The countdown on the giant screen continued to tick away.
By now, everyone in the broadcast room had figured out the basic rules.
Simply put, it was a quiz competition.
Participants would watch the videos and answer questions based on the content.
Correct answers earned rewards, while wrong answers resulted in penalties.
The only mystery was what those rewards and punishments would actually be.
As the final second of the countdown reached zero, the system’s announcement echoed across the world.
[Ding!]
[Now broadcasting Episode One of the Parallel World Celebrity Series.]
The text on the screen shifted and settled into a bold title.
Parallel World Celebrity Series: Episode One
Water-Type Pokémon Master
Featured Individual: Aoi
Beneath the title, a detailed information panel appeared.
Special Ability: None
Father: Asher Winter
Mother: Misty
Starter Pokémon: Squirtle
Ace Pokémon: Gyarados, Milotic, Blastoise, Lapras, Dragonite, Vaporeon
Legendary Pokémon: Lugia, Suicune
Journey Duration: Three Years
Achievements:
Cerulean Gym Leader,
Kanto Elite Four Water Specialist,
Water-Type Pokémon Master
“PFFFFT!”
Asher instantly sprayed coconut juice everywhere and nearly choked to death.
Aoi?
Misty?
This was bad.
Very bad.
He remembered this.
This was from one of his previous reincarnation cycles.
Wait a second…
If this broadcast planned to reveal everything from that life…
Then his peaceful retirement was finished.
Completely finished.
The moment he realized that, Asher shot to his feet and began hurriedly gathering his belongings.
If the broadcast started showing his face and someone on the beach recognized him, things would get ugly very quickly.
Standard Seat Chat
“Whoa!
The main character is here!
Aoi?
That’s a pretty name.”
“Asher Winter?
Never heard of him.”
“Hold on…
Mother: Misty?
As in the Cerulean Gym Leader?”
“I know Misty!
She’s the Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym in Kanto!
Since when does she have a daughter?”
“The title says this is a parallel world.
Does that mean this girl doesn’t exist in our world?”
“Forget that!
Look at those achievements!
A Water-Type Elite Four member!
And she caught Lugia and Suicune?!”
“Those are Legendary Pokémon!”
Cerulean City, Kanto Region
Inside Cerulean Gym, Misty had just finished a Gym battle and was directing Goldeen and Starmie back into their pool.
Then she saw the screen.
Her entire body froze.
Her bright eyes widened as she stared at the words displayed before her.
Especially one line.
Mother: Misty
A deep blush rapidly spread from her neck to the tips of her ears.
Within seconds, her entire face had turned bright red.
“W-WHAT KIND OF JOKE IS THIS?!”
Her scream nearly blew the roof off the Gym.
Pointing furiously at the screen, she shouted:
“Who in the world is Asher Winter?!
I’ve never even met this guy!”
“Mother?!
Me?!
A daughter?!”
“What kind of sick prank is this?!”
One of the Gym staff members hesitantly raised a hand.
“Gym Leader Misty…
maybe…”
“FAKE!”
Misty exploded.
“It’s all fake!”
“This is slander!
Defamation!”
“No, forget that!
I’m blasting that screen apart with Hydro Pump!”
Meanwhile, the Premium Seat Chat had already exploded into activity.
Premium Seat Chat
Daisy: Oh?
Our little sister is the featured character this time?
But who exactly is this Asher Winter?
Ash: It’s about Misty…?
Uh…
she won’t be angry if we watch this, right?
Brock: Ash, I think this is one of those moments where it’s safer not to speak.
Violet: Wow.
Out of everyone, Misty gets exposed first.
And as a mother, no less.
Too bad we’re not at the Gym right now.
This would be hilarious.
Lily: Wait a second.
It says Cerulean Gym Leader in Aoi’s achievements.
Doesn’t that mean Misty’s daughter eventually inherits the Gym?
Are we finally free from Gym duties?!
Daisy: That does sound wonderful.
But none of us have ever heard of this Asher Winter.
Misty: I DON’T KNOW HIM!
THIS IS A PARALLEL WORLD!
NONE OF THIS IS REAL!
AND WHY AREN’T YOU THREE BACK YET?!
YOUR TOUR ENDED LAST WEEK!
DON’T TELL ME YOU’RE SECRETLY ON VACATION!
Lily: W-What?
Of course not!
There are still post-event activities to handle!
We’re still at the venue!
Misty: Really?
Violet: Absolutely!
We’d come home immediately if we were done!
Daisy: More importantly, what kind of person is this parallel-world brother-in-law?
Is he handsome?
Rich?
Do we have any pictures?
Misty: STOP CALLING HIM THAT!
I DON’T KNOW HIM!
Gary Oak: The screen is changing.
Everyone immediately turned their attention back to the broadcast.
A cover image slowly appeared.
At the center stood a young woman dressed in a trainer’s outfit.
Her striking orange hair flowed freely in the wind.
Beside her stood Suicune, its majestic blue body and flowing purple mane radiating divine elegance.
High above, a snow-white Lugia soared through the skies.
Misty: ????
WHO IS THIS GIRL?!
Lorelei: A Water-Type Elite Four member with the recognition of both Lugia and Suicune…
That’s an extraordinary accomplishment.
Bruno: Hahaha!
Now you’ve got my attention.
I wonder how many powerful Trainers from parallel worlds will challenge us old veterans.
Wallace: Milotic, Lugia, and Suicune…
What a breathtaking sight.
I wonder what Pokémon Contests look like in that world.
Cynthia: Achievements like that don’t happen without strong guidance from family and loved ones.
Lance: It’s still too early to draw conclusions.
Let’s keep watching.
The cover image gradually faded.
The video finally began.
A warmly decorated nursery appeared on screen.
Sunlight streamed gently through pale blue curtains.
The camera slowly moved across the room before stopping at a small crib.
Inside lay a newborn baby girl.
Soft orange hair covered her tiny head.
Her cheeks were rosy, and she slept peacefully with a faint smile on her face.
Healthy.
Safe.
Adorable.
A caption appeared beside the image.
[Aoi – Day One After Birth]
The scene changed.
A slightly older and noticeably more mature Misty appeared.
Gone was much of her usual fiery personality.
Instead, she carefully cradled the baby in her arms, her face glowing with happiness.
Her gaze was so gentle it seemed capable of melting hearts.
Standing beside her was a handsome young man with black hair and golden eyes.
His expression was calm and dependable.
He carefully extended a finger and lightly touched the baby’s tiny hand.
His eyes were filled with affection.
And unmistakable love.
Premium Seat Chat
Misty: ????????
Misty: WHO IS THAT GUY?!
FOR THE LAST TIME, I’VE NEVER MET HIM!
Misty: AND WHY AM I MAKING THAT FACE?!
I WOULD NEVER LOOK AT SOMEONE LIKE THAT!
THAT IS NOT ME!
Lily: My, my.
Why are you panicking so much?
We haven’t said anything.
Violet: Seriously though, this Asher Winter is pretty handsome.
Daisy: Agreed.
Black hair, golden eyes, handsome face, reliable appearance…
He looks like a good man.
Misty’s taste isn’t bad.
Misty: @Daisy @Violet @Lily
THAT’S NOT ME!
IT’S A PARALLEL WORLD!
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME!
Ash: Wow…
So that’s what Misty becomes in the future.
She looks…
Different.
Really different.
Brock: Ash, it sounds like you stopped yourself halfway through that sentence.
Ash: No!
I didn’t mean anything!
I just think the scene looks really warm and happy!
Misty: ASH, SHUT UP!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN DIFFERENT?!
I’M PERFECTLY GENTLE TOO!
Lorelei: Hehe, interesting.
But I’m actually more interested in the father of this Water-Type Master.
Lance: Don’t rush.
The video has only just begun.
Besides…
Don’t you find something strange?
Cynthia: What do you mean?
Lance: This Asher Winter.
He doesn’t exist in any of my intelligence reports.
I’ve searched everything available and found absolutely nothing.
Alder: So nobody in Kanto knows who he is?
If he helped raise a future Water-Type Elite Four member, he shouldn’t be an unknown figure.
Brock: I’ve been thinking about it too.
I’ve never heard the name before.
Still, judging from his appearance, he’s probably a strong Trainer.
Professor Oak: Hmm…
That is strange.
If the only difference between worlds is the choices people make, then Asher Winter should exist here as well.
Unless…
Cynthia: Unless he’s a unique variable.
Someone who exists only in that parallel world.
Steven Stone: Fascinating.
Although I’m more interested in Aoi herself.
She obtained so many rare Water-type Pokémon.
There must be countless incredible stories behind that journey.
Wallace: That’s actually a reasonable point for once.
I’d like to see it too.
Just what kind of family produces a Water-Type Pokémon Master?