Back in the human world
Later at night, after they got back from the park
Ben: - Thanks again for staying for the time being, Kenny.
Kenny: - No problem, Ben, just wanted to keep you company.
Kenny would then go upstairs, stopping part way up to say something to Ben
Kenny: - Well I'm going to go to sleep now, I'll cya later.
Ben: - Alright. Cya, Kenny.
Kenny heads upstairs while Ben gets a cup of water, heading upstairs as well, walking by Ace's bedroom
Ben: - Hey Ace, it's time for bed
He opens the door to find it empty. Confused for a second, only remembering what happened to Ace
Ben: - Oh... that's right, you were taken and…
He looks down and is upset, then he gets an idea
Ben: - (in mind) (Come to think of it, if Ace isn't here anymore, he wouldn't mind me ravaging in his room now, would he?)
He would then scavenge his room looking through Ace's stuff, messing around with his toys, plushies, and in the midst of it, he would find Ace's Switch
Ben: - Oh, it's Ace's Switch. He's been playing that game ever since he got it for his birthday. He was always on the Switch, all the time.
Ben gets a flashback, remembering what Ace has told him
Ace: - And yes, you can use my Switch, but do not go into my save files alright.
Flashback end
Ben: - Well since Ace isn't here anymore, I really can't get in trouble now, would I?
Ben said in a mischievous tone, he woke up Ace's Switch to see that Pokémon Sword was still open. When going into the game, he sees that Leon's Charizard only has 1 pixel of its health bar remaining. After seeing this, Ben closed the game, went into the Switch's settings, and deleted the save data for Pokémon Sword.
Ben: - Now, let's see what we got here.
Ben would then start up a new game, picking his starter as a Scorbunny, playing through the storyline. Catching some pokémon, like Yamper, Nickit, Etc. Then after evolving pokémon, getting badges he would encounter a Pikachu throughout the game. Ben would then send out a Raboot, the evolved form of Scorbunny, he would then swap out the Raboot for the Yamper, which had evolved into a Boltund
Ben: - This should take care of the Pikachu's attacks while I capture it.
When the Boltund comes out, Ben gets a sudden vision of Ace and how he would look now as a Boltund, and sees a Pikachu next to said Boltund, speaking to each other happily, then ending his vision, giving him a slight headache.
Ben: - Ow. That was weird, I must be starting to go crazy. And now I have a headache now, I think I should stop this for now
When Ben captured the Pikachu, he saved his progress, closed the game, turned off Ace's switch, turned the lights off, and closed the door to Ace's room. He then went over to his own room and went to sleep.
In Ben's dream, from his point of view
Ben: - Ugh... w-where am I?
?: - Ben! There you are!
Ben: - (in mind) (That voice! Could it be?)
Ben: - Ace, is that you?!
Ben looked over to see a mon staring at him, who looks like a Yamper
Ace: - Of course it's me, I've been looking for you for a while, where were you?
Ben: - Bu- How did- you- You're a Pokémon?!
Ace: - Well of course I am, silly! Are you sure you're, okay?
Ben: - Okay? OKAY?! You were captured by a Mew and were a human before!
Ace: - Human? Captured? Mews? I don't know what you're talking about Ben. Are you sure you're okay? We can head home if you're not feeling great.
Ben: - NO! I need you to tell me what's going on right now and why you aren't a human anymore.
Ace: - Ok, calm down, Ben, sheesh. I don't even know what a human looks like to begin with
Ben: - I'M A HUMAN!
Ben would point to himself, before noticing his hand being lighter yellow, let alone he has paws instead of hands. He would turn around and look at himself for a while
Ben would then turn around and walk over to a small pond on the side, in which it showed a reflection of a Pichu's face. Ben would then gasp
Ben: - N-no way…t-this can't be happening
Ben steps back a few steps
[zooms out to Ben being a Pichu, while Ace is looking at him confused]
Ben: - I'VE TURNED INTO A PICHUUUUUUUUUUUU!
The dream ends, and ben wakes up from his sleep
Ben: - GASP!
Ben would try to relax himself and calm down from the dream.
Ben: - So it was just a dream.
Ben would get up to get a stretch in, relaxing himself for the time being, before heading downstairs to have his breakfast
Ben: - That was…so weird. Why did I have that dream?
Ben would find Kenny cooking breakfast for the both of them, seeing as how both Mr. & Mrs. Rogers were out for the time being
Kenny: - Good morning, Ben! Did you sleep well?
Ben: - (In mind) (Maybe I can tell Kenny what's going on for now. Kenny might be able to help me, hopefully)
Ben shook his head, went over to see what Kenny was cooking
Kenny: - No? Why? What happened?
Ben: - I... I had a weird dream
Kenny: - A dream? Well, why don't you talk about it then?
Ben: - W-well, it was about Ace.
Kenny would perk up upon hearing the name
Ben: - He... He was a Yamper, and while I talked with him I... I turned into a Pichu
Kenny: - (In mind) (Wow... First Ace with a Mew dream, now Ben with a Yamper and Pichu? Why are these coincidences suddenly happening?)
Kenny: - Well Ben, I'm sure you're very worried for Ace, but don't worry, I'm sure they will find him soon.
Kenny then hugged Ben. Ben responds by hugging back. Then Kenny looked over at the Television that displayed PNN news showing the weather for New York City, along with any updates on the High School football star leader, Ace, who has now been missing for days by an unknown cause.
Ben: - I just...really miss him
Kenny: - I know, I miss him too.
The hug would continue for a few moments before Kenny let go of Ben
Kenny: - Well, we should get ready for school now. I'll finish making scrambled eggs for breakfast with a side of bacon.
Ben would nod, before going back upstairs to get ready, while Kenny finished up making eggs & bacon.
The two get ready for school, eating their breakfast, then set out towards the school. Upon arrival, Kenny taps Ben's shoulder
Kenny: - You go on ahead, I need to talk with Ace's girlfriend about the situation for now.
Ben: - Ok, I'll cya later Kenny
Ben waves to Kenny, then leaves ahead of Kenny
Kenny: - (In mind) (But first I should find my girlfriend to help deal with this.)
Kenny heads over to the same spot they would always meet at before school started. She would be looking around until she caught Kenny coming towards her
?: - Kenny over here!
Kenny walked over to his girlfriend, giving her a hug.
Kenny: - Hey Violet, I was hoping if you could help me out with Ace's girlfriend
Violet: - Sally? Oh, cause of Ace going missing?
Kenny: - Yea, I'm worried I won't be able to talk with her as well as you could, and with your help, I might be able to talk some sense into her.
Violet: - Sure, I can help you.
Kenny: - Thanks Violet, you're the best.
Violet: - Do you know where Sally might be at this time?
Kenny: - Y'know what, I think I just might.
Kenny and Violet head over to the football field, finding Sally out on said field standing alone
Kenny: - Well, there she is, are you ready to talk to her?
Violet: - Yep, I'm right behind you.
The two got closer to Sally
Kenny: - Hey Sally, are you doing okay?
Sally jumped, before turning around to look at the two
Sally: - O-oh, It's just you two. What do you want?
Violet: - Goodness Sally, you look terrible!
Sally: - W-what's it to you? Ace is gone, and I still don't know if he will be back. I'm really starting to lose hope here.
Violet came over to comfort Sally
Violet: - Hey, we all miss him too, but the police will find him eventually, and he will be back, the police are good at finding people.
Sally: - B-but Ace... He was taken by a Mew... A MEW!
Violet: - Wait...he was what?!
Kenny: - Oh right, I didn't explain it to you yet, have I?
Violet would turn over to Kenny, a little more upset about being left in the dark
Violet: - You better explain yourself, mister! What's going on?!
Kenny felt a drop of sweat before continuing
Kenny: - Alright alright, I will. It happened when Ace and I were coming back from school 2 days ago. All of a sudden, a Mew came out of nowhere, took Ace in front of my face, and then I had to go explain the situation to everyone, Mr. And Mrs. Rogers, Ace's brother Ben, Sally, the football team, and now you.
Violet: - Well that makes more sense, I understand.
She then looked out into the sky
Violet: - Still, if it's a Mew we are dealing with, that is going to be a problem, but I still have faith in the police to find Ace.
Kenny: - Yea, I have faith in them too, so don't worry Sally, everything will turn out alright in the end.
Sally sniffed a little, before nodding with a slight smile
Sally: - Y-you're right, I need to stay positive about this, thanks guys.
Kenny: - You're welcome, Sally. Now we should head back, classes are starting soon.
The two of them nodded, heading back into classes to start the day
After school, the football field would be more crowded with the football team gathering on the field, speaking with each other until someone would take over the conversation, in which the vice-captain, Devon, would capture everyone's attention, whistling the group
Devon: - Everyone over here! Now, we all know about our beloved captain going missing, and because of these tough times we must go through without him, I will be taking over as the new captain of the football team for the time being.
Kenny: - Wait, hold on a second! Coach said that I would take over in Ace's stead. Why are you deciding to take over instead?
Devon: - Yea, and who is the Vice Captain of the football team, huh? That's what I thought.
Kenny: - (In mind) (Jeez, why did he need to sound so rude? Although, I guess it makes sense since Ace did make him vice-captain of the football team. If Ace trusts him, then I don't think I should worry. I just hope he doesn't do anything wrong to make this team turn for the worse.)
Kenny: - Alright then, my apologies.
Devon: - Now get back in line and give me 10!
Kenny: - Yes sir!
Devon: - (In mind) (Ooh, I could get used to this new power)
Devon: - Anyways, homecoming is coming up next week, so we must push ourselves extra hard today. I want each of you working hard and not slacking off, have I made myself clear!
Everyone: - Yes Sir!
Devon: - Good, now start doing laps around the field until I call us back for our next objective. Go!
Everyone: - Yes Sir!
Everyone including Kenny, who had just finished doing his 10 push-ups, would all begin to run out onto the field, while Devon would be watching them with a smirk
Devon: - (in mind) (Perfect, now Phase 1 of the plan is going smoothly. Soon enough, Ace will lose everything he has loved in this world)
During their break, Kenny walked over to Devon to converse with him
Kenny: - Hey Devon
Devon: - Ah Kenny, it's so good to see you, did you need something?
Kenny: - Yes actually, I wanted to talk to you about who would be the quarterback.
Devon: - Ah, of course. Since I am the new captain, and knowing how close you and Ace were, I figure I'll humor you, and make you the quarterback.
Kenny would be taken by surprise by this
Kenny: - Huh? Wait, really? I thought Max was going to be the QB when Ace was not here
Devon: - Nah I am going to make you the QB insead of Max
Kenny: - Alright then?
Devon: - That sounds reasonable, doesn't it? Hmmm?
Kenny: - B-but I don't know much about being a quarterback!
Devon: - Ahh don't worry about it, I'm sure you will be able to manage just fine! Since you mentioned Max, try talking to him as well
Kenny: - Well, I did say Max was backup QB and I did get some practice from Ace. Maybe I could try and figure something out from the practice I had.
Devon: - Good, I'm glad we are on the same page then.
Devon would then shake Kenny's hand
Devon: - I trust you would do a great job as a quarterback, now does that answer satisfy your question?
Kenny: - Yes, it does. Alright, thanks again
Kenny would head back to the group, still feeling a little uneasy
Kenny: - (in mind) (That's weird. Why was he talking to me like that? Thinking about how he said his answer, he sounds very untrustworthy to me. I really don't like where this is going at all)
Kenny went to the pitcher for a cup of water
Kenny: - (In mind) (Well, either way I really hope nothing goes wrong with him being the captain. If only Ace were here, I would be able to figure out how to manage as a quarterback. Maybe I could search for some help from some videos, maybe that could work, and possibly some advice from other quarterbacks could help, or I could talk to Max. yea that will do)
Kenny would then take a sip of water, trying to calm himself down
Kenny: - Goes back out to the rest of the team (I hope Ace isn't in any trouble where he is.)
Devon blows the whistle
Kenny: - (I guess I shouldn't think about that now) Rejoins the rest of the team
Devon: - Practice is done for today, but I have one thing to say before you all leave for the day.
Everyone lines up for Devon's announcement
Devon: - As many of you, or perhaps all of you, know by now, our beloved captain, Ace, has been missing for the past 2 days. Well, I got word from someone close to Ace, who isn't here, that Ace isn't actually missing, he's just been hiding to get out of school and football practice.
Many of the team players chat amongst each other, acting suspicious about what Devon said, but not in suspicion of Devon.
Devon: - Yeah, he thinks you're not worth his time, that you all are weak. He wonders about why he is putting up with our "mediocre" performance. And, most importantly, he's thinking about ditching us for a school with a better team.
The players that were talking amongst themselves look to Devon in shock of what he said
Kenny, Ben, Sally, Violet, and Ava all stay quiet during this, but have looks of disgust towards Devon
Devon: - Do you want Ace to keep calling you losers behind your backs?
Team: - No!
Devon: - Do you want Ace to keep considering you to be weak?
Team: - No!
Presh: - If Ace thinks we're weak, why don't we have someone else be our captain?
Jason: - Yeah, if Devon is sharing all of this stuff about what Ace is doing, why don't we make him our new captain?
Team: - Yeah! Devon! Devon!
The team continues chanting while Kenny and Ben leave to go to Ben's house. Mark, Alex, Jack, and Will see Kenny and Ben leave, so they follow them off the field.
In front of Ben's house
Kenny: - Why is Devon doing this?
Ben: - You told me that Ace was taken by a Mew to another world
Kenny: - He was. I know what I saw. I was the only other person there with Ace when that Mew took him away.
Mark: - Are you sure you were the only other person there?
Kenny turns around and looks surprised that Mark, Alex, Jack, and Will follow them home
Kenny: - Yeah, I'm sure. When Ace was taken, I was sitting in the forest alone in shock of what I saw happen in front of me. I then left the area and headed for the police station to report what happened.
Jack: - And that's all that happened within that area of the forest?
Kenny: - Yeah. The police arrived at the scene and left soon after to tell the rest of Ace's family about his disappearance. That's all that happened.
Will: - Perhaps you weren't alone
Kenny: - Huh?
Will: - Maybe someone was spying on you during the moment when Ace vanished as you said
Kenny: - Spying on me?
Alex: - Mhm. Maybe Devon said that 'cause he probably saw what happened as well, but from behind some of the trees, since you said this happened in a forest. Perhaps he could confirm your story, but intentionally lied to us about what happened to deceive us.
Kenny: - I know he's lying cause I know what happened. My eyes don't lie. Don't tell me you believe his story, do you?
Mark: - He may be considered one of the better players on the team... places his hand on Kenny's shoulder for reassurance ...but we know he's not one of the more trustworthy players we have.
Kenny: - You mean-
Alex: - Yup, we're all with you, and Ben. We know you wouldn't lie about something like this.
Kenny: - Thanks guys. That means a lot.
Ben: - You know what, why don't we all go inside for some fun to keep our minds positive?
Everyone except Ben: - Sure
Ben: - Alright
Ben leads them all inside the house to his room
The rest to group follows Ben inside
Ben: - Opens the door to his room Well, here is my bedroom
Alex: - Nice
Mark: - So Ben, if this is your room, where's Ace's?
Ben: - Next door over Points in the direction of Ace's bedroom
Kenny: - Sees something on the end table Uh Ben... picks up the item ...what is this?
Ben: - Looks at what Kenny has and freaks out a little That would be Ace's Switch
Kenny: - Why was it in your end table drawer?
Ben: - I may have taken it because I wanted something to keep me close to Ace
Kenny: - You didn't do anything, did you?
Ben: - Looks very nervous
Kenny: - Well?
Ben: - Well, what?
Kenny: - What did you do?
Ben: - I possibly, may have, accidentally, intentionally, erased Ace's Pokémon Sword save, then started playing it myself under his account from a fresh start
Everyone looks at Ben as he says this
Jack: - Oh Ben
Will: - What have you done?
Kenny: - Ben did you see where Ace was before deleting his save?
Ben: - nods
Kenny: - Where?
Ben: - I turned on the Switch to see that Ace had left the game running with the Switch in sleep mode. I opened it up, and it showed that Ace was in the final battle with Leon, on Leon's last Pokémon, it was down to like 1 or 2 HP left, and both Leon's Charizard and Ace's Shiny Boltund were dynamaxed.
Kenny: - So you killed his run on the last hit, essentially?
Ben: - Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-yes.
Kenny: - Man, if Ace ever finds out, which he will, who knows what he'll do to you.
Mark: - Ok, well, I think we should head out now.
Ben: - Wha-, why now?
Alex: - We don't want to be here if Ace comes back suddenly, and he finds out what you did. Also, it's getting late.
Kenny: - But what about me learning to be QB?
Will: - We can help you anytime. We can go to the park tomorrow for some practice. Max can also help out as well.
Kenny: - Alright
Everyone but Ben walks out of the room
Kenny closes the door behind him
?: - They seem nice
Ben: - HAAAA gets jumpscared by a white floating being that he quickly recognizes. Wait, aren't you that Mew that Kenny told me took my brother to another world?
Nathan: - I am indeed that Mew. Your friend is correct
Ben: - Why did you take him?!
Nathan: - Because I need his help, but I think he will need your help as well.
Ben: - Wait, what are you-?
On the stairs
Kenny: - Feels his pockets Oh, wait, I left my phone in Ben's room
Alex: - Ok.
Jack: - Want us to help look for it?
Kenny: - If you want to, but I think I know where it is
Mark: - Alright
Kenny and the others go back up to Ben's room
Kenny opens the door and sees a familiar face staring at Ben
Everyone else also has shocked faces for what they're seeing
Kenny: - Wait!
Nathan: - Looks to Kenny
Kenny: - Nathan?!
Nathan: - We meet again. Kenny, is it?
Kenny: - That would be me. What are you doing here?
Ben: - Apparently, Ace is in trouble in that other world you were telling me about, and now this Mew wants to take me over there
Nathan: - And now that I think about it, you need to come too, Kenny
Kenny: - Why me?!
Nathan: - Because you two are the closest to Ace that I can think of. Ben being Ace's brother, and you, Kenny, being his best friend in this world.
Kenny and Ben: - We're not going!
Alex: - Now what is that about?
Kenny: - What are you talking about?
Alex: - This "Nathan Mew", as you keep calling it, is saying that Ace is in danger somewhere, and your response is to turn down helping him?
Ben: - Alex, how are you not freaked out by the fact that a MEW is floating in front of me?
Alex: - I am freaked out by that, but worrying about the fact that it is here isn't important. What's important is knowing why it's here, and from what you just said earlier, Ben, Ace being in trouble and needing help is what's important now. So, are you going to let down our captain by staying behind, or are you going to help him out in whatever tough situation he's in and aid him in finding his way back here?
Kenny: - You do make a good point, Alex
Ben: - sigh I guess we could go
Alex: - Thank you
Jack: - Ben, Kenny, get our captain back
Kenny: - Will do
Ben: - Alright, Nathan, we'll come along
Nathan: - Thank you. I'm sure Ace will appreciate seeing you there
Ben: - Sure he will
Nathan: - Ready?
Kenny: - Well say goodbye to your memories, Ben
Ben: - Wait, what?!
Nathan: - I'm not gonna do that to you two
Ben: - breathes a sigh of relief Thank goodness
Nathan: - Yeah, I did wipe Ace's memories when I brought him over, but he more or less gained the important ones back recently.
Kenny: - That's good to know at least
Ben: - Mhm. Ok, Nathan. Send us off
Nathan: - snaps his fingers and magical fires start swirling around both Kenny and Ben
Alex, Jack, Mark, and Will watch as the two of them transform into Pokémon right before their eyes
The fires eventually die off. One reveals a Pikachu, and the other reveals a male Meowstic
Alex: - Kenny?
Meowstic (Kenny): - Yeah?
Alex: - Ok, you look different now, but your voice is the same
Kenny: - Well, what do I look like
Jack: - You look like the male form of a Meowstic. And assuming that that's Ben to your side, he's looks like a Pikachu
Ben: - I'm a Pika- sees a mirror on one of his walls Oh right, I have a mirror in my room.
Kenny: - You do?
Alex: - Oh wait, you two get in front of the mirror. I have an idea for how you could prove this to the rest of the team.
Kenny: - Oh yeah, if you made a video with us and you in the frame, that could clear up a lot of the negative impressions about Ace.
Alex: - Exactly
Everyone but Nathan gets in front of the mirror, and Alex records a short video on his phone with all of them, including Nathan who is off to the side of the frame
Alex: - All set now
Kenny: - Thank you
Nathan: - Ready to go now?
Kenny and Ben nod
Nathan: - Alright
Nathan snaps his fingers again, and the three of them vanish from the room, leaving Alex, Jack, Mark, and Will still there
Will: - So, now what?
Alex: - Now we wait till tomorrow, which will be when we will show that video to the rest of the team, at Saturday's practice, to hopefully clear up the lies Devon told us.
Mark: - Alright. We should all go home to get sleep before that happens
Jack: - Sure thing
Everyone leaves to go back home
Meanwhile in the wormhole to the Pokémon World
Ben: - Oh, Nathan?
Nathan: - Yeah, Ben?
Ben: - Since you have the power to erase someone's mind, could you erase Ace's memory of him getting Pokémon Sword for his Switch, as if he never got it for his birthday?
Nathan: - Well, he wanted that for his birthday, and got it for his birthday. He played the game during his birthday, got almost to the end, and you made all that progress meaningless. He even told you many other times you were on his Switch to not mess with his saves, and you messed with his Pokémon Sword save by getting rid of it. You need to make it up to him, in whatever way you can. I'm sorry, but you're on your own with that.
Ben: - What do you mean I'm on my own? Kenny?
Kenny: - Nope. I had nothing to do with this. I'm staying out of it.
Ben: - Gets scared thinking of what he may have to deal with I'm such a dead chu
They continue along their trip through the wormhole to the Pokémon World
End of Chapter 9