As the cool sea breeze blew in from the window of the small studio apartment, Joseph could almost detect the smell of brine over the scent of turpentine which permeated his room. In front of him rested a large canvas containing his latest work.
Joseph had only been living on his own in Slateport City for about six months, and making money as an artist was difficult. Still though, somehow between selling art and his job at the pokemart, he was managing to make ends meet, if only barely. Joseph set down his brush for a moment and glanced over at the clock. 6 PM. He would have to stay up late, but at the rate he was working he still had time to finish before the gallery opened the next morning. If he was lucky, the painting would sell quickly.
Joseph stepped out of his room into his kitchen and poured himself a cold glass of water. He sat down for a moment, enjoying a view of the sunset from the window beside his kitchen table. Life was good.
As Joseph walked back into his room, his eyes fell on a small painting sitting beside his bed. Painted in oil was a familiar red and white dragon type Pokemon. It was the first work of art that Joseph had done after the events that had taken place in Hoenn several years prior.
Beside the painting rested the flute that Kya had given Joseph right before the final battle. It was one of only two items that had come with him from his old world, the other item being the statue of Groudon that Max had given him at the start of his journey.
Joseph realized that it had been almost three years to the day since he had arrived in this timeline. As much as he enjoyed his new life, sometimes he still missed being a trainer. More than anything, he missed the friends he had made on his journey. He hoped that they were all okay. Had all of their efforts managed to save Hoenn? In the end, Joseph didn’t even know exactly what his sacrifice had managed to accomplish, but he liked to think that it had been enough to save everyone.
---
Everything was meaningless.
The mid afternoon sun shone through dark curtains, casting the room in a dim light. Strewn about were art supplies and half finished paintings, slowly gathering dust.
Joseph stared blankly out from under the covers of his bed. Nine years had passed since the battle of Hoenn, and in that time Joseph had come to a realization. The people in this universe he had ended up in may look just like the people from where he came from, but they were still different people. His real parents were still back in the timeline where he died. Noone in this universe really knew him, or could understand what he had gone through. Who would believe that he had died battling a cult in another universe?
That’s right. Joseph was dead. He knew he should be happy that Arceus had given him a second chance at life, but none of it felt real anymore. He was just an imposter who had taken the place of the Joseph from this timeline.
Again Joseph found himself thinking about the other members of Team Emerald. Lucian, Clea, even Brettles and that bastard Jacob. He wished he could see all of them again. Arceus had given him a vision of every one of them dying. He couldn’t stop questioning whether or not the second chance he had given them was enough.
Joseph slowly dragged himself out of bed and opened the door to his room, wincing at the sunlight that shone in from his kitchen window. He pulled his fridge open only to find that the food had run out.
Joseph tugged at his matted hair, brushing it until it looked almost presentable. He made his way downstairs and stepped out of his apartment building. Autumn leaves danced in the street as a cool gust of wind blew by. Joseph found the cool air a refreshing change from his dusty apartment as he walked down the block towards the nearest supermarket.
The streets were mostly quiet barring the sound of distant traffic. As Joseph walked, he wondered why he was even bothering. What was the point? It would be easier if he just-
Joseph stopped in his tracks. He watched as a familiar person walked out from around the next corner and began crossing the street in front of him. Joseph couldn’t believe who he was seeing.
“Clea!” Joseph called out as he ran towards her, placing his hand on her shoulder as he caught
up. Clea spun around, slightly taken aback as she brushed Joseph’s hand off. One look told Joseph all he needed to know.
“Do I know you?” Clea asked, appearing somewhat nervous. Joseph took a step back, his hopes crushed in an instant. Of course, what were the odds that he would run into the same Clea that he knew. In this timeline, other people he had known prior to the battle of Hoenn existed, so it made sense that the members of Team Emerald could also exist here. Except in this timeline, he had never met them.
“I’m sorry, I… Had you mistaken for someone else.” Joseph said, trying to cover his mistake. He turned and briskly started walking back towards his apartment.
“Wait-” Clea’s voice was drowned out by the sound of a passing truck. Before she could say anything else, Joseph was already half a block away.
Joseph swung open the door to his room. “Damn it.” He muttered, coughing from the dust he had stirred up during his abrupt entry. He moved his curtains aside just enough to open the window. He knew he shouldn’t have gotten his hopes up. “Damn it!” he repeated, this time yelling as he slammed his fist against the wall.
Sunlight shone through between the slightly parted curtains, leaving a visible beam of light as it passed through the clouds of dust. The beam fell directly on Joseph’s night table where a single Pokeball rested beside the painting of Latias.
“That’s right.” Joseph thought, calming himself. They might not be here in this timeline, but the other members of Team Emerald could still be out there somewhere. There was no way for him to return to his original timeline, but if he could just find Chime, surely he could at least tell Joseph whether or not the others were okay, and if they had managed to save Hoenn. He couldn’t be happy until he had some kind of closure.
Joseph threw open his curtains and made his way to his nightstand, grabbing the Pokeball. He made his way out of his room, this time with a new goal in mind. In his old world, he had obtained all eight gym badges, but died before he had the chance to challenge the league champion. Even if he couldn’t see the other members of Team Emerald again, perhaps finishing what he had started would give him the closure he needed.
At the very least, he’d get some payback on the elite four for what they had put him through to get to Arceus, if they were indeed the real elite four and not illusions.
---
It had been longer and lonelier than the first time around, but Joseph had finally done it.
“I see that you are an exceptional trainer.” Juan commended. “You caused a bit of a stir three years back when you beat the first two gyms of the Hoenn League with only a single Pokemon.” The aging gym leader commented. “I also hear that you are quite a good artist.”
“Thank you, Juan,” Joseph responded, “but really, I’m nothing special.”
“I’d beg to differ. Not many could beat this gym so easily.” The gym leader disagreed. “Quite frankly, had it not been for your Charizard’s type disadvantage, I wouldn’t have even stood a chance.” Juan said with a smile. “Perhaps I’m getting too old for this. But anyway, enough of my rambling. With this gym badge you are ready to take on the Elite four. I wish you the best of luck.”
Joseph walked out of the Sootopolis City gym a minute later, a case containing his completed collection of gym badges in hand. As he made his way back to his room at the Pokemon Center, he stopped at one particular spot. Joseph had intentionally avoided this spot on his first walk through the city. It was the last spot that Joseph had seen the rest of Team Emerald all those years ago before they went their separate ways.
Joseph was in a better place now than he had been in a long time, but he couldn’t help but feel sad thinking about the last time he had seen everyone. He pulled out the flute that Kya had given him. He had only ever played it once, and this was the spot that he had done it.
Joseph suddenly felt as though he was being watched. At that same moment, a feeling he hadn’t felt in a long time hit him.
“Paper.”
Joseph knelt down and began to rummage through his bag. Pulling out his drawing pad and a pencil, his hand began to move on its own as he furiously sketched out an image. Of course Joseph had tried to locate Chime using the power that Arceus had given him, but he had been unable to use the power since arriving in his new world. Why was this suddenly happening now?
After several minutes, the image was done. Joseph shivered slightly, because he knew exactly the location that was drawn on the image. Clearly depicted was the entrance to Victory Road. Inside those caverns was the place that Joseph’s journey had ended.
The picture showed a light layer of snow coating the ground outside. It was still only August, meaning if this picture was predicting the future, then whatever it was predicting wouldn’t take place for at least several months. Joseph resolved to travel to victory road during the first snowfall of the year. He hoped he’d find something there that would lead him to Chime.
---
Crunch.
Joseph could see his breath in the cold December air as he walked through the snow covered streets of Ever Grande City. He made his way up to the north end of the city, where Victory Road was.
Looking at the entrance side by side with his drawing, there was no doubt about it. This was the time and place that he was supposed to be.
“Blaze.” Joseph said quietly, releasing the Charizard that had been his companion for the past four years. The light on the fire type’s tail dimly lit the way as they moved through the cave.
Joseph reached the exit of Victory Road without event. Before he could leave however, someone stepped into the doorway, blocking his path.
“I’ll take it you know who I am?” The familiar girl asked.
“Bianca!” Joseph called out. He caught himself making the same mistake he had made with Clea. Joseph knew that this wasn’t the same Latias that he knew. Still, he couldn’t help but feel happy.
“If you know who I am, that makes things easier.” The legendary Pokemon in human form said. “I know you have an Eon Flute.” She continued, pointing at Joseph’s backpack. The Latias from this timeline didn’t seem quite as warm as the one Joseph knew.
“You mean this?” Joseph questioned, showing the flute.
“Yes, that. There should only be two of those. I know where two of them are, yet somehow you had a third that I didn’t know about.” Bianca explained. “So, where did you get it?”
Joseph thought that he just might have found someone he could tell his story to that wouldn’t think he was crazy.
“Would you believe me if I told you this flute I have came with me from another timeline?”
“I mean, it’s certainly possible.” Bianca replied. “In fact, it would explain a lot. Is Arceus involved with this somehow?”
“How did you know?”
“Just a guess.” Bianca shrugged. Joseph had a feeling that there was something Latias wasn’t telling him, but he didn’t question her on it.
“Around 13 years ago, In another timeline, my friends and I battled against a shadow cult with the aid of a few legendary Pokemon. I died during that battle, but I was sent here by Arceus. The Kyogre from that timeline gave me that flute.” Joseph recounted.
“Was I one of those legendary Pokemon that helped you in that timeline?” Bianca asked.
“Yea, you were… But, I never got the chance to thank you for all of your help.”
“I’m happy if some other version of me was able to help you,” Bianca began, “but please don’t get the two of us mixed up. This is the first time you and I have met.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Joseph apologized sadly. Now that he had answered some of Latias’s questions, Joseph hoped that the legendary Pokemon might be able to help him.
“The truth is, I’ve been looking for someone for the past several years. Do you know how I can find Chime?” Joseph asked.
“The fact that you even know that name means that everything you’ve told me is probably True.” Bianca said. “But finding Chime isn’t so simple. Usually, it’s Chime that finds you, not the other way around.
“Please… there must be some way.” Joseph pleaded. Bianca shook her head.
“If a legendary Pokemon looked for him, they could find him, but even then it wouldn’t be easy for most. Why do you even want to find Chime so badly?” She asked.
“I just want to find out how the battle in the world I came from ended, and if my friends are okay.” Joseph explained.
“That’s it?”
“What do you mean that’s it?” Joseph questioned, a hint of anger in his voice.
“I just mean that you said it’s been thirteen years since all of this happened. It sounds to me like someone is having trouble letting go of the past.”
“Don’t act like you know me!” Joseph countered.
“I may not know you, but I can sense exactly how you’re feeling.” Bianca replied,
taking a defensive stance in response to Joseph’s hostility. “I’m not telling you to stop looking for your answers. I’m just saying it’s not healthy to get too obsessed.”
“I’m not obsessed! Joseph shouted back.
“Your anger just proves that I’m right.”
“Alright, maybe you are right. But what else was I supposed to do?” Joseph yelled. “There is no one in this world that I can talk to about what I went through. Who would believe me?”
“Well, you just talked to me about it, didn’t you?”
Joseph just stood there for a moment, unable to think of a response. He knew Latias was right.
“Anyway, if you want to spend the rest of your life looking for answers that you may or may not get, go ahead. I’ve got to get going. Latias turned and began to walk away. After a moment, she stopped and tilted her head back to ask one more question.
“What’s your name?”
“Joseph.” He responded.
“Joseph… Thank you for answering my questions. I guess if I happen to see Chime I can pass along the message.” Bianca’s silhouette faded into the bright corridor leading outside.
---
A lot can change in only three years.
That’s what Joseph thought as he sat down on his couch sipping his coffee, looking out at his snow covered backyard. It wasn’t much, but it was his. “You’re coming with me to the opening at the gallery, right Veronica?” Joseph asked as he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
A bit less than three years Prior, Joseph had moved into an apartment in Petalburg City. Shortly after, he had met Veronica at the Pokemon Center where she worked as a nurse. The two had been dating for about two and a half years, but had only recently moved in together.
“I don’t know.” Veronica responded. “I’ve got a lot to get done around here. Give me a little while, we’ll see.” Joseph drank the last of his coffee and stood up. On his feet, he dwarfed the 5’3 girl.
“I’m leaving soon, so let me know.” Joseph advised. He headed up to his room and began to get his things together.
Joseph ended up heading out on his own. As he made his way towards the gallery, he passed by the lake, stopping for a moment at a snow covered Gazebo. One of the paintings that Joseph had hanging in the gallery was of this Gazebo. He almost tripped over a large branch that was partially buried in the snow as he walked past.
Joseph arrived at the gallery a bit early, but he wasn’t the first one there. A handful of other people made their way around the room looking at the art of several different artists, Joseph’s included. Off to the side of the room, an employee was setting samples of cheese and wine on a table.
Joseph made his way to the wall where his own art was hung. The first of his four paintings depicted the streets of Petalburg City covered in snow. The second was his painting of the Gazebo by the lake, a large branch partially buried in the snow in front.
“Wait a second.”
Joseph did a double take as he looked at the painting. The snow. The lighting. The branch. It all perfectly matched what he had seen on his walk there earlier that day. Quickly, he began to examine the next painting.
At first glance, it was just a still life, with nothing unusual about it. Suddenly Joseph spotted in the background a calendar and a clock. On the Calendar, the date January 7th was circled.
“Today’s Date.” Joseph had finished this painting three months earlier. It couldn’t just be a coincidence that the current date was circled. He was sure now that his power had caused him to draw the future without realizing it again. The hands on the clock indicated the time was eight. Was that eight AM or PM? If it was PM, then it might have been predicting something still to come. Finally Joseph looked at the last picture.
This one was a drawing depicting a windchime blowing in the breeze.
“Windchime.”
“Chime.”
Joseph hurried back home to think about what he had just seen.
---
“7:59.” Joseph read the time off of his phone. He had been sitting on a bench at the Gazebo beside the lake for the past half hour. He was sure that this was the spot he was supposed to be. His heart began to race at the thought of meeting Chime. When Joseph had met Veronica, he had finally started to forget about finding Chime. Now that Chime seemed so close however, his desire for answers began to return.
“I knew I’d find you here.” A man’s voice said. Joseph turned his head and saw the person he had spent so long searching for.
“Chime?”
“Hi Joseph.” Chime said, taking a seat on the bench across from Joseph.
“I spent so long looking for you!” Joseph exclaimed.
“Well, to be honest, it took me some time to find you as well. I ran into Bianca and she told me you were looking for me. After that it wasn’t hard to find you.” Chime recounted.
“You could have just come to my house and knocked on the door you know.” Joseph said.
“But I had to test you before you could speak to me.” Chime responded. Joseph glared at him, unnamused.
“Sorry, Just a joke. In all seriousness, I’ve been busy elsewhere. I knew if you wanted to see me as bad as Bianca said you did, you’d be able to predict when and where to meet with that power Arceus gave you.” Chime explained. The second Chime gave Joseph a second to talk, Joseph began bombarding him with questions.
“The other members of Team Emerald, are they okay? And Hoenn? Did we save Hoenn? And-”
“One Question at a time, Joseph.” Chime interrupted. “I can tell you how the battle ended, but I don’t know whether or not you’ll be happy with what you hear.”
“I need to know.” Joseph insisted. “It’s been eating away at me for years now.”
“When you died, time was reset several seconds. Because of that, Jacob managed to take down Deoxys, but died in the process. Lucian was able to stop Colden, but him and Rain also died in the process.
“And Clea?” Joseph demanded, his heart sinking. Chime shook his head.
“Never made it out of the hospital.”
“Then what was the point of me sacrificing myself? Arceus is supposed to be a god, but the best he could do was turn back time a few seconds?! I should have stayed and fought with the others.” Joseph yelled.
“Who knows how things would have turned out had it not been for your sacrifice. You died, but as a result, you stopped the Songbird Cult from destroying Hoenn. And besides, it seems you aren’t the only one Arceus decided to send to another timeline.” Chime explained.
“You mean the others are still alive too?” Joseph asked hopefully.
“I can’t say that they all are for certain, but at least some of them are.” Chime said. “And that brings me to what I wanted to tell you Something has been causing wormholes to open, and all of them are leading to the same world. Some of the other members of Team Emerald have also gone there. If you want to see them, I can take you there, but I also need to ask a favor of you.”
“What is this favor?” Joseph responded.
“Find what’s causing these wormholes and put a stop to it. If you do that, you’re sure to run into some of your friends along the way.” Chime said. Joseph hesitated for a moment.
“If you had asked me a few years ago, I would have said yes in a heartbeat, but… I need some time. Things changed. I have someone I need to be here for now.” Joseph explained. He was so close to his friends now, but even if he did find them, would they even want to see him? 17 years is a long time.
“Bianca said you seemed pretty desperate to find out about your friends. But I guess a lot can change in a few years. I’ll be here again in two weeks. If you want to go then, meet me here. If not, I can’t promise you’ll have another chance any time soon, so try to decide by then.”
“Two weeks…” Joseph said. He felt bad leaving Veronica when they had just moved in together, and he knew she wouldn’t be happy about it. Still, he knew he had to do it. “I’ll see you then.”
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