The Human World.
Visiting the Human World, Ash found himself surrounded by many of the Canterlot High Students. Thanks to the video recording of his battle with Bea, his popularity skyrocketed. Rarity was already shooting for popularity when she showed up at the Human World with Sweetie Belle, only for this to happen. But there was still an opportunity. Aside from that, information about a new gateway has been dropped.
"A new gateway? Where? How did you hear about this?" Rarity asked before looking at her Human Counterpart. "Oh, my apologies. I didn't see you there."
"You should've seen me here. I saw you." The other Rarity said. "Someone that beautiful has to be noticed eventually and you just got here, so I won't blame you."
"Then it's my fault for not doing the same." Both Rarities would laugh, complimenting each other as their similar personalities went perfectly together. "Anyway...What about the gateway? Please tell me it connects to Unova."
"Right. Take a look at this." Sunset held out her phone, showing Rarity the news. "It's not just a new gateway, but it's actually a piece of the Infinity Gateway. See?" On her phone, the gateway that had shown up hit the news as it had one-half of it cut apart. This half had a curved end to it instead of being completely circular like an ordinary gateway. It was missing another half that would match Infinity.
"Oh, you did speak about something like that." Rarity replied. "Are you sure this is the same one?"
"Another part of it would make the Infinity Symbol. Some people even said that they saw the symbol earlier before this happened. So it must have split off somehow. There's probably two gateways randomly around this world now." Twilight added.
"We were wondering where it went after it flew away. Now it looks like it separated." Sci-Twi said. "But it's not staying in one position as always which is a shame."
"Which is why we're going to look for it!" Twilight raised her arm, pointing to the air. Her voice was drowned out by all the students speaking about Ash. "If we can get to that gateway, I won't hesitate to investigate it!"
"Hm. Wonderful. Anyway. I believe the only way to free Ash from this crowd is by showing them my wonderful movies~" Rarity held up one of the films. "I'm sure you'd love to see what I made over at PokeStar Studios."
"Oooh, I do!" Human Rarity said with glee. She'd obviously love to see it. "But I'm not sure we can save Ash from this."
"You have to teach me how to use that blue thing around you!" Ash was still being bombarded by praise and adoration from everyone. He already gained notoriety previously thanks to the Friendship Games but that battle has only boosted it.
"Look at this guy! So cute!" And of course, Pikachu was famous since he was always with Ash, being held by this world's equivalent of Roseluck.
"Pika..."
"Ahem." Suddenly, grabbing everyone's attention was the voice of someone who was above them all. They all recognized that voice, staying silent before laying their eyes on Principal Celestia. "Please. Everyone, give Ash and Pikachu their space and get to class, why don't you?"
With her command, they all scattered, going on with their day. Ash and Pikachu were free from the publicity thanks to the principal's supreme power. While they enjoyed interacting with them since they were identical to their Equestrian Counterparts, some space was needed.
"Good to see you again, Ash." Principal Celestia greeted him once all the students minus Twilight's group had cleared the area. "I take it you're not here to join my school, are you?"
"Nah." Ash rubbed the back of his hair. "I'm kinda past school by now."
"Ah. What a shame. Maybe one day." Celestia shrugged. "But your assistance is something I'd love to have here. It's your knowledge of Pokemon that is so rich and interesting and it can help us keep up with this ever-changing world. I've even been planning on adding a classroom dedicated to Pokemon."
"Wait, really?!" Pinkie Pie gasped as everyone was taken aback by this revelation. Granted, it was only a plan in Celestia's mind.
"A classroom...about Pokemon?!" Fluttershy was especially happy to hear about that. She loved Pokemon as much as her Equestrian Counterpart and ASh obviously and a classroom dedicated to these Strange and Wonderful Creatures would be wonderful. "Oh, Ash! You just have to join so you can teach us!"
"Why not just go to Equestria then? The Pokemon School can cover that." Human Rarity shrugged. "It's in the name,"
"I'm not sure everyone's ready to turn into ponies, ya know." Sunset Shimmer added.
"It's only a classroom. They won't have to go to another world at all and instead learn at the comfort of the school. Twilight...um...Our world's Twilight. You are rather knowledgeable in Pokemon, aren't you?" Celestia turned to face Sci-Twi.
"Well, not enough to be a teacher," Sci-Twi replied as her knowledge wasn't that extensive. Not yet. She was still just a student and an assistant to Professor Oak from time to time. And that's when it hit her. "Ah! That's it! Why don't I just bring Professor Oak here?!"
"Professor Oak? Oh yeah..." Ash nodded, thinking about it for a moment as that wasn't a bad idea at all. "He sure knows a lot. And thanks to my Pokemon back at his lab, he'll be the best teacher ever! But that means he'll be going back and forth too...Man, I miss all those gateways."
"Well, we'll see what he thinks about this. Do tell him, why don't you? And if you're wondering about those gateways, news about them have resurfaced. There's been reports of an infinity-shaped once moving haphazardly and all of a sudden, it split in half."
"I'll try and check it out soon. Where'd it go then?" Ash asked.
"The most recent sighting was somewhere around the east and that's about it. It could move somewhere else again. We're not sure why it's moving around so randomly." replied Sunset Shimmer as there was essentially a rogue gateway on the loose. Where did it lead to? That is what they wished to find out.
"Now then. How about those films you have in that cart of yours?" Celestia's eyes were fixated on the films. "We do have Film Days here at Canterlot High and those are always enjoyable. Do you mind if some of them are shared to the students here?"
"Absolutely!" Music to Rarity's ears. Principal Celestia was just as fun-loving as Princess Celestia despite the high-ranking status on both sides. "Sweetie Belle. This is-" Before Rarity could get started with sharing some films, she noticed that Sweetie Belle was gone. "Hm? Where did Sweetie Belle go?"
Sweetie Belle was off doing her own thing, already exploring the school. And already, it stuck out compared to the Pokemon School since it wasn't fully based around Pokemon. It was even different from the Ponyville Schoolhouse. In fact, this was her first time inside a High School.
She whistled at the school of this school as it surpassed the size of both the Ponyville Schoolhouse and Pokemon School. Then again, the Pokemon School was still in its infancy and could continue growing with how much traction it was getting and how valuable the knowledge of Pokemon was. But it would take a while for it even reaches a size like this.
"Oh yeah...This is nice." Sweetie Belle found herself in the library, sitting on a comfortable couch. And in this library, she too would recognize some familiar faces here. A few came from Ponyville while most came from Canterlot inside the library. The Ponyville counterparts were the most recognizable to her.
However, the one who stuck out the most was Cheerilee, who was the librarian of this place. Sweetie Belle would recognize her teacher anywhere, even if she was a human. It was at this moment that Sweetie Belle had to wonder why the Humans of this world were like this compared to the Humans from the many regions of her world.
"There you are, Sweetie Belle." Suddenly, walking up to her were two more faces that she knew instantly. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. "We'll be late and miss it. It's just around the school, so let's hurry."
"Huh?" Sweetie Belle uttered before being grabbed by Scootaloo and Apple Bloom who pulled her arms. "Ow-ow!"
"That rare Pokemon showed up again and it might leave if we don't hurry." said Apple Bloom.
"Oh?" It took a while for Sweetie Belle to process what was going on but she figured it out immediately. She was looking at the Human Counterparts of her best friends, who obviously believed she was their Sweetie Belle. This world's Sweetie Belle was obviously somewhere else in this school and had been mistaken for this one. At that moment, Sweetie Belle began to think.
"Hmm...Should I just tell them I'm not actually her...Or do I mess with them?" She actually decided to think about this. One part of her saw it as the sensible thing to do and clear up any confusion. After all, the concept of counterparts isn't too unusual considering there were now two Twilights and Sunsets in the same area. And now there were two Rarities.
However, the child part of Sweetie Belle wanted to mess around for a bit. After all, it was too enticing not to do so and the reactions that she could get out of them both when she shows them that she has more to offer than her Human Counterpart was too rich not to try. Otherwise, she may never get a moment like this ever again.
"Uh, yeah." She went with the second option, deciding to have some fun with this. "And I know just how to approach it, no problem."
"You do?" Scootaloo replied as they left the library. "I don't know about that..."
And almost a full minute later after they left, the Sweetie Belle of this world had now shown up. Alas, she was too late. Her friends were already gone, hanging out with her Equestrian Counterpart and even skipping school just to see one Pokemon.
"Hm? They're usually here..." A confused Human Sweetie Belle uttered, navigating her head around the library, searching for her friends. "Where'd they go all of a sudden?"
The location of this Pokemon could be found near Canterlot High and the town of Canterlot which was up ahead. Nestled in between them but being the closest to Canterlot High. The girls found themselves approaching a tunnel that was underneath the road above them, gently walking down a hill to find this Pokemon.
And they weren't too late to see it. Sounds were coming from this tunnel that had grafitti on it. Inside and outside. Sweetie Belle couldn't exactly make out what sounds were coming from it. She has heard plenty of Pokemon sounds but this one sounded new.
"There it is...It's still around here." Scootaloo spoke in a gentle tone as she, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle laid their eyes on the Pokemon within the tunnel. And for Sweetie Belle, it was her first time as it was a Pokemon she has never seen before. It looked like an ostrich but it was hard to tell with how dark the tunnel was. Only the Pokedex could give her the full appearance of this mystery Pokemon.
"Who's that Pokemon?" She said with amazement, immediately revealing her Pokedex. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom would soon take notice of Sweetie Belle unveiling a Pokedex. Judging by the look on their faces, they knew that their friend never had this in the first place.
"Espartha. The Ostrich Pokemon. It immobilizes opponents by bathing them in psychic power from its large eyes. Despite its appearance, it has a vicious temperament. It emits psychic power from the gaps between its multicoloured frills and sprints at speeds greater than 120 mph."
"It does?" The girls all said in unison. And with the Pokedex making an audible sound, Espartha would notice them.
"Espartha!" The Ostrich Pokemon swiftly turned its head, locking onto the young girls. They all flinched and grimaced at Espartha's hypnotizing and mysterious glare. Just like what the Pokedex said, this appearance was not to be taken lightly. There was already a vicious aura coming from it. But more than that, the gaze in its eyes were in full effect, sending a seemingly invisible energy at the girls.
But Sweetie Belle could definitely see it. Faster than how Scootaloo and Apple Bloom could perceive it. She ran out of the way, narrowly evading the Psychic Power. The same couldn't be said for Apple Bloom and Scootaloo too. "Ghhh!" They were completely taken aback by the Psychic Power, immobilized.
"I-I can't move here!" Scootaloo stuttered, unable to move. She and Apple Bloom had experienced a usual Psychic-Types power for the first time. But for Sweetie Belle, this was her first time even finding this kind of Psychic-Type so it was a new experience for all of them.
"B-By the way, where you'd get that thing?" Apple Bloom still had the time to ask Sweetie Belle about the Pokedex even when immobilized.
"Partha!" Espartha would see that Sweetie Belle wasn't immobilized like the other two. Thus, it would go for a more physical action. And that was by getting up close and personal with her. It already started slowly walking to try and intimidate Sweetie Belle before gradually picking up speed. And the Pokedex already gave a hint as to how fast it can get.
"Yikes! Quick, Meowstic! Come on out!" Quickly, Sweetie Belle would throw the Poke Ball, unleashing Meowstic. She surprised them both again.
"Y-You have a Pokemon of your own?!" The two immobilized girls collectively said, stunned that Sweetie Belle had her own Pokemon and Pokedex. They had yet to know about her true identity.
"Alright, Meowstic! Use Shadow Ball!"
"Meow!" Meowstic put her arms together, generating a power from the shadows themselves. At the same time, Espartha would pick up speed as its beak was glowing. The Ostrich Pokemon was going for Drill Peck as its speed was beginning to match what the Pokedex originally said.
"Stic!" However, Meowstic had all the time in the world to prepare. She would leap into the air, holding the Shadow Ball at the same time as Espartha's head followed the Constraint Pokemon. It was right as Espartha went to strike, only to miss Meowstic despite the speed gain. "Meow!" She would then slam the Shadow Ball on Espartha from above, causing a shadowy explosion to go off.
"Espa!" Espartha cried out, receiving super-effective damage. The Psychic-Type would slide back after that stylish Shadow Ball, bewildered by it. Meowstic would even taunt her by landing with style, smirking at her fellow Psychic-Type. "Esp? Partha!" It was then that Espartha would use Dazzling Gleam, unleashing beautiful rainbow lights from its body.
"Okay, Meowstic! Return the favour with your own Dazzling Gleam!"
"Meowstic!" Meowstic would also use Dazzling Gleam as multiple rainbows were flying out from both sides. It was a clash of Fairy Magic as they would rapidly beat against each other, fighting for dominance.
"When did she get so good at this...And when did she get a Pokemon?" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were still flabbergasted by this. Sweetie Belle decided that it was right to not tell them the truth just yet and let them watch in wonder. Meowstic's rainbows managed to win the clash, breaking through Espartha's Dazzling Gleam and bombarding the Ostrich Pokemon.
"E-Esp!" Taken aback by Meowstic's power, Espartha realized that it wasn't dealing with just inexperienced trainers who were barely even Pokemon Trainers at all. Only one of them had experience and that allowed her to keep up with the Ostrich Pokemon. Deciding that Sweetie Belle and her Meowstic were a problem, Espartha would retreat, running as fast as it could. As such, its grip on the girls would cease to exist, making them mobile once more.
"Hm. Got away. But that was a pretty unique Pokemon though..." An amazed Sweetie Belle said. Meowstic would then scoff before being brought back into her Poke Ball "So. What do you think? Pretty neat, right?"
"That was amazing! When did this happen!?" Apple Bloom appeared next to Sweetie Belle in an instant along with Scootaloo, amazed by what they just saw.
"You were like a pro out there! A real pro!"
"Oh, it was nothing. I'm still learning." Sweetie Belle grinned, being humble about her skills. She was indeed still learning but in the case of this world, she might as well be a pro.
"You didn't even have a Pokemon before or even that Pokemon dictionary thing!" Scootaloo exclaimed, bringing up those points. "I don't even have one of my own...which sucks." She lowered her head in disappointment.
"Truth is..."
"That's not me!" Before Sweetie Belle could answer, the Human Sweetie Belle already did so, shouting in the general direction of them all. The group turned to face the Human Sweetie Belle who was obviously in a different outfit than her Equestrian Counterpart.
"Huh? Two Sweetie Belles?" Apple Bloom had visible confusion on her face, looking back and forth at the two Sweetie Belles, starstruck by the double appearance.
"Hang on." But it was all in the clothes. The clothes they both wore were different from each other. One was recognizable while the other was new. Scootaloo already knew which clothes were cognizable and it belonged to the Sweetie Belle that just showed. "Is this another counterpart situation?!"
"Hehehe!" A cheeky laugh came from Sweetie Belle as she had a lot to say. And most likely, she was going to stick around with them mainly due to the connections she had with her friends back in Equestria. "Well...Get this~"
Elsewhere.
The gateway. One half of it was the Infinity Gateway, missing the other half and being only half of a gateway. It was currently moving across the skies of the Human World, having no sense of direction considering how gateways always have a set direction unless they rarely change.
However, it would soon stop, no longer randomly moving. Half of the Infinity Gateway had ceased all movements, stopping above a nearby shopping mall. But it did more than just stop. Within every gateway, a visage of the location could always be seen. Everyone will always see Pallet Town when coming across Ponyville's gateway and the first thing within their sights was the Ketchum Household.
That was how it was for every gateway before the majority of them vanished. And for this one, the visage of its location was also visible, leading to what seemed to be a tower. But not anymore. After it stopped, the gateway would suddenly morph, manipulating the cosmic energies that created it.
With almost no one here to see it except for a few Pokemon, the gateway suddenly changed locations. It no longer showed that tower that was surrounded by mountains. Instead, with a ripple and wobble, it showed what looked to be Alola's Humilau City. The gateway had changed locations on its own. And as a final effect, the energy that made it up would suddenly split up, forming a new side.
It finished the missing part of the gateway, once again creating the Infinity Symbol. The Infinity Gateway returned, replacing a part of it that was ripped away. That one part was still out there. However, this new Infinity Gateway would not last.
"Pidove!" A Pidove would fly through this Infinity Gateway, showing up from the Alola Region. And much like how the Infinity Gateway was first interacted with, it would go through the same reaction to something passing through it.
The Infinity Gateway would not last in this location. It would once again move, leaving this spot and heading elsewhere as fast as it could. The Pokemon witnessed this gateway leave to who-knows-where. It was on the move again. But this time, with its full appearance. However, that was still a mystery, as well as to how it split apart as the journey continues.
Chapter 98 End.