Chapter 2: Lifelong Dream

The sun was already setting below the horizon when the duo reached the huge city. This place seemed to be the first thing that actually excited Kel in this world, already at first sight. "Do you have such big cities in this world? How do you even build things like that? In my world we needed huge machines for this stuff!" Aurora thought for a moment, until she had to admit that she didn't really know how the largest of these buildings were actually built. "So… when I got here, all the buildings were already there. I've never seen anyone build something like this. It's likely the work of big Pokemon and their elemental powers. Otherwise I have no ideas either." "Does that mean that all these huge buildings are ancient?" The Ice Pokemon felt quite offended by this question. "What is that supposed to mean? Just because I haven't been there doesn't mean these buildings are ancient! I'm only 22 myself!" "That's old where I come from, at least for such buildings. I wasn't older myself, and yet I saw the construction of most of the skyscrapers in my area!"

These last conversations made Aurora suspicious. At the lake, hadn't Kel said that he remembered close to nothing? Then how could he tell so many things about this human world all the time? But ultimately, what did it change for her? As soon as she could be sure that this Growlithe was getting along somehow, she would only meet him again on the street, if even that, nothing more. "Is this building the office you've been talking about all along?" A huge tower stretched out in front of the two Pokemon. "Yes. I know my way around here well enough, just come along. I'll bring you to Aurorus and Tyrantrum. If they can't help you, then all hope is lost anyways." "Well, thank you, that makes sure I'm very optimistic." Without answering, Aurora stepped in front of the glass door, which opened immediately. An iron elevator was on her left, and a white staircase on her right. Immediately she headed for the elevator, with Kel following just behind her. A whole bunch of buttons adorned the wall, each number represented twice. Once each number sat low, once higher up so that Pokémon of different sizes could use the elevator. Aurora pressed the lower 47, the fourth-highest floor, without hesitation. "If the two of them run this whole battle ring, why isn't their office on the top floor? Wouldn't that make more sense? "Perhaps. Some claim that Aurorus is afraid of heights and therefore couldn't stand the glass walls up there, but I don't know if these are more than just theories. In any case, they built a battle ring in this glass dome. A special battlefield that may only be used on special occasions. The two of them have their private apartments on floor 49, which is why this button lights up red there. You can only go there with a leaders key card. Both have lived there since the tower opened, at least that's what many say. As I said, when it was built I wasn't here, so I can't tell. On the 48th floor ... nobody really knows what is there. Apparently not even Aurorus. It is Tyrantrum's secret. But as I know him, there isn't even anything there and he just wants to make himself more interesting."

At the end of these explanations, the elevator had already reached level 47, so it was only a matter of seconds before a bell rang and the door opened. A long corridor stretched out in front of the two of them. There were only a few doors here. The floor was completely covered with a red carpet. "Let me guess, this big door at the end of the hall is the right one?" Without waiting for an answer, Kel stood right in front of the door and knocked. Aurora made him wait without a word. Kel knocked again. And again there was no answer. "Are they not there at the moment?" "When they are not here, there is always a sign on your door. However, it doesn't surprise me that you won't get an answer if you knock on the broom closet." With an amused look in her eyes, she knocked on one of the other two doors in the hallway. "Who is it?" Aurorus had already thought a little further than his partner. "Aurora, if that is you, you can go right back. Two times in one day is exaggerated even for you!" The still slightly ashamed Growlithe looked at the addressed questioningly, but she ignored him for the time being. "Yes, it's me, but I'm not here because of the league, but because of another Pokemon." For a moment, you could hear soft whispers from the room behind the door, then a soft click. Aurora knew instantly that the door had been unlocked and she now opened it. A little uncertain, Kel followed her into the impressive office. Several large tables were set up in the large room, each made of a different wood. Three large cupboards full of different folders adorned the walls, with various trophies on top of them. Free spots were adorned with framed photos, all of the two friends who founded the Berelos League. "What is your concern?" "So ... it is Kel, tell them your stuff. I just brought him here. I suspect that his story has something to do with the Plothole earlier today." "You are really not here for yourself this time? That's progress, Aurora, we might be rid of you soon, if you keep on learning." The pokemon addressed made the clever decision to simply ignore this comment and let Kel tell his story.

"... and now I am here because I am looking for explanations about what exactly happened." The disbelief on Aurorus's face was clearly visible. "I've heard of humans, but never before was there one in our world. You also look like a normal Growlithe. But maybe that's normal for you humans." "It's definitly not! But it probably has something to do with the fact that I lost my human body." The more Kel said, the more Aurora had the feeling that Aurorus wasn't buying a word he said. "Plotholes only affect this world! Then why should it affect a person from a completely different world?" However, his partner seemed to have more faith in the story of the former human. "The plotholes are getting stronger, you know that yourself, Aurorus. And if that guy really died in his world, then it is possible that his soul somehow ended up here and was influenced by the Plothole. I think it's quite possible." Amagarga's questioning look revealed a lot of his thoughts. "Do you believe him? I thought you were the one who doesn't even believe in the influence of plotholes?" Don't believe in plotholes? Aurora had never heard anything so insane. However, she decided not to speak out this thought.

"At first I didn't really get them, but how am I supposed to deny what is so obvious?" "Yes, I always asked you that too! But well ... I doubt, however, that we can help you in any way... with whatever you want help at all." "I've already said it: Above all, I need information. I don't know this area even a bit, just like the customs of this world. And I would like to find out why I am here at all. What these "plotholes" are." "Don't you have any plotholes in your world?" The very thought seemed nonsensical. Plotholes were a part of life, like the sun or the moon. "You're talking confused, Aurora! Plotholes are not natural, you should know that! And I doubt that there is someone like Epsilon in other worlds!" Once again, this statement didn't help Kel a bit. "One more thing… how do I join the league? It would make sense for me to be able to fight at least a little." The two founders of the league gave each other knowing looks. "Well, you need a team partner, or several, for that. If you find some, you can register here." "And maybe you're lucky. Coincidentally, we know a Pokemon that has been annoying us for months because she can't find a team partner for shit." Both of her eyes fell on Aurora.

Immediately she realized what the two fossil pokemon implied with their statement. If this pokemon-gotten-human really wanted to be part of the league, she could join him and finally fulfill her dream. On the other hand, she still didn't know what to think of the Growlithe. But were these worries really significant enough to let this huge opportunity slip by? "Oh, that's why you are already so well known here, Aurora? I mean… I don't really care who my teammate is, it's not like I know a lot of Pokemon." For a moment the Vulpix looked back and forth between the founders and Kel. "Good ... I'll join. I've really been waiting far too long to let such an opportunity slip by." Aurorus made a sigh of relief, obviously aware that from now on they would no longer be annoyed every few days. "Fine, but let's keep this waiting until tomorrow. We'll be here after sunrise, just drop by and we'll take care of the formalities. Today our shift is over. You should probably think of a team name in advance, then we won't need that long tomorrow." "You are dismissed for today! Leave!"

Without waiting for a further request, the two guests left the office. The team wasn't actually founded yet, but Aurora was euphoric nonetheless. The next day she could finally fulfill her dream. She left the tower happily, while Kel didn't look particularly moved. "So ... do you have any idea where I can spend the night? Is there a hotel here or something like that?" "There is, but I'm pessimistic enough to assume that you don't have any money. Right?" "Well, where should that come from? Do you have any other ideas?" Once again Aurora wavered between the possibilities. Technically, she could just go home and let the rest be his problem. On the other hand, it wouldn't be particularly wise for her to make herself disliked by her new team partner already. Also, they had to find a team name. "So ... for now you can move into a free room with me. I can't let you sleep on the street." An absent nod was the only answer Aurora got. A little annoyed by this ungrateful behavior, she followed some branched roads until wide open spaces soon came into view.

Kira Town's borders were reached and the transition to a wide meadow and the endless sea on the horizon began. Individual houses adorned this border area, many of them much closer to nature than the large residential complexes in the city center. It was one of these houses that Aurora headed for. A wooden house, slightly larger than Kel's old apartment, which had a few windows as the only wall decorations. A small, fenced in garden area surrounded the house, a small gravel path led from the fence gate to the front door. Without wasting a second thought, Aurora opened the gate and unlocked the front door. Without a word, Kel followed as they stepped inside. From everything the former human knew from his old life, the sight of this building was truly something special. A small gray carpet adorned the entrance area, a large picture of a starry sky immediately caught the eye on the wall. Under this was a wooden table. A staircase in the same room led to another floor, and three open doors in the ground floor led to Aurora's bedroom, a small bathroom and a kitchen. Above the stairs was another open door, behind which another bedroom appeared to be. The bright wooden walls shone in the glow of the evening sun, which fell directly through the largest of the windows, the light now centered on the wooden table. Otherwise there were two smaller cupboards filled with various books. "This is my humble house. If it's too small for you, then there is nothing I can do about it. I rarely have visitors anyway. You can take the room above the stairs. There's another door in that room, but I doubt my cluttered attic will interest you, so you don't need to pay attention to it."

Authors Note:
Life is stressful. But I did do another chapter. Also, even though the picture didn't change, the name of this story changed, in the german original to "Plotkrieg" which is translated to "Plotwar". I'm too busy/lazy (choose what ever you want) to do a new one.