Chapter 4: Indy-fiable Auditions

The new morning arrived at Fluttershy's home. The sun beamed onto Fluttershy, sleeping as she snuggled with Pikachu. On the couch was Ash with a white bunny on his chest. She woke to the sun's rays, as did the Mouse Pokémon. "Good morning, Pikachu," she greeted. Pikachu squeaked to welcome Fluttershy to the day. The two got out of bed with Pikachu riding on Fluttershy's shoulder. They reached the kitchen where the pink-haired gave the mouse an apple. "I bet Ash likes to sleep." She came to the couch and saw Ash still sleeping with the bunny on top of him. The sight of his sleeping face made Fluttershy blush. "So adorable…" She leaned down and gave Ash a kiss between the eyes. This woke the young man from his slumber. "Morning, Ash." The trainer seemed at ease.

"Morning, Fluttershy," he greeted.

"Seems you and Angel are getting along well." She helped Ash onto her feet. They got dressed and soon left for school without the bunny, Angel. "How's your arm doing?"

"It's fine. I'd be okay, anyway." Pikachu scoffed to Ash's claim. Before long, Applejack and Rarity joined the two.

"Howdy, Ash!" the blond greeted. "How was it with Fluttershy last night?" Ash chuckled to the question.

"It's not the same about Angel like Dawn's Buneary," he brought up. He grabbed his device and showed a brown bunny with fleece on its ears and above its feet.

"Buneary, the Rabbit Pokémon," it computed. "Buneary's ears can extend and when it strikes with said ears, it can bounce to new heights." Applejack and Fluttershy seemed in awe about the rabbit.

"That's some rabbit," Fluttershy muttered. To Rarity, Ash's time with Fluttershy's pet made her think of an idea.

"Maybe we can show you our pets like Opalescence," she offered. "After all, you've already met Spike and Angel. The rest you'll have to see." They arrived at Canterlot where the rest of their friends waited.

"Hey!" called out Rainbow. The group raced to the statue of the stallion and meeting the rest of the girls.

"Morning, guys!" welcomed Sunset. "Heard you're gonna be reporting to Principal Celestia's Office, first thing." Ash nodded to the news. "So, how was it with Fluttershy?"

"It was alright," he answered. He continued before they broke to different classrooms and Ash and Pikachu to Celestia's Office, greeted by the principal and Vice Principal Luna.

"Good morning, Ash!" welcomed Celestia. "Ready for your first assignment?" Ash nodded before Luna brought a list with a cart.

"I have the room numbers listed for each order," she explained as she handed the list to Ash. She also took Ash's cap. "School policy." Ash nodded as Pikachu glanced to the items per room and acknowledged the list.

"Alright," Ash accepted. "Consider them delivered." He had a map and a list where to drop the supplies. He proceeded through the high school and viewing the hallways for the room numbers. He came to one room where Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo turned to him.

"Morning, Ash!" greeted Apple Bloom.

"Hey, you three!" he replied. Seeing the cart, Scootaloo guessed on the occasion.

"So, you're spending time helping Principal Celestia?" she assumed. "That's pretty cool!" To Ash, it wasn't something to brag about.

"Just something to do to pass the time," he sighed. "By the way, I gotta give this to Miss Cheerilee." That's when a young pink-skinned woman with purple hair came to the door. She wore a white sleeveless shirt with a green skirt.

"Thank you," she praised. "I had a feeling Principal Celestia had something up her sleeve." That's when they heard giggles in the room behind the woman. Several girls giggled to the sight of the Pokémon Trainer, some offered winks and waives. "I'll make sure they're behaved." Ash nodded before going along with his route. He arrived at another class, only to be met by Flash.

"Hey, Ash!" he said. "Looks like you're helping around the campus."

"I am," Ash answered. "Principal Celestia's idea."

"Great! By the way, I'm hoping to be in the play and wielding that whip." Pikachu blinked to Flash's item in question. "I suppose since you're not from around here, you don't know about Indiana Jones, right?"

"I have… no clue." Flash realized Ash's dilemma.

"I see…" More girls cooed to Ash and Pikachu, some blowing kisses to him. A blond woman in purple tapped her ruler for attention.

"Ladies, he's not as important," she urged. "Go back to your studies!" The girls moaned to the denial. Ash left and continued his route. He reached all the classrooms and delivered the contents before stepping outside. Bringing out his Pokémon, Ash got ready to train as scores of teenage women watched from the windows of their classrooms, including Sunset.

"Okay, Tepig," he began. "Use Flame Charge! And Oshawott, use Aqua Jet!" Tepig began stomping before becoming consumed in fire. Oshawott spun and cocooned himself in water. The two bashed into each other with the fire and water dispersing. No damage was done to the grass.

"Sunset?" someone called out. Sunset jumped to the calling. She stopped gazing at Ash and focused on class.

"Sorry!" she replied. Other girls in other classrooms were scolded by their teachers. After class, Sunset reached her locker and noticed her book aglow. "Did Twilight write back?" She opened the book and found something written.

DEAR SUNSET,

THE WAY YOU'VE DESCRIBED YOUR NEW SPECIAL SOMEPONY AND HIS CREATURES IS SOMETHING I WANT TO SEE. HE DOES SOUND LIKE SOMEONE WHO CARES A LOT AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW HIS SUCCESS. MAYBE AFTER SCHOOL, OR AFTER YOUR TRYOUT FOR THE SCHOOL PLAY, MY FRIENDS, I, AS WELL PRINCESS CELESTIA AND LUNA WOULD WANT TO MEET HIM. BELIEVE ME, WHEN PINKIE HEARD ME READ YOUR ENTRY, SHE BECAME EXCITED. I HOPE TO SEE YOU, HIM AND THESE CREATURES SOON.

-YOUR FRIEND, PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE

Sunset snickered to the offer. "Maybe I will…" she pondered. "Twilight might like Ash and Pikachu… and the Pokémon." Twilight heard Sunset's voice and came over to see what she had.

"You think I'm gonna choose Ash over Timber?" she spoke up. Sunset irked to Twilight but cleared her throat.

"Not you, Twilight," she corrected. "I mean the other Twilight Sparkle who was part of this school before you transferred." Twilight blinked in confusion before recalling a moment before.

(Flashback)

Sunset, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie, Twilight and Fluttershy hung around the podium of a horse's hoof around a checkered picnic blanket when a ripple formed on the marble. Out came a purple-haired, purple-skinned girl in a sky blue shirt and purple skirt. She also wore purple boots. "I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner!" she gulped while randomly gesturing. "I didn't get your messages until just now because I was caught in this time travel loop and honestly… it was the strangest thing that's happened to me!" That's when she saw Twilight, looking virtually identical to her aside from the clothing and hair, the new being straight and down to her waist while Twilight's had her ponytail in a bun and wearing glasses. She waived a hello to the new girl who stood in disbelief, dismay… a loss for explanation. "Make that… the second strangest."

Twilight smacked her head from the reminder. "I don't know who had the best reaction but it was something to see," she giggled.

"Tell me about it," Sunset laughed. Both proceeded to the cafeteria where Ash fed his Pokémon. The other students gathered to have lunch themselves. In the group, Fluttershy talked about the small heroic act Ash performed.

"He did hurt his arm but… it wasn't anything significant," she finished. The group awed the effort from Ash. Pinkie tackled Ash in celebration.

"You helpful little angel!" she cheered before barraging Ash with kisses.

"Pinkie!" he gawked, flailing to the barrage. The rest of the girls laughed. After Applejack pried Pinkie off, Sunset decided to bring up the issue of the play.

"Anyway, the auditions are after school and will be held for a few days," she announced. "I hope to be part of the Raiders play." The rest of the girls at the table liked the idea.

"Let me guess and say you'll try out to be Marion," Rarity assumed. Sunset laughed to the guess.

"Some guess," she chuckled. "Maybe Ash can come and watch." Ash chuckled to the offer.

"Maybe…" he thought. However, Trixie stood up to confront Sunset's wish.

"Please!" she scoffed. "After the history you've caused, you're better off staying away from the set." Sunset grew upset to Trixie's claim.

"What was that!?" she growled. "You think my past has something to do with today?!"

"Your past has everything to do with why you're still here and why you and Flash Sentry broke your relationship," Trixie reminded.

"We're friends!" growled Sunset. "What happened before, happened!"

"That doesn't relieve you of your misgivings!" argued Trixie with a few followers behind her. Ash stood up to confront Trixie.

"Okay, that's enough!" he urged. Trixie didn't like Sunset's newest defender.

"Hey!" she snapped. "This is not your argument! It's between me and Sunset Shimmer!" Ash didn't budge, remaining in front of Sunset. "You dare be in front of the greatest and most powerfulest student of Canterlot High, Trixie?" Ash stood firm as his Pokémon also became mad at Trixie.

"Look, whatever happened before, it's passed. Greatest and most powerfulest… is that a word you made?" Trixie did not appreciate the tone from the new boy as Pikachu got into Fluttershy's arms.

"Are you questioning me about what grudge I have with that wench?"

"Why even have one in the first place when it's from long ago? It's over."

"This has nothing to do with you-"

"Sit down… now!" Trixie growled to Ash's roar. She hesitated to move. Others stood up, shock filling the room. "She's not alone that I'm finding out. I'm understanding there's a little hostility between you and Sunset Shimmer. It's best that you drop it and let Sunset as a friend, otherwise we will have problems. You have a problem with her? You'll have to deal with me." Other students saw the anger on his face and realized the seriousness. "Let's remain civil about this… okay?" Everyone returned to their lunch, but Trixie wasn't ready to let it go.

"One of these days, Sunset Shimmer…" Ash heard her and gave one more snarl to her, forcing her to relent. Sunset sighed in relief from Ash's rant.

"Ash, you didn't need to go and call them out," she expressed. "I appreciate you helping me with that situation." Ash nodded to the ordeal.

"I don't know the detail but it's best left back then than have it flair up now," he briefed. The group returned to eating when Fluttershy had a question.

"By the way, how did you and Pikachu meet?" she asked. Ash turned to Pikachu who squeaked to speak about the origin.

"It began back in Pallet Town, my home," he started as the Crusaders also joined to listen. "I had become of age to become a Pokémon Trainer. Professor Oak was a professor who gave Starter Pokémon to new trainers. Each one has a Grass-Type, Water-Type and a Fire-Type, so Professor Oak had a Charmander, Bulbasaur and a Squirtle. However, three other trainers, including my rival Gary, got their Starter Pokémon." The girls believed Ash didn't get a Starter.

"You didn't get one?" realized Sweetie Belle.

"I thought my career as a Pokémon Trainer ended before it could start," Ash shrugged. "However, Professor Oak had one more in mind." Pikachu squeaked to be known where Fluttershy petted him.

"So that means you were the one who Ash picked," she concluded. Pikachu confirmed her guess with a peace sign.

"When he said there was one more, I just said I'd take it and it was Pikachu," he summarized. "We may be best buds new but it didn't start that way." No girl believed the new detail.

"How could you not be?" wondered Twilight.

"We didn't trust each other," Ash shrugged. "I dragged Pikachu along, he refuses to go into his ball and we didn't see eye-to-eye. Then we were attacked by a flock of Spearow. We had our differences but I had to protect my new Pokémon. I had to protect him even though he didn't like me. Seeing me stand up to the Spearow flock, he used Thunder Shock and the rainstorm to attack the flock. After the storm, we bonded. I got a new friend and he got my trust." Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder. "We haven't parted since." The girls smiled from the story.

"I'm glad you two are together," Applejack sighed. The Crusaders cried to the story.

"You two deserve each other!" wailed Scootaloo. Pinkie hugged Ash while her eyes' floodgates spilled.

"That was so beautiful!" she cried. Fluttershy came to Pikachu and hugged him.

"I can only wish that you stay with Ash forever," she teared up. Pikachu softly squeaked to settle Fluttershy. Late in the day, a group of people gathered at the Auditorium. A sign on the front said "AUDITIONS FOR RAIDERS PLAY." Ash waited outside with most of the girls. Sunset fulfilled her chance by stepping in for a chance to be in the play.

"After Ash's scolding onto Trixie," Applejack recalled. "Sunset seems to be more confident than before." They waited outside. Flash emerged, pumping his fist.

"Yes!" he cheered. "Doctor Jones is mine!" Other students emerged: plenty cheering, others upset. One was Trixie who kicked the doors in anger.

"They choose that girl to be the Marion?!" she bellowed. "The nerve!" She roared as she left the building and left the others in pondering who won the role.

"So if Trixie isn't playing Marion," Pinkie started. Sunset ran out with a happy face. She raced out and hugged Ash.

"I got the role!" she cheered. "I'm gonna be Marion! This is exciting!" The girls cheered to the news and joined the two in a jumping pile.

"You and Flash are gonna work together!" pointed out Rainbow. "It'll be like old times!"

"Hey, it worked before!" chuckled Sunset. "We got good chemistry!" She then got to Ash before giving him a kiss to the cheek, surprising the Trainer. "And it's thanks to you!"

"Thanks…" Ash gulped. "I guess." Rarity wondered about who else made the cut.

"We saw Trixie storm off," she remembered. "Who else will be in the play?"

"The director said he'll have a list of those who are playing in a couple of days," Sunset explained.

"I see," Rarity sighed. "I'll be on standby with the costumes."

"I did let the director know," Sunset added. Twilight felt a tug on her sock and looked to find Spike pawing her leg.

"Twilight, let's head home!" he barked. "I'm about running on empty in my stomach." Twilight gawked and picked Spike up.

"Sorry…" she apologized. "I gotta go! I'll see you tomorrow!" She dashed off before Sunset had a favor.

"Hey, Fluttershy?" she called. "I'm gonna watch over Ash tonight. Someone else wants to see him immediately." Fluttershy seemed hesitant to accept but she felt trustworthy of Sunset.

"Okay!" she answered. "See you tomorrow, Ash!" She released Pikachu to team up with Ash. The rest gave their goodbyes before leaving Ash and Pikachu with Sunset.

"So, where's your house?" he asked.

"Actually, we're going somewhere new," Sunset corrected. "Someone in a new place wants to meet you and your Pokémon." Ash blinked to Sunset's idea. "Come, you'll see." Ash followed before reaching the statue. "Allow me to explain… We're going to my first home." Ash looked puzzled from her briefing.

"Your… first home?" Sunset placed a hand on the statue. Her hand went through the marble. Ash and Pikachu gawked.

"Everyone's waiting! Let's go!" She phased through a rift before Ash followed. Where will they be beyond the statue?

TO BE CONTINUED...