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Note: This was posted a few hours after the previous chapter. Just giving a heads up because you might have skipped the 18th chapter.

Chapter 19: Transcending Feelings

Ruby's POV

I knew she was in pain and I knew I was the reason for it. Before, I promised that I wouldn't lie to her or keep secrets, but I had to. It was the only way. She shouldn't be involved. I'm sorry.

Sapphire's face was the last thing I saw before the white light took me away again—Celebi's light. Time-travelling was hard for me to understand but I'd gotten used to it ever since that day before my birthday. The first time, it felt like electricity coursing through me. Fortunately, Celebi gave me something that protected me from the effects; two shattered pieces of what I guessed was some sort of pokeball based on the texture. One was gold with a prism glow while the other was glistening silver. It was only a temporary item. The more we travelled through time, the more it began to disintegrate.

The time stream was full of windows that led to different times and different places. Celebi mostly, guided my way. Other times, I had the privilege to choose. After we retrieved the right items to time-travel better, I proceeded to the main quest that I was on; a mission that was given to me by that person I met on the day Celebi took me away.

Absolute whiteness engulfed me before I opened my eyes to find myself in a different place. It was a forest with tall evergreens standing in every direction. A cool fresh scent blew all around. The familiarity of which led me to believe that I was in Ilex. Now, one question remained. When?

I changed back from my red yukata to a more suitable attire; white pants and long-sleeves with red and black accents that match the vest and headband. With Celebi flying off somewhere, I took a short stroll to find out its purpose in taking me to this place.

Unlike Sapphire, I couldn't tell the difference between one tree from another. Ilex forest was huge and everything looked the same. I sighed and pulled out a pokeball. With a bright flash, an avian pokemon with orange and black feathers flew through the air. "Talo, where's the nearest city?"

The Fletchinder nodded and flew ahead of me. I chased after it, not knowing what was beyond that point. I abruptly came to a stop when I saw a child sitting on a tree stump, facing three small pokemon. I knew very well who it was. I placed back my mask to avoid further suspicion if ever he spotted me as I came closer. Talo stopped flying and perched on a tree branch above me.

"Did you see that show? Beautiful, right?" The crimson-eyed child happily asked his pokemon who cried out in agreement. "I heard they call it a pokemon contest. What would you guys say if we entered one of those?" The gray wolf pup, being in the middle of the three, turned to each of its companions with a puzzled expression. They reluctantly agreed in the end.

I remembered this day. It was the time I began to practice for the pokemon contests. The small boy stood up and motioned the Poochyena to go up on the tree stump as if it was some sort of stage. I watched as Nana complied waited for further instructions.

"Okay Nana, raise your head and tail up more." The child requested with uncertainty as to what he was doing. The gray pup followed, but like her trainer, she wasn't sure about what was to be done.

My younger self sighed in frustration and on impulse, threw a rock at one of the nearby bushes. I was saddened by the sight, but that sadness quickly turned into alertness when the bushes started to shift and move. If I recall correctly, the pokemon that I encountered were -

"Beedrills!" The boy shouted as several yellow and black insects sprung out of the thick vegetation. Nana, Coco and Ruru hastily confronted the enemy to protect my past self. I gestured my Fletchinder to prepare because I knew the battle didn't go the way it should. I couldn't recall the next events that happened which made me hesitate. Was I allowed to intervene? Would it change the future?

"Stop! Don't fight!" the boy yelled, trembling and holding back the tears brought by some scarred memory. The Beedrills lunged for their attack with multiple twin-needles. Coco and Nana dodged quickly but the child didn't move. Ruru had to shield him from the enemy, taking the hit that was supposed to be for the younger me.

"Ruru!" The child rushed to the Ralts as another Beedrill dove in for the attack. This time it grazed the left arm of the boy. Nana and Coco ran in front, growling in an attempt to scare away the bee pokemons. But it was no use. The insects charged again.

I had to do something. "Talo, Flame Charge!" My ember pokemon enveloped itself in blazing hot fire and surged through the swarm while I went to young boy to check on his condition as well as the Ralts. "Are you alright?"

"Beautiful" The child muttered with eyes glued to the flaming avian striking down the Beedrills one by one. Accurately, it zoomed through the air, and aimed for the wings of the bee pokemons. I looked up at the fiery display that Talo was performing. It was dazzling and deadly at the same time. After the swarm retreated, Talo landed on the ground next to me and I petted it for a job well done. Now, I had one matter at hand left.

*glomp*

"Could you teach me, master?" The child pleaded, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

I sweat dropped, having realized what I got myself into. Without replying, I calmly removed his arms away from me and glanced at his injury and the state of the Ralts. Lucky for both, it was nothing too serious. I took out some bandages and neatly tied them around the child's arm. "What you did was reckless. You could have fought them off with your pokemon."

"I don't battle! I hate it." The boy murmured with contempt.

I tightened the bandages, making him flinch and yelp in pain. "Possessing the ability to battle and battling to win are two different matters. The pokemon world is a huge place. In the future you will encounter things far more dangerous than a swarm of Beedrill. You have got to be prepared for anything." I finished bandaging him up and moved on to applying a potion on Ruru.

"...But."

I turned to look at my previous self who was still hesitating and unsure of what to do. I sat down on the tree stump and took out the remaining fabric from my bag. With a needle and thread, I started sewing. Curiously, the child stared at me with big round crimson eyes. I chuckled and let him do as he pleased.

After a while, I finished. I made a light pink hat for Ruru, a powder blue scarf with matching boots for the Skitty and finally a navy blue vest for Nana. I chuckled as the younger me glee with joy to see the trio wearing cute outfits.

"Master, teach me how!" Again, the child pleaded with innocent eyes.

I placed a hand on his head or my head. "I can't be your master."

The smile on his face was replaced by a frown. "W-why?"

I saw the loneliness flicker in his eyes; the same loneliness that I once felt. "You'll find someone more worthy than me." I assured the lad.

"I want to know how to make clothes like you. I want to enter contests and make my pokemon—"

"-Beautiful." I finished the same time as he, smiling as I did. "In that case, I suggest you check the local library in Goldenrod City. There are some really good books there in sewing and even make-up." I accidentally muttered the last word like a joke, but my younger self took it seriously. Oh well, based on my opinion, it was a handy and great skill. "Also, you should learn a thing or two about first aid. I won't be around all the time to patch you up. I don't want my—err your mom to faint when she sees you covered in injuries."

"Okay!" The child nodded eagerly.

"Don't forget about what I told you about battles." I reminded him.

The boy hesitated but he gave a small nod in the end. "But I don't want people to hate me."

I exhaled and recalled the aftermath of Salamence incident as vivid as I always do. "All I'm saying is that you shouldn't turn away from battles completely. They might save your life in the end."

"I-I understand."

"Why not go home for now? Your parents might get worried if you stay out for too long."

"Daddy's not coming home even though it's almost Christmas." The boy gripped his fists as he stared down at the ground.

"Your father must have something important to do. That's why he's away." I recalled dad leaving home to go on a search for Rayquaza. It was so that he'd make up for my mistake.

"He doesn't care anymore!" The child yelled, making even me flinch. "He only wants to get stronger that's why he left me behind."

"That's not true!" I shouted back on impulse. By the time I realized what I did, my former self was tearing up. Crap. I eased my tone and expression as I spoke up again. "If you really feel that way, prove him wrong. Show him what you can do."

"But, I don't like battles…"

"Then show him in a different way. As long as you put your heart into it, he'll see the strength of your resolve and be proud of you." I encouraged him.

The sorrowful expression on his face shifted to a strong front as he gave a firm nod. Afterwards, he bid me goodbye and ran off with his three pokemon.

I smiled and stood up, thankful that he didn't ask for my name or the reason I was wearing a Celebi mask. Speaking of Celebi, I wonder where the little guy flew off to. I looked around but saw no sign of the time-travelling pokemon. Instead, something else drew my gaze. It was white and they were slowly falling from the sky. Snow.

"Christmas, eh?" I exhaled in the growing cold weather. "Shame, I can't come home and celebrate with you Sapph… Then again, it's only September where you are or is it August, if I base my number of days travelling?" I sighed in exasperation. "I really can't tell the time now, can I?"

I took off my mask and returned it to my bag. Talo flew overhead as I ventured out of the woods, heading for Goldenrod City. Celebi wasn't back yet so I figured that it wasn't time to leave. I decided to take this opportunity to explore this period more. There was no rush with time-travelling but I did have an indeterminate deadline. I looked at my hand and clenched it into a fist. "Everything seems fine …for now."

Talo chirped and stared at me as I stood in front of the grand arch. Before it got too cold even for the fiery avian, I returned it to its pokeball and checked in the pokemon center. I reserved a room and had my pokemons healed.

That night, I looked out my window as the snow continued to rain down from above. The streets were filling up by the piles and the remaining people outside were now dressed up for the chilly weather.

I had no problem with the cold air. I was somehow thankful for it especially with the way things are. After seeing the view from the window, I flopped unto the bed and recalled the conversation I had with my younger self. It was quite the experience. I understood why Celebi brought me here. With the tranquil falling of snow outside my window, I lulled myself to sleep.

The next morning, I made myself a scarf and wore my usual white beanie with a red band. To add my disguise, I had to wear my glasses. Heading downstairs, I now noticed the festive décor inside the pokemon center. Even Nurse Joy was wearing antlers to spread some cheer to the trainers coming in and out.

After a tasty Holiday breakfast, I went out to explore Goldenrod City. The all-night snowing made the city a glittering winter wonderland. Piles of the frosty white blanketed the whole area; from the rooftops to the roads and even the passerby people and pokemon who stayed out too long.

I let my feet take me to the some familiar streets where I saw my old home. I glanced inside by the window pane, hoping to catch a glimpse of my past self again and even mom as well. A smiled curved on my face as I saw Christmas decorations hanging around the walls. There was even a tree with presents beneath it.

"Ruby! Aren't you going to open the present your father delivered?" Mom called out while carrying a small red box with a white ribbon and a card attached. I bit my lip, hearing no reply from my younger version.

I moved away from the window and circled around the back where I knew my room was situated. Inside, I saw the little boy engrossed in reading a book about sewing, a volume similar to mine. Beside him were the other books that I recommended. I did say that he should check the library, but I didn't mean to make him too worked up and miss the holiday completely.

*Ssheeen*

I turned about and saw Celebi hovering nearby. Was it time to leave? ...Not yet. I knocked on the window, jolting the boy's attention as well as the three pokemon settling cozily in the room.

Seeing me outside, he ran towards the window and opened it. He smiled at me with absolute joy and innocence like the child he is. "It's you master! Merry Christmas!"

Merry Christmas, my ass. "What are you doing staying in your room? Aren't kids your age supposed to be opening presents by now?" I frowned at the behavior my younger self was displaying. The lad also frowned back. I guessed he recalled the present that his—I mean our father delivered. "Well?"

"I want daddy. I don't care about some present."

"Be patient. I'm sure your dad also wants to be with his family." I explained to him, hoping that he'll understand.

"Then why is he taking so long? It's already been more than a year." The boy shot back.

A year, huh? Dad was gone for five. That meant this child had to wait for four more years at least. Telling my past self that dad was going to come home as soon as he can was definitely not going to work, given my stubbornness and the pain of the parting on that day. It would only disappoint him. The only option was to focus everything on something else. For now, that meant those books. In this season, doing that was not gonna cut it. "Get your coat and scarf and meet me at Ilex forest. I'll give you some tips on contest coordinating."

"Really?!" I saw the boy's eyes literally light up with cheer. He immediately closed the window and dashed off to get dressed. I sighed and turned to Celebi who conveniently disappeared again. With nothing more to do in Goldenrod, I headed to Ilex forest to meet up with the kid.

The tall evergreens became shrouded in a layer of white. Cold breeze chilled the air. The forest pokemon hid away in their shelters, bracing themselves for the long winter ahead. I slowed my pace as I fidgeted around with Talo's pokeball.

If it were up to me, I'd name it Chichi, but basing on Sapphire's name pattern, I figured Talo would be fine since it'll evolve into Talonflame. I saw a vision in the time stream with Sapphire saying there was a pokemon she wanted to give me for my birthday. I didn't see the full details, but I was eager to find out. When I paid an unexpected visit to Kalos, I caught a Fletchling which eventually evolved into a Fletchinder. I figured that since Sapph had a present for me, I should prepare one for her since her birthday is coming up.

"Master!" An enthusiastic voice echoed through the woods.

I turned towards its direction and saw the child running towards me with his three pokemon trailing behind and sporting the outfits that I made for them.

*Sshheeen*

Unexpectedly, Celebi appeared before us. It frolicked around in the wintery air and hovered in front of the younger me. The boy seemed enchanted by it. I saw his lips move, obviously wording beautiful. The pokemon trio wagged or in Ruru's case smiled to greet the time-traveler.

"Is this your pokemon too, master?" The boy looked at me with wonder.

"I told you don't call me master. And no, this is not my pokemon." I glanced at Celebi. "…But a dear friend of mine," and smiled. The time-travelling pokemon grinned back at me and spiraled playfully in the air, leaving a misty trail of snow behind it.

"Beautiful." The boy and I complimented in chorus. Because of the coincidence, we exchanged looks and laughed. Celebi giggled with us and levitated a couple of snowballs. I had this sinking feeling about what was about to happen. Without thinking, I ducked out of the way, accidentally slipping and flopping unto the snow-covered ground. There was more snow on me than it would have if I had gotten hit instead.

*splat*

Now, both my front and back were snowed. I glared at the little hovering culprit as I prayed that my outfit survived. It was a new ensemble that I worked on recently and I would seriously hate it if the snow stains became permanent. "Time out!"

Celebi gave me a chance to get back on my feet as it circled around the younger boy. I stood up and carefully brushed away the snow. Then I turned my attention to my past self. "So shall we have a practice run on pokemon coordinating?"

"Ah, before I forget…" the child pulled out something from his pocket. It was a red knitted potpourri bag. I surprised myself how quickly I learned. "This was the easiest thing to make. I was in luck that mommy had some yarn and needles in the closet. I spent all night making it so I could thank you for saving me and my pokemon."

The trio cried out their gratitude, cheerfully. I looked at the woolly item and saw the name "Ruby" written with a black marker. I guessed that it was an alternative to embroidery since he just started out.

"I placed my name there so you could remember me." The child grinned sincerely. "Next time, I'll learn how to make hats and scarves and other clothes."

"I'm sure you will…" I patted his head as thanks for the present.

The next few hours, I taught him the difference of the five contest categories and the proper conditioning to compete in them. The most important lesson was the one dad was training me in. Observation. With that, not only can one tell the nature of the pokemon, but also the weak spot. It was a vital skill in both coordinating and battling.

By the time the lesson ended, Celebi said to me in telepathy that it was time to leave. I bid goodbye to my younger self who was extremely saddened by the sudden parting. I placed my hands on his shoulders. "You won't be alone. When the time is right, my dear friend will come to you." We both looked at Celebi who nodded to us in return. Then it came over and placed a hand on the child. For a moment, he became dazed. I figured that was the reason my memory of this was very vague.

We took the chance to jump back in the time-stream. With a brilliant white radiance, the snowy forest disappeared. I glanced at my little gift; a knitted potpourri bag about the size of my palm. It was weird for me to carry it, seeing that I was the one who made it. But there was one person who'd want something like this. "Celebi, before we get back on track, let's drop by some place."

We came to different location, probably somewhere in Hoenn but the time didn't change. Christmas was still in the air. I stretched my arms and puffed a cloud of cold air. Celebi was not always exact on where we end up, but I had a feeling that we were pretty close. It was going to be hard to find him, but I had the means to track him down. I sent out Talo and handed him the potpourri bag to grasp on one claw while a pokeball containing a different pokemon on the other. "Be back soon, you two."

I watched as Talo's silhouette faded into the misty winter sky.

In the past, I didn't understand what I meant to you. Only after the trials that I came to realize how you were feeling as well during those years we were apart.

I smiled, knowing that a little reminder with help lighten his spirit especially in this season where families are supposed to be together. "Merry Christmas, Dad."

End of Special Chapter

As promised, here it is. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Truthfully, I really rushed this. I only started writing right after I posted the previous chapter.

Anyway, Please Review!