The Grand Opening

[driftingmods]

[A large WELCOME sign is hanging from the buildings when you walk into Levanta Town, but that seems to be the only sign that today is any different than any other day. The villagers are simply going about their daily business. However, if they are approached they are more than happy to explain the region as well as they can to any new arrivals.

Welcome to Levanta Town in The Drifting Land!]

Comments

[falsified]

[He'll sigh]

I was kind of busy. It wasn't like I wanted to end up here.

[battlestandby]

Busy with what? You've traveled across many regions, I figured you'd just see this as an opportunity for some "new adventure".

[falsified]

Doesn't mean I like ones I didn't plan.

[battlestandby]

You, plan things?

[falsified]

... Yeah? [What of it?]

[battlestandby]

Planning isn't your style.

[falsified]

You know me that well?

[battlestandby]

We've battled several times, including the Sinnoh League quarterfinals. And I've had to talk to you enough to know some key details about you.

[falsified]

[He looks very confused]

I battled you during the League and we were paired up during the Hearthome City Tag Battles.

... That's about it.

[battlestandby]

You don't remember the Pokeringer competition? Or the full battle my brother arranged at Lake Acuity?

[falsified]

... What are you talking about?

[battlestandby]

Battles we've had, just a few of many. You... don't remember, either...

[falsified]

... Because those never happened. I don't know what you're talking about, sorry.

[battlestandby]

... it's like you're from some alternate universe.

[falsified]

[There's a short pause...]

That's not impossible.

We are on a floating island.

[battlestandby]

And you aren't the first Ash I've seen here.

This place... it can't be part of the world we know. Too many nonsensical things have happened.

[falsified]

What was your first clue? The floating island or... running into more than one of me.

[battlestandby]

Don't get smart with me, idiot. This is a lot for anyone to take in.

[falsified]

... Sorry. It's not like you're the only one.

[battlestandby]

[He'll just silently stare at you for a moment, Ash. There's definitely something odd about you that intrigues him.]

[falsified]

[He'll fidget as you seem to study him. He'll pull his hat down a little, but neither he nor Pikachu make any attempt to leave. You're... a difficulty, Paul. He doesn't know how well you know the other versions of him. Not to mention you seem to know him better than he knows you.

And he hates that.]

... Something wrong?

[battlestandby]

Something's off about you. The Ash I know smiles almost constantly, actively tried to befriend me even when I disrespected him, and was... so expressive, like he was constantly energetic.

You feel more... like a normal person.

[falsified]

... Sorry I'm not what you're used to, I guess. [Is that even the right response?

It's the only one that came to mind.]

[battlestandby]

You're actually preferable compared to the Ash I know. Not nearly as annoying.

[falsified]

... Guess that's a plus. [Crap, he's not the same as the other versions of him. That might be a problem later.]