Chapter 2: A World He Doesn't Understand
The forest had grown quieter after the chaos, but the tension between them hadn't completely disappeared. Ashley walked ahead along a narrow path, her pace steady, while Pikachu sat comfortably on her shoulder, its eyes occasionally glancing back. Behind her, Ben followed, hands behind his head as if everything was normal, though his eyes constantly moved, observing every little detail like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
"So," Ben finally broke the silence, "you're gonna explain what that thing was, right?"
Ashley didn't stop walking. "You mean Pikachu?"
"Yeah. The electric mouse alien."
Ashley paused.
Slowly.
Then turned.
"…It's not an alien."
Ben blinked. "Okay, first of all, everything is an alien if it's not from your planet."
"This is my planet."
"Exactly my point."
Ashley closed her eyes briefly, as if already regretting this conversation. "Pikachu is a Pokémon."
Ben crossed his arms. "And Pokémon are…?"
She stared at him for a long second.
"…You're serious."
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"…Yes."
"Wow."
Pikachu let out a small "Pika…" as if equally confused.
Ashley exhaled softly and turned forward again, continuing to walk. "Pokémon are living creatures that exist all over the world. Humans and Pokémon live together. Some people train them, battle with them, travel with them."
Ben frowned slightly. "So… like partners?"
"Yes."
"Not weapons?"
Ashley's steps slowed just a fraction before continuing. "That depends on the trainer."
Ben noticed that.
He didn't say anything, but the thought stayed in his mind.
After a few moments, he spoke again. "So Pikachu just… shoots lightning naturally?"
"Yes."
"…That's awesome."
Pikachu looked slightly proud.
Ben leaned forward a bit, curious. "Are there more like it?"
Ashley nodded. "Thousands."
Ben stopped walking.
"…You're kidding."
"No."
He looked down at the Ultimatrix instinctively, the faint green glow reflecting in his eyes. "…Yeah, this place just got way more interesting."
Ashley noticed the glance.
That device again.
"What is that?" she asked.
Ben looked up. "This?" He tapped his chest lightly. "It's called the Ultimatrix."
"…And?"
"It lets me turn into aliens."
Ashley stopped walking completely this time.
"…You're joking."
Ben smirked. "Wanna see?"
Before she could answer, he slammed his hand down on it.
Nothing happened.
Silence.
A bird chirped somewhere.
Ben pressed it again.
Still nothing.
"…Okay, that's embarrassing."
Ashley raised an eyebrow. "Aliens?"
"It worked before!" Ben defended quickly. "I swear!"
Pikachu tilted its head. "Pika?"
Ben rubbed the back of his head. "…It's probably glitching because of this weird dimension or something."
Ashley didn't respond immediately. She simply watched him.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No sign of lying.
Just frustration.
"…You really don't know anything about Pokémon," she said finally.
Ben shrugged. "I told you. First time seeing them."
"…Not even Pokéballs?"
"Poké-what?"
Ashley reached into her bag and took out a small red-and-white sphere.
Ben leaned closer instantly. "Oh, that looks like tech."
"It's not tech. It's a Pokéball."
"…And it does what?"
She pressed the button.
The ball expanded slightly in her hand.
Ben's eyes widened. "…Okay, that IS tech."
Ashley ignored him and pointed it toward an empty patch of ground. "Pokéballs are used to catch Pokémon and carry them."
"Carry them… where?"
"In here."
Ben blinked.
"…No."
"Yes."
"…No way."
Ashley pressed the button again, and the Pokéball snapped back to its normal size.
Ben stared at it like it had just broken every law of physics he knew.
"…That's storage compression… or pocket dimension tech… or—"
"It's a Pokéball."
"…Right."
He leaned in closer. "So you just… throw it at them and they go inside?"
"Basically."
"That sounds illegal."
"It's not."
"…Are you sure?"
Ashley gave him a look.
"…Do you want to test it?"
Ben immediately stepped back. "I'm good."
Pikachu snickered softly. "Pika pika."
Ben pointed at it. "Hey, you started this."
For a moment, the atmosphere lightened slightly.
But Ashley's thoughts were elsewhere.
She looked at Ben again, more carefully this time.
His confusion wasn't fake.
His reactions weren't exaggerated.
He truly didn't understand even the most basic things about this world.
And yet—
He wasn't scared.
Just curious.
"…Where did you come from?" she asked suddenly.
Ben paused.
For the first time since they met, his expression shifted slightly.
"…Another world," he said simply.
Ashley's eyes narrowed. "You expect me to believe that?"
Ben shrugged. "You didn't believe the alien thing either."
"…That's different."
"Not really."
Silence fell between them again.
Ashley looked away first.
"…It doesn't make sense."
Ben smiled faintly. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
She tightened her grip slightly.
Eight years.
Eight years of traveling, battling, learning everything about Pokémon.
And this guy—
Just fell from the sky.
Didn't know what Pokémon were.
Didn't know what Pokéballs were.
Didn't even understand the basics of her entire world.
And yet—
He stood there like it was normal.
"…You're strange," she said.
Ben grinned. "Thanks. I try."
They continued walking.
This time, the silence felt different.
Less heavy.
Less distant.
Ahead, the trees began to thin, and the outline of a town slowly came into view.
Ben stretched slightly. "Finally. Civilization."
Ashley glanced at him.
"…Don't do anything weird."
"No promises."
"…That's exactly the problem."
Pikachu let out a soft laugh. "Pika."
As they stepped out of the forest together, neither of them realized it yet—
But something had already begun to change.
For Ben, this world was a mystery waiting to be explored.
For Ashley, this unexpected encounter was the first crack in the walls she had built around herself.
And somewhere deep within the Ultimatrix—
A new signal pulsed faintly.
As if this world…
Was starting to be understood.
End of Chapter 2