Chapter 7

The next day, a sense of unease gnaws at me as Mark and Insey accompany me to Alice's house. I've never been here before, but the urgency of the situation drives us forward. The journey feels like a blur, my thoughts consumed by the phone call from Alice's worried parents the night before.

Upon arrival, we are greeted by Yvonne and Ray, who wear expressions of both relief and anxiety. Their warm welcome is tempered by the underlying worry for their daughter's well-being. We exchange hurried pleasantries before they lead us to Alice's room.

As we step inside, the atmosphere is heavy with concern. Eve and Flora are already there, their faces etched with lines of worry. Their presence confirms the gravity of the situation, each of us sharing the common goal of understanding what has happened to Alice.

"I'm glad you could make it," Eve says, her voice tinged with relief. "Alice, why did you bring us here?"

Alice turns to me, her eyes reflecting a mix of apprehension and confusion. "Ash... do you remember the phone call I made yesterday?"

I nod solemnly, the memory of our conversation still fresh in my mind. "I want to understand, Alice. Was it truly because of my appearance? Your words yesterday left me bewildered..."

Insey's brows furrow in concern as she turns to me, seeking clarity. "What happened yesterday? What did Alice say?"

I take a deep breath, grappling with the weight of Alice's revelation. "Alice... she confided in me that she's experiencing an identity crisis. She's unsure if she's the Alice from this world... or Serena from my world."

The room falls into a stunned silence, the gravity of Alice's internal struggle weighing heavily upon us all. The air is thick with unspoken questions, each of us grappling with the complexity of Alice's dilemma.

"What do you mean, Serena from your world?" Flora's voice breaks the silence, her eyes wide with curiosity and concern.

Alice takes a deep breath, her gaze distant as she tries to articulate the inexplicable. "I've been experiencing memories that don't belong to me... and my physical abilities have inexplicably improved. Initially, I brushed it off as fantasies from watching too much Pokémon anime, but the more I reflect on it, the less convinced I am..."

Her voice trails off, a pained expression crossing her features. "Why would I imagine scenarios like Ash's death? And why would I remember making a mysterious deal with a voice I couldn't recognize? It mentioned something about relinquishing identity and current existence... I believe... Serena sacrificed herself... to become me, just to be with Ash..."

The revelation hangs heavy in the air, the implications sinking in slowly for each of us.

"Seriously? I mean, we know how much she adores you in the anime, but this feels like a whole other level," Mark interjects, his disbelief evident in his tone.

"I've been pondering the same thing," I admit, reaching for a macaroon on the table as a distraction. "These macaroons... they taste exactly like Serena's. It's as if a part of her is lingering within you, Alice."

The room crackles with disbelief and curiosity as Eve voices the incredulity that lingers in all our minds. "But how is that even possible? These are scientifically impossible scenarios! First, Ash coming from the Pokémon World? And now Alice claims to have fused with Serena in that same world? What's next? Will Team Rocket show up here, trying to steal Ash's Pikachu?"

"Pikachu doesn't exist in this world... except as a plush or in digital form," Mark interjects, trying to inject a dose of reality into the fantastical conversation. "The bigger question is, why would Serena choose to merge with Alice?"

Flora leans in to whisper something to Alice, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Alice's cheeks flush a deep red, mirroring the embarrassment Serena often felt around Miette in the Pokémon anime. My own cheeks warm at the memory, a subtle reminder of the intricate layers intertwining reality and fiction.

Eve, ever the provocateur, breaks the tension with a playful smirk. "Looks like we have our answers... Should we start planning the wedding?"

Alice's reaction is immediate and sharp. "Eve! Stop it!"

Just then, Ray unexpectedly enters the room, his presence catching us all off guard. Alice quickly shifts gears, trying to regain composure. "Dad? I thought you had work today."

Ray chuckles, enjoying the intrigue. "It's my day off. Now, what's this about a wedding?"

Alice hastily interjects, her cheeks still flushed from embarrassment. "It's nothing, Dad. Eve is just teasing me again, like when she used to joke about me finding a boyfriend in university and planning a wedding."

Ray raises an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Ah, your fantasies again, I see."

Alice rolls her eyes playfully. "Yes, Dad, just my wild imagination."

Ray chuckles. "But on a serious note, Ash, I've heard a lot from Alice about how much you've helped her. I appreciate that."

"Of course, sir," I reply respectfully.

"Please, just call me Ray. 'Sir' feels a bit too formal," Ray insists. "I also heard that you'll be in the same department as Alice once university starts. It's reassuring to know there'll be someone looking out for her."

Alice's cheeks redden even further as she protests, "Dad, I already have Reisa and Elline to look out for me!"

I can't help but tease her a bit. "So, you don't want my help then?"

Alice stammers, flustered. "That's not... I mean... argh!"

The lighthearted banter eases the tension in the room, providing a momentary distraction from the weight of the revelations and uncertainties surrounding Alice's situation.

"Hey, Ash. Can you come here for a second?" Ray's request catches me off guard, but I comply, leaving the others behind to follow him to the dining room. As I take a seat, I find myself facing Alice's parents, Yvonne and Ray.

"So, what is it that you want to talk to me about?" I inquire, a tinge of curiosity mingling with my confusion.

Yvonne speaks first, her tone gentle yet concerned. "Ash... Adam and Aurora have told us about your situation. It was initially difficult to believe, but we understand that it must be equally challenging for you to come to terms with it."

Ray adds, his expression serious yet hopeful, "We're here because we believe you might be able to help Alice."

"Help Alice? How so?" I ask, my confusion deepening.

"In the university, Alice has been facing bullying from a group of students," Yvonne explains with a somber tone. "It started because she refused to date one of them, and her love for Pokémon, like her siblings, became a target. Naturally, we can't force her to give up her interests, but it's heartbreaking to see her go through this."

Ray interjects with a grave expression, "We have her friends keeping an eye on her and helping out when things escalate, but the problem persists. Her friends can't always be there to protect her."

As I listen to the details of Alice's struggles in school, a surge of anger and determination wells up within me. "What about the teachers? Have they taken any steps to address this issue?" I inquire, hoping for a more proactive response from the school.

"Your mother and Ms. Konomi, one of the teachers, have been trying their best to assist Alice," Yvonne continues, her voice tinged with frustration. "However, it seems that their interventions have only made things worse. The bullies have threatened Alice that if she seeks help again, they'll escalate the situation..."

I don't need them to finish the sentence. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and I clench my fists, struggling to contain my anger at the injustice Alice has endured. "Since I'm now in the new school as a transfer student, I'll do everything I can to help Alice. I won't stand by and let this continue."

Ray nods with a sense of trust and gratitude. "Good, I believe in your ability to make a difference. Thank you for being there for Alice."

As I return to the room, I find the others engrossed in discussions about Serena's interests and hobbies, a topic that seems to pique their curiosity. Insey is the first to address me upon my arrival.

"Brother, what did Mr. and Ms. Chiu tell you?" Insey asks, her expression expectant.

"Just some information about the university I'll be transferring to," I reply casually, noticing a slight flinch from them. Sensing their concern, I quickly add, "Since I'll be in the same department as Alice, I hope you don't mind if I stick by your side?"

Alice's eyes widen with a mixture of surprise and delight at my words. "Of course not! I'd love to have you around," she exclaims, her enthusiasm evident.

I can't help but wonder about the sudden gasp of delight from Alice, but I decide not to dwell on it for now.

"Anyway, how about we continue helping our brother with the outside world?" Insey suggests. "Let's go watch a movie."

"Sure, I know what a movie is..." I respond with a hint of amusement.

"But it's different from a movie in the Pokémon World. Since you're going to act in one in the future, it's worth checking out," Flora adds persuasively, and I relent with a sigh, agreeing to join them.

The movie we settle on is called 'The Avengers: Endgame.' It tells the story of an alien wielding powerful stones to wipe out half of life in the universe, prompting the heroes to embark on a time-traveling quest to prevent the catastrophe. Despite its lengthy runtime of three hours, I can see why it's popular among audiences.

As we immerse ourselves in the cinematic journey, I notice Alice leaning on my shoulder. Surprised, I gently nudge her. "Alice? Why are you doing this?"

"It's comfy," she replies casually, not lifting her head. "I've seen this movie countless times, so I know the plot inside out. But it feels nicer leaning on you like this."

I relent, realizing her comfort is more important than my own need for personal space. I settle in, trying not to move too much so Alice can enjoy the movie in the way she prefers. The flickering images on the screen and the warmth of Alice's presence create a cozy atmosphere, a temporary escape from the complexities of our reality.

The food in this world is quite different from what I'm used to in the Pokémon World. We do have something similar to hot dogs, but they're made from Pokémon, not animals. It was a bit of a relief to eat meat that wasn't Pokémon, but it still feels strange to me. Instead of berries, there are various fruits here, some of which are larger than the berries I'm familiar with, like papaya, mango, and others.

After the movie ends, Mark breaks the post-movie silence with a teasing comment. "Hey, brother, how did it feel being Alice's personal pillow?"

My cheeks flush slightly, but I reply honestly, "I don't mind it, to be honest... I actually enjoyed it..."

"Really? Is it because she was Serena, and you felt a connection with someone who understands your world?" Insey probes curiously.

"Well, even before Alice shared her truth with us, she has always been kind and considerate," I explain, my admiration for Alice evident in my words.

Here is a new chapter, and you can see that Ray and Yvonne have given Ash a new mission, and I hope you like this chapter.