Chapter 12
Having scoured the entire area, we're finally touching down at Professor Oak's Lab in Pallet Town. I inquire, 'Have we arrived in the correct dimension?'"
"Perhaps you're the ones best suited to answer that query. Your world is familiar ground for you, not us," Captain Phyco replies.
While opting to explore the vicinity, our helmets still secured, we discern the remnants of what was once our home reduced to ashes. I fix my gaze upon the desolation and utter, "My house... it's gone..."
"This can't be real... What about your parents? Your siblings?" Lillie's voice trembles as she covers her mouth with a gasp.
"Maybe Professor Oak can help us with this." I suggest as we hasten our steps toward Professor Oak's Lab, relieved to discover that he's still present and engrossed in his work. "Professor Oak? Are you there?"
"Coming!" Professor Oak emerges from the lab, visibly taken aback by the sight of four unfamiliar individuals clad in peculiar attire. "Pardon me, but who are you, and what's the story behind the unusual outfits?"
I decide to take off the helmet, and I say, "Professor, now you recognize me?"
"A-Ash, my boy! Is that really you?" Professor Oak gasps in astonishment. "But what brings you here? Shouldn't you be in the Rota Kingdom for the Crown Prince's ceremony with Alice?"
"The Crown Prince Ceremony with Alice?" I turn to Captain Phyco for confirmation, and he grimly responds, "It appears we've ended up in the wrong dimension too..."
"Professor, I know this might be hard to believe, but I don't believe I'm the same Ash you once knew. We traveled through dimensions aided by the Legendary Pokémon Lunala. Our aim was to find our way back home, but it seems we've become lost and are now stranded here," I explain, attempting to convey our predicament to Professor Oak.
"The Legendary Pokémon Lunala?" Professor Oak's expression reflects recognition. "I've heard about it from Kukui. And judging by your appearance, you do seem too young to be the Ash I remember."
Lillie turns to Soliera with a hopeful expression, "So, we're in the wrong dimension. Can we attempt to leave and return to our original world?"
Soliera hesitates before responding, "I regret to inform you that Lunala has expended its energy during our journey; it will take several days for them to recuperate. We're bound to stay here until they've regained their strength."
"That voice, I presume you're Lillie? But much like Ash here, you're from another world?" Professor Oak inquires, recognizing the familiarity in Lillie's tone.
"Yes, Professor... The reason we've been traveling across dimensions is because I was teleported away by the power of Cosmog," Lillie explains. "It appears that returning to our own dimension won't be feasible for a few days."
"If that's the case," Professor Oak advises, "I strongly recommend altering your appearance or concealing your identity, Ash. It's for your own safety."
"Wait, what? What's happening in this world? Why would I need to do that?" I begin to sense panic welling up inside me, a sensation I find deeply unsettling.
"Here's the thing... you've been framed. Take a look at this article," Professor Oak says, handing me a newspaper.
"Shadows of Betrayal: The Ash Ketchum Enigma: Ash Ketchum, a student of the Paldea Region's Uva Academy and the World Champion, is implicated in the murder of his mother, allegedly stabbing her through the heart with a knife. Following the murder, he is believed to have set the entire house ablaze. Witnesses claim that upon returning home, Ash Ketchum discovered his mother's intention to relinquish his dream of becoming a Pokemon Master. Enraged by this, Ash purportedly commits matricide and issues threats to potential witnesses, warning them against interference under penalty of a similar fate."
Rage is surging through my heart, and I exclaim vehemently. "This is preposterous! Me? Committing such a heinous act against my own mother? I would never! She's the reason I exist, and she'd never ask me to abandon my dreams! Those witnesses, they're nothing but a pack of liars!"
Professor Oak's expression turns grave. "That's the predicament. The witnesses happen to be your former travel companions, a total of 12 individuals. If it were just one witness, their account might be less credible. Yet, when 12 people collaborate on the same story, the world leans towards believing it. Nevertheless, there are still those who hold faith in your innocence. Besides myself, half of the region's champions stand by your side, and the entire International Police force believes in you."
"Perhaps I should allow our world's Ash and Alice to speak with you? It might provide more clarity about the entire situation," Professor Oak suggests. "But remember, don't reveal your face to anyone until you've met with Ash."
Professor Oak decides to contact my other self in the Rota Kingdom. Surprisingly, the Rota Kingdom promptly dispatches a limousine for us. Upon arrival, the sight that greets us is the other version of myself and Alice, patiently waiting for our arrival.
As I lift off the helmet, the person resembling me in this world addresses us, saying, "Welcome, um... other me and Lillie. Professor Oak informed me about your situation and how the Ultra Recon Squad needs to spend some days here in our world."
"We're delighted to meet you," the other Alice expresses warmly. "Queen Ilene is also aware of the truth, and she's arranged a place for Lunala to rest."
"That's so nice of you." Captain Phyco says.
"Why don't we all come inside? The interior is quite comfortable, and I'm sure Pikachu has been searching for me," the other me suggests.
Once we are now sitting at the Master Bedroom that I assume the other me and Alice are sharing, the other me says, "Although it is strange that you didn't bring Pikachu; instead, you have two Dark-type Pokémon with you."
"Well, Pikachu is back in my own world, probably with Alice, considering we do share Pokémon after all," I explain.
"Oh? So, you're also attempting to complete the Pokédex?" the other Alice inquires. "And you're sharing your Pokemon with your Alice? How nice."
"The truth is, Alice, Lillie, Serena, and I share our Pokémon together," I clarify. However, I notice their expressions darken, prompting me to ask, "Did I say something wrong?"
"Considering you're only 15 years old, you've likely just departed from the Kalos Region. So, I won't fault you for not being aware. Have you heard about the 'so-called murderer' article?" The other me asks.
"Absolutely. I find it utterly ludicrous. I know myself well enough to be certain I could never harm my mother, especially given the immense love and care she has always shown me," I affirm emphatically. "But there's one question that bothers me: Why haven't you proven your innocence to the world? You have the support of the International Police and half of the Champions."
"And those who accuse you also have the support of the other half," Alice explains. "Until we gather sufficient evidence and remove their influence, we won't be able to take action to prove Ash's innocence. That bitch Serena firmly believes that Ash is the murderer of his mother, and she has been the most proactive in attempting to prove her belief."
"We're taken aback after learning about Serena's actions," Lillie expresses with concern. "So, it's true that the accusers are your travel companions, like Dawn, Misty, or Brock?"
"Yes, unfortunately. Since that incident, their priorities shifted to their appearances, popularity, and seeking opportunities to boost their fame and income, without putting in much effort. I might suggest they find benefactors if they're solely seeking financial support. Yet, even then, I doubt any benefactor would want such individuals in close association," Alice says.
"To think they've changed so much," I express with a frown, feeling uneasy about the situation.
"The situation gets even worse," the other me continues. "According to Bonnie, Serena has been attempting to coerce me into consuming some form of aphrodisiac. She aims to force me into impregnating her and is blackmailing me to marry one of the girls to supposedly prove my innocence. What they're unaware of is that I already have Alice, who is the perfect match for me."
Both Lillie and I feel nauseated upon hearing Serena's manipulative actions. Then, Lillie has a sudden realization, "Wait, I recall Professor Oak mentioning that the version of me from this world is on your side, but how is she?"
"The situation is... Lillie and Gladion were adopted into our family after their mother's passing," the other me explains. "It's a sorrowful matter. We've attempted to help Lusamine heal, but she refuses to accept it..."
Seeing the other Lillie's emotional reaction, I console her while asking, "It seems your Lillie doesn't harbor romantic feelings for you, does she?"
"My affection lies solely with Alice, and that won't change. But I gather that you and Lillie are a couple?" The other me inquires.
"It's actually a four-way relationship in my case," I admit with a hint of nervousness. "I mean, I hold similar feelings for Serena, Lillie, and Alice, and all three of them do the same for me."
"I understand... Different worlds, different choices," the other Alice acknowledges with understanding. "And your Serena will probably behave differently from our Serena."
As we enjoy dinner, Queen Ilene inquires about our world, prompting us to share that it bears similarities to both our world and the first world we visited, which I've dubbed the 'War of Aura' World. When Lillie notices the steak with the white pepper, she politely addresses the issue, saying, "I'm sorry, but I'm allergic to white peppers. I won't be able to have this meal."
After the servants prepare a different meal for Lillie, I notice the other me looking somewhat downcast. Concerned, I inquire, "Is something bothering you?"
"Well, you see... When we were planning to seek revenge against those accusing us, Lillie was ready to participate in the cooking battle between Helen and Cilan. However, the dish we prepared contained white peppers, and Cilan mistook them for salt... so that didn't go well," the other me explains sadly.
"Is she alright?" My Lillie inquires. "Why would you prepare a dish with white peppers when you already knew I'm allergic to them?"
"Gladion and I have been doing everything we can to dissuade her, but she insists on doing it for the sake of revenge," the other me sighs. "Fortunately, being an aura user, she recovered fairly quickly and should be well enough to attend the ceremony in three days."
"So, I presume both of your families are Aura Users?" I inquire. The other Alice nods, replying, "Yes, although it's quite complicated. The Ketchum Family and the Mache Family were once adversaries. However, it's thanks to Ash's Dad and my Mom that the animosity has ceased."
"Ah, so it's similar to our world," I respond. "However, in our case, our family aren't actually aura users... we are, in fact, Legendary Pokémon..."
"Indeed," the other me remarks. "That's advantageous for you. As Legendary Pokémon, you probably don't have to worry about health issues, do you?"
"What do you mean health issues?" Lillie asks.
"You see... both of us suffer from Violet Depression, an aura-related ailment that threatens our lifespan. Currently, we must maintain a positive mindset to prevent the aura from harming us. Unless we find the Infinity Gems, our time might be limited, and we could be gone within a few days."
Both me and Lillie can't believe the news and we're sad for them, the other me says, "You don't need to worry about us. We will find the gems and we will live a long life. Right now just let us enjoy the meal and staying optimistic is important."
"You're right." I nod as we continue our meal together.
Here is a new chapter, and looks like now Ash and Lillie are now in the Sevestar Prince Darker Version's world. I hope you like this chapter.
Ash and Alice's Pokemon (Hisui):
Pikachu, Quilava, Espeon, Ursaring, Torterra, Infernape, Empoleon, Lucario, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Cresselia, Manaphy, Dewott, Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Dartrix, Wyrdeer, Kleavor, Overqwil
Ash and Lillie's Pokemon (Ultra Dimensions):
Charizard, Butterfree x2, Lapras, Meganium, Steelix, Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir, Milotic, Absol, Glaceon, Gallade, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Meowstic x2, Aegislash, Hawlucha