Universe 12. Equestria.
Another universe has been freed thanks to the help of Reshiram and Zekrom. The two Dragons laid waste to the Empress' forces, breaking down their weapons, machinery and so on with their overwhelming fire and lightning. But of course, they had help from other universes from the Universal Alliance that had already been freed.
And with another universe freed, cheers resounded across this universe. But the work of the Twin Dragons was far from over. They were ready to set off to another universe. And the one to help them get there was Queen Pyrestar who also hails from another universe.
Another large gateway had opened up, allowing the Twin Dragons to fly through. They have been at this for weeks. Reshiram and Zekrom certainly had no time to rest, even if they wanted to. But such as the perseverance and persistence of a mighty dragon. Especially since these two are separated halves of the strongest Dragon, Kyurem.
Once another universe was free from the Empress' control, this message was passed on to Universe One. All the way to the first Universe's Princess Celestia.
Universe One. Equestria. Twilight's Castle. Afternoon.
And speaking of Universe One, over at Twilight's Castle, Zero had returned. Zero now frequently helps Twilight with anything Rift Related. He was also an expert in it much like her, using its power to understand this cosmic energy a bit more.
"So. About those gateways. That Cosmos attack would've ended sooner but apparently, someone came from another universe and brought those extra stars to bring her back to full strength." Zero commented. "Is that right?"
"Right. I don't know which universe. It could be any. Counterparts exist everywhere after all. It might've been Team Plasma though...Colress is spying on us from all over even still. Team Plasma probably brought the stars from the universe they're residing in. It's a real hassle."
"Team Plasma, huh? And here I thought they disbanded years ago."
"That and we have other things to worry about. Like Necrozma, a Pokemon named Yveltal and so on." Twilight sighed, slumping her head on the table.
"And how is it that your world has survived for long? From everything I learned, the mere appearance of a Tyranitar or even a Mandibuzz would've led to a complete crisis within this universe."
"A-A Mandibuzz?!" Twilight sat up before nervously chuckling. "You're joking about that...right?"
"..." But Zero's face had no semblance of comedy behind it. He was dead serious about what he had said. That sent a sense of dread within Twilight's heart.
"Oh. Well um...You can thank Ash, Pikachu, BigTime Ben and a few others for that. It's a good thing they know their stuff, otherwise, we'd be done for. But back to the gateways..."
"About that. How about this? What if we just make something that lets us detect gateway actions?" Zero suggested.
"Oh? A device that lets us know when a gateway, not from either of our worlds, but another universe parallel to this one is being used." Twilight was already catching on as Zero nodded in response. "Of course! The same thing happens with Rift Humans and Ponies. Cold Colt is always able to sense when someone uses Rift Magic no matter how far they may be. Making a device that does something similar with gateways is genius."
"That way, you'd be more alert about Team Plasma and whatever threats potentially show up. And you'd tell your ruler, obviously."
"Nice thinking, Zero! Let's get to that right away!"
"Sure. But...do you even know how to make a device? This world doesn't strike me as the technological type."
"No...Not yet." Twilight lowered her head as that was one roadblock she had come across. Despite her great intellect, she was an expert at the arts of magic while Zero was an expert at the arts of science.
"Figures. I'll make it then. But you understand the gateways more than me, so you'll handle that."
"Got it. Let's make this device happen." It was settled. To make things easier for Equestria and this world in general, a device that would detect passageway from other universes parallel to this one. It was a clear quality of life addition that was needed. For the sake of everyone living here.
Canterlot. Afternoon.
Meanwhile, back over at Canterlot, Celestia was meeting with the various universe counterparts of herself, Luna, Cadence and Twilight from other variations of Equestria. This was right after Reshiram and Zekrom had helped free another universe. Another meeting between them was ongoing.
"Reshiram and Zekrom doing great as always. Love to hear it." Celestia nodded, proud of the Twin Dragons. But she would expect nothing less from Legendary Pokemon. "Sure wish they were here during the Cosmos' attack. Might've ended quicker..."
"We're grateful for those two Pokemon giving their aid. And they're so nice to be around as well despite their overwhelming and intimidating appearances." Another Celestia commented. "But...on the topic of Pokemon, there's something that's been commonly going around in each of our worlds."
"Hm? What's wrong?" Luna asked the various universe counterparts.
"Nothing serious. But ever since Reshiram and Zekrom showed up, along with the knowledge of these Strange and Wonderful Creatures known as Pokemon, each of our Twilight Sparkles have been curious about them."
"Oh, they have?" Celestia replied, looking at each counterpart to Twilight Sparkle. Lo and behold, once that was brought up, a majority of them all had that same look on their faces. Small but visible grins that were brimming with curiosity.
"Guilty." A Twilight Sparkle that never became an alicorn spoke. "We've all actually been having late-night conversations throughout our universes about Pokemon."
"And visiting them too." A Twilight Sparkle who had golden serpent-like eyes said. "We all had that agreement that we'd love to see more of them. Reshiram and Zekrom are the only ones we get to see the most really aside from Gardevoir and Arcanine. And also because they're so massive."
"Oh. Is that so? Well, what are you waiting for? This world of ours is all yours to explore. And by extension the Pokemon World." Celestia was already in full agreement with that. "But...it would be very confusing for everypony if many Twilights suddenly showed up out of nowhere."
"Eh. It wouldn't be too off." Luna shrugged. "They'd probably at first think they were just Ditto or Zorua."
"We get to come?! Yes!" A slightly younger version of Twilight Sparkle jumped for joy. A majority of them did, prancing about and giggling as they were psyched to see more Pokemon.
"Do we have to?" But, in contrast to all this excitement was a Twilight Sparkle who was not so cheery. "Seems like a time waster..."
"Ah, it won't hurt." Another Twilight replied. "After everything we've been through we need this."
"Come right through my universe." Celestia backed away, already expecting a storm of Twilight Sparkles to come through. Luna did the same as all of the Twilight Sparkles from different universes and wasted no time. It was all focused on Universe One.
They couldn't wait much longer. Immediately, they had all started passing through the gateway that connected to Universe One. They came in droves as purple blurs and figures started filling the throne room of this universe's Canterlot. Their voices all came through, eager with excitement as they already discussed what they could possibly see. Reshiram and Zekrom were good indicators of what to expect.
Now that they were all here, they were free to explore as so many Pokemon were waiting for them. Aside from Reshiram and Zekrom, the three other pokemon they've seen so far have been Gardevoir and Arcanine. Darkrai was never out in the open so he was a mystery to them. So much more were out there in all shapes and sizes.
"The best place to see a gigantic majority of them in my opinion would be the Pokemon House over at Fluttershy's cottage. That location should be familiar to all of you, right?" Celestia suggested.
"Or even Frenzy Forest." Luna chimed in. But all the Twilights had already left the throne room, flying or trotting off to see the world that awaits them. Not only that, but this universe reminded them of a simpler time before the Empress attacked.
The less cheerful Twilight from before was the last to exit the gateway as she followed her fellow counterparts, not as thrilled to see Pokemon, but she would give it a shot either way.
Ponyville.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors!" Currently, Ash, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were playing Rock Paper Scissors. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy used their wings to mimic the motions easily. Ash drew Rock, Rainbow Dash drew Scissors while Fluttershy drew Paper.
"So who wins?" Fluttershy asked as she put her wing over Ash's hand while Ash's hand touched Rainbow Dash's feather.
"Again," said Rainbow Dash as they had taken another turn at Rock Paper Scissors. But during their fun little game where they went back and forth, comically unable to gain victory over each other, they were not expecting the storm of Twilight Sparkles that was coming this way.
"Audino?" Audino was the first to hear a barrage of hoofsteps and wingbeats that were more abundant than usual, even here at Ponyville. And soon Fluttershy since she shared Audino's hearing ability. Albeit, a smaller version of it.
"Paper-" But before Fluttershy could finish the last word of this game, she had been interrupted by this barrage of sudden sounds. "Oh. What's this?"
"Hm? What's up?" Ash asked as he drew Paper while Rainbow Dash drew Rock. With Fluttershy stopping for a bit, Ash declared victory, grabbing Rainbow Dash's wing.
"Aw!" Rainbow Dash groaned after her defeat.
"I hear something. Hoofsteps and wingbeats." Fluttershy uttered. "And...Twilight?"
"Twilight?" Ash and Rainbow Dash repeated.
"Pika?"
Indeed, various Twilight Sparkles started making their way here. Over the horizon, Ash, Pikachu, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and soon others squinted their eyes, noticing purple figures in the distance. Only one pony they knew had that signature purple coat.
And just like that, they had seen hordes of Twilight Sparkles from different universes show up with so many of them having slightly different appearances.
"What the?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed out of pure shock after seeing so many of them.
"Aw, sweet!" Ash was rather amazed by this sight, always loving something new.
"Pika-Pika!"
The ponies of Ponyville felt like rubbing their eyes to make sure they weren't seeing things. It was the real deal. Once all of those Twilight's fully arrived at Ponyville, their presence was very much visible and physical.
"There are so many Twilight's..." A stunned Fluttershy gasped. "Do you think...?"
"They're from other universes. Totally." Ash finished Fluttershy's sentence as all of the Twilights started greeting the ponies of Ponyville. At least, this universe's Ponyville.
"I missed the look of this place." A Twilight Sparkle that had a halo above her spoke, looking at this world's Ponyville. Truthfully, all of them missed this. While their respective Ponyville's were healing after the Empress' attack, this one was the most reminiscent of how it used to look before the attack.
"Eh...It's brighter than mine..." One Twilight had to disagree. A Zombie-like Twilight Sparkle that had stitches around her commented with a somewhat haunting voice.
"That's Wherefore it's an alternate universe. Differences everywhere as Thou can see." A Twilight Sparkle who looks to come from an older time spoke in a different tone and slightly different language. "Thou all Dost feel welcome Hither?"
"I do feel a bit welcome here. It feels like home." A Twilight Sparkle that was a dragon instead of a pony had replied. She even resembled Ember in height. "But, don't you all think this is creeping everyone out? I mean, so many of us."
"The ponies of this universe seem to welcome us just fine." A Twilight Sparkle who was a cyborg had commented, meeting up with Mayor Mare. She ended up scanning the town using her eyes along with its residents. "There is no cause for alarm."
"This is a surprise." Mayor Mare chuckled, shaking the metallic hoof of this Cyborg Twilight. "Ooh, your hoof is heavy!"
"It's only been an hour and we've already seen so many Pokemon. They're so strange...but I love them! Look at this dog one!" The unicorn Twilight commented.
"Stoutland?" Stoutland looked at the unicorn Twilight who faced him.
"Say. What's up with all of this?" Naturally, being so curious about this emergence of alternate Twilight's led Ash, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and their Pokemon here.
"Pikachu?"
"Well, we have visitors from other universes here." Mayor Mare greeted. "The same pony but with different looks. Twilight."
"Nice to meet you. Hope this isn't overwhelming." A Twilight Sparkle spoke, but Ash and Pikachu did not see her. "Down here." Her voices led to the ground as the duo looked down to see that there was a Twilight Sparkle who was a sock puppet of all things. "You there. You look like you have a suitable hand."
"A sock puppet?" Ash kneeled down.
"If you'd be so kind as to pick me up? Your arm looks similar to Spike's so that could work."
"Oh. Sure." Ash had used this Twilight just like a sock puppet, picking her up so that she wouldn't be awkwardly lying on the ground to the side.
"Much better. Where was I?" Ash got a closer look at how she spoke. She had googly eyes along with a tongue that stuck out constantly. Seeing her talk with those traits made Ash and Pikachu chuckle. "Oh, haha. I know. Very funny."
"Sorry. It's just funny to look at!" Ash grinned.
"Pikachu!"
"Why is my universe the one that looks the goofiest...?" The Sock Puppet Twilight sighed.
"How do you even live in your world?" Rainbow Dash asked as that was a question that she needed answers to.
"We're held up by dragons in this symbiotic relationship. But as you can see, my Spike didn't show up."
"So. Since you're all here, I bet it's for one reason, right?" Ash looked at all of them while still holding onto the Sock Puppet Twilight as if he was a stage actor.
"To see the Pokemon?" Fluttershy leaned over as all of the Twilights nodded in unison. The biggest and only reason they came here. "Great! We have a lot to go through!"
"Sure do, Fluttershy," Ash replied. "But this world's only the start of it, ya know."
"You're talking about the Pokemon World, aren't you?" A Twilight Sparkle who was concealed in shadows, hiding around the shadows of her counterparts had commented.
"Sure am. But let's start small. You ain't seen nothing yet after all." Ash pointed to the rest of Ponyville, showing the Twilights just what they were about to expect.
"I was already thinking of making this for newcomers to these wonderful creatures." Mayor Mare spoke. "Now's my chance to make it happen. A tour guide is what you all need! But don't be afraid to wander off, okay?"
Mayor Mare and the others would gladly guide all of these counterparts. Indeed, this world was only scratching the surface of Pokemon. There were plenty here, of course, but the Pokemon World far surpasses that in numbers too impossible to name.
"So, what's this little cutie's name?" A Twilight Sparkle who appeared as a Fairy noticed Pikachu.
"This is my best buddy and partner, Pikachu." Ash introduced his tried and true partner.
"Pikachu." The Mouse Pokemon hopped off Ash's shoulder, walking alongside the Twilights. "Pika-Pika."
"Aww..." Naturally, Pikachu's cuteness was his dominant factor. Everyone who saw him couldn't help but admire the Electric-Type. Pikachu had new fans now as was the norm as they all gathered around the Mouse Pokemon.
"Aww...look at these chubby cheeks!" A more hyperactive Twilight moved ahead of the others, wanting to get closer to Pikachu. A bit too close as her hooves were going straight for Pikachu's red sacs.
"Wait no!" Ash noticed this, but he was too late to stop it. Once the Hyperactive Twilight got ahold of Pikachu's red sacs, that's when Pikachu twitched.
"Pika...Chuuuu!" And thus, a Thunderbolt had emerged, shocking everyone within his range, delivering 100,000 volts to their bodies. It was clear as day that Pikachu wasn't a fan of his red sacs being messed around with.
"Cuh...Pikachu doesn't like that very much..." Ash spoke as Fluttershy and the other Twilights fell over with smoking bodies.
"Right. I'll remember that..." The Hyperactive Twilight backed away. "This doesn't negate the cuteness though..."
"But what about this one? It's so soft to be around." A Twilight Sparkle had jumped into Audino's arms.
"Audino!"
"This is my partner, Audino. She's soft for all the right reasons. And has great hearing." The pegasus patted her partner on the back.
"Great hearing?" Speaking of pegasus, a Twilight Sparkle who appeared as a pegasus instead of a unicorn or even an alicorn had replied. "How great?"
"Not even a pebble will escape Audino's ears." Mayor Mare responded. "But massive crowds coupled with a barrage of different noises are her weakness."
"Dino..."
"You gotta check out the Pokemon House. This way." Ash pointed in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage as he, Pikachu and Fluttershy went ahead of the group. The various Twilights followed right after while some of them chose to stick by Mayor Mare to see more of Ponyville before heading to the Pokemon School.
Twilight's Castle.
Meanwhile, over at Twilight's Castle, the device that would detect Gateway Transportation was being developed heavily by Zero and this universe's Twilight Sparkle.
With their combined intellect, they were able to get far ahead in the development of this device as it had a similar appearance to the X-Transceiver. It was already almost complete and thankfully, they had access to Rift Magic already to make this development quicker and easier. But during their development, Zero had taken a look outside for a moment, spotting a peculiar sight that he would eventually see either way.
"Hm. Extended family over for the day, Twilight?"
"Extended family?" Twilight commented, looking up from her table as she fluttered over to where Zero stood. Once she took a look outside the window, that's when she saw them.
Her counterparts.
Big and small. Abstract and all too familiar. So many Twilights to see. Some looked easy to understand while some were harder to understand. Twilight floated there, paralyzed by what she was seeing. Espeon also took a peek, having an equal reaction to her trainer. Her Pokemon Trainer had seemingly multiplied, but Twilight already knew what this was all about.
"Seems like we have another reason to finish making that thing." Zero nudged his head over at the device. "MIght as well finish it, right?"
"Uhh..." Twilight was too dumbfounded to reply properly. Her eyes then followed Ash leading the group of Twilight towards the Pokemon House as she needed some time to process all of this. To Twilight, seeing another version of herself was not that surprising.
She had already seen her human counterpart and her tyrannical counterpart from another universe. But this many of them was another story. The Princess of Friendship used her magic to try and clear her eyes but they were not deceiving here. It was all real.
"Give a second." Twilight looked away from the window, rubbing her eyes. "I need to take it all in."
"Espeon?"
"Overwhelming? ah, I don't blame you." Zero shrugged. "How about we just finish adding the final touches to this thing and get it over with? Then you can have some rest."
"No way I'm resting through that...I need to know more!" Twilight suddenly exclaimed with energy. In truth, she was just as excited as her counterparts. "There are other versions of me right here, right now! I have to go and see them!"
"Oh. Guess you're not overwhelmed." Zero smirked.
"I've already added my magic to the device." Twilight picked the device up. "And add some touches to it. It's you that's the science expert Zero. You should finish making it. This'll give me the opportunity to meet my other selves."
"Fair enough. I suppose you'll want me to name it?"
"Eh. Sure. Whatever suits your fancy." Twilight swivelled around with her horn lighting up, already preparing the teleportation spell. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be-"
"Going somewhere?" But the moment she turned around, another Twilight Sparkle had shown up right in front of her. Twilight was thrown back along with Zero as they didn't expect one of them to show up out of nowhere. This Twilight was the one who concealed herself in the shadows as she revealed herself. "Sorry. Force of habit."
"Hoh...Hoh..." Twilight breathed in and out, feeling like fainting before she started chuckling. "No problem."
"Hm?" But just as this Shadow Twilight had shown herself, the device started going off as noticed by Zero. He quickly grabbed it, looking at the device as for the most part, despite it missing some finishing touches, it could indeed detect when a gateway was being used. "Well, looks like we've already got a successful test."
"Huh?" Twilight looked over."You mean..."
"Someone's opened up a gateway," Zero revealed, showing the device to them. "Question is...is it another one of you? We'll have to find out?"
The device was a success albeit still missing some additions. Today was certainly a strong focus on counterparts and alternate universes. An entire army of Twilight Sparkles had shown up to this universe just for the sake of seeing the Pokemon. And who could blame them? Though, the sight would still be bizarre to many considering all the unique variants there were.
But all the more reason to see them all. Just like how there is excitement in seeing more Pokemon. Their visit has just begun as well as an extra visit to this universe via another gateway opening somewhere as the journey continues.
Chapter 807 End.