Another Universe. An unknown lab. Nightfall.
Returning from Universe One was none other than Twilight Moonlight. Her body rematerialized in what appeared to be a laboratory. It had the usual clean white appearance that most labs possess but with a dash of magic involved. Magical energy flows were across the lab, mixing well with the white colouring. A large machine was behind the rematerializing unicorn, possessing the recognizable Rift Energy within. The Rift Energy had a liquid-like appearance to it, bubbling up in response to Twilight Moon's appearance.
When returning, Twilight Moonlight once again felt a strain on her body with this form of transportation. She gasped, nearly falling over before managing to recover. The Rift Energy would cease all bubbling before powering down. The vibrant colours of the Rift would drop dramatically, appearing dry and bland.
"Curse it...I could've done it there..." Twilight Moonlight, frustrated that she failed to destroy the Mirror Pool, scowled and growled the moment she showed up, ignoring her pain. "Zecora...How annoying..."
"Well, at least you tried. Let's put a pin on the Mirror Pool for now. And maybe most of Everfree. Are you alright though?" Approaching Twilight Moonlight was none other than the voice that was constantly speaking with her from this universe to the other, having a ton of banter along the way. She showed herself after Twilight Moon returned.
"I'm fine, Silver." Twilight Moonlight spoke her name before taking a seat. "The rocks didn't harm me. It was just my return. But this time...it hurt more than usual."
"Maybe bringing up Ash's name wasn't the best option." Silver Swirl said as she wasn't alone. Others were here with her. Rather, other humans, ponies and Pokemon. This universe housed these three recognizable species as well. It seemed that Universe One was not exempt from this hodgepodge of species. "But, we're not yet going through with it, Twilight. Let's not bring up Ash to anyone until then.
"I know...But it seems so likely anyway. It wasn't when they were all separate but because of Jirachi, all signs point to him returning." Twilight Moonlight replied before holding her hoof.
"Ah. We also shouldn't use the Rift Transporter for a while as well. You were out there longer than what it needs." Silver Swirl faced the giant machine which was packing Rift Energy. "Let's be careful next time. This way of Rift Transportation is the only transportation we have. Any way to reach the other worlds is impossible now that the gateways have vanished. We're still working on a way to reduce the pain for when we use the transporter so hang in there."
"About that...You said you detected someone else using Rift Travel." Twilight Moonlight brought up a crucial moment that was brief. "What happened with that?"
"Oh, right." Silver then turned her attention to the large screen that was next to the Machine. This screen was made up entirely of magic, having that ethereal flow to it. By using her own magic, Silver Swirl interacted with it, showing off four orbs of different colours. Black and White along with Yellow and Green.
"It looks like four life signs were entering that world as well. We're not sure who those four were, or even where in that world they've shown up. But we'll find out, don't worry about it. You should take this time to rest up because of this. So does the machine."
"I don't need rest." Twilight Moonlight denied that chance. "Not with how things could turn out. Everything could come together in the worst way possible for that world. But I have a feeling they'll prioritize something else. Zecora did end up battling me because I brought up Ash but she doesn't know the full truth yet."
"Eventually, they'll have to. Only a few of us remember anyway. I'm not sure what their reaction will be though." Silver Swirl would also take a seat. Running up to her were a group of small Pokemon. Silver Swirl would pet these small Pokemon while Twilight Moonlight would give off an unimpressed expression once these small and strikingly adorable Pocket Monsters gathered around her. "But still, let's not bring Ash into the picture just yet, alright?"
"Why not? Even Zecora will be thinking about him after what I said."
"Now, now...I get what you mean. But in that world, Ash is way too big. Plus, he's harmless. At least for now. But with more of his counterparts around, that's when we need to start worrying."
"All eight of them are a problem. And I'm afraid most know each other." Twilight Moon replied, bringing up 8 individuals. And going by this conversation, they all had a relation to Ash.
"On the bright side..." Silver Swirl would remove the curtains, revealing both the windows and the outside, letting in the moonlight. The outside only led to another part of the lab that had an open ceiling. This lab was rather massive instead of being rather confined and small. The large machine was proof of its size. "I have pretty good faith that they'll be just fine. They've all gone through a lot after all. They can handle it thanks to their experience, so we should mainly focus on everything else."
"I get what you mean. I just don't want to take any chances, that's all." Twilight Moonlight sighed before having her face licked by a Vulpix. As for Silver Swirl, by using her magic, she would interact with the magical screen once more, bringing on a new image.
The magic perfectly projected eight different figures as Silver Swirl carefully formed this projection with an artistic touch. And on it, a familiar face was starting to show up. The face of Ash Ketchum along with his entire body. But it wasn't just him. Eight more would appear. Red. Ethan. Brendan. Hilbert. Individuals that have once met Ash. However, five more showed up.
"Ash. Red. Ethan. Brendan. Lucas. Hilbert. Nate. Calem. Elio and Viktor." Silver Swirl called out their names. "So as long as they keep up that stride they've always had, then Prisma can't return. If you ask me, neither look like they would falter, don't you think?"
"Mmrrgh..." Twilight Moonlight grumbled before getting off the seat. "It's creepy that they're all the same height. Well, I get to take a break, I guess. I'll be in my room. Please don't bother me." She would depart from this laboratory.
"Sure. We'll be out of your mane for a while. We'll call you back when we get things up and running again." Silver Swirl and the other Pokemon would wave farewell. "Hopefully, nothing escalates while we're not focusing on that universe."
"Why does she have to be so harsh?" One of the ponies asked, commenting on Twilight Moonlight's no-nonsense, serious demeanour that she always carried with her.
"Ah, don't blame her for it." Silver Swirl faced the others while watching Twilight Moonlight walk off alone. "She's been trained largely in Pokemon and Magic only, staying confined in that castle since her childhood. Her social skills aren't the best, sure. But she means well and only wants the best for everything. Especially since Prisma could show up again. But let's not dawdle on something like that. Come on, let's get to fixing that machine."
Silver Swirl and everyone else would focus on fixing the Rift Transporter now that it had been spent up thanks to Twilight Moonlight's duration being in that universe. In this lab that was made up of humans, ponies and Pokemon, they all had one common goal. And that goal was to stop the return of this Prisma character. But what of the projections of these 10 Pokemon Trainers that were still on the screen?
Unova. Castelia City. Day.
And speaking of one of these trainers, Ash and his group were currently at Castelia City, taking the time to stuff their stomachs. By now, it was time for them to return. At least, for Sci-Twi and Sunset Shimmer to return to the human world. They still had school to attend. The same went for Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie but they only had the Pokemon School for 3 days Max.
"Out you come!" Sci-Twi would bring out all of her Pokemon to partake in this delicious moment. This involved her newly caught Pokemon, Dusknoir. Lining up were her Alpha Pokemon who all varied in size but were still juggernauts nevertheless.
"Dusknoir!" Upon emerging, Dusknoir's eyes were fixated on his surroundings first. Since this was the reincarnation of a young man by the name of Raine, exploring the world was his dream and the first sign of that had been shown to him thanks to Sci-Twi.
"So here's Castelia. Next to Pallet Town, it's the one place I show up at the most." Sci-Twi introduced Dusknoir to Castelia City. "You might have heard about it back in your town all those years ago. I'm not sure. But there's more to see."
"Dusk...Dusk...!" Deep down, Dusknoir was still technically a child that was trapped inside a full-grown Pokemon's body. And that showed from how Dusknoir would use his amazing strength to hug Sci-Twi out of gratitude, expelling tears from his singular eye which would drop on Rapidash's flaming mane, almost putting her flames out.
"Rapidash?!"
"Y-You're welcome... Dusknoir!" Sci-Twi said while having her face turn red from the Gripper Pokemon's strength.
"Yeah but...I didn't get the chance to catch a single Alpha Pokemon." Rainbow Dash sighed, weakly holding up her spaghetti. She came here in hopes of catching an Alpha Pokemon herself.
"Whim! Whimsi!" Whimsicott, her newest Pokemon that she caught, he would hold out some cotton to try and cheer Rainbow Dash up, pushing it against her face.
"It's not hopeless yet. Scyther's probably still out there somewhere in Unova." Pinkie Pie said. "There's still Chargestone Cave for us to explore. It might be there."
"Even if we didn't find Alpha Scyther, we got something better. A reunion between friends." Sunset Shimmer saw the reunion between Hisuian Zorua and Dusknoir to be an excellent trade-off. When friends reunite and mend a broken promise, it is truly an amazing feeling.
"If you want, we can check out Chargestone Cave while you guys head back home," Ash suggested that he, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie stay behind to find Alpha Scyther in the meanwhile.
"I'd like that." Sci-Twi agreed. As long as her friends are the ones who find the Alpha Pokemon. "Carlita's already off doing it instead of returning to Eindoak."
"Speaking of returning...the ship's gonna be here soon, so you'd better get going." Ash stood up. "I'll make a quick stop by Equestria. Rainbow Dash. Pinkie. I'll be right back."
"We'll be here waiting. There's a movie festival coming to Castelia soon anyway so we'll be stuck here just because of that." Rainbow Dash replied.
"I still only have five Pokemon and there's quite a handful of Alpha Pokemon to search for." Sci-Twi looked at her Pokedex, focusing on the Alpha Pokemon. "And I'll have to find a way to fit them all in my home too...Maybe Professor Oak can build me something at my home. Just like what he has in his lab."
"You'll need all the space you can get for that. Otherwise, it's only gonna be Poke Balls from now on. I'm lucky that my apartment home is enough for the little Pokemon I have." Sunset Shimmer chuckled as the sound of the ship blaring its horns could be heard over at the Unity Pier. That was the call for anyone needing the ship to show up.
And that would be Sci-Twi, Sunset and Ash's cue. Two would return home while another was making a quick stop. As for Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, once they got their fill, Chargestone Cave was within their sights. This would possibly the last chance for them to find Alpha Scyther if it was even around. There was not a single trace of this Pokemon, much like Alpha Lopunny. But at least Alpha Lopunny had the gift of being able to jump on clouds to gain grand heights. Who knows what Alpha Scyther is doing?
Equestria. Ponyville. Afternoon.
"In ya go..." Passing through the gateway first was Ash, followed by Pikachu. And currently, he was helping Sci-Twi through the gateway to Ponyville. It was the only gateway that was still around and easy to access. Sci-Twi held onto Ash's hands closely while also using the Shift Stone to keep her human appearance. When entering Equestria, she still appeared as her regular self.
"Ah..." Sci-Twi sighed after entering. Though this wasn't her first time, it was still rather nerve-wracking for her. "Much better. So, it's all the way to Canterlot from here, right?"
"Sunset will show you the way. This is where we part ways for now." But Ash would not come along with her to Canterlot. He would leave that with Sunset Shimmer, who showed up in her pony form.
"Mhm. Just follow my lead, Twilight. You haven't fully seen Canterlot in its entirety so I can be your guide. Born and raised there with my cousins too." She spoke while having Sci-Twi look at her. And by looking at Sunset Shimmer, Sci-Twi couldn't help but puff her cheeks, making a slight scoff. "What? What is it?"
"S-Sorry...I'm so used to seeing you as a human that you look pretty silly like this." Sci-Twi found this rather amusing. "Look at you! I could pat you!"
"Uh-huh..." Sunset Shimmer was definitely the smaller one as she put on an unimpressed expression. "See ya, Ash. What are you here to do anyway?"
"Just helping out at both the Pokemon House and PokePark. It'll be a busy day for me until tomorrow. Then I'm gonna have to keep exploring all the new areas that showed up on the map." Ash explained.
"New areas?" Sunset and Sci-Twi both said.
"Mhm. There's a mountain that looks like the wings of a pegasus that showed up a whole lot more awesome landmarks!" Ash spread his arms out. "This bigger world means that there's something new to see. It's just another reason for me to explore the world!"
"Pika-Pikachu!"
"Well, good luck with that. You're so lucky to have your world merged though." Sci-Twi said as she and Sunset Shimmer bid farewell to the Alola Champion. "I wish our world had that."
"Maybe some other time. Jirachi's a free Pokemon now after all." Sunset Shimmer responded as her voice was drowning out the further she went.
"Let's not keep Twilight and Fluttershy waiting, Pikachu. Uh...Which first though?" Ash shifted his head in the direction of the Pokemon House and PokePark, wondering which location to head to first. PokePark ended up being his first option eventually as he would jet off with Pikachu.
But from afar, watching Ash leave to the PokePark was none other than Zecora. Appearing here at Ponyville instead of the Everfree Forest where she was rebuilding her home, she was only looking at Ash for one reason. It's what she recalled back at the cavern where she encountered Twilight Moonlight.
"Because the ones who will make Prisma return are still around. After I deal with everything that could repeat that short-lived history, my superiors will decide what to do with the crux of Prisma. Very soon, I'll have to deal with Ash Ketchum. He's one of the eight that is related to Prisma. Whatever happens to him...as long as it means that Prisma can never come back, it must be done. And unfortunately, thanks to what the Jirachi have done, Prisma's return is likely. So now you know quite a few things, Zecora. I need to do this. It's my mission. I don't know how long it will take for him to return but the sooner I can prevent it, the better."
And that stuck with Zecora. Despite the battle she had with Twilight Moonlight, the intentions were not malicious and it sounded like her objective was dedicated to preventing the worst possible event. Strangely, it seemed that Ash was smack-dab in it which was rather curious and strange to Zecora. Aside from focusing on her hut, she now had to know what this all meant as the journey continues.
Chapter 43 End.