//------------------------------// // Wish for a Role // Story: My Little Pokémon: Grander World // by Amarvax //------------------------------// Equestria. Canterlot. The Pokemon School. Day. After deciding on a Play that reenacts the day all the Jirachi put the two worlds together, the students at the Pokemon School who wished to play the role of Ash were at an impasse. Only one of them could be Ash and whoever has their Pokemon as the last one standing could earn that role. The field was filled with cheers, and various Pokémon took their positions, ready for an exciting showdown. The battle would not only showcase their Pokémon's strength but also their connection and understanding with their partners. As the Pokémon clashed, the air was filled with the sounds of moves, cheers, and the excitement of the students giving their all to earn the coveted role of Ash in the upcoming Jirachi Play. The friendly competition brought out the best in the students, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and determination. Potion Nova watched the battles unfold, observing not just the power of the Pokémon but also the synergy and connection between the trainers and their partners. The decision for the role of Ash would not be an easy one, but the students were determined to make it a memorable and spirited competition. Standing there, not doing anything with a smile on her face was Diamond Tiara along with her Liepard. The two of them were playing the waiting game, waiting for the right time to take action. "If I just sit around doing nothing, they'll tire themselves out and will be way easier to beat Ash." Diamond Tiara spoke. A simple but efficient plan that she was going to see through to the end while everyone else tears each other apart. And so far, it was working. All around her, other Pokemon were facing off against each other, mainly because they knew that Rapidash and Liepard were intimidating in every category. Despite how many Pokemon were present here, the damage being done to the field was rather minuscule. After all, not only were these smaller Pokemon but a lot of them weren't disgustingly strong. The moves they threw out would let out flashes but they could critically damage the surrounding area and leaving fierce explosions. These were very much young trainers who had ways to go, but their spirit to play this one role was already ahead of that. Facing off were Charmander and Tailow, who locked eyes. Charmander wriggled his claws, waiting for an opportune moment. "Charmander, use Flamethrower!" "Charmander!" From his mouth, a stream of scarlet flames came flying out. But while the flame was travelling, Gallus stood there with a smile on his face, appearing unbothered by this. That was because a Nosepass got right in the way of the Flamethrower after being knocked back. The Flamethrower connected with Nosepass instead, causing a blazing explosion while Tailow was completely untouched. "Hah! Saw it coming!" Gallus boasted. "Aw, really?!" Smolder groaned. "There's no way you saw that coming!" "I definitely did," Gallus smirked while Smolder scowled. "This just gives me the chance to have Taillow use Aerial Ace." "Tail!" Speaking of which, flying through the smoke and over Nosepass was Tailow, who was coming in with Aerial Ace at high speeds. "Char?!" Charmander gasped before receiving a hit to the face from Taillow's wings. The Lizard Pokemon cried out before stumbling back. But he did not fall over, much to the surprise of Gallus and Taillow. Taillow would fly right back around, going for another Aerial Ace. "Not this time! Dragon Claw!" "Mander!" Charmander shook his head, eyeing his blue eyes at the incoming Flying-Type. Surrounding his claws in draconic energy, he would slash at the Tailow the second he closed in. Taillow's wings and Charmander's claws met as the impact caused Taillow's movements to come to a halt for a moment. "Char...!" "That's it, Charmander! Flamethrower!" "Char...!" Charmander's mouth began flaring while putting on a smile. He knew what was coming and so did Tailow, who was currently being held by Charmander. "Oh!" Gallus's eyes widened. "Back, Taillow! Back!" "Low! Tail...!" When attempting to pull back, Taillow saw that Charmander had gripped onto his wings tightly, making sure he wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon. Unable to break free, Charmander blasted the Normal-Flying-Type with scarlet flames. Tailow was sent flying from those flames, feeling his body sear. As the flames subsided, smoke trailed out of his body as he struggled to recover in midair. Taillow would bounce on the ground a few times before managing to recover at last. "Nice! Now, use-" "Piloswine!" Interrupting her by causing a small tremor was Yona's Piloswine. He had used Ancient Power to rip rocks out of the ground. Fossilized rocks to be exact. With a cheerful smile on her face, since she was getting to see different forms of destruction, Yona gave Piloswine the order to unleash the rocks. "Char! Charmander!" Charmander screeched upon seeing these rocks approaching. So did Taillow. Both of them were highly vulnerable to these attacks. The Lizard Pokemon ran for his life as the rocks came crashing in, smashing against the ground. Taillow would flap his wings violently. Some of these rocks flew through the windows of the Pokemon School, breaking through them and crashing into other objects nearby. Not the first time this has happened but with a grimace on Potion Nova's face, expenses were going to have to be paid yet again. "Yona! Isn't it dangerous to be on Piloswine?!" Smolder questioned upon seeing Yona on Piloswine's back, letting him carry her around. "Is it?" Yona didn't see it despite how vulnerable she was to an incoming attack, as seen by a barrage of Stars flying over her head. She was lucky that those missed her. Gallus and Smolder looked at each other before sweeing another Swift flying in Yona's direction. From that height, it wouldn't be able to hit Piloswine but mainly Yona. At that moment, both Charmander and Tailow would intercept the stars with Flamethrower and Air Slash, saving her. As the battles progressed, some trainers started to show signs of fatigue. Pokémon were panting, and trainers exchanged glances, realizing the importance of pacing themselves. Diamond Tiara and Scootaloo, strategically waiting on the sidelines, saw their opportunity approaching. "Wait a second..." It was at this moment that one of the students realized that Rapidash was nowhere to be found. That was seemingly impossible because he was so big. The young changeling raised her head to see that Rapidash was standing in a nearby tree, using the environment to his advantage. After seeing this, she would then look to where Liepard was standing, noticing how she wasn't doing anything either. Two of the biggest Pokemon here who were hard to miss were just standing there, inactive at the moment. "Hey! They aren't doing anything!" Hearing this, the students were starting to realize what Scootaloo and Diamond Tiara were planning. Their heads faced each of them, causing Scootaloo and Diamond Tiara to collectively scrunch their faces. Their collective plan has been discovered. "Swarm them!" The decision to swarm the two heaviest hitters was decided upon before they could get to work. All the Pokemon shifted their targets onto only two opponents this time. Rapidly, many of them approached Liepard who was still on ground level. "Oh! Wait a second!" Diamond Tiara screeched now that she had been found. Right before her eyes, a swarm of adorable yet somewhat intimidating Pokemon were heading her way, planning to take down her Liepard. "Use Dark Pulse, Lieparad! Stop them!" "Pard! Liepard!" From her mouth, Liepard unleashed swirling black circles, attempting to stop the opposing Pokemon. She was finally taking action and the power behind her attack showed. One hit of it caused an explosion that launched other Pokemon away. These Pokemon would faint right afterwards, knocking their trainers out of the Ash role. Liepard also had the speed advantage, immediately leaping over the Pokemon that managed to get close with incredible speeds. She was going to make sure that she had enough energy to make it to the end. Liepard would hate to let Diamond Tiara down. "No fair hiding up there! You aren't even battling!" Smolder yelled at Scootaloo for taking a defensive option when everyone else was going at it. "It's a strategy, so it counts!" Scootaloo objected. "You can't hide forever! Burn that tree down, Charmander! Flamethrower!" "Wait, don't!" Potion Nova bellowed, attempting to stop him but it was too late. Charmander already unleashed his scarlet flames onto the tree. Potion Nova was practically powerless to stop the pandemonium that she suggested. The tree was set ablaze once Charmander burned it down. "It had such a nice view from there..." Rapidash leapt from the tree, avoiding any damage before going straight for another tree. However, that only prompted Taillow to intercept him, using Aerial Ace to take flight. Tailow barely managed to reach Rapidash, hitting his underbelly the second he went for the tree. Rapidash was knocked out of the sky while Taillow was forced back down after that hard hit he pulled off. "Mmmrgh...!" Scootaloo would grumble at this. So much for her plan which was the same as Diamond Tiara's. She would have to get her hooves dirty if she wanted that role. But before she could say anything, Rapidash was immediately bombarded by a blast of water. "Spheal!" This came straight from Silverstream's Spheal who had used Water Pulse. A super-effective hit that staggered Rapidash, but that wasn't all. Some of the other Pokemon would gravitate towards Rapidash now that they saw he was on ground level. Now he was about to be swarmed. Rapidash and Liepard were forced to battle instead of waiting it out. And even though they may be larger, numbers were still a problem since everyone saw them as a threat. Once more, the field was set ablaze with attacks as well as having a pile of Pokemon gather in two different points two swarm to more Pokemon. And while all the other students were watching this in absolute enjoyment, Potion Nova merely sighed at what she had caused and could only say this. "Maybe we should've just drawn straws..." Canterlot Castle. Back at Cantrlot Castle, Lucas had succeeded in opening up 20 gateways that led to other worlds, reviving the Universal Alliance Celestia had made. As the portal stabilized, the trio could feel the connections being established with various worlds. Beams of magical light intertwined, creating a celestial tapestry that spanned across the room. Princess Celestia, with a sense of anticipation, surveyed the various realms that had been accessed. However, as her gaze fell upon one particular universe, her expression shifted from hope to deep concern. The once vibrant world now appeared ravaged and desolate. The skies were darkened, and the land bore scars of a catastrophic event. Celestia's heart sank as she recognized the telltale signs of destruction. To see this for themselves, they chose to enter this universe which lost its light. This universe seemed to have Las Pegasus as its base of operations compared to Canterlot which is the most common location. And when seeing all of this destruction, it was easy to see that the light from it had been taken away. Only one being was capable of this. Necrozma. "Necrozma was behind this..." Celestia commented, knowing who was behind this. "And by extension, Daybreaker." The trio advanced cautiously through the ruined streets, the echoes of their hoofsteps mingling with the eerie silence that enveloped Las Pegasus. As they delved deeper into the heart of the city, they discovered remnants of what once was a bustling metropolis, shattered buildings, abandoned homes, and the haunting echoes of a once-thriving population. Princess Luna's eyes scanned the surroundings. "It's just like Tropezete Town. The absence of light is horrible. How is it that one Pokemon can leave such a void?" But even though the light here had been taken away, the area was still populated. Emerging from the grim dust and smoke was none other than this world's Princess Celestia, who seemed to dress in the style of Las Pegasus. The Las Pegasus-styled Princess Celestia approached her expression a mix of gratitude and sadness. "Thank you for coming!" she spoke, her voice carrying a touch of both weariness and resilience. "It's been so long since we've seen you! Months!" "It's alright." Celestia went up to her other counterpart. "We're sorry for being so absent. We had to find a way to bring the gateways back first. But when did this happen? When did Necrozma show up?" "It was just 3 months ago..." She could easily recall the day it happened and it was haunting. This world's Celestia closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the memories of that fateful day to resurface. The area fell into a contemplative silence as she began to recount the haunting events. 3 Months Ago. Las Pegasus. I remember it vividly. It was a day like any other in Las Pegasus, full of laughter, music, and the vibrant energy of our city. The ponies were enjoying the festivities, and the lights illuminated the night sky. We weren't even thinking about other universes. Just enjoying ourselves as always. But we were never free from trouble even after Empress Twilight's defeat. The citizens of Las Pegasus were gathered in the heart of their bustling city, revelling in the joyous atmosphere that permeated every corner. The neon lights of the entertainment district illuminated the night sky, casting a colourful glow over the lively streets. Ponies of all kinds were dancing, laughing, and celebrating the unique magic that made Las Pegasus so extraordinary. In the midst of this vibrant celebration, Princess Celestia, the ruler of Las Pegasus in this world, joined her subjects in the revelry. Her mane sparkled with the same vibrant lights that adorned the city, and her regal presence only added to the excitement. The festivities were not confined to the streets alone; Las Pegasus was home to a grand castle that stood as a symbol of unity and harmony. Within the castle, a majestic ballroom was filled with enchanting melodies of music. Ponies danced in harmony, their laughter echoing off the walls adorned with intricate designs. Princess Stellar Flare, adorned in a gown that mirrored the splendour of Las Pegasus itself, moved gracefully through the crowd, sharing in the joy of her subjects. The castle, unlike Canterlot's towering spires, embraced the spirit of Las Pegasus with its architecture. It was a symbol of the close connection between the princess and her people, a testament to the shared magic that made Las Pegasus unique. As the night unfolded, the celebration reached its peak. Ponies filled the streets and the castle, united in their shared love for the magic that infused their city. Little did they know that the harmony they cherished would soon be disrupted by the arrival of an ominous force. The skies above the city, once clear and starry, began to darken, signalling the beginning of a nightmarish turn of events. Suddenly, the skies above them darkened, and a chill swept through the air. The joyous atmosphere turned to one of confusion and fear. They looked to the heavens, and that's when we saw it. Necrozma descending upon Las Pegasus like a harbinger of doom. Joined by Daybreaker's ships, this was just an imposing sight. A shiver ran down Celestia's spine as she continued her account. It emanated an overwhelming aura of darkness, and with it came another us. Daybreaker. The city and all of Equestria was plunged into chaos as Necrozma began taking away all the light that we had. We did our best to retaliate but...it was too much for us. We couldn't stand up to the Pokemon and we especially couldn't handle Necrozma. She paused, taking a moment to collect herself before revealing the most chilling part of the memory. "Daybreaker and Necrozma's ferocity was impossible for us to stop, draining the light and joy from our once-thriving city. The neon signs that once lit up the night went out one by one, leaving only shadows and despair in their wake." The Dazzling Princess opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Universe 1's Celestia's. Many ponies were displaced, and the city that was once the heart of joy became a silent witness to its own demise. The memory of that day is etched into the very soul of Las Pegasus. The ponies of this world were creeping out of the dust and rubble, gazing at the visitors from another universe while coated by constant darkness. All their fashionable clothes lost their lustre and soul thanks to Necrozma. "I'm afraid that my subjects might never have hope again. We celebrated for months after Empress Twilight's reign came to an end and then Daybreaker took it all away from us. Even if we receive all of our light back, what can I do to ensure my subject's happiness." Universe 1's Celestia thought about this herself. This universe had been through rough times and she could only imagine the same can be said for every other universe that Daybreaker has potentially visited. Celestia looked at the environment, knowing she had to keep up, otherwise Daybreaker and Necrozma would be too unstoppable. The 19 other universes they saw were safe, showing that they haven't been targeted by Necrozma. Yet. It was potentially only a matter of time before they were next and time was of the essence now that Daybreaker was advancing her plans. The Pokemon School. The chaotic battle reached its climax as the last two Pokémon on the field collapsed, unable to continue. Those Pokemon ended up being Rapidash and Liepard, who were swarmed until they couldn't take it anymore. But the Pokemon they fought were drained of their energy after doing everything in their power to stop them. The exhaustion was evident on the faces of the young trainers as well, realizing that the intense competition had led to a draw. The Pokémon School battlegrounds had become a scene of lively commotion, with Pokémon and trainers catching their breath. "Hah..." Scootaloo breathed in and out when lying on her back. "No fair! I would've won that..." "My plan..." Diamond Tiara groaned when looking up at the sky. Potion Nova stepped forward, looking at the determined and tired faces of the students. "Well, it seems we've reached a bit of a stalemate here. Everyone put up a good fight...but we need a decisive outcome for the role of Ash in the Jirachi Play. It's a shame no one won." "Are you gonna get Ash himself?" Smolder asked, groaning when looking at her teacher. "Mmm, not quite. Everyone is still going to play a part in this but as for who Ash will be, I've already decided." Potion Nova smiled. "Had to make a bit of a compromise for this since you were all determined to get that role. You're all going to have to swap from time to time. Seems like the best option to me." The students could get behind that. They'd all get to be Ash but only in certain instances. A fair trade since there was a lot that led up to them finally reaching Jirachi, not just entering that strange dimension. "Bravo!" Fantina cheered on such a wonderful display. So did the other students, who thoroughly enjoyed the battle that they've witnessed. Easily one of the best parts if not, the best part of the Pokemon School. "Now, let's focus on getting everything ready for the Jirachi Play. We've got a lot to prepare, and with the talents we have here, I'm sure it will be a performance to remember. We have until tomorrow night to get ready for this." The students began to disperse, discussing the details of the play and organizing tasks. The excitement in the air was palpable as they looked forward to bringing the events of the Jirachi adventure to life on the stage. The school buzzed with activity as students, teachers, and even the guests from Magehold worked together to prepare for the upcoming Jirachi Play. The decorations were carefully chosen to reflect the mystical atmosphere of the adventure, and each scene was meticulously planned to bring the story to life. Fantina, with her experience in performances and creative flair, guided the students in designing and creating the stage props. The vampire ponies from Magehold showcased their magical abilities, enchanting the props with subtle illusions that added an extra layer of enchantment to the play. Luckily for them, they could wear the exact clothes that were used in that same dimension. As for Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, who were said to appear here and help, played their part. Fluttershy would help with coordinating the Pokemon so that they were able to follow their lines and roles to the best of their abilities. As for Pinkie Pie, she would have Mew do all the transforming, appearing as Jirachi himself. With Mew, they already had a perfect Jirachi. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the school grounds, the preparations continued into the evening. The enthusiasm of the students remained unwavering as they eagerly discussed their roles and rehearsed their lines. The vampire ponies, with their flair for the dramatic, added an extra touch of elegance to the proceedings. Under the guidance of Potion Nova and Fantina, the students honed their acting skills, each taking turns to play the role of Ash and other characters during different scenes of the Jirachi adventure. This collaborative effort not only showcased their dedication but also fostered a sense of unity among the diverse group of Pokémon and ponies. By the time the night fell, the stage was set, and the anticipation for the Jirachi Play reached its peak. The tear in the sky, though still present, was momentarily forgotten as the school transformed into a realm of creativity and imagination. Tomorrow night. Yesterday was gone, leading the way for tomorrow which was today. Or rather, tonight. The night of the Jirachi Play had finally arrived, and the Pokémon School was abuzz with excitement. The students, adorned in their costumes and makeup, gathered backstage, their anticipation palpable. Potion Nova, Fantina, and the vampire ponies from Magehold provided some last-minute guidance and encouragement. The stage was adorned with enchanting props, and the backdrop depicted the mystical realm where the Jirachi adventure unfolded. Soft lights illuminated the area, creating an otherworldly ambience. The tear in the sky, though still present, seemed to fade into the background as the focus shifted to the upcoming performance. As the curtains drew open, the audience, consisting of fellow students, teachers, and even some residents from Ponyville, filled the seats. The familiar faces of Rarity Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and others were present, showing support for the students' creative endeavour. The play began with the recounting of when the Rift informed them about what it had done to all the possible ways to put the two worlds together. Intentionally blocking the memory of Hoopa from Ash's head and concealing certain Mythical Pokemon in the process. Playing the role of the Rift was Diamond Tiara, who was given a potion by Potion Nova that allowed her to appear as some sort of cosmic force. She would speak about how she placed the Jirachis in a separate dimension that was practically impossible to reach. Not only did she get to play the role of Ash in a way, but she also had the role of the Rift, putting a smile on her face. The journey to save the Jirachi trapped in a mysterious dimension was set during that time. The students seamlessly switched between portraying the various characters, each bringing their unique touch to the performance. Scootaloo, Smolder and Diamond Tiara, who had all vied for the role of Ash, took turns playing the Trainer from Pallet, showcasing their acting prowess, while others took on the roles of Twilight, Applejack and those involved with reaching Jirachi. The transitions between scenes were smooth, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the students and the guidance provided by Potion Nova and Fantina. They covered everything. Especially the Golden Stairway. The vampire ponies from Magehold, with their magical talents, added an extra layer of enchantment to the play. Illusions and special effects heightened the drama, captivating the audience and immersing them in the fantastical world of Pokémon and ponies. With their magic, they created a replica of the Golden Stairway but on a smaller scale and with less of the gold that it possessed. They would also mimic that dimension they travelled through, using the best of their abilities to replicate the cosmic forces by just using their respective lights. The students were also rather good at capturing the struggle Ash, Twilight and the others had to go through when entering that dimension. It was not an easy time considering it forced many of them out of that dimension. Those who were actually there recalled it all. Rarity even shuddered just thinking about it. As the play reached its climax, the moment when Ash made the heartfelt wish to merge both worlds, there was a tangible sense of emotion in the air. The tear in the sky seemed to shimmer as if responding to the magical energy emanating from the stage. The moment when Ash breached that final cosmic obstacle and granted that wish was captured perfectly by the last student to play the role of Ash. Taking on that role was Scootaloo, who would spout those same words. The final scene unfolded with a sense of triumph and unity, symbolizing the strength that friendship could bring. The audience erupted into applause, appreciating the students' creativity, dedication, and the collaborative spirit that brought the Jirachi Play to life. Backstage, the performers exchanged smiles and congratulatory remarks, basking in the success of their collective effort. Fantina and the vampire ponies expressed their admiration for the students' performances, emphasizing the importance of embracing creativity and working together. As the curtains closed, and the night sky outside embraced the Pokémon School, the tear in the sky lingered. Yet, for a brief moment, the enchantment of the Jirachi Play had woven a tale that transcended the boundaries between worlds, reminding everyone of the magic that could be found in the shared moments of imagination and friendship. "Oh, well done! All of you!" Potion Nova beamed with pride as the students returned backstage after their successful performance. The young faces, flushed with a mix of excitement and accomplishment, reflected the shared joy of a well-executed play. "Ah...How wonderful!" Fantina chimed in, her clapping accompanied by a melodious laugh. "Such passion and flair! I wasn't there but you truly brought it to life!" "Did all of that really happen?" Silverstream asked. This was also the first time she and other species learned about that fateful. "Mhm! You can ask my sister. She can tell you the same thing too." Sweetie Belle had the sources. Rarity, of course. And by extension, Apple Bloom had Applejack to back up her claim. As the excitement continued to linger backstage, the tear in the sky outside seemed to shimmer faintly. Though the play couldn't mend the rift, it had created a momentary bridge between worlds, uniting students, magical beings, and Pokémon in a shared celebration of creativity and friendship. "Have something to eat and drink if you want and head home for a huge rest." Potion Nova suggested, gesturing toward a table filled with refreshments. The students eagerly joined the festivities, revelling in the joy of a performance well done and the bonds forged through their shared adventure in the ever-growing and Grander World of Pokémon As the journey continues. Chapter 400 End.