Chapter 11
Ash and Alice are putting two Sun Stones, a Leaf Stone, a Shiny Stone, and a Tart Apple on the ground, they also have two Gloom, Nuzleaf, Roselia, Petilil, and Applin standing in front of each evolutionary item. Besides them are Venusaur, which was Bulbasaur evolved, Meganium, which was Bayleef evolved, Sceptile, Cacturne, Tropius, Serperior, which is Snivy evolved, Sawsbuck, Chesnaught, Gogoat, Shiinotic, Tsareena, and Rillaboom.
"Now this is the moment of evolution." Ash says with a smile as all five Pokemon touch the stones, all the Grass-type Pokemon are waiting for the moment, and they see a Vileplume, Bellossom, Shiftry, Roserade, and Flapple in the end. But when Petilil touches the Sun Stone, Ash and Alice are confused as to what happens to the Pokemon in the end.
"Is this a Lilligant?" Alice asks in confusion. "I know for sure that Lilligant has a long skirt, and the flower on her head should be orange instead of pink..."
Arceus chuckles and says, "This is actually a Hisuian Form of Lilligant."
"Hisui? Is there a region named Hisui?" Ash asks in confusion.
"Hisui was originally the Sinnoh Region." Arceus replies, "Because of the climate and the geography, this kind of Lilligant almost goes extinct."
Ash and Alice are surprised to learn about the truth, and Lilligant also feels weird as she looks at its new body. Then it starts to dance around and, much to their shock, they see some stats are raised. "And that is her Signature move: Victory Dance. It is a Fighting-type move that raises all the stats except for Speed."
"That's amazing. So I guess this Lilligant is now a Grass and Fighting type." Alice says.
"But now we have 18 Grass-type Pokemon for Dean and Whith, plus Celebi and Shaymin, we are sure to be Grass-type masters." Ash says.
"You're right." Alice says with a smile. "This is sure great progress."
Flora Urup is Alice's oldest sister, she dreams to become a world-known fashion designer like her mother. In school, she has been researching all kinds of outfit styles. She also attended a fashion contest and even got a cup for her dress. There is only one problem, she likes to style dresses that are more of a modern style instead of something as traditional as her mother's store, that's why she won't be able to put her dresses on sale.
"Here we are...D&W..." Flora says as she stops in front of the store. When Flora asks her mother for some advice about her dream to become a fashion designer for modern-style clothing, Valerie just suggests she try work at D&W, the current fashion store owned by D&W. It has been a month since its revival, and their brand has increasingly risen to one of the top favorite brands.
When she opens the store, she sees how many people are checking out or trying on the new outfits. She knows that this is what she wants: People to like her clothing.
"Excuse me. Mr. Dean and Ms. Whith..." Flora walks towards the counter once they are free from the customers trying to purchase the outfits. Whith is surprised to see her sister here, but she takes a breath and says, "May I help you, miss?"
"My name is Flora Urup, and I was wondering if I can apply for a job here?" Flora asks.
"Applying for a job here?" Dean asks with a curious tone. "Why do you want to work at our shop?"
"I graduated from the Kalos University's department of Fashion Design, and I want to get some experience before I can only open my own store." Flora bows and says.
Alice knows very well how her sister wants to have her own fashion store. She says, "I think I have seen you before, you are one of Valerie's daughters, right?"
"Yes. But my mother's fashion store specializes in traditional clothing, and I want to go with the modern-style clothing like D&W." Flora says, "So I want you to give me a chance to work here."
Ash and Alice look at each other, Ash talk to her through aura, "So she is your sister, and she wants to work with you. I think you should be the one to determine this."
"I don't mind if we let Flora help us out." Alice replies. "But do you think it will be a good idea to show both of us to my sister?"
"I don't think there is a reason not to." Ash says.
Once they are done aura talking, Alice says, "Okay, Flora. Please come inside the workshop so we can talk about more details."
Flora is a little confused, but she follows Ash and Alice to the workshop. When they are sitting at the table, Alice says, "As you can see, we really have a lot of customers around our store, so we will be delighted to have more workers to help us out."
Ash says, "You said that you graduated from the Fashion Design department, can you please show us one of your works?"
Flora is a little nervous and she says, "I don't have any works by my side, can I make one using the cloth and tools here in the store?"
Alice says, "Of course, you can."
Flora then looks at the new equipment as she starts to work on it. Alice sees how Flora is really good at it and she is delighted. Those equipment are purchased with the money from Ash as the World Champion, but both Ash and Alice have to practice for days to get a hang of it.
Once Flora finishes the dress, which is a light-green colored dress with a grass feel. Alice touches the dress and says, "It gives the feel of the grass that is on the ground. Our clothes store not only pursues popularity, but also innovation. Your innovation for this dress is perfect."
Flora blushes a little and says, "Thank you."
"Now let's get to another phase." Alice says. "As you can see, both Dean and I are not only fashion designers, we have to be models to try on our outfits, so I want you to show yourself as a model by wearing this dress."
Flora gulps a little, she had to do some modeling work back in school, but she can't believe that she has to do it in front of two famous designers. But she takes a breath and does it for both of them.
Ash and Alice all nod at how Flora really works hard to get this job. Once Flora changes back her original clothes, Ash says, "You're hired."
"Wait, what?" Flora gasps as she can't believe what she is hearing. Ash says, "You have passed two of our tests with flying colors. So we're glad to have you help us out."
Alice says, "You told us that you want everyone to like your clothes, that is also why Dean and I open this store. We will be glad to have you help us design some new clothes."
"Now let's talk about payment." Ash says, "How about an hourly wage of 15 dollars? Is that enough for you?"
Flora nods and says, "That is enough for me, I am just glad I'm able to get this job."
Alice smiles and says, "Well, Flora, there is actually something that Dean and I agree to tell you. As you can see, Dean and Whith are actually our disguises. They aren't real."
"Huh?" Flora is confused. "What do you mean by that?"
Ash says, "We go by the name Dean and Whith to open a clothes store. But in real life, we are actually different people."
Ash is the first one to show himself, and Flora can only gasp as she knows that the person is no other than Ash Ketchum, the World Champion. Flora asks, "Ash Ketchum..."
"Yes, that is my real name, but please keep it down, I really don't like unwanted attention." Ash says. "In my real life, I am Ash Ketchum, but when I am a Fashion Designer, I am Dean. I may not have a degree just like you, but all of the clothes are made by me and Whith here."
Flora asks, "So...I am working with the World Champion himself? I wonder how Alice is going to hear about this. She is probably going to be so jealous."
"What do you mean by that?" Ash asks.
"I'm sorry, Ash. I have a sister who is a true fan of yours, and because of it, she gets bullied by her classmates to the extent of having to drop out of school." Flora says. "She treats you as her idol, and it will be amazing if she is able to see you in person."
Ash chuckles a little and says, "You see, Flora. Let me tell you some history. This store was originally owned by my father and Whith's mother, when my father died, this store has been closed for 15 years."
"I'm sorry to hear about it, but what does it have to do with me?" Flora asks.
"Dean and Whith are our disguises, you already know who Dean is, but do you know who the first Whith is?" Ash asks. "Your mother Valerie, is the first Whith."
"Wait, what? You mean...this store belonged to my mother?" Flora gasps. "She was a famous model before?"
Whith says, "I was surprised when I heard about the news, after all, I would've never thought that my mom would be a model for modern-style clothing."
"Mother?" Flora is now confused, why is Whith calling Valerie her mother? "Um...are we related? Because I don't think I have heard of a fourth sister in our family."
Whith takes off her disguise and she says, "We don't have a fourth sister, Flora."
"Alice? You're Whith this whole time?" Flora gasps. "But you...you were shopping with us when we first came to the store..."
"Flora, we are Aura users, we have special powers." Alice says. "The Alice back then is not the real me. Ash, can you please close the store, since we're passed the opening hours."
"Sure." After Ash leaves, Flora asks, "Okay, you have to answer me, how did you meet Ash Ketchum, and how does he convince you to help him reopen this D&W?"
Alice says, "Ash and I have been dating for a month, and we reopen this D&W together. For how we met, let's say that a blizzard made it happen."
Flora remembers how Alice got separated from them in a blizzard until she comes back at night, she can tell that Alice has been changed since that day, she wasn't shy and timid like she was before, and that creeps her out. It does help that after a week, her mother has assured them that nothing is wrong with her. Now she finally knows what is going on.
"Why didn't you tell me everything a month ago? Eve and I were worried something happened to you ever since you were not the same shy and timid girl from before." Flora asks.
"Do you remember what happened to Ash before the blizzard came? He was being badmouthed by everyone for no reason. Ash was hurt and he didn't want to be in public. That's why I have decided to keep our relationship a secret. And I want you to keep it a secret as well."
Flora asks, "Not even to Dad, Mom, or Eve?"
"Please." Alice says, and Flora can only sigh, but she makes a note that she has to ask more questions to Alice about this.
Here is a new chapter, and Flora knows what happened to her sister. I hope you like this chapter and we'll be going to the next disguise in the next chapter.
