The Human World. Out in the forest.
Currently, Ash was once again helping this world's Twilight discover more about Pokemon. Today's topic was about the Pokemon moves in general. Ash showed her more than just attacking moves. There were a plethora of moves that had multiple uses and work well with each other.
"Pretty nifty, right?" Ash spoke to Twilight. "I know a bunch of people and Pokemon that get hit with Hypnosis. Whether it's mind control or being put to sleep."
"And they just carry something like this around?" Twilight replied as Ash nodded. "That's a bit much for me. Mind control freaks me out after all."
"I hear ya. But get this. There are some moves that can be good for others. Like Sweet Scent. It's a move that draws Pokemon in with something really delicious."
"If it's that easy to just drag them out." Twilight pouted her lips. "I've been missing out. Today. Let's try something different. How about...a Pokemon Battle!"
"Oh, you wanna battle?!" Ash had a wide grin.
"No! Not me!" Twilight shook her head aggressively. "I don't even have a Pokemon of my own. I was hoping you'd battle a Wild Pokemon instead."
"I gotcha. But about having your own Pokemon, when do you think you're gonna get one?"
"Not sure, honestly. I don't even know if I'm ready to have one. I mean, they're like pets but way more destructive, right? Feels like it'd be dangerous keeping them around."
"I get what you mean. They've got a lot of power behind them, don't they?"
"But it'd be interesting to have one. So many of them are soooo cute!" Twilight gushed. "I don't know. Should I have one? What do you think, Ash?"
"Uhh..." Ash scratched his hair. "I mean if you want then sure. But if not, then that's cool."
"Pikachu."
"Sorry." Twilight sighed. "I switch from word to word quite a bit. How about...that cave over there!" She then switched her focus to something else. Within this area, there resided one cave and nothing more.
"Caves huh? Those are always fun." Ash rubbed his hands together.
"Are they...?" Twilight squinted her eyes. She wasn't too sure about caves being fun considering how dark and damp they can be. You never know what's lurking in there. However, with Ash here, she felt safe to go to such a creepy place.
They had entered the cave to see what awaited them. Perhaps some Rock-Type or Ground-Type Pokemon for them to view. However, the moment they entered, they were greeted with some dazzling crystals instead. A good first impression so far.
As for the Pokemon themselves, the first one had emerged. A Joltik. It appeared out of the shadows, jumping onto Twilight's mane by surprise. It took a moment to process what was on her head. The crystals gave off a reflection, allowing Twilight to see this for herself.
"Joltik.
"Aaaaah! Spider!" She roared. "Getitoff! Getitoff! Getitoff!"
"I got it." Ash grabbed the Joltik off of Twilight's hair. After doing so, Jltik had shocked Ash, startling him. "Woah!"
"Tik!"
"What is that thing?!" Twilight backed up.
"Joltik. Another Electric-Type. They're one of the smallest Pokemon ever, ya know. Aren't they cute?"
"I mean. I guess so." Twilight observed Joltik closer. It did have a heavy cuteness factor to it. Being one of the smallest Pokemon ever comes with that perk. The Attaching Pokemon then hopped out of Ash's grasp, crawling on the walls to continue with its day.
"Come on." Ash and Pikachu ran ahead with Twilight and Spike following after them. While running, the crystals emanated blue sparkles that started following them. It was soon revealed why this cave suddenly glowing crystals everywhere.
Carbink was the cause. They ran past some Carbink that were actually disguising themselves within the crystals for camouflage. It was some effective camouflage, that's for sure." Twilight wished to know about them as Ash raised his Pokedex, scanning the Carbik for her.
"Carbink. The Jewel Pokemon. Born from the temperatures and pressures deep underground, it fires beams from the stone in its head. It has slept underground for hundreds of millions of years since its birth. It’s occasionally found during the excavation of caves. It’s also said that this pack has a queen."
"Wow!" Twilight gawked as she then went over to the Carbink out of curiosity. The Carbink looked back at Twilight, stunning her with their lights. "Ah!"
"Carbink!"
"Oh! Twilight are you okay?!" Ash rushed over.
"F-Fine." Twilight blinked a bit before removing her glasses. "This is fun so far. What else is there? What other interesting Pokemon live in this cave that we can play around with it?"
"Nice that you're getting into it. I mean, there's a bunch of neat stuff you can do even with the crystals." Ash put his hands on the crystals.
"Like?"
"Oh. Have I told you about Pokemon Contests?"
"Well..." Twilight thought for a moment. "You told me about the Pokemon League and your goal to become a Pokemon Master so I guess there's that."
"Right. You see, there's something else other than Gym Battles and Leagues." Ash stood up. "There's Pokemon Contests. The way flashier side of Pokemon."
"How can it be flashier? Aren't Pokemon already flashy enough?"
"Yeah. But that's where their moves can do more than just attack or mess with an opponent. Some moves can create something awesome to look at!" High with enthusiasm, both Ash and Pikachu spread their arms out.
"Okay?" Twilight nodded, interested in where this was going. While she sat there, staring at the Carbink, the Joltik had appeared again, latching onto her back. This time she wasn't too bothered by it.
"Let's see...How can I show you?" Ash pondered for a moment. That's when an idea sparked in his head with the snap of his fingers. "Aha!" He then dug into his pocket, taking out a Poke Bal as it had been enlarged. "Lucario! Come out!"
"Lucario!" Out came the Aura Pokemon.
"Get a load of this." Ash demonstrated before looking around. There was enough space in the area for him to try out the demonstration without any collateral damage. Twilight sat down with the Joltik on her shoulder as the Carbink were also eager to spectate. "Pikachu! Electroweb! And Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
"Pika-Pika! ChuPi!" Pikachu jumped into the air, summoning an orb of electricity. That orb then formed itself into a web that stayed in the air for a while.
"Cario!" Lucario then put his arm out, making one Aura Sphere. He then tossed the sphere into the air as it had collided with the web. Electroweb had then closed, trapping Aura Sphere. With the two together, they emanated a bright light with the blue rays of Aura gleaming out and the sparks of Electroweb also flying out and mixing with the Aura.
"Ooh!" Twilight marvelled at the sight along with the Pokemon. Pikachu gave a bow as Twilight applauded the short demonstration. "That was beautiful!"
"Right? There's way more than that. Some of my friends like May and Dawn do Pokemon Contests and they're super good at it. Do you wanna try?"
"Me?" Twilight pointed to herself.
"Yeah. Go ahead. Just give out any move command you want, mix 'em together and see what happens." Ash insisted as did the Carbink and Joltik. "Got any moves you wanna try?"
"As a matter of fact, I do." Twilight crossed her arms together. "Plus, I picked up on what you taught me earlier."
"Really?"
"Mhm. How Pokemon of certain types have stronger moves if they're identical to its type. Like Pikachu's Thunderbolt or Gengar's Shadow Ball."
"Right on that." Ash snapped his finger in response. "Just like how we practised too. Pikachu's volts can..."
"Increase whether he receives electricity from another attack or by his own control." Twilight finished Ash's answer as the Alola Champion nodded in confirmation. "And being an Electric-Type means Pikachu can't be paralyzed either!"
"Yeah! That's it!" Ash gave a thumbs-up as the Carbink and Joltik cheered for Twilight's Pokemon knowledge. "You're on your way to becoming a great Pokemon Trainer with that knowledge."
"Well, I have you to thank for that. Ash. Pikachu. No one else is helping me out. I mean, they don't know much about Pokemon either. So I'm grateful to have you here for me."
"No problem. Now let's see some Contest Moves!" Ash and Pikachu's eyes flashed as they were eager to see what Twilight was capable of. And she had help from Wild Pokemon. Being naturally friendly around them made them casually hang about. That wasn't just Ash's natural charisma showing. Parts of Twilight influenced them as well.
Ponyville. Afternoon.
As for Equestria's Twilight, for some reason, she felt a disturbance in the universe despite being in another world. While she was looking at her Pokedex, Twilight twitched with her heart skipping a beat.
"Something's wrong. I can feel it."
"You feel it too?" Discord suddenly appeared without warning, popping into the castle beside Twilight.
"AH! Discord!" Twilight almost fell off her chair. Thankfully, Espeon had used Psychic to save her. "Wait. I don't actually know what I'm feeling. Do you know?"
"I most certainly do." Discord made himself his own chair, sitting to face Twilight. "But you don't realize it yet, princess."
"I just feel a bit iffy. Ya know...it happens sometimes" She bit her hoof.
"Mhm." Discord nodded.
"But ah, it's probably nothing." Twilight dismissed the sense, trying to play it cool as she sat back down. She drank some juice before going back to check on her Pokedex.
"Are you sure it's nothing? After all, it might have something to do with Ash." After saying that, Twilight's face scrunched as she looked up at the Spirit of Chaos. "That odd feeling involved him, didn't it?"
"Uh yeah...Not sure why." Twilight shifted her eyes. "I mean, he's doing fine, right?"
"Of course he is. He wouldn't be Ash if he wasn't." Discord showed an image of Ash in his paw as Twilight nodded. But soon, Discord showed the image of Twilight. But not this world's Twilight. The Human World's Twilight Sparkle.
"That's an interesting way you look at me." Twilight squinted her eyes at her human self.
"Oh, this isn't you." He shook his head, allowing for Twilight to take a closer look. Discord then put on a wide smile as Twilight was putting the pieces together in her mind. "Looking at this makes me wonder when Ash is bringing this little bookworm over? Don't they look good together in this pose?"
"Wait!" Twilight then sat up, slamming her hooves on the table as Discord was startled. But, this was all part of his plan as seen by the look on his face. "I should've predicted this...If she's me then..."
"Well, I shouldn't bother you right now." Discord hovered into the air. "Whatever you're about to do, make sure not to regret it. I mean, he's friends with you. Twice. That's not so bad, is it?"
"Not it's not but..." Twilight puffed her cheeks as Discord vanished out of thin air, returning to his home. Twilight then sat down, putting her hooves together while taking a deep breath.
"Don't think about it too much, Twilight..." She uttered, trying to maintain herself. "He's just helping her out with Pokemon. That's all. Yeah." She crossed her hooves while sitting, acting steadfastly. That is until her eyes opened with another realization coming through. "Just like in the beginning. And that's exactly how..."
"Esp?"
"Eve! We're going to make a quick stop at the human world for a bit!" Twilight jumped out of the chair. "Starlight!"
"Yeah?" Starlight responded with her head poking out of the door.
"I'll be right back!"
"Going somewhere? Did you find another energy signature?" Starlight asked.
"No uh...I just need to check something out for a bit. Catch ya later!" In an instant, Twilight fled the castle with her wings out as Espeon followed after her.
"Weird..." Starlight observed, knowing that Twilight was acting off. She then closed the door, waiting for the Princess of Friendship's return.
The Human World. Afternoon.
"Okay! Let's try it one more time!" Currently, those contest moves were a-go. But not with much success. However, Twilight wasn't stopping now with the Carbink and Joltik. She was currently on her 4th try. "Carbink, use Power Gem! Joltik, Discharge!"
"Carbink!" Each of the Carbink shot out multiple rays of light that sparkled as if they were made of gemstones. Each of the gemstones reached the air, staying there for a while.
"Jol...Tik!" As for Joltik, it had exuded a flare of electricity from its body, sending them towards the gems. The flares connected with the gems, successfully coating them in electricity as Twilight smiled. However, some of the flares ended up hitting the top of the cave, causing some rubble to fall. Even the gemstones, while they were surrounded, managed to have some of them slip.
The rubble and gemstones fell, pelting Twilight in the head as she put her hands over them. "Ow-ow!" She cried out as the rubble knocked her glasses off while also slightly hitting Joltik and the Carbink. "Aw...Again?" She pouted.
"No good, huh?" Ash stood up.
"Sorry. I'm still new to Pokemon moves and everything." Twilight removed the rubble from her hair. "Contest moves seem harder to pull off, don't they?"
"Yeah, they are. But no need to worry." Ash gave back Twilight's glasses by putting them on for her. Twilight closed her eyes once Ash put the glasses on as she re-opened them. "You can just stick to regular moves if you want."
"Thanks. Besides. Simple is best, right?"
"Right." Ash nodded before raising a finger. "Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. But I got you something that you're gonna love." He then picked up his bag, opening it before revealing the main essentials for every Pokemon Trainer. "Your very own Pokedex and Poke Balls. Check it out."
"Oh!" Twilight gasped before holding them. "You got one for me?"
"Yeah. Well, I stopped by Professor Oak while heading back from Vermillion City and he hooked me up with some for you. Now you can really check out all the Pokemon you want as if it was brand new."
"Pika-Pika!"
"Thank you so much, Ash!" Twilight held the Pokedex close to her before placing the Poke Balls in her bag. To show her appreciation, she gave a surprise hug to Ash, throwing him off guard.
"No problem!" Ash replied after the initial hug. Twilight then backed away before laughing.
"Sorry about that." She gave a sheepish smile. "But again. Thanks for all your help, Ash. Now that I have these with me, guess I can call myself a Pokemon Trainer now. Well...until I catch a Pokemon."
"Mhm." Ash nodded before having his stomach growl. "But uh...Let's eat before we continue. I'm starving here."
"I already gave you something to eat back at my place? How are you hungry now?" A befuddled Twilight said.
"That was just the warmup. Now it's time for the real deal!" Ash bellowed with enthusiasm as he, Pikachu, Lucario and the other Pokemon roared with equal excitement.
"Pikachu!"
"Uh-huh..." Twilight grimaced. But she wasn't surprised by his enthusiasm anymore. He constantly radiates it after all. "And then after that?"
"Well, then we check out a battle. And then we try and see some evolution. You remember how it goes right? It goes like baaaang!" Ash raised his arms to replicate the explosive motion of evolution.
"Oh, I remember. You told me how it feels. And then after then bang it goes fwoooosh!"
Oh yeah! And then later goes ba-baaaang!" Ash gave another exaggeration, following up with Twilight as they both started laughing together after making such radical and wild arm motions. Afterwards, they went off to eat some food, saying goodbye to Carbink and Joltik in the cave.
Meawhile.
Twilight from Equestria had shown up. Human form and everything. As she emerged, the first person to see her was Sunset who was hanging around the park with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.
"Hey, Twilight!" Sunset greeted. "Is there something-"
"Sunset! Girls!" Twilight rushed over. "Have you seen Ash anywhere?! Was he hanging around with me?!"
"Uh...N-No. I mean, you just got here so I guess he wasn't hanging around with you."
"Not me!" She shook her head rapidly." The other me! You know which me I mean!"
"The you that we know you mean?" Fluttershy repeated as her head started spinning.
"Yes! Gah!" Twilight bellowed. "This world's me that exists somewhere!"
"Why, do you need to see her? And...is that gonna cause some paradox or something?" Sunset asked.
"I hope not. I just...need to check if everything's okay." She bit her tongue. "You know...Ash is meeting my other self right now and I've got a bit of an odd feeling. Shouldn't be too big of a deal."
"Oh. SO she doesn't beat you to the punch, right?" Pinkie raised a finger as Twilight's eyes snapped towards her. "I get what you mean. I wouldn't want anyone to beat me to something I want!"
"How did you...?" Twilight lingered on her words.
"Figured it out pretty quickly." Pinkie nodded with confidence. "And Sunset just gave hits."
"Sorry." Sunset raised her hand with guilt. "But, Twilight. It sounds like you're feeling jealous about your other self Which is uh...pretty weird."
"I'm not jealous!" Twilight roared. "I'm just cautious, ya know."
"Right." Sunset nudged Twilight. "Because you and Meloetta at the Pokemon Festival made that pretty clear, didn't you?"
"Mmmm..." Twilight growled with her face turning red. She had been exposed in a few seconds. "Curse it all. Getting all jealous of myself. I mean, we're practically the same, right?"
"Ah, don't worry about it too much." Sunset patted Twilight on the back. "I'm rooting for you myself. Plus, you and your other self will become good friends. Then you'll bond. Then...history might repeat itself the same way you were introduced to Pokemon." Sunset started seeing what Twilight was seeing. Worries and everything.
"Uh-huh." Twilight gave a simple reply with a nod.
"L-Look! Parallel worlds exist for a reason!" Sunset laughed nervously. "I mean, this world's Twilight hasn't even met Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and the others. I'm pretty sure the same thing won't happen here again."
"I guess so." Twilight sighed. "Sorry about that. I shouldn't have come here either way. Curse that Discord and his convincing ways." Twilight grizzled her teeth, knowing that she had been played by Discord once more.
"Well your timing's pretty neat, isn't it? I mean they're right over there." Pinkie Pie said as she pointed over at the nearby restaurant. Indeed, Twilight's timing was impeccable as both Ash ad this world's Twilight could be seen entering the restaurant.
"Oh!" Twilight shot up after seeing that. Moving faster than the eye could see, she then hid behind a bush, watching them enter the restaurant, most likely for some food. Feeling curious, Sunset and Pinkie Pie stared as well while Fluttershy stood back.
"Um, should we be doing this?" Fluttershy asked.
"No." The three of them said equally. "But..."
Within the restaurant, they had already ordered some food. Ash being Ash chose something wild that he could eat for hours. When in reality, large foods usually end up being eaten in just minutes when Ash is involved. Pikachu just adds to that.
Twilight and the others peeked through the back of the restaurant's windows, observing them. This was also Twilight's first time seeing her human self in this world. Aside from her own human form. Sunset was watching with curiosity while Pinkie Pie was in for the ride.
"Is that what I look like in this world? Not bad..." Twilight complimented herself.
"Time to dig in!" Ash exclaimed as he started eating the food in front of him rapidly. He does not waste time when it comes to the culinary arts.
"Pikachu!"
"So, Ash." Twilight leaned in while the Alola Champion munched like a maniac. "You mentioned someone by the name of Professor Oak. Are there already Pokemon Professors that are experts like you?"
"Oh yeah," Ash spoke with a full mouth, swallowing his food before eating something else and stuff himself. "They're even way better than me at knowing about Pokemon. If anyone's got all the knowledge about Pokemon, it's them. But I guess they're learning stuff too."
"Really?! You have to take me to see them one day!" She gasped with excitement. "I'd get to meet professors all about Pokemon! Do they all live under one building?!"
"Nope. They've all got their own regions and labs. There's Professor Oak, Elm, Ivy, Birch, Rowan, Juniper, Sycamore, Kukui, Magnolia and Sonia. Probably even more out there."
"Wow..."
"But, just like Sonia, one of them's a bit new. You see, back over at Equestria, that world's Twilight's a Pokemon Professor too." Mentioning her name made the Equestria Twilight listen closer. "She's really great at it too. Boy, does she pick up on stuff fast? I'll tell ya, she's gonna be an even greater one."
"Yes!" Equestria's Twilight pumped her fist, feeling victorious.
"My other self sounds amazing. I can't wait to meet her one day. But...would that cause any issues?"
"Nope. Wouldn't be the first time she's met another version of herself. Say, do you want one?" Ash held out a hamburger to Twilight.
"Oh! I love hamburgers!" Twilight immediately grabbed it as she started eating like Ash. She has her own favourites that she couldn't hold back on.
Equestria's Twilight and her friends backed away, seeing that there was no need to worry. But Twilight was still a bit worried even with a relieved sigh.
"I'm panicking for little reason right now," Twilight said. "I'm gonna head home now."
"Thought too much about it, huh? It'll be even crazier if she ends up coming to Equestria right?" Sunset replied as Twilight crossed her arms.
"Well...either way! Even if it's a Mythical Pokemon, Grass-Type, princess, queen or myself from another world, I won't lose, okay? I've come too far!" She cried out with determination before looking around. Some people gave her odd looks after her shout as she grimaced from embarrassment. Her friends chuckled, causing her to chuckle too. "I-I'll just head home now."
Being jealous of yourself is uncommon. It's only possible during certain circumstances. But in this case, it's more common than expected. Not so much for Ash, however as that is how it may remain forever as the journey continues.
Chapter 550 End.