as Temp Workers, will put in our all in our hard labor work for this job!" Jessie added.

"With this beauty of course!" James revealed that the machine meant to deal with Dragapult, deciding to use it for Gaea Everfree as well.

"We've still gotta come up with something better. You think your machine will be enough, right? What about the fact that we need something to break her curse?" Sci-Twi brought up. "The best I've been able to think of is using my smarts and magic to make an invention."

"Hah?!" Jessie took offence to that as she clenched her fists, looking at the girl in anger. "This is top-grade technology right here! Something no one's ever seen before!"

"It's a bit unorthodox looking...but it also looks amazing!" Sci-Twi's eyes lit up, catching Jessie off guard.

"Eh?"

"Oh, I could imagine using this technology in a different invention! Can you tell me about what it does?!" Sci-Twi's love for technology kicked in upon seeing this invention, as well as the others, being around so much science stuff and advanced equipment. Her inner tech nerd came out.

"Well, if you insist..." Jessie had a proud smile on her face, her tone changing completely.

"There's another problem." Sunset pointed out, speaking to Ash and the others while Sci-Twi was geeking out. "Some of the campers are slowly turning into Demons. Those plants can turn other living organisms into Demons, or they can have mind-altering properties."

"If they affect any of us, we could become demons too!" Rarity let out a prolonged gasp, imagining herself as a She-Demon. She compared herself to when Sunset became the first She-Demon and how she looked. The main thing that stood out was the mane. "My mane will be ruined if I become a She-Demon!" To Rarity, the most terrifying part of that wasn't becoming a demon, but losing her fashion sense if it ever happened.

"Lucario and I will try and turn them back with Aura. But beating Gaea Everfree could work too. That's how it usually does. Here's how the plan's gonna go." Ash faced the many campers here. "First, we're gonna have all of you become demons."

"Say what?!" That blindsided them all. Instead of avoiding becoming demons, Ash opted to have them become demons instead? It seemed so random to them but the more Ash thought about it, the more it made sense.

"Are you crazy?! Why would we become demons?!" Amethyst Star ranted. "I thought we were trying to avoid that!"

"Yeah! Don't you think that'll just make us weak?" Trixie Lulamoon questioned. "We'd be playing right into her hands and the Great and Powerful Trixie should never look weak to anyone!"

"And how am I gonna explain becoming a Demon to my parents?!" Another student ranted.

"I know, I know. But trust me on this guys." Ash put his hands together. "I promise you, you guys are gonna be in total control and you're only gonna be demons for a while. It's gonna be a big part of our plan and I promise you won't be in control of yourselves once you get possessed." Ash then turned to the others, especially Sunset and Fiery.

"I get to become a Demon...?" Fiery paused for a moment. "Cool!" She had a different approach than the other campers. Demons were up her alley due to how intense she can be.

"Hah...Again?" Sunset lowered her head, not really looking forward to becoming a demon for a second time. But she trusted Ash. He had to be planning something, so she would go along with it for the moment, though it didn't make her feel any better about having to turn back into a she-demon.

"We'll put faith in your plan, Ash." Speaking was Celestia, who appeared with Luna. With how things currently were, it was hard for the Principal and Vice Principal to not get involved. "Let's try it. Becoming demons."

"You too?!" Applejack was in disbelief. The two sisters were willing to become demons for this instance.

"It won't be pretty, but if it helps put a stop to this before it gets out of control, we'll gladly do it." Luna said, though she too felt hesitant about it. The thought of having to become a Demon was terrifying for a good reason.

"Okay then...For you all to be yourselves, all I need is this." Ash would then take out the Shift Stone he was currently using. Due to the Rift Energy within it, he was about to utilize it with the Demon Transformations. But to do that, he had to let go of its power. By closing his eyes, Ash released its power from his body, quickly undoing the transforming he did on himself.

Everyone watched as Ash's body lit up with a cosmic light, turning him from his usual appearance into something far older. Since he was using the Shift Stone to look like his original age, they were all in shock at the tall man that soon appeared before them. He was back to being far older than he should be.

The fact he looked older didn't seem to affect him all too much as Ash was focused on something else, though the only person to take it the other way was Fiery, whose heart began to flutter. It was only natural since the guy she had a crush on just returned to his normal appearance.

"So that's what you got turned into? Way taller than I thought..." Rainbow Dash was starstruck looking up at Ash as he was a bit taller than Celestia. Quite the height difference indeed as he towered over everyone else. "You could crush any sport like that."

"Twilight. Could you pass me your Shift Stone too?" Ash approached Sci-Twi who was admiring everything about the machine. She turned around, in absolute shock at the man standing behind her, eyes widening at his current appearance. Team Rocket had the same reaction. They've never seen Ash like this in all their years of facing him.

"D-Did the twerp just hit a growth spurt?" Jessie said silently.

"Where was this build when I hit a growth spurt?" James also questioned.

Sci-Twi couldn't respond. She was taken back by this, her vision changing a bit. "Twilight?" Ash spoke her name as Sci-Twi was currently in a state of daydreaming, picturing a pink background around him with dazzling lights, even changing Ash's face to be that of a smooth smile. "Are you okay?"

"Hehe, yeah...I am now..." She let out a silly laugh, with her eyes lidded with her face turning red, putting her hands together while imagining Ash in the form of an angelic being, making her feel things that were unexplained. The other girls caught wind of this, staring in disbelief at the girl who had her head in the clouds.

"Wake up!" Sunset snapped her fingers in her face. That caused Sci-Twi to snap back into reality.

"S-Sorry." She felt embarrassed for not being able to act serious in a serious moment such as this. "Uh, w-what were you saying?"

"If I use two Shift Stones, it's gonna make things way easier. Got it on you right?" Ash questioned as Sci-Twi swiftly took out her Shift Stone, passing it over to him. He then took both stones, placing them close to one another so that they resonated. After that, Ash approached one of the plants left here by Gaea Everfree, which were starting to grow some more.

He placed a palm on the plant, having its energy merge with that of the Shift Stones. Soon enough, the Shift Stone would absorb the demonic energy from the plant and its connection with the other Shift Stones, resulting in the Demonic Energy that was being absorbed to merge with the energy within them.

Afterward, the Shift Stones would be enveloped by the Demonic Aura, pulsing with the dark energy of Demonic Magic. It had been activated.

"Oh, yeah. This'll do. All that Rift Energy comes in handy when you wanna use it. Now try this out everyone!" Ash would face all the students and the two principals, immediately allowing the Demonic Magic to fly out of him and to all of them. All the campers were touched by it, including Sunset and Celestia and Luna as well.

"Wha..." Sunset felt the aura merge with her and her friends and it made them all change in an instant. Her skin was turning into a shade of red that looked all too familiar, her clothes were being altered and soon, Sunset became an entirely different person as the Demon Energy began to possess her.

"Ngh!" Sunset cried out as her transformation completed itself, showing off her She-Demon form as she was once again the Demon she became a few years back. But there was some slight differences compared to last time. Her hair did not spike up like last time, instead remaining its original shape, albeit with a bit of a raise. Her ears did not change into the sharp pointy appearance they would be, staying the same as well.

"Please not my hair, please not my hair, please not my hair!" Rarity cried out. She had also turned into a she-demon. With a dark grey tone of skin, a change to her clothing and hair, she became her new self, all while maintaining the original shape her hair always had. "Thank the heavens my hair remains normal! I don't look like some creature of darkness anymore! Phew!" Rarity took a breath of relief, being glad that her hair didn't end up turning into the spiky pointy mess. Not really her style.

Fluttershy saw herself change into something more intimidating as well, becoming the Demon she became as well. Her hair actually did change, becoming a bit longer than usual, turning red at the tips but remaining the same color of pink at the base of the mane. Her eyes, just like everyone else, were pitch-black but with her original pupil colour still intact.

"Oh, this isn't so bad." She didn't mind the change that much, thinking it was okay to be a demon for the sake of stopping Gaea. It was better than turning going completely insane, no doubt.

In fact, all of them were in their right minds, still their usual selves. Rainbow Dash, who had the most dynamic change in appearance due to her personality. The hair she had was absolutely wild and spiked, being far longer than her original hair. "Yeah, you're right! This is awesome!"

"Isn't it?!" Fiery replied, resembling Sunset's Demon Form but with a different outfit.

As for Applejack and Pinkie Pie, their transformations weren't as different than their original appearances. Their appearances remained mostly the same except for their clothing which was being altered by the demon magic.

"Hm..." Pinkie Pie pouted. "Why doesn't mine loo that different?"

Everyone had their own unique look to them as they all became demons successfully. Celestia and Luna were not exempt either, for their appearances had changed into something far more familiar. They had become Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon. They looked exactly like their Equestrian Counterparts' alter-egos, down to the color schemes, clothing, everything.

"Hmm, this feels..." Celestia commented as her and her sister both looked themselves over.

"...Familiar. How?" Luna followed up. It was as if they've already felt this transformation before, and in another life too.

"Woah, man. You look just like them." Ash checked out Celestia and Luna as it felt like he was staring at Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon again. "Alright. We're all set. I had the Shift Stones work with the plants so that you'd all be your usual selves."

"Pretty smart of you, Ketchum." Rainbow Dash nudged the man in the arm, grinning.

"Now for the rest of the plan. You guys are all gonna go to her, acting like you've been taken over by the plants successfully and then..." Ash had a sharp grin on his face. He was truly plotting something big for Gaea Everfree, ready to absolutely blindside her.

Gaea Everfree had finished drawing power from the Rift Spot in the lake and she was prepared to take her camp back from everyone else. Her power had become so overwhelming, her branches were larger in size now and had an impressive range. Not only that, but she also seemed more intimidating in size, towering over everything around her as her dark and demonic presence was enough to intimidate.

Her new height allowed her to reach the sky above the treetops. Even though she was not quite in the skies, she was high enough for the air to affect her mane and cause it to blow. Her goal was the city nearby and at this height, she could see it all clearly. It was all about to be her's for the taking.

She let out an evil laugh, one that rang for miles on end, so much so, the residents of the nearby city began to panic as they noticed the new threat looming over the area, getting ready to claim the city as her own. Gaea had reached a new level of power that allowed her to stand on the sky itself.

"Look at you all! All primed to become a part of my Everfree!" She boomed with a cackle, looking around, ready to begin the next step of her plan. "From here and beyond. Ah, but what's this I spot?" Using her enhanced vision, she looked past the city and other areas, gazing at Canterlot High. More specifically, the portal that leads to the other world.

Gaea Everfree hit the jackpot.

Past that world was the most magic possible. She could feel it just by looking at it and that's all it took for Gaea to figure out that it would be her new goal, the thing that she'll set her eyes on, her sights of victory and conquering the other world. Her other world, no doubt. She would not stop here.

Just then, she heard a voice speak to her from within. It was Gloriosa Daisy's voice. "Please don't do this..." She tried reaching her alter-ego. "Please...Gaea..."

"You're still resisting?" She spoke back to Gloriosa, bringing the plant that she was being kept in over, opening it up. Inside, Gloriosa saw what the city and beyond looked like and it filled her with fear and concern, something Gaea did not understand.

"I didn't want it to be like this. I just wanted to keep the camp running." Gloriosa lowered her head.

"Yet, you brought me forth and I was born. Why is that? Are you regretful now that you've realized the mistake you made in your actions?" Gaea asked with her brow raised. Gloriosa wasn't sure to respond. It wasn't like she could retaliate at all, being fully under Gaea Everfree's control.

In fact, Gloriosa Daisy had to wonder something. Was this truly who she was? She was afraid that Gaea Everfree might just be the deepest part of her finally being unleashed. She was the one who started the fake legend to begin with and now it had been manifested. All to keep her camp safe.

Because of that, she doubted herself and felt unable to break free from this. However, she would not have to go at it alone because at this moment, Ash and the others were approaching Gaea Everfree as the journey continues.

Chapter 602 End.