Reading and Styling
A normal class is over, Ash is as usual putting his textbooks back into the backpack. Mark walks toward Ash and says, "Hey, brother. Have you heard of the news?"
"What kind of news? I have been busy these days." Ash says.
"Reukra Genome is posting a promotional quiz. Since Arceus and the Scattered Plates is now on sale, those who get a 100 percent score will be able to get the free signed version of the book!" Mark says.
"Really." Ash says, surprised that even his brother is interested in the story he's written. "So I guess you want to have that signed book?"
"I usually read the stories on the e-book's website. But having one really helps a lot." Mark says with delight.
"I see...I hope you would get it." Ash says. "Class is over, how about we meet up with the others?"
"That's fine." Mark says.
Once they meet up with the others, they are trying to do the quiz. David says, "Damn it...I just got a 95 score!"
"Let me guess, the question you failed is question 15?" Luke asks. "I lost to that question as well."
"Yeah...I wonder how would anyone get that right?" Elline asks.
"What kind of question are you talking about?" Ash asks, and Alice says, "We're talking about the promotional quiz of Reukra Genome's Legendaries and Mythicals. However, none of them get the 15th question right."
"What question is that?" Mark asks, "I haven't done the quiz yet, maybe I can do it."
Nate says, "Question 15: What is the item that changes Dialga's form? Isn't the answer Adamant Orb?"
Ash sighs, "No, the Adamant Orb only boosts the attacks of the Dragon and Steel Type Pokemon. If you want the correct answer, it will be Adamant Crystal."
"Ah, so that's why." Helen says. "But is that even in the book? I mean, we found it anywhere but we couldn't find it..."
Ash says, "This really is a trick question, considering that the book doesn't really tell you the real name but the description."
"By the way, Ash. Have you tried out the quiz?" Helen asks. "If you can answer that question right, then surely you have the book, right?"
Ash takes out the book and the others are amazed. Nate and Alice are the only ones who know the secret of Ash being Reukra Genome himself, but they promise to keep it a secret and not tell others until he's ready.
"No way...you've got it!" Insey gasps.
"I never knew you would like the series as well." Golly says.
"I need some pastime to kill some time after all." Ash sighs. At the same time, Mark finishes the quiz and says, "I did it, I got a perfect score!"
"Congratulations, Mark." Reisa says, "With that, you can get the free signed book from Reukra Genome himself!"
"She's right, you know." Ash says as he takes out a new book from the backpack and does the autograph on it, then hands it over to Mark, "Here, this book is yours."
"Brother? But..." Mark takes the book and notices that the signature on it is no other than Reukra Genome. "Wait, this is Reukra Genome's signature!"
"How? You can copy Reukra Genome's signature?" Daniel asks.
"The camp is already over, have you ever thought that Reukra Genome is one of my disguises?" Ash asks, much to their surprise.
"Wait, you're telling me that even Reukra Genome is one of your disguises?" Minami asks.
"No wonder...not many people are capable of meeting an Arceus." Golly says. "Wait, if Reukra is one of your disguises, does that mean one of us actually knows the truth? About you being Reukra Genome?"
"That would be me." Nate says. "I guess every one of you also gets the order to keep Ash or Alice's disguises secrets, right?"
"We do...but I can't believe that the famous author is among us..." Flora says.
"As for this Arceus and the Shattered Plates, I have help from Nate during that morning. Since he is dreaming to be a novelist, I decided to let him try out some of the paragraphs." Ash says.
"No way...that's awesome." Eve says.
"Yeah. Being able to take part in this is really fun." Nate says. "Though I can't believe I didn't answer that question right to get the free-signed book."
"Rules are rules, after all." Ash says. "But maybe I'll be able to give you a free one considering that you help me with the new book. Now that I've thought about it, I never shown my gratitude once the book is published."
"For real? Thank you so much." Nate says as Ash gives him the free-signed book, and this causes the others to be jealous a little. "So if we help you with the story, do you think we can also get a free-signed book for free?" Elline asks.
"That is if I want your help." Ash says. "The reason why I can write the Legendaries and Mythicals series is that I have communicated with all the Legendary and Mythical Pokemon for their ways of talking, their information, and how they want to be in the story. But then again, you are all the Gym Leaders and Elite Four that I've picked, and you have some of the Legendary and Mythical Pokemon on your side."
"So that means you might be asking for our help." Flora says. "I can't wait."
"Me too." Drandon says. "So Reukra Genome is Ash's Normal Type disguise, what about Alice's Normal Type disguise?"
Alice shrugs and says, "Now we are doing this, I guess." She turns to Flora and asks, "Didn't you make a call from Natasha Tong about your Gogoat styling in your gym?"
"How did you know about that? I thought I already keep this a secret." Flora says.
"Wait, you asked the famous stylist Natasha Tong to style your Gogoat? What about the money? She is really expensive considering she might not be in the Sevestar region!" Eve retorts.
"More importantly, how did you have Natasha Tong's phone number?" Reisa asks. "She is really hard to call."
Flora says, "I have my ways. But now that you mentioned it, I have to go to the gym so I can meet the famous stylist."
Ash asks, "Why don't we all come together? After all, I'm sure that some of you want to meet the famous stylist after all."
The others nod as Flora can only sigh, then they manage to take the Flying Taxi as they head to Greeny City. Once they are there, they decide to wait and see if Natasha Tong arrives, but after 5 minutes, she hasn't shown up yet."
"Are you sure she will come today?" Golly asks. "Because I don't see anyone."
"She has to be." Flora says.
"So you're my client, is that right?" Much to their delight, they find Natasha Tong, who is Alice in disguise, walking toward them. Ash and Nate then realize that Alice is not here with them, meaning that the real deal is already talking to Flora.
Natasha looks at the people and says, "Oh my, you really have a lot of people inside the gym."
"They are here to see how you style...are you perhaps nervous, to the extent that you can't perform well in front of a crowd?" Flora asks.
"Don't worry, it is really normal for me to do something like this. I'll make sure not to let you guys down." Natasha says as they all head to the ranch, and she starts to trim the Gogoat's fur and also do some things to make it cleaner and nice-looking.
"I can't believe we are seeing the real deal." Reisa says.
"Indeed, this sure is a rare sight." Luke says.
"But here goes our money..." Eve says, "You really shouldn't have spent that much money just to trim a Pokemon..."
"Hey, I'm going to be a model and I have to make my Pokemon better." Flora says.
"I think Alice might agree with me on this one, right?" Eve then realizes that Alice is not with them, and she asks, "Hey, where did Alice go?"
"Now that you think about it...Alice isn't with us." Daniel says. "Where is she?"
"Don't worry about it. She's still with us." Ash says, much to their confusion. Once Natasha finishes styling the Gogoat, she walks to Flora and says, "The Gogoat is done, how do you like it?"
Flora stops searching for Alice as she looks at the Gogoat, she says, "It is wonderful, thank you so much."
"No problem. Usually, I will have you pay 1500 dollars, but I'll make it free for you." Natasha says.
"Wait, are you serious?" Flora gasps, and the others stop searching for Alice as they gasp at what Natasha said.
"But why? Why are you doing this for us?" Flora asks. "I mean, I just met you today, and you're so nice..."
"What's the point in taking the money, when it will be back to our family?" Natasha asks as she drops her disguise, "Surprise?"
"Alice? You are Natasha Tong? That's your Normal Type Disguise?" Eve asks, and the others are also shocked.
Nate says, "Told you that they're surprised."
Ash says, "Indeed. That really is a surprise."
"So Alice is the famous stylist all this time? That is really surprising." Minami says.
"But how did you manage to travel far and wide to help customers? And what about the times when you're still in class?" Trenor asks.
"If Ash can do that, why can't I?" Alice asks, and they realize what Alice means. Minami says, "Since you're a famous stylist, do you think we can have your services for free as well?"
Alice frowns and says, "If it is Flora and Eve, I won't take their money because they are my family. However, I will want you to pay for my services if you want me to style your Pokemon."
"I guess that's fair enough." Eve says, "But that means we don't need to worry about Flora wasting money on styling her Pokemon."
"What do you mean by that?" Flora glares at Eve. "I'm not like you, who is a cheapskate that will complain if we spend money."
"I won't complain if you spend a reasonable amount of money, have you seen I complain to Alice about how she spends? Because she knows when to stop spending money." Eve says.
"Thanks?" Alice doesn't know how to reply after seeing her sisters having a quarrel.
"And I guess that is what my disguise and Alice's disguises are doing." Ash says.
"And to think you both have 18 different disguises, each of them is as famous as Reukra and Natasha... No wonder Lillie is worried about your health." Insey shakes her head.
"And not just Ash's health, but Alice's health as well..." Eve says.
"I know you're worried, but we are fine." Alice says while holding Ash's hand, "Besides, if doing this can slowly recover Ash's smile, then I'm willing to do it."
Ash wants to smile at Alice for believing in him, but his face is still in a neutral expression. Everyone is also frowning a little, they really hope to see Ash's smile.
And this is the aftermath chapter of the Normal Type, the timeline takes place after the camp, and the reactions of the others are always fun to write in my opinion. I hope you like tis chapter and the next chapter will be the Fire Type one.
