Author's Note:
Hello all you wonderful Poliwags! Today is a very special day…the 6th anniversary of Gotta Catch That One, the beginning of my fanfiction and writing career. I have fewer things to share today given a family emergency last week, but I do have some exciting things. Earlier today on Twitter (username KingPoliwag) I revealed the map for my original series that I'm planning. Feel free to head on over there and check it out. As for this, I've got the first part of a three part crossover story for GCTO and LU. It's goofy but hopefully it'll be a fun little adventrue. May even lead to some reveals for something else. Spoilers ahead for both GCTO and LU. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1: Worlds Collide
Ash had a spring in his step as he made his way up the latest hill, looking out at the forest ahead of him as he slowed to a stop at its peak. Shalour City was still quite a distance away, but he was still excited nonetheless. There was nothing like a difficult training regimen to prepare for big battles, and one of the toughest was awaiting him, and all for the purpose of preparing him for some of the most intense battles of his life.
It had been nearly a year since his victory over Alain in the Kalos League finals, and Ash was finally going to be permitted to challenge the Elite Four of the Kalos region. He'd actually received the official invitation a few months earlier, and was supposed to have begun his challenge soon after, but the League had been quite overwhelmed since the attack by Team Flare, and had asked for a little more time. Things had finally begun to return to normal, though, and no dangers appeared to have surfaced. Ash's official challenge was now on.
Knowing what lay ahead, though, Ash knew he needed a specific kind of preparation. Considering Kalos was the home of Mega Evolution, Ash expected that his Elite Four challenge would consist of facing off against the very best that the enhanced evolution had to offer. After his exhibition match with Diantha, Ash was sure that the Elite Four members would be making sure their Pokemon were in top shape, so he knew he was going to have to be ready with the knowledge and power to beat anything they threw at him.
That was why he'd contacted Korrina as soon as his challenge was officially set to begin. If there was anyone that could help prepare him to face off against the strongest Mega Evolved Pokemon, it would be one of the leading experts on the topic in Korrina's grandfather, Gurkinn. Professor Sycamore had provided Ash with some reading materials, but he felt he was going to do better with Korrina's grandfather's style of training. Ash had gone there for a different kind of training prior to the battle against Team Flare, and it had sure helped him back then.
"Oh man! I can't wait to get started!" Ash shouted, his voice carrying out from his position atop the hill. "This is gonna be so awesome! Right, Pikachu?"
"Pika!" the electric mouse cried out in answer, pumping his fist from Ash's shoulder. A moment later, though, a voice from behind got their attention.
"Ash, would you slow down?"
Ash rubbed the back of his neck, turning with a sheepish grin on his face as he saw his girlfriend slowly making her way up the hill behind him. Serena was excited about their return to Kalos as well, having already entered a showcase since coming back from Kanto, but she was clearly a little fed up with Ash running ahead every chance he had. With Clemont and Bonnie already in Shalour City, it was just the two of them, without Clemont's slow pace, Ash was getting a little carried away.
"Sorry," he murmured, adjusting his hat over his raven-coloured hair as he turned back to look at the path ahead. "It's just so exciting! The Elite Four! And the best training I could ask for to get ready!"
Serena sighed at his words, but smiled nonetheless. She lightly touched the blue ribbon at her chest as she locked eyes with Ash, laughing as he and Pikachu pumped their fists in excitement once more. "I'm glad you're excited, Ash. I am, too. You deserve this."
"You deserve to have fun and challenge showcases again, too. We'll win our challenges together!" Ash promised, taking her hand as they began to move again. This time, they walked, Ash managing to hold himself back from running again. It was tempting, too, as he was pretty sure he noticed a Dunsparce in the bushes up ahead.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, the sounds of the forest calming Ash somewhat. There were few things like travelling from city to city through forests full of Pokemon. He could hear them in the skies and in the trees. They reminded him of all of his previous adventures, and made him look forward to what lay ahead. There was something familiar about the area they were in, though, that made him look around curiously.
"Do you recognize this area?" he asked, pausing and glancing at a narrow path to their right that veered away from the larger one that led towards Shalour City.
Serena smiled immediately, staring at the path. "Yeah! That heads to Reflection Cave." She elbowed Ash playfully. "Remember? Where you promised we'd always be together?"
Ash frowned. "Did I say that?"
"What?! You don't remember?" Serena gaped at him. "After we got you out of that mirror world I asked you if we'd be together from then on. I didn't necessarily mean...well...what's happened since, but-"
Ash laughed, leading Serena towards the path. "Of course I remember, Serena. Let's go check out it out for old time's sake!"
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Serena squeaked out, struggling to keep up as Ash took off.
"Sure, why not?" Ash said. "We'll just have a look around. Who knows? Maybe we'll see some cool Pokemon there!"
Serena sighed, apparently accepting the idea, and the two continued on the path for a few minutes. Before too long, the trees thinned out somewhat, and the ground became a little rockier. Then, up ahead, Ash noticed the outer edges of the cave. He picked up his speed once more, Serena letting go of him so she could go at her own pace. Ash stopped once at the entrance, looking up and remembering their last visit.
"It was a pretty crazy day back then, wasn't it Pikachu?" Ash asked, grinning up at his partner. "Who would've thought another me would come out of a different world and take you? Luckily it was just an accident and we cleared it all up!"
"Pika!" Pikachu said in agreement, staring ahead into the darkness of the cave. Ash followed his gaze, pretty sure he could see the reflections from the mirror-like crystals inside.
"It is quite beautiful in there, isn't it?" Serena whispered as she came up behind Ash. "Do you think there are other mirrors that open up to other worlds in there?"
"Maybe," Ash said. "The one I went through seemed to be moving. That's what led to me nearly being stuck...or falling into that void."
Serena shuddered at the thought. "That was scary," she murmured. "Although we were able to control it a little to help you get back through."
"I wonder if we could control another one," Ash said, looking thoughtfully at the many mirror-like crystals ahead. "Think of all the places we could go!"
"I'd rather not risk it," Serena said with a laugh.
Ash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Do you want to have a look around or-"
"Pika!"
Ash and Serena both jumped as a mechanical arm shot out from deep in the cave, grabbing Pikachu from Ash's shoulder. Stunned, they watched as the electric mouse was pulled, his eyes wide with fear and surprise. Scanning the cave quickly, Ash was sure he saw a Skiddo up ahead. It looked confused, and even a little displeased with what it was doing, but atop its head was the device the arm was attached to. Shadows were behind it, and Ash realized people must've been with it. But then he noticed something else.
"It's from a mirror world!" he shouted. "If it closes..."
He took off without thinking, and he heard Serena immediately following after him. He loved her for that. Despite it being exactly what they had been avoiding by not entering the cave further before, they weren't going to hesitate to save Pikachu. They would find a way back no matter what. For now, they needed to enter this other world.
Reaching the crystal mirror, Ash could see the Skiddo disappearing down a path on the other side, a Meowth in front of it. The sight made him hesitate for just a second. That couldn't have been Team Rocket, could it? They're good now. His thought was interrupted, though, Serena reaching him and looking through the portal as well.
"I guess we have no choice," she said, nerves causing her voice to shake slightly.
"Together," Ash said, taking her hand.
With a deep breath, they jumped, entering another world.
Ash was fed up with Team Rocket. He didn't know why exactly he was particularly frustrated with them this time, considering they'd been after him and Pikachu for years. He supposed it had to do with the fact that they had teamed up with him and his friends only a couple of months before. When the hunters had stolen their Pokemon, including Meowth and Wobbuffet, Jessie and James had been completely on board with stopping Pokemon theft. Now, they were back at it themselves. He just didn't get it.
Of course, it wasn't like he was ever going to let them succeed in getting Pikachu. Their latest attempt had failed. A typical attack with one of their crazy machines with a mechanical arm had come while he and Serena were walking. They'd nearly grabbed Pikachu, but fortunately, Serena's Popplio had been out, practising a performance move, and she had stopped the theft just in time.
Unfortunately, the ensuing battle ended up being quite chaotic. Team Rocket's new Skiddo had hesitated in attacking, and then Meowth had gotten in the way as Popplio had fired a Bubble Beam. Meowth had been holding some kind of electricity absorbing device to contain Pikachu, but it was apparently susceptible to the Bubble Beam. The explosion ended up separating everyone, Ash and Pikachu now having no idea where Serena and Popplio were. He was pretty sure Jessie and James had been separated from Meowth and Skiddo as well, but he wasn't exactly too worried about that.
"Man, this is annoying," Ash said, sighing as he and Pikachu found themselves wandering down a rocky path. They had been on their way to Shalour City to visit Korrina and Clemont, the former having begun establishing the first Battle Frontier facility in Kalos, and the forest leading to Shalour City was fairly thick with trees. Ash figured Serena might have better luck finding him where the trees were a little more thinned out by the caves.
"Pika pikapi," Pikachu said, tapping Ash's shoulder, before pointing to his belt. "Pika."
Ash grinned as he realized what Pikachu was suggesting. "That's a good idea! Maybe Lucario can help find Serena. Sensing her with aura might help." He quickly plucked Lucario's pokeball from his belt, tossing it into the air. "Lucario, I choose you!" he shouted, the steel and fighting type emerging with a bark of determination.
"Ru!" The Aura Pokemon looked to Ash, awaiting his command, eyes narrowed with focus.
"Lucario, we had some trouble with Team Rocket. Think you could help us find Serena?" Ash asked.
Lucario nodded quickly, bowing his head a moment as he focused. However, just a moment later, his head jerked up, looking towards the caves. Ash followed his gaze, hoping to catch a glimpse of Serena. There didn't seem to be anything there, however. He glanced back at Lucario, watching the young fighting type closely.
"Do you sense something in the caves, Lucario?" he asked, noticing a slightly uneasy look in the Aura Pokemon's gaze.
"Ru..." Lucario turned his head towards Ash. He sniffed the air a moment, before their eyes met. Ash was surprised to see how confused the Aura Pokemon appeared to be. There was clearly something in the caves that disturbed him.
They didn't have time to consider that, however, with a hot air balloon in the shape of a Meowth suddenly appearing overhead. Ash narrowed his eyes seeing Jessie, James and Wobbuffet looking down at them. They actually seemed surprised to see Ash, and he realized they probably hadn't been looking for him, but rather Meowth and their Skiddo. They still seemed to decide it was a good idea to attack, however.
"Gourgeist, use Dark Pulse!" Jessie suddenly shouted, throwing her pokeball out as soon as she noticed Ash. "We'll get Pikachu first, and then we'll find Meowth and Skiddo."
"Jessie, don't you think we should focus on finding them first? It doesn't seem right to catch Pikachu without them," James said sadly. Ash actually felt a stab of pity for him. James had always had a particular soft spot for his Pokemon, and from the little Ash had seen, he was quite devoted to that Skiddo.
"It's their own fault they aren't here to join us!" Jessie screeched, watching in anticipation as the Dark Pulse rushed towards Ash and his Pokemon. She was quickly disappointed as Lucario deflected the attack with a Metal Claw.
"Pikachu, let's send them-"
"Doo-oo-oo!"
"Run, pal, run!"
"Pika!"
Ash's head jerked towards the cries coming from a cave entrance just below where Team Rocket's balloon was flying. He could see Skiddo running with everything he had, Meowth riding on his back. What was really surprising, however, was the device they had attempted to use on Pikachu earlier was apparently in working order, held in place atop Skiddo by Meowth. And held in the mechanical arm's grip was another Pikachu!
"We got him, guys!" Meowth called up to Jessie and James. "Let's get outta here!"
Ash raised an eyebrow, turning to look up at Pikachu on his shoulder just to make sure he wasn't crazy. It certainly wasn't his Pikachu that Meowth had. He and Skiddo must've found a wild one, or perhaps another trainer's. Regardless, he wasn't going to let them get away with taking it. That was no way to catch a Pokemon, even if it was wild. And if it was another trainer's Ash needed to make sure the Pikachu was reunited with them.
"Lucario, stop Skiddo with an Aura Sphere! And Pikachu, free that other Pikachu with Iron Tail!" Ash shouted, pointing ahead with the order.
He was surprised for a moment, seeing the other Pikachu look in his direction. It appeared stunned by the sight of him, especially when seeing his own Pikachu running towards it. Ash hoped it wasn't scared. He just wanted to help it.
"Meowth, you dolt!" Jessie yelled. "That's not the twerp's Pikachu!"
Meowth's eyes widened, watching as Lucario prepared his Aura Sphere. "But we saw..." He turned towards the cave. "Der's no way!"
Whatever had Meowth surprised, Ash didn't know or care. Instead, he watched as Meowth turned back to look in his direction once more, just in time for Lucario's Aura Sphere to strike him and Skiddo. The attack exploded the ground at Skiddo's feet, sending him and Meowth flying up into the air, right for Team Rocket's balloon. Meanwhile, Pikachu went charging in, striking the mechanical arm holding the other Pikachu and freeing the electric mouse instantly.
"Now Pikachu," Ash called, grinning and punching the air, "send 'em off with Thunderbolt!"
"Chuuu!"
To his surprise, both his own Pikachu and the other one sent out the burst of electrical energy. Team Rocket watched in fear as the attack approached, unable to respond in time as Meowth and Skiddo crashed into them. A moment later, the balloon exploded, and their group went flying off into the distance.
"We're blasting off again!" they cried out, before going completely out of sight.
Ash sighed in relief once it was over, looking over to Pikachu and Lucario and grinning. "Great job you guys. That should take care of Team Rocket for awhile."
"Pika...pikapi...?"
Ash's eyes then went to the other Pikachu, seeing it staring between him and his own Pikachu. It seemed confused, and a little worried. As it locked gazes with Ash once more, he couldn't help but feel a connection with it. It looked so much like his own Pikachu. Come to think of it, the way the two had launched their Thunderbolt attacks at Team Rocket had been very similar. And its cry just now...
"Ruru!"
Suddenly, Lucario was focusing on the new Pikachu, leaning forward and sniffing the air around it. He seemed uneasy, but he didn't seem to think of the Pikachu as a threat. The two looked at each other for a moment, before Lucario glanced back at Ash's Pikachu. The Aura Pokemon sniffed again, before straightening and turning to Ash.
"Ruru!"
Pikachu also seemed to sense whatever it was Lucario had sensed, looking to the other Pikachu and back at Ash. "Pikapi pika!"
Ash nodded, already piecing it together himself. This was certainly strange, and he figured it had something to do with the fact that they were near Reflection Cave. He stared towards the place where Meowth and Skiddo had emerged from, remembering the shock on Meowth's face, and the confusion over who had found the right Pikachu.
Ash was just opening his mouth to speak to his Pokemon, when they heard a yell coming from the caves. A familiar yell. His own yell.
Then, he watched as someone emerged from the cave. That someone being him.
Serena could see Team Rocket's balloon exploding in the distance, and she took off at a run, recalling Popplio as she did so. She hoped that the balloon exploding meant that Ash was okay, but she was still worried. It was still possible Team Rocket had done something to hurt him or his Pokemon. Or even that Ash had done something to hurt himself in his recklessness.
"Ash, you'd better be okay," she murmured to herself, clutching at her ribbon and the Key Stone tied to it.
Unfortunately for Serena, she had ended up in a fairly thick part of the forest, and she needed to navigate through quite a few trees and bushes to get to the path. She could see that the explosion was likely near Reflection Cave, so she was trying to get closer to the rocks she could see in the distance.
As she ran, she was surprised as she nearly ran into someone and their Persian. The person was quick to get out of the way, and Serena felt bad as she simply charged past them. She supposed they were likely just a trainer out looking for Pokemon, though, and didn't care too much. Besides, they could likely see that she needed to get where she was going.
Eventually, Serena managed to get to a more wide open part of the forest, and as she neared the caves, the trees thinned out some more. She tried to keep a mental image of where the explosion had been in her head. She just needed to go a little further to the left. She clenched her fists, ready to battle, and somehow picked up her pace even more.
Finally, she emerged from the trees, noticing the caves ahead. An entrance could be seen, and through it, Serena was fairly sure she could see the reflections of the mirror-like crystals that gave the cave its name. But the beauty of those crystals didn't hold her gaze, as a moment later, she caught sight of a familiar red hat and blue jacket. She turned to see Ash, who must've just come from the cave, running to meet Pikachu. And with him was...
Serena froze. She shut her eyes tight, and then opened them once more. Still, she couldn't believe what was in front of her. She had to be hallucinating. There was no way she was seeing correctly, because what she was seeing was herself, running to catch up to Ash. It only got weirder as her gaze shifted to the left, seeing yet another Ash watching the scene with the same stunned expression she likely had, with Pikachu and Lucario out in front of him.
"Wh-What's going on?" the Ash on the left said. Serena was sure it was her Ash. His reaction was too similar to hers, while the other Ash and the other her were actually appearing as though they weren't too surprised.
The other Ash glanced up, exchanging a glance with the Serena behind him, before facing forward again. "I don't know if you've ever been in Reflection Cave before," he said, "but some of those crystals, or mirrors, can lead you to another world. A world that's similar to yours, but might have a different version of you or your friends. My Pikachu just got pulled out of our world and we ran through the mirror to chase after him. Did you save him?"
Serena quickly headed over to her Ash before he answered. He looked relieved to see her, taking her hand and squeezing it. She wasn't sure if it was to comfort her or himself. Either way, she smiled back, before glancing at their other selves. They each looked pleased to see the hand holding. Serena supposed they had become a couple in their world as well. If the other world thing was what was happening here. The thought did make her smile a little as well, though. It was nice to think she and Ash had found each other in other universes.
Her Ash finally answered the other, nodding in response to his question. "Team Rocket had him. At least, Meowth and Skiddo did. Kind of frustrating to still be dealing with them after they helped us fight the hunters when they attacked the school, but anyway, Lucario and both our Pikachu handled it."
The other Ash looked a little confused, although his eyes quickly went to Lucario. "Wow, a Lucario, huh? I never caught one in our world. Did you get him in Sinnoh?"
"We raised him from an egg," Ash said, nodding to Serena. "For an assignment at Lumiose University."
"Lumiose University?"
Serena jumped, alarmed to hear her own voice asking the question. She looked up, meeting the eyes of her other self. Her own eyes. "Professor Sycamore established it last year. After the Kalos League. You guys didn't go to school?"
The other Ash laughed. "I don't think I could ever sit in a class! Wow, so are you competing against the Elite Four while at school?"
Ash frowned. "Elite Four? Wait a minute...you won the Kalos League?"
"He also beat Diantha!" the other Serena chimed in, proudly smiling at her Ash.
"It was just an exhibition match. I still have to beat her and the others for real."
Serena's head was spinning from all the new information. It seemed as though their worlds were very different. She wondered if they were going to find out they had different Pokemon next. Perhaps even different Mega Evolutions.
"I think we're all going to get very confused if we assume any of us knows what the others have done," Serena finally said. "Maybe we should just tell each other about ourselves as though we aren't...the same."
The other Serena nodded. "That sounds like a great idea. Besides, I'd love to know how you got that Key Stone!"
And so Serena told them. She explained how she had met Ash at Professor Oak's summer camp, which was apparently one of the common experiences of the two pairs. She went on to discuss her journey through Kalos to get away from Rhyhorn racing and how she had discovered performing. Then she talked about recognizing Ash at the Kalos League, about enrolling at Lumiose University, about meeting Absol and helping him recover from hunters and their mastering of Mega Evolution and the victory in the Interschool Pokemon League and the battle with the hunters.
The other Serena and Ash had a different, but also quite exciting story as well. They had travelled through Kalos together with Clemont and Bonnie. The other Ash had actually travelled with many companions, including Dawn, on his journeys. They had battled an organization known as Team Flare, and Team Rocket had joined the fight, leading to a massive battle in and around Lumiose City. Then Ash had won the Kalos League, giving him the right to challenge the Kalos Elite Four, which he was finally permitted to do after they had dealt with the fallout from Team Flare.
"Seems like we all had some crazy adventures!" Ash said, chuckling as he looked to his mirror self, who was also laughing.
"Yeah, it's crazy how different our worlds are."
"I'm glad that one thing is the same, though," Serena said, locking eyes with the other Serena, who nodded in response.
"In each world, we found the one person we needed to. And the best friends we could ask for!"
The other Ash grinned at that. "Well, it's awesome we got to meet each other. I didn't think our experiences would be so different." His gaze shifted to Serena. "You know, it might be kind of cool to see just what our different adventures have given us. Maybe we can even make use of what the other has learned."
"Knowing me, I'm guessing you want a battle!" Ash said, pumping his fist excitedly.
His other self nodded, but he actually glanced back at Serena again. "I think I'd like to battle your Mega Absol. It'll be great practice for my Elite Four challenge."
"What about a double battle?" the other Serena suggested. "Poliwhirl could use some exercise."
"Sounds good to me!" Ash said.
Serena held her Key Stone, taking a deep breath. She had a feeling this was going to end up in a crazy adventure. But, the look in Ash's eyes was impossible to resist. Besides, before she and Ash headed off to Melemele University, it would be good for their Pokemon to get a good workout, too.
"Let's battle!"
Author's Note:
And Ash and Serena from GCTO meet…Ash and Serena from LU! Who would've thought this could happen? It's like my own little Literary Universe. Anyway, the next two parts are still to come. I'd planned to have them all today, but life was crazy last week. Hopefully soon. Also, another reveal should be coming on Twitter later today at around 4pm EST. Hope you enjoyed and see you soon!
