Equestria. The Dragon Lands. The Pokemon Festival. Afternoon.
The afternoon Sun had risen and the Dragon Matter's fierce movements had stopped. As such, Spike was brought back to the real world, emerging from the ground. Axew joined him as their encounter with Prisma came to an end but based on Prisma's words, they would not be the last.
"Spike!" Twilight and Ember rushed to him, seeing Spike on his back. He was a bit befuddled in the head after leaving the Dragon Matter. It wasn't exactly comfortable. Even the Dragons who were turned into new Dragon-Type Pokemon felt out of it, solidifying that Dragon Matter, in some way could leave uncomfortable effects, even if it couldn't cause damage for the most part.
"Oh geez..." Spike was soon helped up by Equestrian Axew, who wasn't as affected. He wasn't in the Dragon Matter for that long and he was naturally far more resistant than any Dragon here at the Dragon Lands, even as just an Axew. "Glad that's over with."
"But check it out. Guess who's got wings?" Spike was about to showcase the greatest benefit that the Dragon Matter brought to him. His wings.
"Umm...I don't see any." But Ember's response quickly changed the atmosphere. Spike blinked for a moment, attempting to flap his wings. If they were there. But alas, they weren't.
"What the?! B-But...my wings! I swear I had them!" To Spike's disappointment, not only did the Dragon Matter reverse what was done to the Dragons of the Dragon Lands, but it also took away Spike's wings. After all, the only reason he went through the Molt was because of the Dragon Matter. "No way...My wings."
"Hm. It looks like after the Dragon Matter slithered away, it reversed the Molt Effect it brought to you." Clair observed. "That's a shame."
"That can't be!" Spike was absolutely gutted by this. He got on his knees, looking at the damaged ground in disappointment. He was truly looking forward to flying, much like all the other Dragons here at the Dragon Lands.
"Look on the bright side, Spike. At least you'll know what it feels like when it does happen." Ember tried cheering him up, reminding Spike that one day, he would receive the Molt legitimately and wouldn't have to require an otherworldly power.
"I guess so." Spike could at least live with that. But he didn't even get the chance to fly with them. What an absolute waste.
"So what happened in there? You were inside the Dragon Matter. Did you get hurt or something?" Nate asked.
"Yeah. You were dragged down by that maw." Lucas added "It looked like you went into the earth."
"No. I was fine. It didn't hurt at all. But I ended up meeting with someone in there. It was Prisma." There it was, Spike dropped the most important detail in all of this.
"You encountered Prisma?! Inside the Dragon Matter?! Are you alright?!" Twilight asked with a bellowing voice. Nate and Lucas also had their eyes widen while Clair and Ember had no reaction to this. They weren't as informed about Prisma compared to the others.
"I'm fine. All he did was poke me. But I saw some stuff from him." Spike would never forget that interaction. "Haxorus tried taking him on, but he was so intimidating that even Haxorus couldn't do anything.
"Axew..."
Twilight paced, her mind swirling with concern. There was something else she had to know since Spike encountered Prisma. "What did he say?"
Spike's eyes darted, recalling the encounter. "Not much. He only said that he'll be elsewhere in the Dragon Matter. His Spirit is in it while his souls are in Nate and the others. And we even talked about a few things."
"Man..." Lucas frowned. "Haxorus couldn't even face him? That's... unsettling. It's not like a Haxorus or most Dragons to be that hesitant."
"Well, rest up for a while. You might need it. Just like how you'll need this cloak, Nate. This will keep the plasma away from the others. At least, I hope so." Twilight finally revealed the cloak to Nate, holding it out to the Unovan Trainer.
"Great to hear it and see it." Nate smiled, gazing upon the cloak. As for Spike, he would still take in everything that happened back there. He wasn't done sharing his encounter with Prisma. In there, Prisma essentially gave Spike lessons, which was unexpected. Lessons about how to become a better Dragon Trainer, practically encouraging him in the process, which caught Spike off guard.
"You've gotta hear the rest of it, Twilight."
Dodge Junction.
The afternoon sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the vibrant festival grounds. Colourful banners fluttered in the gentle breeze, adorned with many beloved Pokémon here at Dodge Junction. And despite lacking any grass, Dodge Junction made up for it with its lively spirit. Plus, the decorations were a massive bonus.
The air was alive with excitement as trainers from all corners of the region gathered, their faces lit up with smiles as they navigated through the bustling stalls. The aroma of freshly cooked treats filled the air, drawing people closer to stands adorned with Pokéball-shaped snacks and colourful candies.
In one corner, a stage hosted a Pokémon costume contest. Trainers paraded around in elaborate costumes resembling their favorite Pokémon, while a cheering crowd applauded their creativity. A group of friends dressed as Eeveelutions stole the show with their synchronized dance routine, their Jolteon, Vaporeon, Flareon, and others showcasing their unique moves.
Amidst the festivities, a section for Pokémon grooming and pampering stood bustling with activity. Pokémon of various shapes and sizes relaxed as groomers meticulously brushed their fur or polished their scales, giving them a spa-like treatment that they clearly relished.
This was where Sci-Twi currently was. She and Ash showed up here at Dodge Junction after leaving Manehattan and was currently seeing Rapidash receive hair treatment. Alpha Rapidash received a ponytail, which was fitting since her pre-evolution also had a ponytail-styled hair. Now, she looked like a bigger version of her pre-evolution, even though that's what Rapidash already was.
"Looking great, Rapidash!" Sci-Twi applauded.
"Dash!" Rapidash would even show off her new mane, flaunting it and letting it flow.
"Man. You can do that with Rapidash's mane?" Ash was more impressed by the fact that Rapidash's mane could go through hair treatment. The employees here would then lock onto Pikachu, Alpha Pikachu and Zorua, having them on their sights. They wanted to do their fur next.
"Pi!" The Pikachu duo flinched, pulling back and grimacing. They would much rather skip out on that and this entire spot. Pulling on Ash and Sci-Twi's legs, they wanted out of here. The group would depart from this attraction while Rapidash would keep this style, for now, as if it reminded her of her pre-evolution.
They set their sights on another attraction here at the Pokemon Festival. Already, they've gone through quite a lot and were almost done with the place. Ash's eyes gravitated to the food located here at Dodge Junction, wanting to take a bite out of them.
"By now, a new gateway should've shown up." Ash spoke, "Might be to Pegalysium. That's been coming up a lot."
"Mm. By the way, Ash. About last night and what I went through." Twilight wished to bring up the scenario that occurred in the Dream Realm, where she and the other Twilights encountered Twilight Luminaria.
"Luna told me everything. Whatever it is, don't worry about it." Ash said. "You did your best against her."
"You're only saying that because you haven't come across Prisma yet." She pointed out. "I lost to her in that dream and I didn't get to prove anything to her. What if she ends up being right? If Prisma does show up, then we might not have many options available."
"No way." Ash denied that. "Even if Prisma does show up, no way I'll let it all go wrong. My soul's gonna be just fine. It isn't going anywhere."
"Really?"
"Oh, yeah! Count on it. No matter how bad it gets, I won't vanish." Ash put on a beaming grin, making a promise to Sci-Twi.
"Not when I am here." Speaking through Ash and directly to Sci-Twi was King Sombra. "While I haven't found Prisma's soul, he won't hope to overtake it while I am present."
"Well, you two have each other's back. But who's got mine?"
"You." Ash referred to the Equestrian Twilight Sparkle and Twilight Wish. Twilight Moonlight was left out of the picture since she was up in the air at the moment. "And if not that, then you've got Rapidash, Pikachu, Zorua and all of your friends to back you up."
"Pikachu!" That much was true, prompting Alpha Pikachu to nod. All of her Pokemon would have her back and that went for her friends back home, plus Ash himself.
"Now let's eat!" Ash exclaimed, ready to devour. The place in question served food from Pegalysium specifically. Pegalysium-based food were available for them to devour and they had their own dishes that have been cultivated, grown and perfected over the years.
Pegalysium gladly brought their food here, offering it to those from Equestrian and beyond.
On the menu, there was something known as a Solar Flare Sundae. Dessert extravaganzas featuring glowing, radiant fruits and ice creams served with a splash of shimmering syrup, reflecting the warmth of the sun.
Another selection of food was more on the sweet side. Known as North Sweets, they were delicate, translucent candies resembling gemstones, made from sugar or honey infused with flavours like lavender, rose, or exotic fruits. They could also reflect the colourful hues of the sky, based on the Aurora. The teeth of the children were letting out aurora colours after biting into these sweets. They showed them off, becoming walking disco balls.
One selection of food caught Ash's interest. Cloud Puffs were the name. Light, airy pastries resembling fluffy clouds, filled with unique creams or delicate fruit compotes. These were seen being dusted with edible shimmer to mimic the sky's glimmer.
"Well, hey there, Ash!" Greeting Ash was Cherry Jubilee, who was helping run this food attraction. "Like what you see?"
"I sure do! What is this stuff?!" Ash replied as he and Pikachu were starstruck by the food in front of them.
"Pegalysium came over and let us try some of their dishes out. All sky-related, if ya haven't noticed." Cherry Jubilee nodded before shifting her eyes directly at Sci-Twi. "Hm? Bringing someone with you. Lucky girl, having him by your side." She slid over to Sci-Twi, nudging her and calling her lucky. In Cherry Jubilee's eyes, this was something else entirely.
"N-No! Not like that!" Sci-Twi rapidly shook her head. "Just as friends!"
"Whatever you say." She would go with what she initially thought, easily reading Sci-Twi. "By the way, don't ya look a lot like Princess Twilight?"
"Twilight!" Speaking her name right after Cherry Jubille was someone else. Sci-Twi stood at attention was it was a rather powerful voice. It came from the kitchen area of this building and it was said by none other than Siebold, who was joined by all of his cooks from his own restaurant.
"Not so loud. You startled her." But he wasn't the only familiar face that Sci-Twi spotted. Another familiar voice rang through her ears which was softer than Siebold's. It was Bertha of the Sinnoh Elite 4.
"Siebold!? Bertha?!" To her surprise, two Elite 4 Members from different regions were here. But not just that, they were her other mentors. Two people who have helped her as a Trainer.
"Sorry. All this commotion...It's louder than my own restaurant."
"How have you been, Twilight?" Bertha asked when walking up to her. The last time they saw each other was at the previous Pokemon Festival and once again, for the fourth one, they've met a second time.
"I've been...good. I could be doing a bit better though." She admitted.
"That means something is wrong." But much like how Cherry Jubilee read Sci-Twi like a book, so did Siebold. "I hope you're not faltering as a Trainer."
"No, no, no. I swear I'm getting better." Sci-Twi rapidly shook her head. "I've grown without a doubt. I've gotten stronger over the past months and I even got the chance to enter the Master's Dojo."
"The Masters Dojo? All the way at Galar?" Bertha was already aware of this dojo.
"Mhm!" She proudly said with a wide smile. That was one thing that Sci-Twi achieved with flying colours. "I'm not done with it yet. I have to train up Kubfu and Bulbasaur before I can return there."
"Ah, Mustard...I wonder how is that rascal is doing?" Bertha closed her eyes, feeling nostalgic. The name Mustard was familiar to her.
"You've met Mustard before?" Ash questioned.
"I have, I have. Back when he was still the Champion of Galar, even before Leon."
"Cool! I knew he trained Leon back then, but I didn't know he used to be the Champion of Galar."
"I went up against a Champion..." It sunk in for Sci-Twi. She never stood a chance in the first place.
"Held it for 18 years. He was the most impressive trainer of his time." Siebold, even though he was much younger, was still knowledgeable about this. "Galar tends to be a place where the most battle-centric trainers can be found. "He was Leon before Leon."
"Man...So who beat him back then? It's gotta be someone strong!" Ash could only imagine who could've taken down a champion that was around for 18 years. Perhaps, it was someone who was still here in the present.
"No one, actually." Bertha would gladly explain it all. "Mustard went completely undefeated for those 18 years. Even though he was around longer than any other League Champion before or since he only lost the title after his prowess in battle began to wane. It's a sad experience that Mustard won't ever bring up and for good reason. His beloved partner Pokemon passed during that time frame."
"Oh, man...So that's why he quit?" Ash asked as the atmosphere changed a bit after Bertha brought that part up.
"No. While it affected his battling skills, he stuck around. But what truly ended it was after refusing a suggestion by the then chairman of the Galar Pokémon League to have a match rigged in his favour. Mustard retired from the Galar League entirely and traveled around the world."
"So, you took on Mustard in the past?" Sci-Twi spoke.
"I did. I threw my hat into the Galar Pokemon League for a while and was defeated. I was so young back then and I never went back to Galar since. But nothing's stopping me from going back in the first place. It's good to see that Mustard is still doing what he does best and teaches the next generation. Since you completed all the trials, it's going to take a while before you can battle Mustard.
"Wait! You mean when I go back I'll have to..." It clicked for Sci-Twi. She would have to take on Mustard by the end. "Battle him?!"
"That's right. It'll be your last lesson." Bertha confirmed.
"No need to worry, Twilight. Train hard and you'll do better against Mustard. It won't be so one-sided." But Ash had faith in Sci-Twi that she could pull it off when the time comes. And if not, she'll at least give Mustard a great battle.
"Easy for you to say! You've been travelling and battling for how many years?!" Sci-Twi bellowed as Ash had a massive edge over her in every category.
"Then eat, if it's bothering you. I've been looking into Pegalysium recipes ever since they showed up here." Siebold suggested, offering up some dishes he made. Some of these options were made by him and his cooks who dabbled in making Pegalysium dishes.
Ash was already seated, ready to indulge in these sky-suppers. He went for the Cloud Puffs immediately as they were served up for him.
At that moment, Ash got to experience the cream filling inside of them. And immediately, his mouth was melting. His eyes and face would wobble as the most brilliant taste was felt. Pikachu soon took a bite out of them and received a similar reaction. The duo found themselves slamming their faces on the table out of pure bliss and joy.
Forcing himself out of the Poke Ball just to eat was Munchlax as very soon, all of their Pokemon would start snacking on the Pegalysium Delicacies.
And while Sci-Twi was enjoying a lightning bolt-shaped meal, something within her, which was laying dormant for the longest was almost active. After the encounter with Twilight Luminaria and Twilight Moonlight's magic growing in this universe, the soul of Twilight Luminaria grew a bit bigger.
It was faint, but there, previously appearing as a tiny flicker. But because of Twilight Moonlight, it became as bright as a flashlight, showing that it had room to grow.
Sitting right next to the soul of Twilight Luminaria was none other than Midnight Sparkle. After all, that part of Twilight never left her. It was still there, waiting to return. Sci-Twi had two beings lying dormant. Midnight Sparkle's spirit has been faint for the longest ever since her defeat, but it has not died out.
But these two essences did not ignore each other. They were very much aware of each other. Within Sci-Twi, the Spirit of Midnight Sparkle and the Soul of Twilight Luminaria were at odds with each other.
Their respective energies got close, initiating a clash. It was a fight for dominance over Sci-Twi. Only one of them wished to return to the real world but for different reasons. One wished to stop Prisma's return at all costs while the other had the same mindset as Empress Twilight Sparkle. After all, the Empress was from a world where Midnight Sparkle won and those same ideals rang true for Midnight Sparkle.
Sci-Twi couldn't feel it at all. Both of them were far too weak and faint to really grab her attention. But what did grab her attention was the wonderful taste these Cloud Puffs offered. Now she knew why Ash and Pikach had such a reaction to it.
The Ambrosial Plane.
Meanwhile, far from Equestria, far from Kanto. Far from Pegalysium and far from any place on the Earth and beyond was the Ambrosial Plane. A wondrous place which was an afterlife for those who have come and gone. And of course, it merged with the Pokemon World's afterlife, making it a much bigger and better place.
And currently, at this moment, something rather significant was about to happen. The Angel known as Lightwing, who defended Ash and Jirachi at the Cosmic Trial, was facing other angels higher than her.
Lightwing harbored a deep desire to become a Guardian Angel and guide and protect residents on Earth, especially after the trial.
"Well, Lightwing. We've heard your requests and taken everything into consideration. You are eligible to become their Guardian Angel."
"Yes!" Success. Lightwing was the offiicial Guardian Angel of Earth. It was her first time becoming someone's Guardian Angel as the other angels celebrated her accomplishment. Not Strident Heart. She had a different opinion, especially when it came to certain residents of that planet. "Thank you so much!"
"However!" But it wasn't quite over yet. The higher angels had more to say. "Though you have the spirit and kindness to protect them, you are lacking strength."
"Ah..." Lightwing froze for a moment. "R-Really?"
"You are strong. But maybe not strong enough to protect them from the horrors they must face. As an angel, it's only natural that you live peacefully, but there are times where conflict is unavoidable. With this new world and the threats that target it, conflicts will be plentiful. These threats are not just limited to the Earth, but to all life in the universe."
"That is what I was getting at before." Strident Heart commented. "But this would not be a problem if everything was how it usually was. You would defend them even though they are the root of all the problems that arise?"
"It'll be fine, Strident."
"You will undergo trials...specifically trials centered around the Pokemon."
"The Pokemon? Just them?"
"Even to us, they are the most unusual creatures in existence. Even we cannot fully comprehend or understand all of them to the fullest. Which is why we will give you a trial. The first trial commenced in the Hall of Reflection, where you will be presented with a mirror that will reveal the emotions and struggles of a person on Earth. Without the ability to directly intervene at the moment, you must learn to empathize and provide guidance through whispers of encouragement and subtle signs. You must understand the people you will be guarding. But...knowing who you are, that won't be too much of an issue, we believe."
"Right! I'm ready!" Lightwing said with full enthusiasm. While she was approved to be a Guardian Angel for Earth, she had to finish a few things before that and some of them involved understanding the Strange and Wonderful Creatures known as Pokemon.
Strident Heart saw it as a waste of time, prompting her to walk away. It wasn't adding up to her. Strident held a perspective contrary to Lightwing's altruistic nature. Strident Heart, while an Angel, believed that the residents of that world were inherently flawed, often causing their own problems. And she wouldn't be 100% wrong. She kept on questioning the purpose of protecting beings who, in their view, created their own challenges through their actions.
While Lightwing advocated for the potential goodness within them and the power to forge a new future in this Grander World, Strident Heart harboured skepticism, feeling that intervening in human, pony and other species' affairs might enable their destructive tendencies. After all, there was a reason why Angels have not come to Earth all that often.
Strident Heart still felt like she had to do something. That trial never escaped her mind. And for an angel, Strident Heart was having rather unpleasant thoughts as the journey continues.
Chapter 365 End.