Chapter 7

Gary's POV

Once we entered the plaza we panted for a bit, man I really out of practice aren't I? Once we caught our breaths, we left to find a restaurant, Trixie and I haven't eaten for a while. We went to the buffet over by the grocery store, and we ate to our hearts content. And since Brock was the gym leader, we got a discount... man, Ash must have been loving the perks of being a gym leader.

Once we finished, we left to a cheap hotel, due to the fact that it was almost midnight. We checked out three rooms, one for each of us. And when I entered mine, I had a hard time believing it was a cheap hotel. The beds look so comfy, the pillows seem like they had been fluffed a few minutes prior. Sure, the room was small, but it wasn't like we were going to live here. Due to leaving the house without clothes, I had nothing to change into. I sighed in frustration, why couldn't I just listen for a bit? I guess that part of me still hasn't changed, like Ash had said. I hopped into the bed, pulled the covers over myself and laid there on my side, staring at the left side of the bed... Ash's side of the bed. I brushed my hand over the vacant space of the bed, wishing that this never happened.

That was when I got a knock on the door, I sighed in defeat and got up to answer the door. I opened the door to find the Fake standing there. He was soaking wet, and water dripped from his face and hair. I sighed, and allowed him in.

"Thanks a ton... man, the storm came so suddenly."

"Not suddenly enough." I muttered to myself, before replying, "Yeah."

"Gary, please... I need you to listen to me."

"What now?"

"It's about how I got here. And why I did what I did. Please, just listen. When I am done... I will help you get Ash back... just please."

"Fine..."

"When I found you too at your gym, I grew jealous. I wanted to find love, I wanted happiness. But I had a mission. In my world, it is filled with chaos and fighting. I couldn't take it anymore. I did everything I could to bring happiness and love to myself... without taking Ash away from you. I really did try... but nothing seemed to work. I then disguised myself as Trixie and hid her in the closet of that run down pokemon center. I then took some of her pokemon, mainly her Hypno and Ratata. I then traveled back through the Viridian Forest and caught some pokemon, including a Pikachu. I love the fact that this world is so at peace and in unison together. I then arrived in Viridian City. Due to some battles with Ratata and Team Rocket, I ran to the Gym, where I knew you and Ash lived in and asked for help. You and Ash were so willing to help, even without knowing my name. Why?"

"Because, we help people. If we help someone, they help another. And this process goes on. Which is probably why your world is lacking it."

"Yeah. I then challenged Ash to a battle, as you already know. I then used Trixie's Hypno, which I taught it teleport, and used teleport to take Ash to my world... In hopes that he could help my world."

"You could have just said so, we would have helped you."

"I know how to bring Ash back... the only issue is, if Ash is willing to come back. My world is nothing like yours and he could be very hurt in many various ways. After I teleported him, I tried to change myself to look like him, but my watch was taking too long to load the new data. And by the time it was at 95% complete, you were running up the drive way. I had no time to hide the evidence or anything. I answered the door, and you know all the rest. But, Ash may still think that Trixie was the one who did it, and I am more than willing to step up and be truthful to my mistake. Please... please forgive me, Gary..."

I stared at him, awed that he came to me and told me the truth... or so I hope. Damn, I wish Ash was here, he can sense these things. But, telling the truth or telling lies, the Fake is my only chance at getting Ash home. But, what if he is trying to hide something? What if he is really trying to make sure that we get the wrong information?

"I will think about it. But as long as you are truthful, I will let you help us get Ash back. But... if any one of us get the feeling that you are giving us false information, I have no choice but to leave you behind. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Sir! I won't let you down!" He said, then a loud clap of thunder sounded. The fake jumped and hugged me tightly. I looked at him in shock... he is afraid of lightning? He shivered, and whimpering as he dug his face in my shirt. I wrapped my arms around his body, he jumped before calming down and accepting my comfort. A few minutes later, the thunder quieted down and he let go.

"I... I'm sorry..."

"No need to worry about it."

"Man... I must have looked just like a pathetic Poochyena."

"Well, everyone is afraid of something."

"What are you afraid of, Gary?"

"Losing."

"Losing?"

"Yeah, I was always taught by my parents that I am the best at everything that I set my mind into. And being the grandson of Professor Oak, I keep thinking that if I lose... or lose something... I will look like a failure."

"So, you were afraid when... I took Ash away?"

"More than anything. He is the most important thing in my life. I'm just surprised it took me almost five years to realize how important he is to me, and how much I love him." The Fake looked down, his black hair covering his eyes, "In my world, no one liked me. I was always to blame... Everyone made fun of me, calling me shorty, or other mean names. I had to hide who I really was, and pretend to be someone else... that was when most people accepted me. But when I got to start working with Professor Oak, my old self returned, and the teasing resumed. A few years of this was all it took for me to see out my plan. I wanted happiness, not just for my world, but for myself as well. I just... lost hope that I would ever have a happy life."

"Well... when we find Ash, I promise that I will do what ever I can to help you see out your dream." I told him. He looked at me with untrusting eyes, his frown slowly turned into a smile and he jumped into my arms and gave me a bear hug, "Thank you! Thank you so much! I don't know how I could ever repay you!"

"Just count helping me get Ash back as your debt." His smile got even bigger, then he yawned. I helped him over to the bed, laid him down on Ash's side of the bed, as I got into mine. I covered us both with the covers, "Good night, Gary." He said as he closed his eyes to sleep.

"Good night... Ash."

THE NEXT MORNING...

I awoke to find Ash- I mean the Fake, gone. I sat up to find him on the chair next to the door. His head hung over, his eyes closed... how long have I slept in? I look at the conveniently well placed alarm clock on the night stand, which read: 10:00 AM. I jumped out of bed, rushed into the bathroom and made myself look presentable. Once I got out I found the Fake sitting in the chair, now awake.

"Hey, sleep well?"

"Yeah, how about you?"

"Like a rock! I think we should head down stairs..." He paused, but he started to look sullen. I walked towards him and kneeled in front of him. I then put my index finger under his chin and forced him to look at me, "What's with your sudden change of mood?"

"I don't know how your friends may take it... how I am now one of you guys..."

"Don't worry, I will convince them."

"But-"

"Again, don't worry. They are here to help, not criticize. They also know that you are our only chance at getting Ash back."

"Okay, but letting you know, we need to stop by the library first."

"Why?"

"There is a book there... and there is a specific passage that I think you and your friends should read. It has everything to do with Ash." His eyes held sincerity as he spoke. I nodded, "Alright, but first, lets go get something to eat." As soon as I said that, I heard the Fake's stomach growl. We both laughed, "Someone's hungry." I joked, as he rubbed the back of his head, "Ha ha... I guess so."

We then left the room and into the lobby. There we found Brock and Trixie, sitting in chairs. Trixie looked up, and upon seeing the Fake, she glared. The Fake hid behind me, looking down at his shoes.

"What is he doing here?" Trixie asked, as she accusingly pointed to the Fake.

"He is here to help us. He is our only chance of getting Ash back."

"But Gary... what if he is lying to you?" Brock looked at me with confused eyes.

"I can read Ash like a book, and he is no different. I couldn't find any source of lies when he asked to help. He knows how to get Ash back. If we push away his offer, we might not ever see Ash again."

Trixie and Brock looked at each other, seemed to have a rushed and quiet conversation. I looked back at the Fake, who is waiting anxiously for their answer. If they refuse, I would either have to leave them behind... or have to give up on bringing Ash home. Trixie and Brock looked back at us, and I did the same. They sighed, "Alright..."

The Fake smiled in joy as he ran up to them and hugged them, "Thank you so much! I won't let you down, I promise!" I sighed in relief, Ash will come home after all.

Ash's POV

Gary fell silent after our exchange of information. I guess he is still absorbing the information about his grandfather. I don't blame him, I would be the same.

We slept in different rooms, I also guess he wanted some alone time. Out of habit, I laid down on the left side of the bed. I stared at the empty space, where Gary used to always be in the mornings. I sighed, I wonder what he is up to. Does he even know that I am gone? I shut my eyes tightly, to make sure the tears don't escape.

I opened them, and the tears fell. Loneliness... the most unwanted feeling that I could ever experience. I looked at my hands, that still haven't regained color. I guess I must use my aura sparingly. I know eventually, there would be no hiding this... I know that what ever is going on with me is bad. This never happened before. I normally get a few shocks, and then with my ability I recharge. I placed a hand over my face, my head aching. More tears fell, the aching got worse.

What if I wasn't a gym leader... would this still had happened? Would I still be in this situation? Why Trixie... why did you do this to me?

All of a sudden, the aching in my head grew too much. I closed my eyes, to help calm the pain, but what I met was odd. I saw a field, with tall grass and pokemon frolicking through it. The sky was blue with no cloud in sight, and everything seemed to be happy. I heard a voice: Chosen One... find me...

The sky quickly went to gray, thunder rolled and rain fell by the gallons. A huge shadow landed in the field that was now withered and dead. It stared at me, with its bright white eyes. It looked almost like a stantler... but bigger. Its antlers spread out in odd angles and its body was all sorts of shades of black and blue.

"My name is Xerneas. The legendary pokemon of life." Another shadow flew over head and landed beside Xerneas. This one... it flies. Its body seemed to have been formed in a 'Y' position, the tip of its tail had hand-like features as well did its wings. Its eyes were dark and stared at me with an unintended glare, "And I am Yveltal, the legendary pokemon of destruction and death."

"We have heared your cries of despair." said Xerneas, "And we are here to help you solve your problems."

Yveltal leaned in to look into my eyes, a minute later it leaned back to float upright, "I see that you miss home, and your beloved." I didn't care how it could easily find that out... I just want to go home. I nodded in response, "But, how did you reach me? I am in a different universe. Far away from home..."

"It is because we can still sense your aura, dear Chosen One." Xerneas bowed its head, "You, young prince have very strong aura. Some traces of you still lingered in our world, and with that small trace we were able to connect to you telepathically. I am sorry for your headache. If it wasn't for Yveltal's bad mood..."

"Hey, I wasn't in a bad mood... I was just tired... why are we doing this so late at night anyways?"

"Because, then no one would bother our connection. One small mistake is all it takes to cut our connection... and this does take a lot of energy."

"So... what can you do to help me home?"

"I'm afraid that I can't get you home. Not even Yveltal's strength and mine combined is strong enough to do such a thing..." I looked down, "Oh."

"But," Yveltal continued Xerneas' statement, "We can connect to your beloved and help him find a way to get you home. He is traveling with the one who did it."

"Trixie?"

"I belive you are mistaken. Trixie is not the one who did this to you. I am afraid it is your own anti-self. I can tell that his heart was in the right place, but his soul has many rough spots." Xerneas explained. I am confused. How did my anti-self get there... oh wait a minute... He is Professor Oak's assistant! He is evil!

"But-"

"What that man told you was somewhat true, bot most of it was false. It is your job to decipher which is true and which is not."

I started to hear knocking on my door, "I guess it is time for us to part. But do not worry. If you ever need us, call us." And with that I opened my eyes to find 'Not-Gary''s face hovering over mine. His eyes seemed worried, "Hey, your finally awake! I thought that something bad was happening."

"Oh... its nothing really... I am just a really heavy sleeper." That is true...

"Hey, Ash... what's up with this?" He held up my hand, which now the gray-ness spread past my wrists and up a little bit of my arm. I pulled my hand away, "It's nothing..."

"Ash... I think your lying. Please tell me..." His eyes looked into mine once more. My mind was turning into mush... I have to get out of this situation...

"The truth is... I honestly don't know. It started after escaping the lab. I just hope it isn't anything bad."

"Neither do I. How about some food? I know a good place that serves great breakfast." My stomach growled angrily. I held my stomach and blushed in embarrassment. 'Not-Gary' chuckled, "I'll take that as a yes." He helped me up and we left the hotel. And into the busy streets once again.