Back in the Pokémon world, at the guild's bar
Teresa: - Finishes serving the last of her orders, and closes the bar for the day Welp, that's everyone.
Rocky: - Alright, now I can take you to see Ace.
Teresa: - Ace?
Rocky: - Our friend we were talking about.
Teresa: - I see. Well, lead the way.
Rocky: - Follow me. Goes in the direction of the infirmary, then motions Teresa, Citrine, and Max and his team, to follow him
Meanwhile, with Dr. Splat
Dr. Splat: - Files his patient reports in a nearby cabinet Alright, everything seems to be in order. The older patients' reports have been completed. Now to check in on the newly bedridden mons. Heads out from his office to check on the newer patients
All of a sudden, a scream is heard from the hallway
Dr. Splat: - What was that?!
With Rocky and his party
Rocky: - Ace!
Everyone runs in the direction of Ace's medical room
Rocky's group reaches the room first
Citrine: - Well? You gonna open the door?
Rocky: - Hesitates I know I should, but maybe we should wait for the doctor.
Dr. Splat rushes in
Dr. Splat: - Everyone move! Runs past Rocky and opens the door
Ace is seen awake, and looking like he just had a heart attack
Rocky: - Ace?
Ace: - Doesn't respond, still panting
Citrine: - Ace, are you ok?
Ace: - Still doesn't respond
Dr. Splat: - His heart rate has gone up substantially, but it's going down slowly
Rocky: - Ok, that's good
Rocky goes up to Ace
Rocky: - Ace? Taps Ace's shoulder
Ace: - HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! Jolts away from the tap
Dr. Splat: - Don't move too much
Ace: - Huh?! What?! Wher-? Snaps his head back and forth, but starts to process the situation R-rocky?
Rocky: - Ace?
Ace: - Softly collapses and gives a sigh of relief It is you, "siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh", thank God. Looks up to see Dr. Splat is checking on his vitals. And the doctor is here too, I see.
Dr. Splat: - That's correct. I heard a scream and came to check it out. Your heart rate spiked a few times, but levels seem normal now. Also, your friends have come to visit, I assume on the grounds that they also heard you scream.
Rocky: - Well, we did hear the scream, but we were planning on visiting Ace anyway.
Dr. Splat: - I see, and I'm guessing to show him to your new friends?
Rocky: - Mhm.
Ace: - New friends?
Rocky: - Just some other mons I met while on a tour of the guild, my brother took us on, while you were recovering, and Citrine is here too.
Flynn: - Name is Flynn.
Jeff: - My name is Jeff.
Rocky: - You already know my brother, Max.
Teresa: - My name is- Looks at Ace for a bit, then freezes wide-mouthed. Gasp!
Ace: - Uuuuhh, your name is-? Gets cut off
Teresa: - Starts tearing up, and proceeds to hug Ace
Ace: - Excuse me? Why is this happening?
Teresa: - My n-name is Ter-Teresa. She would reply through her sobs
Ace: - Ok, Teresa, why are you hugging me? Kinda tight.
Teresa: - Still crying Because Ace, *sob sob*, I, *sob*, am your mother.
Ace: - Taken a bit back by the comment Uh, what?
Teresa: - Says while crying I thought I'd never see you again!
Ace: - I'm sorry, but I think you might have mistook me for another Boltund, like- pauses after seeing what pokémon was hugging him -yourself?
Teresa: - Huh, what? I am a Boltund, that's right. And I was a Boltund the last time I saw you, which was when you were still a little Yamper.
Ace: - A Yamper?
Dr. Splat: - Yamper is the pre-evolution form of Boltund.
Ace: - But...I remember coming here, to this world, as a Boltund outright.
Rocky: - That's what I found you as.
Ace :- But...but... Remembers something from his human experience, about the Pokémon games he played while he was a human But...i-in the games I use to play, a series called Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, whatever pokémon I start out as, if it has an evolution, I always start out as the first form in that evolution line.
Rocky: - What?! There are games about what we do where you're from?
Jeff: - To this world? Are you sure you're feeling ok, sir?
Rocky: - I'll get Ace to explain later.
Max: - Well, you're not a first form pokémon now, and from what Rocky just said, you weren't one when you got here, "to this world" as you put it.
Ace: - At least, that's how I remember it being from playing those games. The only way I would be able to continue in those games as a pokémon later in the evolution line would be if I continued on playing after some point in the story of the game.
Flynn: - Story?
Ace: - Basically the main part of the game. After that, I can essentially do whatever I want to do.
Flynn: - Ok then.
Ace: - But with that logic, if I was going to be a Boltund, I should've been a Yamper when I got here, when Rocky found me. If I arrived here as a Boltund, that would have to mean tha- Starts to have a realization of why Teresa is hugging him
Dr. Splat: - Are you alright, sir?
Rocky: - Ace?
Ace: - Lifts up Teresa such that they're now looking eye-to-eye Have I been here before?
Teresa: - Wipes away some of her tears
Ace: - Teresa, please answer me. Was I already in this world at some point in the past?
Teresa: - Doesn't say anything, but instead reaches for something hidden in her fur. Pulls her paw out, and in it is a folded-up piece of paper. She unfolds it to reveal that it's a photo of her past.
In the photo is Teresa and her husband, a Raichu, as well as 4 other mons, 2 Pichu, and 2 Yamper
Teresa: - Points to the older Yamper in the photo
Ace: - Is that-?
Teresa: - Nods her head
Rocky: - What is it, Ace?
Ace doesn't respond
Rocky goes over to see the photo
Rocky: - Ace? He looks at the photo. Sounding shocked over what Ace is looking at Is that really-?
Ace: - That...is...me.
Everyone except Dr. Splat and Teresa: - WHAT?!
Teresa: - Yup.
Dr. Splat: - It's true. You were born here. In this very room, in fact. Turns around and pulls up a picture of Ace's parents with Ace in his egg. Rotates the screen so everyone can see. Here you are in your egg, with your parents right next to you.
On the screen is a picture of a Yamper egg, with an adult Boltund and adult Raichu smiling behind it.
Ace: - So that's me, huh?
Teresa: - Yes, that is you, with your father and I right behind you.
Dr. Splat: - Changes the picture to one where Ace has just hatched from his egg but hasn't completely left his shell. And here you are just after you hatched.
Rocky: - Hehe, you look so cute, Ace.
Ace: - Blushes after hearing the word, cute. Rocky!
Rocky, Citrine, Max, Flynn, and Jeff laugh
Ace: - Ok, but if this is how I was really born, why was I human for pretty much my whole life?
Teresa: - Joy left her face Oh, that, right.
Ace: - Hmm?
Teresa: - To put it straight, I had to send you away.
Ace: - Is shocked by what Teresa said. Send me away?
Teresa: - Yes. Our family was attacked by an evil Mew.
Ace: - Really?
Teresa: - Yes. Your father and I attempted to carry all of you to safety, but it was no use. The best way we thought of to keep all of you safe was to split up. I took you and your older Pichu brother, while he took your younger Yamper and Pichu brothers. The evil Mew ended up deciding that I, you, and your older Pichu brother would be his ultimate targets. We thought we were as good as dead until a white Mew showed up just in time. He managed to stall the evil Mew long enough for me to tell him to bring you somewhere safe, somewhere the evil Mew wouldn't find you. And so, he took you and your brother, and me for a short while, to the 'human world' as you called it. We searched for someone who could take care of you until the situation was over, and/or raise you if I or your father couldn't go back for you and your older Pichu brother. But I guess that last bit doesn't matter cause you managed to find your way back to me after all these years.
Ace: - Hold up, if you knew I was in the human world, why didn't you stay with me and my older Pichu brother? Also, who is my older Pichu brother?
Teresa: - I thought it would be for the best if it was only you and your brother sent there. I stayed back in this world because I thought the evil Mew might focus on me rather than you two, and get you off your trail, which sort of worked. He did follow me for a while, but then realized that it was just one of me now and went searching for you.
Ace: - I see.
Teresa: - As for who your older Pichu brother is, I, and the Mew helping me, thought that we would have to put you in two homes, cause we thought humans might not know how to raise pokémon right, and would only be able to handle one of you and not both, but we managed to find one couple, the humans you likely have been referring to as mother and father, who were willing to take in both you and your older Pichu brother. Once we found them, the white Mew changed both of you to look like humans, then they took you inside, and I returned here, while the white Mew stayed behind to keep an eye on you and your brother, to make sure you were safe, and it seems he did a good job.
Ace: - Wait, back up. You said the people that took me in also took in my older Pichu brother?
Teresa: - Yes, that's what happened.
Ace: - So that means-.
Teresa: - Yes, your brother as you know him in the human world, is your older Pichu brother. If he were here right now, given the experience he would have now, he would likely be a Pikachu now, much like how you re-appeared here as a Boltund rather than a Yamper.
Ace: - Ben is also a pokémon?!
Teresa: - Yes, Ben is the older of your two Pichu brothers.
Ace: - This is insane. Ben is going to be through the roof when he hears that he's actually a pokémon.
Teresa: - How is he, btw?
Ace: - Last I checked, not good.
Teresa: - Oh? Why is that?
Ace: - In school, on the day I left the human world, I picked a fight with him in the hall after he told our human mother that I got a leg injury the day before.
Teresa: - Looking pissed with claws out on one paw Is that true?
Ace: - Yipe! Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-yes.
Teresa prepares to swing at Ace as he ducks and covers his head. Teresa takes a swing, but Dr. Splat stops her paw just before it makes contact with Ace.
Dr. Splat: - No fighting in here, or I will escort you out. Got IT?!
Teresa: - HOW DARE YOU HIT YOUR BROTHER!
Ace: - It was an accident, I swear.
Teresa: - How is hitting your brother an accident?! Explain yourself!
Ace: - Ok. At school, I play a sport the humans call, Football. During a time when I was with my Football team, practicing for an upcoming match against a rivaling team from another school, I heard weird voices in my head, which distracted me and caused me to trip over my foot, bruising it. I went to the school nurse's office, which the nurse's office is to the school like how this place we're in is to the guild. The nurse there said that I strained my foot and should not go hard on it for a few days. Then Ben came in to check on me when I didn't go back out right away. I told him to not tell our human mother about my injury. However, he did tell her about my foot, after I explicitly told him not to. I found out about this the next day, when she and I were having breakfast. And when I saw Ben at school, I just couldn't hold in my anger, and went off on him, saying to him how could he do that against my wishes, and with that, I punched him in the face, knocking him down.
Teresa: - Well I guess some things haven't changed.
Ace: - Huh?
Teresa: - Yeah, sounds like Ben's still a trouble maker, and you seem to still have anger outbursts like you did in the past. Ben got that on his own, but your anger mismanagement, you can thank your father for that.
Ace: - What do you mean by that?
Teresa: - Ben started out as a prankster just after the last of your brothers hatched. From your fights, every time, he said he gave you static taps on your tail. Sometimes he did it to me, and I'll admit, it did sting every time. As for you, whenever Ben did his 'special taps' on you, you would always fight him, by shooting thunderbolts at him, or trying at least. You weren't the greatest at aiming. Luckily for the rest of us, even though you were aiming at Ben, you hit everywhere but any of us. Maybe scorched Ben's tail a bit, but never a full direct hit.
Ace: - I was that bad?
Teresa: - I mean, you were 4, and just starting to learn to battle from your father, so it wasn't that bad then. Now, knowing that you and Ben still do this, I would say that you weren't in the right, but Ben was right in telling your human mother what happened to you.
Ace: - What do you mean he was right to tell her? I told him not to tell her.
Teresa: - If Ben had been the one to get hurt and told you not to tell your human mother that he got hurt, would you still tell her anyway?
Ace: - Well, yeah, because I care about him, and our human parents care about him.
Suddenly, Ace gets a flashback of when he fought Ben in the human world.
Past Ace: - HOW COULD YOU TELL MOM AND DAD ABOUT MY FOOT?!
Past Ben: - But, but, I did it because we're family, and mom and dad care about you.
Past Ace: - Hrrraahh
Ace's punch is seen from Ben's point of view
Ace snaps out of his flashback as soon as past Ace's punch connects with Ben's face
Ace: - Looks in shock
Teresa: - Did you realize something?
Ace: - Ben did it because he cared about me.
Teresa: - He did, did he?
Ace: - Nods
Kai: - (Oh boy, I wish I saw that in real-time. That must've been a good fight.)
Teresa: - Well Ace, I'm glad that you're back, but if you see Ben again, don't ever do that again, what you did to him in school.
Ace: - Alright, mom.
Teresa: - Thank you. I do have one question about your story, though.
Ace: - And that is-.
Teresa: - What were the voices in your head that you heard?
Ace: - Oh those. Well, it was a Mew.
Teresa: - Wait, what color was the Mew?
Ace: - White, why?
Teresa: - It could've been the same one I went to the human with when I brought you and Ben over.
Ace: - I later found him after he talked to me and told me that he wanted me to meet him in the park nearby the school. He told me that I was going to replace him as the Mew of Happiness, to which I refused him, but he said I had no say in the matter. Then he brought me over to this world against my will.
Teresa: - What was his name?
Ace: - He told me his name is Nathan.
Teresa: - Then I'm right. It is the same Mew that was watching over you and Ben after I left to come back here.
Ace: - It is the same Mew?
Teresa: - Yeah. I knew about his situation before I came back here. He told me before I left the human world that he needed a replacement soon, and we discussed it then that you would be his replacement.
Ace: - Wait, you planned for this to happen?!
Teresa: - Yes, I did
Ace: - How could you do that? I didn't give my consent!
Kai: - (Yes, do it. Get mad.)
Ace: - Looks to the back of his head You shut up!
Kai: - (Tehehehe)
Teresa: - Uh, Ace? Who were you saying that to?
Ace: - Oh uh, no one.
Teresa: - Ok then?
Ace: - (If you weren't in my mind, I would so kill you right now)
Kai: - (I'd like to see you try, poor little Poochyena)
Ace: - (I AIN'T NO POOCHYENA, SIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRR!)
Kai: - (Prove it to me, little pooch)
Ace: - OH YOU'RE DEAD, CAT!
Rocky: - Ace?
Kai: - (That's it. Get mad. Let your anger take control.)
Dr. Splat: - Calm down, Ace.
Ace: - Takes a deep breath
Teresa: - Are you ok, son?
Ace: - Sigh, yeah, I am.
Dr. Splat: - I'm not convinced.
Ace: - Huh?
Dr. Splat: - I've known that you've had anger issues, but I've never seen you like this. What's going on?
Ace: - Nothing.
Dr. Splat: - I know that something is wrong with you. Say it now.
Ace: - I told you, it's nothing.
Dr. Splat: - Ace, I can read right through you. I know something is wrong. Tell us all, now.
Ace: - (I know I should, but what will happen if I do?)
Dr. Splat: - Well?
Rocky: - Ace?
Teresa: - Just tell us
Ace: - It's nothing! I've already said it before. LEAVE ME ALONE!
Kai: - (THERE IT IS!)
Ace starts to feel a lot of pain as darkness starts to consume him. He randomly starts shooting off dark thunderbolts.
Teresa: - Ace?! What's happening?
Ace doesn't respond.
Rocky: - Doc, what is happening to Ace?
Dr. Splat: - I'm not sure, but it doesn't seem good. Uses psychic to try and keep Ace still. I should be able to hold him.
Kai, after taking control over Ace's body: - Hehehe, you think you can hold me?
Dr. Splat: - Ace, calm down.
The dark aura surrounding Ace has vanished, but his yellow fur is now a dark gray, with his white fur now a lighter gray.
Dr. Splat: - Explain the meaning of your fur color change, now!
Ace (Kai): - You think I'm gonna give you that? HAHAHAHA, Fat chance! Breaks out of the psychic
Flynn: - Oh you think you're hot stuff, huh? Why don't we find out for sure?
Ace (Kai): - Turns to face Flynn Oh, and what did you have in mind for that little test?
Flynn: - You and I will race.
Ace (Kai): - Gives a demonic smile Will we, now?
Flynn: - Yup.
Ace (Kai): - What are the stakes?
Flynn: - If I win, you spill the beans on what's going on with you.
Ace (Kai): - And if you lose-?
Flynn: - If I do lose, which I won't, I'll quit the guild.
Max: - Flynn, you can't be serious!
Flynn: - Don't worry, there's no way that I'll lose to this thunder show. And even if I do lose, I can just re-apply. I may lose my rank as a result of my quitting, but I can just rise up again.
Max: - Alright, if you think losing your rank is worth it, then I'll allow it.
Flynn: - Thank you.
Ace (Kai): - After giving that some thought...I accept those terms.
Flynn: - Alright then.
Ace (Kai): - Now, since you're the one who wants this measly challenge, what will the course be?
Flynn: - Standing just outside the room, in front of the doorway. From right where I'm standing, outside the doorway of this room, to Rocky and Max's house. First to reach the house, get in through the back, and stand on the upstairs balcony, wins.
Rocky: - What?!
Max: - I'll agree to that.
Rocky: - sigh If Max is fine with it, I'll agree to that too.
Ace (Kai): - So it's settled then? Stands up proudly, then hops off the bed, and goes out to Flynn. So, when do we start?
Dr. Splat: - About to grab Ace, and bring him back to the bed, but bumps into his desk and knocks a pen off
Dr. Splat is just about to reach Ace, but when he gets to the door, the pen hits the floor, and Ace and Flynn dash out of the infirmary towards Rocky and Max's house, matching each other's speed.
Kai, as Ace, runs along the pathway to Rocky and Max's house, while Flynn opts for flying to the house.
The rest of the mons in the infirmary room go to follow, with Dr. Splat leading the group.
Even though Kai's path is slightly longer than Flynn's, since it isn't a straight shot, he is running faster, so he can keep up with Flynn's flying speed.
After some time, both of them reach Rocky and Max's house. Flynn dives down and goes through the back door, while Kai goes through the front door. Kai makes it up the stairs first, with Flynn right behind him. Everyone else goes in through the front door behind Kai and follows them up. Kai and Flynn reach the top of the stairs, neck-and-neck. They reach the 2nd floor balcony, Kai goes through the door first, and grabs the balcony railing first.
Ace (Kai): - HAHA, guess who's losing their job today. Continues laughing maniacally
Flynn: - Not so fast there, thunder boy.
Ace (Kai): - continues laughing
Flynn: - You didn't follow the right path.
Ace (Kai): - stops laughing Eh?
Flynn: - Lands on the balcony I said the path was to come here, go through the BACK, and stand on this balcony. You went in through the FRONT door, not the back door. Therefore, you didn't follow the correct path.
Ace (Kai): - Looks mad
Everyone else reaches the balcony
Dr. Splat: - It's true, we saw Ace go through the front, not the back like you said.
Ace (Kai): - Gets madder
Dr. Splat: - So, as conditioned, tell us the meaning of this. Why is your fur color black, and why are you acting like this?
Ace (Kai): - Turns to Splat, but says nothing
Teresa: - Ace, why are you acting like this?
Ace (Kai): - AACK! You guys are so boring!
As Kai says this, he exits Ace's body, and floats over it, appearing as a black Mew
Everyone sees the Mew floating over Ace
Dr. Splat: - Who are you?
Kai: - Heh, I guess I'll humor you by answering one question.
Dr. Splat: - Hmm?
Kai: - The name is Kai.
Teresa: - What were you doing with my son?
Kai: - More like what was I doing IN your son, and for that, I'm not saying more.
Rocky: - Why you-! Attempts to pounce on Kai, but Max holds him back.
Kai: - I said I would only be answering 1 question. I gave a little extra for free, but now I'll be taking my leave.
Dr. Splat: - Oh no you don't!
Dr. Splat get a Shadow Ball ready, but right as he does this, Kai floats away, then vanishes from the area completely
Flynn: - Geez, that guy was a pawful. Faces Ace Hey, are you ok?
Ace: - Doesn't respond, but instead flops to the floor. His dark fur goes back to normal.
Rocky: - ACE?!
Dr. Splat: - Walks over to Ace Relax, he's just exhausted.
Rocky: - Phew.
Teresa: - I'll carry him inside
Dr. Splat: - Please do
Max: - Put him on my bed
Teresa: - Right Picks up Ace, and places him on Max's bed
Rocky: - Will he be ok?
Dr. Splat: - He just needs to rest for now.
Rocky: - Alright. Turns to Ace (Please wake up soon, Ace.)
End of Chapter 7