'Ash, I can't locate their exact position for now. However, based on the information you gave me, I've identified a world where time and space are in extreme chaos. That place is very likely where you're headed.'
Giratina's tone was stiff and restrained.
Those two troublemakers had caused such a massive incident right under its watch—
How could it not be furious?
More importantly—
Giratina couldn't find their shadows at all!
That meant it didn't even have anyone to vent its anger on!
Compared to the recklessly unrestrained time-and-space duo,
Giratina was actually the most rule-abiding of the three children created by Arceus.
And that was precisely why it despised Dialga and Palkia's wanton behavior even more.
"It's not like that," Ash said seriously.
"This time it might not be Dialga and Palkia's fault. Someone probably used some method to control them, then exploited their power to create portals to other worlds."
As he spoke, Ash placed his hand on Giratina's head, channeling his Aura into it—
Trying to soothe its emotions.
The result was immediate.
As Giratina felt Ash's Aura, the madness in its eyes gradually faded.
'I can't interfere directly with the affairs of the real world. And those two haven't appeared in the real world either, so I can't act rashly.'
After a brief pause, Giratina continued.
Hearing this, Dawn immediately tensed up.
She clutched Ash's arm and looked at him anxiously.
Ash withdrew his hand and gently patted Dawn's shoulder before turning back to Giratina.
"Then how about this—you send us to that world where time and space are in chaos. I'll find Dialga and Palkia."
'That works. Then I'll leave it to you, Ash. If you find them, contact me immediately. I'll personally teach them a lesson.'
Giratina bit down heavily on the words "teach them a lesson."
The Lord of the Distortion World was clearly furious.
"Then please send us there."
'No problem.'
Perhaps eager to beat the time-and-space gods into submission as soon as possible,
Giratina didn't hesitate.
After drifting briefly, it opened a portal leading to the real world.
In a flash, its massive body appeared there.
After setting Ash and the others down, Giratina immediately returned to the Distortion World.
Before leaving, it emphasized once again—
If Dialga and Palkia were found, Ash must contact it immediately.
It was going to discipline those two rule-breakers hard.
Honestly, Giratina was almost too law-abiding—
Completely at odds with its "violent" reputation.
Unlike some beings with flexible moral standards,
For Giratina, Arceus's rules were absolute.
[Aaron]: Why do I suddenly find Giratina kind of… cute? It's supposed to be the violent ruler of the Distortion World! This isn't right!
[Flint]: Love can be niche, but it can't be cursed! Falling for a Pokémon is already wrong, but you've gone too far!
[Iono]: Sorry, sorry—didn't keep a close enough eye on Uncle Flint and he's causing trouble again. My bad!
[Volkner]: It's fine, kid. Once he recovers, send him back. I've prepared some "money" for him in the kitchen.
The audience collectively inhaled sharply.
Money… in the kitchen?
Hold on—
Does that "money" happen to be shaped like a knife?!
So even gentle-looking Volkner had a terrifying side.
That really put into perspective just how awful Flint usually was.
[Flint]: Really?! Then hurry up and send me some money! Have mercy on a man wrapped head to toe in bandages who still has to work in this kid's Gym! My life is suffering!
[Iono]: Liar! You're freeloading at my Gym, eating and drinking for free! And you even dare say I'm the patient?! You said you'd pay me back once I healed—this is clearly a scam!
Flint:
Crap, I've been exposed.
And he couldn't even run away.
A giant, capitalized MISERY.
On Screen —
After another ride on the Giratina Express,
Ash and the others finally arrived in the alternate world.
The moment they arrived, Cynthia began surveying the surroundings.
They were in the right place.
Giratina had been thoughtful—it brought them to the same geographical location as their original world.
Twinleaf Town.
Soon, Cynthia noticed what was different.
First: the environment.
Everything looked almost identical to their world—
Except for one thing.
There were no flowers.
At this time of year, Sinnoh should have been in full bloom.
But here—there wasn't a single flower to be seen.
Second: the aurora in the sky.
Cynthia would stake her reputation as a mythological scholar on this—
That aurora was a manifestation of chaotic time and space.
Which meant—
They were in the right place.
After finishing her observations, Cynthia gently patted Dawn's shoulder.
"Twinleaf Town—your hometown. Let's go to your house first. We might find some useful clues there."
Her calm voice quickly steadied Dawn.
Dawn nodded firmly.
Then she grabbed Ash's hand and pulled him toward her home.
Seeing this, Cynthia slowly tilted her head.
…Shouldn't Dawn be holding my hand?
But she didn't dwell on it and followed silently.
As Dawn knew Twinleaf Town like the back of her hand,
they arrived at her house within minutes.
Yet something still felt off.
Standing at the front door, Dawn hesitated.
The exterior looked the same—
But the details were completely reversed.
Doors, windows, interior layout—everything was mirrored compared to her own world.
Compared to the Distortion World they'd seen earlier,
this felt even more "reversed."
"Let's go in. Maybe we'll find something else."
Seeing Dawn's anxiety, Cynthia stepped forward and gently encouraged her.
Only then did Dawn gather the courage to open the door.
She took a deep breath, placed her hand on the doorknob—
And twisted.
The moment the door opened—
A figure stood directly in front of them.
It wasn't another-world Dawn.
It was the alternate-world counterpart of someone else in their group.
"Oh? Looks like I guessed right~ The me from another world really did find this place~"
The woman leaned against the doorframe, her enthusiasm and flamboyance impossible to hide.
This wasn't just unexpected for Ash's group—
Even the audience was caught completely off guard.
They hadn't seen alternate-world Dawn.
Instead—
They were staring at alternate-world Cynthia.
Unlike the icy beauty of the original world,
Just from her movements and tone alone, everyone could tell—
This Cynthia was a complete contrast.
Those gestures.
That voice.
She practically had the words "hot and fiery" written all over her face.
[Diantha]: I knew it! That cold exterior of yours was just an act! Deep down you're hotter than anyone else! Cynthia, I understand you best!
[Steven]: If I'm not mistaken, what you meant was "your enemy understands you best"… but the way you said it feels very wrong.
[Caitlin]: Wrong doesn't even begin to cover it. I'm seriously suspecting the two of you made some shady deal behind our backs!
[Wikstrom]: There's another possibility—they fell in love through hatred!
—Hiss—
With that reminder, everyone suddenly understood.
It actually made sense.
They'd been openly antagonistic before.
Still were, technically—
But something in their words had clearly changed.
When did the turning point happen?
Right—
Ash.
[Lusamine]: Their CP is nice, but I still prefer Ash × Cynthia. They're just too sweet together.
[Wallace]: This alternate Cynthia is very passionate. Is it a personality inversion caused by different worlds—or was Cynthia always like this deep down? Fascinating.
[Alder]: Obviously a personality flip. Everyone knows Cynthia's a famous ice queen.
This one's a blazing volcano—they're complete opposites.
[Sonia]: I'm suddenly really looking forward to how this fiery Cynthia interacts with Ash~
[Caitlin]: Same! Contrast Cynthia sounds way more fun!
[Flint]: Ice and fire, huh? I wonder if Ash can survive that~
On Screen —
Alternate-world Cynthia's gaze swept over the three of them.
Then it locked onto Ash.
Visible to the naked eye, her expression shifted—
Curiosity → surprise → excitement.
The next second—
Before anyone could react—
She stepped forward and hugged Ash tightly, pulling him straight into her chest and rubbing her cheek against his.
"Pika…?"
Pikachu opened its mouth, completely stunned.
Champion Cynthia—
You're being way too enthusiastic!
But alternate Cynthia had zero self-awareness.
She doubled down with a full cheek rub.
Feeling the softness pressed against him,
and the faint fragrance around his nose—
Ash froze completely.
Someone—please—save me!
His pleading gaze shot toward Dawn and Cynthia.
But—
Dawn was covering her mouth in shock.
And Cynthia's eyes were icy cold.
At that moment, Ash felt a despair he had never known before.
Why are you two just watching?! QAQ
"Ash~ you're still so cute. Soft, sweet—just looking at you makes me want to hold you tight."
The voice near his ear made Ash's brain short-circuit.
He could not reconcile that voice with Cynthia's face.
The dissonance was overwhelming.
"Uh… c-could you let go? I can't breathe…"
For the first time in his life, Ash realized—
Some people could physically restrain him.
This alternate Cynthia was far scarier than he'd imagined.
But instead of letting go—
She hugged him even tighter.
"Nope~ I waited so long for a chance to cuddle another-world you."
She rubbed her cheek against his again.
That was the breaking point.
Cynthia finally stepped forward and pulled Ash out of her counterpart's arms.
Her cold voice followed immediately.
"You know something, don't you?"
It was both a question—and an accusation.
From alternate Cynthia's behavior, it was obvious—
She knew more than she was letting on.
And she had known they'd come here, waiting in Dawn's house in advance.
Alternate Cynthia raised an eyebrow at her other self, casually tucking hair behind her ear.
With a teasing, provocative tone, she said:
"Of course~ I've been waiting here for quite a while.
And my target… was Ash~"
Her gaze locked onto Ash so intensely it made his scalp tingle.
He simply couldn't adapt to Cynthia looking at him with such blatant heat.
The contrast was too strong.
It was overwhelming.
Still—
This was about Dawn's Piplup.
Ash swallowed and forced himself to ask:
"Miss Cynthia… how did you know we'd come here? And—have you seen Dawn's Piplup?"
Ash's stubborn seriousness made alternate Cynthia burst out laughing.
"Why did I know? Of course your good big brother Red told me.
As for Piplup—it's inside the room."
Her smile vanished instantly.
She became serious.
"Red?"
"Piplup!"
Ash and Dawn reacted at the same time.
Cynthia bowed deeply to her counterpart and immediately rushed into the room behind her.
As for Ash and Cynthia—
Their reactions diverged.
Ash was shocked.
He'd expected Red to be in this world—
But how did Red know he would come too?
Was it foresight?
Meanwhile, Cynthia's attention remained fixed on her other self.
"From the way you speak… you and Red are quite close, aren't you?"
Her gaze was sharp, searching for any hint of deceit.
Alternate Cynthia simply winked playfully.
Then raised a finger.
"That's a secret~"
Cynthia: "..."
She hated dealing with people like this.
Utterly infuriating.
Her counterpart clearly understood her extremely well—
Any attempt to read expressions was useless.
At times like this—
Someone had to step up.
And that someone—
Was Ash.
He walked between the two Cynthias.
On his left:
The original-world Cynthia—black coat, blonde hair flowing, cold and imposing.
On his right:
The alternate Cynthia—same cut, but fiery red, her blonde hair even more flamboyant in contrast.
Facing them both, Ash could only brace himself.
"Did Red leave any message about where we can find him? Or any clue for me?"
He looked up with wide, earnest eyes—
Radiating pure, unfiltered curiosity.
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