"Then let's get going as fast as we can! We're running out of time!"
Saying that, Ash decisively opened the car door and climbed in.
At this moment, Ash had only one thought in his mind—
Solve this problem as quickly as possible and go back home to get married—ahem, crossed out—
turn Pikachu back to normal!
Although tiny Pichu was also adorable, Ash still preferred Pikachu!
"You'd better not be lying to me."
Cynthia shot a cold glare at her other self, then sat down beside Ash.
Alternate-world Cynthia helplessly spread her hands, opened the door, and took the driver's seat.
"At present, both the Adamant Orb and the Lustrous Orb are in Professor Rowan's laboratory.
What we need to do now is go to Professor Rowan's lab and retrieve those two orbs."
Inside the car, alternate-world Cynthia continued analyzing the situation for the two visitors from another world sitting in the back.
Although her earlier teasing of Ash made her seem unreliable,
just like the original Cynthia, she was still the Champion of Sinnoh.
She had not forgotten the responsibilities that came with that title.
"I'll say this in advance—once we're here, everything follows my commands.
After we reach Mount Coronet, Ash, you must not act recklessly. You have to obey orders."
Right at the end, she added one more sentence.
After saying that, without waiting for a response from the two in the back—
She slammed the accelerator down hard.
The roar of the engine echoed across the suburban highway.
Cut to — Professor Rowan's Laboratory
At this moment, Professor Rowan's assistants were helping him transport Pokémon that had already devolved into eggs.
Due to the temporal turbulence, Pokémon across the entire world were undergoing devolution.
Even first-stage Pokémon had already regressed all the way back into eggs.
As a scholar researching this phenomenon,
Professor Rowan had been entrusted with great responsibility.
"Be careful with your movements. These Pokémon eggs are everyone's partners."
"That's right, meow~"
But… something was off about Professor Rowan and his assistant.
"Skreeee—!"
The screech of brakes rang out.
Everyone carrying the eggs immediately stopped what they were doing.
A woman as fiery as flames stepped out of the car.
Professor Rowan's eyes sharpened. He exchanged a glance with his assistant—both filled with vigilance.
"Champion Cynthia? Why are you here?"
"If I didn't come, should I just wait for you to kidnap everyone's Pokémon?"
Alternate-world Cynthia tapped the car door lightly, her eyes filled with icy killing intent.
"Isn't that right… Team Rocket?"
In an instant, the atmosphere turned strange.
"Team Rocket? Where's Team Rocket?"
Ash stepped out of the car, looking around in confusion, searching for the Team Rocket that Cynthia had mentioned.
The other Cynthia got out of the car and directly turned Ash's head toward "Professor Rowan," who was carrying Pokémon eggs.
"They're right there."
At that moment, Team Rocket realized they had been exposed.
Without the slightest hesitation, they immediately dropped their disguises.
"Twerp, we didn't expect you to find this place so quickly. Looks like we underestimated you."
"But you're too late, meow~"
Since they were exposed, Team Rocket didn't waste words.
They shoved aside the staff carrying the eggs, snatched the Pokémon eggs from their hands, jumped into their car—and sped away!
Seeing this, Ash immediately reached into his pocket to grab a Poké Ball.
But before he could throw it, alternate-world Cynthia pressed his hand down.
"Don't waste your effort. Once your Pokémon leave their Poké Balls, they'll immediately devolve. They won't be able to do anything."
"Damn it! Are we just supposed to watch Team Rocket steal everyone's Pokémon?!"
Ash was furious!
Sure enough, no matter which world it was, Team Rocket was just as detestable!
"No. Of course not. Our top priority right now is stopping Dialga and Palkia.
As for everyone's Pokémon—I'll take responsibility for getting them back."
Alternate-world Cynthia was smiling, but the coldness at the corners of her eyes was impossible to hide.
Only after Team Rocket's vehicle disappeared from sight did Ash helplessly lower his hand.
A sense of powerlessness wrapped around him.
Despair seemed to be the main theme of this world.
[Lt. Surge]: That's why I hate Team Rocket the most.
[Sabrina]: If I remember correctly, someone here used to be one of Team Rocket's three executives.
Even though Ash reformed, speaking badly about your former organization isn't very nice, is it?
[Lance]: ???
[Lance]: WHAT?! A mole?! Two of them?!
[Lorelei]: Please. Stop pretending. Weren't you also one of Team Rocket's Dark Four back then?
[Lance]: I was an undercover agent, okay?! That's completely different!
[Blaine]: Ahem. Same thing, really. Everyone was undercover.
[Steven]: Kanto really plays wild. Gym Leaders are Team Rocket, the Elite Four are Team Rocket…
Don't tell me Red and Green also joined Team Rocket at some point?
Kanto – Viridian Gym
Giovanni took a deep drag from his cigar.
As white smoke billowed out, the throbbing vein on his forehead finally calmed down a little.
Seeing those comments, Giovanni recalled some very unpleasant memories.
There was a time when he had smugly believed that Team Rocket had infiltrated all of Kanto.
The Gym Leaders were Team Rocket!
The Elite Four were Team Rocket!
Even the Champion wanted to join Team Rocket!
What glory!
And yet—
Reality slapped him brutally in the face.
One by one, they were all undercover agents!
No—
Every single one of them was an undercover agent!
MMP!
Back then, Giovanni even felt like he should rename himself Gin.
Wait—
Who the hell is Gin?
Tapping ash off his cigar, Giovanni fell into deep thought.
Back on Screen —
Only after Team Rocket left did another car arrive in a hurry.
The real Professor Rowan stepped out.
When he saw the staff outside, he could only let out a helpless sigh.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I was attacked on the way here."
At this point, how could Professor Rowan not understand what had happened?
Aside from apologizing, there was nothing else he could do.
At the same time, another boy stepped out of Professor Rowan's car.
He was wearing clothes identical to Ash's.
His whole demeanor was gloomy.
The moment he appeared, Ash's gaze was drawn to him instinctively.
"You're… me?"
"Huh?"
The boy clearly hadn't expected to see another version of himself.
He froze on the spot.
"Who are you?"
"I'm you!"
"..."
Hearing that, the alternate-world Ash burst into tears.
"Ash~ You made yourself cry~ What a naughty child~"
"I… I didn't do it on purpose."
Ash was completely stunned.
Why was this other version of him such a crybaby?!
Thankfully, the original Cynthia stepped in to ease the awkward situation.
She took out a piece of filled candy from her pocket and placed it into the other Ash's hand.
Then she said gently:
"Don't cry for now. We're not Team Rocket. We're from another world."
After that, to prevent her Ash from misunderstanding, she walked up to Professor Rowan.
"According to my other self, Professor Rowan, you have the Adamant Orb and the Lustrous Orb here. We need them."
Such blunt words—
This really wasn't the Cynthia he knew.
Professor Rowan fell silent for a moment, then looked at the alternate Cynthia, who was rubbing Ash's head behind her.
Seeing her give a "go ahead" look,
Professor Rowan finally nodded to the icy woman before him.
Being stared at with such cold eyes—it really was a lot of pressure!
"Come with me. The Adamant Orb and the Lustrous Orb are in the safe."
With that, Professor Rowan headed into the lab.
Cynthia followed him inside.
As for alternate-world Cynthia?
She couldn't be bothered with that at all!
With another perfectly good "tool person" around, why not just cuddle this little Ash instead?
She loved Ash the most~
Compared to his proud, aloof big brother,
Ash was way cuter~
The moment Cynthia left, alternate-world Cynthia pulled Ash straight into her arms.
No one to disturb them—this was great!
"Cynthia, I can't breathe!!"
Ash struggled desperately, trying to escape the suffocating softness.
The alternate-world Ash beside them was completely dumbfounded.
You guys—
Can't you at least be subtle about this?!
I'm still a kid!
Only when Cynthia came back out of the lab did alternate-world Cynthia finally release Ash.
She straightened her clothes, looking utterly innocent.
But Ash looked completely ruined.
Zero credibility.
Walking up to Ash, Cynthia gently helped him tidy his clothes.
At the same time, she shot a warning look at her other self.
In response, alternate-world Cynthia actually gave a provocative smile.
She mouthed the words, slow and deliberate:
"I am you. I'm just putting into practice what's in your heart."
Cynthia was furious.
But helpless.
Not only because the other woman was her—
More importantly, because what she said was true.
Facts spoke louder than words.
Cynthia couldn't even refute it.
At this point, the only solution was to end everything as quickly as possible and bring Ash back to their own world!
That way, she wouldn't have to worry about Ash being stolen away by her other self.
They shared the same appearance.
They shared the same strength.
And most importantly—
She was way too passionate!
And Ash was terrible at refusing people!
Find them and act—now!
Without hesitation, Cynthia shoved Ash into the car and patted the driver's door.
"Get in. Lead the way."
Then she immediately sat down beside Ash.
Maximum Defense Mode.jpg
Alternate-world Cynthia shrugged and took the driver's seat.
She also didn't forget to let the other Ash get in.
Thus—
A car full of extraordinary people set off.
Fiery Cynthia.
Icy Cynthia.
Hot-blooded, cheerful Ash.
Introverted, sensitive Ash.
Destination: Mount Coronet!
[Diantha]: This is really interesting. I never imagined another Cynthia could be this passionate~
[Caitlin]: You still dare think about it?! I don't even dare imagine it!
That's Cynthia—the legendary ice queen! Who knew another world's version would be this fiery!
It's just… just too exciting! Cynthia, hit me!
[Lusamine]: Wait! Something's wrong with you!
[Cynthia]: Good. I've never heard such a request in my life. Perfect—I'm heading to Unova soon anyway.
This time, I'll make you beg on your knees.
Seeing that comment, Caitlin's legs trembled violently inside the Battle Castle.
That was a conditioned reflex from long ago.
She… might have gone too far.
She hadn't expected Cynthia to be this unforgiving!
It was just a joke—why was she going to teach her a lesson?!
Caitlin was scared.
But also… excited.
[Caitlin]: Is it still possible to beg for mercy now?
[Cynthia]: What do you think?
Upon getting the answer she wanted, Caitlin let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Hmph. I'm not who I used to be anymore!
This time, I'll take back everything I lost!"
"Cynthia! Just you wait! You're definitely getting what's coming to you this time!"
Caitlin thought viciously.
At the same time, she began preparing.
She, Caitlin, was an Unova Psychic Elite Four member!
Did they really think she was some lamb?
This time, she was going to overturn the heavens!
She was going to rise up and sing!
Just like Diantha said—
She would definitely press Cynthia down hard!
[Lusamine]: Why does it feel like she's looking forward to it?
[Gary]: Hahaha! I never thought you'd be such a crybaby, Ash! This is killing me!
[Ash]: I'm not! That's just another world's me! Don't mix us up!
[Gary]: Nyeh nyeh~ Crybaby!
Back on Screen —
Without the help of Flying-type Pokémon, traveling solely by car still took time.
Along the way, aside from the car's music, almost no one spoke.
It was eerie and quiet.
The alternate-world Ash felt the icy chill behind him, struggling to hold back his tears.
Mom… I want to go home…
Only when they reached Mount Coronet did the strange atmosphere finally ease.
After getting out of the car, alternate-world Ash stared fearfully at the scene before him.
Ruined structures everywhere.
Space-time distortions so intense they twisted reality itself.
Calling this a living hell wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Seeing the frightened other version of himself, Ash walked over and patted his shoulder.
"Don't be afraid. I'll take care of everything."
"Pichu~"
Even Pikachu—now devolved into Pichu—popped out of Ash's pocket.
After sleeping soundly in the car, Pichu was full of energy!
(Later, I'll definitely make Dialga and Palkia taste my Thunderbolt!)
How dare they turn me into Pichu!
Unforgivable!
At this moment, alternate-world Ash also looked toward Ash's pocket.
When he saw Pikachu had devolved into Pichu—
The other Ash, who had been holding back tears, finally broke down.
"Pikachu… I missed you so much! Waaah~!"
Ash, who had been comforting him, instantly panicked.
I'm supposed to be comforting you!
Why are you crying again?!
Left with no choice, Ash took Pichu out of his pocket and held it up in front of the other Ash.
"If you're feeling sad, touching Pichu will bring you good luck!"
Deep down, Ash actually cared about this other version of himself.
Back home, his big brother had always been cold and aloof.
Aside from family affection,
there was only hellish training.
And Gary, who grew up alongside him, was always smug and irritating.
Ash had never really experienced what it felt like to be an older brother.
This time—
This alternate version of himself let Ash experience that bond for the first time.
And he was the older brother.
As the older brother,
of course he had to comfort his little brother.
So, Pikachu—make a small sacrifice!
Pichu, held up in midair, was completely dumbfounded.
Hey—comfort him if you want,
but why are you using me as emotional support?!
Doesn't Professor Pikachu need dignity?!
If this got out, how was it supposed to survive in the Pokémon world?!
"Pichu—!"
Pichu tried to struggle,
but the alternate-world Ash pulled it tightly into his arms.
To be honest, the other Ash's embrace was pretty warm.
Just… a bit suffocating.
"Pichu!"
Ash, help me!!
However—
Seeing this scene, Ash smiled with relief.
Just endure it a little.
A little sacrifice is fine.
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard