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The Depths of Hyperspace had conjured up something oddly terrifying.
A special scan brought up a curious portal which Corbeau, of course, insisted you take on for the precious data he wanted and your urge to see rarer pokemon.
The typical faded grey and unstable air was replaced with something far too realistic. A location marked with active servers and a glowing red colour on black. Lysandre Labs. You had hardly expected to see such a place here, but it seemed you were in the depths of it. You stood at the end of the long hallway that led to the server room. The portal swirled behind you, while the elevator up to a higher level was to your right.
Your footsteps were light as they led you towards the room near the end of the hall. It was dark, but you were on alert for any wild pokemon. Instead, what you heard were voices. Multiple. An indecipherable conversation was happening. You crept more towards the server room, peering in from your safe distance. Within were two familiar silhouettes. It was enough to almost lull you into comfort – could it just be another projection of the Café Nouveau owners?
“Grisham, this data is still very much intact,” Griselle had a holo-device floating in front of her, giving you a proper glance at her face. Red sunglasses obscured her eyes. Her expression was even more difficult to ascertain. “… Huh?” her attention shifted, “An intruder?!” You tensed. She showed her usual fiery attitude and rushed towards you, sending out her Pyroar. You reacted in turn, sending out your own pokemon.
The battle was quick and determinate. Your victory was secured. But, the Griselle before you was deeply unfamiliar to the one you knew. A matching white suit jacket and pencil skirt paired over red stockings and button-down. Her expression was a grimace before fading into confusion. “What a minute— You!? Huh, how did you even get in here!?” she stared you down. Her reaction caught her comrade's attention, drawing him from the server room.
Each echoing step sent a shiver down your spine. A visage of your lover stood before you, yet it seemed the furthest thing from the man you loved. His long, dark overcoat moved with him – a counter to the grey top he wore so frequently at work. It buttoned over a red top while a cravat laid atop it. He adjusted his own shades before shaking his head. His fingers came to a stress rub on the bridge of his nose, pushing up those sunglasses.
“My love, what are you doing here?” his tone held immense exasperation. You blinked. He might look like your boyfriend, but something swelling in the air told you he was not. Griselle tilted her head and glanced between you both. It felt hard to speak. Grisham waited for an answer. A claim to be searching for rare pokemon made him pause.
“… After I explicitly warned you against coming here?” he looked exhausted. Griselle huffed.
“Guess you better initiate them,” she crossed her arms, “No more delaying it. Unless you want to use that cage on the second floor.” Grisham did seem to consider that, making you immediately want to make for the portal. What was with these two?!
“I hardly wished for you to find out like this,” he stepped towards you, “Our dear leader…” Those words felt strange from his mouth. “His plans… They were failed to be recognised due to incompetency and our forces being drained,” Grisham glanced at the server room, “But, I refuse to give up on that beautiful world – Especially having faced the ugly reality here.” It was maddening. His gentle voice – the voice that spoke softly over a warm coffee in the evening and babbled about various recipes he wanted to try – was telling you that he wished to finish Lysandre's plans. Griselle stared at him so adoringly.
“Our vast network has grown,” he spoke with such passion – such flair, “Our goal is so close! The Prism Tower, too, can be used.” His hand reached out to grasp your own, “You must understand, right? Having been extorted by the awful group and witnessing the incompetency of the supposed elite class.” His gloved hands felt cold. Nothing like the warmth you were used to. His eyes were wide with near mania behind his sunglasses, close enough for you to see through the opaque glass.
“Join us,” he whispered, a plea, “With your aid, we will achieve this dream! A beautiful world will be made.” Griselle nodded and called out a cheer.
You ripped your hand away, leaving the two in shock. Your breaths with uneven and frantic. This was horribly wrong. You wanted your boyfriend back. This was not him – you refused. Grisham's expression shifted. It darkened. Your blood ran cold. Griselle hissed out your name. “Are you really being this stupid!?” she seemed in denial, “This world is nothing but filth!”
Grisham was stiff. He stood unmoving for a moment. You hoped to have time to run out from this place. A hand reached for a pokeball, and you found yourself in another battle with an already weakened team. The challenge he had provided in your climb of the Royale felt incomparable to this. He wanted you defeated. Slowly, you moved back further and further until you were down to your last pokemon with your back against the wall.
A cry rang out, and you recalled your fainted pokemon. Both Grisham and Griselle appeared to have you cornered. The glow of his Charizard's tail illuminating the darkness of the hall. You sucked in a breath. Enough time had been bought. A relieved smile came onto your lips. Bidding them a farewell, you moved to crawl into the portal. It seemed you were finally free to forget about this nightmare.
If only a hand had not grabbed your foot. Grisham's voice called your name. You felt panic rush through you as you tried to kick him off. Your body was halfway into the normal world. Crying for help, you grasped onto whatever was nearby the front of Centrico Plaza. Your screams attracted attention.
Two familiar faces popped up as you tried to push away your distress. Your boyfriend grasped your hands and pulled you forward, while Griselle caught your abdomen. Your felt another pair of arms wrap around your waist. The café workers clearly had a million questions to bombard you with, but you felt grateful they knew to focus on the action. Grisham and Griselle's combined efforts brought you fully into reality. Though, you did crash onto Grisham, but he seemed more relieved than upset. Griselle rubbed her bottom and groaned about hitting her ass. It got a laugh out of you. All of you returned to your feet. You leaned into Grisham, wanting to remind yourself of the true him.
The moment of peace failed to last long, however.
A hand emerged through the portal.
Then, a head.
A body. Another body.
Griselle stood on defence at first, but her expression fell to shock. Grisham kept his own frozen in something neutral. You felt dread.
“… What is this…?” the other Grisham spoke with his gaze landing on you. Holding on to your lover, you tried to forget he was there.
“Wow, Mable was being honest,” the other Griselle looked around, “Other realities are a thing.”
“It seems that we have found ourselves,” he brought his hand to hold his chin, “What are those uniforms? Garish.” His comrade scrunched up her face.
“What the hell is this!?” Your Griselle finally snapped, “Why is there another me dressed like a Flare admin!?” The arm around your waist tightened at her words. Grisham's eyes opened.
“… I see,” he seemed to understand the situation, “Griselle. We need to push them back into the portal.”
The air was tense as the counterparts stood at ends.