On Approach to Pallet Town Harbor - 0659 hours local time - Day 174 of Ash Ketchum's journey
Of all the things Pallet Town was good for, (small town resort, fishing, natural research and relaxation) housing a warship was not one of them. It wasn't a deep water port.
Misty could appreciate the shallow water. Perfect for swimming at any time of the year. But Shamouti taught her a lesson. She needed to adapt. She was a water trainer, a type specialist, but Shamouti made her nearly useless, leaving her with Ash's land-locked Pokemon as well as her own to blast the Shamouti Birds from standoff range, as much risk to Ash as saving him.
Gyarados was a water/flying-type, sure, but they moved by using air currents around their coiling bodies. It was why their riders never took them into the air: too much risk of falling off. She needed a flying-type she could ride.
'Maybe Professor Oak'll have an answer.' Astral Misty said. 'I mean, obviously, it'll be a water-type, too.'
The living one nodded. "I just felt… all but useless." she said aloud.
"Admission is the first step to rectification." came the voice of the Horusian guard as he walked up to her. "But know your limits as well. Electric-types can still knock your ass out of the sky."
"That's what Ash is for." Misty retorted.
"I would make a joke about your ass landing in his bed, but you're four years too young for that." the old man deadpanned, making Misty blush at the image before he looked aft. "If you excuse me." the old guard then left, leaving Misty with very… interesting thoughts.
'If you say 'I'll be in my bunk', I will not be happy.' Astral Misty deadpanned.
...Well, she was going to be doing that with Ash eventually.
Iris looked Dratini in the eye. The snake dragon stared back. Shamouti proved she needed something to help join Ash in the fight. And someone wanted to evolve anyways.
'Forcing evolutionary pace is a stupid idea.' Astral Isis said. 'When Ash was in Johto, Team Rocket tried just that.'
"And how would you know that if that was before he met us?" Iris said aloud. "Me. Damn it, what's the proper pronoun for that?"
'Fucked if I know.' Astral Iris answered with a shrug.
A knock got her attention, making her break her staring contest with Dratini. "Come in!" she said, allowing the person, who turned out to be Janine, to enter the room.
The kunoichi nodded in greeting. "Iris." she said. "I've been in contact with Lance. I wanted to inform you all that I will be returning to Fuschia once we arrive in Kanto. I would prefer to only tell you all at once, but… everyone seems to be doing something to prepare for the next stage of the journey. So I have to tell you all separately. Ash has already been informed, in case you were wondering."
"How did he take it?" Iris asked, Janine flinching for some reason.
"Poorly." was all the kunoichi said. "I am sure Ash will tell you about it. Good luck in Johto." with that, she left.
'What was that all about?'both parts of Iris thought.
Between guns C and D, Serena thought about how to help Ash. Shamouti was a big one for all of them, sidelined because they didn't have a big enough flying-type. Only question was… which one? She couldn't rely on Ash's team for anything like that.
The problem with all of them was that they all had Pokemon from their regions. Iris had Dratini, so eventually she would have a Dragonite, but what did they all have? Serena didn't have a flying-type to her name in either timeline.
'This is insane.' Astral Serena said, pacing the deck unseen. 'I'm stuck inside the head of a mentally broken caricature of me!'
'That's rude.' Hime said.
'You have five voices in your head! FIVE!' Astral Serena said, 'Where I came from, I only had problems confessing my feelings to Ash and a rival for his affections to deal with! You're INSANE!'
'Can you please STOP?' Rey asked. 'We, Serena, are, is, a latent psychic. You will not make matters worse by forcing us to make a small pocket of the Distortion Realm here. Calm down.'
'How can I be calm when the love of my life is so close and I can't even tell him?!' the ghost said before screaming in anguish.
'You are only here because of Ash.' Rey said. 'Now, you should have access to everything Ash felt and knows prior to you arriving here. Calm down and focus.'
The ghost glared at her before sitting of Ash's life flicked by Serena's eyes before arriving at the most important one of all: his first kiss. How conflicted he felt, how he wanted to just lose himself to it… the reminders of wanting to do just that leading to the death of a Legendary…
'He loves us. All of us.' Jade said. 'Serena, Misty, Dawn, May, even that exotic girl, Iris. The only reason he never did anything was guilt. Now… can you stop moping and help us find a way to help him next time? As you so kindly pointed out, we're not exactly whole.'
Astral Serena nodded, tears in her eyes. 'Right. You have all of my Pokemon from the last timeline.' she said, choking. 'I was… I was a performer. Is that still a thing in this… cesspool of a reality?'
The core personality, the one nominally in control, nodded. "It's still a thing, but not as much as it was." she answered. "I'm sorry. We'll give it a shot. And… maybe find a way to get us… together. As for Ash… well… I have good news?"
Astral Serena huffed. 'I somehow doubt it's good.' she sniffed. 'He's the only one I'd think of dating and even marry-'
'We're engaged to him.' Rey cut off.
The ghost froze, then looked at her. '…engaged.' she repeated.
'Ash is the Crown Prince of Rota in this timeline. We're the heiress to the Duchy of Vanille.' Hime explained. 'And because Mom wants any excuse to avoid work and continue her suicidal Rhyhorn racing, she hitched us to Ash. Not that we're complaining.'
The ghost stared in shock before slowly grinning.
Anabel winced as a loud whoop entered her ears.
"You ok?" asked Neesha as Anabel flinched.
The telepath nodded. "Drawbacks of being a psychic, especially a relatively untrained one." she said. "I know a lot, but… well…" she gestured to Sabrina, who was talking to Ash at the other end of the Mess Hall. "Logically, I know it wasn't really her, but… logic and emotion rarely, if ever, agree on anything. Anyone saying otherwise is a lying bastard."
The league vet and aspiring coordinator nodded. "Yeah, well, I know how you feel." Neesha agreed. "I know that wasn't her that did that to Shellshocker, but it's kinda hard to reconcile. Give it time. I'm sure we'll both get over it."
Anabel nodded. "I just hope I don't have to travel with her much longer. I never felt comfortable with her nearby." the lavender-haired psychic said as Ash suddenly gave Sabrina a hug before walking towards the two. Anabel felt Espeon and Natu tense up. They were too used to fending her off. It would take a long time before they could relax.
"Neesha." the greenette greeted, Neesha nodding in reply before looking at Anabel. "Anabel."
"Sabrina. Did you have something to say to us?" the purplette asked, Sabrina nodding.
"I apologize if I still make you feel uncomfortable." she said before moving on. "The Kanto League will be making preparations for the next season and I will be needed at my gym. I will not be joining you in Johto."
Anabel was almost ashamed to feel relief at that. Almost. Noticing this, Sabrina carried on. "I hope the next time we see each other, I won't elicit so much fear from you… mother."
Anabel almost choked at that title. "I thought Misty was closer to that." she said, confused.
"Parts of my new personality came from Ash and Misty, but some came from you. And seeing as you've all but become engaged to Ash…" Sabrina trailed off. Anabel got the point.
"It's still weird as hell that you consider Ash your dad." Neesha said. "But it's just as weird to think the Age of Shadow just came to an end."
Sabrina chuckled. "Normal is relative." the psychic said. "And you're effectively dating Ash's Ranseian bodyguard, who is also dating me. So your weirdness bar must be set rather high."
Effectively chastised, Neesha wisely shut up. Anabel reached for a glass of cranberry juice, putting it to her lips and sipping it before cringing at the tart taste.
She did not want to think of her future love life. Thinking about her… surrogate daughter's was out of the question.
Pallet town Harbor - 0923 hours local time
The Ash Ketchum of 7 years and one timeline past would have loved this. The crowd of people from his hometown cheering his name, inflating his ego and reinforcing his mistaken belief he would win every fight, first try.
Was it dumb to think he didn't want that anymore?
"Older and wiser, huh?" he said aloud, getting the attention of his friend-cum-bodyguard.
"What?" Kyoji asked confusedly. "What was that?"
"Just… in the past, this was kinda something I wanted." Ash answered. "A crowd cheering my name, you know, all the stuff a kid with a big ego would think he'd get in a matter of days."
Kyoji chuckled. "Yeah, everyone has big dreams." he said before sighing. "Some have dreams they can't attain."
Ash knew better than to pry. "I just wondered if I was better than I was." he admitted. "Because looking at this… I ask if I was so… dumb."
Kyoji shook his head. "You were a kid. It was normal. Holding onto that dream doesn't make you a bad person." the Ranseian said. "It just makes you human."
The ship came to a stop, a small ferry approaching the massive battlecruiser, a ladder being dropped by the crew to allow them to board the smaller ship.
"Pikapi." 'It's time to go home, Ash.' Pikachu spoke up.
The Pallet native nodded. "Rest. Then… Johto." he said. "Johto." 'And Altomare.' he thought to himself. He was not looking forward to confronting his greatest failure.
A cry caught his attention, making him look up as a Shiny Pidgeot overflew the Heart of Indigo before circling back to land at Pallet.
45 minutes later, he found out who the Pidgeot belonged to as he finally escaped his cheering fans, who carried him along after he stepped on solid ground.
Duchess Elaine , Rota's Regent in lieu of the king, holding a copy of Aaron's staff.
"Your Highness." she greeted as soon as the crowd let him go. "Welcome home."
"'Home' is subjective, Regent." came the voice of the old Guard, Robin accompanying him like she was his shadow.
The woman looked at him. "That uniform is of the Royal Guard." she said critically. "Jaemon's royal guard."
"Correct. I was the last Commander of the Horusians." the old man answered.
Elaine narrowed her eyes. "Taggard." she said, giving a name to the man at long last. "You should have died that day."
The man, Taggard, shook his head. "I did. I chose exile in Orre and abandoned that name. Cipher pressed me to their service, only for me to wound them every chance I had." he said, summing up his life in Orre. "Revenge for what they had done. His Majesty has given me the chance to redeem myself in his service. Only he chooses my fate. As it should be. As you are well aware… Regent."
Elaine looked at Ash. "and what is His Highness' decree?" she asked him, putting Ash on the spot rather quickly. "His crime-"
Ash shook his head. "He paid for his so-called crimes by doing what he could to take Cipher down." he said. "They used a Chancey to extend his life, forcing him to make them armor. That… I don't think he wanted that. But he did what he could to stop them. I think they would've come back sooner without him leading the resistance."
"Mast-Ash…" Robin started, blushing at her near slip. "Is correct. He had led every resistance movement, bleeding Cipher to the marrow. They would have returned decades earlier and laid waste to the rest of the world if it weren't for him."
Elaine scowled at him, but did not argue. "Very well." she finally relented. "But you will be removed from your post until I deem otherwise."
"His Majesty will make that judgement." 'Taggard' retorted. "But I believe Ash would like to visit his mother and I have to ensure the rest of the Royal Family is safe. I may be relieved of my post, but I am a Royal Guard. My duty is clear."
Elline did not like that. But the point was there. "Go." she said, the man bowing mockingly before Natu landed on his head to teleport him to Ash's home, which she did.
"He doesn't like you." Robin deadpanned. "Then again, he has a problem with female nobles telling him what he can and can't do with his job. The Queen kinda got the last king killed that way."
The regent's eye twitched. "I am WELL aware." she ground out. "And who are you?"
"Robin Ryuto. He…" she stopped to consider what to say. "He adopted me as his granddaughter. And Ash…"
The duchess almost smiled. "I see." she said. Ash groaned. Why was he an unnatural chick magnet?
"Pikachu." 'Better than attracting guys.' Pikachu quipped before suddenly pausing. "Pika…" 'Then again, Clemont was-'
"Spare my brain, Pikachu. Please." Ash begged. He didn't have a problem with that sort of thing… it just wasn't his thing.
Butch and Cassidy laid down in the back of the Oak Ranch. They knew better then to even THINK about trying to steal any of the Pokemon there.
"Because you'd end us?" Butch asked.
Because Ash's Charizard would end you. For once, I've got nothing to do with it.
"Yeah, we reread the first arc. Taking out the clone, which is stronger?" Cassidy said, shuddering. "Ain't in the mood for that shit."
Then I suggest introducing yourselves before the Talonflame that evolved during the Yveltal fight incinerates you.
They both paused to see the Kalosian firebird, perched on a tree above them. "Tal."
"Uh… we come in peace?" Cassidy half-asked the angry bird.
"Natu." 'That will be determined.' came the psychic voice of Ketchum's Natu, who teleported in beside Talonflame. "Natu." 'Surrender yourselves and we shall see what your true intentions are.'
Butch just sobbed. "Great. Interrogated by the psychic parrot!" he moaned.
"FEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHH!" He was soon silenced by way of 'leek to the head' by Fetchy.
The girls gingerly opened the door to the lab, finding the familiar black frizzy haired, ponytailed and looking the spitting image of her mother sans the hair and birthmarks on her face form of Belladonna Ketchum, now wearing a labcoat over her casual clothing.
"Oh. At least it's not one of Ash's team." she said once she noticed the door was open. "Here to talk to the professor?"
Misty, hints of her pre-ghost anxiety appearing on her face - even after all this time, those old issues still weren't gone - shrugged. "Anyone with access to the National Pokemon Registry, actually." she said. "We… need to get our hands on some Pokemon, but we don't know which ones."
The eldest Ketchum looked up from her clipboard. "Oh, fuck it." she said before walking over to the trusty computer. "Better than the insanity my brother's Pokemon put me through every other day."
Serena perked up at the mention of Ash, but that was expected. "What happens?" she asked.
"I get hit with water, smacked with leaves, that Natu LOVES to nest in my hair-" "Natu." came the voice of the parrot, teleporting in just as she said it. Anabel's Natu then landed on his trainer's head after coming out of his ball, the parrots engaging in 'Natus' while having a conversation.
"Basically everything that hurts." Belladonna finished.
Iris sat down at a chair beside her, Axew poking his head out of her massive mane. "Ash's Charizard does that to him all the time. Torches him with flamethrower." she said, using knowledge from her own 'ghost'. "It's a sign of affection, Ash says. He never takes it seriously."
Belladonna stared at her. "Right… I'll need a translator that isn't the damn parrot." she said before Natu 'ported off her head and her hands began working the keyboard. "Anything in particular?"
"Flying-types." Serena answered. "Anything large enough to carry a single person, with a secondary type of water, fairy, psychic, fire or ice." The girls of the harem gave her a look. "I… thought we'd stick to our type bias."
Iris raised an eyebrow. "And not dragon?" she asked, knowing fire was hers.
"Ice-types." the other two said, Iris shuddering and coinciding the point.
Belladonna glanced up. "Oh, yeah, your Ponyta's been wondering when you're gonna start training her for riding." she said offhandedly. "Keeps eying the saddles we keep in the back."
Iris facepalmed. "I completely forgot…" she said, Belladonna waving it off.
"You'll have time. Johto's league won't start for months," she said flippantly. "And knowing the Rotans, they'll want to make your engagements official."
Serena's eye twitched for a second before she closed them and took in a breath. "Engagements?" she asked. "I thought my betrothal was agreed upon months ago."
"It was." Ash's older sister said. "According to those overly dressed fops, you're listed as future Queen of Rota, but their protocol demands you all present yourselves. Stupid formalities, really. If Ash wants you, there's nothing they can do about it."
"Please don't make it sound like he owns us." Iris asked. "I got enough of that back in Unova."
"Opelucid IS a backwards place." Belladonna quipped before finishing the search parameters. "Ha! Got what you wanted." she then put on a pair of glasses and looked at the entries. "For water-types, Mantine from Johto and Swana from Unova… Fire, Charizard, certain breeds of Talonflame, Moltres and Ho-Oh… nothing for psychics...Togekiss for fairies. Huh. That's a recent development; last I checked, they were flying/normal."
Misty looked at Serena, then glanced at her hand. The Kalosian blinked before reaching out and grabbing Misty's outstretched hand.
'Sweet Arceus, that's just WEIRD.' came Misty's thoughts as they went through her head. 'Tingling sensation… can you hear this?'
Serena nodded. 'Yes, I can, sweetie~' came Jade's voice, making Misty regret it.
'Look, this was the only thing I could think of, as Sabrina said you were a latent telepath, so don't. Not yet, anyway.' Misty thought. '…Togepi was my baby. IS my baby. I left her here because Orre was too dangerous. But I think we are both aware Ash needs all the help he can get. And Togepi can't be a baby forever.'
'You're… giving her to us?' Hime asked.
'Call it an honorary adoption. After all, we're both going to be with the man we fell in love with.' Misty returned. 'You'll be her Aunt Serena. Sound fair?'
Belladonna turned around in her chair. "…Why are you two holding hands?" she asked. Both girls blushed before letting go. "Know what, forget it. Let's see if we have any of those up for adoption."
The three strange birds looked at Robin. Robin stared back, focusing on one weird thing at a time.
Everything was so… green. She was used to the dull browns and yellows of Orre, not… green. Grass was so rare, she never remembered the touch of it. So she focused on the three very large… hatchlings.
Because according to Mast-Ash, they only hatched a few months ago, but now they were the size of a Pidgeotto. Big babies.
And curious, from all the looking they were doing.
"…Hello?" she said tentatively.
The birds just kept looking at her.
"Fetch." a welcome distraction was found in the form of the approaching Fetchy, leek on his shoulder as always.
The birds started looking at him instead. Apparently, he took that as a challenge.
"Fetch… FFFFFFFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHH!" screamed the bird as he ran at the three young ones.
Robin fled as quickly as she could.
"Galaran Farfetch'd: always in a mood to prove themselves." said the smith, Taggard, as he approached her from the lab. "And to evolve. Apparently, they need a special leek to increase their chances of making 'critical hits' to turn into Sirfetch'd."
"That… explains why he's so damn aggressive." she said as she caught her breath.
"The Regent has requested I escort you all to Rota." the guard added. "They want to confirm your status, as if that needs to be done."
Robin was now confused. Very. "My status?" she asked. "I thought I was his guard."
"You are. And if you play your cards right, you will become Queen of Rota." Taggard said, grinning. "No more pretty blondes telling us what we can't do to protect our lord and master, but a warrior queen willing to let us do what must be done."
Queen? Her? …Master might enjoy her as a queen.
Kingdom of Rota - 0925 hours local time - Day 175
The castle loomed over the forests and Robin wasn't exactly a fan of the greenery. Or her dress.
It was white, gold and blue and completely useless for anything except sitting.
And her shoes were uncomfortable, pushing her toes together while her heels were pushed up, making her seem taller.
"Must I wear this frivolous abomination?" she demanded, attempting to walk in her high heeled shoes.
"Only until you are presented to the royal court." Taggard said, now wearing a normal Royal Guard uniform rather than his Horusian one as he looked at a painting featuring Sir Arron, his Lucario squire and the Pidgeot that gave his name, Horus, to the Guard. "After that, you can wear clothing you're comfortable with."
"Why do I have to do this? To impress these idiots?" she demanded. "They wouldn't survive five seconds in Orre's deserts!"
"Or in combat." the guard added. "Rota's culture has been slowly rotting away. We were warriors once. Feared. After the disappearance of Sir Aaron, we slowly turned into cowards, unable to stop the decay of our kingdom. Only those inducted into the Guard remained as we once were." he turned to look at her. "Perhaps you will change our fortunes for the better."
Robin finally kicked her shoes off, feet touching cold stone before she sat on a chair, grimacing at the plush. "How?" she asked.
The man grinned. "The dynasty has had weaker and weaker kings due to queens, mothers and wives alike, making them unable to defend themselves and turned into puppets of the women in question." he said. "But you… you don't want to control. You want to fight to protect and you will encourage his actions. A REFRESHING change of pace, seeing as I know you're in love with him."
"I don't even know what that is. Love… you didn't teach me what that means." Robin replied before there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?" asked the guard before the door opened, revealing the Ranseian soldier, Kyoji.
"Hey." he greeted, though the old man glared at him. "Mind if I talk to Robin?"
Taggard crossed his arms. "That depends." he said, continuing to glare.
"Look, man, I just want to talk to her." Kyoji said. "I don't know what your problem is, but I'm not your enemy."
"My duty is to ensure Ash's safety. And Ranseians have commonly been a thorn in the guard's side." Taggard spat. "I've lost count of how many times one of your agents screwed over our security."
"That's in the past. And as for Ash… well, you want to command his guard, you're gonna need to talk to him." Kyoji said. "I'm not going to 'poison her mind' or whatever. Just… make sure her feelings are hers and hers alone. Ok?"
Tggard walked towards him, glowering at the soldier. "I have protected her as if she was my blood. Ten minutes." he said before leaving.
Kyoji rolled his eyes, glancing at Robin "No offense, but your dad's an asshole." he muttered.
"Grandfather." Robin corrected. "But he is of the Royal Guard. They take their job so seriously they-"
"Have a stick up their ass?" Kyoji suggested with a grin.
Robin shrugged. "I don't know what that means, but… perhaps?" she questioned before the fabric tore on her dress. "Giratina's ass, I hate this thing."
"Yeah, even the dress uniforms I have to wear can be a pain," Kyoji chuckled, "Hang on, let me fix that for you… gotta make you look presentable after all."
"Thanks…" Robin sighed as Kyoji, oddly enough, pulled out a roll of Psyduct Tape. "…really?"
"Hey, it's the handyman's secret weapon, even in Ransei," Kyoji chuckled as he cut the tape up to fix the dress. "Just try to relax."
"I'm not meant to wear these frilly dresses," Robin groaned, "I live in a desert! This is not something a sane person would ever wear in the Orre Desert!"
"I know, I know." He smiled "I'd say the same thing if I was forced to wear something like this in the swamps back home."
"That's another thing." she said as the soldier repaired her dress. "Water, greenery… I am a desert dweller. Green is as rare as water, which is like gold for you. This may as well be another world. Is it strange I almost want to be back in Orre, fighting Cipher?"
Kyoji shrugged "Eh, not really." He admitted "I mean, I sorta got the same thing since I lived on the Ransei islands for so long - being on such a huge continent is kinda weird for me too… though climate-wise, Ransei is probably more diverse than Orre is so that makes sense."
Robin sighed. "Why did you want to talk to me, anyways?" she asked as Kyoji finished taping up her dress.
"Well… Serena-"
"Do not. Mention her." she cut off. "I don't remember what she did. I do not WANT to remember."
Kyoji took the message. "Ok. You've… heard us mention love before, right?" he asked. "How Misty and… she-who-has-a-name love him, why they're sticking around?"
"What is it?" Robin asked. "I… I don't know what it is. Things like that weren't exactly a top priority in my education."
"What is love…?" Kyoji hummed for a moment. "Baby don't hurt me…"
"Huh?"
"Sorry, song I heard a while ago," He shook his head. "Well… the most bare bones explanation I can give you is… Love is when two people - either a man and a woman, two men, or two women who… hold a high amount of respect for one another, understanding one another almost to a fundamental level… and they feel a… I suppose you could call it a desire to be closer together, and spend the rest of your natural life with that person… or persons if you're in a harem."
"Harem?" Robin asked. Kyoji facepalmed.
"It's… for lack of a better term, collection of women." he said. "Or men. It varies. Sometimes it includes both."
"Are you part of Ash's… harem?" Robin asked again, tilting her head in confusion.
"What?! Nonononononononono, I'm a friend, not… I'm not into guys." Kyoji said before blanching. "No, that would be… Misty, Anabel… Serena… Iris and… you, if you wanted."
Robin thought about it. Ash's actions were… ideal. He risked all for everyone, rather than letting someone else do it. That act months prior caught her attention.
Was she in love with him? She wasn't sure. That Sabrina woman said she was 'emotionally stunted' due to being a child soldier.
"I… do feel attracted towards Ash." she admitted. "But I'm not sure if it's love. I don't know much beyond fear, hate and anger. All of which are… easily triggered by Cipher."
"Well, considering how Ash is the antithesis of Cipher and the bane of their existence, it makes sense that you'd at the very least admire him." Kyoji nodded. "The best advice I could give you is… well, just keep talking to Ash and his harem, learn more about them, try to be a bit more sociable."
"And avoid the one that scares me." she deadpanned.
"Serena… I think she just wants everyone to get along." Kyoji admitted. "And from what Ash's shrink's told me, one massive shitfest of a fight would drive him off a cliff."
Robin just stared. What the hell was that supposed to mean?
"If you guys fought like you were all jealous and enemies, he'd kill himself out of guilt." Kyoji elaborated. "You know about his… secret?"
"The time travel? Yes, he told me during a sandstorm in Orre's northern deserts." Robin answered. "But what does that have to do with suicide?"
Kyoji cupped his chin, rubbing the short hairs in thought. "Have you ever run into someone so… broken, empty, that the only option was death?" he asked. "Ash saw the world end. I don't know how he's still functioning, but he's on the raggedy edge. One big push is all he needs and then the Chosen of Arceus joins his patron in the Hall of Origin after a pitstop in the Distortion Realm."
An icy feeling welled in her chest as she realized what he meant. "Oh." she said. "…Is it odd that I feel like I'm going to be sick?"
"Considering your current inclinations towards him, and how fucked up it sounds? No, it's perfectly natural." Kyoji nodded, "I kinda felt the same way when I learned it myself."
A knock on the door got their attention before it opened, revealing the object of discussion, wearing a version of the uniform the asshole Taggard was wearing, only with fancy epaulettes on the shoulders and a pair of medals on the left breast.
"I do not know why they wanted everyone in fancy outfits." Ash said before tugging on the collar. "It's itchy and I can barely breathe and Pikachu can't sit on my shoulder like I want him to."
"…Pikachu weighes, what, four pounds?" Kyoji asked incredulously. "And you WANT him on your shoulder?"
Ash shrugged, even as the starter in question glared at the outfit. "I'm used to it."
"Pika." said the mouse in annoyance.
Ash then looked inside to see Robin and just… stared. "Wow." he said. "You look...really, really pretty."
Robin felt heat in her cheeks. "Pretty isn't a… thing in Orre." she said embarrassingly. "Beauty is pointless in a desert. Impossible to maintain."
"I… beg to differ." Ash retorted, making her blush more. How did he do this?
"How." Kyoji demanded. "How are you a chick magnet?!"
Ash shrugged. "I would honestly love to turn it off once in a while. I'd like one region where I didn't have a girl fall for me." he said. "I can only break my own heart so many times…"
"…I was born in the wrong family and I want to hate you." Kyoji deadpanned. "But you're just too damn NICE to hate…"
Elsewhere, Misty was getting her face powdered. She was pretty enough without it, but these Rotan assholes wanted to gussy her up.
"Is there-" she coughed. "A REASON for all this?!"
"Your first proper appearance at court." the noble in charge of 'prettying them up' said. "There are protocols for this."
Misty fumed. In the PAST, she might've wanted to have makeup put on to impress Ash, but he didn't like makeup, just like perfume. And now she was beginning to agree.
'Besides, you're pretty as is.' Astral Misty said. 'Could be worse.' she hooked a thumb at Serena, who was calm, but resigned, to it.
All of them were getting the same treatment. Serena was seemingly the one the most used to it. But she liked it as much as THEY did.
"There." the makeup artist said before showing her a mirror. Misty looked into the reflection and saw herself. But instead of looking like a geisha doll, nothing was hidden or covered up, merely accented.
She looked at the others, Anabel looking like her old timeline's self, only… for lack of a better term, sexier. Iris, too, looked like a damn fairy tale princess with a pink and cream dress with massive sleeves. Serena, in her ballroom gown, had her hair done simply, but it was given a shine to it.
"Now you may appear before the court." the nobleman said. "Just remember, you are not princesses. Only one of you is of the noble class and she is the heir to a duchy. Only when you are recognized by His Majesty will you be considered as such."
"No need to be an asshole about it." Misty muttered before the door opened, revealing the asshole of assholes, the former Horusian Guard and allowing him in.
"Lovely." he all but spat. "Are you done wasting the Prince's time or can I escort these… ladies to the throne room?"
"You may." the arrogant noble allowed. "Guard."
"I may have been relieved, but I am a Horusian." the man spat. "Do not test the patience of a Royal Guard." he looked at the girls again. "Come along."
Misty struggled to get out of her chair, needing help from one of the attendants to keep herself from falling on her ass.
"Move along." the man said before Misty shot him a death glare. Surprisingly, that didn't anger the man… but won a look of respect.
"Perhaps I was wrong." he said before they all got to their feet and he led them through the halls of the castle.
Unlike the last time he was forced to sit down in this room, Ash sat in the larger of the two chairs, a massive carpet leading to the double doors with the crest of a Lucario and Pidgeot holding up a shield with the Tree of Beginning on it dominating the hall.
"Pid." 'Fancy.' Pidgeot said as she looked around. When informed he had both a Pidgeot and a Lucario, something not seen in centuries, he was declared the second coming of Sir Aaron and the duchess requested he allow them both out on the hall.
Lucario stood stoically, waiting for this ceremonial crap to be over with. He wanted to train for the Johto League, not stand here while a bunch of sycophants fawned over him. Ash agreed with him.
The doors opened, the small gathering of the surviving noble houses of Rota looking at them as they did.
Taggard, looking annoyed at the nobles but exceedingly happy and proud to be doing his job again, stood at attention before the girls all walked in.
"Have to admit, they cleaned up REAL good." Kyoji whispered to Ash.
"Be quiet, Ranseian." Eline quietly snapped. "You are only here because his majesty allows it and that has limits."
Kyoji stuck his tongue out at her, but the sounds of the butts of ceremonial spears hitting the stone flooring got their attention.
Taggard stood in front of the girls, who looked incredibly uncomfortable. Then again, they were wearing dresses that, while pretty, were probably uncomfortable - he had experience, sadly, in that regard - and the judging stares of the nobility were like a shopper scowling at a rotten fruit.
"My Lord, these fine ladies summit themselves for your approval." Taggard proclaimed. "May they prove worthy of the honor of joining the Royal Family."
Ash wanted to roll his eyes. He knew them and didn't want any of this crap.
"Formality." Eline said to Ash quietly. "All that we need is your approval."
That said, Ash nodded. "I… I approve of them." he said sheepishly. "I have journeyed with them and know them well." it was lame and pathetic, but he wasn't a good public speaker.
But it was enough. "Then we have much reason to celebrate." Eline said before standing up. "The ancient enemy, Orre, has been defeated, thanks to the Crown Prince and future King. The Tree will soon receive the Aura it needs to continue to sustain the world. The darkness has come to an end."
Ash really wanted to run off and head to Johto right now. This… was getting uncomfortable.
Officially engaged to five women, heir to a kingdom he never wanted to return to and he had to save the world again.
Arceus Above, he hated this timeline.