Chapter 127: Parallel-World Celebrity Series, Episode Two—Complete!
On the screen, Tiana stood atop the Pokémon World Championships winners’ podium as ribbons drifted onto her head and her Pokémon gathered around her.
The video froze on that image.
[Parallel-World Celebrity Series, Episode Two—"Master of Time and Space: Tiana"—Complete!]
[The key characters will receive rewards!]
[Cynthia has received parallel-world memories!]
[Asher has received parallel-world memories!]
[Tiana has received One-Way Worldline Access!]
[Episode Three of the Parallel-World Celebrity Series will be released in seven days!]
[VIP Chat Group]
[Steven]: Here they come! The rewards are here! @Cynthia, Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law! Have the memories arrived yet?!
[Wallace]: Steven, could you stop being so excited? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were the one who received the memories.
[Steven]: Can’t I be happy for Brother Asher? He now has two complete sets of parallel-world memories layered together. His life is going to become incredibly exciting!
[Gary]: The rewards are exactly the same as in Episode One. Cynthia receives memories, Asher receives memories, and Tiana receives Worldline Access.
[Iris]: Does that mean Tiana is now guaranteed to be born in this world, just like Raina?!
[Clemont]: The chain of logic is already complete. Raina’s birth has been locked into place, and now Tiana’s has been as well. Whatever happens in the future has effectively become predetermined.
[Bonnie]: Brother, do you mean that Asher will eventually be with both Misty and Miss Cynthia—
[Clemont]: Bonnie, don’t say it out loud!
[Diantha]: @Cynthia, how do you feel? Have the memories arrived?
[Diantha]: Cynthia?
Celestic Town Historical Research Center.
Cynthia leaned against Garchomp, barely managing to remain on her feet. One hand rested on Garchomp for support, while the other covered her face.
The memories hadn’t flooded into her all at once.
They were entering her gradually, frame by frame—and every moment carried warmth.
This wasn’t a movie.
It was the life lived by another version of herself in a different world, and every detail felt terrifyingly real.
She remembered what Diantha had told her when she visited the research center that night:
"You’re only able to sit here calmly because you haven’t received the memories yet."
Now the memories had arrived.
And her composure had shattered along with them.
[VIP Chat Group]
[Skyla]: Come to think of it, Asher is the second person receiving memories, right? He already received one set before. What does receiving another feel like? Living two lives at once?
[Gary]: Essentially. His mind now contains two complete parallel-world lives.
[Brock]: Twice the memories and twice the responsibility. If Asher says, "That was my parallel-world counterpart, so it has nothing to do with me," ever again, we can send him straight to the gallows.
[Falkner]: Agreed. He could previously use the parallel world as a shield, but now that all those memories are inside his head, that excuse won’t protect him anymore.
[Wattson]: Wahahaha! It’s wonderful to be young! You get to experience gossip this exciting! I wish I were a few decades younger!
Kanto Region, Cerulean Gym.
Misty held a hand against her forehead, seemingly deep in thought.
What was destined to happen had finally happened.
Asher’s reaction to receiving the memories could be set aside for now. Misty understood all too clearly how Cynthia would react.
Receiving memories wasn’t the same as watching a movie.
Every moment of meeting, understanding, and falling in love would be placed directly into her previously empty consciousness, accompanied by all the emotions and physical sensations she had experienced at the time.
The overwhelming emotions brought by those memories weren’t something reason could easily suppress.
Even if Asher listened to Misty and refused to seek Cynthia out, did that mean Cynthia wouldn’t come looking for him?
After thinking it through repeatedly, Misty concluded that acceptance was the best option.
Refusing to accept it would only cause a conflict, and Misty wasn’t confident that she could definitely defeat Cynthia.
The silence continued for approximately half a minute.
Finally, Misty looked toward Asher.
"You’re not allowed to show favoritism. Do you understand?!"
Asher nodded vigorously.
"Don’t worry, honey. There will always be a place for you in my heart."
Misty lunged forward and knocked Asher down. Her small hand seized hold of his future, while the corners of her mouth curved into a terrifying smile.
"Remember what you just said. Otherwise, you’d better watch out..."
Asher sharply inhaled.
He had let his guard down. Misty actually possessed a technique like this!
Asher could only nod and promise her again.
Only then did Misty release him.
[VIP Chat Group]
[Diantha]: @Cynthia, Cynthia? Are you all right? Are you there? Could you please say something?
[Cynthia]: ...
[Diantha]: You nearly frightened me to death! Are you all right?
[Cynthia]: Sorry, Diantha. I’d like to ask about Asher first.
[Diantha]: ???
[Dawn]: Hooray! Is Champion Cynthia going to be with Asher now? Get married! Get married! (≧∇≦)ﾉ
[Gary]: When the wedding actually happens, I refuse to accept anything less than all you shippers serving as bridesmaids.
[Elesa]: Is no one going to spare a thought for Diantha? She was abandoned just like that! Hahaha!
[Valerie]: The husband is most important, while the best friend can only come second, right? (Giggles.)
[Cynthia]: @Asher, um... could you answer me? I only want to know... what do you think?
[Asher]: Ahem. Although I received my parallel-world counterpart’s memories, that doesn’t mean I’ve become that version of myself. After all, I now possess more than one set of memories, so... you still need to think this through carefully.
[Steven]: Incredible. Brother Asher truly is in a league of his own! He managed to give such a logically airtight answer even in this situation. A less experienced man probably wouldn’t even know how to respond!
[Brock]: Damn it! Why?! Why is it always him?! That’s it—I’m going to ask Asher to become my master!
[Ash]: Why would you ask Asher to become your master?
[Brock]: So he can teach me his romantic techniques, of course! As long as I devote myself to studying under him, I’m certain I’ll eventually find a beautiful older woman and get married!
[May]: I think... the fact that you openly announced that intention has already made your chances extremely slim.
[Max]: Agreed.
[Cynthia]: @Asher, I’ve made my decision! Where are you right now?
[Asher]: Cerulean City.
[Cynthia]: Wait there. I’m coming immediately!
[Misty]: ...
[Daisy]: What are you thinking right now, Misty? (Giggles.)
[Misty]: What is there to think about? I’ve already accepted reality. Besides, everything has to follow the proper order of arrival, right? No matter what anyone says, I appeared in Episode One. I’m the first wife!
[Lily]: Wow. Misty’s mentality is incredibly stable!
[Steven]: Your household isn’t about to go up in flames, is it? @Asher
[Asher]: Just you wait, Steven. I’m definitely going to make things difficult for you this time!
[Diantha]: @Asher, as Cynthia’s best friend, I have to demand a clear answer on her behalf. Which one of them are you choosing?
[Asher]: Ahem... I believe it’s best not to ask questions that could damage everyone’s unity.
[Asher]: As everyone knows, a bird cannot fly with only one wing. Therefore, Misty and Cynthia are both my wings!
[Wallace]: Magnificent!
[Alder]: "A bird cannot fly with only one wing." What an answer! Young man, I have great expectations for you!
[Brock]: I knew I could learn a lot by following Asher! I need to write that line down. When I eventually encounter the same situation, I’ll be able to use it too! (Frantically takes notes.)
[Gary]: You’re probably going to remain single for the rest of your life.
...
TL: Smh, bunch of haters—my bro Brock will find an older woman sooner or later! After me, of course.