Chapter 1
As I wake up, my eyes slowly adjust to the unfamiliar room around me. I find myself lying on a comfortable bed, its sheets neatly tucked under me. The soft glow of morning light filters through the window, casting a warm hue on everything it touches. I take a moment to survey my surroundings, taking note of the quaint decorations adorning the walls.
To my surprise, there's another girl sleeping peacefully beside my bed. Her features mirror mine, as if looking into a mirror. It's a startling resemblance that I can't quite comprehend. Is she a relative, a doppelgänger, or something else entirely?
As I attempt to shift my body, the girl stirs and gradually opens her eyes. "You're finally awake!" she exclaims with genuine delight, her voice filled with excitement. Without waiting for a response, she quickly springs up from the bed and rushes out of the room, leaving me bewildered yet curious.
Taking advantage of her absence, I turn my attention to the room's decor. A vibrant poster catches my eye—it's a depiction of me alongside Pikachu, both of us smiling in what appears to be Pallet Town. Memories flood back as I recall my adventures with my beloved Pokémon partner.
However, as I scan the room, I realize something unsettling—Pikachu is nowhere to be seen. My heart skips a beat as I frantically search every nook and cranny, but there's no sign of my loyal companion. Confusion clouds my thoughts as I try to make sense of this puzzling situation. Where could Pikachu have gone, and why is everything so eerily familiar yet different at the same time?
Just then, the door bursts open, and a man and a woman rush into the room. The man bears a striking resemblance to me but with more mature features, as if looking at an older version of myself. The woman, on the other hand, is a mirror image of my mom—her gentle eyes filled with concern.
"How are you feeling right now?" the woman asks, her voice carrying the same comforting tone that I associate with my mother. I struggle to find my words amidst the whirlwind of confusion and questions swirling in my mind.
"I'm... I'm fine," I manage to murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm so confused."
The man, who I assume is the older version of me in this strange parallel world, steps forward. "Our family found you lying unconscious at our doorstep," he explains, his voice tinged with a mix of worry and curiosity. "That's why we decided to bring you in and make sure you're okay. However, there's something mysterious about your arrival. You don't seem to have anything that represents yourself, except for a phone."
Just then, the door bursts open, and a man and a woman rush into the room. The man bears a striking resemblance to me but with more mature features, as if looking at an older version of myself. The woman, on the other hand, is a mirror image of my mom—her gentle eyes filled with concern.
"How are you feeling right now?" the woman asks, her voice carrying the same comforting tone that I associate with my mother. Despite the surreal circumstances, I gather my thoughts.
"I'm feeling better," I reply, forcing a small smile. "But I'm still trying to piece together what happened."
The man steps forward. "Our family found you lying unconscious at our doorstep," he explains, his tone a mix of relief and curiosity. "That's why we decided to bring you in and make sure you're okay. However, there's something mysterious about your arrival. You don't seem to have anything that represents yourself, except for a phone."
I nod, grateful for their kindness yet troubled by the missing pieces of my memory. "I remember who I am," I assure them. "I'm Ash Ketchum, a Pokémon Trainer, but I don't know how I got here."
"Ash Ketchum..." The woman's eyes widen with recognition. "Is that a coincidence? Our family name is also Ketchum. Maybe we should introduce ourselves first. My name is Aurora Delia Ketchum, and this is my husband, Adam Rift Ketchum."
I'm stunned by her words. Aurora Delia Ketchum, Adam Rift Ketchum—those are the names of my mom and dad. My heart races as confusion and disbelief mingle in my mind. They treated me as a stranger, and asked who I was, and yet they shared my family name. What in the world is happening here?
As I continue to gaze at the poster, Aurora notices my interest and offers an explanation. "Oh, that's a poster of the anime known as 'Pokemon'," she says with a warm smile. "The character depicted is 'Satoshi,' who bears a striking resemblance to some of our family members. Our children are big fans of the series and they spend a lot of time playing 'Pokemon Games'."
Adam chimes in, his expression thoughtful. "It's quite uncanny, really. You're dressed just like 'Satoshi' and your facial features are remarkably similar. Could you be a cosplayer, perhaps?"
The suggestion catches me off guard, and I quickly shake my head. "Me? A cosplayer? No, that's not it," I explain, a touch of bewilderment in my voice. "This outfit was made by my mom, and I've never altered my appearance to resemble anyone else. But wait, you mentioned 'Pokemon.' Are they real here?"
Aurora nods gently. "Pokemon are fictional creatures that originated in games and have since expanded into various media like anime, manga, and merchandise," she clarifies. "However, they're not real living beings."
Adam's tone becomes more probing as he asks, "Why do you ask about Pokemon as if they exist?"
When I open the phone, my eyes widen as I realize what has happened. There, on the screen, is a message from Arceus, the legendary Pokemon deity. With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, I quickly read through the message:
'Dear Ash Ketchum, I am sorry to say this to you, but because of your heroic actions in defeating Team Rainbow Rocket, you have sacrificed your own life for the safety of the Pokemon World. To repay your debts, I have decided to have you reborn into another universe, where Pokemon don't exist but appear as TV shows, books, plushes, and even games. I hope you can adapt to your new life. - Arceus.'
As the gravity of Arceus' words sinks in, a whirlwind of emotions engulfs me. I feel a mixture of pride for my past actions, sorrow for the sacrifice I made, and a profound sense of gratitude towards Arceus for this second chance.
I decide to reveal the message from Arceus to the two people in front of me. Aurora and Adam exchange puzzled glances as they read the message displayed on my phone.
"So, let me get this straight," Aurora begins, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You come from another universe? Where Pokemon are real beings?"
I nod slowly, feeling the weight of the truth pressing upon me. "Yes, that's right... I was 'Satoshi' from that poster of 'Pokemon.' I have a companion Pikachu, and I came from Pallet Town... but it all seems like a distant memory now. Who would believe such a fantastical tale? I'm in another universe, knowing nothing about how this world works..."
Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision, and I'm taken aback by Aurora's sudden embrace. Her genuine empathy touches my heart as she frowns with concern. "I'm sorry to hear that," she murmurs softly. "It must be incredibly difficult for you, to have experienced death and rebirth, only to find yourself in a world so unfamiliar."
Adam joins in with a compassionate nod. "If that's the case, how about living with us?" he suggests warmly. "We're not short of resources, and I'm certain that our five children would love to have a big brother who knows so much about Pokemon."
The invitation catches me off guard, filling me with a mix of gratitude and astonishment. How can they be so understanding and accepting of my unbelievable story? Could it be that Arceus guided me to this family for a reason, knowing that they would offer me the support and companionship I need in this strange new world? It's a possibility that both comforts and bewilders me, but I'm grateful for their kindness and open-heartedness amidst the chaos of my situation.
I mutter, my voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and confusion, "Back in my world... I never saw my father, only knew his name and how he sacrificed himself to protect us... and my mother... she always supported me from the beginning of my journey. Now that I've been reborn into this world, you both look just like my parents, and even act like them..."
Aurora and Adam exchange surprised glances before Aurora responds, her voice gentle and reassuring, "If that's the case, we don't mind if you want to call us your 'mother' and 'father'."
Adam adds, "But first, we should go to the hospital. There are some things we need to check."
The mention of the hospital makes sense, considering my sudden arrival and subsequent unconsciousness. As I follow my new mother and father, I can sense the curiosity emanating from their other children, who watch me with intrigued expressions.
Mom addresses the children, her tone firm yet loving, "Mark, Minami, Golly, Trenor, Insey, your father and I have to take this boy to the hospital. Behave yourselves and don't spend too much time playing Pokemon games before we return, alright?"
"We're not kids anymore, Mom," Mark sighs. "We're university students now."
"But who is the boy and why does he look like us?" Trenor asks, his curiosity piqued.
"All your questions will be answered in due time," Dad reassures them as I settle into the car, and we head towards the hospital. As we navigate through the city, I observe the bustling streets and various shops, but one thing stands out—there are no Pokemon Centers, and the gyms are not what I'm familiar with. Instead, there are fitness centers with advanced equipment for exercise, reminiscent of the facilities I encountered in Brawly's gym.
Inside the hospital, I undergo various tests, including gene tests to unravel the mystery of my origins. As the results come in, the doctor's words leave me stunned—the tests reveal that I share half of my genetic makeup with both Aurora and Adam. The realization dawns upon me like a ray of light in the darkness—I am indeed their biological child. The news brings tears of joy to my parents' eyes, confirming the bond that we share.
After the hospital visit, we head to a governmental building. I overhear Aurora and Adam conversing with the officials about something that was missing, and soon, the officials present me with a stack of papers to fill out. With a sense of curiosity mingled with acceptance, I complete the forms as instructed.
The officials then hand me a small card, explaining its significance. "This card is known as an ID," Dad explains, his voice tinged with pride. "You need to keep it safe as it will be beneficial for your life here."
I take the ID card, studying it for a moment before tucking it into my pocket. It's a tangible symbol of my newfound identity and belonging in this world, a world where I am not only accepted but embraced as a part of a loving family. With a grateful nod, I acknowledge the significance of the ID card and the journey that lies ahead as I navigate this unfamiliar yet promising existence.
I decide to try something different, what if Ash has transported into the real world? And here is the first chapter. The people inside are mostly OCs, because the other characters don't exist in the world Ash is now living in. I hope you like the first chapter.
