Chapter 16: Reunions and Revelations

Oscar had insisted that he not ride around on Mario's shoulder, and that they could easily find their way without resorting to Mario speeding through the countryside at random, and refused to budge on it. He regretted it several hours later, but he was too stubborn and prideful to admit it. Mario didn't mind at all, content to just take in his surroundings and the new world he found himself in.

By the time they finally managed to reach a city, it was well past sunset. Seeing that Oscar was tired of walking, Mario offered to carry him. Oscar accepted, and clung to Mario's shoulder like he'd seen many other Pokémon who stayed out of their Pokéballs do. Despite the fact that Oscar was sure he must have weighed at least fifty pounds, Mario didn't seem to even notice.

"We should head to the Pokémon Center to sleep," the Dewott whispered, mindful of the few people and Pokémon still outside at this time.

"Where Nurse Joy went?" Mario whispered back. "She was nice."

"Yes and no…" Oscar said. "There's probably a different Nurse Joy."

Mario nodded in apparent understanding. "Which way's the Pokémon Center?"

"I don't know what city we're in," Oscar hissed, "I haven't even seen most of Kanto for fifteen years."

"That's fair," Mario said. "I can sleep anywhere, if we can't find it."

Oscar didn't want to just sleep outside, or at least without a bed. When he'd been human, his parents hadn't wanted him or his younger sister to go on a Pokémon journey. When he'd become a Pokémon, he'd had to sleep outside at first, but that hadn't lasted long.

"I'm fine sleeping in an active volcano, even," Mario said. "The heat is actually pretty nice."

Mario, on the other hand, was clearly used to roughing it… As well as completely insane and possibly immune to extreme temperatures.

"Okay, we're definitely finding our way there," Oscar said. "But how…"

"Excuse me," Mario called out to a random person walking down the street. "Do you happen to know the way to the Pokémon Center?"

Well, now Oscar just felt like an idiot. The man, who had spiky red hair and wore a cape (who dressed that way?), nodded. "Yes, I'm actually on my way back there, myself. You can follow me, if you'd like."

"Thanks," Mario said, and fell into step behind the man.

"Most people come to Vermillion City from the other direction," He explained. "The Pokémon Center's all the way on the other side of town, past the Gym. You aren't most trainers, though?"

"Nope," Mario said. Oscar was pretty sure he didn't actually know what 'trainer' meant.

"That's right… Most trainers don't carry around a Dewott on their shoulder, they're quite heavy. Much less one who talks."

Oscar froze. He'd noticed…

"He's pretty light, actually," Mario said, shrugging. "Around fifty pounds, I think. His name's Oscar."

"Pleased to meet you, Oscar," the man said, holding out his hand to shake. Out of politeness, the still freaked-out Dewott took his hand. "My name is Lance. Is there a story behind your speech?"

"I've always been able to," Oscar said, evading the topic of his previous species.

"Hm… Shame. I met a talking Meowth, once. I never did hear his story," Lance said. He looked to the blue-eyed boy walking next to him. "Are you, by chance, related to the witch outside Blackthorn City? Your eyes are the same color."

"Nope," Mario said. "Not a chance of that. People with a talent for magic usually have bright blue eyes, though."

"... An answer that leads to more questions…" Lance said. "Hm. What is your name?"

"It's Mario," Mario said, giving a thumbs-up. "Friend and protector to all!"

"He's also an impulsive reckless hothead," Oscar added. Mario nodded, accepting Oscar's statement as simple fact. Lance studied the two for a while. Oscar didn't like it – He'd had a moment of fame some time ago, but it had died down and he'd never liked the attention. Mario didn't seem to care in the slightest.

"You're very interesting," Lance said. "I wonder… Are you aware of the problems plaguing the world right now?"

Mario 'hmm'ed. "Well, there's an evil demigod hanging out on an island with a giant evil castle of doom… No, wait, I smashed the castle this morning..." He saw Lance's expression, apparently realizing that the man hadn't known anything about that at all. Oscar buried his face in the hand he wasn't using to hold on to Mario. "Oh… Well, that did happen. I'll probably go back on my own and deal with it before too long, don't worry. Let's see… Well, I suppose there's also been people from other worlds coming here, and time travel going on, if that's what you meant?"

"… Yes… Although I was only aware of the latter…" Lance said. "… I'm holding a meeting in the Pokémon Center here tomorrow. Myself, some others aware of the situation, and a few trainers who somehow get involved with everything strange or dangerous in existence. I'd like to invite you two to come, if you'd like, and share what you know. If this could pose a danger to the world, we need to know everything we can."

"I'll do everything in my power to protect this world," Mario promised

"… If it's really that important…" Oscar said. "I'll be there, too. You can count on me."

Lance smiled. "I'm glad… There are too few people and Pokémon in this world willing to make such leaps of faith."

Luigi took a deep breath. "A port town…"

"Yeah, it's the biggest in Kanto," Brock said. "It's famous for all the cruise ships that leave and arrive here."

"It reminds me of home," Luigi said wistfully. "It's not nearly as big as this, but my hometown's a port town, too."

"Maybe you'll be able to catch a boat home once you find your brother," Misty said.

"Yeah…" Luigi grew quiet. "... That might be sooner than you think…"

"What do you mean?" Ash asked. "Oh! Do you do that twin-telepathy thing?"

Luigi stared at Ash, wide-eyed. "... How did… Yes, we do. He's somewhere in this city… I'm not close enough to be sure, he's always been better at it, but he's definitely in the city."

Now Latios was looking at Luigi in surprise. Even though the disguised dragon couldn't talk, Luigi thought he got the message.

"You do it with your sister, don't you?" Luigi asked. "… It's tough to be away."

Latios nodded in agreement.

Misty said something under her breath. No one else heard, but Luigi did. "Just who are you, really?"

Luigi didn't answer the question, and he wasn't sure he ever could.

"We'll be at the Pokémon Center soon," Brock said. "We're meeting with Lance. I'm sure he'll be able to do something to help us find your sister, Latios. Maybe he'll know about Mario, too."

Brock was right. They did reach the Pokémon Center quickly, and there was a man with spiky red hair and a cape standing outside.

"Lance!" Brock called out. "Hey! We're here."

"Good!" The man said. "There's you, Ash, Pikachu, Misty… I don't know you, you'll have to introduce yourself," He indicated Latios. "And… Hold on, weren't you just inside? No, he's wearing green, not red."

Luigi froze. "M-m-mario?"

"I'm Lance," the man said. "The Champion. I met a kid named Mario, he's right inside."

That was all Luigi needed to hear. He was gone, and inside the Pokémon Center. It didn't take him a second to spot the familiar red cap. It took even less time for him to tackle his brother to the ground in an embrace.

"MARIO!" Luigi yelled, crying as he held onto his older brother tightly. Mario hugged him back. Luigi just kept crying. He didn't want to let go, yet.

Mario's companion, a large blue otter, had been thrown to the ground when Luigi tackled his brother. He was about to say something about it, but couldn't bring himself to say anything once he realized what was going on.

Lance came into the Pokémon Center, along with Ash and co.

"He found his brother," Brock said. He smiled. "… That's the entire reason he went on a journey in the first place, and he's found him."

Bulbasaur, and Pikachu cheered for Luigi. Latios was happy for him, too, but couldn't keep from thinking of his own twin. Clefairy was the only one who didn't seem completely happy about it.

It was well over five minutes before Luigi finally calmed down enough to speak. "I missed you, bro…"

"It's great to have you back," Mario said. "I was out for most of it, so… How long?"

"A week and a half," Luigi said. "Longer than ever before…"

"Wow… I'm sorry, bro," Mario gave his brother a smile. "You know I'd have been there if I could!"

Luigi laughed, finally releasing his brother. "I know! I know… You're the best, Mario."

"Nuh-uh," Mario flicked his brother's nose. "Luigi number one!"

"No, no, you're always number one," Luigi argued. "Everyone says so."

"Well, I'm not everyone," Mario said. "It doesn't matter what everyone thinks, because I know you're number one!"

"… Thanks, Mario," Luigi whispered.

"Always!" Mario said. "So… Want to introduce me to your friends? Or, no! Wait! First, let's do the thing!"

"Aw, no, Mario, it's silly…"

"Come on, bro, just once?" Mario asked.

"… Alright, just once."

Mario struck a pose. "There's no problem too big!"

Luigi reluctantly struck his own pose. "No problem too small!"

"Just give the Super Mario Brothers a call!" The duo finished together.

"Oh, yeah, we're back in business!" Mario said. "… So, anyway! Introductions time! The otter is Oscar. He's my new friend."

"I didn't know there were any Dewott in Kanto," Brock commented.

"I'm not from around here," Oscar said without thinking. He slapped himself in the face, but the only person who had even reacted to him speaking was Nurse Joy, who had been watching the group with interest since Luigi came barreling in.

"… Alright," Luigi said. "So, this is Ash, Misty, Brock, and Latios…"

"Latios?" Lance asked, looking to the blue-haired boy. Latios gave a nervous smile. "Like the Pokémon… Very much like the Pokémon, if I had to hazard a guess?"

Latios nodded slightly.

"The yellow one is Pikachu, Ash's friend," Luigi said. "The green one is Bulbasaur. He kind of follows me, but I think he's better friends with Ash anyway."

Bulbasaur gave Luigi an apologetic look.

"And finally, that's Clefairy," Luigi said. "It likes to hide under my hat."

"Hi!" Mario said, reaching out a hand to shake with Clefairy. The pink puffball yanked its arm away, glaring at Mario. "Oh, I guess she," Clefairy hissed. "He, sorry, doesn't like me very much."

"… I don't know why," Luigi said. "He just met you… Anyway, bro, you're here! We can find a way home now!"

Clefairy looked down. Luigi didn't catch it. Mario did, and realized why Clefairy didn't like him. That would be a problem, wouldn't it?

"Actually, we've got some stuff to do," Mario said. "You see, Lance asked me to come to this meeting they're having here."

"Oh… Do we have to get involved?" Luigi asked.

"We're involved, whether we like it or not," Mario said. "We need to help wherever we can."

"… It's that important?" Luigi asked. He sighed. "Well, I guess you're right…"

"Ash and his friends were the last few I was waiting on to arrive," Lance said. "Everyone else is already gathered in one of the back rooms. If you'd follow me…"

Ash had been surprised to find that there were quite a few people he knew here, but maybe he shouldn't have been. A few of the Gym Leaders he'd met were here – Apart from Misty and Brock, there was also Sabrina, who thankfully wasn't crazy, and Lt. Surge, who didn't seem to have changed at all.

Lance also wasn't the only Champion present. Cynthia from Sinnoh had managed to make it as well – She smiled when she saw Ash and Pikachu. She was sitting next to another familiar face, but Ash couldn't quite remember where he'd seen him.

"Isn't that Newton?" Brock asked.

"Who?" Misty asked

"He researches the Reverse World," Brock said. "He was there when we had that adventure with Giratina and Shaymin. I wonder why he's here…"

"Ash!" Lance called. "I'd like you to come up here and tell everyone what's been going on."

"Why me?" Ash asked.

"You are the one who always shows up when anything happens," Cynthia commented. "Your insight is valuable."

"Um, okay, I guess," Ash said. "Come on, Pikachu."

Ash walked up, looked at all the people waiting for his story, and began to speak. He wasn't entirely comfortable with this, but if it would help people… Then he had to, he guessed. He talked about what had happened, and a few of his adventures he thought might be relevant. For the most part, the people in the room were surprised by the same things… How many legendary Pokémon he'd met. Newton Graceland was new to everything, apparently. Cynthia had actually had him flown in for his knowledge on the Reverse World.

There were only two people and two Pokémon who didn't seem to have much of an idea what was going on. Mario's talking Dewott kept asking questions, and Ash answered as best he could. Luigi's Clefairy looked absolutely lost thorough the whole thing. Mario and Luigi were the two people with the most questions… Or Mario was, anyway. He didn't seem to know a single Pokémon Ash was talking about, but was completely unfazed at the idea of time travel.

Luigi was quietly freaking out, mumbling something about 'not again' and 'why can't my life just be normal for a day'.

It didn't take Ash long to go through everything. He wasn't an expert at anything, and once he thought he was done, he just moved to sit down again.

"I think you should go next," Cynthia said to the scholar next to her. "What's going on in the Reverse World is probably relevant."

Newton nodded, and moved to take Ash's place. "Well, I've been studying Giratina and the Reverse World for some time now. Cynthia called me out of the blue a few days ago, apparently having heard about me in the future, and wondering if I could shed some light on the situation. I really don't know about that, but I do know that something strange has been going on in the Reverse World since the first of the month – The same day the time travel started, I believe."

"Yeah," Ash said. "April 1st is the day new trainers start in Pallet Town each year."

Luigi inhaled sharply. Mario patted his shoulder in reassurance. This didn't go unnoticed, but Ash didn't have an explanation for it, either.

"Yes… Well, ordinarily, the only thing in the Reverse World is Giratina. I've been able to detect its life signs for some time now. Normally, it's peaceful, just moving about its domain. On April 1st, something changed. Giratina's signals went crazy, and I believe it was engaged in battle with something."

"What could end up in the Reverse World to battle Giratina, I wonder?" Cynthia said. "Ash?"

"Well, Dialga did, last time," Ash said. "So… I guess I could be Dialga or Palkia."

"It wasn't," Newton said. "I looked into it, and Dialga and Palkia are still in their own worlds – They're not behaving normally, but they're certainly healthy. Giratina… I know it's still alive, but I can't tell what happened to it. Its energy is completely static. Whatever it was fighting must be incredibly powerful and dangerous."

"… Is it possible that this thing caused this whole mess?" Misty asked.

"I don't know," Newton said, running his hand through his hair. "It can't have made the situation any better, but it was at least twelve hours after Cynthia travelled back in time that Giratina even encountered this creature."

"It doesn't account for the massive energy spike Newton's equipment detected yesterday morning, either," Cynthia added.

"No, it doesn't," Newton said. "So… Yesterday morning, something happened. There was a huge spike of energy, just like she said. It originated somewhere in the ocean south of Kanto, but it created a massive shock of energy that spread all over the world and into the Reverse World."

Luigi paled, and looked to Mario. The older brother was reacting to this in his own way, but keeping it hidden pretty well.

"That's when Professor Oak and Mom got their memories back," Ash said. "And when Bill turned into a Clefairy…"

"After it happened, I checked some of my other devices. Since around midnight on the first of April, small amounts of this energy have been present in this world, but nothing in the Reverse World. A few minutes before the big spike, there was a smaller spike."

Luigi looked to Mario again. "Earth Tremor, then Supernova," Mario whispered to his brother.

"No…" Luigi whispered back. "No, no, it's…" Luigi buried his head in his arms. "It can't be…"

"Could this energy be something from another world?" Mario asked. "… Could, well, could contact with another dimension have caused all the problems you've been facing?"

Lance looked to the red-hatted boy, realization dawning on his face.

"… I'm not sure," Newton said. "I'm not entirely sure of the existence of other dimensions beyond those of the Creation Trio and Arceus…"

"They exist," Ash piped up. "I met myself."

Newton looked surprised. "Well, then… This energy was unlike anything I've seen. It could, potentially, be otherworldly. I don't see why that would cause so much damage, though."

"All our fault…" Luigi whispered, too low for anyone to make out.

"Are you alright, Luigi?" Brock asked.

"No." Luigi didn't elaborate.

"… You said this happened yesterday morning," Mario said. "Sometime around sunrise? In the ocean, around the location of New Island?"

"It was that Mewtwo you were talking about, wasn't it?" Lance asked.

"Wait, Mewtwo?" Ash asked. "What's he got to do with this?"

"Mewtwo's just holed up at New Island," Mario said. "He didn't cause this."

"No, Mario, don't tell them…" Luigi said.

"Luigi, we're already way deeper than I expected. I'm not backing down." Mario leapt from his seat, flipping around in mid-air to land next to Newton. The researcher stumbled back in shock.

"I'm Mario." For once, Mario wasn't joking or laughing at all, but completely serious. "I'm from another dimension, and everything that's happened is because of me. That strange energy… That's me. The spike yesterday morning was my Supernova. I'm sorry… I had no idea that…" Mario sighed, looking to the shocked faces of everyone in the room. "I'll do everything I can to fix this mess I've caused. That's a Super Mario promise, I'll give everything I've got, and even more if that's not enough!"

Apart from Luigi sobbing, the room was silent for a few moments. Then, Mario was flooded with questions from almost everyone in the room.

Brock ignored this, and moved over to Luigi. "Hey. You alright?"

"What do you care?" Luigi asked, not bothering to look up.

"Well, you are a friend," Brock said. "That's reason enough."

"Then find a better friend," Luigi said. "Someone better, someone smarter… someone who doesn't endanger the world by existing."

"You can't help it, can you?" Brock asked. "You didn't even know."

"Of course not!" Luigi threw his arms in the air. "But that doesn't matter. I guess this is what I deserve…"

"Alright, stop beating yourself up," Brock said. "It's not your fault, or even something you can help. You haven't done anything to deserve it."

"But I have," Luigi said. "I tried to take a break from being a Mario Brother. Just… spend time with people who don't know what I can do, and won't judge me for what I can't. Every time… Mario's the only person I can ever fit in with."

Brock placed his hand on Luigi's shoulder. "You know, Ash and I have met a few Pokémon with the same sort of ideas. You want to guess what happened?"

"They ran off."

"No. Well, they tried," Brock said. "But Ash is persistent. He never stopped doing his best to help them, no matter how different they were, and eventually ended up making friends. Deep down, you're the same as everyone else."

Luigi gave Brock a look.

"Maybe it sounds kind of corny. That's how Ash sees things. With everything I've seen and everyone I've met, I think he's right. We kind of already suspected you weren't quite normal. You really didn't do a good job hiding your abilities."

"Just another way I've screwed up…" Luigi said.

"Look, Luigi…" Brock said. "No one travelling with Ash, except maybe Tracey, has ever really been normal. All of us mess things up every once in a while. In a way, you're just the same as us. Ash won't reject you over this, and neither will the rest of us."

"I don't know…" Luigi said. "… Where's Ash?"

Brock looked around, and quickly confirmed that Ash wasn't among the people still peppering Mario with questions. A quick look told him that Ash, Pikachu, and Latios had all completely vanished from the room.

"Oh, no," Brock said. "Come on, Luigi!" Brock grabbed his hand and pulled him out.

"Hey! Brock, what's going on?" Luigi asked, as he ran next to the doctor-in-training.

"If I know Ash, he heard something that caught his interest, and went off to do something stupid and dangerous with only half an idea of what's going on."

"… Oh."

"And with his luck…"

"… Well, crud." Luigi said. "Alright, let's speed this up." Luigi grabbed Brock's arm, flipped him over his own head, and caught his legs as he came back down on his shoulders. Once Brock was securely piggybacking on Luigi's shoulders (to the Gym Leader's shock and surprise), Luigi dashed into an alleyway and leapt to the rooftops, before taking off at a speed more befitting a Mario Brother.

Professor Oak didn't honestly expect that he'd be able to make it to Lance's meeting on time when he'd set out earlier, but he was willing to try anyway. Dragonite had been all too happy to go see her grandson, Lance's own Dragonite.

Professor Oak might have been on time if Delia hadn't insisted on coming. Dragonite was perfectly able and willing to carry them both, but she wasn't young and it definitely slowed her down.

Dragonite was happy to keep going once they reached Vermillion City – Oak had forgotten, again, how much she loved to just fly.

"Samuel, you see that, don't you?"

"Hm?" Oak asked. "What's that, Delia?"

"Brock's getting a piggyback ride across the rooftops from a boy in a green hat."

It took Oak a moment to see what she was talking about. When he did, he could hardly believe it. The one giving Brock a ride was Luigi, and he was moving far faster than he'd ever heard of any human moving.

"Dragonite, can you take us down to see him?"

Dragonite gave her trainer a thumbs-up, and swooped down towards the two boys.

"Luigi! Brock!" Professor Oak called out. "What's going on? How are you doing that?"

"Long story short I'm an alien and Ash is stupid!" Luigi shouted. "We've got to find him!"

"He's apparently a superhero from another dimension and I might be sick if he doesn't slow down!" Brock yelled. "Ash is probably getting into something dangerous right as we speak!"

"Of course he is…" Professor Oak said.

"Well, he is my son," Delia reminded him, with a hint of pride. "An extradimensional hero? Well, it's certainly been a while… Tell me all about it!"

Luigi looked at her like she was crazy. "Not a good time!"

"Good point," Delia said. "After we make sure my son is safe, then. Well, relatively safe. Sam, can't you call him?"

"Only from my lab," the Professor said. "Knowing your son, we don't have time for that." Professor Oak sighed. How on earth Delia had managed to get used to the crazy adventures that her family, and especially Ash, attracted, he'd never know.

Remember that prophecy Olympia gave? Yeah, it wasn't referring to Giratina.

Anyway, sorry this chapter took so long to come out - I've moved twice since the last chapter, I'm in school again, I've been spending a lot of time watching my youngest sister... And I'm also forgetful and unfocused. I wanted to finish the initial draft of Chapter 21 before posting this, too, and I was finally able to do that.

Guest 16: Yes and no. The 'star children', as a group, aren't important to the story. For a couple of them, the power of the stars they have IS important... As seen somewhat here. And, no, I wanted to make a point that - while Luigi may be exaggerating somewhat - Bowser is NOT to be taken lightly.